DAVEY LEE in “SONNY BOY” — Warner Bros. L

Davey Lee, A Warner Bros. Star

I KNOW SOMEFING THAT YOU DON’T KNOW Stock S-307—Cut or Mat

“SONNY BOY”

Characters movi BOY. DAV EY EEE intited Canned. Betty Bronson Crandall Thorpe, Atty... Edward Everett Horton fg Semen, Sa eae aera Gertrude Olmsted dd @Orilion= 235 = 2 John T. Murray Muléaley = Tommy Dugan Mather Photte © 2 Lucy Beaumont SHS Fi, see eae eg Edmund Breese

Players

Sto ry-writer

Scenarist

Director

ARCHIE.L. MAYO

"Davey Lee. A Warner Bros. Star Stock S-308—Cut or Mat

_.... eon Zuardo apse e ieee oC Graham Baker _.... Ben Reynolds

atest Vitaphone Talking Picture

Diminutive Davey Lee Storms all Hearts as

SYNOPSIS

Domestic difficulties, alternately humorous and serious, figure as the theme of the interesting story un- folded in the Warner Bros. talking picture, “Sonny Boy.” It is the amusing story of two sisters. One of them knows too much about

men, the other too little.

latest

When Winifred Canfield receives a telegram in the night from her sister Mary, she hurries to the city filled with foreboding. It is no sur- ‘prise to learn that Mary has quar- reled with her husband, Hamilton, again but it does give her some- thing of a shock when Mary. ex- plains that Hamilton plans to take their child, Sonny Boy, to Europe with him.

As Mary shows her the detective, Muleahy, who is watching the Cachet. they see Hamilton com- Win- nie promises to take Sonny back to Watsonville

ing with Thorpe, his lawyer.

and while Mary misleads the men she dons a maid’s outfit and inveigles Mulcahy into carrying out a laundry basket containing Sonny.

with her

Thorpe leaves for the station to go on his vacation. Winnie learns that cannot get a train to Watsonville till the next day and overhearing Thorpe tell an acquain- tance that his apartment will be un- occupied decides to hide there.

she

On the way she learns that she is being hunted as the kidnapper and barely escapes capture by Muleahy. She obtains the key to Thorpe’s apartment by posing as his wife and has hardly put Sonny to bed and telephoned Mary of her plans and whereabouts when Thorpe’s father and mother, Colonel and Mrs. Cran- dall arrive. from the Philippines.

They joyously assume that Win- nie is Thorpe’s wife. Meanwhile the

distracted Hamilton has pulled Thorpe off his train to help him find Sonny. They go to Thorpe’s club. Thinking that Thorpe and

Winnie have quarreled, the Colonel | phones Thorpe to come home to his | wife.

Thorpe arrives at his apartment much mystified. His parents are so \enthusiastic that he hasn’t the heart ,to tell them at once that they are being duped and he finds Winnie very attractive. Sonny Boy appears and plays his part in the game by calling him “Daddy.”

When Thorpe gets Winnie alone in his own bedroom, he demands an explanation. divined lie. Thorpe answers the door long enough to get rid of the convivial acquaintances to whom he has loaned the key to his apartment and to give Winnie time to phone Mary. Returning, he overhears Winnie and listening in on the ex- tension, learns her identity.

He enters the bedroom and pro- ceeds to undress, much to Winnie’s distress and describes to her his former conquests in this room. Mary arrives, followed by the jealous Hamilton. The latter thinks Mary has a rendezvous with Thorpe and attacks him.

The advent of Winnie, Sonny and the Crandalls puts an end to the fight. The old folks send for 2. minister. Mary and Hamilton, re- conciled, return home with Sonny Boy. They are greeted by Muleahy with an ugly urchin, whom he in- sists must be their son, for “Mul- cahy never misses.”

Later when harmony has been restored, Sonny Boy attends a thea- tre showing of “The Singing Fool” and comes home to sing his song hit “Sonny Boy.”

Big Star of

Winnie tells an easily |

| Lee,

Soe ereteDee Deselect tetera

vey Lee, A Warner Bros, Star HO HUM, IT’S A BIG WORLD Stock S-309—Cut or Mat

DAVEY LEE, STAR AT FOUR, COMES ON VITAPHONE

Manager Theatre anttounces ...of00... 2... next as the opening date for “‘Sonny Boy,” Warner Bros. latest Vitaphone Talking Picture, and the first star- ring vehicle for four-year-old Davey who won this early honor through his marvelous performance n support of Al Jolson in “The Sing- ing Fool,”

Davey’s part in “Sonny Boy” has nothing of the tragie character of the role he had in the Jolson play.

