Penrod and Sam (Warner Bros.) (1931)

= ‘heartbreak began. eg [EON JANNEY AS "PENROD’ WILL BOY ACTOR OWES HIS SUCCESS TO THE SPARTAN DETERMINATION OF THE WISE MOTHER WHO BELIEVED IN HIS TALENT Leon Janney, Now At The Strand Theatre In First National’s “Penrod And Sam,” Won Screen Recognition Only After Years Of Bad Luck And “Bludgeonings Of Fate” (Human Interest Story for Sunday Paper) Leon Janney, featured in Sam’’ the First National picture now at the cs Theatre, owes his remarkable success to the indomitable spirit of his mother. Leon was hardly there when she was faced with the necessity of earning their living. She had already secretly determined to raise her boy to be an actor and with that idea in view, when he was eight, she brought him from Ogden, Utah to Hollywood — and began the long climb up the slope of the rainbow that is fabled to conceal the crock of gold. Hollywood, Ho! That was five years ago. Once in the City of the Stars the period of But Bernice Janney is not the heartbreak sort. She of course registered at the Central Casting Bureau, where all studios eall for non-contract talent, Over twelve hundred children were registered there, each backed by relatives who would stop at nothing to get their own prodigies ahead. Those who ean afford to buy expensive photographs to send to directors, casting directors or studio executives do so. Those who can’t afford it do the same. Exceptional children generally have managers to advance their cause. Leon’s manager was his mother. Directors seeking young actors ask casting directors to call together all likely candidates. They come in a group, and one after another is given an opportunity to show his aptness for the work expected of him. After “such an interview it may be days before “the director makes his decision, then it often happens that another gets the part. More interviews. More disappointments. Many give up the struggle, through lack of money, or courage. Mrs. Janney held on. She herself tried to find work and failed. As Bernice Ramon _ she sought work in pictures, as a bit player, an extra, anything. Leon for a time sold papers to help pay the rent of the furnished room where he and his mother lived. All the while she was training him in diction—in stage presence—in a thousand things. She put. him forward at every opportunity that he might learn the art of holding and interesting an audience. ae Once: in. a while there came the chance for professional work for him—small' part in a play—a bit on a vaudeville bill—a minute or so on the radio. When it could be -managed, he took dancing and swimming lessons, and was tutored by teachers of the drama. The expense was heavy but the reward would be great—the crock of gold. At one time she changed his name. Hollywood, like other places, seems to be impressed by foreign players. Those whose names carry the Continental flavor, usually get the first hearing. Pleased by the sound of the name she had chosen for her own professional use, she one day announced that henceforth Leon would be called Ramon—Leon Ramon. But the change did not change the luck. He secured the part of Abie in the picture version of “Abie’s Irish Rose”—but the idea of a Leon playing an Abie, brought faint smiles to the lips of directors rather than offers of other parts. Luck Changes! A numerologist advised her to change the name back to its original form. Instantly the luck changed. Bernice Janney believes that this occult science is largely responsible for Leon’s swift triumph, for almost immediately he was given his memorable role in “Courage” in support of Belle Bennett, the turning point in his career for he was then signed to a long term contract by Warner Bros. “Courage” was followed by the fine Page Six the title role of ‘‘Penrod and “’’M PENROD— The tricks I do are funny, but dad has no sense of humor.” Be a kid again Re-live for one glorious hour with your pals, your dog, your old club house! Laugh at your woodshed Cry over your brokenYou'll never lickings. hearted romances! LeE with JANNEY JUNIOR COGHLAN MATT MOORE PETERSON ZASUPIITS A FIRST NATIONAL & DOROTHY Penrod’s best man, No wonder I’m always in trouble.” teocato see ewan tobforget: BOOTH TARKINCTON’S E Los Angeles Lad Gets Real Role In “Penrod” (Biographical) Nestor Aber, featured as the bully, Rodney, in “Penrod and Sam” the First National production now at the hawk, ea ES eR Theatre, is a young Los Angeles boy just starting his screen career. “Penrod and Sam” is his first work of importance, although he has had minor parts in other film productions for Fox and Educational, “’M SAM— Mother says adore rough ON VITAPHONE PICTURE Cut No.2 Cut 6o0c Mat rsc “’?M GEORGIE— most unusual boy. I like tiddle-de-wink.” Janney Spends Eleven Of Thirteen Years Acting (Current Reader) Leon Janney, featured as Penrod Schofield in “Penrod and Sam,” new First National picture playing at the Reese eee Theatre, has been connected with the stage ever since he was two years old. Im all he has appeared in forty-five motion pictures, notable among them “Old English,” “Courage,” and “Father’s Son.” He was born in Ogden, Utah. “PM RODNEY— an’ I can lick any "e, a “lM MARJORY— 8 Penrod and me are going to marry when we grow up.” “’?M VERMAN— I-all belongs to the white folks’ gang!’ “YM DUKE— Penrod loves me with all my fleas!’’ role in “Old English” with George Arliss; in “Father’s Son” with Lewis Stone and in “The Doorway to Hell” with Lew Ayres. Penrod is the crowning role of Leon’s brief career. In the east of “Penrod and Sam” are Matt Moore, Dorothy Peterson, Zasu Pitts, Junior Coghlan, Johnny Arthur, Charles Sellon, Wade Boteler, Helen Beaudine, Nestor Aber, Billy Lord, Margaret Marquis, Betty Graham, James Robinson, Robert Dandridge—to say nothing of the dog, Cameo. William Beaudine directed. Boy Actor Given First National Contract (Advance Reader) Leon Janney the thirteen-year-old actor now playing the part of Penrod, in “Penrod and Sam,” the First National production which comes to thee Sees, ce. Theatre next, has just been signed by the same producers to a new contract which will probably keep him under that company’s banner for a period of years. He has been seen in “Courage,” “Father’s Son,” “The Doorway to Hell” and “Old English.” Immortal Tarkington Kids Penrod And Sam, Coming Ideal Home Life Of Director Of “Penrod And Sam” Is Limned Beaudine’s Oldest Daughter Naively Describes Dad’s ~ Way Of Directing His Children’s Work (Short Feature. Plant 2 Days Before) Helen Beaudine, Hollywood school girl.says that she has new respect for her father’s gentle authority, and that no matter what he tells her to do from now on she’ll obey him without question. Miss Beaudine, Fairfax High School sophomore, was chosen by First National productions to play the important part of Penrod’s sister Margaret in the new alltalking version of Booth Tarkington’s “Penrod and Sam” which comes to thee ee Theatre William Beaudine, her father, is the director of the picture, in which Leon Janney and Junior Coghlan are featured as the boys. It is Helen’s first talking picture experience, although her father has been a part of the Hollywood picture world for fifteen years, having started his career as a property boy for one of the early comedy producers. For ten years he has been one of the most prominent directors of the colony. “I wasn’t a bit nervous, even in my first scene,” Helen Beaudine says. “Dad had been having trouble finding a girl to play the part. He wanted someone who would not ‘act’ the role, he said. So one day he asked me to come to the studio, he directed me in a little test, and the executives liked it. “One of the chief reasons it has been so very easy is that I rehearse the next day’s work each night at. home. I have three small brothers, you know, and ‘two of them are about the age of Penrod and Sam. After dinner they take a copy of the script and cue me in my lines. Dad sits and watches us and tells me what to do. When I go to the studio the next day it is’ easy.” Ss Helen, who is in her early teens— has not yet made up her mind to follow a screen eareer. Just now school work seems to her to be more important, for she continued her studies even while on the set. Between scenes she studied history, mathematics, and other subjects, so she was not behind her classmates when “Penrod and Sam” finished. There is another reason why she may decide against a screen career, even after this fine opening. “Other directors might not be as considerate as Dad,’ she _ says. “Never in his life has he been out of patience with me or my brothers. And I hear that some directors are cross.” Others in the cast of “Penrod and Sam” are Matt Moore, Dorothy Peterson, Zasu Pitts, Johnny Arthur, Charles Sellon, Wade. Boteler, Nestor Aber, Billy Lord, Margaret Marquis, Betty Graham, James Robinson, and Robert Dandridge—to say nothing of the dog, Cameo. Boy Star And Mother Visit The Big Town (Advance Reader) Prior to the filming of “Penrod and Sam” the First National production which comes to the ........ Theatre ........ next, in which he is featured, Leon Janney came with his mother for a brief visit to New York. Clad in a polo coat and eap Penrod, Sam, Rodney the bully,}to match, wearing a well-pressed suit Georgie the goody-good, Duke the of tweeds and Seotch grain brogue dog, pretty Marjorie, pa, ma, teacher| shoes the boy actor arrived in the and all the rest, will come alive at the Theatre next when “Penrod and Sam,” the First National production featuring Leon Janney and Junior Coghlan, opens its engagement. This is the talking version of the picture that made such a stir in silent films nine years ago. The same dog plays Duke. Here is royal entertainment city, after fulfilling the last of a series of personal appearances at movie houses throughout the country. Leon had nothing to say about our tall women and skyscrapers. He had been in Manhattan before. Janney is aided in “Penrod and Sam” by a large cast including about twenty kiddies—a number of important. grownups—and last but far from for all whose hearts are young.|least—his dog, Duke.