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Home , A Free Soul, Broadway Serenade, Clarence Brown, Clark Gable filmography, Eddie Cantor, Robert Young (actor)

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STUDIO NEWS

Eddie Cantor Signed by M-G-M

Star in Big Musical Comedy 'PIP ID -J Sf g W To will return to the screen under the banner of Metro- Goldwyn-Mayer. A contract just signed assures exhibitors at least

Published In the Interests of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Studios one big Cantor musical comedy during 1939 with the star of “Kid VOL. V—CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA, SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1939— No. 13 Boots,” “Whoopee,” “” and “.” Although Cantor has not made a picture since “Ali Baba Goes to Town,” devoting

Title Is Changed for all his time to radio, his activity on the New Nelson Eddy Film air has kept him closely associated with the As this issue of Studio News goes screen. to press, announcement is made His personal appear- that a new title has been chosen ances have been terrific for “Song of the West,’’ the Metro- successes in the Goldwyn-Mayer production star- and ring Nelson Eddy, with Virginia course of his radio work Bruce and Victor McLaglen. The he has constantly kept picture will be released as “The his audiences picture- Dusty Road.” minded with his screen discoveries. The latest is Cantor , the English boy actor who scored in “Lord Jeff” and “Christmas Carol.” Cantor also was responsible to a Starts Work On great degree for the careers of and . °Sergt. Madden' Detailed plans for Cantor’s first picture under his contract with M-G-M will be With “Stand Up and Fight” on its announced shortly. way to box-office records, Wallace Beery this week started production on “Ser- M-C-M BUYS "SWEEPSTAKES” geant Madden,” his next Metro-Goldwyn- “Sweepstakes,” an original story of the Mayer picture. Josef von Sternberg is fates that befall five sweepstakes ticket directing. winners, written by Charles Martin, has It is the story of a New York police been purchased by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer sergeant and one that Beery long has and scheduled for early production. Louis father, wanted to play as a tribute to his D. Lighton, who made “Captains Cour- who was a Kansas City policeman. ageous” and “Test Pilot,” will produce. The cast, thus far, includes Tom Brown, Alan Curtis and Laraine Johnson, a new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer discovery. Wells Root wrote the screenplay from -^an original story by William A. Ullman,

Jr. J. Walter Ruben, who directed Beery in the eminently successful “Bad Man of Brimstone,” is the producer. London (England): “EMPIRE FOUR DAYS BUSINESS WITH ’CITADEL’ EX- CEEDS PRACTICALLY EVERY OTHER Eddy Signs New FILM'S FIVE DAYS TAKINGS DURING TEN YEARS STOP TUESDAY’S TAKINGS M-G-M Contract ESTALISHED NEW ALL-TIME RECORD ONE DAY’S BUSINESS STOP TODAY’S With concert halls of thirty-three cities ONE O’CLOCK FIGURE EXCEEDS PRE- sold out months in advance for his 1939 VIOUS RECORD BY FIVE HUNDRED tour, and with his work in “Sweethearts” PEOPLE STOP ’CITADEL’ IS ALL-TIME pointing to new screen popularity, Nelson RECORD BREAKER.” Eddy has been signed to a new long-term ^ v *1® , as “Huckleberry Finn,” in the new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer contract by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. first showing Sandringham picturization of Mark Twain's famous character. Joseph Mankiewicz produces. The at Now in the midst of work in “The Palace during the Christmas holidays for Dusty Road,” Eddy will start his new tour Their Majesties King George and Queen in Pasadena, February appearing next 2, Elizabeth was an all-M-G-M program, MacDonaEd Sings Midgets Rescue in San Antonio, Texas, and then heading consisting of: "SWEETHEARTS,” “SYD- East. Upon his return he will make at NEY, PRIDE OF AUSTRALIA” (Fitzpat- 'Mme. Butterfly' As least two films in 1939, an untitled mu- rick Travelogue), “THE MIRACLE OF sical in which he will be teamed again In 1939 Setting Ponies Run Away SALT LAKE” (Carey Wilson Subject), with Jeanette MacDonald, and “Balal- and “THE CAPTAIN’S CHRISTMAS” elaborate "Madame Butterfly’’ se- Garland in a midget runaway, opposite. An Judy aika,” with Ilona Massey (Cartoon) quence, done in ultra modernistic fashion, rescued by midget heroes, provided a thrill * sje was shot this week as one of the outstand- not in the script on “The Wizard of Oz” M-G-M Paris has assembled fifteen ing eye and ear tidbits of “ set at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Owen Goes Into panels illustrating the life of MARIE AN- Serenade,” starring Jeanette MacDonald. Judy was riding in the tiny coach, TOINETTE by means of rare documents Instead of the conventional black- drawn by tiny Shetland ponies, for her re- 'Fast and Loose' concerning the famous Queen of France. haired chorus, the girls appear with the gnomelike Munchkins, who ception by From his remarkable characterization Much success was obtained from a similar as she sings “One Fine played midgets. As the ponies Miss MacDonald by 116 of pinch-penny Scrooge in "Christmas exhibition of the life of Napoleon which white wigs with their pastel along the tiny path of Day” wear drew the coach Carol,” versatile Reginald Owen steps was organized for the showing of “MARIE colored kimonos and the number is staged the miniature village, a large electric into the modern role of a scheming bro- WALEWSKA.” in highly imaginative setting designed globe in one of the lamps ker in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s "Fast and by Merrill Pye and Joe Wright. exploded with a loud pop. The frightened Loose,” comedy starring Robert Mont- SONGS ON RECORDS Serenade,” which features ponies dashed for the end of the set. KORJUS “Broadway gomery and . Miliza Korjus, who won her first film and Ian Hunter, Carl Becker, Billy Curtis and others Lew Ayres, Frederick Stephani produces. contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on is directed by Robert Z. Leonard, who stopped the runaway. the basis of her European phonograph also is the producer. LENSMEN HONOR CRAWFORD VIRGINIA BRUCE SINCS recordings, last week recorded for Victor numbers which HIDES $1,000,000 FIGURE , Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Virginia Bruce becomes the singing the four Johann Strauss she sings in "The Great Waltz.” They Claire James, named “Miss America” star of “The Ice Follies of 1939,” has partner of Nelson Eddy in the current are “There’ll Come a Time,” "Tales from of 1938” by , hides her mil- been selected by Hollywood news pho- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture, "The the Woods,” excerpts from “Die lion dollar figure under a nurse’s uni- tographers as the “most co-operative star Dusty Road,” according to announcement Vienna producer. She will Fledermaus” and "One Day When We form in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s “Four of the year.” They presented her with by Harry Rapf, the Young.” Girls In White.” a large gold cup. sing with the star in Drigo’s "Serenade.” Were STUDIO NEWS LUBITSCH TO DIRECT GARBO IN 'NINOTCHKA'

