Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 9

THE DETROIT FREE PRESS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3. 19J1 Western, Three Melodramas and Gang Story in New Film Fare RKO-DOWNTOWN "BAD COMPANY," suggested by a story by Jsc'k Lalt. Directed by Tay screen play and dialog by Thomas Buckingham and Tay Garnett: produce by Charles R. Rogers and Harry Joe Brown lor RKO Balhe. THE CHARACTERS Helen Hclen Twelretreei Goidie Gorto.

Rirardo Cortes Steve John Garrlck Butler Paul Hurst King 1 1 i Conroy Hoe Frank McHugh BELLAMY TO BE FEATURED Fox Gives Him Long" Term Contract (V Auto Show 60SBV fifty 5 GREEN DEAF TO APPLAUSE 'House of Connelly Author, Bewildered by Broadway, Goes Hom By MAURICE DVHAMEL NEW YORK, Oct 2 (A. Paul Green, university Instructor, who Cashed Into Broadway brilliance as a playwright, has returned to North Carolina, where his fame la that of a champion cotton picker. Three days on the Rialto were enough for the author of "The House of Connelly," after he had seen the Theater Guild launch his third play. He spent one of them in the theater and most of the other hours in a small room of an obscure hotel. 'I've a lot more work to do." he said, "and I'd rather do it on my nine rarm wnere it is quiet and peaceiui.

A part of that work will be the completion of "Potter's Field." hu fourth play. "Mr. Paul," as his Southern neighbors call him, author of 'In Abraham's Bosom." Pulitzer prize winner of five years ago. Is an in structor of philosophy in the Uni versity of North Carolina. When he wrote "In Abraham's Bosom" he never had seen a staee play.

He drew upon life as he knows it. For the mechanics of its production, his Innate logic served him. Green is about 35, married, and is the father nf two children. He fought on the Western Front in the World War and last year toured Europe under a Guggenheim educa tion fellowship. The first prize he ever won was as the best cotton picker In a North uarouna county competition.

Jeanette MacDonald in The 'Merry Widow Not so long ago, New York saw a distinguished movie opening- Mae Murray and John Gilbert in The Merry Widow, at the luxu rlous Embassy Theater on Broad way, it was a silent picture, with it.nch von Strohelm at the mega phone, and was a tremendous suc cess. The production Is to be done again, according to reports from Hollywood in Technicolor, with Jeanette MacDonald singing the role Miss Murray played. Metro- uoldwyn-Mayer is sponsoring the new production. The male lead has not yet been considered. FISHER "THE PHANTOM OP PARIS" a mslo-drama.

Adapted from Gaston Iyrou-' novel "Chert-Bib!" hy Bees Maredylh: dialog by Edwin Ju'tua Mayer and John Mehan. Directed by John 8. Iiobertson. Troduced by Metro-Goldwyo-Mayer. THE CHARACTERS Chert -Bib! John Gilbert decile Leila Hyaros ostaud Htono Herman jean Hereholt Bourreller C.

Aubrey Smith vra acallo Moorhead Marquis du Touchais Ian Keith tir. Gorln Hickman If the once "great lover of the screen" is to recover the fan prestige he held in the silent days he will need something stronger and more convincing than the current story. The Gilbert voice Is not an attractive one but its deficiencies have been largely overcome and corrected in the perfecting of sound since he first essayed to speak from the screen. He has improved also to a marked degree in acting ability and should have better things given him to do than the sort of characters in which he has appeared in his last two or three pictures. In the current film, Gilbert, looking very well as to personal appearance, plays a dual character.

Perhaps, some extraordinarily expert character actor could make the duality carry conviction. As it is no one is fooled by the deception. Certainly, Gilbert and Ian Keith, who in the course of the story are supposed to be one and the same person, are not enough alike to suggest twins. The story taken from a French novel is all about a magician who falls in love with an aristocratic girl. Her father is shot, she marries a dissolute nobleman when the crime is fastened upon the magician and the rest of the tale is given over to the attempts of the conjurer, Cheri-Bibi, to prove his Innocence and trap the marquis whom he knows Is the real criminal.

