Oakland Tribune from Oakland, California • Page 28

B-13 OAKLAND TRIBUNE, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1940 Stop-Watch Tests Throw New Light on Versatile Art Of Cornelia Otis Skinner Costume Changes Have Important Part in Plays Actress Will Bring to Curran Theater and Reflect Skill That Makes Her an Author and Producer Mantle Lists Best Plays i Of Past Year California-is Score In Critic's Ratings; Local Stage Picks Up triple responsibility of author-pro- duefcr-actress, she couldn't afford to bore her audiences by long delays between scenes. She bridge tha necessary gaps between scenes with carefully selected music, interpre By WOOD SOANES The 10 best plays of 1939-40 and you may take the word of Burns Mantle, dean of New York critics are "The Time of Your Life," by William Saroyan; "There Shall Be No Night," by Robert E. Sherwood; Largo," by Maxwell Ander- tive of the mood of the scene which has just closed and merginf Into that of the one ahead. WORK OF GENIUS I auu; ine wona we JviaKe, oy oia-j ny Kingsley; "Life With Father," by Howard Lindsay and Bussell Someone has been holding a stopwatch on Cornelia Otis Skinner. Ever since she began that unique series of plays for a single actress, starting with "The Wives of Henry VIII" and leading up and ojt to "Mansion on the Hudson," "The Empress Eugenie" and "The Loves of Charles ft," th three new plays which she will present at the Curran during the week of November 11.

Miss Skinner's friends have commented on the almost complete independence which she enjoys in her professional life. Her acting friends have even been known to envy her. Who else on the stage today writes her own plays, produces them herself, rehearses them as long as she likes without asking Equity anything about it, supervises the designing and the execution of the costumes, chooses the props and suggestions of stage settings, selects the music, acts all the roles herself, and decides when and where she will go for a single performance or a week's engagement, and which play or plays she will present? GROWING IN LENGTH arouse; ine Man Who Uame to Dinner by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman; "The Male Animal," by Elliott Nugent; "Skylark," by Samson Raphaelso'n; "Margin for Error," by Clare Boothe, and "Mornings at Seven," by Paul Osborn. First reaction V)- this list Is that It contains more than the usual number of comedies, a matter that Mantle explains in his'introducUon: "The second year of the World's But also from the start, schooled herself, and made careful preparations in advance, for lightning-like changes.

It. might be said in conclusion by one who has watched these change many times without the preoccupation of a stopwatch that, apart from the physical task of changing costumes and wigs, Miss Skinnert problem is extremely simplified by her comparative independence I what the actor usually knows as makeup. Just as she changes hfer voice at will to simulate widely varying characters, she is able tfl indicate facial changes and even the age of her hands by an extraordinary muscular control, a gift which she never permits to revert into a mere trick but which measurably simplifies her task of keeping her performance moving without iJS9Hb HSr! iimmmmmL fllllliaafaV sgffi v' jlr jtmmr sal mmw HMyKlflV ESibkbbV 'jjjljjj Jfe joi! eB I mi mm ft JuM mTM mL mm Hk mmt rfj Mftf j2 mm Fair and the first year of the sec ond world's-, war did not appear greatly to affect the theater season of 1939-40 in New York. It was, if anything, a little gayer than most seasons have been recently. Gayer But the stopwatch wasn't intended to curtail Miss Skinner's independ in both the auditoriums and the ence In any sense.

Nothing of box offices. It was, in fact. punching the timeclock about it. break in the interest. The watch was held by a curious comedy year.

