No Time for Comedy(Warner Bros.) (1940)

228% “HE'S MINE” .. . “OH, NO, ‘ae Still NT 380; Mat 205—30c HE’S MINE’”’— It’s Genevieve Tobin vs. Rosalind Russell with Jimmie Stewart very much in the middle .. . and it’s ‘No Time For Comedy,” opening on Friday at the Strand Theatre. Girls! Girls! Stop Fighting Over Jimmie Stewart! Modern warfare between women has developed from hand to hand combat to a war of nerves and barb of words as is cattily demonstrated by Rosalind Russell and Genevieve Tobin. In “No Time For Comedy” the ladies let loose at each other in a crossfire of offensive and counteroffensive in which the objective is, of course, a man. The man is James Stewart who stars, along with the ladies, in this new Warner Bros. production opening Friday at the Strand Theatre. William Keighley, the director, also happens to be Miss Tobin’s husband, so it was probably all right with him that she doesn’t win Stewart in the picture, although it may be a little irking to family pride that the little woman has to be the loser in a fight. The “incident” between the two ladies occurred when Miss Tobin succeeded in convincing Stewart that he was wasting his talents by writing comedies, no matter how successfully. He should, she argued, devote himself to serious drama depicting the problems of the world today in which there was, she insisted, no time for comedy. Miss Russell, on the other hand, having a more realistic appreciation of Stewart’s talents (she was not only his wife but the star in many of his plays) offered the advice that he stick to the things he knew and leave the really serious stuff to the heavyweights. She deduced that Miss Tobin was transmuting sex appeal into intellect, on the theory that the way to a man’s heart was through his brain. The battlefield was the drawing room of Miss Tobin’s home, and the fact that she had a husband didn’t prevent her offering Stewart the use of the library in which to woo the muse. Miss Russell came to investigate the situation. Elegantly dressed in a slim white evening gown she faced her blond enemy whose armor —a bouffant blue gown — was equally attractive and correctly camouflaging of the real business at hand. In accordance with the rules of battle, they chatted of trivialities for awhile and then marshalled their forces for the big show. The first heavy attack occured when Miss Russell asked, “Why do you always pick successes to Advance Feature inspire? Why don’t you stimulate someone obscure to greatness? Wouldn’t that be more exciting?” Miss Tobin was prepared to hold that line. “The artist who has arrived and who begins to doubt his talent —there is no more poignant tragedy than that. Miss Russell then attempted a point blank line of fire. “If this play you’re drawing out of him like a bad tooth turns out to be good, JI’ll never forgive you.” “You’re honest, at any rate,” countered Miss Tobin. The heart of the battle was reached with Miss Russell’s next thrust: “I wish you could be. Come on—try it—just for the novelty.” That definitely cracked the enemy defense. Miss Tobin was beginning to show signs of impending tears, and Miss Russell quickly sought to liquidate her gains by another thrust. “Sister, I know what your act is now! It’s a streamlined strip-tease.” Miss Tobin was now sobbing. “You’re horrid—you’re hateful and horrid —I—TI hate you!” She ran from the room in hurried retreat to the library to establish new bases. This demoralization in no way signified complete collapse of the enemy and Miss Russell realized that the retreat had been made to gain time. The war would be resumed. ‘No Time For Comedy’ To Show at Strand What goes on behind the scenes of a Broadway stage hit is hilariously divulged in “No Time For Comedy,” the James Stewart-Rosalind Russell starring picture which begins an extended run at the Strand Theatre on Friday. “No Time For Comedy” was a Broadway stage hit itself before it was brought to the screen. Authored by S. N. Behrman, outstanding American playwright, it was adapted for the screen by Julius J. and Philip G. Epstein, and in spite of its title, it is all comedy. Supporting the two stars are Charlie Ruggles, Genevieve Tobin, Allyn Joslyn, Clarence Kolb and dusky Louise Beavers. The production was directed by ace comedy director William Keighley for Warner Bros. ‘No Time For Comedy’ Tells About World of the Theatre In undertaking the production of “No Time For Comedy” costarring James Stewart and Rosalind Russell, and currently showing at the Strand, the Warner Bros. Studio was confronted with the problem of presenting a phase of metropolitan New York life which had to be factually authentic. The story revolves about the world of the theatre—Broadway—and the behind-the-scenes lives of the glamorous folk who people the theatre. To convey properly the background and atmosphere against which this popular Broadway success is performed, close to fifty different sets — interiors and exteriors—had to be built and completely furnished and equipped. The Esterbrook menage—the home of James Stewart and Rosalind Russell, playwright and actress—is dressed with fine examples of modern furniture and Production Story Still NT 100; Mat 109—15c Rosalind Russell and Jimmie Stewart expresses to perfection the kind of smart urban life that the young couple lead. The Philo Swift home presided over by Charlie Ruggles and Genevieve Tobin was furnished with the idea of reflecting the peculiar artistic leanings of Mr. Swift, the banker and his wife. The living room was furnished in Louis XV period to express a certain gayety, beauty and distinction. The Benson home—that of a play producer — received the same careful attention with a view to mirroring the characters of its occupants. The home projected a display of great wealth and very little taste. Two large, complete theatres had to be erected—both exteriors and interiors. More, they had to be representative of those along the Roaring Forties just off Broadway. The famous Shubert Alley—rendezvous of the theatrical profession on 45th Street was reproduced in generous detail. Many an actor seeing these scenes in the picture will likely sigh for the departed days of Broadway in its heyday. No Time For Comedy Is Laugh Hit of New Film Season Audiences will have their first opportunity to see “No Time For Comedy,” the laugh hit of the new film season, when the James Stewart Rosalind Russell co-starring picture opens an engagement on Friday at the Strand Theatre. Based on S. N. Behrman’s Broadway hit of last year, “No Time For Comedy” tells the highly hilarious story of what happens to a playwright famous for his comedies when he falls under the influence of a blonde who specializes in inspiring artists to give the world a message. Among the things that happen are a rousing fight between the playwright’s wife and the blonde, a near romance between the playwright’s discarded wife and the blonde’s discarded husband, and a flop that turns out to be a big: success. James Stewart is an engaging’ scamp as the errant writer, Rosalind Russell is his knowing wife, Genevieve Tobin, the blonde menace, and Charlie Ruggles her millionaire husband. Allen Joslyn has a high comedy role as a harried stage director; Clarence Kolb plays a yes-man producer, and dusky Louise Beavers plays the theatrical maid who sees all and tells all. William Keighley directed from the script by the Epstein brothers. Third Day Advance Still NT 314; Mat 207—30c SUBWAY SAFARI—Rosalind Russell and Jimmie Stewart take it on the shins as they battle their way to Broadway in “No Time For Comedy.” Film goes into the Strand on Friday.