Friends of Mr. Sweeney (Warner Bros.) (1934)

Gales of Laughter Greet New Comedy At Strand Premiere Judging by the spontaneous chuckles that frequently burst into howls of laughter, “Friends of Mr. Sweeney,” the new Warner Bros. comedy which opened at the Theatre yesterday, was a howling success. Warner Bros. have a knack of selecting for their comedy material not only screamingly funny themes, but plots with an unique twist. The novel by Elmer Davis upon which this picture is based, was unusual and laughable to start with, and Waren Duff and Sidney Sutherland have given it a touch-and-go character in their dramatization for the sereen that makes it a riot of fun. Fiveryone loves to see the down trodden little man get the best of it in real life, and this is the theme with which the plot is concerned. The chief character is a timid soul sort of a man who is so domineered over by his boss that he cringes at. his very nod. Inspired by love and _ liquor, he changes character completely, and in a single night suddenly develops into a _ beareat with the ladies, at whom he previously had searcely dared to look, tears the town wide open and tells his boss where to get off. In one wild night the hero rages through a score or more of the most ridiculously laughable situations imaginable, winding up in «grand finish in which he captures a band of crooks, flouts the biggest political boss of the town, rescues his boss from the snare of a vamp, puts the bee on him for the editorship of his magazine and the right to run it as he wills, and is off on a happy romance with his secretary. Charlie Ruggles has never been better than in this role of the sap who gets wise to himself, and he gives a masterly and comical interpretation of a mouse man gone on the loose. Ruggles is ably supported by Eugene Pallette, who won his spurs as Sergeant Heath in the S. S. Van Dine mystery dramas. In “Friends of Mr. Sweeney,” Pallette has the role of a breezy Westerner and former college pal of Ruggles. Ann Dvorak has the leading feminine role and supplies the love interest as the secretary of Ruggles. Never has Miss Dvorak given a more convincing performance than in this picture. The others in the cast all give excellent account of themselves and add their bit of fun to the riotous situations. These include Dorothy Burgess, Dorothy Tree, Robert Barrat, Berton Churchill, Harry Tyler, Harry Beresford and William Davidson, Edward Ludwig, who directed the picture, has taken advantage of all the unique situations to make the most of the comedy scenes. Ann Dvorak Wants To Become a Reporter Ann Dvorak, who has the leading feminine role opposite Charlie Ruggles in the Warner Bros. comedy, “Friends of Mr. Sweeney,” now showing at the SRE: Theatre, is vitally interested in writing. She swears that if she weren’t an actress, she would be working on a newspaper. Repertorial work seems to her to be the acme of something or other, and she is constantly writing short stories and verse. Page Four “Sweeney” Comedy Of Riotous Laughs At (Strand) Today “Friends of Mr. Sweeney,” the Warner Bros. picture which is based on the hilarious comedy by Elmer Davis, opens at the....... Theatre today for a run. The picture is said to be one of the most riotously funny films to come to the screen in many a day. Certainly the situation of a meek mouse of a man turning in a night into a ferocious lion, a devil with the ladies, and the terror of the town, is unique enough to lead to any number of laughable sequences. The mouse’s miraculous change is inspired to a large extent by love, although liquor and _ the goadings of an old pal contribute their share. Thrills are supplied in a whirlwind climax in which the mouse, now become a _ lion, rounds up a band of crooks and compels his domineering and hypocritical boss to buckle to his will. Charlie Ruggles has the leading role with Ann Dvorak furnishing the romantic part of the story. Others in the cast include Eugene Pallette, Dorothy Burgess, Dorothy Tree, Robert Barrat, Berton Churchill, Harry Tyler, Harry Beresford and William Davidson. Edward Ludwig directed the picture which was dramatized for the sereen by Warren Duff and Sidney Sutherland. Sparkling dialogue was added by F. Hugh Herbert and Erwin Gelsey. Broadway Players Meet In Film It was old home week for Dorothy Tree and Harry Tyler, who have leading roles with Charlie Ruggles and Ann Dvorak in the Warner Bros. “Friends of Mr. Sweeney,” now showing at Chere Is Theatre, when they met at the studio. The two players hadn’t seen each other since they were east together three seasons ago in “Clear All Wires,” a Broadway hit. Romancers Funny man Charlie Ruggles turns his hand to love-making with Ann Dvorak in “Friends of Mr. Sweeney,”’ the Warner Bros.’ comedy at the Strand Theatre— but don’t worry, he’s funny just the same! Mat No. 5—10c Ruggles and Dvorak New Comedy Team Charlie Ann Dvorak form screendom’s newest Ruggles and comedy team. They were cast together for the first time in the “Friends of Mr. Sweeney,” which comes to the Theatre Warner Bros. picture, Ruggles has been a well known comedy character for years, but Ann has been known almost endramatic parts. tirely for her She is said to show rare ability as a light comedy actor in this picture, which -is based on the hilarious novel by Elmer Davis. Famous Vamp Now In Comedy Role Dorothy Burgess, the bold, bad vamp of many screen hits, appears in an entirely new type of role in the Warner Bros. picture, “Friends of Mr. Sweeney,” which comes to Then or he Theatre ONe oe a : .., with Charlie Ruggles and Ann Dvorak in the leading roles. In this comedy