Seven of the plays selected for Inclusion In this year book are on the comedy side and onlooker backstage who wished to verify the suspicion that Miss Skin only three of serious import. CALIFORNIA PRODUCTS ner speed in changing costumes is not the least extraordinary ffxtor in the success of Miss Skinner. Incidentally, the stopwatch re Developing the thought, Mantle finds other evidence of the brighter side of things in the antic comedy of John Barrymore in "My Dear Children," and in the perplexity vealed another fact, of which followers of Miss Skinner maji be vaguely aware, but of which they have never heretofore had definite 01 tne critics Circle over hoce of a best play and the final Faucit Players Presenting Farce The play, "Take Two From On, which is being presented by th Faucit Theater Players at the City Club Thteater, tomorrow, is a fare comedy by Martinez Sierra, author of "Cradle Song" in which Eft LaGalliene appeared. The leading roles are played by Lorraine Ensher, Walter Way, Eva Anthes and Nathelle Granger. They are supported by Eddie Harwood, Jeanne Bolan, Max Haskett, Charlotte Klingel Beatrice Pint), and Paulina Fllley.

proof namely, that her plays have been growing, not only, as critics naming of Saroyan's 'The Time of Your Life, which gave that brash seem to agree, in scope and in char young Californian a two-way vie tory in that he had previously been awarded the Pulitzer prize. acterization and in skillful plot weaving, but also in actual length and duration. Guided by sound theatrical traditions ever since she was born in Chicago while her celebrated parents were -trouplng, Miss Skinner knew that, when she undertook the California is rather well-represented in the general listing an'd it has had the advantage of seeing several of the plays. "The Man Who Came to Dinner," "Key Largo' and "Skylark" have played here with good casts, two of them being the New York companies; the Saro Appear at Sweet's sawiaiMMMmainn i 1 1 1 mm mSESmt Rtt I'l'i mm yan play has been shown at ama If there is one quality that has exerted an important influence on fieur theaters in San Francisco and i mar laiiini mm and so has "Margin for Horace Heidt's career it is that irror." "The Male Animal" started chronic ambition to be an all In Southern California. around man in whatever enterprise Later this year, or early next year "Life With Father" will come West he undertook.

And as a youngster on the sand and so will "There Shall Be No lots of Alameda, California, his na Night" with the Lunts. This latter tive city, Heidt started out to be Is obviously Mantle's choice for the come an all-around athlete. playwriting honors of the year. "It TT t7rVTr Str Av- nr H.mkins ALLEaiiLriLL Ru JOIINSOn Lew Ayres in THE GOLDEN FLEECING Croat Conntrr Romance, Gene RRymond tST Telephone HIgate 980Q HliLlVJ "TWENTY-MULE TEAM" WALLACE BEERY LEO CABRILLO Jean Arthur in TOO MANY HUSBANDS At the University of California, he continued the record as all-around becoming a member of the baseball team, and the "boxing squad, as well as the football team. seems to this editor," he wrote, "to be one of the finer plays of the American theater record, and to base its superiority on human val ues rather than upon those ephe He was well on his way to becom jT HV SSoIanotltSaninAlo meral emotional reactions born of ing heavyweight champion of the fUOUUI J.

Its subject, which stems from the Quiz Nifht 8:00 p.m. THE GREAT McGINTY RHan Donlevy. school when his family interfered. So Heidt dropped boxing although Invasion of Finland. It will still be with Billy Lea FXCTMAMT Foothill Blvd.

at 74th CiAOiiyiyjm ann sotuern Lee Bowman in "OOLD RUSH MAISIE' PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. Greer Garson Donald Duck In MR. DUCK STEPS OUT "THE BISCUIT EATER' SCOOP! STANFORD U.S.C. GAME a fine drama, though probably a dated argument, 50 years from he had never received a scratch while in the ring. He cpneentrated on football and, in a play during a major game, fractured his spine.

