Side Show (Warner Bros.) (1931)

LIGHTNER AND BUTTERWORTH, Betz Plays Officious|“Side Show’ Comes Canvasman Lightner Wallops In Anger (Biography, August 1, 1931) Mathew Betz, who plays the part of Whalen, the officious canvasman in “Side Show,’ the Warner ‘Bros. production now at the ............ Theatre, was born in St. Louis, Mo., on September 13. He was educated in his home town public schools. After much travel and an extended period in the U. 8. Cavalry, he began his theatrical career in 1910. He spent eight years in vaudeville and then appeared in “Ellis Island,” his first stage play. He has had experience in every branch of show business, claiming special ability in light comedy. One of his most famous stage successes was “A Night On Broadway.” “He started in motion pictures in 1920, appearing in such productions as “My Old Kentucky Home,” “Slim Shoulders,” “Checkers,” “Stealers,” “Those Who Dance,” “Lighthouse By The Sea,” “The Wedding March,” “Sing of the Fathers,” “Patent Leather Kid” and many others. Mr. Betz is six feet tall, weighs one hundred and ninety pounds, and has dark brown hair and eyes of the same color. Tomorrow, Winnie And Butterworth (Advance—Plant 1 Day Before) It is news worth heeding that Winnie Lightner, tomboy of the talkies and Charles Butterwo-th, meekest and most solemn funnyman living, are co-featured in “Side Show.” the Warner Bros. picture which comes to the ........ Thearre tomorrow. Not that Miss Lightner’s work in “Side Show” is all clowning, for this film gives her her first chance to be serious. She plays the part of assistant to the owner of the “ vorld’s greatest circus”, hires help and fires help, and on occasion doubles for hula dancer, cannibal or ‘tearded lady. But the serious part of the business appears when her pretty sister comes to spend a vacation with the show, and while on the lot alien ates the affections of Joe the bark:r, whom Winnie wants herself. Others in the cast are Evalyn Knapp, Donald Cook, Guy Kibbee, Louise Carver, Mathew Betz, Ann Magruder, Luis Alberni, Edward Morgan, Tom Ricketts and Otto Hoffmen. Roy Del Ruth directed. “Side Show” is a picture for all whose hearts are young. Take the whole family. “Side Show” Player Rated As Best On Broadway (Current Reader) Guy Kibbee, who plays an important role with Winnie Lightner in “Side Show,” the Warner Bros. picture now playing at the........ Theatre, won the rating of “the best performance of the year” from New York critics when he appeared last year in the Broadway production of “Torch Song”. Others in the cast of “Side Show” are Charles Butterworth, Evalyn Knapp, Donald Cook and Mathew Betz. Watch Winnie Do The Hula In That “Side Show” Scene (Current Reader ) Winnie Lightner knows all the movements now, “and that every its own’. She learned to do an effective hula for scenes in her latest Warner Bros. picture, “Side Show”, which is now playing at the ae ee eS Theatre. Others in the east of “Side Show” are Charles Butterworth, Evalyn Knapp, Donald Cook, Guy Kibbee and Mathew Betz. It was directed by Roy Rel Ruth. When Greater Thrills Are Wished For— A Wilder Winnie Will Give Them! She’s the Whole Show—Hula Cannibal Queen, high diver, dancer, Circus manager, —— | gang boss, bearded lady! Peppiest personality in the She’s ready to risk a circus! broken neck to get in ro with a break mange. guy who’s “there” Page Four WINNIE LIGHTNER gal who’s “there” with stunts! CHARLES _ BUTTERWORTH EVALYN KNAPP DONALD COOK and a whale of a east! = STRAND with gags! Cut No. 3 Cut 60c Mat 15c A WARNER BROS. VITAPHONE PICTURE & “SIDE SHOW” LOVE TRIANGLE Cut No. 19 Cut 30¢ at 10c Evalyn Knapp, Donald Cook and Winnie Lightner form little movement has a meaning all| an unusual love triangle in “Side Show,” a Warner Bros. and Vitaphone Picture now showing at the T heatre. Charles Butterworth, ace screen comedian, has an important role in this picture. “SIDE SHOW” GIVES WINNIE HER FIRST CHANCE TO DEMONSTRATE HER TALENT FOR BLENDING SENSE WITH NONSENSE Warner Bros. Comedy Drama Of Circus Life Now At The Theatre Also Features Charles Butterworth, Evalyn Knapp, Donald Cook and Guy Kibbee (Human Interest tion—found Si ad | | ie her. Cut No. 14 ‘Cut 15¢ Mat 5¢ person Story. Plant 3rd Day in No. 1 Paper) Winnie Lightner, who will be seen at the Theatre in ‘‘Side Show,’’ the Warner Bros. produe next out years ago that it is hard for a red-headed tomboy to be taken seriously. She has stuck grimly to comedy ever since the night she stepped on a stage and foun” “One of these fine days — I have ofter said — I’m going to surprise the folks by showing them that I can be the most serious in the world. My day came when Warner Bros. handed me the script of ‘Side Show.’ “J gtill had in mind that night many years ago when I appeared at Shay’s in Buffalo as an amateur performer. I had come in a poul'ng rain, and despite my muddy shoes and wind-blown hair, I was sure that the sad song I had rehearsed foi weeks would make strong men break down and weep. I GET MY MAN “They didn’t. They howled with laughter. My first and only attempt at tragedy, or whatever you wish to call it, was a dismal failure But it showed me that Tf could make folks guffaw! But like averybody who ean do that, I wanted to make ’em gulp!” On the stage and screen Miss Lightner’s flan ing mop of hair, her brittle way of putting over wiseeracks and her natural vivacity preeluded any possibility of making a tragedienne out of her. She never got her man. If there was to be love interest in the story, they usually cast a couple of juveniles with her and let them do the petting. All that Winnie ever rated in the way of love interest were affairs that never materialized or a leading man like Joe E. Brown or Claude Gillingwater. She was never allowed to sway an audience in her favor when it came to competing for the love of a man with a decent amount of good looks and seriousness. Those days are gone. She has landed her man at last, and that in competition with no less a fair charmer than Evalyn Knapp. The man is the handsome Donald Cook, who plays the part of the barker in “Side Show.” MY DREAMS COME TRUE “T knew I would convince them I could do it,’ Winnie said. “I have now fulfilled my earliest ambition to do real drama! Of course. I give ’em more than their full share of comedy in the picture, too, which is to be expected. I am satisfying the large audience that couples my name only with laughter—but I am Suse Cas Miis Baie nansaircee also satisfying the Winnie Lightner of years ago who wanted to tear the heart out of an audience with a display of tragic histrionics. “To me, ‘Side Show’ is the culmination of my career. It is the summing up of everything I am aapable of in comedy and in addition it is a vehicle for some serious acting. ; “For comedy I am given several costumes and make-ups. I am the hula: dancer, the cannibal, the fire diver, the barker and several other characters connected with a circus side show. Each change of costume gives me a different comedy angle that 1 can exploit, besides that of my own get-up. As a side show attraction I am also given the opportunity to sing two songs—and you know how much that means to me, and, I hope, to the fans. “All this is closely woven into a story in which I am not only a funmaker but the central, figure in a love triangle, believe it or not. The end of the story was held in abeyance until the rushes of the first half of the production would decide whether it was feasible or not. “T HOPE YOU LIKE ME” “That meant that I was put on my mettle as a dramatic actress. I had to act out the love struggle in the picture as though I really meant it. I had to prove to a lot of eritical minds in the studio that a man could really come back to me after being weaned away by Evalyn Knapp.” Winnie is now eagerly awaiting results. Thus far she has shown the studio that she is an all’round aectress, but it will be her fans who will decide for her whether she is to remain only a clown or be allowed to use all the ability she knows she has in her future pictures. But Winnie is not thinking of leaving comedy yet. At least, not as long as her red hair and glib manner of wise-cracking are able te produce laughs. “Side Show” was written by William K. Wells. Roy Del Ruth directed.