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“SO BIG”

Cast of Characters

SELINA PEAKE BARBARA STANWYCK

Re George Brent Dirk (as a boy).............Dickie Moore Bigs O Mara... se Bette Davis wine Hemple......-...... Mae Madison Dirk (grown).-......: >. Hardie Albright

Prmnon- Feake. . Robert Warwiék

Mmmeesteen =. 2 Arthur Stone meeivis. DOJONG=-....... 22.35. Earle Foxe Blase Ol... FS Alan Hale | i Se aS ior Dorothy Peterson Selina (as a little girl)....... Dawn O’Day

Roelf (14 years)........: ..Dick Winslow Seawiaim Ooms... =... ts. Harry Beresford Sere diemple... +... Eulalie Jensen Mrs; teébbits.......=. Elizabeth Patterson

0 Se es eae ee ae Rita LeRoy Widow Paarlenburg..... Blanche Frederici Mee OchOr... =... Willard Robertson Mieaen-aunts............ Martha Mattox Emma Ray I re a eae Olin Howland Pierwencral..-.. Andre Charon

Country doctor

Harry Holman Reverend Dekker

RUST Sere Lionel Belmore

The Story

* "ia Peake, whose mother is dead, is »vexten to Chicago by her father, a gambler, and sent to a finishing school. Shortly after Selina’s graduation her father is killed and she is left penniless. Julie, a particular chum, persuades her father to get Selina a job as a school teacher in a small Dutch settlement.

She lives at the home of a crude farmer, whose son, Roelf, she helps with hig les- sons and who adores her. Eventually, Selina marries one of the Dutch farmers, Pervus Dejong, and her life becomes that of a farmer’s wife—but instead of think- ing it drudgery she sees beauty in every- thing connected with the soil. Finally a boy, Dirk, is born and her whole hope is centered in him, She takes him to the fields with her and daily measures his growth, calling him “So big.”

Pervus dies and leaves Selina nothing but the farm. She goes to work with determination to make good for her boy. She sends him to school and college and finally establishes him in business as an architect. Selina has grown into a fine character whom everyone loves.

Dirk, is a weak character. He falls in love with Paula, a married woman, who persuades her husband to give Dirk a job in his officee—and then with Dallas O’Mara, a beautiful young girl and talented artist. She will not marry him because he is weak.

In the meantime, Roelf, who had left the farm at his mother’s death, has become a great artist. Returning from Paris, he meets Dirk and learns that he is Selina’s son. He immediately asks to be taken to her and they go to the farm, taking Dallas with them. Selina has a fine sense of values and she sees what a fine char- acter Roelf has become, at the same time realizing the faults of her son. She sees that her hopes for her son are blasted but rejoices in the fineness of Roelf. Her eyes are sad, but beauty has not faded from her soul.

Page Two

Biographical Briefs

BARBARA STANWYCK — One of the screen’s most talented actresses, whose rise to stardom was nothing short of phenomenal. Started out as a chorus girl in New York. First attracted at- tention in “Ladies of Leisure.” Since then she has scored marked success in “Tlhieit,” “Night Nurse,” “The Miracle Woman,” “Forbidden” and “So Big.” She is the wife of Frank Fay. Born in New York City.

GEORGE BRENT — Well known stage actor, recently signed to a long term contract by Warner Bros.-First National. Born and educated in Dublin, Ireland. Started his dramatic career while in school. Since then he has owned six stock companies and* played over a hun- dred leads on the stage. On the screen in “The Rich Are Always With Us” and “So Big.”

BETTE DAVIS—Began her stage career with the Provincetown Players. On the sereen in “Bad Sister,” “Seed,” ‘“Water- loo Bridge,” “Juvenile Court,” “Way Back Home,” “The Menace.” Under her new Warner Bros. contract she appeared in “The Man Who Played God,’ with George Arliss, “The Rich Are Always With Us” and “So Big.” Born in Lowell, Mass.

MAE MADISON—Young Hungarian-Am- erican actress under contract to Warner Bros.-First National. Has played in such pictures as “The Mad Genius” with John Barrymore, “Bought,” with Con- stance Bennett, “Union Depot” and “So Big,” with Barbara Stanwyck. Born in Los Angeles, Calif.