'Shop Around the Corner' Is Included 'Citadel' Voted MacDonaBd-Eddy In MGM Deal With Noted Director Best Film of Year Set New Records negotiations with Louis B. Mayer by has closed By N. Y. Critics In 'Sweethearts' which Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer takes over his services as producer and Doubly honored in the annual poll of “Sweethearts,” Metro-Goldwyn-May- director. He will direct ’s next picture, “Ninotchka,” New York film critics, Metro-Goldwyn- er’s latest Jeanette MacDonald-Nelson will his which will be produced by Sidney Franklin. Lubitsch limit ac- Mayer won awards both for the best pic- Eddy starring musical, has broken the box- tivity to direction on his first picture. ture of 1938 and the best feminine per- office records of every MacDonald-Eddy

“The Shop Around the formance of the year. picture to date. Reports from ten key which the direc- Comer,” “The Citadel,” M-G-M’s second Brit- cities show that the opening week-end tor-producer planned to Tracy Usurps ish-made production, which revenue exceeded that of “Maytime,” make as his first inde- directed with Robert Donat and Rosalind “Girl of the Golden West” and “The pendent venture, will be Gable Throne Russell co-starred, won top honors among made under the M-G-M has had his re- Firefly” by from $125 to more than all films. Victor Saville was its producer. banner, with Lubitsch venge against Clark Cable. $1,700. For her work in the feminine lead of producing and directing. Friendly feudists since their St. Louis, Cleveland and Baltimore re- “Three Comrades,” Margaret Sullavan and Broadway stage days, their feud port the biggest smash openings. In was voted the finest actress of the year. will appear flared up again recently since Cable Cleveland, the week-end business topped Joseph Mankiewicz produced the film, in the leading roles. The has been called “The King” around “Firefly” by $1,791. In St. Louis and Frank Borzage directing. picture is based on a stage M-C-M. Baltimore, where "Maytime” held the rec- Lubitsch play by Nickolaus Laszlo. Now, Tracy wears the flashiest ord, “Sweethearts” drew $1,752 and Samuel Raphaelson will write the screen of men’s fashions for his role with HARDYS NOW ALL-AMERICAN $1,570 more respectively. treatment. in “I Take This Wom- Following her decision to make Metro- The week end grosses of “Sweet- “Ninotchka” is now in preparation for an.” The costly duds made Tracy Goldwyn-Mayer’s Judge Hardy Family hearts” were: Washington, $9,999; immediate production. feel like a king, so he had the com- series of pictures one hundred per cent , $1 1,731 ; St. Louis, $1 1,107; pany Stillman make a “fashion sit- American, Fay Holden, English citizen Cleveland, $9,639; Baltimore, $9,286; ting” of himself. who created the role of Mother Hardy, Kansas City, $8,450; Indianapolis, To Cable, he sent a picture of 'Prince of Pilsen' has filed her intention of becoming a $6,300; Houston, $6,596; Richmond, Cable wrapped in black crepe, la- naturalized American citizen. $5,579; Louisville, $4,750. beled, “The King is Dead.” In the Bought by M-G-M same package were the fashion por-

Still remembered from the mauve de- traits of himself, captioned, “Long cade of 1903, the operetta, “Prince of Live the King!” Pilsen,” has been acquired by Metro- Goldwyn-Mayer for modern screen treat- ment. The book and lyrics by Frank 'Tarzan Bn Exile' Pixley, with music by Gustav Luders, were popular throughout the country for Starts Shooting a generation. The operetta still holds “Tarzan In Exile,” first of the Tarzan popularity on the records for sustained pictures to be made by Metro-Goldwyn- the road. The show first opened at Mayer since the company acquired the theatre as a Henry Savage Broadway W. screen rights to all of Edgar Rice Bur- production. roughs exciting stories of the jungle man, went into production this week, with directing.

