Guy Kibbee In the 30's
EY will be back tomorrow.
gdh
1/1/1937 SFC Sheilah Graham
Hollywood. Dec. 31–While Hollywood's fairest film stars have been scrambling for parts in Gone With the Wind, little Dorothy Jordan, who retired from picture work when she married producer Merian C. Cooper three years ago, has quietly stepped in and snagged for herself the role of sweet, gentle Melanie. According to Mr. Cooper, vice president of the Selznick International, no one is more entitled to the assignment than his wife, whose delightful Southern accent and excellent acting ability have been absent too long from the screen.
The best bet to date for the role of Scarlett O'Hara is Margaret Sullavan, if she can be persuaded to return to Hollywood from Broadway, where she is now appearing in the George Kaufman-Edna Ferber play, "Stage Door." Clark Gable is practically set for Rhett Butler, although there has been some talk recently of Gary Cooper for the part.
Very few filmites are aware that Jock Whitney is responsible for purchasing the screen rights of Gone With the Wind for the company of which he is chief financial backer. When it was originally submitted to Selznick International story readers, prior to book publication, it was turned down because "the characters were unsympathetic." Paramount was the next studio to thumb down the manuscript. Fortunately for S.I., the studio's New York story scout, Katharine Brown, read it, liked it and persuaded Jock Whitney to exert his considerable influence towards its purchase.
Incidentally, the price paid authoress Margaret Mitchell was $55,000 and not $50,000–the first time on record a screen price has been understated in the press. If Miss Mitchell had waited a few months, however, she could have demanded–and received–five times that amount. The screen version of her phenomenal best seller, work on which is scheduled by director George Cukor to begin in May, is expected to net a profit of a million dollars–at least.
Guy Kibbee In the 30's
ABBREVIATIONS
CE -- California Eagle
DN – Daily News (Los Angeles)
EE – Los Angeles Evening Express
EH -- Los Angeles Evening Herald
EHE -- Los Angeles Evening Herald Express
FD – Film Daily
HCN -- Hollywood Citizen News
HDC -- Hollywood Daily Citizen
IDN -- Los Angeles Illustrated Daily News
LAR -- Los Angeles Record
LAPR -- Los Angeles Post-Record
LAX -- Los Angeles Examiner
MPH – Motion Picture Herald
SFC – San Francisco Chronicle
9/17/1930 HDC Jack Gaver
New York, Sept 17.—About once or twice a year playgoing New Yorkers startle themselves, and supposedly the rest of the world, with the announcement that they have discovered a new star or potential star of the speaking stage.
The discovered usually is a young actor or actress, more often the better, because it is a byword of the American stage that, while good young actors are scarce, actresses of great talent can be discovered on almost any amateur stage from Kennebunkport to Walla Walla.
The discovery process this season has two unusual aspects. First, it has occurred comparatively early in the season, and second, the subject of discussion is a 44-year-old actor–Guy Kibbee of points west–who had never set foot on a New York stage until Arthur Hopkins produced "Torch Song" at the Plymouth Theater.
NO MATINEE IDOL
Kibbee is not a matinee idol. The scales probably would weigh him in at around 200 pounds, stageside, and he would be an interesting subject for those emporiums which guarantee to grow hair on the Sphinx. But he is a personality, and one to be reckoned with in the New York drama, if he chooses to stay here.
The qualifying "if" is used because Kibbee has shown himself highly different to the blandishments of Broadway during the 20-some years he has graces casts of stock companies west of the Mississippi. Report has it that one time he motored to New York with Mrs. Kibbee, gave the white light district a brief glance and decided if Broadway wanted him badly enough he would wait until sent for.
Hopkins finally got around to doing this and now Kibbee is set in a grand part in one of the season's first hits.
TRAVELING SALESMAN
"Torch Song" permits Kibbee to be a traveling salesman on the loose in a hotel in Pomeroy, O. As Cass Wheeler he is a purveyor of morticians' supplies, or "underground novelties" as he fittingly calls them. Kenyon Nicholson, author of the play, has given most of the humorous lines to Cass Wheeler, but even so it is easy to believe the role would be a little less enjoyable if in other hands than Kibbee's.
The actor admits to Pecos Valley, New Mexico, as his birthplace, setting the date as 1886. After seeing his father and five brothers enter the newspaper business he decided there wasn't enough versatility in the family and went on the stage where he could be a different person ever so often.
1/16/1931 HDC Elizabeth Yeaman
Several important additions have been made to the cast of Gentlemen of the Streets, the new William Powell starring picture. These include Maude Truex, Andre Cheron, Tom Costello, Tom Ricketts, Wynne Gibson, Lawrence Gray and Guy Kibbee. The original title of this picture was Cavalier of the Streets. Richard Wallace is directing.
1/23/1931 HDC Elizabeth Yeaman
Kay Francis, she of the sleek black hair and magnetic deep voice, is the latest addition to the cast of Paramount's City Streets, which Rouben Mamoulian is directing as his first picture in Hollywood. This means that Kay will have to cut short her honeymoon cruise with Kenneth MacKenna. She joins a group of players headed by Gary Cooper, Sylvia Sidney, William Boyd, Paul Lukas, Stanley Fields and Guy Kibbee. City Streets is a drama of the upper-underworld by Dashiell Hammett, who formerly was a Pinkerton detective. Oliver H.P. Garrett has written the screen adaptation and Max Marcin, a well known playwright has prepared the dialogue.
....
3/2/1931 HDC KIBBEE IN NEXT DUFFY OFFERING
Guy Kibbee, the actor who was selected by New York dramatic critics as having given the best performance of the year on Broadway, has been engaged by Henry Duffy to play an important role with Frank Craven in That's Gratitude, the student-actor's latest comedy hit which opens Sunday matinee, March 8, at the El Capitan Theater.
Heywood Broun, Percy Hammond, Ward Morehouse, John Anderson, Whitney Bolton, John Mason Brown are among the prominent New York critics upon whose lists of "best performances of the season," the name of Guy Kibbee was leading. The actor won this high tribute for his performance of Cass Wheeler in Arthur Hopkin's production of "Torch Song."
Mr. Kibbee is to play the role of the Kansas ink manufacturer in the Craven hit which ran all season at the John Golden Theater in New York. In addition to Mr. Kibbee the cast for the El Capitan production also includes Juanita Wray, well known musical comedy prima donna; Betty Farringon, James Bush, Effie Afton, Leo Lindhart, Billie Van Every, Donald Campbell and Arnold Gray.
3/9/1931 HDC "That's Gratitude"
By Elizabeth Yeaman
"That's Gratitude," a play by and with Frank Craven, had a notable opening at the El Capitan Theater yesterday. And although Craven is the author and plays one of the principal roles in this humorous and intensely human bit of entertainment, there is another actor who scored an individual hit. He is Guy Kibbee.
For a time it looked as though Kibbee was going to dominate the entire production. This, however, was due to no deficiency on the part of Craven, who deliberately has made the role of Thomas Maxwell a stronger characterization than the role of Robert Grant which he himself plays.
