A Modern Hero (Warner Bros.) (1934)

DMC LLL ALLL AA AAA ee — i, NN $a ta SS ees SSeS Barthelmess Scores His Greatest Hit In ‘“‘AModernHero’’ There are a dozen dramas, a score of love stories, and a bevy of bizarre psychological studies included in the powerful screen play based on Louis Bromfield’s masterly novel “A Modern Hero” in which Warner Bros. presented the famous screen star, Richard Barthelmess, at the . Theatre yesterday. Not in years has this capable actor been given so dynamic a role and one which gives him so great an opportunity for displaying his unusual talent. Surrounded by an exceptionally fine cast, including such stars as Jean Muir, Marjorie Rambeau, Dorothy Burgess, Verree Teas — RICHARD BARTHELMESS star of “4 MODERN HERO” at the Strand. Mat No. 1. —10¢ dale and Florence Eldridge, Barthelmess gives a masterly delineation of the love child of a financier father and a circus queen mother, torn by the conflicting motivations born of such widely different inherent characteristics. From the father came a genius for finance, a ruthlessness in furthering ambition, a master mind —from the mother came a taste for romance and adventure, the kindly instincts of the tan-bark, a love of the spectacular. Barthelmess lives and _ loves, drifting lightly and callously out of one affair into another, finally marrying a girl who could be won in no other way, hates her, deceives her, and finally deserts her. He exploits his sweethearts, but his real love was the boy born of his seduction of a winsome country girl, played by Jean Muir, who shows the dramatic qualities that have led her to stardom in record breaking time. Marjorie Rambeau gives a magnificent portrayal of the circus mother, whom life cannot conquer, despite the buffetings of fate which lead her from the position of the idol of admiring throngs to a gypsy fortune teller’s tent. Miss Rambeau, for years a popular Broadway star rises to real heights in this picture. Dorothy Burgess playing the unsympathetic role of the circus rider-financier’s wife gives a splendid interpretation, as do Verree Teasdale and Florence Eldridge, both talented troupers of stage and screen, who enact later day loves of the hero. Others in the cast, who deserve commendation for splendid work are William Janney, Theodore Newton, J. M. Kerrigan, Arthur Hohl, Maidel Turner, Mickey Rentschler, Richard Tucker and Judith Vosselli. G. W. Pabst, the famous UFA producer, exiled from Germany because the Nazi government did not approve of his interjecting a peace plea in one of his feature films and who has been producing in France for two years, makes his American debut as a director with “A Modern Hero” which he screened from the script of Gene Markey and Kathryn Scola. Page Ten Opening-Day Barthelmess Comes 18.4... . 106 In “‘AModern Hero’ Richard Barthelmess comes to the ; theatre today in the stellar role of the Warner Bros. picture, “A Modern Hero,” which is said to combine glam orous romance with a powerful drama and dynamic action. The romance unfolds with a traveling circus in which Barthelmess has the role of a handsome and magnetic trick rider who has a way with women. His innumerable love affairs are brought down to four specific instances in the picture, the women being represented by Jean Muir, Verree Teasdale, Florence Eldridge and Dorothy Burgess. Careless in love, he tosses each aside to make way for a new passion. From his father, the circus rider inherits a passion for power and fame which leads him into the battlefield of high finance where he becomes an industrial giant, being as ruthless in his business methods as he is in love. The picture is based on the best seller of the famous author, Louis Bromfield, who paints the colorful character of a youth torn by clashing inherited traits that are at constant war in his heart. This affords the opportunity for powerful dramatic work on the part of the star. Marjorie Rambeau plays the part of Barthelmess’ mother, a popular circus queen of former days whose affair with an international banker scandalized the continent. Others in the cast include Hobart Cavanaugh, William Janney, Theodore Newton, Arthur Hohl and J. M. Kerrigan. The picture was directed by G. W. Pabst, famous UFA producer, from the sereen play by Gene Markey and Kathryn Scola, this marking Pabst’s initial American production. “Isn't She A Honey?” Says Gibson Girl Was Pretty But Awkward Florence Eldridge, who has the role of one of Richard Barthelmess’ many sweethearts in the Warner Bros. picture, “A Modern Hero,” which comes to the Theatre on , got quite a kick out of wearing her hair in a high pompadour with a “rat” under it in the early sequences of the picture. “T can just