ROBERT WARWICK—Well-known player of both Broadway stage and screen. Formerly a star of the screen in the old days of silent pictures, but gave it up to go back to stage. In talking pictures he hag been seen in “Unmasked” and most recently in “The Woman From Monte Carlo” and “So Big.”

HARDIE ALBRIGHT—Has appeared on the stage in “Saturday Night,” “Three Sisters,” “Gang War,” “Cradle Song,” “The Greeks Had A Word For It” and “Young Sinners.” Seen by Fox officials

Production Staff

Based on the BOvel by © Edna Ferber Adaptation. .... J. Grubb Alexander and Robert Lord

Director = William Wellman Cameraiian Sid Hickox Art Director ==... Jack Okey

William Holmes

Running Time _ 82 minutes

Length 7466 feet

in the latter play and signed to play the same part in the picturization of the play. Also appeared in ‘Hush Money,” “Skyline” and “Heartbreak.” For Warner Bros. he recently appeared in “So Big” with Barbara Stanwyck. Born in Pitts- burgh, Pa.

EARLE FOXE—After gaining stage ex- perience, he entered pictures with the old Kalem Co. Originally started out to be a mechanical engineer but gave it up in.favor of acting. On the screen in “Blindfold,” “Four Sons,” “Fugitives,” “The Ghost Talks,” “Good Intentions” and “So Big.” Born in Oxford, Ohio.

ALAN HALE — An old and talented favorite sinee he first appeared for Biograph in “The Cowboy And The Lady.” His most famous parts were in “The Covered Wagon,” “The Four Horse- men” and “Robin Hood.” He deserted the role of actor for several years, dur- ing which he directed pictures. Since his return to acting he has appeared in numerous pictures ineluding “The Leatherneck,” “Union Depot” and “So Big.” Born in Washington, D. C.

DOROTHY PETERSON—tTalented stage actress who entered films when First National brought her to Hollywood for “Mothers Cry.” She has also appeared

in “Bought” with Constance Bennett _

and in “So Big” with Barbara Stan- wyck. Born in Hector, Minn.

HARRY BERESFORD—Famed on stage

as creator of “The Old Soak” role, and an instant success on the screen. His recent pictures include “Heaven On Earth,” “Dance Team,” “Sob Sister,” “Charlie Chan Carries On,” “Seandal Sheet,” “High Pressure” and “So Big.”

WILLIAM A. WELLMAN — (Director) Has brought to the screen such recent successes as “Public Enemy,” “Night Nurse,” “Safe In Hell,” “The Star Wit- ness,” “The Hatchet Man.” During the war he was an intrepid aviator with the Lafayette Escadrille, which made his direction of that ace of air pictures, “Wings,” so realistic. His latest effort is “So Big,” starring Barbara Stanwyck.

Official Billing

Warner Bros. Pictures, Ine.

& The Vitaphone Corp....... 5% present BARBARA STANWYCK..... 100% in “SO BIG?) 255 Se eee 85% Based on novel by EdnaxFerber—— = 50% with George Brent = = Se 65% Bette Davis <== se ot 40% Dickie: Moore = 5% Directed by William A. Wellman 3.32 20% A Warner Bros. and Vitaphone Picture......... 40%

DU '

ADVANCE STORIES — REVIEWS — FOLLOW-UP STORIES — FEATURES — SHORTS — SCENE CUTS

your L. story

Edna Ferber’s Classic ‘“‘So Big” Coming to... .... Next With

_ Barbara Stanwyck And Powerful Cast

“So Big” is coming to the........ very soon.

This announcement should be of interest to admirers of Barbara Stan- wyck, who stars in the picture, of Edna Ferber, who wrote the novel from which the film was adapted, and to lovers of good pictures in general. For “So Big” is regarded by Warner Bros. as one of the ace productions of the company’s list for this season, and newspaper critics in all the cities where it has been shown agree with them in this view.

Begeiste- will Open =. 3... 5... te the=. >. .Theatre. It is one of .the most elaborate and expensive pro- ductions ever turned out by a Hollywood studio, and Barbara Stan- wyck is sup- ported by a east that can really be honestly de- seribed, for once, as prac- tically all-star.

