Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 49

Wcjt Pitrxrit jfxee flrep SCREEN, STAGE, MUSIC, ART and BOOK REVIEWS PART FOUR 100th Year. No. 329 DETROIT. MICHIGAN, SI DAY, MARCH 29, 1931 Free Press Want Ads Bring Best Results THESPIANS EAGERLY TREK WESTWARD LURED BY MOVIE QOLD TRAGEDY STALKS CLOSE TO THIS GROUP STARS OR OWD POLISH BEAUTY COMING BACK KING ARTHUR IS MODERNLY "TRIMMED" IN NEW VERSION OF "CONNECTICUT YANKEE" ON ITS WAY TO A FRIVOLOUS PARTY rai-niII1M HMIKIALIU Many Noted Legitimate Players Won Over to Cinema. Old Friends Eagerly Await Return of Temperamental Pola Negri.

Other Late News Concerning Doings of Prominent Hollywood Folk. Hollywood, March 28. (Special Correspondence to The Detroit. Fret Press). Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich had better look to their Producers Dangle Fat Con '1 II WILL ROGERS.

WILLI AM EARN I'M. BRANDON HURST. I a In the up-to-the-moment version' i of Cinemas NEIL HAMILTON. An unsually fine cast distinguishes Norman Shearer's new picture, "Strangers May Kiss," and in the scene shown here are four important players in Irene Rich, Miss BY ELLA H. Chances of bill at the lamer mo- tion picture theaters this week did iiuxu.y iiiuui me ul'- umi, naj.ijiiij, iyc-jji scyii ui whose popularity called for extend-.

engagements. For much laughter and an ap- preciation of the sly "kidding" of recent gangster pictures there Is I "Mr. Iemon of Orange" at the Fox, which that "dumb-pan wag, El Brendcl plays a dual role. The story funny and Brendel is most comic. Fifl Dorsay is a lively detail of the jwciure.

Mre comedy is provided by "It's Wise Child," at the Fisher, with time friend and family lawyer, play-: by Sidney Blackmer, is called to extricate her. Successful as a stage play, the picture is even better en-; Rogers has had since he began anon uavies snining Brilliantly pones Soou-niu. uu D1 trl really a Krcat actress talking for the screen 6 as the good hearted girl with a of recent Jungle Pictures. remains to be seen, but at that, she 6 fatal gift for getting herself Into Remaining at United Artists is honor3 from Miss A IlTrt TMrimtTn nfl entanglements from which her old the Charlie Chaplin silent epic, If. 3 i McCORMICK.

with distinction, but its conslder- able of a whack in tne race to dgucyi. i UULUMI Gup lent cast includes Carole Lombard Wynne Gibson, Guy Kibbee and Lawrence Gray and, while the theme of the story Is serious, there is plenty of humor, The Irish ani the Jew are at It again in "Ihe eonens ana teyjs in Africa," nt the State, Murray, George Sidney, Kate 1 rice and Vera Gordon In the characters mey creieu im which they have been seen in one picture after another. The "City ughU, tnan wmcn mere is no finer piece of screen workman ship current. Unless you wish to add another item to your list of Bhouid not iaii to attend it Dciorc i its departure Friday from the Para mount. Norma Shearer's new com cay fstrangers May tviss naving been booked to open Saturday.

Shivering drama and chills, combined with impeccable acting and clever setting and direction, has been drawing capacity audiences to KKO Downtown, where "Dracula" i I 1 i. uw wu. iieiuin ihii lenainmcnt ana Keeps auaiences income regrets, you win uut mu KOmo extra excitement may be pro-hilariously shocked. Jimmie Gleason seeing this fine picture which la videti in the possibility that her a marvelous Iceman and there leaving Friday to make way for former husband, Prince Serge are other players who add much to Mary Pickford in "Kiki," the latter M'Divani, will be frolicking around the comedy's success. coming in Saturday.

these parts in company with Mary Philo Vance would probably have Also holding over Is "Dishonor- McCormlc, the America opera another mystery to solve if he were ed," the Marlene Dietrich Victor I dolJnai lt js rumored that put on the case of why his screen 1 McLaglen spy story that has drawn jyary and Serge will be married creator, William Powell, chose to so much praise that one widely the near future, become a blackmailer in "Man of i known New York critic declares it the World," at the Michigan. Pow-: to be "the one perfect cinema to ur iwhwium ell does everything smoothly and I date." In any event, it is a film Believe it or not, temperamental 'worth seeing and film followers i George Bancroft and the Para- NORMA SHEARER America's Sweetheart mm, This new and girlishly lovely portrait of Mary Pickford proves that "America's Sweetheart" is being lightly kissed by passing years. Admirers will see the charming Mary in a new characterization, for her, In the title role of "Kiki," coming in a few days to a local screen. Reginald Denny is the leading man. 1 tracts That Are Quickly Snatched.

