davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1932-08-20
National Opens
September 1o
for Season
Boom! Boom! Boom!

Boom! Boom! Boom!
Those were the opening guns
in the barrage preceding the
opening of the dramatic and
musical season hereabouts.
From the E Street front comes
inspiring news. The National
Theater will reopen Monday eve
ming, September 10, with a new
musical show, "Humpty Dumpty."
sponsored by Laurence Schwab
and B. G. DeSylva (not to be
confused with Mr.. de Brown and
Mr.. de Henderson,
The music of "Humpty
Dumpty" is by Herb Nacio Brown,
whose many song successes in
clude wedding of the Painted
Doll" "Singin' in the Rain" and
Blue Horizon"
In the cast will be Lou Holtz,
Ethel Norman, June Knight, ].
C. Nugent, Sid Silvers and Mitzi
Mayfair.
Schwab and DeSylva think they
have something quite out of the
ordinary in "Humpty Dumpty."
and it seems a fair guess that
they are right. Good News"
and Follow Thru" were among
the shows in which they have
been associated, and their most
recent Washington premiere was
Americas Sweetheart"
"Humpty Dumpty" will be fol-
lowed in fairly close succession
by two more big musicals, the
"Vanities," starring Will Maho-
ney and his Mahoneyphone, and
Ed Wynn in "The Laugh Parade"
Both are announced for October,
and Wynn has to play here be-
fore october 18, according to
present radio and other arrange
ments.
From the National also comes
word that the veteran traveller,
E. M. Newman, will present for
his coming series of lectures five
episodes which. combined, will
make a tour of the globe. His
pictures are brand-new. and show
among other things the fighting
at Shanghai and the riots in
India.
The Washington times., 1932-08-20
Here's s Paradise
Of Tropics

isle of Paradise" should be a
success. It is utterly different
even from most travel pictures.
Charles Trego made it on a vaca-
ton to the Island of Bali-down
next to Sumatra-and as pre-
sented at Loew's Columbia, the
picture has been neatly cut to ali
eng, ging continuity and en-
broidered with delightful music
by James Bradford and a deep
throated vocal description.
Frankly, this Balian celluloid
journey is an educational and
chronological affair. Native Gus
toms, market days, beautiful
women weaving and pounding
rice, cock fighting, training
crickets to battle in cylinders
made of metal, children at play,
water buffalo plowing swampy
rice iields-these are a few Of the
scenes. A simple people not un-
balanced by a complex and dis
integrating civilization.
More than half the picture
is concerned with ceremonies
occurring during an elaborate
funeral. Fantastic and moving
towers, dancing, chanting priests
and finally, cremation followed
by the scattering of the de-
ceased's ashes at sea, rite be-
lieved to induce reincarnation.
The BalianS are highly in
tereSting people-of some mixed
Malayan stock, though worship
ping silva and certain Polyne-
sian deities and resembling the
Mongols in appearance. They
are something of an chronological
puzzle. The announcer referred
to them as being lightly re-
ligious. That is hardly cor
rect. They practice a form of
Brahmanism older than that of
India.
The picture neglected to show
any of the temples-there are
many on the island and
marvelously carved. The famous
casting out the devil" ceremony
was also omitted, as we'll as the
fertility ritual of husband wife"
rice. But the scenes already re-
ferred to and the stunning
women-happily unconscious of
the camera-are worth your
While.-F. B.
The Washington times., 1932-08-20
MARION DAVIES ACHIEVES NEW TRIUk
Excellent Cast Of
Comedians in
Support

