Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • 50

Afl Onty-CHsnt MM- swhat srv. telegraph- -Other Departments, GRant 6500- -u-xdat, nvr.tuT si, mi- PITTSBURGH'S POLLY ROWLES SEEN IN FIRST PHOTOPLAY ROLE IN FULTON DRAMA IN DESERT Cohn Pays' $200,000, COMEDY, ROMANCE AND SONG, TOO Highest Film Price, For Current Pla -PART 8 PAGE Local Girl Has Lead Part C.i r- 1 i 1 MtY .7 tS: By LOUELLA O. PARSONS (Mnlinn t'lrtur Mltnr 1 nlirl rrlrrl HOLLYWOOD. Jan. 23.

WHEN ONE of the very smartest producers in Hollywood forks out S20O.0Q0 for a play, the highest price ever paid for motion picture material, we wonder whether it's platinum set with rubies, or what's the gag. Harry Cohn, head of Columbia, has never been one to squandering his money. He started making quickies and. as I know him, he's a conservative, sensible businessman. Now out of the blue, comes Harry and pays nearly a quarter of a million dollars for a Broadway success, "You Can't Take It -7 ilk i' A zWJym a) I -J I v' v6( t-; C- 'r'S'il 3 i t.

4 Jf it 1 VI 'I i I I i i 1 -ft right on the heels of inter-view with Samuel Goldwyn, who says the present lack of good plays has made the prices rise accordingly. "I had to pay SlfiS.000 fnr srrwn right in 'Head RKO paid $100,000 for 'Stage Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer paid In the neighborhood of 1135.000 for 'Idiots' while Warner Brothers paid clow to $150,000 for 'Boy Meets and a similar amount for Script Market Good Mr. Oi'dwyn, in commenting on these prices, stated that writers of original screen stories will find a greater and more lucrative market for their work In 1937 than ever before. I wonder. Writers of original stories who have proved themselves in the magazine field-yes.

But newcomers will find it increasingly difficult to crash the Hollywood scenario citadel. When we consider that was the sum and total paid for 901 purchases of sereen material In 1038, it can easily be seen that the average price is not larce. Statistics show the average to be $5,000 per story, although those by noted writers, of course, bring much more. A chorale of praises, too. Is due the music which Kurt Weill, the composer, has written to underlay the poem.

What he has written for "The Eternal Road," both vocal and incidental music, should be realized as superfine. And it is handled with surprising effectiveness in the performing. It combines recorded sound and a small living orchestra in a manner which is apt to revolutionize the music of the theater hereafter. (Copyright. 1937, Unlwul Servlo, Ino Jack Oakle and Lily Fons In "That Girl From Paris," comedy screen feature in the Stanley In which Gene Raymond is co-featured with Miss Pons.

With the romedv and romance there are some songs. "Fats" Waller and his orchestra provide the stage entertainment. Ml 0 it '7 i I I i i Bv KARL KRUG IT WAS a "break" for Polly Rowles that Lucille a Universal talent icout, happened to have a relative, who knew a Pittsburgh newspaperman. For it was that newspaperman, who indirectly put Miss Ry. man in touch with Polly, and Tolly went to Hollywood to he a featured actress In the movies.

On the advice of the local newspaperman, Miss Rymun called Elmer Kenyon, at, the time head of the Carnegie Tech drama srhool, and Mr. Kenyon suggested she take a lonk at. Miss Rowles. The scout followed the advice, and now Pnily is playing the lead in Universale "Love Tetters of star" in the Fulton Theater, There was no "build-up" role for Polly when she first, reported on the Universal Int. An honor graduate nf Carnegie Tern, her training, intelligence, poise and beauty were deemed sufficient for her to bo among the very first girls chosen under the new Universal policy of obtaining potential starnnK talent from graduates of college dramatic courses.

Her next role vi 11 be with Boris Karloff. First In 'Seagull' Polly first proved her ability as an actress as a 17-year-old freshman, when she won the leading feminine role in "The Seagull." For the following four years she continued to earn leading parts in every campus production, appearing in HO plays. Her charm won her the title, "Campus Queen," in senior year. Then she began to work in the Pittsburgh Little Theater, doing Shakespearean repertoire under the direction of Ben Iden Payne. Her efforts included the part of Kathenne of Aragonne In "Henry VIII." of Cleopatra In "Antony and Cleopatra," of Cressida in "Troilus and Cres-sida." Polly appeared in a number of modern offerings, among them "Springtime for Henry," Noel Coward's "Young Idea," "Man and the Masses" and "Secondman," From Theater Family Polly Rowles' family, which traces back to Kit Carson, contains two other theatrical personalities.

Her grandfather. Sherman Rowles, was a well known actor in the past. Her great uncle, William Rowles. vas a theater owner, Polly's dad la Ralph T. Rowles, prominent Steel executive in Pittsburgh.

