The Crowd Roars (Warner Bros.) (1932)

Se your 6.. story Women Faint At World Premiere Of “‘The Crowd Roars”’ of the ee ee Theatre is wondering whether the incidents attendant on the New York world premiere of “The Crowd Roars” will be repeated when this latest James Cagney-Joan Blondell starring vehicle for Warner Bros. opens at the next The first New York showing of “The Crowd Roars” drew unprecedented audiences to the Winter Garden Theatre. Several of the hundreds of women in the audience fainted during intense and thrilling scenes of the picture. Dozens more shrieked as cars crashed and racing drivers were injured. Many men were also moved to outeries during the picture. Co-authored and directed by Howard Hawks, whose “Dawn Patrol’ is film history, “The Crowd Roars” screens thrill after thrill at-the Indianapolis, Ascot and Ventura Speedways. The exciting scenes are said to be of a nature never before screened. The large cast includes Ann Dvorak, Eric Linden, Frank McHugh, Guy Kibbee and several champion professional race track drivers, among them Lou Schneider, 1931 champion, Billy Arnold, Harry Hartz and Fred Frame. Arnold also acted as stunt man for the picture, Leo Nomis handling the stunt driver’s assignment. your bu story James Cagney Plays First Real Hero Role in “The Crowd Roars”’ Unlike any part he has heretofore played on the screen, James Cagney appears as a real hero in “The Crowd Roars,” the Warner Bros. special which begins a ....... day engageBermreatt the. 6 ata Theatre next, Tracing the evolution of Cagney in the films, one finds that the red-headed star of “The Public Enemy,” “Blonde Crazy,” and “Taxi!” has gone from eringing coward to blatant gangster, through hoodlumism to tough-guy. Although “The Crowd Roars” offers him a chance to be a hero of the late Wally Reid type, in his own words he is “no softy.” He never expects to play romantic leads as a Latin type lover, a mooning Valentino, or even a John Gilbert Romeo. Cagney has earned a unique spot for himself in talking pictures and has no desire to step out of it. His “bit” with George Arliss in “The Millionaire” won him much credit and showed he is capable of playing varied types of roles, but his own peculiar and individual appeal to the public is greatest in roles in which he is “no softy.” In “The Crowd Roars,” he is cast as a daredevil auto racer whose grit and courage win him the championship. Joan Blondel] plays a featured Page Six = role, as @o Eric Linden, and Ann Dvorak, a young lady who is fast reaching stellar heights. Guy Kibbee and Frank McHugh also appear in the cast. Fourteen drivers of international reputation are seen zooming their cars around the Indianapolis, Ventura and Ascot race tracks, under the direetion of Howard Hawks, who also wrote the story. It has been heralded as the most exciting and actionful production in years. your 4B. story Cagney Pays Tribute To Reckless Courage Of Auto Race Drivers James Cagney, star of “The Crowd Roars,” the Warner Bros. special production of the Howard Hawks-Seton I. Miller story, coming to the ‘Pheatre: Next as Sta 2 had occasion to meet and work with several of the country’s leading auto race drivers during the filming of the picture. Cagney, after close daily association with such drivers as Lou Schneider, 1931 champion, Billy Arnold, Fred Frame, Harry Hartz, Ralph Hepburn and many others, stated that he believed racing drivers are the “most courageous class of men in the world. “On and off the track,” Cagney continued, “they seem to have the utmost contempt for death. When anything goes wrong. they are instantly looking death in the eye, with not even the gambling chance for life the parachute gives an aviator. The auto race driver knows the dangers ahead and goes into them with his eyes open. He never flinches from a risk. To me, that spells the peak of courage.” Co-starring with Cagney in “The Crowd Roars” is Joan Blondell, with whom he has appeared on the screen several times. Ann Dvorak, Eric Linden, Frank McHugh and Guy Kibbee appear in supporting roles. Howard Hawks, author and director of “The Dawn Patrol,” directed the new Cagney-Blondell vehicle for Warner Bros. your ., story No Doubles For James Cagney In “The Crowd Roars’’ James Cagney’s latest picture, “The Crowd Roars,” Warner Bros. special production which comes. to thes 2 Theatre next... .. ee shows the new star in the role of a demon auto race champion. Although many scenes were filmed at a speed of more than one hundred miles per hour, Cagney insisted that he be permitted to drive one of the cars whenever the script called for his appearance in a race. He refused to permit doubles for the racing scenes, expressing his desire for the thrill that comes from high speed driving and his assurance that the skill of the several professional drivers appearing in the picture was a guarantee against collision. Although seven men were injured and fourteen cars were wrecked in nine crack-ups, Cagney went