There is plenty of the late Harry Houdlni's clever trickery in the picture. Miss Hyams is charming and natural in what is inclined to be a stilted role and the other characters are capably acted. But. if a story lacks conviction, gives the impression of artificiality and does not belong to this day and age, it is not apt to get far with the average movie audience. Agile acrobatic trickB thrill while the Pasquali brothers are on the stage and among other good acts are White and Manning, dancers, and the Three Mongan brothers.

Headline honors are shared by Harry Herschfleld, cartoonist and monologlst, and Farina, of Our Gang comedy fame, and his sister, Mango. The colored youngster is better in pictures than out of them. Musical numbers by the orchestra with Del Delbridge at the piano-Del is master of ceremonies, too and current newsreels are other attractions, E. H. McC.

"ELIJAH" TO BE FILMED NEW YORK, Oct. 3 The American Association for Better Photoplays, through its organization committee, Mrs. Kenneth J. Mulr, chairman, has announced plans for the coming season which include a filming of the oratorio, "Elijah." MICHIGAN TO SINGAPORE," a meto-THE by Roland Fertwwi, 'f-nn "vcl by Dsnlso Robins: dl- rtf War. Broj.

CTCTa William Powell Dons Ksnyon ir.sa Marsh tints SJI.Th"". Skipwmth Uimsdc-n Hurt v-Hnit" Lout Cnlhrrn nr. Grimes Clayton Mr, a. E. Anson p.

Muir Douglas Orrard H. Reynolds Knaa A.i- MKi I.iu''A"y' lampoeu N. Shnrnm Anaari Tyrrell Davis Margaret Martin By F-LLA H. McCORMICK When William Powell can play a smooth, shrewd detective, lth only occasional "barking" mounts why should hla movie bosses rnuire him to be the caddish Lart-hunter he is In this rather tale of amours in the Far If It's Just too bad for Bill. ETne Priggish Dr.

George March, J(My characterized by Louis calnern. for all his ill-temper and MlWnterest, is to be preferred to wife-baiting, home-wrecking Hueh Dawltry. Powell takes sec-f olace to Calhern in the picture aua lity of the work done by Seamen7 Calhern, who the Ze was Ethel Barrymore's lead-R man, is an all-around fine actor. vii Kenyon, more accustomed eminently respectable roles, overdoes the vamplshness of Pbiiippa. who, resentful of her the doctor's, indifference, throws herself at the always sus-wntible Hugh, whom she had met ipboard while both were on tM aV to Singapore.

Little Miss Msrh. who is an up-and-comer if "ir" there was one. hasn't an altogether agreeable role, either. Director Alfred Green, who won many honors for his work with GeoTle Arliss, deliberately, or through pressure, allowed himself iliM of good taste, not to say vul-nfities. There is excellent pho-tomphy and an especially novel handling of the camera in one where the onlooker Is taken hackward Instead of forward.

In recognition of local radio week, the stage revue Is named in anrl snt In a broadcast- Inr studio, and among its entertainers are several well-known to Detroit listeners-ln. Gus Van, whose partner, Joe Schenck, was fataily stricken while both were an AnfracrArnpnt here a vear ieo, makes his first appearance in it.t lima Vina tnH CUV suite -n Mnrv Tudor and Charlotte Myers, Frank Gill, jr a smart dancing unit and a musical number with six baby grand pianos and players are other acts. Sob Nolan slnirs with tho orchestra, directed hy Kduara vverner, me band sitting on the stage. BELIEVES PLAYWRIGHT DIED NATURAL DEATH WESTPORT, Oct. 2 (A.

George Green, of Ashland, cousin of Kenneth Raisbeck, 32-year-old playwright, who lost his life Tuesday night under mysterious circumstances, today expressed the conviction his cousin's death was due to natural causes. SSwSi cr2) yp FOX "RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE," adapted from the. Western novel of the aanio name by Zano Grey. Directed by Hamilton MarFadden. Adaptation by John F.

