South of Suez (Warner Bros.) (1940)

(Lead Story) Exciting Action in ‘South of Suez,’ Opening at Strand Theatre Friday Incredible as it may seem, in all of Hollywood’s extensive use of adventurous industrial backgrounds the most exciting and colorful has been neglected until Warner Bros. filmed “South of Suez,” which stars George Brent. The film opens Friday at the Strand Theatre. For the first time African diamond mining, with all its color of giant-scale operations, jungle work chants, armed guards, worker searches; its hijackers and dangers; its daily thrill from uncovering precious gems and its constant lure, the possibility of finding some great new Cullinan or Koh-i-noor or Presidenta Vargas. stone, is shown on the screen. Past and recent films such as “Boom Town” and “Flowing Gold” have woven into moving human dramas the full-scale and authentic excitement of oil drilling. Similarly aviation, cattle ranching, salmon fishing, lumbering, gold mining have made familiar to the public whole industrial techniques, all painlessly blended into the exciting, dramatic or romantic adventures of heroes and heroines. Diamondmining, however, has _ never reached the screen on a more elaborate scale than flashes of phony sets or painted backdrops. Even Warner Bros. research department was astonished to learn this. It was discovered by Dr. Herman. Lissauer, head of the studio’s large research organization, when he first sought data for the filming of the picture. He found that he would have to “start from scratch,” in learning about the big-scale, South African diamond mining operations, an industry which “made” half a continent and turned a wilderness into a thriving modern civilization. In launching the picturization of “South of Suez” the studio’s first step was to secure diamond mine construction experts. Two months before cameras turned, a collection of experts traveled with the location scouts to various desert locales from Mexico to Death Valley, seeking the right natural backgrounds. In the San Fernando Valley they found a natural depression resulting from what is called a Mat 202—30c BRENDA AND BRENT—Brenda Marshall and George Brent (shown above) in Warner Bros.’ exciting film, “South of Suez,” opening Friday at the Strand Theatre. The action takes place in the mysterious setting of a South African diamond mine. “voleanic chimney.” Old gold mines had been turned into a hill-side gravel pit 400 feet deep in the course of highway-building operations, and the environs of a diamond mine built around it. Every item was authentic, even to the use of clumsy-looking wooden machinery. When completed, the mine matched, from all camera angles. Director Lewis Seiler and Cameraman Arthur Todd planned to use, a series of 40 photographs of a specific South African mine. Characteristic, also, is the tower on which stands an armed Nubian (Mohammedan), ready to halt anyone who attempts to sneak through the barb-wire, concentration -camp -like fence. The law requires this man to shout one order to halt and return. If he is not obeyed, he shoots to kill. Not only a large-sized, socalled “chimney” diamond mine of the newer sort found well north of Kimberley, South Africa, is represented in the picture, but another of the impoverished, “shoe-string”’ sort, operated by improvised machinery. In “South of Suez” the large mine is operated and partly owned by a character played by George Tobias. Against the mining operations is enacted a story of greed and desire in which figure Brent, Brenda Marshall, Lee Patrick, Miles Mander and several other players. The film also has London and Cairo sequences. BRENDA MARSHALL Valuable Jewels Used LAUDS BRENT KISS In “South of Suez’ Brenda Marshall nominates George Brent as the most considerate kissing partner on the screen. She made _ the_ discovery through filming late-afternoon love scenes with George for “South of Suez,” the film coming to the Strand Friday. The smiling Irishman had absolutely no prickly bristles on his chin. That fact will be significant to most of her sex, Brenda thinks. Imagine no cacti needles in the afternoon! But she was more impressed when she discovered that the absence of spiked stubble on the Brent chin was no mere accident, nor an indication that George’s beard doesn’t sprout as fiercely as the chin-whiskers of most virile males. It’s a matter of deliberate courtesy to the lady he’s going to — as the high school lads and lassies put it — “smooch” with. Just before osculation scenes, he goes quietly into his dressing room and shaves. “South of Suez,” a picture crammed with adventure, mystery and romance, was directed by Lewis Seiler. Sheridan Gibney wrote the original story. Now it may be told that $750,000 worth of diamonds “worked” all day long at Warner Bros. studios, in scenes of “South of Suez,” the George Brent starring film opening Friday at the Strand. During the day extras