Evening Star Newspaper, May 9, 1940, Page 40

AMUSEMENT Excellence as a Dimwit Has Its Drawbacks Dennie Moore Afraid She’ll Convince Public She Really Is One; Mr. Roach Leaves a Thought By JAY CARMODY, There is such a thing as giving a too-convincing performance on the:screen, particularly if it happens to be a character repeated with only minor variations in & slew of pictures. Or, if there is not, Dennie Moore is worried in vain. Miss Moore, who by this time should have left her imprint on the public mind, is a specialist in playing nitwit blonds with a Bronx accent. -— ‘Whenever a studio needs such a player, a type which one ' might call common if blonds would only understand how imperson- ally one means it, the® first thought is of Miss Moore. The result has been her appearance in “The Pursuit of Happiness,” *“Trial of Mary Dugan,” “Three Men on a Horse,” “20th Century,” “Torch Song” and numerous other pictures. Jay Carmody. If the dimwits she portrays were lesser characters, or done with in- difference, Miss Moore would not have to be concerned lest they give the public the impression it is a perfect bit of type casting. They are not lesser characters, however, and Miss Moore tosses them off with a particular bril- liance of coloring, glossy dumb- bells, so to speak. Her latest one is 8 man-hunting mail order house clerk in “Sat- urday’s Children,” a girl whose pursuit of culture is as hopeless as her pursuit of a suitable mate. It is the kind of dumbbell which Miss Moore can make sparkle, if the terms are not too contradictory, and she does it to perfection with the aid of sich lines of dialogue as: “I'm'going to the washroom, if you'll pardon my frankness,” “How do you do, I'm sure,” and a num- ber of others which equally well illustrate the pathetic futility of her effort to copy what she would call “class.” . ‘The truth, which Miss Moore thinks may not be understood, is that she really is a person with in- telligence, charm, grace, and ab- solutely no Bronx accent off the screen. She has traveled all over Europe, read wisely, can talk in- telligently on a variety of subjects, and has such taste in clothes that ehe is rated as one of Hollywood’s best dressed women. It troubles her that her acting 12 PM. 2 5¢ CAPITAL GARAGE DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS trol ears. Lady and gentlemen teachers. 7 A.M. to 10 P.M.; EASY METHOD DRIVING 4608 Towa Ave. RA 74 years of buying, selling and lending on diamonds, jewelry, etc. CASH FOR OLD GOLD (Government License) Established 1866 LOAN DI‘F!S‘E 1215 H St. N.W. 6 P.M. TO 1320 N. Y. Ave., Bet. 13th & 14th E In accident-proof “daal ' eon- including Sunday. SCHOOL n. 8384 Liberal Loans at Lowest Possible Rates. E. HEIDENHEIMER _n.mn'gfla. V. 'WASHINGTON. Tuxedos, Full Dress Cutaw: Chancery kets The latest styles in all sizes with com- plete accessories. M. STEIN & CO. 1714 L St. N.W. at Connecticut Ave. NA. 2435 may give the reverse notion, even though it also assures her ‘steady employment at a good actress’ pay. * ok x % A piquant sentence leaps from the synopsis of “One Million B. C.,” Hal Roach’s new spectacle film which lies on the desk adjacent to this typewriter. “The love that sprang up between the young man of the Rock Tribe and the young girl of the shell people and the ever present danger from huge monsters helps unite two hostile tribes, and together they undertake to build a new civil- ization based on peace and under- standing.” For the success of their undertak- ing after all these years see page 1. * X ok % Washington has a variety of meanings to different persons as- soclated with the elaborate enter- prise called "Louisiana Purchase,” which is packing the National— stage as well as the house—this week. Here it was that Zorina “stole” a President’s Birthday Ball and re- ceived a baptism