Stranger in Town (Warner Bros.) (1931)

Review “Stranger in Town” a True. Picture of Real Folks At last a picture of real people— of real folks minus the sophistication and the affectation that mark the average resident of a big city—has been brought to the screen. We refer to Warner Bros.’ latest picture, “Stranger in Town,” which opened last night at the .... Theatre, with SChic? "Sale; Ann _ Dvorak, David Manners, Noah Beery and Raymond | Hatton playing the leading broles.\' Et) isa picture with ro-§ mance minus sex — a fight¢ minus gangsters—and comedy of the finest type which the entire family will enjoy. The background of the fictitious Boilsville, Nebraska, provides a setting for a thoroughly human story of real folks. The plot gives us a touch of novelty as far as Sale is concerned, for it opens in the covered wagon days when, as a young pioneer, he drops out of the wagon train to start the town which later contains his general store. In this sequence we see, for the first time, Sale without his make-up and as his own natural self. But the bulk of the picture is laid in the present time where Sale, aged and bewhiskered, is town postmaster and owner of the only grocery store in town. On the same train on which his granddaughter returns from college is a young man who was sent out to start a chain grocery store branch in opposition to Sale. To complicate matters, the two young people fall in love, thus throwing impediments in the way of the fight which ensues between the two stores. “Chic” Sale has a superb role in this original story which was written by Carl Erickson. The situatioris move logically and dialogue is decidedly fresh and amusing. Ann Dvorak, who has been attracting a great deal of attention through her work on the screen, adds a lot to the picture through her performance as Sale’s granddaughter. David Ann Dvorak Cut No. 5 Cut 15c¢ Mat Se Manners, as the young chain store competitor, teams with Ann in providing the fine love interest of the picture. There is no doubt that David Manners in this picture raises him= self another notch in his rapidly growing popularity as a leading man. Noah Beery as the heavy again gives one of those sterling pieces of acting which have made him famous time and time again, and Raymond Hatton, as the town’s smart aleck, provides some novel comedy. The balance of the very able cast also includes Lyle Talbot, Maude Eburne, John Larkin and _ Jessie Arnold. It is decidedly Sale’s best picture to date—ably directed by Erle C. Kenton. Opening Day Story **Stranger in Town’ a Tale of Real Folks Back Home, Opens at....... Today A very modern problem in a rural setting provides the theme for Charles “Chic” Sale’s latest Warner Bros. picture, “Stranger in Town,” which opens today at the .... Theatre, with Ann Dvorak, David Manners, Noah Beery and Raymond Hatton. ~ As the proprietor of the only grocery store in the town of Boilsville, Nebraska, “Chic” is suddenly faced in his old age with the competition of a chain store branch. This situation, and the fact that his granddaughtér falls in love with the young manager of the chain store, provides a starting point for a story which has all the elements of a real, down to earth human story presenting real folks. The audience will be given an opportunity to see the real “Chic” Sale as he is off-screen, for the opening scenes of the picture show him in his youth at the time he starts the town which later serves as the setting for the bulk of the story. It is the first time in his screen career that Sale has appeared without his whiskers and white wig which have fooled many people into believing that he is really forty years older than his actual age. In addition to the leading players, Maude Eburne, Lyle Talbot, John Larkin and Jessie Arnold are also seen to advantage. The story is an original, written by Carl Erickson. The very able direction of the production was in the hands of Erle C. Kenton. ] st day of run “Chic”? Sale Seen Without Whiskers for First Time The “lonesomest man in Hollywood” need no longer be lonesome. For the first time in his motion picture career, Charles “Chic” Sale drops the whiskers and lops about forty years off his age and appears as his own, everyday self. This “transformation” takes place in “Stranger in Town,” his latest Warner Bros. picture, a comedy classic of real folks, which is now playing at the .... Theatre. The Opening sequences show him as a young man coming out West with the covered wagons to start the town of Boilsville, Nebraska. “Chic” is certain that this makeup, or rather lack of make-up, is going to do things—but he doesn’t know just what. For one thing, there are thousands of people who really believe him to be the ancient veteran of his previous screen successes. He is the only star in Hollywood who can walk the streets without being recognized by celebrity hunting fans. With the release of “Stranger in Town,” “Chic? Sale no longer will be a stranger in town. But the oddest effect it had was to have him barred from the studio by the gateman who was used to seeing “Chic” come to work every morning in his veteran make-up. The gateman had always believed that Sale was really an old man, and the star’s protestations of his real identity were only laughed at until an executive happened by and helped “Chic” get by the gateman so that he could get to work on his own picture. 2 nd day of run Captive Balloon Used on Location to Warn Planes One of the famous landmarks of the San Fernando Valley is an enormous captive balloon, anchored on the back lot of the Warner Bros.