Heroes for Sale (Warner Bros.) (1933)

<4 Flashes of the dramatic action of “Heroes for Sale,” the First National picture now at the Strand Theatre, starring Richard Barthelmess, featuring Loretta Young and Aline MacMahon. Cut No. 12 Cut 60c Mat 20c pening Day Story “Heroes for Sale,’’ a Daring, Timely Topic Opens Today at.... A daring screen record of these etic times gives Richard Barthel .vws the material for his latest First National production, Sale,’’ ‘“Heroes for which opens today at the Theatre. The story, which was written by the late ‘Wilson Mizner, minces no words or situations in portraying the career of a ‘‘ forgotten man.’’ The action commences with the world war in which the main character played by Richard Barthelmess, is rewarded for his bravery with wounds that leave him a wreck of his former self. His efforts to rehabilitate himself lead him into many adventures and into a stirring romance until he is caught in the tide of the ‘‘breadline’’ class. Considered one of Barthelmess’ finest characterizations to date, ‘‘ Heroes for Sale’’ also boasts a cast of highly competent supporting players, each of whom is given a chance for splendid work. Loretta Young plays the leading feminine role, while Aline MacMahon, Gordon Westcott, Robert Barrat and Berton Churchill play other important roles. The Warner Bros.-First National trend of following front page headlines for story material is quite evident in this film. The stark realism of the life and struggles and romance of a veteran, from the time of the World War to the present day is the basis of this production. William A. Wellman, who was responsible for many screen successes noted for their realism, handled the direction. Barthelmess Enjoys Role Of ‘‘Under Dog”’ In Screen Stories Because Richard Barthelmess has always had a profound sympathy for ‘“the under dog’’ and considers that his best pictures have revolved around ‘under dog’’ characters — ‘‘ Broken Blossoms’? and ‘‘Tol’able David,’’ to Prepared Review ‘‘Heroes for Sale”’ Grips Heart With Its Realism Barthelmess, Young, MacMahon and Splendid Cast in Stirring, Up-to-the-Minute Picture TONE reason for the never failing popularity of Richard Bar { theln ‘ a ture, “Heroes for Sale,” which is latest Hirst National pieopened at the Theatre yesterday. He has always been fortunate in having strong, interesting stories, capable supporting casts and intel ligent direction. In “Heroes for Sale,” however, he has all of these ingredients to a superlative degree, resulting in what is undoubtedly one of his finest pictures to date. The story is right up to the minute, presenting as it does, the gripping drama of twenty million lives in America today. No attempt has been made to sugar-coat it, but true to the First National code of realistically following newspaper headlines for material, the picture is a vivid recital of the struggle in an era of depression. The story opens with the World War in. which Barthelmess is severely wounded, leaving him with ailments and impediments which form barriers against a normal attempt to rehabilitate himself at home. The entire story of the post war period is seen through the eyes of this veteran. His struggle for the right to live and earn his daily bread is so grimly depicted that the audience seems to live it with him. Success and failure, alternate and in one of his lowest periods he finds fleeting romance, which is as touching as it is fleeting. As a story, ‘‘Heroes for Sale’’ is novel and rich, but it is also a faithful document of the present age. The characterization of the struggling veteran as portrayed by Richard Barthelmess is one of those unforgettable things that will rank in the memory along with his ‘‘ Tol’able David’? and ‘‘Broken Blossoms.’’ It rates as another high point in his long motion picture career. Ist day of run mention the two most famous ones— he is confident that ‘‘Heroes for Sale,’’ his latest First National picture now at the Theatre, will be one of his outstanding productions. ‘¢The essence of drama is struggle, and there is no struggle, no drama as arresting as the struggle of a man, or woman, who succeeds despite all obstacles,’’? says Barthelmess. ‘‘Whether he fails or succeeds, is of minor importance. It’s the struggle that makes the drama. We, in this country, are all for ‘‘the under dog,’’ As has always been the case with Barthelmess pictures, the supporting cast was chosen with great care, and each player allowed to give his or her utmost. Loretta Young, who plays the leading feminine role, has fulfilled the promise she has shown in the past two years and emerges as a mature and arresting actress, contributing much to the dynamic quality of the film. Aline MacMahon, who has yet to give anything but a superb performance, adds another type to her long string of varied roles, playing it with a great deal of sincerity and power. Other players who are responsible for the success of the film as a whole are Gordon Westcott, Berton Churchill, Robert Barrat, Grant Mitchell, Robert MecWade, James Murray, Hdwin Maxwell, Willard Robertson and others. The tense screen play was the work of Robert Lord and the late Wilson Mizner, both of whom have teamed to produce many of the finest films of the past year. The grim realism, with its highlights of romance and comedy, was splendidly brought out under the direction of William A. Wellman. You’ll enjoy ‘‘Heroes for Sale’’ and you’ll be as deeply impressed with it as we were. in sport, in politics, on the stage or the screen. The drama of ‘‘the under dog’’ has a vast, ready-made audience all over America.’’ ‘“Heroes for Sale’? was the last and, in many respects, the finest piece of writing to flow from the pen of the late Wilson Mizner, wit, world traveler, bon vivant and playwrite. Around Barthelmess as the star of this unusual drama are grouped Aline MacMahon, Loretta Young, Gordon Westcott and Robert Barrat in the principal supporting roles. William A. Wellman directed. ~ 2nd day of run Barthelmess Prefers Sad Endings So Long As They Are Logical Richard Barthelmess, whose latest starring picture for First National, ‘‘Heroes for Sale,’’ is now showing at the a of the few motion picture stars w.-prefers screen stories with unhappy endings, provided of course that they are logical ones. He insists on his pictures being true to life right to the bitter end. In ‘The Last Flight’’ all his buddies die and he is left alone, broken in spirit and disillusioned, to face a life which has lost all interest for him. Again in “Central Airport” the . final fadeout shows Barthelmess _ soaring away in his plane to parts unknown leaving the girl he loves to. another man _ because that man happens to be his brother. LORETTA YOUNG Cut No. 2 Cut 15e Mat de In ‘‘ Heroes for Sale,’? which is a story of present day conditions brought about as an aftermath of the war, Barthelmess goes through a succession of tragedies. First, after a heroic deed on the battlefield and left for dead, another claims his glory and takes his hero’s medal. Later, in civil life, he is imprisoned for a crime of which he is innocent and his wife is slain by rioters. Even after he gets out of prison he is forced to leave his little son and become a wanderer on the face of the earth through a relentless and unjust official order. In commenting on such Barthelmess said: ‘“Stories marked by tragedy are apt to have greater dramatic force and reach a deeper emotional feeling. In such cases the ending should be logical and that means it is usually a sad one. Endings should be in accord with what they would be in real life. I believe that the greatest stories are those true to life. The Movies are prone to twist the climax into a happy ending even when entirely illigical. To me this spoils the effectiveness and realism of the picture.’’ endings In ‘‘ Heroes for Sale’? Barthelmess is supported by Aline MacMahon, Loretta Young, Gordon Westcott, Berton Churchill, Robert Barrat, Grant Mitchell and others. The screen play is by Robert Lord and the late Wilson Mizner and the direction by William A. Wellman. URRENT PUBLICITY 3rd day of run Aline MacMahon Is Destined for ‘‘Girl Left Behind’’ Roles During her first two years in pietures they called Aline MacMahon “the girl who never gets her man.” After that her run of bad luck broke for-a while, and she corralled herself several picture husbands. But now it has returned in full force, and in “Heroes for Sale,” now at the Theatre she suffers an unrequited passion for Richard Barthelm es s, who weds Loretta Young. It all started in Aline’s first picture, “Five Star Final,” in which she served as Edward G. Robinson’s secretary and loved him too. “The Mouth piece,” with ALINE McMAHON warren wWilCut 15e Mat de : a liam, brought her the same sort of role and no better luck. In “Heart of New York,” she couldn’t even “land” George Sidney, because he already had a wife. And “Life Begins,’ continued the trend. Then came “One Way Passage.” The down-trodden actress suddenly threw off her wistful look and cut bangs. She softened her hard-boiled voice, and became seductive. She impersonated a bogus countess, went crooked, and got her man—a detective, played by Warren Hymer! “Silver Dollar” found her wed once more, this tim + —_—_ | CLCCSitecpu Kibbee as a matter_of course.“ But now all that is over. She wasn’t allowed to have Richard Barthelmess, and “once you get stuck in a rut, in Hollywood,” she says, “you might as well give up.” So she expects to go husband-less for her next six pictures at least. In private life, however, the actress has fared differently, for she has been happily married to Clarence Stein, New York architect, for several years. “Heroes for Sale,” in which Aline MacMahon and Loretta Young contend for the love of Richard Barthelmess, is a dramatic story of the “forgotten man,” in -which Barthelmess again has one of the sympathetic, wistful roles that have so endeared him to theatre audiences. 4th day of run 300 Laundresses Get Thrill of Lifetime in “"Heroes for Sale’’ It may seem like a long step from a laundry bench to the movies, but three hundred laundresses became movie queens for a day in the First National picture “Heroes for Sale” starring Richard Barthelmess now showing at the Theatre. This came about because the picture calls for many scenes in a laundry in which both Barthelmess and his sweetheart, a part played by Loretta Young, are employed. Being a stickler for detail, Director William A. Wellman raided the Community Laundry in Los Angeles. He stepped into the laundry and asked the girls if they would care to take part in a picture. Three hundred jumped at the chance. Arrangements were made with the management and the next day the girls were on the set working over improvised laundry tubs and ironing boards. Three hundred happy girls serubbed and washed all day for the picture without a thought of a backache or even once glancing at the clock. They were too busy looking at Barthelmess, and Loretta Young. Page Nine