The Philadelphia Inquirer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page 56

SO a THE PHILADELPHIA DfWlEU, IVNDAY MORNIWl, MARCH 4, 1934 Movies Offer Persuasive Pictures of Much Contrast ('V I K. US arrymort in "This Dolores Del Rio and Kieario Cortex in 'Wonder Bar." Next Attraction, Stanley CAMERA ANGLES Comedies of Quieler Qualities Claim Comment as Dorothea Wieck Victim of Whispering Campaign Contrasting Candidates for Film Fame By MILDICKD MARTIN ASIDE from Anna 8ten, to whose rhurin and tBlt'nt this department has already made obeisance, the chief screen dclighti) last week were to be found in two comedies of quieter claims and qualities. "It Happened One Night," at the Stanley, and "His Double Life." Which held forth at the Karlton, were shining examples of bright writing, deft direction and persuaMve performances so expertly dovetailed that they provided Joyous entertainment from beginning to end. i Neither picture strove to Jolt one into a state of bewildered wonder by novel tricks or unconventional methods, which all too often result In artificiality and defeat, but maintained a steady, gentiy wSlmsical course and each was satisfied In eliciting delighted chuckles rather than loud guffaws. Huzzahs for Mr.

Hopkins THOUGH no screen methods were turned upside down, neither of these pictures wus without it element of novelty, for In "It Happened One Night" a new romantic comedy team was born with Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable playing opposite one another for the first time In films, and "His Double Life" marked the entrance of Arthur Hopkins, one of the theatre most distinguished producers, Into the realm of cinema. Philips Holmes Bert Wheeler and Dorothy ee in RKO'S Musical "Wts. His. Hooray." Earte mam Picture Calendar for This Week His 20 years' of experience in pro riurtnt and dlrectiiiK stage works make it foolish and futile to apply the word novice to lAr. Hopkins In anything relating to acting that he may undertake.

Though working In an unfamiliar medium, the results Mr. Hopkins has achieved in "His Double Life" give evidence that he Is Quite as much at home among the cameras and the microphones as when directing a cast from the ehadowy recesses of an empty thea tre during rehearsal. The same care that this depart ment ha seen Mr. Hopkins lavish upon the grouping of players, the Inflection of lines, sometimes wan derlng onto the stage himself to move an acrtess here or push an actor Into the background there, during the final dress rehearsal of Franke Harllng's unforgetable "Jaw ODera." "Deeo River." ls Just as ap parent In the smoothly beguiling Anna Sten and in Moving STANLEY Clark Oable and Clau dette Colbert in "It Happened One Night." remains for a second week at this house. Frank Capra di reeled, from the story, "Night Bus.

by Samuel Hopkins Adams. "It Happened One Night" tells what occurs when Elite, wilful daughter of Alexander Andrews, defies his will and leaves the luxurious family yacht to return to the man she ha married over her father's ob Jcctlons. Determined to reach her destination. Ellie keeps off the beaten -paths and buys a ticket on an overland bus. Her quick temper clashes with that of Peter Warne, ex-newspaperman and a fellow passenger, who recognizes her, but determines to see her through rather than call her father and claim the huge reward Andrews has offered.

ALDINE "Nana," starring Anna Sten, remains as the attrac tion at this house. Miss Sten ls the young actress who came out of Moscow a few years ago, the first graduate of a school of training for me stage ana screen maintained by the Soviet Government. Samuel Ooldwyn brought her to Hollywood and put her through 18 months of intensive training while he prepared a story and production for her American film debut ln "Nana." Willard Mack and Henry WagstafT Gribble have made a very free adaptation of the Emit Zola novel. In the supporting cast are Richard Bennett, Lionel Atwtll, Mae Clarke, Phillips Holmes and Muriel Kirk-land. MET The current stage show here ls.