remember the style az a child,” she said. “I shouldn’t like it as a daily custom. The Gibson girl may look swell, but she had to be uncomfortable, for along with the hair dress, I had to wear pads over the hips and a corset to slender the waist line.” “A Modern Hero,” is based on Louis Bromfield’s popular novel of the same title and concerns the romantic rise of a young circus rider to fame in the field of finance. Delicate Tint Latest Fad For Finger Nails Dorothy Burgess, who has the role of Riehard Barthelmess’ wife in his latest starring vehicle for Warner Bros., “A Modern Hero,” which comes to the Theatre on , Started a new fad on the set. She appearetl one morning with her finger nails tinted a delicate mother of pear] instead of the usual brilliant red. Other feminine players liked the coloring so well they all used it the next day. Dick Wears Lucky Suit In New Film If there’s anything in luck, “A Modern Hero,” the Warner Bros. picture now showing at the ... Theatre, should be a record breaker, in the opinion of Richard Barthelmess. That’s because he wore his lucky black suit. Barthelmess first wore it in “Way Down East,” which was one of the biggest money makers on record. He wore it again in certain sequences of “Alias the Doctor,” also an outstanding suecess. In his role of a cireus rider in “A Modern Hero,” he again wears it as a “dress up” suit. She’s going a long way, this gal is! It’s Jean Muir, who’s slated to rise to the heights of stardom because of her excellent work for Warner Bros. She is now appearin young love of Richard Barthelmes & at the Strand Theatre as the s in “A Modern Hero,” which was taken from the best-selling novel by Louis Bromfield. Mat No. 11—20¢ HAS PLAYED OPPOSITE OVER FIFTY LEADING WOMEN DURING HIS SCREEN CAREER. HASAPET MOUSE = f « WHICH SHE HAS TAUGHT To EAT FROM HER HAND —— These stars are appearing at the SAYS HER LiFELonG. PASSION HAS BEEN CLIMBING TREES. toe Strand Theatre in Warners’ “4 Modern Hero.” Mat No. 19—20c Barthelmess Thinks New Role His Finest Richard Barthelmess is highly enthusiastic over his latest starring role in “A Modern Hero,” the Warner Bros. picture which comes to the . Theatre ON ieee in four years,” he said, “and I believe it is one of my best pictures.” ‘‘Modern Hero”’ Gives Betty Boyd A Chance Betty Boyd, once a_ bright luminary of the screen heavens in her own right until she married and retired, is essaying a come back in films. “I know it’s a lot harder to come back than it is to stay up once you're there,” she says, “but I'm determined, and I’m going to make the effort. Miss Boyd is beginning her uphill climb in a small role in “A Modern Hero,” the Warner Bros. picture now showing at the Theatre with Richard Barthelmess in the stellar role. en Leaps From Frying Pan Into Ice Box Out of the frying pan into the icebox is the experience of J. M. Kerrigan, playing with Richard Barthelmess in the Warner Bros.’ picture, “A Modern Hero,” which comes to the Theatre Ol eee a Kerrigan rushed from work on location on the desert near Yuma, to play in “A Modern Hero” on the coldest day of the year in Hollywood. There was snow on the tops of the nearby mountains and_hailstones fell in some parts of the city. “And just to think,” moaned Kerrigan, “a few hours ago I was complaining about the heat. In the desert we worked in a temperature of 125 degrees. Six men were overcome, and a mule fell over dead as a result of the scorching rays of the sun.” Louis Bromfield Won French War Cross Louis Bromfield, the famous author who wrote “A Modem Hero,” Richard Barthelmess’ lat} est starring picture for Warner Bros., which is now showing ¢~ | ge eae Theatre, won tis! degree from Columbia University by the absent treatment. Bromfield had nearly completed his course when the war broke out. He entered, the American? Ambulance Service, and was at tached to the French Army. Be cause of the merit of his work he was given the A.B. degree with his class despite the faet that he was not present to Te ceive his diploma. j Gives Up Big Stage | Role Just For Love Verree Teasdale, who is one af Richard Barthelmess’ many loves in “A Modern Hero,” the Warnet Bros. picture now showing at ee dy Theatre, was offered the leading role in a London pre duction of Zoe Akins’ latest play, “The Human Element,” —_ diately upon completing her cur is i d rent picture. This 1 pe which Zoe has just — from Somerset Maugham net | of the same title—and ait thinks it’s one of the 1 ie scripts she has ever rea ever, she said, “T can’t do it. Any ge I’d have simply = ; chance. But I happe® is much in love—and the iy involved has to stay ? wood.” AT Miss Akins and London i find another actress. . sti Menjou ought to fee