Paramount Around the World (1931)

Page 10 PARAMOUNT DOMINATES BROADWAY Gary Cooper GALA PREMIERE USHERS IN “LE PETIT CAFE” Not only Maurice Chevalier and iMadame Chevalier, who plays opposite her husband in “Le Petit Cafe” under her professional name of Yvonne Vallee, but a whole galaxy of miscellaneous French notables and Paramount executives were present to lend an international flavor to the Broadway i)remiere of this French version of “Playboj of IMris” at the President Theatre on the evening of January 20. The President, formerly a legitimate house, has been converted into a motion picture theatre wdth a policy of showing talkies in all foreign languages. ‘‘Le Petit Cafe” was the first French film to be displayed here, and its success may be judged by the fact that it ran four weeks to excellent business. iMany of the New York critics frankly admitted that they enjoyed the French version even more than they did the English original. In keeping with the atmosphere of the production, the downstairs lounge of the President Theatre was changed into a Continental cafe, where coffee w'as served to the patrons. “FIGHTING CARAVANS,” COLOSSAL WESTERN, HAILED AS ANOTHER “COVERED WAGON” AN important screen event on Broadway during the past few weeks was the world debut at the Rialto Theatre on January 23 of Paramount’s majestic epic of the West — “Fighting Caravans,” with a tremendous cast, headed by Gary Cooper, Lily Damita, Ernest Torrence, Tully Marshall and Eugene Pallette. The simplest and yet most effective description to give “Fighting Caravans” — one that summarizes its vast outdoor bigness, its sweeping action, its magnificent entertainment quality — is to call it, “ ‘The Covered Wagon’ in Sound,” and this slogan, or some slight variation of it, was used in all the advertising to the trade and public. “Fighting Caravans” is based on Zaire Grey’s absorbing story of the old romantic West, and recounts the hardships, joys, sacrifices and loves of a courageous band of American pioneers, who hit the trail west in their freight-laden covered wagons. The action highlight of the film is a stirring fight between the pioneers and hostile Indians. EPIC OF TFIE WEST ON BROADWAY! Decorated with photographs that brought back vivid memories of “The Covered Wagon,” the Rialto Theatre proved irresistible to thousands zvho recalled that earlier masterpiece of the Old Il'est. Ernest Torrence and Tully Marshall portray roles similar to those they played in “The Covered Wagon” — that of a lovable pair of disreputable old scouts. Their comedy is an outstanding feature and serves to balance the more rugged parts of the film. Gary Cooper and Lily Damita furnish the love interest. The photography is magnificent, and the musical scoring back of the picture is highly effective. “Fighting Caravans” stands out as a picture that will enjoy long runs everywhere, and will roll up box office grosses commensurate with its impressive size. For our foreign market, the production will be released with superimposed titles in various languages. "Phis, plus the musical background, the immense cast of thousands, including many stellar personalities, and the colossal epic nature of the production itself should insure big business wherever it is shown. Lily Damita PARIS-MADE SWEDISH FIL?/[ SHOWN IN NEW YORK PARAMOUNT’S first Swedish all-talkie, ‘‘Nar Rosorna Sla Ut” (‘‘Where Roses Bloom”) produced in our Joinville studios, was recently shown at the Fifth Avenue Playhouse, one of New York’s “intimate” theatres that regularly runs foreign language films. \\ hile more limited in its appeal than “Lc Petit Cafe” and lacking the drawing power of an outstanding name like Chevalier, the picture, nevertheless, was cordially received by both press and public. The “New York Times” reviewer, for instance, commented on the pleasant story and the agreeable and light-hearted cast, but pointed out that the emphasis was on the dialogue rather than on the action. “Nar Rosorna Sla Ut” has an allSwedish cast of players, headed by Margita Alfvcn, Karin Swanstrom and Uno Henning, none of whom is known to the New York public. Another player in the line-up is Sven Garbo, brother of the famous Greta. The regular showing of foreign language films in New York and many other cities throughout the United States indicates that there is a steady and growing demand for this type of entertainment. Tully yiar.sliall Earnest Torrence