Mickey and Judy Johnny Weissmuller once more is seen as the powerful Ape Man and Maureen To Play 'Babes' O’Sullivan again will portray his mate A heydey for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s in the wilderness. outstanding family of junior talent looms A new personality will be introduced with the purchase of Dick Rodgers’ and in this picture in the person of Tarzan’s Larry Hart’s musical spectacle, “Babes In adopted son. The boy, who will be an Arms.” Already set for the leads are outstanding young athlete, will emulate Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland, versatile Tarzan’s amazing physical feats. singing-dancing-playing duo, with Betty Director Thorpe comes up to this as- Jaynes and Douglas McPhail also promi- signment with an enviable record of recent nently cast. productions, including “The Crowd Roars,” “Three Loves Has Nancy” and R1BBER HECKLES ROMANCE “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." Sam Zimbalist is the producer. Albert Morin, who has won fame as Hollywood’s premier “ribber,” has been cast as a heckling waiter who interrupts ATTENTION, WAFFLE EATERS a budding love affair between Florence Hollywood, the miracle city, has out- Rice and Alan Marshal in Metro-Gold- done itself to produce one waffle capable wyn-Mayer’s “Four Girls In White." S. of feeding more than 400. In the screen's Sylvan Simon directs, Nat Levine pro- latest miniature musical, “Happily ducing. Buried,” a practical waffle-iron will be seen which it takes no less than 250 pounds of batter to cover. Jack Chertok CRAWFORD SUPPLIES PROPS is producing. Real pictures of Joan Crawford when with Metro- she first signed her contract LAMARR IN NEW HAIRDRESS Goldwyn-Mayer studios were used in a A new and sensational hairdress, still lobby display for the theatre sequence guarded with secrecy, is to be introduced in her new picture, “The Ice Follies of by Hedy Lamarr in Metro-Goldwyn-May- 1939.” er’s “I Take This Woman.” It’s one of Sydney Guilaroff’s creations. REUNITED AFTER 14 YEARS “The Dusty Road” marks the first BERKELEY DIRECTS FINALE reunion in fourteen years of Victor Mc- , screen and dance di- JOAN CRAWFORD combines beauty, grace and speed in the new Metro- Laglen and Director Jack Conway. Their rector, will stage a spectacular finale for Goldwyn-Mayer dramatic spectacle, “Ice Follies of 1939.” Featured with her last previous association was “The Hunt- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s “Broadway Sere- and seen here are James Stewart and Lew Ayres. Harry Rapf produced. ed Woman,” released early in 1925. nade,” starring Jeanette MacDonald. STUDIO NEWS

Stars Reunited Film Of Pulitzer Prize Play and Clark Cable, together for the first time since their memorable perform- ances in “” and “Strange Inter- lude,” bring to the screen in “Idiot’s Delight” the most important motion picture production in a decade. Produced by Hunt Stromberg for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer from Robert Sher- wood’s Pulitzer Prize winning play, the story has become the subject of international controversy. Directed by Clarence

Brown, it presents Nor- ma Shearer again as a modern, dashing woman and gives Clark Cable as Harry “Personality" Van, a hoofer, the greatest role of his ca- Stromberg reer. Fidelity to the historic stage success that was sold out for more than a year on Broadway is assured by the fact that Robert Sherwood, the author, also wrote the screen play. With the sweeping physical advantages of the camera, “Idiot's Delight” comes to the screen in 41 sets where the play was presented in one and covers the entire dramatic story, much of which only was talked about on the stage, including the sensational air raid scene. In the supporting cast are , Charles Coburn, Burgess Mere- dith, Joseph Schildkraut, Laura Hope Crews, Skeets Gallagher, Edward Raquello, Pat Patterson, Peter Willes, Fritz Feld, William Edmunds and the “Cable Clamour Girls,” Virginia Grey, Paula Stone, Joan Marsh, Bernadene Hayes, Virginia Dale and Lorraine Krueger.

Dog Bites Gable!

Scores Bull s Eye As Padding Slips! It’s news when a dog bites Clark Cable!

“But it wasn’t funny,” said Ca- ble, who couldn’t sit down for sev- eral days because Buster, a mongrel bulldog, became over-zealous to do a good job in a scene for “Idiot's Delight.”

The script called for the star, as a book salesman, to have a dog chase him and catch him by the coat tail. Buster was taught to do the routine thoroughly, but gentleman- ly. As an added precaution, Cable was protected with a pad. When Director said, “Camera!” Cable started to run. In the excitement, Buster for- got his manners. On the first jump, he nipped Cable's ankle. The second bite was a bull’seye. “Cut!” yelled Brown. “Cut!” said Cable, “I’m bleed- ing!” Cable’s protecting pad had slipped. — —