Barbara’s leading man is George Brent, that handsome young Irish- man who is making such a sensation just now on the American screen. Another famous young man who ap- pears in the film is Dickie Moore, who, though he is only five years old, has made an enviable record as a heart- breaker. You may remember seeing him in “The Star Witness” and “The

Expert” with Chic Sale, and in “Man-

hattan Parade” with Winnie Lightner.

Dickie, by general agreement, has “it?

in a manner all his own.

Then there is Bette Davis, who has become one of the leading lights of Hollywood within the past six months. Bette got her first big chance as George Arliss’ principal support in “The Man Who Played God,” and her work in that picture won for her a long term contract. Mae Madison is as striking in the brunette manner as Bette Davis in the blonde; Hardie Albright is an up-and-coming favorite of picture fans of whom great things are cxpected; that true and tried actor Robert Warwick has a part of great importance in the story. And the lineup isn’t half over.

The names of Arthur Stone, Earle

Foxe, Alan Hale, Dorothy Peterson,

Dawn O’Day, Blanche Frederici, Rita

LeRoy, Martha Mattox and Lionel Belmore, selected almost at random

BARBARA STANWYCK Cut No. 7 Cut r5c Mat 5c

Page Three

ge al

from the remainder of the cast, will give some idea of the remarkable array of players who appear with Miss Stanwyck in “So Big.” The picture was directed by William A. Wellman, which means a lot also to those who follow picture production with dis- crimination,

“So Big,” from the unanimous ver- dict of critics and public in other cities, is an attraction well worth while. And lovers of Edna Ferber’s work declare that the picture brings to the screen the authentic atmos- phere and the very flesh and blood of one of the most memorable of Amer- ican novels which won the Pulitzer prize a few years ago.

your ose story

Edna Ferber’s Pulitzer Prize Novel Reaches The Screen

“So Big,” the new picture starring Barbara Stanwyck which ........ picture-goers will have an oppor- tunity to see beginning at the Theatre, has been adapted from the Pulitzer Prize novel by Edna Ferber which was not only a best-seller when it

was published but hag gone on selling steadily since. It has, in fact, attained a

place on the shelf of American classic fiction?

“Tt seems very important that ‘So Big’ should be faithfully re- produced on the screen,” said Edna Ferber in New York, while Miss Stanwyck’s latest vehicle was in pro- duction at the Warner Bros. studios in California. “‘So Big’ holds a very special place in my affections, and so many people have written me since it was published, telling me that it holds a special place in their affections, too, that I have long ceased to regard the story as belonging to me alone. It belongs to all those people who have loved it, fully as much as it does to me, though I wrote it. I ean never think of ‘So Big’ as I do of most of my other writings. It holds a place apart.”

It is not a simple matter to trans- fer a story like “So Big” to the screen; and the responsibility was felt by Miss Stanwyck, by William A. Wellman, who directed the pic- ture, and by the actors and act- resses who made up the east. “We felt that we were handling some- thing very delicate and beautiful,” says Barbara Stanwyck. “We had all read the book—all, of course, except little Dickie Moore, who is only five years old — and we all loved it. ‘So Big’ is undoubtedly the most important picture I have ever made. I felt that while I was

. . * 2. h iT A acine in it, and so did the gthe a

and largély

i ee

your se story

Barbara Stanwyck Ages 50 Years In ‘So Big”’

How will your favorite motion pic- ture actress look as a middle-aged woman?

And here is another question: How many of the young and beautiful actresses of Hollywood would be will- ing to give you a peep into the future, to see what the answer might be?

Well, one at least is willing. She is Barbara Stanwyck; and because Barbara is not just young and charm- ing and comely, but a capable actress as well, she has not shrunk from the test of playing a difficult role minus all the advantages of her golden youth.

In “So Big,” her newest starring picture based on the Pulitzer Prize novel by Edna Ferber, Barbara is seen first as a young girl, Selina Peake, fresh and full of the spirit of life and hopefulness. Then the years pass, and in the final scenes of the picture you will behold her with gray hair, a veteran in the battle of life.

ES On Big WillsO DOM sere ee a ee at the Theatre. Included in the cast are George Brent, Bette Davis, Mae Madison, Hardie Albright, Dorothy Peterson and many other favorites.

