The Flirting Widow (Warner Bros.) (1930)

Ba Six Successive Talking Hits Have Established — Dorothy Mackaill As A Big Name Draw / Dorothy Mackaill Heads Big Cast In New Talkie (ADVANCE NEWS) The well-known play “Green Stockings,” by A. E. W. Mason, has been made by First National into an all-talking Vitaphone picture. Under the title “The Flirting Widow,” it will open at the .. a ee ee Theatre, next eee with Dorothy Mackaill and Basil Rathbone in the leading roles. This smart English comedy has been a favorite with American drama igoers for several years, but it remained for talkies to present its witty and humorous romance to screen goers. An unusual feature of the film is that practically the entire cast, as well as the author, were born under the British flag. “The Flirting Widow,” is the tale of am unmarried oldest sister, who must wear green stockings as a sign of her unattachment. Family traditions do not permit her younger sisters to get married until the eldest one is engaged. Situations arising from these elements provide sparkling comedy. Miss Mackaill appears in the title role, with Rathbone appearing as an army officer. The part is one of the best of the comedy characters the blonde actress has given the screen. Prominent in the cast of “The Flirting Widow,” are Leila Hyams, William Austin, Claude Gillingwater, Emily Fitzroy, Flora Bramley, Anthony Bushell, and Wilfred Noy. William A. Seiter directed Blondes Considered “Dangerous Game” Says One of Them Dorothy Mackaill Explains Why Gentlemen Prefer "Em (CURRENT READER) Gold-digging, temperament, and “elinging-vine complex” are fastened on blonde women by Dorothy Mackaill, popular blonde comedienne, who is now appearing in First National’s “The Flirting Widow,” at the Theatre. “Blondes tend to attract men be-| | zause they are supposed to be danger|’ gold-digggers and orna-|. ous game, mental,” said Miss Mackaill. “Also it is well known that they have a clinging-vine complex, or a _ very radical independent complex. They are temperamentally paradoxical, if you get my verbiage! “You’re real blonde is a distinctive type, and there are not too many of her. By ‘real’ I don’t mean natural, but rather decidedly blonde, whether by nature or bleaching. Brunettes outnumber the really blonde women ten or more to one, so men are intrigued by the novelty of blondes.” Basil Rathbone appears opposite Miss Mackaill in “The Flirting Widow,” while Leila Hyams, a blonde, has a prominent supporting role. The story is based on a traditional bound English family, who will not permit younger daughters to get married until the oldest daughter is engaged. First National Pictures, Inc. *s STRAND 0, 4 ‘ae ‘ai NWO}, with DOROTHY —~ ae ae a Vad, xy MACKAILL BASIL RATHBONE Leila Hyams, Wm. Austin A William A. Seiter Prod. What a widow! Snappier than flaming youth. She puts on the speed and _ goes husband hunting. It’s swell comedy of the peppiest kind. — ‘Green”’ Stockings’’ by A. E. W. Mason. q Cu 08 «vitephone” is A FIRST NATIONAL Cut 4oc th a el ask = id We 106 ne Vitaphone \" frcture Corp. Page Two ENGLISH Dorothy Mackaill and Basil Rathbone in “The Flirting Widow.’’ Both these players are English and so is the story. Cut No.14 Cut rs5c Mat 5c “FLIRTING WIDOW” FILLED WITH WITTY REPARTEE (ADVANCE READER) A comedy of English life faithfully portrayed by an English cast is one of the claims to distinction made for “The Flirting Widow,” the First National and Vitaphone alldialogue picture which has been nooked fora 24.2 day run at thes: sees Theatre, beginning The picture is said to set a new standard in the production of sophisticated film comedies in that the usual hackneyed methods of presenting farce are avoided. Clever repartee proves more satisfactory than forced situations in talking pictures, according to William A Seiter, the idirector who employed brilliant — alow: — som bination pantomine. Dorothy Mackaill, popular for her ability as a light comedienne, is featured in “The Flirting Widow” with Basl Rathbone, Leila Hyams, William Austin, Claude Gillingwater, Emily Fitzroy, Flora Bramley, Anthony Bushell and Wilfred Noy completing the cast of supporting players who have already proved their worth in audible dramas. "The Flirting Widow,” is the film ‘version of “Green Stockings,” a story by A. E. W. Mason. Comical Complications Confront ‘Flirting Widow’”’ (ADVANCE READER) If you were the oldest daughter and none of your pretty younger sisters could get married until you did, what would you do? Or if you had to wear green stockings as a sign of your unattachment? And if you became