The Last Alarm (Monogram ) (1940)

cosrarnino | WARREN HULL FAMED FOR SINGING SEEN ONLY IN DRAMATIC ROLES Hull Ann Young team up to furnish the romantic thrills in Monogram’s “The Last Alarm” at the theatre. J. Farrell MacDonald is also seen in this thrilling drama of a mad firebug. Warren and Polly One Col. Cut or Mat No. 1 Plays Lead In Monogram’s “The Last Alarm” —_@——_ Prior to coming to Hollywood, Warren Hull was one of the outstanding baritones on Broadway, having played in some of the biggest successes ever produced in New York City. Ironically enough, when he was recruited by studio scouts, Hull’s success depended purely on playing straight dramatic leads. In the greater majority of the films in which Hull has starred, not one role afforded him an opportunity to use his vocal training. In Monogram’s “The Last Alarm,” now at:the....... theatre he has a straight dramatic role. After all these years, he is still dependent on resorting to drama in films, minus the use of his singing ability. Back in New York, Hull first appeared on the radio in various musical programs and later received the opportunity to go on the stage. A series of small roles Polly Ann Yo Film Work ——@e——— One of the oddest stipulations ever inserted in a contract was made by brunette Polly Ann Young before she signed to play the feminine lead in Monogram’s “The Last Alarm,” scheduled to open at GG 2-5 co acaiscrens cle etueeemeremee theatre. Despite the fact that Miss Young is still actively engaged in motion picture work, her most active role is that of a young married woman. In private life she is Mrs. J. Carter Hermann, and is the mother of a three-year-old boy. The stipulation she made with producer T. R. Williams was that she wouldn’t work any later than 5:00 o’clock any night. The reason given for this was that she wanted to be home with her child. Williams conceded the point to Miss Young and every night during the shooting of the film, production was suspended VPI LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL ML LLL LA x Yr, ‘ AST ‘ 4 6 “JIM HADLEY ........ s < J. Farrell MacDONALD rs g JOAN ‘ wed INI RPATN ccc cece eee 25 POLLY ANN YOUNG % «FRANK .......... % WARREN HULL of v4 4 % MRS. HADLEY ........ s MARY GORDON '% WENDELL ...... . GEORGE PEMBROKE 'x Ry Ry BURT STAFFORD ...... % RY JOEL FRIEDKIN * * SACKS eta: RY BRUCE MacFARLANE % DICK ROBERTS ........ ‘ RS EDDIE HART °* i * % R Ww, r. < re + ya OOOO KKK KKK KKK IKK ~ a ung Quits At Five Sharp several minutes before 5:00 o’clock. “The Last Alarm” is a thrilling story of a retired fireman, who, instead of taking life easy, finds himself more than busy hunting a dangerous incendiary who has been setting fire to a series of large building's. The fireman, Jim Hadley, discovers the criminal to be an antique shop owner, and he is caught, but only after Hadley’s own house has been set fire and the lives of his wife and daughter imperiled. Seen in the cast besides Miss Young are J. Farrell MacDonald, Warren Hull, Mary Gordon and George Pembroke. William West directed from the screenplay by Al Martin. T. H. Stage Star In “Last Alarm” George Pembroke was literally snatched from the West _ Coast stage production of “Oscar Wilde,” for a leading role in Monogram’s “The Last Alarm” scheduled to Cy oc) een en ea mao od acto at the Pt Eek eS recs RS Ae theatre Pembroke, a well-known Broadway actor, had been in Hollywood for several years receiving only a small portion of motion picture work. Producer T. R. Williams happened to see Pembroke in the play one night and immediately visualized him for the role of Wendell, the incendiary, in “The Last Alarm.” After a hard day’s work at the studio, Pembroke would report at |. the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood for his nightly portrayal in the stage play. “The Last Alarm,” is a realistic story of a retired fireman, who, instead of taking life easy, becomes involved in tracking down a dangerous incendiary. The fireman discovers the criminal to be an insane antique shop owner, and he is caught, but only after Hadley’s wife and daughter are imperiled. J. Farrell MacDonald portrays the role of the retired fire chief. Warren Hull and Polly Ann Young have the romantic leads while other supporting members of the cast include Mary Gordon, George Pembroke, Joel Friedkin. take life easy, but Jim was lost without the work he had loved so well. Playing didn’t help any. They‘d His daughter Jim Hadley’s life as a fireman was over. Retired, with a pension, he could cards with the boys at the fire house when the first alarm sounded. Joan, fiance, Frank, an insurance company ——oe Polly Ann Young Featured in J healer aks ——_@——_ soon led to outstanding parts in such musical productions as ‘‘Follow Through,” “The Student Prince,” “My Maryland,’ and “Rain and Shine.” The popular Hollywood star was born near Niagara Falls, New York, January 17, 103. He attended public school and later enrolled in New York University and the University of Rochester. It was Warner Brothers who first offered him a contract, and while there he appeared in “Personal Maid’s Secret,” ‘Freshman Love,” ‘Miss