Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · Page 12

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1939 O T P T P T A r. . .. ews of the Stage and Screen Latest Idea Parley Is Held For STANLEY Richard CarNon, Lana Turner and Roscoe Karns in Dancing Co-Ed." FULTOX Ida Lupino and Basil Rathlone in "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes." PEXX Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland in "Babes in Arms." Film emiy How Press Agent and His Aides Map Attack Is Disclosed. f& K J-r M J -12 r "Are any of the By Frederick C. Othman United Frefs Hollywood Correspondent. HOLIAYOOD, Oct. 20. We were in the conference room at Paramount today where the publicists were deciding how to make' America conscious of a motion picture entitled "Buck Benny Kides A;in. ,: This film will feature a radio star named Jack Benny, a polar bear called Carmichael. and a dusky comic named Rochester. Boss Press Agent De JLapp and a dozen helpers were mapping their attack upon the public. Mr. De Lapp: "We don't want to overlook this Mr. Rochester. And we might even go to Reno for the nremiere to cash in on the dude w ranch stuff." Mr. Churchill: "We cant find us a Carmichael. Polar bears are hard to tame." Mr. Ashbaush: "I know a trained brown bear named 'Big Boy.' Couldn't we peroxide him?" Mr. Bosquet: "They whitened two tigers for the last Anna Mae Wong nicture." Mr. Churchill: "It's dangerous to paint a bear." Mr. Holloway: pirls set vet?" vt- ra Tjinn- "Not vet. but h,0fo'i: ho fniir of 'em. And the Ahknft Hancers. Thev ought to be swell for roto leg art." Miss Messer: "They'll be wearing summer clothes. We've already got a tieup with a manufacturer." Mr. De Lapp (in an aside): "Where's Johnny Engsted?" Mr. Brooks: "He's out looking for a stained glass window." Mr. De Lapp: "Oh." Miss Coghlan: "The fan magazines should go for some Easter art." Mr. De Lapp: "Let's get Benny in a jackrabbit roundup." Mr. King: "Maybe we can have a picture of a jackrabbit pulling Benny out of a hat." Mr. Do Lapp: "Well if we can't get a live carmichael. we'll have to have a stuffed bear for the stills." Mr. Brooks: "There isn't a stuffed bear in Hollywood. We've looked." Miss Coghlan: "I understand Benny is afraid of horses." Mr. Brooks: "Anyhow he has agreed to sit on a horse, if we can find one that can rear safely." Mr. De Lapp: "What about Benny's Maxwell auto?" Mr. Huston: "Maybe we can find a guy named Maxwell who will sue Benny for defaming the family name." Mr. Mills: "Let's get Benny to write a magazine story on how to tame a polar bear." Mr. Holloway: "What we need is a good layout of Pratt Falls." Mr. Del Valie: "Can't we get a by-line story by the bear on how he became a star?" Mr. Ashb-iugh: Let . send r raim Buck out to get us a bear. He oughtn't to charge too much." Mr. Del Valle: "A picture showing Benny being thrown off a mechanical horse should be funny." Mr. Mills: "If we can't got a hear, we ought to have a bear rug. snvvvay." Miss Coghlan: "We must start a nation-wide search for the oldest Maxwell." Mr. Holloway: "Then we can pet Benny to speed in it down Hollywood boulevard and have him arrested." Mr. Chatfield: "I've got an idea for a giveaway, aluminum coins that sav 'one buck.'" Mr. King: "I believe we should get a double for Benny to be bucked off a horse for the Para mount newsreel. They ought to go for that." Mr. Bosmiet: "If there s any body in the cast about to get a ihpv oufrht to have him do it in Reno, "while the picture is in production." Mr. De Lapp: "Unless we can talk him out of it, altogether. : lit uu 1' I i s: x 1 - k ; ,'jVfiv,j; J 1 ; ? . ; i . - -Y , if- Y