Hearts Divided (Warner Bros.) (1936)

PUBS LL Ck ARTS Teen eee “ln FEATURES AND READERS ABOUT MARION DAVIES When Love Defies A Crown The tense drama of Prince Jerome Bonaparte defying the wrath of his brother, the Emperor Napoleon for love of his Baltimore sweetheart, Betsy Patterson, is the theme of the Cosmopolitan romance ‘‘ Hearts Divided,’’ in which Marion Davies, shown above with Dick Powell (left) and Claude Rains (centre) will open at the occcccccccccccccceee Theatre on ugueist asia. eee as a First National release. Mat No. 214—20e Marion Davies Idolized By Co-Workers On Movie Set Star Of ‘‘Hearts Divided’? Makes Friends Of Both High And Lowly A celebrated novelist once wrote of Marion Davies that she is the most beloved individual in the cinema industry. ‘‘No unkind word has ever been directed against her; a rare and great achievement in Hollywood,’’ he said. But there he left the matter suspended, for his article was an interview with, not about, the popular blonde star. Miss Davies’ friends, aside from the millions who are her picture fans, are legion. They extend far beyond the borders of the town called Hollywood, far beyond the limits of the state of Colifornia. They encompass foreign nations and include members of royalty, famous personagaes who have been her guests, individuals of high and low estate who have enjoyed her hospitality alike. But why this amazing popularity? j A partial explanation lies in the words of Edward Everett Horton, a member of the all-star cast supporting Miss Davies in her new Cosmopolitan production, “Hearts Divided,” which comes to GiGi stats ite atire= Oni. 3.2 ‘ as a First National release. He was being interviewed at his San Fernando valley ranch home by a staff writer for one of the popular “ational magazines. Tribute from Horton “Enjoying your new assignment?” the interviewer inquired by way of opening the conversation. “Immensely,” the comedian replied, “but far more than the picture itself, I am enjoying the newly-made frienship of one of the most amazing women I have ever met, Marion Davies.” The secret of Marion Davies’ popularity with her crew lies in the fact that she is constantly seeking to make things pleasant for everyone around her. She always has an orchestra on her pictures to provide entertainment during production lulls. And she knows that the human system has a habit of eraving fuel to bolster its morale in the late afternoon. So she provides a huge platter of assorted sandwiches for cast and erew alike each afternoon at four o’clock. The sandwiches are on hand whether she happens to be working or not. When her pictures are completed she has a hardsome gift Page Thirty-two for everyone connected with the production, from director on down to the janitor who sweeps out the sound stage. “They all help to make a picture a success,” she says. “They deserve a reward.” As for the anonymous thousands who eall her friend, they are the ones who have benefitted by her many charities. Miss Davies is the sole support of a large clinie for crippled children which has aided thousands of poor unfortunates. Many Charities Unknown Out of her own earnings she supplies milk for other thousands each year. Each Christmas she gives a children’s party at which gifts and food are distributed to still other thousands who otherwise would be forgotten by Santa. These are her known charities. There have been innumerable individual cases which never emerged in the public print to be admired by an approving public. They were her own secrets and would have remained so had not some grateful beneficiary told how her aid was quickly forthcoming when she learned of his or her distress. Miss Davies plays the role of Betsy Patterson, famous Baltimore belle of the early nineteenth eentury who married Jerome Bonaparte, in “Hearts Divided,” a gay and glamorous romance by Rida Johnson Young. Besides Miss Davies in the stellar role the cast includes Dick Powell, Charlie Ruggles, Claude Rains, Horton, Arthur Treacher, Henry Stephenson, Clara Blandick and scores of others. Frank Borzage directed the picture from the screen play by Laird Doyle and Casey Robinson. Musie and lyries are by Harry Warren and Al Dubin with numbers by the Hall Johnson Choir. Marion Davies Aids Borzage In Directing Film Any director of a Marion Davies film production always has three “assistants” instead of the customary two. His third assistant director is the blonde star herself. Miss Davies is a deep student of the mechanics of motion pictures and on her current Cosmopolitan production, “Hearts Divided,” a First National release now showing at the .............0.. Theatre, she made many suggestions to the veteran director, Frank Borzage. Invariably her ideas were incorporated into the production. Director Borzage declared Miss Davies possesses a dramatic instinct excelled by few directors in the motion picture business. “T’m certain that she could become a successful screen director any time she desired,” he said. “lve found myself turning to her for advice on numerous occasions when I encountered some perplexing problem.” In “Hearts Divided” Miss Davies plays the historical role of Betsy Patterson, the Baltimore belle who was wooed and won by Jerome Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon, then Emperor of France. The picture combines a glorious romance with hilarious comedy and dynamic drama, written by Rida Johnson Young. Besides Miss Davies, the cast includes Dick Powell, Charlie Ruggles, Edward Everett Horton, Claude Rains, Arthur Treacher, Henry