“So Big” was directed by William A. Wellman, one of the ace directors of Hollywood.

your Ah. story

Bette Davis Earns Long Term Movie Contract With “So Big” Role

Bette Davis, who has an impor- tant role with Barbara Stanwyck in “So Big,” which ecomes to the Theatre, has risen from ob- scurity to prom- inence on the screen in less than six months.

After appear- ing in a num- ber of success- ful Broadway plays, her first big chance in

BETTE DAVIS Cut No. 20

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pictures came when she was made

George Arliss’ leading woman in “The

Man Who Played God.” Then came “So Big,” hand in hand with a long- term contract with Warner Bros., who are planning great things for her. Bette Davis is a blonde, and she is also an extremely capable young actress who takes her work seriously and doesn’t begrudge the time re-

a —

quired to study and think about what she is doing. She is a native of Lowell, Mass., and was educated

at the Newton High School and at

Cushing Academy. :

Besides acting, she likes to read and to ride horseback and play golf. Unlike most theatrical people, she takes a keen interest in polities, and says that if she were a man she would try hard to be a great statesman.

But her great and growing army of motion picture fans prefer her just as she is. William A. Wellman, who directed “So Big” says Bette will be a top-notch star within a year.

George Brent Supports Barbara Stanwyck in “So Big”

Sure and he’s Irish, and that’s one reason why they love him.

There are other reasons too. He’s tall and strongly built, a fine figure of a man, and he has the dark hair and the Irish eyes that mean so much to a young chap, and ’tis he who has been a fighting man and af wanderer over the face of the earth as well as an actor. And he’s a good. ac- { tor! F

His name is George’ Brent. He has taken Hollywood by storm. And he is Barbara Stanwyck’s lead- ing man in “So Big,” the new Warner Bros. feature film which is coming ....... to the Theatre.

Loving and fighting are said to be the two things that the Irish do best, and George Brent is an expert at both of them. He’s a Dublin man, with just a faint touch of the brogue. Coming of a long line of army peo- ple, George was educated at the Na- tional University in Erin’s capital and then found himself involved in the civil troubles after the Great War. When he wasn’t fighting or engaged on secret missions he was acting with the famous company at the Abbey Theatre.

Years of travel followed. For a when he lived in Southern Franee, then decided, like so many of his fel- low-countrymen, to come to America. Success on Broadway followed. He

GEORGE BRENT . Cut No. 19 Cut 15c Mat 5c

played, among other roles, Chico in ~

“Seventh Heaven” and the leading masculine role opposite Alice Brady in “Love, Honor and Betray.” And then Hollywood captured him, and

doesn’t seem to intend: to let him go. ~

Opening Day Story

“So Big’ Opens Today At The .._...

Barbara Stanwyck in “So Big”’ ds the attraction opening today at the Theatre, and from advance accounts it seems ex- tremely likely that the coming of this particular picture will stand out as one of the really big events of the present season.

To begin with, there’s Barbara Stanwyck herself — a very comely and talented young lady whose name alone is “plenty box office,” as show people say. Her role in “So Bac Se as Selina Peake, the girl whose story from childhood to old age is the central theme of the plot, is the finest bit of work that Barbara has yet accomplished on the screen.

And then the east of “So Big,” in addition to Barbara Stanwyck, is worth consideration by discrim- inating movie patrons. George Brent is leading man—that hand- some and stalwart young Irishman who has brought a new style in heroes to Hollywood. You can sum up George Brent by saying that he is a he-man without being hard- boiled—and he has a rich store of Irish charm. Then there’s little Dietie Moore, five years old and already a screen star. Dickie has already “stolen” more pictures from famous sereen celebrities than any other player in Hollywood, accord- ing to those who keep tabs on such matters. Bette Davis is in the east _too—a blonde and vivacious miss who is rising rapidly in the cine- matic sky. And there’s Mae Madison and Hardie Albright and Robert Warwick and Arthur Stone and Earle Fox and Alan Hale and Dorothy Peterson and about twenty more, making up one of the strong- ~est casts ever assembled by a Holly- wood studio.