New York. March 28. (Special to The Free Press.) Is Hollywood conquering New York and taking Gotham's finest stage talent as loot? A wag at one Hollywood studio recently had a sign painted and' placed it at the intersection of the two main streets on the lot. The sign read: "42ND AND BROADWAY." "What's the idea?" someone asked. "Look!" the signhanger answered, pointing in turn at a score of play-era who were passing the intersec- tion during the lunch hour.

"All from New York. Captured by picture scouts and chained with golden contracts." Popular Stage Folk. Among the former New York stage folk who passed were: Gcof- frey Kerr, William Post. Robert i Ames and Ricardo Cortez, leading men; Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey, comedians; Claudia Dell and Noel Francis, of the Follies; Arline Judge, Broadway revue beauty, and Kitty Kelly, ditto; Irene Dunne, musical comedy star; Edna I May uuver. or "BnowDoat fame; Joseph Cawthorn.

featured character actor; "Chic" Sale, rustic comic of the big time. "And, furthermore," said the wag, with New Yorkish tears in his eyes, "I understand that more are on the way out, among them Jill Esmond Moore, leading woman of 'Private now playing on Broadway. "If I went back to New York I'd he lonesome. I have to stay in Hollywood to feel at home." Changed Viewpoints. Among other stage satellites on the lots of other studios now turn jng out picture are the Barrvmores, john and Lionel lKthel may ans wer the call at any moment, 'tis said): Helen Twelvetrees, Helen Chandler, Rose Hobart, Genevieve Tobin, Henrietta Crosman, Ina Claire, Fredrlo March, Sidney Blackmer, Norman Foster, Spencer Tracy, Neil Hamilton, Irene Delroy, er and Woolsey, Paul Cavanagh and dozens of others.

That remarkable pair of luminaries from the Theater Guild, Lynn Fontanne and Alfred Lunt. are said to have signed a contract, with M-G-M to make their stage success, "The Guardsman." Movie salaries are big for the right talent and legitimate actors who formerly were uppity about the picture game are now extremely eager to have some film producer just ask em to appear before the camera and the mikes. They can't jump across the country fast enousm HOLLYWOOD HAS OWN ETIQUETTE Criticizing Fellow Player for Publication Is Bad Form. Hollywood. March 28.

(A. Everyone tries to keep informed of film goings on, due not alone to curiosity, but because it is good business. To do the correct thing, one only asks So-andso "What are you doing now?" when one is positive Soandso is do-i something I besides wishing. It helps Soand-so's ego a lot to answer that he has just landed a fat part. Another rig- nn.n ldV adhered-to Alice White.

rule of conduot is never to say anything for publication that would reflect in the slightest on another. The Clara Bow-Alice White controversy apparently was fiction, as both denied ever having said a detrimental word about the other's abilty to emote. Clara and Alice know it is a cardinal sin to cast aspersions in print, and, take it from one who knows, not many are cast. Film towners with social aspira-; tions never criticize adversely. It just Isn't done in the best circles, and that makes it etiquette.

A performance maybe terrible, but no one will ever tell the performer so. I it makes the true Holiywoodian feel important to arrive late at a party or a premiere or a wedding, He likes to feel he is being waited for. ARLEN AND LOUISE DRESSER. Lottlte Dresser and Richard Ar- i len are to be co-featured in a talker of the early west, which may be called "Roped In." TRAGEDIES FOLLOW STARS OF WESTERNS Hollywood. March 28.

(A. Great tragedies have occurred in the ranks of western stars. Names matter little since most of them have been forgotten now. A leading cowboy star three years ago is earning a precarious living felling his blood to hospitals here for transfusions. Occasionally he is lucky enough to get a few days' extra film work.