Never, perhaps, in all her career
before the camera, did Marion
Davies give her public a greater
surprise than in "The Patsy"
when she did a series Of imita-
tions that were so realistic, and
withal so cleverly satirical, that
those who watched her were lost
in wonder and amazement.
Since that time, it is safe to
say, her talent for mimicry has
become nationally known, and
many have doubtless hoped that
the opportunity would present it.
self again for further impersona-
tions. Most of her later vehicles.
however, have not offered the
chance; and therefore it is a mat
ter of considerable interest that
in her current picture, Blonde
of the FollieS," now having its
world premiere presentation at
the Palace, she not only exhibits
her flair for comedy and reveals
at its best her ability for emo
tional expression, but adds to
these achievements with a re-
markably fire, and remarkably
amusing, imperSonation of no less
a celebrity than the great Garbo
herself.
In one sense the Garbo viSuali-
zation, in which she has the
valuable cooperation of Jimmy
Durante, is a real high spot OF
the picture. 1t has little to do
with the dramatic story, true
enough, and might indeed have
been left out without damage to
the plot; but it is so SuperlatiVely
we'll done that it is certain to
linger long in the memories Of
those who see it. Vocally as we'll
as otherwise, Garbo is perfectly
mimicked.
But the many gifts of Miss
Davies are we'll demonstrated in
Blonde of the Follies." The star
herself was originally "Follies"
girl, so the environment of the
picture was congenial. She dances
as gracefully as any ziegfeld star,
and the revue costumes are most
becoming. Her portrayal of
Blonde" as whole is striking
achievement in versatility.
The story is that of an East
Side girl who wins place in
great revue and goes on to sue
cess and romance. There is
ample comedy in the narrative,
but it has its tragic moments
and an affecting climax as we'll.
A strong supporting cast sur
rounds the star.
In it are included Robert
Montgomery, for whose affections
Billie Dove also contends; Jimmy
Durante, who adds his comedy
touch to the Garbo number;
zaSu Pitts. and Jimmy Gleason.
The "FollieS" scenes are lavish and
realistic.
Laurel and Hardy in a comedy,
The Chimp" cartoon comedy,
and the Hearst Metrotone news
reel which shows the Cardinal
Gibbons celebration and other
shots Of Washington, as we'll as
an interview with the former
Crown Prince of Germany, are
added.
The Washington times., 1932-08-20
l. ate Stage News
Of Broadway

NEW YORK, Aug. 20.-Bigger
and better things are bursting all
about the place in the Broadway
theater.
For one thing, Elmer Rice is
back from Europe, with ambitious
plans for a repertory company of
artistic stature. He plans to
create a real peoples theater, a
playhouse that will address itself
to the masses.
He spent 10 weeks in Russia
and several weeks in Finland.
Scandinavia and Germany. He
brings back two new scripts, one
entitled Life Is Real" and the
other unnamed.
Then the commonwealth Thea.
ter pulls rabbit out of the hat
with information that it has
about decided on peep Show" as
its first attractio.. It's aim is
promising plays for particular
people.
"Ballyl1oo" is postponed again
1t already has the postponement
championship of several seasons
Flying Colors," the Howard
Petz revue, is set for opening
MONDAY at the Forrest Theater
Clifton Webb, Tamara Geva and
Charles But erworth are in it
Sounds good.
The Washington times., 1932-08-20
Happy Days, Etc.

The Hollywoodsters are all
happy when a film with a New
York background is being made.
for usually the director tries to
suggest the eight millions of Man
haitian. the Bronx, ct al. by put
ting flocks of extras into the big
scenes.
That means jobs. money, eats.
So the extras are happy.
Well. 1000 of them had jobs,
and got paid, when the New York
ensemble scenes of Blonde of
the Follies" were being filmed.
The picture opens tomorrow at the
Palace-a world premiere. to be
exact. Marion Davies is starred,
with Robert Montgomery and
Billie Dove heading the support.
New York tenements, the Follies.
night life, parties on Park Avenue
and on yacht. all figure in the
story. That takes crowds.
And. as has been intimated,
that means jobs for extras.
The Washington times., 1932-08-20
When the Feature Is
Shown on the Screen

COLUMBIA-"Isle of Paradise" d"
at 1910, 1850, 1925, sos, 6:45,
8:25 and 1O:05 p. m.
METROPOLITAN-"Cry of the
World" at 11:21 a. M, 1:06, 2:51,
4:36, 6:21, 8:06 and 9:51 p. m.
PALACE-"Blondie of the Fol
lies" at 1915, 2:35, 4:55, 7:15
and 9:35 p. m.
R-K-O-KEITH'S-"Age of Con-
SENT" at 1852 a. M, 1852, 1852,
$50, 1852 and 9:52 p. m.
FOX-"Speak Easily" at 1:O5,
4:05, 7:05, 1905 p. m. Stage
shows a. 11:45 a. M, 2:45, 5:45,
8:45 p. m.
EARLE-"War Correspondent" "
at 11:15 a. M, 1855, 4:40, 7:25
and 1905 p. m. Stage shows at
/, 3.45, $50 and 9:10 p. m.
The Washington times., 1932-08-20
Holt and Graves
Battle Again

