The Brooklyn Daily Eagle du lieu suivant : Brooklyn, New York • Page 22

Ml BROOKLYN DAILY EAGLE, NEW YORK, THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 1936 Movie First'Nighters Qreet 'The Qreat Ziegfeld' Pictures and Players 22 Stars of New Films Coming to Local Screens Picture Parade The Screen gv It'iySTOX BURDETT iB, MARTIN if jMriSiss pill; If iRlllilli! r'The Great Ziegfeld' Is Glorified on the Screen of the Astor Theater 'A Message to Garcia' Is Offered at the Center Below i Roehett Hudion, charm' ing leading lady of 'Everybody' Old the comedy In which Irvin 5. Cobb makes hit debut at motion picture ttar, Thlt picture wUl have Itt Brooklyn premiere tomorrow at the Albee Theater with 'Sutter't Gold' Uarring Edward Arnold, at the accompanying feature If you would like to have a fair Idea of what the late Florenz Ziegfeld would have done if he had had the resources of Hollywood at his disposal, your place this week, and probably for quite a few weeks to come, is the Astor Theater. Colossal is the easiest adjective for "The Great Ziegfeld," for whether you like it or not this is the film musical to end Basil Rathbone Joins 'Garden of Allah' Cast Goldwyn Acquires 'Murder in Massachusetts' Other News of Pictures and Players Add the name ot Basil Rathbone to the list of Important players who will be seen In Selznlck International's Technicolor production of "The Garden of Allah," soon to face the cameras. He has been assigned to the role of Count Anteoni In the Robert Hlchens story, which Is to be a co-starring vehicle for Marlene Dietrich and Charles Boyer. This will be the fourth time Rathbone has appeared In a Selznick produced film, the others being "David Copperfleld," "Anna Karenina" and "A Tale of Two Cities." Theatergoers will recall his excellent performance on the stage recently In "Romeo and Juliet," with Katharine Cornell.

Jm Vi i vi-i ismimmm I musicals. I don't say that the Warner Brothers are going to close hop, or that Bobby Connolly, Busby Berkely et al. are going to give It all up as a bad job; but the process of glorification which Mr. Ziegfeld Initiated reaches Its apogee in the present picture, and It is hard to how song-and-dance entertainments can go any further in the direc- That statement, I am perfectly "aware, leaves me open to the charge 'of being thoroughly unimaginative; but it happens to be the only kind "of statement which properly covers the case. The Messrs.

Hunt Stromberg, Robert Leonard. Cedric Gibbons and that guardian of the wardrobe, who elects to be known as Adrian, have not attempted to reproduce in any literal "way the glories of the they have thrown fact and chronology to the winds, together with the tpace limitations of any stage on which Ziegfeld ever worked. The Result is two-and-a-half hours of Xm xljS fMk Li tin Ul ix, Mr. Rathbone will Join the Sels-nick troupe leaving for Arizona on April 15, when "The Garden of Allah" will start production. Pretentious Algerian cities and desert oases have been constructed "on location" near Yuma.

'Murder in Mast Purchase of "Murder In Massachusetts," written by Joseph F. Dineen, crime reporter for the Boston Globe, and based on the 'exploits of the notorious Murton Mil- Jen gang, was announced by Samuel Goldwyn today by cable from France, where he is vacationing. Dineen was credited with solving the murder case for which the members of the Millen gang were executed. His story of the case was published last month in a national magazine, and bidding for the screen rights by a number of motion picture studios followed. "Murder in Massachusetts" is scheduled for production for the present Goldwyn season, although neither the cast nor the director has yet been named.