The story of “So Big” has been adapted from the novel by Edna Ferber; and all the readers of “So Big” and admirers of Miss Ferber’s writings know that the eare and elaborate preparations bestowed by Warner Bros. upon the making of the picture were well worth while. William A. Wellman was given the important responsibility of diree- tion; and the success of the film wherever shown has chalked up another hit for this ace movie- maker.

I st day of run

‘Barbara Stanwyck Loses Heart To Dickie Moore, Latest Don Juan

The latest seandal whispered across the country from Hollywood is that Barbara Stanwyek and Dickie Moore

Page Four

are “that way” about each other. It’s the talk of the movie capital!

They are both in the cast of “So Big,” the Warner Bros. screen ad- aptation of Edna Ferber’s novel which is now showing at the Theatre, and it was while the picture was in production that all the talk arose.

Barbara and Dickie, it seemed, made no secret of the fact that they were crazy about each other; their flirtation was open and unashamed. And when the film was completed Miss Stanwyck gave Dickie a beautiful little gold watch with the inscription: “To Dickie Moore, in appreciation of his grand work in ‘So Big.’ Barbara Stanwyck Fay.”

For Barbara, of course, is married; and her husband, Frank Fay, saw what was going on and made not the slightest objection!

Dickie Moore, you see, is now five years old, going on six. You may have seen him act in “The Star Wit- ness” and “The Expert? with Chic Sale; and if so, you don’t wonder at Barbara Stanwyck’s having fallen for him. Nor, if you have seen Miss Stan- wyck, will you be surprised that Dickie succumbed also.

The cast of “So Big” includes, be- sides Barbara Stanwyck and Dickie Moore, such well known players as George Brent, Bette Davis, Hardie Albright, Alan Hale and Dorothy Peterson. It was directed by William A. Wellman.

2 nd day of run sees. Setteantciecets

Make-up Expert Ages Barbara Stanwyck Forty Years In Forty Minutes

To add forty years to one’s age in forty minutes is a feat seldom performed, but Barbara Stanwyck did it several times during the film- ing of “So Big,” her new Warner Bros. starring picture now at the eae eee Theatre.

In the early scenes of the picture Miss Stanwyck, in the role of Selina Peake, heroine of Edna Ferber’s celebrated novel, appears as a young girl; but the story carries Selina on to maturity and to the verge of old age, and Barbara was artfully “made up” for these last sections of the film by Perey Westmore, chief ex- pert in such matters at the Warner Bros. studios. Those who have seen “Bo. Bip’ atthe agree that Miss Stanwyck makes a very gracious and charming old lady.

“Very few actresses of today would be willing to make up as a woman of advancing years,” said Westmore in discussing his trans- formation of the radiant Barbara. “Most of our young actresses know that nine-tenths of their public ap- peal is due to their youthful looks. But Barbara didn’t worry about that. She didn’t have to. She is a real actress, and I believe we are only watching the beginning of one of the greatest careers that the

American stage and sereen has ever known.”

“So Big” was directed by William A. Wellman. The supporting east includes George Brent, Dickie Moore, Bette Davis, Mae Madison, Hardie Albright, Robert Warwick, Alan Hale and Dorothy Peterson.

D rd day of run saaceeieeeetariniemeeniatienimiaens tee

“So Big” Reflects Chang- ing Fashions And Habits Of Past Four Decades

“So Big” is Barbara Stanwyck’s newest Warner Bros. starring pic- ture, which will open... . the=s ee Theatre. It has been given one of the most elaborate pro- ductions ever devoted to any product of the Hollywood studios, and as the story covers a period of years the many characters appear in the cos- tumes of the eighties, the nineties and the nineteen-hundreds. Some of these characters are played by such prominent and sterling actors as George Brent, Bette Davis, Mae Madison, Hardie Albright, Robert Warwick, Alan Hale and Dorothy Peterson — not forgetting by any means five-year-old Dickie Moore, who is as prominent and sterling as any of them.

Bustles and pantaloons and leg-o’- mutton sleeves, those strange ways in which former generations got themselves up, are seen to the life in “So Big,” and then they gradually disappear as the plot moves down the years to the life of today.

