So Big (Warner Bros.) (1953)

NEWS FEATURES. Review “So Big” Is A Triumph Of Movie Making Barbara Stanwyck at her finest— that’s the first summary of “So Big,” which opened yesterday at the Theatre, that comes to mind. But it’s not a complete summary. It is not fair to leave out the other members of the ecast— George Brent, Bette Davis, Dorothy Peterson, Alan Hale and the rest of a sterling array of players. And adorable little Dickie Moore. In “So Big” Warner Bros. have presented a screen version of Edna Ferber’s greatest novel, and it is a version of which they and Miss Ferber and all concerned with the production may well be proud. The story of Selina Peake (Barbara Stanwyck), Cut No. 7 Cut 15c Mat 5c dramatic and utterly human, is told _ as Edna Ferber conceived it; the atmosphere is that of the book itself, the characters of the author’s imagination have taken on flesh and blood. “So Big” is a triumph, no less. One’s memories are many as one leaves the theatre, and all of them are rich and deep and moving. First and foremost is Barbara Stanwyck’s portrayal of Selina—a great character, typically American, if ever fiction and the screen have known one. And one remembers George Brent, and Dickie, and the rest of the really great east which surrounds one of the most admirable young actresses that the screen has been fortunate enough to find. Admirable direction by William A. Wellman, whose touch is that of a master; exquisite photography, whose beauty at times snatches the breath away; above all, acting that is powerful but restrained and altogether natural—these qualities carry “So Big” to a height rarely attained by any product of the studios. If Barbara Stanwyck had never ~~ made another picture, “So Big” would , assure her of a high and shining place in the annals of the screen. It is one of the films that nobody interested in the finest work of actors, directors, writers and camera men can afford to miss. : Sunday Feature Barbara Stanwyck Honored To Play Starring Role In “So Big” Barbara Stanwyck held up two dainty little white hands, and let Page Five the make-up artist rub dirt into them. She directed him to smear a little more into one grimy knuckle. And then—she actually admired them! “They seem to me like a-symbol,” she said. “A symbol of my role as Selina Peake in ‘So Big.’ “Selina, yon know, became a farmer’s wife, and her hands_became soil-worn, just like these. She lost her first girlish prettiness, but she became a beauty instead. And there is beauty in fine, strong hands that have not been ashamed to work in the earth.” Coming from a motion picture actress who must necessarily consider physical beauty as one of her most valuable assets, that seemed an extraordinary statement. But Barbara Stanwyck has never been known either as an ordinary actress, or as an ordinary person. She proved it again by accepting the role of Selina Peak in the Warner Bros. picture “So Big” which is now playing at the Theatre. Selina is the heroine of Edna Ferber’s great novel, who set the entire Dutch population of her community a-tittering by saying that ecabbages are beautiful. Her father, a professional gambler, had taught her as a child that life must be taken as an adventure, and that, good or bad, it was all just “so much velvet.” This happy attitude clung to her. Although misfortune, poverty and death beset her while she struggled to rear her baby, little “So Big,” up. to fine young manhood, she never for a moment lost the courage that made her life a full one and a thing of beauty. Barbara Stanwyck, too, is the sort of person who can see the beauty in cabbages. That’s why she’s playing Selina Peake. Many another actress would have shied at making the picture, because the role demands that she become a drab farmer’s wife, a forlorn-looking hawker of vegetables from door to door, and a middleaged woman. Barbara Stawyck saw beyond all this, as she has the ability to see through and beyond mere surface beauty. In the end, Selina Peake was acclaimed by a world famous artist as a beautiful type of womanhood. Barbara Stanwyck knew why she was beautiful, and so she knew how to express that sort of beauty on the screen. As she sat there on the set of “So Big,” her surroundings were of the drabbest possible sort — the rough, cheerless interior of a poverty-stricken farmhouse in midwinter. But a spray of brightly colored artificial roses stood in a hand-painted bottle on the window sill, the pitiful little effort of Selina Peake to make her home beautiful with nothing else to work with. It seemed a Stanwyck touch, too, and you felt that Barbara F Re een Stanwyck, if she were really Selina Peake, under the same impossible conditions, would always strive for beauty. And so it was with Stanwyck’s own appearance. Barbara In a mean dress, her hair skinned back unbecomingly, a torn shawl draped around her shoulders, she still gave the impression of beauty. Perhaps it wags the inner light of courage in her eyes, as if she were looking through all of the sadness of the present into the sweetness of a future still to come. Perhaps it was an unquenchable love for life, no matter what it might hold in store. The expression, perhaps, of a faithful handmaiden at the shrine of beauty, although the shrine itself might not be visible. Anyway, Barbara Stanwyck had hidden her own personal beauty, and no one could have ealled her ugly. “T am more enthusiastic over this part than any other I have ever had,” said Miss Stanwyck, “either in pictures or on the the stage. I feel that Edna Ferber’s story and heroine have an epic quality that is truly great, and that I am privileged in being able to bring them to the talking screen.” But the truly great actress, too is the one who, like Barbara Stanwyck ean forsake the beauty that is skin deep to create the inner beauty that lasts forever. DO YOU KNOW THAT Barbara Stanwyek upon arriving in Hollywood for the first time was told by a film producer that she would never be a motion picture star because she did not photograph well. Plays a role that shows her in every stage of life, from girlhood to old age, in the Warner Bros. picture “So Big” now playing at the eS ee Theatre. Has danced all her life as a chorus girl in shows and night clubs. Is very quick tempered and _ flies off the handle. Lost all her worldly possessions in a fire that completely demolished her Malibu beach house on two different occasions. Thinks William Wellman is one of the very best directors in Hollywood. Wants two children and _ has selected their names, Kathleen and Michael. Was one time a Sunday school teacher. Never wears make-up unless a formal occasion demands it. Wants to live in Southern Franee. Does not make friends easily. Was thrilled beyond words, during a recent West coast personal appearance, to be able to dance before the footlights again. Lives at Malibu beach the year round, Considers “The Locked Door” her worst picture. Prefers sauerkraut to any other food. Is very happily married to Frank Fay, comedian. Likes to play pinochle. Collects odd lamps and has her beach home full of them. Is very loyal to true friends. Likes dogs but is afraid of eats. Enjoys walking in the rain. Wants to write a movie seript for herself. Is not very superstitious. Does not like to wear gloves. Wears a bathing suit from morn ing till night when at the beach and not working. Is very quiet in real life. Played basketball on her school team in Brooklyn, N. Y. Is decidedly outspoken and frank. Wants to spend a few years vacationing in the Swiss Alps. Has never been on skates. Is fond of licorice candy. Likes short finger nails. Refuses to give advice as to how to become a star because she doesn’t know. Thinks Elissa Landi is swell. Has never changed the color of her hair for either stage or screen. Likes to wear ribbons in her hair. Is a typical tomboy. Addresses her husband as “Fay.” Loves New York City because it gave her her start. Is always frightened when she re| ceives a telegram. Intends to make a lot of money and then retire. Does not wear gold ornaments. Likes to buy clothes at bargain sales. Does not know how to drive a ear. Is called “Stanwyck” by “Fay.” PLANT THESE SUNDAY FEATURES WELL IN ADVANCE