British Agent (Warner Bros.) (1934)

Mr. & Mrs. Public Take Dinner With Kay Francis A Glimpse Into The Private Life Of Feminine Star In “British Agent” By CARLISLE JONES phone should ring and that, when you answer it, a pleas tos suppose that at two o’clock this afternoon your tele ant low-toned voice should say: ‘“Tg this Mrs. Public?’’ You answer that it is, and the voice continues: ““This is Kay. Kay Francis. you dreadfully lately.”’ You swallow your surprise as best you ean and reply that you too had been wondering about her, especially since night before last when you saw her in “British Agent, ” the First National picture now showing at theme css ae Theatre. “Tt?s nice of you to say you like it,’ Miss Francis goes on, “put let’s not talk shop. Ive millions of other things to talk to you about. That’s really why T called today. I am in hopes that you and Mr. Public can have dinner with me next Wednesday evening. Can you? You know perfectly well that next Wednesday evening is Mr. Publie’s favorite lodge night but you take the bit in your teeth and say, feathtally, “We would love to, Kay.” Home is Unpretentious So it happens that you, Mr. and Mrs. John Public, find yourselves parking tha family sedan along the curb of a quiet Hollywood side street on Wednesday evening at five minutes past seven o’clock. Hollywood is notoriously late in getting anywhere, of course, but you know Kay so well that you know she’ll not mind if you are actually on time. Besides, she asked you to come early. John looks relieved when he sees the house. It’s a small place, a grey frame cottage, no bigger than yours, probably not as large. It sits far back on the lot, its narrow. vine-covered veranda looking out over a stretch of only fairly well kept lawn. Kay’s rusty flivver stands in the driveway. It is older than your car and much shabbier. The blinds of the big front window, near the door, are drawn and you see by your reflection there that the blue dress does really look very well on you. The door opens quietly and Ida, Kay’s colored maid of many years standing, welcomes you in with a wide smile. Ida has been seriously ill lately but she is entirely recovered. A Lesson In Hors d’Oeuvres Kay comes in from somewhere and welcomes you warmly. She is gowned simply and in excellent taste, in black, and wears no jewelry. Against the gold brocade and antique gilt of the room’s furnishings, she makes a ravishing picture. Back in the living room again you meet Kay’s mother, who was known as Katherine Clinton on the stage. She lives not far away and she too has arrived early. The other guests, Kay Explains, will be along shortly. A butler appears with a silver tray loaded with cocktails and Ida follows with a second tray, holding an amazing collection of interesting tit-bits. There are olives wrapped in sizzling bacon —“old fashioned,” explains Kay, “but still my favorite,” — tiny crackers with a ring of anchovy filled with fresh white caviar; a wooden slab with chopped chicken livers and a neat little row of squared Melba toast on which Page Sixteen How are you? I’ve missed the chicken liver is to be spread. “Verree Teasdale told me about a brand new appetizer,” explains Kay. “Please try it. It’s very thin dried beef wrapped around cream cheese, like a jelly roll.” There is a good reason why Kay never has more than eight for dinner in her own home. The dining room doesn’t hold anv more. The polished mahogany table (it’s a real Sheraton you are sure) almost fills the small room. A buffet and serving table take up all the remaining room not used by the diners and their chairs. A Matter of Diet Late that night when you get back home and are checking up to see just when the children did get to bed, John is still talking about the lamb chops he had at this dinner. Double ones they are, or triple, with the bone cut AWA topegdo with—a—fresh mushroom sauce which Kay confesses she “stirred up” herself. It’s her specialty. -You are glad John liked it, because you got Kay’s recipe for it while you were saying goodnight to her. That was what the whispered conversation you had with Kay about eleven o’clock was all about. “Tt’s made of fresh mushroom,” Kay explains, “and cream and flour and Worcestershire sauce and Liebig’s seasoning and English mustard and salt and pepper and much tasting to see that it’s just right.” And with the lamb chops, which Kay confesses is her favorite dish, are steamed new val That can be the only thing Leslie Howard is whispering—nothing else could make Kay Francis look quite as alluring and beautiful. Is it true? The answer can be found in “British Agent,” sational First National film playing at the Strand, in which both of e Two Screen Immortals Kay Francis and Leslie Howard, brightest of screenland’s luminaries, join forces for the first time in “British Agent,” First National’s sensational film suggested by R. H. Bruce Lockhart’s novel of the same name. “British Agent’ will open its run at the Strand Theatre on Wednesday. Mat No. 5—20ce potatoes with parsley and butter sauce, fresh asparagus, gingered pears and a delightful salad of grapefruit sections and _ sliced tomatoes, all on crisp lettuce with “thousand island” dressing. Coffee with the dinner. John likes