j , v I .m.iii mi ' W r 1 i - in SEXATOli- Jonrad Veitlt and Valerie Hobson in "U-Boat ALV1X iVlice I'aye and Don Ameclie "Hollywood Cavalcade." WARNER Ann Sothern and Franchot Tone in "Fast and Furious. The New Films " Babes in Arms" Comes to the Venn; Stanley Gets "Dancing Co-Ed." By Harold W. Cohen The hoys went on from there, far into the night. They hold tnese idea meetings t the start of every picture and a stenographer takes down each word they say. Then the hair besins to fly. Woe is the actor who balks at co-operation. Where to Go When to Go "Hamlet." to- MXO.v Maurice Evans in day at 1 and 7:30. ftHK.M.tY The New York Children's Theater presents '"Under the Lilacs." This morning at 8:30. Al.VI.N Alice Faye and Don Ameche in "Hollvwood Cavalcade." Starts at 11:22. 1:32. '3:42. 5:52. S:02 and 10:12. ART CINEMA 'The First World War." and "The Ware Ca?e." Complete shows at 11:30, 12:40, 3:06, 5:34, 8:02 and 10:42. BARRY "Man Who Pared," w1h Charles Grapewin and Jane Bryan, and Roehelie Hudson 1n "Smuggled Carpo. " Complete nhcws at 11. 1:10. 3:20, 5:20. 7:20 and 9:30. CASINO Zorita In her own show, and movie shorts. Stags at 12:30. 3:45. 7 and 9:35. Fl LTON "Adventures of Sherlock Holmes." with Basil Rathbone. and "Stop. Look and Love." with William Frawiev. Complete shows at 11:10, 1:43. 4:16. 6:49 and 9:22. ft.NN Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland in "Babes in Arms." w an, 11:3S, 1:4, 3:54, :02. 8:10 and 10:1. SENATOR "U-Boat 2V with Conrad Veidt and Valerie Hobson. Starts at 11 n 12:5fi. 2:4i. 4:40. 6:32, 8:24 and 10:16. STANLEY Lana Turner and Artie Shaw's hand in "DancmE Co-Ld and red Weems Orchestra. Picture at 10:30. 12:50. 3:20. 5:50. 8:20 and 10:45. Stage at 12, 2:30, 5. 7:30 and 9:,M). tVAKNEK Ann Sothern and Franchot Tone In "Fast and Furious" and "Pride tif the Blue Grass." with Gantry the Hreat. Complete shows at 11, 1:36, 4:12, 6:48 and 9:3L arms. Miss Oarland is his girl friend and she's supposed to have the lead but Miss Preisser, who plays a one-time baby star of the cinema, replaces her temporarily when she agrees to angel the pro duction. And that's about all there is to the roots, but it doesn't begin to tell of the delightful string of entertaining events that springs from these roots. Just take the departmental word for it, "Babes In Arms" is the show of the season, and long live marvelous Mickey! "Dancing Co-Ed" If musicals are dead, "Babes In Arms" should bring them back to life. It is one of 1939's brightest entertainments, a gay, rollicking, tuneful frolic in which Mr. Micksy Rooney nominates himself for president, vice president, secretary and treasurer of the Screen' Actors Guild. The kid's magnificent. He's also pretty wonderful. It's definitely Mickey's show. Of course. Judy Garland is present, too. and very helpful, and so are Betty Jaynes. Douglas McPhail. June Preisser (keep an eye- on this young lady). Charles Winninger, Guy Kibbee and ever so many other talented people, still "Babes In Arms" belong to the pride and joy of the Rooneys. even more so than any of the Hardy pictures have in the past. Not only that, but Mickev seems to he trying less here than he usually does as Andy Hardy and the amazing 18-year-old is twice as ef fective. Obviously there's nothing that the spectacular half-pint can't do. He sings and dances and plays a dramatic scene like no other juvenile in the business; he imitates Clark Gable, Lionel Barry-more, President Roosevelt and (in blackface) Eddie Leonard, and he puts on a one-man show- that even France's Sacha Guitrv would be hard pressed to duplicate. Don't, however, get the idea from all this that "Babes