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

Ann Dvorak Rises From Movie Chorus to Leads Feminine Lead In ‘Friends Of Mr. Sweeney’’ Is One Of The Very Few Girls To Advance HAT’S the matter with the movie chorus girl? Why isn’t she able to get ahead as successfully as her Broadway sisters? Ann Dvorak, herself a chorus girl in ‘‘Hollywood ? Revue, nent question not long ago while working on Warner Bros. picture, “Friends of Mr. Sweeney,” which comes to the....... HER CA TRO! (Ob: he. .s es ee The chorus has been the stepping stone to great fame for innumerable screen stars. There are many famous actresses who won their first theatrical spurs in the front lines of the Ziegfeld Follies, George White’s Scandals, and other big Broadway shows. But what, repeats Ann Dvorak, about the movie chorus girl? Ever since the screen became audible, there have been many beauteous damsels cavorting in front of the cameras. But with a few notable exceptions, these girls have remained in the chorus. Very few of them have risen from the ranks. Few Rise from Ranks Miss Dvorak got her first chorus job in screen musicals without having had _ previous dancing or stage experience. But by sheer hard work, she finally got a spot in the front line of the Hollywood Revue. And like Marion Davies, Ruby Keeler, Barbara Stanwyck, Claire Dodd, Billie Dove and Mae Clarke, to cite but a few who rose from the chorus girl ranks in Broadway shows, Ann concentrated on hecoming an actress instead of a hoofer. And like them, she’s risen Par, But Ann is about the only one. Of course, there is little Mary Carlisle, who is being groomed for bigger and better things. And there is young Toby Wing, who plays small parts. And Dorothy Coonan, who played the lead in “Wild Boys of the Road” and later married Director William Wellman, also kicked her heels with Toby in those Warner musicals. But none of these girls can be rightfully called more than “promising”. Ann Dvorak is frankly puzzled about the whole thing. She can’t decide whether it’s the fault of the girls or their employers. “Although I’ve never been a chorus girl in New York,” she admits, “I rather imagine that the Broadway show girl is a bit more shrewd and aggressive than the Hollywood variety. “Our Hollywood chorines are nice kids, all of them, and to my personal knowledge, many of them have ability beyond the average. But it’s hard to believe that the talent in these youngsters would remain unnoticed by those who are constantly on the lookout for it. Our producers and directors must have their own reasons for not choosing these girls from the ranks. But what are they?” Good Training Ground Miss Dvorak believes that the chorus is a good training ground for all aspiring young actresses, providing that they look upon it only as training. “Chorus work gives a lot to a girl,’ says the actress. ‘Poise, balance and self-assurance. These things mean a lot in the professional life of any actress — no matter what her ambitions. “Of course, too much chorus training is bad for an ambitious girl. That may possibly be the trouble with the Hollywood chorines. Many of them have pranced in front of the cameras for these many years! “One can’t tell, though,’ she concludes. “In the future it may Stars of Strand Comedy Actor Says Everyone Loves A Fat Man Eugene Pallette disputes the saying, “No one loves a fat man.” According to him, it should run, “Everybody loves a fat man”’— and with good reason. The comedian, who appears with Charlie Ruggles and Ann Dvorak in the Warner Bros. comedy, “Friends of Mr. Sweeney,” Which scomes to thei. .0 Ure 2 au ALP AIPe ONE No , has been and other early musical movies, raised this perti-* a leading player in Hollywood productions for over 23 years. aaa yp i Ann Dvorak and Eugene Pallette seem to be getting quite a kick out of Charlie Ruggles’ actions, in this scene from “Friends of Mr. Sweeney,” the Warner comedy now at the Strand. The film tells the story of a meek and kindly magazine editor who becomes the worm who turned, and turns out to be a raging, red-blooded he-man. Mat No. 4—20c Even Studio“Grips” Laugh At Charlie Ruggles’ Gags Comedian Friend Of Mr. Sweeney Registers Hit With Workers On Warner Bros. Lot ee : i E’S swell,’’ said the seript girl. It seems that Charlie Ruggles never slips on his lines .. . and he’s terribly funny. **Oh, he’s grand, that trouper,’’ said the property man. It seems that Charlie Ruggles never forgets his props, never has to be pursued onto the set to be reminded ... ‘fand besides he’s funny as they make ’em.’’ ‘Charlie? He’s an ace, ”? said the assistant director. It seems that Charlie Ruggles is one of the most tireless, cheerful and conscientious workers in all Hollywood ... “and listen, he’s a scream.” It all adds up to something. At the Warner Bros. Studios, while Ruggles was making “Friends of Mr. Sweeney,” now showing at LaLUICe Aa aus a Rex Theatre, everybody on the set gave the same be just as much a badge of distinction to have worked as a chorus girl with Busby Berkeley as it is now to have been in the front line of the Ziegfeld Follies!” In “Friends of Mr. Sweeney,” Miss Dvorak has the role of a secretary to a mousy writer, who is inspired by her love to become a roaring lion. It is delightful comedy, spiced with romance and thrills, based on the novel by Elmer Davis. Others in the east inelude Charlie Ruggles, Eugene Pallette, Dorothy Burgess, Dorothy Tree, Robert Barrat and _ Berton Churehill. Edward Ludwig directed the picture from the screen play by Warren Duff and Sidney Sutherland. answer, from “grips”. For a fellow of such comic propensities, Ruggles is a remarkably quiet man. When he has finished a scene, he doesn’t stay around the set, passing “gags” and clowning with all and sundry who will listen. He walks off to a