Devotion (Warner Bros.) (1946)

Here's An Arresting Advance Story, Suitable For A Sunday Feature Unusual Love Triangle In Warners’ ‘Devotion’ (Advance Theatre Story) The love triangle, so often exploited in films, the theatre and in literature, and so seldom done full credit, has been intelligently and adroitly handled by Warner Bros. in their newest drama, ‘‘Devotion,” which arrives Friday at the Strand Theatre. An unusual cast headed by four of Hollywood’s most talented stars—Ida Lupino, Paul Henreid, Olivia de Havilland and Sydney Greenstreet— is on hand to play the leading roles in a film which is a telling and authentic recital of the strange and mutual devotion of two lovely sisters, and their overpowering love for the same man. Bernhardt’s Direction Skillfully directed by Curtis Bernhardt whose most recent directorial assignment, “My Reputation,” has won audience and critical acclaim all over the country, the film’s action takes place in England during the early days of the nineteenth century when family pride and social position were coveted treasures. It was unlikely, in those days, that two young country girls with little education would ever aspire to riches and fame. But that is the story of Charlotte (Olivia de Havilland) and Emily (Ida Lupino) Bronte—a story that begins on the English moors in a small Yorkshire village. Raised in a family composed of outspoken and freely gifted personalities—a stern, calculating father (Montagu Love); a caustic maiden Aunt (Ethel Griffies); a lovable, sensitive sister, Anne (Nancy Coleman) ; and an egotistical, self-inflated, tippler of a brother, Branwell (Arthur Kennedy)—it is obvious from the start that Charlotte and Emily must inevitably be drawn together. The effect Mr. Nicholls (Paul Henreid), a curate in the parish of Mr. Bronte, produces upon the girls’ affection for one another is immediately visible in Emily who begins to withdraw further and further from the world around her. She gives vent to her feelings only in the novel she is writing—and which is one day to win acclaim as “Wuthering Heights.” Charlotte, on the other hand, gay, vital, reckless, harbors nothing but animosity for the curate and plunges headlong into a flirtation with a suave Belgian (Victor Francen). From the heartache she receives at his hands, Charlotte turns to Beautiful Star Admits To Lonely Luncheons Every day during the filming of “Devotion,” her latest Warner Bros. picture currently playing at the Strand, Olivia de Havilland brought two lunches in one paper sack to the studio with her. During all that time she never appeared in the studio dining room for lunch but ate her lunch and fed her dog Shadrack out of the same container in one of the set parks on the back lot. The actress explained that she was trying to teach her airedale pup good table manners so that he could, eventually, be taken into the studio “Green Room” for lunch with her. Besides Olivia de Havilland, “Devotion” also stars Ida Lupino, Paul Henreid and Sydney Greenstreet. : Page Ten writing her novel and, with the publication of “Jane Eyre”, she is financially independent and overnight becomes the toast of literary London. Even the austere Thackeray (Sydney Greenstreet) squires her about in grand style. How the sisters’ love for each other is split asunder by their discovery of a new and greater love; how fame and fortune arrive at long last only to be followed by heartbreak and disillusion; and how, despite their inordinate brilliance, it is heart, not head, that dictates the final solution to their pressing problem, makes “Devotion” an exciting and absorbing film combination of drama and authenticity that is certain to point a commendable way for future film dramas based on real life circumstance. Also In Cast Other important members of an excellent cast include Dame May Whitty as a local English dowager; Odette Myrtil, Billy Bevan, Doris Lloyd and many more. Adapted from an original story by Theodore Reeves, the sereen play of “Devotion” was written by Keith Winter, eminent British novelist and playwright. The film was produced for Warner Bros. by Robert Buckner, who was responsible in the