Wf STUDIO NEWS Wi

// v n A y SUCCESS STORY CABLE GREAT HOOFER Success of Any Picture Depends As with advertising and publicity, the Clark Cable’s screen debut as a dancer sensational success of the play will be the has already brought a windfall of pub- keystone to your exploitation campaign. licity and will sell a ioad of seats if you Sell PERFORMANCE! Sell SUCCESS! take full advantage of it. Get stills of On Preparation, Declares Brown Sell IMPORTANCE! “Idiot’s Delight” him with the “Cable Clamour Girls” in of a motion picture is determined months “The success or failure fans will see is the most important dramatic property every spot where the dance before a camera turns.” that has come from the Broadway stage them—public dance halls, dance schoois, recreation centers. Ask local dance ex- Hollywood has learned this lesson from experience and is con- in years. Every move in your campaign must say just that. perts what they think of Clark as a stantly revising its production methods to assure superior entertain- DRAMATIC EDITORS hoofer—and work it into a press release. according to Director Clarence Brown. ment, Dramatic editors of the newspapers will WAR VETERANS an accident,” in “A good picture is never be as interested in the picture as the You have a certain customer every he said. "Achievement on the screen, as screen editors. Don’t neglect to give Iccal World War veteran if you let them is ninety per cent 'Gla mour Girls' material in any other business, them a personal invitation to the preview know what it is about. Get inspira- in rooms of American Legion and hard work, with Sweep Gable Off or first performance. Suggest an advance club tion and luck playing story discussing the selection of Gable other veteran organizations pointing up minor roles. The time, and Miss Shearer for the Lunt-Fontanne the SECOND WORLD WAR angle. Send Feet -- Literally effort and thought spent roles. a letter to every Legion member, stress- on a production before “’s Glamour Girls” IN FORM ing the anti-war theme. The post com- feet PLAY BOOK it starts is repaid many literally sweep the star off his mander should be able to get a statement Robert E. Sherwood is a name of ma- times, when the result is in the featured dance number for in the papers urging all veterans to see jor importance in literary circles. Ar- a finer picture.” “Idiot’s Delight.” the picture if you invite him to the open- range with book stores, libraries and pounds of femininity ing as your guest. Brown devoted two The 600 school for displays built around the book, Kruger, years to preparing for Virginia Grey, Lorraine published by Charles Scribner’s Sons. SHEARER FASHIONS Virginia Dale, Joan the filming of Robert Brown Paula Stone, Other Sherwood books will add to the dis- "Idiot’s Delight” gives you Norma and Bernadene Hayes pick for first Sherwood’s Pulitzer Prize winning play, Marsh — play and help sell the author as a signifi- Shearer in modern fashions the 190-pound Gable off the dance five years “Idiot’s Delight,” produced by Metro- the cant literary figure. time since “Riptide,” nearly Goldwyn-Mayer with Norma Shearer and floor and carry him out of the scene. ROOM 274 ago. You don’t have to guess twice Clark Cable as co-stars. It was the last scene shot in the about what that means to the women The hotel room sequence would be the style shops. Use every trick in "Putting a picture together is like a production. and powerful sales stuff if it were not neces- plant stills and displays. jig-saw puzzle,” he asserted. "Story, drop Gable,” your bag to “If they should sary to handle it so delicately: The mere Nothing you do will sell more tickets. cast, settings, costumes and a hundred cracked Director Clarence Brown, suggestion, however, of mysterious ro- fit smoothly together. have the picture PLANES other details must “at least we’ll mance in a hotel room packs a hint of MODEL WAR of place, shown in the air If one piece is missing, or out finished.” intrigue that will arouse curiosity and start The bombing planes effect the most moden no matter how small, the entire talk. Announce in advance that you are raid sequences are inspiration for ’ the is spoiled. Once a picture is in produc- inviting as your guests on opening day service—a great is late to errors caused youngsters in a model plane, contest. Re- tion, it too correct Schildkraut Plays all persons registered in rooms numbered vision.” striction to fighting planes will give the by lack of preparation or 274 in the city’s leading hotels. Get will stunt a new twist which should be worth Brown had a completed script on Sympathetic Role a story to the papers and the stunt newspaper space. “Idiot’s Delight” three months before the Joseph Schildkraut’s notable perform- build itself. _ first day of shooting. ances in “Marie Antoinette,” “Suez” and "I was fortunate in working with Sher- "The Life of Emile Zola” brought him wood, who realized the need for ampli- another outstanding role, with his selec- commander fying the play to fit the needs of the tion to play Captain Kirvline, The Story of "Idiot s Delight motion picture. The play took place in of an important frontier station at the in one set, a hotel lobby. In the picture, outbreak of the next World War, scientist, and Quilleiy Harry Van (Clark Gable) was in show (Charles Coburn), a Shearer dynamic Frechman. we used forty-one sets, giving the story “Idiot’s Delight,” starring Norma business before he was drafted and went to (Burgess Meredith), a Kirvline (Joseph Schildkraut), France. He was barker with a carnival Captain greater scope and action. The sets were and Clark Cable. to pass them show and played piano in picture theatres. the only one with authority is but firm. No one designed to fit the action. By working Schildkraut gives a sympathetic por- He returns from the big fuss with a busted across the border, polite, There is feverish activity at five arm where a bit of shrapnel nicked^ him. can leave. ahead this way, there was no lost motion trayal of a conscientious officer, in whose below the hotel. Two people This doesn’t prevent Harry from being a flying field hotel, a Russian Countess and or indecision when it came to photo- hands rests the fate of a dozen human “wow” with the nurses. enter the Achille Weber (Edward Arnold), a munitions exactly how release from the military hospital, graphing a scene. We knew beings. On his salesman. Van is star lied when he gets a him. He tries everything each scene would play.” O O luck is against good look at the Countess. She seems liberty.” but usuallly is “at strangely familiar, but Harry can’t be sure. a Gallagher Then he lands a job as assistant to It is a greatly changed Irene. That evening, Sheets tipsy, has-been mind-reader, Madame Zuli- there is great agitation as stories circulate Fred Stone’s Daughter eka (Laura Hope Crews), who prescribes that war actually has been declared. Cashes In On Trip gin for her constant colds. Harry, however, has eyes only for Irene. At the Eldorado Theatre in Omaha, he She holds him off, but by now he is certain Wins Over U. S. Blondes Skeets Gallagher’s amazing experiences in meets Irene (Norma Shearer), a member of that the Countess is the girl he knew during a European vacation paid big divi- acrobatic troupe, who tries to Omaha. of Fred Stone, the Fellera Paula Stone, daughter Zulieka gets To help relieve the tension, Harry gives dends, with a leading featured part in save his act when Madame famous screen and stage star, was called drunk. a show with“Les Blondes.” It is broken "Idiot’s Delight.” Among those Gal- up by a horrible air raid. Quillery denounces personal appearance tour Irene is attracted to Harry and he to her. back from a the bombers as “murderers” and is arrested. lagher talked to on his return was Director She is the first girl in Harry’s life that he in the East to become a "Cable Clamour She tells fantastic stories about Dr. Waldersee, who has devoted his life immediately cast can’t figure. Clarence Brown, who Russia and says she was born to be a to saving humanity, now determines to offer Girl” in "Idiot’s Delight,” starring Norma nation of Donald Novadel, American "greet- princess. - his scientific knowledge to the him as honeymoon Shearer and Clark Cable. She plays Beulah, Back at the hotel, Harry .gets rfd of Irene his birth for destruction. The er” at a swank Alpine hotel. ends for the Cherrys, with the husband’s de- one of the six membrs of “Les Blondes,” to gab with the boys, and she doesn’t like he return to England and it. When he gets to his room, there is Irene. cision that must troupe O Cable’s traveling musical comedy She informs Harry that she wants to be a fight. only scorn for Weber, whose in the picture. Scores of America’s most ARNOLD BIOGRAPHY mind-reader and paints a glowing picture of Irene has possible.^ Weber with Nor- them working together. Harry finds himself munitions sales made war beautiful blondes were tested for the role. Edward Arnold, who appears a being drawn irresistably to Irene. The next is irritated by Irene’s attitude. Finally, in “Idiot’s! Switz- ma Shearer and Clark Cable day, they part, since their acts are billed train is provided to take the people to ready to go, when he dis- Delight,” completed a 47,000-word on different circuits. Harry buys her a erland. Harry is has provided CAREER knick-knack for seventy-five cents. covers that no passport has been PAT RESUMES HER on which he has been autobiography Years later, Van and his six sweeties, “Les for Irene. Harry Pat Paterson, Mrs. in working secretly for the past two years. Blondes,” Shirley (Virginia Grey), Edna Weber has decided to leave her. (Bernadene Hayes), Beulah (Paula Stone), decides to stay. He knows that he is in real life, plays her first screen role since Frances Fisher Du Buc is editing the book. Francine (Virginia Dale), Elaine (Joan love with Irene and she with him. Irene her marriage, with an important featured Marsh) and Bebe (Lorraine Krueger), are admits her identity. They plan a mind- get to Switzerland. "Idiot’s touring Europe in a musical act. En route reading act when they role in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s heard. They are SHEARER STARTS NEW FAD to Geneva, they are stopped at an important Then enemy bombers are Delight.” attacking the air field. Sitting at a plane, Norma Shearer started a new feminine- frontier post. There are rumors of war. of a cigarette lighter, Harry and No one is permitted to cross the border. in the glow fad in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s “Idiot’s. jrpne the hvniru “Abide With Me.” There is nothing for Harry to do but stop sing There is dark- ARNOLD ACTOR 33 YEARS Delight,” square bracelets. The brace- at the border hotel for the night. In the A bomb strikes the hotel. their voices hotel are a Mr. and Mrs. Cherry (Peter ness, but from the wreckage Arnold, plays a leading lets, once favored by Russian nobility, stronger and Edward who Willes and Pat Paterson), a young English can be heard still singing, featured role in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s caused much comment among feminine couple on their honeymoon; Dr. Waldersee stronger.

