Grand Slam (Warner Bros.) (1933)

CURRENT PUBLICITY “GRAND SLAM” HILARIOUS ENTERTAINMENT Review Bridge Taken For Laugh Ride In Strand Film OOKS of rules for bridge players will lose some of their B gospel seriousness for the people who will view the First National picture, ‘‘Grand Slam,’’ which opened Wott ee ee ... Theatre last night. Bridge playing as a distinctive phase of American life has its rippling comedy in this film which cannot fail to please and entertain, no matter what one’s attitude toward bridge may be. And even if you don’t know anything about bridge and eare less, don’t fail to see this picture on that account. It is a warm, human story, delightfully portrayed. The story and background are distinctly novel and interesting. It is the first time athat the films have reached out and taken this pastime of most American and comedy. The advenLORETTA YOUNG tures of a Rus Cut No. 11 sian waiter Cut 15¢ who becomes a | Mas sc nationally fam ous bridge expert in spite of himself are wittily related. Married to a young wife who insists on dragging him in as a “fourth hand” even though he detests the game, he plays not according to rules but according to his own idea of the game. The fact that he always wins on freak bids gives a ghost writer the idea of building him up as an expert and putting his rules, or lack ‘of them, in book form. : The new expert becomes the last word and fame and fortune are soon his — especially since in demonstration games, using his wife as his partner, he proves that bridge can be played without quarrels between husband and wife. But complications do set in to separate them, and these complications and the events they give rise to, especially the much publicized bridge tournament with another expert, pack this film with the sort of entertainment that is certain to provide a pleasant evening for every member of the family—bridge players and otherwise. Paul Lukas as the waiter-expert finds himself cast in a role which fits him to perfection, and he takes full advantage of it. With him is Loretta Young, as the young bridge-playing wife. It seems that} with each succeeding picture, Loretta Young is taking tremendous strides in appealing ability, and “Grand Slam” helps to put her a long way forward. Comedy possibilities are greatly enhanced by the casting of Frank McHugh and Glenda Farrell in prominent supporting roles. They add a spicy interest on their own accounts. The balance of the cast contains a large number of names, each of which is worthy of mention for some fine work. They are Helen Vinson, Walter Byron, Ferdinand Gottschalk, Joe Cawthorne, Paul Porcasi, Mary Doran, Lucian Prival, Tom Dugan, Maurice Black, Lee Moran, Ruthelma Stevens, Emma Dunn, Reginald Barlow, Harry C. Bradley and Charles Levison. A fine piece of direction was contributed by William Dieterle, to whom may be credited a large share of praise for the success of this picture. Opening Day Story “Grand Slam” Heralded As Epic Screen Comedy, Opens At Strand Today “Grand Slam,” Warner’ Bros.’ clever romantic comedy of America’s most rabid indoor sport, opens its long heralded engagement at the Strand. today. Those who have already seen the picture or have seen previews of it announce it to be by far the best satire since the famous “Once in a Lifetime.” While the film’s background is concerned with how bridge has _ become the national pastime — and often “pest-time”—just as “Once in a Lifetime’ was based upon movie making, especial care was taken by Warner Bros., its producer, that nowhere in the picture was a sequence inserted which could not be appreeiated fully by those not familiar with bridge. Further, and almost needless to say, when one considers that the leading-male role is portrayed by handsome “Paul__Lukas, you'll find romance aplenty through— out. The lines are always witty and side-splittingly funny. The situations are uproarious. And the acting superb! In short, the picture is good medicine for whatever ails you— whether you be card player, tennis player or what have you. Paul Lukas is east as the waiter who is suddenly and bewilderingly whirled into prominence ag the supreme bridge expert of the nation, and who, with the pretty and versatile Loretta Young, becomes: the team touted far and wide as “America’s Bridge Sweethearts.” That is briefly the plot of the film. And with those famous wisecracking comedians, Glenda Farrell and Frank McHugh in the comedy roles, “Grand Slam” moves along from stirring romance to hilarious satire at a fast and entertaining pace! Others in the accomplished cast are comely Helen Vinson, Walter Byron, Roscoe Karns, Ferdinand Gottschalk, DeWitt Jennings, Joe Cawthorne, Mary Doran, Paul Porcasi, Lucian Prival, Tom Dugan, George Cooper, John Sheehan, Maurice Black, Lee Moran, Ruthelma Stevens, Emma Dunn, Reginald Barlow, Harry ©. Bradley, Charles Levinson and Esther Howard. Many Hollywod beauties also figure prominently in this picture, which was directed by William Dieterle. Here is certainly a picture for those who want excellent comedy, real life drama, and fascinating romance all rolled up into one great show! See Pages 17, 18, 19 for THE STUNT OF THE WEEK Page Six STARS IN “GRAND SLAM” Loretta Young and Paul Lukas, co-starred in “Grand Slam,”? Warner Bros.” side-splitting comedy now showing at the Strand Cut No.7 Cut 30c Mat roc 2nd day of run Sinclair Lewis and Dreiser Doubles in “Grand Slam” Scene It is Hollywood’s boast that every famous personage in the world has his counterpart among the thousands of players at the studios. This boast was made good again when characters were needed to represent two of America’s best known living novelists for the First National picture, “Grand Slam,” which is now showing at the .......... eRe Pee ee Theatre. The two characters, who appear in an early sequence, represent Theodore Dreiser, author of “The American Tragedy,” and Sinclair Lewis, famous for “Arrowsmith,” “Babbitt” and “Ann Vickers.” The two men are quite distinctive in appearance and no little difficulty was ex perienced in finding their counterparts. Reginald Barlow will easily be leonine frown and Irving Bacon as the tall, rangy, fiery haired Lewis. Each is a realistic portrait, precluding any suggestion either of flattery or caricature. The two men appear as patrons of a restaurant who befriend a waiter, who is struggling to become a writer, a part enacted by Paul Lukas, who is featured in the picture with Loretta Young. “Grand Slam,” based on the novel by B. Russell Herts, is a snappy and riotously funny picture, handled as a take-off on the great American pastime of bridge. Others in the cast include Frank McHugh, Glenda Farrell, Helen Vinson and Walter Byron. The screen play is by Erwin Gelsey and David Boehm and the direction is by William Dieterle. COMEDY TEAM IN “GRAND SLAM” | rasan o33 SRAM: Glenda Farrell and Frank McHugh make up the perfect comedy team in “Grand Slam” the current film at the Strand, which has Loretta Young and Paul Lukas as leads. The film will be on view until Friday. Cut No.2 Cut goc Mot roc