Singapore Woman (Warner Bros.) (1941)

(Opening Day Story) ‘SINGAPORE WOMAN’ STARK DRAMA AT STRAND TODAY Stark drama, and a torrid love story set against the background of a tropical jungle are the exciting elements that make up the new Warner Bros.’ film, ‘“Singapore Woman,” which opens today at the Strand Theatre. Brenda Marshall is starred in the role of a beautiful woman who has_ become branded as the ‘jinx of the Orient.’ Even mere acquaintances of hers suffer misfortunes of one type or another. She is in one of her most depressing moods, trying to drown out her thoughts in the sordid surroundings of a Singapore saloon when she meets a handsome, young rubber planter, played by David Bruce who costars with Brenda in the film. He is convinced that the story connected with her is nothing but superstitious nonsense and persuades her to come out to his plantation for a rest and to try to forget the past. But she remains defiant and bitter, firmly convinced that nothing can save her from the curse of misfortune that hangs over her. It is only after a_ thrilling search through the wilds of the Malayan jungle that they discover their true love for. one another. Despite the fact that Bruce has promised to marry someone else he cannot leave Brenda and what seems to be another bit of misfortune turns out to be a very fortunate situation for all concerned. It is one of the season’s richest dramas, rife with adventure and suspense that does not let down for an instant. Virginia Field, Jerome Cowan and Rose Hobart, all very fine performers, make up the supporting cast. “Singapore Woman” was written by M. Coates Webster and Allen Rivkin from a story by Laird Doyle. Jean Negulesco directed. Mat 103—1i5c Rose Hobart ' Mat 202—30c ALLURING BRENDA MARSHALL has an intriguing role in Warner Bros.’ "Singapore Woman" as a person whose love brings disaster. The film will make its local debut Friday at the Strand Theatre. Brenda Marshall Stars In Role of ‘Jinx Woman There was the dull bark of a pistol shot. A beautiful woman ran down the hallway calling for help. People came a’running noisily from many rooms. That was the end of a scene for the new Warner Bros. film, “Singapore Woman,” now showing at the Strand Theatre. Said Brenda, “Somehow I am the center of storms, cafe brawls, loud shouting and pistol shots all the time.” Brenda was referring to her role, which marks the pretty girl’s elevation to stardom. It is the story of a young woman who brings bad luck to everyone with whom she comes in contact. Men upon whom she lavishes her favors pay for them with misery and death. Miss Marshall is one of those rare actresses who take their work seriously, but not them FAR EAST INFLUENCE IN FILM FASHIONS “T’ve never felt so glamorous” Brenda Marshall sighed as she scrutinized her reflection in a full-length mirror. It wasn’t a vain kind of preening either. Brenda felt lovely and admitted it. Reasons were obvious. She looked glamorous because all the clothes for her new picture, ‘“Singapore Woman,” now showing at the Strand, are just naturally endowed with that illusive quality. Damond Giffard, their designer, knows a_ great deal about clothes with a Far Eastern look because he’s traveled in every nook and corner of the world. On this. particular day, Brenda was wearing an evening frock with cowl-draped skirt. Material is a pale pink crepe with widely spaced, handpainted orchids strewn hither and thither and shading from pink into deepest red. The bodice is strapless but a little modest with the head cover falling gracefully over one shoulder and down to the hemline in back. Take particular notice of the clever use of East Indian scarves when you see “Singapore Woman.” They fall in short loops out of the pocket of a casual beige linen dress and are as bright as a rainbow. Note too the turban with this frock. It winds and winds to great heights, ends in a bit of spaghetti fringe that caresses the Marshall brow and completely covers her dark hair. And for general information Damon says it’s all a mistake about the movie ‘‘sarong”’ which isn’t a sarong at all but a ‘“‘ynareo” indigenous to the South Sea Islands. Brenda wears the true “‘sarong” in a dinner costume that one sees right now in resorts all over the country. The sarong, my ladies, is always ankle length and usually drapes from the hips, whereas the pareo is short and drapes from the bosom. Brenda’s costume includes a long skirt also made of brightly colored Indian scarves, a short matching bodice and a short white cotton bolero that buttons snugly from chin to two inches of uncovered midsection. Clothes from “Singapore Woman” seem to be particularly interesting right now because they illustrate styles that are in the summer vogue such as draped skirts, sarong afterswim costumes, alluring hairline turbans and pretty lighthearted materials for warm days and summer nights. selves. That is why she likes her first starring role in spite of the turmoil. In her current film she is always the center of a maelstrom. “After all,’ she said, “every actress dreams of a role that is full of contrasts. That is the only way she can prove she is not a one-track player. “In ‘Singapore Woman’ I start out as a patrician a bit overfond of men. Then I sink to the point where I pawn my jewels to buy drink. When the jewelry is gone I hang around cafes in the hope that somebody else will furnish