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1930s, 1934, Black and White, Photos, Publicity Photos, Reviews, The President Vanishes

The President Vanishes (1934)

September 1, 2013 des 1 Comment

Rosalind Russell’s second film is not a great one. It has a stuffy, uninteresting script and is sometimes confused by the large mass of characters in the film. You never feel like you get to know many of them and it makes it much more confusing. Russell is billed 12th in this movie, her name lost in a sea of character actors during the credits. She is in three short scenes. This is interesting because she was in about 3 scenes in her previous film, Evelyn Prentice, but billed fourth. However, despite her billing status, she has a great deal more lines in this film and does very well.

Rosalind Russell The President Vanishes — Rosalind Russell in The President Vanishes (1934)

She is impressive as a Washington lobbyist’s wife, especially in her second scene, in which she takes full command of the scene and the six other actors in it, stealing the scene from them all.
“The President Vanishes” is about a president who wants to stay out of the war, but with Europe at war, so much of the country (and politicians in Washington) want to get in on it. The president is played by Arthur Byron and at times, I would forget he was actually the president because there are so many characters in the movie. However, this was also due to the fact that this movie is rather rare and so my copy of it has good quality in neither picture nor sound.

A Washington lobbyist is against the idea of war, along with the president, and his wife, Sally (Rosalind Russell) feels the same way. When we first see Roz, she is applying her lipstick in the mirror and making sure she looks “perfect.” When her husband comes into the room, she says to him, “In two minutes, these perfect lips would have been sealed. Where I draw the line, no man comes through.” However, he kisses her anyway and informs her that they will be giving a dinner party that night for five men who “are going to arrange to get America into the war.” When she hears this, her eyes widen and she stops what she’s doing, her face changing from surprise to anger. When she gives the dinner party for the five men, she does most of the talking as she sits at the head of the table like a queen.

rosalind rusell the president vanishes — Rosalind Russell in The President Vanishes (1934)

In talking to the five men, she charms the pants off of them, talking about their best qualities and talents, although there is poison apparent in her tone. Addressing each of them, she says (always with a smile), ““I live with my husband, Washington’s greatest lobbyist. He brings to my poor table the charm and brains of America—Edward Cullen, who knows more about steel than Midas knew about gold; Barton Drew, our greatest banker, whose bolting vaults would put poor old creases to shame; and dear Roger Grant, who binds 10 million readers with his chain of newspapers; Judge Cochran, defender of the Constitution, lover of liberty, friend of the people… especially the right people.” With that, she says to them, “So you see, gentlemen, why shouldn’t I be wise in the midst of these five greatest of great men?” Before she leaves the room early, she implies that they are eagles circling the sky above Washington. The men start arguing about going to war after she leaves and as the scene dissolves, a cutaway shows a group of six eagles attacking each other.
In order to keep the public’s mind off war, the president stages his own kidnapping, implying it was the fascist group “The Gray Shirts” that are the culprits. A large Washington meeting is the last scene in which we see Roz.

She comes into the room late and sits next to her husband. She tells him there was a mob outside and it was hard to get in. She remarks, ““I feel as if I were sitting on the edge of a volcano,” to which her husband replies, “You are.” It is then announced that the president has vanished and it is almost certain he has been kidnapped. Roz gasps, putting her hand over her mouth, as the president’s wife faints in shock. The scene closes and that’s the last we see of Miss Russell. The rest of the film is not really worth seeing, especially in such bad quality. However, Rosalind Russell is a very interesting part of the cast and worth seeing, if at least for the dinner party scene.

paul kelly arthur byron the president vanishes — Paul Kelly and Arthur Byron

peggy conklin paul kelly the president vanishes — Peggy Conklin and Paul Kelly

The President Vanishes (1934) on IMDB

Wikipedia page for The President Vanishes (1934)

A review of The President Vanishes (1934)

1930s, Evelyn Prentice, Myrna Loy, Photos, Reviews, Una Merkel, William Powell

Evelyn Prentice (1934)

August 25, 2013 des 1 Comment

Rosalind Russell Evelyn Prentice — Rosalind Russell in Evelyn Prentice (1934)

This will be the first post in a series in which I will write about all of the films in Rosalind Russell’s filmography chronologically. That being said, let’s start with her debut—Evelyn Prentice. This film stars the versatile and loveable William Powell and Myrna Loy, a screen couple franchise—that’s what I like to call them—whom the public adored and made MGM a lot of money. Rosalind Russell, 27 years old at the time, was absolutely green in the movie industry, coming from a career on the stage (most recently with an English stage troupe led by the great C.C. Clive) right to sunny California where she didn’t know anyone. She was a lucky one, too, because although she wasn’t very well known as an actress, she got herself a contract with the most revered studio of the day, MGM studios, whose motto was “More stars than there are in heaven.” And for Roz to be put immediately into a movie with William Powell and Myrna Loy? That was just icing on the cake. While she shares no scenes with Myrna Loy, Roz became great friends with both Powell and Loy, two actors who enjoyed Roz’s sense of humor and bubbling personality. Rosalind came to adore William Powell, who was kind enough to help her with her first movie project. She didn’t quite know what to do in front of the cameras, and so she would simply walk across the soundstage, say her line, and walk out. But she was doing it all wrong, Powell pointed out to her. She had to hit the “marks” on the floor—walk and then stop on the chalk marks that guided the actors and cameramen. She appreciated his help and called Powell a “divine man and a great friend.” She was brought in as a back-up for Myrna Loy whenever Miss Loy didn’t like a movie she was put into or threatened to walk out. As Rosalind said, she was “a threat behind Myrna.”

