davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-04-06

Uncle al Jolson got off the train
from Hollywood in New York
wearing a full set of George
Bernard Shaw whiskers, almost
fooling the welcoming delegation
at the station. Purpose, to cali
attention to the fact Mr.. Jolson
would like to play Mr.. Shaw in
the movies.
Nobody takes AL seriously in
these suggestions, which is the
penalty of having a reputation as
a nanny" singer and comedian
It was AL Jolson who suggested
that he was the ideal choice for
the role Of Porgy in the George
GerShwin operate version of
"Porgy and Bess." The Theater
Guild couldn't see it. It might
have made the difference between
one of the seasons costly failures
and boxoffice success. For the
Guild went deep in the red on
''Porgy and Bess" trying to sell
opera without boxoffice names.
"The Singing Kid latest Jol-
son picture, due at the Earle
Theater Friday, is said to be the
minstrel's best picture since his
first Warner Brothers talkieS.
Down on Thirteenth Street they
are still hoping that Washington
first gift to comedy will arrive to
help out the opening.
Uncle AL is in Washington today
for a visit with his family at
Lanier Pl. Ben Bernie, current at
the Fox, will help out the home
coming reception.
Mrs. Louise Noonan Miller, pro
prietor-director of the Little Thea.
ter, saw De Miles Sign of the
Cross" for the first time when she
screened Saturday prior to open
ing the feature as her Holy Week
attraction on Ninth Street. Seems
Mrs. Miller was in Belgium while
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-04-06
TOBACCO ROAD" OPENS
Henry Hull as Jeeter Lester
Wins High Honors Of Play
About Georgia "Croppers"
By ANDREW R. KELLEY

"Tobacco Road" now in its third year Broadway, but
waved by discriminating in other jurisdictions
opened last night at the National Theater with Henry Hull
playing Jeeter Lester role which he originated in this play
Pocewomen present at the first performance making
for report Major Brown of the Metropolitan depart
men and battery of five assistant United States district at
orneys had seats of vantage unofficial observers
This Jack Kirklands three-act drama derived from
Erskne Cadws novel of the Georgia sharecroppers pow
and shess white trash with the morals Of swine
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-04-06

sents a story Of great beauty
against the tragic and dramatic
background of the Rome Of that
day.
, Leading roles are taken by
Frederic March, Claudette Colbert,
and Charles Laughton. A gigantic
cast, including many other Holly.
wood notables, handle the subsid-
larry characterizations and back.
ground.
1.-THE Sign OF the Cross" is, by
all odds, one of the films you
should not miss, movie fan or not.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-04-06

BLASPHEMOUS DIALOGUE
Some say that this picture Of
the low-down, indolent Crackers
is the basest Of libels. Your critic
cannot testify as to its authen-
ticity, but as q first-pight witness,
is here to say this is strong
dramatic mutton, as plain spoken.
coarse and common as the human
dregs who pass under the play
wright'S microscope.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-04-06
Great Picture
At Little

The Little Theater brings back
to Washington this week The
Sign of the Cross" a picture based
on pagan persecution of the
Christians in ancient Rome. The
picture proved an outstanding hit
on previous presentations.
deliberately staged, the film pre-
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-04-06
christopher Bean by
Theater Arts Cast

1.-THE Late Christopher Bean, I"
by Sidney Howard, will be the next
production of the Studio Of
Theater Arts.
The play is scheduled for
Wardman Park Theater late in
April. Constance Conner Brown
will direct.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-04-06
Grid Star an Actor

Nick LukatS. former Notre Dame
all-American football star, played
in seven motion pictures before
he got his ,firSt-term contract. He
has just been signed by Para
mount. .. ....
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-04-06
GarqoyIes in Films

The latest entrants in Holly
woods strangest prop" marathon
were a collection of gargoyles used
in Till We Meet Again." the Her
bert Marshall Gertrude Michael
spy picture at Paramount.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-04-06
School Marin

Margaret Hamilton, character
actress now appearing with Ann
Harding in 1.-THE Witness Chair"
Is a former kindergarten teacher.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-04-06
Detective

William Powell, now in 1.-THE
Ex-Mrs. Bradford" follows his
Thin Man" formula as an
amateur detective in the new
film.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-04-06

PoIicewonnan Sit In On First Per-
Torrance of Much-Discussed Play
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-09-21
KELLEYGRAMS