'He is shown as the child of tempo-

rarily battling parents, and to keep the child’s father from taking Sonny Boy with him, his mother plans with her sister to kidnap him. It is by his winsome and ingenious doings that things are finally straightened out.

Davey Lee is supported by Edward Everett Horton, Betty Bronson, Ger- trude Olmstead, John T. Murray, Edmund Breese, Lucy Beaumont and Jed Prouty. The story was written by Leon Zuardo. (©. Graham Baker did the scenario. Archie L, Mayo directed.

The inimitable charm of Davey Lee is not to be explained, it is as inexplicable ag genius always is, but there are a thousand little, odd, whimsical, elfin, unstudied ways he has, of lisping his words, waving his tiny hands, rolling his big eyes, and getting his diminutive body into unexpected shapes, that set audi- ences into peals of laughter—the mellow, heart-warming laughter that

‘comes from the heart.

“Sonny Boy”

TINY DAVEY LEE COMES AS STAR OF OF BIG TALKIE

Davey Lee, the world’s best-loved child, shortly after havipy ) his fourth birthday, was a stardom and “Sonny Boy,” his; first starring picture, a Warner Bros. Vitaphone Talking Picture, comes | AO is (Ce eee Theatre NEXDACOR Asari Of ee days.

“Sonny Boy” has none of the heart-rending tragedy of “The Sing- | ing Fool” which caused oceans of tears to be shed over the ador- able Davey, and yet its appeal is as great. “Sonny Boy” is a comedy of domestic life. Sonny Boy’s parents, having disagreed, his mother’s sister kidnaps Davey, to make the father come to time. The picture is well- cast and well-directed, but it is the tantalizing personality of tiny Davey that dominates.

He is so very tiny, his eyes have such an elfin twinkle, and his lisp is so captivating, that audiences are in a state of continual “ohs” and “ahs,” and their laughter is strangely |near the verge of tears.

Davey is supported by a star cast including Betty Bronson, Edward Everett Horton, Gertrude Olmstead, John T. Murray, Tommy Dugan, Lucy Beaumont, Edmund Breese and Jed Prouty. The story is by Leon Zuardo. ©. Graham Baker did the |scenario and Archie Jy. Mayo directed.

MILLION DOLLAR KID COMES AS STAR OF TALKING “SONNY BOY”

Let all small boys take notice! One of their own has been raised to the throne of stardom! The new king of the movie kids, is none other than Mr. Davey Lee, aged four, and He is comitig fo.dne)...,........ss- Theatre next in Warner Bros. latest Vitaphone Talking Pie- ture, in his first starring picture— “Sonny Boy.”

The grown-ups that help Davey are Edward Everett Horton, Betty Bronson, Gertrude Olmstead, John T. Murray, Edmund Breese, Lucey Beaumont and Jed Prouty. Leon Zuardo wrote the story which was adapted for the screen by 0. Graham Baker. Archie I. Mayo | directed. | “Sonny

Boy” is a comedy, and Davey is not required to make peo- ple cry as he did in “The Singing Fool.” He is just a mite of funny humanity, not camera-Conscious, not “smart,” just a regular little kid, |but with such odd small anties— such winkings and lisping—and such unlooked-for changes of expression— as to make everyone wont to claim him as their own on the spot! You really must not miss “Sonny Boy”!

“SONNY BOY” COMES AS TALKIE STAR

“Sonny Boy” Warner Bros. latest Vitaphone Talking Picture, starring four-year-old Davey. Lee, comes to the jae; Theatre next Cara 2nn oes daze-—The grown-ups in support of wee Davey are Edward Everett Horton, Betty Bronson, Gertrude Olmstead, John T. Murray, Edmund Breeese, Lucy Beaumont and Jed Prouty. Leon Zuardo did the story which was ad- apted for the screen by C. Graham Baker. Archie L. Mayo directed.

Davey Lee, as everybody knows, earned his advancement to stardom by the wonderful work he did as “Sonny Boy’. in support of Al Jolson in “The Singing Fool.” In “Sonny Boy,” however, though the diminu- tive Davey is not required to make people cry — yet while the crowds laugh with him—tears are perilously near! Davey seems, by some stroke of unconscious genius, to get himself adopted by every per- son within sound and sight of him!