-First National studios, near the river bed and soaring well up over the top of Mount Warner. To visitors, its purpose is always a mystery, and the source of much curiosity. The balloon, as few persons know, was placed there shortly after the inception of the talkies. In large black lettering across the top is the word “QUIET.” Aviators from the two nearby airports, flying over the huge ball, are supposed to take warning and put plenty of distance between their planes and the studio. “Chic” Sale and his company for his latest picture, “Stranger in Town,” a comedy classic of real folks with Ann Dvorak and David Manners, which is now at the... . Theatre, worked at that spot. They reported, however, that the balloon defeated its own purpose. Like great bees zooming up to a flower, planes would fly up to see what it was all about—and then, shamefacedly, put on fuli speed and dash away with motors wide open. me rd day of run Ann Dvorak Promoted to 3-Room Dressing Room at Warner Bros. Studio Although it is regarded as a sign of impending stardgm to be graduated to an exclusive, well-appointed dressing room, Ann Dvorak is too busy thinking of its more personal advantages to give heed to its lucrative portent. At the commencement of the production of “Strangers in Town,” at the Warner Bros.-First National studios, the picture which is now playing at the ... . Theatre, in which Ann appears with “Chic” Sale, executives told her she could move out of the one-room dressing room she has hitherto occupied and which contained only a make-up table, a chair and a couch. Now she occupies the dressing room vacated by Dorothy Mackaill. It is a three-room affair— in fact, it is a complete apartment containing everything that makes a home, including a kitchen. CURRENT | first screen test. Prior to entering | her role in “Stranger in Town,” ‘which is a comedy classic of real folk, , Ann married Leslie Fenton, but th young couple were denied a honeymM}on due to production of the pictur | Ann saw only the prospect of e ings with her young husband, but advent of the dressing room changec matters. _ She keeps her hous skeeper at the studio with her during the day and at lunch time she passe* up the studio’s lunch room, eating : inely prepared lunch made ready her and her husband in the priva: pf the dressing room. t Ann says it is th finest wedding " her. 4 4 | Ab th day of van Lyle Talbot Too © brfect for Screen Herc oles Lyle Talbot is hand me enough to play heavies. In Holl pwood parlance that means that he i; 4 very good looking young man in leed. Perfect profiles fo ' popular vil lains and _ irreguia eatures on heroes seems to be } hew rule in screen characteriza William Powell, George Bre mes Cagney and Edward G. Re , no one of whom could mode’ Greek God, are present day aroes. And men with classic ances, like Talbot, Hardie 4 and other young and promis} 3, are present day menaces t py ending. There was a tin ) long ago in pictures when 01 with heavy features and thun ‘voices, like Noah Beery, coul¢ fe villain’s role. But today tf rother, Wal lace Beery, is a s atic star and in “Stranger in ;? the new “Chic” Sale comed, ic picture of real folks, with . Yvorak and David Manners, at t . . Theatre, in which both Noah y and Lyle Talbot have roles, i he younger, handsome man who | the meanest part. Talbot is such a that he has been } it at Warner Bro arrived from Tex __isome devil double timing ever since he nd made his I 4 test changed him, overnight, a promising leading man _ to compromising, double-dealing, d: -the-wool villain in pictures. | Perhaps it is m Eek that the public wants hano heavies, as it is that it wants r but not handsome, heroes, whi ‘be blamed for the fix in whicl FPathot Ands himself. Ry, At. that, fa Styles in herc change again. still has his lo “ly content. ‘ains may -and he BLICITY Ay th day of run Extras Had Soft Job on **Stranger in Town” Set “Oh, for the life of an extra!” wailed Director Erle C. Kenton, his cameramen and crew. Which all meant that the extras were enjoying luxuries, as often happens, which were denied the “big shots.” The luxury in this case was a nice, roaring campfire out on the Warner ranch where Kenton was _ filming scenes for “Chic” Sale’s latest Warner Bros. picture, “Stranger in Town,” a comedy classic of real folks which is now playing at the.... Theatre. ~° The scenes, depicting a camp of pioneers in the covered wagon days, were shot late at night while a biting cold wind swept the ranch. The extras didn’t mind it! a bit, because they were paid to hug the warm campfire. It was a good thing that these scenes were the last shot for the picture, because next morning Director Kenton and several members of the crew were busy doctoring colds. Ann Dvorak and David Manners, who play the romantic leads, were fortunate, too. They weren’t needed for the night shot, so they stayed at home. “The Show Must Go On’”’ Creed of Maude Eburne It costs many a heart-break to earn the title of “trouper.” The tear behind the smile in this story belongs to Maude Eburne, the character actress who was cast as a comic, flirtatious widow in “Chic” Sale’s latest Warner Bros. picture, “Stranger in Town,” a comedy classic of real folks, which is now playing at the .... Theatre with Ann Dvorak and David Manners playing the romantic leads. The fact that Maude Eburne took advantage. of every comedy opportunity offered by the role, stamps her as a trouper in more