"A garden ample. spread beneath a
moon,
A carved and decorated balcony
Fit for a princeSS-or q girl in
love
And Shakespeare'S verse to weave
magic spell.
No fall Of curtain breaks the
dramas sway;
From hall to cell, from square to
chamber chaste
The action passes, swift as lovers
thoughts.
In Stratford's churchyard, seek
for no dismay;
Let not the ardent lovers Of the
Bard
Turn up their noses, run the other
way.
The films have come to Shake
Speare'S tragedy,
Come at the last in honorable
guiSe.
Decked not in guady, crude habili-
ments-
Directors whin, not playwright's
fantasy
Our play steps forth in beauty's
fine array.
Here is true meeting Of the talents
all.
Rather than selfish actors seek
ing fame
At the expense Of something
great and fine,
In Norma Shearer's Juliet you
will see
Youth, charm and beauty, coquetry
and grace.
Lacking the tragic impulse, it is
true,
She yet conveys an image of her
role
To challenge those who follow in
her steps.
CloSe-upS a-plenty there, Of course,
must be,
Touching the ecstasy with dead
ening hand,
Still is she fair and eager, sweet
and young.
Ask not the heights of glorious
ecstasy,
Be glad so much is granted us
to see.
Juliet must rule the play, yes,
more than half
If coupled with a Iukewarm
Romeo,
And though it be not kind to
criticize,
In Leslie Howard you will some
thing lack.
Correct and charming, yes, but
paSsion-no;
A Romeo who must WOO his love
in gloves.
1mpeccable, yet wanting youthful
glow.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-09-21

a nickel for Leslie Howard" He
kept repeating it. The lady be-
hind him could stand it no longer.
you're wrong, brother" she said.
tits five cents for Uncle Sam and
so cents for Leo the Lion. IT. D.
Bonneville bragS about eggplant
raised under umbrellas and giant
dahlias produced on his Virginia
estate this summer as a gentle
man gardener. and his pretty
wife corroborates him. Director
John Mckee, beaming and happy,
will teach National pupils how to
express outWardly emotions they
feel inside. If they learn this
trick, they can't help acting.
My best girl was given an armful
of the schools dahlias and I ar
rived home to find that thought
full friend had remembered the
Kelley wedding anniversary with
three dozen American beauty
roses to adorn the apartment. =.
Quite a Saturday.
ZELAYA KIDS EN-
That roly-poly pianist, Don
zelaya, is trying to prove to Earle
audiences that they don't really
like swing music and such. He
kids the folks and makes them be-
lieve it, but I notice that his big
geSt hand comes when he con-
cludes with Gas though he were
ashamed of it, els It True What
They Say About Dixie. .Loew's
Palace Theater is all dolled up
with handsome new walnut lobby
frames. Very classy Little Kitty
Pritchard, who usually tells the
truth, says that the remodeled
Rialto lobby will offer a brand
new color in vases. And Mrs.
Louise Noonan Miller will christen
the new lobby on Thursday after
noon with a cocktail party for
critics. "A switch in bookings
sends 1.-THE Great Ziegfeld" into
Loew's Palace after Gary Cooper's
General Died at Dawn" The
Capitol will win in this shuttle by
getting Robert Taylor and Barbara
Stanwyck'S "HiS Brothers Wife"
Damon Runyon, often called
Americas best reporter, and GER
tainly the ace of sports Scribblers,
will leave the Fourth Estate flat
after the world series. He sue
cumbed to the lure Of a writing
contract for Paramount, at what
one presumeS is a truly colossal
salary. Kay Francis and George
Brent will act scenes from "Give
Me Your Heart" on the Hollywood
Hotel radio program next Friday
night. This is the picture listed
for the Earle Theater, October 2.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-09-21

In skillful hands are lesser roles
bestowed.
Here is Mercutio from a Barry
more,
Elizabethan, bawdy, gay and bold;
A thought too much the clown,
yet truly apt
At thrust and parry, fancy's ut
terance,
Death and bravado Striding hand
in hand.
The fiery Tybalt Basil Rathbone
plays,
Supple and deadly, feline grace
itself.
The Capulets and MontagueS step
forth
Stately and handsome in their
gorgeous robes;
And to the acting Nurse Miss
Oliver
Brings gusto and a twinkling
worldlineSs.
The others fall in line, not one
doth fail.
To all concerned in making of this
film
We pay our tribute: from director
on
Through camera man. designers,
workers all.
If more respect than brilliance be
the fruit,
There still is beauty in fidelity,
And ShakeSpeare's ghost should
smile approval now,
Seeing his play go forth to all the
world,
In worthy guiSe. These shadows
have no whit
Offended and the end doth crown
the work.
ARMETTA ON VISIT
Henry Armetta, that good-na.
tured italian with the sloping
shoulder and Mussolini dialect,
dropped into town quietly Friday,
went over to Garfinckel's and
bought his wife a new hat as a
surprise, then registered at the
MayfloWer Arthur Movie
tone) De Titta and his fair miSsus,
Tony (Will Hays office Muto
and his lovely wife, heard about
the presence Of Hollywood's prize
character actor, prepared a buffet
supper and invited the gang down
to Belle Haven, Va, country home
Of the MutoS Mr.. Armetta
confessed he come to town pri-
marily to see the Smithsonian In,
stitution and other spots missed
when he played the Fox and Angie
Ratio tossed a spaghetti dinner in
his honor He leaves today
for Hollywood and a starring pic,
ture written especially for him by
George JesSel, called Music in
the Park"
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-09-21
Ocean Flight
InNeWs Reel