“SONNY BOY” LIKES TO MAKE BELIEVE SAYS DIRECTOR

Four-year-old Davey Lee, who is starred in Warner Bros. Vita- phone talking picture, “Sonny Boy” lives in the world of make believe. Director Archie Mayo discovered this thing during the making of Davey’s first starring picture when he asked him ‘“What’s. all that rumbling about, honey ?”

“Pm ftruck,” replied Davey, as ht turn: Broun, leaning heavily to

the imside of the curve. David’s mother then explained that Davey chooses. something that he would like to be, every day. ;

Some of his favorites are an alr- plane, a traffie officer, a bumble bee, a butterfly, a tall pine tree, a lost pin, an organ grinder’s monkey, and a cloud.

WHEN LITTLE DAVEY MAKES BELIEVE

W hat playing You are, today, Tiny Davey Lee? “I’m being a twuck A big red twuck I’m it, and

are you

It is me.

One day I was

An airoplane,

Yes, and bumble bee, And a traffic cop, And a butterfly, And a tall pine tree.

And an organ

Grinder’s monkey, And a pink cloud, In the sky—

I been so very

Lots of things—

I wonder why! Mother says

That even she, Don’t know what I, Can really be.

And that’s the reason Why, I spoze,

She teached me, “Mighty like—

A aR

woze!

Harry Lee.

| Sonny Boy:

DAVEY LEE in “SONNY BOY” — Warner Bros. Latest Vitaphone Talking Picture

ADVANCE STORIES

SS RS

choo train? Sure, where is it?

Production No.

SONNY BOY’S FAN MAIL, O BOY!

What is considered a fan mail record for a child, is held by the

Davey Lee, who receives more let- ters per week than many of the most popular grown-up actors in Hollywood.

According to a recent Davey’s fan mail rose from four hundreds to thousands within the short space of two months after the general release of “The Singing Fool.” His record now closely ap- proaches that of such film favorites as Dolores Costello, Al Jolson or Monte Blue.

A picture that is bound to still further increase Davey Lee’s weekly postal package is his first starring talking film, “Sonny Boy,” which is to be seen next at the Theatre.

check-up,

Scene From Sonn y Boy starring Davey Lee - A Warner Bros Production

“I SPOZE ’!M NOT SPOZED TO HEAR—BUT—”

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See satis boy starring yl ORS, ‘AUNT WINNIE KIDNAPS SONNY FROM HIS rATHER

Aunt Winnie: Sonny Boy, would you like to go on a real choo-

world’s youngest talking picture star, |

| Davey

Warner Bros. Production

ohare

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DAVEY LEE PLAYS “SONNY BOY” WITH | ELFIN WISDOM

Although Warner Bros. Vitaphone itulking picture “Sonny Boy” con- Lee, the four year old star, a group of eight lead-

tains beside Davey

‘ber are new voices to the screen. Those playing important roles in first starring vehicle who have been previously seen and heard the talkies are Edward Everett Horton, Betty Bronson, Tom Dugan, Edmund Breese 3eaumont.

Members of the cast who appear for the first time on Vitaphone in-

Davey Lee’s

and Lucey

clude the lovely Gertrude Olmstead, John T. Murray and Jed Prouty. The entire cast, however, is well

equipped for talking pictures as all have had.experience on the legiti- mate stage.

“Souny Boy” was adapted for the sereen by C. Graham Baker from a Leon Zuardo story and directed by Archie Mavo. It is a finely con- structed comedy-drama in which a proposed divorée is responsible for bringing about an unexpected mar- riage. ’ Lee easily dominates the piece, his merry, yet wistful and elfin tininess, his lisping speech, his deft though wholly -unstudied use of eyes and body, sending audiences with ripples of laughter which are always mellowed by a_ tenderness which the diminutive Davey unfail- ingly brings forth.

Comes to next.

ele Theatres! =...

“Men are but children of a larger growth—” -—DRYDEN.

‘ing players, only three of the num- |

“NEW YORK AMERICAN” REVIEWS CHILD ACTOR’S FIRST STARRING ROLE

AT WARNER THEATRE

By ROSE PELSWICK

‘Sonny Boy.”’

