Fashions of 1934 (Warner Bros.) (1934)

Courrent Publicity (REVIEW) ‘Fashions of 1934’’ Proves Big Mit at. . ... Lheatre Bill Powell Never Better and New Film Full Of Love, Laughter and Fashion Spectacle IRST NATIONAL has done it again. In ‘‘Fashions of 1934,’’ starring William Powell, which was shown locally for the first time yesterday at the ca oe et theatre, they have come to bat with another smashing hit that kept audiences roaring with laughter and held them with breathless interest, marveling at the rare beauty of the Busby Berkeley spectacles. Comedy drama it is, but there is a magnitude about the picture which lifts it far above the usual in this type of production. For it combines mammoth spectacle with its spicy romance and ‘hilarious situations. The story by Harry Collins and Warren Duff is not only timely, up-to-the-minute, as is usual with the film fare of the associated Warner-First National companies but it reveals for the first time on the screen the unique and highly amusing meth VERREE ods employed TEASDALE by unserupuMat No. 5—5c ous shop keepers who steal and copy exclusive fashion designs from the world famous couturiers. Milady of fashion will now learn how it is that her maid or her cook can blossom forth in the latest of Parisian gowns, identical with her own, for which she has paid fabulous sums because of their exclusiveness. No secret, in fact, in the art of faking and purloining costume designs is left unrevealed. To the Ladies A spectacle of special interest to women is a magnificent fashion show set in the background of one of the most fashionable Parisian shops. The shop of itself is a thing of beauty but the gorgeous creations in evening gowns and wraps, sports suits, riding and hunting costumes, negligees and lingerie, are calculated to stir the interest and admiration of every woman. These are displayed by more than a score of beautiful mannikins who strut their stuff on a unique revolving platform. As if this were not enough, the picture goes on to present a show within the main show, a musical revue a la Moulin Rouge, :n which Verree Teasdale sings a her part with an ease and naturalness that is always pleasing. And her blonde beauty and svelte figure act as a perfect foil for the dark and tall Powell. Frank MeHugh puts over some rare comedy in the role of Powell’s irrepressible aide whose flirtatious inclinations lead to plenty of trouble. His haunting, contagious laugh is enough of itself to set audiences roaring. Verree Teasdale proves herself an accomplished singer as well as a talented actress who is easy to look at. The remainder of the cast gives excellent characterizations and include such talented players, reeruited from both stage and sereen, as Henry O’Neill, Hugh Herbert, Phillip Reed, Gordon Westcott, Dorothy Burgess, Etienne Girardot, Nella Walker, Spencer Charters and Harry Beresford. The direction has been well handled by William Dieterle from an excellent dramatization by F. Hugh Herbert and Carl Erickson. ‘Fashions of 1934’ Will Be Shown Today At..... Fan dancers, stars, and gorgeous gowns are the attractions the Strand offers in “Fashions of 1934,” the First National picture opening today. This picture, said to be among the most lavish ever produced, stars William Powell and Bette Davis. The story is a hilarious comedyromance based on a tale by Harry Collins and Warren Duff. It revolves about a high pressure promoter who corners the Paris and New York fashion markets. William Powell plays the role of the personable promoter whose ambitious, although unscrupulous, schemes keep him one step ahead of trouble. Busby Berkeley has directed the spectacle number of “Fashions of 1934,” which has received applause every time it has been viewed. Fan dancers provide the color and beauty in this daring dance. A mammoth fashion show is also featured with a score of beautiful mannequins displaying the latest in women’s creations. Bette Davis has the leading feminine role opposite Powell, while Verree Teasdale is her rival in love. Others in the cast are Frank McHugh, Reginald Owen, Henry O’Neill, Hugh Herbert, Phillip Reed, Gordon Westcott, Dorothy Burgess, and many others. William Dieterle directed the picture from the screen play by F. Hugh Herbert and Carl Erickson, popular writers. Bill Powell Is 0... Of Fastest Talkers in Talkie Pictures The three fascest-speaking actors in the world, according to Dorothy Burgess, when working with one of them on ‘‘ Fashions of 1934,’’ a First National pieture now at the*.)...0..c:... Theatre, are William Powell, Lee Tracy and James Cagney. Dorothy has worked with all of them, and says that Cagney is actually the fastest, Tracy the most electric, and Powell has the best diction. ““Powell,’’ she says, ‘‘gives you an impression of correctness and measurement in his speech, while actually he is talking faster than most actors can think. Tracy has a way of emphasizing parts of a sentence that makes what he is saying terrifically effective. Cagney has a slangy way of speaking that can be both funny and fearinspiring. Powell’s speech is almost never touched with slang or wrong construction, no matter what sort of part he is playing.’’ Miss Burgess declared that in making ‘‘ Fashions of 1934’? Powell talked so fast that other players were compelled to be exceptionally alert in order to catch their cue. Powell has the role of a promoter who corners the Paris and New York fashion market, in the picture which is a comedy romance that features a spectacular fashion show and a fan dance by 200 Hollywood beauties. Bette Davis heads the supporting cast. Other prominent players are Frank McHugh, Verree Teasdale, Hugh Herbert, Reginald Owen and Henry O’Neill. William Dieterle directed the fast-moving film. Piquancy Bette Davis gives you the warm shoulder in ‘“‘Fashions of 1934,” film extravaganza at the Strand. Mat No. 11—5c Dieterle Would Upset Profession of Acting William Dieterle, who directed William Powell’s latest First National picture, “Fashions of 1934,” WOW. 8b. (NOs nce oes theatre, would like to revolutionize the profession of acting. “When you want a carpenter or a fisherman or a soda clerk or a man to represent any profession why not engage such a person to act his own part?” he demanded. “There would be something in the man’s speech, his walk and even his thinking that would indicate his trade or profession. His acting would be the real thing and not make-believe.” Artist Sees “Fashions of 1934” eatchy air while 200 stunning looking girls pirouette and whirl behind ostrich feather fans. \\: MD ROUNDS OF LAUGHTER BY \ THAT COMIC EXPERT \ This mammoth spectacle, a FRANK MSHUGH most beautiful and revealing fan dance, is staged as only that master of musical creations, Busby Berkeley, who is the genius of the specialty numbers of “Footlight Parade,” “Gold Diggers of 1933” and “42nd Street,” could do. YOu'LL TALK ABOUT THE Fan DANCE, A PARADE OF STUNNINGLY CLAD BEAUTIES Cast is Excellent suave BILL POWELL AND ALLURING BETTE) A\)|S IN THEIR MOST ROMANTIC MOOD FRILLS AND William Powell, who has the FASHIONS !! role of a dashing, high pressure promoter, enacts his part with more than his usual elan and good humored forcefulness. This is the sort of role at which Powell is best and he makes a most amusing and _ personable character of the scamp promoter whose schemes to corner the Paris fashion mart lead to romantic entanglements and hilarious situations. a LA ~L NAIA ALAN Cy : a ps fe ¥ v \\ < : “ Laughter, romance, fashions, music and song are poured together to result in the most glorious screen spectacle to be presented this year by Warner-Bros.First National. ‘Fashions of 1934, which is coming to the Strand, stars William Powell and features Bette Davis, Verree Teasdale, Frank McHugh, Hugh Herbert and a gorgeous fan dance number, presented by the 200 Busby Berkeley girls. Mat No. 48—20¢ Bette Davis is more charming than ever as Powell’s co-conspirator and the rival with Verree Teasdale for his love. She plays Page Thirteen