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CURTAIN CALLS: HOMESPUN DRAMA ON LOCAL SCREENS 'Daisy' and Van Take Honors of the Day By WOOD SOANES Homespun drama came back into its own on the screens of the Fox-Oakland and the Orpheum yesterday with the arrival of two photoplay that seem destined to attract more than the normal share of trade. "The Red Stallion," at the Orpheum, is aimed at the juvenile trade but it is adult enough in its approach to keep the oldsters interested as the tale is unfolded; "The Romance of Rosy Ridge," at the Fox-Oakland, has historical value as well as well-sustained interest, plus excellent production and a fine order of acting. In "The Red Stallion," to dispose of the lesser light first, we have the story of a boy and a horse - Ted Donaldson is the boy, in case you were worrying about such things; but the honors of the day are stolen by a mongrel dog identified as Curly but which is actually the Daisy of the "Blondie" series. Daisy walks away with the show without opposition. Actually there isn't much to the basic story of "The Red Stallion" beyond the hopes of a small boy to save his grandmother's property and his affection for a thoroughbred he has tended since infancy, but it is a heart-warming depiction of country life invested with incident and enhanced by good direction and sound acting. Young Donaldson does a good job of work as the boy, Jane Darwell is acceptable as the ancient; Ray Collins and Guy Kibbee contribute standard character studies; Robert Paige and Noreen Nash attend to what romance there is; Willie Best provides the lighter tones; the horse fights a magnificent Hollywood battle with a bear; and Daisy steals the show. The companion picture is "The Pretender" with Albert Dekker. HE-MAN RANKS Speaking of fights, Van Johnson has invaded the he-man ranks and goes in for a jaw-kicking and eye-gouging joust with Jim Davis that should warm the cockles of all should warm the heart cockles of all considered Mr. Johnson a fancy-pants, M-G-M in this picture is prepared to offer proof positive that he can win hands-down in a free-for-all even when the villain has a knife. With only five cartridges in his rifle, Mr. Johnson drops five members of the Ku Klux Klan; with only his bare hands he bests a villain half gain his size and possessed of a sharp knife. It was all very wonderful. Seriously, however, "The Romance of Rosy Ridge" is good entertain- [[page cuts off]] [[double underline]] further enhanced by the introduction of Janet Leigh and a well-balanced cast. Miss Leigh, making her debut, offers a refreshing personality, a pretty face and figure, and the most promise of any newcomer this season. She is not only easy on the eyes but she conveys a sense of sincerity and assurance. It is to be hoped that Hollywood doesn't ruin her by re-making her into a glamour girl. In the subordinate roles are some excellent performers. One recalls, with pleasure, the work of Selena Royle as the mother of the clan; Charles Dingle as the doughty villain; Elizabeth Risdon as the storekeeper's shrewish wife; Russell Simpson as one of the town troublemakers; and Dean Stockwell as the young 'un who is in the center of all action. If M-G-M had only chopped out 20 minutes of "The Romance of Rosy Ridge" it would have been much closer to perfection. As it is, it is good entertainment and a step forward for Johnson. The secondary picture is "Bringing Up Father" with Renie Riano and Joe Yule. [[underline]] Eastbay 1938 Club Plans Musical Tea The Eastbay 1938 Club will hold its second annual musical tea on Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the parish house of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. The club-which is made up of Order of the Easter Star grand officers, matrons, and patrons of 1938 and their husbands and wives - will sponsor the event to aid the Casa Colina Home for Convalescent Crippled Children at Chino, Calif. Those who will take part in the program include Mary Isabel Warmer, worthy grand matron of California for 1938 and a member of the board of directors of the children's home; the Oakland String Trio, made up of Madeline Meservey, Donna Wall, and Barbara Curry; Ruth M. Dorris, and Robley Evans. Officers who will assist Marge Jenny, general chairman, in making arrangements are Dell Kenison, president; [[tear]] Smith vice-president; Martha [[tear]] ndrickson, [[tear]] hers [[underline]] STARTING TIME AT THE MOVIES [[underline]] Esquire - "The Patient Vanishes," 12 noon, 2:30, 5:05, 7:40, 10:15 p.m. and 