Babbitt (Warner Bros.) (1934)

Aline MacMahon Is Never The Same in Any Film Star of “Babbitt” Loses Herself Completely in Her Characterizations HERE is something quite amazing about this Aline MacMahon, who has dodged “typing” more successfully than any other star in Hollywood. The manner in which she can submerge her own strong and definite personality is a sort of continuous wonder, even to her co-workers. Guy Kibbee, who is her co-star in “Babbitt,” the First National production which comes to the aA ee RO SETe SOD 55 coc “In the years I have known and worked with Aline, I have never ALINE MacMAHON Mat No. 1— 10c seen her play herself in a single scene.” Her director, William Keighley, added: “She loses herself more completely in a character than any actress I ever saw.” Most actresses need preparation for an emotional scene. In order to “get into the mood,” they must have quiet or perhaps soft music. It is not unusual for Miss MacMahon to go into a dramatic scene while people off stage are still laughing at one of her droll stories. As soon as she is on the set, she is in character and when she comes off a few moments later, there are tears in the eyes of the very people she had left laughing. Since coming with Warner Bros., Miss MacMahon has had a strange variety of roles. Among the parts were a secretary in “Rive Star Final,” a nurse in “Life Begins,” a fake countess in “One Way Passage,” a waitress in “Heroes For Sale,’ a shopkeeper in “Side Streets,” a filling station operator in “Heat Lightning.” In two stories, she was cast as the wife of a moderately successful American, “Big Hearted Herbert” and “Babbitt.” She was a drunkard’s wife in “The Merry Frinks.” There is not the least similarity in her characterizations of the three women. Mrs. Frink was eccentric comedy. Herbert’s wife was straight comedy, while the part of Mrs. Babbitt is a subtle balance of humor and romantic drama. Aline MacMahon is never the same. She has a charm that is more fascinating than mere beauty. Her acting method is easy, natural and convincing. Whether a slavey or a grande dame, a clown or a sor Mr. Babbitt Guy Kibbee, appearing in First Netional’s “Babbitt,” now at the “at ne > So Sean ae Re 8 ek Theatre. Mat No.3—10e rowing mother, she is completely in character. “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. Others in the cast include Claire Dodd, Maxine Doyle, Russell Hicks, Berton Churchill and Minna Gombell. The screen play is by Mary McCall, Jr., | Lovely Lady | It’s Claire Isn’t she, though? Dodd, pictured above, who appears with Guy Kibbee and Aline MacMahon in “Babbitt,” the First National picture at the ithe eoe sane ean oe Theatre. Mat No. 4—10ce Sinclair Lewis’ Greatest Novel Is Now on Sereen *‘Babbitt”” Known to Millions—Aline MacMahon and Guy Kibbee in Stellar Roles EW authors live to see the name of one of their characters become so definitely a part of national thought as to be added to the language of the country. It is doubtful if Dickens ever saw the word “Pecksniffian” and it is certan that Cervantes, never read the word “quixotic,” but Sinclair Lewis, author of “Babbitt,” reads of babbitry in his daily paper. Probably no novel of modern times ever achieved the samé popularity as “Babbitt.” There are perhaps fewer people in America who have not read “Babbitt” than who have not read a line of Shakespeare. The book, which has been made into a film of the same title, and which comes to the ............ Theatre OW AF SRES 4 obese: ; is an astounding cross-section of American life in a small city. Its characters are typical to an extent that reduces them to definite photographs of ourselves and our neighbors. With almost cruel detachment, Lewis has thrust his lancet into the vanities and hypocrocies of smug small towners. The greatest interest centers in Babbitt, himself, which will be played by Guy Kibbee. He is a good hearted, well intentioned, snob. He sees himself as a leader, though be invariably follows the pack. With no culture and little education he substitutes high-sounding phrases for considered ideas. Without knowing it, he is a poseur, with nothing back of his heroic postures except a mediocre ability. His wife, played by Aline MacMahon, sees through him, but loves him with a deep, maternal protectiveness. His children are far ahead of him in knowledge of the world. When drama comes into his selfcentered life, it finds him unprepared and the result is a forceful and moving human story. Claire Dodd has the role of a small town vamp. Glen Boles, whose first screen role was in “Flirtation Walk,” is cast as the son and Maxine Doyle, who was Joe EK. Brown’s leading lady in “Six Day Bike Rider,’ enacts the daughter. Nan Gray, the new Warner Bros. discovery from Houston, Texas, is announced as the sweetheart of the younger Babbitt. William Keighley, who directed Guy Kibbee and Aline MacMahon in their biggest comedy success, “Big Hearted Herbert,” piloted the same stars in “Babbitt.” The screen play was written by Mary McCall, Jr., with the adaptation by Tom Reed and Niven Busch. Claire Dodd Wins Roles Without Asking for Them Vamp in “Babbitt’’ One of Rare Actresses Who Never Seeks for Part attract attention to herself. y at never