The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • 23

PART II. African War Film Theme Tense drama of the war in Africa and its effect upon the characters of the men engaged Provocative Play Given BY KATHKRIXE VOX BLOX Filled with that subtle and various mirth which is particularly diverting to the sophisti Bill Goetz was smart, signing up Gracie Fields to play opposite Cos Anaclcs Simcs Monty Woolley in Buried Alive." Other studios offered her only a number in a musical, but Gracie, who's one of our favorite enter SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 1943 tainers, held out, knowing she could do better. She has. And if she doesn't lead "The Beard" around by the end of his nose and all but steal the picture, cated mind, "Beloved Bachelor," as presented by the Carl Hejns Rothe Players at the Geller Theater, proved a colorful and provocative piece of theater. Mr.

Rothe's direction was attuned to Irene Manning, Morgan 'Mississippi Belle Duo the ironic mood of the play. The affair treats of the esca comes to the screen next Thursday with the opening of "Immortal Sergeant" Presented as one of 20th Century-Fox's biggest pictures of the year, the film is to open at 18 theaters simultaneously in the Los Angeles area. Henry Fonda and Maureen O'Hara are starred in a cast that features Thomas Mitchell, Ally Joslyn, Melville Cooper, Bram-well Fletcher and Morton Lowry. In the metropolitan district the film will show at Grauman's Chinese, Loew's State, Ritz and Carthay Circle theaters. 6 v' i v- v7'.

i V' a I i i r. V'icy pades of a certain bachelor col umnist, one Victor Hale, who I'll miss my guess. Gary Cooper does "Dr. Wassell" and "Saratoga Trunk" before he could ever get around to Eddie Rickenbacker's story. The star Winnie Sheehan is angling for right now to play it is Fred MacMurray.

We'll be greeting "Rick" next Tuesday when he speaks at the Biltmore. Billy Rose and Director Ieo McCarey put their heads together while Billy was here with the result that Leo goes back to New York, and together they'll do a play Wish his fans could see elects to purvey advice to the lovelorn, and is more than a lit Wayne Suibecf SeJecfed tie reminiscent of Schnitzler's "Affairs of Anatole," except that the treatment is thoroughly mod ern and much of the dialogue Hughes, Quillan Teamed Paramount Keeps Esmond in the topical vein. EDICT DELIVERED Van Heflih in uniform. No suit of clothes ever became him more. Those timid.souls who're afraid to give their blood to the blood bank should know that after their third contribution their system, Victor, who ha3 been a law unto himself, is startled to re in most cases, win De 7o per cent better.

At least, this was ceive an edict from his editors that he must be married in 90 days as his readers have raised a complaint, declaring that a bachelor cannot possibly have Dunn Cast in Thriller Lloyd Now at Columbia in WHIM told me by five different men who gave. I guess our pioneers knew what they were doing in the old days when they bled the patient Gloria Bristol, beauty specialist, opens her new salon here Feb. 11 with a cocktail the wisdom to advise them upon their domestic problems. The UIE 5ERUE gay Lothario, who has deftly when most of the star names had to grab for a nosegay. She's doing standing room only, and they'd like to double the length of her run." You'll be sorry to hear Jimmy Dorsey's band is disbanding.

Three of his top trumpet players are Army-bound. Hard to hang on to musicians these days. Relented by th Chicago Tribune-New York News Syndicate, 1943 COWARD managed to escape the pitfalls of matrimony, is shocked but de party. The inside of it Is' tufted and looks like a De Mille setting. BONAXO DOCK NEWCOMER Marilyn Maxwell provides feminine interest in "Stand By for Action," war film now screening at United Artists and Fox Wilshire theaters.

termined. His flaunting ego leads him to believe that he can cap I like her booklet titled "Off With Their Faces" and, I suppose, it -lor ture any member of the fair sex on with the new! So he sets out to utilize every expedient, which he has advised General Electric, instead of 'Casablanca Romantic, sending out a booklet about time and again to the lovelorn stoves and washing machines, only to discover that they do not Highly Topical Event work too well. Finally Victor proposes to his DOORS OPEN 930a.m. ALL 7HHi THfArfiCS has had one made up on fashions for the ladies in defense factories. Why Bother? When I heard about a pro BY EDWIX SCHALLERT UlAJf iu uug secretary, who, however, knows too much about him to take him seriously.

