Special Agent (Warner Bros.) (1935)

PRODUCTION DETAILS Carston (Ricardo Cortez), is the head of a big chain of rackets that includes everything from gambling to murder. Bill Bradford (George Brent) a newspaper reporter is tolerated by Carston because Bill prints what he finds out, but not what he is told in confidence. He knows that Carston is guilty of everything of which he is aceused, but until the evidence is complete, ‘‘plays ball’’ with the racketeer. Bill is in love with Julie Gardner (Bette Davis), bookkeeper for Carston. Julie, who never dreamed what she was getting into when she took the job, knows she would be ‘‘put on the spot’’ if she quit. All the books are kept in code that nobody but Julie and Carston understand. When Andrews (Jack LaRue), manager of Carston’s. biggest gambling club, double crossed Carston and igs ruthlessly killed along with several innocent bystanders, Bill makes up his mind to get the goods on Carston. Knowing where the books are kept, Bill arranges for a raid by G-Men but warns Carston of the fact in order to keep his confidence. When the raiders appear, Carston laughs at them. He has given the books to Julie to hide in her room. Jie Gardner es... Wal Pradrord ae hy Sie ee eee District Attorney........0......0.0006 FS ae eae emer epee ree CRigE BE ONCE isc PS ea. Das Se SS TOURS 8 a aa apctliot oe aa oe Story deg. DY 522......S Sedigia pereen Pity 09. cnc Photography:.6Ys:6éic.0 ae corsa. BPilm: Hdtiet.. si Sare.. Art De eet oS ae a Musical Director. ...........ccccccc BETTE DAVIS “SPECIAL AGENT”’ He does not know that Bill and a photographer have gone to Julie’s room and made photostatie copies of every page. Julie is arrested to protect her from being killed and the Federal District Attorney gets a warrant for Carston. Carston is not worried because his lawyer assures him that without the books, the Government can prove nothing. When Carston realizes that the government has photostatie copies of the books, he is worried, but resolves that Julie shall never tesHIM Ee Carston’s men hold up the G men who have a writ to take Julie out of jail to court. They present the writ at the jail and then take Julie to their hide-out in ‘‘The Castle.’’ Bill traces her and after a desperate battle with the crooks, rescues her and takes her to court. Carston has arranged for one of his women aids, a dead shot, to kill her on the stand. But the G Men have spotted the killer and when she draws the revolver from her muff, they disarm her. Carston is convicted of evading the income tax on Julie’s testimony and sent to prison for thirty years. Bill and Julie go for a marriage license. eee Eh Bette Davis See ee George Brent SR Sgt a ee Ricardo Cortez eS ea oak ae ae Jack LaRue eee RE Ree oe Henry O’Neill as alee »..Robert Strange ee aS ee Joseph Crehan gee, eet en J. Carroll Naish cies Son ae Joseph Sauers ee es ena William Davidson ENED a SO Ae Robert Barrat Seen nine TS Paul Guilfoyle Sis ie ene hee at Joseph King Tague Moat erie Irving Pichel oe ee William Keighley ep eeeee ase Martin Mooney Laird Doyle and Abem Finkel Sie eee ee Sid Hickox See ......isdras Hartley BR Ee igdee e Leo F. Forbstein with GEORGE BRENT Ricardo Cortez—Jack LaRue—Henry O’Neill Directed by William Keighley A Cosmopolitan Picture Released by Warner Bros. Productions Corp. and the Vitaphone Corp. Uncle Sam’s Special Agents Bette Davis and George Brent have the most exciting roles of their screen careers as two undercover agents‘of the U.S. Treasury Department in the Cosmopolitan production ‘‘Special Agent,’’ the Warner Bros. pic ture which will open at the ....... ie See PRGA C OR 2 ee Mat No. 205—20e Rieardo Cortez Ricardo Cortez was born in Vienna but moved to New York with his parents when three years of age. His first chance to play before the footlights came when he got a job as a super in a theatrical spectacle. Then he was given work as fly boy in a Forty-First Street theatre. An advertisement for extras at a Fort Lee studio caught his eye. He applied and got a job. Cortez quickly advanced from extra to bit parts and finally to leading roles. He was Garbo’s leading man in her first feature, ‘<The Torrent.’’ His more recent pictures include ‘*The White Cockatoo,’’ ‘‘*The Firebird’’ and ‘‘I Am A Thief.’’ His latest production is ‘‘Special Agent’’ which comes to the Spe eee PEATE =O. 25 cccercae nce Jack LaRue Jack LaRue was born in New York City and educated at the De Witt Clinton High School. While looking for a job he saw some movie actors in front of a casting office, went in and asked for a chance. He didn’t get it then, but finally landed a small role with Eugene O’Brien. Two years ago he turned to Hollywood. Recently he has played in ‘‘Little Big Shot,’’ ‘‘The Kennel Murder Case’’ and ‘‘ Blessed Event.’’ His current production is ‘‘Special Agent,’’ now showing at the PEE Pir AO ies Theatre. Robert Barrat Robert Barrat was born in New York City and educated in the public schools of that city. His debut in theatrical circles was in stock in Springfield, Mass. It was while playing the role of the strong man in the stage play, ‘Lilly Turner,’’ that Warner Bros. engaged him for that identical role with Ruth Chatterton. Since then he played in many pictures including ‘‘Stranded,*’ “The Florentine Dagger’’ and ‘<Devil Dogs of the Air.’’ His current picture is ‘‘Special Agent,’? now showing at the Theatre. Henry O'Neill Henry O’Neill was born in Orange, N. J. After graduating from Seton Hall, he landed a minor role with a Newark, N. J., stock company, he felt he was ready to try Broadway. His first role there was with ‘‘John Ferguson’’ for the Theatre Guild. He clicked with Broadway’s theatre-goers and for many years was one of the most popular stage actors. Brought to Hollywood by Warner Bros., O’Neill has recently appeared in ‘‘Stranded,’’ ‘‘Broadway Joe’’ and ‘‘We’re In The Money.’’ His current picture is ‘‘Special Agent,’’ now showing at the es oe er Theatre. Bette Davis Bette Davis was born in Boston, Mass., and attended Cushing Academy. Her dramatic career began at school and was continued several years later in New York City where she first attended the John Murray Anderson School of the Drama and later played with the Provincetown players. A role in Ibsen’s ‘‘ Wild Duck’? brought her to the attention of prominent New York producers and soon after she played on Broadway with Richard Bennett. Called to Hollywood, Bette’s youthful face and figure confined her to child roles, until George Arliss gave her a leading role in “<The Man Who Played God.’? Her most recent pictures include ‘“Front Page Woman,’’ ‘‘The Girl From 10th Avenue,’’ ‘‘Bordertown,’’ and ‘‘Of Human Bondage.” Her current picture is ‘‘ Special Agent,’’ which comes to the .......... Theatreson: =o ne George Brent George Brent was born in Dublin, Ireland and educated in the University there. His father and brothers were newspapermen, and George had started to work as a reporter when he became active in the Irish rebellion finally becoming the trusted messenger of the revolutionary chief, Michael Collins. Brent escaped with his life and _ travelled in many countries in search of adventure. He lived dangerously enough until he finally landed in America. His first stage experience was with stock companies of which he has at one time or another, owned six. His first screen role was with Ruth Chatterton in ‘‘The Rich Are Always With Us.’’ Other pictures in which he has had prominent roles include ‘<Front Page Woman,’’ ‘‘Stranded,’’? and ‘‘The Painted Veil.’’ His current production is ‘‘Special Agent,’’? which comes to the gas one eet cae Theatre on =.siseauciies 261 Newspapers Have Used Our PERSONAL INTERVIEWS Never have we had so big a response to a newspaper feature as to our offer to provide authentic, bonafide interviews on Warner Bros.’ stars and featured players. And the repeat orders prove the worth of this service. Are you one of the 261 showmen getting these breaks? Editor prepares a list of questions —the same as he would ask if he interviewed the star personally. You send the questionnaire to EDWARD SELZER, Publicity Director, Warner Bros, Studios, Burbank, Cal. State date interview breaks and Mr. Selzer will get the answers back in time to meet your dead line* It is recommended that the story break for the opening of the star’s film or during its run. * This contingent upon stars’ presence at the studio. If away on location or ‘between pictures,’ editor will be notified to that effect at once and advised of return. Page Fourteen