Mandalay (Warner Bros.) (1934)

Current Publicity ‘Mandalay’ Gives You New And Colorful Kay Francis Glamorous First National Star Plays Against Exotic Background In New Strand Film and background, First National now comes triumph EK, = seeking stories unique and unusual in character antly forward with ‘“Mandalay,’’ the ‘“Mandalay’’ the smashing which was shown for the first time locally at is as thrilling production of Theatre last night. a story of romance and wild adventure among the soldiers of fortune, gun runners and resort keepers of the far East as one could wish to see. It is set in the colorful and picturesque background of Kipling’s Burma “where there ain’t no Ten Commandments and a man can raise a thirst.” Exotic scenes disclose a Rangoon night club resort catering to wealthy idlers, traders and civil and army officers who have thrown off the restraint of civilization to delve into Oriental pleasures. It is here that Kay Francis, in the role of a beautiful Russian exile sold into virtual slavery, presides over the club as hostess, flirting with, but dominating her many male admirers. Follow scenes of romance and fast action on a river boat plying between Rangoon and Mandalay on which the Russian emigree is fleeing from Rangoon’s night life with her former lover in hot purusit. There are thrills upon thrills culminating in a smashing climax in which the villain is strangely and mysteriously murdered. Kay Francis heads a strong cast of talented players, portraying with great strength and artistry the role of Tanya, the Russian girl. She is called upon for cool and collected action during some intensely dramatic scenes and carries out her part with superb acting and commendable restraint. She also is a lovely and fascinating figure as the hostess of the night resort which she dominates with cool imperiousness. Ricardo Cortez, who first played opposite Miss Francis in “The House on 56th Street,” is again the polished villain whom handsome women can Ricardo Cortez not resist. Mat No. 20—5c. He portrays the role of Miss Francis’ first lover with such cool audacity and fiendish indifference as to be thoroughly hated, than which no higher praise can be accorded a villain. Warner Oland, soldier of fortune and keeper of the notorious resort, gives a smooth portrayal of cool and ealeulating villainy. In the supporting cast there is a long list of fine character artists which includes such well known names as Ruth Donnelly, Reginald Owen, Hobart Cavanaugh, David Torrence, Rafaela Ottiano, Etienne Girardot, Lucien Littlefield, Bodil Rosing and Herman Bing. All give excellent account of the parts they portray. Michael Curtiz has given the picture dynamic foree by his strong and capable direction. The original story by the well known author, Paul Hervey Fox, who appears to know his Far East thoroughly, has been dramatized by Austin Parker and Charles Kenyon in a way to emphasize the suspense and thrilling action which is cumulative to the smashing climax. For picturesque coloring a “Mandalay” is no one dramatie foree one screen play that should miss. ‘Mandalay’ Thrilling Tale of Adventure at _..-Theatre Today A tale of thrilling adventure with colorful romance comes to the screen of the ............. Theatre today with the First National picture, “Mandalay.” It is set in the picturesque background of the Orient, in that section of Burma where the whites come in contact with the natives. The romance does not concern Orientals, however, though there are many of them appearing in the production, but the white man, and particularly that breed of soldier of fortune who turns to gun running, traffic in women and other illicit trades. The theme concerns a beautiful Russian girl, an exile from her own country, who is sold into virtual slavery to a resort keeper by her own lover. Her escape on a boat to Mandalay and her pursuit entails some of the most thrilling action in the picture. Colorful scenes take place in the night club resort which is patronized by civil and army officers, travelers or any of the whites who have the necessary money to spend, and aboard a boat on the Irawadi River where the principal characters meet again in conflict and romance. There is an unusually strong east which includes such players as Kay Francis, Ricardo Cortez, Warner Oland and Lyle Talbot in the featured roles. There is a long list of talented players among the members of the supporting east, some of whom are Ruth Donnelly, Reginald Owen, Hobart Cavanaugh, David Torrence, Rafaela Ottiana, Etienne Girardot, Lucien Littlefield, Bodil Rosing and Herman Bing. The picture was directed by Michael Curtiz from the sereen play by Austin Parker and Charles Kenyon which ig based on the story by Paul Hervey Fox. Kay Francis Runs Out On Hollywood To Mix With Normal People Change of scene and environment for a person engaged in ereative work is absolutely essential to success, according to Kay Francis, star of the First National picture, “Mandalay,” now showing at the ........... Theatre. That is why Miss Francis dashes away from Hollywood on every opportunity for a cruise on her. schooner, “Hollywood is especially a menace to creative work unless you jar yourself out of the rut at regular intervals,” she says. “Living in Hollywood the year round you run the risk of losing a normal viewpoint. “You see the same people and the same things and worst of all Cortez Wants To Quit | Villainous Roles To Do Romantic Leads Ricardo Cortez, fascinating sereen villain of the First National picture “Mandalay,” now showing atthe: ‘sit soueeese. Theatre, is feeling the stirrings of romance. This is in no sense a sidelight on the private life of the star, but is merely the recital of a professional urge. “T’'m getting a little bit fed up on being a deep-dyed villain who always come to an untimely and end just before the end of the picture, while the audience