Son of the Gods (Warner Bros.) (1930)

Richard Barthelmess Is The Most Popular Star On The Screen. Cash In On His Fame | Divorce Decree Awaits Constance Bennett in Paris Heroine af “Son of the Gods” Parts From Her Millionaire Spouse CURRENT READER— VITAPHONE) When Constance Bennett finished the most important role of her career, the feminine lead in “Son of the Gods,’ Richard Barthelmesy’ new First National and Vitaphone starring vehicle, she embarked for Paris to secure her final divorce papers from her young millionaire husband, Philip Plant. “Son of the Gods” is eurrently attracting huge crowds to the Theatre. Constance is a member of those Bennetts, in whose blood seems to run the irresistible lure of the footlights and the screen. Her father is Richard Bennett, one of the most noted living American actors. She is the eldest of three daughters, the others being Barbara, who recently married Morton Downey, tenor, and who was at one time a dancing partner of Maurice, and the youngest daughter Joan, who made such a favorable impression in “Bulldog Drummond.” Constance was born in New York in 1905 and spent her youth in New York and on Long Island, attending Miss Snador’s School on Park Avenue, and Mrs. Merrill’s School in Mamaroneck. Later her parents sent her to Mme. Balsan’s finishing school in Paris. When she was seventeen she was formally presented in Baltimore and Washington, where her beauty and her charm made: her one of the most popular members of the younger set. It was the wish of Constance’s mother that she stay away from the stage. Mrs. Bennett had always preferred domestic careers for her three daughters, and Constance, for one, had no thought at that time of entering upon a dramatic career. But Fate has different ideas about such matters. At one of the Equity balls, Samuel Goldwyn discovered her and offered her a role in “Cytherea.”” She accepted the role and very nearly ran away with the picture. Subsequently she went to Hollywood and played leading roles in numerous productions. She was finally signed up on a five year contract with a leading company. But Cupid intervened. Constance met and eloped with Philip Plant. In compliance with his objections she gave up screen work, and her contract was broken by mutual consent. All this happened three years ago. Miss Bennett, now Mrs. Plant, spent most of her time abroad. There was a home in Paris; there were villas in Biarritz and on the Riviera, and spasmodic jaunts throughout Europe. Then came a rift in the marital lute. A divorce decree is now pending in Paris. Constanee decided to resume the eareer she abandoned three years ago. She was in Paris when the first of her new contracts was signed. And so she returned to the land of the Stars and Stripes. Miss Bennett recently did “This Thing Called Love,” and in “Son of the Gods,’ as Alanna, she has the most important and one of the most coveted. roles of the years. She is a slim, fair-haired girl, with blue eyes. She is 5 feet 4 inches in height and weighs 99 pounds. REAL CHINESE King Hou Chang, Chinese actor, plays an important part in support of Richard Barthelmess in his newest First National and Vitaphone special, “Son of the Gods,” which comes to the Theatre next Chang was a prominent actor in his native country, came to this country several years ago, learned to speak English like an American, and has appeared in numerous stage plays in the West. His role is that of Moy, Barthelmess’ valet, and there is dialogue in Chinese between them. famous “Sound Metal,” Says Chinaman Of Barthelmess Role Peking Merchant Watched “Son of the Gods” In Studio (CURRENT READER) “Barthelmess’ characterization, as I watched it on the set, is of sound metal, and the philosophy of the story is true to the traditions of Confucius.” This wealthy Chinese Peking, China. Mr. Foo, while making his first visit. to the United States, visited the First National Studios and was particularly inter from lLiau Hwang Foo, merchant from ested in seeing Richard Barthelmess at work in “Son of the Gods,” which is now at the Theatre. “Mr. forgotten by the people of my nation for his fine study in ‘Broken Mr. Foo. “The high-easte Chinese is proud and looks back upon _ noble In ‘Broken Blossoms’ Mr. Barthelmess stirred us and thrilled us. I daresay that because of that single portrayal he will always be honored Barthelmess will never be Blossoms’,” said traditions. by my race, “Tt was therefore with much joy that we read of his future appearance in ‘Son of the Gods,’ for in that, although he does not play an actual Chinaman, the underlying philosophy of the Chinese people and the teachings of Confucius play an important part. What I have |seen and heard at the studio makes me anticipate with high pleasure the release of ‘Son of the Gods.’ ” And now “Son of the Gods” is on view and has been hailed by critics everywhere as one of the greatest Barthelmess pictures. The supporting cast is headed by the beautiful Constance Bennett and other well-known players. Wins Coveted Role CHINESE LEGEND IS TOLD TO DICK BARTHELMESS IN QUAINT now running at the the Gods,’’ wherefore the story “My Dear Mr. Famous Barthel !mess,” wrote Cheung, “news publi cations here announce suddenly you enact Chinaman for which I most grateful pleasure. Why because you ‘Broken Blossoms’ remain still unchangeable beauteous. There is told many thousand years a story which, I am honored for information to you, called by name ‘Cowherd and Weaver.’ It would be a nice story for | artist of movie screen like Barthel%imess to enact or role. Cut No. 3 Cut 25¢ Mat sc Constance Bennett plays feminine lead in “Son of the Gods” Women Players in “Son of the Gods” Are All Ingenues (ADVANCE NEWS— VITAPHONE) An unusual condition obtains in “Son of the Gods,” the First National and Vitaphone feature starring .Richard Barthelmess which COMES 40: the ios eee Theatre NOME eects es There are no character actresses in the production. Every feminine role is played by what is generally known as the ingenue type. The most important part ic _vortr2sa4 by Constance Bennett, one of the three Bennett sisters of stage and screen fame. Her father is Richard Bennett, the prominent legitimate actor. Other feminine roles of lesser importance in “Son of the Gods” are played by Dorothy Matthews, Mildred Van Dorn, Geneva Mitchell and Barbara Leonard. “During Dong Dynasty there was a king named Ming Wong who had sweet little wife—conecubine, called Kwei-fei. He loved her precious, far most than his other 3,000 concubines. But Kwei-fei had a secret lover—one of the king’s most intimate generals. 7th Moon, the anniversary of the wedding of the cowherd and weaver, the king and Kwei-fei were feasting in Zang-Sen-Dee-Long Life Palace. The king said to Kwei-fei, ‘This is the meeting night of the cowherd and the weaver. They are true lovers. Though they can only meet once a year and sometimes ence in many years yet their love is eternally true. Among us humans there are none whose love lasts even a hundred years.’ Kwei-fei answered with sturdy reply, ‘Our love is as true ag theirs. In the heavens we shall be as twin birds, in the water as twin fish, and on the earth as twin trees. Though heaven and earth should pass away, our love will continue true.’ Then Kwei-fei took the oath with correct sacrifices before the heavenly lovers. “When she speaks of twins she indicates Chinese idea that there are pairs of birds one with right wing and eye and the other with left wing and eye, and only when linked together can they fly. Similarly with On the 7th of the} STYLE BY CELESTIAL ADMIRER (CURRENT FEATURE) © UE Strange stories have been submitted to Richard! Barthelmess First National star of ‘‘Son of the Gods,’’ the fedture’ picture Theatre, but none have beer more curious than the following offered by a Chinese admirer The author, who signed himself Haow Loo Cheung, heard, that Barthelmess was playing the role of a Chinaman in ‘Son of fish who are twins. The trees wer executed lovers whose limbs grev together and when cut apart im mediately joined again. “The cowherd’s father was rich When the father died thé elde brother was harsh with the cowherd The boy was told to ask him for th cow as it would bring prosperou fortune. This he did. Once in th possession of the cow and with th magic cow’s assistance. he went fa: away to the banks of the Heavenl; River (The Milky Way). Whil herding the cow, and at its advice he took the frocks of the pretties girl of seven who were bathing i the stream. She was the weave girl, daughter of the upper-god. Th other girls fled. The weaver gir could not go, became the willin, wife of the cowherd. But their lov was so abundant that cows and weav ing were neglected. Gods and me: had nothing to eat and wear. Th Upper-God, much displeased, separa ted the lovers, putting them on of posite sides of the stream. The; were heart-broken. The upper-go seeing their sorrow allowed them t meet once a year—on the 7th of th 7th Moon if the weather was fine making a bird bridge for the lad to cross to her husband. Should i rain even a little the river woul flood and wash the bridge away The Chinese hope and pray each yea that it won’t rain on that day s that the weaver lady and her cow herd husband ean meet. The cov herd and weaver lady are chiefl worshipped by women.” There was the story submitted t Barthelmess. “Son of the Gods” is based on Rex Beach novel and was directe by Frank Lloyd, with Constance Bennett in the feminine lead. Hear The Supreme Romance Of The Century! Screen version and dialog by Bradley King. Directed by FRANK LLOYD From the story by REX BEACH EZ es ose es agree ece o% Greater Than His Greatest! The Outstanding Vitaphone Drama Of All Times! € His Best! A FIRST NATIONAL & VITAPHONE HIT “Vitaphone” is the registered trade mark of the Vitaphone Corp. designating its products. Bigger than “Broken Blossoms.” Stronger than “Tol’able David.” Tenser than “Weary River.” Dick Barthelmess’ first big ‘special’ production since “Patent Leather Kid.”’ phe GOUs with CONSTANCE BENNETT Better Than Your heart will tingle to a new thrill when you see the rapturous love scenes; society at play; lavish scenes in Technicolor; _ thrilling polo match; all the big moments of Rex Beach’s novel best-selling woven into a masterpiece by the | | genius of Frank Lloyd. | : Cut No. rr Cut $1.25 Mat 25e Page Thi