“So Big” has achieved an out- standing success in all the cities where it has thus far been shown. It has attracted not only the ordinary picture-going public, but

thousands of readers of Edna Fer-—

ber’s book. Barbara Stanwyck her- self was one of the great army of “So Big” fans long before she ever dreamed of playing the beautiful and tragic role of Selina Peake on the screen; and when the assignment was given her by Warner Bros. she says she realized that she was un- dertaking the most important role of her career. William Wellman, one of Hollywood’s ace directors, megaphoned “So Big.”

4 th day of run TILL ESE ITE

Famous Director Gives Highest Praise To Barbara Stanwyck, Star Of

“So Big”’

“Beauty and brains are a combina- tion that can’t be beaten in motion pictures,”

This is the dictum of William A. Wellman, ace director of Hollywood; and he uttered it in connection with Barbara Stanwyck, star of “So Big,” which Wellman directed and which is now on view at the Theatre.

“Lots of actresses, on both stage

and screen, are getting by with good looks and practically nothing else,” continued the director. “That means that they won’t be with us long. And there are other actresses who have brains and no beauty. A few of them do pretty well too, though they work under a severe handicap. But when you get beauty and brains together, there’s no stopping the lucky girl who possesses them; and the best example I can think of is Barbara.”

In “So Big” based on Edna Fer- ber’s memorable novel, Miss Stanwyck plays the part of Selina Peake, the dreaming girl who met life so bravely and bore its vicissitudes with such undaunted gallantry. “The actress who played that part,” said Wellmar had to use her head—and also her heart. If Warner Bros. had searched the country with a fine-tooth comb they couldn’t have found a girl bet- ter prepared in every way to play the role than Barbara Stanwyck. The story and the actress were made for each other.”

George Brent is leading man in the picture and others in the cast are Dickie Moore, Bette Davis, Hardie Al- bright, Mae Madison, Alan Hale, Rob- ert Warwick and Dorothy Peterson,

SHORTS

Barbara Stanwyck And - Husband Choose Names For Children In Advance

Barbara Stanwyck and her hus band, Frank Fay, have no children —yet.

But they say they intend to have two before long, and the names are already selected. They are Kath- leen and Michael.

Barbara is the star of “So Big,” the new Warner Bros. picture now at the as Theatre. It is based on Edna Ferber’s novel.

Barbara Stanwyck Keeps Healthy With Sauerkraut, Her Favorite Dish

Barbara Stanwyck and_ sauer- kraut! Seems an incongruous com- bination somehow, doesn’t it?

But the star of “So Big,” now showing at the Theatre, declares that sauerkraut igs her favorite food, and she makes no apologies for it. Also Edna Ferber, who wrote “So Big” as a novel, is Barbara’s favorite author.

The picture was produced by Warner Bros. and_ directed by William A.- Wellman. George Brent is leading man.

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NEWS FEATURES.

Review

“So Big” Is A Triumph Of Movie Making

Barbara Stanwyck at her finest— that’s the first summary of “So Big,” which opened yesterday at the Theatre, that comes to mind.

But it’s not a complete summary. It is not fair to leave out the other members of the ecast— George Brent, Bette Davis, Dorothy Peter- son, Alan Hale and the rest of a sterling array of play- ers. And ador- able little Dickie Moore.

In “So Big” Warner Bros. have presented a screen version of Edna Ferber’s greatest novel, and it is a version of which they and Miss Fer- ber and all concerned with the produc- tion may well be proud. The story of Selina Peake (Barbara Stanwyck),

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dramatic and utterly human, is told

as Edna Ferber conceived it; the at- mosphere is that of the book itself,

the characters of the author’s im- agination have taken on flesh and blood. “So Big” is a triumph, no

less.

One’s memories are many as one leaves the theatre, and all of them are rich and deep and moving. First and foremost is Barbara Stanwyck’s portrayal of Selina—a great character, typically American, if ever fiction and the screen have known one. And one remembers George Brent, and Dickie, and the rest of the really great east which surrounds one of the most admirable young actresses that the screen has been fortunate enough to find. Admirable direction by Wil- liam A. Wellman, whose touch is that of a master; exquisite photography, whose beauty at times snatches the breath away; above all, acting that is powerful but restrained and alto- gether natural—these qualities carry “So Big” to a height rarely attained by any product of the studios.

