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

As We GoTo Press All New York Is Calling This Picture The Year’s Masterpiece / MANY “TALKIE” PROBLEMS FOR DIRECTOR, SAYS FRANK LLOYD, WHO MADE “SON OF THE GODS” ‘‘T have been directing for many years. I am, therefore, fairly familiar with the acting talent available in the film colony. When I read a story I mentally cast that story from my knowl edge of the player list. all changed now. So-and-So would be ideal in that role, and Miss So-and-So looked such and such a part. But that has For the actor upon whom I could depend for a good performance either has a bad speaking voice or else has trouble studying lines.’’ This from Frank Lloyd, First National director, best known for his “The Sea Hawk,” “The Divine Lady,” and the most recent Richard Barthelmess features, “Weary River,” “Drag,” “Young Nowheres” and “Son of the Gods.” The last named picture comes to the .. Theatre. “There was an important part in ‘Son of the Gods’ and I fought for a very well known character actor. I knew of his work on the silent screen and there was not a more reliable trouper in the business. But when finally he went to work I had more trouble with him than with all the rest of the cast put together. He simply could not remember the exact words in his lines, kept twisting them around and even mispronounced some of the words. “Aside from the acting problems, the story presents new worries for the talkie director. The telling of a story in dialogue offers contrasting methods of screen story-telling. “Time lapses may now be handled by dialogue. Whole scenes may be eliminated because one line in the story may take care of it. Mechanical limitations are by no means the least of a director’s worries. When a scene has been filmed and recorded to what might be my satisfaction, presto! the mixer or the recorder or some one connected with the mechanical end of the business announces that something went wrong! Then it must be done again. And eften again and again and again! “Camera angles are not as flexible as they used to be. We now have several cumbersome camera-booths to manipulate, and don’t forget the ever-present microphone hanging somewhere in that scene and apt to be in the picture if you don’t watch out. “In the days of the silent screen we did not have to bother whether the actor had a cold or not. Not so now. If the actor comes in with a cold, and his or her voice is slightly hoarse, you might just as well check off a few more gray hairs for the poor director.” “Son of the Gods” has been produced on a lavish seale and is considered the most important Richard Barthelmess production in years. It was adapted to the screen by Bradley King from the sensational Rex Beach novel. It is the dramatic story of an American boy who is raised by a Chinese patriarch under the impression that he is himself Chinese. His experiences with the Caucasian world and how that world treated him make one of the most powerful stories ever translated to the cinema. The cast supporting Barthelmess is headed by Constance Bennett and includes many other prominent sereen names. CONSTANCE BENNETT AS DICK’S HEROINE Constance’ Bennett, one of the three famous Bennett sisters, plays the feminine lead opposite Richard Barthelmess -in the First National star’s newest production, “Son of the Gods,” which comes to the Theatre next ture is based on a Rex Beach novel. HER IRISH NOSE Mildred Van Dorn may not know it, but she was chosen to play the role of Eileen, the little Irish girl in “Son of the Gods,” because Richard Barthelmess and Director Frank Lloyd thought she had a perfect Irish nose. Miss Van Dorn’s nose is of that northward variety known as pert. “Son of the Gods” is now running at the Theatre, where it is being acclaimed the best Barthelmess vehicle in years. It is entirely in dialogue with one sequence in color. ,) ea ee OY Wins At Roulette Richard Barthelmess, First National star of “Son of the Gods,” which comes to the Theatre on .. has consistent and profitable luck at roulette in one of the sequences of this film. It is by this means that he manages to maintain his social position on the French Riviera, where many of the beautiful and thrilling scenes of “Son of the Gods” are Jaid. Frank Lloyd directed the production, which is entirely in dialogue. Richard Barthelmess, First National star of “Son of the Gods,” which Comes: toe LNG sao see eet ey Theatre Meme Cea ys eae , wears a Chinese robe for the first time since his memorable work in “Broken Blossoms.” Although Barthelmess does not play the role of an actual Chinaman, he lives throughout the film in a Chinese atmosphere and under the impression that he is of Chinese origin. It is done entirely in dialogue via Vitaphone. Supreme Sensation Of The Century! Cut No. 12 3 Cut $1.00 Mat 20c —__MAKK_. Py 300 KLYN_* Fane ST. AT ROCKWELL ‘PL. D CONSTANCE BENNETT From the story by REX BEACH At last! A Barthelmess more brilliant than the Barthelmess of “Weary | River.” A story more throbbing than “Broken A drama that comes only once in Blossoms.” a century — and stays in your heart forever! Richard theimess Screen version and dialogue by Bradley King. Scenes in Technicolor. “Vitaphone” A FRANK LLOYD PRODUCTION A FIRST NATIONAL & VITAPHONE PICTURE is the registered trade mark of the Vitaphone Corp. designating its products. Sharp Contrasts In The Scenes Of “Son Of The Gods” ADVANCE READER) VITAPHONE) From dreamy, mystic Chinatown to the revelry of Monte Carlo. From Buddha’s shrine to the perfumed sanctum of a modern girl’s boudoir. From a Chinese funeral ceremonial to the roulette tables of. the worldfamous Casino. Such contrasting scenes appear in “Son of the Gods,” the new First National and Vitaphone feature production starring Richard Barthelmess which is coming to the PRO AUEE OME oo. soe ae escent Polo games, college larks, Confucian prayers, ancient Chinese philosophy, love on the banks of the Mediterranean, gayety, color, sombre tones, ancient parables and modern American youth, laughter and tragedy—these fill the pages of Rex Beach’s novel and have been reproduced in “Son of the Gods,” a special that has been produced on a lavish scale and greeted as one of the greatest Barthelmess characterizations in his brilliant