In the nick of time a telegram arrives from his editors, pleading with him to re With its setting in the North grid Bergman) are "suspected" Atrican town wnere a lamous of being accessories to the crime, though actually what Henreid is logue being whipped up for the wartime conclave was just held charity premiere of Noel Cow By Edwin Schallert Maybe they're the new singing stars who are coming into their ascendancy to replace Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy 83 the par excellence duo of movieland. Anyway Irene Manning and Dennis Morgan will bear watching especially since Warner Bros, apparently do not feel that one film is sufficient as a test for their talents but are already programming another. This is to say the Miss Manning and Morgan who soon will be viewed in "The Desert Song," will also be seen in an entirely different environment in "Mississippi Belle." Whereas 'The Desert Song'' had the novelty of distance, with its African setting, "Mississippi Belle" will boast that of time because it happens more than a hundred years ago starting in Boston and culminating in New Orleans. Delmer Daves is preparing the screen play from the novel by Clements Ripley. The picture will be made on Miss Manning's return from a camp tour which will last three or four weeks.

Morgan will return by then, at least, from New York. Wayne to Play Haid-hoiled Foreman John Wayne seems to be gradually hurtling about through various war milieus in the movies, notable exhibit of recent date being "The Flying Tigers," which has had one or two follow-ups. Latest subject scheduled for this actor at his home studio, Republic, is a national weekly story called "A Guy Could Change' which was written by F. Hugh Herbert, who has been identified with scenarizing. This bit of fiction pertains to an air plant foreman, who is very hard-boiled, and "hard-boiled" can be practically synonymous fiftftteft fraftlMiViiil "Casablanca," on view at Warner Bros.

Hollywood and Down main a bachelor as the customers are protesting. CAST APPRAISED town theaters, is bound to oe ard's picture "In Which We Serve," I thought, "That's Just gilding the lily, with somebody wanting a hunk of credit." It George Adrian, Continental ac tor, was the virtual star of the an enormous beneficiary from this historical event. It is one of those lucky pictures which happens to be linked right with wanted for is his activities in behalf of enslaved peoples. Sinister, sullen and, to the outside world, having no truck with any of them is Rick, the American. He announces himself as a saloonkeeper, though he has a resort and gambling den of some pretentions.

In the whole situation he Is the or unknown quantity, piece, and played with suave turned out to be just that, and was the poorest I've ever seen. Not only that, but Coward's pic sophistication which won ap the headlines, and which the or BROS! ture needs no gilding. It stands plause. Nan Morgan, as the as tute Mrs. Bracknell, gave a par ticularly amusing performance.

Meredith Anderson was most ap 1 pealing and exceedingly clever ganization that sponsors appears to show a flair for produc-ing, After all, it's something to have the President cf the United States and the Premier of England assisting your advance exploitation. While this happened locally, it and, eventually, which way he decide to swing turns the trick, for early in the story he comes JM-J as Gwendolen. Betty Elkins made a definite impression in her char I 3 acterization. Diana Waugh played into possession of the coveted visas which will get anybody off with authority and charm. Lynn didn't prevail, of course, in ail other centers.

The New York premiere took place some time Romer and Jeanne put on a fiery little scene which won approval. Michael Dellwood was excellent. Eva Camac. Lee Middleton, Dina Desta, Tauline Derby and Irene Becky pleased. alone, as a masterpiece of writing, acting and direction.

And believe me, it's something for Hollywood to shoot at Those dim minds who've been trying to make trouble for Eleanor Powell and Glenn Ford should know it's a lot of eyewash. Neither of them has had a date with anybody else in the last eight months. They're in love, and I think being sensible about it. Glenn goes to marine boot camp in March, which means seven weeks when he can't even see Eleanor. They're very wise not to leap into matrimony when neither of them knows what's ahead.

Pays to Travel Detroit Times writes: "Our fa ago. Regardless of the latest arrest A Ull fl (VAIftC i C'Ln ntre I lATt SHOW TbHITC i ing happenings linked with the rink liniiw iiimuiuun DirWBv MICHAEL CURTIZ war, the picture would unques imiT mM luntv tZrt tionably thrive on account of its to tiisDon. VARIED MOTIFS The tale as unfolded is one of love, hate, revenge and gallantry and will please those who watch its visualization because of its fine reserve during most of its telling. In a crucial climaxing, scene between Bogart and Miss Bergman it falls a little short of complete conviction and becomes rather too archly sentimental, but then probably nobody will quarrel about that, either. The audi tt public imrireo I general timeliness.

The topical IATB SHOWS nail is Dinged right on the head ROMANTIC SAGA AT3WARHER THEATRES! iOWWOMi-MlItM last ratHnuvtuee-iifn 'Mashenka Wins Favor Unwinding a story as simple as a First Reader yarn, but with characterizations which raise the Actually tne story told 13 a H0LLYWQ0D-D0WNTOWN-WILTERN ill wholly romantic one about the wife of a Czech patriot who thought her husband had met ence at the showing which I saw vorite comedian long, lanky, his death in a German concen- yesterday was on edge with tense picture to a higher level than! tration camp and fell in love with an exiled American in Paris, ness to the finale. It's an exceptionally well-di Charlotte Greenwood, is back. There's no doubt as to how well liked she is in Detroit. All one has to do is to remember how with the demeanor of Wayne in a portrayal. So it all looks very fittin'.

