The Minneapolis Star from Minneapolis, Minnesota • Page 31

I I The Minneapolis Star NfVvyvvvvvvyvvvysvvvvvvvyv Gallows King i Vli I'm. Vance Solves BishopMurder Mystery Case Dennis King, Famous Stage Star, Finds Greatest Thrill in 'Vagabond Given N.W. Premiere on Century Sound Screen; Romantic Singing Voice Heard at Best in This Musical Comedy frj-tHE paths of glory lead but to the gallows" mused I Dennis King, noted romantic star of the stage as he contemplated the role of Francois Villon, the "king for a week," in the screen's latest musical comedy sensation, "The Vagabond King," which had its North I II La west premiere at the Century tinue for the week. Friday night and will con- f''- vX If tf i I 14 fm mo nN i The picture brings Dennis to the moving picture field for the first-time following a career In which he distinguished himself singing leading roles in numerous great, great successes, greatest of which was In the stage production of this same piece. King frankly declares that he never was so thrilled as in the leading part of "The Vagabond The plot uuder which he Is given the option of being king for a week, at the end of which time he Is to be executed on the gallows, was particularly appealing to Dennis.

In Days of Romance The story goes back to the romantic days of 1463 when Louis XI was beselged by the Burgundians and was saved from death by-Francois Villon, leader of the vagabonds of Paris. His astrologer told the soverign that Villon alone could save Paris from the Burgundians and then ha made the "king-for a week" proposition to the vagabond chief, whome he has arrested. The alternative was to go back to his lowly associates. Villon chose to take the big-chance and then came sensational developments. One of the most thrilling scenes ever seen in the sound pictures is that in which Villon leads his army of tattered followers, who had come to rescue him, into battle against the Burgundians, singing the of the Vagabonds" as they beat back the invader.

Victorious in battle, Villon sur-rended to just one person, tho beautiful princess, and the love story of Villon and Katherine in beautifully woven into the production. The fascinating Jeanntte Macdonald, who also possesses a lovely singing voice, is cast as the princess. Glorious Songs Heard Lillian Roth also has an Unpor-tant role, being cast as Huguette, one of the motley world from which Villon came and who was madly in love with him. Warner Oland is Thlbaut, the traitorous grand marshal of the king and O. I.

Hegge Is cast as Louis XI. All the glorious songs which made the stage production famous are heard. These Include: "Some Day," sung by Jeannette MacDon-ald; "Only a Rose" by Dennis King and Miss MacDonald; "Huguette by Lillian Roth; and "Love Me Tonight" by King and Miss MacDonald. Miss Hurlbut May Star in 'Interlude' After closing her Shubert engagement tonight, Gladys Hurl-but plans to appear as a guest star with a number of other stock com- panles which have been after her services to play Nina in "Strange Interlude" In which she scored such a success with the Balnbridge Players. Thus far.

however, efforts to induce the New York Theater Guild to release the Eugene O'Neill drama to companies in Kansas City, St. Louis and Utica. desirous of doing "Interlude," have been unavailing. The Guild apparently has decided that there shall be no further stock productions of the play, at least at this time. A single exception was made In the case of the Balnbridge Players, The Guild also has Indicated that It may employ Miss Hurlbut for one of the two road "Interlude" companies.

These companies now are playing In Chicago and Philadelphia. The Menu Minnesota Street of Chance," powerful gaining story with William Powell, Kay Francis and Jean Arthur, on the talking screen; Zizz Black directing stage show. Century "The Vagabond King," sensational musical picture, featuring Dennis King, famous stage star, and Jeanctte MacDonald. State "The Bishop Murder Case, gripping Philo Vance crime mystery, done for the talkies with Basil Hathbone and Leila Hyams in featured roles. Seventh Street "The Case of Sergeant Grischa," all-talking picture of exciting period of World war, with Chester Norris and Betty Compson.