of publicity that never has been equalled by an un- known, as she was then. B. G. (Buddy) De Sylva, pro- ducer, will always remember Wash- ington as the place where George Preston Marshall introduced him to the Follies girl who eventually became Mrs. De Sylva. The house was Poli’s, now just a grassy tri- angle in front of the Department of Commerce Building, but take it from De Sylva, he and the subse- quent wife were merely kids. Morrie Ryskind, author, recalls ‘Washington first not as the Capi- tal but as the place where his “Bring on the Girls” proved to be a play to which no one could write a third act. And as for Press Representative Nat Dorfman, it.is the town where he saw grass. * x % % Hollywood's faith in its signs is greater than that of those people whom the signs would keep off sound stages. Greater than that of one unobtrusive little man, at any rate. The U. L. M, the story goes, calmly walked onto the set of “Lucky Partners” at R-K-O, took a sacred seat marked with the name of one of the principals and sat there calmly watching the magic of it all. “Must be some big shot's guest,” every one concluded. The morning’s work done, the cast and crew departed for lunch- eon, The little man went away, too. When they returned, so did he. Eventually he attracted the in- terest of Lewis Milestone, directing the picture. wanted to know, was the fellow? When no one knew an assistant de- cided to make a check. “Me?” asked the little man in response to .the other’s question. “Why, I'm the guy been installing new elevators in the studio last two months, Never was on a set be- fore.. Always wanted to get a good look at Ginger Rogers. Thought I'd be kicked off long before this. Well, so long.” LR ‘Two more pictures with runs long enough to encourage Hollywood to make fewer and better films are “Primrose Path” and “Rebecca.” The former gets a second week at Keith'’s, the later holds over at the Columbia to make it a fortnight. Another for Gale - Gale Page will move from the role of Mrs. Knute Rockne in “The Life of Knute Rockne” to a major part in “They Drive by Night” at Warner Bros. Miss Page will ap- pear with George Raft, Ann Sheri- dan, Ida Lupino, Humphrey Bogart and Alan Hale in “They Drive by Night.” 9 to 12 p.m. Only for Theater and Speclal, Mena {0f Cloers ELLIS’ SHRIMP SALAD Delicious and 'r:ny Served with 500 Beer. ELLIS’ DEVIL CRAB «Cy”s Famous Re- sc cipe. Special. Escoffiere Cocktail ‘Recommended for use with re's 2 sive at “Cy Elis’,” 'WINES, BEER. DRINKS «Cy” Ellis SEA FOOD IESTAUBA!T 1011 E ST. N.W. | g;?\”flflfi%?ln(! lotel. thru Thur: D 30, N AURANT, Washington Puilding, 15th and New York Ave. The favorite place to dine, the popular place to dance. MARYLAND CLUB GARDENS on Maribore Featuring Nadine her . _De luxe dinner. § 2 o'clock. I HOREHAM BLUE ert. :30 Connecticut at ncing. Two o . Dinner, $2.in- over. Supper cover, 50c. AD. 0700. GHTINGALE, Richmond mi, south of Alex.’ Dancing. #: nightly, including Sun. Sweet swing Downer's_Orchestra.__Temple 4640, . LOUNGE_RIVIERA, Hotel 2400 16th St. Dining, dancing to Pete Macias’ Orchestrs, and Riviera Trio. ~10_'til 2. No min. of cover except Sat. eve., $1.50 min. CO. 7200. A s T, . Only at _Arbat Barib-a soareribs and aved charean! broiied steaks. Mixed drinks. wine, beer. HAY-ADAMS HOUSE—Overlooking White House at 16th and H Sts. Dining in an finehs Slhien: . Luncl i Fean_music mightly during dinner. o EAINBOW ROOM. Hamilton Hetel, 14th L T ancing o 620" Min.. Saturday 580. s entertainm 2608 in, | | can you get real AMUSEMENTS. Who, Mr. Milestone | DAFFY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN—Red Skelton, that popular clown of the stage and radio, comes back to town tomorrow to headline the new vaudeville revue at the Earle Theater. — Where and When Current Theater Attractions and Time of