davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1937-12-30

the distinguished guests, includ-
in Soviet CommiSSar. 1t is this
latter representative of the Len
ingrad masses who persuaded
the noble Mikail to sign over
four billion francs for their be-
loved Russia, in one Of the
story's fascinating sequences.
Miss Colbert and Boyer frolic
magnificently in their Serio-
comic roles. If you forget that
the Boyer accent is bit incon-
gruous you will find the French
actor in another one Of his nigh
perfect performances. Claudette
shares the glory with some OF
the seasons most engaging
light comedy.
Basil Rathbone is the Russian
Commissar, and, as usual, checks
in with a performance that is
a sparkling screen gem.
OPENS IN 212 THEATERS
I liked Director Anton Lit
vak'S pace and would be in
clined to rate '"Tovarich" as a
distinguished contribution from
Hollywood, except for what I
call two pieces of atrociouS mis-
casting. I refer to Isabelle
Jeans and Melville Cooper, two
English artists with all the eX-
travagant tricks of the farce
school, who so violently over
play for laughs. "Tovarich" is
almost Slapstick when they are
around. Why English actors for
French roles? And why turn an
urbane light comedy, even mo-
mentarily, into roaring farce?
Since "Tovarich" in pre-
release showings is attracting
sensational business, and since
Warner Bros. will release it
simultaneously in 212 houses to-
morrow, I regret not being able
to mark it 100 per cent. 1t comes
to the Earle Theater screen for
regular showing beginning to-
morrow.
The Washington times., 1937-12-30

A $500 UNIFORM
One of the comforting things
about the screen version is
that the script has retained
most of the original dialogue as
found in the Robert Sherwood
adaptation.
Claudette Colbert is now the
delightful Tatiana, and Charles
Boyer has forgotten about his
Napoleon in Conquest" to be-
come the wholly engaging and
upright friend Of the late Car.
You can't blame Kay Francis
much for going to court be-
cause she lost the role of Tati-
ana 1t is a sweetheart Of the
part. full of heart appeal, and
some ROBUSTNESS, even though
the ex-Grand Duchess spends
much of her time in a maids
uniform.
l looked at that maids uni
form very carefully since Claud-
cite Colbert insisted that Travis
Banton come over from Para
mount and design it for her.
The fashion expert charged
them $500 and Claudette ought
to be spanked for extravaganza.
You can get the same thing in
the F Street department stores
anc have quite a bit of change
left over from $25. With Col
bert to fill it, I mean.
Perhaps you know the story
Of "Tovarich." Briefly it is
about the Grand Duchess and
her Prince, who are living in
dire poverty, but happiness, in
O Paris garret. When their
last franc is spent they decide
to take positions as butler and
maid in the home of Banker
Dupont.
Mikail and Tatiana make ideal
servants. are deliciously happy,
until a dinner party reveals their
real identity to a number Of
The Washington times., 1937-12-30
LoeW Shows at
Midniqht

All downtown Loew theaters,
the Palace, Capitol and Colum.
bia, will greet infant '38 with
special midnite shows on New
Year Eve.
While doors for these noe
turnal celebrations will be
opened at each theater at 1880
o'clock the full stage and screen
shows will get under way about
1855 o'clock. In addition to
the complete regular programs
prevailing at each house, vari-
GUS festive surprises in keeping
with the occasion will be in
evidence.
At the Capitol a gala enter
tainment will be offered in
The Last Gangster," a thrill
ing drama starring Edward g.
Robinson, while the stage will
be taken over by the Holly.
wood Bandwagon," a lavish
revue with so people. After $50
o'clock Friday night the admis-
sion will be sc cents through
out the entire house. The nor
NAL scale of new bargain prices
will prevail both before the New
Year Eve show and following 1t.
The Palace will present Sam
uel Goldwyn's THE Hurricane"
with a special midnight pre-
miere New Year Eve. Seats for
this event are now on sale at
the Palace box office at rs cents
each. This admission will be
charged only for the New Year
Eve premiere, the house return
ing to its regular Scale on New
Year Day.
Fredric March and Carole
Lombard will continue their
battle of the century to help
Loew's Columbia celebrants
greet the dawning year with
knockout. Regular Columbia
prices will be charged for this
midnight jamboree.
The Washington times., 1937-12-30
Howard Lists
100 in Revue