Bette Davis will start back to California next week, probably on Wednesday, to begin her next Warner Bros, starring film, "Moun tain Justice." Shortly before coming East for a vacation Miss Davis completed "The Golden Arrow," in MOTION Right Jean Hertholt and Doro-thy Petrrton In 'The Country Doctor' the Dionne Quintuplet! picture trhich ttlll thare honor teith 'The nf varied Hour' at Loew't Metropolitan ttarting tomorrow. Belomt Ben Lyon in 'Dancing Feet opening at the Fox tomorrow on the tame bill with 'Federal Agent on this melodrama, which highlights crucial moment In the Bpanlsh- American War, that the most agree able thing about it is the comic performance of Wallace Beery. Maybe Mr. Beery Isn't so bad after all. He was out of place in his last film, Ah, Wilderness 1" and he is really out of place here also, but he manages even so to steal the picture.

His role is that of a shifty gunrunner who sells his services to the highest bidder. It happens that he sells them to Mr. Boles, but you never know whether he is a dark villain or a true blue until the closing episodes, where he dies heroically, pathetically and with a touch of true Beery humor. It seems that the whole success of the Spanish-American War depended on the delivery of a message to General Garcia, chief of the Cuban rebels, who kept vigil in the depfhs of the island. As the gentle man whom President McKinley selects for the mission, Mr.

Boles manages without too much difficulty to elude the Spanish authorities and their spies. But as he doesn't know his way through the jungle, he hires Mr. Beery to help him, and later on he takes along Miss Stanwyck, a rebel senorita, to soothe his travels. Well, Miss Stanwyck and he soon come to a standstill and make love in the time-honored fashion. Eventually Miss Stanwyck is shot, and Boles has to make the great decision of his life, namely to carry on without the lady he adores.

All this is staged in a languid and perfunctory manner, and though Mr. Boles is supposed to cover half the territory of Cuba in his Journey, you have an uneasy feeling that he is simply moving from one side to the other of a very phoney studio set. Whatever action the story boasts is reserved for the closing scenes, in which Mr. Boles is seized and tortured by the Spanish spies. Though this is realistic enough, you never for a moment feel that Miss Stan wyck may really be deprived of her hero.

You know, too, that Mr. Beery the old spirit of the marines flam-ine within him, is going to rush to the rescue in the very nick of time with the rebel forces. The only thing you don't know and are really curious about is the nature of Mr. Boles' world-shaking message. That MOTION -S- STARTS Bill "xi' Albee Offers' Attractive Program for Easter Week The RKO Albee'i Easter week program, which get under way tomorrow, features "Sutter's Gold," with Edward Arnold, and "Everybody's Old Man.

One hundred years after John Sutter set out from Switzerland to build a colony In California, the dramatic narrative of his life is brought to the screen. "Sutter's Gold" relates his adventures from 1836 until the day when the great rush for gold snatched away his possessions. Irvin S. Cobb, the man whose kindly wit and fascinating yams have won him millions of friends, joins the lists of Hollywood's major celebrities as he makes his first starring appearance in "Everybody's Old Man." New Twin-Bill at Strand "Snowed Under," described as one of the season's jolliest romantic comedies, has Its Brooklyn premiere today at the local Strand Theater. George Brent, Genevieve Toibn and Patricia Ellis head a cast which includes Glenda Farrell, Frank Mc-Hugh and John Eldredge.

The accompanying feature on the Strand's new twin bill is "Nevada," a thrilling western drama starring Larry "Buster" Crabbe. MOTION StartlngJTOMORROW THtrs In klv j-oraiea ounesque 01 a kind which would have approved; a topheavy, flamboyant and pretty Hick show, and also, thanks to Mr. i Gibbons, a show somewhat more In detail (not in size) nd more artful in style than the Xvpical Ziegfeld product. But though it is a flattering tribute to the taste of the late showman, "The Great Ziegfeld" Is also an apt one, for it has the same combination of gaudiness and elegance, of show and finish, which associate with a good "Follies." It bears to the average musical a relation similar to that of the "Follies" to the Carroll "Vanities" the element of burlesque, in other words, has undergone one further stage of refinement. What is missing in the picture is a fine display of individual talent.