Showing National—"Loulslana Purchase,” new musical with Zorina, Victor Moore and others: 8:30 p.m. Keith’s—“Primrose Path,” up to the straight and narrow with Gin- ger Rogers: 11:40 am, 1:40, 3:40, 5:40, 7:40 and 9:40 p.m. Earle—“Dark Command,” lawless days in the Kansas of old: 11 am,, 1:45, 4:30, 7:15 and 10:05 p.m. Stage shows: 12:45, 3:30, 6:20 and 9:05 pm, Capitol—“Dr. Kildare's Strange Case,” latest adventures of Interne Lew Ayres: 11 am., 1:40, 4:20, 7:15 and 10:30 p.m. Stage shows: 12:45, 3:30, 6:20 and 9 p.m. Columbia—*Rebecca,” the Hitch- cock-directed fillm version of the novel: 11:35 am, 2:05, 4:35 7:05 and 9:35 pm. Metropolitan—"Too Many Hus- bands,” Jean Arthur happily in that predicament: 11:15 a.m., 1:20, 3:25, 5:30, 7:35 and 9:40 p.m. Palace— ‘Strange Cargo,” with | Clark Gable and Joan Crnwtord:l 11:35 am,, 2:05, 4:35, 7:05 and 9:35 3 P.M.——40¢e (o Closing oy B Comttanses “Today Thru Saturday “ 3 Days Only! The greatest air spectacle of all time returns— “HELL ANGELS” With JEAN HARLOW (the picture that made her famous) HELD OVER The Amazing War Documentary “LIGHTS OUT IN EUROPE” :flhey were broke ! - made $20 a week bring them a million dollars in happiness . . . l-.mhklm ~ They were young! Tl et Ao e o They Consecative Paramount Vieks a te NY.C. TAGARIIELD in His First Comedy A SHIRLEY A Wamer. Bros. Picturization of Maxwel) Anderson’s Play " Saturdays Children™ - with CLAUDE RAINS Favorite Jester! L} Shd fnd s Mad Merry Mob Roscoe KARNS « Lee PATRICK Dennie MOORE Little — “Harvest,” the leading French film of 1939: 11:10 am,, 1, 2:45, 4:25, 6:10, 7:55 and 9:40 p.m. Belasco—"Lights Out in Europe,” the darkness before the doom: 4, 5:30 and 8:15. “Hell's Angels,” revival of that war epic: 6:40 and 9:20 pm, Trans-Lux—News and shorts; continuous from 10 a.m. Open-Air—“Lady for a Day,” with Warren William: 7:50 and 10:25 p.m, Ann Raft’s Co-Star Ann Sheridan, whose latest re- lease is “It All Came True,” will be George Raft's co-star in “They Drive by Night,” to be produced at Warner Bros. from the A. I. Bezzerides novel entitled “Long Haul.” AMUSEMENTS. \ Madeleine Carroll May Portray Mary in Film Her Recent Divorce May Provide A Stumbling Block, However, In ‘Queen of Queens’ Casting By SHEILAH GRAHAM. Madeleine Carroll is being considered by Cecil B. de Mille for the all-important part of the Virgin Mary in his soon-to-be-produced “Queen of Queens.” The only stumbling block to the actual signing of Madeleine for the role is her recent real-life divorce, which may cause objection from church authorities.”The reaction to this paragraph probably will decide whether Madeleine gets the role. HOLLYWOOD. ‘Whoever is signed by De Mille—Madeleine or some other actress— must be prepared to lead a cloister-¢—mF———— ed and careful existence during the making of the picture and until it is well launched with the public. ‘When De Mille chose H. B. Warner to play Christ in “King of Kings,” Warn- er was forbidden in his contract to smoke in pub- - lic, to frequent ./ nights clubs, be seen with a woman in nuh- lic, and even to & eat in public!; Maybe Made- ” leine won't want Sheilsh Graham, the role under such stringent terms. “King of Kings” by the way, has been seen by more people than any other picture made in Hollywood. Since its release in 1927, 60,000,000 all over the world have seen the movie. And it is still going strong. * X %" George Raft is turning producer! “I'm only gofng to act in five more pictures,” says George. “Then I go in for producing them.” He has already bought an original, with a Brazilian coffee plantation back- ground, on which he will work only as a producer. He doesn’t say yet whether Norma Shearer will be starred in this epic, although I have no doubt that it was Norma who inspired George to become a pro- ducer. Raft is currently emoting with