Lyric "The Locked Door," talking screen adaptation of "The Sign on the Door," stage play, with Rod La Rocque and Betty Bronson. Grand "Burning Cp," with Richard Arlen, first half; "Hit the Deck," with Jack Oakle and Polly Walker, beginning Wednesday. Bets on Death In 'Street of ChanceWins COME men will bet on anything. For instance, William Powell, as "Natural" Davis, king of the gamblers in "Street of Chance," his latest all-talking picture now at the Minnesota, gets a mean clip with a bullet when caught cheating at cards. Never batting an eye, the sauve William lays another bet that he will not live.

And his gambler's luck stays with him. He wins. Immersed as he is In the lawless swirl of poker, he nevertheless has a sympathetic spot In his case-hardened heart for Regis Toomey, his young brother. Powell pays the thousands for the college education of his brother and thousands more to prevent the lad from following along the treacherous pathway that he himself has fol lowed. But In spite of Powell's efforts, Toomey gets Involved in one of the biggest and most dangerous games on the street of chance.

He ia playing for high stakes with men who shoot faster than they think. On the stage, "Zlzr" Black and the Minnesota Serenaders present the Publix stage show "Mardi Gras," featuring a large cast headed by the colored baritone with the golden voice, George Dewey Washington, famous phonograph recording artist and vaudeville star. The rest of the cast Includes The Four Ortons, the Two Gobs, Dorothy Neville, the Four Harmonists, Helen and Charles Royal and the Fred Evans Mardi Gras queens. A "song kartoon," a comedy skit entitled, "Buying a Ticket" with Eddie Cantor, sound news reels and other selected short sul)-jects complete the program. I "1 Friday, Schildkraut In Saturday, Joseph "Night Ride." NEW LAKE Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Jauk Oakle in "Hit the Wednesday, Thursday, Kenneth McKenna.

In "Men Without Friday, Saturday, Conway Tearle and Virginia Valll in "The Lost Zeppelin." EAST LAKE Sunday, Monday, George Arllss In Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Glenn Tryon In "Skinner Steps Friday, Saturday, George O'Brien in "Lone Star Ranger." LAKE Sunday, Monday. Richard Dlx In "Seven Keys to Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Ernest Torrenco and Joan Crawford in Friday, Saturday, Olive Borden in "Dance Hall." HAMLIN Sunday, Monday, Tuesday. John Barrymore and Marlon Nixon In "Show of Wednesday, Thursday, Sue Carol In "Why Leave Friday, Saturday, Virginia Valll and Leo Carilla in "Mister Antonio." fK Who Will Find Slayer of Detective of State's Picture? DHILO VANCE is going 1 to be killed in 1931. And this chap who has solved several of the most mystifying of detective thrillers, among them "The Bishop Murder Case" now on the State's sound screen, will disappear under circumstances which no one will be able to fathom. The threat, or rather he makes It as a promise, comes from S.

S. Van Dine, noted author of best-selling: thrillers, who unearthed Phllo a few years ago. The reason Is simple enough: Van Dine is tired and he can't leave Vance lying around for some other author. While in a sanitarium he suspected he had a talent for detec-tive yarns. And so he deliberately planned the writing of six novels in six years.

Best Seller "The Bishop Murder Case" Is the fourth of the the total sales of which with his others Is said to be in excess of two million copies, more than any other detective books In literary history. enjoy writing detective stories and they are very profitable," says Van Dine. "But I am giving Ihem up because they are too hard work and I am a very lazy man. The actual writing of 'The Bishop Murder Case' required only about three months. "The other nine were used charting the crime, making sure that my situations were logical, providing alibis for my characters Always Logical Van Dine's technique Is said to tie characterized by two things: It l.i always bizarre and it is always logical.

lie resorts to none of the common detective devices such as fingerprints, hidden dictaphones, etc. His sleuth, Phllo Vance, takes complicated circumstances, and makes them seem absurdly simple by a pure exercise of logic. Basil Rathbone, the New York; stage star who made a hit In "The Last of Mrs. Cheyney," has the role of Phllo Vance. Important key parts are taken by the Inimitable Alec B.