engaged to a “mythical name” and found it be‘eonged to a real man? , These are some of the amusing problems faeed by Dorothy Mackaill in her portrayal of the title role in “The Flirting Widow,” First National’s elever English comedy comto the The picture is based on A. E. W. Mason’s long popular play, “Gregn Stockings.” Basil Rathbone, handsome English actor, appears opposite Miss Mackaill in the part of an army officer. Prominent in the brilliant cast are Leila Hyams, William Austin, Claude Gillingwater, Emily Fitzroy, Flora Bramley, Anthony Bushell and Wilfred Noy. William A. Seiter directed. Distinguished Romeo Basil Rathbone, one of the most distinguished stage stars to be brought to the screen via talking pictures, and who supports Dorothy Mackaill in “The Flirting Widow,” First National and Vitaphone all-talking production coming to the Pheatre-<c.e:. ee , Scored his first outstanding success as Romeo in “Romeo and Juliet.” THE CAST coe DOROTHY MACKAILL SS ee Basil Rathbone ie eee a Flora Bramley Pees es Anthony Bushell ea eg eee Wilfred Noy ee ae ee Leila Hyams Mee ge ea William Austin Se Claude Gillmgwater SS. Emily Fitzroy Official Billing First National Pictures, Inc. Presents “THE FLIRTING WIDOW” With DOROTHY MACK AILL BASIL RATHBONE Leila Hyams — William Austin Based on the story “Green Stockings” by A. E. W. Mason A William A. Seiter Production A First National and Vitaphone Production THE STORY (Not for Publication) Sir William Faraday is an eccentric, headstrong old man who refuses to allow his daughter Phyllis to marry Bobby Tarver until Celia, his eldest daughter, is married. No one seems able to understand why Celia has never married since she is both intelligent and attractive. -Bobby and Phyllis, very much in love, are constantly trying to find a way to arrange Celia’s marriage. When Celia returns to London from a week’s vacation at South ROMANCE With A Roar ‘COMEDY With A Three Day Hangover iting idow with DOROTHY MACKAILL Basil Rathbone Leila Hyams William Austin wer NG Cut No. 4 Cut 20¢ Mat 5c A Wm. A. Seiter Prod. Based on story “Green Stockings”’ by A. E. W. Mason A FIRST NATIONAL & VITAPHONE PICTURE ampton she announces her engagement to a Colonel Smith, whom she says has sailed that morning for Arabia. As far as Celia knows there is no Colonel Smith, and as she later confides to Aunt Ida, it is her intention to announce her engagement so that Bobby and Phyllis can be married. When they are married Celia plans to tell the family that Colonel Smith has been killed in action. The Faraday family is elated by Celia’s announcement and at her sister Hvelyn’s insistence she writes an affectionate letter she intends to destroy but which is accidentally posted. It happens that there really is a Colonel Smith in Arabia who is amused when he receives the. letter. oe Sin Wiig 9 es hh : and Bobby and Phyllis u.. ried. Celia, in accordance with ne, plans, has a notice of Colonel Smith’s death published in The Times. Colonel Smith arrives in London on furlough, sees the death notice, and decides to visit the writer of his amusing letter. He senses Celia’s game, goes to the Faraday home, and has himself announced as Colonel Vavasour. He tells Celia he has brought her some of the intimate belongings of the lamented Colonel Smith. Celia, finding herself in hot water, makes an unsuccessful attempt to slip away from the house. There follows a half hour of brilliant repartee in which Smith makes Celia thoroughly uncomfortable. He finally reveals his identity after the inevitable mutual falling in love. Dorothy Mackaill Dons Masculine Styles For ‘““Widow” Role (CURRENT READER) Male dress makers brought from London to Hollywood made Dorothy Mackaill’s extensive wardrobe worn by her in “The Flirting Widow,” her latest First National comedy, now at the Theatre, Miss Mackaill’s apparel was cut long mannish lines to suit her role of the eldest daughter in an old English family, who must become engaged before any of her pretty younger sisters can get married. Everything she wore during many of the scenes was designed to hide her feminine curves and make her as near as possible to a man in appearance and still be dressed as a woman. The actress tried a new style of hair bob, especially worked out by her hairdresser, which further added to the mannish outline. Her blonde locks are combed straight back and reveal the ears. : It is a short bob. “The Flirting Widow” is based on the A. E. W. Mason’s story, “Green Stockings.” Basil Rathbone, Leila Hyams, William Austin, Claude Gillingwater and Emily Fitzroy are .| prominent in the east.