The Case of the Black Parrot (Warner Bros.) (1941)

PUBLICITY travelers on a refugee ship. Mat 201—30c MURDER WITHOUT WARNING has been stalking these three fellow Shown above are Maris Wrixon, William Lundigan and Eddie Foy, Jr. in a scene from the Warner Bros. mystery thriller, “‘The Case Of The Black Parrot,” now playing at the Strand Theatre. (Lead Story) “Case OF Black Parrot’ Due Friday At Strand One of the most spine-tingling mystery films to ever thrill an audience will make its _ local debut this Friday at the Strand Theatre when Warner Bros. “The Case Of The Black Parrot” opens. The film tells the exciting story of an international criminal called the Black Parrot, whose true identity is not known. His erimes take many forms—anything from counterfeiting masterpieces of art to brutal murder. The film co-stars William Lundigan and Maris Wrixon, as two people whose lives are endangered by this ruthless murderer. On board a U. S. bound ship, Lundigan, in the role of a newspaper man, learns of the Black Parrot, who is on the ship in an attempt to steal a valuable handcarved cabinet. Lundigan meets a lovely young girl, Wrixon’s role, whose uncle owns the cabinet. When a false submarine warning is sounded and Maris’ stateroom is entered by someone during the excitement, Lundigan is sure that it is the Black Parrot’s work. Maris’ uncle becomes one of the Parrot’s victims and Lundigan vows that he will avenge his death. After many a narrow escape from sudden death, he tracks down the Black Parrot, whose identity will surprise even the most died-in-the-wool mystery fan. Eddie Foy, Jr. gives the film a humorous touch with his interpretation of a jovial newspaper photographer. Luli Deste and Paul Cavanagh lend added thrills to the exciting plot as two characters whose activities baffle the police. “The Case Of The Black Parrot” was directed by Noel M. Smith. The exciting scenario, which was written by Robert E. Kent, was adapted from a play by Eleanor Robeson Belmont and Harriet Ford and the novel by Burton E. Stevenson. Thriller At Strand A thrilling mystery film that will send chills up and down your spine will open at the Strand Theatre next Friday. The picture, called “The Case Of The Black Parrot,” is the exciting story of the search for a dangerous international criminal who has successfully outsmarted the police of two continents. William Lundigan, who makes his debut as a leading man, is cast as a fast talking newspaper man who attempts to track down the Black Parrot. Playing the feminine lead opposite him is Maris Wrixon, charming young Warner player who is starting on the path to stardom. The picture is crammed full of suspense and exciting action. Hubby Bows Out For Wife’s Sake Maris Wrixon, Warner Bros. lovely starlet, was the happiest girl in the world when she was chosen to play the romantic lead in “Case Of The Black Parrot.” Her husband, Rudolph Fehr, film cutter at the same studio, was thrilled too, until he realized complications were about to set in. The day before Maris was given the part, Rudolph was handed the cutting assignment on the same picture. He immediately realized that if he gave her any unnecessary film footage, the studio would reprimand him. If he cut too much of Maris out, home life might be unbearable. Rudolph asked for and re ceived a new assignment. OFFICIAL BILLING WARNER BROS. Pictures, Inc. Presents 40% 5% “THE CASE OF THE BLACK PARROT” with 100% WILLIAM LUNDIGAN—MARIS WRIXON—EDDIE FOY, JR. LULI DESTE—PAUL CAVANAGH Directed by Noel M. Smith Sereen Play by Robert E. Kent From the Play by Eleanor Robeson Belmont and Harriet Ford and the Novel by Burton E. Stevenson A Warner Bros.-First National Picture 20% 15% 3% 2% 5% (Opening Day) Thrilling Mystery Film Opens Today At Strand Theatre Thrills, mystery and murder are the ingredients that make up the new Warner Bros. film, “The Case Of The Black Parrot” which opens at the Strand Theatre today. It tells the story of an international criminal. Known only as the Black Parrot because of his uncanny ability to counterfeit anything from legal documents to masterpieces of art, he is sought by the police of two continents. Starred in the roles of a keenwitted newspaper reporter and his lovely sweetheart are William Lundigan and charming Maris Wrixon. Mat 103—15c Maris Wrixon and William Lundigan With the aid of his pal, a happy-go-lucky newspaper photographer, played by Eddie Foy, Jr., Lundigan unravels the puzzling stories of several mysterious characters who seem to be connected with the activities of the Black Parrot. “The Case Of The Black Parrot” was written for the screen by Robert E. Kent from a play by Eleanor Robeson Belmont and Harriet Ford which is from the novel by Burton E. Stevenson. Noel M. Smith, directed the exciting mystery film. William Lundigan Has Breezy Role In Strand Mystery When William Lundigan learned that Warners intended making an exciting mystery film fealled “The ‘Case Of The Black Parrot,” which opens Friday at the Strand Theatre, he asked to play the leading role of a fast-talking newspaper man who is just as good a detective as he is a writer. He was tested and Mat 102—15c William Lundigan given the part. This was a break for Lundigan because although he has had some fine roles (generally those of somebody’s brother in such films as “Dodge