California Eagle from Los Angeles, California • 14

-s'Vv: i 1 'lf 1 1 I A 1 If you fail to read THE CALI FORM I A EAGLE you may never Know it fioppeneh -Thursday, June 16, 1938 PAGE rr r4 'a capella in bronze' on tonite m.d. premiere draws many 'first niters' REVIEWS By JOHN KINLOCH Picture: 'The Duke is Tops" Lincoln Players: Ralph Cooper and Lena Horne The film presents a galaxy HOLLYWOOD News Previews a Radio a Stage By FAY M. JACKSON HARRIS TRIUMPHS THERESA HARRIS was named by studio press correspondents (published in Variety) as the outstanding incidental with Alma Kruger, in Toy starring Luise Rainer. WIN "HIGHEST HONORS" IN PIANO TEST NEW YORK. June 16.

lO Bernice and Dolores Calvin. 13 and 10-year old pianist-composers, were again given superior" rating and highest honors" at the National Piano Playing Tournament. held at the Hotel Biltmon. 42nd street and Madison avenue. Saturday.

The sisters each played twenty pieces from classical and romantic composers, as well as their own compositions, and were among four outstanding players mentioned by. name in the New York Times Sunday. More than 500 pupils competed. The judges, prominent white pianists and music teachers, were con-cealed during the hour and a half of the audition. AT ITS PRESS preview in Westwood Hills theatre, this southern opus drew wholesale pans from type pounders, it is, after the most poorly directed, inauthentic screen version of southern life one could expect.

Three-time Academy-winner Rainer is none of herself in the role of a European -educated down south lassie. While one could scarcely accuse Rainer of over acting. and remain on the safe side of public npiri.un. certainly is it not amiss to draw attention to many scenes of hers that smacked too, too pointedly of the triteness emotional expression where ') raves and rants in the best manner of pr. -sound Metro to pass around the hew items to 'un a fair competition wiiit The Drunkard" and its ilk in tl i pro Iim lion.

Toy Wife Niven, and William Henry follow in pursuit of the murderer take them to four continents finally, however, they are crowned with success and have an interview with the King to top it off. Loretta Young is the girlfriend of brother (jlreene and donates unwanted aid in tracking down the villains, The picture is supported by of brief, but brilliat. char-1 acterizations. C. Aubrey Smith, as the English Colonel iwho murdered).

Barry Fitzgerald. cockey soldier of the Kipling type )who is murdered), Reginald Denny, a charming villain who is murdered). J. Edward Blomberg. a South-American revolutionist 1 who is executed).

Alan Hale and Burton Churchill, munitions manufacturers iwho live through it). The films most powerful scene is the massacre of revolutionists in a small South-American republic which has been thrown into turmoil through the machinations of Atlas Arms which procedes to sell weapons to both sides. The expert direction of John Ford The keeps the film from sagging, which it might have done easily in less competent hands. David Niven steals most of hi scenes as the amorous brother, while David Greene, new T. British importation, is handsome but positively refuses to be charming and smile so that all the chamber-maids in the last row may see his pretty white teeth.

Loretta Young is adequate with limited opportunity and lots of clothes. Alf-Sennett Before the heaviest first-night crowd ever seen on Central Avenue, The Duke is Tops" world-premiered Friday night at at the Lincoln Theatre. i With stars, past, present, and future everywhere in evidence. the post-picture proceedings on stage even rivalled the excellent screen-fare. Bill Robinson.

Ernest Whitman. Hatty Nolest of Eddie Cantor radio-show fame). Bob Parish, The Basin Street Boys. Willie Miller and Mantan. The Katz and the Fiddle, and many others not only appeared but performed to huge delight of audience-folk.