The high grades that Polly received at Carnegie Tech indicate that she has intelligence. Screen tests proved that she has the sort of beauty which photographs Jll for the movies. Her portray A in "Love Letters of a Star" is clinching evidence of her ability. Polly was bora in Philadelphia. January 10, 1914.

is 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighs 125 pounds. She has blonde hair and gray eyes. Mystery Picture "Love Letters of a Star" is ft mystery story that reveals the incidents in the lives of a family hounded by a blackmailer. The net which enmeshes them becomes more entangled when the family is suspected of murdering the man, who comes to his pnd under strange circumstances. Then another victim meets his fate in an unusual manner.

A keen detective, portrayed by C. Henry Gordon, unravels the double mystery, with methods that help to make interesting screen entertainment. An excellent performance is given by Henry Hunter, as the suspected husband of the girl who is the extortioner's prey. That role' is enarted by Mary Alice Klre. renowned as a beauty of the last show staged by Ziegfeld.

Folly Flays Sister Her sister in the movie is Miss Rowles, who plays love scenes with Walter Coy and dramatic sequences with Ralph Forbes. Samuel Hinds and Alma Krucer are the screen father and mother. The blackmailer is made convincing by Rollo Lloyd. Hobart, Cavanaugh has the role of a busy-body who calls the police. Readers of Crime Club novels will find many points of interesting comparison between th film, "Love letters of a Star." and Rufus King's stirring book from which it was taken, "Case the Constant, God." With You," spending more for this one play than he formerly PRid for an entire year's story hiirlgpt.

Roughly estimated, per rent, of the population of these United States have not seen this play and probably 70 per cent have never even heard of it, Rut, Mr. Cohn must have had some good reason for his apparent extravagance. Why Worth So Much I was not only curious to know why Columbia paid George C. Kaufman and Moss Hart, the authors, and Sam Harris, the Broadway producer, $200,000 for this comedy, but I also wanted to learn what they saw in It to indicate that it was worth a young fortune. So I put the question up to Mr.

Cohn. "Well," answered Harry, "when I heard that, there was a play that had kept Frank Capra up all night reading it. and that he laughed so hard Mrs. Capra couldn't sleep. I felt it must be worth $200,000.

Frank told me it wiw so funny he almost rolled out of bed and besides, who am to quibble with the man who directed 'It Happened One Nighf and 'Mr. Deeds Goes To Town'? "So I telephoned Sam Harris, who said the price was $200,000, and that we couldn't release the picture prior to May, 1938. This restriction was what had kept other producers from buying the play. I said 'All Right, We'll Take and the next day a telegram arrived confirming the sale." Where Can You Find Them? 1 "But couldn't you buy other plays that wouldn't take a king's ransom?" I asked. "Where?" demanded Mr.

Cohn. Can't Take It With You' Is worth $200,000, and I'll pay that amount for any other Broadway play that holds as much promise for entertainment." And for that I had no comeback, for "It Happened One Night" was the best picture of its year, and "Mr. Deeds" will probably win the Academy award for 1938. "You Can't Take It With You" may top all plays of its type for 1S38. "May." I say, for we don't know until it is put on the screen whether it will be another best screen seller or not.

The curious part of this sale is that Frank Capra, although he was largely instrumental in its purchase, will not direct It. But even if he doesn't, Columbia will have the benefit of his unexcelled advice. Itig Hit Cost Little Heretofore Columbia's best hits have not been based on expensive plays. The Snmuel Hopkins Adams story, "It Happened One Night," appeared In a magazine under the title "Night Bus" and was bought, by Mons. Cohn for the comparatively trifling sum of $5,000.

Likewise, Clarence Budington Kelland's "Mr. Deeds" was purchased following Its publication in a magazine for a "mere" $10,000. Both these amounts are insignificant, In view of the fact that the pictures grossed millions for Columbia. Mr. Cohn's purchase of "You Can't Take It With You" came Melodic Score The orchestration to "Esca-drllle," drama of Prance's war aviators, is said by music critics to be an outstanding interpretative work.

Arthur Honegger, distinguished modern composer, wrote the score. Francis Shearer, Colbert Top Best Dressers By JERRIE LANE HOLLYWOOD, Jan. 23. GREAT CONJECTURE has arisen over the 10 best dressed stars in Hollywood for 1937. There's a flurry and fuss, a tremor and tempest.

Adrian, M-G-M's style creator, backs gracefully from the fray after the terrific repercussion REPORTER CLEVER which smote him when last ne Lane, Norma Shearer and Ann Warner (I'd still choose her as the tenth If I worked in any other studio because she Is one of the few women who looks as Vrell In twftpflB a In rlnmnratii 4 I '1 1 1 1 I ill i fi 4 -j 1 vi 4 I named them. But other leading designers step forward boldly with their choices, let the tears fall where they may. Only three stars made all the lists. They are Kay Francis. Claudette Colbert and Norma Shearer, unanimously selected as being the "top" dressers of the film colony.