Just like old home week at the
Earle this week, with Nick Lucas
grooming his melodies on the
stage and the Ralph Graves-Jack
Holt duo long absent, on the
screen in WAR Correspondent" "
Lila Lee is back to provide the
third side of their struggle, and
prettier than ever.
Ralph Graves is the war-loving,
non-fighting correspondent who
falls in love with the girl Of the
mysterious General Ching, none
other than an American ace who
has become a soldier of fortune
for monetary reasons (Jack Holt) .
Enemies from way back, Holt and
Graves finally unite in a common
cause, and single-handed lick the
rebel army.
The picture provides excite
ment, humor and love interest in
an apt setting of current news.
Well cast, it also abounds in good
local color, but has tendency
toward TO much length and goes
decidedly soft in the ending.
The stage offers songs, dance,
acrobatics and comedy, with Nick
Lucas proving his usual attrac-
ton on the song end, aided by
his guitar. Those beauteous
blondes, the Stanley Twins, with
their long-legged grace, do nicely
on the dance feature abetted by
the Dodge Brothers, some fast
tappers. The Bredwins in anus,
ing and clever acrobatics prove
that you have to be a good aero
bat when you are being funny
about it. Lewis Mack in a COM
edy skit rounds out the variety
and makes his supporting cast
laugh as much as the audience.
All is announced by Maxine
with the charm, reserve and
Vogue atmosphere that she sup
plies.
An unusually entertaining news
reel and a musical short of the
testers complete the bill.-H. w.
The Washington times., 1932-08-20
Plenty Going on
at Loew' S Fox

The program Of the Fox Thea
ter this week is something in the
nature of a three-ring circus.
Yes, at least that, because there's
so much of everything it's almost
impossible to keep it all straight.
And, best of all, the show is con-
sistently entertaining.
Since there has to be begin
ming somewhere, suppose we start
with the screen fare. Topping the
customary short subjects is a
mad opera called Speak Easily >
in which Buster Keaton, Jimmy
Durante and Thelma Todd cavort
most prominently. Mr.. Keaton
is an Inverness capped professor who
accidentally gets into the show
business and into and out of
trouble. Jimmy Durante iS-Well,
Jimmy Durante. Too bad we
haven't got a million of 'em in
this depression! Thelma Todd is
herself, and that will be quite
enough.
The reviewer does not know
whether the more erudite and
deeply experienced members of
the critical fraternity consider
Speak Easily" major or minor
Keaton opus. He merely cites his
own view that with Mr.. Keaton,
Mr.. Durante and that Miss Todd,
Speak Easily" is pretty con-
sistently funny.
On the stage the bill is quite as
overflowing as that of the screen.
We liked best Mr.. Herb Williams
Owen Moore is just as disarm-
1ngly charming on the stage of
the Fox this week as he has been
in countless movies in the past.
incidentally, his offering is really
out of the ordinary-and quite
quantity Moore-ish.
AS if this all wasn't enough, the
stage show includes a half hour
of Show Boat Revue" put on by
Anatole Friedland and filled to
the brim with pleasant talent.
And the whole works is opened
by some notable balancing by
Karoli and Swanson.
So, when one puts all this to-
gether, and recalls that in addi-
ton there are the Movietone
rewSreels and diverse shorts, it is
plain to see that the reviewer was
justified in calling the show a
real three-ring circus. Better not
miss it.!
The Washington times., 1932-08-20
Ideal Arrangement
Attained In Bali!

The women of Bali are the
most perfectly formed of any in
the world, according to Charles
T. Trego, cameraman-producer
and round-the-World travelle
whose Isle of Paradise" is at
LoeW's Columbia.
Despite the fact that they have
the most perfect figures, they do
all the work on Bali, in the
rice fields, marketing and weav-
ing.
Another peculiar aspect of the
social scheme of Bali is the fact
that a man may marry as many
women as he chooses, providing
he can support them. Yet he
does no work, so figure that out.
The Washington times., 1932-08-20
Problems
in Film Form
a Novelty

Paramount Films has garnered
in "The Cry of the World" one
of the most spectacular and
interesting panoramaS of world
history that could be filmed. 1t
unfolds in logical sequence the
events since the World War,
and traces cause and effect in
a series of filmings taken all
over the world and at all times
since 1914.
Mainly the film seems to be
propaganda against war, and if
that is it's Cry" nothing could
be stronger than to show the
horrors of it is featured here in
actual scenes of the World War,
the Manchurian invasion and
the like.
But War is not its only CRY"
The great minds of the world
and Of its history-making era
here shown in action and in
direct relation to theil plans and
ideals. Prohibition and gangdom,
Americas Cry" for and against,
are shown in actual scenes of
rum-running. gang shootings and
drug smuggling.
The economic situation is
stressed through the views of
MuSSolini. Hitler, Macdonald and
Shaw. So comprehensive a sur
Vey of the world in it's present
status Of revolution, drastic
change and war reaction could
hardly be covered in reading,
yet it is shown in about so min.
utes of film.
True, the picture is merely a
series of news reels taken during
the course of the years, but
where better could one find the
story of those years? And the
story hits facts and figures and
tells a story that a genius of
fiction could never hope to equal.
Short features include ono of
the best Screen Souvenirs seen to
date, with an old Doug Fair.
banks film, a Burns and Allen
Patents Pending" Betty Boop
animated and Paramount News.
This is a billing worth your
While.-H. w.
The Washington times., 1932-08-20
Out for the Count

