Knute Rockne All American (Warner Bros.) (1940)

TODAY’S NEW MOVIE ‘KNUTE ROCKNE—ALL AMERICAN’ At The Strand Theatre. Starring Pat O'Brien, with Gale Page, Donald Crisp, Ronald Reagan, Albert Basserman and many others, including notables of the football and coaching world. Story is based on private papers of Mrs. Rockne. Screen Play by Robert Buckner. Directed by Lloyd Bacon. Produced by Warner Bros. (Add schedule of showings.) PAT O'BRIEN STARS AS "KNUTE ROCKNE’ AT STRAND TODAY Rockne Lives Again in Film” Based on His Colorful Career Today the Strand Theatre heralds in a film that will make screen history. It is a film biography of the great Notre Dame football coach entitled “Knute Rockne—All American,” and because of the large advance ticket sale it will probably remain at the Strand Theatre for an extended run. The picture stars Pat O’Brien in the role of “Rock” and it is said that his appearance and mannerisms are so like the gridiron wizard that Rockne’s most intimate friends are surprised at the close similarity. “Knute Rockne — All American” tells the almost legendary story of his life. His power, his wise philosophy, the men and teams he built, and the influence he had, and still has, on the people of America, are all brought out in this swiftlypaced, exciting motion picture. Gale Page plays the role of Mrs. Rockne, who was the inspiration for much of his success. Ronald Reagan, in what has been hailed as the finest role of his career, plays the part of the never-to-be-forgotten George Gipp. Donald Crisp is wisely cast as the understanding President of Notre Dame, Father Callahan. The famous “Four Horsemen” are played by Kane Richmond as Elmer Layden; William Marshall as Don Miller; Nick Lukats as Harry Stuhldreher and Billy Byrne as Jim Crowley. Rockne’s story really starts when he comes to America from Norway, as a young boy accompanied by his father, and settles in Chicago. The film begins at that point but the main emphasis is on his glorious years at Notre Dame as coach. Robert Buckner wrote the original screen play and used as the basis of his story the private papers of Mrs. Rockne and the reports of his intimate friends and associates. Director Lloyd Bacon put plenty of action into the picture and successfully conveyed the power of ‘“Rock’s” life to the screen. “Knut Rockne — All American” will prove both a great piece of entertainment and an inspiring life story for both young and old Americans. 10 ‘Knute Rockne — All American’ Powerful Drama of Great Man’s Life Pat OBrien Plays Role of Notre Dame Coach in Manner Which Grips Strand Audience: Gale Page Does Brilliant Acting Job as Mrs. Rockne CAST: KonuitesRoekne eee sce 8 Pat O’Brien Bonnie Skiles Rockne ................ Gale Page George Gipp pe ete es Ronald Reagan Father John Callahan, C.S.C. Donald Crisp Father Julius Nieuwland Albert Bassermann Committee Chairman ................ John Litel Doctor es Leo Henry O’Neill Gus: Doraist. chew es Owen Davis, Jr. Lars Knutson Rockne ............ John Qualen Martha Rockne ...................... Dorothy Tree Knute (At Age of 7).......... John Sheffield The Moreau Choir of Notre Dame Nick Lukats ) Kane Richmond _ |,, ” William Marshall f The Four Horsemen William Byrne Coach Howard Jones 7 Coach ‘‘Pop” Warner Coach Alonzo Stagg As Themselves Coach “Bill” Spaulding PRODUCTION STAFF: Directed by Lloyd Bacon; Original Screen Play by Robert Buckner; Based on the Private Papers of Mrs. Rockne and the University of Notre Dame; Director of Photography, Tony Gaudio, A.S.C.; Art Director, Robert Haas; Film Editor, Ralph Dawson; Gowns by Milo Anderson; Special Effects by Byron Haskin, A.S.C. and Rex Wimpy, A.S.C.; Musical Director, Leo F. Forbstein; Makeup Artist, Perc Westmore; Orchestral Arrangements by Ray Heindorf; Technical Advisors, Nick Lukats and J. A. Haley; Sound by Charles Lang. A spectacular film biography embodying powerful drama, keen philosophy and tender romance made its initial appearance last night at the Strand Theatre when Warner Bros. new picture, “Knute Rockne—All American” opened to a packed house. The film tells the dynamic story of Knute Rockne from his early childhood in Norway to his tragic and untimely death. Pat O’Brien is starred as the great American football coach and turns in such a fine performance that one loses himself completely in the gripping life story of ‘Rock’ and forgets that he is watching a motion picture. Every mannerism of the late great football mentor, no matter how minute, was brought into his realistic portrayal. He looks, thinks and talks like Knute. Rockne’s wife Bonnie, is played by lovely Gale Page and she gives an excellent performance as the woman who understood and encouraged him when he most needed encouragement. Ronald Reagan’s portrayal of the immortal George Gipp is one that never will be forgotten. It is by far the best performance of his career and is bound to bring a lump to the throat of the most hardened movie goer. Donald Crisp is cast as Father Callahan and he keeps his record of fine portrayals intact with a very real portrayal of the Notre Dame President. The famous “Four Horsemen” once again burn up the nations gridirons and cross goal line after goal line with Kane Richmond as Elmer Layden; William Marshall as Don Miller; Nick Lukats as Harry Stuhldreher and Billy Byrne as Jim Crowley. The common-sense philosophy inspired by Rockne, the men and teams he built, his ability to take victory and defeat in his stride, are all told in the vigorous, fullblooded story of “Knute Rockne —AIll American.” Robert Buckner, who wrote the scenario, based his story on the private papers of Mrs. Rockne and the reports of his intimate friends and associates. In order to lend even further authenticity to the film, a great many of the scenes were shot on the old stamping grounds of Rockne—the campus of Notre Dame University. Director Lloyd Bacon, noted for his action films, did a wonderful job in transporting the action and thrills of Rockne’s life to the motion picture screen. “Knute Rockne — All American,” is more than just a story of a great football coach. It is a film