Beginning Friday, the How
ara Theater presents on stage
a big triple attraction, the 1898
edition Of the famous Black
and White Revue, with a cast
of 100.
Fifty sepia stars and so
white, two complete choruses,
16 bronze beauties and 16 gor.
geous Broadway queens will ap-
pear.
Featured in the cast are:
Jackie Mabley, Paul Robinson,
Apus Brookes, Three Lightning
Flashes, Myra Johnson, Nathan
Brothers and Marc Bollero.
On the screen will be the
most sensational picture ever
filmed, "Alcatraz Island" fea-
turing John Lytel and Ann
Sheridan.
Two midnite shows: New
Years Eve. Friday, December
81, and Saturday, January /.
The Washington times., 1937-12-30
MOVIE
CLOCK

r. X. o. KEITHS-Lily Pons,
John Howard, Hitting A
New High" 2. S:5S. 5:56, 7:54.
9:52 p. N.
CAPITAL-Myrna 10y, Rosa
lind Russell, Man Proof"
11:05 a. M, 1:45. 4:25, 7:10,
9:05 p. m. Stage, 12:45, 3:25,
6:15. 8:55 p. m.
PALACE-Nelson Eddy, Eleanor
Powell, "Rosalie," 11:10 a.
m, 1:45. 1870. 6:55, 9:30 p. m.
COLUMBIA-Jeanette MacDon-
aid, Allan Jones, THE Fire
fly" 1885 a. m, 2:05, 4:3O,
$50 p. m.
METROPOLITAN-Lew Ayres.
Mary Carlisle, Hold En-
Navy" 11:45 a. m, LAS,
S:45, 5:45, 7:45, 9:45 p. m.
EARLE-G gorge Brent, Pat
O'Brien, Submarine d."
1890 q. M, 1:20, 4:15, 7:10.
1905 p. m. Stage, Johnny
johnson and Orchestra"
1880, 3:25, 500, 9:15 p. m.
LITTLE-"Theodora Goes Wild"
at II a. M, 1:09, 3:11, 5:21,
7:31 and 9:42 p. m; THE
River" at 1899, 2:41, 4:50,
7:01 and 9:12 p. m.
TRANS-LUX-News and shorts,
from 10 a. m. to midnight, rs
minutes each show.
HOWARD-Claire Trevor, Don
aid Woods, big Town Girl"
1890, 800, $50, 500, 1890
p. m. Stage, Noble Sissle,"
1850, 4:20, $50, 9:20 p. m.
The Washington times., 1937-12-30
KEILEYGRAMS

lists for the hOt-cha and all Of
this entertainment was intro
duced by Harry Costello, amiable
Emcee.
Deep gratitude also goes to
Charles Kurtzman, of the Capt.
toI Theater, to BartO and Mann
who had to fOregO an appear
ance because of limited stage
facilities, but who were ready
Dan Terrell, Frank La Falce and
Continued on Page 8, Col. II
The Washington times., 1937-12-30
Gle a min g S
and
Screenings
By Andrew R. Kelley

For the last six weeks all communications from the War
ner Brothers executive offices for this desk have been ad
dressed "Tovarch Kelley" The meaning of all this CANA
raere manifest yesterday when the picture screened
in the Earle's bourium
"Tovarch" the play by Jacques Deva about per-
feet piece of balanced writing have the stage
in generation of playgong enjoyed Marta Abba as the
grand duchess and John Halliday her consort on the open
ing week in America, later it on Street with Rudolf
Forster as the imnoverished Russian general
The Washington times., 1937-12-30

How Would You Like to Have q
Live for Merely Telling What You Pre-
fer to Reade $1,000 . Year for Life!
Contest starts Sunday, January I'd In
the American Weekly.
The Washington times., 1937-12-30

CHILD ACTRESS RETURNS
Joann Castle, who forsook
Hollywood as child actress some
six years ago for stage and radio
work in the East, has returned
to the films under the goth Cen
tury-F'oX banner.
The Washington times., 1937-01-13
V0iture ia 10 Hold
Annual Fete Sunday

