Babbitt (Warner Bros.) (1934)

Aline MacMahon, acclaimed as Hollywood’s finest character actress, plays opposite Guy Kibbee in First National’s “Babbitt,” now at the Ses RY hs kira Seieatin, NB 2h” Theatre. The Sinclair Lewis novel that made millions of people laugh at themselves has been faithfully transscribed to the silver screen in this human, lovable film. Mat No. 5—20c LPL SDE ALE LEGER RTI TE LTE ‘Babbitt’, Famous Lewis Best Seller, Booked For Strand “Babbitt,” greatest of the Sinclair Lewis novels which brought to that distinguished author the honor of being the first American to win the Nobel prize in literature, is scheduled as the feature attractionvatethes ee cei. slaseset Theatres beginning hc wh : Transferred to the screen with all its subtle humor, its philosophy, its dramatic situations and_ its irony, and given a remarkable cast headed by Aline MacMahon and Guy Kibbee, the film version of “Babbitt” is expected to rival in popularity the book on which it is based. Aline MacMahon and Guy Kibbee, who, as a team, made such an impression in “Big Hearted Herbert,’ are the film’s undisputed leaders in real comedy characterizations. Each is rated as a real star and Kibbee has been called “the perfect Babbitt” by no less an authority than the famous columnist O. O. McIntyre. Kibbee has the title role of Babbitt, a small town realtor whose success went to his head. Pompous, boasting, gullible, inclined to run a little wild at conventions of the “Zebras,”’ of which he was an officer, he is taken for a ride by a blackmailing widow and runs to his wife, portrayed by Aline MacMahon, for help. He gets it, as well as a punctured ego, for Aline is able to see through his shams and conceits and loves the big heart behind the vanity that made Kibbee fall for the schemes of dishonest politicians because he was flattered by their attentions. Claire Dodd has the role of the conniving widow, and the romantic interest is supplied by Glen Boles, as Babbitt’s son, and Nan Gray, portraying his fiancee. Tragedy is represented in the roles of Minor Watson, as a husband who finally shoots his nagging wife, Minna Gombell. Others in the unusually large cast are Maxine Doyle, Russell Hicks, Alan Hale, Berton Churchill, Harry Tyler, Arthur Aylesworth and Mary Treen. William Keighley directed the production from the screen play by Mary. McCall, Jr. The adaptation is by Tom Reed and Niven Busch with additional dialogue by Ben Markson, % Hilarious Scene In Secret Lodge Shot In ‘Babbitt’ The Lodge Room scene in “Babbitt,” the First National production now showing at the .................. Theatre, is one of the interesting novelties of the production, since a secret session of this kind has never before been screened. The initiation ceremony is more in the nature of a hazing, with Guy GUY KIBBEE Mat No. 2— 10c Kibbee as the frightened victim. This part of the picture, like the rest of the production story is full of small human incidents. It begins with the mystery surrounding the meeting and the curiosity of Guy’s wife, played by Aline MacMahon. Womanlike, she wants to know what it is all about and Guy’s secretiveness only increases her curiosity. The meeting, itself, with the lodge members in regalia, is one of the funniest scenes in the picture. Guy Kibbee as the blindfolded “patsy” of the proceedings is at his best in his role of the frightened initiate, with Alan Hale, Harry Tyler and Berton Churchill helping with the comedy. To both the co-stars, Guy Kibbee and Aline MacMahon, there is more opportunity for their respective brands of comedy than in any picture in which they have appeared together. “Babbitt” is a comedy drama of rare humor and many stirring situations, based on the best selling novel by Sinclair Lewis, one of America’s foremost authors. Others in, the cast include’ Claire Dodd, Glen Boles, Maxine Doyle, Nan Gray, Minor Watson, Minna Gombell and Russell Hicks. William Keighley directed the picture from the screen play by Mary McCall, Jr, Film Comic Needs Partner To Make Fun, Said Kibbee What do screen stars think about being teamed with other stars? Do they resent it? Are they jealous? Not if they are as smart as Guy Kibbee, who is teamed again with Aline MacMahon in “Babbitt,” the First National production wilich? COMES CO, UNE cise. ces ce sett ocese Theatre vonw ete te ssh Genes The two were paired together again after they made their big hit in “Big Hearted Herbert.” “The only way a comedian can be funny, alone,” said Guy, “is to have snappy gag monologue. A play can’t be a monologue, so obviously its comedy must be in sit ‘uations between comedians. “Situation-comedy must be supported by more than one comic, because one good comic supports another, helps keep the tempo up and co-operates with proper timing. “T don’t know how much I help Miss MacMahon, but her comedy sense is so perfect that it’s a privilege to work with her.” Guy plays the title role of “Babbitt” and Aline MacMahon plays his wife. Each supplementing the other’s method, the result is said to be side-splitting laughs from beginning to end. . “Babbitt” is a comedy drama of rare humor and many stirring situations based on the best selling novel by Sinclair Lewis, one of America’s foremost authors. In the cast besides Miss MacMahon and Kibbee are Claire Dodd, Glen Boles, Maxine Doyle, Nan Gray, Minor Watson, Minna Gombell, Russell Hicks, Alan Hale and Berton Churchill. William Keighley directed the picture from the screen play by Mary McCall, Jr. Many Women Write Claire Dodd Asking Lessons In Vamping The fan mail of an actress who plays “vamps” is entirely different from the fan mail of a heroine. While a heroine is always