Statesville Daily Record from Statesville, North Carolina • Page 16

Record Amusement Market Dally Record Sataurday, October 25,1947 JOAN CRAWFORD Van Heflin and Raymond Masscy are embroiled in a romantic conflict in the modern melodrama? "Possessed," the moving story of a woman who loses her sell-confidence because of unrequited love, which will open Monday at the State theater. Garson Gets Comedy Role LINDA DARNELL and Cornel Wilde are shown here as Amber and Bruce Carlton in the torrid technicolor version of "Forever Amber," which is coming to the Playhouse November 3 and 4. Gloria Jean Started Acting Career Early VAN JOHNSON', Edward Arnold and Pat Kirkwood are shown here in the fast-paced musical. "No Leave, No which will be shown Thursday at the State theater. Fog Makers Hard Put In Kiss Scene A kiss involving Linda Darnell and Cornel Wilde in Darryl F.

Zanuck's presentation of 'Forever Amber" caused no end of trouble. The harassed director had the stars kiss 58 times until their famous lips touched to his complete satisfaction. Even so, it wasn't the fault of the actors. The fabulous kiss took place on the English moors of the Twentieth Century-Fox studio's tremendous backlot and each time the oscillatory motion was made, the fog blew in at the wrong second, because it is virtually impossible to control it to the precise moment. "And yet," said fog-maker Jess Wolf, in'betwecn the kisses, "it is much less expensive than using real fos- The real he explained, "gets too thick or too thin and occasionally rises before the director finishes a scene.

"In making a technicolor picture Arnbi-r" using i rua.1 fog would have been much costlier than our mrmuiacturc'd log. Fogs are important bwuuM 1 they are recognized dramatic factors. They create definite atmosphere. and in the case of the picture could have ruined the n.ood badly as an improper costure." Seven fog men were used for the scene involving the Darnell- Wilde kiss. Hidden on the moors, they siiot a special oil over dry ice and then blew it down along the area being filmed.

According to Wolf, the was Parted ahead ol the scene, then blown in the direction desired by the director and cameraman. Wolf, who has been in the business of making snows and other special for the movies during the past IB years, said 20 different types of fogs were used in "Forever Amber." which opens Monday week at the Playhouse. Some of the types were mist, which is vapor of oil a dense cloud, caused by a secret process of blowing two acids together; tin; bubble box, created by blowing air into an oil which is filtered through a special device, and liquid smoke, the product of titanium tctrachlonde. Miss Darnell and Wilde could easily haves been surrounded by a cniban a.ssing fog, according to Wolf. It could have been scent eu with a potent perfume to make it more romantic for the stars.

"But bavs Wolf, "it would have been tough on have a dickens of a job getting rid of it!" Seven Languages Will Be Spoken Although Of. per cent of the dialogue will be in Knglish, six other languages will be spoken in WaniiT drama of post- wiir Europe, "To the Victor." French. Italluii, Russian, German, i will .11 Hie 1,. runs Murgan- VJvtw TRIGGER is shown here giving his master, Roy Rogers, the time of day. They will be seen in "Apache Rose," trucolor musical western, opening Wednesday at the Playhouse.

Outstanding Pictures Of Week When a brilliant new comedy team comes along it is news, and good news, for movie patrons. That news is in the air tor the late show tonight and Monday and Tuesday at the Playhouse when Groucho Mark and Carmen Miranda unite in that lavish musical, "Copacabana." And it would be nice to have just one penny for every latuih their hilarious unties will provide in this first picture, and in subsociuent OIK'S which undoubtedly they will make. Any teaming of two highly artist ic iumr.akers is somewhat of a gamble, for 1 they may be hidilv spontaneous singly, they may not hit it off together at 'all. Hie producer knew from llie very first shot tint Grouchu, front bis famous brothers for the time in Brazilian comedienne were as much a team as ham and eggs. In "Copacabana." Groucho and Carmen are assisted by singing star Andy and by Stevo Cochran and Gloria Jean, the former child star, who plays the romantic leads.