The rescue Of Harry Richman
and his pilot, Dick Merrill, is
filmed from a special Hearst
Metropolitan News plane as the
daring transatlantic filters lie
stranded on the bleak coast Of
Newfoundland. Contrary to ru-
mors Of a rift between the two,
the current news reel, out today,
shows them the best Of friends
as they work together with fiShyr-
men in freeing their plane from
the mire.
While Edwin c. Hill provides a
graphic conn ,entary as the Globe
Trotter, Metrotone cameramen in
Los Angeles present the latest
chapter in the war on drunken
drivers. Films of tipsy motorists
are shown in court as police ar
rest an intoxicant. photograph
him walking a chalk line. Next
day, the judge arraigns the de-
PENDANT and the motion picture
machine unreels the true story.
There are glimpSes of New
York'S ceaseleSS war on crime.
Police stage neighborhood boxing
bouts between boys, seeking to
interest youths in flying leather
as a substitute for flying bullets.
Al Smith referees a police bal
lad contest at RandallS Island
From Venice comes a gondola
pageant. Rosemont noses out
Discovery in an exciting gallop
at Narragansett. New York'S
dizzy version Of the Roller-Skat-
ing Derby is another feature.
The current issue Of Hearst
Metrotone News may be seen at
the Loew's Palace, Tivoli, Ambas-
sador, Colony, York, Strand, Cri-
terion and Roosevelt, among
other theaters.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-09-21
Ookie Is Next
At Earle

1.-THE Texas Rangers" King
Vidor's historical epic of the men
who nodded a State from the ter
ritory Of Texas, comes Friday to
the Earle Theater.
The picture features an all-star
cast headed by Fred MacMurray
and Jack Oakie, and including
among its headliners Jean Parker,
Lloyd Nolan, Edward Ellis, Bonnie
Bartlett and a score of others.
Filmed on location in Texas and
New Mexico by a company of sew
eral thousand persons, with the
assistance of officials of both
States, 1.-The Texas Rangers" COM
bines a fast-moving, action and
thrill-filled story and panoramic
view of the unfolding of the his
tory of the Lone Star State.
Banded together under an oath
to "drive out hostile Indians, stop
feudS, destroy cattle and horse
thieves, gangs of stage and train
robbers, kill or capture murderers,
and make Texas a reasonably safe
place in which to live" the
Rangers contributed much to the
color of the States early days.
Encounters of Ranger COM
panies with bands of marauding
Indians and with stage coach rob
bers are a part of the plot develop
ment. Miss Parker, remembered
for her sincere interpretations of
important roles in "Sequoia" and
Little Women" is cast as the
daughter of the head of a Ranger
unit,
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-09-21
M OWE
O'CLOCK

Cooper, "The
General Died At Dawn" II
a. M, 1:05, $40, $40, 7:25,
9:35 p. m.
BELASCO-"The House of Roths-
child" 1903, 2:07, 4:O1, 6, 8,
9:55 p. m.
COLUMBIA-"Charlie Chan At
the Race Track" IL, 2, 4, 5:55,
1853, $50 p. m.
EARLE-Cedric Hardwicke, Nine
Days a Queen" II a. m, 1885,
4:25, 7:15, 10 p. m. Stage, 12:4O'
$3.50, 6:15, 9:05 p. m.
Observation-Disclosures Ad-
verse;" $3.50, 1850 a. m, 2:15.
4:45, 7:10. 9:35 p. m.
CAPITOL-Warner Baxter, 1.-THE
Road to Glory" 10:40 a. M,
1870, 1920, 7:10, 10 p. m. Stage,
1890, 800, 6:10, 9 p. m.
RKO KEITH'S-Ginger Rogers,
Swing Time" 1854 a. M: 2:18
4:42, 7:06, $50 p. m.
Informer," 11:16
a. M, 1:21, 1926. 5:31, 1885,
9:41 p. m.
HOWARD-Kay Francis, 1.-THE
White Angel" 1915, 2:45, Sis,
7:45, 1915 p. m. Stage, Leroy
Smith and his orchestra, 1:45,
4:15, Gas, 9:15 p. m.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-09-21
HOLLYWOOD GOSSIP.
Goyety Boasts
Snoppy Show