Under the expert emcee hand of Ralph Cooper, Million Dollar star and "the first race matinee who was kept at a snappy pac-p and how the fun flew! Bill Robinson entertained with reminances of days on the old i Keith circuit, while veteran Eri -cst Whitman came through with 1 a powerful rendition of "Old Man Hattie Xolcs sang an original ditty which nearly brought the house down, and Bob Parish thrilled with Please Bf: Milkr and Manliui Miller penned such Broadway hits as "Shuffle Along" and "Runnin" struck an hilaritv high in one of their famous skits. Those who appeared in "The Duke is i Basin Street Boys. Willie Covan. The Katz the Fiddle" toppgri off an evening of what was termed perfect Not of the theatrical world but also introduced by Emcee Cooper were Norman O. Houston, of i5 Golden State Mutual -Lite Instance Company, and Mrs.

C. A. Bass, editor of the EAGLE. The crowd, a cross-section of the city's Negro population, was bejt weled and begowned in true Hollywood fashion. "The Duke is Tops" been launched mid all tiie fan-fare.

glamour. a 1 Klieg light? which are attributed to Major Studio works alone. It was that the world-premier0 of "The Duke is Tops" was tops'. CLAUDE RAINS ON VACATION Claude Rams leaves Hollywood June 10 for his home in Pennsy-Ivan in. after completing his role in "Sister Act" at Warner Bros.

WINS BY TECHNICAL DLCISfON HATED THE resound: ig slap on the face "she gave to llv worshipful, faithful sIjv.j girl who had attached herself to the Dgxie spitfire and stuck to her througn trials that ended in tragedy. That this scene was overdone no artistic advantage may strike other previewers likewise. Anyway, a southern LADY of a family that was as "good" to its slaves as Rainer's, never would have resorted to k. o. fisticuffs, or my southern manners fail me.

Deliberate oversight turned the camera AWAY from the sricken slave girl who was turning in a dramatic scene that might have helped to lift "Toy Wife" somewhat out of the depths of monotony. Striking choral effects "will again feature this week's A Capella In Bronzed presentation, coming to KMPC (listeners at 9:30 this evening. Federal Thearte of the Airs all Negro quarter hour program for tonight is titled Freedom, anjk the popular vocal orchestra will nfPe (In ilnun Mneac Pn offer Go Down Moses Mourner" and several other favorites. Amos Reese, author of Freedom, also acts as narrator and Negro favorites on the program include Jack West and Lester Wilkins. Po old I Ci ERB BTiTBRi A rich.stueel cola drink.

Couldn't be belter if it cost a dollar. PHONE: A Dorn 7367 TODAY OF-AIL MUSICAL -HE CAST OF RANDOLPH SCOTT JACK HALEY GLORIA STUART PHYLLIS BROOKS HELEN WESTLEY SLIM SUMMERVILLE BILL ROBINSON I AY MOM SCOTT QUIMTE1 ALAN DINEHART J. Edward BROMBERG 20)1 Cwivry-fu ALSO -4 DAYS THORNE! WE PREDICTED long before the picture was finished. Director Thorne was out of his sphere in handling Rainer or a story df this delicate nature. Merriam C.

Cooper, producer, knows better and has turned out too many fine productions, to flop so utterly wit bout underlying causes. What they are, the audience cannot discern. MUSE shared half an inch of camera, spoke one two words. Libby Taylor displayed flashy white den- tistry. Clinton Rosemond did a trusted servant, as did also were noted in plantation scenes.

KRl'GER SCORES LMA KRUGER. as the loxable old tyrant, by all means, saved muen of the day for while Theresa Harris, forced to exercise all the tncl.srknown to the theatre, in the face of constant odds, was superb and'Sym' day. when Hollywood wakes up to itself and its waning box office, she may emerge Number One in a feature that show her work to greater advantage. TIVOLI THEATRE expert performers and the final night dub sequence may be matched favorably with efforts of several of the major concerns. Among the top-ranking entertainers who appeared were Willy Covan, the Basin Street Boys, the Katz and the Fiddle are 'making a sensational rise in the theatre world several others.

Covans tap-dancing was exceptional despite the loss through inadequate record. the improvement in sound over former Million Dollar Productions is unlimited. Except for ov-T-loudness the sound-strip may be hardly distinguished from recording in the biggies. Several top-notch English films now in circulation do not boast nearly so fine a piece of work in this deapartment. The new M.