Mary Beth Hughes. Quillan Will Team Second assignment for Mary Beth Hughes at Universal now looms. The picture is the musical, "Trombone From Heaven." taken from one of the short stories in the Richard English book, "Strictly Ding Dong." Miss Hughes, who free-lancing, will be teamed with Eddie Quillan in a featured part. At the same studio she ha3 lately worked in "Good Morning, Judge." Jean Yarbrough has been assigned as director of "Trombone," which is about a band performer. Leads are still to be picked.

Esmond Likely for Role in 'Dr. WasseW Carl Esmond, who attracted so much interest in "The Navy Comes Through," 13 to become a fixture at Paramount rather than R.K.O., which made that film, or Columbia, where he is now importantly acting in "Attack by Night" with Brian Aherne and Merle Oberon. At Paramount he will probably portray a Dutch army officer, one of the principal parts in "The Story of Dr. Wassell," thus joining Gary Cooper, and mayhap Sunny Tufts, who will have other prominent duty to do. The studio wanted him for "Hostages," but he wasn't clear of his Columbia assignment.

Since Paul Ilenreid is attracting so much attention because of "Now Voyager," it might be well to mention, just incidentally, that from what I hear Esmond and he were once regarded somewhat in the light of rivals in Europe. that of most screen stories, the Russian "Mashenka," illumined with English subtitles, opened From this sentimental foundation vast issues arise, associated with the evacuation of refugees rected and well-played picture, this "Casablanca," much honor to the members of the cast as yesterday at the Grand Theater. The principal characters are as she stopped the Hollywood Victory Committee show cold. She was pelted with large bouquets, -1 from a port that at the time of mentioned, with additionally S. many-shaded as are those of 'A the narrative is under the dominion of Vichy, incidentally the Sakall, the remarkable Dooley most humans, and these many hues of disposition are subtly Wilson, Madeleine LeBeau, Leo Third Reich, nid Kinskey, John Qualen and Casablanca depicted, with 7, AW various others.

conveyed by Valentina Karava-yeva as heroine and Mikhail Kuz-netzov as hero. Miss Karavaye- probably some truth, as a laby- Michael Curtiz directed with plenty of punch in the bulk of rinth of intrigues, costly dealings in human welfare, murder and the episodes. Julius J. and Phil occasionally even rapine, accom va 13 ideally cast physically as well as artistically, for she looks like a Madonna, but her simple, idealistic is balanced by ip G. Epstein and Howard Koch plished with the least possible wrote the screen play.

14 INC VIBA RING VERA 4 At the Warner theaters the disturbance to its amour-propre as a modern hell hole. The French Prefect (Claude Rains) will sell his favors for a short subjects include "Mr. a very earthy good tempercd-ness and a gently philosophical outlook. IOB MARY II I BIIBMVtU 'I Smug" for the defense; impres sions of the "Army Air Force HUrt IVt An I In FRIO DICK price, which may be paid either CHEERFUL OUTLOOK Band" and a Merrie Melodie, MacMUKKAT rUVHll "Tale of Two Little Kittens," She gives her heart completely and naturally, yet never de I 4) in money or through more venal considerations. Maj.

Strasser, military envoy from the Reich (Conrad Veidt,) is absorbed in the extension of its powers to which is a sort of happy take off on Abbott and Costello. scends to mawkish sentimentali ty, and her sweetness never be comes saccharinity, but is bal Cbmcxs poben Drama the African embarcation point. FRANC HOT VERONICA TONE LAKE RAY EDDIE MILLAND BRACKEN VICTOR BETTY MOORE HUTTON DOROTHY AlAN LAFr'OUR LADD PAUtETTI ond CODDARD ROCHESTER It is a good place to catch quarry that has escaped the clutches of mm THE ORIGINAL YARD BIRDS of FORT MacARTHUR In News Clips From Studio Town James Dunn has been secured to act opposite Florence Rice In "The Ghost and the Guest" for P.R.C., while Robert Dudley plays a hangman in the film. Harold Lloyd checks In to do a picture at Columbia studio. He is reading scripts and hopes to find a romantic comedy.