Not to be overlooked, also, are the 14 gorgeous Copa girls and the nation's ton ni'iit spot reporters, Earl Wilson. Abel Green Louis Sobol. Possessed Handsomely leluihm the canard thai there is new under the sun" is the new film drama. "Possessed." opening Monday at the Slate theater. Boasting an outstanding cas'.

headed by Joan Crawford and Van Heflin, the film presents a startling departure from the routine treatment accorded the theme ol unrequited love and, incidentally, provides Joan Crawford with one of Tier most challenging roles. Rarely has an actress had so fine an opportunity to display her virtuosity as Crawford has in the difficult and exciting role of Louise. In addition, she is directed by a veteran of the megaphone and is further aided by an outstanding cast that includes, in addition to co-star Van Heflin. other able performers like Raymond Masscy, Geraldine Brooks, Stanley Ridges and John Ridgely. Apache Rose It's the King of the Cowboys in color! The very popular Roy Rogers will come to the Playhouse theater in his first trucolor picture, "Apache Rose," Wednesday.

Said to be one of his finest pictures, it is reported to be filled from start to finish with exciting action, rib-tickling comedy, and many hit songs. Charming Dale Evans will once more play the part of Roy's leading lady, while Olin Howlin enacts the role of the cowboy's pal. "Apache Rose" is Rogers' first in color, and will have his many fans clamoring for more. The grandeur of the west has never been more impressively shown on the screen. Those famous singers of hillbilly music are also featured in this film.

The Sons of the Pioneers sing four songs that are fast, coming hits on the Hillbilly Hit parade. Murder He Says Do you remember them thar "Flcagles" in "Murder He Says." The Flcai-'les rate as the screwiest looniest, allhogether daffiest clan of homicidal hillbillies ever bent on murder. Their unique ingenuity concocts a poison which makes the victim glow like 10,000 watts before expiring. Fred is continuously occupied with avoiding this and other death-dealing devices. When he finds time to up his surroundings, he discovers that a certain Helen Walker is mighty attractive number, despite six-shooter and cigar.

All of these elements add up to a fast-moving, action-packed laugh riot which gives audiences entertainment of a superlative nature. Don't miss Fred MacMurray, Helen Walker, Marjorie Main, Porter Hall and the rest of the "Fleagles" next Friday at the Playhouse. Other pictures of the week: PLAYHOUSE Saturday: "Stranger Journey," with Paul Kelly and Jack Armstrong. "No Leave, No Love" with Van Johnson and Keenan Wynn; Friday and Saturday: "Apache Rose" in color with Roy Rogers and Triggger. CRESCENT Monday: Wild Bill Elliott western; Tuesday: "The Time of Their Lives," with Bud Abbott and Lou Costello; Wednesday: First city showing of "The Big Fix," a story of today basketball gamblers; Thursday: Cisco Kid western; Friday: Range Buster western; Saturday: Bob Steele western.

Mary Stuart Cast With Flynn First of Errol Flynn's many loves in "The Adventures of Don Juan," now before the cameras at Warner will be played by Mary Stuart, Warner actress recently signed to a long-term contract following her discovery as a photographer in a New York supper club. The young actress, born in Miami and once a Tulsa newspaper photographer, made her screen debut at Warner's as a vaudeville performr in the forthcoming "April Showers." Vincent Sherman is directing "The Adventures of Don Juan," with Jerry Wald producing for Warner Bros. When Gloria Jean Schoonover was six years old, she had already displayed enough musical talent to have Paul Whiteman want to sign her to a contract. But Mrs. Schoonnver then thought her gifted daughter too young to start a professional career and waited until Gloria was 12, when she was engaged by a smallish New York opera company and became the youngest member of an opera trope in the United States.

She came to the attention of motion picture scouts and was signed to a contract and, with her father and mother and her three sisters, Lois. Bonnie and Sally, she moved to Hollywood. Now she comes to the screen, in her 18th picture, the gala musical "Copacabana," a full-fledged star opposite Groucho Marx and Carmen Miranda. The film opens for the late show tonight at the Playhouse theater. Gloria dropped the Schoonover part of her name when she checked in at Hollywood and now her name is in the bright lights and her singing and acting in "Copacabana" cause great praise.

She was born April 14, 1926, in Buffalo, where her father was a welding instructor, but moved to Scranton, when only six months old because her father had changed jobs. He switched from welding teaching to selling pianos. And when Gloria was summoned to Hollywood, her father went along, too. Gloria is a perfectly normal lassie of normal tastes. She has never recovered from the occu- oupational diseases of childhood love of ice cream and equally ardent distaste for spinach.