"That's Gratitude" will never go on record for the plot construction. It's about two men who become sentimentally grateful to each other over a pint prescription. In the end, one goes to visit the other at his home, and there he threatens to become a permanent and non-paying guest. His final exodus from the house is brought about with amusing complications that require the third act to be unraveled.
PLOT NOT IMPORTANT
But it is not the plot that is important in "That's Gratitude." Mr. Craven has conceived characterizations so real and so interesting that it matters very little they do. The dialogue is neither smart nor risque, but it is intimately human, and succeeds in giving us an insight into personal emotions, ambitions and purposes that is exceedingly entertaining.
Kibbee gives a portrayal of Thomas Maxwell that will long be considered the acme of histrionic achievement. His performance is so impeccably natural that it bears not the slightest tinge of staginess. He is priceless as the garrulous and bibulous friend who presses his hospitality on the man whom he credits, in maudlin exaggeration, with having saved his life. Then his transition to dour resentment when the friend takes a permanent foothold in his home is perfectly expressed in his rage over the manner in which his neckties are being worn, and his best cigars smoked by the now unwelcome guest. His matchmaking schemes for his homely eldest daughter are typical of the egotism of this man.
CRAVEN EXCELLENT
Craven injects much individuality into his role of Robert Grant, the friend who becomes an interloper in the Maxwell household. The force nonchalance with which he meets his unwelcome position is extremely funny, and his ingenious interference in the family affairs results in an uproarious exit. His pantomime is even more artistic than his spoken words.
Betty Farrington is admirably cast as Mrs. Maxwell, the understanding and paradoxically unreasonable wife. (Rest cut off)
3/27/1931 LAR Man of the World
CAST: William Powell, Carole Lombard, Wynne Gibson, Guy Kibbee, Lawrence Gray, Andre Cheron, George Chandler and Tom Costello. Directed by Richard Wallace from story by Herman Mankiewicz. On the stage: "El Camino Real," featuring Rosita Moreno, the Jose Arias Mexican Tipics Orchestra and Max Fisther and his Mayfair band.
By Winifred Aydelotte
Love makes the world go around, forces blackmailers to give up their remunerative life and become poor, honest citizens, supplies the movies with plots and occasionally manages to be unrequited or capable of heroic sacrifices, then fooling audiences who have been trained to expect a final and happy clinch.
And so, in Man of the World, which opened yesterday at the Paramount, William Powell is seen first as a blackmailer in Paris, whose ability to keep his "cash and you'll have quiet" eye on indiscreet Americans in the French capital is exceeded only by his continental manners, which are just too savoir faire for anything, and later as the self-sacrificing lover.
Perhaps, sometime, if Powell is allowed to be not quite so perfect, if sometime he can wear his tie just the least bit crooked and thus prove that behind the spats there lurks a man, his sufferings or triumphs would be even more effective than they are now.
For, in spite of the fact that his role in Man of the World gives him barely more than an opportunity to win the marathon pokerface championship, Powell is delightful.
Carole Lombard is the American girl with whom he falls in love after relieving her uncle, the soft coal king, of a goodly share of his Pittsburgh profits.
Wynne Gibson, as Powell's aide in his blackmailing activities, brings a hard-boiled tenderness to her role of the girl who doesn't care much whether Powell is honest or dishonest, just so she can be with him. Her performance, under the circumstances, is the highlight of the picture.
Guy Kibbee is also splendid as the uncle. Lawrence Gray does a good deal with his part as a not-too-bright suitor from Pittsburgh, and others are Andre Cheron, George Chandler and Tom Costello.
The film moves very slowly, but with the help of Powell and Miss Gibson, it does move, and it moves interestingly.
On the stage this week, Rosita Moreno is seen in a stunning group of Spanish dances, and also, of all things, a jazz tap dance, which, incidentally she does very well. She is accompanied by the Jose Arias Mexican Tipica orchestra.
3/27/1931 EH Man of the World
By Dick Hunt
Escaping detective roles and courtroom sequences momentarily, William Powell takes the opposite side of the law in Man of the World, current at the Paramount.
This "breather" from his familiar tasks reveals the star using his sophistication and cunning in extracting a livelihood through blackmail. And very successfully, we are led to believe, until he falls in love with the niece of one of his victims.
GOOD PERFORMANCES
Performances rather than story provide the entertainment in Man of the World. The theme, dealing with one who cannot follow the impulse of his heart due to his crooked past, is commonplace enough. Also the film has an over-abundance of dialogue, obviously to give it proper length. Action is dominated by long speeches. With this to combat, the result is a slow tempo which Herman Mankiewicz could not evade in his treatment nor Richard Wallace in his direction.
Nevertheless, they have provided interesting characterizations. Powell gives a finished one as an outcast from America preying on the pocketbooks of Paris tourists.
ATTRACTIVE ACCOMPLICE
In this racket of extracting sums through the threat of printing spicy squibs in a secretly conducted scandal sheet he is assisted by an attractive accomplice. The part is played by Wynne Gibson, who not only possesses the charm, but adds a most sincere performance. Especially good are the scenes in which she realizes she is losing Powell through the attentions of his niece.
Carole Lombard plays this latter role convincingly, with the exception of her reading of dramatic lines in a short sequence dealing with Powell's confession.
Guy Kibbee is a grand example of a tourist paying his first visit to Europe. George Chandler capably fills the capacity of a guide and an associate of the blackmailing ring. Lawrence Gray is seen briefly as Miss Lombard's sweetheart, and Andre Cheron and Tom Costello complete the supporting cast.
3/28/1931 EH Guy Kibbee Recalls Early Stock Days
When William Powell, star of the current Paramount screen feature, Man of the World, and Guy Kibbee, a member of the cast, shared the same dressing room in Northampton, Mass., as members of the Northampton stock company. Calvin Coolidge, then a lawyer, was said to have been an ardent supporter of their shows.
Kibbee, veteran stage actor, who appeared with Powell in Man of the World, recalls that Coolidge and his family attended the Northampton theater with fair regularity.
4/19/1931 FD City Streets
Paramount 70 minutes
There are many tense moments and a score of heart-thrills in this underworld-racketeer production.. Director Rouben Mamoulian has used nearly every trick known to gangster production and has added a few neat bits which all go to make up a fine piece of entertainment for those who want this style picture. The story revolves around Gary Cooper, who starts out as a circus concession man only to be roped into the beer racket through a series of events that force Sylvia Sidney, his sweetheart, behind prison walls. Upon her release Sylvia tries to make Gary quit the racket, and he does, but there is a murder, some fast and furious automobile riding and plenty machine gun firing before the final clinch. Miss Sidney carries the burden of the piece and handles her lines and situations with ease and conviction.
Cast: Gary Cooper, Sylvia Sidney, Paul Lukas, William Boyd, Guy Kibbee, Stanley Fields, Wynne Gibson, Betty Sinclair.
