The Charleston Daily Mail from Charleston, West Virginia • Page 25

A THE CHARLESTON DAILY MAID, SUNDAY -MORNING, MAY 24, PAGE NINE 1-1 I "is; Mme. Stokowski Fosters Plan to Train Layman's Ears.for Society Likes Study Design Everyone Can Be Trained to Become an Active Listener, She Says By MARY M. McBRIDE EW 1 YORK, May best stroke of business they ever did for themselves was when they cnsented to become guinea pigs for an experiment a if it will make the United States a nation of musicians in the truest sense. That is the exultant conviction of three prominent New York women, who, before they became musical jjuinea pigs, hardly knew one note from another. The three are Mrs.

Theodore Steinway, wife of a mem- ber of the famous piano manufac- turing company; Mrs. i i a Francis Gibbs. daughter of Paul D. Cravath. chairman of the board of directors of the Metropolitan Opera company, and Mrs.

Philip Hofer, granddaughter of the philanthropist August Heckscher. Olsa Samaroff Stokowski. founder of the Layman's Music Courses, conceived the idea of cicking out the worst ears she could find to serve as her cuinea i in an attempt to prove that any can be developed musically. Worst Isn't Hopeless "Madame" (the musician is Ma- dame to all her pupils and friends), "insists that she has yet to find a hopeless ear." declares Mrs. Stein- way.

-Who claims that she was the worst of the guinea pies. She was also the first. Madame struck a note on the mano and then struck the same note on octave higher, I couldn't tell was high and which was low," Mrs. Steinway explains. "My ear was really terrible, and I knew nothing -whatsoever about music.

had married into a musical family and for a while I sat back auietlv and listened and tried to pick UP something of the understanding that seemed to mean so much to mv Hus- band. I really tried to learn. I read books about music and I went to innumerable concerts. And I was bored. "I was the ideal euinea Biff.

To- day music is one of the most im- portant things in my life. I know vhat Fm listening to. And when 1 talk to musicians they are cenuine- ly amazed at the solid knowledge I have of the music I hear." Other "Know-Nothings" Mrs. Hofer and Mrs. Gibbs are no less enthusiastic.

Beyond a few months of forced piano practice as a child. Mrs. Hofer knew nothing of music and en.1o.ved it even less. Mrs. Gibbs had studied piano as a j-ust piano--not music." i she explained, "and it was nothing but a daily grind for me.

"One day a friend asked me whv a symphony was divided into move- and I answer her. knew symphonies were divided jnto movements, but had no idea I decided to find out a bit about music and about listenine to music. I took Madame's initiation course." Then her father. Mr. Cravath.

heaed of one of the greatest musi- cal organizations in the world, de- cided he needed the course. Today in his seventies he has decided that he wants a course on listening to modern music and it's the only thing in the whole of his life that his daughter has known him to let interfere with his afternoon nap. Marshall Field, head of the Phil- harmonic Symphony society, is an- other figure in the music world who is one of Madame Samaroff Stokow- ski's most ardent pupils. Founded Three Years Ago The Layman's Music Courses founded but three years ago have i spread throughout the country and developed to tremendous prooor- tions. In addition to numerous groups in New York, classes are given in Washington.

Scrantqn, Philadelphia and in cities as far dis- tant as Denver and Los Aneeles. This winter classes were organized in Florida. There are night classes for de- partment store workers and factory workers, as well as day classes for those who have more leisure. Ma- dame Samaroff Stokowski's staff is made up of trained musicians who worked with her in her Juilliard laboratory. Some of the other well known persons who are taking the Lay- man's Music Courses are Mrs.

13 Heifetz. wife of the violin- 9-tMfdcM was Florence Vidor. the HTOVie star: Mrs. Fritz Reiner, wife of the conductor: and Mrs. David Sarnoff, wife of the president of RCA.

It was ten years ago that Mad- ame Olga Samaroff Stokowski. looking about at crowded concerts. realized that a discouraging num- ter of the audience really knew nothing about the music that was brought to them. From time to time they enjoyed some small emotional thrill, but their actual knowledge of i what they heard was zero. To manv the evening served as a few quiet moments in which to plan a ward- i robe.