headed by Mazzone. Keane and company In "Parisian Dance Novelties." Others aptiearlng are roiey and LaTour in "Bits of Nonsense;" Lionel Mike Ames, female Impersonator: Wolf and Kaufman, in "Good Spirit," and Cropley and Violet In an acrobatic novelty, "Breeze From the West." On the screen is "Wine, Women and Sotig," featuring Li Ivan Tashman and Lew Cody. PALACE onday, Tue sday, Wednesday and Thursday, Ann Harding, Cllve Brook and Oilo Kruger In "Gallant Lady;" Friday and Saturday, William Powell and Bette Davis in "Fashions of 1934." jana, of manner In which he has handled chuckles sounded only as the indi vidual's particular type of humor re acted to gentle prodding from the screen. Clark Goes Comedian HAPPENED One Night" is a more boisterous, a less literary variety of comedy II entirely from the Hopkins' produc tion and will probably have a more universal appeal and enjoy a greater financial success. Frank Capra has guided this story of a runaway heiress and a Petruchio-like newspaper man with an appreciative eye for the amusing bypaths and has not insisted upon hewing a straight course down the centre of the fictional road.

Therefore, though It lengthens the film to a considerable degree, one is given a hilarious lesson in the technique of hitch-hiking and other engaging bit of nonsense that may be extraneous to the telling of the story, but which not even the most hard-hearted efficiency expert would wish deleted. The surprise in this film ls the discovery of Clark Gable as a comedian of considerable charm and ability. A sense of humor has not been one of the characteristics that have made Mr. Oable popular. Yet in "It Happened One Night" he proves himself not merely an excellent foil, but a match for Miss Colbert's twinkling style of playing comedy.

By shifting the accent from his trademarked romantic appeal (Invisible to many movie patrons) Mr. Gable seems in danger of winning himself a whole new set of ad mirers. Thia may or may not be a blessing when considered in relation to the riot which attended Mr. Gable's personal appearance last week at the Capitol Theatre in New York. When girls will climb out of bed on a cold morning to stand in line at the unearthly hour of 7 A.

trample policemen, tear gold braid from dignified doormen, climb fire escapes, cheerfully lose lip sticks, overshoes, scarves and money and sit through three or four shows all for the pleasure of greeting their pet screen Idol with whoops, It seems unlikely that any Increase in that Idol's popularity ls needed or desirable. S'idlf of Heaven," Stanton STANTON The vexing problem that confronts a father whose 18-year-old daughter believes mar riage is old-fashioned is presented in "This Side of Heaven." with Li onel Barrymore and Fay inter, current at this house. The story concerns the individual event of this average family a daughter taking a reckless fling at romance a wife living her own life a son overwhelmed by the first great dis appointment In his life which reach climaxes simultaneously, and plunge the devoted father into whirlpool of disaster. In addition to Barrymore and Miss Balnter the cast includes Una Merkel. Mary varusie, Mae uiarke, Tom Brown, unsiow Stevens, c.

Henry Gordon KEITH'S "Hold That Girl." co starring James Dunn and Claire Trevor, 1 the current picture here. Tne story is of a young de. tective who falls in love with a girl reporter, while they are covering the same assignment. The su porting cast includes Alan Edwards, John Davidson, Robert McWade and Ger trude Michael, An added screen feature is "The Mad Age," a whirl- wina pictorial review of the out standing events In America since the World War. compiled by Gilbert Seldes and narrated by Alois Hav- rua.

on the stage is an all-girl re vue leatunng "The ingenues." a group of 16 musicians. In the cast are Boyce and Marsh, Louise Soren-son, Marie Nova Frances Gorton, Paula Jones and the Donahoe Sisters. Et'ROPA The unabated interest arouseU by the war film. "Forgotten Men." has prompted the management at this house to retain the picture for a fourth week. The film shows in graphic manner all the attendant miseries of war and throws the searchlight of truth upon what until recently has been a highly publicized and romanticized manner of murder.

