Ceiling Zero (Warner Bros.) (1936)

New Precedents Established In ‘Ceiling Zero’ Director Howard Hawks, avowed opponent of ‘‘typing,’’ established several precedents in the casting of ‘Ceiling Zero,’’ the Cosmopolitan production, now showing at thes tnacees Theatre. James Cagney, who usually gets the girl with a final clinch in the fade out, loses out this time in his role of an aviator who rides to his death. Pat O’Brien’s roles usually make him a disappointed lover. This time he corrals all the sympathetic honors, including one of Jimmy’s girls. Stuart Erwin, noted as a portrayer of rural comic types, is a tragic character as a lost aviator begging the ground crew to ‘‘talk him down.’’ June Travis plays a somewhat flighty heroine. Isabel Jewell, heretofore connected mostly with gum-chewing stenographic parts, is a bereaved wife in several tragical scenes. Barton MacLane is a minion of the law instead of the public enemy with which he has become identified. Gary Owen plays a semi-demented character for the first time in his career. Craig Reynolds, erstwhile lover of the stage and screen, is a highpowered aviation inspector. James Bush who, a few years ago was billed as the youngest leading man in the West, turns to character as the dramatic radio operator. Mathilda Comont, French born, makes a perfect Italian cafe proprietess as Mama Gini. All interpret the leading parts in a film which revolves about the activities of the air mail industry, stressing particularly the romance between fliers and aviation hostesses, and the new and scientific methods of preventing air accidents. It was adapted from the successful stage play by Commander Frank Wead by himself. Behind The Airport Scenes “Ceiling Zero” Has Smallest Airplane The smallest airplane model in the world made its film debut in ‘‘Ceiling Zero,’’ the Cosmopolitan production, which comes to the Theatre , as a First National release. It is the property of the builder, Francis Wardall, who furnished more than a hundred miniature airships for scenes in the film starring James Cagney, Pat O’Brien, June Travis and a large cast. This model is encased in a half-inch glass tube, transfixed to the point of a pin, and is very little larger than the pinpoint. Wardall owns the largest miniature plane. It has a wing spread of six feet and is equipped with two electric motors. This latter won him the Jimmy Allen National Trophy last year. Air Express To Adopt Uniforms In ‘Ceiling Zero’ Western Air Express may go Hollywood. Alvin Adams, president of the firm was so impressed with the snappy uniforms worn by the ‘Caviators’’? and ‘‘stewardesses’’ in ‘‘Ceiling Zero,’’ the Cosmopolitan production now showing at {HG oes: Theatre as a First National release, that he is going to use the same designs. The uniforms designed by Milo Anderson and Lew Burns with pinch-backs permitting a _ freer arm movement, appealed to the executives so much that he asked that sample costumes be sent to his headquarters with permission to copy the design. Adams was a guest of Paul Mantz, technical director on the set, and Howard Hawks, war-time aviator, who directed the film. ‘“Ceiling Zero’’ is a glowing romance of the air mail service based on the stage play by Frank Wead. The cast includes James Cagney, Pat O’Brien, June Travis, Stuart Erwin, Barton Maclane, Henry Wadsworth, Martha Tibbetts and Isabel Jewell. Two of the screen’s most popular stars portray those unsung heroes who make possible the transcontinental airflights. They are the ground men, played in ‘‘Ceiling Zero,’’ the Cosmopolitan production First National will release at the ........c..60 THEACLE OW .......ccceccceeee » by Barton MacLane (left) and Pat O’Brien, who is co-starred with James Cagney in the film. Mat No. 211—20c Page Twenty-four “Good Looking” Label Is Insult To Pat O’Brien Pat O’Brien, handsome Irishman in ‘‘Ceiling Zero’’ the Cosmopolitan production which comes tOSthe=: cc ee Theatre on een a hacron » as a First National release, personifies the old saying that ‘‘discontent makes for progress.’?? He quit one of his earlier jobs as a hoofer on Broadway because a newspaper columnist listed him among the ‘‘ten best looking actors.’? Pat couldn’t take it. His folks didn’t wish him to ‘make the world safe for democracy in 1917,’’ so Pat falsified his age and joined the U. S. Navy. When he got no further than a Great Lakes training station, he was irked — and glad when the Armistice was signed. Following the World War he enrolled at Marquette University, graduated, and returned to seek a career behind the footlights. He worked now and then and starved more often. That didn’t suit him either. So he ‘‘went to town’’ in a made-to-order role, as the reporter in ‘‘The Front Page.’? Migrating with his young wife, Eloise Taylor, to Hollywood, he enacted the same role on the screen. Offers for a contract came. ‘“No contracts,’’ he said, ‘‘ until I’m ready.’’ And he stuck to that idea for two years, feeling his way about Hollywood, free-lancing. Then he signed with Warner Bros. Pat has the role of an airport executive in ‘‘Ceiling Zero,’?’ a glamorous romance of the air in which men laugh at life and death and take only love and friendship seriously. Besides O’Brien the cast includes James Cagney, June Travis, Stuart Erwin, Barton MacLane, Henry Wadsworth, Martha Tibbetts, Isabel Jewell and many others. Howard Hawks directed the picture from the screen play by Frank Wead, based on his stage drama. James Cagney Went Hungry To Buy His Guitar Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast. And it also has charms to: soothe the empty stomach. Take it from James Cagney, star of ‘‘Ceiling Zero,’’ the Cosmopolitan production now showing Ahi ths Gia eda Theatre as a First National release. During the actor’s hoofing days on Broadway a dozen years ago, he postponed many meals in order to purchase a ten dollar guitar on the installment plan. His theory was that he could pick that when he couldn’t pick his teeth. He would tighten his belt another notch and make another payment on the instrument. And even now he finds more solace in the old guitar than he does in limousines, marble swimming pools and such. The guitar is always to be found in his dressing room. And when the actor needs relaxation from dialogue and set lights, he finds it strumming on his old pal, the guitar. . ‘“Ceiling Zero’’ is a glowing romance of the air service, based on the stage play by Frank Wead. Besides Cagney the cast includes Pat O’Brien, June Travis, Stuart Erwin, Barton MacLane, Henry Wadsworth, Martha Tibbetts, Isabell Jewell and many others. Howard Hawks directed the picture from the screen play by Wead. On Rendezvous With Death James Cagney, laughing daredevil of ‘‘G Men,’’ and ‘‘ Devil Dogs’’ has a new and greater role to portray in ‘‘Ceiling Zero,’’ the Cosmopolitan production now playing at the .......... eee Theatre. Here he must choose between two dates — one, with a friend’s best girl; the other, with Death. Mat No. 203—20c Airplane Pilots Have ‘Slanguage’ That Fits Work ‘“What’s wrong with you? You can’t ferry that crate in this bird walking weather with the ceiling at both ends zero! ’’ No, it’s not a new kind of Esperanto. It is the every day ‘‘slanguage’’ of the boys who fly Uncle Sam’s mail, plenty of which can be heard in ‘‘Ceiling Zero,’’ the Cosmopolitan production which comes tO the .............:..c00 Theatre ON es as a First National release. Of course, the uninitiated wouldn’t know that ‘‘ bird walking weather’’ is similar to one of California’s ‘‘high fogs,’’ which also reaches the ground and rests for days. This kind of ‘‘soup’’ with nary a ‘‘hole’’ in it makes for ‘‘zero ceilings’’ at various airports, making it tough for pilots to ferry (fly) crates (airplanes). Then_ too, ‘‘hitting the silk,’’ could easily be misconstrued. In aviation circles it means a forced landing without damage. When pilots are lost in a fog, ground men by means of the radio ‘‘talk him down.’’ A ‘‘eruise’’? is a fight and ‘‘happy landings’’ now means **so long’’ or words to that effect. A kee-wee is a ground man. Bailing out is a parachute jump. Jump stick is a parachute. Benched means out of the air service for punishment. ‘‘Give her the gun’’ and ‘‘singing a song’’ both refer to motors. ‘‘Ceiling Zero’’ is a glowing romance of the air mail service based on the stage play by Frank Wead. The cast includes James Cagney, Pat O’Brien, June Travis, Stuart Erwin, Barton MacLane, Henry Wadsworth, Martha Tibbetts, Isabel Jewell and many others. Howard Hawks directed the picture from the screen play by Wead. Haile Selassie’s Helmet Is Model For Actress’ Hat Haile Selassie’s in the . news again, and this time he’s credited with starting a new millinery fad. Always on the alert for something different, the Hollywood motion picture girls have taken his Ethiopian helmet away from him, and are now wearing it at a dashing angle on their own pretty heads. June Travis, dark-haired starlet, now playing opposite James Cagney in ‘‘Ceiling Zero,’’ a Cosmopolitan production which comes to the’. ee ‘Eheatre: ON S522 ete en , as a First National release, was the first to appear with the new headgear perched atop her curly tresses. Made of white felt, and complete with the roll brim and gold insignia in front, the ‘‘ Haile Selassie helmet’’ looks bound to be the latest rage. June wears hers with a dark gray tailored suit, tying it in with a white blouse and a boutonniere of white flowers mixed with brighter colors. “Most modern hats are inspired by current events, anyway,’’ she says. ‘‘It’s a military season, in fashion, and what’s ‘in the news’ is apt to appear sooner or later on our heads. So the Ethiopian helmet is a natural. Besides,’’ she smiled proudly when photographed in her new bonnet, ‘‘it’s becoming!’? Miss Travis, a former Chicago society girl and daughter of Harry Grabiner, vice-president of the Chicago White Sox, has become noted as one of the smartest of Hollywood’s younger set since she entered pictures a short time ago. ““Ceiling Zero’? is a romance of the air packed with thrilling action and comedy. Besides Cagney and Miss Travis the cast includes Pat O’Brien, Stuart Erwin, Barton MacLane, Henry Wadsworth, Martha Tibbetts, Isabel Jewell and many others. The picture is based on the stage play by Frank Wead.