Through subsequent years he was now." CRITICS' HANDBOOK PPDOITA San Pablo at Fairmouht. OtinlllHJ BRENDA JOYCE and JOHN PAYNK Lana Turner 1n "WE WHO ARE YOUNG1 (J With this gentle rebuke to his nnnMn aw Twinoaks23oo Cont. Starts 1:00 forced to undergo 17 signal opera tlons. tlon of the Saroyan drama, Mantle "I LOVE YOU AGAIN" WILLIAM POWELL and MYRNA LOY Also "RHYTHM ON TUE RIVER" With BING CROSBY and MARY MARTIN Heidt had learend to play the piano and was active in glee club proceeds to the business at hand, which is the compilation of another valuable yearbook on drama. The workA Ho had been extra DTT7 Bo' t2th St.

at 7th Ave. "1J "TWENTY MULE TEAM' WALLACE BEERY LEO CARRILLO Vivien Lelth In SIDEWALKS of LONDON "Best Play" series started in 1919 money playing with various bands gaining favor In the United States, Now he set about organizing his own orchestra, and Horace Heidt and his Californians made their with a volume covering the season of 1919-20. The first 20 years are thus covered In the new vol thanks to the Sonja Henie influ DTPli MT Piedmont' Linda Avea. ridUVljn 1 Cont. Today from 1 :00 "THE BAKER'S WIFE" with RAIMU NowMIRO WEEK! Season's Comedy Hit ence, and reports from New Yorl- ume and an additional 10 years of Phone FR ultvnlc 4100 UJ 1 tULL "MARYLAND debut.

After two years in Oakland, Heidt and his troupe were engaged indicate that Miss Henie has hit It BRENDA JOYCE and JOHN PAYNH again with her ice show at Radio Cross Country Romance, Gene RnymoaS for theaters in San Francisco. Lator Center. he went East. Heidt will be at On Sunday, November 3, an Oak- Head Ad Schuster's "Other Fellow Column Every Day in The Tributes' FT PFV San Pablo Ave. nr.

35th 1 1 "JESSE JAMES" TYRONE POWER and HENRY FONDA HUflna Family in "MONEY TO BURN" Sweet's Ballroom for. a single per lander who has made his mark in formance next Sunday evening, his chosen field will stage a tri umphant return when Horace Heidt leads his Krtights back to the teBtt6ryc.Mihere- he originally data Is available in a single volume published some years aso, "The Best Plays of 1909-19." This Is to be augmented by another in the near future covering the 1900-1909 period. Whatever originally Inspired Mantle to this work, I am unable to say. but it is a very 'valuable one, In his volume he not only gives condensed, readable versions of the selected best plays, but furnishes a wealth of information on the people In the theater. Hp does not confine his attentions to New York either and there are summaries prepared Ave.

at Claremont P-v CUM TriO TW lnoa TOWFR Telegraph 1 Contlnuoi ous Plays to Aid British War Relief Fund A holiday benefit lor the children of England is being prepared by A WA MlJlTi i VU started for a night's engagement at from 1:00 n.m. Open 12:46 D.m. THE GREAT Brian Dnnlpvv Sweet's ballroom. Heidt himself is sufficiently excited over the pros- "SOUTH OF PAGO PAGO" Ion Hall-Victor McLaelen-FrancetFarmer "PIER with Lloyd Nolan-Lynn Bar I Akim Tamlroff; Georre Brent in THE MAN WHO TALKED TOO MUCH' peel to have let loose in an enthusiastic and somewhat costly telegram the young people Of Berkeley. It will take the form of a Nativity play which will be presented during Comedian to End Downtown Billing making known his intentions.

We'll be rarin' to go with a dance the Christmas week. The produc A17RF.T nMr 38th Avenue OUTSTANDING HITS) by drama critics in Chicago. San in the old home town," was one of tion will be under the direction of HOPlfTMCi Hopkins at 3Sth Avenue nUr JUND ANN SHERIDAN George Raft in THEY DRIVE BY NIGHT SCATTCRBRAIN' With JUDY CANOVA STANFORD vs. U.S.C. FOOTBALL FILM Ann Sothern in "GOLD RUSH MAISIE' Mrs.