In Arms" is just a display window for a Rooney tour de force. He merely controls the majority vote and sparks the entertainment. Elsewhere about the premises, you will discover a first-libretto, a score that's better than first-rate and a general at mosphere of let's-have-fun-and- lots-of-it. The net result is a pic ture that sends you out of the theater determined to write a letter to the editor of the Metro-Goldwyn-Maver "Times" demand ing more like it. Among the many surprises of this engaging children's hour, add the fact that Mr. Busby Berkeley directed it. Remembering Mr. Berkeley from the days of his War ner Brothers bondage, when he was shooting hundreds of chorus girls in the dizziest collection of angles any nightmare ever conceived, it is somewrhat staggering to learn that he has been responsible for the brisk pace, the strict economy of movement and the business-like production numbers of "Babes In Arms." One thing is certain any way, just as Mr. Berkeley went out with the old era in musicals, he has definitely come back with the new. "Babes In Arms" had a pretty- good parent on Broadway a few seasons ago in the Rodgers & Hart show of the same name, but it has been improved upon here, charged with additional vigor, populated by- more talented j'oungsters and measured to a slicker book and set of tunes. Now, as before, the kids of the neighborhood, all children of unemployed vaudeville has- beens, get together to show their parents there's a new spirit in show business and the story revolves about the revue Mr. Rooney launches with the village babes in j orchestra are back with us again, STANLEY. Miss Lana Turner, the wahoomph girl; Mr. S. Sylvan Simon, the director, and college should get together oftener. They met up first in the bright "These Glamour Girls" not so very long ago and now the same campus, the same cutie and same commander have turned to "Dancing Co-Ed" and with the same results. "Dancing Co-Ed" is pleasant nonsense generously gagged to meet collegiate reflexes, sprayed nicely with excellent comics and with an added fillip, of even more importance to the jitterbugs, in the presence of Artie Shaw and his band. Mr. Shaw has but one line of dialogue, or is it two, for which Mr. Simon can take a bow, but he speaks eloquently through his sizzling clarinet and makes those scenes of mob violence on the dance floor seem almost authentic The narrative tells how Miss Turner, a professional dancer, is spotted at Midwestern University so she can win the dancing co-ed contest Monarch Pictures is spon soring to find a partner for one of their big stars. Mr. Richard Sanson is a scnooi editor with a nose for phonies and he is sure the movie stunt isn't on the level. Miss Turner, however, quickly disarms him by enrolling as the young man's journalistic assistant and proving to his satisfaction that Midwestern at least is spotless. J Incidentally, Miss Turner's wahoomph has never before been "in such great evidence and by this time, she must be America's No. 1 college sweetheart, in addition to being one of Metro-Goldwyn-May-er's most up-and-coming proper ties. Her work here is consistantly attractive, and Miss Turner's support is of the best, Mr. Carlson renews his claim on approaching stardom; Leon Errol is a priceless clown as the dancing co-ed's father; Roscoe Karns lives up to the cinema's exaggerated idea of a cinema press-agent; Miss Ann Rutherford helps herself to a nice hunk of honors as Miss Turner's tutor, and there is a grand bit by-Chester Clute, as the ham actor Mr. Carlson hires to impersonate his busy father. In short, "Dancing Co-Ed" i3 a lively lightweight. On the