The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-05-15

the sound version Of this old stage
entertainment for the most discrimil
Only with the sound camera could
the true SHOW Boat" ever have
been produced for movie goers, and
1t is the sound camera which plays
the leading role in making real
characters which are pictured so at
tractively on the screen. Beautiful
Irene Dunn as Magnolia, daughter
Of Captain Andy Hawks Charles
Winninger of the Cotton Blossom, 9"
is charming enough to see, but it IS
the reproduction of her voice, both
alone and in duets with Allan Jones,
her laading man, that makes Show
Boat a real movie treat.
Production Splendidly Cast
Miss Dunno and Mr.. Jones are only
two Of several fine singers in the
large group OF stars in the new pic
ture. AS Julie, mulatto show girl
married to white man, Helen Nor
gan makes excellent use of several
opportunities to sing two hits al
ways associated with her name,
Bill" and Cant Help Lovin That
Man"
Paul Robeson's singing of his
famous "Old Man River" song, with
the camera alternately showing his
own face and Negroes toiling on the
levee. to us is one of the movies
hTinhfpct hHr oil
introduces a new song, "Ah Still
Like Me" which he sings with Hat
tie Mcdaniel, cast as Queenie, his
wife.
AS two romantic leading players of
Cotton Blossoms" stage, Miss
Dunno and Mr.. Jones are best when
together, singing Make Believe,
"Why Do l Love You" and other
tunes. Aside from vocal ability, MI.
Allan fails to make his interpreted
ton Of Gaylord Ravenal a dashing.
handsome gambler, seem real His
voice, though compensates for his
lack Of personality, and his scenes
with Miss Dunno always with mu-
sic, are very pleasing.
Romance of Stage
The story, relatively unimportant
in such superb musical show, con-
Germs the romance of Magnolia
daughter of Captain Andy and his
wife Partly (Helen Westly). When
julie, Captain Andy's leading lady,
deserts the troupe with her husband
and leading man donald Cook to
avoid arrest for being married to
white man. Magnolia, against her
mothers wishes, becomes leading
lady, and Mr.. Ravenal is COM
Wandered for leadine man.
Already in love, they further their
romance with stage courtships.
much to the delight of their audi
ences and disgust of Magnolia
mother. But Captain Andy heartily
approves the match and arrangeS
their marriage. When Gaylord wins
enough money at cards to take his
wife and baby daughter to Chicago,
they desert the Cotton Blossom"
and find an exciting, but unsettled,
life among the citys elite
From the best hotels, they move
TO cheap rooming houses when Gay
lord loses his bets, move back to
luxury when he wins Then, when
their daughter, Kim. is youngster
in convent school, Gaylord deserts
his family. believing his wife and
daughter better off without him.
New Ending Written
From this point on. new story
was written for the 1886 version of
Show Boat" Destitute, Magnolia
meets at cheap rooming house
two old friends of the. Cotton
Blossom" trouping days, Ellie
tQueenie SMITH and Frank
Schultz Sammy White an able
pair of comedians. They help her
get job singing at a fashionable
restaurant, but Magnolia does not
know that her old friend. Julie,
walks out of the job so Magnolia
can replace her.
In her first night audience is Capt.
Andy who, with Partly, has come
TO Chicago TO visit their daughter.
Her debut is about to end diSas-
trouSly, when Capt. Andy steps to
the stage, directs his daughters
singing as he dio on the Cotton
Blossom" Under mis- guidance, Mag
nolia rises to stardom. then retireS
from the stage after New York
and London triumphS.
Her retirement actually is to coach
Ion ctA AS
the curtain rises on kimS debut
Magnolia sees the stage doorman
intently watching her daughter.
She recognizes her husband, old
broken and gray. Together they take
Kim'S encore, ending a beautiful
show in the romantic way we're all
accustomed to having musical shows
end.
Boquets in Order
To Director James Whale and
Photographer John Mescall, go our
congratulations for reproducing with
true spirit of the times the interest
ing. unsettled and occasionally hec-
tic life of Mississippi show boating
To MeSsrs. Kern and Hammerstein
thanks for both old and new tunes
which make Show Boat" musical
treat.
To the entire cast. but especially
Miss Dunno. Mr.. Wmninger, MIR.
Robson, Miss Morgan and Miss
Weston, 20 our compliments for an
outstanding dramatization of an
old story
If you liked Show Boat" before,
you will like it again. If you haven't
seen it on either stage or screen,
all the more reason for your pat
ronage at the Circle this week.