She determined then to make what she calls "active listening" possible for every concert goer. Myrna Loy (left), William Powell and Luise Reiner are stars in. "The Great Ziegfeld," which will open a reserved-seat engagement Thursday evening at the Capitol. Following Thursday through the following Wednesday, two shows will be given, starting at 2:20 and 8:20 p. m.

Bits About 'Em Continued From Page Eight) film will be the fourth Hecht- MacArthur production in which Garrnes will function as chief of photography and associate direct- or. Ann Rutherford, petite, 17. who has been serving her thespian ap- prenticeship for some time by ap- aearing in western pictures, is now graduated into full-fledged roles in major productions. The a battle between the Monitor and the Merirmac will come to the screen in "The Glory which is to be directed by Lew Ayres. Mae Clarke and Charlotte Henry have been signed to play the two leading feminine roles.

Gladys Swarthout's next pro- duction will be "The New Di- vorce." Herbert Marshall and Gary Grant will appear opposite her in the piece, which Mitchell Leisen will direct. The story is an adapta- tion of Sardou's "Divorcicons." George Archainbaud, veteran di- rector both silent and a i pictures, has signed a long term contract in Now York with Para- mount. He i work in a i i a His first i i a assignment, will be "The Sophie Lang," with Michael heading a cast feature players. Nine-year-old David Holt gets a chance to play detective in teen Hours by Air" and solves the mystery of a man slain on a trans- continental air liner. A fourth language was added in the songs of Jan Kiepura for "Give tJs This Night" when the singer recently recorded his num- bers in Italian.

Kiepura's songs also will be done in English, Span- ish and French in order to make them saleable to a world audience. Phillip Reed, Mae West's tall, dark and handsome, is the son of a former Prussian cavalry officer. Frederick Hazlitt a a Young a David Boehm have been assigned to do the screen play on "Poppy," with W. C. Fields.

Few of the scenes in "Desert Gold," film version of Zane Grey's outdoor romance, are being a at the studios. Most of the- i will be exposed at Palm Springs or Chatsworth on location. Paramount's prgperty depart- ment scoured the sate of a i ia for days seeking World war models ot the old Jennies. They are being used in important se- quences for "The Sky Parade." "Fatal Lady" has been decided upon as the i for the forth- coming Walter Wanger production, "Brazen," release with Mary Ellis, Walter Pidgeon and Alan Mow- bray in the cast. Boris Morros.

director of the a a studio musical depart- ment and associate producer, has returned to Hollywood after con- ferring on production matters at the home office in New York. Madeleine Carroll, British star. has been borrowed to play the leading feminine role in "The General Died at Dawn," Miss Carroll will be surrounded by a strong cast. Clifford Odets, novelist and playwright, is adapt- ing the story of the adventures of a pair of international crooks who attempt to seize a in a a i China. i i a LeBaron is producing the i which Lewis Milestone will direct.

George a will have the lead in a picture tentatively titled "The Duchess." Terry Walker, whose portrait by a Rockwell attracted the attention of talent scouts, has ar- rived in Los Angeles under con- tract. Helen Brown completes the cast in "Big Brown Eyes." starring Joan Bennett, Gary Grant and Walter Pidjjeon. i a A Hould, 11-year- old New Zealand actor, Jeane Perkins, Louisiana State Univers- ity coed, and Olympe Bradna, French singer and dancer, have had their seven-year Paramount a approved Judge Douglas Edmonds. Anatole Litvak, Continental di- rector, and his associate, Joseph Kassel, French novelist, are start- ing preparations for the filming of their first American production, "Simoom," previously titled "Sa- hara." When Gladys Swarthout returns to Hollywood after her operatic and radio appearances in New York, she wil start work immedi- ate! in "The New which will be produced by Albert Lewis. Gavin Muir, whose stage per- formance in "The Puritan," won top praise from critics, has been signed to a long-term contract i 20th Century-Fox Films.