City,” “The Man Who Talked Too Much” and “East Of The River,” he has never before had the leading role. In this film he finds himself in one thrilling situation after another as he tries to trap a very dangerous international criminal. Bill was doing well as a radio announcer before being persuaded to swap the mike for the screen. He doesn’t take himself seriously and is a firm believer in Lady Luck. (Review) “Case Of Black Parrot’ Tale Of Terror. At Strand Strand Theatre audiences sat spellbound yesterday as_ they watched the thrilling new mystery film, “The Case Of The Black Parrot,” during its initial showing. It is a hair-raising tale of a ruthless criminal who baffles the police of two continents. His crimes range from counterfeiting to murder and he is known only as the Black Parrot. William Lundigan gives a realistic performance of an energetic young newspaper man who gets on the trail of the Black Parrot and is all the more determined to bring him to justice when the Parrot chooses his fiancee’s uncle as one of his victims. Maris Wrixon plays the feminine lead opposite Lundigan and gives a vivacious performance. The Warner starlet, who has her first important role in “The Case Of The Black Parrot,” shows that she has the stuff to take her to the top ranks in movieland. Eddie Foy, Jr. gets plenty of laughs with his performance of a newspaper photographer who helps Lundigan in his efforts to trap the Parrot despite the fact that he is more Exciting Crime Film At Strand An exciting search across two continents for an international criminal whose crimes are both gruesome and baffling is the thrilling theme of the new Warner Bros. mystery film, “The Case Of The Black Parrot” now playing at the Strand Theatre. William Lundigan plays the role of a young newspaper reporter who vows to bring the murderer of his sweetheart’s uncle to justice. The role of his sweetheart is played by lovely Maris Wrixon and together they , have many a shuddering experience in tracking down the killer. Luli Deste and Paul Cavanagh add to the mysterious atmosphere of the film in the roles of two highly suspicious characters. “The Case Of The Black Parrot” was written for the sereen by Robert E. Kent from the play by Eleanor Robeson Belmont and Harriet Ford and the novel by Burton E. Stevenson. Noel M. Smith directed. interested in his own safety than in being a hero. Through a clever ruse, Lundigan traps the Parrot and his identity will prove a surprise to the most sophisticated follower of mystery stories. Luli Deste and Paul Cavanagh give the film an added atmosphere of eeriness with their brilliant performances as two mysterious characters. Noel M. Smith, who directed the film, did a wonderful job in building an air of suspense. “The Case Of The Black Parrot” was adapted to the screen by Robert E. Kent from a play by Eleanor Robeson Belmont and Harriet Ford which was from the novel by Burton E. Stevenson. Maris Wrixon Gets First Break In Strand Film Bette Davis, Myrna Loy, Ida Lupino, Clark Gable and Humphrey Bogart are a few of today’s stars who had _ to bide their time several before In’ a_ short time, another narie will be added to that list — Maris Wrixon, who plays the romantic lead opposite William Lundigan in the new Warner mystery thriller, “The Case Of The Black Parrot” which is now playing at the Strand Theatre. She plays the role of a vivacious young Miss whose life is in danger. Miss Wrixon has been under contract at the studio for two years. During this time, she has portrayed secretaries, telephone operators, or was near the camera lens whenever a flash of a beautiful girl was needed. While serving her apprenticeship, Maris watched and studied the stars with whom she worked. She was making sure if that golden opportunity ever did come, she wouldn’t miss the boat. Mat 101—15c Maris Wrixon SYNOPSIS (not for publication) Jim Moore (William Lundigan), a reporter and his pal Tripod (Eddie Foy, Jr.) set out to track down a vicious inter national criminal known as the Black Parrot. Sandy Vantine (Maris Wrixon), with whom Jim is in love, reveals that her uncle owns a valuable, hand-carved cabinet which the Parrot is after. Despite all precautions her uncle is killed and the signature of the Parrot (two jagged wrist wounds) is the only clue available. Moore’s search for the Parrot leads him through many a harrowing experience but finally, through a clever ruse, he and Sandy trap the criminal, whose true identity will amaze the most ardent mystery fan. THE CAST Jim Moore Sandy Vantine Tripod Daniels Max Armand Madame de Charriere Paul Vantine Grady Simmonds William Lundigan Maris Wrixon Eddie Foy, Jr. Paul Cavanagh Joseph Crehan Emory Parnell Phyllis Barry Cyril Thornton Leyland Hodgson Ernie Stanton Chiff Saum PRODUCTION Directed by NOEL M. SMITH Sereen Play by Robert E. Kent; From the Play by Eleanor Robeson Belmont and Harriet Ford, and the Novel by Burton E. Stevenson; Associate Producer, William Jacobs; Director of Photography, Ted McCord, A.S.C.; Art Director, Esdras Hartley ; Dialogue Director, Frank Fox; Film Editor, Thomas Pratt; Gowns by Howard Shoup; Sound by Stanley Jones; Makeup Artist, Pere Westmore. Country of origin U.S.A. Copyright 1940 Vitagraph, Inc. License to reproduce with copyright notice granted newspapers, magazines and other periodicals.