Francis as Professor Dillard; Leila Hyams as Belle Dil-lard, and Roland Young as Arnes-son. Cock Robin Slain The plot centers about Phllo Yance, who Is called to investigate the murder of Joseph Robin (Cock Robin), found dead with an arrow through his heart. Then follows la rapid succession the murders of three other Individuals associated with the Robin family. In each ease a black bishop from the chess board Is found with a slanderous "Mother Goose" rhyme. While the audience Is led to suspect almost every character In the cast, the Identity of the murderer is not revealed until the closing- sequences of the film.

"Marching to Georgle," a Para, mount all talking- comedy featuring- those two funny brothers. Buster and John West, and news ml complete the program. Scene Star Tells of Drama's Aim "THE theater should be regarded as 'organized recreation'-not merely as organized amusement," Miss Erin O'Brine Moore, one of the stars of "Street Scene," sensational Pulitzer prize drama at the Metropolitan the corn-ling week, declared recently. "Primarily the stage re-creates for those who have constant need of mental and spiritual restorative. "There is perhaps no deeper of human experience than jthe moment we live In silence, patching the development of a olay that has In It the germ of, (common fact In life.

Men and j-oinen pass the greater part of rhelr lives In secret. It is In the neater I hat they encounter them- elves, that they meet their secret 'opes and fears, their Inner long, ngs and untold ambitions, as they ire retold in the play. "Though 'Street Scene" is cast In different shade of life from that of the average theater-goer, it is it 111 concerned with the Joys and problems common to all. "There are plays written to warn world of Its shadows. There ire popular plays written to please r.he average peoplo who think as I'ar as the perplexities of tomorrow.

There are funny plays writ-; ten frankly to tickle the audience, and there are serious plays written to Inspire the cynical and wary, the tdealists and the poets. 'Street -teene' partakes In a measure of iill of these variations for the scope Mr. Rice's play Is bounded, not a dozen characters, but by half hundred. Almost all the moods Mnd emotions of life are reflected ome time or other In the course the play." f- Dennis King, noted stage star, brings his greatest role to the sound screen in 'The Vagabond world famous musical comedy, at the Century. "The Bishop Murder Case" seems to be worrying Roland Young and Leila Hyams (right above) in the picture version of this thriller at the State.

Smoking pistol! What's Barbara Stanwyck done now? The scene (right) is from 'The Locked Lyric attraction. Have a care, William Powell, you know Kay Francis might tell the sort of chap you are in 'Street of Chance," Minnesota talkie. Morris Star of War Film at Seventh 'Sergeant Grischa' Stirring Story of Trapped Soldier X7ITII a cast that in cludes some of the leading players on the screen, and directed by Herbert Brenon, who was responsible for "Sorrell and Son" and other outstanding film successes, "The Case of Sergeant Grischa," a sound picture of world war days on the eastern front, is the attraction at the Seventh Street. Chester Morris, Ion? a star of the stage, who won Instant fame on the screen by his great work in "Alibi," has the part of Sergeant Grischa, an escaped Russian prisoner of war who Is befriended by a band of With them Is Babka, role taken by Betty Compson. Grischa and Babka promptly fall In but when spring comes he attempts to return to Russia.

He is captured by the Germans and condemned to die as a spy. Condemned to Die His case comes to the attention of two German generals played by Gustav von Beyffertltz and Alec B. Francis. One offers pardon but the other demands the death penalty. The gripping climax comes with the appearance of Babka, soon to become the mother of his child.

The supporting cast includes Jean Hersholt, Leyland Hodgson, Paul McAllister, Frank McCor-mack, Percy Barbette and Hal Davis. Several short 'film subjects and latest news reels fill out the program. Pediatric Hired Because the platoon of soldiers appearing in "The Case of Sergeant Grischa" were forced to take many thousand steps a day for about three weeks' time while the picture was being made, a podiatrist is now on the payroll at one of the Hollywood film studios. The actors, most of them extras, In the platoon which ruards Chester Morris, walked an average of 15 miles a day. Blisters, bruises and sprains made It necessary to employ the services of a foot expert to keep the pseudo-soldiers In trim the picture was completed.

until Santrey Coming to Hennepin Mar chl5 The headline attraction at the H'-nnepln Orpheum week after next will be Henry Santrey and His Band. The picture on the same bill will be "Not So Dumb." adapted from "Dulcy," the stage farce, with Marion Davies In the leading role. With him Santrey brings a company of performers that Includes dancers and comedians. The week of March 19, the vaudeville at this theater will be headlined by Esther Ralston In puson. yj Renter of Bottles Has Great Chance in 'Locked Door Included among the lesser Industries of Hollywood Is that of collecting and renting old liquor bottles for film productions.

