20th Century-Fox Dynamo (June 3, 1939)

20A NEW DYNAMO “Young Mr. Lincoln Special” Midwest Cheers New Lincoln PREMIERE CROWD IS SURPRISED (Continued from page 13A) coin hotels thousands jammed the streets, cheering, shouting and applauding. Nothing like it ever happened since war-time prime minister Lloyd George came to town, ac- cording to Mayor "app. At the two hotels, it was with utmost difficulty that way was paved through the crowds for the machines. But they finally got there. After not more than a rest of 313 minutes, newspaper writ- ers, exhibitors and stars were at the Leland, the guests of the Mid-Day Luncheon Club, which gathers only when some out- standing personality is visit- ing the- city. This day there were more notables in town than a symphony orchestra di- rector has hair! Judge L. E. Stone, president of the Mid-Day Club, presided. At the head table were seated Oliver R. Barnett, President of the Illinois State Historical So- ciety; Emmanuel Hertz, noted Lincoln biographer; Louie Louis, State treasurer; Cesar Romero, Alice Brady, Publicity Director Charles E. McCarthy; Hugh W. Cross, speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives; Bin- nie Barnes, Lowell Thomas, Ar- leen Whelan, Mayor Kapp, Ed- die Collins; Lloyd Lewis, critic of the Chicago Daily News; Mrs. Lowell Thomas, and Dr. Harry E. Pratt, executive secretary of the Abraham Lincoln Associa- tion. There were historians from various parts of the country. There were brief talks by many, introduction of the stars, etc., and then at 2:30 the luncheon and speech-making over, the newspaper folks and notables journeyed to Salem to see the historic places associated with Lincoln’s life. Fourteen members of the Legislature were on hand, head- ed by Lieut. Gov. John Stelle and Speaker of the House Cross. Gov. Horner was unable to at- tend, since he is maintaining a strict schedule outlined by his doctor after his recent serious illness. At 6 o’clock the tourists re- turned to their respective hotels for dinner, but at 7:45 they had to be and were at the Lincoln theatre for the Coast-to-Coast MBC broadcast. And again they had to make their way through crowds of thousands. Huge arclights illuminated the downtown area. At promptly 7:45 o’clock, Ed- ward Allen of Mutual intro- duced Lowell Thomas to the au- dience. The latter had to ad-lib for many minutes, waning on Mutual to give the magic words: “We’re on the air.” But no one couid have ad- libbed more entertainingly than did Thomas. And then the broadcast start- ed. The entire program is re- ported elsewhere in this issue. After Miss Anderson sang two numbers—following the 30- minute broadcast—“Young Mr. Lincoln” was flashed on the screen. And the audience sat back— like the so-called “show me” Missourian. And they were shown. When the picture was over the crowd let loose! What ap- plause! And it lasted for many minutes! “Bravos!” were heard here and there. “Swell!” came from the younger folks, who applauded the hardest and the longest, as if waiting for Henry Fonda and the other players to step out of the screen to take a bow in ac- knowledgment of the ovation! Up they were—on their feet and still applauding, exchanging words of praise. And finally they lined out into the lobby, still praising. They had to be shown—and “Young Mr. Lincoln” swept them off their feet. Elmer Rhoden said: “This is superb!” House Manager Zimmer add- ed: “I’ve never known anything like this. I never heard such comments. It’s marvelous!” And it was that! So to the Abraham Lincoln Hotel adjourned the newspaper folks, and other guests. There a buffet supper was served— and those who were still on their feet indulged in some terp- sichorean exercise as Entertain- er Bob Howard banged away, hour after hour, on the piano. It was a great day—for a great picture. J ANE WITHERS finally will get a chance for a real vaca- tion. At the request of her mother, Mrs. Ruth Withers, Ex- ecutive Producer Sol M. Wurtzel has agreed to complete the star- let’s 1939 schedule of four star- ring films by mid-December of this year. This means that Jane will have from December 15 to April 15 — four months — for a vacation trip which, according to present plans, mav include a visit to a foreign country. Young Miss Withers is currently at work in “Chicken Wagon Family” with Leo Carrillo, Spring B y i n g t o n, Marjorie Weaver and Kane Richmond. Before vacation-time, she will make “The Roughneck,” a story with an Army background, fol- lowed by “High School.” CTEWART REBURN, Sonja U* Henie’s handsome young skating partner, may soon hang up his blades for a career as an actor. The personable Canadian ice champion who toured the nation last year with Miss Henie and appears with her in the Irving Berlin pro- duction, “Second Fiddle,” went before the test cameras right after he finished his present as- signment for a display of dramatic technique. Born in Toronto, Can., Reburn partici- pated in amateur theatrica’s there for years and also has made many appearances over the radio in Canada. Should his test be successful, Reburn declared that he will give up skating except as a diversion and devote himself wholly to acting. • r p WENTY-ONE years ago nov- elist Louis Bromfield, who arrived in Los Angeles recently to write the screen story of “Brigham Young,” said good- bye to his war-time buddy in an ambulance in war-torn France. When he stepped off the Santa Fe Chief at Pasa- dena, Bromfield saw a familiar face among the travelers leav- ing the train. He went over to the man, who turned out to be Bromfield’s world-war buddy. After shaking hands, Bromfield learned that the pal he hadn’t seen since 1918, was on the same train as that which brought him here. Bromfield’s buddy is Howard Rapp, who is in the automobile business in Beverly Hills, rhe friends re- called old times at a, dinner later in the week. The noted writer also invited Rapp to visit him at the studio, where his latest best-seller, “The Rains Came,” is now being filmed. GREAT SCENE This is the se( l uence Where Henry Fonda, as the young lawyer, reads a letter to Alice Brady, the mother of his clients, charged with murder. This scene is full of pathos—and humor. One second there is a lump in your throat and the next you are roaring at some humorous utterance of young Lincoln. Romantic! ~ Jg jagpiF i;» I g it * u I WL * t ■■■ ON TRIAL J? ona ¥ Meek, as the prosecuting attorney, too, does a fine piece of acting. Here he is matching wits with the apparently unconcerned Henry Fonda as the lawyer of two boys charged with having killed a man—in the presence of their mother. SCORES AGAIN Alice repeats her “In Old Chicago” tri- umph. With her above are Arleen Whelan and Richard Cromwell. At left, top, Fonda with Pauline Moore as Ann Rutledge, and below, Marjorie Weaver as the Todd belle.