Taken from the archives of the 14 com ba tent nations whose signal corps went out on the battlefields with camera to photograph the actual fighting, the film depict in chronological se quence the entire World War from the preparation of Germany to the last battle and the succeeding armistice. CARMAN "Hold That Girl," co- starring James Dunn and Clare Trevor, is the current screen feature here. On the stage are Tom and Betty Wonder, "Dancing wonaers uen waiton, comedian; Hill and Trevesta, comedy duo; the Four Johnston Brothers, in comedy and dances, and the Six Dancing Dalntiea. revor and "Hold That sT 't By LOl'ELLA O. PARSONS HOLLYWOOD, March rry HE poisonous whispering cam- paiKii ui iiaa mrucK poor Dorothea Wieck a bitter blow.

Defenseless and innocent, she has been the unhappy victim of unjast accusations that have piled up bit by bit until they threaten to submerge ner. Handicapped by her limited Eng lish, Miss Wieck has been unable to find a way to deny these charges In desperation she came to me with her story, and because I feel Amer lea ls a free country where tolerance 1 the very keynote of our Constitution, I want to try to plead her case for her. Miss Wieck has been ostracized, denounced, made to suffer and her film career all but ruined through a terrible misrepresentation. Sto ries were printed that her husband, Ernst L. von der Decken, was the publisher of a Government newspaper and that he was here a a representative of one of Germany's most important political parties.

Miss Wieck's husband ha never been an editor. He ha never held a political Job and he has never, to use her words, been an Impor tant political power in Germany, "Ernst is a film critic," she told me. "I married him because he is an artist and he lovea beautiful things. Just a I da He i what you Americans call a 'freelance' writer. He is a Oerman and so am I.

We love the country that gave us birth, but we know nothing about its political problems." You could not talk to this unhappy girl and doubt her sincerity. She has been In America a year and in that time many things have happened In Germany. There have been Government changes of which she was unaware when she left her own country to become a motion picture actress in Hollywood. I want to stay in Hollywood, she told me. "I want to make a picture as good as 'Maedchen in But I have been so troubled by all this talk that my husband and I are spies in the employ of Germany that I feel I must straighten It out before I make my next picture.

"I do not deny that I love oer-many, but I also love Future Queen Christina." with Greta Garbo, John Gilbert, Lewis Stone and C. Aubrey Smith, comes to the Arcadia on Thursday. "Bolero," with George Raft. Carole Lombard and William Frawley, opens at the Boyd on Friday. "David Harum." with Will Rogers Louise Dresser, Evelyn Venable and Kent Taylor, opens at the Fox on Friday.

"N.T.G.'s" Paradise Revue" on the stage. "Six of a Kind," with Charlie Ruggles. Mary Boland. W. C.

Fields, Alison Skipworth, George Burns and Grade Allen, opens on Friday at the Earle, Sophie Tucker heads stage bill. "Once to Every Woman," with Fay Wray, Ralph Bellamy and Wal ter Connolly, opens on Friday at the Karlton. "Ever Since Eve." with George O'Brien, Mary Brian and Herbert Mundin, comes to Keiths on Frl day. Vaudeville. James Uun Girl." Keith's I could be so happy if people would only believe that I am only interested in motion pictures and not in any political intrigues." Miss Wieck's husband has been visiting her.

He gave up his work in Germany so that he might come to her in Hollywood. She had difficulties with the agent she had trusted and she was so alone he felt that he could be company for her. "Now he goes back." she told me. "He leaves Hollywood March 12 be. cause he feels that he ha brought me bad luck.

He has great strength of character," she said earnestly. "I begged him to remain with me, but he says that I can only succeed by myself. "I am, after all, an actress, and I do want to make a picture as good as 'Maedchen in 'Miss Fane's Baby Is Stolen' was completed in 20 days and it was not suitable for me. 'Cradle Song' is a beautiful story, but I want something in which I can do a really big emotional scene. I do not always want to play restrained roles such as the teacher in 'Maedchen in Because of the underground whispering chorus that describes Miss Wieck's husband as a bic figure in Germany's national politics, they have both been trcaiw! is veritable outcast.