applauds,” Cortez said. “In my last three pictures, ‘The Big Shakedown,’ ‘the House on 56th Street,’ and the current one, ‘Mandalay,’ I get pretty tough, and deservedly get bumped off before the fadeout. “In the first two, I was shot, and in ‘Mandalay’ I get a dose of poison and fall to a watery grave in the Irawadi River. “T used to play romantic leads, and I’d like a chance again to prove that I can be a good guy if I want to.” First National executives, who recently signed Cortez on a long time contract, promised to consider his request. In “Mandalay” Cortez has the role of a gun runner who rescues a beautiful Russian woman from the Bolsheviks and then turns her over to a resort keeper to save his own hide. Kay Francis has the feminine lead while others in the cast include Warner Oland, Lyle Talbot, Ruth Donnelly, Reginald Owen and Hobart Cavanaugh. Michael Curtiz directed the picture from the screen play by Austin Parker and Charles Kenyon, based on a story by Paul Harvey Fox. Lyle Talbot Plans To Retire To Farm When Film Days Are Over A person who has never lived in a small town has missed a lot in life, in the opinion of Lyle Talbot, who is featured with Kay Francis, Ricardo Cortez and Warner Oland in the First National picture, “Mandalay,” now showing at the......... Theatre. Born in Branard, Nebraska, a village of 450 population, Talbot spent his boyhood years there. He has made it a practice to return at least once a year ever since he embarked on a stage career at the age of sixteen. you hear the same talk—pictures. Hollywood is one place that invariably takes its work home, to a dance or a bridge party with it. “In time you think too much like an actor or actress—become professionalized in viewpoint. Acting means playing the part of an individual human being who usually has no connection with the theatre or the screen. Those are the people I think of as normal. And if you don’t get out among them, before long you find yourself entirely at odds with their viewpoint.” In “Mandalay” Miss Francis has the role of an aristocratic Russian exile who is sold into an Oriental resort by the man she loves. Others in the cast include Ricardo Cortez, Warner Oland, Lyle Talbot, Ruth Donnelly, Reginald Owen and Hobart Cavanaugh. Michael Curtiz directed. FREAK FACS... ~ABOUT Fill AAVORITES KAY HAS AS PETS 2 DOGS, 2 CATS, A PARROT, A FAMOUS AS’DR. FU MANCHU: WAS ONE OF THE ORIGINATORS OF THE LITTLE THEATRE GROUP PHOENIX foes t ZONA hous eMIEIS al (fF u A $PECIAL EPISODE WAS WRITTEN IN “MANDALAY TO EXPLAIN A SCAR wich LY aVLNGKE ee RECEIVED INA | RECENT aro ACCIDENT WAS GIVEN A REVOLVER AS A WEDDING PRESENT BY THE SHERIFF OF PHOENIX ARIZONA “MANDALAY” IS THE CURRENT ATTRACTION AT THE STRAND. If you have not taken advantage of this popular feature, try it now. Exhibitors call it the best novelty feature ever offered! Mat No. 32—10c. “T feel sorry for boys who are born and reared in a large city,” says Talbot. “They miss so much that is beautiful. The friendliness of neighbors, knowing everyone in town, having real friends who are interested in you and in what you do. “T like cities, But I think I appreciate them more because of my boyhood in a small town. And when I get fed up with the noise and dirt and traf of course. fie and confusion of a eity, I always know where I ean go to get away from it all for a while. “Some day,” he says, “I’m going back there for good. Buy a farm It’s the great ” and settle down. est place I know to be happy. In “Mandalay” Talbot has the romantic lead opposite Kay Francis in a thrilling picture of the Orient. Michael Curtiz directed the picture from the screen play by Austin Parker and Charles Kenyon, based on a story by Paul Hervey Fox. Oland’s Vacation Halted by Film Work Warner Oland, who plays the role of a villain in “Mandalay,” the First National picture now showing at the Theatre, says that villainy is always pursuing him. It never gives him a rest. He owns a 7,000 acre ranch near Mazatlan, Mex., and has been trying to visit it for more than a year. Just as he is about ready to go he is asked to become a villain in some picture. Oland’s grips were all packed when the First National casting department asked him to play the part of a gun runner and Burmese resort keeper in “Mandalay.” He heaved a sigh and unpacked his bags. In the picture he is co-featured with Kay Francis, Ricardo Cortez and Lyle Talbot. Okeh To Steal Other Man’s Wife in Burma In Burma you may steal as many other men’s wives as your powers of fascination permit and still be received in the best society, but if you flirt with your fellow’s girl friends, you are rated as a scoundrel to whom all doors are closed, according to Arthur Collins, dialogue director for the First National production of “Mandalay,” now at the eres a ao Theatre, and an expert on life and customs in the Far East. “The theory is,” Collins said, “that a wife knows what she is doing. If she wishes to mishehave, it’s as much her fault as it is the man’s, so no stigma attaches to him. In the ease of girl friends, however, they may be coerced by threats or fear so it is taboo to have anything to do with another man’s girl.” starred in “Mandalay,” with Ricardo Cor Kay Francis is tez, Warner Oland and _ Lyle Talbot. Red Flannels Popular With ‘Mandalay’ Cast Red flannels and mittens were the two articles of apparel most in demand with the players in the First National picture, “Mandalay,’ now showing at the E ate anietinh io tk A Theatre, when the company was on location near Stockton on the San Joaquin River. Stocks of woolen undies and hand warmers in the Stockton stores were completely bought out. The rains caused a sharp drop in temperature at Stockton, and the river boat on which the company was quartered was not equipped with heat. Kay Francis, Ricardo Cortez, Warner Oland and Lyle Talbot have the principal roles in the picture. Page Nineteen