There are excellent contributions by Buddy Doyle, who does an Eddie Cantor black-face number, and Ray Bolger, who tap dances in energetic style; and Fannie Brice, too, has her Inning on the screen. But the general impression is that all these people, particularly Miss Brice, get lost in the shuffle. The film has the second disadvantage that it works down from a climax rather than up to. a ringing finale. There is nothing in the second half, which features a fashion parade of the glorified girls dressed like oriental birds, the ballet numbers of Harriet Hoctor and the eternally vague Virginia Bruce, which comes up to the level of the central number In which you see revolving stages, starlit vistas, resplendent gowns and plenty of glorified American girls, while the songs of numerous Ziegfeld hits are passed in review.

It is, to put it mildly, a spectacular arrangement, very suavely handled by the cameramen and the rest of the technicians. Like the stories of most movie musicals, that of "The Great Ziegfeld" becomes rather tiresome after the first hour; but since it concerns the career of an authentic showman it is more Interesting than the run of such plots. You get a good idea of the fantastic, hit-or-miss Way the show business is run on Broadway, and quite a lot of it turns out to be really funny. The circumstances under which Zieg-leld started his career and went to London to discover Anna Held are amusingly recounted, and there is comedy, too, in hks relations with his foremost competitor (here known as Billings), who on more than one occasion came to his rescue with the funds for a new" show. The romantic side of the story, as The Great Ziepfeld' A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture, produced by Hunt Stromberg; directed by Robert Z.

Leonard: screen play by William Anthony McGuire; dances and ensembles staged by Seymour Felix, art direction by Odnc Gibbons: special music and lyrics by Walter Donaldson and Harold Adamson; presented at the Astor Theater with the following cast: Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. Powell Burke Lot Anna Held Luise airier Billmcs Frank Morgan Fannie Brice Fannie Br ice Audrey Dane Virginia Brucg Samps ton Reginald Owen Ray Bolger. Ray Bolger Sidney Ernest Coasart Dr. Ziegfeld Joseph Cawthorne Sandow Nat Pendleton Harrier Hoctor. Harriet Hoctor Mary Lou.

Jean Chaiburn Erlanger Irving Cnstumer Herman Bing Charles Judels Maid Marcelle Corday Press Agent Walbura A. A. Trimble as Will Rogers Buddy Doyle as Eddie Cantor usual, is less Interesting, and I don't think either Luise Rainer, as Anna Held; Miss Bruce, as the most glorious of the girls, or Myrna Loy, as Billie Burke, are of any vast assistance. Miss Rainer once more displays her ability to be alternately coy and petulant, a trick which she practices with distressing rapidity. As for Miss Bruce, she just smiles wanly, and I am afraid that Miss Loy, also, with her auburn wig, is scarcely more than a decorative asset.

On the whole, the men in the show take the honors, with William Powell, in the title role, doing most of the work. Frank Morgan is hearty and amusing as Billings and Reginald Owen gives a finely comic performance as Zieg-feld's nervous bookkeeper. Others keeping up the masculine side are Nat Pendleton, as a strong man extraordinary, and Ernest Cossart, in his familiar role of valet. a At the Center "A Message to Garcia," a 20th Century picture, produced by Darryl P. Zan-uclt; directed by George Marshall; screen play by W.

P. Lipscomb and Gene Fowler; presented by Joseph M. Bcnenclc with the following cast; Sergeant Dory Wallace Beery Senorita Raptaellta Maderos Barbara Stanwyck Lieutenant Rowan John Boles Dr. Krur Alan Hale Henry Piper Herbert Mundin Spanish Spy Mona Barrie General Garcia Enrique Acosta Luis Maderos Juan Torena Rodnsuei Martin Garralaea Chiquit.a Blanca Vlscher Pasquale Castova. Jose Luis Tortosa Commandant Luclo V'llleeas German Stoker Frederick Voseding Irish Stoker Pat Moriarity Spanish Commandant Octarto Giraud Barbara Stanwyck and John Boles get waylaid in the Cuban jungle in "A Message to Garcia," the new film at the Center Theater.