The annual winter party staged
by Voiture No. 174 of the 40 ct 8,
honor group of the American Le-
gion, will be held Sunday after
noon at o'clock in the Potomac
Boat Club, foot of Thirty-sixth
Street N. w. The party will be
in the form of an oyster roast and
barbecue.
The leglonairreS were instrument
tai in the promotion of various
phases of child welfare programs
and particularly in the care of
widows and children of those vet
eranS in the rehabilitation stage.
Another civic undertaking en-
braced is the retention of corps
of "blood donors" who serve those
unable to offer compensation.
Funds derived from the party will
be used in forthcoming school es-
say contests.
The Washington times., 1937-01-13

both to the invasion Of the houS-
ing field by the Federal Govern
ment, and to the drive to lower in
tereSt rates and insist on long
amortization (meaning extinction
of the debt over long period of
years, by regular payments on the
amount borrowed as a condition
of Federal backing. The Federal
Home Loan Bank System has
been the pet of the building and
loan associations, for example,
and the original Federal Home
Loan Bank act was largely written
by the officers of the United
States League of Building and
Loan Associations. They haven't
liked the intrusion of the Federal
Housing Administration in this
field, and they haven't liked some
other things about the housing
program. Nor, for that matter,
have certain other real estate in
terestS.
But even they are coming around.
They have seen the handwriting
on the wall. And they, in COM
mon with others who feared that
Government spending and Govern
ment lending would scare out or
otherwise discourage private cap
ital from entering the mortgage
investment field, have discovered
that it doesn't work that way at
all. 1t hasn't in Europe and it
hasn't in the United States.
Life insurance companies, for
example, are taking insured mort
cages in constantly growing vol
ume. And in England the gov
ernment'S entry into large-Scale
housing activities was followed
first by squirt in private build
ing activity Of all sorts, and sub
Sequently by broad business
advance, which has put the tight
little isle" farther along the road
to recovery than the United States.
Thus criticism and objections
gradually are subsiding as the evi-
dence grows that building is good
business, no matter who does it,
The Washington times., 1937-01-13
Windsor Scouts
Idea of Return
To Throne

VIENNA, Jan. 13 QN.SO.-The
Duke of windsor today laughed
at q Paris fortune teller's pre-
diction he would return to the
English throne. He said:
my abdiCatiOn is as IRE
vOcable as DEATH"
The Duke today visited the
Austrian capitals biggest brewery
and a coffee importing establish
ment. Later with Baroness
RothSchild, mis- American-born
hostess at Enzesfeld Castle, he
visited a lawyers office and was
believed to have discussed leasing
Of the castle.
It was understood the Duke in
SiSts upon paying expenses for up
keep Of the large staff at the
castle, and that he has declined
to remain longer as the Roths-
childS' guest.
The Washington times., 1937-01-13

careful soundingS, and after inter
viewing all of the officials directly
in charge of the several major Fec.
eral agencies functioning in this
field. that the new program will
be broad enough to embrace both
viewpoints.
AS it looks now, it will work
out about this way:
!. The Federal Home Loan
Bank system or the Federal
Housing Administration or some
new credit agency organized to
assume their functions in Serv-
ing the city and suburban home
owner will continue to insure
urban mortgages and provide, as
in the case of the Federal Home
Loan Banks, a reservoir of credit
for private agencies engaged in
the mortgage investment or
building business, somewhat
after the manner in which the
Federal Reserve System stands
back of the commercial banks in
rediscounting their commercial
paper.
2. Some new agency, probably
the United States Housing Au-
thority contemplated by the pro-
visions of the Wagner bill now
in Congress, will take over the
present housing activities of the
Public Works Administration
and the ReSettlement Admins
tration dnsofar as they contem.
plate the construction of Green
belt or garden communities such
as those now nearing completion
on the fringes of Washington,
Cincinnati and Milwaukee, and
proceed as rapidly as possible to
liquidate these, meanwhile going
ahead with a wholly new drive
to encourage the construction of
other garden towns, low-coSt
housing and Slum-clearance prof.
ects, with Federal aid to be pro-
vided in the form of loans and
grants to municipalities under
taking them.
The Washington times., 1937-01-13
Good Housing For Poor Glass,
SLun1s' Doom Government Goal
HIGH RENTALS,
MORTGAGES
FOUGHT
Continued from Page II

