Little Big Shot (Warner Bros.) (1935)

@ PUBLICITY Reporter Who Hated Baby Stars Is Now Reformed Changes Attitude After Seeing Sybil Jason Work In “Little Big Shot” By Dan Mainwaring Most people like child actors. A few can’t stand them. For a long time we've been listed in the latter group. We've always thought that a child’s place was at home or at school. “All right, we'll watch her,” we said resignedly, when assigned to the Warner Bros. studio to “What's her name?” “Sybil Jason,” was the reply. born in Capetown, South Africa.” There was a child with blue eyes and -dark brown curls sitting at a table in front of the camera on the set of “Little Big Shot” now showing at the Theatre. “We're waiting,” we said. “That’s not Sybil,’ said the publicity man. “That’s Sybil’s standin.” We were a little abashed and sat down. ‘The director, Michael Curtiz, whom we had watched direct “Black Fury”, came over. “Youre going to see a_ real actress,” he said. “She’s easier to work with than nine out of ten grown-ups.” “T don’t like child actresses,” I explained. “I didn’t either,’ said Curtiz. “T’ve just reformed.” Tony Gaudio, the cameraman, nodded. “All set,” he announced. “Sybil,” called Curtiz, and _ his voice was very soft. Out of the dressing room came a tiny girl wearing a blue bathrobe. She had a pair of scissors in one hand and a-book of cutouts in the other. She put the scissors and book carefully on a chair, slipped out of her robe, smiled at Curtiz and took her place at the table. Edward Everett Horton, who sat across from her, grinned. Robert Armstrong patted her hand, “Action,” said Curtiz. “Daddy, when do we eat?” asked Svbil, in a small sweet voice. The other players took their cues. ‘The microphone moved from one to the other. The camera picked up their expressions,. their movements. She was in “tough” company, this little blue-eyed girl in the blue dress. At the table with her were two of the most notorious picture stealers in the business, Coming To The Strand see a new child star at work. yet she more than held her own with them. Not once did she falter over a line. She was playing the part of a very hungry little girl, and wasn’t missing a trick. She kept looking around for the waiter and when the soup came she started eating it right away like a hungry little girl should hungrily, vet not greedily. There was no need for a re-take on that scene or on the next. Then ‘ame some dialogue that was hard for the little girl and she stumbled. She looked at Curtiz contritely. “I’m sorry,” she said. “One can’t help it sometimes, can one?” And the use of the impersonal pronoun wasn’t an affectation, we found out. For after a bit, Sybil went over to her sister, Nita Jason, who came to America with her, and sat there cutting out paper dolls. When Sybil went back to work, Lois Horn, who teaches school at the studio, told us more about the child. We asked what sort of a student she was. “Perfect,” Miss Horn explained. “She’s fourth grade in reading and writing and third grade in arithmetic. She’s never been to school been taught at home. She learns like lightning.” “This her first picture?” we asked. Miss Horn said it wasn’t. She said Sybil had made two pictures in England, “Barnacle BiH” and “Dance Band”. “But she’s absolutely unspoiled,” Miss Horn said. “She’s not precocious—she’s precious.” The studio publicity man came up. “Changed your mind about child actors?” he asked. “Come on then—we might as well go back,” he added. “Wait a minute,’ we said. “I want Sybil to autograph our notebook.” Sybil Jason, whose first American film has made her the biggest little star of them all, and Glenda Farrell, will be seen at the Theatre on in the Warner Bros.’ production “Little Big Shot.’ Mat No. Page Fourteen 202—20¢ Baby Star’s Home Is 11,000 Miles Away While pursuing her film career in Hollywood, five year old Sybil Jason, British child actress, under contract to Warner Bros., is probably farther from her parents than any other person in the movies. She was born in Capetown, South Africa, 11,000 miles from Hollywood, where her parents Mr. and Mrs. Jack Jacobs, still make their home. Her first American picture is “Little Big Shot,’ now showing at the .. Theatre. Star Invents New Dressing Table For years Glenda Farrell thought that something should be done about dressing tables. So when she added a dressing room, recently, to her North Hollywood home, she did something about it. Glenda’s boudoir, although small, has a mirror section to give a full-length view of the costume. and the dressing table is built in, with a mirror top. On this the actress now keeps only a few bottles of perfume, while underneath, in a series of drawers to the floor, are contained her make-up and accessories. Lids to the drawers, which also pull out, are used as trays for make-up material. The actress will shortly be seen in “Little Big Shot,” the Warner Bros. comedy drama, which comes to the hGARLe; ON = vcore a ; Order, Please Hdward Kverett Horton turns cook for love of 5 year old Sybil Jason in the Warner Bros, picture “Little Big Shol” now playing at the Theatre. Mat No. 109—10c Famous StageStar In First Film Bow Murray Alper, well-known Broadway actor, recently finished his first picture in Hollywood. Alper will appear in the Warner Bros. picture, “Little Big Shot,” which comes to the Mee aoe Theatte:ones=s-... ...» With Sybil Jason, Robert Armstrong, Glenda Farrell and Edward Everett Horton. Glenda Farrell Known As Blonde Dynamo Glenda Farrell has been called the blonde dynamo. The reason for it is her remarkable capacity for work. While playing the leading adult feminine role in “Little Big Shot,” which comes to the Theatre on : a, She proved that she was untiring for at the same time she was completing one of the principal parts in another Warner Bros. picture. All Because of A Woman the woman in the case is five year old Sybil Jason who is capturing the REOTLR-OF Finca hans, Theatre audiences just as she did the hearts of Robert Armstrong and Edward Everett Horton, with whom she is appearing in Warner Bros’ “Little Big Shot.” Mat No. 206—20c Glenda Farrell Plans Finances For Future Star In “ Little Big Shot” Is Shrewd Dealer In Real Estate Glenda Farrell is not only a good actress but a good business woman. Those who know her best say that had she chosen a business ‘areer for herself instead of the theatre. she would have been a great success. Not that she hasn't made a success of her acting, for she is one of the busiest stars on the Warner Bros. lot. ’ She had considerable work remaining to be done in “We're In The Money” when she was cast for the leading adult feminine role in the new Warner Bros. picture, “Little Big Shot”, which comes to the .. Theatre on . During the past five years she has been giving the future considerable thought. “Soon after I began to work in motion pictures,” said the dynamic blonde actress, “I observed among the extra actors quite a number of players who were the idols of the motion picture fans when I was still a youngster. “It sort of frightens me to see these people, who no doubt had made a lot of money with their talents and had risen to the very top of their profession, having to work for a few dollars a day as atmosphere. “In almost every picture that is made today you can find somewhere in the background one or two actors or actresses who were either stars or near stars a comparatively short time ago. “During the making of one cafe scene in ‘Little Big Shot’, I observed five players who less than ten years ago were regarded as the most popular players in the motion picture business. “T long ago made up my mind at that time that if-I was to have any success whatsoever I was going to protect myself against poverty in later years. “A few. years ago I had the good fortune to meet an advisor who assisted me in making a few investments that turned out very well. I became interested in real estate at the time I bought my first house in San Fernando Valley and since that time have bought and sold several houses and lots. “T have a very definite program to protect myself against back Happy i Robert Armstrong here, and perhaps it’s because he’s appearing with Sybil Jason, the new child star, in Warner Bros’ “Little Big Shot”, now at the Theatre. looks happy Mat No. 105—10e ground acting in the years which I hope are still far off.” In the cast with Miss Farrell are Sybil Jason, Robert Armstrong, Edward Everett Horton and others. Michael Curtiz directed the picture from the story by Harrison Jacobs. Dixon and Wrubel wrote the lyrics and music. The picture is a gripping story of the Great White Way .and is packed with powerful dramatic situations, pathos and romance as well as hilarious comedy.