Miss Burgess sheds her slinky ways to become a dizzy Greenwich Villager with a fondness for gin. Her work as a comedienne is said to be quite as effective as her vamping style. Miss Tree Goes Blonde For This Vamp Role The tall dark haired, dark eyed Dorothy Tree has gone blonde for one picture, the Warner Bros. comedy, “Friends of Mr. Sweeney,” now showing at the....... Theatre, with Charlie Ruggles and Ann Dvorak in the leading roles. In the picture, which is based on the hilarious novel by Elmer Davis, she has the role of a phoney Russian countess who is hired to vamp a millionaire. Evidently Dorothy believes that gentlemen prefer blondes when it comes to vamps, for she blonded her hair for the production. Rises To Fame From Ranks of Chorus Ann Dvorak is one of the very few movie chorus girls who has risen to dramatic heights from the heel-and-toe ranks. shares leading honors’ with Charlie Ruggles in the Warner Bros. picture, “Friends of Mr. Sweeney,” now showing at the Aste ER Abate ae iste Theatre, was a chorine in “Hollywood Revue” and several other early screen musicals. Ruggles Refuses To Play Hamlet Charlie Ruggles is a phenomenon. Rare are the comedians who have no desire to play dramatic roles. Even the famed Charles Chaplin has always entertained an ambition to be cast in a tragic role. But with Ruggles it is different. He denies having the slightest desire to appear as Hamlet, or any other dramatic role, and says he is quite content to make the public laugh. His latest mirth maker, in which he is co-teamed with Ann Dvorak, is the Warner Bros. picture, “Friends of Mr. Sweeney,” tvhich comes to the Theatre on oe Oa: Bla a eye 8) 68 eo 60m, Ann, who FREAK FACS... . 42007 AM AAVORITES HAS NEVER BEEN IN LOVE... EXCEPT ON THE SCREEN .~ _ WON OVERNIGHT FAME ASA 4 COMEDIAN \ AT THE AGE OF 15 IN BARRIE'S “THE ADMIRABLE CRICHTON" ow 1 <DVORAK BORN “NN MEKIM Au6. 12/12 N-ew york city ST.CATHERI N-e's convenr FILM DEBUT TD)-ancen BEG TENNIS FA -\Y-onriTE sporT ye este rent-C_).n, wer HUSBAND Be OWNS CATTLE ~ANCH pays p1-dX-No Welt -£5 work / WAS ONCE A CHEF AND BLAMES HIS GIRTH ON HIS GOOD COOKING / This all-comedy cast is appearing in “Friends of Mr. Sweeney,” the Warner Bros. film now at the Strand Theatre. Mat No. 6—20c Miss Tree Wants to Play Both Drama and Comedy Actress Now In “Friends Of Mr. Sweeney” Seeks Variety In Character Roles OROTHY TREE, who has an important role in the Warner Bros. picture, ‘‘Friends of Mr. Sweeney,’’ which comes to the UA SE Peden ge a ag Did Theatre on es eG , claims that her earliest ambitions weren’t directed toward the theatre. and the desire still persists. She was born in New York City, and dismisses her childhood as “normal”. She attended New York public schools and entered Cornell at the age of 17, taking a literary and dramatic course. She wasn’t a star at dramatics, either, but learned a lot of sound knowledge under the tutelage of Professor Alexander Drummond, noted authority on the modern drama. Desiring a career, she decided upon the stage rather than a journalistic life because she thought it more suitable to her temperament. Played small parts for a time and then got a good role in “The Marquise,” a Noel Coward comedy which starred Billie Burke. Enjoyed Work in “Stock” Later Miss Tree played for a vear with Ina Claire in “Holiday,” as the younger sister. This role made her known to Broadway as one of the really brilliant newcomers to the legitimate theatre. Then she played Jessica to the Shylock of Maurice Moscovitch in Shakespeare’s “Merchant of Venice”. Her last hit before coming to California was with Tom Mitchell in “Clear~ All Wires,” a success of last season. On the West Coast, Miss Tree attracted a good deal of attention by her portrayal of Flammchen in “Grand Hotel.” the role played by Joan Crawford on the screen. Due to this performance she was signed for several screen roles and landed a long term Warner contract as a result of her work with Aline MacMahon in “Side Streets”. Miss Tree says that her happiest acting experience thus far came when she was guest star of the leading stock company in Rochester, N. Y. For twelve She wanted to be a writer— weeks she played a starring role each and every week, in a variety of plays, including “Death Takes a Holiday,” “Torch Song” and “Street Scene”. She had a grand time—and a nervous breakdown! Won’t Discuss Marriage She enjoys Hollywood, but would like to alternate between stage and screen. Dotes on intense work, and hopes that Warners will allow her to play every kind of role from comedy to drama. Dorothy is married, but intends to fight to the last ditch to keep it from being publicized. Will talk on every subject but her marriage. She keeps fit by tennis, swimming and riding, and never diets. She once learned to cook, but never practices it. Says she isn’t at all domestic—because servants know how to run households far better than she ever could. She never buys ready-to-wear clothes. Has her gowns made by her own dressmaker. She is not extravagant, and never plays cards. She never arranges flowers and drives a modest little roadster. She is extremely frank, but always knows to whom she’s talking before unburdening herself. Doesn’t think it pays to be too candid in Hollywood! Her pictures are “East of 5th Avenue,’ “Life Begins,” “Side Streets” and her current produetion, “Friends of Mr. Sweeney”. The latter is a delightful comedy with plenty of thrills and a glowing romance based on the novel by Elmer Davis. Charlie Ruggles and Ann Dvorak head the cast which also includes Eugene Pallette, Dorothy Burgess, Robert Barrat and Berton Churchill.