"Idiot’s Delight,” is celebrating his thirty- players on the lot, who had them dupli- third year on the stage and screen. cated for personal wear. IWii •

THE 75/u!0td&? //ipi OF 1939 /

The Screen’s Queen of Glamour . . . Wrapped in the Arms of the Screen’s First Man of Romance/

AS COUNTESS IRENE

Toast of th© Continent? Consort of kings? An ir- resistible charmer playing at love the maddest way.,. to drown the memory of what happened one night in a hotel room in Omaha, Nebraska!

W AS HARRY VAN A hoofer to whom life was another and dance., -cheap jobs, cheap play, ; song cheap romances.. -until a strange dream of love, out of the hurled past, finally caught up with him!

TOGETHER FOR TIE FIRST TIME IN SIX YESRS TOO LONG ... Ilf ANOTHER PHOTZER FREE TRIUMPH ~k MUSE PSATIOHAL THAN "STRANGE INTERMIT a

>f WITH

EDWARD ARNOLD -CHARLES COBURN • Joseph SCHILDKRAUT

Screen PI«j tg ROBERT E SHERWOOD . A METRO • GOIDWYN . MAYER PICTURE

Birestei bj SURERCE BROWN « Fretted b) HINT STRDMBERG

NORMA SHEARER and CLARK GABLE THOUSANDS ACCLAIMED IT AS A MASTERPIECE!...

THOUSANDS SCREAMED THAT IT BE BURNED IN THE STREETS! Clarence Brown's Production of AT T fiCT A T1RAMA "IDIOT'S DELIGHT" with EDWARD ARNOLD CHARLES COBURN JOSEPH SCHILDKRAUT BURGESS MEREDITH

Directed by CLARENCE BROWN Screen Play by ROBERT E. SHERWOOD

From the Pulitzer Prize Play "Idiot's Delight" by ROBERT E. SHERWOOD

Produced by The , Inc.

Music Score by Produced by HUNT STROMBERG THE PLAYERS Irene Norma Shearer Harry Clark Gable Achille Weber Edward Arnold Dr. Waldersee Charles Coburn Captain Kirvline.. ...Joseph Schildkraut Quillery ...Burgess Meredith Madame Zuleika Laura Hope Crews

Donald Novadel. .. Skeets Gallagher Mr. Cherry Peter Willes Mrs. Cherry Pat Paterson Dumptsy ...William Edmunds The advertising Pittatek Fritz Feld

and only . . . see th HARRY VAN'J LES BLONDES Virginia Grey Virginia Dale Paula Stone Bernadene Hayes Joan Marsh Lorraine Krueger HCE EVERY TWO YEARS [LM HISTORY IS MADE!

As Metro •Go!dwi|n*Mager brings to the screen

another Pulitzer Prize Triumph!

ONE KISS! '..THEIR LAST

In 1929 it was “!”