and others were told that the glittering array were prop-department imitations. Fascinated by their beauty, however, people on the set kept crowding around showcases in which the gems were displayed. Today they are back safely in possession of their owners, however. They represented, in the scenes filmed, the exhibits of a large diamond-importing and -cutting establishment in London. To it George Brent entrusts for cutting and mounting rough stones he has mined in Africa, all to be given heroine Brenda Marshall. Studio Chief of Police Blayney Matthews had two uniformed policemen and six-plain clothes detectives on the set all day, guarding the stones. The detectives posed variously as extras, a visitor in charge of one of the policemen, a prop man, an electrician up on the catwalks above the set, and a technical director. The stones were contributed by two jewelry firms and quite a group of private individuals, including actress Lee Patrick and Mrs. Lewis Seiler, wife of the director of the picture. All were heavily insured. George Brent Stars In Film for Strand Intrigue, murder and mystery make up the story of “South Of Suez,” the new Warner Bros.’ adventure film which opens next Friday at the Strand Theatre. The scene is laid in the seething heat of a South African diamond mine where greed and cruelty are rampant. George Brent is cast in the starring role as a mine foreman who has to fight off treachery. George Tobias plays the role of a ruthless mine owner who stops at nothing to gain his ends. Brenda Marshall is charming as the girl who proves her love for Brent by trying to show that he is innocent of her father’s murder. Director Lewis Seiler handled the megaphone for the season’s most exciting film. ‘South of Suez,’ Full of Action, Thrills—Strand Exciting drama, mystery and adventure are in_ store for Strand Theatre patrons when they see the new Warner Bros.’ film, “South Of Suez’ which makes its local bow next Friday. The action takes place in the adventure-laden atmosphere of a South African diamond mine. George Brent plays the role of a soldier-of-fortune mine foreman who meets his share of murder, theft and intrigue at the hands of a ruthless mine owner played by George Tobias. He is framed with the murder of a rival mine operator and clears himself after many a harrowing escape. Charming Brenda Marshall supplies the romantic interest when she allies herself with Brent in an effort to prove his innocence. Lee Patrick, in the role of Tobias’ embittered wife, gives the story a novel twist that will surprise the most sophisticated moviegoer. Screen favorites James Stephenson and Eric Blore lend their talent to the supporting roles. Mat 104—15c George Brent Adventure film director, Lewis Seiler, has added another to his list of exciting pictures with “South of Suez.” Jeti Crees hei occ 5 Hg ERS on gs GEORGE BRENT Katherine Sheffield 000... BRENDA MARSHALL Re ee ee GEORGE TOBIAS migoserr Locmien ee. James Stephenson TO ak ti ek, ik ph harass. gs Lee Patrick ee Aaa cl": Sh Adm As RRGAre M Nee aee « a Eric Blore Roger Smythe Henry Putnam bOI ee ie Par soso MoM gph hoe aN Miles Mander Pagtectas at ge onl PRL scene Sama Yea Cecil Kellaway Are. esate 805 000. Se ee dare oe Mary Forbes WN en ae tk ete Nie a Gilbert Emery Pemnciion Go ea et ae eee Stanley Logan Detense Counsel Frederick Worlock ct, ee ee ORE se eS Wee ye Edward Fielding EMME ci Ge ie er rie akc Leonard Mudie OO. Reet ih cee eee, Crauford Kent BUROGON A soe aA eee ein hs eek Holmes Herbert DRO Ce Ee eRe OR CG Ee Prince Modupe PRODUCTION Directed by LEWIS SEILER Screen Play by Barry Trivers: From a Story by Sheridan Gibney; Director of Photography, Arthur Todd, A.S.C.; Art Director, Esdras Hartley: Dialogue Director, Robert F oulk; Film Editor, Clarence Kolster: Gowns by Howard Shoup; Technical Advisor, Clifford Severn: Sound by Francis J. Scheid: Makeup Artist, Perc Westmore: Special Effects by Byron Haskin, A.S.C., and Edwin A. DuPar, A.S.C.; Musical Director, Leo F. Forbstein: Music by Frederick Hollander. SYNOPSIS (Not for Publication) Eli Snedeker (George Tobias) a mine owner hires John Gamble (George Brent) as foreman due to his wife's (Lee Patrick) persuasion. She falls madly in love with Gamble but he ignores her. Infuriated, she throws herself into his arms in her husband's presence and he orders Gamble off the mine. Gamble gets a job with a rival mine owner named Smythe (Miles Mander) and they discover a valuable diamond known as the “Star of Africa.” Lano, a spy of Snedeker’s, informs him of the discovery and he attempts to rob Smythe. During the struggle, Snedeker kills him and when he learns the jewel is missing he frames the murder on Gamble, who escapes with the diamond. The police are hot on his trail. Gamble traces Smythe’s daughter, Katherine, (Brenda Marshall) to England and falls in love with her when she helps to prove his innocence.