Modern Screen (Dec 1935 - Nov 1936)

MODERN SCREEN Carroll, in the lead, is one of the most beautiful gals ever to face a camera, and George Brent does a swell job with the best acting opportunity he's had in some time. In the supporting cast, Alan Mowbray, Arthur Treacher, Beulah Bondi and Eddie Brophy are outstanding. Preview Postscript Madeleine Carroll has one of Ihe most unique hobbies in Hollywood. She loves to talk about the "flops" she's taken in her career. What's more, she advises any young actress to beware of overnight success. . . . Richard Carle's been wanting to retire for the past fifty years. Fifty years ago when he started acting, Richard Carle was looking forward to the day when he had enough money in the bank to purchase an easy chair, felt slippers and a ranch. He's had the money in the bank more than once, but just when he would plan a shopping trip some producer would dangle a contract in in his face. Over a quarter of a century was spent starring in Broadway roles and now Mr. C's In constant demand for films . . . Scotty Beckett wants to retire soon from this acting racket, too. The six-yearold who has been in more than forty pictures in the last year has an ambition to be a "juicer"— one of those gents who scramble about at dizzy heights above the sets and manipulate giant Klieg lights. ** Nobody's Fool (Universal) It's Edward Everett Horton in the title role, and that's 'nuf¥ said for any Horton addict. The story is just about as silly as anything could be imagined and therefore admirably suited to Edward Everett's charms. With a heart of gold and a head of cement, as Glenda Farrell, his gal friend, lovingly describes him. Mr. Horton is the instigator of a remarkable plan to tear down New York City and build up a city of happy homes for happy mothers and fathers. His naivete is meat for a gang of realty crooks, headed by Frank Conroy and ably assisted by Glenda Farrell. They have a plan underfoot whereby they hope to beat Cesar Romero, a rival racketeer, out of some property. One look at Eddie and they decide he's just the man to spring the news on Romero and his gang and take the beating. One of Eddie's outstanding qualities is his willingness to oblige and make everybody happy. Through a series of uncanny blunders he succeeds in making everybody happy, the district attorney and the two gangs of crooks fast friends, the property in question a site for a model tenement, and himself the proud possessor of Glenda's hand in marriage. Fun for everybody ! Preview Postscript Edward Everett Horton celebrated a birthday while this picture was in production and a gala surprise party was given him in Glenda Farrell's bungalow on the lot. Instead of the birthday cake, though, the cast presented him with a basket of champagne which was almost as nice a sentiment, anyway. On waking up the morning of his birthday, Edward Everett was surprised when he looked out the window. All over the lawn on his Encino estate were scattered bright red flower-pots, in each of which was growing a white geranium. It developed that this was the gift of Arthur Treacher. Mr. Horton hod them planted along a walk and from now on it's to be called "Treacher Walk" . . . Florence Roberts is known as Horton's unofficial mother. Since they worked together in stock in Philadelphia many years ago a fast friendship has grown up between the two. You'll never see a Horton picture without Miss Roberts tucked away in it some place . . . Horton is known in Hollywood as the most helpful guy in town. He has been known to encourage more newcomers with advice and money than anyone around these ports. Henry Hunter, an extra on this picture and a newcomer to the movie lot, was suddenly startled to find his hand firmly gripped the first day on the set, and hear a cordial welcome from Mr. Horton, followed by on even more cordial invitation to lunch. **Jailbreak (Warners) At least there is a new angle to this familiar yarn about what goes on behind the gray prison walls. The picture opens with a bunch of the boys whooping it up in San Quentin. The atmosphere is anything but pleasant between the deadly rivalries, intrigues, etc., soon evident among the inmates, to say nothing of the way they all go around making faces at each other. Then come the killings and on the heels of them Barton MacLane, detective. But, of course, he is still scratching his head over the wrong clews when the daredevil reporter, Craig Reynolds, wangles his way into the penitentiary and solves the mystery to his own satisfaction if not the audience's. We have a profound respect for the Reynolds profile and only wish we could feel the same way about his histrionic assets. Prison walls can't keep a girl out of a Warner picture, so here we have June Travis as a former secretary to one of the present corpses. Miss Travis' role requires her to stand around with a look of horror all over her pretty face and she does this very well. George E. Stone, Eddie Acuff, and Addison Richards are part of the grim scenery and perform adequately. Preview Postscript George E. Stone became so fond of his prison uniform that he bargained with the studio wardrobe department and bought it. Now he terrorizes the neighbors by mowing the lawn of his Beverly Hills home in full convict regalia . . . Fifteen old-time prizefighters were hired to give an authentic touch to the hard-boiled prison scenery. Gentler folk you've never met than these two-hundred-pounders, decorated with mashed-in noses and cauliflower ears. Their only failing was still being slightly punchdrunk. Whenever a bell rang, pandemonium broke loose, and actors and crew not in the pugilistic class ran for cover until the fifteen fought it out among themselves . . . Dick Purcell and Craig Reynolds didn't lock instructors in that fight scene, but it took three days to film. The first day the boys were afraid of hurting each other, and the results looked iust like it. The second day Dick knocked Craig cold and the third day Craig reciprocated. And it all takes just thirty seconds on the screen. . . . Next to Vince Barnett, Craig Reynolds holds the title of Hollywood's most impractical practical jokester. His favorite victim on this set was June Travis. Unfortunately, Craig discovered that June is terribly susceptible to tickling. To such a degree that just the word whispered in her presence can send her off into gales of giggles. It is considered a miracle by those in the cast that June even managed to get one shot in this picture with a straight face. * Palm Springs (Paramount) "Palm Springs" is the month's low in musical pictures. It has, however, a couple of assets, so let's record them before we chant the dirge. Assets : Two excellent songs ("I Don't Want To Make History" and "The Hills of Wyoming") and Fran SAN ITARY PROTECTION forever eliminates PADS, PINS, BELTS Wix IS the remarkable new product which enables every woman to have complete, healthful, sanitary protection, internally, invisibly'. Wix is a scientifically designed absorbent tampon (perfected by two physicians) which is used internally and thus banishes forever the embarrassment of protruding pads, the irritation and discomfort of belts and pins. Wix is sold by all department stores, drug stores, and all Kresge stores. If yourdealershould be unable to supply you, use the coupon below. WIX THE WIX COMPANY, Minneapolis, Minn. 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