Col. Jimmy Lake, in presenting
"Red Rhythm" at the Gayety this
week, hasn't turned radical. The
"red" in the name of his current
show means, If anything, that 1t
is full of color, bright and snappy.
No fooling, there have been few
better shows in the annals Of bur
lesque. If you don't believe it,
travel down to Ninth Street and
you will find real novelty in the
featured dances, more new humor
than is usual, a chorus with fair
share of comely girls, a star who
rates the name in Louise Stewart,
and a gentleman named Billy
Bumps" Mack.
Mack, in a comedy bit which is
marred only by words spoken at
the end, presents as studied and
comical piece Of pantomime, in
depicting a drunk, as has ever
been seen on Ninth Street or else
where. His every action is superb.
Meanwhile, don't forget Louise
Stewart, whose two specialtieS
elicit whistles from the gallery,
and Jean Wade. for whose blond
beauty the gallery also has quota
Of whistles.
Harry Seymour, especially when
he pretends to be a judge in a
travesty of court room scene,
proves an able comedian and a
good foil for Billy Mack. Feed
ing the two funny men are Jimmy
Francis, jr., a competent straight
man, and clurly-haired Rube Wal
man.
Condo and Allen, two young fel-
lows, score with their dancing,
while Margie Bartelle, Agnes Mich
OILS and Sis Stone, in their vari-
Gus roles, fulfill everything ex-
pected of feminine entertainers.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-09-21
DRAMA SCHOOL RECEPTION
Romeo and Juliet Inspires q
Smart Reviewer to Verse,
Wins Editors Laurel
By ANDREW R. KELLEY

Monday roundup Lights burned brightly in the National
Academy of Stage Training Saturday night when Director
John Mckee and his cowoker Mrs. Adelaide Hbbard well
coined students friends critics the annual reception which
preceded the opening of the fall Mrs Adde Hbbard
played her best role for Frst Lady of Boston, when
City Hall reporter and her husband guiding the
Hubs desnies mayor Little Janet Hbbard then babe
in Saturday night stood beside her mother in the recev
ing ne and very proud of her. observes that
her bad notice. and my best reort that of the
greatest character actresses of the contemporary STAGE she
deserved other than bouquets.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-09-21

usual pictures-at least from the
standpoint of the manner Of tell
ing the story-ever shown at the
international cinema.
Friday the Thirteenth" is that
picture. Starring Jessie Matthews,
supported by a fine all-English
cast, it tells the story of a group
of people involved in a bus acct
dent, of how they happened to be
on that particular bus and what
the outcome of their experience
might be.
Constructed somewhat after the
manner of 1.-THE Bridge of San
Luis Rey," Friday the Thirteenth"
is not based on superstition but
rather on a series of episodes which
might have happened at any time,
in any place.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-09-21
L Cover HOLLYWOOD
BY LLOYD PANTAGES
Copyright. 1886, by King Features
Syndicate. Inc

HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 81.
Tempest and sunshine. Hear tell
that Lawrence Tibbett is pulling
a fit of temperament in his new
epic, "Under Your SPELL" because
he is not getting along too well
with the director.
Since Alice Brady suffers
from clauStrophobia to the point
where she can hardly even re-
member her own name when in a
crowd, Director Gregory La Cava
solved the situation, when she had
to mill through a treasure hunt
crowd with a goat in my Man
Godfrey" by simply having her
ad lib. In other words, he in
Structed her to talk as any silly
woman would talk, escorted by a
goat into a ballroom. The result
is some of the funniest dialogue
of the season, which brings up
logical question as to why, here
after, they don't let Miss Brady do
most Of her own lines from now
on, since she is that clever.
By the same token, in the same
picture, Mischa Auer'S imitation
of a gorilla, swinging from cur
tains and what have you, happens
to be Just one Of his own pet
parlor tricks, with which he has
been convulsing his friends in
Hollywood for years. AS matter
of fact, La Cava saw him do it
eight years ago at beach party,
and has held it, filed away in his
memory, for just the right pic
ture ever since, which was God
frey"
George Bancroft, of whom little
has been heard for 10, these many
moons, now turns up as the fea-
tured comedian in B. P. Schulz
berg's wedding Present" with
Cary Grant and Joan Bennett.
In it, George played a gent with
an acute attack of laryngitis, and
had to croak and whisper so dis
mally that suggestion became too
much for him, he really lost his
voice, and had to be laid off for
a few days while he went to the
mountains to recuperate. Louis
Hayward, now appearing in Three
Smart Girls" at Universal, has
just undergone slight operation
on his eye.
On Maid Of Salem" Claudette
Colbert'S latest Starrer, all combs
are banned on the set, since it
seems that the Puritans con-
sidered that that well-groomed look
was unholy, and consequently,
their colts were usually la rats
nest de la antique. All Slickum is
also barred.
Anne Shirley has now collabo-
rated with her friend, Phyllis
Fraser, Ginger Rogers cousin, on a
Western scenario with the frantic
title, wild Blows the Wind" It
is also to be a musical, so they are
being very nice to all the song
writer's at R-K-O. Luise Rainier
is now one of the few ladies in
town who has to gain weight. Not
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-09-21