One cannot suppress the feeling that both these performers are very ill at ease in their wild surroundings; Miss Stanwyck, indeed, seems so deeply perturbed that she can barely register any reaction at all to the strange things that keep happening to her, and Mr. Boles, as her gallant escort, circles around her in the propitiatory manner he has caught from his innumerable appearances in musical pictures. Unfortunately, Mr. Boles has no chance to display his gifU as a vocalist, for his part is strictly dramatic. It is a comment PICTURES TRACY -pkn MM VttatfT I wu is tDICKSTEINi which she will be seen opposite George Brent.

This picture, based on a story by Michael Arlen, Is scheduled for release on May 18. Notet From Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer announces new contracts with playwright George S. Kaufman and S. N. Behr-man.

The latter, whose latest play, "End of Summer," Is current at the Guild Theater, will begin work soon on the screen adaptation of "Par-nell." Kaufman is not due at the Culver City studios until June. From also comes the Information that Producer Harry Rapf has four stories ready for early shooting. They are "One Came Home," by Grace Norton: "Troubadour in Trouble," by Fran Schulz and Jay Gournay; "Yellowstone or Bust," by Maurice Rapf and Richard Maibaum; and "We Went to College," in which newcomer Edith Atwater is slated to play the feminine lead opposite Edmund Lowe. Spencer Tracy and May Robson have signed new long-term contracts with M.G.-M. Tracy is now completing work with Jeanette Mac-Donald and Clark Gable In "San Francisco." Mls Robson is to start soon In "Gram," an adaptation of Kathleen Norris' novel.

PICTURES "MOONLIGHT MURDER" "Leathernecks Have Landed" M-Q-M's SHOW Of SHOWtt wtuiaai mtn Lutac POWELL LOY RAINER THE GREAT ZIEGFELD" ICW, AT Mn I.MH.) ASTOR Twtt Oaihr and I Mala. I I ak 9Jrt0S MtMPaaS BWPBal AL II I frfa ZANt GREY'S Jlfft IrWy "NEVADA" ffVi li. CRABBE MTU. BURKE I MODIUM TIMES' at' CAROLE LOMBARD "'5? Loral Paramount Offers Preview of Jolson Film Al Jolson makes his latest bow to Brooklyn tonight at the Brooklyn Paramount Theater In a preview of "The Singing Kid." A large and talented cast supports the star, Including Sybil Jason, Edward Everett Horton, Cab Calloway and his band, the four Yacht Club Boys, Allen Jenkins, Lyle Talbot, Winifred Shaw, Claire Dodd, Mitchell and Durant and Beverly Roberts. The picture will begin Its regular week's engagement at the Paramount tomorrow morning.

"The Singing Kid" Is a colorful production filmed against the glittering background of New York show life and featuring 50 truckin' black beauties from Harlem, mostly members of the "Cotton Club Revue." Music and lyrics for the Jolson pitcure were written by the famous team of E. Y. Harburg Harold Arlen. William Keighly directed from a story by Robert Lord. Dionne 'Quints' Coming To Met Screen Tomorrow "The Country Doctor," starring the famous Dionne Quintuplets and Jean Hersholt, will have its Brooklyn premiere tomorrow at Loew's Metropolitan Theater following an extended engagement at the Radio City Music Hall.

The associate feature at the Met will be "The Unguarded Hour," co-starring Loretta Young and Franchot Tone. is one thing the script writers never disclose. If these adventures are less than credible, it is not so much the fault of the narrative, which is serviceable enough, as of the performers. As the forbearing and gallant heroine, Miss Stanwyck assumes that her feelings are all too deep for expression. She therefore pretends to conceal them, with the result that she is disdainfully expressionless for most of the time.

Mr. Boles makes a greater effort, but as I have suggested his training got better of him. Anyway, he did a real service for his country. W. B.

