Movie Classic (Mar-Aug 1936)

-4 A Dr. Allan Roy Dafoe, guardian of the quintuplets' health, oversees a vocal operation. Before Dorothy Peterson, who plays the quintuplets' nurse, could come in contact with the famous babies, she had her throat sprayed by Real Nurse Lamoureux. Every member of the movie company was similarly "disinfected." Dr. Dafoe was offered the title role of The Country Doctor, but declined it on the grounds that he was not an actor. So Jean Hersholt plays the doctor him minus his steel-rimmed spectacles. Emilie was the one who received the unexpected kiss from Yvonne. . . . One explanation of their activity is the nurses' rigid adherence to the schedule that Dr. Dafoe has set for the quintuplets. (A word, by the way, that he pronounces as "quin-toop-lets"). This is the story of their daily lives at the present time : They awaken at 5 :30 a. m. At 6 they have cod liver oil and tomato juice, then rest until 7, when they are weighed and bathed. At 8 they have breakfast — bread and butter, milk and soft-boiled egg. At 8 :30 they are placed in their outdoor cribs for their collective morning nap. (Only if the temperature drops under 20 below do they nap indoors.) At 11, they are brought in for an hour of play, followed at 12 :30 by their big meal of the day — fruits, vegetables, soups, bread, butter or rusks. At 1 they are again in their outdoor cribs, napping until 3, when they have orange or tomato juice and cod liver oil. Then they play indoors until 6 p. m., when they have oatmeal or porridge, and fruit — a menu varied once a week with veal or liver. At 6 :30, they are in bed. Dr. Dafoe found that they gained while appearing before the movie cameras. In Hollywood, according to California law, children two years old can be on a movie set for four hours a day and appear before the cameras for two of those hours. So there can be no outcry about the quintuplets "working" before the cameras — for twelve minutes a day over a period of little more than a week. (Figure out what they earned per minute!) Both 20th Century-Fox and Dr. Dafoe made sure that the lights wrould not injure the babies in any way. Note when you see the picture that they do not squint. Joe Moscowitz, the man who arranged for their appearance in The Country Doctor, returned to Canada with the "location" company to see that there were no hitches in the scheduled movie "scoop." He says : "Were they good actresses? Well, they were themselves — they were natural— which made them the best kind of actresses. . . . Many people have wondered why we didn't film them in color. It was because of the intensity of the lights necessary for color. "Toys ? They have all kinds, including the wind-up kind. They like anything that's new, whether it's a girl's toy or a boy's toy. Every day they get five packages from somebody. . . . They have two nurses, and two armed guards. The youngsters don't talk much yet, but I think their words are French. They 'sang' for us — I don't know what — but they sang. And it sounded like French to me. "We didn't take any sequences showing them being bathed or fed — we were there, you see, only during their morning play hour — but one scene shows them in their high chairs, with spoons in their hands. One started knocking on her chair with her spoon — and the others took it up. One follows the other — and they change leaders constantly. "They obey their nurses and Dr. Dafoe very well — and they're all very fond of Dr. Dafoe. They warmed up' to Jean Hersholt. too. . . . No, their mother and father aren't in the picture. We would have liked to arrange it, but we ran into difficulties — financial difficulties. The parents' roles will be played by a professional actor and actress. We didn't see the mother on this trip, but the father came over to the hotel one night and talked with us. A nice, quiet chap, who is fully aware' that he has some amazing children." And you will soon see those amazing children in action! When? Any time after March 20th, when The Country Doctor — a five-sta.v picture ! — is scheduled for release. —there is usually a definite reason for this Now let's reason sensibly Dox't try to get well in a day . . . this is asking too much of Nature. Remember, she has certain natural processes that just cannot be hurried. But there is a certain scientific way you can assist by starting those digestive juices in the stomach to flowing more freely and at the same time supply a balanced mineral deficiency the body needs. Therefore, if you are pale, tired and rundown ... a frequent sign that your bloodcells are weak — then do try in the simple, easy way so many millions approve — by starting a course of S.S.S. Blood Tonic. You may have the will-power to be "up and doing" but unless your blood is in top notch form you are not fully yourself and you may remark, "I wonder why I tire so easily." Much more could be said — a trial will thoroughly convince you that this way, in the absence of any organic trouble, will start you on the road of feeling like yourself again. You should soon enjoy again the satisfaction of appetizing food . . . sound sleep ...steady nerves ... a good complexion.., and renewed strength. S.S.S. is sold by all drug stores in two sizes. The $2 economy size is twice as large as the $1.25 regular size and is sufficient for two weeks treatment. Begin on the uproad today. © S.S.S. Co. Do not be blinded by the efforts of a few unethical dealers who may suggest that you gamble with substitutes. You have a right to insist that S.S.S. be supplied you on request. Its long years of preference is your guarantee of satisfaction. Makes you feel like yourself again Movie Classic for March, 1936 79