She takes her singing and acting seriously and feels that her part as a blind girl in "Destiny" was her most important dramatic part, but she is delighted now that she has graduated to adult romances. For the record, Gloria is of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry, is five feet, four inches tall, weighs 110 pounds, has blue eyes and At The Theaters PLAYHOUSE TODAY Eight people lost on a raft in the Pacific GLORIA JEAN' will be seen opposite Groucho Marx in to ala musical, coming to the iw Ike fibow tonight. ANN BI.YTH portrays a small-town playgirl In "Swell Guy," which is coming next week to Playhouse. Sonny lulls takes the male lead. EXTRA Vera Vague Comedy Jack Armstrong No.

10 STATE TODAY ONLY An All Laugh Show! "LITTLE IODINE" plus 6 color cartoons CRESCENT SATURDAY "RIDING DOWN THE TRAIL" Jimmy Wakely MONDAY "CONQUEST OF CHEYENNE" 'Sunset' Carson reddish brown hair. Also for the record her top pictures have been "The "If I Had My Way," "Mister Big," "I'll Remember April" and many more. By ERSKINE JOHNSON I'm glad to hear that M-G-M will star Greer Garson in a comedy. I suggested it in this column two years ago. Greer's latest "Desire Me," took a terrific beating from the New York film critics.

"Desire Me" doesn't even list a director in the credits. Mervyn LeRoy tried to salvage what someone else botched up. Greer is taking the rap for a studio's errors. Sophie's Wedding Off Sophie Tucker has canceled plans to wed Marion Scoby, the rich hotel man Jimmy Zito will fight June Haver's divorce, so she's seeking a church annulment. Meanwhile, June will go to Evanston, 111., soon to adopt a baby from The Cradle Paul Henreid will play a dual role in his next, "Hollow Triumph." He'll be a murderer and his victim.

My plea for recognition for the little people of Hollywood who make the big people big has been answered at one studio. William Goetz of Universal-Internation can take a bow. In the future, if a Universal- International film is voted the best picture of the year by members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the studio will present all members of the behind-the-scenes crew with miniature Oscars, for watch chains and charm bracelets. The recipients will include electricians, wardrobe mistresses, hair dressers men, assistant directors, make-up men, assistant cameramen, the set those little people who contribute to a film's success. My congratulations to William Goetz.

I sincerely hope this plan to honor Hollywood's little people will become industry-wide. Money-Maker Merton "Merton of the Movies" is clicking big at the box office, thanks to Red Skelton's magnificient job of holding up the entire film James Craig is set for a festive holiday season. There are 3000 turkeys on his ranch headed for the chopping block at $1 a pound Another film star's oil- spring has taken wing. Vic Mc- Laglen's daughter, Sheila, is batting out stories for national magazines in New York. For Week of Oct.

27 Nov. 1 CRESCENT Always 9c 20c 25c Monday Only Open at 12:00 MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY I've Done Things I'm Ashamed of But This Isn't One of Them! VAN HEFUN THURSDAY ONLY Returned By Request Van Johnson Keenan Wynn "NO LEAVE NO LOVE" Friday Saturday COMING SOON "MAGIC TOWN" STATED "HOUSE OF HITS" Tues. Only Open 2:00 tMEtt LIVES Wed. Only Open 2:00 MOWN-! NORHNHASH-M6I5 TOOMEY Thurs. Only Open 2:00 Fri Only Open "Boothill Bandits RANGE BUSTERS Sat.

Only Open 11:00 BOB STEELE "Riding the Lone Trail" Hollywood's topmost in Broadway's brightest nightspot I GROUCHO MARX CARMEN MIRANDA ANDY RUSSELL STEVE COCHRAN GLORIA JEAN the COPA GIRLS-the 14 Most Beautiful Girls in America-andthe Nation's Top Nightspot LOUIS SOBOU ABEL GREEN-EARL WILSON I Vn One of the First Showings In North Carolina LATE SHOW TO-NITE Tickets Now On Sale at the Box Seats 40c Also MONDAY AND TUESDAY Wed. Thur. "Apache Rose" In Color ROY ROGERS Friday "Murder, He Says" F. McMURHAY H. WALKER Sat.

"Strange Journey" P. KELLY SERIAL 8 MORE "FOREVER AMBER" IN TECHNICOLOR Mon Tues. (Nov. 3 4).