Brian Aherne — The Discovery of the Month (1931) 🇺🇸

There’s star material in those broad shoulders, clean-cut features, Cooper eyes and Colman accent — to say nothing of an acting talent that made all the New York critics eat their old adjectives.

The name? Brian Aherne, from Britain. At the moment Air. Aherne is playing in America for the first time — imported especially to play Robert Browning to Katherine Cornell’s Elizabeth Barrett in The Barretts of Wimpole Street, a play based on the poet’s real romance. The play is a success, as are all Miss Cornell’s productions; but for the first time in this great young actress’ career she has shared her applause and critical attention with her leading man. Mr. Aherne has scored with his portrayal of Browning; playing a Victorian poet, he yet manages to be vital, ingratiating, humorous!

If Hollywood doesn’t know about Brian Aherne, we’re suggesting that he be signed without delay! He has had not only an important stage career, but has won popularity in English films, having played in Anthony Asquith’s “Shooting Stars” and “Underground.” His last screen appearance was in “The W Plan,” made by British International and released in this country by R.K.O. Aherne has a vigor not always exhibited by leading men from Mayfair; he has some of the best qualities of Colman [Ronald Colman] and Clive Brook with, as we mentioned, a dash of Gary Cooper. And since there has been no riotous male discovery since Lew Ayres, Bob Montgomery [Robert Montgomery], and Phil Holmes [Phillips Holmes], to balance the Dietrich-Bankhead [Marlene Dietrich, Tallulah Bankhead] onslaught, Brian Aherne looks like the answer to the producers’ prayer. What do you think? Does he look like a bet to you?

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Collection: Screenland Magazine, July 1931