D. find Horne is highly sorocssful. She is the first woman to appear to advantage in colored-produced films. She has a pretty face, a pleasing personality, and beautiful voice. Her acting well, its not actually bad.

With improvements here and there, we have no doubt the lady Horne might become a first rate attraction. Suggested personal reforms: off twenty lbs: lessons in posture, walkirg. hand-movements, etc. Retain, please, that smile, those eyes, and the voice. Portraying a small-circuit backwoods specler.

Ralph Cooper does a fine job of the more loquacious episodes, although the dramatic ones suffer. This, of course, cannot be laid at the feet of actor Cooper of the objectionable filmspots were definitely director For instance. wherein Mr. Cooper, after nobly releasing Miss Horne so that she might aspire to high things on Broadway, stands 'alone in the small rural theatre and calls Ethel! Ethel!" Now. the play of goose-pimpjes right in here is the only reaction such an outmoded and hammy piece of business could bring forth.

Director Nolte should have realized the unreality of the scene. On the other hand, when Conper is-debating whether or not ht persuade Miss Home to take the great opportunity which the northern talent-scout has offered (thus ending both the ritual and commercial of the twn'. and the srnut's oire is heard extolling what the nortn holds. glamour. Can you offer her these a tense and dramatir moment is really achieved.

The night dun scone. which occupies an unusual footage, i- the films natural Th' dancing sequence. in which weird African dane- performed in the semi -dark ness against a background of beating tom-toms, is easily the most effect ne. Camera-work is particularly excellent here. The subsequent wild orchestrations of the band, however.

should have been toned down Chief trouble with Ihe pirtmr-i its complete lack of igmaiu insofar as plot in concerned. It's all about a small-time producer Who nobly gies up his prize protege i.i.d 'weet pur-trioty in order might migrate to the ii ti' and her Big Chance. V. falls through and both i.ic too. too miserable without one another returns the white-haired boy to ehange defeat into victory, jeers into cheers, tears into laughter.

Million Dollar. along with other studios. deem the plot nf a musical film of so little importance that no pains whatsoever should taken with it. Witness, however, the tremendous success of tlv Twentieth-Ccntury-Fox shows Sing Baby "Wake Up And etc. all of which featured something new cheery in the line of plot.

We suppose though. it unkind to measure the embryonic efforts of M. D. P. hv so rigid a standard.

After all. the technical-advancement of the picture oer its predecessors is near heartwarming and the musir, Vernon McCaila. Lawrence Conner and Edw. Thompson fully compensate for any discrepancies In the story department. Picture: "FOUR MEN AND A PRAYER Players: Loretta Young.

David Greene Four Men and a Prayer has been accused of being episodic and confused somewhere between melodrama and anti-war propo-ganda. Neither accusation, to our mind, is correct! As neatly-done and coherent a Who-dun-it has seldom rolled forth from the cutting rooms of Twentieth Century Fox. The anti-War episodes supply an undercurrent of real conviction without which the film might have seemed a pretty old story and very shallow. F. M.

and a P. concerns the efforts of four sons of an English Colonel to vindicate his name and the honor of the household. It seems that the Colonel has been framed by a band of nogood munitions manufacturers out in India, court-marshalled, and finally murdered. The trail which his four sons. David Greene.

George Sanders. David Hall Johnson Choir To Appear In Gala Concert1 For The Joint Benefit Of The EASTSIDE MOTHERS IlOME SHELTER for unemployed and the SCHOLARSHIP FUND nf The Independent Church of Christ. AUGUST 29, 1938. This promises to be one of the most outstanding concerts of the year. Reserved tickets for patrons will be on sale July 1, 1938, at 81.00.

