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

Roz Russell Is Hollywood’s One-Woman Dynamo The law, writing and theology were Rosalind Russell’s first three choices of a career. Her interest in none Rosalind of them lasted very long. Her Russell fourth choice — Feature the theatrical spotlight proved her permanent one. Today she is reckoned among Hollywood’s brightest stars and is currently appearing with James Stewart in “No Time For Comedy” the new Warner Bros. picture opening Friday at the Strand. In it, she portrays a Broadway stage star, and Stewart is her playwright husband. Genevieve Tobin and Charlie Ruggles are featured. “No Time For Comedy” is adapted from the Broadway stage hit by S. N. ry Still NT 48; Mat 106—15c Rosalind Russell Behrman which had a long and successful New York run last year. Julius J. and Philip G. Epstein wrote the screen play and William Keighley directed. Rosalind was born to James E. and Clara Knight Russell on June 4. She attended primary school at Waterbury, Conn. Later she went to Marymount, a private school at Tarrytown-on Hudson where she was a student in journalism, literature and drama. She participated in athletics that included riding, swimming, basketball and _ hockey. Her father a successful lawyer frequently sent her on extended tours of Europe, South America and the U.S.A. Tiring of travel, Miss Russell convinced a stock company manager that she had dramatic talent and was given a small role. She went from one stock company to another, assimilating experience and theatrical knowledge. After a thorough schooling in stock she appeared on Broadway in “Talent” and “The Second Man.” Her unusual personality and refreshing appearance won the acclaim of critics and brought her to the attention of studio scouts. A screen test won her a contract. But Miss Russell had one more trial to face. It was a stage appearance in Hollywood at the Playhouse where she scored in “No More Ladies.” She made her motion picture debut in “Evelyn Prentice” and was given a succession of starring roles in “Night Is Young,” “The President Vanishes,” “Forsaking All Others,” “Reckless,” “China Seas,” “Rendezvous,” “It Had to Happen,” “Night Must Fall,” “The Citadel,” “The Women” and “His Girl Friday.” Rosalind Russell has never overcome her restless interest in every phase of life. She still finds time to write and hopes to complete a play this year in which she may play the leading role. She has studied interior decorating. Many homes in Hollywood attest her unusual ability. Especially she likes candid people. Her pet aversion is gossip. She is one of the screen’s fastest readers of lines. Because she believes they help her screen portrayals she prefers biographies and historical novels. She is rated high among the best dressed women in the film colony. Very popular with newspaper correspondents -— she knows nearly every one by his first name. All this seething energy is bound up in a person of five feet, seven inches, weighing 116 pounds, with raven hair and sparkling black eyes. Still NT 93; Mat 208—30c “MY WIFE‘S MY OWN .. .” Jimmie Stewart tells Charlie Ruggles, and incidentally, Rosalind Russell, the wife in question, but it’s all in fun for “No Time For Comedy,” opening at the Strand Friday. Still NT 55; Mat 201—30c “1 JUST DROPPED IN” explains Jimmy Stewart to his very skeptical film wife, Rosalind Russell. Scene is from the Strand’s new film, “No Time For Comedy” which belies its title by being all comedy. Director Keighley Puts Comedy Punch In New Strand Film “T’m Miss Tobin to you and you needn’t call me Genevieve.” “And you needn’t call me Bill. Just make it Mr. Keighley.” That in effect, although not in the exact verbiage, was the relationship of Mr. and Mrs. Weslloicacn Keighley during the comedy which opens at the Strand Mat 117—15c illi ighl ; William Keighley Friday. Miss Genevieve Tobin was cast in one of the important roles opposite Rosalind Russell and James Stewart; William Keighley was the director of the picture. One of the outstanding directors on the Warner Bros. lot, Keighley most recent smash hit was “The Fighting 69th.” He has also distinguished himself in the comedy field with such successes as “Yes, My Darling Daughter” and “Brother Rat.” In “Yes, My Darling Daughter,” Miss Tobin played one of the leading roles under her husband’s direction. “No Time For Comedy” marks their finest film teamwork. To other screen personalities such unusual circumstances might have created difficulties. But not with the Keighleys, long recognized as one of the happiest married couples in Hollywood, with their marriage based on sound, sensible equations. The situation creates no insurmountable problems, because they have established unwritten rules by which they will play the game, for the benefit of themselves and their colleagues. On the set their rule is strictly business. Hick to Slick Is Stewart's ‘No Time For Comedy’ Role From hick to slick — that’s James Stewart’s role in the new picture opening Friday at the Strand. When Stewart reported to Warner Bros. for his role in “No Time For Comedy,” the S. N. Behrman play adapted to the screen by Julius and Philip Epstein, he not only became a playwright on his own but one with a dual per Mat 108—15c James Stewart sonality at that. For the brothers Epstein have extended the background of the Behrman original, first focusing on the character when he comes to Broadway to see his first play produced. He is then a small town, shy, unsophisticated aspirant who eventually is set on; the royal road to royalties by ~ Rosalind Russell, seen opposite him as the successful actress who convinces him that his talents lie in the field of comedy. Stewart, under her guidance, then becomes a polished, urbane, playwright who undergoes another personality change when “the other woman” tries to persuade him to have a try at a “play that counts.” Torn not only between conflicting ideals but between two strong willed women each with a desire to win, Stewart undergoes plenty of mental and emotional hazards before the struggle is resolved. “No Time For Comedy,” which was directed by William Keighley, offers. Stewart and Miss Russell dramatic roles with overtones of comedy. Genevieve Tobin plays the “other woman.”