Movie Classic (Mar-Aug 1936)

Angel of Mercy [Continued from page 33] ' Opposition arises from army officers who fear the soldiers will be softened by such treatment, but with the help she receives from a war correspondent (Ian Hunter), she gets some of the medical supplies needed for her work. Newspapers in England earn on a constant campaign to give the nurses the materials refused them by the army. In a smashing climax, Florence Nightingale receives honors • from the Queen after her whole cause seems lost. Such is the story of Angel of Mercy. It requires a cast which includes thirty important players and more than 120 bit players. In addition, literally thousands of extras take part in some of the bigger scenes. To handle the difficult directorial assignment, Warner Brothers chose William Dieterle, the man who co-directed Midsummer Night's Dream with Max Reinhardt, and then scored an outstanding triumph with the immensely successful Story of Louis Pasteur. Besides Kay Francis, Donald Woods, Nigel Bruce, and Ian Hunter, the cast of Angel of Mercy includes several brilliant London players, notably Charles CrookerKing, George Curzon, and Ara Gerald. Man}' of the minor characters are actually starting major careers at Warner Brothers in this picture. Many costly sets were required to shoot the various scenes. Most elaborate of all was the waterfront at Scutari, a small Turkish port across from Constantinople that suddenly gained importance with the opening of the war. For this sequence a whole string of shops were built along the waterfront, a transport ship was constructed, and a log pontoon bridge was erected between ship and shore. The waterfront scenes were taken on the old Vitagraph lot, several miles from the new Warner Brothers studio. Property men found the picture unusually difficult. Recent enough to still be within the memory of man, this period of history proved far more exacting than the more remote periods dealt with in most costume pictures. Members of the cast, mam of them residents of England, helped the costumers by bringing out family albums clearly depicting the clothes of the era. To satisfy the demands for hospital supply props, workers had to assemble 2,740 different items, 1,500 of which were medical supplies. The Scutari hospital set opened endless vistas to the photographers. As a result, you will find mam* novel and unusual shots throughout the picture. THE longest candle scene ever taken was shot after a host of technical difficulties were overcome. Kay Francis, carrying a long tapering candle, enters the corridor 190 feet from the camera. As she moves forward the light increases in front and diminishes behind. To carry out this effect twelve banks of flood lights had to be equipped with dimming devices. A rescue call was sent out to other studios when Warner Brothers supply of dimmers was found inadequate. The scene symbolizes the immortal ''Lady with the Lamp" poem, with Florence Nightingale having one last look of tender concern for her patients before retiring for the night. Every member of the cast is enthusiastic over the possibilities presented in Angel of Mercy. And especially delighted is Kay Francis, who for once has a chance to escape that "best dressed woman" label which she has honestly and sincerely disliked for years. "This role is my first chance in nine years to live down that title," Miss Francis remarked between scenes, "and it makes me positively effervescent. I regard it as the most important thing I have ever attempted. Florence Nightingale offers a role without an alibi. All the clothes and glamour in the world could not make it convincing. Such an opportunity doesn't arrive often in the film industry." Miss Francis made a deep analysis of the character she was to play, one that gives a deeper insight into Florence Nightingale's driving purpose : "The great women of history," said the actress, "gave their talents and abilities, but this inspiring character, more than anyone else, gave herself." She had not a thought of glory' or reward. She wanted only to alleviate the suffering of humanity. [Continued on page 84] IfauUiokiuf in. Hew ijonkJ Stop at the favorite Hotel of the Stars! Hotel Astor is famous as the New York headquarters of famous movie stars as well as leading figures of the stage and radio. And no wonder! Located directly on Times Square, the crossroads of the world, it's in the very heart of the night life of New York. Everybody who is anybody on Broadway and in Hollywood meets their friends at the Astor Bar. ..Dine and dance with the stars on the new Astor Roof. You'll enjoy your New York vacation this summer if you stop at the Astor. Remember it will cost you no more. ..perhaps less. ..than ordinary hotels. Delightful big rooms with bath for as little as $3 a day. Write for complete information today. Use the handy coupon. HOTEL ASTOR TIMES SQUARE-NEW YORK F. A. Muschenheim, President • R. K. Christenberry, General Manager Gloria Stuart, above, 20th CenturyFox star in The Poor Little Rich Girl, thrills to the bright lights of Broad* way when she visits New York. YOU'LL SEE THE STARS ON BROADWAY Here's Times Square, world capitol of fun and pleasure. Note the convenient location of the Astor. . .right in the center of things. ====»2USE THIS CONVENIENT COUPON; Mr. R. K. Christenberry, General Manager, Hotel Astor, N. Y. Dear Mr. Christenberry: I am planning a New York vacation about (please give date). Please send full particulars (at no cost or obligation) to NAME _ ADDRESS xo Movie Classic for July. 1936 81