Bedtime Story (Universal Pictures) (1964)

os David Niven and Marlon Brando, who are dedicated to the happi ness of pursuit and the financial remuneration they can gain from it, ply their trade on the French Riviera, here with Shirley Jones in this scene from Universal’s hilarious romantic comedy in color, “Bedtime Story.” (Still No.1934—65 ) Blonde Shirley Jones Willing To Forsake Singing Parts For More Comedy Roles (Current) Dulcet-voiced Shirley Jones isn’t the least bit perturbed that in her current starring role with Marlon Brando and David Niven in Universal’s romantic romp, ‘‘Bedtime Story,” she warbles not a single note. The picture in color is now screening at the 22240 s.: The spectacularly assembled blonde, whose screen career was launehed into dazzling orbit with “Oklahoma,” takes a_ realistic attitude toward the changing patterns of film making. She points out that musicals aren’t too common on today’s sound stages. Besides, she is quick to emphasize, she’s every bit as happy in non-musical fare. It’s now a matter of Hollywood history that her straight dramatic portrayal of the wayward girl in “Elmer Gantry,” for which she was voted a well-merited Oscar, served as an important turning point in her cinematic destinies. It convinced one and all, in case there was any doubt, that she could match pure histrionics with the best of them. “Bedtime Story,’ scripted by Stanley Shapiro, filmland’s reigning master of sophisticated celluloid drollery, presents Shirley with her first straight comedy assignment. She reaches the color screen as Janet Walker, an American soap queen whom Brando and Niven mistakenly believe to be an heiress. Even though Brando and Niven are as suave a pair of con men as the French Riviera has ever looked askance upon, Shirley trusts them wholeheartedly. She even makes arrangements to borrow a substantial amount of money for them when they concoct a story of being in desperate need. Entirely apart from the desirability of her role the actress says the assignment provides numerous other special inducements in that the noted couturier, Jean Louis, the Rembrandt of the rayons, created a special wardrobe for her. The various outfits "Old Stoney” Is Pet Name For Co-Star (Advance) Marlon Brando’s pet name for Shirley Jones, his co-star, along with David Niven, in Universal's “Bedtime Story,’ is—Old Stoney. The label comes by way of a prewery. Seems that Miss Jones’ father inherited a brewery that has been in the family for generations. Water for the brew comes from an artesian well called Old Stoney. For years, says the actress, both male and female members of the family have had the Old Stoney tag pinned upon them, and she now looks upon it as a badge of distinction. “Bedtime Story,’ in color, SCPGO@NS 25 os are a at the Bee RecWer pa wate Sen ce eeatae Theatre ents Theatre. Shirley Jones portrays an unsuspecting American soap queen who believes Marlon Brando and David Niven are men of flawless character in Universal’s spicy romantic comedy in color, ‘‘Bedtime Story.” (Still No. 1934—P. 33) are the most sophisticated she has ever worn. In addition, some $2,500,000 worth of diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires were obtained for the picture from the New York firm of Cartier, and the star gets to wear a spectacular assortment. She concedes that it might indeed be true, as some contend, that audiences can’t tell the difference between the real and imitation jewelry. But she does know, she adds, that she herself feels different when bedecked in the genuine article. Friends From Tahiti Send Brando Cask Of Cocoanut Juice (Advance) Marlon Brando’s many friends in far-off Tahiti, his favorite vacation retreat, recently sent him a housewarming present for his new studio dressing rooms that he’ll never forget—an entire hogshead of freshly pressed cocoanut juice. Dispatched by air freight from Papette, the huge cask, holding more than 80 gallons, was received by the surprised star on the set of his current Universal film, “Bedtime Story,’ in which he teams with David Niven and Shirley Jones. Arrival of the present was the signal for an impromptu luau Brando gave for cast and crew in the dressing quarters, done in Tahitian motif. “Bedtime Story,’ in color, SCreenS 2. eee ee at the Three Oscar Winners In "Bedtime Story” (Advance) No question about the superlative talents of the three top stars in Universal’s romantic comedy in color, “Bedtime Story,’ which ODCMS ite ee ecdeey at the Sia cea ee Mea earner aye Theatre. Each of the principals—Marlon Brando, David Niven and Shirley Jones—has garnered Academy Award kudos. Brando was laureled for “On the Waterfront,” Niven for “Separate Tables’’ and Miss Jones for “Elmer Gantry.” In “Bedtime Story’”’ Brando and Niven portray con men who prey on romantically susceptible women, while Miss Jones is seen as an innocently involved winner of a soap queen contest. Pearls First Choice Of Noted Jeweler (Current) Shirley Jones has discovered that Jules Glaenzer, who provided the $2,500,000 worth of precious stones for use in Universal’s “Bedtime Story,’ has his own special favorite among jewels—pearls. Giving the actress a special advance showing of the priceless diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds taken from the display counters of Cartier, of which he is board chairman, Glaenzer explained the reason for his preference: “Nothing can be added to fine pearls to make them more beautiful,’ he told Miss Jones, ‘except a lovely woman.” The actress plays the feminine lead in “Bedtime Story” opposite Marlon Brando and David Niven. The color film is now on view at Chie@ses