Combine all the ‘‘ohs’’ and ‘‘ahs’’ of doting parents at the

ing

anties of their offspr

The four-year-old

DAVEY LEE GETS FIRST NAMESAKE

Davey Lee, four-year-old Warner

star, to be seen

at the

Bros.

p1ICSS "8 BAT) Hey 1d NY: eee eae

Warner

/Vitaphone Talking Picture, has had

i“Sonny Boy,” Bros. latest one of the sure indications of fame —the honor of having a baby named

for him.

David Lee Ray is the pudgy possessor of the

His

and his

celebrated cogno-

men. residence is with his

parents sister Florence at

The family would no doubt be glad

to receive notification from others

who consider naming their neweom- ers for Davey Lee. Florence in a letter to Davey Lee

said that ever

‘in “The Singing Fool” she had loved the name, and that when the stork brought baby brother, she at onee

importuned pa and ma to name him David Lee Ray.

DAVEY LEE, TINIEST OF TALKIE STARS COMES IN “SONNY BOY”

know nothing about women, but

the question reverses ‘itself into just how much women know about or how much either know about the In

| Warner Bros. latest Vitaphone talk-

mental workings of little boys.

ing picture, “Sonny Boy,” Davey Lee, most delightful little boy of the screen world is starred.

Archie Mayo directed Davey Lee The support Everett

in “Sonny Boy.” in-

eludes Edward Horton, Betty Bronson, Gertrude Olmstead, John T. Murray, Lucy Beaumont and

Jed Prouty. C. Graham Baker ad-

apted the Leon Zuardo story for the sereen. “Sonny Boy” depicts amusingly

the contemplated divorcee of Sonny Boy’s parents. Containing moments of sparkling comedy and others of deeper dramatic tenseness this Vita- phone talking picture brings to the sereen an unusual story and through it all the personality of the tiny, lisping, little | Davey, flits like a will o’ the wisp.

tantalizingly lovable

new star has arisei.

19 Wyman Street, Worcester, Mass. |

since she had seen |

him as Sonny Boy. with Al Jolson |

youngster

| lack

| thing

It is taken for granted that men |;

men |

and the same appreciative utterances of audiences gurgling at all the child players of the sereen, and you have a faint idea of the reception Davey Lee gets, and will

continue to get, in his starring role as “‘Sonny Boy.”

divided honors with Al

Jolson in ‘‘The Singing Fool.’’ in which the child made his

first screen appearance as the inspiration for the song, “‘Sonny

And in the film of that name, which opened at the Warner Theatre last evening, he is so lovable, so delightfully appeal- ing that everything else fades into insignificance. without a find of

Brothers have

Davey Lee the greatest The Warner to congratulate ehild

is, doubt,

sereen years. reason The

is natural, with none of the

themselves.

affectations of most theatre prodi-

gies; he is amusing and winning; he acts, talks and sings with a most ingratiating charm and a refreshing of camera-consciousness,

The lines Davey is given to say are immaterial; when the youngster puckers up his face and says any- at. all,

on that?” to his prayers; and then

from “Kin JI depend when he stands right up and sings “Sonny Boy” in a manner that one won’t forget for a long time, the his forever.

of the

audience is

Moma veri sie. Ofithe esas0.

Theatre next

the

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for

latest

date Bros.

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as opening “Sonny Vita-

starring

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Davey Lee.

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tar “ME? NO! ’M A COWBOY!’ Stock S-310—Cut or Mat

DAVEY LEE in “SONNY BOY’ — Warner Bros. Latest Vitaphone Talking Picture

Sonny Boy’s Big Brother A Hit As Movie Kid

Davey Lee, the delightful little Sonny Boy of Al Jolson’s “The Singing Fool,” now a star in his own right, and coming next.:to athe. Sse Theatre in Warner Bros. Vitaphone Talking picture “Sonny Boy,” recently cele- brated his fourth birthday at his home in Hollywood, with his older brother, Frankie, who will be re- membered as the crippled child in “The Miracle Man,” which picture made the cinema fame of Lon Chaney.

Mrs. Lee, mother of the two boys, has been taking Frankie to various

film lots ever since the days of “The Miracle Man,” and because she didn’t want to leave Davey

alone on these trips she took him to the studios with herself and Frankie. The latter has grown from a tiny tot to an awkward-age lad, too old for kiddie parts and too young for juvenile leads, so when Warner Brothers summoned Frankie 8 a possibility to play opposite Jolson in “The Singing Fool,” Mrs. Lee, Frankie, and little David went to the studio in a pessimistic frame of mind rather sure that Frankie wouldn’t be selected but with no thought at all of little David.