How profitable a business it Is was revealed when It came to stocking a long bar In 'The Locked Door" the current attraction at the Lyric. It had to have fancy pinched, green crackled and Just garden variety whisky bottles 350 of them. Some one remembered that an enterprising young man had started a bottle-renting business at prices as high as $1 each per day. "The Locked Door" Is an adaptation of the famous stage play by Channlng Pollock, "The Sign on the Door." Barbara Stanwyck, who appeared In the stage production, heads the cast which Includes such players of stage and screen as Rod La Rocque, William Boyd and Botty Bronson. The story of "Locked Door" revolves around the philandering character portrayed by Rod La Rocque.

First he persuades his sweetheart to go with htm on a lark to a night club on a boat, the Bcene where all the bottles are used, Foiled In his attempt to betray her, he bides his time and shows up at the girl's home, following her marriage, to court her younger sister. In one of the climatic scenes of the picture, the villain shoots his old sweetheart's huxband, btrt in the mlxup, the girl, played by Barbara Stanwyck, takes the blame. The unraveling of the mystery follows. Short features complete the program. Jeers Failed to Discomfit Singer "One day you'll pay to hear me sing," George Dewey Washington used to tell his fellow waiters on the dining cars of a western rail, road when they Jeerlngly advised him to "can that noise" as he sang to the accompaniment of clattering dishes and the clang of a rushing swaying train.

That was only a few years ago, but now George Dewey Washington Is one of the most famous col-ored singers in America. Washington Is appearing again on the stage show at the this week. (DTDilEIK tKEEN i 4 EMPRESS Dorothy MacKaill In "The Love Racket," Sunday; William Powell In "Behind the Makeup," Monday and Tuesday; George Arllss in "Dlsraela," Wednesday and Thursday; George O'Brien In "Salute," Friday and Saturday. AMERICAN Ronald Coleman In "Condemned," Sunday and Monday; Jack Holt in "Flight," Tuesday, Wednesday and Thurs. day; Ted Lewis in "Is Everybody Happy," Friday and Saturday.

HOMEWOOD Dorothy MacKaill In "The Love Racket," Sunday; William Powell In "Hehind the Makeup," Monday and Tuesday; Jiinet Gaynor In "Four Devils," Wedne.sduy and Thursday; Conrad Nagel In "13th Chair," Friday and Saturday. ARION Dorothy MacKaill In "The Love Racket," Sunday; William Powell In "Behind the Make-up," Monday and Tuesday; Alexander Grey In "No, No, Nanette," Wednesday and Thursday; Joan Bennett in "Three Live Ghosts," Friday and Saturday. (DN Doomed to Die as a Spy i If RIALTO Conrad Nagel In "Sacred Flame," Sunday and Monday; Alexander Grey in "No, No, Nanette," Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; Conrad Nagel in "13th Chair," Friday and Saturday. LORl'G Will Rogers in "They Had to See Paris," Sunday and Monday; Alexander Grey In "No, No, Nanette," Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; Joan Bennett in "Three Live Ghosts," Friday and Saturday. GRANADA Richard Arlen In "Burning Up," Sunday and Mon-day; Conrad Nagel in "The Sacred Flame," Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; King Vldor's "Hallelujah," Friday and Saturday.

NOKOMIS William Powell in "Behind the Makeup," Sunday and Monduy; Maurice Chevalier in "The Love Parade," Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; Josephine Dunn In "Big Time," Friday and Saturday. EL LAOO Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Jack Oakle in "Hit the Wednesday, Thursday, Ann Pennington in "is Everybody Hap. Chester Morris portrays the torturing experience of a soldier condemned to die as a spy by a German general in "Sergeant Grischa," latest war picture vow on the Seventh Street screen. Detty Compson is seen with him in the principal feminine role. 4-.