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The Charleston Daily Mail from Charleston, West Virginia • Page 21

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Charleston, West Virginia
Issue Date:
Page:
21
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THE CHARLESTON DAILY MAIE, SUNDAY MORNING, JANUARY 19, 1936 PAGE SEVEN at 80, Breaks Retirement to Please Throngs Upon Tour Praise Given Revival With Mary Rogers Call of the Stage Is Too Strong for Veteran of Many Successes By GEORGE ROSS EW YORK, Jan. lead- ing theatrical event of the week took place not on Broad- way, but across the river from it, when the veteran actor, Wil- liam Gillette, came out of retire- ment to return to the stage in an old play, "Three Wise Fools." Mr. Gillette appeared in the. play in Newark the other night, as his first stop in a limited tour of the East before the revival is brought to New York. How he came to forsake his seclu- sion at his baronial castle in Con- necticut is another tale of the irre- sistible attraction of the stage.

Brought away one day from his palatial home and the private rail- road that he operates along several miles of track on his estate, Mr. Gil- lette sat and watched rehearsals of his friend John Golden's latest show. Before he had witnessed much of the actors' work, the aged veteran of "Secret Service" and "Sherlock Holmes" (among a host of other memorable roles), turned to Mr. Golden -and declared that he wished to appear behind the footlights once again. Shortly thereafter.

"Three Wise Fools" was selected as his vehicle and Mr. Gillette was once- more on the stage--at the ase of 80. Mary Rogers, daughter of the de- ceased Will Rogers, is playing in his supporting company. Breathe Their Last When this dispatch was being passed on to the typesetter, two new Broadway offerings had already their last and a third and a fourth were already calling for a pulmotor. Of the trio, the costliest debacle was Zoe Akins' Evening Star," based on the last days in the life of the beloved Marie Dressier.

Produced on Wednesday, the show was being delivered to the ware- house by Saturday for permanent cold storage and is now a forgotten incident along the Rialto. Miss Akins' honors will have to rest, for the time being, upon her other play, "'The Old Maid," last season's Pulit- zer Prize winner. The other quick-disappearaiice-act of the week was pulled by a play en- tifled "Truly Valiant," written by Irving Stone whose book. ''Lust for Life," rode high in the best seller lists last year. Valiant" estab- lished a Broadway precedent when the audience laughed and almost booed the actors off the stage.

"Mid-West" is a play about poor farmers caught in a drouth season in and west of Kansas. And also about the younger generation, agitat- ing among the farm-hands to rebel for shorter hours and higher wages. It is a glum and grim saga, not de- signed to give much pleasure to en- tertainment seekers. But it is acted out interestingly by Jean Adair. Bernardine Hayes and Curtis Cook- sey.

The author, bv the way. is James Hagan of "One Sunday Afternoon" fame. In Maudlin Mood To add to Broadway's melancholia. a Charles Hammerslo'ugh brought in "Granite." a dreary drania by Clem- ence Dane. In a maudlin it relates the bleak tale of a lonely is- land's five, grim inhabitants some- time during the 19th century.

The Devil has a leading role. Under the guise of A Nameless Man, he starts most of the trouble in thp play. By twisting the Woman's soul in the shape of his granite will, he is re- sponsible for some sinister happen- ings, including the abrupt depar- tures into another world by two other gentlemen in the show. When the last curtain fell. Satan held his stony grip upon the Woman's wrist and high tides beat against the cliffs.

And the audience was left somewhere between the devil and the deep blue sea Mary Morris portrayed the sombre lady of the solitary isle in a shudderv style and high pitched voice: and the remain- der of the company kept up with the solemnity of the whole thing. A new-comer and an old-comer to the stage: Mary Rogers and William Gillette, pictured after a performance of "Three Wise Fools." Breezy Bits About 'Em What the Screen Stars Do and Wear Betimes On and Off The Screen (Continued from Page Six) to employ the genuine article. But real fog simply won't photograph at close range. A good many schemes have been tried, and discarded, until a fellow named Frank Davis, has a special process, has become of- ficial fogmaker for the movies. He 1 goes from studio to studio with his I apparatus, which consists of a be- wildering lot of pipes, motors, fans, pumps, and compressors.

Works like this: Vegetable oil is combined with chloride. The mix- ture is heated to the explosive point. The resulting black vapor is driven through ice-cooled pipes. The oil is broken down chemically and changes into a white vapor a doesn't choke performers or i costumes. Robert Montgomery will star in "Petticoat Fever," "film adapta- tion of Mark Reed's Broadway comedy of last season.