Herbert Sanford Howard. The SPORT1NO BLOOD' with Robert Young Franciso and Southern California. As a consequence, the "Best Plays" becomes a critics' handbook as well the mildest of the exultant sen tences. 1 INSPIRING EXAMPLE program is sponsored by the Berke lev- branch of the British War Re as library item, Dodd Mead The case of Heidt is one that Geary Chosen for Premiere Of Play Starring Lee Tracy 'Phone LA kehurst 2-73S7 T.A Ir.hnMt 2-4133 lief of Northern California, of which Mrs. Grant Smith Is president.

The play is an adaptation of two short Co. puts it out at $3. LOCAL STAGE REVIVES Wearing the same suit, hat and shoes he has worn for the past 13 years on the stage, Fred Sanborn, the comedian, will be at the Downtown theater tor trie last times today where he is heading another all-professional stage show. Sanborn is to be remembered for I Ml IT If It A WKZ Joyce-George Murpnjr "EIa Maxwell's JUBLIC DEB. NO.

1' Ik 'BLONDIE HAS SERVANT TROUBLJP Pat Morison In RANGERS OF FORTUNE So much for the literary side of should be very inspiring and no end cheering to potential bandmasters because he certainly elevated himself by his Own bootstraps. I venture to say that no debut was less plays, "The Babe in the Inn and "The Gift of Love." MrnTtTMr Central at Webster Cheerful, theatrical news was dis "The Male Animal" with Elliott CTD rVtT" Park St. opp. Alameda Ave. OlHAJNlV SIDNEY TOLER Ht.r J.

Wl'te "M-A-R-Y-L-A-N-n John Payne-Walter Brennan-Bre nda Jo: closed today in an announcement inspiring than that made by Heidt CHARLIE CHAN at the WAX MUSEUM' Nugenl, and "Separate Rooms," now clicking off its fifth month in New Gnree Brent, iwon ye no laiieo. Weaver Bros, in "GRAND OLE OPRY his performances with the "Fellies York. Bergere" recently on Treasure Is "Every Man for Himself" has from Arthur Hutchinson arid Arthur Ripley, producers, that, the Geary theater had been obtained for the world premier of their New York bound production, "Every Man for and his colleagues from the University of California. From the New York side the most important news seems to be the peace pact of the Dramatists Guild, the League of New York Theaters been fashioned. Broadway by attuck-Baneroft CAMPUS United Artiste jg STARTS THURSDAY TWlnnaka 1300 Hutchinson ana Ripley.

STRIKE UP THE BAND" For the feminine leads they have Himself," starring Lee Tracy. land and fs equally well-known-to theater-goers throughout the world. Others to be seen in the Stage Show include "Boots and Saddles," two of Hollywood's smartest canine Sascha Gultry In "CHAMPS ELYSEEB Also UAH O'FLAHERTY'S "THE INFORMER" v.tli VICTOR McLACUH MICKEY ROONEY JUDY GARLAND Plus Dlsnoy Cartoon Pete Smith Short the theater. Before long the stage will be functioning again across the bay, Judging from the bulletins emerging from the Curran and the Geary, which expect to act as hosts to the likes of Frank Craven, Cornelia Otis Skinner, Lee Tracy and, eventually, the Lunts. Both Craven and Tracy will have new plays, comic in character, and Miss Skinner will offer a group of her mono-dramas new to the Pacific Coast, stressing "Mansions On the Hudson," said to be one of her better originals.

