Oakland Tribune from Oakland, California • Page 33

OAKLAND TRIBUNE, THURSDAY, MAY 8, 1941 33 DISCS FOR ROMANCE Sniff That CURTAIN OF CHILD CALLS: BUILD-UP STAR COLLAPSES Davis-Astor Acting Duel Proves Hit Big Radio Musical at Paramount IN MOUNTAIN PLAY -SusarinaFoster, -Talented-' But JJnlucky; Hollywood A f- i Has Its Own Bomb Raid By Wood soanes Last week for the first time in a long while thcFox West Coast found it Imperative to yank a picture directly" after it had openedThere's Magis in Music" at the Orpheum, and this brings up a rather curious point about the career of young Susanna Foster. When Paramount signed" this young woman a couple of years back at was satisfied that it possessed a jewel of rare T-i i Irene Dunne and Cary Grant In a scene irom "Penny Serenade," which continues its way at the Roxle this week. attainment -xnp cnim naa a lot of oomph, she had an ex- traordinary range, and she had no false modesty. It is probably the, latter quality that has failed her because she has been given a terrific rmiid-urj bv the Paramount public- i c.j nn ity department, has been used on all occasions for pmmtion and yet v.nl a efonv Tict nf flODS 10 her credit. "There' MaB In MUSIC was inerei iviasiv.

nrifflnallv released under tne tme 01 "Hard Boiled Canary" and immdj: Bteiy came a crupci nnirklv withdrawn eulation and a new campaign arranged for the benefit of Allan Jones who was given top position in the billing. ti onniiuh It wasn a bad pic ture. It had good music, an inter esting story and was weu maae. i monv films worry IJttVC occi through week, even two weeks in a downtown house wun iar tertainment in them than this Cv" 1. ThaO opening uaJ a pheum was appalling fi, rbin and want nn llbstltUte.

TWENTY SEASONS auu iuuni Adolph Bolm's Russian Ballet tuith Oeorse Barre conducting the w.r nrrhestra wUl be pre gented at the Greek Theater tonight, Just what it will look like when It reaches the screen is something else again, but Hollywood hag had its own private bomb raid over London for the purposes of a film tailed "The Flight Patrol." lMhSS uimiu nT 10 feet deep. Laborers worked lor m'vSSS-Hp Four steel with black PpT" i jLfet- drums eacn so 7 the and 5 ft deep wer laced in the hole and filled with 1 I large biacK powder bombs ana sana not" regulated," Fred Ponedel, Warner's powder ex- pert explained, "it would blow up a 10-story building. Parachute flaics, each havinb 000 candlelignt power were uiu in the background of the dummy London street, built oa the etumo lot. Five lightning torches were set up to give the effect of bombs burst- i theariittanre. Fifteen carbon nM nd then ex- DUHUICD wcic a-- i i mnlre hplievfi fire Xinguismeu wardens.

Ten feet in tne air over mc 'Penny Serenade' Boosts Director Columbia producer director George Stevens is one of Hollywood's youngest top-flight moviemakers. Responsible for such notable screen hits as "Gunga Din," "Swing Time," "Alice Adams" and "Vivacious Lady," Stevens is currently represented at the Roxle by Columbia's "Penny Serenade," romantic new comedy drama starring Irene Dunne and Cary Grant. Descendant of one of California's oldest families, Stevens was born in Oakland in 1005, son of John Landers Stevens, former matinee idol, and Georgia Cooper, also a stage favorite in San Francisco "be-foie the fire." His grandfather was the picturesque James Stevens, San Francisco attorney -in the Gold Rush days. Young Stevens made his stage debut at five with Nancy O'Neil. In journeying to Hollywood, he found histrionic, competition too keen, so entered the 'production branch of the industry.

He became an assistant cameraman, then a first cameraman, and in1 1930 wis given tho. opportunity to direct trie Hal Roach "Boy Friends" series 1933, with his first feature picture, "The Cohens and Kellys in Trou ble" he was well on his way toward his present petition. Soldier Cast Will Do 'Wizard of Ord' An Army general Who sports five stars in spite of the fact that Unci Sam's top-ranking officers wear only four stars, a St. Bernard pup named "Winkle" and weighing 155 pounds and three amusing tramps known as the "Dopes" are among the prominent characters in "The Wisard of Ord," to be presented on the stage of San Francisco's War Memorial Opera House for three performances next Saturday and Sunday. The best musical and theatrical talent among the 25,000 soldiers at Ford Ord compose the cast of 100.