that should influence and inspire Americans in every stratum of life. Notre Dame Campus Turns Out To Greet ‘Rockne’ of New Film Second only to the rousing welcomes the great Knute Rockne himself used to receive when he returned with his team from a gridiron victory, was the welcome accorded to Pat O’Brien, movie star, when he arrived in South Bend to put the finishing touches on scenes for the Warner Bros. film “Knute Rockne—All American.” Nearly five thousand people, headed by Mayor Jesse I. Povey, thronged into Union Station to greet the star who portrays the beloved “Rock” on the screen. The South Bend High School Band, the Chamber of Commerce, representatives of Notre Dame and folks who knew Rockne most of his life, were on hand for the gala reception, as well as hundreds of school boys and girls. Also on hand to greet O’Brien and his wife were Mrs. Bonnie Rockne and her three children, Jack, Jean and Knute, Jr.; Father Cavanaugh, vice president of the university and Arthur Haley, business manager. The turnout was about three times as that anticipated by the Mayor’s reception committee, in spite of the fact that there was a driving rain falling all the day. Some semblance of order was finally restored at the station, and to the strains of “Cheer, Cheer for Old Notre Dame,” O’Brien managed to get through the crowd and to the waiting automobiles, which drove with police escort to Riverview Cemetery where Rockne is buried. Here he placed a wreath on the grave, and said a short prayer. The following day took part in campus which completed the picture, most of which had been filmed in Hollywood against backgrounds which represented authentic reproductions of the university. : The completed film, which has been hailed by Mrs. Rockne and officials of Notre Dame as a stirringly authentic biography makes its local debut today at the Strand Theatre. O’Brien Basserman Continues As Film Scientist The 72-year-old German actor, Albert Bassermann, who made his Hollywood motion picture debut in the role of Dr. Robert Koch in “Dr. Ehrlich’s Magic Bullet,” is currently continuing his scientific career as the Rev. J. A. Nieuwland, C.S.C., in “Knute Rockne—All American.” It was Father Nieuwland who tried to persuade Rockne to continue his scientific studies in chemical research after his graduation from Notre Dame. Rockne, however, preferred to become the University’s football coach. The great professor gained recognition in his own right when he blazed the trail toward the discovery of synthetic rubber. Executives of the du Pont company heard of his work and made arrangements with Notre Dame whereby Father Nieuwland’s experiments were duplicated in their own laboratories. The du Pont chemists several years later, arrived at “neoprene” composition, or synthetic rubber. Without Father Nieuwland’s initial experiments their work would have been delayed many years or else impossible. scenes ‘Rockne’ Role Triples O'Brien's Fan Mail Proving that it isn’t necessary for a movie star to play a romantic lover role to catch the fancy of the letter writing public, Pat O’Brien’s fan mail has slightly more than tripled since he was cast for the Rockne role in “Knute Rockne—All American” the film at the Strand. Surprisingly, perhaps, a substantial proportion of the Rockne inspired letters are from women and girls. As was to be expected, the greatest increase is in letters from youngsters and youths of high school and college age. Great Jim Thorpe Back on the Football Field Jim Thorpe, the great Indian athlete, has followed his sons, Phil and Billy, into the cast of Warner Bros.’ “Knute Rockne — All American,” which stars Pat O’Brien in the title role. Thorpe plays the umpire of the football game which inaugurated the now traditional rivalry between Notre Dame and Army. Played in 1913, that game started out as a rout victory for Army, and ended as a Notre Dame win when the famed forward passing combination of Dorais and Rockne got into action. Owen Davis, Jr., has the Dorais role. Film is currently showing at the Strand. Picture layout on next Page fits on tabloid Pages; also can be reprinted for broadsides and window flashes. Order KR-502-B, 75c from Warner’s Campaign Plan Ed. LLOYD BACON HAS CONSISTENT RECORD OF HITS Latest Directorial success Is Film on ‘Knute Rockne’ Whether it’s a comedy film, a tragedy, a farce, or even a big musical that Warner Bros. plan to make, there’s always one query the executives put forward—‘“What’s Lloyd Bacon doing? Can we have him to direct this story?” Tall, gaunt, keen-eyed, Lloyd is one of the real veterans of the huge plant at Burbank, in point of service. He made the first all-talking picture to be flashed upon the screens of the world, “The Singing Fool.” That was back in 1928. Bacon has made some fortyodd movies since then. Among Mat 116—15c DIRECTOR LLOYD BACON them were “Wings of the Navy,” “Submarine D-1,” “Invisible Stripes.” Latest and greatest is ‘Knute Rockne—All American,” starring Pat O’Brien in the title role. During the several months that “Rockne” was in production, Bacon devoted all his waking hours to making the colorful story of the great football coach come to vivid life on the screen. That he achieved the result he so desired is manifested by the wide acclaim being accorded the picture by all who have seen it at the Strand. Perhaps the key to the consistent success of Bacon’s directorial work lies in a statement once made about him by one of the top executives at his home studio: “Bacon has no absurd ideas of temper or temperament or foreign camera angles. He has just one big idea about acting and about pictures, and that one idea is to achieve complete naturalness in every film that he makes.” Gale Page as ‘Bonnie’ Gale Page, who plays Mrs. Bonnie Rockne in Warner Bros.’ “Knute Rockne — All American,” had just finished a scene for the picture, with the real Bonnie looking on. Coming over to her chair, she eased herself into it gingerly. “Now Gale,” reprimanded Mrs. Rockne laughingly, “I am quite sure that I didn’t have rheumatism at that age.” Stories for Opening Day — Review — Current follo W-up