One of the most popular cowgirl heroines has been unable for three years to get i more than hits of extra roles One, who died recently in Mexico under pitiable circumstances, had followed the workless path to despair before the futility of life doomed him. A former heavyweight boxing champion of the navy who played leads in several western pictures apparently haii the makings of a good act'r Something went wrong an now he is reported to be a dav laborer. "J'V a Montgomery William Boyd, James Gleason. Robert Armstrong. Law- rence Tibbett, Grace Moore, Wheel- is wm I i i laurels, for Pola i Negri is coming back to 1 1 y-wood.

Furthermore, she is returning with a very lucrative! With RKO-Pathe I company. Already Pola is at work in London on an English I ure for this company, produced and directed by Basil Dean. Hollywood technicians have been sent abroad from the studio here to co-operate Scoop Coition. in her first production. Hollywood is awaiting Pola's arrival with keen anticipation because much excitement is expected.

Pola's doings kept her the most talked-of actress in pictures for several years, and it Is safe to say that the public will eagerly anticipate her return to the limelight. Al-' though Pola is considered by many a finer artress than either Greta or Marlene. I'm very much afraid that she can never again ascend to the dizzy heights of stardom that she once enjoyed. It is a picture tradition that a player who jlag once enjoyed sensational suc- cess- and lost favor -can never at-i tain the same spotlight again. It Is only the player who enjoys solid and substantial popularity who goes on forever.

Personally, I would like to see the one and only Pola stage a great comeback. She deserves a break. 0ne of davs theat overrated i ergoers may arbo is some- actress, and, that to date. Miss Dietrich is a clay model in the artistic hands of Von Sternberg. Whether or not Miss Aa a ma.ter nf record, an gir tri best actrese jn pictur()g today-Ruth Chatterton.

ynpn p0a arrjVes in Hollywood mount company have finally ironed out their diffl- punm oiuu company have been scrappinu for months over i new contract. Bancroft was said to have win receive wi lut wtu pk- ture. Cortez Wins. Few actors have had more fluno- tuating careers than Ricardo Cor- Continued on l'age 5 Bad for Bill soap and water. But as usual.

Bill's thoughts have been elsewhere, he has forgotten all admonitions and is looking ruefully at the be-smudged towel knowing that he is due for another scolding. ra'ners son is saia to oe a de- Rightful tale of boyhood. 1 mm is in its second week. Bela Lugosi wanted so much who plays Count Dracula created noney that even the role for the stage several sea-j Warners sons ago and there are one or two wouldn't take a others in the cast who were in the chance on sign-original stage play also. It is a I ing i al-grand old mystery melodrama that though they keeps you guessing to the final I them-moment.

selves to othei "Ten Nights In A Barroom" stays i Paramount Iumi-at the Shubert-Detroit and is made naries. The box doublv interesting in the anoear- office success of STARS REVEAL PECULIARITIES Still Cameras Photograph Traits That Moving Pictures Seldom Show. Hollywood, March 28. (SpeoIsJ to The Free Press.) In front of still cameras in studio portrait galleries lilm stars reveal peculiarities that moving picture cameramen seldom see. Phot oernnhic mter' qualities that pass unnoneeu on a set are brought out clearly in the close range and undivided attention of the por-trait photographer.

And the stars become self-conscious or confused-or skittish just about like anyone else. An authority in these matters is Max Jajmet Autrey, presiding genius of the Fox studio gallery, and his comments are interesting and enlightening. "There is Janet Gaynor, for instance," Autrey says. "She likes to be photographed in vampish and sophisticated poses. To humor her, because she is always obliging about tSlttmg tor pictures, I sometimes 'shoot' her as a vamp.

After one print has been made for her 'own collection, we destroy the plate because such photographs are not representative of her. Elissa Poses to Music "Elissa Landl, a newcomer, has a surprising range of facial expression. Her eyes are fascinating to experiment with. She poses herself before the camera and must have music to suit her mood for the character she is representing. "There are two qualities about Marguerite Churchill that make her an excellent photographic subject.

She is one of those rare persons having a pigment under the skin thai registers without a flaw on a photographic plate. Miss Churchill if also as good a subject for full length as for portrait stills, a quality which all the players do not possess. Will Is Himself. "Will Rogers is not easy to photograph. Added to this Is the difficulty of getting him to pose for pictures.

But I get more fun out of working with him than any other layer. He is entertaining, and. i nc in the studio, he gives me his co-operation. Among the men as photographic subjects, I consider Edmund Lowe the best. He Is always accommodating and goes to great trouble assist me.