The all-soldier operetta is being staged for the benefit of the enlisted men's fund and will also go to purchase instruments for the 220-pieos drum and bugle corps, largest in the United States. Tickets are on sale at Sherman, Clay in Oakland and San Francisco. a naseant g'-CP jfc apectacle, i and 1 vx I 'fl ii. 4 iMn'itl3 fej 'Great American 1 Broadcast' Start Brilliant Troupe "The Great American RriwiiriiHi with Alice Faye, Jack Oakie, Cesat; Romero and John Pavne rtlartn thi leading roles, came into the ParaJ mount this hoon. i This 20th Centurv-Fo musipdi does for the radio what "Tin Pal Alley" did to commemorate the his tory of show business in this couni trv.

ThA fiheninltv hot nrnlnn lillVr been Knotted in the cast include three Wiere Brothers, the NichHai Brothers, the Fnif Tnlt fihhU inl Eilla Morgan. Others in the cas are decorative Mary Beth Hughe William Pawley, Lutiien Littlefieli 1 Eddie Conrad and Frank Orth. A chnrmine eetillernnn hank rrihm ber steals a missing banker's fac ana Unas himself in possession of the banker's beautiful wife (not tth mention his beautiful bank) in th companion feature, "Scotland 4.ne cast inciuaes XMancy Kelly, JEd mund Gwenn, John Loder, Henrjj Wilcoxon, Melville Cooper and G1W bert Emery. 'The Vinegar Tree Succeeds 'Henry' Edward Everett Hortoh ttarts hii fourth and final week the Aid caxar Theater in "Springtime foi Henry" tonight and on Thursdag next his place on the stage will bi taken by Billie Burke in anothei hilarious comedy, "The Vinegai Tree." I Miss Burke comes to the Alcatal for her first visit to San Franelsci in half a dozen years bringing company of stage and screen pen) sonallties, headed by Paul CavaH naugh, who was here last At leads inR ir.art for Gertrude Lawrence iaj "Susan and God. In "The Vinegar' Tree," Mjs is seen as a fluttery Metro who 'manages to get herself Into ps'ck trouble by the simple pedieht of imagining that ever; male who Hps his hat in passing desperately in love with nr.

'There Will be only thre flnas performances of "Springtlm fof Henry" at matinees, On Saturdayj Sunday and Wednesday; and but) seven night performances including hi(- last on Wednesday evening. May 14. 1 Another Amateur Frolic at Downtown 1 It's "Amateur Frolic" time ftgai tomorrow night at p.m.. on th stage of the Downtown Theater, feajj, turing Don Santo; in stage enow Of twenty amateurs. I Saturday at midnight, the Down town is presenting the "Amazing Dr.

Marquis" in a combination spine chilling, horror scenes. On the screen Saturday at midnight iM conjunction with the "HorrOr-scopes of will be "Dr. itaw ring Boris Karloff. On the screen tonight and tdmotN row night in conjunction witM "Amateur Frolic" will be Thj Amazing Mr. Williams" with MI vyn Douglas and Joan BlOhdeil, and "Lady From Kentucky'1 with Geftfgt Raft t'a tli wonder hdw At a that's neverbeen -matched.

ttmi'j! LMZrtnr- rninku. Burm HAYWARD -aw 7 A00-- Many Stars in 'Ziegfeld Girl' "Zlegfeld Girl" will be held over for a third and last week at the Fox Oakland, but will end its sensa tional run on Wednesday to make way for the Charlie Chaplin pro duction of "The Groat Dictator," at regular Fox Oakland prices. Blended into "Ziegfeld Girl" are the talents of an all-star cast, music to set everybody humming, a story tense in dramatic quality, settings which have tha spectator breath less, and one hundred of the most beautiful girls in America. The top flight stars include James Stewart, Hedy Lamarr, Judy Garland, Lana Turner and Tony Martin. On the sidelines are such troupers as Edward Everett Horton, Charles Wlnnlnger, Jackie Cooper, Ian Hunter, Rose Hobart, Felix Bres- sart, Philip Dorn, Paul Kelly and many 6thers.