past for such Warner hits as “God Is My Co-Pilot,” “San Antonio” and “Mission to Moscow.” Others concerned in the picture’s making include Erich Wolfgang Korngold,* who contributed the original music; Casey Roberts, who designed the set decorations; gown designer Milo Anderson, and makeup artist Pere Westmore. Still No. D 501 Mat No. 111—15c IDA LUPINO plays another highly dramatic role as a woman whose love is spurned in Warners’ "Devotion" which also stars Olivia de Havilland, Paul Henreid and Sydney Greenstreet and opens at the Strand on Friday. Still No. D 561 Mat No. 207—30c Ida Lupino and Paul Henreid (above) share top starring honors with Olivia de Havilland and Sydney Greenstreet in Warner Bros.’ stirring new romantic drama, "Devotion,"' currently at the Strand Theatre. New Warner Bros. Film, ‘Devotion,’ At Strand Tonight (Opening Day Reader) A love story, both tender and compelling, has been brought to the screen by Warner Bros. in “Devotion,” their latest film drama, which opens tonight at the Strand Theatre. Starring Ida Lupino, Paul Henreid, Olivia de Havilland and Sydney Greenstreet, the film tells the story of a strange, three sided love involving two sisters and a man—a love which was later to leave its mark on the world. Keith Winter Adapts Adapted for the screen by Keith Winter from an original story. by Theodore Reeves, “Devotion” reunites Ida Lupino and Paul Henreid, last seen together in another Warner hit, “In Our Time;” Olivia de Havilland and Sydney Greenstreet. Directed by Curtis Bernhardt, the film also features an important supporting cast of whom Nancy Coleman, Arthur Kennedy, Dame May Whitty and Victor Francen are a select few. Photographed by Ernie Haller, A. 8S. C., “Devotion” was produced by Robert Buckner. Star Offers Advice To Perfectionists oe Sydney Greenstreet, an “actor’s actor” because of the perfection he insists on from himself, recently revealed why he is always letter-perfect in his lines. Asked about his uncanny knack of knowing not only his part but the parts of the three other stars in Warners’ newest film drama, “Devotion,” currently at the Strand, he disclosed that an actor’s best friend is his housekeeper. “T try my lines on Scotty Murdoch, who has kept house for me for the past twenty years. When Scotty says I’m okay, that’s good enough for me,” street. says Green Ida Lupino, Paul Henreid and Olivia de Havilland compose the triumvirate of top talent co-star. ring with Greenstreet in the film. Actress Loses First Man In 30 Pictures Olivia de Havilland’s record of always getting her man in pic| tures has been broken at last. For thirty straight pictures, | since 1935, Olivia has never | come out second-best in a love affair. But in Warners’ “Devo| tion,” currently at the Strand, | Victor Francen turns her down | cold. A little miffed, Olivia explains that her infatuation for Francen in “Devotion” is merely a school| girl crush and doesn’t count. Besides Miss de Havilland, “Devotion” also stars Ida Lupino, | Paul Henreid and Sydney Green} street. ‘Devotion,’ At Strand Friday, Boasts 4 Stars (Advance Reader) Starring four of today’s brightest film stars, Ida Lupino, Paul Henreid, Olivia de Havilland and Sydney Greenstreet, Warner Bros.’ “Devotion,” a moving drama about two sisters who love the same man, makes its local debut on Friday at the Strand Theatre. Bernhardt Directs Directed by Curtis Bernhardt, the film tells the unusual and poignant story of two beautiful sisters who fall in love with the same man—a threesided romance which has left its mark on the world. Set against the background of ignorance and petty class distinctions in the early part of the nineteenth century, the film boasts an important supporting cast that includes Nancy Coleman, Arthur Kennedy, Dame May Whitty and Victor Francen. The roles of the rival sisters are played by Ida Lupino and Olivia de Havilland while Paul Henreid, in a departure from his usual screen characterization, portrays the man they love. Adapted for the screen by Keith Winter from an original story by Theodore Reeves, “Devotion” was photographed by Ernie Haller, A. S. C., and produced by Robert Buckner.