it that way. Kay herself never drinks coffee. The desert is simple: fresh red raspberries in individual meringues, “Kisses,” John calls them, “oreatly enlarged.” Makes Her Own Rules You play backgammon later, Kay’s favorite game and John finds it much more exciting than bridge. On the way home he suggests that you buy a backgammon set during the next monthend sales. “And,” he adds later, “don’t take Miss Francis’ advice about Fove You” these glamorous stars are appearing. Mat No. 6—20c the sen not dieting too seriously. You might grow out of that new blue dress before you have another chance to wear it.” “But Kay doesn’t grow out of her clothes,” you challenge. “But there aren’t many like her,” warns John. “In Hollywood or anywhere else.” “Anyway,” you sigh, “it was a lovely dinner.” “You bet it was,” agrees John, already half asleep. “Let’s have some like it—here at home.” In “British Agent” Miss Francis has the role of an aristocratic Russian lady who has turned Red to right the wrongs of the peasants. She is torn between her passionate love for an Englishman and a conflicting love for her country. The picture was inspired by the novel by the internationally famous author, R. H. Bruce Lockhart. Leslie Howard shares stellar honors with Miss Francis while others in the east include William Gargan and Phillip Reed. Leslie Howard Plays His Hardest Role Leslie Howard, now co-starring with Kay Francis in ‘‘ British Agent,’’ the First National drama which comes to the .................. Theatreson: i506 55.0. .03, , Says his role is the most difficult he ever played. On account of its relation to recent history and to personalities still alive, the change of a single word of dialogue might have serious consequences. Kay Gives Clothes Distinctive Touch The ability of Kay Francis to give distinction to clothes is again evident in ‘‘British Agent,’’ the First National production which COMES UO MCN Cis nan tdess ace ce Theatre ON ee The period "et the picture is 1917 and the locale Russia. The clothes of that day have a fascinating picturesqueness. In designing them, no concession has been made to the trend of today’s fashions. One reason for this may be that the authentic styles of Russian Revolutionary days are so becoming to Kay’s dark beauty. “‘British Agent’’ Is Held Most Dynamic Drama of a Decade In the filming of “British Agent,” a picture which comes OEMAIO een. cecee se Theatre on.......... Serie Re , First National Productions have brought to the screen one of the most important, the most powerful, and the most dramatic documents of a decade. They have fittingly headed the large and imposing cast with two _ of the greatest and most popular stars of the day, Leslie Howard and Kay Francis. There are eighteen other important speaking parts, however, a score of smaller roles, while hundreds of extras take part in scenes of tremendous import. The picture was inspired by the best selling novel by R. H. Bruce Lockhart, internationally famous author, and portrays his own life during the flaming days of the Russian Revolution. Famous statesmen, diplomats and war lords who played an important part in shaping world events will be easily recognized in the picture. In this cataclysmic conflict that ripped to shreds the old order of Czarism and remade history, is set a most romantie and unusual love drama. Leslie Howard, acting the part of the author himself, and Kay Francis, in the role of a beautiful aristocratic Russian lady who has dedicated her life to the Red cause, are the lovers whose undying love throbs with poignant— intensity. ; Yet this love did not prevent the fanatical Russian from _ betraying her lover to the Reds when she suspected him of being a conspirator against the cause. Howard, with three other unofficial observers from America, Italy and France, roles enacted respectively by William Gargan, Cesar Romero and Phillip Reed, risked their lives daily in their hereulean efforts to prevent a separate peace being made between the Revolutionary Government and Germany. One by one the men fall into the hands of the Cheka with the exception of the British Agent, who finally eludes capture although a price was on his head. The picture grows in suspense, with thrill piling on thrill until a climax so terrific as to take the breath. The cast ineludes Gregory Gaye, J. Carroll Naish, Tenen Holtz, George Pearce, Irving Pichel, Halliwell Hobbes, Doris Lloyd, Paul Poreasi, Walter Byron, Ivan Simpson, Arthur Aylesworth, Alphonse’ Ethier, Marina Schubert, Addison Richards and Walter Armitage. Michael Curtiz directed the picture from the screen play by Laird Doyle. Kay Francis Has Most Hollywood Fans The statistical sharps have figured that the number of Kay Francis’ fan letters postmarked Hollywood is greater than that of any other star. Coming from the most picture-conscious citizenry of the world, this is considered an important seal of approval. The good natured comment of Leslie Howard, who is co-starring with Kay in ‘‘British Agent,’’ the First National production now showing at the ................ Theatre, was quite succinct. ‘‘Being Hollywood’s favorite star,’’ he said, ‘tis the same as being Detroit’s favorite automobile or Neweastle’s favorite coal.’’