Director, Rouben Mamoulian; Author, Dashiell Hammett; Adaptors, Max Marcin, Oliver H. P. Garrett; Dialoguer, Not credited; Editor, Not Credited; Cameraman, Lee Garmes; Recording engineer, J.L. Goodrich.
Direction, Fine. Photography, Fine.
5/19/1931 HDC Elizabeth Yeaman
Universal is buying stories right and left. The latest purchase in The Rich Are Always With Us, a novel by E. Pettit. It is another society story with a divorce angle. Guy Kibbee, one of the best character actors on the Broadway stage, who appeared in two Henry Duffy productions, has just signed a long-term contract with Warners. The contract was offered him after some of the executives had viewed the rushes to Side Show, the carnival picture starring Winnie Lightner. Kibbee was so good in this picture that the studio decided they could not afford to let him go. His next assignment on the Warner lot will be in The Moon Murder Mystery.
5/22/1931 HDC City Streets
By Elizabeth Yeaman
Something new in the line of gangster pictures is at the Pantages Theater this week where City Streets is showing. It is an excellently produced picture filled with suspense and exciting incidents, and lacking in the blood-thirsty killings which usually characterize this type of picture.
To Rouben Mamoulian, the director, goes credit for having made an artistic and highly entertaining picture based on a theme which is cruel and sordid. Mr. Mamoulian does not follow the stereotyped procedure in such pictures. He has inculcated much originality and artistry in his treatment and he has emphasized suspense rather than horror.
City Streets is also notable for bringing to the screen Sylvia Sidney. She is not beautiful but she is a fine little actress with a great deal of personality. Furthermore, Gary Cooper gives one of his best performances as "The Kid" who loved Miss Sidney.
CONEY ISLAND
The story opens with the seething, milling throngs at Coney Island where Cooper is employed in one of the amusement concessions. Miss Sidney, daughter of a beer racketeer, loves Cooper, but he is too poor to marry her. She tries to goad him into the beer racket, telling him of the easy profits, but he is not interested.
Then Miss Sidney takes the rap for a murder that her father committed. She is found in possession of the gun he used, and goes to the penitentiary. Cooper, meanwhile enters the beer racket, to raise money in the hope of getting her out.
As told, the story is pretty trite, but it is fascinating and intensely exciting on the screen. There are some marvelous atmospheric shots in the picture as well as some subtle flashes which take the place of lengthy explanations.
DRAMATIC POWER
Miss Sidney has unusual dramatic power and Cooper has an engaging appeal that is most attractive. In the supporting cast Guy Kibbee is outstanding for his marvelous portrayal of Pop Cooley. Wynne Gibson also does some fine work, and Paul Lukas has little to do as the gangster chief. Other players include William Boyd, Stanley Fields, and Betty Sinclair.
A variety of stellar talent is offered on the stage in Fanchon and Marco's Rising Star Idea. Anderson and Allen give an amazing acrobatic act. Zellma scored a hit with her toe tap dancing, Buddy and Gretel performed in some unusual ball room dancing, and others headlined include Mary Miles, Wanda Allen, Fern Dale, Chiyo Kadomatsu, Harry Stockwell, Helen Ireland, Theol Nelson and Dorothy Welch.
Slim Martin and his orchestra furnish orchestral accompaniments, and a Mickey Mouse Cartoon and current newsreel complete the program.
6/11/1931 IDN LAUGHING SINNERS
By Harry Mines
Tearful drama of a girl, disillusioned in love, who finds happiness working with the Salvation Army is Laughing Sinners, MGM's picturization of Kenyon Nicholson's play, "Torch Song."
Showing now at Loew's State Theater, it allows Joan Crawford ample emotional scope in the role of the playgirl, who, cast off by her traveling salesman sweetie, departs the primrose path and leads a noble, upright life. Just when everything is going peacefully, along comes the salesman back into her life, and Joan is tempted in a hotel room. But the audience is allowed a happy ending.
DAZZLING
The Crawford personality is a dazzling, charming one especially when she sings and dances in the earlier reels, but what's more, she is a fine ans skillful actress who rises above the shortcomings of her vehicle, which is rather talky, lengthy and a bit too dramatic.
Harry Beaumont's direction is good and he puts as much life into the picture as possible, although with so much dialogue about this is a difficult feat. However, he had the capable assistance of a superb cast of sure actors and actresses who have all come to his aid.
Comedy is sprinkled throughout with the remarks of traveling salesmen about business and women, causing some laughs. But on the whole, the picture seems drab with so much dramatic atmosphere.
What an actor Neil Hamilton is turning into! Here he is seen as semi-villain, playing the characterization for all its worth. He steals many scenes away from Miss Crawford despite her numerous close-ups.
The latest movie sheik, Clarke Gable, wrestles with an inadequate part, that of a pedantic young man who had at last found out how to live happily. For the most part, he is successful, especially in the important sequences.
EXCELLENT
Marjorie Rambeau is simply grand as the chorus girl friend, while Guy Kibbee, that odd, smiling person from City Streets, is amusing as the embalming fluid salesman. And credit to Roscoe Karns, Cliff Edwards, Gertrude Short, George Cooper, George Marion and Bert Woodruff rounding out the balance of the cast.
On the stage, Fanchon and Marco have provided a "Vaud Bits Idea," featuring a burlesque ballet from Sue Russell, Hinky and Dinky, plus some wisecracking and singing from Doyle and Donnelly; dancing from the attractive Pearl twins and the Three Rhythm Queens. The Six Gordonians close the show with a tumbling bit.
Then there's Charlie Irwin as the M.C. and Lou Kosloff leading the orchestra through a tuneful novelty number.
6/11/1931 EH LAUGHING SINNERS
Laughing Sinners. Opened at Loew's State Wednesday, June 10. Directed by Harry Beaumont. Play by Kenyon Nicholson.
CAST: Joan Crawford, Neil Hamilton, Clark Gable, Marjorie Rambeau, Guy Kibbee, Cliff Edwards, Roscoe Karns, Gertrude Short, George Cooper, George Marion and Bert Woodruff.
By W.E. Oliver
Admirers of Joan Crawford will be intrigued by her in the Salvation Army lassie's uniform she wears for Laughing Sinners, the new Loew's State film.
This is the play which, under the title of Torch Song, relates the conflict of a night club girl who gets religion and then meets the man with whom she lived and whose jilting of her changed her life.
The fight between her old passion and her soul-saving, new calling creates very dramatic moments, some of which have been well caught by the picture.
Miss Crawford's flair on the screen for abandoned recklessness in contrast with chaste moments of renunciation make her well fitted for the role of the girl.
Clark Gable stalwartly plays the young Salvation Army man who saves her. Neil Hamilton airily plays the traveling salesman whose moral scruples are nil.
Others who amuse in the cast are Guy Kibbee in his original stage role, Roscoe Karns, George Cooper, Marjorie Rambeau and Cliff Edwards.
