Cinderella Jones (Warner Bros.) (1946)

‘Cinderella Jones,’ Gay Musical, Now At Strand | (Current Theatre Story) The fable of Cindereella’s glass slipper and pumpkin coach has been read and adored by every generation down through the years. But it remained for a motion picture studio to discover its winsome appeal and to transform it into a modern, streamlined romantic comedy. Warner Bros.’ “Cinderella Jones,” currently playing at the Strand Theatre with Joan Leslie and Robert Alda in the top starring roles, is the film that lives up to every romantic promise in the original fairy tale and adds a number of twentieth century touches as well. Adapted for the screen by Charles Hoffman from the successful Saturday Evening Post story by Philip Wylie, “Cinderella Jones” traces the whirlwind adventures of one Judy Jones (Joan Leslie), who discovers, at separate moments but with equally devastating effects, that she has been graced not only with youth and beauty, but with ten million’ dollars to boot. As the beauty has long been a part of the Jones’ family assets, it is the ten million dollars that snaps Judy out of her blissful world of ballad singing with Tommy Coles’ (Robert Alda) jump orchestra and starts her on an eventful search for a super intelligent husband. For according to the provisions of Judy’s inheritance, she must marry a man with an intelligence quotient of 150 or more. Enrolls At School With a husband in mind, therefore, Judy enrolls at Sierra Technical Institute, an all-male university, where she meets Prof. Bartholomew Williams (William Prince), a straightlaced conventionalist, and Prof. Gabriel Popik (S. Z. Sakall), a romantic-minded son of Budapest much interested in Judy’s efforts to find a suitable husband. Not knowing that Judy has made a deal with Sierra Tech.’s board of regents—promising to endow the school generously after marrying and winning her inheritance—Bart forces Judy to leave the university. She lingers nearby, however, working in a coffee shop as a waitress. Not far away, at a lake resort, Tommy and his hep aggregation move in for an engagement with Judy doubling in brass as his vocalist. Everybody Loves Judy From here on in Judy’s private “manhunt” reaches amazing proportions. With Oliver S. Patch (Elisha Cook, Jr.), the university’s least girl-conscious student, dewy-eyed over her charms and Tommy Coles as persistent as ever, Judy casts roving eyes on Prof. Bart Williams. How she extricates herself from this triangle only to find herself involved as the romantic rival of a female taxi driver (Julie Bishop) and the object of an amphibious task force, not to mention an army tank column, makes for continuous merriment and unprecedented laughter. Joan Leslie and Robert Alda co-star for the second time in this film, their initial joint screen effort having been in the recent Warner hit, “Rhapsody In Blue.” “Cinderella Jones” also serves to introduce four songs, ‘“Cinderella Jones,” “If You’re Waitin’,” “When The One You Love” and “You Never Know Where You’re Goin’” by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn which are tailormade for juke-box popularity. Also included in the film’s supporting cast are Edward Everett Horton, as a much bewildered corporation attorney, Ruth Donnelly, recently seen in “Pillow To Post,” and Johnny Mitchell. “Cinderella Jones’ was photographed by Sol Polito, A.S.C., and directed by Busby Berkeley. The film was produced by Alex Gottlieb. ‘Cinderella Jones’ Arrives Friday At Strand Theatre (Advance Reader) Robert Alda, who made his screen debut as George Gershwin in “Rhapsody In Blue,” and vivacious Joan Leslie are together again as co-stars in Warner Bros.’ new comedy romance, “Cinderella Jones,’’ which opens on Friday at the Strand Theatre. Adapted for the screen by Charles Hoffman from a _ successful Saturday Evening Post story by Philip Wylie, “Cinderella Jones” tells the streamlined story of a modern Cinderella who, equipped with youth, beauty and ten million dollars, sets out to stalk a husband on the fertile campus grounds of an allmale university. Featuring William Prince, 8. Z. Sakall, Julie Bishop and Edward Everett Horton in important. supporting roles, ‘“Cinderella Jones” was directed by Busby Berkeley, photographed by Sol Polito, A.S.C., and produced by Alex Gottlieb. Musical Comedy Opens Tonight At Strand Theatre (Opening Day Reader) “Cinderella Jones,” Warner Bros.’ streamlined Cinderella story complete with jumpy tunes and tricky Lindy steps, makes its local debut tonight at the Strand Theatre. Starring versatile Joan Leslie and Robert (“Rhapsody In Blue”) Alda, the film is a rollicking adaptation of the popular Saturday Evening Post story by Philip Wylie. Featuring a top-notch supporting cast including William Prince, Julie Bishop, S. Z. Sakall and Edward Everett Horton, “Cinderella Jones” is concerned with the hilarious antics of one Judy Jones who sets out to find a husband with an I.Q. in excess of 150 in order to insure a ten million dollar inheritance willed to her by an eccentric relative. Prepared for the screen by Charles Hoffman and_ photographed by Sol Polito, A.S.C., “Cinderella Jones” was produced by Alex Gottlieb and directed by Busby Berkeley. Actor Burlesques Way To Hollywood Robert Alda, the _ screen's George Gershwin, now Joan Leslie’s co-star in Warner Bros.’ “Cinderella Jones” at the Strand, is the latest burlesque “great” to hit the Hollywood big time. While trouping on the various wheels throughout the country, Alda performed numerous com. edy routines with Abbott and Costello, Phil Silvers, and Rags Ragland, all of whom preceded him to the Coast. Warner Bros.’ ‘Cinderella Jones’ Is Delightful Musical Comedy a Still CJ ART “F” Mat 208—30c Robert Alda gives lovely Joan Leslie an up-to-date Cinderella slipper in the above scene from Warners’ newest musical comedy, "Cinderella Jones,” which arrives Friday at the Strand Theatre. William Prince, S. Z. Sakall, Julie Bishop and Edward Everett Horton are featured in supporting roles. Beautiful Young Star Bemoans Lack Of Real Romance Joan Leslie, currently co-starring with Robert Alda in Warners’ new comedy “Cinderella Jones,” now at the Strand, although nineteen and beautiful, finds herself in the anomalous position of having learned all about love and courtship in front of the cameras while remaining completely inexperienced in private life. “But that is coming to an end, I hope, now that the war is over,” the actress says, ‘because all the boys of my age were in the service.” Joan says she meets a lot of men in Hollywood, none of them too young, but all of them too old. “Most of the men I meet are in their thirties,” the young star explains. “I think these older men are very interesting, but one thing gives me an awful shock. “It’s when I realize that those in their late thirties, regardless of how charming and youthful, are old enough to be my-father.”’ Having a boy friend of her own age is something well worth waiting for, Joan thinks. Robert Alda’s Roles Tough On Family Robert Alda, who played the piano as Gershwin in “Rhapsody In Blue,” toots the trumpet in his newest Warner Bros. picture, “Cinderella Jones,” now at the Strand, in which he co-stars opposite Joan Leslie. Mrs. Alda suffered through the interminable piano lessons in silence, but she banned homework for the trumpet. Mrs. Alda patiently but firmly explained that, if Bob wanted to practice at home, it would have to be in the garage. “T’m looking forward to it,” she declares, “and I know it’s going to be a big thrill.” Meanwhile, the young actress is leading the normal sort of family life that makes the absence of romance tolerable even to one of her obvious high spirits. She lives with her mother and father in a modest house in San Fernando valley not far from Warner Bros. studio. “But now that the boys are coming back and I’m starting to go out with them,” explains Joan, “I’m going to have to give up something I value very highly. It’s my sleep. I’ve been going to bed every night at 9 in order to get up at 5:30 to be at the studio by 7. It’s going to be worth it, though.” (Prepared Review) Brimful of beauty, youthful vigor and lilting song and dance, Warner Bros.’ “Cinderella Jones,” which opened last night at the Strand Theatre, is an enchanting and refreshing motion picture adventure certain to find warm welcome with the legion of film fans who have waited so patiently through the recent deluge of more serious filmfare that has come out of Hollywood. Starring Joan Leslie and Robert Alda, the new film also boasts an excellent supporting cast of featured players, among them Julie Bishop, William Prince, S. Z. Sakall and Edward Everett Horton. Borrowing its gay theme and title from the well-known fable of nursery days, “Cinderella Jones” adds some _ twentiethcentury touches to a diverting tale of a young girl in search of a husband. In particular, it tells the giddy story of Judy Jones (Joan Leslie) who learns to her immediate joy (but eventual sorrow) that her ten million dollar inheritance is dependent on her marrying a super-intelligent male. With little thought to the consequences, Judy enrolls at Sierra Technical Institute, an all-male institution. There she meets and is adored by Professor Gabriel Popik (S. Z. Sakall) and Professor Bart Williams (William Prince), who takes an instantaneous dislike to her. But a lovelight has been shining in the eyes of Judy’s suitor of long standing, band-leading Tommy Coles (Robert Alda) and “Cinderella Jones” bubbles merrily along, warmly paced with songs and — dances. As Judy Jones, Joan Leslie enhances her every moment on the screen with a grace and wholesomeness that is delightful to behold. Miss Leslie’s singing, which is equal to the ballad delivery of any of today’s most popular vocalists, is smooth and effortless and her dancing leaves nothing to be desired. Contributing equally to the film’s excellence is Robert Alda who handles with deftness his assignment as Tommy Coles. Fresh from his vigorous portrayal of George Gershwin, Alda gives a strong and competent performance that should add new laurels to his already highranking reputation as an actor. “In addition, S. Z. Sakall and Edward Everett Horton, two of Hollywood’s funniest funnymen, are up to their usual nonsense and perform, as always, with easy nonchalance. Julie Bishop, Ruth Donnelly and Elisha Cook, Jr., in various other important supporting roles add much to the film’s top-notch quality. Adapted for the screen by Charles Hoffman from a Saturday Evening Post story by Philip Wylie, “Cinderella Jones” was directed by Busby Berkeley and photographed by Sol Polito, A.S.C. Miss Leslie’s and Mr. Alda’s songs, “Cinderella Jones,” “If You’re Waitin’,”’ “When The One You Love,” “You Never Know Where You’re Goin’,” were written by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn.::: The film was produced by Alex Gottlieb. 15