Coral Gables Riviera

PAGE 4 THE CORAL GABLES RIVIERA FRIDAY, JAN. 24, 1941

In One Ear . . . by Wells Bruen

There's always something doing in Gables after-dark life. This week finds the Biltmore and Jimmie's doing a quick change of shows. Jimmie has started a policy of changing talent every week, which is a boon to the steady customers. The Biltmore Giralda Room keeps Max Bergere, but has shaken up the rest of the bill thoroughly. Rodney McLennan, the tenor holding forth there now, has a voice you could pour on a waffle, and is a very likeable sort of gent, to boot. The Hollywood-British school of the theatre, which has taken root in the Colonnade Pictures building, is offering a new feature now. Robert Dalton, the fencing master, a veteran mentor of young actors, is taking over a fencing class for Miss Balfour, leading light of the academy. Many of the new pupils have enrolled. They tell me that fencing instruction, besides coming in handy in costume pictures, is a great teacher of natural grace and poise. By the bye, the Hollywood-British school is going to call a definite halt to enrollment in the not-so-distant future. Miss Balfour maintains that she cannot do a proper job for more than 50 students, and intends to put a stop to all recruiting when she reaches the half-century mark. One shocking note in police records this week was one of the people brought in on charges of driving while under the well-known influence. Let's not bring names into it, but the lady concerned is a spry young miss of only seventy (yes, 70) summers. Who can picture a nice old lady being hauled into police court on charges of unsober driving, without a certain yearning for the good old days, when Gramma stayed at home by the fire with her elderberry wine, instead of stirring up the coppers by slamming the family jaloppy through a stop sign at 50 m.p.h.? And just to top it off, the lady's escort was pulled in, too—on charges of disorderly conduct. This younger generation is a bunch of sissies! There's an unpublished story on "The Real Glory," the film slated for the Coral this week, that helps explain how they spend their money in Hollywood. From the technical director of the flicker, Bill Shutan, I heard that Sam Goldwyn spent some $300,000 on the story before getting a script he liked. Incidentally, when I walked on the "Glory" set, late in summer, they were still shooting retakes on about $50,000 worth of Gary Cooper's and Andrea Leeds' time. After all, after you play with stage money for a while you lose all respect for the real thing. Every top-money writer in the film colony worked on the story, and Goldwyn held script conferences with a group of scribes whose combined talent is worth about $20,000 weekly. Be on the lookout the next few months for an eight-page layout in National Geographic Magazine on the University of Miami. It's all a color-photo job, and from the reports last night, the stuff is beautiful—and a swell plug for Coral Gables, too. Val Olman, maestro at the Drum, is working on a unique instrumental combination now. It's to be a dance band on the sweet side, with only one piece of brass in the outfit—and with a harp, too, in the lineup. Val is working on orchestrations now, and plans to collect his group when his season of play ends at the Coral Way bistro. If you care about such things, Olman has a very fine dance combination right now. He and Max Bergere have something in common in their ability to keep dancers on their feet along about three ack emma, instead of bringing them to their knees. They make it a pleasure to wear your feet off down to your ankles. It's amazing to see some of the equipment in the Colonnade Studios today. They have some lighting and sound equipment there that's better than the stuff in use in the Ancient, Long Island, studios, where some of the big moompitcher folks make their costly smellodramas. One sound boom is better than anything you'll see in Hollywood, and better looking. George Hirliman, Colonnade's guide and shepherd, has run into bad luck on his junket to New York. He's been layed low by the flu, and has lost at least a week on his "Bomb Shelter" preparations. The earlier Colonnade feature, "Adolescents," is doing very nicely, thanks, in the Loew's theatres in New England. The Rodeo has a real asset in its chef, George. George is a living example of why the Pullman co. still likes colored cooks. Drop in and try one of those western steaks—they carry a triple-star recommendation. While it's a fine thing to be a patron of the arts, it's not necessary to intimidate the press to do it. One wealthy lady, who is well-known to Gableites through her frequent charitable enterprises, tried this week to take to task a Riviera reporter (not this one) for an impartial comment which threw an unfavorable light on a project dear to the heart of the patroness. I'm all for avoiding abuse of the privileges of the press—but, just to be fair, I'm also against abuse of the press itself. Please, don't bully reporters. They have feelings, just like people. Police Captain Reeves is a patient man, but he's feeling the strain this week. "Only a month ago," he'll tell you, "the merchants all told me they wanted an hour parking limit on Ponce de Leon Boulevard. We gave it to them. Now that the paint is all dry on the signs, they tell me they want a half-hour parking limit. It'll take a couple of weeks to get the new signs painted and the public educated—and then, for all I know, they may want two-hour parking." Those old operettists, Gilbert and Sullivan, knew what they were doing when they wrote "A Policeman's Lot is Not a Happy One." If you've ever been puzzled by a station wagon bearing the legend "Weedylawn," you've just seen the family conveyance of Fran and Don Price. They came home last summer to find their estate (50 foot front) grown waist-high with weeds. Feeling that if the Vanderbilts could christen their station wagons, the Pooles could go in for nonsense, too, they painted their hitherto unoffending buggy with the name, "Weedylawn," all in the spirit of unthinking fun. If you're thinking of trying something like that, it's only fair to warn you that the Poole's idea grew like the weeds that started it all: everybody has given them glasses, stationery and such, with "Weedylawn" engraved on all of it. Fran and Don have cut the grass now, but it's too late. The damage is done. Look for a new record this month by the Gables fire department. With six or seven fires so far in January, they've reduced the number of fires about 90 per cent from last month. And speaking of the fire department, don't forget their big benefit dance for the Firemen's Benevolent Association February 21st. If you recall their grand Chistmas party for the underprivileged youngsters, and their field day for junior Gableites last summer, you'll know that your admission money buys a lot more than the fun you'll have at the party.