hurries. She never gets excited. She never tries to Still, Claire Dodd always gets exactly what she wants. With scores of other actresses only too glad to get the parts that are assigned to Claire Dodd, they neither worry Miss Dodd nor hurry her. The part of the siren in “Babbitt,” the First National production Wylnreh Gomes to Fthe: .....i...ccscce.tietee Theatreron’...f5........a , is a wonderful role for a pretty young actress. This particular siren tries to steal Guy Kibbee away from Aline MacMahon and gets mixed up in a very dramatic situation. Over thirty well-known players asked for the part. Meanwhile, Claire Dodd stayed at home and played chess with her husband. She got the part. When the Warner Bros. casting office notified her that she had been chosen, she was not surprised. “Why wonder about it?” she asked. “If a part suits me better than it suits anybody else, the studio is smart enough to send for me. If the part is not right for me, it is better for somebody else to get .it:” There’s a philosophy that sounds logical, but it is only good because Claire Dodd is such an excellent actress, she does not have to worry about casting directors forgetting her. Miss Dodd comes by her easy, unhurried manner naturally. As a girl, she traveled the world with her wealthy parents and developed a quiet poise—in her association with her cosmopolitan world. Her first role on either screen or stage came as a result of an unsolicited wire from Ziegfeld, who offered her a speaking part in his show, “Smiles.” For no reason, except a trip to New York appealed to her at the moment, she accepted. Meanwhile, two studios wanted her. She shrugged her patrician shoulders and answered, “There’s no hurry.” A few months later, she became a member of Warner Bros. company of contract players. “Babbitt” is the best opportunity that Claire Dodd has ever had. Warner Bros. are planning even better roles for her but she does not seek them. “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. The incomparable team of Aline MacMahon and Guy Kibbee, who made such a hit in “Big Hearted Herbert,” heads the cast which includes besides Miss Dodd, Maxine Doyle, Glen Boles, Russell Hicks, Berton Churchill and Minna Gombell. William Keighley directed the production from the screen play by Mary McCall, Jr., with adaptation by Tom Reed and Niven Busch. No Professional Jealousy In Film Work, Says Kibbee Star of ‘“‘Babbitt’? Declares There Isn’t Time for Gossip in Screen Acting First National production, “Babbitt,” which comes to the \ CCORDING to Guy Kibbee, who plays the title role in the .... Theatre on FEE rn See , professional jealousy has disappeared, or practically so, among film players. “Not many years ago,” he said, “the show business was full of petty feuds, jealousies and backbiting. Today, actors and actresses go about their work with no sign of quarrels or bickering. “TI remember when every troupe had some sort of discord in it. Somebody was always carrying tales and somebody else was always ready to listen. “The old fight as to who got the choice dressing room went on unabated for years. It was a common occurrence for a leading man to eat onions to spite the leading woman, who had to play love scenes with him. “On the Warner Bros. lot, we have eighteen stars and thirty-nine featured players. Imagine a theatrical troupe of this size in the old days without a single case of professional jealousy. “The reason is that in the old days, members of a_ theatrical troupe had their parts down pat. They went on at stated intervals and played them. Between performances there was plenty of time with nothing to do but gossip. “In the picture business, we are a busy crew. We are always preparing for the next scene. It is a steady hard grind. “In the travelling companies, we used to live around at the same hotels and travel on the same trains. It was the old story of familiarity breeding contempt. In Hollywood, we all have our own homes and seldom see our fellow actors unless we are working or have definitely arranged social contacts. “Another factor in the disap pearance of professional jealousy is that the hard times the world has experienced since ’29 has made all people more tolerant. General Meet the Kibbees suffering has had a softening effect on human hearts. “Whether I am wrong or right in my theory of the causes, there is no doubt whatever that I am right in saying that—in so far as Hollywood is concerned — professional jealousy is practically extinct.” “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 mediumsized towns of America. It strikes home to everyone, because it is so real and so human. Others in the cast include Claire Dodd, Maxine Doyle, Glen Boles, Russell Hicks, Berton Churchill and Minna Gombell. William Keighley directed the production from the screen play by Mary McCall, Jr., with adaptation by Tom Reed and Niven Busch. Guy Kibbee is photographed with Mrs. Kibbee and little Shirley Ann, his daughter. The comedian recently completed “Babbitt,” the First National film coming to the ............. PE Rie Theatre OM ciccccccccccccssessesceessescee Aline MacMahon appears with him in this adaptation of the bestseller by Sinclair Lewis. Mat No. 6—20c Page Seven