The Fanchon and Marco stage show is exceptionally good. At least four separate acts are as clever as you'd want in any stage show. Even Charles Irwin is funny this week--maybe because he sticks closer to his regular line of pattern
Thrilling sights from all over the world this week are shown and told in Hearst's Metrotone News by the Globe Trotter.
6/13/1931 EE GUY KIBBEE BOUNCES TO FAME
After 28 years on the stage "in the sticks," and playing extra parts in the pictures, Guy Kibbee woke up one morning to find himself on Broadway and sought by Hollywood producers for big screen roles.
It was the characterization of Cass Wheeler in the original production of "The Torch Song," that Kibbee bounced into sudden fame. Having repeated this blustery role in MGM's picturization of the theater success, which is called Laughing Sinners, now showing at Loew's State, Kibbee admits bewilderment, but admits his late recognition is pretty nice.
"I thought I was about through," he commented. "But now look what happened. I'm busier than I've ever been in my life. Producers I couldn't even see before now chase me with wires for important parts. I had never been on Broadway before, and the only work I did in pictures was as an extra or bit player, acting policeman parts. In fact, I lost my life savings when I tried to break into movies a few years ago. I had sold my little printing business in San Francisco and come to Hollywood to go broke. That's how I happened to strike out for Broadway when I was given the chance in "The Torch Song."
7/17/1931 HDC Elizabeth Yeaman
What a cast is being signed up for Flying High at MGM. Yesterday I announced that Charlotte Greenwood would play opposite that delightful comedian, Bert Lahr. Today I learn that Hedda Hopper and Guy Kibbee will play with them. Hedda has played dozens of society mothers on te screen, but in Flying High she will depart from her usual serious characterizations and enact the role of a broad comedy wife and mother. Guy Kibbee, from investing in the doubtful airplane invention of Bert Lahr. Kibbee has an individual brand of comedy that is most refreshing, so all in all, Flying High is off to a good start.
9/25/1931 IDN Side Show
By Eleanor Barnes
Bewildered though he seemed, yet at all times seeking in his balmy method to solve his and everybody's problems, Charles Butterworth, dead-pan comic, yesterday topped the noisy comedy of Winnie Lightner's Side Show at Warners' Downtown and Hollywood theaters.
Wise-cracking Arthur Caesar, who is accredited with more Hollywood Boulevard gags than a centipede has toes, hasn't doped out such a wow of a plot for this film, yet the personalities of the players overcome the threadbare story in which they have been directed by Roy Del Ruth.
This the yarn about the capable and hard boiled all-around circus girl named Pat, who runs the show because the owner is always drunk. She is in love with the spieler, who takes her "dough" and leaves her "cold" for her young sister when she joins the company.
When heroic methods are needed, such as pacifying the acts when the box office is low, Pat figures them out; she substitutes for the bearded lady, for the daredevil diver, for the hula-hula dancer on the stage when the latter is giving birth to a child in their home on wheels. She, withal, is a good-hearted girl and pulls the show through thin spots.
WEAK PLOT
Finally, when she splits up with Joe over her sister, Irene, Pat decides to go along just the same, when sure enough, Joe comes trotting back, clears up the atmosphere with a vague explanation that he and the sister weren't infatuated with each other and Pat and Joe decide to get married.
MUCH COMEDY
However, the story doesn't hurt this picture. There's too much fun in it for that. With Winnie Lightner as the versatile Pat running around in various costumes, doing dangerous stunts and leading a riot on the lot, there's plenty of hilarity in this production.
Butterworth, who rapidly is gaining a foremost spot in hearts of comedy lovers, puts plenty of zip into the ridiculous character of Sydney, roustabout. Sidney's visit to the lion's cage is a knockout, especially his explanations of big game hunting.
Evalyn Knapp as Irene, does a nice bit of work. She is the little girl who was injured some months ago and is welcomed back to the screen.
Donald Cook, as the worthless lover of Winnie, is well cast, while Guy Kibbee, noted stage star, plays the mellow and colorful role of "Pop," proprietor of the tent show. Mathew Betz, Ann Magruder, Luis Alberni, Edward Morgan, Tom Ricketts, Otto Hoffman and others complete the cast.
ADDITIONAL
Something new in short subjects is an organ sonata offered at Warners' called Say a Little Prayer, while Ruth Etting, in a comical short-subject, Old Lace, presents a worthy two-reeler. Miss Etting's lovely voice is heard to good advantage in several old songs, which won the applause of the audience at the first show yesterday. Bobbie Jones in a golf short, Practice Shots, concludes the program.
10/2/1931 HDC I Like Your Nerve
By Elizabeth Yeaman
Douglas Fairbanks Jr. has proved that he is an actor in his own right and has a definite personality of his own. So it is without fear of imitation that he has starred in I Like Your Nerve, a picture of dashing and adventurous romance which came to Warners' Hollywood and Downtown theaters yesterday.
I Like Your Nerve has a strong resemblance to the romantic silent films of Doug Sr. It is not a costume picture, but it has a verve and buoyancy that bear the unmistakable Fairbanks trademark. Furthermore, the personal similarity between Doug pere and Doug fils was never so striking as in this picture.
NOTHING IMPOSSIBLE
The keynote to the picture may be summed up in one brief line of dialogue: "There's no such word as impossible." Doug Jr. proceeds to prove the truth of the statement. From start to finish he accomplishes the impossible, always, of course, in the interests of a lady fair.
It is a joyous, exuberant picture, quite lacking in logic but carried along by the irrepressible joie de vivre of the star. The romance is as fantastically pleasant as the bold adventures. From a bullied weakling, Doug Jr. blossoms forth as an intrepid adventurer, determined to live up to the prophecies of a fake fortune teller.
In Central America he crosses the path of Loretta Young, who is about to be married to a wealthy old fossil. Doug has only four days in which to break up that pending marriage, but he does it in a series of whirlwind adventures that provide exciting entertainment.
This picture should do excellently at the box office. It revives the fast-moving and romantic type of film that has been too long absent from the screen. Loretta Young, who is about to be married to a wealthy old fossil. Doug has only four days in which to break up that pending marriage, but he does it in a series of whirlwind adventures that provide entertainment.
This picture should do excellently at the box office. It revives the fast-moving and romantic type of film that has been too long absent from the screen.
Loretta Young is beautifully charming as the girl, and Doug Jr., should be any one's ideal of the indomitable hero. Those who would complain that silent picture technique was lost with the intrusion of the talkies should see this film.
CLAUDE ALLISTER CAST
Other players prominently cast include Claude Allister, Guy Kibbee, Andre Cheron, Henry Kolker, Edmund Breon, Boris Karloff and Louis Alberni.
The story and dialogue were written by Roland Pertwee. William McGann has done a nice job of directing.
I Like Your Nerve is not a great picture, but it is thoroughly entertaining film fare. Doug Jr. would do well to make more pictures of this type.