He i make his first appearance for a company in "Half Angel." Henry Sharp, has returned to the studio completely from injuries received in the air- plane crash at Macon, last Spring. Sharp's first assignment was to photograph the new Mary Boland-Charlie Ruggies comedy to Bed." Production executives have ex- pressed their confidence in the screen future of Roberts Curn- mings by casting him in important roles in' two big productions. The former Joplin (Mo.) boy, who re- turned from an English a and hoaxed stage producers into believing he was a popular London juvenile, will play in both "Throe Cheers for Love'' and "Something to Live For." Harvey Stephens, Betty Furness and Robert Young arc "The Three Wise Guys," Sunday at the Capitol. jea- Daily Mail IS BEST SOLVED THROUGH THE A I A I CLASSIFIED A nurse for the baby? A chef for grand parties? Ladies' maid? Butler? Parlor maid? Or "Suaze" of all work? You'll find one or all through the Classified, Phone Capitol 22-141 and place your ad right now help problems are solved in a jiffy! To Insert An Ad Call Phone 22-141--Say "Classified" Great Ziefyfeld To Open Soon At the Capitol HIRTY-FIVE famous stars, past 1 and present, are honored in VTetro-Goldwyn-Mayer's production if "The Great Ziegfeld," coming Thursday to the Capitol theater, with William Powell playing the late im- presario, Myrna Loy as Billie Burke, and Luise Rainer in the role of Anna Held. The show, opening Thursday night, ill have two performances daily hrough the following Wednesday, June 3.

They wiU begin at 2:20 and 8:20 p. and all seats in the house ill toe reserved. Tickets will go on Monday. Since it was impossible to place all of the former Ziegfeldian stage stars the picture, Hunt Stromberg, the producer, William Anthony McGuire, he author, and Robert Z. Leonard, he director, devised novel methods which to pay tribute to the great names of the theater.

A few will appear as themselves the picture. Among these are Billie Burke, who will make a per- sonal appearance on the screen to dedicate "The Great Ziegfeld" to the memory of her late husband; Fanny 3rice Harriet Hoctor and Ray Bol- er In Impersonations Those who appear through imper- sonators include Miss Held, Sandow, Bert Williams, W. C. Fields, Nat Wills, Lew Dockstader, Marilyn Mil- ler, Marion Davies, the Fairbanks Twins, Joseph Urhan and Irving Ber- Others to be honored, by musical numbers, include George White. lohn Steele, Eddie Cantor, Van Schenck and Harriet Hoctor.

Tribute will be- paid to Henry Mil- ler, William Faversham, May Rob- son, Lillian Russell, Marie Dressier, Richard Mansfield and James A. Herne in theater programs to be flashed upon the screen. Hoey and Evans, comedy team, are remem- bered in an electric sign. Sophie Tucker, Nora Bayes and Jack Nor- worth have dressing room doors dedicated to them. A complete dress rehearsal, simi- lar to the famous Ziegfeld night-be- fore-the-premiere presentations, was accorded each musical number in "Ths Great Ziegfeld." The first routine to be treated in this manner was the "bouquet" num- ber done to the tune of "You've Gotta Pull Strings," the setting of which is a replica of the former "Ziegfeld Roof" in New York.

The number features the "American Beauties," who are considered the outstanding show girls of the coun- try. Owed to Glorifier The cast includes many players who owed their initial success to the glorifier. Fannie Bride, for instance, was one of his important stage discoveries. She began her stage career by way of selling tickets in a motion picture theater. Longing to Part of the chorus in Solly Child's "Parisian Follies' Sunday through Wednesday, are shown above.

which will appear on the Kearse stage, Lack of Ability Hit by Gahagan That's Why Movie Turnover Occurs, She Says; Calls George Arliss Just a Good Ham HOLLYWOOD, May 23 (UP). Helen Gahagan, largish lass who triples in brass for stage, opera and screen, thinks constant turnover of Hollywood players is due to sheer lack of ability. the similarity in the roles he plays. "George Arliss? That's easier. Ar- liss is just a good ham actor." In Hollywood Helen is spoken of as the wife of Actor Melvyn Doug- "If you know how to act, you can las.