12:50, 3:25 a.m.; "Sport of Kings," 1:20, 3:55, 6:30, 9:05, 11:40 p.m. and 2:15 a.m. Franklin - "Desert Fury," 1:20, 4:15, 7:10, 10:05 p.m.; "Spoilers of the North," 12:10, 3:05, 6, 9 p.m. Fox-Oakland - "Romance of Rosy Ridge," 11 a.m., 2, 5:10, 8:15, 11:30 p.m. and 2:45 a.m.; "Bringing Up Father," 12:45, 3:50, 7, 10:05 p.m. and 1:20 a.m. Grand Lake - "Desert Fury," 7:05 and 10:05 p.m.; "Spoilers of the North," 6 and 9 p.m. Orpheum - "Red Stallion," 12:20, 3:20, 6:15, 9:15 p.m. and 12:20, 3:10 a.m. Paramount - "They Won't Believe Me," 11 a.m., 1:50, 4:50, 7:50 and 10:50 p.m.; "Trespasser," 12:35, 3:35, 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Roxie - "Love of Rusty," 1:19, 4:20, 7:39, 10:49 p.m. and 1:55 a.m.; "Possessed," 12:05, 3:15, 6:25, 9:35 p.m. and 12:40 a.m. T & D - "Brute Force," 1:18, 4:20, 7:24, 10:35 p.m. and 1:50 a.m.; "Vigilantes Return," 12 noon, 3, 6:05, 9:05 p.m. and 12:20, 3:35 a.m. Tower - "Fantasia," 2:15, 4:40, 7:05 and 9:35 p.m. [[underline]] Masonic Lodge to Hold Sport Dance Acorn Masonic Lodge No. 494, will present a sports dance in the third floor banquet room at the Scottish Rite Temple, 1547 Oak Street, tomorrow night. Stewart B. Andrews, master of the lodge, said the affair is sponsored by the 1947 Greeters Committee which presented a similar affair in February. Acorn members, their families and friends, will attend. The committee includes Ralph Scott, Hal Wintermood, Charles Knapp, Ed Louis, Ted Trombley, Dick Oldershaw, Carl Moore, Ralph Beach, Del Bogle, Henry McMahon, Dallas Mays, Les Hamilton, Earl Phillips, and Chester Guthrie. [[underline]] Helene Costello Found 'Destitute' LOS ANGELES, Aug. 15. -(AP)- Helen Costello, 40, once a $3000 a week star of the silent film era, was awarded $200 a month alimony today by Superior Judge Louis W. Kaufman, who described her as "destitute." He ordered her husband, George LeBlanc to make the payments pending trial of her divorce suit. Symphony in Concert at Woodminster The American Federation of Musicians Symphony Orchestra, conducted by the popular director Arturo Casiglia, will give the regular Sunday afternoon admission-free concert at Woodminster Amphitheater next Sunday, at 3:30 o'clock, in the series presented by the Oakland Park Board. Walter Fredericks, tenor who has won praise for his recent opera performances at Woodminster and in Stern Grove, will appear as a soloist, singing "Che gelida manina" from "La Boheme" and "Cielo e mar" from "La Gioconda." Fredericks, winner of the $10,000 award of the Philadelphia Academy of Music and Art in 1939 and the Voice of Tomorrow contest in 1945, will depart soon for a year's study in Italy. Casiglia will conduct the orchestra in Rossini's overture "Semiramide," Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 in E minor, the Dance of the Hours from Ponchielli's "La Gioconda," Bizet's "L'Arlesienne" suite, and selections from the musical comedy "Oklahoma." The concert by 60 professional musicians is sponsored, free of charge to the Park Department, by American Federation of Musicians, Local No. 6, as an expression, it is stated, of co-operation, to bring great music to Woodminster and to help acquaint Bay Area people with the beautiful setting of the amphitheater in Joaquin Miller Park amid the Oakland hills. The personnel will include many members of the San Francisco Symphony and the San Francisco Opera orchestra. [[underline]] Public to Vote for Straw Hat Favorite For two months now, the Straw Hat Revue Theater in Lafayette has been handing out music and comedy on a satirical order, at the rate of a new show every three weeks. However, in answer to many requests for repeats of certain numbers, the cast will assemble the final revue of the season from hit acts of the first three shows. In order to get a cross section of audience opinion, the selection is being conducted by means of the ballot - and as the votes begin coming in, it looks like audiences will have another glimpse of such numbers as the Pinole Mixed Choral Society and the Plumb Trio. This "all request" revue will climax the Summer season from August 23 to September 6, nightly except Sundays and Mondays at the Lafayette Town Hall. Reservations may be made by calling AShberry 3-4710. [[underline]] Telenews Books 'Kartoon Karnival' An hour and a half of cartoons, comedies and fun is slated for tomorrow's Kartoon Karnival at the Telenews. Starting at 9 o'clock, the junior fare will feature the antics of Bugs Bunny, Tom and Jerry, the Three Stooges and other comedy [[tear]]