The usual assortment of short subjects is included on the program.
gdh
1/1/1937 SFC Sheilah Graham
Hollywood. Dec. 31–While Hollywood's fairest film stars have been scrambling for parts in Gone With the Wind, little Dorothy Jordan, who retired from picture work when she married producer Merian C. Cooper three years ago, has quietly stepped in and snagged for herself the role of sweet, gentle Melanie. According to Mr. Cooper, vice president of the Selznick International, no one is more entitled to the assignment than his wife, whose delightful Southern accent and excellent acting ability have been absent too long from the screen.
The best bet to date for the role of Scarlett O'Hara is Margaret Sullavan, if she can be persuaded to return to Hollywood from Broadway, where she is now appearing in the George Kaufman-Edna Ferber play, "Stage Door." Clark Gable is practically set for Rhett Butler, although there has been some talk recently of Gary Cooper for the part.
Very few filmites are aware that Jock Whitney is responsible for purchasing the screen rights of Gone With the Wind for the company of which he is chief financial backer. When it was originally submitted to Selznick International story readers, prior to book publication, it was turned down because "the characters were unsympathetic." Paramount was the next studio to thumb down the manuscript. Fortunately for S.I., the studio's New York story scout, Katharine Brown, read it, liked it and persuaded Jock Whitney to exert his considerable influence towards its purchase.
Incidentally, the price paid authoress Margaret Mitchell was $55,000 and not $50,000–the first time on record a screen price has been understated in the press. If Miss Mitchell had waited a few months, however, she could have demanded–and received–five times that amount. The screen version of her phenomenal best seller, work on which is scheduled by director George Cukor to begin in May, is expected to net a profit of a million dollars–at least.
Guy Kibbee In the 30's
ABBREVIATIONS
CE -- California Eagle
DN – Daily News (Los Angeles)
EE – Los Angeles Evening Express
EH -- Los Angeles Evening Herald
EHE -- Los Angeles Evening Herald Express
FD – Film Daily
HCN -- Hollywood Citizen News
HDC -- Hollywood Daily Citizen
IDN -- Los Angeles Illustrated Daily News
LAR -- Los Angeles Record
LAPR -- Los Angeles Post-Record
LAX -- Los Angeles Examiner
MPH – Motion Picture Herald
SFC – San Francisco Chronicle
9/17/1930 HDC Jack Gaver
New York, Sept 17.—About once or twice a year playgoing New Yorkers startle themselves, and supposedly the rest of the world, with the announcement that they have discovered a new star or potential star of the speaking stage.
The discovered usually is a young actor or actress, more often the better, because it is a byword of the American stage that, while good young actors are scarce, actresses of great talent can be discovered on almost any amateur stage from Kennebunkport to Walla Walla.
The discovery process this season has two unusual aspects. First, it has occurred comparatively early in the season, and second, the subject of discussion is a 44-year-old actor–Guy Kibbee of points west–who had never set foot on a New York stage until Arthur Hopkins produced "Torch Song" at the Plymouth Theater.
NO MATINEE IDOL
Kibbee is not a matinee idol. The scales probably would weigh him in at around 200 pounds, stageside, and he would be an interesting subject for those emporiums which guarantee to grow hair on the Sphinx. But he is a personality, and one to be reckoned with in the New York drama, if he chooses to stay here.
The qualifying "if" is used because Kibbee has shown himself highly different to the blandishments of Broadway during the 20-some years he has graces casts of stock companies west of the Mississippi. Report has it that one time he motored to New York with Mrs. Kibbee, gave the white light district a brief glance and decided if Broadway wanted him badly enough he would wait until sent for.
Hopkins finally got around to doing this and now Kibbee is set in a grand part in one of the season's first hits.
TRAVELING SALESMAN
"Torch Song" permits Kibbee to be a traveling salesman on the loose in a hotel in Pomeroy, O. As Cass Wheeler he is a purveyor of morticians' supplies, or "underground novelties" as he fittingly calls them. Kenyon Nicholson, author of the play, has given most of the humorous lines to Cass Wheeler, but even so it is easy to believe the role would be a little less enjoyable if in other hands than Kibbee's.
The actor admits to Pecos Valley, New Mexico, as his birthplace, setting the date as 1886. After seeing his father and five brothers enter the newspaper business he decided there wasn't enough versatility in the family and went on the stage where he could be a different person ever so often.
1/16/1931 HDC Elizabeth Yeaman
Several important additions have been made to the cast of Gentlemen of the Streets, the new William Powell starring picture. These include Maude Truex, Andre Cheron, Tom Costello, Tom Ricketts, Wynne Gibson, Lawrence Gray and Guy Kibbee. The original title of this picture was Cavalier of the Streets. Richard Wallace is directing.
1/23/1931 HDC Elizabeth Yeaman
Kay Francis, she of the sleek black hair and magnetic deep voice, is the latest addition to the cast of Paramount's City Streets, which Rouben Mamoulian is directing as his first picture in Hollywood. This means that Kay will have to cut short her honeymoon cruise with Kenneth MacKenna. She joins a group of players headed by Gary Cooper, Sylvia Sidney, William Boyd, Paul Lukas, Stanley Fields and Guy Kibbee. City Streets is a drama of the upper-underworld by Dashiell Hammett, who formerly was a Pinkerton detective. Oliver H.P. Garrett has written the screen adaptation and Max Marcin, a well known playwright has prepared the dialogue.
....
3/2/1931 HDC KIBBEE IN NEXT DUFFY OFFERING
Guy Kibbee, the actor who was selected by New York dramatic critics as having given the best performance of the year on Broadway, has been engaged by Henry Duffy to play an important role with Frank Craven in That's Gratitude, the student-actor's latest comedy hit which opens Sunday matinee, March 8, at the El Capitan Theater.
Heywood Broun, Percy Hammond, Ward Morehouse, John Anderson, Whitney Bolton, John Mason Brown are among the prominent New York critics upon whose lists of "best performances of the season," the name of Guy Kibbee was leading. The actor won this high tribute for his performance of Cass Wheeler in Arthur Hopkin's production of "Torch Song."
Mr. Kibbee is to play the role of the Kansas ink manufacturer in the Craven hit which ran all season at the John Golden Theater in New York. In addition to Mr. Kibbee the cast for the El Capitan production also includes Juanita Wray, well known musical comedy prima donna; Betty Farringon, James Bush, Effie Afton, Leo Lindhart, Billie Van Every, Donald Campbell and Arnold Gray.
3/9/1931 HDC "That's Gratitude"
By Elizabeth Yeaman
"That's Gratitude," a play by and with Frank Craven, had a notable opening at the El Capitan Theater yesterday. And although Craven is the author and plays one of the principal roles in this humorous and intensely human bit of entertainment, there is another actor who scored an individual hit. He is Guy Kibbee.
For a time it looked as though Kibbee was going to dominate the entire production. This, however, was due to no deficiency on the part of Craven, who deliberately has made the role of Thomas Maxwell a stronger characterization than the role of Robert Grant which he himself plays.
