Madame Dubarry (Warner Bros.) (1934)

ada DU KARR ADAPTED FROM THE WARNER BROS. PICTURE STARRING DOLORES DEL RIO CHAPTER IX OUIS XV tiptoed down the long hall of mirrors to the bedroom of Marie Antoinette, his new granddaughter and the new Dauphiness of France. He was smiling happily as he peered cautiously into the room. He continued smiling, and then his expression changed to one of dismay. For there was young Marie Antoinette, curled up at the foot of the bed, sound asleep. In a big chair beside her was the Dauphin, fully clothed, asleep. He had apparently dozed off while explaining mechanies to his bride. Louis sighed and shook his head, then walked down the hall to the boudoir of Madame Du Barry. Jeanne was seated at her luxurious dressing table, reading her correspondence. She greeted Louis with a smile and a kiss, then returned to her reading. “Monsieur Voltaire is so amusing, Louis. You know, I sent him two kisses in my last letter. Well, he says he didn’t get the second kiss—” “Why?” said Louis, not really listening to her chatter. “Beeause he died of pleasure at the first!” She laughed happily. “His wit pleases me.” “Jeanne,” said the King, “you will have to talk to him, my dear.” “Talk to whom, Louis?” “My grandson. That is what he needs—a woman like you to talk to him!” “Why Louis!” said Du Barry, reproachfully. The King sat down upen a cushion at her feet and looked pleadingly up at her. “Jeanne, you do not realize what a great favor you would be doing the family.” “Why not leave them alone, Louis?” said Jeanne, sadly. “You do not understand, my dear. Royal families have no private lives! In a matter like this, all France is watching—all Europe. There must be no rumors!” Du Barry sighed. “Poor little red-head!” she said. “I feel sorry for the child, Louis. There is much sadness in store for her.” “Then you will talk to him? Splendid! I will summon him!” * * * Marie Antoinette walked down the long corridor, her prim little face transformed by fury. Close behind her walked the scheming Duchess de Grammont. Louis was playing cards with the Due de Richelieu, but hardly interested in the game. He was watching the door of Du Barry’s boudoir from the corners of his eyes. Marie Antoinette swept up to him. Louis turned to her. “Good morning, my dear! Shall we go into the garden?” “Where is my husband!” she demanded. “Your husband, my dear? He is in the garden, probably fixing something or other. He likes to fix things, you know!” “T know!” said the Dauphiness, tears of rage coming into her blue eyes. “There are other people who like to fix things, too! But I am Marie Antoinette of Austria! I will not be humiliated!” The King looked worried. “What are you saying, my dear?” “You know what I’m saying! Where is that woman’s apart ment? That — that — despicable Du_ Barry! I must see that woman!” The King was nonplussed. “Be quiet, my dear!” “T will not be quiet! Marie Antoinette of Austria!” I am Louis lost all patience with the angry girl. “You are Marie Antoinette of France, now, Madame and you will keep quiet!” A Battle Royal Du Barry looked at Marie Antoinette through narrowed eyes. “It is none of your business,” she said quietly. (Dolores Del Rio, as the famous Madame Du Barry, defies the dainty princess, as played by Anita Louise, while Reginald Owen, the King, looks on in be wilderment. It all happens in “Madame Du Barry,” Warner Bros. important comedy of the famous siren who ruled the kingdom of France. Osgood Perkins, Verree Teasdale and Victor Jory are in the cast.) ‘The King’s three daughters, attracted by Marie’s angry cries, came running down the hall. They clustered around their father and the Dauphiness. What is all What is happen “What is it, papa? the commotion? ing?” they asked. “Be quiet, all of you! I command it!” said the King. “T must see that woman!” insisted Marie Antoinette. The door of Du Barry’s boudoir opened, and out stepped the King’s favorite. “Did someone want me?” she asked sweetly. Marie Antoinette faced her angrily. “Yes! she cried. “Who, is in your apartment? I demand to know!” Du Barry’s eyes narrowed. “Tt is not your business!” she said, quietly. (Concluded tomorrow) ada ARR ADAPTED FROM THE WARNER BROS. Fh, PICTURE STARRING DOLORES DEL RIO CHAPTER X outwardly calm. The Dauphin was concealed in her My Contra DU BARRY faced the furious Dauphiness bedroom, and his young wife suspected the worst. Marie Antoinette had a very high opinion of her own dignity, and did not intend to allow herself to be slighted, even by her husband. ‘‘You dare to insult me!’’ screamed Marie Antoinette to Du Barry. Du Barry turned to Louis, who was standing comp\letely at a loss for once, in the midst of this family quarrel. “This is your fault, Louis! I told you to leave me alone! Why should I bother with your