For reservations CM FR-19JJ; PR-7633; PR 2445. 1 i I I carver's story screens at loew's state Stranger than fictionand one of the most enthralling stories in the history of the development ot the colored race is the true story of Dr. George Washington Carver, the former Negro child slave who grew to be the greatest scientist of the south. With all its dramatic- intelligently treated, and amazingly vital story of Dr. Carverwho saved the south its cotton crops and created 350 bv-products and 60 million dollars a year peanut industry-may be seen on the screen this week at Loew's State Theatre.

The sensational and important production, which should be seen by all persons who are proud of their colored heritage, will continue at Loew's State ur.r til Tuesdav. Produced hy Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. the liiscinating story of line nf the colored Mice's most outstanding persona lilies war filmed hy Pete Smith under thrill k. "The Story of Dr. Carver" one of regular series of specialty pi oduct ions.

The brilliant film starts its ifli the vear 1886. when ti South fared starvation because of the condition of its soil. It follows the growth of Dr. Carver. as a six months old child to i is youth and college days and finally it takes the observer into Dr.

Carver's intricate laboratory where more than 35') by-products of the peanut crop have been developed. Also on the program with the all-impru taut Dr. Carver subier at I.oew's Slate Theatre are Don Amrrhe. Simone Simon, and Robert Young in "Jfsette" and the gripping, exciting "Gangs oi New York 'beyond the bayou' airs Racial prejudices of the old south form the basis of Bob Herrick's half hour "Popular play Saturday night. "Beyond th' Bayou." picturesque drama of southern pride and hatrpd of the north, will rcacn KFWB and California Radio System listeners at 8 p.

m. Saturday evening as a Federal Theatre of the Air presentation. "Beyond the Bayou" is the story of Uncle Jim. an old anr! faithful Negro servant arrested for stealing food In provide for three girls who have been lefi alone on an old plantation. Aii unexpected ending is furished ad the half hour playlet is packed with suspense, romance and occasional corned v.

ed and planned to rob the department store. Along with other ex-con. Raft plans this projert and is about to make a haul when wife Sydney discovers the conspiracy and reports to Mr. Carey The would-be thieves are' met then hy their benefactor as they prepare to rob him. and are told to get home and be at work on lime tomorrow Here Miss Sydney, by sound arithmetic.

'and operating on a black- board in the "Baby proves not only the moral but monetary robbery would have been. Soon, of course, the lovers are reunited and everything is jake. Under Lang's direction, all performances measure up, with the character folk, headed by Harey Carey, taking top honors. Unusual photography and rare music contribute toward making "You and Me the finished product that it is. i 4319 S.

CENTRAL STARTS SHIRLEYS I Pupils in Recital The Wilkins Piano Academy takes pleasure in announcing a musical program to be presented hy one of its teachers. Miss Mildred Sennctt. at 8:15 p. Sunday. 2(i.

1838. at Trinity Church. 36th Street and Normandie avenue, this city. The pastor is Rev. Caston.

The program is being sponsored hy the Usher Board of th Church of which Mrs. Eileen Jones is president and Mrs. Sarah 1 Mro re is secretary. Miss Scnnett is one of the Wilkins Academy's able and efficient teachi vs and, according to Professor Wilkins, shows great ability one who. with the help of encouragement, will accomplish much in tile world of music.

Mrs. Kathleen Davis Jackson, who. as Kathleen Davis, the child artist, 1931-32-33. thrilled audiences of music lovers by her performances in mastering Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata and many other selections from the great maslers. will make her first public appearance since 1833.

All who remember little Kathleen Davis when her tiny hand? eouid scarcely span the width of four piano keys, will surely come to hear play again. Miss Sennett is also presenting several other students of unusual ability--! he youngest being four years of age. Music lovers and those mter-eted encouraging the our young people should rot fail to atiend this recital. Their presence will inspire and lend a helping hand to this young teacher and l-pr pupils. The public is cordially invited.

i Adv. i ted lewis opens at paramount co. Fanchon and Marco famed personalities of the theatrical world anounced today that the the return of slageshows to the Paramount Theatre in Los Angeles. California, would be inaugurated by the master show-( man Ted Ijcwia. Ted Lewis will open his week's engagement at the Paramount on Thursday.