ways than one, for just a couple of months before entering the production she became a widow in real life. Just a few months prior to that, she and her husband had celebrated their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. This silver wedding festival also marked their departure, with their daughter, from their native haunts in New York to make their permanent home in Hollywood. It was to, be the beginning of a new life—but Fate had changed the script on them. Grief over the departure of her husband prevented Miss Eburne from entering one role for which she had signed a contract, but when she was offered the part of the widow in the “Chic” .Sale picture, she held true to the slogan of. all good troupers: “The show must go on.” Current Shorts Covered Wagons Used in **Stranger in Town” When Hollywood film makers want carts or wagons of any age or description, they always apply to Kurley Eagles, who makes his living by keeping over five hundred of these forms of transportation, besides the animals that go with them. A number of covered wagons were secured from him by Warner Bros. for the opening sequences of “Stranger in Town,” the “Chic” Sale comedy classic of real folks, now at the.... Theatre, with Ann Dvorak and David Manners playing the leading romantic roles. Rough on “Chic’’ Sale “Chic” Sale had to take to eating his lunches off the mantlepiece, not that he particularly enjoys his fare solitaire and standing up. The reason was a rat trap. “Chic,” who plays the part of a country storekeeper in “Stranger in Town,” the Warner Bros. comedy classic of real folks, coming to the. ... Theatre next ...., with Ann Dvorak and David Manners, ducked under a counter to escape a designing widow, played by Maude Eburne. He forgot all about a steel rat trap which is used in the set and which the property man had carelessly left set. As Chic? ‘sat. on the’. trap,’ it closed. “Chic” leaped to his feet with a howl of anguish. It was not in the script, but the camera was grinding and Director Erle Kenton decided to let the scene stick for the picture. But when he innocently suggested a_ retake “Chic” looked at him with murder in his eyes. The rat trap episode makes one of the funniest incidents in the picture. ~ Stamps—Three for Five “Chic” Sale puts one over on the village cut-ups in “Stranger in Town,” the Warner Bros. comedy classic of real folks, which is now at the... .. Theatre, with Ann Dvorak and David Manners. “Chic” is the town postmaster as well as proprietor of a grocery store. When a chain store starts in opposition to him, he advertises that he will cut prices on everything in his store. Raymond Hatton, one of the wise boys, demands that he live up to his advertising and give him a _ reduction on stamps. “Sure,” said “Chic,” “three for a nickel.” When the nickel was forthcoming, “Chic” passed out two twos and a one. PLAY VITAPHONE | SHORTS FOR A WELL BALANCED PROGRAM Director Saved Props The production unit, fi og “Stranger in Town,” the Wan. >-r Bros. picture, a comedy classic ox real folks, with Ann Dvorak, now at the .... Theatre, was never late for lunch. Day in and day out that company worked entirely surrounded by groceries. They were edible groceries, too, and were it not for the sharp eyes of Director Erle Kenton, they might well have served to stave off hunger if the company had worked after the noon hour. A morning’s work midst the groceries sharpened the appetites of all concerned and Director Kenton, in order to prevent a raid on the fruits and vegetables used as props, always “broke” the company for lunch on time. Besides, he got hungry himself. Film Capital Studio Rewards Dvorak-Manners If a film player is good, there isn’t anyone in Hollywood quicker to recognize fine work and show their appreciation than those in charge of production at the Warner Bros. Burbank studios. Take the case of Ann Dvorak and David Manners—who play the romantic leads in “Stranger in Town,” the comedy classic of real folks now playing at the .... Theatre. Even while they were still engaged in making this picture, both Dvorak and Manners were selected by the studio’s casting office to play the leading roles in “Crooner,” one of Warner Bros.’ most important productions for the new season. In addition to Dvorak and Manners, “Chic” Sale, Noah Beery, Raymond Hatton and Lyle Talbot play important roles in “Stranger in Town.” Recent Hollywood Bride Seen in Strand Comedy One of Hollywood’s most recent contributions to its own select list of happily married luminaries is Ann Dvorak. This versatile young brunette, who so rapidly rose to screen prominence, was last seen by (name of town) movie-goers in the dramatic title role of “The Strange Love of Molly Louvain,” the picture which brought her a two-fold measure of good fortune—a long-term contract by Warner Bros. and a husband, Leslie Fenton. The first picture on her new contract, a highly amusing comedy of real folks, “Stranger in Town,” is on current view at the... . Theatre. David Manners Entered Movies Without Trying David Manners, who is seen in the Warner Bros. comedy classic of real folks, “Stranger in Town,” now playing at the |... Theatre, with “Chic” Sale and*Ann Dvorak, became a motion picture actor without even trying. He was passing through Hollywood on his way to Honolulu, where he was to spend his honeymoon, when a producer spotted him and urged him to take a leading part in the film version of “Journey’s End.” He has been in Hollywood and the movies since then. Page Ni