Stephenson and Clara Blandick. The screen play is by Laird Doyle and Casey Robinson. Music and lyries are by Harry Warren and Al Dubin with spiritual numbers by the Hall Johnson. Choir. Marion Davies Spends Day Off Watching Film There’s more truth than poetry to this “postman’s holiday” business, as Marion Davies demonstrated the other day. For more than three weeks Miss Davies had worked diligently on her new Cosmopolitan production, “Hearts Divided,” released by First National and now showing SEGhOs eee eee Theatre. She put in long, strenuous hours on the sound stages without even so much as a day off. Then, one morning in the fourth week of production, Director Frank Borzage informed the winsome blonde star she wouldn’t be needed the rest of the day; that he would use only Dick Powell, Claude Rains, Edward Everett Horton, Charlie Ruggles and others of the cast. Miss Davies drove to her bungalow, changed from her dainty frock into street clothes and half an hour later was back on the set. There she spent the remainder of the day, chatting and laughing with other members of the cast when they weren’t working. “Hearts Divided” is a glamorous romance of the historical courtship of Betsy Patterson, belle of Baltimore, by Jerome Bonaparte, brother of the French Emperor. It is spiced with rollicking comedy and tense drama. The screen play is by Laird Doyle and Casey Robinson, based on the story by Rida Johnson Young. Music and lyrics are by Warren and Dubin with spirituals by the Hall Johnson choir. Gorgeous Empire Gowns Worn By Marion Davies American Type, Rather Than French, Designed For ‘Hearts Divided’’ America’s present rivalry with France over the question, ‘“What city is the true fashion center of the world?” is nothIng new. As a matter of historical fact, it has been going on for well over a hundred years. That is the interesting discovery made by Orry-Kelly. noted Hollywood designer, who fashioned the costumes worn by Marion Davies in her latest Cosmopolitan picture, ‘‘Hearts Divided,’’ which comes to the Vila tina. US TES Theatre on ........ ... The story deals with the life of Betsy Patterson of Baltimore, who married Jerome Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon I. Consequently, Miss Davies’ costumes for the film are of the ‘‘Empire’’ style, taking in the earliest decade of the nineteenth century. “‘Today, we hear lots of talk about Hollywood supplanting Paris as a world style center,’’ says Orry Kelly. ‘‘Imagine, then, my surprise and delight upon finding, when doing research necessary to make Miss Davies’ costumes authentic, that for charm and simplicity, American clothes as far back as 1803 far surpassed those of Paris.’? Because of his discovery, Orry Kelly used the American silhouette of the period, and not the French, in all of his costumes for the star. ‘“The two styles are very much alike,’’ the designer said, ‘‘since both are definitely Empire. But the American women already had progressed in smartness ahead of their sisters across the water, having modified the style until it had more of the good taste, conservative simplicity and becomingness that we cherish in America today.2” For this reason, and _ because there is already a period trend in feminine fashion, Orry Kelly believes that the clothes worn by Miss Davies add much to present day styles. ‘(Miss Davies is always at her best in the tailored, simple things she wears so smartly,’’ the stylist pointed out, ‘‘and without change, many of her daytime and evening things from the picture could be practically worn today.’’ The Empire mode is best known for its high waisted, low-necked evening gowns, which had usually They're In Love Again a little puffed sleeve or drape over the uppc: arm, and a long full skirt, sometimes with a train. Many jewels, including longstrand necklaces, and long, tight white kid gloves were worn with these, while it was the fashion also to earry a fan. For daytime, necks were high, bodice drapery and sleeve treatment similar to many gowns seen today was the style, while the waistline was slightly lower than that used in the evening mode. Braid, passementerie, frogs, velvet ribbon and lace was employed for trimming, also much as it is being done this season. Hats tied in biz bows under the chin, were worn off-the-face to show the front of the coiffeur, and had plumes, some of the plainer models being on the poke bonnet order. Finally, muffs were ‘all the rage.’’ ‘‘Wearing her Napoleonic costumes for ‘‘Hearts Divided,’’ Miss Davies is more charming and beautiful than ever before,’’ said Orry Kelly. ‘‘ They are ‘just right’ for her, and all who see her will want to copy them. America’s rivalry of Paris in producing smart, lovely, wearable clothes didn’t start with the motion picture industry. It began nearly one hundred and fifty years ago. And Marion Davies, in her new film is carrying on the good work started by those nineteenth century gentlewomen who are our true fashion pioneers.’’ ‘“Hearts Divided’’ is a gay and glamorous romance by Rida Johnson Young. Besides Miss Davies in the stellar role the cast includes Dick Powell, Charlie Ruggles, Claude Rains, Edward Everett Horton, Arthur Treacher, Henry Stephenson, Clara Blandick and scores of others. Frank Borzage directed. Marion Davies and Dick Powell are the two famous starmates who tell the story of the Baltimore beauty who stole the heart of the man who gave America an empire in ‘‘ Hearts Divided,’’ the Cosmopolitan pic ture now showing at the ............c Theatre as a First National release. Mat No. 211—20c