career. Constance Bennett plays the feminine lead, while important roles are handled by Anders Randolf, Claude King, Mildred Van Dorn, Allyn Warren, Frank Albertson, Dorothy Matthews, a score of other important players and several hundred extras including many Chinese. The production has been made entirely in dialogue under the direction of Frank Lloyd. POLO CHAMPS The Uplifters polo four of Santa Monica and the polo team of the Seventh Cavalry at Monterey considered the two best teams on the Pacific Coast, play an exciting game in the opening sequences of “Son of the Gods,” the First National and Vitaphone feature starring Richard Barthelmess which comes to the y eens Ne Theatre on the story Barthelmess is introduced at an American college where he has developed into a star polo player. And this is true to life, polo being one of Dick’s favorite games. From the Follies Geneva Mitchell, former Follies girl and well-known on the New York musical comedy stage, plays a small but important role in support of Richard Barthelmess, star of “Son of the Gods,” the First National and Vitaphone special now running at the Theatre. Frank Lloyd directed this feature, which is the most important Barthelmess vehicle since his memorable “Patent Leather Kid.” It is entirely in dialogue with one sequence in Technicolor. HIS BEST ROLE Advance notices indicate that Richard Barthelmess, First National and Vitaphone star of “Son of the Gods,” which: ‘comes to: the* “es. ih Theatre next » has the greatest acting role of his career in that film. The picture has been made on a grand scale, entirely in dialogue, with one sequence in Technicolor. It was directed by Frank Lloyd from the novel by Rex Beach. Real Underworld Dance Hall Life Is Shown In Film (CURRENT READER— VITAPHONE) Into the strange byways of Los Angeles’ underworld went scouts for First National Pictures and corraled sheiks and taxi-dancers for one of the important sequences of “Son of the Gods”, starring Richard Barthelmess, now playing at the Gee See aetna a Theatre. The result was breath-taking in its authenticity and realism. Sallow-skinned, greased-haired young chaps, hard-boiled girls, weird ways, strange manners—all these were transplanted onto a set and filmed and recorded in the dance hall scene from Rex Beach’s dramatic novel, which now has become one of the sensational pictures of the year. For this set Art Director Jack Okey designed a typical low-class dance hall. The dancing floor was fenced in by a railing with turnstiles at which ticket takers were posted; between dances the girls rested on benches inside the enclosure. There were three men present for every woman, and they all laughed and chattered, shouted and waved their arms in simulated gleefulness. It is vivid, pulsing with life—the real thing, according to those who know. Frank Lloyd directed “Son of the Gods”. The production is entirely in dialogue and a large cast headed by Constance Bennett supports Barthelmess. CHINESE ATTIRE | VETERAN CROUPIER PLAYS OLD ROLE ON THE SCREEN Presides Over Monte Carlo Roulette Wheel in “Son of the Gods” (ADVANCE READER— VITAPHONE) Constant Lafitte, veteran croupier of Monte Carlo, Biarritz and Deauville, was found among Hollywood’s extras and given a role that came naturally to him in the Monte Carlo Casino scenes of “Son of the Gods,” the current First National and Vitaphone production starring Richard Barthelmess, which comes to the .. Sis hee Theatre on Lafitte was a genuine “scoop” for Director Frank Lloyd because of the problem of recording authentically the ceaseless pronouncements of the eroupiers. In the old days of the silent sereen it was easy enough to secure an actor to make up as a Frenchman and play a croupier, but now that the voice is also captured it was highly important that the real thing be obtained. “Vingt-neuf — manque — and impair.’ So went M. Lafitte’s cool, dispassionate announcements of the turn of the wheel, and it is this that audiences will hear when they see the Monte Carlo sequences of “Son of the Gods.” In “Son of the Gods” Richard Barthelmess is said to have one of the greatest roles of his career. For the first time Constance Bennett will be seen playing the feminine lead opposite the star, while the balance of the cast includes such names as E. Allyn Warren, Anders Randolf, | Geneva Mitchell, King Hou Chang, Mildred Van Dorn and others. The | story is based upon Rex Beach’s | novel. By Rex Beach “Son of the Gods,” the First National and Vitaphone feature starring Richard Barthelmess which comes to the... ¢., Theatre on was a widely popular magazine serial and .also enjoyed distinction in the best-seller class as a novel. It was written by Rex Beach and was adapted to the screen by Bradley King. Confucian Wisdom Heard From Screen (CURRENT READER— VITAPHONE) “Son of the Gods,” the new First National and Vitaphone special starring Richard Barthelmess which is attracting large crowds to the Theatre, contains a great deal of the ancient wisdom of Confucius, the sage Chinese philosopher. In the story, which concerns the thrilling life of an American boy raised by a Chinese patriarch under the impression that he himself is Chinese, there is considerable dialogue between the aged Chinese “father” and his “son.” When difficulties face them, when tragedy seems to stalk them, the slant-eyed patriarch resorts to Confucius and finds therein gems of wisdom which console him and help him to bear the blows of life. The story of “Son of the Gods” is so unusual and gives Barthelmess such rare histrionic opportunities that the picture is assuming sensational boxoffice proportions throughout the country. The large supporting cast is headed by Constance Bennett. THE BIG THREE Barthelmess-Lloyd-King three names that have spelled unvarying success in motion pictures—have again contributed another cinematic classic, probably the outstanding picture of this season,—in “Son of the Gods,” comimeyg, to: the. ..2 2 0),.3.4.Theatre on The combination, in case you have not been able to decipher it, is Richard Barthelmess, star of “Son of the Gods,” Director Frank Lloyd and Authoress Bradley King. All three collaborated on ‘Weary River,” “Drag,” “Young Nowheres,” and now “Son of the Gods.” All were First National pictures.