Sidney Toier, as Charlie Chan, continues to snoop here $nd there ln the companion feature, "Dead Men Rogers' Schoolmate Dies at Fresno FRESNO. May 8. (A)-Ben White, ST, oil well drilling Contractor and schoolmate of the late Will Rogers, died in a Fresno hospital. Relatives said White Was a class mate 6f Rogers at the Kemper Military AcSdemy at Boonevllle, Mo. He came to Californila ln 1906 and worked on the famous Lakevlew gusher near Taft.

later went to Texas and worked in the Burk-Burnett field finally becoming a drilling contractor. As a contractor, White drilled wells for the Longan and Doheny interests in the field at Tampico, Mexico. Eagles Will Honor Mothers ot Program ALAMEDA, May 8. A Mother's Day program will be featured at the meeting of Alameda Aerie No. 1076, Fraternal Order of Eagles in Eagles Hall, tonight, according to announce ment by Charles H.

Cook, president, Ford Samuel, Alameda postmaster, will be the speaker. IT, la llli: ill'l. I JERRY CHAS. 1 1 SWAN i i 'ki i i V- in ititifii ii. a.j,M,r,ii).ii,"'ii, Ham? It's Truesdell- Mfelvin Douglas Popular on Set With Electricians By JOHN TRUESDELL HOLLYWOOD, May 8.

There will be no- column today. I know there will be no column, because I just asked him and he said: "Can't you see I'm rehearsing my part? I've got my line. Which sounds best: 'Jerry, old boy, hello That's his part in "Our Wife." Mel vyn Douglas is Jerry. And what was yesterday a columnist is today an actor, smothered, like a cheap steak in onions, with grease paint. He rushes up to Douglas and says: "Jerry That, he thinks, makes him an actor.

All the ham is com ing out sliced thick. He's got John Stahl, the director, fit to be tied al ready. He keeps demanding: "Who gets the girl in this picture-Mel-vyn Douglas or me. Why shouldn't I get the girl?" The girl is Ruth Hussey. Ha! He thinks he could get the girl.

And he a only half kidding. Well, he said there would be no column and that puts it up to me mavbe this will interest you. Melvyn Douglas is one of the most popular stars with. the extras, the electrlciahs, and all the set workers. The reason? Because he's one actor who not only sympathizes with the actors in Hollywood, but he actually does something about it.

LABOR, CAPITAL'S FRIEND The producers in this town who are always yelling against unions ought to know what a real friend of labor Melvyn Douglas is and capital, too. The set workers tell me that when they get all hot and bothered about something, he tells them te take it easy and not go' off half cocked. They trust him and take his advice, because they know he is seriously interested in their problems of more pay and shorter Darn few actors up in the big money give more than casual lip service to the little man's problem. There he goes again. Di rector Stahl has called "Action!" Listen to him: "Jerry, old boy My God, it's good to see you." Wow! he should've known better than that.

The Hays Office! You can't say "My God!" in pictures. The director is holding his hose while he bellows: "Cut!" "Your line," he tells this self-condensed Jawn (Barrymore) Truesdell "Is simply: 'Jerry Jerry, old boy, I'm glad to see What are you trying to do? Fatten up your part?" There that got him, You can see him blush through the make-up. That ought to, hold him. Now he's come to. He's explaining to the rector: "I'm very sorry, Mr.

Stahl. Ha, ha just nervous, I guess. If the Hays Office says I can't wear a sweater orsy my God, I won't do either." Okay," says the director, then don't do either and I mean don't!" LINER ON RANCit Back to the column, You should see this set. They've moved the entire "Our Wife" company out to the Columbia Studios' ranch Jn San Fernando Valley, That's where they've Rot an ocean liner. How do you like that? But that's Holly wood Melvyn Douglas is getting off the boat.