Until these things come to pass, the burden of entertainment will fall on the amateurs and the collegians who were rather active this The play, by Milton Lazarus obtained Susan Fox and Kay Lin and the film companies. If it is signed it will mean considerable Shatfuck n't fe-VV TT University St impetus to production with Holly 1 vv whose play credits list two hits out of two tries, is described as a raucous and rollicking account of a nest aker, movie feature actresses, known to Broadway audiences for their stellar playing. Miss Llnaker DCDirCI CV Shattuck at Chann BCnilEiLXi I LORETTA YOUNG Melvyn Stayed for Breakfast; secret SEVEN" with Florence Rice Man Who Talked Too Much' George BRENT Virginia BRUCE wood providing the money to back new shpws! Hollywood withdrew from the angel business several of- movie maniacs. stars, the Quan Brothers, "Oriental Wonder-workers" in the winner of Benny Walker's weekly Amateur In Color-OVER THE MOON-Merle qberon is also well known to San Francisco audiences, having played in San Francisco was decided upon seasons ago when it felt it was get OAKS Solano at The Alameda THEY nttlVF. BY NIGHT" "Parnell" as well as supporting- for the play's debut by Producers CALIFORNIA Continuous from 1 'WHEN THE DALTONS Randolph Scott- Broderlck Crawford-Brian Donlevy Jon Victor McLaalen, SOUTH OF PAGO PAGO Contest and many others; ting unfair treatment from the dra ANN SOTHERN and GEORGE RAFT YOUNG PEOPLE' with Shirley Temple Hutchinson and Ripley by virtue of the record for accurate verdicts matists and producers.

Since then Allan Dmehart in his recent play venture here, which was then titled "Thanks for Your Wife," Additional entertainment is to be found with Benny Butler at the few shows have1 had1 active Holly wood most of it coming week-end and who have plans for next week-end Thursday of this I i'eek-end saw the Alameda Little FOX Telephone Richmond SS4 Tyrone Power Linda Darnell CTSTF Telephone i Richmond 2331 OliAld Mickey Rooney-Judy Garland from Warners. If and when the new deal )s made, Paramount Is Interested In several plays, including the Nickol- Theater Guild starting its new sea ANDY HARDY MEETS DEBUTANTE" 'BRIGHAM YOUNG FRONTIERSMAN" also "YESTERDAY'S HEROES" accoi3ed recently introduced New York-bound productions. Helen Hayes and Herbert Marshall In Gilbert Miller's production of "Ladies and Gentlemen" selected the Bay city for their first performance. Tallulah Bankhead in "Reflected Glory" and Lunt and Fontanne in "Amphitryon 38" were both premiered in this Pacific LLANO KIP-TitoOulzar-Oale Sendergaard son-Robinson comedy, "The Flying Jf It got the year's great-WfMt applause as a book! Jf(k NOW screen audien oothill Blvd. St Seminary console of the organ and with Freddie Lawpkin and his "Downtowners" musicmakerg.

On the screen' is Richard Arlen and Andy Devine in "Hot Steel" while a group of selected short subjects Includes a double-edition of the latest News, another chapter of "Winners of the West," 1 and a color cartoon. The entire program will be shown for the last times today. Monday and Tuesday a double-feature program will be offered at the Downtown with Joel McGrea iTOL OBTJ17 Park Blvd. alii -T-U-R-N-A-B-O-C-' T-U-R-N-A-B-O-U-T" Gerados, held by Edward Choate; M-G-M is thinking about the Rom-berg-Hammerstein operetta "New Orleans," which is held by Max Gordon; RKO-Radio likes "Yours for a Year." a Marion-Schwartz CAROLE LANDIS flr JOHN HUBBARD son with Gertrude Tonkonogy's "Three-Cornered on Friday the Oakland Theater Guild offered two one-act plays at the City Club Theater and Mills College made a curtsey in Shakespeare's direction with a production of 1 Right:" IC FESTIVAL HERE Next week-end, on November 1 acid 2, something new in the way CAROLE LANDIS JOHN HUB Bit "THE BISCUIT EATER" with BlUy THE BISCUIT eatek" wnn niny ucre Coast producing center, and received the plaudits of first nighters College tt Shatter I LOVE YOU AGAIN" CHIMES E. 14th Si th Ave, ANN SHERIDAN GRANADA musical on the Oowling schedule, ces will have a chance Grorx" Raft In THEY DRIVE BY NIGHT which were also first to view and acclaim two of Broadway's smash hits of the past theatrical season, MILITARY ACADEMY with Tommy 1 WILLIAM POWELL and MYRNA LOY will be shown today at 2:25, 6:05, 9:30 Also 'MILLIONAIRES IN PRISON' with Lee Tracy, starts at 1:00, 5:00 and -WONDER BOOKS VOLUMES 1 i 8 and other studios have fish to fry.

