Four's A Crowd (Warner Bros.) (1938)

Mat 202—30e OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND knows she's in love — but she's not sure with whom. That's the pitiful plight she faces as the pretty spoiled — and very pretty — heiress in "Four's A Crowd" which is opening today at the Strand Theatre. Mat 206—30¢ SUGAR WITH YOUR TEA? No, thanks, Errol Flynn takes his tea and his kisses straight, and Olivia de Havilland will have the same, please. The doggy can't make up his mind. The scene is from "'Four's A Crowd" at the Strand. Mat 208—30e ROSALIND RUSSELL thinks a kiss on the lips is worth two on the hand. Her not-so-bold lover is Patric Knowles and together they make up half of the frolicsome crowd in ‘'Four's A Crowd," the current comedy at the Strand. Opening Day ‘Four’s A Crond Crowded With Stars And Comedy At Strand Flynn Loves Olivia deHavilland, Who Loves Patric Knowles, Whko Loves Rosalind Russell In Fast-Paced Romantic Comedy Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Rosalind Russell and Patric Knowles share starring honors in the new Warner Bros. comedy, ‘“Four’s A Crowd,’’ which opens today at the Strand Theatre. ‘“Four’s A Crowd’’ has only one objective, and that’s to make the audience laugh. It is an up-tothe-minute comedy of the Ameriean scene. The story moves along at a breathless pace, with a rapidfire succession of novel and humorous twists. The four persons with whose fortunes it is mainly concerned are: A bright and fiscinating newspaperman, played by Errol Flynn; a spoiled but charming heiress, played by Olivia de Havilland; a clever smoothie of a girl reporter, played by Rosalind Russell; and a rich playboy, played by Patric Knowles, who inherits a newspaper. Also prominent in the proceedings is Walter Connolly as a rapacious buceaneer of the business world who is Olivia’s grandfather. Motivate this group with Errol’s desire to get himself a slice of the old man’s millions and his efforts to court Olivia and Rosalind simultaneously, Olivia’s indecision as to Review whether she loves Errol or Pat more, Rosalind’s desire to capture Errol for herself, Pat’s wish to marry Olivia, and the old man’s determination to hang onto his granddaughter and his millions, and you have the essence of ‘“Pour’s A Crowd.’’ The story begins with Knowles, inheriting a newspaper and then deciding to end its existence because it is unprofitable. Here Miss Russell tells the playboy what she thinks of him and persuades him not only to keep the paper alive but to hire as its managing editor Mr. Flynn, who had recently retired from newspaper work to become a high-powered ‘‘ public relations counsellor.’’ Flynn does put the paper on its feet, his main device to arouse interest being to launch a series of attacks on Connolly’s business manipulations. Complications ensue when he meets Olivia, for Errol, who is already giving Rosalind Fours A Crond’ Is Year's Most Laugh-Packed Hit Errol Flynn loves Olivia de Havilland, who has a yen for Patrie Knowles, who is that wellknown way about Rosalind Russell who goes for Errol — but big! And thereby hangs the tale of ‘“‘FPour’s A Crowd,’’ the everyminute-a-laugh comedy that had Strand Theatre audiences rolling in the aisles when it opened there yesterday. That the title is an apt one becomes more and more apparent as the amours of the handsome young quartet get more and more involved. Then in steps Walter Connolly — grandpa to Olivia, and an ill-tempered captain of industry with an all-absorbing interest in his miniature railroad — to further complicate a not altogether simple situation. Flynn is a high-pressure public relations counsel, whom Knowles hires as editor of his paper, at the urgent behest of Miss Russell, a sob sister who has something more than the interests of the newspaper at heart. Flynn’s brainstorm for LENGTH — 8245 FEET STORY SYNOPSIS: (not for publication) Errol Flynn loves Olivia de Havilland, who loves Patric Knowles who loves Rosalind Russell— who isn't telling! Added