appealing, always manages to get the sympathy of an audience, the vamp is always an old meany with designs on man or money, or both. Claire Dodd, who plays the vamp role in “Babbitt,” the First National production now showing at Ge Recian ee ee ds Theatre, says that of the hundreds of letters she gets every week, she can divide them into three general classes. One is from men who write that she is so beautiful, they are willing to forgive her villainy and try to reform her. Another is from indignant women, many of them saying, “It is no-good girls like you that broke up my home.” The last and by far the largest class of letters is from women of all ages pleading to be let in on her secrets of attracting men. How does she first win their attention; what does she talk about; what perfume does she use? Miss Dodd says that if she had the time to answer this latter class personally, she would have to refer them to her husband. He is, she claims modestly, the only example of her prowess aS a manhunter. “Babbitt” is a hilarious comedy drama that combines laughter with romance and thrills. It is based on the popular novel by Sinclair Lewis and was directed by William Keighley from the screen play by Mary McCall, Jr. Aline MacMahon and Guy Kibbee head the cast which includes Miss Dodd, Glen Boles, Maxine Doyle, Nan Gray, Alan Hale, Berton Churchill and Russell Hicks. New Film Players Held Best Looking Pair In Pictures “The handsomest young couple in pictures,” said Arthur Todd, ace cameraman on “Babbitt,” the First National. picture which comes to the’. ohio eer ee Theatre on EEN Ra aL ; in referring to Glen Boles and Maxine Doyle, who play the young members of the Babbitt family in the film version of Sinclair Lewis’ famous novel. Boles is a Hollywood boy who has made a big hit in West Coast stock companies and Little Theatres during the past several years. Maxine Doyle, a pretty brownhaired newcomer, first attracted attention as the first Mistress of Ceremonies at a big movie house in Washington, D. C. She was so popular that she was going into her fourth year when the movies took her West. The stars of “Babbitt” are Guy Kibbee and Aline MacMahon, whose recent “Big Hearted Herbert” was a new departure in character comedy. “Babbitt,” based on the _ best selling novel of the famous author, Sinclair Lewis, is a rare comedy drama of the typical characters of any of the hundreds of medium sized towns of America. It strikes home to everyone, because it is so real and so human. William Keighley directed the production from the screen play by Mary McCall, Jr., with adaptation by Tom Reed and Niven Busch. Sinclair Lewis In “Babbitt” Struck A Popular Chord When Sinclair Lewis wrote “Babbitt,” the First National production which comes to the ............ ‘Eheatrecan” 2.0 ee , he struck a note that resounded throughout the land. Even the staid Encyclopedia Brittanica says “* * * it is probable that this novel had more effect on public consciousness than any other written in English in this decade.” Lewis, himself, was born in a small town called Sauk Center, so the small town people of his novels have a reality that makes them seem flesh and blood. As a picture, “Babbitt” is one of those complete combinations of fun and drama. It is the story of a man who did not know as much He’s a Jolly Good Fellow Kibbee Loves To Catch Trout But Scorns Sea Fish Guy Kibbee, one of the most enthusiastic fishermen in the picture colony, leaves the ocean a hundred miles or more behind when he gets ready to fish. As soon as he finished his big role with Aline MacMahon in “Babbitt,” the First National production now showing at the ............ Theatre, he left for the high Sierras in northern California and returned two weeks later with his creel full of fish and an enlarged repertoire of stories. “Ocean fishing is all right for those who like it,’ he said, “but when I wade into a deep stream and cast for trout, I know that my success depends largely on my skill at casting. “The fisherman who casts best gets the most strikes and the most strikes means the most fish. “In ocean fishing, it is too largely a matter of whether a fish happens to be passing when your line goes out. I am a dyed-in-thewool caster. I love to wade into the mountain streams and start things.” In four years, Guy Kibbee has never failed to catch the “limit” on each trip. Guy Kibbee has the title role in “Babbitt,” a hilarious comedy drama that combines laughter with romance and thrills. It is based on the popular novel by Sinclair Lewis and was directed by William Keighley from the screen play by Mary McCall, Jr. Others in the cast include Claire Dodd, Glen Boles, Maxine Doyle, Nan Gray, Alan Hale, Berton Churchill and Russell Hicks. as he thought he did and of a woman who knew more than anybody suspected. Guy Kibbee, as the husband, George Babbitt, and Aline MacMahon, as his wife, have exactly the good old home-spun qualities that the story demands. The supporting cast is unusually capable and large, including Claire Dodd, Maxine Doyle, Glen Boles, Minor Watson, Minna Gombell, Alan Hale, Berton Churchill, Harry Tyler, Russell Hicks, Arthur Aylesworth, Mary Treen and Nan Gray. William Keighley, who directed the same team’s biggest ‘success, “Big Hearted Herbert,” also directed “Babbitt.” The screen play is by Mary McCall, Jr., and the adaptation by Tom Reed and Niven Busch. Guy Kibbee’s initiation into the “Zebras,” constitutes one of the many hilarious moments in “Babbitt,” First National’s adaptation of the Sinclair Lewis novel. Aline MacMahon and Claire Dodd are in the cast of this film which comes to the Cette, theatre ON ante Mat No. 8—20c Page Five