Dames (Warner Bros.) (1934)

Star Stories e Personality Sketches e Fashion Notes As suggested in The Film Daily’s poll of motion picture editors Joan Blondell is Deluged With Hard Luck Stories Star In ‘Dames’? Has Learned That Not All Appeals Are Legitimate By TOM DeVANE ee EAR ROSEBUD,”’’ began the pencil-scrawled letter, “‘I don’t know whether you even remember me, but I used to go to school with you. And I used to see celline . Friends Say Ruby Keeler Is Three Persons in One Members Of “Dames”? Cast Declare Star Has Several Distinct Personalities By CARLISLE JONES HOSE who know her best say that there are really three Ruby Keelers. First, there is the Ruby Keeler who is Mrs. Al Jol son, the wife of the famous comedian. Next there is Ruby Keeler the actress, who in a little more than a year, has climbed to a screen stardom of her own, her latest hit being the big Warner Bros. musical spectacle, ‘‘Dames,’’ which comes to the And last, but not least in interest, there is Ruby Keeler, of the Irish clan of Keelers, devoted daughter and sister of other members of that closely knit family cirele. Each of these Ruby Keelers is, her friends say, a distinct personality. Mrs. Al Jolson lives amid luxurious surroundings in pent houses atop apartment hotels in New York or Los Angeles. Her furs and her jewels and her big cars are well known and frequently recognized ‘at smart resorts, famous race tracks and in exclusive clubs. Unspoiled by Success When she travels she occupies royal suites and private cars. Hotel managers welcome her with extravagant flowers and _ special service. Her slightest wish is translated into reality. She lives a life of luxury such as few others can enjoy and she accepts it all graciously, gracefully and remains unspoiled. As Mrs. Al Jolson she has met presidents and princes. She entertains world famous men and women in her home. She enjoys an almost unlimited bank account and she spends money fréely. She lives in an atmosphere of excitement and brilliance. She fits easily into the role of consort to the world’s comedy king. That is the first Ruby Keeler. The second Ruby Keeler is the wide-eyed ingenue who has, in one short year, made a place for herself in the very top ranks of new screen stars. She was, in truth, just as wide eyed, just an uncertain of herself, just as scared and meek and childlike in reality when she played her first memorable part in ‘¢42nd Street’’ as she appeared to be in the finished picture. In that role she played herself. She has never changed materially either, even though success has given her more self confidence and a surer hold on a part. There is nothing regal about Ruby Keeler the actress. She is quiet and retiring, almost bashful. The well groomed poise with which she presides over the Al Jolson household, is replaced on Seed cee THEAtPO ON: «...c465 Scie the set by an almost wistful reliance on others. She is afraid of the camera and nervous under the microphone. She is in an almost continuous state of doubt about the advisability of continuing her screen career. That is the second Ruby Keeler. No Grandeur With Family The third Ruby Keeler is unlike either of these others. She is a member of the Irish clan of Keelers, a daughter to be praised or scolded as the case may be, a sister to be teased and placated in turn. When radio plans or stage appearances take Al Jolson to New York while Ruby is at work in Hollywood, she moves from the pent house apartment in down town Los Angeles, to the more modest Keeler home on the Toluca Lake district, north of Hollywood. When Ruby moves in there with her sisters and other members of the sizeable Keeler family, all pretentions to grandeur are lost at the door. She is just one of the family, neither more nor less favored than its other members. She works about the simple garden, helps with the housework— although there is a maid to do most of that—and is regarded and treated exactly as any other member of the family is treated. That is the third Ruby Keeler. Those that know her best say that Ruby is all three of these people. In her latest picture, ‘‘ Dames, ’’ Ruby plays the part of a simple, wholesome girl, very much in love with an aspiring young actor, furnishing, with Dick Powell, the romantic interest in this gigantic musical comedy special. Others in the cast include Joan Blondell, ZaSu Pitts, Guy Kibbee and Hugh Herbert, besides 300 beautiful chorus girls. Busby Berkeley created and directed the mammoth dance ensembles, music and lyrics were written by three teams of famous song writers, Warren and Dubin, Fain and Kahal, and Dixon and Wrubel. Ray Enright directed the picture from the screen play by Delmer Daves, based on the story by Robert Lord and Daves. _ you in swimming at the Venice plunge with Alice and Mar. .. Rosebud, I’m in an awful spot. I wouldn’t turn to you, only you’re the only one I can think of who might be able to help me. ... .’’ This letter, addressed to Joan Blondell, the Warner Bros. star now appearing at the .................. Theatre in the gigantic musical spectacle, ‘‘ Dames,’’ will never be read by the star herself. Joan has at last learned the disillusion that comes when one falls for ‘‘hard luck’’ sferies. It’s not that Joan is hardboiled about such matters. But she can’t afford to be a ‘sucker’? any longer. Swindler’s Scheme Balked Joan doesn’t act like a movie star to old friends; she’s just ‘“Rosebud,’’ the swell kid in the junior class. But this same friendliness has made her the disillusioned victim of several unscrupulous people. Recently Joan got a letter from San Francisco. It was written on the letterhead of an inexpensive little hotel and was signed by someone professing to be the manager. ‘‘Miss Blondell,’’ began this letter, ‘‘a guest in our hotel, a young man named Jimmy X, is seriously ill with pneumonia. ‘Since he often speaks of you, and refers to you as ‘Rosebud,’ which I gather is a nickname of yours, I hope you won’t consider this letter an imposition. But if you could manage to help him out, it would be greatly appreciated —and it would keep him out of the charity ward where we’ll have to send him very shortly.’’ Joan did remember Jimmy X, although they had never been very friendly. When they were in high school together, she remembered that there had been some talk about his going around with bad companions, but he had probably snapped out of that. Appeals To Wastebasket She consulted her husband, George Barnes who read the letter and shook his head. ‘“We’ll phone up to San Francisco,’’? he said, ‘‘and check up on this story.’’ They called the little hotel. ““Mr. X just stepped out,’’ came the voice at the other end of the wire. Joan gasped. ‘‘How’s he feeling?’’ she inquired. ‘‘Looks O.K. to me,’’ said the noncommittal voice. All screen stars, she points out, have had similar experiences. And that’s why most of them instruct their secretaries to ignore letters that ask for clothes or money. In ‘‘Dames,’’ a gigantic musical spectacle, Miss Blondell plays the part of a Broadway show girl. Others in the all star cast include Dick Powell, Ruby Keeler, ZaSu Pitts, Guy Kibbee, Hugh Herbert and Phil Regan besides 300 beautiful chorus girls. Busby Berkeley created and staged the specialty numbers, catchy music and lyrics for which were written by three famous teams of songsters, Warren and Dubin, Fain and Kahal, and Dixon and Wrubel. Fall Fashions From “Dames” At left, ZaSu Pitts is seen wearing a smart two-piece black afternoon frock with contrasting white collar and black and white accessories. Center, Ruby Keeler wears a silk, plaid evening gown with detachable sleeves and collar. At right, Ruby models the latest in gowns for the cocktail hour and formal tea dances. These stars, with a host of other Hollywood favorites, are appearing in “Dames,” Warner Bros. successor to “42nd St,’? coming to the Strand. Busby Berkeley’s beauty chorus are featured in a series of five breath-taking spectacles, which critics have called “even greater than previous Warner spectacles!” Mat No. 20—30c Page Eleven