Say" cried the lieutenant,
1--WE just gotta report that you
put a drunk outa there in bad
condition. You better look
after him and watch out in the
future"
"Okay," replied the barten.
der. Its nice an cold out
there this mornin'. He won't
lay there long"
Some time later, curiosity
prompted the bartender to peep
outside. He was just in time
to see two patrolmen come
along and pick up a body.
The body later proved to be
that of the Speakeasy owner,
who was unconscious from a
heavy fall.
The owner was rushed to the
hospital. And his own place
was given big black mark in
the station house records for
not taking care of the victims
of its dynamite!
The gentleman, reports w.
p, was a trifle late for his
first date with the ziegfeld
chlorine. When he finally drove
up the young lady was ex-
tremely peeved.
How dare you?" she de.
manded. do you know I've been
standing here at least ten min
uteS? Do you Know"
The gentleman placed his
hand on her shoulder.
I'm sorry, honey" he MUIR
INJURED, "but don't carry on
that way. Let's talk this
thing over dispassionately."
The girl drew herself up.
IF you're going to bring sex
into this" she cried indignant
ly, I'm leaving right now!"
The Washington times., 1932-08-20
Youthful Loves
and Problems

Greater show season at RKO.
Keith's opens it's second week Of
bigger and better programs for
all the family with a pictured
treatise on modern youth titled
The Age of Consent"
It's Martin Flavin'S Gross
roads," adapted to the screen,
and gives another preachment
on gay, careless boys and girls in
college; from a class in biology
we wander across the campus to
where boy and girl are quar-
reling because she has been
dated up by another hero of the
frat house; later we come upon
these two making up with a
kiss and a decision, suspended
for the moment, of marriage
and forfeited diplomas; in the
brief span of "a hours these two
youngsters taste of deep tragedy,
diSillusionment touched by hor.
ror, and while the moral of the
story is still befogged, it's an ad-
venture of young love with the
years ahead.
Gregory La Cava, who directed,
has featured the RKO typist
who seems to have more than just
ability to strike the right keys
on an Underwood; Dorothy Will
son, by name, and brunette by
nature CD, she brings a delight
full freshness to the screen and,
making allowances for an ap-
parent lack of intensive training,
She gives an equally delightful
performance. Richard Cromwell
and Eric Linden are an amusing
pair in most of the scenes, though
Richards flair for drama misses
no opportunity. Supporting are
Airline Judge. John Halliday and
Aileen Pringle. CHow many re-
member Aileen with John Gil
bert in "His Hour" in the Elinor
Glyn era of SilentS?)
Supplementing the feature is
an array of shorts determined to
please all tastes, to wit: Pathe
News, Aesops Fables "a burlesque
on Frank Bucks recent animal
picture), what Prize Gloria" a
juvenile comic; an interesting
study of airplanes Of 20 years
ago, and an Andy Clyde comedy,
His Royal Shyness. TX. Y.
The Washington times., 1932-08-20
All Ina Day
By
MARK HELLINCER

NEW YORK; Aug. ~.
Two ladies of the early evening sat in class speakeasy
the other night and surveyed the situation With them sat
or rather swayed-a baldheaded gentleman who was
getting more out of control every minute 1t wouldn't
be long before he passed out of his accord or was
knocked out by somebody else
"Thas what always shay he hiccoughed. "You can't
depen on Wall Street That the wrong kind of street
Never know what sh gonna happen Never know"
His head began to droop. One of the ladies nudged him
'Wha's 'sa matter, pop?" she asked. Feeling tiredY
The Washington times., 1932-08-20

IF dere amt no harm bein'
DONE" she observed, "Wha' TO-
is dat woman yellin' like dat?"
The man shrugged his shoul-
ders.
That's an institution for de-
mented people" he asserted,
land I'm one of the guards.
That woman doesn't know what
she's saying. She's crazy"
The colored lady picked up
her wash once again and began
to walk on. She suddenly
stopped as the woman upstairs
began once again to screech, Il
want to be loved. I want to be
loved"
She walked back to the guard
and tapped his shoulders.
Boss" she said, when yO'
say dat woman is crazy, 1 amt
agOin' to argue wifi you. She
may be crazy as a loon. But
right now, mister, she's talkin'
plenty O. sense!"
X
In an uptown saloon the
other morning, a speakeasy
proprietor who very rarely gets
drunk staggered out into the
night hours ahead of schedule.
The customers were still discuss
ing the boSs's rare load when
the phone rang. The bartender
answered. 1t was a nearby sta
ton house.
The Washington times., 1932-08-20
Real Chances