It's Panama. The dock's crowded with Panamanian types and rich American tourists all of whom are getting $11.50 a day. But they look rich, even if they don't get that 11.50 very often. One extra told me that he hau been "to sea" three days that week at different studios. On two days he was a rich American tourist just like he is today.

On the he-was in. command of a battleship. He didn't do anything on the battleship except look through binoculars. The gob that came running wnen ne beckoned, saluted and aye, sir," got more dough because he had a speaking part. There goes that typewriter- pounding Barrymore again.

Listen MICKEY BOONEI "ANDY HARDY'S PRIVATE SECRETARY" Kar Fr.noli-J.mei EllUsn "PLAIOIRL" KORTHERf'jLlPOaNIA I NATHAN ABAS I Conductor JEANETTE FISCHER 0et Vlollnltt Tomorrow Evening at 8:30 Oakland Auditorium Theater Seats, 25c and 40c fallf. Stale Pent. tf CSorallne Northern California Mnl Pro.li Wark Prajecta Adminiitratnii I yard' I Bette, Mary Fight It Out in 'Great Lie' New Esquire Drama By WOOD SOANES Tn ViAr nlpturr-s. "Reiif Davis is pretty careful to select as her role that or the other woman," for she knows full well that it is on that side nf th artinff fence that the fields are always green. But apparently it gets wearisome nflpr a while, iiist like eatine too much squab or chocolate eclair, and on the screen or tne esquire, Miss Davis is seen in the role of the Injured Wife while Mary Astor comes forth as the wicked female.

Needless say Miss Astot, armed with a npw coiffeur, romris off with virtually all the acting honors of the entertainment, in tne Beginning she gets some opposition from Miss Davis but presently it is bb-vlnna thnt Miss Davis, aware that she has made a bad bargain, gives up the fight "The Great Lie" is the story, an interesting item about a playboy uihn can't make ur his mind hp is in love with a simple homespun Southern girl, or a smart, sleek career woman wnose magic ninnn nlnvinfi is a world wonder. He marries first one, then the other and finally disappears to let them fight it out Ahnnt this time the film really becomes interesting and the acting of the two women is lifted to a high pitch. They battle first for the infant of the man they believt dead and subsequently for both the child and the man. That Miss Davis wins in nmrolv the whim of the script writer, not the reward of either logic or histrionic prowess. "The Great Lie" is the sort of film 4hnt has definite appeal to feminine, audiences and George Brent gives a good account of himself as the man in the middle.

Hat-tie McDanlel has a good juicy part and plays it to the The rest of the cast is competent and the direction of Edmund Goulding is flawless. For a second item, the Esquire has who-dun-it called "The Black Parrott" in which William Lundl-gan, Maris Wrixonr Eddie Foy Jr. onM Paul rnVHrisueh disDort them selves. Lie'- is worm seeing; "The Black parrott ism. to him.

This is another take. Di rector John -Stahl and the two as- ArMnr Ppffpip Callow and Eddie Stein, have given him a pep- talk. From wnere i sit, ne loims ihnuoh h' norldina vieorously. They, must have told him to "Get in there and pitcn, duo. ne tuning confident.

He's waiting for his cue. There he goes! "Jerry Jerry, old boy, I'm glad to see you. Now he and Melvyn Douglas are hnnHs "filarl to see you, Duanuift too," says Douglas, but he doen innir hnnffh he means it The director has begun to perspire. "I'm stopping at- tne wauonaie. mi that Then our actor speaks again: "Yes," he tells uougias, us the Hotel Nationaie.

xounioven. Hot and cold running bell boys and, everything." Oh. oh! He put nis loot in wai time. "Cut!" bellows the director. I can't write what the director said, but he.

finished up by saying: to, IUnaM vnn'rf hllild UD VOUr part again with a corny gag hot and cold running Deu nops wen J. if o.aln!" nrniiil thft director. "Look, Melvyn Douglas does it the way I want. Hum nussey gives ner tha wav want her to." Mr. Big is speaking again sheep- H'shly: "I'll do it," he gulps, "Mr.

Stahl. I'll de it the way you warn this time." Whew! What a day this has been to me. Thank heavens t'm nnf on optnr'n nncretarv. TO' morrow I'll be a columnist's again. The ham will all ue gone i Keep hoping! Your long suffering aecreiary, JUNE.

