She Loved a Fireman (Warner Bros.) (1937)

In these highly complex days in which we live, the word “organization” has become one of the most often used in our vocabulary. So common has it become, that the vast power which it connotes is more often than not taken for granted, and we fail to keep in mind that it stands for one of the greatest gifts with which humanity is endowed. Thus the fact that your morning train departs from the station at precisely three minutes past eight or that your daily paper unfailingly brings you the latest news from all parts of the globe, rarely appears to be an event worthy of comment. In this world of wonders all such matters are taken as a matter of course and no thought is given to these vast and intricate organizations which play such vital parts in our daily lives. One of the most commonplace of these is a metropolttan fire department. Prominently located in its city, the wide portals of the fire house are an everyday sight, and the sound of the sirens as the engines race down the street is nowadays of little interest to any except the very young. In spite of the fact that its service is as important as any other department of municipal government, it is probable that few people could give any adequate description of how a fire department functions. That this is so was brought strongly home not so long ago when Warner Bros. was preparing for the production of “She Loved a Fireman,’ a dramatic story based on the life of a fireman. exp! oitationi Captain Orville J. Emory, a veteran of the Los Angeles Fire Department, was called in as technical advisor. Almost immediately everybody concerned with the picture began to find out just how little they knew about the involved and painstaking organization which constitutes a firefighting unit. Sequences for the picture called for a training school for rookie firemen, where Dick Foran, the star, and Eddie Acuff, his comedian companion, learn the art of saving lives. At first that appeared to be a simple part of the picture to make. Anyone should be able to climb a ladder, hold a hose, and, if they have enough nerve, jump into a net. It soon turned out, however, that this was not the case. According to Captain Emory there is only one way to do these things correctly and as long as he was going to be technical advisor they were going to be done that way or not at all. Learning to climb the ladder was not so difficult, but jumping into the net was a-horse of another color. Foran watched several demonstrations from a_ fivestory building and then decided that he was ready to try it himself. Foran had the right idea, but he missed one important point. Firemen don’t jump into the net, they drop into it. As a result he failed to land in the regulation manner, but instead hit the net flat on his back and as stiff as a ramrod. The result was not serious, but rather painful for the moment and certainly embarrassing. The wind was knocked completely out of him and it was some time before he could POST LIST of the fire regulations in your town pertaining to theatres and under it a list of the things which you have done to make your house fireproof. If possible get a statement from the fire inspector regarding theatre’s satety. SINGED EDGES are frequently employed on circular letters sent out by fire imsurance companies as a gag for effect. Apply a blow toreh quickly to the edges of a stack of heralds or throwaways to achieve this novel appearanee. OLDEST FIREMAN in town might give a short talk: of his experiences, ete.. on radio or for newspaper story. Having seen the pieture, he plugs authenticity. breathe again normally and before the onlookers stopped laughing at his discomfort. Foran had several other experiences of a similar nature before he learned to do everything to Captain Emory’s satisfaction. Now that it is all over Dick will tell you that being a fireman involves a lot more than a passing acquaintance with the game of checkers and Captain Emory will tell you that “She Loved a Fireman,” which comes to the Strand next Friday, is the real McCoy in every detail of firefighting which it portrays. See the Fighting Fire-Eaters Put on Their Biggest Show! GET MODELS or photos of fire trucks from the past up to now for effective display: the Evolution of Fire Fighters. PUNCH LINES from The Ads and Trailer At the Risk of Their Lives—For the Thrill of Yours! We Dow t Count the Risks—We Take Them! No Flames Too Fierce—No Dangers to Great! Fearless Firefighters, Yet No Braver Than the Women Who Wait for Them! Flaming Horror! Blazing Oil! Some times They Escape, Sometimes Their Widows Wear Medals! He Risked His Life ... She — Her Happiness! Four Alarm Action ... Blazing Thrills — In a Flaming Drama of Sea-Going Smoke-Eaters! A Four Alarm Comedy Drama That's Keyed for Speed! Watch the Sparks Fly as Dick Foran Burns Up Battling Bob Armstrong! Page Seven