- OAA SsS -
ceeded superbly in stemming the
tide of foreclosures, which for
time threatened to engulf most Of
the home owners of the country,
has advanced a total of three bill
lion dollars to more than a mil
lior. Americans. in the relatively
short period Of its existence. Its
losses have been negligible, and it
is paying its way. The Federal
Home Loan Bank system, Of which
the HOLC is a part, has grown to
be the largest home mortgage re
serve institution in the world.
The HOLC made its millionth
loan last March. Its loaning life
is now ended. From now on the
Home Loan Bank Board and other
agencies, such as the Federal
Housing Administration or their
successors, will take up the burden
of supplying governmental credit
and a government guarantee OF
safety to the nations home owners
and investors on a stable, perma-
nent basis.
The Washington times., 1937-01-13
II erVouS
Indigestion
Causes Much Stomach Distress
ADVERTISEMENT

Nervous Indigestion is a condition
which retards or delays digestion. resulting
in the formation of an excessive quantity
of gas. This gas often forces the stomach
upward against the heart, causing lightning
iabs of pain in the chest, palpitation or
difficult breathing. In many cases knaw-
ing pains are felt in the stomach. when
empty. but are relieved by eating
Ordinary stomach medicines give little
or no help because they do not reach the
source of this trouble. If you want gen.
uine lasting relief, take Baalmann's Gas
Tablets which are compounded especially
for nervous Indigestion and all discomfort
due TO excess gas in stomach and bowels
The very first dose should convince you of
their merit. Guaranteed harmless Ask for
Baalmann's Gas Tablets at any good drug
store.
The Washington times., 1937-01-13

and abandoned. And here is
what this phase of the Govern
ment'S program, as it involves
the construction of low-coSt hous-
ing projects in general, is headed
for in the final metamorphosis!
From this point on the Federal
Government itself will not under
take them, either as to initial con-
struction, supervision or mainten-
ance of the completed projects.
It's too big a job. There is too
much to be done and there is too
much lost motion in trying to run
everything from Washington. 1t
has been tried and it hasn't
worked out any too well-although
you won't get anyone to admit it
publicly. The evidence that even
those in charge really think the
plan wrong is that they
have come almost unanimously to
the present view that the best
system, after all, is to localize the
job to the extent of making States
and cities assume their share Of
the responsibility, both in financ-
ing and management.
The Washington times., 1937-01-13
HOW 1t Works Out

This, in short, is the plan Some
city like New York or Los Angeles
or Atlanta or Pittsburgh or Cleve-
land or Chicago or Detroit-any
city, it doesn't matter-Will dis
cover that there is need for bet
ter housing in the vicinity of, say,
its largest industry, or in its most
congested downtown area, or may
discover that there has not been
adequate long-view planning for
suburban development, and that
there is room for a series of
garden communities on its fringes.
1t communicates this need to
Washington. And Washington
will answer:
"Au right. Here is our idea
Of meeting that need. These
plans have been carefully stud
led and worked out. They are
yours for the asking. If our in
veStigatiOn confirms your own
conclusion that the need exists,
and you carry out the program
as we will lay it before you, the
Federal Government will put up
half the cost, but you will have
to do the job. You, or some
local housing authority, to be
formed under your direction,
will have to build the project,
run it and be responsible for it.
Because the Federal Govern
ment is putting up half the cost,
we will expect to say how much
rent can be charged and how
the community shall be laid out.
The rest T. in your hands"
The Washington times., 1937-01-13
ReSettLement to Go

3. The Farm Credit Admins
tration and Federal Land Banks,
with their subsidiaries, will re-
main outside the scope of the
new plan. as at present devoting
themselves to the rehabilitation
Of the farmer.
4. The ReSettlement Admins
tration-what is left of twill
be dumped into the lap of the
D epar m en- t of Agriculture.
Whether the troublesome flock
Of reSettlement and subsistence
homestead projects will go with
1t or be divorced and remarked
to one of the other agencies is
yet to be decided. These involve
housing, but they also involve
farming, either on a full or part
time basis. No one in particular
wants to be bothered with them,
and since Mr.. TugWell packed his
bags and left Washington few
persons can be found to enthuse
over Ilem. But They're there,
and someone will have to nqui-
date these also.
Uncle Sam had a taste of hous-
ing during the World War, when
the United States Housing Cor
poration built 5000 houses for
war workers and the Shipping
Board built some more. It was
not happy experience, nor has
the experimenting of the last
three years been wholly without
grief. In fact, as to some of it's
phases it ''ain't been nothin'
else but" In its recent reincar-
nation housing has been kicked
all over the governmental lot.
A dozen schemes have been tried
The Washington times., 1937-01-13
One-Sirth of Mortgages

