The Great Mr. Nobody (Warner Bros.) (1941)

Mat 207—30c “THE GREAT MR. NOBODY” is somebody to Joan Leslie, beautiful screen newcomer, in Warner Bros.’ gay comedy-romance at the Strand on Friday. Eddie Albert is starred in the title role and featured are Alan Hale, John Litel and William Lundigan. (Opening Day Story) ‘The Great Mr. Nobody’ Gay New Strand Film In these days of hero-consciousness, Warner Bros. hit a laugh jackpot in a great comedy that teaches, through Eddie Albert’s entertaining experiences, what it takes to be a hero. It’s the new comedy opening at the Strand today, “The Great Mr. Nobody.” Albert plays the role of a diffident newspaper advertising salesman, “Dreamy” Smith, who wants to be a hero, wants to sail the seven seas with his room-mate “Skipper” Martin, portrayed by Alan Hale, and wants to marry pretty Mary Clover, played by beautiful screen newcomer, Joan Leslie, who works on his paper. Hopes for traveling vanish when “Dreamy’s” crippled newsboy friend, played by Dickie Moore, is run over by an automobile and “Dreamy” takes the responsibility of caring for him. Not only is “Dreamy’s” the worst selling record at his office, but his boss John Wade, portrayed by John Litel, finds him holding out ads from the paper to make way for his needy friends to get the jobs. Exuberant Cast in The Great Mr. Nobody’ On the exterior waterfront saloon set at Warner Bros., a place where more brawls have been fought than anywhere in Hollywood, Eddie Albert was standing behind Alan Hale and Paul Hurst as they prepared to wipe up the street with John Litel. It was a scene for Warners’ ‘The Great Mr. Nobody,” opening Friday at the Strand. Hale in his exhuberant manner yelled to Hurst, “Let me hit him! T’ll knock him so cold you can ice-skate on him!” The line was one of Hale’s own. The company didn’t ex pect it, least of all Albert, Hurst or Litel. They stopped their fighting and_ started laughing. The scene had to be re-shot, but Hale’s ad-lib became a part of the script and he was given a camera close-up when he said it. He is fired. Later, seeking out the boy at the waterfront, the executive falls into the bay. “Dreamy” dives in to save him, although he can’t swim. He’s _ hailed as a hero. The gay original story was written by Harold Titus. Ben Markson and Kenneth Gamet adapted it for the screen and Ben Stoloff directed. Rollicking Comedy Slated for the Strand A gay, rollicking comedy that nevertheless has a very pertinent theme, Warner Bros.’ “The Great Mr. Nobody,” will open this Friday at the Strand Theatre. The film stars Eddie Albert and a lovely newcomer to the screen, Joan Leslie. Eddie plays the role of an idealistic guy in a_ practical world, whose life ambition is to take a trip on a boat with his friend “Skipper” Martin, played by Alan Hale. For obvious reasons Eddie is nicknamed “Dreamy.” He is very much in love with Mary Clover — Joan Leslie’s role — and has very high hopes for their future. But everything goes wrong with poor “Dreamy.” He doesn’t get his boat. He acquires a very heavy debt and to top it all he becomes negligent at his work and his boss, John Wade, played by John Litel, fires him. He bravely attempts to rescue Wade who has fallen into the river, even though he can’t swim. As a result, Wade gives him a promotion. “The Great Mr. Nobody” was adapted for the screen by Ben Markson and Kenneth Gamet from a story by Harold Titus. Ben Stoloff directed. Comedy Hit at Strand Warner Bros.’ entertaining new comedy, “The Great Mr. Nobody,” starring Eddie Albert and the promising screen newcomer, Joan Leslie, opens at the Strand on Friday. In the supporting cast are featured Alan Hale, William Lundigan, John Litel and Dickie Moore. Strand Comedy Gives Formula for Heroes Everybody will get a kick out of “The Great Mr. Nobody,” the new Warner Bros. comedy starring Eddie Albert and Joan Leslie, which opens next Friday at the Strand. The story shows that the qualities that make heroes are not possessed only by aviators, soldiers and G-Men, but that the average clerk, storekeeper, accountant or salesman is a potential hero. “Dreamy” Smith, played by Eddie Albert, is a classified ad salesman who dreams of buying a boat and taking a trip around the world with his friend, “Skipper” Martin, played by Alan Hale. “Dreamy” also looks forward to the day when he will be able to marry Mary Clover, portrayed _ by lovely Joan Leslie. Things go wrong’ with “Dreamy.” It takes an accident to bring to light his quiet courage, and he becomes a different kind of hero. Stardom for Eddie Albert in New Film He wants to be an adventurer, a hero, a business genius, a lover, but Eddie Albert is only “The Great Mr. Nobody” in Warner At last Warner Bros. have