Ann Sheridan in “They Drive By Night.” And this will be fol- lowed by a co-starring picture with | Miss Shearer—either a remake of | “A Free Soul” or “The World We Make.” *xx % Looks like Ann Sheridan is going | to replace Bette Davis as the top AMUSEMENTS. dramatic actress at Warner Bros.! Yes, I am kidding, but not en- tirely. “The Lady With Red Hair,” which at one time figured on the schedule of Miss Davis, has now been awarded to Annie, the “oomph” girl. And those who caught the “sneak” preview of “Torrid Zone” say that her enactment of a-tough- dame - with-a-heart-of - gold really puts her up there with the actresses who ‘can act. La Sheridan also snags the feminine lead in Jimmy Cagney's next picture—“City of Conquest.” * % % % Tyrone Power again gets Edward Arnold as his pappy in “Brooklyn Bridge.” Who sells the bridge to whom? . . . When Sam Goldwyn gets around to his co-starring plans for Dorothy Lamour and Jon Hall he will have the sarong-loving cou- ple in “Macintosh”—from the Som- erset Maugham story. , .. A lot of the picture “Virginia” will be made in Richmond, Va. And, according to Producer Edward H. Griffith, the city has already voted $10,000 for the expenses in connection with holding the world premiere there. . . . How do you like the idea of Kay Francis as a rip-roaring cow- girl? Anway, whether you like the idea or not, Kay has signed to play the top feminine role in the western epic—“When the Daltons Rode.” x k ok x Dick Powell and Ellen Drew will SO AMAZING YOU WON'T BELIEVE YOUR Greatest Thrills on Earth...Wonders Never Before Beheld by Man. The Amazing Spec- tacle of the World at nllil-niu'n’ Jungle EntireTribe Menaced by 10 o it Cvs B i S the Dawn of Time! Los: 4 Actuel, Livisg Asimels of a Bygone Age...Re- crouted and Filmed by a Now Secret Carole LANDIS Lon CHANEY, Jr. Directed by Hal Roach and Hal Rooch, Jr. Released thru United Artists STARTS TOMORROW POLITAN LAST DAY -“TO0 MANY HUSBANDS" AMUSEMENTS, be co-starred in “A Cup of Coffee,” authored and to be directed by Preston Sturges, This was -origi- scheduled for Betty Field and iam Holded, but both the latter have too many pictures on their rezpective schedules. . . , John Gar- fleld gets & new type of picture “Hill Doctor.” It's about s back- with medi- o pore” has . It seems that no one liked the script in its present con- dition. - Other producers of pictures with bad scripts please copy. * %% x Attention John Loder—who has just been signed for the second masculine lead in “The Modern Monte Cristo.” When the script was sent to Star Victor McLaglen the Loder role was of such length and excellence that McLaglen wired the studio: “Which is my part?” Methinks there will be some snip- ping of Mr. Lodler’s role. (Released by the North American Newspaper Alliance, Inc.) ‘Family Portrait’ Opens Tonight The King-Smith Playhouse pro- duction of “Family Portrait” opens tonight and continues through Mon- day evening at the studio playhouse in Rock Creek Park. Martha Nash plays Mary in the story of the family of Jesus. Play- ers in supporting roles in the Lenore AMUSEMENTS. NO JOEL McCRER "PRIMROSE PATH' An 80 8ADIO PCTURE wiTn MARIORIE RAMBEAU « HENRY TRAVERS + MILES MANDER Croduced and diraslid by GREGORY LA CAVA CQdded... 0 nw : *INFORMATION PLEASE® aud ‘WALT DISNEY'S ACADEMY Of Perfect Seund Phetspla 8th at G S.E. E. Lawrence Philiips’ Theater Beautiful Cont. F: :00 P Also “BURIED ALIVE,” With BEVERLY ROBERTS and ROBERT MEE SRR 7 7 el ATLAS 1331 B St NE = Au. 8300 Cont. From 1 P.M; “Scientifically Air Conditioned” uble Feature. DAVID NIVEN _as “RAFFLES. _with OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND. Also RICHARD DIX " and ORRIS in __"MARINES FLY HIGH. i e CAROLINA t* & N. C. Ave. SE MYRNA LOY in “ANOTHER THIN MAN,” _and “T_WAS_A CONVICT.” CIRCLE Pemms- Ave. at 2ist st