Sear eee Theatre. David Niven makes a pretense of refusing Marie Windsor’s offer of a valuable piece of jewelry in this scene from the Universal hilarious romantic comedy in color, ‘““Bedtime Story.” Co-starred with Niven are Marlon Brando and Shirley Jones. (Still No. 1934—2) Page 3 Niven Discloses Unique Sliding Payment Scale For Use Of His Talents (Advance) David Niven says there’s only one thing he enjoys more than working, and that is—naturally enough—not working. Seldom is there a time, allows the debonair star, when he is unable to think of something he’d much rather be doing than contributing his talents to the celluloid arts. Recently he was being diverted from his assorted extracurricular interests by a starring role with Marlon Brando and Shirley Jones in Universal’s plushly mounted romantic romp, “Bedtime Story.” The picture, filmed in color, comes Theatre. The role happens to be one in which he especially delights, and falls in an area in which he has become something of an expert— that of a plain old-fashioned scoundrel. He’s a con man on the Riviera gold coast, pretending to be of royal blood so that he can make a more indelible impression upon women. He’s continuously on the prowl for well-heeled widows. If, in return for his romantic attentions, they choose to reward him trinkets, well, that’s only the way he planned it. Getting back to his penchant for preferring not to work, Niven indulges that, if producers were only aware of it, there are certain seasons of the year when his professional services come cheaper than at others. His “sliding scale” varies according to the desirability of the outside activity he has in mind. For example, water skiing is one of his favorite pursuits, as well as that of his Swedish-born wife, Hjordis. Thus the earlyspring, when the serene Mediterranean is at its captivating best for such sport, finds his work rates at their peak. Also at a premium are late spring and early summer. During these inviting months, he elucidates, he finds conditions most nearly ideal for still another of his playtime diversions, skin diving. In early fall he can think of nothing he’d rather do than take off for Sweden to visit his wife’s relatives and gorge on the mouthwatering delicacies that turn up with such succulent abundance in the Scandinavian countries. It goes without the indelicacy of so saying that, should a film maker attempt to enlist his histrionic abilities at such a crucial time, a stiff increase in pay would Suave David Niven, with never a twinge of conscience, preys upon wealthy women in his co-starring stint with Marlon Brando and Shirley Jones in Universal’s frothy romance in color, “Bedtime Story.” (Still No. 1934—P. 30) have to be invoked. By the time late fall is in full sway the star is ready to put out to sea in a fleet twin-hulled catamaran and skim over the waters in the face of the brisk and revitalizing breezes then at their optimum. Should a film role put in an appearance at such a _ joyous moment in zestful living a producer need only naturally anticipate that the financial lure would have to be substantial enough to help him assuage his bitter disappointment in having to forego this maritime pleasure. The gladsome Yuletide season combines many special delights for the star since it is a time when he not only likes to be with his family, but also to indulge in all the snow sports in the invigorating altitudes of the Swiss Alps, only an Immelman turn or two from his part-time home at Gstaad. A bid for his services at such a heart-warming filial moment would have to be _ tempting, indeed. Pretty Shirley Jones Finds Brando's Screen Romancing Replete With Surprises (Advance) Shirley Jones finds that pitching woo with Marlon Brando, as she’s now doing in Universal’s ‘“‘Bedtime Story,” is replete with surprises. Almost never, she reports, does he do the same thing the same way twice in succession, even for the same scene in the romantic comedy, in which the party of the third part is David Niven. The color picture opens pe Ass at. thes:2. 2 pheatre. To cope with Brando’s freewheeling techniques a girl has to keep on her histrionic toes nonstop, she says, because, unlike most such sequences, there’s no blueprint to work from. “Go into a clinch with the average actor,’ relates Miss Jones, “and no matter how many takes the director requests chances are the routine will be acted out in precisely the same way.” Most of the torrid embraces that singe the edges of the acetate strip and appear so smoothly performed to the spectator are the end result, she says, of perhaps many hours of concentrated work on the part of the participants. If Brando’s celluloid love making has an elan uniquely his own that’s because he spurns the lessons taught in the drama schools and strikes out on his own, she observes. Writer-producer Stanley Shapiro’s script for “Bedtime Story” gives Miss Jones all the opportunity a gal could want for a liberal sampling of Brando’s special artistry in celluloid romance. There’s hardly a sequence in which they don’t wind up in each other’s arms. Miss Jones’ role is that of an American soap queen who lands on the French Riviera, a happy hunting grounds for Brando and Niven, both of whom are cast as gigolos willing to exchange their attentions for monetary reward. Under the mistaken impression that she is a wealthy heiress, instead of merely a soap queen contest winner, both men vie for her affections. The hazel-eyed blonde star has proved so outstanding in her handling of straight comedy lines —one of the trickiest of acting chores — that Universal lost no time in signing her for five more pictures.