If Barbara Stanwyck had never

~~ made another picture, “So Big” would , assure her of

a high and shining place in the annals of the screen. It is one of the films that nobody in- terested in the finest work of actors, directors, writers and camera men can afford to miss.

: Sunday Feature

Barbara Stanwyck Honored To Play Starring Role In “So Big”

Barbara Stanwyck held up two dainty little white hands, and let

Page Five

the make-up artist rub dirt into them. She directed him to smear a little

more into one grimy knuckle. And

then—she actually admired them!

“They seem to me like a-symbol,” she said. “A symbol of my role as Selina Peake in ‘So Big.’

“Selina, yon know, became a farmer’s wife, and her hands_be- came soil-worn, just like these. She lost her first girlish prettiness, but she became a beauty instead. And there is beauty in fine, strong hands that have not been ashamed to work in the earth.”

Coming from a motion picture actress who must necessarily con- sider physical beauty as one of her most valuable assets, that seemed an extraordinary statement. But Barbara Stanwyck has never been known either as an ordinary actress, or as an ordinary person. She proved it again by accepting the role of Selina Peak in the Warner Bros. picture “So Big” which is now play- ing at the Theatre.

Selina is the heroine of Edna Ferber’s great novel, who set the entire Dutch population of her com- munity a-tittering by saying that ecabbages are beautiful.

Her father, a professional gambler, had taught her as a child that life must be taken as an adventure, and that, good or bad, it was all just “so much velvet.” This happy atti- tude clung to her. Although mis- fortune, poverty and death beset her while she struggled to rear her baby, little “So Big,” up. to fine young manhood, she never for a moment lost the courage that made her life a full one and a thing of beauty.

Barbara Stanwyck, too, is the sort of person who can see the beauty in cabbages. That’s why

she’s playing Selina Peake.

Many another actress would have shied at making the picture, be- cause the role demands that she become a drab farmer’s wife, a for- lorn-looking hawker of vegetables from door to door, and a middle- aged woman.

Barbara Stawyck saw beyond all this, as she has the ability to see through and beyond mere surface beauty. In the end, Selina Peake was acclaimed by a world famous artist as a beautiful type of woman- hood. Barbara Stanwyck knew why she was beautiful, and so she knew how to express that sort of beauty on the screen.

As she sat there on the set of “So Big,” her surroundings were of the drabbest possible sort — the rough, cheerless interior of a pov- erty-stricken farmhouse in mid- winter. But a spray of brightly colored artificial roses stood in a hand-painted bottle on the window sill, the pitiful little effort of Selina Peake to make her home beautiful with nothing else to work

with. It seemed a Stanwyck touch, too, and you felt that Barbara F Re een

Stanwyck, if she were really Selina Peake, under the same impossible conditions, would always strive for beauty.

And so it was with Stanwyck’s own appearance.

Barbara

In a mean dress, her hair skinned back unbecomingly, a torn shawl draped around her shoulders, she still gave the impression of beauty. Perhaps it wags the inner light of courage in her eyes, as if she were looking through all of the sadness of the present into the sweetness of a future still to come. Perhaps it was an unquenchable love for life, no matter what it might hold in store. The expression, perhaps, of a faithful handmaiden at the shrine of beauty, although the shrine itself might not be visible.

Anyway, Barbara Stanwyck had hidden her own personal beauty, and no one could have ealled her ugly.

“T am more enthusiastic over this part than any other I have ever had,” said Miss Stanwyck,

“either in pictures or on the the stage. I feel that Edna Ferber’s story and heroine have an epic quality that is truly great, and that I am privileged in being able to bring them to the talking screen.”

But the truly great actress, too is the one who, like Barbara Stanwyck ean forsake the beauty that is skin deep to create the inner beauty that lasts forever.

DO YOU

KNOW THAT

Barbara Stanwyek upon arriving in Hollywood for the first time was told by a film producer that she would never be a motion picture star be- cause she did not photograph well.

Plays a role that shows her in every stage of life, from girlhood to old age, in the Warner Bros. pic- ture “So Big” now playing at the eS ee Theatre.

Has danced all her life as a chorus girl in shows and night clubs.

Is very quick tempered and _ flies off the handle.