Other stars to receive more than one vote are Carole Lombard, Joan Crawford. Dolores Del Rio and Gladys Swarthout. Orry-Kelly Chooses Here are the Individual selections of Hollywood's outstanding dress designers. Orry-Kelly of Warner Brothers makes a varied choice. He says: "Kay Francis, Carole Lombard (because of her divine figure and great clothes sense 1, Dolores Del Rio, Anita Louise, Marion Pavlrs (because no one has her dellrate quality in everything she wears): Claudette Colbert (no one ran do more with a tailored suit and a pair of fox furs); Bctte Davis, Lola evening Other Selections Edward Stevenson, of R-K-O, names Kay Francis.

Ann Both- em. Lily Pons, Myrna Loy," Joan Crawford. Norma Shearer, Gladys Swarthout, Rosalind Russell. Dolores Del Rio and Claudette Colbert. Travis Banton, of Paramount chooses Carole Lombard, Kay Francis, Gladys Swarthout, Claudette Colbert, Madeleine Carroll, Joan Bennett, Marlene Dietrich, Norma Shearer, Joan-Crawford and Adrienne Ames.

In the opinion of these world famous fashion originators to be among the "best dressed" you must dress according to your type and you must not be a slave to fads "A smart outfit." says Stevenson, "consists of smart lines, beautiful accessories, quietly assembled with one dominant note of interest, as a single lovely pin or furs. With a little rare and study, any woman can he an exeellent candidate for the 'best dressed' title." Barton MacLanp and Glcnda Farrrll, respectively detec- five and a clever reporter, are ro-fraturrd In "Smart Blonde," WELCOME mystery crime film, beginning with murdrr, in the Warner. Gilbert, Sullivan, Carte Marli-ne Dietrich in "The Garden of Allah," current on Loch's I'enn screen. The film, In natural color, Is a sereen version of Robert llichena' unusual romance of the desert. All Merit Credit When Richard D'Oyly Carte succeeded in inducing William S.

Gilbert and Arthur S. Sullivan to form what is known world wide as the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, he succeeded in co-ordinating the greatest triumvirate of mirth and melody ever originated, and one that has been acclaimed Get a Horse Heather Angel, enacting the featured feminine role in Bulldog Drummond Escapes." advises horseback riding as the best exerei.se for women who desire to reduce. American Debut Anton Walbrook. stage and screen favorite of the continent, is making his American debut in "Michael Rtrogoff." RKO'a ambitious dramatization of the thrilling Jules Verne novel. all over the universe as the most perfect unit, of symphonic excellence and lyric perfection before the public.

It is a moot, question, that of whether Gilbert or Sullivan were the most gifted in this unique EXCITEMENT, ADVENTURE Vv ''iff" '-'Ji I 1 1 rrx i'i i'f 1 i I association, but the fact remains that, by the shrewd management of D'Oyly Carte, these two master minds of humor and melody became so indelibly affiliated that the names of Gilbert and Sullivan have become symbols of clean, wholesome and sane entertainment, embroidered with melodic delicacy and charm. Usual Matinees Such is the value of the attraction booked for the Nixon Theater for the week commencing Monday evening, February 1, with the usual matinees, Wednesday and Saturday at 2:15 o'clock. The D'Oyly Opera Company of London, is a veritable festival of Gilbert and Sullivan operas, chosen from the most successful and popular gems In the entire series. Monday evening, February 1. the evergreen and delightful "The Mikado" will be given In its magnificence of picturesque locale, atmosphere, embellishment, costume accessories, with this superlative cast; Martyn Green.

Derek Oldham, Sydney Granville, Darrell Fan-court, IiPslie Rands, Radley Flynn, Sylvia Cecil, Marlorie Eyre. Elizabeth Nirkell-Loan, and Evelyn Gardiner. With the celebrated Savoyard ensemble of 40 voices, there will be an augmented orchestra under the conductorship of Isidore Godfrey. 1 4 with many friends welromlng her. The accompanying feature Is Jane Withers and Slim Sum-mcrville In "Can This Be Dixie?" Mae Clarke and ime C'agney are in this scene from "firel Guy," which brings the energetic (agmy bark to the screen as star under a new banner, his first appearance in quite a while The film, future attraction In the Alvln, Is based on the "Johnny Cave" tales and has Cagney combating food racketeers, with brains and fists, amidst plenty of excitement and adventures.

Polly Rowles and Samuel Hinds In "Love Letters nf a Star" In the Fulton, in which Miss Howies, Pittsburgh firL makes her screen bow, 1.