He gives his time willingly and poses tirelessly." Boles Vacationing. Having completed the leading male role in "Seed," the Universal pieturization of the Charles Norris novel, John Boles Is now in New York vacationing. He will combine his holiday with a short personal appearance tour. Boles will make stage appearances at leading motion picture theaters in Milwaukee. Atlanta and Washington, P.

C. Singularly, "Seed," which will be shown In these theaters only a few weeks after Boles' appearance, is the first screen play since the advent of talking pictures in which he has not sung. According to present plans, Boles' first picture after his return to Universal City in April, in all probability, will be "A Lady of the Arthur Somera Roche story which is now being adapted by Edwin H. Knopf. WHISKER GROWING SERIOUS BUSINESS Hollywood, March 28 (A.

-Whisker-growing is a serious business hereabouts, and literally hundreds of extras and scores 'f bit players keep their fares covered the year around. Casting bureaus list these men under the general heading of "beards'1 with numerous sub-ratings: Van Dykes, burnsides, "Smith brothers," goatees, wal-rus, scraggiy, Santa Claus, bushy and muffs. There are long, short, pointed and spade beards listed and mustaches that range from wisps to whoppers. There are some examples of whisker-crowing in Hollywood that rep resent years of careful work. John Rowers, who owns a luxuriant crop, advises anyone who doesn't think that whisker-raising I calls for patience and strength of character to raise a Van Dyke.

ance in the leading roles of William I 'Scandal Sheet," George Bancroft Farnum and Tom Santschi, old Bancroft's last picture, did much timers of the silver sheet whose to smooth the way in the negotia-power never grows less. tions between the star and Para That delightful comedy about a 1 mount. There's nothing like a big likeable young man, his lady love box office hit to keep a company and his intelligent terrier, "Devil I happy. According to Bancroft's May Care," in which Ronald Col- new contract, he will make three man plays the ingratiating youth, pictures a year for two years and of Mark Twain A Connecticut Yankee at King Arthur's Court" soon to be seen in Detroit, Will Rogers is the Yankee, who, as a garage mechanic and radio en thusiast, on his way to answer a Call to a big mansion is soaked to uie hiwii in ii Buuuvii i en id iwi in Ilt'tUS il linun Ul tnunuet la i blinded by lightning, then- wakes up in King Arthur's court. Seated before you are Brandon Hurst, as I Merlin.

the king's magician, Wil-! liam Farnum as King Arthur him-1 self, and Will, as Hank, when in I his own shop, but, Sir Boss at the. I court. With his usual gift of gab, Will is trying to convince his majesty that Merlin's magic is all hooev and that he dispenses the i only true brand. The picture, is said I to be one of th funn lest vehicles I GANG PICTURES FLOOD MARKET More Than a Score of Underworld Films Turned Out. Hollywood, March 28 (A.

With nearly a score of pictures featuring the gangster theme released, or soon to be, one wonders if they will meet the fate Of the musicals. The success of the first "film u- sicals" was so Hollywood could not make enough of them. The mad scramble to put them out brought r-production, and suddenly the public wearied of them. The fast-: moving "Alibi," one of the first gangster talkies i and probably the best, led the pres-Alibi" can hardly Jack Holt. ent vogue.

But oe nem responsible for tne new development. That credit if any probably belongs to the gangsters themselves. The movies, somehow, have given the gangster a romantic halo that ill becomes the real big-city bad man. 'Kidding' The Bad Man. Only two of the newer gang pictures treat the subject seml-humor-ously.

One is Jack Oakie's "Gang Buster," and the other is El Bren-del's "Mr. Lemon of Orange." Incidental El plays a dual role a gangster and his own Swedish character. Had not Clara Bow been too busy with a little drama of her own, she would have been co-starred with Gary Cooper in a gang drama. Instead, Sylvia Sidney, a newcomer from the stage, will be with Gary. Late Star's Daughter Weds DOROTHY SILLS.

Daughter of the late Milton Sills, screen star, hills, 19 years old. was married to Robert Swavze i Way, of East Orange. N. a few days ago, in the Little Church Around the Corner, New York. Representatives of society, screen and stage worlds filled the church for the ceremony.

The bride, an attractive girl, resembles her father very much. Doris Kenyon (Mrs. Sills), is Dorthy's stepmother and she has a 3-year-old stepbrother, named Kenyon. Mrs. Way was edu-! cated in America and abroad.