PICTURES TOMORROW CS WITHERS TARKINQTON'S TT AJ I TOM BROWN MARSHA HUNT JACKIE SEARU GEORGE MEEKER 20''' Century-Fox Picture ANY BAf VNV HAT CMllDfttH 25- 35. 15' Holiday Starts mood of spring: EDOAR KENNEDY I mm Music and Thrills Due On Fox Screen Tomorrow Motion picture fans who enjoy musical films and G-man thrillers, will find the new bill opening tomorrow at the Fox Theater to their liking, for "Dancing Feet," with Ben Lyon and Joan Marsh, fills the bill in the former respect and "Federal Agent," with Bill Boyd, in the latter. A thread of romance winds through "Dancing Feet," in which Miss Marsh plays Mr. Lyon's debutante fiancee who meets Mr. Nugent and promptly embarks upon a dancing career.

The girl's wealthy grandfather injects himself into the jumble of events before everything is finally worked out to a happy conclusion. The G-Men seldom have given a better account of themselves than in "Federal Agent," in which Irene Ware will be seen in the feminine lead opposite Boyd. At Fulton Playhouse The principal screen feature at the Fulton Playhouse (formerly the Fulton St. Trans-Lux) starting Saturday will be a revival of "Arrow-smith," co-starring Helen Hayes and Ronald Colman. Beginning next Wednesday, April 15, the Fulton Playhouse will present "The Story of Louis Pasteur," with Paul Muni In the title role.

PICTURES 26 LOEW'S Jq ei4 i I -W- at fSfc- i Screen! UNGUARDED HOUS" Bngliih Adaptation by Marivala Mtytr Picmn MOTION Titers VH DDEVItW TAMITP A a A st Tiv I Ilia 11.11 I Will I Com of p. in. TWO Faotar filmi plwt Complt Stag Shawl urw; you A RaviaMag ty ami Mm of mA Dtmm o4 Adventurous Mriy I 1i A. "SDTYGD s---i zlK Apowerful.ro- ll V'p' T1311'6 drama of WW 1 Jd'Z GO 10" EDWARD ARNOLD BINNE BARNES LIE JANE ii Hev" a MR a "Taittll a. TOM'W The ft AMi --l IRVIN S.COBB I XX.

a a nam iair iD On the tfOiD r.fl!T wk ROCHEUE HUDSON NORMAN F0STE1 WAMEM HYMK i Lni CHAN AT THE CIRCUS" A "SONG AND OANCE MAN" a A IIP PABAPt OF STAM AMPLAUCHt! what romantic holiday! Bring your week-end guests to the Capitol. This small town girl's romance will set your heart beating in time to the rwnuwi w'ratkmi Si Aft kl mm mmd "Tatu -with handled Leratta Young more beautiful than ever.ufVnM "Smart cleverly Franchot TONE Loretta YOUNG The UnGURRDED HOUR" with I TIMES TODAY I RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL 50'K St I6lhAa Boon Om. II 00 A "LITTLE LORD FAUHTLEROT" with FREDDIE BARTHOLOMEW DOLORES COSTELLO BARRVMORE on traott "laarra laaniaoffi oactacla tKH HH.W. iymeov Orchattra. Illaft at In.

Uf Matiomna laala fiara4 CO 5-0335 Simurl Goldwyn prtienti "THESE THREE' Miriam Maris inai HOPKINS OBERON McCrea Ooert 10 2lt UN I rivoli 3 Jsnrl Robftt Tom'ir GAVNOR TAYLOR "SMALL TOWN GIRL" CMI TrtrJ 'LAY HOUSE. 5BI FultnnSI. i Tunt-uuj I srDnmyn.ti. T. BETTE WAVIS "DANGEROU Starts Satt "BOADCiA Marts Saturdar on Blh Scrrrns.

"ROAD (Hitirp week at KlrWAY WWW trt Tom'w, Phti I WhiiMrmi smith Suth 1 ENTER THEATRE Williet SHIT -lirtiralTairWYU MUI I "A MESSAGE TO GARCIA" SWIIM lbiM.SJ. JKCKir.M inn iiiit.liK. Ii4a.li!, few. tt.if flril Mtt. r4 CO tuf lij.iiriiiii.tvi ROLAND YOUNG- LEWIS STONE on cha Plar THE with BINNIE BARNES LEWIS STONE by Ladiilaui Fodor.

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