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

‘Knute Rockne—All American’ Held Over by Public Request Pat O'Brien Starring Picture Brings Record Crowds to Strand, Causes Management To Extend Playing Time Another Week Ever since Warner Bros.’ dynamic film, “Knute Rockne — All American,” opened at the Strand last Friday Manager Jack Dawson and his staff have been kept busy trying to accommodate the unprecedented crowds. As a result of this great acclaim by both the public and press, “Knute Rockne — All American” will be held over for an extended run. The film stars Pat O’Brien, as Knute Rockne, whose true-tolife portrayal makes screen history. Every gesture, every mannerism, no matter how slight, is said to be so much like ‘Rock’ that his very close friends find it impossible to believe that makeup plus dramatic ability could work such marvels. The life story of Knute Rockne with all its pathos and humor . its defeats and victories . . . the men and teams he has built has been excitingly woven together from private papers of ANUTE ROCKNE FILM PACKING STRAND TO CAPACITY DAILY S.R.O. is a popular sign and coming in for plenty of use these days around the Strand Theatre where Warner Bros.’ stirring film, “Knute Rockne—All American,” is showing. Since opening day the crowds have been packing the theatre to capacity at both matinee and evening runs. Today is the fourth day that the picture has shown to a packed house and there isn’t the slightest sign of a letup. “Knute Rockne—All American. stars: Pat . O’Brien. as Rockne and it is said to be one of the most realistic and dynamic performances in motion picture history. It is a role that O’Brien has always wanted to play and he not only gives a great performance but one feels that he actually lives the part. The film is authentic, for Robert Buckner based his original screenplay on the reports and private papers of Mrs. Rockne and Knute’s intimate friends and associates. Gale Page plays the part of Mrs. Rockne, bringing a pleasant romantic angle to the film. Ronald Reagan gives a brilliant performance as the reticent All American, George Gipp. Donald Crisp is perfectly cast as Father Callahan, President of Notre Dame. Lloyd Bacon directed the film and packed in plenty of thrills and excitement in telling the camera story of “Knute Rockne —All American.” Record Crowds See ‘Rockne’ at Strand Since its initial showing last Friday, “Knute Rockne — All American,” the new Warner Bros. film has played to capacity crowds at all performances. The management claims that the film has broken all attendance records for both matinee and evening showings. Pat O’Brien is starred as the great Notre Dame coach in “Knute Rockne—All American” with Gale Page, Ronald Reagan, Donald Crisp and many other noted players in the supporting cast. The authentic motion picture is based on the private papers and reports of Mrs. Rockne and Knute’s intimate friends and associates. Robert Buckner wrote the original screen play. Mrs. Rockne and reports of his intimate friends by Robert Buckner. Gale Page plays the part of Bonnie, Knute’s wife. We have the word of none other than Bonnie herself that Gale’s performance is excellent. Ronald Reagan gives the greatest performance of his career as the famous George Gipp. Donald Crisp, who has never turned in a disappointing performance, comes through once again with a splendid portrayal of Father Callahan, president of Notre Dame. Director Lloyd Bacon put plenty of action, romance and humor into the telling of this unusual screen biography. “Knute Rockne—All American” is more than just a football story; it’s more than the story of a man’s life. It is an unforgettable film that shows us the true American philosophy in the ‘spirit of Knute Rockne’. ROLE OF ROCKNE GIVES O'BRIEN GREATEST THRILL “A time comes to every actor when he wonders whether or not his contribution to society is as useful as the farmer, the manufacturer, or the laborer who help produce _ essential goods.” Thus Pat O’Brien addressed a group of faculty members at a dinner given in his honor during the location shots made for Warner Bros. “Knute Rockne—All American,” on the University of Notre Dame grounds. This is the film currently showing at the Strand. “Sure, the actor creates entertainment, and that’s a mighty important commodity, especially in these troubled times. But he often goes a little farther and takes stock of the kind of entertainment he creates. “Is it having a good influence? Does it have any lasting effect, or is it something of the moment ? “T’ve played lots of roles in my time. Some of them were fast talking guys, and some of them were plain rough mugs. But an actor feels the urge to do more than contribute laughs and casual entertainment. He wants to express himself in a way that will influence people— perhaps inspire them—as well as entertain them. I had the opportunity to do that in my roles as priests in ‘Angels With Dirty Faces’ and ‘The Fighting 69th.’ And now I’ve the chance to do it again with my portrayal of ‘Rock’ in ‘Knute Rockne—All American.’ “Knute was my idea of a man. Nothing soft or sissy about him. A good clean scrapper who could dish it out and take it. A leader of boys and men who inspired the best in them. A colorful, dynamic personality with a sense of humor and a brilliant brain. He was everything I’d like to be and everything I’ve wanted to portray. “The Rockne role gives me all of that, along with the chance to expound as fine a set of ideals as any American ever lived and taught. I’ve seldom gotten a greater thrill than I did out of playing those scenes in which Rockne drove home his ideals of sportsmanship and clean living. I believe that seeing Rockne live again on the Sereen will prove inspirational to young and old—America.” 2nd WEER AT STRAND FOR ROCKNE FILM The overwhelming enthusiasm with which the public has greeted the current Strand film, “Knute Rockne—All American” has led the management to extend the picture’s playing time for an additional week, in order to accommodate the crowds who have been thronging to the theatre. A rousing tribute to an alltime All-American hero, the Warner Bros. picture is an authentic version of Rockne’s life. Pat O’Brien plays the title role of the miracle man of Notre Dame, giving what is undoubtedly the greatest characterization of his long and lustrous screen career. Gale Page is cast as his wife, Bonnie Rockne, Donald Crisp as president of Notre Dame, Ronald Reagan as the immortal George Gipp, and a host of other well-known screen players, as well as many real life notables of the sports world, round out the enormous cast. Lloyd Bacon, master director of the action film, guided the production, projecting into the screen story all the color, thrills and excitement of intercollegiate football as the background for the even more thrilling story of the great man’s life. PERSONALITY BRIEFS PAT O'BRIEN says that when he was a boy in Milwaukee, Wis., he wanted to be a magician or a cowboy. . . . During college days at Marquette U. he wanted to be a lawyer. . . . Instead he joined a stock company. . . . Proceeded by not too easy stages to Broadway and hence to Hollywood. . . . Of his many roles, favorites have been the priest in "Angels With Dirty Faces," and in "The Fighting 69th." Fulfills a lifelong ambition by portraying Knute Rockne in "Knute Rockne—All American." GALE PAGE was born Sally Rutter in Spokane, Washington. . . . Studied voice at school, then got a job with NBC in Chicago. . . Warner Bros. talent scout first heard, then saw her. . . . Contract followed but instead of singing roles, she got dramatic ones, and did so well that she was kept in them. Currently portraying Mrs. Rockne in ''Knute Rockne—All American.” RONALD REAGAN thinks there's something coincidental in the fact that his finest role should be that of football hero George Gipp, in "Knute Rockne—All American," for it was through the sports world that he got his movie break. .. . After graduating from Eureka College, he got a job in his home town, Tampico, Ill., writing a sports column. This led to radio sports-casting, and his fine voice, heard over the air, won him a film contract. DONALD CRISP has spent thirty years behind and in front of the motion picture cameras. ... Came to the U.S.A. from his native Scotland in 1907 as a tourist... . Remained to putter about in the infant motion picture industry and was successively actor, director and actor. . . . Consistently in demand as a character actor. . . . Portrays Father Callahan, President of Notre Dame, in the current "Knute Rockne—All American." ALBERT BASSERMANN is a distinguished veteran of the European stages. . . . Left his native Germany soon after the advent of Hitler. . . . When he came to America he looked up Wolfgang Reinhardt, son of his old friend, Max. . . . Reinhardt, a producer at Warners, was then making "Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet." . . . Engaged Bassermann and the 70-yearold actor was acclaimed for his fine work as Dr. Koch. "Knute Rockne—All American" is his second American film. LLOYD BACON is the son of the late Frank Bacon of "Lightnin'" fame. . . . Has been through the mill of show business and movie life, first as an actor, later as writer and gag man, finally as director. . . . Has a reputation for consistent box-office success of every picture he directs. "Submarine D-I" and "Wings of the Navy" were among his best. Newest is "Knute Rockne—All American." Both Press and Public Acclaim ‘Knute Rockne—All American’ Fnthusiastic Response to New Film at Strand Causes Management to Hold It Over For An Unlimited Engagement Both press and public are in complete agreement in their enthusiasm for the new, powerful Warner Bros.’ film, “Knute Rockne—All American,” which opened yesterday at the Strand. The public’s form of enthusiasm was shown in an unprecedented wave of advance reservations, causing the management to announce that the film will be held over its previously scheduled run for an unlimited engagement. The press showed its approval by the unanimous raves of its critics. (Quotes from critics of local paper). Everyone agreed that Pat O’Brien in the role of Knute Rockne reached the pinnacle of acting achievement by his realistic performance. Gale Page plays the role of his wife and is perfectly cast in giving the film a romantic flavor. Ronald Reagan is superb as the strongwilled, quiet, George Gipp and Donald Crisp gives a fine por DANCE ROUTINE SHOWED ‘ROCK’ WAY TO GRID MANEUVER If Knute Rockne had not been impressed by the precision routine of a line of chorus girls he might not have prfected a new type of football manoeuver and, consequently, there would not have been a lot of tired actors at Warner Bros. one day recently. Rehearsal for the scene in “Knute Rockne—All American” in which Pat O’Brien, as the great coach, explains the move to Notre Dame professors and his wife, brought Gale Page, Charles Trowbridge and George Irwin into a preview action of what was later to become a distinguishing feature of the Notre Dame team. The famed “One, two, three, HIP!” patterned after the dance step that had impressed Rockne, was mercilessly reharsed time after time as Director Lloyd Bacon stood on the sidelines and watched his actors, under O’Brien’s signal calling, until they felt at ease in the shift formation. At least, they all sank wearily into chairs and couches, Miss Page being the first to give way. O’Brien suddenly realized he was alone and shouted, “What am I; a one-man backfield?” trayal of Father Callahan, priestly President of Notre Dame. “Knute Rockne — All American,” which tells the story of a great football coach as well as a great man, is based on fact. Robert Buckner, who wrote the original screen play, had for his material the private papers of Mrs. Rockne and the reports of his intimate friends and associates. Director Lloyd Bacon saw to it that the picture has the speed and excitement that has always been associated with the immortal ‘Rock’. WOMEN PATRONS SAY “ROCKNE’ SHOWS IDEAL =MARRIAGE Feminine reaction to the Strand film, “Knute Rockne— All American” proves once again that Rockne was a hero to the women and girls of America as well as to the men and boys. Strand audiences during the past week have included just as many women as men, with a preponderance of feminine attendance at the matinees. Interviewed in the lobby after seeing the film, many women said that one of the reasons they enjoyed it so thoroughly was that the relationship between the great football coach and his wife is so ideally shown in the picture. Said one: “Although Rockne was _ probably even more devoted to his work than the majority of} men, he always seemed to have time to enjoy the companionship of his wife.” Another commented that the way Mrs. Rockne shared in her husband’s hopes and fears, triumphs and disappointments represented the perfect marriage partnership. Reports from the Warner Bros.’ studio where “Knute Rockne — All American” was filmed, tell that the real-life Mrs. Rockne was on the set all during production and acted as advisor on all domestic scenes. She also gave Gale Page, who plays the screen Mrs. Rockne invaluable aid in making the characterization true to life. She is quoted as saying that the film is authentic in every respect. Pat O’Brien is starred in the title role of Notre Dame’s great football coach. showing. )42] Ready Releases for Holdover Engagements Next 4 pages can be used as one unit... lift fhem out and you'll see exactly what we mean...plenty of Space for theatre imprint, or dealer adv.... and plenty readerinterest to sell your Mats used are KR-501-B, 75c; KR-701-B, $1. Order from Warner’s Campaign Plan Ed.