In 1931 it was “A Free Soul!” last heart to In 1933 it was “Strange Interlude!” At long

. . to lips ... In 1935 it was “!" heart. Lips A single flashing moment In 1937 it was “The Good Earth!"

left . . . But enough . . . for In 1939 it is hearts that flame like theirs ... to drain to the PRODUCTION OF depths their cup of love ! * SHEARER Iff GABLE'S IDIOTS ARMS! POT THERE BY THE ALMIGRTIEST BLAST OF DRAMATIC DYNAMITE A MAN EVER HAD THE onurn Edward NERVE TO WRITE! ARNOLD EDWARD ARNOLD

Charles COBURN CHARLES Joseph SCHILDKRAUT JOSEPH SCHILDKRAU

Screes Flag bg ROBERT E. SHERWOOD

A METRO* SOLDWYN* MAYER PICTURE ' Streen Pkg h, ROBERT E, SHERWOOD

A METRO • SOEDWYN « MAYER PICTURE .

Directed i 5 CLARENCE BROWN

Prefaced Eg HUNT STROMBERG *“ IMlttNM

Directed bg CLARENCE BROWN

Predated k HUNT STROMBERS

P H E A T R E Edward ARNOLD * Charles COBURN Joseph SCHILDKRAUT

Screen Play by ROBERT E. SHERWOOD

A METRO -COLDWYN- MAYER PICTURE

r outs on these pages are suggested copy

-G-M press book for complete campaign. * ,M s ,4 * STUDIO NEWS

Robert Young Burns and AlSen s New Picture Soys Dual Role Scene So Crazy It Is Real Four Star Attraction Is Fun, But Work Can't Be Written “Honolulu,” Eleanor Powell’s first starring dance musical since Playing two roles for the price of one Eleanor Powell’s new Metro-Goldwyn- not good business, but it’s a lot “Rosalie,” comes up as a real Four Star attraction with Robert Young, may be Mayer dance musical, “Honolulu,” has the of fun. Burns Allen sharing the billing in what has been George and Grade record that couldn’t be That’s the opinion of Robert Young, only scene on declared by preview critics to be Miss Powell’s greatest picture. who plays a dual role written into a scenario. It came about

in the Metro-Goldwyn- Jack Cummings, the producer for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, has when it was realized that although George Mayer dance musical proceeded on the sound premise that audi- Burns and are in the picture comedy, “Honolulu,” ences want the most entertainment pos- they did not have one scene together in and furnishes the com- sible packed into one picture, and has Dimpled Darlings' edy motif of the plot the original script. Burns offered to write when his romances with blended hilarious com- one and Jack Cummings, the producer, edy with romance, sen- Knees Are Shielded Eleanor Powell and Rita agreed. The next day Cummings asked Johnson become slightly sational dancing and Basketball George for the scene. George said it was scrambled with a charge captivating songs, with By Pads all set, but he couldn’t show it to him of grand larceny. With Young the result that he has a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer chorus Grade Allen and to help stir musical comedy that girls have adopted basketball pads because he couldn’t put it on paper. has all the sure-fire up the romantic stew, the whole thing to protect those dimpled knees dur- “That doesn’t make sense,” said Cum- sums up to hilarious farce. earmarks. ing rehearsals the for native dance mings. “It was my first experience with dual Director Edward Buz- in “Honolulu,” in which the girls “Well, neither does the scene,” replied roles,” says Young. “I worked every day zell, with a background had to do many of their routines Burns, who tried to explain that the lines of the shooting schedule but four and half of years in musical Cummings on bended knee. Eleanor Powell, and business were so hopelessly inter- the time I talking to myself in front was comedy on Broadway as a star, author and star of the picture, saw in no time of the camera. My biggest difficulty mingled that it couldn’t be explained. producer, has woven deftly a screamingly the girls’ knees would be raw, so

was trying to remember whether I was “It’s . . . well, it’s just Gracie,” George funny plot of a movie star and mistaken she sent her property man, Harold Brooks Mason, the. movie actor, or George concluded. identity into the scheme of dance and Turburg, to a Culver City sporting Smith, the big Hawaiian pineapple man. song numbers that will more than satisfy goods store and had him purchase Cummings took a chance, they shot “Playing scenes with yourself is like the addicts of eye and ear entertainment. forty sets of knee pads for the the scene without a script, and it is one playing solitaire. You can’t lose. In dancers. of the The dancing highlight of "Honolulu” comedy highlights of the picture. either case, you have to cheat a little.” is Miss Powell’s “three-in-one” dance in NEW SALES TECHNIQUE which she does a real Hawaiian hula, an nir,” “Hawaiian Melody” and “Hono- Hawaiian drum dance and lulu,” which is sung Andy Ilona, Hawaiian orchestra leader, her own cre- by Gracie Allen. Miss Powell Starts ation of introduced a new sales technique to Hol- a combination tap and hula. Her Others in the cast are Rita Johnson, imitation of Bill Robinson doing lywood when he and his Islanders were his fa- Clarence Kolb, Jo Ann Sayers, Ruth Hus- Dance Laboratory mous stair dance and an acrobatic rope sey, Eddie signed to appear in "Honolulu,” starring Anderson, Willie Fung, Tom Eleanor Powell, who has created thou- skipping routine are sensational. Neal, Sig Rumann and Eleanor Powell. They got the job by Edward Gargan. sands of original dance steps, hit upon record studio in sending a to the which Gus Kahn and Harry Warren have writ- The original story and screenplay are a plan to simplify her work of dance cre- Ilona gave a short “sales talk” before ten three new song hits for picture, the by Herbert Fields, Frank Partos and Jack ation for “Honolulu.” She has had all each number. namely, “This Night Will Be Souve- My McGowan. of her dances photographed in slow mo- tion and has installed a “dance labora- tory” in her Beverly Hills home, equipped with a projection machine. By studying the dances executed by herself in slow motion she evolves new variations of the triple, the pick-up, the jump and the drag without the necessity of executing them repeatedly.