Sunday Person XrAfj nioPiiiaaiaTFRS ARUKtnddldlcno Creator of Hni.arle Woonle Bhyha Tnnlta "Hhumba VIUU Free I. UAnLARU rirtL trnninii.ni RELIEF FUND. ASSOCIATION 11th Annual DAiiCE VAUDEVILLE SHOW 1 i Oakland Municipal Auditorium SATURDAY, May 10,8:30 p.m. i MUSIC George Collins' fa-i mous 25-Dlece orchestra. ENTERTAINMENT iranil array of all-star radio and i vaudeville artists.

1 i Twn 3 5 Dorothy Wilkin, dancer, who will be featured ln Percy Mackaye's fantasy "A Thousand Years Ago" at Tamalpals State Park, Sunday, May 18. 'Jenny Lind' of Hills at Orpheum A dainty blossom springs out of the Ozarks to reveal herself in "Sis Hopkins-," which is now being fea tured on the same bill with the drama, "So Ends Our at the Orpheum. "Sis Hopkins" stars the vibrant, open-mouthed flower, Judy Canova the hill-billy Jenny Lind. She is aided and abetted in her antics by Band Leader Bob Crosby, and his Bob Cats and Jerry Colonna, which ought to' be far enough on the wacky side to please the most ar dent screwball. Miss Canova sings, dances and falls on her face for the amusement and edification of her fans; and others in the cast are Charles Butterworth Susan Hayward and Katharine Alexander.

Fredric March, Frances Dee and Margaret Sullavan are starred in the piece de resistance. "So ends Our Night." a dynamic drama. There is also a Walt Disney color cartoon Symphony Plays Here Tomorrow The Northern California WPA Symphony Orchestra, Nathan Abas conducting, will play in the Oakland Auditorium Theater at 8:30 p.m. tomorrow. Jeanette Sonia Fischer, violinist, formerly of Chicago; will be the guest artist.

The program will introduce to local symphony audi ences two new compositions by Clif ford VaUghan and include the great est of all Brahms compositions: Rhapsody. Vinlln Concerto Vauglutn Jeanette Sonla Fischer, violinist INTERMISSION First Symphony, In minor. Brshms First Milk Bar The idea of a milk bar probably originated in London more than 200 years ago, when a cow was kept be hind a bar in an inn to supply cus tomers. 7 GRAND STARS i the kind qjg ol love story f-wi wantea for Of i them! Boris karloff "DOOMED TO DIE" Lesll Bank! Wilfrid Lawion "DEAD MAIV'S SHOES" lILItLESUlE STAGE SHOW 3-7-1Q p.m. Tease Girls HOT Cr FAST indsiascPEEn, FEQTURL betoftmamagt Mot and Nst- -'Z Ski illliii I 15 lAC "i ni srs'Mut CM) cameras was a ueuus ihtp1-1 vjb, uwui-j nc 4.i..

with dirt, balsa wood and cork, has taken a role in "The Happy similar to that used for packing the Days" due for an opening-on Broad-powder bombs. When the detona- way this month Laird Cregar ter. Knowing little nothing about the stock market, and having small interest in racing stables, Parry finally decided to spend the money on his own entertainment, So he purchased hundreds of reels of old Mack Bennett comedies, took possession of all rights and pro ceede(J to moviefo his frjends at his home. The chumi 4U ......4. 41-- for urns the nirtnrec Vint feU.

that Parry had been taken into camp by a smart mm salesman, in umc Parrv thonuht tnn Then one day a studio bought 50 tmes irom farry, paying rum $iu 000 for the full rights to titles and any scenes it wants to reproduce. tie sun nas plenty oi reeis ten. ne sells one here and another there to rnllertnra nnn" haq hiffh hnnes nf one day making enough to "retire and forget movie stunting entirely. Exits and Entrances Katharine Booth. 22-year-old Hollywood nllvwfsori mnrirl tQ lntQ the acU gt the studio.