Richard Thorpe, whose latest picture is the new Astor theater film, "Last of the Pagans," will direct "Gram." Madame Schu- mann-Heink and May Robspn are to have the leading roles in this screen of Kathleen Norris' story. Bruce Cabot, last seen in "Show Them No Mercy," has been signed to a long-term contract. Isabel Jewell and Frank Craven have been added to the cast of "Small Town Girl," now under way. with Janet Gaynor and Rob- ert Taylor in leading roles. "Boots" has probably found a home.

"Boots" is a Western cow pony, assigned to Chester Morris in "Three Godfathers." Man and horse have become attached to each other. Morri.s brings sugar dailv for the animal, and has taught it tricks. The horse lows him -like a Clark Gable, famous setter of men's fashions, is introducing a new one, or. i i an old one-- bow ties for street wear. Long bows with pointed ends.

He is wearing them in bright stripes. Jean had a pleasant surprise awaiting her when she stepped on the "Wife vs. Secre- tary" set. Over the holidays the studio had redecorated her table dressing room! And each morning thereafter she has found a fresh bowl of gardenias on the dressing table. Robert Montgomery is host to his brother, Donald, at his home.

Jean Harlow is "in Dutch." And it's just about the smartest you've ever seen. It's a cap made from blue velour and shaped like those worn by the i boys that play near the dikes in Holland. It- has a pert little visor that Jean wears well over the right eye, and is trimmed with a blue I silk cord tied in a bow at the front. vShe wears this cap with a new. navy, tailored suit.

The friends a Madge Evans made while she was in England have not forgotten her. The postman delivered a pack- age from an English fan. The box contained the very latest things in bags. It was made from a soft brown antelope and. instead of a handle, it was equipped i a long strap which held it around the neck, like binoculars.

A feature of the bag was an extra a at the back which trans- formed it into a Mary Carlisle is a i scarfs and belts made to match i her sports outfits. The idea is a i cal and smart. The belts, as welt as the scarfs, are created in wool- en materials of odd and interest- ing weaves. There is one with ten- nis rackets, for tennis; golf clubs for golf, and horses for riding. Plaids and plain materials give added variety.

Hollywood has a brand new de- signer, i i i a Bruce. She has designed her complete fall ward- robe, even to her coats, and picked the and fabrics herself and is supervising their making. "It's lots more fun a i them ready-made," she said, "and you get exactly what you want without having to spend days of shopping." Gordon Douglas will assist Wil- liam Terhune in directing Patsy Kelly's first feature-length pro- duction for Hal Roach, tentatively titled "Kelly the Second." Cast in- cludes Pert Kelton. Charley Chase, Guinn i i a Edward Brophy, Harold Hubcr and Ben Hall. "Second Childhood," a new Our Gang comedy, is in production.

Bruce Cabot, who has just com- pleted a new role in "The Robin Hood of El Dorado," is in New York for a brief stay. Weldon Heyburn, who plays in "I Want a Policeman," has been signed to a Metro-Goldwin-Mayer picture contract. Wallace Beery is a i i place wood shipped to his new Beverly Hills home from his pri- vate island on Silver lake, in the high Sierras. Two enormous pines were felled by last winter's snows. All summer Wally has been too busy to do a i about them.

Now. however, he has a crew of workmen i thc giants i fireplace logs and i them to his Beverly home. Johnny Weissmuller had a re- union in Chicago with Bachrach. Illinois Athletic club coach, who taught how to swim. They hadn't seen each other for years.

Beautiful as the Adrian-designed costumes are, "Rose Marie" at M- G-M is presenting its heroine in certain scenes as an opera star would really look if she were ex- posed to weeks of travel through the backwoods of Quebec. In one now being filmed, Jcanetle MacDnnald is garbed becomingly, in a a Film Bills for Current Week At the, Capitol: Starting Story," drama of newspaper adventure, with Franchot Tone and Madge Evans; also, "The March of Time," and "MGM Audiscopicks," novelty. At the Rialto: Sunday and Pacific Fleet," with Joan Blondell, Glenda Farrell and Hugh Herbert; also, "The Farmer Takes a Wife," with Janet Gaynor. Tuesday and Night at the Opera," with the Marx brothers. Thursday and Gaucho," with John Carrol and Steffi Duna; also, "Man of Iron," with Barton MacLane and Mary Astor.