Lost all her worldly possessions in a fire that completely demolished her Malibu beach house on two different occasions.

Thinks William Wellman is one of the very best directors in Holly- wood.

Wants two children and _ has selected their names, Kathleen and Michael.

Was one time a Sunday school teacher.

Never wears make-up unless a formal occasion demands it.

Wants to live in Southern Franee. Does not make friends easily.

Was thrilled beyond words, during a recent West coast personal ap- pearance, to be able to dance before the footlights again.

Lives at Malibu beach the year round,

Considers “The Locked Door” her worst picture.

Prefers sauerkraut to any other food.

Is very happily married to Frank Fay, comedian.

Likes to play pinochle.

Collects odd lamps and has her beach home full of them.

Is very loyal to true friends. Likes dogs but is afraid of eats. Enjoys walking in the rain.

Wants to write a movie seript for herself.

Is not very superstitious. Does not like to wear gloves. Wears a bathing suit from morn-

ing till night when at the beach and not working.

Is very quiet in real life.

Played basketball on her school team in Brooklyn, N. Y.

Is decidedly outspoken and frank.

Wants to spend a few years vacationing in the Swiss Alps.

Has never been on skates.

Is fond of licorice candy.

Likes short finger nails.

Refuses to give advice as to how

to become a star because she doesn’t know.

Thinks Elissa Landi is swell.

Has never changed the color of her hair for either stage or screen.

Likes to wear ribbons in her hair.

Is a typical tomboy.

Addresses her husband as “Fay.”

Loves New York City because it gave her her start.

Is always frightened when she re- | ceives a telegram.

Intends to make a lot of money and then retire.

Does not wear gold ornaments.

Likes to buy clothes at bargain sales.

Does not know how to drive a ear.

Is called “Stanwyck” by “Fay.”

PLANT THESE SUNDAY FEATURES WELL IN ADVANCE

BARBARA STANWYCK, beautiful star who plays the leading role : 3 in Warner Bros. “So Big.” BARBARA Sele aie as ie No. M appears in her latest picture jor es eee Warner Bros., “So Big.” Cut No.2 Cut 15c Mat sc

BETTE DAVIS whose _ splendid HARDIE ALBRIGHT, BARBARA STANWYCK AND GEORGE BRENT

work in Warner Bros. “So Big” has won her a long term contract. as they appear in the Warner Bros. picture “So Big.” Cut No. 3 Cut 30c Mat roc

Cut No.4 Cut 1r5c Mat 5c

Page Six .

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EXPLOITATION

Your Lobby

Be sure to have plenty of “STRAIGHT”? heads of Bar- bara Stanwyck in your lobby. Stanwyck is your biggest sales angle of this picture and should dominate not only your lobby, but your entire campaign.

Supplementing the straight heads of Miss Stanwyck, use love scenes of Stanwyck and Brent and Bette Davis and Hardie Albright. Follow the ideas of the newspaper ads in this merchandising plan for copy and eatchlines. If you have the display space, use a head of Edna Ferber (get it from your local newspaper files) with copy to the effect that ‘‘Cimarron’’ was Edna Ferber’s Epic Of American Manhood and ‘‘So Big’’ is her Epie Of American Womanhood.

Lettering for your lobby frames should be on the style of the 24-sheet which reflects the epic qualities of the attrac- tion.

Special “So Big” Sundae

Arrange with local drug or candy store to sell a special “SO BIG’’ Sundae during the showing of ‘‘So Big’’ at your theatre. Have the drug or candy store make a sundae that is in keeping with the title, a special bargain concoction.

Many theatres throughout the’ country have ice cream parlors on the same street as their theatre and are usually friendly with the owner, which makes this stunt easy to put over.

Signs in the window and on the counters of the store with which you tie up should an- nounce the engagement of ‘‘So

Big’’ at your theatre. In fact, the special sundae ean be dedicated to Barbara Stan-

wyck, which makes the tie-up more complete.

Women’s Societies foo Big’’ is woman’s_ picture

distinetly a and you

should make a special effort to

interest all women’s clubs and secieties.

If there are any large women’s organizations in your town, distribute special adver- tisng material among their members—place window ecards in their club room—and secure