What a Man! (Monogram) (1944)

What a Man!” Is Hit as Gay, Sophiscated Comedy (Review) Your funny-bone is in for a restless evening if you take our advice and go to the theatre to see the Mono gram daffy-drama, “What A Man!’’ Admittedly, the main body of the plot is the oft used — but always successful — “the worm.turns” idea, but writers William X. Crowley and Beryl Sachs have been very skill-¥ ful in their treatment of the light comedy, with novel twists and new . situations abundant. Johnny Downs, wood’s’ best juvenile heads the _ cast, Wanda McKay as his leading woman. Miss McKay is no novice when it comes to comedy, either. Her highly praised performance in “One Thrilling Night” is equalled, if not surpassed, in the new film. Both players are delightful in their roles. Heading the supporting cast are Robert Kent, Etta McDaniels, Harry Holman and Lillian Bronson. These all turn in exceptional performances, but Miss McDaniels, as the Negro maid, wins extra laurels for herself and promotes many laughs. Players who handle featured spots adequately are Wheeler Oakman, John Ince, I. Stanford | Jolley and Jack Gardner. Everything happens to Downs in the picture, and the film is off to a happy start when he, a meek office worker, returns one evening to his bachelor apartment to discover a very pretty young lady has moved in, bag and baggage. Furthermore, she intends to stay there — with him. To make sure she will not be evicted, the pretty lady feigns illness. When bewildered Johnny runs for a doctor, he becomes implicated in a murder in the hallway of the apartment. There are many laughs and surprises then as the plot tangles. further, and then untangles for a novel ending. There is never a dull moment in the entire film, thanks to the producing and directing talents of Barney A. Sarecky and William Beaudine, respectively. Photography by Marcel LePicard is good and, on the whole, the picture is one to be enjoyed by every member of the family. one of Hollycomedians, with attractive ALL-TIME WINNER Wanda McKay was_ recently named by a New York photographer’s bureau as one of the all-time ten. most beautiful models in the United States. Miss McKay deserted the modeling profession several years ago to enter pictures. Her latest appearance is in the Monogram comedy, “What A Man!” with Johnny Downs, Robert Kent, Etta McDaniels and Harry Holman, scheduled to open ........ at the Beane ete ge theatre. WHO'S THE BLONDE? Johnny Downs, timid bachelor, returns to his apartment to discover a gorgeous blonde in his quarters. Thus begins the story of “What A Man!” Monogram comedy, at the theatre. One Col. Scene Mat No. 1 "What A Man!’ Is True-to-Times Film Story As up-to-the-minute as the clock on the tower is the story of “What A Man!” hilarious Monogram comedy which comes to the theatre on iG e ewe nese an original screenplay by Williiam X. Crowley and Beryl Sachs. the opening of the story, Johnny Downs returns home to his bachelor apartment one evening to discover that a strange and very attractive blonde (Wanda McKay) has moved into his quarters. Furthermore, she intends to stay there; he can sleep on the couch. Ordinarily the authors would have their heroine take the apartment next door or across the hall. But such a situation is impossible in these times of rental shortages, and theatregoers would spot such an out-of-date procedure immediately. Etta McDaniels, Robert Kent and Harry Holman head the supporting cast in the film, which was produced for Monogram by Barney A. Sarecky and directed by William Beaudine. In scenes NOT PEDICURE—SHY CURE! Johnny Downs, timid bachelor, helps Wanda McKay, beautiful blonde, off with her shoes and stockings so bath in “What A Man!” Monogram that she can take a mustard footcomedy, at the theatre. Two Column Scene Mat No. 20 It's a Horse On Mr. Downs Nobody could be more surprised than Johnny Downs was when a horse walked over to him and said: “Hi, buddy —that’s a mighty slick suit you’re wearing today.” It happened during the filming “What A at the Downs, co-starred of Monogram’s comedy, Man!” which opens theatre. with Wanda McKay, was preparing for a scene with her. The animal, a well-trained picture horse, was instructed by his master to walk up behind Downs and nudge him a little with his nose. The horse walked up to his position behind the actor, passed the casual remark, and then gave him a nudge. Johnny’s mouth dropped a foot, and his eyes nearly popped from his head. The complete explanation lies in the fact that Harry Holman, character actor who is featured in the film, is an expert ventriloquist. William Beaudine directed the film, while Barney A. Sarecky. produced it for Monogram. * “Duka YOU..." Johnny Downs is allergic to flowers in this scene with Wanda Mc Kay from Monogram’s comedy, “What A Man!” which starts theatre. One Col. Scene Mat No. 2 “What a Man!’ Is Film That Sparkles With Comedy (Review) Worthy of being classified as one of the funniest comedy dramas of the year is the Monogram production, “What A Man!” which opened last night at the theatre. The writers of the original screenplay, William X. Crowley and Beryl Sachs, are to be congratulated for supplying a thoroughly entertaining story filled¥ with surprise twists and incidents that promote plenty of laughs from the audience. : Appearing in the leading roles are Johnny Downs and Wanda McKay, both of whom are excellent. Downs, of course, is an old hand at comedy situations, but Miss McKay, comparatively screen, proves herself equally capable in sophisticated comedy. Etta McDaniels distinguishes herself among a thoroughly well selected cast, as the Negro maid in the Downs apartment. Other important roles are ably accounted for by Robert Kent, Harry Holman, Lillian Bronson, Wheeler Oakman, John Ince, I. Stanford Jolley and Jack Gardner. From the very beginning of the story, life gets more involved for Downs as a pushed-around white collar worker. He becomes involved in a murder, finds that a strange but very attractive blonde has moved into his bachelor apartment, and is implicated in financial scandal at the office. How this knotted string of events is untied makes a very amusing piece of entertainment. “What A Man!” shows good production handling by Barney A. Sarecky and fine direction by William Beaudine. These two have come forth with a picture that suffers never a letdown. Photography by Marcel LePicard is above par. Don’t see the picture, however, if your ribs are fragile — you’re liable to split one. Tinker-Toy Set Makes Tinker-Boy Johnny Downs, who shares top honors with Wanda McKay in the Monogram comedy, ‘What A Man!” Which .comes: toy the: ~..s.20: theatre on , is one of Hollywood’s most constant producers of screwball gadgets, and his home is a veritable museum of self-closing doors, musical chairs, trick lights and similar brainstorms. It all started, he admits, when his parents presented him with a tinkertoy set when he was a child. From that time on, much to their confusion, he has found great joy in taking things apart and in creating new trinkets. Some of his. ideas have proved useful, but most of them are “gags.” new to the! Actresses Bonded By Similarity of Names and Roles Contrary to popular assumption, Etta McDaniels, Negro film comedienne, is no relation. to the other popular Negro. actress, ‘Hattie McDaniel. Most theatregoers think they are sisters, not noticing the additional ‘“‘s” at. the end of the former’s name. Playing the featured role of the hilariously comical maid in the Monogram comedy, “What A Man!” which opens ai thee Clee theatre, Etta McDaniels begins her tenth year in motion pictures, having turned to the cinema capital from the New York stage. Some of her early picture appearances were ‘ane “Devil: Ts MACoSissy, 7 ehe Prisoner of Shark Island” and “Life With Henry.” Johnny Downs and Wanda McKay share top honors in “What A Man!” with Miss McDaniels, Robert Kent, Harry Holman and Lillian Bronson heading the _ supporting cast. Barney A. Sarecky produced the picture for Monogram, and William Beaudine directed. William X. Crowley and Beryl Sachs supplied the original screenplay. in WHAT! NO LONGIES ? Motion picture property men are always being asked to produce the impossible in the way of furniture or “hand props,” but the man who worked on Monogram’s hilarious comedy film, ‘What A Man!” which opens QU. UNG es fae de eas theatre, found that two very simple items constituted the toughest’ assignment he’s had in years. Director William Beaudine gave him the list of necessary things to gather for the picture, and all were checked off as easy-to-produce except two items. They were a pair of rubber overshoes and a suit of long underwear. Rubbers are scarce, the prop man said, because of the war, but long underwear—well, they just don’t sell those things in Southern California. He was right. Monogram had to order the longies from San) Francisco.