Benny's 'Rochester' Gets Name Mixed

Eddie Anderson, who is ’s famous Negro stooge, “Rochester,” on the radio, plays the role of “Washington,” Robert Young’s valet, in “Honolulu.” Director Eddie Buzzell called him for his first scene at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and addressed him as Washington. “Couldn’t you make that name Syracuse or Elmira, Mr. Buzzell?” inquired Eddie.” They’re a little closer to Rochester.”

SUCCESS REUNITES THEM When Eleanor Powell was thirteen and making her first professional appearance in a night club in Atlantic City, N. J., an athletic young habitue of the New Jersey beach resort appointed himself her personal life guard. His name was Stub- by Kruger. Eleanor went on to become the world’s greatest feminine tap dancer and Stubby became Olympic diving cham- pion. They met again for the first time in a scene for “Honolulu,” starring Miss Powell. Stubby does a diving specialty in the picture. STUDIO NEWS

Star Re-Creates Gable's 'Glamour Norma Shearer Delighted With Role Girls' Represent Fifth Great Role Of Girl Acrobat in 'Idiot's Delight' From B'way Stage All Parts of U. S. Norma Shearer, costumed in spangled tights as a little acrobat With her portrayal of Irene opposite No one section of America has a corner dizzily by her teeth for a brief for a scene in “Idiot’s Delight,” swung Clark Cable in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s on beautiful blondes. moment, dropped lightly to her feet and laughed. forthcoming film version of Robert Sher- Offered as evidence are the "Cable wood’s Pulitzer Prize winning play, cried the screen’s Juliet and Marie Antoinette. Clamour Girls,’’ the star’s chorus of blonde “This is fun!” "Idiot’s Delight,” Norma Shearer creates outies, who do a song-and-dance act with “Most of my recent characters have been such sincere ladies,” on the screen her fifth role introduced Clark Gable in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s theatre by notable she continued. "They were interesting Byzantine bob, exotic gowns and a Rus- into the American "Idiot’s Delight.” They are the pick of stage stars. to play, but limited. Now, for a change, sian accent. the nation’s most attractive blondes. played the part in the I’m a heroine who is a fascinating chal- “Although I have played virtuous and born in Hollywood original Broadway production opposite Virginia Crey was lenge to characteriza- shady ladies of all ages on the screen,” and has been out of California only twice Alfred Lunt. ¥ tion. I am permitted Miss Shearer remarked, “Irene is differ- in her life. Other plays brought to the screen by a few tricks, like swing- ent from anything I have done. Fred Stone, Miss Shearer, in which she had to match Paula Stone, daughter of “In ‘A Free Soul’ and ‘Strange Inter- performances of great dramatic stars were famous stage and screen star, was born serious As Irene, the vaude- lude’ Clark Cable and I both had “Barretts of Wimpole Street,” played City. in New York X I ville performer of Rob- parts, with very little opportunity for originally by Katharine Cornell; "Smilin’ Bernadene Hayes, selected as the "Most jt ert Sherwood’s Pultizer comedy. But in this one we do every- JJ Through,” played on the stage by Jane Beautiful Radio Artist,” when she was winning play, Miss thing but stand on our heads. While Prize Cowl; "Private Lives,” played by Gertrude air, born in a blues singer on the was not only swings I do my aerial act, Clark has a song-and- Shearer Lawrence, and "The Last Mrs. Cheyney,” St. Louis, but has lived in Madison, Wis., her teeth, but in later dance routine that is riotously funny. by which was probably Ina Claire’s greatest Detroit, , New York, , sequences of the pic- We play the piano and we sing. We do Shearer stage hit. Boston, Cincinnati and Memphis. as a phoney Count- a mind-reading act. From start to finish, ture, finds excitement In addition to these, Miss Shearer re- Miss the picture was a refreshing experience. Virginia Dale was born in Charlotte, ess. After "Marie Antoinette,” created Shakespeare’s "Juliet” after Jane

all the more "Besides, I think Mr. Sherwood has North Carolina, and is the South’s repre- Shearer’s transformation is Cowl had scored a tremendous hit in the hair worn in a written a truly great play.” sentative. startling, with blonde role on Broadway and throughout the Lorraine Krueger claims St. Louis as country’s theatres. her home town, and received her stage Miss Shearer’s achievements, following training at the Municipal Opera of that these outstanding stage stars in their city. -K greatest performances is the more remark- able since she is one screen star of the Joan Marsh is the only small town girl present era who has never appeared on the to win a "Glamour Girl” role. She was stage. born at Porterville, California.