Goodrich. Produced by fox. THE CHARACTERS Lander Georre O'Brien Jane Marguerite Churchill JmliO Dyer Noah Beery Bess Vvnn- Pelletler Ventere James Todd Fay Stanley Fields Lecter Dorr Shirley Nails McGljnn, Jr. By CLARK RAMON There's a diminutive blond on the screen at the Fox this week whose captivating manner and natural charm, like James Wltcomb Riley's famous goblins, "will get you if you don't watch out." She's very tiny, and appears only briefly in the picture, but Miss Shirley Nail, in the scenes in which she Is featured, far eclipses George O'Brien and Marguerite Churchill as far as acting honors are concerned. Built more especially for the young, and making no attempt to be anything but a pure, dyed-in-the-wool Western melodrama, "Riders of the Purple Sage" nevertheless will have a definite appeal for devotees of Western fare, and also for audiences appreciative of scenic beauty, with which the film abounds.

Mr. O'Brien, assuming an unsmiling role for a change, is Lasslter, grim, silent hero, who, in a search for a long lost -liter, comes upon Jane's ranch. He finds her persecuted by a band of outlaws with Judge Dyer (Noah Beery) at their head. Lassiter recovers Jane's stolen cattle, rescues her kidnaped adopted baby, Fay, and finds his sister's daughter, Bess (Yvonne Pelletler), in the hands of the outlaws. He shoots Judge Dyer In a court battle, Just as the judge is about to deprive Jane of the custody of her baby.

In the end he escapes with. Jane and the little girl. The picture Is exciting (as every good Western should be) and well acted. Mr. O'Brien is perhaps a trifle happier in lighter roles, but carries off this one with pleasing results.

Marguerite Churchill, as Jane, is very lovely to look at, and a sympathetic heroine, with great charm if not great acting ability. Noah Beery is appropriately evil as Judge Dyer, and James Todd and Miss Pelletler do well with minor romantic roles. P. S. Oh, yes.

The tiny blond young lady in the film goes by the name of Fay. She must be all of three years old. Bcrnie, Veronica and Walker, who style themselves "Two Panics and a Mary Miles, acrobatic dancer; Wanda Allen, talented toe dancer; Anderson and Allen, b-1-ancing sensations; Zelma, who dances taps on her toes; Fern Dale; Buddie and Gretel, ballroom dancers; Harry Stockwell, In a song cycle; Chlyo Kadomatsu, Oriental dancer; Helen Ireland, vho sings and plays a saxophone cleverly; Dorothy Welch, singer, and Theal Nelson, a tumbler of exceptional merit, comprise the group in Fan-chon and Marco's new and elaborate stage show. a in the A Glorious Ulittering SKETCHED AT THE CASS THEATER BY RUSSELL H. LEGGE Barnes -Kenneth Thomson Emma Dunn William V.

Mong Wade Boteler Al Herman Harry Carey Edgar Kennedy Robert Keith Lmma Monk Pearson McBaine Buft Prof On the heels of a dictum from the innermost offices of plcturedom that gang films and their accompanying fireworks are passe, comes one which for sheer shooting and general meanness proves one of the most "gangstery" of them all. While sadly overdone as a picture of a gang chieftain, replete with Oriental rugs, tapestries, gorgeous "headquarters" furniture and ornate velvet dressing gowns, the film will prove of interest to those who like stories of bootleggers and a heaping portion of machine guns. Ricardo Cortez as Goldie Gorlo, gang leader, discards for a time his suavity of characterization and becomes the hard-boiled gentleman with so much money he doesn't know what to do with it. Mr. Cortez, although the lovely but inadequate Helen Twelvetrees is billed as the star, provides a perfect example of picture stealing.

Ths film is entirely his. The story is that of Helen (Miss. Twelvetrees), sister of the rival gang leader, King (Frank Conroy), who unwittingly allies herself with the gang by marrying Steve (John Garrick), the youngest and most promising member of Goldle's mob. Goldie, of course, has had his eyes on Helen, and seeks to make the way clear for himself by deliberately sending Steve into the path of the federal police. He is badly wounded.

Not until Helen asks her for help does she learn the truth. King tells her he cannot help, because he himself is in the same racket. The big moment of the picture 1j the cold-blooded massacre of seven gang members by Goldie in his apartment, very much reminiscent of the famous St. Valentine's Day slaughter in Chicago. And, oh, yes, in the end everything turns out for the best when Helen visits Goldle's apartment and kills him.

Miss Twelvetrees, though saccharine, is not too annoying in what she has to do, which is not very much. Why they billed her in big type Is a mystery. Mr. Cortez, who should have received what honors there are, tries hard not to overplay a role packed with nonsensical lines, and written obviously as a schoolboy's idea of how a big gang chief should behave. Mr.

