The King and the Chorus Girl (Warner Bros.) (1937)

(Lead-Off Story) “King And Chorus Girl’ Booked For Strand Next Week Two items of far more than passing importance to motion pieture audiences are found in the announcement that ‘‘The King and the Chorus Girl’’ is to be presented on the screen of the sagas a Theatre beginning ............. First, it will mark the American debut of Fernand Gravet, famous Continental film star. Born in Belgium, educated in England, a resident now of France, he is one of the ranking sereen idols throughout all of Europe. Second, ‘‘The King and the Chorus Girl’’ is the first picture made by the brilliant young Warner Bros. director, Mervyn LeRoy, under his new status of producer. LeRoy, who now heads his’ own unit, has made such successful films as ‘‘ Little Caesar,’’ ‘‘ Oil for the Lamps of China,’’ ‘‘ Five Star Final,’’ ‘‘I Found Stella Parrish,’’ ‘‘Three Men on a Horse,’’ ‘Page Miss Glory,’’ ‘‘I Am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang,’’ ‘‘Anthony Adverse’’ and many others of comparable quality and importance. The picture is a swift and humorous romance in which M. Gravet plays the role of a spendthrift young ex-King who, having lost his throne and kingdom, turns to the gaieties of Paris. Then comes his rollicking, trouble-strewn and complex romance with an American chorus girl, played by Joan Blondell. The story, said to be a clever, uproarious one, offers Director LeRoy the opportunity for many striking scenes. Of course, the cinema king must live in royal luxury. Joan — being a chorus girl — provides the reason for scenes of the famed Folies Bergeve in Paris, where the dancers perform the twisting, writhing ‘‘can ean.’’ Incidentally Kenny Baker of radio fame, is the solo singer in the Folies Bergere scenes. Among others in the cast are the inimitable Edward Everett Horton as the worried uncle of profligate ‘‘King Alfred VII,’’ Mary Nash as his aunt, Alan Mowbray as a pseudo suitor for the chorine’s affections, Jane Wyman as her pal and Luis Alberni as a waiter with an accent heavier than the trays he earries. Master songsmiths Ted IXoehler and Werner R. Heymann fashioned two new melodies for the show — ‘* For You’’ and ‘‘On the Rue de la Paix’?’— and rumor has it they’re slated to be hits. Bobby Connolly selected his choicest beauties for the dancing numbers. Indications are that Mervyn LeRoy has put every angle of entertainment into the picture that marks his initial efforts as a producer. Silver Plaque Given To LeRoy and Gravet When the last scene of “The King and the Chorus Girl,” was filmed, the players. and technical crew presented Mervyn LeRoy and Fernand Gravet with handsome silver plaques signed by every person who helped make the picture. They commemorated the first film LeRoy had made as a producer and the first American picture by Gravet, the Continental star. ‘“‘The King and the Chorus Girl,” a Warner Bros. comedy romance, comes to the Theatre on FP.W BAY a5 -¥ France’s King Of Hearts Making his debut in American films, Europe’s most famous screen star, Fernand Gravet, is coming to the Ss ses Theatre on 3 Mervyn LeRoy’s production for Warner Bros., ‘‘The King and the Chorus Girl,’’ a comedy with music. The all star cast includes Joan Blondell and Edward Everett Horton. Mat No. 203° 20¢ (Review) “King And Chorus Girl”’ Scores Hit At The Strand Continental Film Star Fernand Gravet Makes American Debut A new film star — handsome. talented and_ infinitely likeable flashed across the screen of the Theatre yesterday, winning a multituce of friends and admirers in his first American picture. He is Fernand Gravet, famous Continental film star, and the picture is ‘The King and the Chorus Girl,’’ a delightfully humorous romance, the first film which the brilliant young Warner Bros.’ director, Mervyn LeRoy, has made under his new rank of producer. You are going to hear and see a lot more of M. Gravet. Born in Belgium. edueated in Enoland, now a resident of France, he has starred in more than 25 foreign films and is the leadine screen idol on the Continent today. LeRov met him in Paris last Summer, induced him to sien a long term contract and brought him to Hollywood. “The King and the Chorus Girl” is glamorous, whimsical comedy at its best. M. Gravet plays the role of a wealthy, profligate ex-monarch who becomes a Paris playboy. His titled aunt and unele try to put his roval feet on the straight and narrow path but “King Alfred” loves the bright lights. Then he meets Joan Blondell, in the role of an American chorus girl. She is independent, high-spirited, rather impudent and cares not a whit for royalty. The greater her disdain of her regal suitor, the more impetuous does his high-pressure courtship become. Humorous complications follow fast and furiously, aided by Ed ward Everett Horton, Mary Nash, Alan Mowbray, Jane Wyman, Luis Alberni and the other notables in the cast. There is never an idle moment because the humoreus dialogue and march of situations keep up the swift pace. Dancing? Of course. And in a lavishly mounted scene in Paris’ famous Folies Bergere, the intricacies of the “can-can” dance are revealed. Music? But certainly! You'll go out humming “For You” and “On the Rue de la Paix.” and you'll fall in love with the baritone voice that is only one of Mr. Gravet’s many talents. Kennv