The minute the studio folk caught sight of David they began to give considerable thought to him. And when Al Jolson cried: “Come to Uncle Al,” and David ran to the comedian, Davey was hired on the spot. Since then the child has been booked for stardom, while Frankie has decided to grow up as fast as possible, so that he may be big enough to become a leading man.

Davey Lee is supported in “Sonny Boy” by Edward Everett Horton, Betty Bronson, Gertrude Olmstead, John T. Murray, Edmund Breese, Lucy Beaumont and Jed Prouty. Leon Zuardo did the story. C. Graham Baker the scenario and Archie L. Mayo directed.

Max Reinhardt Calls Davey Lee of “Sonny Boy” Rare Genius

Max Reinhardt, celebrated im- presario of the European stage, and widely known here for his marvel- ous presentations of “The Miracle” —considers Davey Lee a child of rare genius. Mr. Reinhardt was deeply moved by the little lad’s performance in Al Jolson’s “The Singing Fool.”

Davey Lee comes to the Theatre next as star of “Sonny Boy,’ Warner Bros. latest Vitaphone Talking Picture. His support includes Edward Everett Horton, Betty Bronson, Gertrude Olmstead, John T. Murray, Edmund Breese, Lucy Beaumont and Jed Prouty. Leon Zuardo wrote the story. The scenario is by C. Graham Baker. Archie L. Mayo directed.

The story has to do with a family tiff, during which Sonny Boy’s mother’s sister kidnaps him to prevent the father taking him away. The piece is light comedy,

and Davey dominates it—not by any of the antics of “smart” children, but by the cunningest of shy, lisping, twinkling, elfin wis- dom.

Audiences respond uproaniously,

but their laughter is never far from tears, though in “Sonny Boy” the child is not called upon for any of the tragic feeling of “The Singing Fool.”

ADVANCE STORIES

PICTURES HAVE NEW BOY STAR IN DAVEY LEE

Juvenile Discovered by Al Jolson Has Bright Future Ahead on the Talking Screen

From New York Herald Tribune

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Scene trom Sonny Boy starring Davey Lee -A Warner Bros. Product: vie

“BOY, BUT IT’S FUN TO GO PIGGY-BACK!”

Production No.

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Master Davey Lee’s “Sonny Boy” Breaks Tidal Wave of Bravissimos

By KATHARINE ZIMMERMANN New York Telegram

When I think of all the bravissimos that are due to be tossed at the feet of Master Davey Lee today, following the premiere of “‘Sonny Boy’’ at the Warner Theatre, the necessity for sitting down and coining a brand new adjective looms large. Something, for instance, that takes off with a flourish of trum- pets and explodes in a ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay shower somewhere around the tail end of the last syllable.

For here is the most ingenious paradox that Hollywood has handed out in the memory of your corre- spondent,. a screen child with a sense of humor, an infant prodigy that can keep a packed house hug- ging itself in glee without seeking refuge once in those juvenile eccen- tricities known as “cute.”

I must confess that as a rule I find nothing more fatiguing than a

sustained seance with the genus sereen child. But the departmental bonnet is doffed deferentially to

this 4-year-old gamin, who thumbs his nose engagingly at script direc- tions (which provide, incidentally, that he be got up regardless in the sailor-suit tradition of the royal house of Guelph) and proceeds to entertain cash customers after his own fashion.

Davey Lee has a genuine flare for comedy. He takes the stock situ- ations and well-worn gags of “Sonny Boy” and contrives to bam- boozle you into getting a new slant on them—the kiddie’s viewpoint, so to speak. He puts his whole heart into an uproarious imitation of Al Jolson singing his favorite anthem, “Sonny Boy.” He kids the entire “bright - sayings - by - our - little- ones” situation by letting you have them with his tongue out and his nose awry. He kids the grown-ups that imperil our toddlers’ nerves with fatuous baby talk. In a word, he seems to be the answer to the juvenile film population’s prayer— another David, complete with sling and ready to avenge the disrespect that has been practiced for twenty years by celluloidia against the natural. state of childhood.