of Wanted Men," with Roy Mason, Frankie Darro and Drue Layton; also, "Flaming Signals." At the Kearse: Sunday through dramatic love story, with Miriam Hopkins, Joel McCrea and Billie Burke; also, on the stage, "Folies de Paree," with Chic Smelles, Bill Telaak, Bill Brown, Sally Payne, Milo, Willfrid Do Bois, Mayfields and Virginia, Helen Doyle, Eddie Pritchard, Dick Pritchard, Max Valdie, Moni, Kiviett, Poret, Patou, Schi- aparelli and others. Thursday through Saturday, on the screen-- "Whispering Smith Speaks," romantic drama, with George O'Brien, Irene Ware and Kenneth Thompson, i At the Virginian: Sunday through Ob- session," drama, with Irene Dunn, Robert Taylor, Charles But- terworth and Betty Furness. At the Greenbrier: Drop Kid," with Lee Tracy and Helen Alack; also, "Born to Battle," with Tom Tyler; also, comedy. Monday through of the Crowd," first-run, with Russel Hopton and Irene Ware; also, "Lawless Range," with John Wayne; also, first-run Pathe News and Mickey Mouse cartoon. of the Burious Bride," with Warren William; also, "Ladies Love Danger," with Mona Barrie; also, comedy and cartoon.

Miser- with Frederic March, Charles Laughton and RocheJle Hudson; also, comedy and cartoon. End," with Hoot Gibson; also, "Rustlers of Mad Dog," serial. Patent Heart Of Lindbergh Aids Karloff Super-Supreme Terrorizer Now in Making, About a Killer Amok Heermann Gets City Symphony i conduct the orchestra in its first concert. The program announced by the as- sociation will include the 'Egmont 1 Overture," by Beethoven; "Sym- phony in Minor," Mozart; "The I nil I I Queen of Sheba Suite," by Gold- JJlllU a and the first movement of the a "Concerto for Piano and Charleston's i Symphony or- a i A J. McHoul chestra, a i of the May i a association, will give its first cert at the Shrine mosque on Sun- as the soloist.

Put iii the Cast a Forbes i be seen as Paris, day afternoon, a A as a posed of 40 instruments, i i a i i as Bcnvolio in "Romeo a the a i i i a of the city, i a shearer and Leslie orchestra has perfected its or- Hov arc vc i a a i and program a i i i (lf Cukm I i of rehearsals winch began last a a is tl A second concert is to be given sonic time in March. The Charleston Little LoillfMiy for FalSV made its first appearance two tl -( OLLYWOOD, Jan. 18 Colonel Charles A. Lindbergh, America's No. 1 ocean hopper may not know it but he's currently play- ing Chief Horrifier for Boris Kar- loff, the prominent movie "mon- ster." It wasn't the Colonel's competent cross-water flying, however, but his invention of a "mechanical heart" that popped him into the role.

Lindbergh announced he had per- fected what surgeons call a "pro- fusion pump," which stimulates the action of the heart and will keep human or animal tissues alive. The "Lindbergh heart" solved a problem which had baffled research workers for years, and it was promptly hailed as a boon to medi- cal, science. Movie makers are applauding it now as a big help to Boris and are using it to lend an air of authenti- city to Karloffs "Return From Death" in a Warner Brothers' blood- curdler, "The Walking Dead." Yanked From Grave Ever since Karloff frightened the citizens under the seats as Frank- enstein's monster, the movie makers have been yanking him out of the "grave" in every picture and arti- fically restoring him to something resembling life to play hob with the tender passions of a beautiful maid- en and her a a lover. After this had gone on some time, however, the cash customers began taking a second i at the con- traptions used to a a the standard a "fiend in human form," and shucks. There a i no such thing." Something had to be done about it, for wicked skepticism was af- fecting box office returns, and Lindbergh's "heart" appeared like I a a from heaven.

Actually, of course, the mechani- cal heart won't revive a dead per- scn. Dr. Alexis Carrel 1, of the Rock- institute in New York, with whom the colonel worked as Bio- mechanical assistant, is using it to prolong the life oC otherwise dead diseased tissues in order a the disease Avill continue to develon and Just as her fairy godmother transformed Cinderella into a charm- ing belle, Hollywood magic brought out the loveliness and film possibilities of Mary Coleman, until recently the prim script girl shown at left. Results of a screen test, taken after she had discarded her "specs," donned makeup and evening gown, as shown at right, pleased a director so much that Miss Coletnan has received a tured role in a new picture. be studied under laboratory They Duplicate It Warner Brothers obtained permis- siion to duplicate the "heart," and working with blue-prints Dr.