ee pod starred Eddie Albert — he e Pee 3 plays the title role in “The roman y e crs . Mr. which opena ates ed at the which opens Strand Theat the Strand atre last Friday. : Ne Ditto Albert has great recephis SOW Do tae UN Griese As “Dreamscreen per= ag Smith, the sonality, and indolent, inMat 107—15c since coming differ ent, WILLIAM to Warners LUNDIGAN cai day dream ing newspaper advertising salesman, Albert does a superb job in a role that specially suits his singular personality. Portraying Mary Clover, the pretty has been grooming him for star Mat 106—15c Tating and Eppie ALBERT has carefully gone through reams of story material for a suitable role. The studio and Albert agree that the choice is perfect for the player. The character is so much like Albert himself that it is hardly necessary for him to act to put over the part. A day-dreaming, idealistic person himself, Eddie plays “Dreamy” Smith in the film — an out-of-this world idea man who hates his job of selling newspaper advertising. He sees too many worthwhile things in the world — things that, unfortunately, don’t pay paper, is lovely young screen newcomer, Joan Leslie. Alan Hale does his usual excellent performance as a_ blustering, landed sea captain, “Skipper” Martin, who rooms7 with “Dreamy.” William Lundigan is featured. The film’s action centers around “Dreamy,” whose openhearted love of people constantly interferes with the things he wants to do. For years planning to sail the seven seas with “Skipper,” girl friend who works on the. Mat 206—30c THAT’S “SKIPPER” ALAN HALE AND EDDIE ALBERT hepped up about roaming the seven seas, though it doesn’t come off in Warner Bros.’ gay new comedy “The Great Mr. Nobody,” at the Strand on Friday. (Review) ‘The Great Mr. Nobody’ Hits Laugh Jackpot “Dreamy” tosses aside his opportunity to help a crippled newsboy. And he can only see the best side of his boss, John Wade, who has been stealing the boy’s ideas. He overreaches himself, however, when he holds out ads from his paper to get jobs for needy friends and is fired. Later Wade falls in the bay. “Dreamy” dives in after him, but since he can’t swim has to be rescued by his boss. Wade is given a banquet for his bravery. Here he announces that “Dreamy’s” the real hero. In his own way, “Dreamy” has become a hero. Ben Markson and Kenneth from a Harold Titus story, and Ben Stoloff directed the film. Joan Leslie Voted Most Likely to Succeed Joan Leslie, 16 year old Warner starlet featured in “The Great Mr. Nobody,” opening at the Strand on Friday, has been chosen the most promising actress for 1941 by Hollywood’s Thirty Year Club, composed of people who have . been: associated with the movies for at least three decades. Hobart Bosworth, Chairman of the Club, made the announce .ment. Last year’s winner was Rita Hayworth. material dividends. SYNOPSIS (Not For Publication ) “Dreamy” Smith (Eddie Albert) is a newspaper advertising salesman who wants to marry pretty Mary Clover (Joan Leslie), who works on his paper, and to sail the seven seas with his room-mate, “Skipper” Martin (Alan Hale). “Limpy’” Barnes (Dickie Moore), “Dreamy’s’ crippled newsboy friend, is hit by an automobile and he takes the responsibility of having the boy, his mother and sister move into his apartment. ‘Skipper’ leaves. Meanwhile, “Dreamy” has been doing badly as a salesman and is fired by John Wade (John Litel). When Wade, later falls into the bay, “Dreamy” dives in to save him, but Wade has to rescue him instead. For his bravery, Wade is given a banquet. He announces that ‘Dreamy” is the real hero and makes him the new assistant manager. THE CAST “Dreamy” Smith EDDIE ALBERT Mary Clover . “Skipper” Martin Richard Amesworth JOHMEWGade ese re atk) ee Grover Dillone ae. Eddie Williams McGraw Mrs. Barnes Janet Barnes . Michgel O'Connor 2... torre SUM YS BOINOS antec c-2 ten tee ct JOAN LESLIE yo ee ee Alon: hale William Lundigan ... John Litel Charles Trowbridge ae ..Paul Hurst ....... Dickie Moore John Ridgely Douglas Kennedy George Campeau ...William Benedict ......flelen MacKellar Mat 109—l5c SENSATIONAL is Joan Leslie’s tresh, new personality. She'll be seen at the Strand Friday with Eddie Albert in Warner Bros.’ “The Great Mr. Nobody.” D ka tind he ere at irene SER Le ... Joyce Tucker Missi Rranemaue 2 tai et Sich ei oe vcs..Mary Field PRODUCTION Directed by BEN STOLOFF Screen Play by Ben Markson and Kenneth Gamet; From a Story by Harold Titus; Director of Photography, Arthur Todd, A.S.C.; Art Director, Hugh Reticker; Dialogue Director, Robert Foulk; Film Editor, Rudi Fehr; Gowns by Milo Anderson; Sound by Charles Lang; Musical Director, Leo F. Forbstein; Music by Adolph Deutsch; Makeup Artist, Perc Westmore. Running Time 71 Minutes