Marlen Pew, of Editor and Pub
Usher, thinks film reviewing in
New York has pretty generally de-
generated into worthless box
office ballyho. This department
don't agree with him, but ratlfies
his Qualification of Elinor Hughes,
motion picture reviewer of the Bos-
ton Herald, for getting out of the
groove and turning in q smart
piece Of writing.
Miss Hughes elected to cover
Romeo and Juliet (Which began a
third week at the National Thea
ter last night in the blank verse
and rounded rhythm of the Bard.
Here it is and what do you think?
1.-TWO houses, both alike in dig
nifty
SO sang the poet, three hundred
years ago;
Time passes on, but still the lovely
tale,
OF star-crossed lovers and their
piteouS fate
Moves men to joy and sorrow;
beauty still
Has power to hold our spirits in its
thrall.
Three hundred years, and Juliet is
as fair,
AS worth adventuring for to any
shore,
AS when the man who gave her
life and breath
Set forth her image to enchant his
peers.
Now, after countless times upon
the stage
Where Romeos old and young
have said their say,
Where JulietS fair and plain have
died for love
The ancient tale steps forth in diff
ferent guiSe.
Over the silver screen in fine array
A troupe of glamorous shadows
takes its way;
Speaking the beautiful familiar
lines
With taste and feeling, grace and
honesty.
Now Juliet and her Romeo play
their parts
In spacious halls and gardens,
meet and part
Surrounded by the bland magnifi-
cence
Born of a lavish pouring out Of
gold.
Here Juliet dances with a score of
maids,
There Romeo trifles in a city
square
Sunlit and spacious, large enough
to hold
Troupe upon troupe Of fair
Yerona'S sons.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-09-21

Mrs. Adelaide Hibbard and Director John
Mckee Welcome Critics and Friends
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-09-21

-NnIE AMERlCAM.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-09-21

STEVE TELLS UNE
Jean Prince, daughter Of the
District assessor, Ben Prince, the
academy's prize graduate last sea-
son, tells me she is hoping for a
small role with Leslie Towards
Hamlet" company, and I trust
she gets it and her picture hung
UP in the academy'S gallery Of
notables. . Mrs. Abner Drury, who
considers Greta Carlo both sub
lime and perfection, still thrills
over coming back from Sweden on
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-09-21

so long ago she was overweight,
and dieted so quickly, she became
i'll and dropped Is pounds, which
left her wan and weak.
For Mr.. Ripley, we find the most
serious actor in the industry in
the person of Barton MacLane.
After a violent scene in mo Hard
Feelings" with murders, shots and
the like, he went to take an insur-
ance examination, and found that
his blood pressure, normally at a
lis had been shot up by the furore
to a phenomenal 100.
In the same epic, we find that
the Warner Brothers have hired
IL expert and professional boat
rockers, to give the NAL de mer
effects to a yacht in the picture.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-09-21

the same boat with her adored
heroine. Miss Courtney Wade,
looking very lovely, predicts the
new legitimate stage season will
be the best in the history Of the
National Theater.
Eddie Melcher confirms the
rumor that he will be working in
the Hollywood vineyard before
Christmas and I trust nobody is
killed in the scramble for the
critical post he will leave vacant
Steve Cochran, dean of the Ma
tional Academy, tells a good
"Romeo and Juliet" story which
trickled down from New York.
Seems a slightly tight, but frank
customer got in the matinee line
and slapping down the price Of T.
balcony seat said: Zone ticket.
Four bits for John Barrymore and
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-09-21
"Fridoy 18th"
For Belosco

Following the engagement Of
"The House of Rothschild," star
ring George Arliss, the Belasco
Theater, beginning at tonight,
will present one Of the most un-