Fashions of 1934 (Warner Bros.) (1934)

"Fashions Of 1934’ Coming With Styles, Comedy & Romance One of the most colorful pictures to come from Hollywood in many a day is promised by the management with the showing of the First National production, ““Fashions of 1934,’’ with William Powell in the stellar role at 9 (i encenon eine toe next The picture is said to combine hilarious comedy with glamorous romance and a mammoth spectacle, the latter staged by Busby Berkeley, the musical comedy director whose flair for the unique and bizarre is exemplified in the beautiful specialty numbers in ‘‘ Footlight Parade,’’ ‘‘Gold Diggers of 19338,’ ‘442nd Street’? and other pictures. The prize number in ‘‘ Fashions of 1934’? is a most unusual spectacle in which 200 beautiful girls, do a fan dance in rhythm to musie furnished by a harp orchestra. One feature calculated to appeal especially to women is a gorgeous fashion show staged by Director William Dieterle. In the luxurious setting of a fashionable and exclusive Paris modiste shop, more than a seore of girls display the very latest 1934 styles in women’s evening gowns and wraps, sports suits, negligees and lingerie. These are but some of the special numbers seen in a picture that is basically comedy drama in which William Powell as a high pressure promoter, corners’ the Paris fashion market and _ sets himself up as the king of fashions. Bette Davis plays opposite Powell as his co-conspirator and vies for his love with Verree Teasdale, who is seen in the character of an American show girl masquerading as a Russian Grand Duchess. With two such comedians as Frank McHugh and Hugh Herbert teamed up, the fun promises to be irrepressible. As the somewhat flirtatious aide of Powell, McHugh manages to get into romantic entanglements that are comical enough to stir the risibilities of a deacon. Frank McHugh, brings his irrepressible humor to ‘“‘Fashions of 1934,”’ coming to the Strand. Mat No. 30 dG Verree Teasdale, who sings as well as she acts, renders a catchy song in the musical comedy show within the main show of the picture. The musie and lyrics were written especially for the picture by'Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal, noted Broadway and Hollywood songsters. The remainder of the cast is selected from talented artists of both stage and screen and includes such players as Reginald Owen, Henry O’Neill, Phillip Reed, Gordon Westcott, Dorothy Burgess, Etienne Girardot, William Burress, Nella Walker, Spencer Charters and Harry Beresford. The original story is by Harry Collins and Warren Duff, adapted by Gene Markey and Kathryn Scola and dramatized for the screen by F. Hugh Herbert and Carl Erickson. This combination of scenes from “Fashions of 1934 captures the mood and tempo of the picture perfectly. with comedy, music with romance, and spectacles with dancing by Busby Berkeley’s beautiful girls. Bette Davis, Verree Teasdale, Frank McHugh and Hugh Herbert, and is coming to the Strand on Wednesday. Bros.-First National picture. 200 Beauties Stage Fan Dance In Film, ‘Fashions Of 1934’ A fan dance to surpass all fan dances—that was the theory on which Busby Berkeley worked in directing the musical and dance numbers of ‘‘ Fashions of 1934,’’ the First National comedy romance which comes to the.......... Seen Sete Theatre— ON | -.38:ste.0-t-oe with William Powell in the stellar role, Two hundred girls take part in a fan dance number which rejuvenates the fad for ostrich feathers. Four hundred fans, each containing fifteen plumes, are used for the dance. Careful rehearsing, to avoid any question of censorship, was necessary in preparing the dance, over eight weeks being used for rehearsals alone. In addition to the fan dance, a mammoth style show with the latest creations of the modistes’ art will be seen in the picture, which is, however, primarily a comedy romance and not a musical. Bette Davis heads the supporting cast, which contains such talented players as Frank McHugh, Verree Teasdale, Reginald Owen, Henry O’Neill, Hugh Herbert, Phillip Reed, Gordon Westcott and Dorothy Burgess. William VDieterle directed the picture from the screen play by F. Hugh Herbert and Carl Erickson, Publicity—Advance Highlights of “Fashions of 1934” Mat No, 67—20e “Fashions Of 1934’ Shows Pretty Girls Modeling New Mode One of the most. elaborate fashion displays ever presented on the screen is shown in the First National picture, ‘‘Fashions of 1934,’’ which comes to the............ (BHGAGLS GON 5. 2e vances eccs é with William Powell in the stellar role. The latest and most exclusive Parisian and Hollywood styles are presented at the show, including evening gowns and wraps, sport suits, mnegligees, dainty lingerie, hunting and riding costumes. They are displayed by more than a score of beautiful girls playing the part of mannikins. The method of display is also unique. The show takes place in an elaborate salon in which tables are set with wines and delicacies for the customers. Not a sign of a gown is in sight for display purposes. Finally when the customers are beginning to wonder where the display is, the lights are turned out, and a circular platform with framed pictures of men and women of the past stands out at one end of the room. Lights are concentrated on one picture at a time from within the circle. The portrait goes up like a eurtain and behind is revealed the pretty mannikin in the latest style. The portraits are used to show the resemblance of the modern style to that of fifty or 100 years or more ago, it being claimed that styles go in cycles and that the Parisian coutouriers copy many of their fashions from the past ages. The platform revolves slowly so that each style may be presented. This is one of the spectacles that is presented in ‘‘ Fashions of 1934,’’ a romantic comedy drama in which an American promoter corners the Parisian market. Another mammoth spectacle is a fan dance in which 200 beautiful girls perform in feather costumes. Bette Davis has the leading It blends drama It stars William Powell, This is a Warner feminine role opposite Powell while others in the cast include Frank McHugh, Verree Teasdale, Reginald Owen, Henry O’Neill, Hugh Herbert, Phillip Reed, Gordon .Westcott and Dorothy Burgess. William Dieterle directed. The specialty numbers are by Busby Berkeley. A Golden Goddess Bette Davis, the petite blonde star, who appears opposite William Powell in the screen’s first great laugh and fashion extravaganza, “Fashions of 1934,” a Warner Bros.-First National picture, which features 200 Busby Berkeley fan dancers. It opens at the Strand Theatre on Wednesday next. Mat No. 10—10e Page Eleven