through the scenes without a bruise, in spite of the fact that the script called for him to force his partner’s car off the track. Among the many professional drivers appearing with Cagney are Lou Schneider, 1931 champion, Billy Arnold, 1930 champion, Fred Frame, Harry Hartz, Jack Brisko, Spider ° Matlock, Ralph Hepburn, Phil Pardee and Bryan Salspaugh. Joan Blondell is co-starred with James Cagney in “The Crowd Roars” and Ann Dvorak, Erie Lindea, Frank McHugh and Guy Kibbee are prominently featured. your 10 th story Rising Young Actress Supports Cagney And Blondell In “The Crowd Roars” A comparative newcomer to the screen who is making rapid strides toward stardom will be seen at the ee ae Phéatre next] 6s. when “The Crowd Roars” opens. Her name is Ann Dvorak. She made her screen debut with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer as a chorus dancer. Before many months she became dance instructress at this studio. Then Joan Crawford became interested in her and introduced her to Howard Hughes who gave her a screen test and signed her for an important role in “Searface.” Her biggest role, however, is with James Cagney and Joan Blondell in “The Crowd Roars.” In this epie of the auto race tracks, she plays Cagney’s sweetheart and has several important scenes in which she gets a chance to show her ability as a dramatic actress. After viewing these scenes in the projection room, Warner Bros. officials signed Miss Dvorak to a long-term contract and cast her in several forthcoming productions including “Love is a Racket” with Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. “The Crowd Roars” is heralded as one of the most exciting and actionful films in recent years. In the cast, besides Cagney and Blondell are Eric Linden, Frank McHugh and Guy Kibbee. Many racing drivers of international fame take part in the track sequences which were filmed at more than 100 miles per hour. Howard Hawks who wrote and directed “The Dawn Patrol’ did similar work on “The Crowd Roars,” and from advance reports he has surpassed his previous efforts for sheer thrills and excitement. Held Over Story “The Crowd Roars’ Held Over By Popular Demand Mana S69 Gono announces that “The Crowd Roars,” the Warner Bros. special production James see. Joan Blonde. which has been drawing tremendous erowds: to: the, 5. ee Theatre, will be held over for an additional Sere day engagement. Public demand has necessitated this move on the part of Mr. ine eet see ,» who states that “The Crowd Roars” has broken the attendance record set by.....:...... Its success was instantaneous. Ever since the opening day large crowds have attended both matinee and evening performances. No film in recent weeks has had the mass appeal of “The Crowd Roars,” which is indicated by the almost equal attendance of men and women. Cagney and Miss Blondell are supported by a large cast, including Ann Dvorak, Erie Linden, Frank McHugh, Guy Kibbee and a score of professional race track drivers who participated in the electrifying Indianapolis, Ascot and Ventura Speedways scenes. James Cagney A Brief Biography H E was born in the backroom of his father’s elegant saloon on Eighth Street and Avenue D. July 17, 1904, to be exact. Attended public school and high school and then began to work. Started as an office boy for a newspaper. Took a sock at the managing editor one day, and then became a bundle wrapper at Wanamaker’s. After that he entered Columbia University. Decided to be an artist, but soon found there was no demand whatsoever for Cagney masterpieces. Got tired of college and turned to the stage. Became a chorus boy in the musical comedy, ‘‘Pitter, Patter.’ When the show closed, he did a vaudeville skit playing the part of a Jewish boy. Warner Bros. signed him after witnessing his performance in “Penny Arcade.”’ Would really like to retire to the backwoods where he can’t receive any telephone calls. Wants to study illustrating and perfect his piano-playing. Doesn’t smoke or drink, but can swear beautifully. Likes heavy Russian novels. His friends think he is a swell person. Is also a swell hoofer. Every time he makes up his mind to save some money, he usually finds himself broke. Is always good for a “touch”’ by an actor out of work. His favorite book is Stephen Vincent Benet’s “John Brown’s Body,”’ and his favorite beverage is tea— without lemon. His closest friend is Ivan Simpson, the actor, who is twenty years his senior. They get along famously because they seldom agree on anything. Mrs. Cagney, who walks out on their arguments, is often awakened at three in the morning by their shouts. Hates to play bridge and never attends ‘Hollywood parties.’’ Likes vegetable dinners and is extremely fond of cookies. Has red hair, brown eyes, and more freckles than Wesley Barry ever had. Is five feet nine inches tall and weighs 155 pounds. Has a disarming smile, but can be plenty tough, when occasion demands. Is now appearing starring | in ‘‘The Crowd Roars.”