The irony ot the whole situation ls that the husband hasn't even a Job in Germany tnd in this country, declared frer ft? our forefathers, he has been Riven no chance to explain conditions as they really exist. am not a Jewess," said Wieck. "I am a German, but mof, of my friends are of the Jewish faith. I have been in the theatre most of my life and I have always worked with Jewish people. My greatest friends are Jews why, then.

should I want to harm tnem? all so terrible." she said, "and so difficult to explain to people who seem unwilling to believe me." This writer wants to go on rcrora as saying that she believes thnt Miss Wieck is the victim of a mis apprehension that should be clear ed, sne ls an actress ana should be allowed to be one without unfounded suspicion whispered against her. Films "Wonder Bar," with Al Jolson, Kay Francis. Dolores Del Rio, Ricardo Cortea and Dick Powell, opens on Saturday at the 6tanley. "Good Dame." with Fredric March. Sylvia Sidney, Jack LaRue, Russell Hopton and Kathleen Burke, opens on Saturday at the Stanton.

The Ghoul," with Boris Kar-loff, Cecil Hardwicke, Dorothy Hyson and Anthony Bushell, will be the next attraction at the Europa. Fay Fearfully Faces Her First Movie Camera Fay Balnter, stage atar, faced a motion picture camera for the first time In her life for her role in "Thi Side of Heaven," now at the Stanton Theatre. The scene was the office of a motion picture producer, to whom Miss Balnter had Jut sold a novel and it was the first scene to be taken dn the picture. When she reported on the sound stage, Director William K. Howard handed her a script of the screen play, but she didn't need it.

tvo script. Unbelieving, the director resolvert to test her memory. He announced the first scene would -be taken without rehearsal. The lights were thrown upon the set. The cameraman poised himself behind his camera, and the scene began.

It was half finished wnen miw Balnter fed one of her lines to Richard Tucker. "Now that I have a career may I use your telephone?" "Cutl" Director Howard bellowsfl at the top of his voice. Miss Balnter aroppea tne tele phone with a gasp. Her knees quivered. Feeling faint, she whis pered lor a glass or water.

What have I done?" she pleaded ed. "I've spoiled the scene I know It I've spoiled the whole pic She really believed she wrecked the entire picture industry. "No. no. Miss Balnter," Director Howard assured her.

"It sounds unbelievable, but your first scene wa perfect. That was the end of thii take, that's all." "Mercy, what a queer way o'V pressing It," Miss Balnter slgnen. "You almost frightened me death." to FOX "Devil Tiger," the current film at this house, directed by Clyde E. Elliott, who directed "Bring Em Back Alive," Is the cinematic record of a group of people who cut their way through the tangles of the Asiatic Jungle. The story, by James O.

Spearing, relates the adventures of three people In search of a killer. On their Jaunt through the Jungle they experience many thrills which the camera has recorded, beasts fighting beasts in mortal combat, and man engaging in combat with the fiercest animal of the Jungle. Marion Burn, Kane Richmond and Harry Woods are the three whom Fox Film sent to India, Slam, Indo cmna ana Malaya. Ah Lee, a seven-year-old waif of the Jungle, was their constant companion. Hundreds of natives participated in the venture as actors or as members of the staff.

On the stage is "The First Little Show," with a cast In eluding Llta Grey Chaplin, Harry Savoy, Dorothy Crooker, Wally Coyle, Ruth Barnes. Al Sexton, Mae Morgan, Don English, Pierce Ahearn, George Hunt, Joe 'Davis, aiso "ine Little Show' girls. EAR I.E Wheeler and Woolsey's latest comedy. "Hips, Hips. Hooray," also featuring Ruth Et lntg, Dorothy Lee, Thelma Todd and scores of dancing and singing girls, the current screen offering at this house.

