Life of a Policeman

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20036, 7 September 1939, Page 15

Life of a Policeman

Film ak.cs One Behind the Scenes

'H2 theme of the favourite childhood game “Cops and Robbers,’’ forms me oasis of “Sergeant Madden.” * “Sergeant Madden" is “Cops and robbers” with many new and novel „„vists. Its background is the New xork Police Department. Many of the scenes were filmed at the New York Police Academy, revealing in detail che training of a “rooky cop." The film takes the motion picture audience behind the scenes, on the machine-gun range, into the police gymnasium, the ballistics room, the classrooms and the museum of crime. There is the exciting trial of a young cop framed because he was too quick with a gun, and who revolts against society. He becomes a one-man crime wave, leaving robberies, killing, sensational escapes, and a trail of broken hearts behind him. Policeman Hero

TN “Sergeant Madden” Wallace Beery, 1 son of a Kansas City politician, has been cast as the lovable, but two-fisted Sergeant Shaun Madden, Irish as his name and a 30-year veteran of the New York Police De-

partment. Warmly human, as Beery’s memorable “Butch” in the “The Big House,” with all the pathos of “The Champ,” combined with the action and thrills of “Viva Villa” and “China Seas,” it is a perfect role for the star. Sergeant Madden’s life is wrapped up in his son, Dennis, a hot-headed young bully who scoffs at his father’s idealism and loyalty to the force and to duty. The father tries to lead'the boy in his own footsteps, giving him all the advantages of good advice and example. But when Dennis refuses to listen to reason, Sergeant Madden is not above using his fists. And- when Dennis crosses the narrow .line that separates the honest cop from the criminal, Sergeant Madden is first the officer doing his job as he sees it and second the father, despite the terrible cost to himself. Supporting Cast [HEADING the supporting cast is Tom n Brown whose fine performance in “Merrily We Live” and “Navy Blue and Gold” won him the sympathetic part of Albert Boylan, junior, son of an officer killed in the line of duty', who is adopted by Sergeant Madden. Alan Curtis, Joan Crawford's discovery in “Mannequin,” plays the role of Dennis. Brought to the screen just a year ago to be teambd with Miss Crawfbrd and Spencer Tracy, Curtis since has scored in “Burn ’Em up .O’Connor,” “Shopworn -Angel” and "Yellow Jack.” Laraine Johnson, a newcomer

to films who is being groomed for stardom, plays the • part of Eileen, tne girl wnom Dennis marries. Fay Holden, the “Ma Hardy” of the Judge Hardy Family series, is seen as Wallace Beery’s wife. Marc .Lawrence, recently seen in “Penitentiary” and “San Quentin,” plays Piggy Ceders, a gangster chief. David Gorcey, brother-of Leo Gorcey, one of the “Dead End Kids,” has the role of Punchy, petty thief, and Marion Martin, former Ziegfeld beauty, plays Charlotte, a gun “moll.” Another newcomer to th c screen, she has appeared in “Pirates in the Skies,” “Youth Takes a Fling” and “The Storm.” Romance and Drama

MARGARET LOCKWOOD, the English actress, who achieved film success in “The Lady Vanishes,” is starred in “A Girl Must Live.” The film is variously described as a daring comedy, patterned on that of “Yes, My Darling Daughter” and “The Women,” and as a satisfying blend of romance and drama. It also has a musical angle in that two

songs specially written for the production are introduced. Hugh Sinclair shares the starring honours with Margaret Lockwood, others in the cast being Lilli Palmer, Rene Houston, Mary Clare ,and George Robey, the famous English comedian. Hens Play Their Part CTVE hens and a roositer had film fame thrust upon them recently for one day when they were drafted for an important scene in “The Girl from Mexico.” It all came about because the director, Leslie Goodwins, wanted white hens with a touch of black in them for pictorial effect in a scene in a Mexican courtyard. The hens were brought to the studio, corn was scattered labout the set for them, .and the rooster was induced to crow at intervals by darkening the lights and then turning them on full blast. In appreciation of th e outing, two of the hens laid eggs in a corner of the set. Formby’s New Leading Lady THIS seems to be the season for new British leading ladies. Following Mr. Korda’s June Duprez and Mr. Laughton's Maureen O’Hara, now comes Mr. George Formby's Patricia Kirkwood. Patricia, a dark-haired 18-year-old. from Manchester, is George Formby’s new leading lady in his current racing picture, “Come on, George.”

Patricia, playing Dandinl in Newcastle’s “Cinderella,” was appearing at a Sunday night charity concert on the same bill'as George Formby. On the way down from thc dress-ing-room she slipped, and the heel came off her shoe. Formby, who is by way of being a handy lad, fixed it for her just in time for her to go on. Watching the turn to se e that the heel stayed put, George suddenly decided he had seen his next leading lady. Patricia left Levenshulme High School, Manchester, at IG, and was given a week's engagement at the Argyle, Birkenhead. On the same bill was an American variety artist, Don Galvan, who had once spotted a little girl on his bill years ago named Ginger Rogers. He telephoned his London agents, with the result that Patricia made her Lonon debut at the Empress. Brixton, and played principal girl that Christmas, with pigtails down her back, in pantomine at Cardiff. She has made one .film before, “Save a Little Sunshine,” with Scotland’s resident comic, Dave Willis New Star

TF Geraldine Fitzgerald, who made her * film debut in “Dark Victory,” does not return from Ireland in time, her role with Errol Flynn m “Seahawk” will be taken over Olivia de Havilland. New Contract

JEANETTE MACDONALD has signed J a new contract which extends over a period of years. Her first picture will be “Lover Come Back to Me,” with Nelson Eddy, and after a concert tour she will remake “Smilin’ Through.”