The director, Archie Mayo, has made an excellent job of “Sonny Boy.” Realizing that the plot was far too old to be taken seriously, he conducts the whole picture in a mood of cheerful inanity, and the result is a thoroughly enjoyable evening. The plot, by the way, has

something to do with an obliging spinster who passes off her sister’s child as her own and finds herself saddled unexpectedly with a hus- band and a couple of provoking old in-laws.

The dialogue writer deserves a couple of palms for some really adult comedy lines, and in the cast Edward Everett Horton and Betty Bronson are on the erest of the wave most of the time.

Davey Lee in “Sonny Boy,” War- ner Bros. latest Vitaphone Talking

picture, comes to the hedtred.. Phin

Take Your Own Sonny Boy To See “Sonny Boy”’

“Sonny Boy” Lee, aged four, is probably the funniest, most lovable little boy in the world, with the exception, of course, of your own little Sonny Boy—arid the tiny star comes to the Theatre in his first stellar effort, “Sonny Boy,”

Warner’ Bros. latest Vitaphone Talking tpieture,.: oro, next, for ATU Otte, Saraet. days

The story of the play is by Leon Zuardo, the scenario by C. Graham Baker and the direction by Archie L. Mayo. The east includes Ed- ward Everett Horton, Betty Bron- son, Gertrude Olmstead, John T. Murray, Edmund Breese, Luey Beaumont and Jed Prouty.

Take all the family to see Davey Lee and to hear his funny little words—his lisp,—his singing of new and delightful experience. “Sonny Boy!” You will find

it a

With Jackie Coogan advanced in

London to the dignity of long trousers, Wesley Barry on _ the vaudeville stage and Andrew Lawlor Jr. with “Penrod” far

behind, “movie” fans lost no time looking about to discover successors to their particular favorites.

Or perhaps it should be said Al Jolson and Warners found him for them. You’ve doubtless guessed it. He is none other than the shy youngster who proved so appealing as the pathetic lad with Jolson in “The Singing Fool.” He is David, or Davey, Lee, around whom the song hit of the Jolson Vitaphone success, “Sonny Boy,’ revolves. Unaffected and perfectly natural, young Lee has none of the preco- cious sureness or almost imperti- nent confidence oftimes marring the playing of the majority of film youngsters. On the contrary, he is almost abnormally shy, and _ since his playing in “The Singing Fool” marks his first appearance on the screen it required weeks of the most careful preparation and gentle rehearsing on the part of Mr. Jolson himself and Archie L. Mayo, who directed the Vitaphone presentation for the Warners, to bring the boy to the point where he would bravely render his lines in the most poig- nant and telling fashion without self-consciousness or any trace of artificiality.

CHILDHOOD

Qur birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:

The soul that rises

with us, our life’s star Hath had elsewhere

Its setting,

And cometh from afar. Not in entire

forgetfulness,

and not in utter nakedness, But trailing clouds of glory, do we come From God, who is our home: Heaven lies about us in our infancy. —W oRDSWORTH

His success following the first showing in Hollywood of “The Singing Fool” and attendant upon the premiere here at the Winter Garden rather frightens, jim epd

congratulations brought embarass- ment and confusion absolutely painful to witness. On more than one occasion, although a manly

little chap, he took refuge in tears. Since “The Singing Fool” and _ his subsequent work in the studios he has gained in self-control and as- surance and has learned how to ward off “lionizing.”

In no ordinary or commonplace fashion did Mr. Jolson discover Davey Lee for his present idolizers. When at the Warners’ studios in Hollywood the time arrived to pick the exactly right small boy for “The Singing Fool” dozens and dozens of mothers were on hand, each with an embryo Coogan, some with two and a few with three or more, for the appraising eyes of Mr. Jack Warner, Mr. Jolson and Mr. Mayo. Mrs. Lee had arrived with a boy in

whom she thought she detected Signs of screen talent. But that boy was Davey’s older ‘brother.

Davey had been brought along for the simple reason that there was nothing else to do with him. Mrs. Lee’s efforts were expended in keep- ing his restless legs in one place. But when she looked the other way for a moment D?vey made the most of that moment:

It was in June and the lawns and gardens surrounding the gstudios were inviting. Davey trotted about the driveways until a particularly splendid flower-bed drew his atten- tion.

“Hey, there, young man!” called a friendly voice. “Where do you think you’re going? Don’t fall in that fountain.”