In New York, where she has act forever," says Helen, 35, 5 feet hppn otaoo ctar- 1Q9.2 nntie- 7, and handicapped at 135 pounds. Her opinion is not exactly novel in this film capital, but her fprth- rightness in expressing it is decided- ly so. "Pictures ofter suffer because film actors haven't properly learned their trade," Helen explains. "The situation is changing rapidly, or course, but formerly experience was the last prerequisite for movie suc- cess. "Those who remain stars year aft- er year are the real actors, artists who know exactly what they are trying to do, and how to do it.

The names that become suddenly fa- mous, then fade rapidly, are 'per- sonality 1 actors, who attain a pass- ing success through some trait that catches popular fancy. They remain just. that, unless they learn, even though they may carry on for years." Helen became cautious when pressed for names. Well, the Barrymores. Lionel and been a stage star since 1922, Doug- las is the husband of Gahagan.

At the height of her stage career, Helen dropped everything and dashed off to Italy to learn to sing. She learned so well she debuted successfully in opera during 1935. The same year she came to Holly- wood and made her first picture, playing the title role in Rider Hag- gard's "She." She is under contract to do a musical picture for RKO-Hadio dur- ing the first half of 1936, and an- other, in color, for Pioneer. be an actress, she answered an ad i John, are certainly finished actors," published by George M. Cohan for 1 she said.

"Then there are Marlene i i Garbo of course, and, oh, many others. "Charles Laughton? Well, I think Laughlon conceives his characters perfectly, but cannot quite achieve them personally. That accounts for chorus girls, and received a letter to report for rehearsal. Her abilities were not considered good enough to gain her a contract, so she decided to try for a job in burlesque. STARTS MAY 28 2:20 TWICE DAILY 8:30 SPECIAL ROAD SHOW ENGAGEMENT OF THE DRAMATIC MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA Birth of Bazooka Bob Burns, radio's "Arkansas" Traveler," who makes his film debut with Bing Crosby in Paramount "Rhythm on the Range," conceived his famous "bazooka" while playing with a hillbilly band in Van Buren, Ark.

The home-made horn is com- posed of two pieces of gas pipe and a tin funnel. On Janss Estate Filmed The swimming pool and gardens of Dr. Edwin Janss, millionaire re- altor of Los Angeles, will be seen on the screen for the first time in Paramount's "And Sudden Death," featuring Randolph Scott, Frances Drake and Tom Brown. Fastest Accordionist Johnny Kiado, rated the world's fastest accordianist, is working with his trio. "The Three Clefs," in "Flor- ida Special" with Jack Oakie and Sally Eilers.

Sir Guy a Marksman Sir Guy Standing is one of ths finest shots with both pistol and rifle in the film colony. BARGAIN HOUR TODAY AND EVERY DAY THIS WEEK FROM 12:30 TILL 1:30 IQc AFTER 1:30 P. M. REGULAR, PRICES WILL PREVAIL SEATS ON SALE MONDAY MAT. 50c--75c; NIGHTS Includes Federal Tax ATTEND THE MATINEES SOLLIE CHILD'S "PARISIAN FOLLIES STAGE SHOWS TODAY AT 1:50 4:20 6:50 9:30 UNIT VAUDEVILLE KEVUE DOORS OPEN AT NOON FEATURING "THE THREE REVELERS" ACROBATIC NONSENSE STAN LAWSON JUST A CUT-UP HELEN BOARD TAPPING TOES BEE SOUTHERN DANCING VIOLINIST HAYDOOK HAYDOOK RUTH MORGAN GLORIA SMILEY KEN CHAMBERLAIN--FLORENCE DRAKE IN ALL YOUNG DREAM, are no IT ON THE SCREEN HNNY IRLEY MXIE JANE AfUORtf "wENIs fay Setter John ortrf frfwjrrf.