The Case of the Black Cat (Warner Bros.) (1936)

PUBLICITY June Travis Regulates Life On Business Plan Feminine Lead in “The Case of the Black Cat’? Has System of Her Own When June Travis was picked to play the role of Della Street, the worldly-wise secretary to Ricardo Cortez in ‘‘The Case of the Black Cat,’’ the First National picture now showing at the........ ie eis | sie Theatre, they chose one of the few Hollywood actresses who could hold down such a job in real life. For June, who has been in the Cinema City but two years, and has climbed to leading roles in that time, has installed a system that would be the pride and joy of any modern business office. She came to Hollywood and the acting profession fresh from a girls’ school in Chicago. Except for occasional trips to the inner sanctum of the Chicago White Sox baseball club, of which her father is vice-president, she had never been in a real office in her life. Nevertheless, June took it upon herself to install a system in her daily life which embraces filing cabinets and time clocks and all its trimmings. And she has the time of her life keeping it up. Into trim filing cabinets go all receipted bills for the Travis wardrobe and the Travis groceries. She files them personally, and spurns the use of the conventional Hollywood part-time business manager. “Why hire such a_ person?” asks June. “If one can’t run one’s own business one’ll never go far. A lot of people out here say they haven’t the time. That’s silly. Anyone can find time to mind her own business. That is, unless she’s too busy minding the affairs of other people.” June punches a small bureau clock every morning when she gets up and again when she retires in the evening. It is a sure means of checking up on her sleep. About the middle of the week, if she finds she is several hours behind in her sleep, she cancels engagements for the remainder of the week and balances her shuteye budget to conform to the figures on the time clock. Fifty-six hours a week is her goal, and it’s seldom she misses the mark. “The Case of the Black Cat” is another of the thrilling murder mystery dramas of Erle Stanley Gardner. Besides Cortez and Miss Travis, the cast includes Jane Bryan, Craig Reynolds, Carlyle Moore, Jr., Gordon Elliott and Nedda Harrigan. The picture was directed by William McGann from the screen play by F. Hugh Herbert. June Travis Buys One-Half of Cat June Travis has purchased a half interest in “Penelope,” the prodigy of the feline world who has done many “bit” roles in motion pictures. Penelope and Miss Travis recently worked together in the First National picture, “The Case of the Black Cat,” which comes to these... 420 Theatre ON § ee eee ag Penelope has the title role and Miss Travis the feminine lead. Because they got along so well together June made a deal with Penelope’s owner for a half ownership, she to share in profits or losses of the feline’s business life. According to feline tradition, June may be said to own four-and-a-half of Penelope’s lives. Ricardo Cortez is featured in “The Case of the Black Cat” as the famous amateur sleuth, Perry Mason. June Travis Sets New Style in Gowns June Travis, set a new style in the costume design while working in the First National mystery drama, “The Case of the Black Cat,” now showing at the....... Theatre. Fashioned of navy blue chiffon, the dress is a_ tunic-type, shirred horizontally from shoulders to tunic hem, while the short skirt underneath is slim, with a row of large pearl buttons placed so closely as almost to overlap, straight down the front. Greed Claims A Victim Nedda Harrigan, George Rosener ( centre) and Craig Reynolds in a weird scene from “The Case of the Black Cat,” First National picturization of Erle Stanley Gardner’s latest murder mystery, fea turing Ricardo Cortez and June Travis the and coming to Penn eee ry ERNE SESS sere: ET MINA Oe Mat No. 202—20c Mystery Drama Actors All Have . Business on Side Proving that the Hollywood film players enjoy having a sideline to their regular professional duties, it was found that every featured member of the cast of “The Case of the Black Cat,” the First National