Miss Boo looks Eddie Cantor has signed a deal with united Artists whereby he be comes a producer-player for I period of three years with a mini mum of one picture a year Monty Banks, Gracie Fields' hus hnnH. will riirppt "Fnrwarri Marrh the Laurel and Hardy comedy tnat wiu jauncn tnem at mn ox. Susanna TnsMr has hepn jiKcitfnprl to co-star with Jackie Cooper and June Pressier in "Glamour Boy" at Paramount Lee Shubert is talk i -bout Summer theater tight on Broadway at tne oia Maxine m- inciudes Dians Ior tryouts new plays with a two-weeks run Greta Garbo has drawn Melvyn Douglas as leading man for Hg wgs Ag Me "Ninotchka." The new film has no till, but Garbo will do a dual role Andrew Tombes has been selected repIace stanley Fields, who died suddenly, in "Lady Scarf ace" at Radio EHssa Landi has turned up ln Kansas City for a special per- formance of Edward Sheldon's old Syivia Sidney wiu follow her in Tw0 on an Island the Elmer Bice play she did Tlifinn Tlarrvmnre wpnrv wait 'n8 for her father to make up his mina on a co-starring engagement, at iuin-t in. vrejrwr -nas gust iin- ushed a bout with the measles and a role "Blood and Sand Now that his son, Todd, has been given his baptism of fire in the films, Roscoe Karns" daughter, Mary 19, is to have her chance. She goes into "Navy Blues" at Warners.

If both kids hit the jackpot, Roscoe nsiri I lonffynll Ghlirlnnl VQ" wwu.cj assistant to Josenh Rreen and Fran Wiu ii. Hays, nave been named as nnfeniial sllrrpccnrE in Rroon'a Anh as guardian of the movie's morals Hollywood TODAY OALY JACK HOLT PASSPORT TO ALCATRAZ alto ROBERT MONTOOMEET HAUNTED HONEYMOON plua Leon Errol Comedy 2. atBDwr.jf ti.ttt MELVYN DOUGLAS The Amazing Dr. Williams baft Lady from Kentucky ON STAGE TONITE msoi The Dream Doctor iHfirwv CF urt OM jlP ROW COLOR CARTOON NUZ I f. i ff I 1 iniiiis-tii mi ii lis fi it ir.

s. tion came, me ucui mo i-o feet in the air. Then it all came Aunt," which will Jack Benny ji. i 1 1 I 4VielL nna T.1 I hurtling down on tne neaus ui plavera but not one receivea a scratch from the feathery material, several stunt cajjci v.v. 4h- hv concussion, the police telephones were clogged with alarmed inquiries from nearby resi- H.nt; and Hollywood had had its i.

tUKlI r. r. Ann TOfiaV "Mr. Barnes of New York is thefcis Harmon executive assistant t( cis S. Harmon, executive assistant to r.i rt.l'r ilifilV It es v5 ggS: AzndEaT'.

I l. i I 'S I a I '111 Chills ofi Sam Program Charlie Chan Men Tell immm mimm' current attraction at Morosco Grand Opera House This mention of stunt men refills a recent story that Silted out of Hollywood as a irlDUte to emci V.T Some time back Parry finding himself with the sum of $1800 in ni Da nne mhi vkv raiij. cash and a desire to invest it Began casting about for ideas on the mat' WHEN THE PICTURES START nf Plunk Parrot. 12:05, 3:05, 6:05, "The Great Lie." 1:10. 4:10.

7:10, 10:10 p. m. Fox GirtM2 noon, 3:25, 6:50, 10:15 p. "Dead Men Tell," 2:20, 4:45, 8:10 p. m.

Orpheum "Sis 12:29, 4:30, 8:31 p. "So. Ends Our Night" 2:15, 10:18 p. m. Paramount "Scotland Yard," 12 noon, 2:59, 5:55, 8:54 p.

"Great American Broadcast," 1:23, 4:22, 7:18, 10:11 p. m. itoxie-r- pnanwm auomarine, a noon, 3:05, 6:15, "Penny Sere nade," 1:00, 4:10, 7:15, 10:20 p. m. UOlERROL LUPE VELEZ 6 LESSONS MADAME LaZQNGA 0DAYI top TeL 3 CM iittuuu sib et CM I I tha '(: NOV trie Murla.