The Film Daily (1935)

£? THE FORTY DAYS OF MUSA DAGH Based on the novel by Franz Werfel. Screen play by Carey Wilson and Talbot Jennings. THE most electrifying announcement of recent times was the flash to the world that M-G-M had bought the year's best seller, "The Forty Days of Musa Dagh," and that this remarkable novel would be filmed by Irving Thalberg as one of the most staggering productionundertakings of all picture history. No wonder this newsflash sped to the four corners of the globe, because the book, with its heart-stabbing story, had gripped the sympathetic attention of a world-audience. More than a hundred and seventy thousand copies were rapidly sold and the presses have been pouring forth additional thousands ever since! Why? Because this is life's blood, vivid on the printed page . . . the drama of the people of seven Armenian villages who, during the first year of the World War were cut off from the rest of the world. Facing extermination at the hands of the Turks, their beautiful daughters fleeing from the bestial approach of the soldiery, struggling against inhuman odds to preserve their lives, this wretched band entrenched themselves in the wild fastnesses of the holy mountain Musa Dagh. At their head was a handsome and wealthy young Armenian who yielded a life of ease and luxury in Paris to lead his distressed people. A mountain forest fire, a devastating avalanche, the endless replacement troops of the enemy, the distracting love of a beautiful woman ... all these plagued him, but for forty memorable, world-shaking days he and his little band held out. And then at desperation's last stand, when the French cruisers arrive for the breathtaking rescue, there is climax on climax to win the tears and cheers of all audiences. There are actually 63 name parts assuring a host of the industry's stars in the brilliant cast of next season's towering entertainment. Salute now the genius of Thalberg, for this picture is destined for inclusion among the rare few immortalized in the Screen's Hall of Fame! Backed by a $2,500 Prize Contest now current in Modern Screen Magazine in cooperation with M-G-M and the publishers, Viking Press. THE GREAT ZIEGFELD starring WILLIAM POWELL and Big Name Cast By arrangement with the estate of Florenz Ziegfeld and presented in an original story by William Anthony McGuire EVERYBODY wanted it! M-G-M got it! So big in pos^ sibilities, so gigantic in stature for proper presentation of the most magical name in show business . . . that only M-G-M could handle it! ZIEGFELD! What a wealth of showmanship it represents for every highway and byway of the globe! It is the symbol of this generation's ultimate vision of what's top in the show world! A trademark on any theatre's marquee that pre-sells a giant entertainment GLORIFYING THE AMERICAN GIRL. Only M-G-M has the rights to "The Great Ziegfeld," a name that's worth its weight in gold, built up by years of glamour and scintillating headliners. The production of this picture is being undertaken by the M-G-M studios on a scale ranking with the most pretentious in its history. William Powell has been chosen for the role of Ziegfeld. Harriet Hoctor, dancing star, is the first of a long list of celebrities engaged. Of many lavish scenes, a typical example is the Lion Ballet being staged by the renowned dance director, Seymour Felix, in which countless beauties, trained lions, ponies, dogs and other animals take part. William Anthony McGuire, who wrote the original story, will be associated in its production. McGuire's background of hits gives you an idea of what he can do. .."Whoopee," "Three Musketeers," ' Kid Boots," "Roman Scandals,' just to mention a few that poured millions into box-offices! And that's why Mr. Exhibitor may safely dust off the S.R.O. sign. ..or better yet, get himself a few extra ones, for here comes M-G-M's "The Great Ziegfeld."