picture which COMES fOmthes.../. be ce Theatre OW Ach » has an interest in some other business. Ricardo Cortez, the leading man, owns third interest in a New York City cafeteria. He figures he’ll never go hungry, no matter what happens. June Travis, his leading lady, is financially interested in several Southern California girls’ softball teams. Her father is Harry Grabiner, vice-president of the Chicago White Sox, Craig Reynolds, the “heavy” of the company, is interested in a Chicago candy manufacturing concern specializing in marshmallows. Carlyle Moore, Jr., juvenile, owns a half interest in a concern designing and manufacturing outdoor gymnasium equipment. Gordon Elliott, featured character player, dabbles in Toluca Lake real estate. All outside interests are paying profitable dividends, too, according to the players. “The Case of the Black Cat” is a thrilling murder mystery melodrama by Erle Stanley Gardner. William McGann directed the picture from the screen play by F. Hugh Herbert. Ricardo Cortez Is Cured of Life Long Cat Phobia They ran into their first real trouble on the set of “The Case of the Black Cat,” the First National picture which comes to the Theatre: on... ). se. when Ricardo Cortez had to work in a scene with Penelope, the cat assigned to play the title role. Cortez, like many other persons, just can’t stand to see cats around and it presented quite a problem. Regardless of his personal feelings, the actor had to do a scene with the eat. Scotty Moore, the property man, finally solved the problem. Unknown to Cortez, he slipped a eat biscuit in the actor’s pocket. Within a few minutes, the cat jumped into Ricardo’s lap and stuck its head in his pocket. Cortez was startled but pleased and the scene was made without a hitch. “The Case of the Black Cat? is the latest of the thrilling murder mystery dramas by Erle Stanley Gardner. Besides Cortez the east includes June Trais, Jane Bryan, Craig Reynolds, Carlyle Moore, Jr., Gordon Elliott and Nedda Harrigan. The picture was directed by William McGann from the screen play by F. Hugh Herbert. There is a widely accepted idea that cats are the especial companions of old maids—though the records show that felines have been favorites with many men. Sir Isaac Newron, according to an old story, made two doors in his barn—one for the big cat to use and another for the kitten. Both used the same door. IMEsS TORY The story opens at the country estate of Peter Laxter, eccentric, bedridden millionaire. With him live Wilma Laxter, his granddaughter, Frank Oafley, Wilma’s cousin, and Sam Laxter, another grandson. Servants in the house are Ashton, the caretaker, Daisy DeVoe, Peter Laxter’s nurse, and Mrs. Pixley, the housekeeper. Believing that Wilma’s fiance, Douglas Keene, wants to marry the girl for the money she will inherit, Peter Laxter calls Perry Mason, his lawyer, and has him change his will, leaving all his money to his two grandsons. Wilma invests what money she has in a waffle shop in the nearby town. Douglas, her fiance, joins her in managing the business. Several days later the Laxter mansion burns down, and the charred remains of Peter Laxter are found in his bed. Perry Mason, with the assistance of his secretary,. Della Street and his man of all work, Paul Drake, sets to work to find the person whom he believes started the fire. Sam Laxter and Oafley hire Schuster, a shyster lawyer to protect them against Mason’s investigation. Mason’s first coup is to prevent Laxter and Oafley from dismissing Ashton, the caretaker, on the grounds that his cat Clinker, keeps them awake at night. Ashton and the cat were provided for in the will. Mason gets an order of exhumation for Laxter’s body, and it is found Laxter had been dead several hours before the body was found, by monoxide gas. Mason finds a hose connected from a running automobile into Laxter’s room. Later, the caretaker’s body is found dead. Across the bedding are the tracks of a cat. Several hours before, Douglas Keene had brought the cat to Wilma. He had gone to the home of the caretaker and not finding him at home had taken the cat. Hearing of this, the District Attorney