Davey did not appear scared in the least, Al Jolson wags smiling in a friendly fashion: “Are you an actor?” Davey asked, and_ the comedian confessed.

A little later Jolson came into the studio with Davey on _ his shoulders.”

“Hold “ve got shoulders.”

So Davey Lee was trotted into his first role and on the books of the Warner casting offices he went down as the first player of such tender years to obtain an important engagement entirely through his own efforts.

Davey Lee heard at the his first starring release, ‘Sonny Boy,” a Warner Bros. Vitaphone Talking picture coming next.

everything!” he ‘Sonny Boy’

cried.

on my

is to be seen and Theatre in

ees

Scene trom Sonny Boy starring Davey Lee -A Warner Bros. Production

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SONNY WONDERS WHY DAD AND MOTHER ACT SO CROSS Production No. 4—Cut or Mat

DAVEY LEE in “SONNY BOY” — Warner Bros. Latest Vitaphone Talking Picture

STORIES FOR CURRENT USE _

Such a Little Boy to Win the Big World’s Heart!

“PETER PAN” PLAYS BIG PART IN DAVEY LEE’S “SONNY BOY”

Betty Tonsoni, who plays the part of Aunt Winnie in Davey Lee’s first starring vehicle, “Sonny Boy”—the Warner Brothers Vitaphone Talking Pieture—now at the Rr oes ae Theatre, was born in Trenton, Niche She was edu- sated Kast Orange, N.. J., High School, and

in schools and en- tered pictures in 1922, doing a bit

in “Anna As- conds.” J. M. Barrie

Betty Brous ; ! ra those Miss Bron-

son to interpret star parts i screen of his plays and millions remem- ber her delightful performances in “Peter Pan” and “A Kiss for Cin- derella.”

Other pictures in which she has appeared are “Are Parents People?” “The Golden Princess,” “The Cat’s Pajamas,” “Everybody’s Acting,” “Paradise for Two,” “Ritzy,” “Not So Long Ago,” “The Open Range,” “Brass Knuckles,” and “The Singing Fool.”

Miss Bronson lives in Beverly Ilills, California, and her pastimes are dancing, reading, riding and bridge. Her proudest possession is a wire-haired fox terrier.

Iler performance in “Sonny Boy” is one of the most charming of her eareer.

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GERTRUDE OLMSTED SUPPORTS DAVEY LEE

Gertrude Olmsted, who supports Davey Lee in “Sonny Boy,” Warner Brothers latest Vitaphone talking

picture, was born in Chicago, Til. After finishing her schooling she studied _ the

mother, who was

a dramatic in- structor at the Chieago Conser-

vatory of Music. Miss Olmsted’s first appearance on the stage was in “Juliet” upon

ao ~ her graduation Gertrude O/m stead from grammar school. Her last

Stock S-306 Cut or Mat Order Separately

stage appearance was in “The Red Lamp,’ ’in whieh she enacted the feminine lead.

Leaving the stage for Western lends on the sereen, she later played impextant parts in “Sporting Goods,” “The Cheerful Fraud,” “California Straight WAhead,” “Cobra,” “Monte Carlo2-“Cameo Kirby,”? and many other pictures.

Combining her stage experience, Gertrude and heard on Vitaphone in “Sonny Boy” as a wife whose hus- band is seeking a divorce. His plans are happily set awry ef- forts of their little son.

iA novel comedy vehicle on Vita- phone, “Sonny. Boy” presents Davey Lee in his first starring vehicle. The east includes Edward Everett Hor- ton, Betty Bronson, John T. Murray, Tom Dugan, Edmund Breese, Lucy Beaumont and Jed Prouty. Archie Mayo directed from the Vitaphone adaptation by Graham Baker froma Leon Zuardo story.

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Davey Lee, A Warner Bros, Star Stock S-311——Cut or Mat

SONNY BOY SINGS UNCLE AL’S SONG

Climb upon my knee

drama under her |

Sonny Boy,

You are only three, Sonny Boy— You’ve no way Of knowing, There’s no way

Of showing,

What you mean To me—

Sonny Boy!

When there are Grey sktes,

I don’t mind

The grey skies,

You make them blue, Sonny Boy—

Friends may forsake me, Let them all

Forsake me—

You'll pull me through Sonny Boy,

You're sent

From heaven,

And I know

Your worth— Your’e made

A heaven,

For me right here On earth—

And when I am

Old and gray, dear, Promise you

Won't stray dear— I'll follow you, Sonny Boy!