"That's Gratitude" will never go on record for the plot construction. It's about two men who become sentimentally grateful to each other over a pint prescription. In the end, one goes to visit the other at his home, and there he threatens to become a permanent and non-paying guest. His final exodus from the house is brought about with amusing complications that require the third act to be unraveled.
PLOT NOT IMPORTANT
But it is not the plot that is important in "That's Gratitude." Mr. Craven has conceived characterizations so real and so interesting that it matters very little they do. The dialogue is neither smart nor risque, but it is intimately human, and succeeds in giving us an insight into personal emotions, ambitions and purposes that is exceedingly entertaining.
Kibbee gives a portrayal of Thomas Maxwell that will long be considered the acme of histrionic achievement. His performance is so impeccably natural that it bears not the slightest tinge of staginess. He is priceless as the garrulous and bibulous friend who presses his hospitality on the man whom he credits, in maudlin exaggeration, with having saved his life. Then his transition to dour resentment when the friend takes a permanent foothold in his home is perfectly expressed in his rage over the manner in which his neckties are being worn, and his best cigars smoked by the now unwelcome guest. His matchmaking schemes for his homely eldest daughter are typical of the egotism of this man.
CRAVEN EXCELLENT
Craven injects much individuality into his role of Robert Grant, the friend who becomes an interloper in the Maxwell household. The force nonchalance with which he meets his unwelcome position is extremely funny, and his ingenious interference in the family affairs results in an uproarious exit. His pantomime is even more artistic than his spoken words.
Betty Farrington is admirably cast as Mrs. Maxwell, the understanding and paradoxically unreasonable wife. (Rest cut off)
3/27/1931 LAR Man of the World
CAST: William Powell, Carole Lombard, Wynne Gibson, Guy Kibbee, Lawrence Gray, Andre Cheron, George Chandler and Tom Costello. Directed by Richard Wallace from story by Herman Mankiewicz. On the stage: "El Camino Real," featuring Rosita Moreno, the Jose Arias Mexican Tipics Orchestra and Max Fisther and his Mayfair band.
By Winifred Aydelotte
Love makes the world go around, forces blackmailers to give up their remunerative life and become poor, honest citizens, supplies the movies with plots and occasionally manages to be unrequited or capable of heroic sacrifices, then fooling audiences who have been trained to expect a final and happy clinch.
And so, in Man of the World, which opened yesterday at the Paramount, William Powell is seen first as a blackmailer in Paris, whose ability to keep his "cash and you'll have quiet" eye on indiscreet Americans in the French capital is exceeded only by his continental manners, which are just too savoir faire for anything, and later as the self-sacrificing lover.
Perhaps, sometime, if Powell is allowed to be not quite so perfect, if sometime he can wear his tie just the least bit crooked and thus prove that behind the spats there lurks a man, his sufferings or triumphs would be even more effective than they are now.
For, in spite of the fact that his role in Man of the World gives him barely more than an opportunity to win the marathon pokerface championship, Powell is delightful.
Carole Lombard is the American girl with whom he falls in love after relieving her uncle, the soft coal king, of a goodly share of his Pittsburgh profits.
Wynne Gibson, as Powell's aide in his blackmailing activities, brings a hard-boiled tenderness to her role of the girl who doesn't care much whether Powell is honest or dishonest, just so she can be with him. Her performance, under the circumstances, is the highlight of the picture.
Guy Kibbee is also splendid as the uncle. Lawrence Gray does a good deal with his part as a not-too-bright suitor from Pittsburgh, and others are Andre Cheron, George Chandler and Tom Costello.
The film moves very slowly, but with the help of Powell and Miss Gibson, it does move, and it moves interestingly.
On the stage this week, Rosita Moreno is seen in a stunning group of Spanish dances, and also, of all things, a jazz tap dance, which, incidentally she does very well. She is accompanied by the Jose Arias Mexican Tipica orchestra.
3/27/1931 EH Man of the World
By Dick Hunt
Escaping detective roles and courtroom sequences momentarily, William Powell takes the opposite side of the law in Man of the World, current at the Paramount.
This "breather" from his familiar tasks reveals the star using his sophistication and cunning in extracting a livelihood through blackmail. And very successfully, we are led to believe, until he falls in love with the niece of one of his victims.
GOOD PERFORMANCES
Performances rather than story provide the entertainment in Man of the World. The theme, dealing with one who cannot follow the impulse of his heart due to his crooked past, is commonplace enough. Also the film has an over-abundance of dialogue, obviously to give it proper length. Action is dominated by long speeches. With this to combat, the result is a slow tempo which Herman Mankiewicz could not evade in his treatment nor Richard Wallace in his direction.
Nevertheless, they have provided interesting characterizations. Powell gives a finished one as an outcast from America preying on the pocketbooks of Paris tourists.
ATTRACTIVE ACCOMPLICE
In this racket of extracting sums through the threat of printing spicy squibs in a secretly conducted scandal sheet he is assisted by an attractive accomplice. The part is played by Wynne Gibson, who not only possesses the charm, but adds a most sincere performance. Especially good are the scenes in which she realizes she is losing Powell through the attentions of his niece.
Carole Lombard plays this latter role convincingly, with the exception of her reading of dramatic lines in a short sequence dealing with Powell's confession.
Guy Kibbee is a grand example of a tourist paying his first visit to Europe. George Chandler capably fills the capacity of a guide and an associate of the blackmailing ring. Lawrence Gray is seen briefly as Miss Lombard's sweetheart, and Andre Cheron and Tom Costello complete the supporting cast.
3/28/1931 EH Guy Kibbee Recalls Early Stock Days
When William Powell, star of the current Paramount screen feature, Man of the World, and Guy Kibbee, a member of the cast, shared the same dressing room in Northampton, Mass., as members of the Northampton stock company. Calvin Coolidge, then a lawyer, was said to have been an ardent supporter of their shows.
Kibbee, veteran stage actor, who appeared with Powell in Man of the World, recalls that Coolidge and his family attended the Northampton theater with fair regularity.
4/19/1931 FD City Streets
Paramount 70 minutes
There are many tense moments and a score of heart-thrills in this underworld-racketeer production.. Director Rouben Mamoulian has used nearly every trick known to gangster production and has added a few neat bits which all go to make up a fine piece of entertainment for those who want this style picture. The story revolves around Gary Cooper, who starts out as a circus concession man only to be roped into the beer racket through a series of events that force Sylvia Sidney, his sweetheart, behind prison walls. Upon her release Sylvia tries to make Gary quit the racket, and he does, but there is a murder, some fast and furious automobile riding and plenty machine gun firing before the final clinch. Miss Sidney carries the burden of the piece and handles her lines and situations with ease and conviction.
Cast: Gary Cooper, Sylvia Sidney, Paul Lukas, William Boyd, Guy Kibbee, Stanley Fields, Wynne Gibson, Betty Sinclair.