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)T’S DELIGHT’’—Seated, left to right, they are Cameraman , Director Clarence Brown, Laura Hope Crews, Edward Raquello, Pat Paterson, stars; Peter Willes and Edward Arnold. Standing, left to right, are Charles Coburn, Skeets Gallagher, Fritz Feld, the “Gable Glamour Girls,” Bemadene Paula Stone, Lorraine Kruger and Virginia Grey; Burgess Meredith. Joseph Schildkraut and William Edmunds. Esperanto Used Gable Gets Control Over Feet M-G-M Picture As Language in Shows Terror of After Years of Insubordination 'Idiot's Deiight' Aerid Warfare Clark Cable’s feet Esperanto, the universal language have been problem children ever since he can The complete destruction of a great without a country, solved the problem of remember. city by an air raid during a “future war” creating a nameless European nation for is graphically pictured in “Idiot’s De- “The jams they have gotten me into would fill a book,” he said. “Idiot’s Delight,” co-starring Norma light,” starring Norma Shearer and Clark Shearer and Clark Cable. It is used in But from now on. Cable’s 1 1 -C’s have his blessings. Gable. dialogue for the first time on the screen He admits being gratefully surprised that they piloted him safely Not a fanciful version of such a raid, in this Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture. through his song and dance act for “Idiot’s the sequence of bombing scenes is tech- The use of Esperanto in the film was nically perfect, according to Director Delight,” in which he is co-starred with restricted to establishing the imaginary Clarence Brown, a graduate engineer and Norma Shearer. locale of the picture. It was spoken wartime flying instructor, who holds a “Frankly,” Gable re- Norma Shearer by loseph Schildkraut and minor char- transport pilot’s license. marked, "that dancing acters, peasants and officials. It was Sings ussian “From official records of the terror and used also on signs. business had me wor- R devastation caused by modern aerial war- ried for two years.” Norma Shearer sings a Russian From the viewpoint of Joseph R. fare,” Gable had never step- said Brown, “we have attempted Scherer, president of Esperanto Associa- number, “Kak Stranna,” with Clark to give motion picture audiences a clear ped a foot on a dance Cable as her accompanist, in tion of North America, Hollywood’s rec- and vivid insight into what war from the floor until he started “Idiot’s Delight.” ognition of the language proves its prac- sky means.” work with George King, ticability as the ideal neutral language. It is one of the comedy high- - A giant plane constructed in Metro-Goldwyn Mayer lights of the picture, although Miss was the are million “There four Esperantists studio shops, which will dance director. He was Shearer didn’t know she was going reveal the inner throughout the world,” said Scherer. convinced that he workings of a bomber on its mission of Gable to sing fifteen minutes before the “This will add to that number.” death couldn’t make his feet scene was filmed. and 700 pounds of explosives were used in the actual bombing. Cable plays the number in the CharSes Coburn “As a kid,” he went on, “I had the Metro-Coldwyn-Mayer picture and Cameraman William Daniels supervised biggest feet, hands and ears in Hope- Director Clarence Brown suggested the filming of night shots, photographing a brightly lighted, but sleeping city at In Powerful Role dale, maybe in all Ohio. I was always that Miss Shearer sing to give the elevations ranging from tripping over my feet. scene more zest. She did— in Rus- 3,000 to 10,000 Charles Coburn, who made his first “After a few lessons in private with sian! feet. screen appearance just a year ago in King, it wasn’t bad at all. He taught “,” after forty years on me the fundamentals of balance and the stage, was awarded the most power- Hollywood rhythm. I wasn't supposed to be a Fred Edward Arnold Holds ful role of his long career, as Dr. Walder- Astaire, just an ordinary vaudeville hoofer. see, an erratic scientist, in “Idiot’s De- That helped. Seen As Villain Burgess Meredith light,” with Norma Shearer and Clark “My worst moment came when Direc- Hollywood is keeping a firm grasp on Cable. Edward Arnold stepped into the front tor Clarence Brown started to photograph the coattails of Burgess Meredith, who rank of screen heavies, with his selection Robert Sherwood, the author, considers the dance. There were twenty-one mem- was set for another dash to Broadway Dr. Waldersee of his greatest to play Achille one char- bers of the cast on the set, including Weber, munitions manu- when Director Clarence Brown sent an acters, a scientist whose life has been Norma Shearer, Charles Coburn, Edward facturer, in “Idiot’s Delight,” starring airplane to bring him back from Palm devoted to ridding the human race of Arnold, Pat Paterson and Joseph Schild- Norma Shearer and Clark Gable. Springs for the dramatic role of Quillery, disease. His ambition is to win the Nobel kraut. If I ever had the jitters, I had dynamic young idealist, in “Idiot’s De- The role marked a distinct departure Prize. But when war comes, he forsakes them then. light,” starring Norma Shearer and Clark in characterization for the versatile his duty to his fellow men and offers his Ar- “But there was no backing down. I Cable. nold, who recently scored hits in services to his country to destroy rather “You just said, ‘Feet, follow me!’ —and they Richard Whorf created Quillery in the Can’t Take It With You” than save. and “The Crowd did.” Roars.” original New York stage hit of the Robert Sherwood Pultizer Prize winning play, Basket and elicited critical acclaim in the notable W eaver Makes Actor Plays Wooden Gable Glamour Girls scene when he denounces war-makers Hat for Clark Gable Indian to Aid ‘Props’ Champ Gum Chewers as “assassins” and “murderers.” The “corny” wide-brimmed straw hat Mitchell Lewis, veteran character Clark in his “Idiot's Delight" Clark Gable and his six blonde dancing Cable wears actor, was cast in the most unusual VIRCINIA HAS ANNIVERSARY dance number, was hand-woven by a cuties became the champion gum-chewers role of his career in the Metro- “Idiot’s Delight,” in which she plays basket weaver, Edward Johnston. When of Hollywood, during the filming of Coldwyn-Mayer production, “Idiot’s a Clark Gable Glamour Girl,” is Virginia Clarence Brown couldn’t find a hat Metro-Goldwyn - Mayer’s “Idiot’s De- straw Delight,” co-starring Norma Shear- Grey’s twelfth anniversary picture. The of the right style period, he turned ti e light,” which co-stars Norma Shearer er and Clark Cable. He played a young Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer player be- job over to the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Cable. wooden cigar store Indian to oblige gan her screen career at the age of nine property department. Johnston said he the property department, because Director Clarence Brown had them in “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” Her father, could do it, and did, weaving a new brim chewing it was impossible to find a real one. gum throughout the picture for the late Ray Grey, was a motion picture onto the crown of an old Gable chapeau. purposes of characterization. director. Scanned from the collection of Karl Thiede

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