First Lady (Warner Bros.) (1937)

ek Oe eS OE RCS SS * * * * * KAY FRANCIS Brief Notes for Press and Program Kay As Hostess Kay Francis let no day pass during the shooting of her latest Warner Bros. comedy, “‘First Lady,” that she didn’t get some “‘surprise’’ treat for the cast and crew. Once it was twelve pounds of chocolate candy. Soft Drinks, ice cream, sherbets, fruits and nuts all had their innings. ‘First Lady’’ is now showing at the Strand Theatre. Tall Tale Telling Preston Foster and Victor Jory, handsome heroes in Kay Francis’ latest Warner Bros. picture, “‘First Lady’’ had a novel competition during the making of the film, each trying to tell the greatest number of “‘tall’’ stories to Anita Louise, who kept score. Jory won. The yarners — and Anita — will be on view in “First Lady,” next Friday at the Strand Theatre. 9 e Maybe Kay’s Right Kay Francis says “Playing in the picture ‘First Lady’ convinced me of something I’ve long suspected — that politics is a parlor game played over teacups and cocktail. glasses. Her political manipulations will be seen next Friday at the Strand Theatre. Kay’s 18 Frocks Kay Francis has eighteen ‘‘major”’ costume changes in her latest Warner Bros. film, ‘First Lady.’’ Reports on the ‘minor’ changes weren't issued, but they are plenty. All of this frockery will be seen next week at the Strand Theatre. Heroes All Dark Anita Louise says the fortunes of flickers have given her a long succession of tall, dark 'n’ handsome cinematic heroes. Latest is Victor Jory, opposite whom she’s doing the ingenue lead in Kay Francis’ latest Warner Bros. film, ‘’First Lady,’ which is now showing at the Strand Theatre. Accessories For Kay Kay Francis’ shoes and handbags were made to order for her new Warner Bros. comedy, “First Lady,”’ which opens at the Strand Theatre next week. One pair of “kicks” cost $50. The bags are over-sized because they figure in the plot as a comedy gag — they’re always so stuffed she can’t find anything. Theatre on Friday. Mat 301—45e A TOAST TO THE FIRST LADY The entire cast — left to right — Grant Mitchell, Marjorie Gateson, Henry O’Neill, Marjorie .Rambeau, Victor Jory, Anita Louise, Preston Foster, Verree Teasdale, Walter Connolly, Louise Fazenda, Eric Stanley and Sara Haden toast the star of “First Lady,’ Kay Francis (center). The comedy comes to the Strand Mat 204—30c ROMANCE VS. POLITICS — And Victor Jory and Anita Louise vote unanimously for romance in the brilliant comedy “First Lady,” starring Kay Francis and coming Friday to the Strand. How Many Gadgets Does It Take To Fill A Farst Ladys Purse? A woman’s handbag, according to Kay Francis, contains a more amazing quantity and variety of meaningless junk than anything else except, perhaps, a movie proptruck! This very human _ observation, made by the star as she rummaged through her own handbag, looking for a cigarette lighter, inspired Director Stanley Logan to create a running threat of comedy in ‘‘First Lady,’ Kay’s latest Warner Bros. comedy, which he directed and which opens next Friday at the Strand Theatre. An original comedy touch taken from the stage play of the same title was expanded so that, throughout the picture, the star is seen vainly searching in her handbags, or in desperation dumping their remarkable collection of contents out into view. Property men, confronted by the problem of filling Kay’s bag for these scenes, were momentarily balked. What does a woman's bag really contain? “Try starting out by listing the contents of my own,’ suggested Kay. “‘As bulky as it is, probably it will not contain a big enough collection for our comedy gag — but it will start you out. Then I'll make some suggestions, based on other things | remember finding in my handbags!” The check-up of Kay’s bag revealed the following: Seven personal letters, in envelopes. A notebook and many loose pages of notes. A broken wrist watch. A folding aluminum cup. A compact. Three part-packages of cigarettes. Four samples of yarn and a partly-finished knitted scarf. A magnifying glass. Sun glasses. A pen knife. Three combs. A manicure outfit. A sewing kit, plus three extra spools of thread — one being heavy carpet thread. Also some cuts of movie film four or five inches long. Some large buttons, no two alike. Five wooden pencils, one automatic pencil, two fountain pens. A string of very cheap glass beads. A leather wrist brace. A sample tube of tooth paste. Odd scraps of advertising literature, chiefly cards, of the sort which are left attached to cars. And — omitting from the catalog many other obvious little articles such as chewing gum and bits of string — the list might be closed with seven dated weight cards from “Your Weight for a Penny” scales. On them were dates a week or so apart for several months. On the backs of the weight cards were pictures of movie stars — one of them being Kay Francis! In ‘‘First Lady’’ nine expensive— and expansive — hand bags go with Kay’s rich layout of costumes. [7] “FIRST LADY” Highlights on I'he Stars KAY FRANCIS—Born in Oklahoma on a Friday the 13th, the month being — the young lady’s secret. Was “‘finished’’ at various girls’ schools . . . but a couple of months in a secretarial school was needed to fit her for a business career ... First job was secretary to a leading society woman... Decided to take a fling at the stage . . . Started in a Broadway show, then went with the Stuart Walker Stock Company Finally got back to Broadway, and via Broadway to Hollywood where she played the lead in “Gentlemen of the Press’’ and soon rose to her present prominent position in_ the screen world . . . Is internationally famous for her clothes, which she buys in New York or Paris ... Loves to travel, read, play bridge and sail her schooner, the ‘‘Pamet Head.”’ Is now appearing in ‘First Lady”’ at the Strand. PRESTON FOSTER—Ocean City, New Jersey was the birthplace of this handsome and_ distinguishedlooking leading man, October 24, 1902 the date . . . Educated in the New Jersey public schools, he tried various clerical jobs before he decided to fulfill a lifelong ambition to act .. . “Two Seconds” and “The Silent House’ brought him Broadway fame . followed and he made the crosscountry trek to Hollywood where he has been playing in films since 1932 Currently playing opposite Kay Francis in *“‘First Lady’’ at the Strand. ANITA LOUISE—A native of New York City, this blonde lovely was born on January 9, 1917, a delightful mixture of French, German and English ancestry . . . Educated at the Professional School in New York and the Greenwood School for Girls in Hollywood . . . Began her theatrical career at the age of seven and appeared in numerous Broadway stage plays... First film role was in “Du Barry” for Warner Bros. . . . Is an accomplished musician excellent at the piano and at the harp ... Likes outdoor sports, particularly tennis and riding, but is also very clever at more domestic sports like needlepuint and cooking . . . Now playing in “First Lady”’ at the Strand. VERREE TEASDALE—Hailing from the state of Washington, she has, however, spent most of her life in New York, where she came with her parents when she was an infant . . . Earliest ambition was to go upon the stage and all of her education was directed toward that end... First professional engagement was in a Philip Barry play. Movie offers * ere sll elie ee