Director, Rouben Mamoulian; Author, Dashiell Hammett; Adaptors, Max Marcin, Oliver H. P. Garrett; Dialoguer, Not credited; Editor, Not Credited; Cameraman, Lee Garmes; Recording engineer, J.L. Goodrich.
Direction, Fine. Photography, Fine.
5/19/1931 HDC Elizabeth Yeaman
Universal is buying stories right and left. The latest purchase in The Rich Are Always With Us, a novel by E. Pettit. It is another society story with a divorce angle. Guy Kibbee, one of the best character actors on the Broadway stage, who appeared in two Henry Duffy productions, has just signed a long-term contract with Warners. The contract was offered him after some of the executives had viewed the rushes to Side Show, the carnival picture starring Winnie Lightner. Kibbee was so good in this picture that the studio decided they could not afford to let him go. His next assignment on the Warner lot will be in The Moon Murder Mystery.
5/22/1931 HDC City Streets
By Elizabeth Yeaman
Something new in the line of gangster pictures is at the Pantages Theater this week where City Streets is showing. It is an excellently produced picture filled with suspense and exciting incidents, and lacking in the blood-thirsty killings which usually characterize this type of picture.
To Rouben Mamoulian, the director, goes credit for having made an artistic and highly entertaining picture based on a theme which is cruel and sordid. Mr. Mamoulian does not follow the stereotyped procedure in such pictures. He has inculcated much originality and artistry in his treatment and he has emphasized suspense rather than horror.
City Streets is also notable for bringing to the screen Sylvia Sidney. She is not beautiful but she is a fine little actress with a great deal of personality. Furthermore, Gary Cooper gives one of his best performances as "The Kid" who loved Miss Sidney.
CONEY ISLAND
The story opens with the seething, milling throngs at Coney Island where Cooper is employed in one of the amusement concessions. Miss Sidney, daughter of a beer racketeer, loves Cooper, but he is too poor to marry her. She tries to goad him into the beer racket, telling him of the easy profits, but he is not interested.
Then Miss Sidney takes the rap for a murder that her father committed. She is found in possession of the gun he used, and goes to the penitentiary. Cooper, meanwhile enters the beer racket, to raise money in the hope of getting her out.
As told, the story is pretty trite, but it is fascinating and intensely exciting on the screen. There are some marvelous atmospheric shots in the picture as well as some subtle flashes which take the place of lengthy explanations.
DRAMATIC POWER
Miss Sidney has unusual dramatic power and Cooper has an engaging appeal that is most attractive. In the supporting cast Guy Kibbee is outstanding for his marvelous portrayal of Pop Cooley. Wynne Gibson also does some fine work, and Paul Lukas has little to do as the gangster chief. Other players include William Boyd, Stanley Fields, and Betty Sinclair.
A variety of stellar talent is offered on the stage in Fanchon and Marco's Rising Star Idea. Anderson and Allen give an amazing acrobatic act. Zellma scored a hit with her toe tap dancing, Buddy and Gretel performed in some unusual ball room dancing, and others headlined include Mary Miles, Wanda Allen, Fern Dale, Chiyo Kadomatsu, Harry Stockwell, Helen Ireland, Theol Nelson and Dorothy Welch.
Slim Martin and his orchestra furnish orchestral accompaniments, and a Mickey Mouse Cartoon and current newsreel complete the program.
6/11/1931 IDN LAUGHING SINNERS
By Harry Mines
Tearful drama of a girl, disillusioned in love, who finds happiness working with the Salvation Army is Laughing Sinners, MGM's picturization of Kenyon Nicholson's play, "Torch Song."
Showing now at Loew's State Theater, it allows Joan Crawford ample emotional scope in the role of the playgirl, who, cast off by her traveling salesman sweetie, departs the primrose path and leads a noble, upright life. Just when everything is going peacefully, along comes the salesman back into her life, and Joan is tempted in a hotel room. But the audience is allowed a happy ending.
DAZZLING
The Crawford personality is a dazzling, charming one especially when she sings and dances in the earlier reels, but what's more, she is a fine ans skillful actress who rises above the shortcomings of her vehicle, which is rather talky, lengthy and a bit too dramatic.
Harry Beaumont's direction is good and he puts as much life into the picture as possible, although with so much dialogue about this is a difficult feat. However, he had the capable assistance of a superb cast of sure actors and actresses who have all come to his aid.
Comedy is sprinkled throughout with the remarks of traveling salesmen about business and women, causing some laughs. But on the whole, the picture seems drab with so much dramatic atmosphere.
What an actor Neil Hamilton is turning into! Here he is seen as semi-villain, playing the characterization for all its worth. He steals many scenes away from Miss Crawford despite her numerous close-ups.
The latest movie sheik, Clarke Gable, wrestles with an inadequate part, that of a pedantic young man who had at last found out how to live happily. For the most part, he is successful, especially in the important sequences.
EXCELLENT
Marjorie Rambeau is simply grand as the chorus girl friend, while Guy Kibbee, that odd, smiling person from City Streets, is amusing as the embalming fluid salesman. And credit to Roscoe Karns, Cliff Edwards, Gertrude Short, George Cooper, George Marion and Bert Woodruff rounding out the balance of the cast.
On the stage, Fanchon and Marco have provided a "Vaud Bits Idea," featuring a burlesque ballet from Sue Russell, Hinky and Dinky, plus some wisecracking and singing from Doyle and Donnelly; dancing from the attractive Pearl twins and the Three Rhythm Queens. The Six Gordonians close the show with a tumbling bit.
Then there's Charlie Irwin as the M.C. and Lou Kosloff leading the orchestra through a tuneful novelty number.
6/11/1931 EH LAUGHING SINNERS
Laughing Sinners. Opened at Loew's State Wednesday, June 10. Directed by Harry Beaumont. Play by Kenyon Nicholson.
CAST: Joan Crawford, Neil Hamilton, Clark Gable, Marjorie Rambeau, Guy Kibbee, Cliff Edwards, Roscoe Karns, Gertrude Short, George Cooper, George Marion and Bert Woodruff.
By W.E. Oliver
Admirers of Joan Crawford will be intrigued by her in the Salvation Army lassie's uniform she wears for Laughing Sinners, the new Loew's State film.
This is the play which, under the title of Torch Song, relates the conflict of a night club girl who gets religion and then meets the man with whom she lived and whose jilting of her changed her life.
The fight between her old passion and her soul-saving, new calling creates very dramatic moments, some of which have been well caught by the picture.
Miss Crawford's flair on the screen for abandoned recklessness in contrast with chaste moments of renunciation make her well fitted for the role of the girl.
Clark Gable stalwartly plays the young Salvation Army man who saves her. Neil Hamilton airily plays the traveling salesman whose moral scruples are nil.
Others who amuse in the cast are Guy Kibbee in his original stage role, Roscoe Karns, George Cooper, Marjorie Rambeau and Cliff Edwards.
