Those Who Dance (Warner Bros.) (1942)

—— William Boyd ' Stage Fame In “Those Who Dance” (Biographical Feature) Any producer who uses William Boyd of the stage fame in his picture is anxious first of all, to dis tinguish him from William Boyd of the silent film extraction. The fact that both men are big in size and their real names are identical is perhaps the only point they share in common, as anyone who sees the stage William Boyd at the Theatre next— 2 vss. in Warner Bros. all-star crook melodrama, 2 “Those Who ' Dance,” will avow. The William § Boyd seen in this picture with Monte Blue, was born in New York City, the scene of his stage triumphs. His mother was Florence Richman, star of twenty years ago in Shakespeare and the plays of the day. Boyd himself was carried in arms upon the stage in his first appearance, as a baby. However, he had several periods of severance from the theatre. One was a brief career as a hotel clerk. The other was as a circus rider. William Boyd Stock N-188 Cut or Mat Order Separately He achieved a small but coveted role in Maude Adams’ “Peter Pan” company, progressed rapidly thereafter and fourteen years later was the star’s leading man in the same play. He played opposite Mrs. Fiske, Ethel Barrymore, Margaret Anglin, Emily Stevens, and in films opposite Anita Stewart, Justine Johnstone and Miss Barrymore. One of the outstanding character portrayals in stage history is Boyd’s. He played “Sergeant Quirt” in the original production of “What Price Glory.” “THOSE WHO DANCE” — A Warner Bros. Production with MONTE BLUE BETTY COMPSON AN UNUSUAL SCREEN ACTRESS (Biographical Feature) Betty Compson’s position as one of Hollywood’s unusual personalities is shown in the way that she lives apart from other film folk. While most of the stars, directors, and writers live in Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, or at the beach, Miss Compson and her director-husband, James Cruze, have built their home in the Flintridge mountains near Pasadena. Miss Compson entered pictures in 1915, appearing in Christie comedies. Her first big success was in “The Miracle Man,” that “freak” of the movies which made a tremendous hit in spite of the most gloomy predictions of film producers. Thomas Meighan and Lon Chaney were also vaulted to fame in this picture. After -playing continuously since that time, the actress has found new success in Vitaphone productions because of her excellent voice. Since the advent of talkies she has played in over twenty-five feature films. Miss Compson was born in Beaver, Utah, and educated at Salt Lake High _ School. When she was thirteen she § played the violin ga in vaudeville. She has _portrayed violinists * in many pictures since that time, most recently in “Street Girl.’ She was on the stage three years before coming Betty Campson te Hollywood, Stock N-7 ‘playing as far Cut or Mat away from her Order Separately home town as London. “The Barker” was Miss Compson’s first talkie, and since hag been playing leading women and “heayies” of the underworld type. “The Docks of New York,” and Richard Barthelmess’ “Scarlet Seas” and “Weary River” were of this type. Singing and dancing have also been a part of her characterizations since talkies. Her latest role is in the Warner Bros. and Vitaphone melodrama, “Those Who Dance,” now at the Theatre. ADVERTISE OSe ‘Z Human tigers of the underworld jungle — prowling i in the murky dens of crime — waiting to spring — a lone cop on the insudden death — a beautiful girl who stronghold and outsmarts its most carat arreled adventure and six-cylinder trail riding with danger blackmail and trigue, invades gangland’s character. Here’s double thrills. WARNER BROS. who EMENT feo DANCE Two Column Ad—Style VE—Cut or Mat SAFE! Monte Blue and Lila Lee in"Those Who Dance* A warner Bros. Production Nora and Dan congratulate themselves on having escaped with their lives from the fight at the Pal Social Club. Production No. 5—Cut or Mat “Those Who Dance’’ Has Thrilling Scenes Of Action Also Fine Cast Headed by Monte Blue, Lila Lee and Betty Compson (Review) A highly interesting depiction of an underworld melodrama is seen and heard in “Those Who Dance,” the Warner Bros. screen version of the popular magazine story, which opened at the Theatre TAStceeenese Gripping situations, excellent dialogue, and splendid acting combine to make this an entertaining and often amusing story of cops and crooks, working in the shadow of the electric chair. This picture in itself should once more establish the drama of the nether world as among the favorite forms of screen fare. “Those Who Dance” stars Monte Blue as a policeman and Lila Lee as a hanger-on in the underworld, where she has gone in an attempt to save her brother from the chair. The brother has been framed and Blue, by using make-up and clothes that give him the character of a noted gangster, lives with her until he gets enough evidence to free the innocent boy. Blue’s real identity is discovered while he is attending a dance at which the gang has gathered for a look at him. The jig is up and in a really pulse-quickening scene he and Miss Lee shoot their way out. William Boyd, the New York star now in talkies, and Betty Compson are cast as underworld characters. Boyd is a fine actor and Miss Compson is at her best. William Janney has a brief role, but nevertheless one that stands out. Wilfred Lucas, Cornelius Keefe, DeWitt Jennings and Gino Corrado are in other important character roles. “Those Who Dance” is excellent screen fare, due partly to William Beaudine’s intelligent direction. It provides an evening well spent. Stories and Ads in this Press Sheet can be readily adapted for use in connection with the silent print of “Those Who Dance.”’ ‘gang world, “Those Who Dance’’ An Exciting Tale Of Underworld (Review) “Those Who Dance,” Warner Brothers and Vitaphone picture which opened last ........ at the Sat ee Theatre, is an exciting underworld tale. Take along your best girl (or boy) friend when you go to see to it so you will have somebody to hold on to when Monte Blue, Lila Lee, Betty Compson, and a dance hall full of male and female gangsters start shooting it up. It is as packed with thrills as a ride on a roller coaster. You just haven’t time to catch your breath before the picture takes you around another dangerous turn and—Zip! away you go again. It leaves you with a tingle in your blood. : In “Those Who Dance” Monte Blue is a cop who makes up as a notorious gangster to live in the underworld. He is seeking evidence to save a boy who is slated for the electric chair as a result of being framed. Miss Lee is the boy’s sister, who has also started living in the underworld in an effort to find out the real killer. As Miss Lee’s “man,” Blue supposedly lives with her. Blue is getting along fine when he is recognized at an underworld social function and has to shoot his way out. Splendid portrayals are given by these two stars. Betty Compson characterizes a gangster’s girl with fine dramatic precision. Wil liam Boyd of the stage is “Diamond Joe,” the gang leader. Boyd is a relentless, courageous villain, but human and real. He is a fine underworld type. William Janney is the boy. Other excellent portrayals are given by Wilfred Lucas,—Cor=7P nelius Keefe, DeWitt Jennings, and Gino Corrado. “Those Who Dance” was adapted from George Kibbe Turner’s magazine story and was directed by William Beaudine. NEW VITAPHONE | THRILLER HERE (Review) The blood and thunder of the underworld brought to the screen in an unusual tale. of bullets and bouncers and gats and gangsters, was witnessed last ...... with the opening. at. the 7655.42 Theatre of “Those Who Dance,” a Vitaphone production. Warner Brothers have provided here a picture that thrills. It is swift, sure drama from beginning to end, with a fierce gun battle waged by both men and women as the grand climax. It is raw melodrama of the stuff that one takes immediately as authentic. It has the touch of realism, seldom found in such pictures and it is this touch of real ism that makes this production an ~ outstanding one. The all-talking picture has the language and faces of the demimonde. Crooks are crooks and cops are cops, and never the twain meet except upon a battle ground. Monte Blue and Lila Lee are starred with a fine list of players supporting them, including William Boyd (not the screen, but the stage actor), Betty Compson and William Janney. Blue has appeared in many thrilling productions for Warners, including “Conquest” and . “Isle of Escape.” “Those Who Dance” surpasses them as an entertaining production. Incidentally it is the first picture in which he has been starred with Miss Lee. In the story, Blue doffs his cop’s uniform to pose as a gangster in an attempt to gain evidence that will save an innocent youth from the electric chair. The boy, played by Janney, is the brother of Miss Lee, who is a semi-underworld character. Boyd is the real murderer and Miss Compson is his girl. Ata dance, the pseudo-crook is recognized and Miss Lee stalls for time in one of the most gripping situations ever witnessed in a picture of this type. The two, however, are forced wis shoot their way out with the ~ce ssary™evidencé in their pockets. William Beaudine has done a good job of direction. The production has suspense and clear-cut characterizations. “Those Who Dance” was adapted from George Kibbe Turner’s story. LILA LEE AND BETTY COMPSON FEATURED IN “THOSE WHO DANCE” Two Charming Actresses Who Have Successfully Portrayed Difficult Underworld Characters (Feature) HERE are three fine underworld actresses, so-called because of their popularity in underworld roles in motion pictures. They are Lila Lee, Betty Compson and Evelyn Brent. Two of them in a single picture are now playing at the __.... Theatre in the Warner Scothot and Vitaphone melodrama of a detective’s adventure in love and the “Those Who Dance.” Miss Lee and Miss Compson are featured in the picture with Monte Blue, William Boyd and William Janney. Their fame in roles of this nature is shown by the starring parts or leads they have taken in various pictures recently. Among the more notable of Miss Lee’s are “The Argyle Case,” “Murder Will Out,” and “Dark Streets.” Miss Compson’s are “The Wise Guy,” “Lady Bird,” “Docks of New York,” “Masked Angel” and “Weary River.” Of course, both of the ladies have done many films in which their characterizations were entirely different. Remember Miss Lee in “Drag” and Miss Compson in “The Barker’’? In “Those Who Dance,” which is Joseph Jackson’s adaptation of the famous magazine serial by George Kibbe Turner, Miss Lee has what is undoubtedly one of the most difficult, as well as one of the best characterizations she has ever attempted. She is introduced in the picture as a good young lady who is in gangland trying to get her brother out of the racket. The gang leader, whose girl is the heroine’s friend, is after her, and when he kills a young policeman, he not only frames her brother but intends to let him hang for the crime to place the girl entirely at his mercy. She gives these clues to a police detective, brother of the slain man and induces him to pretend to be living with her in her little bedroom in the gangster’s house. Disguised, he poses as a gangster from another town. It is the romantic side that make this role difficult, for love diffieu) ties, embarrassments of Miss Lee situation as an innocent girl po ing as a gangster’s sweetheart, an the arrival of real love in these circumstances intermingles with hightension drama. William Beaudine directed “Those Who Dance” and he as well as the actors deserve credit for the skilful handling of the various difficult roles. pes