Here in the West Jesse Lasky has tried on his own a new comedy, "Quiet Please," and aims to use it nst rp 23rd Ave. lSth rnhntt "t-u-r-n-a-b-o-j-t CAROLE LANDIS tc JOHN HUBBARD "S-H-o-w-D-o-W-N" with William Bert to cheer the year's most exciting picture. TtTreMMT Fruitvale Ave. Hopklna LflViLyJiWMn, Martin for screen purposes when the stage and a big cast in "Wells-Fargo," and also Martha ftaye and Robert Cum-mings In "Hideaway Girl." rum is over. "RHYTHM ON THE RIVER Joan Davis in "Manhattan Heartbeat" of theater entertainment is promised this sltfe of the Bay in a production erftitled "Ice Festival," will be offered to introduce Iceland, a handsome emporium dedicated as the titles seem to indicate without much subtlety to ice-skating.

Skating shows are steadily TOniYT Sen Pablo near Universtts nlVUJbl "THEY DRIVE BY NIGHT ANN SHERIDAN and GEORGE RAFT young people' with Shirley Temple FHTPFHY Foothill Blvd. Fairfax runr aa i love you again" ESCAPE THIRD SENSATIONAL WEEK! WILLIAM POWELL and MYRNA LOY GALA OPENING FRI. NOV. 1, SAT. NOV.

2 8:30 P. ICE FESTWU rM3TM Adeline at Alcatrag LUnilN "THE GREAT McGINTY" Brian DONLEVY Akim TAMTROFF James Stewart In 'NBXT TIME WE LOVF STARRING will be shown today et 2:25, 6:25, 9:50 Alo 'MILLIONAIRES IN PRISON' with Lee Tracy, start'; at 1:20. 5:20 and 8:50 March of Time, FOREIGN NEWS FRONTS will be shown today at 1:00, 5:00 and 8:30 DONALD DUCK CARTOON I 9 IIIW THE A MUSICAL ICE EXTRAVAGANZA 5FONIOMC ST iKrs Wile DAT EPF SAN LEAKDRO "THKY DRIVE BY NIGRT" ANN SHERIDAN and GEORGE BAFT SCATTIXBIAIN' with JUDY -CANOVA ON STAGE! TIOWS AT 4:00 7:41 WESTON'S TALENT PARADE NORMA SHEARER ROBERT TAYLOR An M-G-M Hill CO Ml NO SOON FPTTTTVJiT F- '4th 37tH Ave. rHUli ViltXi Randolph SCOTT KayFrancls.WHF.N THE DALTONS RODE fc BLONDIE HAS SERVANT TROUBLE Jwriof Imqoc and Berkeley Choabtf tt Cemmerre Jr. Town Hp.I1 Prumlj In Person Democracy's Modern Pi orhet G.

WELRS In Hi1; Onlj- Sqn I rancri Lrrtnrc "Thr Immediate Fniure of Mankind" Opera House, Frt, 'Nov. 8, at 8:30 Setts, Town Hill, lift Hotel, PR-4'HO Ma Sherman lay Box Office, HI-123 Wo to t.W (LA SEMME DU BOVLANGIER) En. Titles by John Ersklne RESERVED SEATS ON SALE a "Si ICELAND, Berkley HAYWARD Kara of Fortune 1 PIEDMONT Sen Pablo 4 Stanford 1L TV I J. Larenc OLIVIER Greer Carson In PRIDE PREJUDICE MSB Who Talked Tee Much, Geo. Brent Fred MacMURRAY Patriate MOrnO ROOS Berkeley A Oakland CRANE K)X OfHCE, Spn franciso F-l-E-B 1-S" with Uera NOLAB.