The Invisible Menace (Warner Bros.) (1938)

| Introducing Mr. A comedy vehicle carried Eddie Craven from Broadway to Hollywood, stage to screen—across 3000 miles of country. Which is one way of crashing the gates of Hollywood. A nice way if you can take it! Craven’s vehicle was the New York stage play, “Without Warning,’ He made such a hit in it that when ’ in which he was comedy lead. Warner Bros. filmed the picture with John Farrow directing and Boris Karloff in the starring role, young Craven was brought to do his comedy character in the movie which is entitled “The Invisible Menace.” “I’m not getting swell-headed over being brought out here to do the role,” says young Craven. “You see, a movie company doesn’t necessarily think you’re a great find when they do that. Rather, they see in you someone who has handled the one part so effectively they think it would pay to have him do it for them. “Of course, several actors came out that way, and stayed to become highly successful. Humphrey Bogart did his original part of the bandit in ‘Petrified Forest,’ and Eduardo Ciannelli his in ‘Winterset.” Really, it’s quite an advantage to the actor and the studio to bring role, character, actor and all from the stage to screen in one package.” Stage acting requires a knack of sustaining and building a mood by gradual degrees, according to the young comedian. And from his brief screen experience, he He’s coming! Page Twelve : 2 xpl citation RADIO PLUG (1/, minute) ANNOUNCER: (Scream) Look out! Karloff in the most spine-chilling mystery of the year, “The Invisible Menace” at the Strand Theatre on Saturday. Murder is the calling card of this Master of Horror — terror is his name. They couldn't capture him, they couldn't couldn't even see this phantom killer! They could only wait and pray they wouldn't be the next victim. Even the bravest man must fear danger he cannot see. We challenge anyone to see “The Invisible Menace” and not be thrilled by its terrifying mystery. “The Invisible Menace” is Karloff's most amazing role. If you're looking for the thrill of your life, be sure to see it at the Strand Theatre on Saturday. gathers that film acting requires the seemingly opposite faculty of picking up a mood unerringly, at any stage of its growth or transition, and sustaining it at most only a few tense moments. Nevertheless, there is not such a great difference between the requirements for stage and screen acting, Craven insists. And the training which a young actor gets on the stage is priceless to him when he acts for the camera. It trains him in the essentials of acting—diction, poise, and facial interpretation of the mood. And that’s the reason that the young player is so grateful for his stage training. Instead of feeling like Mat 101—15c EDDIE CRAVEN — who makes his screen debut in “The Invisible Menace,” now showing at the Strand Theatre. fight him, they Craven—of Broadway a stranger in a strange land, he finds himself very much at home in Hollywood. “The Invisible Menace,” which comes to the Strand next week, is a mystery play which takes place in a government arsenal. Marie Wilson, Regis Toomey and others appear as principals in the supporting cast. Craven plays a buck private who has smuggled his bride of a day onto the island hoping to enjoy his wedding night despite a cancelled leave—and of course is comically disappointed. Find Karloff Local newspaper prints Boris Karloff's name in classified ad section. Readers are asked to hunt for “‘The Invisible Menace.” First fifteen who find him get passes. opi o itatiov mn SHADOW BOX Make square compoboard box leaving front open. Place transparent mirror at 45 degree angle going from upper back to lower front line of box. Hook up electric bulbs connected with flasher in each compartment. Place title card on top side of box and photo of Boris Karloff against back of box. When top light goes on patrons gazing into box see the title, and when this light goes off and the other on, they see Karloff. DOC-NURSE GAG Gent dressed as ‘doctor’ and good-looking gal as ‘nurse’ examine patrons in your lobby to see if they are physically fit to withstand the thrills of picture. ‘Doctor’ examines ‘patient’ ’s heart with stethoscope, ‘nurse’ flashes stills before him while taking his pulse. After examination patron is presented with a certificate that specifies that he is healthy enough to see “The Invisible Menace.” HOUSE OF TERROR House can be made of cardboard with figure of skeletons on outside and copy: Come in and see “The Invisible Menace.” Inside is pitch dark with ghosts, skeletons, and other scarey things flashing on and off. Mount stills from picture on wall with dim green light spotted on them. Gal inside shrieks every few minutes to ‘rouse interest. SPOT IN MAGS Have local magazine distributors insert herald with this copy in mystery and ‘spook’ magazines: “Who is ‘The Invisible Menace’? See him at the Strand.” If you can get a supply of back issues, tag ‘em with stickers plugging your show and distribute in lobby.