Stage Ted Weems and his streamlined and they're always welcome. Maestro Weems grows bigger, figuratively and not physically, and better with each passing year, following the trends and keeping up smartly with what's what and who's who in the band business. A personable fellow himself, he also directs a personable and talented crew and everything they do is out of the upper drawer. Perry Como still remains Mr. Weems' ace-in-the-hole with a voice that soothes and satisfies, and the other specialists, too, are in the groove down through the stunning Marvel Maxwell, the orchestra's new feminine vocalist; Elmo Tanner, the whistler; Red Ingle, the comedy clarinetist: Rex Kelly, the guitarist, and little Mary Lee, the brilliant young canary who once served a stretch in the movies. It's a good show, standard Weems. and nobody will go away from this package of entertainment dissatisfied. The outside acts Mr. Weems has brought along with him also rate several nods Fritz and Jean Hu bert, for their drunk dance which improves with age; Paul Winchell, for a neat and amusing little pattern of the Edgar Bergen-Charlie McCarthy trick, and the Hudson Wonders, two attractive young ladies who are whirling dervishes and certainly aptly billed. Heads This Way In Levy Farce t' - i , , - n EDWARD EVERETT 1IORTON. Long-time star of the screen and one of its leading character comedians, Mr. Hort-on comes to the Nixon in person the week after next in Benn V. Ievy's old farce, "Springtime for Henry-" Leslie Banks did it originally on Broadway but Pittsburgh never saw the production. Playhouse Set For Getaway Lot of Newcomers Cast In Opening Show. The Pittsburgh Playhouse opens its sixth season next Tuesday with "I Want a Policeman," by Rufus King and Milton Lazarus. The cast of the mystery-comedy has been selected largely from among the people who appeared at the recent talent hunt conducted by Director Frederick Burleigh. Although the company includes many people who have not previously appeared with the Playhouse acting company, all of the players are experienced performers, many of them having had several seasons of stock engagements. Tallye Dunston. cousin of Tullu-lah Bankhead. heads the cast. Listed among the otner newcomers to the Playhouse are Jacques Les lie, Philip Horn, David Brewer, John Baker, Jr., Edward Hunt, Bar bara Cratty. Jane Van Duser, Bob Friden and John Larkin. Tom W:il- mot. playwright-fugitive from the Playhouse boards since "Hold Your Hats" two seasons ago, returns for an important role in the comedy. Ben Sufrin, seen last season in the Moliere farces, has a role as has Fred Nicholas, who appeared in "Meet My Sister." Rav Pearl Returns To Green's Mondav After an absence of two years, during which time they have played most of the ace spots in the Mid-West and East, Ray Pearl and his orchestra return to Bill Green's Casino, on Route 51, Monday night for an indefinite e n g a g e ment. Buddy Madison is the featured vocalist with the band. Pearl replaces Kay Pearl. Lang Thompson, whose farewell dancing session at Green's will start this afternoon at 5:30 follow ing the Pitt-Duquesne football game at the Stadium. HARLEM CASINO DANCELAND 1714 renter Ave. fte. Court :m7 (us ireeiilee. Manager SUNSET ROYALE ENTERTAINERS 1 5-Swing Aces-1 5 K AiTsmm 8 Whirlwind Acts 8 1 av 8:30 MAKE YOU ftSELF AT HOME SIXTH ST. AT THE BMDGE... , TODAY 'mAMMURESoF SHEPJOCKIIOUM BASIL RATHBONE - NIGEL BRUCE -IDA LUPINO ALAN MARSHAL I - nit 1 i--ibArtJ. LIBERTY aT WQ.p 25c to IP M i i VM0 i i - ."""mi j Ifc t , jinn , :.x tt 4 .,., . TED WEEflS AND HIS ORCHESTfA i r . . 1-: !.'