arrests him for the murder. He is also accused of Laxter’s murder. As the trial nears its end, Mason announces that Peter Laxter is still alive. He produces him in court. Laxter, with the cooperation of his caretaker, had substituted the body of a tramp in his bed and had then set his own house on fire, disappearing afterwards so that he could find out which of his relatives wanted to kill him and obtain the money. Oafley, secretly in love with Daisy DeVoe the nurse, conspired with her to kill Laxter. They also murdered the caretaker and then framed Douglas. Their false cue was the marks of the cat. Mason had found that the footprints on the bed were not those of Clinker. Wilma and Douglas discuss plans for their marriage. TPE... CAST Racango (@onteg =e). ee a ee Jane Travise= Jane Bryan... Craig Reynolds ____. Carlyle Moore, Jr. Gordon Elliott... Nedda Harrigan. Garry Owen............ Harry Davenport .. George Rosener Gordon) “Hart: Secu eof Clarence Wilson __. Guyoisher os oe Lottie Williams. Harry Hayden...... Milton Kibbee _. Ole SOC H AT sera te ee PRODUCTION STAFF TO le ere a SIREN ee Laat: CS Re a Screen Play SPONV ees eee. Photography _.. Film Editor... Dialogue Director_. Art Director__.—.__.. Gowns af ge eet bu hed “Eee en oS) ee Milo Anderson Perry Mason ee es Della Street ae as Wilma Laxter _.. Frank Oafley _... Douglas Keene Sea Sam Laxter ENG Louise DeVoe BENG Paul Drake SL nO teem «wD NE es wa Peter sLaxter Sa a on oe eee ES Ashton Dr. Jacobs att coe i, Shuster Ee rN FF Burger .. Mrs. Pixley _. Rev. Stillwell Phair. Brandon William McGann 2s... fs Hugh “Herbert pie Erle Stanley Gardner _._ Allen G. Siegler, A.S.C. june, wa Prank. Magee _..Frank Beckwith ieee Hugh Reticker OFFICIAL BILLING Pictures, Inc. present THE CASE OF THE BLACK CAT Ricardo Cortez—June Travis : Jane Bryan—Craig Reynolds—Carlyle Moore, Jr.—Gordon Elliott * * Directed by William McGann * + * Warner Bros. 25% 5% 100% with 50% 30% 20% A First National 10% Picture 10% BIOGRAPHIES = Rieardo Cortez Ricardo Cortez was born in Vienna but moved to New York with his parents when three. He received his early education there and then entered a brokerage office as a messenger boy. Always interested in the theatre he spent his spare pennies for seats in the peanut gallery. First before the footlights as a super in a theatrical spectacle. Then fly-boy in a Forty-First Street theatre. Next an extra at a Fort Lee studio. Cortez quickly advanced to leading roles. He was Garbo’s leading man in her first feature, ‘‘The Torrent.’’ When the talkies came in he was even in more demand because of an excellent speaking voice. His more recent pictures are ‘““The Walking Dead,’ “Man Hunt,” ‘Frisco Kid,” “The Murder of Dr. Harrigan,’’ ‘Special Agent,”? and ‘‘The White Cockatoo.” His current production is ‘‘The Case of the Black Cat’’ which comes to the parry A A Ne ‘Pheatieontie 2. ce Sues June Travis Born in Chicago on August 7, 1915, June Travis attended the Parkside School and the Starrett School for Girls. Her father is Harry Grabiner, vice president and general manager of the Chicago White Sox Baseball Club. Accompanying her father on a spring training trip to the West Coast, she matriculated at the University of California. She took a screen test, too, then returned to Chicago. Miss Travis entered the University of Chicago and forgot all about film work until she was introduced to a Warner Bros. executive. She told him of the screen test. He immediately got in touch with the studio that had made it, and after seeing the test, offered her a contract. She accepted and was given a small part with Kay Francis in ‘Stranded.’ Her pictures are ‘“‘Bengal Tiger,” ‘‘Earthworm Tractors,’’ ‘Jailbreak,’ ‘Ceiling Zero,” ‘‘Stranded,’? “Times Square Playboy,”’ “Dr. Socrates,” ‘The Case of the Lucky Legs,’ and her current picture, “The Case of the Black Cat,’? which comes to the... ‘Theatre: on... ., In the Shadow June Travis and Ricardo Cortez —featured in “The Case of the Black Cat,” the First National picturization of the Erle Stanley Gardner murder mystery which is now showing at the_____________ Theatre. Mat No. 104—10¢ ee Page Three