Conroy, veteran of the legitimate, plays King, the rival chief, with more fidelity to the part if not with as picturesque gusto; and John Garrick as the gangster-bridegroom leaves one with practially no impression at all, save that he was in the picture from time to time, C. B. MR sw sm. Ji" A career! A 1 w) if A il -'I1 111 "I Film Industry Wants Nagel for Executive MOTION PICTURE ATTRACTIONS Popular Actor Considered Good Contact Man by Producers' Association n.m. wTiTr.

By GEORGE SHAFFER HOLLYWOOD. Oct. 2 Fox today crowned the recent work of Ralph Bellamy, a Chlcagoan, with a long term contract as a feature actor. Bellamy was with Ruth Chatterton In "The Magnificent Lie," with Wallace Beery in "The Secret Six." and Just completed a role in Director W. K.

Howard a "Surrender" for Fox. which caused the company to want him tied up permanently. Bellamy was born in Chicago In 1904. His father is an advertising man there. He came to Hollywood from the stage after decamping from home as a youth to play In traveling repertoire companies for years.

His next part will be a big one In Fox's "Circumstances." Carl TjipTnmlfl anlnr lin tM John Drinkwate'r $25,000 to write me recent L.acmmlB biography In book form, is negotiating to add Drlnkwatltr tn th -ntfri rif nut. standing British authors who are dpiiik pui unuer contract as screen writers. Drinkwater may not coma to Hollywood at all. as P. O.

Wode-house and Frederick Lonsdale did, but if he does not, Mr. Laemmia will acquire first chance at his next play or story. Tho two young sons of Michael Levee, official of the Paramount studios here, are getting their start in the motion picture business at a tender age. The two Levee boys, Mickey, 11, and Johnny, around 5, have been playing highly successful parts as child actors In soma of Paramount's recent stories about youngsters. Young Levee begged hla father for the chance at tha time "Sklppy" was being made, and proved so much a real child actor that he played a role in "Tom Sawyer." "Huckleberry Finn" cama next.

Ruth Chatterton's coming departure from Paramount to take up her new contract as Warner-First National's prima donna will be accompanied by soma sighs of relief at Paramount, whera the star set her foot down soma weeks ago against giving out any interviews, declined to poe for photos for publicity purposes, and proved subject to spells of temperament which interfered with tha studio exploitation efforts. pu -v a.le 10:45 to 1 3rd HOWLING WEEK Only Fivs Mors Daya of This Laufh Panic 1 FOUR 32 uuuuuvu BROTHERS "MONKEY BUSINESS" Worlft Funnittt Show! Thursday fireta Garbo, f'lark nahln In 'Susan Lenox'' PARAI.101IHT 2 2 ROBINSON 11 Vi 1 sN inns grtlLX" BRANION comedy." Mr. Saint directed the first feature ever made by Univer sal, "ine wurricane," ii4. Paramount, it Is reported, has bought the talkie rights to "Cloudy With Showers" for The release date will be In the Autumn of 1932. It is the second of the new season's legitimate productions to be sold for the movies.

The first was "After Tomorrow," which was bought by Fox for J50.000. Color Movies for Men at Sing Sing Prisoners at Sing Sing, the gray house on the Hudson River at Os-sining, N. will have color films in their own motion picture theater. The inmates recently sent a request for them to Andrew Callaghan, vice president of Tech nicolor. "They are bright, more cheerful, and are inclined to have a better effect on the residents of a prison than ordinary black and white films," the letter stated, in part.

"We would appreciate it particu larly if you could co-operate with us in getting this type of film." Mr. Callaghan referred the request to the major studios in Hollywood, which have advised him that the films are forthcoming. WRITES TWO PLAYS Frances Agnew, recently a scenarist at Paramount, has writ ten two plays, both of which will be on Broadway this season. MOTION PICTIRE ATTRACTIONS 25cVx 150Cc.fr. 15c ZANE GREY'S niOERSofthl PUnPlESAGE -'h GEORGE O'BRIEN MARGUERITE CHURCHILL Chsottr 9 Fat "DANGER ISLAND" Divisions 11:13 a.m.

