My Bill(Warner Bros.) (1938)

(Current) Becoming Polite Was Tough Job For Tough Guy Bobby Jordan, “tough kid” star of “Crime School,” “Dead End” and “A Slight Case of Murder,” eventually had to pay the price for a deception he found profitable in filming those pictures. He had to “unlearn” the tough Brooklynese lingo he got in the habit of speaking as an off-stage act while making those films and playing in “Dead End” on the stage. Moreover, he had to drop all his hard-boiled mannerisms and be a little gentleman. All of that was required when he was east as one of the two sons of Kay Francis in Mat 101—15¢ “My Bill,” now Bobby Jordan showing at the Strand. Dickie Moore is the other son. Anita Louise and Bonita Granville (and, between us, Bobby’s sweet on Bonita in real life) are the two daughters in the story. And distinguished John Litel is leading man opposite Kay. In that high-class company Bobby, fresh out of “Crime School,” hardly knew how to act — except before the cameras. Until he got that original “Dead End” job on the stage, Bobby was a well-mannered New York boy who spoke good English. Then he put on the “dese, dem and dose” accent and it became so much a part of him that he didn’t have to remember to speak it off-stage, in order to keep up the act. “Tt’s tough to loin you gotta act polite,” he said one day on the “My Bill” set. “When you get used to it, bein’ a tough guy is easier.” (Opening Day) ‘My Bill’ Opens At Strand Today Heralded as giving Kay Francis the most human appealing role in her ¢areer, the Warner Bros. picture ‘‘My Bill,’’ based on Tom Barry’s stage play, ‘‘Courage,’’ opens at the Strand Theatre today with a cast that also includes Bonita Granville, Anita Louise, Bobby Jordan, John Litel and Dickie Moore. The role played by the star marks a radical departure for her, since it is designed to enlist the audience’s sympathetic appreciation rather than to impress with the glamour of personality. It is that of a woman nearing middle age but still young and beautiful in appearance who has been left a widow with four children in a small New England town and has proceeded carelessly to dissipate the small fortune left her by her husband. With the coming of hard times, the mother sees her family split by the thoughtless selfishness of three of her children but is able to bear this blow with fine bravery because of the inspiring loyalty and love of her smallest son. And this little fellow, played by Dickie Moore, eventually is able to bring the family together in happiness and prosperity as a Mother’s Day gift to the mother he was the only one to appreciate. This simple and moving tale was turned into a beautiful screen play, full of tenderness and spiritual bravyery, by Vincent Sherman and Robertson White, and the production was directed with a fine understanding of its human values by John Farrow. Mat 202—30e MEET KAY’S MOVIE FAMILY — Kay Francis (center) plays Mama to (left to right) Bonita Granville, Bobby Jordan, Anita Louise and Dickie Moore in “My Bill” which opens today at the Strand Theatre. Review) é Kay Francis And Juveniles Do Splendid Job In “My Bill’ STORY SYNOPSIS: (not for publication) Kay Francis, a widow who has run through her inheritance, is faced with the problem of supporting her four children, played by Anita Louise, Bobby Jordan, Bonita Granville and Dickie Moore. The three oldest leave her and go to live with a wealthy aunt when she is innocently involved in a scandal. But Dickie sticks with her and it is with his help that she brings her family together again and clears her name. The tribute of sentimental tears as well as resounding applause was won by the Warner Bros. picture, ‘‘My Bill,’? when it opened yesterday at the Strand Theatre, with Kay Francis demonstrating anew why she is one of the screen’s greatest stars, and little Dickie Moore vieing with her for acting honors. They are merely, however, the dominant characters in what is truly a seintillating cast, which included such accomplished juvenile players as Bonita Granville, Bobby Jordan, Anita Louise and Maurice Murphy, and such highly competent adults as John Litel, Elisabeth Risdon and Helena Phillips Evans. Even if Miss Francis had not given a compelling performance, her appearance in ‘‘My Bill’? would still constitute a-matter of more than ordinary interest to picture-goers, for the role she plays is altogether unlike any she has ever before essayed on the séreen. It is that of a mature woman, much more mature than the actual Kay Francis. The woman is the widowed mother of four children, the eldest of whom is supposed to be sixteen, and while she is permitted to appear as a beautiful matron, the character is devoid of that glittery glamour which Miss Francis is so skillful at projecting. In this picture, the star’s task is to depict a simple, human, and courageous woman, and she does that with a talent so fine that she easily captures the hearts of the audience. The story was based on Tom Barry’s stage play, ‘‘Courage,’’ and made into a sereen play by Vincent Sherman and Robertson White. John Farrow directed—very capably! Mat 201—30ec LOVE IN BLOOM — A girl (Anita Louise), a boy (Maurice Murphy) and a garden in the moonlight add up to a beautiful romance in “My Bill” which is the current feature attraction at the Strand Theatre. [8] (Advance) Hollywood's Dickie Moore Is Self-Made Man Child film stars, more often than not, get themselves into motion picture work. Dickie Moore, therefore, is no exception. At the age of two or thereabouts, he pounced on an assistant director and sold him a bill of goods. Of course, chance and propinquity had to mate and beget this opportunity for Dickie. He lived next door to the secretary of Joseph Schenck. Neither the secretary nor Joe knew of his existence. And Dickie wasn’t commercial-minded enough at that age to attempt to promote a job through the seeretary. One morning, however, Dickie was feeling soci Mot 100-40 able. The. saagt: Dickie Moore ant director pulled up to the secretary’s house to take her to work, but she, woman-like, wasn’t ready. Dickie kicked his scooter along the sidewalk by the assistant’s open car and said democratically, ‘‘ Hello, mister. What you doin’??? Dickie went to work at the studio the next day! Born in Los Angeles, September 12, 1925, Dickie has been for years one of the busiest actors on the screen ever since the day he stopped to chat with the assistant director. His latest role, in the Warner Bros. film, ‘‘My Bill,’’ opening Friday at the Strand Theatre, is probably the most important in his career. For he shares acting honors with the star, Kay Francis. The story is so much his that it was entitled ‘‘My Bill,’’ using his character name. He and Kay are just like that, however. If he does: steal the picture from her and Anita Louise, John Litel, Bonita Granville, Bobby Jordan and other stern competition, she won’t care. Incidentally, there seems to be an attachment between the pair off-stage. Kay likes Dickie, and he called her ‘“sweetheart’’ between scenes as well as before the camera. CAST OF CHARACTERS Mary Colbrook.................. Kay Francis Bill’ Calbrooks...c.2. Dickie Moore Gwen Colbrook........ Bonita Granville Mr. Reali. 252 23 John Litel Muriel Colbrook.............. Anita Louise Reginald Colbrook........ Bobby Jordan Lynn Willard............ Maurice Murphy Aunt Caroline............ Elisabeth Risdon Mrs. Crosby......Helena Phillips Evans Florist) SRC John Ridgely Secretary na soy at Jan Holm Sener ee re Sidney Bracy Beulah sirse, oe oe Bernice Pilot PRODUCTION STAFF Directed G5 boice.ckicis ns John Farrow Screen Play by........ Vincent Sherman and Robertson White From the play, “Courage,” by............ Tom Barry Photography by....Sid Hickox, A.S.C. Dialogue Director....Vincent Sherman Film Editor...) Frank Magee Musical Director......Leo. F. Forbstein Sowhd by). 3556.8. Charles Lang ATED CEOP |, 655s soaked, Max Parker Gowns by! 28... 2 BA Orry-Kelly