The story ls of two heroes who allow the world to laugh with, for and at them while they peddle flavored lipsticks, par tloipate In a cross-country automo bile race, make love to beautiful damsels and provide the usual wisecracks and goofy antics that are ex pected from a Wheeler and Wool sey production. "Keep Romance Alive," "Keep On Doln" What You're Doln' and "Tired of It All" are the songs provided by Bert Raima and Harry Ruby. Dave Gould furnished the "Powder Pull Dance and "Beauty Parade" scenes. Mark Sandrich directed. The vaudeville bill features Alex Hyde, "The International Maestro," and his orchestra 16, who sing and provide snappy, popular dance numbers; Lew Par- ker.

with his flock of "stooges," in "Foolies of 1934 the Harri Twins and Loretta, dance trio, and Earl Lavere and Jlmmie O'Brien, WALNUT "Montmartre Madness," another Parisian Fantaie, is the current stage attraction here, featuring Frank Smith, Billy Arlington, Jim Mullen, the Fezisoti Sisters. Helen Davis, Nora Murray, Lou Costello and a chorus of 24. On the screen Is "The 8in of Nora Moran," which opens with the last moment in a doomed girl 'a life and goes back over the girl's history through the medium of dreams. In the cast are Zlta Johann, John Miljan, Claire Du Brey Alan Dine-hart and Paul Cavannugh. ERLEN Monday and Tuesday, Ilcpbuia in "LiUie Wednesday and Thursday, Joe E.

Brown in "Son of a Friday and Saturday, Lionel Barry-more and Janet Gaynor In "Carolina." CIRCLE Monday and Tuesday, Bing Crosby, "Going Wednesday. Thursday and Friday, John Barrymore, "Counsellor at Saturday, Eddie Cantor, Scandals." GERMANTOWN Monday and Tuesday, John Barrymore, "Counsellor at Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Saturday, all tar cast, "Dinner at Eight." I'lTOWN-Monday and Tuesday, Blng Crosby, "Going Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, John Barrymore, "Counsellor at Law Eddie Cantor, "Roman SctAdals." GROVE Today and Monday, "Flying Down to Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday, "Alice In Friday. "Speed Saturday, "Big Shakedown." BOYD Ruth Chatterton and Adolphe Menjou have leading roles in Journal or a Crime," the current attraction here.

The story which has a Paris background, strips bare the tortured mind of a woman who discovers that the love of her author-husband has beet transferred to the leading woman in his newest play, and that the break-up of her home is Imminent. In a blinding passion of Jealous hate, she slays the woman, who ha robbed her of happiness. By the merest chance the husband discovers that hi wife has taken the law Into her own hands, and in his bitterness, determines that she shall expiate her sin by Irving in dally remorse with her guilty secret preying on her mind. The story pictures the bizarre conflict between the two a husband in the role of a silent accuser; a wife vainly seeking to combat the Insidious effect of transgression against the law. KARLTON The story' of the shrewdest woman In Wall street who sheared the bears -and bulls alike who stacked the world's greatest fortune against her son's love for a girl and lost, features May Robson in "You Can't Buy Everything," the current attraction here.

Miss Robson is seen as Hannah Bell, eccentric to the point of miserliness, obsessed with the accumulation of money and power. Every waking moment is devoted to adding to her already untold fortune, while she loses the affection of the one person dearest to her heart her son. Jean Parker and Lewis Stone have the chief supporting roles. The cast also Includes William Bakewell. Claude Mary Forbes and Reginald Mason.

ARCADIA "Dinner at Eight," made from the George 8. Kaufman-Edna Ferber play, ls the current offering at this house. This picture that combines drama, romance, comedy and pathos ha an imposing array of celebrities as the prin cipal players. Included in the cast are Marie Dressier, Jean Harlow, Wallace Beery. John and Lionel Barrymore, Billy Burke, Madge Evans, Lee Tracy, Edmund Lowe and May Robson.