Lamentable but striking proof
of the realism and danger in
volved in movie productions was
found in making War Core
spondent," current at the Earle.
The tragedy occurred when Roy
Wilson, one of Hollywood's most
famous stunt aviators, crashed in
his plane and died a few hours
later.
The Washington times., 1932-08-20
Beacon's Beacon

Robert Montgomery, who plays
opposite Marion Davies in
Blonde Of the Follies." at Loew's
Palace, was born in Beacon, N.
Y, and appeared on the New
York stage for five years before
entering films.
The Washington times., 1932-08-20
Back lust La lime

Clyde Cook returned to Holly
wood from a siX-month vaudeville
tour in time to wander into a
comedy sequence for Blonde of
the Follies," at LoeW's Palace.
The Washington times., 1932-08-20
No Prize Package

L 11C OCSOA1N SAAS AASNNSA'
"Okay," she returned. Hes
no prize package with me
either. Is there anybody else
in the joint that looks good
to you?"
Both alleged ladies gazed
around the place. The first
one tapped her companions
arm and pointed to a corner
table.
"Pipe that guy over there"
she said. The one with the
blue necktie."
The second damSel looked
in the indicated direction. She
saw a middle-aged man who
was seated there with a woman
and who was apparently en-
joying himself immensely.
II see him." she replied.
what about him?"
well" murmured the first,
"he's been buying wine for
that dame ever since they got
here. He looks like a live
one to me, and we can GER
tainly use a live one these
days. Let's nab him"
"All righU with me-" re-
Sponded the second. But
how?"
Her companion nodded wisely.
"Just leave it to me, honey.
Once I get my eye on them,
they never slip past me. I've
had four husbands who will
vouch for that fact. You watch
mo -
The Washington times., 1932-08-20
Sleeping Quietly

They sat quietly for a few
minutes. The stew with them
had quieted down and was now
sleeping peacefully, his head on
the table. The woman at the
other table suddenly arose and
walked in the direction Of the
ladies' retiring room.
Come on" said the first girl.
"LetS follow her"
Down the corridor went the
three of them. And as soon as
they were together, the first
young woman became extremely
friendly.
Hello, dearie," she cried ami
ably. How are tricks?"
The other woman appeared a
trifle startled. Then a smile
crept over her face.
VERY we'll. thank you." was
her response.
Silence for a few seconds.
The guy with us isn't any
too hot" the first one con-
tinued. Guess you noticed that.
May, here. and I are pretty
bored. And by the way, how's
the fellow with you? Is he a
live one?"
The other woman tapped her
nose with her powder puff.
'"He'S as live as he'll ever be-"
she retorted in a matter-Of-fact
tone. Hes been my husband
for twenty-five years."
A middle-aged colored woman,
as the story goes. was strolling
down one of the streets of her
home town with a large basket
of clothes under her arm. Pass
ing a building with heavily
barred windows she was startled
to see a wild-eyed lady trying
to pry the bars apart and
shrieking at the top Of her
lungs.
She Might Be Crazy
II want to be loved" the
woman was screaming. "I want
to be loved, I tell you. Let me
out of here. I want to be loved"
The colored lady placed her
clothes basket on the ground
and looked up again.
'Whas dat yo' sayin', lady?"
she inquired.
Il want to be loved" the
other woman kept shouting.
''T'm telling you that I want to
be loved. Do you hear me? 1
want to be loved"
A man stepped out of a door
way and tapped the colored
woman on the shoulder. He
pointed up and smiled signifi.
cantly.
"You can move along,
nanny" he said. mo harm is
being DONE"
The woman looked perplexed.
The Washington times., 1932-08-20

The ste wsat suddenly erect.
"Who, me?" he exclaimed.
Nothing of the kind. I'm
man never feelsh tired. Not
me No, stree. I'm the all
night kid, thas what I am.
Keep on for daysh and, daysh.
Whoopee!"
He kept jabbering away
about nothing in particular.
And the damsels put their
heads together.
This guys a false alarm"
whispered the first one. I'VE
made a mistake in going out
with him in the first place.
He hasn't spent 10 bucks,
and it's now a hundred-to-
one that he's not going to.
Let's give him the air as
pronto as possible"