AT JIMMIE'S — Dorothy Eden, vivacious song and dance gal appearing in Jimmie's new show this week. Dorothy is a graduate of such spots as New York's Hollywood restaurant and Chicago's Bismark Hotel.

Mid-Winter Practice for Hurricanes

Just five weeks after their final game with University of Georgia, the University of Miami football squad was summoned back to practice by Coach Jack Harding. The 1940 Hurricanes, unable to rally from the loss of 20 men from the 1939 squad, had a bad year and Coach Harding hopes that a long winter session this year wil mean better things next fall. Only eight Hurricanes graduate. Terry Fox, all state fullback; John Kurucza who was as good a blocking back as any man in the state and Jolly Snowden, captain and guard are the principle losses. John Douglas, back, and Matt Borek, guard, who were of little use because of injuries; Maston O'Neal, alternate center; Carl Sapp, reserve fullback and Alvin Cohen, reserve tackle, are other graduates. Coach Harding's big individual job this yar is to replace Fox but at the same time he must develop reserve strength all along the line. A better than average frosh squad should help the situation somewhat and if the Hurricanes can escape a recurrence of the plague of injuries which dogged them and cost at least two games last fall, they can hope for better things in 1941.

JUNIOR CLUB TO HEAR WYLY SPEAK MONDAY

The Coral Gables Junior Woman's Club will meet at 2 P. M. Monday at the club house for the regular bi-monthly meeting. Mrs. Thomas Roberts, program chairman, will present Percy Wyly, II, F. B. I. special agent, who will speak on "Eliminating Fifth Column Activities by substituting True Democratic Ideals."

THEATRE OF FIFTEEN TO PRESENT PROGRAM

The Drama and Playreading group of the Coral Gables Woman's Club will meet at 10:30 A.M. Monday with Mrs. Abe Rosen, chairman, in charge. The meeting will be held in the Douglas Entrance Playhouse and the members of the Theatre of Fifteen will present the program.

Fiteen's 'Argosy' Sets New Entertainment High Here

The Theatre of the Fifteen not only hit its old stride with the opening of "Argosy At Forty," Tuesday night, but the local group set a new high for Greater Miami theatrical entertainment, at the Douglas Entrance playhouse. Combining a particularly excellent cast and direction, with Edward Sheffield's superb sets, "Argosy At Forty" was the closest thing to perfection we have seen around these parts. The production was marked by the local debut of the group's director, Baily McKeen, as an actor. Mr. McKeen, it seemed to us, shared his poise with the rest of the cast. Everyone was more at ease and the action moved naturally throughout the 15 scenes. Speaking of the 15 scenes, we like this manner of presenting a show. It has variety, it helps hold the audience's high interest in what is going to happen next, and, best of all, it gives Mr. Sheffield a chance to exploit his own talents. The most outstanding of these was the penthouse terrace scene, which employed a long glass curtain behind which the characters moved and spoke. The show itself involves a thwarted man of fortyish age, Jason Leigh, who has wanted, all his life, a fling at big-time playwriting. He acquires leave of absence from his understanding wife and Omaha and off he goes to try his luck in New York. His luck and life become involved, in turn, with Fay Hilton, beautiful and designing wife of Playwright Luther Hilton. Jason succumbs, but his moral integrity is saved by the gong, so to speak, when Fay's daughter, Doris, and Jason's son, Peter set their parents an example. Dialogue was of the finest in drawing room wit and was tossed across the footlights with a sure vim. Barbara Parmley, as Fay Hilton, did an excellent job, simpering and cooing through the two acts, bringing shouts from the audience. Richard C. Sulivan gave his all to the part of Jason, and came out with flying colors. Hale McKeen has a certain suave delivery which makes his every appearance on the stage a special moment. Mary Greene was cast perfectly as the gracious, understanding wife of Jason, and Louise Long and Willard Thompson came in this category too. In fact, the entire cast was ideal. You have two more evenings to see this sprightly comedy at the Douglas Entrance. And we say, don't miss it! —Mary Thompson Moore.

