Homicide (Warner Bros.) (1949)

Newspaper Copy **Homicide’’ (General Advance Story) Romance—Murder Combo In Homicide’ at Strand A gripping detective story, ‘Homicide’, starring Robert Douglas, Helen Westcott and Robert Alda, is the new feature attraction on the Strand screen, opening Friday. The Warner Bros. drama, combining romance and murder, uncovers the tale of a fast-talking detective, played by Douglas, who solves a Los Angeles hotel murder. Alda, as a bartender and Helen Westcott as a cigarette girl, are the other leading characters in the mystery. Douglas, who at the age of 22, produced, and for two years starred in, “Ten Minute Alibi” on the London stage, plays his third leading role since arriving in Hollywood. His other pictures have been “The Decision of Christopher Blake” and “Adventures of Don Juan”. He was signed to a long-term Warner Bros. contract when Jack L. Warner, on a visit to England was greatly impressed by the Douglas portrayal of a Naval officer in the Fredrick Lonsdale play, “But For the Grace of God’. With six and onehalf years in the British Navy he actually had plenty of real life experience for the role. For “Homicide’’, Douglas presents an entirely new change of pace. Alda is back on the Warner lot which plummeted him to cinema fame as George Gershwin in “Rhapsody in Blue”. HELEN WESTCOTT Stil 706-HW5 Mat 706-1C Two-Fisted Role For Warner Star A rugged actor is Robert Alda. In practically all his screen roles to date, he has had to get beaten by the hero in the piece. In “Homicide,” the next Strand attraction, it is Robert Douglas, as a police lieutenant, who delivers the shellacking. Alda is a die-hard fighter on the screen, but his fights haven’t all been as rugged as in “Homicide.” In “Cloak and Dagger’’ he had to defend himself from the Nazis. Then in “Nora Prentiss,” Kent Smith floored him. In “Rhapsody in Blue” he had to beat his head against the wall to indicate he was suffering from headaches. They roughed him up too in “The Man I Love,” and also in “The Beast With Five Fingers.” That fight in “April Showers” with Jack Carson was also no tea party. “After a while a fellow learns to roll with the other man’s fists,” Alda says. “But I still do bruise easily.” "HOMICIDE", Warner Bros.’ melodrama of a famed coast murder case, with Robert Douglas as a Los Angeies detective, and Helen Westcott, feminine interest, opens Friday at the Strand Theatre. Still 706-603 Mat 706-26 Monte Blue Pins Badge on Again SLEUTHING. Robert Douglas as a two-fisted detective sifts a crime down on his own time in the new Warner Bros.’ drama, ‘Homicide, opening tomorrow at the Strand Theatre. Robert Alda, in a ‘heavy’ role, and lovely Helen Westcott are also in the film. Monte Blue, famed star of silent films, is beginning to think he should run for the office of sheriff. When he started his role as the sheriff in Warner Bros.’ exciting melodrama, “Homicide”, he was on the side of law and order for the fourth time this year. He’s been a sheriff in “Key Largo”, a jailer in “Adventures of Don Juan” and an officer again in “South of St. Louis”, western drama. ROBERT DOUGLAS Still 706-615 Mat 706-1A Helen Westcott y | eas 1 In ‘Homicide Helen Westcott, now appearing with Robert Douglas and Robert Alda in “Homicide”, now at the Strand Theatre, is the newest second-generation player to show up in Hollywood. She is the daughter of the late Gordon Westcott, who played many leads and character roles in films. She has been before the public for a long time, in spite of her youth. In fact she played a cobweb in Warner Bros.’ production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, not long after she learned to walk a step. Robert Douglas In Regal Honor Robert Douglas, Warner Bros.’ new star, now appearing in the vivid melodrama, ‘“Homicide’’, opening Friday at the Strand Theatre, has for several years been among the favorite actors of the Dowager Queen Mary of England. When Douglas was starring in “Ten-Minute Alibi” on the London stage, the Queen saw the play three times, and on each occasion invited the star to have tea with her between acts. Still 706-28 Mat 706-2A (Opening Day) ‘HOMICIDE’ OPENS TODAY Two-fisted action fills Warner Bros.’ new drama, “Homicide’’, starring Robert Douglas, Helen Westcott and Robert Alda, which opens today at the Strand Theatre. Particularly interesting is ROBERT DOUGLAS and HELEN WESTCOTT Still 706-603 Mat 706-1B Douglas’ role, that of a fasttalking detective, a complete departure from his other film assignments. He has been seen as the father in “The Decision of Christopher Blake” and as a villainous Duke in “Adventures of Don Juan’, but in “Homicide”, he plays the part of a rugged detective bent on solving crime. ‘Homicide’ Star Now Recognized Robert Douglas, Warner Bros. star, began to worry during the initial shooting on his new picture, “Homicide”, with Helen Westcott and Robert Alda, which comes soon to the Strand Thearte. No one paid any attention to the British actor on the set. Then he discovered the reason. During the months he had been making “Adventures of Don Juan’, Errol Flynn-Viveca Lindfors starrer, he always sported a black beard and_ evil-looking make-up for his role of the ruthless Duke de Lorca. Those who first met Douglas during the filming of that swashbuckling romance just didn’t recognize the cleancut actor when “Homicide” went before the cameras. (Star Story) Robert Douglas Heads Cast of Detective Film Acting, as the best way to overcome shyness and to develop poise, is the opinion of Robert Douglas, Warner Bros. star, now appearing in “Homicide”, which opens tomorrow at the Strand Theatre with Helen Westcott and Robert Alda. He points to his own personal experience as proof, At the age of fifteen Douglas was blinded by the explosion of the gas generator of an old Italian car. For an entire year he could not see. Gone were his hopes of becoming a British Army Officer in the tradition of his family. When Robert Douglas finally regained his sight he was a nervous youngster of sixteen, ill at ease with people. Finally Douglas’ father grasped at the idea of a friend that dramatic school might be just what young Douglas needed to recover his poise. Douglas was sent to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, the youngest student ever to be enrolled at the Academy. During the first few months he wished he never had been enrolled for young Douglas had never thought of acting, had not shown the slightest interest in drama. It was agony to get up and read even a few lines. Finally he was given a role in the Academy production of “School for Scandal’. Somehow he got through the performance, and began to acquire a liking for | acting. At the end of two years at the Royal Academy, not only had Douglas’ confidence been restored, but a new career had been opened for him. Within a few years he had established himself as a British stage favorite. Later leading parts in New York stage plays and British films followed. The Hollywood offer by Warner Bros. was next. He plays a detective in “‘Homicide.” Played Same Role For Seven Years Helen Westcott, rising Warner Bros. \personality, now appearing in “Homicide”, opposite Robert Douglas, worked for seven years as the drunkard’s daughter in the long-run Los Angeles production of “The Drunkard”, before entering films. It was done in the ten, twent’, thirt’ style which gave her valuable training in timing and characterization. ROBERT ALDA Still 706-304 Mat 706-1D )