This three billions of dollars
MADE available to the nations
home owners through the facilities
of the Federal Home Loan Bank
system represents roughly, one
sixth of the entire American non
farm home mortgage debt.
At the close of December, George
H. Patterson, secretary OF the
Mortgage Bankers Association OF
America, estimated the total urban
mortgage investment of the coun-
try at 1874 billion dollars. This
represented an increase OF hall
a billion dollars in the total OF
such loans since 1884. BY coinci-
dence this approximates the vol
ume of mortgages insured dur
ing the same period by the Fed
eral Housing Administration. The
total FILA business in this field
at the close of 1886 was roughly
$616, 100000. About half of this
represented refinancing Of old
mortgages and the other half new
construction.
In addition, the facilities of the
Federal Reserve System are being
employed to an increasing extent
to loosen home-mortgage credit.
This, in outline only-the details
will come in succeeding articles,
to the extent that they are ger
name to an understanding of the
subject-represents the major con-
tribution of the Federal Govern
ment to sound home-mortgage fl
nance since the national Admin
istration first turned it's attention
to this field. The larger Signifi-
canoe Of what has been done. as
pointed out by those charged with
the responsibility of administering
the hydra-headed system, is that
the underwriting of mortgages by
the Government has released equiv.
alent sums for new loans by COM
mercial banks, building and loan
associations and mortgage bank
erS penerallV
The Washington times., 1937-01-13
Business Group Hears
T.V. Gdney on Success

Before a record turnout of mem
bers and friends Of the Columbia
Business Mems Association today,
T. V. Ganey, district superinten-
dent OF the G. C. Murphy Com
pany, five-and-ten stores, gave a
most inspiring talk on his subject
of success.
The theme discussed by Mr..
Ganey was received with the great
est enthusiasm by all present. Mr..
Ganey is an authority on this sub
ject because his own rise to one of
the most responsible positions with
the large G. C. Murphy Company
is like a fiction story.
The Washington times., 1937-01-13

An additional half billion dol
lars has been loaned with a Gov.
ernment guarantee back of it for
modernization and reconditioning
Of houses already built. But this
was an emergency meaSure-part
Of the pump printing" designed to
get money in circulation, restore
confidence and give fillip tc
business. Unless Congress extends
the time for inSuring moderniza-
ton loans, this activity will end
on April l next. The big job
from now on, as Washington
sees it, is to put mortgage in
vestment on sound basis for one
thing, and for another to see that
people who cannot pay high rents
are provided with decent living
accommodations at low rents
even if the taxpayer has to pay
Q share of the cost, as he will.
Right there, on the question of
subsidy for low-cost housing, and
OF the use of public or private
funds for housing activities gen.
orally, is the issue on which the
housing authorities of the Federal
Government are split wide open.
There are also differences outside
Of the Governmental the opposi.
ton of the building and loan group
to the activities Of the Federal
Housing Administration, and the
critical attitude also of organized
labor. The chief point in contro-
verSy, and which almost necessar-
lily must be ironed out before the
new housing program can be
started on its course under full
steam. may be stated thus:
Shall public funds be used
for housing through direct sub
sides or otherwise? Secretary
of the Interior IckeS, the hOuS-
ing division Of the PWA, SEN
atOr Wagner Of New York and
most of the other authorities in
this field say yes" Director
Stewart Mcdonald of the Fed
eral Housing Administration
says "NO"-that the Federal
Government should not destroy
outlets for private capital, and
that the FILA system in addition
has the advantage that the Gov.
.ernment assumes only a cOntin-
gent liability in the loans it in.
Sures, collects an insurance
premium to guard it against loss.
and is simplicity itself in Oper-
alton.