corner—“not a bit snooty, you understand; just reserved’—and sits there by himself until he’s called again. Usually he reads, or else he studies dialogue. With not the slightest apparent effort, he thinks up bits of business on the instant when they’re needed; he goes through a first rehearsal letter perfect in his lines; he is continually so droll that the crew roars. “Friends of Mr. Sweeney” is based on the hilarious novel by Elmer Davis and dramatized for the screen by Warren Duff and Sidney Sutherland. Ann Dvorak has the leading feminine role while others in the east include Eugene Pallette, Dorothy Burgess, Dorothy Tree and Robert Barrat, Edward Ludwig directed. leading lady to Charlie Ruggles Delights In “Timid Soul” Roles Lead In “Friends Of Mr. Sweeney”’ Not Afraid Of Being Typed By Producers HE importance of being unimportant is aptly demonstrated by Charlie Ruggles, the comedian. Ruggles has made himself famous on the screen by portraying one certain type of character. He is invariably the timid little man who apologetically giggles his way to success, as he does in his new Warner Bros. picture, ‘‘ Friends of Mr. Sweeney,” which comes to PHO fas Sr a EF ee 8 Theatre The comedian says that his screen character has grown up naturally through the years through no apparent effort of his own. “During my early days in the theatre,” confessed Ruggles, when interviewed recently, “I played every kind of role imaginable. I was a juvenile one week and a character man the next when I was a member of the old Moroseo stock company in Los Angeles. “The movies have given me the opportunity to add color and life to this character—the timid soul, frightened of his own shadow and sometimes hen-pecked by an overbearing wife. Triumph of Meekness “Audiences, I believe, love this type of characterization. They love to see the little, mild-mannered chap triumph over his enemies. They love to see him make good in spite of terrific obstacles.” Ruggles admits that many of his famous mannerisms have been picked up from real life characters. “Y’ve known, just as we’ve all known, niany timid little men of — the type I play on the screen,” he says. “People have often asked me if I wouldn’t prefer to play another kind of role—if I wouldn’t sometimes like to be a _ strong self-reliant man on the sereen, for a change. I always answer ‘no’—because I’m not at all concerned with becoming ‘typed’. “Those whom I am glad to eall my fans know what they’re going to get when they see Charlie Ruggles in a film—and they must like it or they wouldn’t come back for more!” The comedian says frankly that he’s not an easy person to work with. He usually bewilders his co-players when they first start working with him — because he never does the same thing twice! He plays his roles purely by instinct. Delighted With Role The actor was delighted with his role in “Friends of Mr. Sweeney”’. “T was offered the role some time ago,” he says, “but I-couldn’t accept because of other work. Therefore, I was highly flattered when Warner Bros. told me that they would postpone production on the film until such time as I could do it. “Elmer. Davis’ books have always handed me a laugh—he has such a keen sense of the ridiculous and knows how to transfer it to his novels.” Ruggles points out that there are other Davis books that should iuxe good pictures, particularly — “T’ll Show You the Town”. In “Friends of Mr. Sweeney,” he heads a large east that includes lovely Ann Dvorak, Eugene Pallette, Dorothy Tree, Burton Churchill, Dorothy Burgess, Harry Tyler and Robert Barrat. Edward Ludwig directed the comedy romance from the screen play by Warren Duff and Sidney Sutherland. Ruggles Is One of Few Local Boys to Make Good Comedy Lead In “Friends of Mr. Sweeney’? Is A Native Son Of Hollywood “14 OCAL boy makes good in the movies’’ might very well be a good title for this story—for it sums up the success of Charlie Ruggles as a screen star. Ruggles, the whimsical comedian who appears with Ann Dvorak in ‘‘Friends of Mr. Sweeney,’’ the Warner Bros. picture now showing at the................ Theatre, is that rarity in the film industry—a native of Los Angeles. He and Wesley Ruggles, the director, were born in the California city long be“knuckled in” and made it their own. his brother. fore the movies Charlie’s non-theatrical par ents never dreamed that their son might become a_ tHeatrical figure, and he was trained for a druggist’s career. However, he soon discovered that the stage interested him far more than prescriptions, and joined the Morosco stock company in _ Los Angeles. Beginning with small roles, he was soon a leading player in the company that also brought to the screen such famous stars as Edmund Lowe and Lewis Stone. New York beckoned, and Ruggles went East, primed for bigger and better achievements. His delightful comedy eventually made him one of Broadway’s most popular light comedians. He had leading roles in many big hits for a number of years. His’ last stage role before beginning a screen career in 1929 was “Spring Is Here.” “Gentlemen of the Press” marked Ruggles’ introduction to talking pictures. In the cast with him were Walter Huston and Kay Francis, also making film debuts. “Friends of Mr. Sweeney,” his new picture, is one of the few that the comedian has made for companies other than his home studio. Ruggles has a splendid role in this adaptation of the hilarious Elmer Davis best-seller, as a timid, soft-spoken little editor of a highbrow magazine who suddenly becomes a roaring lion. Ann Dvorak shares leading honors with Ruggles, while Eugene Pallette, Dorothy Burgess, Dorothy Tree, Robert Barrat and Berton Churchill have other important roles. The picture was directed by Edward Ludwig from the screen play by Warren Duff and Sidney Sutherland. Page Five