June 16. The celebrated showman brings with him hi own Rhvthm Revue with a cast of more than thirty singers, and musicians. For more than fifteen years Lewis has been one of the top ranking favorite of the show world and recent check-ups reveal that today he is more xpu-lar than ever before. The two things which have served him a I trademai ks are his old battered top hat and the expression "Is Everybody Happy." On the screen during the Ted Lewis engagement will be the full length feature comedy hit "Swiss Miss" with Laurel aryl Hardy in the top roles. Consistently over a period of years the Paramount Theatre ha been noted for its outstantng stage and screen attractions, and in bringing back the stageshow Fachon and Marco sav that they have lined-up for the theatre the greatest array of big shows that the theatre has ever had.

The Fanchonettes who are internationally known will return under the personal supervision of Miss Fanchon with many new and spectacular dance routines. Scheduled for the theatre in the near future is the personal appearance of the sensational star Sally Rand with her thrilling I eye-flllinf dances. Braadwajr of Dr. Carver ff BLACK DOLL Choir's Theme for' Closing Concert is Announced "The Advent of Summer" wiil he 1 1 theme of the closing concert of the Senior Choir of People's Independent Church of 18th and Palma. Sunday afternoon.

June 26lh. at 4 o'c'hick. the director. Mis. A.

C. Bilbrew 1 stated this week. Among the ritists to appear will be the "Melody Bird who will give their first Eastside performance; Professor Willi, T. Wilkins, head of the Wilkins ert one of his original compositions; and Lillian Dinkins, a favorite with Lo Angeles music lov- pi s. "The Little Things in Life will 1 an entertaining and inspiring sketch presented bv Mrs.

and William Gillespie, director of the Gospel Choir and fea-tuied soloit on the regular broadcast pverv Sunday morning over KFOX at 10:15. Piano Academy, will dir- SIZABLE CAST FOR "HEAD OVER HEELS The cast for "Head Over Hcls" Warner Bros. picture, include? Dick Powell. Olivia de Havilland. Isabel Charles Winningpr.

Melville Cooper. Bonita Granville and Allen Jenkins. PATRIC KNOWLES IN POWELL FILM Patric Knowles has been assigned an important part in 'Head Over Heels' Dick Powell picture in production at Warner now Bros. A Child's Toy Hiding Sudden Death WITH NAY GREY DONALD WOODS 4 DAYS- -STARTING SUNDAY- creditable portrayal of the aged, Graves. Scores of colored extras Young Pianist Pleases Music Lovers at Musart John F.

Brown. 13-vear-old pianist, surprised his hearers last Sunday at the Gray Musart. with a program that would have been a credit to a great artist. This young lad. who is just entering his teens, displayed great musical insight, according to critics, of such compositions as the Ballad in minor, the flat minor Etude.

Fantasie Impromptu and I Polonaise in A major of Chopin. From his opening Bach numbers to the closing Etude in flat of Liszt, his fleet fingers, warm tone and musical feeling proved beyond a doubt that he possessed rare gifts. He is a pupil of John A. Gray. Alma and Almita Johnson, violinists, assisted with several selections.

They were accompanied at the piano by their teacher. Miss Victoria Rice. An overflow audience greeted ihese young musicians and warmly commended the work being done by the Conservatory. SAVOY THEATRE TUBS. June 19-26-31 Armstrong vs.

Barney Ross Fight Pictures PLl'S BIG HITS! MANAGER the TAN CAFE Picture: "YOU AND ME Players: George Raft. Sylvia Sydney As the latest effort of the great Austrian director. Fritz Lang. You and Me" may take its place beside the master's other work the bombardment of lvnching. and "You Only Live Although lacking the power of both forrpPr the iu-v.