Nawi FANCH0N 1 MARCO iss" 11; ae7 MOTION PICTURE ATTRACTIONS MOTION PICTURE ATTRACTIONS A ATTRACTION AT LOWEST PRICES if! HISTORY 1 rvj VM. nENYo'rMXMl DORIS KENH-" sTAJ Event! Gorgeous Girls! hjf Spectacle! CAIN 1 OK ft sM biggest hit of his (il'B VAN Mary15 Charloiw-- aix Suva at (scono 25o to 2 DSe, 2 to 8 p. m. Samuel Goldwyn ll Laughs Start at 10:45 a. m.

And, folks, just look at these Bargain Prices! 25c To 1 P. M. 50c to 6 Gilbert's Greatest Kola! A Surprise Thriller! JOHN GILBERT to nu AMTfikA of DAnK1 Triumphs Again! The producer and star of "Whoopee" have surpassed anything ever before! More Beautiful Girls! More Story! More Joy! Uproarious Screen riinmum rrusw By CLARK There Is a persistent and not-to- be-downed rumor around Hollywood that Conrad Nagel, actor and pillar of the church, Is being groomed for an executive position of importance with the Motion Picture Producers' Association, the key organization of tho industry. Mr. Nagel always hasjpeen an ar biter in producer-actor quarrels, has done a great deal In motion pic ture charity work, and has exhibited an interest in the weltare ol his budness far in excess of being just one of Its participants.

The association, it is said, would like the popular and handsome young actor to serve in the capacity of field man, as he commands the unqualified respect of the acting, producing and lay world. Although the efforts or the association to obtain his services are not particularly new, the matter was Drought to a head recently by J. Nagel's expert handling of the persons at the Fiesta's Motion Picture Pageant, where his executive and organizing ability was clearly demonstrated. Because of her work In "The Poor Little Ritz Girl." the title of which was changed to "Under Eighteen," Dorothy Appleby, recently of the legitimate stage, is said to be in line for a motion picture contract. "Homicide Squad," "Bad Company" and "Larceny Lane" have been held up by the New York censors.

The hold-up is in the nature of a dispute as to their fitness, rather than an absolute prohibition. les, indeed, all three are gang pictures, more or less. Mary Nolan, who used to be Imo-geno Wilson, and got not much of a break in pictures, more's the pity, will be seen in two films, "Decency" and Marks the Spot." The tragedy of Hollywood and the picture business is contained in a few lines in a theatrical publication records that "Edward Le Saint, one-time ace director at Universal, has been engaged to play a bit in the next Slim Summerville MOTION PICTI RE ATTRACTIONS 'X in And Children 15c All Times TMt flth 1 If II A FARINA -nr Gam" HYAMS I.KWIH STONE DEL DELBRIDGE Afield an Harry rrrntor ot Entertainment! I Mrf, npn-nini. tha myaterr Krhf i'omu iw i only rrifli Mil LOVE! wii LOVE! IMl j' eV Nc 'tv Held Over For Another Week Douintoiun Dirtct From Unittd Artittt Rmcord-breaking Engagtmtntt EDW. G.

AM 4a II a huMMC1 Mammoth Riot of Girls and Gaiety With fi ifj CHARLOTTE GREENWOOD Jfi.W FlyKl Eddie's an efficiency expert putting a bakery into PT i Jn JBls the dough! A fake medium A great lover find- ft V'Ai XiwXsr ing romance among the buns and jelly rolls! He's -J here, there, everywhere with a million laughs! vsOllS' l6o3b 17YTDAI BOBBY JCNES' GREATEST COLF lg LA1KAI LESSON! A ROUND OF COLF! I I Li iBr HELEN With Wmrntr Bret. Start H. B. WARNER MARIAN MARSH Don't Miss Seeing the Most Powerful Dramatic Bombshell of the Year! 3RD DETROIT WEEK Jl Th, "Scoop" tht Sooson First ol Series I "FOOTBALL I for the FAN" I HOWARD JONES "TOMORROW'S STARS" Idea 11 ACT 11 STAN MEYERS JAZZM0NIC RHYTHM KINO fk Cnnr TONItiH I Al 11:40 MIDNITE SHOW.