The picture has been directed by George Cukor. FAYS On the current stage bill at this house are seen Welcome Lewis and her Three Kings of Rhythm; the Cooper and Pickert Revue, feating the English Tivoli Girl and Vee and Bee; Herbert Faye and Company In "Latigh- ology;" Ann 8uter; the Four Pata in "Meeting Rosie;" Dat Landy and Warren Boden In "In the Oay 90s;" Dad in "A Stroll Down Memory Lane; the Four Cards, acrobats, ana the Little Brothers and Small, Three Little Step Children." The screen feature Is "Myrt and Martje," wii.ii uie rauio warn of me same name, Ted Mealy -and Trlxte Frlg- anza. VICTORIA Monday, Ricardo Cor tec, Bette Davis and Glenda Farrell In "The Big Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Laurel and Hardy in "Son of the Desert;" Friday and Saturday, "Dinner at Eight," with all-star cast. TOWER NIXON-ROOSEVELT "Fugitive Lovers," with Robert Montgomery and Madge Evan, remain at these houses until Tuesday, when "Hold -That Girl," with James Dunn and Clare Trevor, will begin a three-day engagement. MIDWAY Monday and Tuesday, Blng Crosby, "Going Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, John Barrymore, "Counsellor at Saturday, Eddie Cantor, "Roman Scandals." STATE Monday and Tuesday, Bing Crosby, "Going Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, John Barrymore, "Counsellor at Saturday, Eddie Can tor, "Roman Stjhi rials," Jean Parher and Lewis Stone "You Can't Buy Everything." Karlton His Double Life." Role or Reality ARNOLD BENNETT'S delightful novel.

"Buried Alive." which was transformed Into "The Great Adventure" on the stage years before coming to the screen Under the rather misleading title it now bears, provided Mr. Hopkins with extraordinarily good film material and. fortunately, material that had not been used before for motion picture purposes. The selection of Roland Young for the role of Priam Farrel, the shy artist who Involved himself in Bn musing web of happiness and difficulty by allowing his valet to be burled under the name of Farrel, was one of those Inspired coups which occasionally fit the actor to the perfect part for his particular frtfts. As the faintly pathetic and childishly helpless great man who has less than a rabbit's courage when faced with hta fellow humans.

Mr. Young has the sort of tragic-comic role that he has not had since he appeared as the harassed composer In the George Kaufman-Marc Connelly plav. "Beggar On Horseback." back in 1924. Despite his expressed high contempt for motion pictures and the disappointment, as a pleasant per-aonallty that he occasioned in those who for one reason or another met him backstage last fall when he was at the Chestnut in "Her Master's Voice." Mr. Young remains one of the most expert and likable of the pentler type of comedian on the screen.

Greeting Miss Gish ANOTHER piece of sagacious casting was the choice of Lillian Gish for the matter-of-fact Alice, who the supposedly dead artist under the lm- twinn that he hr mfHmnn1t bureau correspondent. Miss Gish returns to the screen after all these years more mature, more confident of herself, with a new and subtle acr.se of humor and without all of her one-time fluttering that have given reasonably self-possessed movie fans bad cases of the Jitters in the past. The work of Miss Oish in "His Double Life" causes one to hope that she will remain within hailing distance of the Screen now that she has come back to it so delightfully. The amusing and peculiarly rhythmic trial scene with which the picture closes is handled by Mr. Hopkins and the east with an engaging blend of pathos and light-hearted lunacy, and the moments during which Farrel sobs In the organ loft at Westminster Abbey while his own funeral is taking place below because he "had no idfft ha would be so honored" is a little gem of prankish humor.

An unusual aspect of "His Double Life" a a whole is that no line or situation is presented to the audience as a sure-fire bit of comedy. Consequently, when this writer saw the picture at the Karlton, instead 0t general outburaU of i i.