Singapore Woman (Warner Bros.) (1941)

(Lead Story) ‘Singapore Woman New Film Coming to Strand Lovely Brenda Marshall proves she has what it takes to be glamorous, whether in a duplex apartment on Park Avenue or a saloon in Singapore. With amazing versatility she goes from her sophisticated role in ‘Footsteps In The Dark” to that of a beautiful, but disheartened woman in her latest Warner Bros. film, “Singapore Woman,” which makes its local debut at the Strand Theatre this Friday. It is the story of a strange love affair that has its setting in the tense atmosphere of a seething jungle. Superstition, a love than cannot be stamped out, jealousy and death, are all encompassed in this story of a man who refused to see a woman’s life ruined by silly, malicious gossip. Brenda has the leading role in the film as a woman who brings bad luck to everyone with whom she comes in contact. People pay for her favors with misery and death. Her father’s valuable tin mines are destroyed by floods and he dies of a broken heart. She is known as the jinx woman of Singapore and is avoided like a plague. One night while she is trying to forget her troubles in a waterfront saloon she meets a young rubber planter, played by David Bruce, who refuses to acknowledge the pall of misfortune that hangs over her and suggests that she spend some time on his plantatiion where she can rest. But even in the quiet of his plantation she is unable to lose her despondency and flies into a rage when he says that one can feel only pity for her. She leaves suddenly one day in a desperate attempt to lose herself in the wilds of the Malayan jungle. After hours of searching for her, beset by all the eerie sounds of the jungle, Bruce finds her, almost exhausted. It is in that weird, but none-the-less romantic atmosphere, that they realize their true love. The talented supporting cast includes such famovus film favorites as Virginia Field, Jerome Cowan, Rose Hobart and many others. The scenario for the torrid love story was written by M. Coates Webster and Allen Rivkin from an original by Laird Doyle. The production was directed by Jean Negulesco. STRAND FILM HAS EXOTIC LOCALE A tense love story in the setting of the fascinating atmosphere of the Orient is the theme of “Singapore Woman,” the new Warner Bros. film starring Brenda Marshall and David Bruce, which is now playing at the Strand Theatre. The gripping drama of a woman who meant death and misfortune to everyone she met is told in a manner that will hold one spellbound during the entire film. Brenda plays the part of the woman who is branded as the ‘jinx of Singapore.’ David Bruce is cast as the owner of a rubber plantation who refuses to give any credence to the ‘jinx story’. Jean Negulesco, who directed the film, is said to have paced the picture so well that the swift change of mood from the sombre to the romantic was perfectly blended. Virginia Field, Jerome Cowan and Rose Hobart head the supporting cast. “Singapore Woman” was written for the screen by M. Coates Webster and Allen Rivkin. THE CAST Claire Weston Jim North Alice North Frieda John Wetherby Mrs. Bennett Roy Bennett Sir Stanley Moore Commissioner BRENDA MARSHALL DAVID BRUCE Virginia Field Jerome Cowan Rose Hobart Heather Angel Richard Ainley Dorothy Tree Bruce Lester Connie Leon Douglas Walton Gilbert Emery Stanley Logan Abner Biberman PRODUCTION Directed by JEAN NEGULESCO Associate Producer, Harlan Thompson; Screen Play by M. Coates Webster and Allen Rivkin; From a Story by Laird Doyle; Director of Photography, Ted McCord, A.S.C.; Art Director, Charles Novi; Dialogue Director, Hugh MacMullan; Film Editor, Everett Dodd; Sound by Francis J. Scheid; Gowns by Damon Giffard; Makeup Artist, Perc Westmore; Technical Advisor, Louis P. Vincenot; Music by Howard SYNOPSIS (not for publication) Vicki Moore (Brenda Marshall) is known as a ‘jinx woman’ to all Singapore because of the misfortune she brings to her relatives and acquaintances. David Ritchie (David Bruce), a young rubber planter, discounts all the talk as superstitious nonsense and offers to help. She remains despondent, even after a short rest on his plantation, and runs off into the wild Malayan jungle. David finds her and brings her back, and she falls in love with him. Together they set out to defy the curse that had become a by-word in all Singapore. Jackson. DAVID BRUCE HAS DEBUT AS STAR IN ‘SINGAPORE WOMAN’ It is quite simple to become a leading man in an important A picture. One has only to work as a _ waiter, radio : announcer, ele =e stock com<8 panies in Wis: eonsin, Okla is the recipe of David Bruce. This tath, blonde, blue-actor chap of 26 is playing the romantic lead opposite Brenda Marshall in Warners’ “Singapore Woman” which is now playing at the Strand Theatre. Bruce represents the new vogue in screen leading men. His romantic appeal combines a thorough manliness with plain ordinary good looks. After crashing the doors of a Little Theatre Group in Wisconsin, he played several years in stock companies, finally reaching New York. Two years later, he came to Hollywood. A spokesman for the Warner Bros. casting department made this comment on young Bruce: “We believe we have discovered a new romantic leading man who has what it takes.” ACTION APLENTY IN ‘SINGAPORE WOMAN’ A talented cast, a gripping story and a beautifully scenic background have been put into Warner Bros.’ “Singapore Woman,” the film opening at the Strand Theatre next Friday. Heading the cast is Brenda Marshall, lovely to look at and versatile actress whose several impressive screen appearances have already put her in star rating. Supporting Miss Marshall are David Bruce, Virginia Field, Jerome Cowan and Rose Hobart. “Singapore Woman” has for background that romantic and intriguing Malay Strait settlement of Singapore. The territory’s tropical atmosphere, mines, and plantations are all captured to enhance the entertainment value of the film. In this exciting locale is a woman played by Miss Marshall, who is looked upon as a curse. Her father, husband and former suitors have all met tragic ends. To fall in love with her is to sign one’s own death warrant. But David Bruce, as a young rubber planter, brands all this superstition as utter nonsense and casts his lot with hers. “Singapore Woman” was directed by Jean Negulesco and written by M. Coates Webster and Allen Rivkin from an original story by Laird Doyle. Mat 102—15c David Bruce "Singapore Woman' Story of Love Jinx An engrossing film, set in a colorful atmosphere with Brenda Marshall and David Bruce in the leading roles will open locally at the Strand Theatre this Friday. The Warner Bros. picture, called “Singapore Woman” tells the story of a woman who becomes embittered because everyone associates her with bad luck. Despite the fact that she is branded as the ‘jinx of Singapore,’ a young man, played by Bruce, falls in love with her and they set out to destroy the curse which was the talk of Singapore. Mat 203—30c "MISTER, IF YOU LOVE YOUR LIFE—stay away from that woman," is the advice given to David Bruce in this scene from Warner Bros.’ "Singapore Woman," whch opens Friday at the Strand Theatre. The woman with that deadly reputation is portrayed by Brenda Marshall. Action, Intrigue, Love In ‘Singapore Woman Love, excitement and adventure are three elements that are always found in an engrossing motion picture, and the new Warner Bros. film, “Singapore Woman” which opens Friday at the Strand Theatre, has plenty of each. It is a thrilling tale ‘of a woman >made despondent by a stigma beyond Mat 101-15: ber control. Virginia Field Set in an g ‘ : ominous, tropical locale, the film tells how this woman, played by Brenda Marshall, became bitter because of a cruel trick of fate and only through love was she able to break the ‘jinx‘ that had nearly been her destruction. Vicki Moore, Miss Marshall’s role, spells bad luck for anyone who comes in contact with her. Her father dies when he is ruined financially. Her husband is lost at sea. She is avoided and feared by everyone—branded as the ‘jinx of the Orient.’ David Ritchie, played by David Bruce, refuses to be taken in by any of this silly superstition, as he terms it, and asks Vickie to stay at his rubber plantation for a while. There he tries to bring her out of her sordid outlook on life, but finds it tough going until she gets lost in the dense, tropical jungle surrounding’ the plantation. After a long search during a raging storm, he finds her almost exhausted. They then Good Luck Charm Proves Its Worth The set was a Manila cafe scene for Warner Bros.’ “‘Singapore Woman,” opening Friday at the Strand Theatre. Beautiful girls and sleek young men were dancing. Waiters hurried about with strange-looking concoctions in shallow dishes and familiar looking concoctions in glasses. At a table sat Brenda Marshall, dejected and alone. David Bruce approached and held out a little bronze figurine. “This is a good luck charm and it never fails,” he said. Somehow the statue slipped from his hand and fell and struck squarely on his foot. It really hurt. David jumped about a bit and then limped back to the table for a retake. “Certainly is a good luck charm,” said the prop man. “If it had hit the floor, it would have been smashed to bits.” realize what they mean to each other. Despite the tragic fate suffered by all Vicki’s former suitors, David promises never to leave her and together they set out to defy the curse that has become a by-word in all Singapore. Virginia Field, Jerome Cowan and Rose Hobart are cast in the supporting roles. M. Coates Webster and Allen Rivkin adapted the Laird Doyle story to the screen. “Singapore Woman” was directed by Jean Negulesco. Thrills and Romance In Strand Drama Tense drama, tropical jungles and a new kind of love story are the inviting ingredients that make up the new Warner Bros. film, “Singapore Woman” which opens Friday at the Strand Theatre. The picture stars Brenda Marshall and David Bruce in the story of a woman whose love meant disaster for every man except one. She was regarded as a jinx by everyone and was shunned by all Singapore. The original story was written by Laird Doyle and was adapted for the screen by M. Coates Webster and Allen Rivkin. Jean Negulesco directed the film. Versatile Director Jean Negulesco, director of “Singapore Woman” for Warner Bros. is said to be the most versatile man in Hollywood. He is a sculptor, painter, musician, writer, actor and director. Mat 104—15c BRENDA MARSHALL