.' i - -: Fri On S' ! , ' D A N C ! G CO-ED - i fin J,.,,"-.,,, j r ': FAST AND FURIOUS" "PRIDE OF THE BLUGeAS I7he PIPES Dancing Every Nite! tnutf 13 r St . 2V.il I NKLtiON MVrr.KS OKCHKSTRA Ml OVJ.K t HAK.K SLVER GKILL MANUEL COXTBEDIS' CMfSTBH -i CflNCMITft Rockin' the Tovn' Next for Casino Mary Joyce, long a Pittsburgh favorite, comes to the Casino tomorrow at midnight for a week's engagement in "R o c k i n' the Town," which also features Bob Carney, musical comedy and night club favorite, and his two daughters, Jean and Roberta. In addition to Miss Joyce, the other dis-robers in the show are Patri cia Joyce (no relation) and Evelyn Brooks. John Barry, one of the few Irish comics left in burlesque, helps Carney in "Rockin the Town's" fun-making and the remaining principals are Bobby Burns and Jack LaMont La .Mary Joyce. Entertains Nurse Terushka Hajmassey, who was Illona Massey's nurse when she was a baby and who has been in her family for three generations, has been brought to Hollywood by the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer singing star. THE MIRADOR formerly Club Mirador, HO. 9332 DANCE SAT. & SUN. NITE Krom 10 I. M. to 5 A. M. BRING YOVR OWN! NO CORKAGE Come Early! FUN STARTS 8:30!! "KERNEL" AL MERCl'R'S NUT HOUSE MILXVALE I'HONE MI. 131 CLUB PETITE 3 BI.OCKS FROM ATTO fcHOW RITZS Totliy Rff ton of Joy 4"st EarlT Bird Shows Dancing From s P. M. RITZ HOTEL AIR-CONDITIONED 6AY90'siOUN&I. TURN 8CK THE (MRS WITH J MICKEY JUDY IJP.OONEY GmUUU M BABES IN ARMS" IS M Extra! M-G-M Passin? Parad Fitipatrick Travcltalk "TARTS FR1DAV James Cagney Priscilla Lana The Roaring Twenties" Hurry! Hurry! Ends Tonite! QCC Breath-Taking 0CL Fight to Finish I QPF Winnef Flash UE-C. to Victory. Last Red-Hot Thrill-Packed Session! THE HEAT IS REALLY ON TONIGHT! A1HIS COCPON Will Admit" ' our Kntlre Party at 25c Per Person! i 1,L. I Tj ikA 4 "f- fgT Stsn-ey and fvi Livingstone Ir-rrrrrrR ft Mir' ?,;; ""."T'.J - I I ,.l i Ml! ! !-A III I I - hi I ......... .T .J - Utf .,. '' Wi ml at ' - p : : - .Jr. 2orl Bit Wk! Son Amrrhe-AUce Faye "HOLLYWOOD CAVALCADE" 2nd liffiirit Wrk : "I -BOAT 29" Tnnrad f lot - alrip H'son 'THE WIZARD OF OZ" JikIv CirlaiKi. i.-Ti I.ahr. Fr;i!.k ('ri;jn Jj-k H..I-V Tyrone Power-Mvrn Lv I "THE RAINS CAME" "THE HOl'SK OF f fc.R" Plus "SoniT" Like It Hot" DEAD END KIDS "ANGELS WH THEIR FACES' Plue 'Tnlprrover fortor" I'BULLOOG ORUMMOND'S BRIDE Plus "TVnTate Trails" Cary Grant. Jean Ar'hur "ONLr ANGELS HAVE WINGS'' ri'i-- 'Bfimance of the R',dwooll, Hit rem BILL GREEK'S uffi Thompson MONDAY STH AM. NEXT ANNIVERSARY WKKK ILLthRAHON TONITE i.E3 OK A. NT l,M)KI.E Kl I -- 1 !.' -I vT.ll i ( II KI l Kt -''1 1 ... I, . il I Ik i i K ' V 1 1 1 1 ' ' ' ' ' "TV fir "V ' 'k i It .s,. ; ,.,.jjf" ffi 11" d- s-a -- - barBtH unini S14.SU , K If'' I' N . i:i.l i .1 "IN AMI. ICZMJlJLl EL -" T O'iSKII''' i'niNP0l ! I tl Drill..'- 1M)I.N.'I l ... I :..,l -r.S jo nil in1-1 ... .,i i : . V "THE KAIN ! ' i :. ; i I - .1 M'ER 1KACY Kl 'STANLEY an J I I I vi. Ill I Ml v ' .,, . ,)! I J K HMIU , ,.N''1" AI.K K rtKAI) ,- ' Penny SinU i"' ' ' ' , v uni (ir 1 ill's ' ' Jean P.irker "PVKi Ni . . ... Mm. J ' - III, III H I T I "' . "LADY OF THE V;y ;,..e Aotry "IN " ' In-ne !tntn ' ' ' . . . 1 1 ,s . ..r..a. W I 1 M i I iL" V II LN lU.MWl"" i, i r Diru i nn ri I fit! -I? CRDWIi! ! ' p., Sally Filers "Tim V hi I i iPiV Spend Haliow'een at the MOSQUE " I'tIVe" mas8im: it.w 3:30 P. 8:30 M. Benefit Pittsburgh Police and Firemen's Permanent Band Fund HAS NO OTHER MEANS OF SUPPORT Aft.: 25e. sue, :r Sl.lio. JI.25, si. 50. Fve,: 50c, -,r,r. si. oo si '5 1 50 mi l.lHA.(.i: WHITE TICKETS KR KESEK LI) .NKATs ilCKETS NOW AT MEEEUR'S, 604 W'JU ST. mm, o c T 3 1 -1