foolish family!” The three daughters of the King gasped with horror. “For shame!” they cried in unison. And then the Dauphin appeared in the door of Du Barry’s boudoir. All eyes were upon him. Marie Antoinette began to ery. The three princesses could not be lieve what they saw. The duchess snickered wickedly to herself. Then they began, all at once, screaming at the tops of their voices. The Duchess said “I told you so!” triumphantly to Marie Antoinette. Du Barry overheard. “You cow!” she screamed at the Duchess. “Jezebel!” returned the other. Du Barry slapped her. She slapped back, and immediately the combat began. The King shouted, “Stop it! Do you hear? Stop it!” Suddenly he staggered, clutched his breast in pain, and fell to the floor in a dead faint. All participants in Page Twenty-two the royal fray immediately halted hostilities. The King was removed to his bedroom. The next day, all Versailles knew that the King was dying. But very few knew that he was a victim of the dreaded smallpox. d’Aiguillon knew, and he endeavored to stop Du Barry as she hurried to the King’s side. “Do not touch him, Jeanne!” he whispered. She looked at him, not hearing, her arms loaded with flowers. “Jeanne,” whispered d’Aiguillon again, “do not go too near him — for my sake. I love you, Jeanne...” She brushed past him, and entered the bedroom of the King. Princess Adelaide and her two sisters, tried to stop her. “Madame, you are not wanted here. The King has no further use for his strumpet!” Du Barry paid not the slghtest attention to the angry Princesses. She walked calmly past them, past the sister of mercy who was attending the King, to the bedside of His Majesty. Louis was lying with his eyes closed and his head turned to the wall. He seemed to sense the futile bickering and tumult that was attending his death — and wanted none of it. Du Barry leaned over his bed, Du Barry’s eyes filled with tears. “You will get well, my IOuiseR ss” The King sighed. “I do not care if I do die now, Jeanne. I “Goodbye,” said Du Barry. “Madame Du Barry.” The Dream is Ended “Pve had such a nice time.” (Dolores Del Rio leaves in t riumph in the closing scene from Warner Bros. One of the greatest casts in Hollywood was recruited for this stellar production, including Victor Jory, Verree Teasdale, Osgood Perkins, Reginald Owen, Ferdinand Gottschalk, Dorothy Tree, Henry O’Neill and many others. The film is com ing to: the. Strand. Theatre next... = ), touching his cheek with her hand, in spite of all the warnings she had received. The King turned his head, but did not open his eyes. “Jeanne, my dear — did you hear them quarreling over me?” Du Barry smiled down at him. “Look at me, darling ... ” “T cannot, Jeanne. Give me your hand. There, that is better. It was so lonely before. Am I dying, Jeanne?” “Of course not, my dear... ” “They said that I was—I heard them, Jeanne... ” am so tired. Remember—remember the sleigh ride?” “Yes; Ti0uisis ne” “And the time you came to court in your nightgown?” <EV ance iOWIS =.20s 5 “Jeanne, did you talk to him?” “Dak? Oh. yes, Lotis~. 22.2” “That’s good ... Oh, my poor France .. He is such a fool, Jeanne, my poor grandson... ” “Rest, Louis, rest... ” * * * Searcely was the King dead before Prineess Adelaide coaxed the Dauphin, as one of his first official acts, to order the arrest of Du Barry. “For the good of France!” D’Aiguillon was _ ordered to arrest her! He came to her apartment. She was weeping silently. When he entered, she dried her eyes, and smiled at him. “You have a paper there for me, Monsieur d’Aiguillon?” “Yes, Madame. Shall I read it? ... An order, by the hand of His Majesty, Louis the Sixteenth...” “Hig first order—what a nice way to start a regime!” “____for Madame, the Countess Du Barry. You will prepare yourself for immediate removal to the Abbey of Pont Aux Dames, there to be imprisoned—” d’Aiguillon stopped short. “But,” said Du Barry, bravely, “that is much better than the guillotine! Monsieur, I am alWe will leave.” The little Zamore, followed by several men ready packed. She clapped her hands. in waiting, came out of her bouwith Du She herself doir, loaded down Barry’s possessions. carried her jewel box. Down the long corridor of mirCountess Du Barry, mistress of the late King rors went Jeanne, of France, to exile. Toward them, up the hall, came a long procession, headed by the and the three daughters of Louis. Du new King and Queen Barry and her escort of soldiers stopped short, and Jeanne made a low, sweeping curtsey. None of the slightest attention to her. family paid the She gazed after them for a moment; royal then she threw back her beautiful head and laughed. “Goodbye!” said Du Barry to the departing procession. “I’ve had such a nice time!” Then she turned and skipped merrily out of the palace. THE END.