Dr. Monica (Warner Bros.) (1934)

Personality Sketches @ Star e Casting Notes e Bits Genuine Oddities As suggested in The Film Daily’s poll of motion picture editors Unique Love Drama With All Star Cast Coming To...... How much should a good woman sacrifice for her husband’s mistress? Should a sweetheart place her own happiness on the altar of her lover’s home? Should a woman give up her husband to legitimatize a love baby? These are but three of the questions asked and answered in the exceedingly unusual film drama *‘Doctor Monica’’ in which Warner Bros. star the always charming Kay Francis, and which will cay Oy 2) heer rah Ce oes a nee Theatre NOX Gaver aco oek aces ceva : The tremenduous story is made even more notable by a cast that includes, besides Miss Francis, Warren Williams, Jean Muir and Verree Teasdale, all stars in their own right; as well as Phillip Reed, Emma Dunn, Herbert Bunston, Ann Shoemaker, Virginia Hammond, Hale Hamilton and Virginia Pine. ‘‘Doctor Monica’’ is based on a famous Polish play, and _ tells the story of a woman physician whose husband’s love has been stolen by a friend. When the wife learns that the girl is about to have a baby by her husband, she not only attends to the girl during her illness, but arranges for a divorce so that the infant may be given its father’s name. How the girl mother repaid her debt of gratitude is the thrilling climax of a story replete with thrills, including a_ steeplechase in which a girl is hurled from her horse, and an airplane crash at sea. Only as notable a cast as the one provided by Warner Bros. could have properly presented so powerful a love drama, and whereever the picture has appeared it has been acclaimed by both public and critics as the outstanding dramatic screen presentation of the year. Kay Francis As seen by Abner Dean, noted caricaturist. Miss Francis is the star of “‘Doctor Monica,” the dramatic film coming soon to the Strand Theatre. Mat No. 13—10c All Star Cast Is Selected For “‘Dr. Monica’ The age-old theatrical policy of surrounding an outstanding star with a mediocre cast, in order that the featured actor might shine the brighter in comparison with the others, is a thing of the past, insofar as Warner Bros. are concerned. These producers, who have written motion picture history for’the past decade, go to the other extreme, and each picture is given the benefit of the players who can best portray the characters, thus it frequently happens that a Warner star will appear in a supporting role. In §* Doctor Monica’’ which will Open Sat CNG ee eeska..c.0s sigesces theatre Ol... , Kay Francis is the featured star, xa in the company are also Warren William, an outstanding screen favorite, who plays the part of Kay’s husband, and Jean Muir, who enacts the role of the girl who stole William’s love. All three are definite stars. There is also Verree Teasdale, who made her first hit in Warner Bros.’ ‘‘Fashions of 1934.’’ She has one of the important feminine roles as the confidante of Miss Francis. Other players in the cast are Phillip Reed, Emma Dunn, Herbert Bunston, Ann Shoemaker, Virginia Hammond, Hale Hamilton and Virginia Pine. The picture is a thrilling story of love and sacrifice. William Keighley directed. Jean Muir Always Ready For Battle Except on Screen The most self-reliant girl in Hollywood has been consistently east in roles in which somebody walks rough shod over her. In real life Jean Muir can more than take care of herself. In fact, her ability to fight for her convictions is the talk of the Warner Bros. studios. Practically every part she has played recently is of a girl of whom someone takes advantage. In ‘<Doctor Monieca,’’ which comes to ENO =o ees cnasees Theatre on ............ ; she is the victim of a man’s designs. This is a far ery from the Jean Muir who is willing to battle it out with directors, writers, supervisors and executives on o0¢casion. When she was first signed by Warner Bros., she refused to do a certain part until it was rewritten. Then, she asked that she be given a particular director. She won out on both scores. She took exception to the director’s conception of certain scenes and she argued that out. Nobody puts anything over on Jean Muir, except in pictures. It is generally conceded that executives smile leniently at Jean’s eccentricities because her work is stamped with the talent that often accompanies temperament. ‘Doctor Moniea’’ is a stirring drama of two women who loved one man. Kay Francis, Warren William and Jean Muir form the triangle in this romance while others in the cast include Verree Teasdale, Phillip Reed, Emma Dunn, Hale Hamilton and Virginia Hammond. William Keighley directed the picture from the screen play by Charles Kenyon. Jean Muir Doesn't Care If Role Is Sweet Or Hateful Jean Muir, whose latest Warner Bros. picture, ‘‘Doctor Moniea,’’ is now showing at the .................... Theatre, is one actress who does not care whether a part is sympathetic or hateful. Most featured players insist on a role that assures the audience’s sympathy and in these days few feminine stars would consider a characterization that lacked glamor. ‘Tf it’s human, I’ll play it,’’ says Jean Muir, ‘‘good or bad— noble or despicable.’’ On this subject, as on all others, Jean has very definite ideas. ‘“‘Tf a young actress insists on roles that allow her to be beautiful, noble and wise, she cuts herself off from any number of fine human parts. In ‘As The Earth Turns’ I was a farmer’s daughter; in ‘A Modern Hero’ I was a little country girl who gave herself to a cireus rider. In ‘‘ Doetor Monica’? I am in love with a married man. ‘Tf my performances are zoel enough to make the character seem real, I don’t mind. I would rather the audience said, ‘She’s a good actress’ than to say, ‘Isn’t she sweet?? ?? ‘<Doctor Monica’’ is a stirring drama of two women who loved one man. Kay Francis, Warren William and Miss Muir form the triangle in this romance while others in the cast include Verree Teasdale, Phillip Reed, Emma Dunn, Hale Hamilton and Virginia Hammond. William Keighley directed the picture from the sereen play by Charles Kenyon. Warren William Is Happy Only When He Has To Work Hard Warren William is one star who doesn’t mind hard work. He would rather work twelve hours a day than loaf, and is only really happy when acting. During the production of ‘‘ Doctor Moniea,’’ his latest Warner Bros. picture, which comes to the Pet eee Theatre: ONS. kax.cteeciiene the schedule was such that he ‘iat several days and half days off.. He reported for work just the same, being unable to find anything as WARREN WILLIAM appearing in “Doctor Monica,” now at the Strand. Mat No. 2 10c interesting as watching the progress of the picture. He developed the habit of hard work during his several years with stock and repertoire companies, followed by several strenuous seasons on Broadway and an almost continuous schedule since going into film work. ‘“Doctor Monica’? is Warren William’s seventeenth picture for Warners in three years. In it he is the central figure of a love triangle that has for its other two sides, Kay Francis and Jean Muir. Others in the cast include Verree Teasdale, Phillip Reed, Hale Hamilton and Virginia Hammond. William Keighley directed the picture from the screen play by Charles Kenyon. FREAK AK FACS . .. ABOUT FHM FAVORITES WAS CHAMPION SPRINTER AT mi SCHOOL WINNING THE 100 YARD DASH IN i SECONDS MUIR wea PECULIAR SHADE OF BLONDE HAIR THAT CHANGES COLOR IN / DIFFERENT LIGHTS LIKE A SHAMENCN e VERREE EASDALE 1S AN EXPERT 4 COUTURIERE AND DESIGNS PRACTICALLY ALL HEROWN GOowNnNSZ LEFT RECENTLY FOR SANTA cRUz ISLAND TO HUNTA These stars are all appearing in Warner Bros.’ dramatic tri umph, “Doctor Monica,’ coming to the Strand Theatre soon. Mat No. 1—20c Kay Francis Gives Minor Players Full Share of Spotlight The exact amount of credit due to a director for an actor’s performance has always been a moot question in Hollywood. There is no question that an actor who gives a good performance for one director may turn in a poor one under another director. Kay Francis, star of the Warner Bros. picture, ** Doctor Monieca,’’ now showing at the Beth aes Theatre, has an interesting theory on the matter. ‘©All actors,’’ she says, ‘‘see their own parts independently, and not in relation to the story as a whole. The result is that they are very likely to play a solo where they should be part of an ensemble. ‘CA good director, seeing his play as a composite effort, watches the shading of each role. No director, in the time allotted him, ean teach a bad actor to act, but he can prevent over-development or under-development of a part and keep it in its proper relation to the story.’? Miss Francis cites the instances of an actor who played the part of a butler in a story that revolved about the butler, himself. It was an important part, with several dramatic scenes. Twice, afterward, he had to be removed from pictures in which he was cast as an ordinary butler, because he tried to make a routine butler part stand out. This would of course throw scenes out of balance. He could not walk in and out unobtrusively, because he thought butler parts should be ‘‘played.’’ Kay is one of the few stars who not only is willing to give scenes to supporting players, but insists on doing so where the story requires it. This is illustrated in ‘‘Doctor Monica’’ where _ she shares scenes with Warren William, Jean Muir, Verree Teasdale and also minor players. The picture is a stirrmg drama of a woman’s love and sacrifice. William Keighley directed from the screen play by Charles Kenyon. Miss Teasdale Tops List of Dressiest Screen Actresses Now that Verree Teasdale is established in Hollywood, there isa change in the list of well dressed women. Always one of the most smartly gowned girls of the New York stage, Verree is quite able VERREE TEASDALE in the cast of “Doctor Monica”’ coming to the Strand. Mat No. 5 10c to hold her own in the film ecapital’s perennial sartorial contest. Shortly after she appeared in ‘¢Fashions of 1934,’’ style writers began to revise their list of smart dressers and in ‘‘ Doctor Moniea,’’ her latest Warner picture now showing abe thes ....csae Theatre, she confirmed the impression of her previous appearance. Verree Teasdale is a_ tall, statuesque blonde with a graceful carriage and an instinct for smartness. She designs many of her own gowns, and has done so for years. Recently a Hollywood newspaper printed a number of her pictures in various gowns as models of smart clothes properly worn. In ‘‘ Doctor Monica’’ Miss Teas dale is stunningly gowned as befits the role of a society woman, which she plays. The picture is the thrillingly dramatic story in which two women battle for love and happiness. Kay Francis has the title role while others in the east include Warren William, Jean Muir, Phillip Reed and Emma Dunn. William Keighley directed from the screen play by Charles Kenyon. Page Three