the liquor. “Later when my regeneration begins, I go through several stages of both hope and remorse. “When I finish this role, I will know for certain whether I am the actress I have always hoped to be.” ROLE T00 REAL FOR BRENDA On the set of “Singapore Woman,” which is now playing at the Strand, a pall of smoke hung in the air. The locale was a cafe on Singapore’s waterfront. It was furnished to resemble a ship’s deck. A motley gang of sailors, dock workers and beachcombers sat at bare tables drinking vile liquor. It was here that Brenda Marshall, who stars in the film, came to forget her sorrows. Brenda Marshall was talking to David Bruce who wanted to take her home. A sailor interfered. Bruce hit him. Chairs flew through the air. Fists flailed wildly. In the foreground, back to camera, Brenda Marshall was wielding a belaying pin that had been a wall decoration. She held it in both hands and, fast as she could raise and lower her arms, brought the weapon down on anybody and anything. When the scene was finished, she turned. Tears were streaming down her face. She was sobbing. “What’s the matter, Brenda?’”’ asked director Jean Negulesco, “are you hurt?” “No,” said Brenda, trying to control her sobs. “I just can’t bear to hit anybody.” (Review ) ‘Singapore Woman Has Intriguing Love Story An Oriental setting, strange, mysterious and fascinating, provides the background for the gripping Warner Bros. film, “Singapore Woman,” starring Brenda Marshall and David Bruce which opened at the Strand Theatre last night. Singapore’s Torrone as| scenery has been made vivid by an excellent film treatment of a Laird Doyle story. The cast turns in fine performances, with lovely Brenda Marshall showing versatility in a difficult role and fine understanding in the parts played by David Bruce, Virginia Field, Jerome Cowan and Rose Hobart. Brenda Marshall portrays the daughter of one of the territory’s important tin magnates. The girl is lovely-looking and has position but is shunned by Singapore society as being a “jinx woman.” A disappointed suitor kills himself for love of her. Her husband dies at sea. Her frierds all meet with mis Mat 105—15c Jerome Cowan Excitement in Orient Theme for Strand Film “Singapore Woman,” a story of love, jealousy and death is now playing at the Strand Theatre. The Warner’ Bros picture stars Brenda Marshall as a woman who brings bad luck. to—all_ her—acquaintances and is branded as the “jinx woman” of the Orient. David Bruce is co-starred with her as a young plantation owner who sets out to prove that the jinx is just so much superstitious nonsense. In the _ supporting roles are such film favorites as Virginia Field, Jerome Cowen and Rose Hobart. The film was directed by Jean Negulesco. Strand Film Has Cosmopolitan Cast Jean Negulesco, director of “Singapore Woman,” now at the Strand Theatre, asked the casting office for the most cosmopolitan crowd of extras possible to obtain for a Singapore cafe sequence. He got them, according to Louis Vincenot, technical advisor for the film. Vincenot says that he recognized thirtyfour different nationalities. woman Brenda Marshall portrays in Warners’ "Singapore Woman.’ fortune and death. The last stroke she can bear is when her father’s fabulous mines are flooded and he dies of a broken heart. David Bruce had been given a helping hand by Brenda’s father before the young man developed rich rubber plantations. And when he sees Brenda ill-dressed, drab, miserable, in a Singapore night spot, he attempts to help her. On David’s jungle plantation Brenda is defiant and bitter and tries to run away. But David finds her and brings her back, and she falls in love with him. A campaign is put on by David to prove to her that her idea of being “jinxed” has no foundation and rehabilitates her father’s mine. David gives up his fiancee, played by Virginia Field, for Brenda. Then her husband, long thought dead, turns up, and David thinks he and Brenda had deceived him. The Doyle story was adapted for the screen by M. Coates Webster and Allen Rivkin. Jean Negulesco directed the film. SPECIAL JUNGLE BUILT FOR FILM California’s boast that it can provide any kind of motion picture background has come a cropper. Within a hundred miles of Hollywood there are _ scenic makeshifts for anything from the Swiss Alps to the Ormuz Strait, with one exception. There is no Malayan jungle. The—one—regquired—in-Warner— Bros.’ production of “Singapore Woman” coming to the Strand Theatre this Friday, presented a real problem. There have been jungles in Hollywood pictures before, but they were either African, Indian or Tahitian, but not Malayan. On a thirty-acre tract in fan Fernando Valley a jungle was built. More than 1100 trees and 50 truckloads of smaller plants were used. In the picture, Brenda Marshall, lost and surrounded by wild beasts, runs about in a panic of fear while David Bruce is trying to find her. The search supposedly lasts for two hours, and on the screen it takes seven and a half minutes. That is why the setting was built on such a large scale. A frightened girl in a dark jungle can cover a lot of territory in seven and a half minutes of exciting film fare. Mat 201—30c LOVELY AS A JUNGLE ORCHID, yet deadly as a tiger, is the kind of a She is. shown above in a scene from the film with David Bruce who is co-starred with her. The picture is now playing at the Strand Theatre. I]