Columbia has lately signed producers from three different fields, first, Sam Wood, director; then Arthur Schwartz, producer, and now Lloyd, erstwhile comedy star. Barbara Everest, who depicted Mme. Litvinov in "Mission to Moscow," will appear in "Phantom of the Opera," while Guy Kingsford has been called on to replace Michael- Duane in "Sahara," because Duane is busy in "Redhead From Manhattan." Stockholm, per overtures made through press representatives here, would like to have the premiere of "For Whom the Bell Tolls" to pay homage to native-born star, Ingrid Bergman. Otto Preminger will play a part in "Candle in the Wind" as well as direct when it is picture-made. the Gestapo.

Senor Ferrari (Sydney Green-street) barters and trades in Insuring safe transit by means of visas that carry with them more or less weight and au HILL at llth'Ri. 6277 2 SHOWS TODAY SUN. 2:30 8:30 POPULAR PRICES Hilariout All-Soldiar Muiicaf As American cs the Stars and Stripes Ticket! at Box Office fi All Mutual Agancli anced by her cheerful outlook. Perhaps it's wrong to call Alexet, her boy friend, a hero, though he is when it comes to war, but he has many very human weaknesses of character, all of which the audience forgives, as does Mashenka. The Russian sense of humor keeps tight rein on bathos, even goes further, as when it shows the heroine tripping and falling flat as she runs to meet the hero in the last and what would naturally be the most tender love scene thenticity.

Ugarte (Peter Lorre) is another of the same ilk, lower class, who briefly fails heir TONIGHT Moll. Wd. Sat. to a very valuable passport following the murder of two of the German secret police. He dies quickly.

Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid) and his spouse Ilsa Lund (In- SEATS A PVM NOW M1(M SOME 8XAGS Army Show to Gross $86,000 The boy and Eirl meet when Rei" Ti0I.M Sf" fin. tm. jso I and Sun. I V-mjm- she hires his taxi in which to PHILHARMONIC tt, MAT. 2:30 List Two Performances Irving Berlin's all-soldier show, 'This Is the Army," will, gross approximately $86,000 for its 11 EV.

1:30 drive home after late work hours; their love hits some snags. Both hero and heroine finally jfT Hit OOWNTOVN owtr' I 'Wrecking Crew RICHARD CHESTER JEAN Ml ARLEN-MORRIS-PARKER Jf All Ptrfamanctt Sold Out IRVING BERLIN'S SOIDII SHOW performances at the Philhar wind up in the Finnish war." Unclt Sam Prtsnn MM Til EL AM-TOBfl Mat Today at 2i3 monic Auditorium, whore it ends its run tonight, it was announced yesterday. This is a record for receipts unmatched" in the theatrical history of Los Angeles for so brief an engagement. Receipts for the premiere, incidentally, totaled almost $14,000. The entire house was sold out for all performances 10 days ago.

San Francisco is the next stop on the tour and upon completion of the run there "This 13 the Army" will bo converted into a film by Warners. Short subjects are as absorbing as the feature, especially those news reels showing action on the Don River and other Rus Cast of 300 Soldiers Prococds to Army Emergency Relief Fund sian sectors in the present war. 1 -IAT a MATS. IUN .1 JOn I JO SMARTS 11 P. M.

Complete STAGE SCREEN SHOW YEAR WE REPEAT "HEY ROOKIE!" A SWELL SHOW TOO! THcATRt YERMONT REFRESHMENTS IMCLUOEO IN AOMIISION NO. 2.1 1 21 Trf DINNER I DINNER TO REMEMBER 9 IUFI.M1IJB I tcil.WTfr Jill J.3l 111' YT .1 V' STARRING SCATS Ct-itirriiir LORETTA mi 9esj yscREEW MU6 TOWNy 5939 houywood b'vq. free paekino TH Deslen "51 BEAUX ARTS Mexico's Gigantic Screen Production! ANNA LEE LILLIAM GISH SIR CEDRIC HARDWICKE ROBERT CCOIE laivd tS C. I Fertitf Cfttwepel'ie" Mggotin itry $itn play by Irwin Show D-reciu tt iohk fUdROw-A LESTER COWAN PRODUCTION Colombia nmt THEATRE FI-0300 vmm to mcKAn miuci A Columbia picture 7M W. tlv Ctr.

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Wilthirt, Sumtt, Olympic Bus hSj SATt'HHAY CSi7iL Beginning 12:30 ItSfew 4 SHOWS "I 9 Bis ran iJ a rinrnniini AH SL nwl 7J i rv ujry JUtlAM lOUl MAiOAIItA MOHA MAIN TAMAVO Ptmmf tOll ANITA HAMtH-CAUOtOMlLANA Fijueroa at Pico i Caiiiiicehc" PR. 6644 KlhU 50, T5. 1.01. lUn iun. t0 snd TM.

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