The Fanchon and Marco stage show is exceptionally good. At least four separate acts are as clever as you'd want in any stage show. Even Charles Irwin is funny this week--maybe because he sticks closer to his regular line of pattern
Thrilling sights from all over the world this week are shown and told in Hearst's Metrotone News by the Globe Trotter.
6/13/1931 EE GUY KIBBEE BOUNCES TO FAME
After 28 years on the stage "in the sticks," and playing extra parts in the pictures, Guy Kibbee woke up one morning to find himself on Broadway and sought by Hollywood producers for big screen roles.
It was the characterization of Cass Wheeler in the original production of "The Torch Song," that Kibbee bounced into sudden fame. Having repeated this blustery role in MGM's picturization of the theater success, which is called Laughing Sinners, now showing at Loew's State, Kibbee admits bewilderment, but admits his late recognition is pretty nice.
"I thought I was about through," he commented. "But now look what happened. I'm busier than I've ever been in my life. Producers I couldn't even see before now chase me with wires for important parts. I had never been on Broadway before, and the only work I did in pictures was as an extra or bit player, acting policeman parts. In fact, I lost my life savings when I tried to break into movies a few years ago. I had sold my little printing business in San Francisco and come to Hollywood to go broke. That's how I happened to strike out for Broadway when I was given the chance in "The Torch Song."
7/17/1931 HDC Elizabeth Yeaman
What a cast is being signed up for Flying High at MGM. Yesterday I announced that Charlotte Greenwood would play opposite that delightful comedian, Bert Lahr. Today I learn that Hedda Hopper and Guy Kibbee will play with them. Hedda has played dozens of society mothers on te screen, but in Flying High she will depart from her usual serious characterizations and enact the role of a broad comedy wife and mother. Guy Kibbee, from investing in the doubtful airplane invention of Bert Lahr. Kibbee has an individual brand of comedy that is most refreshing, so all in all, Flying High is off to a good start.
9/25/1931 IDN Side Show
By Eleanor Barnes
Bewildered though he seemed, yet at all times seeking in his balmy method to solve his and everybody's problems, Charles Butterworth, dead-pan comic, yesterday topped the noisy comedy of Winnie Lightner's Side Show at Warners' Downtown and Hollywood theaters.
Wise-cracking Arthur Caesar, who is accredited with more Hollywood Boulevard gags than a centipede has toes, hasn't doped out such a wow of a plot for this film, yet the personalities of the players overcome the threadbare story in which they have been directed by Roy Del Ruth.
This the yarn about the capable and hard boiled all-around circus girl named Pat, who runs the show because the owner is always drunk. She is in love with the spieler, who takes her "dough" and leaves her "cold" for her young sister when she joins the company.
When heroic methods are needed, such as pacifying the acts when the box office is low, Pat figures them out; she substitutes for the bearded lady, for the daredevil diver, for the hula-hula dancer on the stage when the latter is giving birth to a child in their home on wheels. She, withal, is a good-hearted girl and pulls the show through thin spots.
WEAK PLOT
Finally, when she splits up with Joe over her sister, Irene, Pat decides to go along just the same, when sure enough, Joe comes trotting back, clears up the atmosphere with a vague explanation that he and the sister weren't infatuated with each other and Pat and Joe decide to get married.
MUCH COMEDY
However, the story doesn't hurt this picture. There's too much fun in it for that. With Winnie Lightner as the versatile Pat running around in various costumes, doing dangerous stunts and leading a riot on the lot, there's plenty of hilarity in this production.
Butterworth, who rapidly is gaining a foremost spot in hearts of comedy lovers, puts plenty of zip into the ridiculous character of Sydney, roustabout. Sidney's visit to the lion's cage is a knockout, especially his explanations of big game hunting.
Evalyn Knapp as Irene, does a nice bit of work. She is the little girl who was injured some months ago and is welcomed back to the screen.
Donald Cook, as the worthless lover of Winnie, is well cast, while Guy Kibbee, noted stage star, plays the mellow and colorful role of "Pop," proprietor of the tent show. Mathew Betz, Ann Magruder, Luis Alberni, Edward Morgan, Tom Ricketts, Otto Hoffman and others complete the cast.
ADDITIONAL
Something new in short subjects is an organ sonata offered at Warners' called Say a Little Prayer, while Ruth Etting, in a comical short-subject, Old Lace, presents a worthy two-reeler. Miss Etting's lovely voice is heard to good advantage in several old songs, which won the applause of the audience at the first show yesterday. Bobbie Jones in a golf short, Practice Shots, concludes the program.
10/2/1931 HDC I Like Your Nerve
By Elizabeth Yeaman
Douglas Fairbanks Jr. has proved that he is an actor in his own right and has a definite personality of his own. So it is without fear of imitation that he has starred in I Like Your Nerve, a picture of dashing and adventurous romance which came to Warners' Hollywood and Downtown theaters yesterday.
I Like Your Nerve has a strong resemblance to the romantic silent films of Doug Sr. It is not a costume picture, but it has a verve and buoyancy that bear the unmistakable Fairbanks trademark. Furthermore, the personal similarity between Doug pere and Doug fils was never so striking as in this picture.
NOTHING IMPOSSIBLE
The keynote to the picture may be summed up in one brief line of dialogue: "There's no such word as impossible." Doug Jr. proceeds to prove the truth of the statement. From start to finish he accomplishes the impossible, always, of course, in the interests of a lady fair.
It is a joyous, exuberant picture, quite lacking in logic but carried along by the irrepressible joie de vivre of the star. The romance is as fantastically pleasant as the bold adventures. From a bullied weakling, Doug Jr. blossoms forth as an intrepid adventurer, determined to live up to the prophecies of a fake fortune teller.
In Central America he crosses the path of Loretta Young, who is about to be married to a wealthy old fossil. Doug has only four days in which to break up that pending marriage, but he does it in a series of whirlwind adventures that provide exciting entertainment.
This picture should do excellently at the box office. It revives the fast-moving and romantic type of film that has been too long absent from the screen. Loretta Young, who is about to be married to a wealthy old fossil. Doug has only four days in which to break up that pending marriage, but he does it in a series of whirlwind adventures that provide entertainment.
This picture should do excellently at the box office. It revives the fast-moving and romantic type of film that has been too long absent from the screen.
Loretta Young is beautifully charming as the girl, and Doug Jr., should be any one's ideal of the indomitable hero. Those who would complain that silent picture technique was lost with the intrusion of the talkies should see this film.
CLAUDE ALLISTER CAST
Other players prominently cast include Claude Allister, Guy Kibbee, Andre Cheron, Henry Kolker, Edmund Breon, Boris Karloff and Louis Alberni.
The story and dialogue were written by Roland Pertwee. William McGann has done a nice job of directing.
I Like Your Nerve is not a great picture, but it is thoroughly entertaining film fare. Doug Jr. would do well to make more pictures of this type.
The usual assortment of short subjects is included on the program.
Labels: Clark Gable, Dorothy Jordan, Gone With the Wind, Guy Kibee
posted by GDH at 10:35 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home