EDW. G._ROBINSON. RUTH GORDON in “STCRY OF DR. EHRLICH'S MAGIC LS “Merry_Melody.” | CONGRESS 2%3t Nichols ave. SE. CHAS. LAUGHTON and VIVIEN “SCAR- LETT" LEIGH in “SIDEWALKS OF LONDON.” DUMBARTON SPENCER TRACY. RUTH __HUSSEY PASSAGE.” FAIRLAWN & 1343 Wiseonsin Ave. ROBERT _ YOUNG. in “NORTHWEST ANACOSTIA, D. C. “CHARLIE CHAN IN __SIDNEY TOLER. GREENBELT D. FAIRBANKS. __“GREEN HELL. LIDO =" ™ “INTERMEZZO" and G AUTR “THE BIG ENE Y in SHOW.” Pree Dishes Given _to the_Ladies Thursdsy Night. LITTLE 608 9th St N.W. - ABet. F and G. (Al Prench cast ARVEST. PANAMA.” Also _Cartoon. ADULTS, _ 2fc. FREE PARKING JOAN BENNETT in ~ N.W._ NEW SEATS with me mrmnTsnmo,—fin. ‘oday TYRONE POWER. LINDA DARNELL s __“"DAYTIME_WIFE. B % “Scientifieally Air Dogble Featiire, QUL Bethesda, WI. 2850 or Brad. 338. Free Pa: " __At_7:05,_9:30. _Latest News. HIPPODROME X nesr ot GEO. BRENT in “WIN¢ F N, A “BLONDIE ON' A 'BUDGET ' * “IT_ALL CAME TRUE.” At 7. Coffee-Willlam Joyce Cowen play include Austine McDonald, Evelyn Crump, Joyce Pretzfelder, Nancy Kenna, Gladys Caswell, John Mar- shall, Lamar Rowland, Gunnar Jagdman, Nancy Jean Kimball, Marjorie Steele, Lillian Guest, Wal- ter Reser, Patricia Irwin, Allen An- drews and Ralph Higbee. “Family Portrait” is being directed by Keinert Wolff. [ AMUSEMENTS. ATFONEL 4 Times! Tonight §:30 —Mat. Sat. 2:30 0. 6. DeSYLVA PRESEHTS VERA VICTOR ZORINA - MOORE MUSKCAL wih couerr IRENE BORDONI AND A STELLAR CAST OF 100 , Music and Lyries by L%VINB BERLIN ’ K BY MORRIS RYSKINO Seats Available All Performances “Sensational story « . . adds new riches to drama of romance | « + . superlative acting!"’ —Carmody, Star Theaters Havin AMBASSADOR :%* Mat. 1 P. CLAIRE TREVOR. J BEVERLY , 300, Parking Space Av; 9:15. 1 CENTRQL 425 9th St. N.W. ME. 2841, Brousht pONTS, 18, AN ’ rought Back by Popular Demand, “SECRETS OF AN ACTRESS: At 10:10. 1:30. 50. “8:10 MIRTAM HOPKI! CITY.” At 11: _ Short Subject. KENNEDY f;7vet v RA. 6600 Mat. 1 P.M. Parkine Space Availabie to Patrane, CHARLES AUGHTON, LEIGH in “SID] RS DON. 25, At 1 9:50.__ “Information PENN g Doors Open 12. Show S HENRY FONDA in John Stein| 2GRAPES CF_ WRATH." At 1 920 For_Additional Inform Phone Theaters Dir: 5 SHERIDAN & Walt | Disney’s CHIO™ At Col._1800. BING CROSBY. DORO BOB_HOPE in ‘] oaD PORE." At 1:35. 1:40, 5:40, :50._Also_Newsreel. WARNER BROS. THEATERS &) Qg BRD T ATEELE, s, T L S AVALON e Conn,_ave. N.W. P o SARREL AN, SHERIDAN, @N." At 6:20, 8, 9:40. AVE. GRAND 4513 aus; s THOMAS _ MITCHELL. _ FREDD! 9.40. COLONY 4935 Ga. Ave. N.W. WALLACE i in “MAN 8. 9:50. Call REpublic 0800 HENRY PONDA in John. Bteinbeck’s WRATH.” “GRAPES' OF In the Event of Busy Signal BEERY. JOHN HO PROM DAROTA ~ b i HOME 1239 0 8t NE. EDWARD G. ROBINSON ih_*THE STORY OF DR. Exmric 3" MAGIC Also Newsreel. 'S JULLET. . 7:56, 9:45. MARLBORO 75zg: Msciere e Mickey Rooney in “Young Tom Eds lison.” At_7: 3 ARLINGTON. VA, Ox. 1139, Bivd, ial Village, Feature, ‘Wilsen Bivd. UTSIDE THE | SAVOY ”cé‘? St. N.W. ROCHELLE N [« VICTED Wi PRt 6:28, 8. 920 SECQ 5244 Ga. Ave., Stiver Spring. _Shep, 2540. Parkin . B AT e B0 A PAMILY in “ON THEIR QWN." 7135, 10:10.. CAlso Bhers R —_— T“om ég‘-a-la’ Butternat Sts, WALLACE BEERY. JOMN HOWARD “MAN FROM D, A AL 8:05, 10. Bhort Subject. MILE LIM = wmuc““ Gilebe R4. & Persh. Dr. Parking_for 200 Au RAFT = in 6:18, .l:‘l.‘:a and Quebes Place. ol A MIDA' Open I.“; LIGHT THAT . 7:60. 9:50. Short. B0 and _GEO, 4 . ACROSS THE BAY.” HISER-BETHESDA 2527 , a. "s'.mfl&mé Alr-Con et PO S y “SCARLET.O'HARA” of “G. W, in German YGRAPES OF WRATH.” s ivine “VIGIL IN THE NIGHT,” CAROLE LOMBARD. BRIAN AHERNE. st :"-.‘IIN. = L “The Man From Dakota,” WALLACE_BEERY. JOHN HOWARD, PALM THEATER ©= mar. “OF MICE AND MEN,” BURGESS MERED] and BETTY STANTON 50,24, ¢ Cees, PR J2208, griemeet 4 Wfi“mm PfiU&I‘ MUNT mN E” with i.ug Is!lr:ml Alwr ’