Noahs Ark(Warner Bros.) (1928)

DOLORES COSTELLO in “NOAH’S ARK” with GEORGE O’BRIEN—The Spectacle of the Ages MARY IS SENTENCED TO DEATH AS A SPY THROUGH HER ENEMY MAKERS OF “NOAH'’S ARK” CURTIZ DIRECTS “NOAH’S ARK” Michael Curtiz, who had the colossal task of directing ‘‘Noah’s Ark,’ was born in Budapest, Hungary. He was educated at the University of Budapest and the Hungarian Royal Theatrical Academy, and became prominent both as actor and stage manager in his native city. He has spent years in Berlin, Rome, Paris and Copenhagen, and is a thorough cosmopolitan. He was with Reinhardt when the latter produced Among them were th make pictures. LOVELIEST LADY AN INTIMATE STUDY OF DOLORES COSTELLO—S When Dolores Costello was a child of about i she made debut on the screen, but not as a girl. Her hair was cropped short, and she looked very much like a boy. In her entire early career, she was never once cast as a girl. It is interesting to know Dolores Costello that her start in Stock Special Q pictures, howCut or Mat ever, was not Order Separately very auspicious. In the very first scene she ever did, she ran off the stage crying frantically because a great big man in a uniform had appeared to make an arrest. But she learned quickly that all the things that happened were just make-believe, and soon she fell into the spirit as though she had been acting for years. She only had to be told that these happenings were not really true, and she was perfectly at ease. As she began to grow older, her mother decided that Dolores must leave pictures and concentrate more e well hown spectacles; ~ “Moon of Israel,” “Gloire,” “Sodom and Gomor— rah” and “Memoirs of Satan.” years he returned to Berlin where he continued to Two of his most famous ones are “The Golden Butterfly” and “The Red Heels.” A few years ago he came to America and signed a contract with Warner Bros., for whom he made “The Third Degree,” “A Million Bid,” “Tenderloin,” “Good Time Charley,” and now his great spectacular production, ‘‘Noah’s Ark.” ebenmark.as an After several on her studies. She was sent to school, but she disliked it so intensely that Mrs. Costello had to get a private instructor at home where Dolores received her full education. Meanwhile, her sister, Helene, of a different temperament, continued her studies at school. When the two girls finished with their education, they began to consider some sort of a career. They had _ studied dancing for years, and since they were so fond of it, it seemed the only solution. They continued to attend dancing school with a view to a stage career. At this time Dolores was introduced to the artist, James Montgomery Flagg, who was so struck by her beauty that he asked her to pose for him. She consented, and in the next few years Mr. Flagg made many famous drawings with her as his model. The girls began to think of their career more __ seriously. They started looking around for a possible opening, and finally found a place for themselves in the George White “Scandals,” a fortunate move for Dolores. Her mind was still furthest away from motion pictures. ‘How was she to have known that a member of the Warner Bros. office would see her and write her to get a-screen test | OF taken? The note looked pretty much like a form note, and she tossed it aside. It had probably been sent to hundreds of others. Why make a fool of herself ? But Mrs. Costello urged her to do as the letter said. Nothing could be lost—and semething might possibly be gained. The girls took the test and were sent to the coast. Then followed the usual period of despondency. Being in pictures to Dolores meant simply playing one unimportant part after another. At times she would be only in one sequence. They had promised to give her a chance—and they were giving her “bits” that were often cut out completely. If that was to be her career in pictures, she preferred dancing. Every time a pic‘ture was cast, her hopes were renewed, only to find that nobody even knew she was there. Warner Bros. began casting for “The Sea Beast,” starring John Barrymore, but by this time she was so used to disappointments that she did not even experience her usual temporary excitement and renewal of courage. One day, as she was about to leave the studio, John Barrymore saw her reading a letter. He sent a boy after her with the message that she was to come to Jack Warner’s office. The ensuing conference re Production No. 12—Cut or Mat 11 4 But so fair She takes the breath Of men away Who gaze upon her Unaware. —Elizabeth Barrett Browning. PICTURELAND TAR OF “NOAH’S ARK” sulted in her being given the role of Esther as leading lady for John Barrymore in “The Sea Beast.” She had never been so frightened. The idea of working with John Barrymore made her realize how little experience she had had. Tomorrow they would tell her it was all a mistake. But each tomorrow was nearer to the start of the picture and she was so afraid of failure that she could not sleep. But Dolores need not have been afraid. With the opening of “The Sea Beast” there was a unanimous opinion among critics and fans that she was a find. They were right. With the exception of one picture, for which she was loaned to another firm, Miss Costello has been with the Warner Bros. since the beginning of her career. Her vogue increases with each appearance on the screen. She has never made an unsuccessful picture, even though she has had a variety of roles to do. Unusual ability and a charming personality have given her a following among the most hardened and critical picturegoers. Since the coming of Vitaphone talking pictures, Miss Costello has further proved her versatility by her success on the Vitaphone. Although she has never been on the legitimate stage, except as a a dancer, she has the voice of a well trained actress. She is as much at ease when she talks and acts for Vitaphone pictures as when she appears on the silent screen. Her voice is low and musical, and she speaks her lines naturally and pleasantly. The most dramatic scenes of “Tenderloin” and “Glorious Betsy” were those in which Miss Costello spoke. In “Noah’s Ark,” in which she has the starring role, she has the largest speaking part she has ever had before. In fact, in this colossal production she has done the greatest work of her career. First as an Alsatian girl, an entertainer in the canteens at the front during the World War, and then in the Biblical sequences as Mariam, betrothed of Japheth, son of Noah, she rises so well to the occasion that her previous work is almost overshadowed. Her other pictures seem merely to have led up to this great event. Miss Costello will speak to her legion of admirers through VitaPhone in many future productions from the studios of Warner Bros. She has just signed a renewal of her contract for an extended term, assuring her continuance as one of the brightest stars under the Warner Bros, banner,