Evelyn Prentice centers around John Prentice and his wife, Evelyn (William Powell and Myrna Loy). John is a busy lawyer who seems to spend more and more time at the office than at home, which has his wife restless and lonely. In the beginning of the film, he is busy on a case for Nancy Harrison (Rosalind Russell), who has been charged with manslaughter when she got into a car accident with a man who died at the scene. After John gets her acquitted, it is obvious she likes him as more than just her lawyer. She even takes a train for Boston because she knows he will be on the same train. Later, she sends a to John’s wife Evelyn, which is marked to be a gift to Nancy from John with a note saying it was found in John’s compartment. Roz’s character is a troublemaker, trying to ruin an already fragile marriage. She isn’t successful, and although 15 minutes into the movie, we never see her again, she certainly is noticeable. Being a widow, she always wears black in the film, and she looks lovely in the outfits, matching her equally dark hair.

Rosalind Russell William Powell Evelyn Prentice — Rosalind Russell and William Powell in a deleted scene from Evelyn Prentice (1934)

I highly recommend this movie because of Myrna Loy. The movie includes a wonderful courtroom scene, where Evelyn is on the stand, giving her heart-shattering testimony. Her testimony is beautifully moving and I always find my eyes glued to the screen during this scene. Isabel Jewell also gives a great performance on the stand, sparking a few tears in my eyes.

william powell myrna loy evelyn prentice — William Powell and Myrna Loy in Evelyn Prentice (1934)

myrna loy una merkel evelyn prentice — Myrna Loy and one of my favorite character actresses, Una Merkel

Here are some links pertaining to the film:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0025091/

http://screensnapshots.blogspot.com/2012/03/evelyn-prentice-1934-wheres-asta.html

Buy the film here

The full movie on YouTube

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Update: Added 30 new photos to Gallery

August 8, 2013 des Leave a comment

I have added 30 new photos to the Gallery, including photos from the 1930s, 1940s, and from the movies Craig’s Wife and Design for Scandal.

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Some of my favorite co-stars…

June 9, 2013 des 1 Comment

When people who are fairly familiar with Rosalind Russell’s work think about best costars, usually the first ones that come to mind are “Cary Grant” and “James Stewart,” which is intriguing because each actor only filmed one movie with Miss Russell.

cary grant rosalind russell — Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell

There are also a few other actors who made more than one film with her, such as Brian Aherne (4 films from 1940-1967) and Robert Montgomery (appeared in 5 films with Roz from 1934-1939). And yet Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart are the clear favorites. I attribute this to the clear chemistry between Rosalind and Cary and Jimmy. Both men were close friends of Roz for many years, from the 1930s onward, both Cary and Jimmy attending Roz’s funeral. Mr. Stewart even gave a short yet touching eulogy at her funeral, which always brings a tear to my eye. (You can read more about that in my blog post Who Doesn’t Love James Stewart?)

james stewart rosalind russell — James Stewart and Rosalind Russell

However, when I think of my PERSONAL opinion, I think very carefully. While I think both Cary and Jimmy are great costars for Roz (being over 6 feet tall, very handsome, very manly, and just overly charming), I tend to gravitate toward the ones who appeared with her MOST OFTEN. It is because of Rosalind’s movies, after all, that I came to know and love Melvyn Douglas and Robert Montgomery. I also decided I like Brian Aherne, but so far I only like him with Roz, as he provides an excellent straight man to Roz’s comic antics.

robert montgomery rosalind russell live love and learn — Robert Mongomery and Rosalind Russell

So let’s talk about Robert and Melvyn. Robert Montgomery clearly appeared in the most films with Rosalind Russell. There are 5 in total. However, the first one was only Rosalind’s third film and she had a tiny part (with a few witty lines) and Bob was the star. However, the next four were costarring roles and they were great in all of them. I do believe Bob and Roz had good chemistry as well. I thought, “You know, I kind of like this Robert Montgomery. I think he can do comedy and drama equally well (even receiving an Oscar nomination for “Night Must Fall,” Roz being his costar).

rosalind russell melvyn douglas this thing called love — Rosalind Russell and Melvyn Douglas

As for Melvyn Douglas, anyone who knows me really well knows that I just adore him! And let’s say it’s all because of Roz. Melvyn and Roz were in only 2 films together. One was a comedy from 1940 called “This Thing Called Love” and one was a drama from 1947 called “The Guilt of Janet Ames.” When I first watched “This Thing Called Love,” oh, I just about fell in love with Melvyn. Who else in the world nowadays has as smooth a voice as his? He is tall, but not lanky. He knows how to deliver funny lines and is an absolutely talented dramatic actor as well. In fact, I met one of my good online friends because of Melvyn Douglas, but that’s another story.

rosalind russell brian aherne hired wife — Rosalind Russell and Brian Aherne, 1940

brian aherne rosalind russell rosie — 27 years later… Brian Aherne and Rosalind Russell, “Rosie!”, 1967

And while I know most of you love Cary and James the most, what are your thoughts on these other costars? And please mention any other costar you really thought melded with Roz’s personality onscreen.

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