The i I couple are in Bermuda for their 1 honeymoon. i mi i i ir i i i i ed in is A ed is I i I I nearer, ana me two leading men, Men Hamilton and BOBert Mont- gomery. In the story Montgomery and Hamilton are In love with Miss Shearer, but she cares only for the latter. They have been trying a companionate marriage, experiment, unknown to the others, and are just about to depart for an evening's entertainment with Miss Rich, Norma's aunt in the story, and Robert, who has been the girl's devoted slave since childhood. They had waited for Miss Rich's husband, but at last decide to go on without him and the events that happen in the restaurant where they are dining, precipitate the tragedy that a few moments before seemed so far from their carefree happiness and gaiety.

Flyins Hiffh. Delighted to announce that "Flying High" will finally reach the talking screen with its own star, Bert Lahr. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer company has come to an agreement with George White, i in iiuuuvcii iiui im; iflntr win iciftu a. ikum ii uiriiwiis luo me. k.

1 U- J-iaill win iiu i i iiul licm liic moment the musical comedy closes its successful two years run this spring. BURLESQUE TRAINING IS STONE'S PRIDE New York, March 28. i Special to The Free Press.) George Stone, who made such a hit as Sol Levy in "Cimarron." and who is now in New York, received his early training in bur lesque. What's more, he's proud of it. A host of famous stars I have come from burlesque, among them David Warfield.

Stone says that burlesque js the greatesit of all possible training I grounds for voung aspirants to siage success. i ou never Know wiit.ii Liir.y ii v-iiii mi ini iu )i- i tray everything from an Irish or Jewish comedian, a beggar, millionaire or villainous gorilla to the role of the prima donna I herself." sez George. And to prove it he cites the fact that he's done just that, even to the role of the prima donna. FRANCES RING. after several years' absence, except I i I i i i Good Bye, Broadway" Says Tom Going West to Pictureland the Riviera's attraction, while at the Hollywood, "Parlor.

Bedroom and Bath," with Buster Keaton and Charlotte Greenwood, is bound to make the rafters of that theater ring with loud guffaws of audiences. Looks Kinda Greta's Double EIVOR NORDSTROM. Sweden is so proud of Greta Garbo, that, recently, a contest was staged in that country to pick the Swedish girl who most faithfully resembled the famous screen star and Elvor Nordstrom, pictured above, was the winner. What do you think of the likeness? Miss Nortstrom is said to have Miss Garbo's coloring also her propensity for wearing rough wool sweaters, coats and hats more notable for utility than elegance. The contest judges included Victor Seastrom.

native of Sweden, now a 1 Hollywood film producer and di- rector and Anna Q. Nilsson, also Swedish, and a Hollywood film star who used to make our hearts throb in the days of silent dramas. Both are now visiting their old homes in Sweden. Miss Nillson who met with an injury while making a pic- ture about three years ago that has kept her an invalid since, hopes to she returns to America this spring take her old place in pictures when fully recovered in health. Actor Given Famous Name Los Angeles, March 28.

(Special to The Free Press) What's in a name? Oftentimes a whole lot for moving pictures. Universal recently signed up a Cincinnati stock star by the name of Don L. Brodie. He is producing and starring in a new play at a Los Angeles theater. But in spite of that.

Universal is going to tag him with a which is already famous as a synonym for daring. Henceforth, he will be known as "Steve" Brodie. I i znm mtm THOMAS MEIGH1N. Returnlne to star in nlctures for one picture. "The Racket." made about two year ago.

Thomas Is there a boy in the Jand, small use the clean towels in the or grown-up, who does not know room until he has first thoroughly what it means to be "bawled out" washed his face and and hands with Melghan, at one time a popular film idol, on his way Hollywood. i Here are shown Tom and his wife, Frances Ring, sister of Blanche and Julie Ring, as they waved farewell to New York from the steps i nf the train headed for California. Mrs. Melghan was a well-known I stage actress a few years ago, as were her sisters. She will not go into pictures but Tom Is due to play the late Henry Miller's stage role in the pieturization of "Daddy Long Legs," with Janet Gaynor and not for washing on the towel instead of in the water? Young Leon Janney, who plays the leading role in "Father's Son." on its way to town with Irene Rich, as Bill's under-' standing mother and Lewis Stone.

Bill a misunderstanding father. -jhas been warned repeatedly not to Ruth hatterton in the role the latter created on the stage with Miller. Tom also will make a picture with Jeanette MacDonald, the story adapt-1 ed from the well-known farce success, "Good Gracious, Annabe'lle.".