You're my dearest Prize, Sonny Boy— Sent from out

The skies,

Sonny Boy—

One thing makes You dearer— You're your Mother’s eyes, Sonny. Boy!

1) een as

DAVEY LEE WINS B’WAY STARDOM AT AGE OF FOUR

Four-year-old Davey Lee was the first player to be chosen for Al Jol- son’s second super-special, “The Singing Fool,” and it was his aston- ishingly natural work as the tiny figure, “Sonny Boy,” that Warners to elevate him to stardom—and to present him in the delightful Vitaphone comedy, “Son- ny Boy,” now showing at the J eee Theatre.

Al Jolson’s selection of Master Da- vey as the “Sonny Boy” of the Sing- ing Fool” meant a triumph for the lad over one hundred and eighty sereen children who were being con- sidered by the Warner Bros.’ casting office.

And it was a personal triumph for Davey, for he won out all by himself.

While Joe Marks, casting director, was interviewing the tot’s mother, Davey wandered out on the lot, and was later discovered by his frantic mother riding piek-a-back on the shoulders of the star, Al Jolson. The two had already decided between themselves that Davey was to have the part.

After seeing a sereen test of Da- vey Lee, Jack Warner, production manager, expressed the belief that the child was ideal, having much of the charm that Jackie Coogan ishowed in earlier sereen roles, to- gether with utter lack of self-con- isciousness. The child has an elfin twinkle, a shy humor and a lisping way of saying his lines that is quite lirresistible,

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MURRAY SECOND SCREEN DAD OF | “SONNY BOY”

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| | | | |

John T. Murray, well-known foot- llight performer as well as_ silent screen player, is seen and heard for the first time on Vitaphone in “Sonny Boy,” in support of Dav- ey Lee. He plays the part of a dis- gruntled hus- band—father of Sonny -. bo y= who before the end of the story becomes a quite contrite person—

John z Murra y

Stock $-304 all through the Cat or Me unobtrusive and tenderly amus-

Order Separately 4 ‘ ing doings of the

same Sonny Boy.

setty Bronson and Gertrude Olm- sted give fine talking impersona- |tions: Tommy Dugan, Edmund iBreese, and Luey Beaumont have all lplayed in recent Vitaphone produe- tions. Dugan essayed a_ leading lcharacterization in “Lights of New York,” the first all-talking picture to reach the sereen, and has since played in “The Million Dollar Col- lar? and others. Lucey Beaumont played the mother in “The Grey- hound Limited,” and had a promi- nent role in “Hard-boiled Rose.” i/Edmund Breese was seen and heard ‘in “Conquest” and “On Trial” on iVitaphone. Jed Prouty, who com- ipletes the list of well-known play- lers in “Sonny Boy,” attained promi- |nenee on the stage, and was a jleading artist for the Shuberts for jmany years, and has also played in inumerous motion pictures. Archie |Mayo directed “Sonny Boy,” from iC. Graham Baker’s adaptation from ' Leon Zuardo story.

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Davey Lee,

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HOW WILL I FIND OUT ABOUT THINGS IF I DON’T ASK QUESTIONS

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BUSIEST ACTOR IN HOLLYWOOD ABLY SUPPORTS DAVEY LEE

Edward Everett Horton, one of the featured members of the cast which is to be seen and heard in the Warner Bros. Vitaphone picture, “Sonny Boy,” starring Davey Lee, is the busiest actor in Hollywood. Al-

though a veteran of the cinema, Horton has al- ways been a de- votee of the legitimate thea- tre and in the

past year he has become a pro- ducer and star in the Jegitimate of Los

ale

&dward &ver~et

Tihs: theatre

Angeles. Stock S-305 In the daytime Cut or Mat Horton played

Order Separately his role in “Son-

ny Boy,” and in

he night he performed his manifold |

luties of producer, manager and star of the legitimate production. Vine Street Theatre, Horton has pro- lueed a number of New York suc- -egsses and he has endeavored to give Tos Angeles the best of the modern onlays. During his career in Los An- zyeles he has appeared in three hun-

lred and fifty productions of the legitimate theatre. Considering his aetive participation in screen

lramas, Horton’s

are hereulean.

He attributes his suecess to his nethod of learning his lines. It ean Yardly be ealled memorizing, for