Pacific Fleet,” ‘The Walking Dead,’ and others. His most recent film appearance was in ‘Hidden Enemy,” and he is master of ceremonies on the “Good News” radio program. T. R. Williams produced “The Last Alarm,” which was directed by William West. The Associate Producer was T. H. Richmond. | FIREBUG DRAMA “The Last Alarm” at the theatre is the actioncrammed story of a dangerous incendiary who imperils the lives of Polly Ann Young and J. Farrell MacDonald. Warren Hull plays the lead role. oeeeee One Col. Cut or Mat No. 2 CHIT-CHAT ——f-—— Polly Ann Young, leading lady in Monogram’s ’’The Last Alarm” at the 5 ML ae a me theatre, is the elder sister of Sally Blane and Loretta Young. Warren Hull and J. Farrell MacDonald have leading roles in this production. William West directed. William West, director of Monogram’s “The Last Alarm” at the theatre with Warren Hull, Polly Ann Young and J. Farrell MacDonald, is a forme sceen comedian, having appeared in more than 200 comedies. 018-6 08 (6 Be, fonete Wr es 6) a). 0 ie Warren Hull, who plays the male lead opposite Polly Ann Young in Monogram’s ‘The Last Alarm” at the 2 See ee cnt theatre, was a model before going on the stage and later into motion pictures. “The Last Alarm,’ a Monogram feature, opens at the theatre with Warren Hull, J. Farrell MacDonald and Polly Ann Young in the leading roles. William West directed from the story by Al Mar oot e eee eee ee esos ecererece eee ese ee se Richmond was Associate Producer. tin. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOKOOOK OO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOIL IC ION Vix >, O bd v4 % rT: m5 % RS ra v4 % 2 OOOO OOOO OKO MMMM IKK IK MMIII HK HMI ION) forget him Veteran Of 50 Has Playe When the annals of the motion picture industry are finally recorded, there will be one name that will occupy a most important part in its background. He is J. Farrell MacDonald, beloved Irish actor. Everyone knows MacDonald. He has played kindly father roles, police chief, detective, old country doctor, and hundreds of other characterizations. As a matter of fact there are few types MacDonald hasn’t played. True, Mac, as he is known to Hollywood and Broadway intimates, doesn’t receive the fan mail of a Gable or a Crawford but his correspondence from fans is unusually consistent. MacDonald, whose current feature is Monogram’s “The Last Alarm” scheduled to open ........ tether ce aero, ee theatre, was born 65 years ago in Waterbury, Conn. Dramatics at Yale made Mac 0 Features ( Varied Roles Donald determined to make this work his livelihood. Following his graduation he went to New York City and there made the rounds daily of the producers. Soon he was given featured and later starring’ roles. He came to Hollywood when the motion picture industry was in its infancy and worked with early studios as an actor and directro. It is roughly estimated that MacDonald has played in more than 500 feature pictures and he is still in great demand. Some of his productions include “Submarine Patrol,’ “The Crowd Roars,” White Banners,” “Topper,” “Slave Ship,’ “Exclusive Story,” “County Fair,’ “My Old Kentucky Home,” “Gang Bullets” and many others. Seen in the cast af “The Last Alarm” besides MacDonald are Warren Hull, Polly Ann Young, Mary Gordon, George Pembroke, Bruce MacFarlane and Eddie Hart. ~v time, refused until his best friend Stafford, is burned to death. He determines to find the fire-bug who is responsible for his old friend’s death. With the aid of coincidence, he discovers the criminal to be an antique shop owner, and he is caught, but only and_ her employee, tried to enlist his aid in after Hadley’s own house has been set fire and the lives of his wife and daugh ter imperiled. hunting a dangerous incendiary who |had been setting fire to large buildings, but Hadley, embittered at being termed, old-man, before his a series of For his solution of the crime, Hadley is made honorary Fire Chief. He is again wanted. Roman Myth Furnishes Plot Monogram delved back into the pages of Greek mythology for the basis of the plot in “The Last Alarm” now showing at the ...... Me eric. theatre with J. Farrell MacDonald, Warren Hull and Polly Ann Young in the leading roles. Wendell, a crazed incendiary, has a frenzied passion for fire, and the symbol for this passion is the small bronze statue. According to the myth, Zeus, king of all Gods, angered with his son Vulcan, threw him from the heavens, crippling him. Unable to return, Vulcan became a blacksmith. The statue used in the thrilling Monogram feature was borrowed from a Los Angeles antique dealer and said to be valued at more than one thousand dollars. Naturally, Monogram’ executives took all measures to protect this instrument from any damage insuring it for the valued amount. MacDonald is seen as a retired fireman who returns to the clang of the engines only after his pal has been killed in a fire set off by the incendiary. He tracks the responsible man and finally succeeds in clearing up the mystery only after his own wife and daughter become seriously involved. William West directed from the story by Al Martin. T. R. Williams produced.