complications: Errol works for Patric, and is boosting the circulation of his newspaper by writing lampoons on Walter Connolly, piratical old millionaire and Olivia's grandfather, then plays both ends against the middle by getting himself hired as Connolly's press agent. From there on, the story wends its hilarious way to a double wedding, in which the frolicking foursome is finally divided up in two twos — for life! building circulation is a series of articles denouncing Connolly. Then, playing both ends against the middle with gay insoucianee, Errol proceeds to sell himself to Connolly as a press agent and a grandson-in-law, and to become engaged to Rosalind. That the final scene has the four romantics in a marrying mood and Connolly in a state of apoplexy is all we’re go something of a rush, becomes romantiecally interested in the rich girl too, who happens to be engaged to Knowles. Flynn also plays both ends against the middle by getting Connolly to retain him as public relations counsellor for the purpose of putting a different picture of the millionaire before the public to the one which Flynn’s paper is so busily painting. He accomplishes this by the simple trick of pretending a vast interest in the old man’s pet hobby — an elaborate toy railroad set. From there on the story is off on a mad whirl with a final double wedding scene that is a near-panic. Aside from the principals named, other contributors to the infectious merriment of ‘‘Four’s A Crowd,’’ include Hugh Herbert, Melville Cooper, Franklin Pangborn, Herman Bing, Margaret Hamilton, Joseph Crehan, Joe Cunningham, Dennie Moore and Gloria Blondell. ing to tell you about the swell surprise finish. Flynn, Miss de Havilland and Knowles, who so recently covered themselves with glory in the Technicolor production ‘‘The Adventures of Robin Hood’’ prove to be just as effortlessly at home in ultra-modern comedy. Rosalind Russell, borrowed from another studio for the role, is perfectly cast as a feminine newshawk with a sense of humor. Add to that Walter Connolly at his highly explosive best, Melville Cooper and Hugh Herbert in stand-out comedy bits, and you’ve got an acting line-up unequalled in any comedy this year. The direction, under the aegis of Michael Curtiz, is flawless, keeping the riotous situations just far enough off the slapstick side, as they go along at an almost breathless pace. The script, written by Casey Robinson and Sig Herzig and based on a story by Wallace Sullivan, has far more story value than the usual comedy, and the dialogue is the wittiest to come out of a sound track in many a moon. Strictly in the don’t-miss class— and don’t forget to bring the kiddies to see what is probably the most elaborate set of toy trains extant. P.S.: Their daddies will get a kick out of it, too. RUNNING TIME — 91 MINUTES SAST OF CHARACTERS Bot Dans ord <0. ieee choe kona Errol Flynn Te ila ear ae gate, Herman Bing Lorri Dillingwell .............. Olivia de Havilland MIG Oe... BOE SPUR, fm Margaret Hamilton dba rise: yeh. Bo 8... Rosalind Russell Butlon Pierce fon ise ee Joseph Crehan Patterson Buckley ...................... Patric Knowles Young ....... Beeb Joe Cunningham John P. Dillingwell ................ Walter Connolly Buckley’s Secretary .........0..0....... Dennie Moore PME hae. oul as son eaeeee Hugh Herbert Lansford’s Ist Secretary............ Gloria Blondell Dea OCA Be Oe Melville Cooper Lansford’s 2nd Secretary............ Carole Landis PROM Soin ovis Ths Franklin Pangborn Mrs. Jenkins ....... oe eerie? wae Reine Riano & PRODUCTION STAFF DME OF) .54)4, Maek Gea Sereek Pidy BY? ccs. s 603s Casey Robinson and SRoty re Wallace Sullivan Photography by ................ Ernie Haller, A.S.C. Art Director PR Es Bags peiteces Clarence Kolster Gowns by ..... Michael Curtiz Sig Herzig Musical Director Dialogue Director ..............0......... Irving Rapper 1 elit dele Ra tend Leo F. Forbstein Maes vd A ee Robert B. Lee inhi eee Max Parker wichigh teint tetas Ante Orry-Kelly