Baker. radio favorite, does some of his famous crooning. Werner R. Heymann, who composed Gravet’s melodies abroad, and Ted Koehler wrote the songs. The script came from Norman Krasna, author of “Little Miracle” and other screen hits, and Groucho Marx, of the merry, mad Marx family. Warner’s own Bobby Connelly staged the dance numbers. It all blends into perfect entertainment — romance, glamour, comedy, music, dancing and a new star who is headed for the topmost heights. Our advice is: “Don’t miss it!” (Opening Day Story) Comedy Romance Starring Gravet To Open Teday The unusual procedure of launching a newcomer to American films with a starring role is followed in ‘*The King and the Chorus Girl,’’ the spirited comedy romance produced by Mervyn LeRoy for Warner Bros., which opens today_atthes 23h Theatre. The player in this case is Fernand Gravet, famous Continental s‘reen star, who makes his American bow in this picture. LeRoy met him last year in Paris, promptly signed him to a long term contract and brought him to Hollywood. i.eRoy insis‘s the action wis not a gamble and declares his belief that American audiences wi!l echo the praises of those in Europe once they see the tall, darkhaired, quiet spoken star. Incidentally, M. Gravet speaks English with an intriguing Oxfordian aeccent despite his birth in Belgium and his present residence in France. This is the result of his early schooling in England. Norman Krasna and Groucho Marx fashioned a_ swift-paced, laugh crammed story for the new star. In it, he plays the role of a wealthy, spendthrift ex king who falls head over heels in love with an American chorus girl who isn’t impressed by royalty. The chorine in this ease is Joan Blondell. Two experts in c.medy — Edward Everett Horton and Mary Nash — are the ever-worried rela tives of ‘‘King Alfred VII,’’ and others in the cast include Alan Mowbray, Luis Alberni and Jane Wyman. Kenny Baker, of radio fame, is the solo singer in the numbers which show the ‘‘ean can’’ dance in the gay Folies Bergere in Yaris. Romance, comedy, glamour, music and dancing combine to make a sparkling picture that promises a new value in film entertainment. King Gets Girl Fernand Gravet takes Joan Blondell in his arms and shows why Europe takes lessons in love making from him in Mervyn LeRoy’s production for Warner Bros., **The King and the Chorus Girl,’’ now playing at the .......... Theatre. Mat No. 102 — 10¢ (Review) Fernand Gravet Scores Big Hit In Musical Film A new star, with a genius for qu-et comedy and high voltage romance, flashes on the cinema horizon! He is Fernand Gravet, screen idol of the Continent, whose first American picture, ‘‘The King and the Chorus Girl,’’ opened at the bre Wie ere aa ce: Theatre yesterday. His fame abroad is understandable after seeing this picture. M. Gravet is handsome in a tall, dark haired, broad-shouldered and thoroughly masculine way. Add to that masterful acting, a warm and friendly personality, an excellent speaking and singing voice and you’ll understand the elation® of Mervyn LeRoy when he signed him to a contract last year. In ‘‘The King and the Chorus Girl,’’? Mervyn LeRoy’s first pieture as a producer for Warner Bros., M. Gravet plays the role of wealthy, spendthrift ex-King Alfred VII who tumbles madly in love with an independent little American chorus girl, portrayed by Joan Blondell. The king loves the chorus girl, she turns up her nose at him, and the merry, mad fun is on. Edward Everett Horton is magnificently humorous as the worried uncle of the profligate king, as is Mary Nash, the veteran eomedienne, as his aunt. The cast is studded with noted names — Luis Alberni, Alan Mowbray, Jane Wyman, Kenny Baker of radio fame and many others. Norman Krasna, author of several screen hits, and Groucho Marx, the comedian, wrote the script. Werner R. Heymann and Ted Koehler composed the two hit tunes — ‘‘For You’’ and ‘‘On the Rue de la Paix’’ that are sung in the Folies Bergere scene. There, also, Bobby Connelly’s dancing girls perform the exciting ‘‘can can’? dance. Combine all that with the masterful direction of Mervyn LeRoy and the result is grand entertainment. Don’t miss ‘‘The King and the Chorus Girl.’’ 43 Times Up A Pair Of Stairs Winds Film Star Movie actors should have sturdy constitutions, as proved by this incident, which oceurred during the making of ‘‘The King and the Chorus Girl,’’ the Warner Bros. picture which comes to the ............ Theatres On “2c: Agtacuc ; The star is Fernand Gravet, Continental film idol being introduced to American audiences in this picture. One scene required him to visit Joan Blondell, as the chorus girl, in her second floor apartment. The apartment was 20 feet above the stage, and during one day Gravet had to climb the stairs 43 times. For the scene, an outdoor one, he wore a full dress suit, heavy coat, muffler and gloves. ‘“Let’s make a Western picture next so I can ride a horse,’’ Gravet smilingly panted following his 43rd upward journey. Others in the cast of the sparkling comedy romance are Edward Everett Horton, Mary Nash, Alan Mowbray, Jane Wyman, Luis AIberni and Kenny Baker. Mervyn LeRoy both directed and produced ‘<The King and the Chorus Girl.’’ Norman Krasna and Groucho Marx (of the Mad Marxes) wrote the original screenplay. Werner R. Heymann and Ted Koehler wrote the songs. Page Five