Stan- ley Fox, pathologist of western scientific research laboratories, con- structed the second Lindbergh heart in existence for the Karloff set. In the picture Karloff will be res- urrected after he has been electro- cuted for a crime of which he is innocent. The proof arrives a min- ute after he has been executed. He comes to i in a bad temper, and seeks revenge on the crowd that framed him. --Mrs.

Jean Bello, mother of Jean Harlow, has decided to open an in- terior decorating shop in Hollywood. Cartoonist Signet? Tish Tash, syndicate cartoonist whose pen and ink creation. "Van Boring." the comical fellow who never says a word, has been put un- der contract as a gag man and writer with the Hal Roach studios. His first assignment is with the Charley Chase unit. 1 For Gang Comedy Production on "King Gong," an Our Gang comedy, has started at the Hal Roach studios under direction of Fred Newmeyer.

Shown in India "Bonnie Scotland," starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, is the first picture to be shown at the new Metro theater in Calcutta, India. Heermann. noted i i a i cian. it made an impression not alone :1 for its performance but for its possibilities. Thc orchestra i year will be augmented by Jew out-of-town fnusicians, whose r-trumcnts have not been a a i a locally, but who are necessary for a orchestra, but ma- i of the members are ones of whom Mr.

a dcchirod. "Those Charleston i i a can ably compete i the i a of the larger music a it i be a i crime if i a i i and talent does not become i i i i i and i Mr. Heermann has been retained by the local organization as director-gf n- a i i "Kelly I i i a i i rect. Frefhlic a Boxer i a has mas- torcci i The a is now a at all a i a i i i average boy. ISVarlv SIIOM-Bound a a escaped be- i in her a i high in the a i a i She 20 i in second gear and got out of the a i the 4DAVTONLY STARTING TO DAY assisted by W.

S. Mason who i a reached its i Comedy Begins "Divot Diggers," an Our Gang comedy, has been placed in produc- tion. Also in production on that lot are "Three On a Bench." a i i Savo, and 'The Bohemian Girl," with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Picture to Start Louis D. Lighten is i "Suicide Club" for Metro-Goldwyn- Ma.vor.

This is based on Robert Louis Stevenson's group of stories of the same a England Vacation Franchot Tone, Stuart Erurin, and. Madge Eiiana are featured in Elizabeth A a has gone to Eng- "Exclusive Story," newspaper drama, starting Sunday at the Capi- I land for a vacation. She plans to to Hollywood soon. tol theater. "Lets Go STRUTTING Let's Show the Folks How We Feel About These NEW Clothes! E'RE all set to go places and do thing's same as we used to do--remember? We'll start with a show, Follies De Paree at the Kearse theater, then follow with some dinin' and dancin'.

Sure, tonight. And next week we'll throw a party for the gang we thought we weren't good enough to hang around with The whole world's rosy again, full of life and fun. All because we got around the problem of buying new clothes. Just packed the old duds off to NuWAY and now they're as good as new again--a swell saving! NuWAY CLEANERS The Two Brightest Spots in Town! The of the Kearse theatre where Follies De Paree, the and spicy Parisienne revue is a i four days a i Today, and the NU'WAY CLEANERS where your garments are cleaned to a sparkle 365 days of the year. DOORS OPEN AT NOON TODAY Complete Stage Shows Today 1:50 4:20 6:50 9:20 Eve.

25-40c CHILDREN 15c ALL, DAY FEATURING An Array of Brilliant Entertainers BILL TELAAK The AH-American Drawback With BILL BROWN SALLY PAYNE WILFRID DU BOIS Distingue MAYFIELDS VIRGINIA Streng-th, daring and grace. HELEN DOYLE MILO? The Chic Parisienne Models and Others, Phone 23-113 Joan Blondell, Glenda Farrell and Hugh Herbert are featured "Miss Pacific Fleet," at the Rialto on Sunday and Monday. 1NEWSPAPE i NEWSPAPER.

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About The Charleston Daily Mail Archive

Pages Available:
114,805
Years Available:
1914-1977