Lang film presents something entirely different in film entertainment. Many of the scenes an-iih-olutely impress inmstic--ome-tliing which the mighty moguls of Hollywood said movie audiences would never stand for. A the picture starts, a voice is heard singing "You've got to btiv. you can't steal-anyone who thinks he can is a chump!" Across the screen flash shots nf expensive cars, a table laden with shining silver and tasty viands all desirable things. Meanwhile Unvoice repeats its ringing injunction.

becomes more and more-powerful "You've got to show the color of your money! Shots of neatly stacked piles of greenbacks: suick flashes of money changing hands, the staccato ring of cash-registers you can't steal anyone who thinks he can is a chump:" Then a hand is seen as it slips a satin waist off a department-store counter, and the story begins. Again, ten ex-convicts sit around a table in a cheap bare remembering their terms in prison. One taps out on the table a code of prison grapevine: another takes it up tap tap-fading in over the ex-con's faces comes a shot of the prison's long cold coi i idor. of men tap. tapping out the prison code: whispered bits of jiii-hird gossip.

Thev've got the Big Shot" The Big Shot's coinin'" Then: "Somebody's trying' to escape:" down the long iron corridors, tap. tap "It's the Big Shot trying to get out!" a siren's scream rips the air and light-play confusedly down the iron halls "The made it: tap. tap fa-'ter. now Rig Shot's out:" He He a math mc- gun's blasting chatter silence tap. tap the Big Shot!" Once ox -convicts a membering.

The whole sequence is accomplished with such deft and compelling movement that only afterwards does one realize that Fritz Iir.g has performed the impossible: impressionism in the movies. Returning to the more conventional. plot concerns ex-convicts George Raft and Sylvia Sidney who are employed in the Department store operated by Harey Carey, who believes that those who have lived outside the law should be given an opporturfity to redeem themselves. Throughout his establishment are some fifty ex-cons, known from other employees only by himself, whom Carey has taken on the recommendation of parole boards. Raft, unaware that Miss Syd-nev is also a former prison inmate.

falls in love with and mar- nrs past her. When he discovers her he is immediately embitter- FLORENCE MILLS THEATRE Adults 15c. Children 16c ADams 11915 JUNE 19-20 sAm.ourM die i "Mudnr.M the with DOROTHY LAMOUR Also LIVING ON LOVE LONE RANGER No. 5 BILL ROBINSON 71 JTekon EDDY TUB Him WE! -PLUS- a MR. MOTOS GAMBLE" -WITH- PETER LORRE KEYE LUKE HAVE YOU A PROBLEM Is There Something You Wish to Know? SEE ZEND AH THE MYSTIC ON THE TIVOLI THEATRE STAGE ONE WEEK STARTING SUNDAY NOW Loew's State Theatre DONT MISS THE JOE LOUIS FIGHT Does your radio howl? Squeal? Sputter? Fade? On that night of nights June 22nd.

you cant afford to have it Act Up. CALL US. Wc give a quick estimate of your radio's troubles and fix it at a reasonable price. STATON'S RADIO SHOP 2817 South Central Avenue Phone ADams 8526 7th and The Place To Go At The COCKTAIL HOUR PETE SMITH Presents The Story THE BLACK and of dlanbar Cocktail 1 Entertaining Incidents In The Life Experience of the Famous Negro Scientist Dr. George Washington Carver ounge 4 Tli 'V.

"THE ARISTOCRAT OF NIGHT SPOTS" Takes Pleasure In Announclar That 'Its Facilities Are Now Available WITHOUT CHARGE For Benefits, Luncheons, Bridge Parties, Dances, Etc. PLUS TWO HIT FEATURE Don Ameche -Simone Simon -Robert Young "JOSETTE" 4 G.ni.l HARRY SPATES-Your Host Cocktails Finest Liquors DeLuxe Dinners 4227 CENTRAL AVENUE ADam, 4201 Charles Bickford, Ann Dvorak in GANGS OF NEW YORK Includes Game Room and Main Dance Floor Bar Retained by Management As Concession PHONE FArkway 9354 1480 W. Jefferson Blvd. "mf 9.