Plans for Track Team

Ponce will have its first track team in its history if plans now being formulated by Coach Jack Gramley are completed. So that track practice will not interfere with spring football and baseball, Mr. Gramley wants all boys interested to schedule their sixth period free. The team will be formed at the start of next smester and will be built up to compete in the county and state meets in May. Hurdles, discus, high-jump, shot-put, dashes and javelin are all included. The pole vault will not be included because of the expense.

Movie Menu

This week brings a personal appearance to the Coral Theatre and a bevy of musicals to the Gables. With Buster Crabbe appearing on the stage, the Coral gets under way Saturday with a new Flash Gordon serial, "Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe"—which sounds like a heavy assignment even for the indomitable Mr. Gordon. The musical medley at the Gables runs from the sublime to the just plain silly—from MacDonald and Eddy in "Bittersweet" to Brenda and Cobina's antics in "A Night at Earl Carroll". Friday and Saturday finds a musical with Judy Garland in the spotlight: "Little Nellie Kelly" which is a movie version of a George M. Cohen stage hit of some years ago. It's sentimental, but it's happy and tuneful, too—a swell show, at the Gables. The same two days bring "The Real Glory" to the Coral screen, with Gary Cooper and Andrea Leeds topping a yarn of the army in the Philippines. If you're a Cooper fan, you'll get a kick out of the concentrated action in "The Real Glory." Myrna Loy and Melvyn Douglas appear at the Coral Sunday and Monday in a frothy comedy called "Third Finger, Left Hand." It's a martial madcap story. Sunday through Tuesday finds "Bittersweet" at the Gables. Produced in Technicolor, this is a very lavish production of the Noel Coward musical. The music is fine, and the color work beautiful. "Knute Rockne—All American" plays at the Coral Tuesday. It's Pat O'Brien's show, with the life of Rockne and some swell football setting the pace. Wednesday and Thursday brings James Stewart and Rosalind Russell in "No Time for Comedy" to the Coral, with another light comedy about a playwright with a knack for comedy who thinks he has a Message. At the same time, the Gables opens "A Night at Earl Carroll's," which is a musical hodge-podge of songs, comedy and dancing, with some very luscious showgirls to lend added eye-appeal. Don't forget the Buster Crabbe appearance at the Coral Saturday. The time is 1 p. m.

One of Noel Coward's most popular operettas comes to the Gables screen Sunday through Tuesday when "Bittersweet," filmed in Technicolor, is shown, starring Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald. Herman Bing is in the excellent supporting cast.

Newspapermen Question Sanity When Magician Visits Office

Although newspapermen are supposed to be immune to shock, we must confess we were a bit surprised recently when a distinguished looking gentleman, resplendent in a white suit and a red Turkish fez, walked into our office. On his face was a bland, mysterious smile and under his arm was a little box, labeled in fancy letters "Magic". He introduced himself as J. W. MacDonald and after a preliminary explanation that he was currently appearing at the Miami Biltmore, he launched into a series of feats of legerdemain that left us with our head swimming and our sanity in question. The thing that is so maddening about MacDonald's trickery is that he does things that you and I know are impossible. For example, he removed a solid plastic ring from a string, while we held both ends, and right on our office desk he conjured up a glass of wine, out of thin air. A quarter, that we personally dropped into a glass of water, seemingly dissolved into nothingness. Cards that we held tightly in our hand changed their spots without his touching them. Probably the most baffling of all his feats is a trick that a California college professor said "defies intelligence". It is done with three metal capsules and a weight. We placed the weight in one of the capsules and presto, it transmitted itself into another one. MacDonald had it hopping from one capsule to the other until we were ready to send for the lunatic wagon. Although he has been fooling around with magic for years, Mr. MacDonald turned pro only two years ago. Since then he has appeared in leading hotels throughout the nation, including the Traymore in Atlantic City, the El Mirador and Desert Inn in Palm Springs and many others. He has mystified such distinguished personages as -President- Roosevelt, -Ex-President Hoover and the Duke of Windsor. He enjoys magic and likes to see the look of consternation on his watchers' faces. On one occasion, when a guest kept pestering him to produce a rabbit, he conjured up two of them and presented them to her as a gift. Before his sojourn into the realm of professional mystery, Mr. MacDonald was a diamond-broker, but confesses that he enjoys his present ocupation much better. In addition to appearing in the Giralda Room and Cascades Bar at the Biltmore, Mr. MacDonald has become popular as an entertainer at private parties in the Gables, and his services are in constant demand by clever hostesses. J.B.M.