Modesto Junior College - Buccaneer Yearbook (Modesto, CA)

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BUCCANEER - 193 7 45 -un-uu-nn-uu- nn-uni nn1uu-nn--nun-nn--H111 nninun---:nu--im1.. -.m1,,,,..uuun.-ml1,,,,1,,,,.-nu1,.,,iu.,.....nuli1nn1,,,,1.ni:1,,,.MMU-In-H Stars of Murder in the Old Red Barn As a side issue, a high school play festival, the Hrst ever attempted here, was held Marcli 19 for six San Joaquin valley high schools. College Players were hosts and the Modesto Bee, sponsors. To finish the season, a program of one-act plays was given May 20, 21, and 22, the last evening production on the Little Theatre season. N 0 'Count Boy, and Fixilfs by Paul Green, and Dead M6l'Z Cafft H uri You, by Jewell Tulle comprised the program. Arlene Friedrich and George Maze carried the leads in the opening pro- duction-Miss Friedrich as Susan Cun- ingham, amateur detective Who solves the mystery of Arthur Ludgrove's murder, and Maze as her major accom- plice, the young English chap, Jimmy Ludgrove. Murderer Edward P. Carter was convincingly portrayed by Gordon Pool, While his nervous and despicable partner was played by Horton Karker. Pershing Olson fairly sent the audi- ence into hysterics with his excellent characterization of old P. C. Malle and Barbara Wfhitmore and Lee Vincent in a poignant s John Babcock pleased as the tolerant son and budding young investigator, l'Sargeant Mallet. Helen Smith dusted off her very best throaty English accent and put it into use as Mrs. Hugh Fothergill. The unfortunate victim of the murderer was portrayed by Lee Vincent Who carried the role with ease and natural- ness. Ethelyn Libby was the matter-of- fact and slightly bored young modern, C6112 ,

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44 X531 S, 1937 - QUCCANEER 1 - 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1nn1un1.mr1un..nn.1uu1...,1.,.,1,. We w Qs, pw as kv vein!!! X K fx 'liz I ,K 'TEE - --at QW. , 2515 elf Mrs. Barbara Gartshore, director of College Little Theater ENTHUSIASTIC DRAMATISTS were rewarded this school year with a new Little Theatre, boasting the Hrst ade- quate play production facilities ever installed on the campus. Celebrating the opening of this new acquisition, the drama department pre- sented Tbe Pe1'fc'c1f Alibi, English mur- der mystery, on Cctober 23 and 24. This polished drama was followed by a melodrama, MZL'l dC1' in the Old Red Bmfn, done in all its original color, on November 4, 5, 6 and 7. December 10, 11 and 12 found the production of the tragic play, A Bill Of Di'l!01'L'f?'71ZB71f, on the Little Theatre stage. Spring began appropriately enough for the theatre with The Romrzvztic Young Lady, whimsical Spanish come- dy, presented April 8, 9, and 10. Immediately following on April 13 came the Pasadena Play Tournament- this year's entry, Paul Green's tale of rural life, Fixinis. Cast of The Perfect Alibii'

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46 -un.-nn- 1m--unimica-viii-:ian-11.11lm-un--nn..m.1mn-nnn-lm- - Rose Webster, John Fiske Jane West, friend of Susan, Betty Fitch appeared as fluffy facef' Mrs. Fulver- ton-Fane, Widow, and Howard McBee traded his Southern accent for an English one and became Adams, the butler. Rip-roaring, side-splitting melo- drama found its Way to the Little The- ater next in the form of an 1840 moral lesson, Murder in the Old Red Barn, directed by Lynn Windus. 1937 - BUCCANEER Robert Ashley turned in a highly creditable performance in the role of the heavy lead , the villain, empha- sizing his dastardly deeds With dra- matically outstretched hand, leers and asides. Barbara Whitmore as the heroine, murdered by Ashley, handled the com- plex role deftly. Facial grimaces of Charlotte Smith in the part of the heroine,s sister con- tributed materially to her portrayal of this amusing role. Her partner in laugh- provoking was Comer Goble as the Hirst low comedian . Mamma and papa of the erring heroine were characterized by Jeanne Cool and Richard Lyng. Others in the cast Were: Bernard Larson, Clinton Mack, Lavern Carlson, Donald Montgomery, Leonard Weston, Floyd Allen, Martha Ayer, Pool, Pa- tricia High, Helen De Laney, Benjamin Roseman, and Bernice Lamb. The audience helped on this one too, pelting the Villain with peanuts and shells and colorful backdrops and an advertising-covered drop curtain added to the atmosphere of the produc- tion. Tense, gripping drama was presen- ted in A Bill of Diiforcement, the story Cast of The Romantic Young Lady