TALKING PICTURES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 295, 26 September 1935, Page 10

TALKING PICTURES.

CHATS ABOUT THE CINEMA. (By “ Spotlight.”) Clark Gable proved he. could “take” it” in a film scene made for the new Metro-Goldwyn-Maycr picture “Aftc* Office Hours,” co-starring Constance Bennett which comes to the St.. Janies Theatre next Saturday. The star was knocked down fifteen times in a battle with Haney Stephens, supporting player, before the scene was officially okayed iiy Director Robert- 2. Leonard. Gable had his innings when, in a fight taking place later in the picture, he squares up accounts with Stephens and knocks him, repeatedly, over the back of a couch. Both men refused to use “doubles' 5 saying they enjoyed the exercise. ‘Stuart Erwin, Billie Burke Harvey Stephens and) Katharine Alexander are also featured in the society murder mystery.

Best Seller Filmed. Twenty years ago Baroness Orczy was asked Ivy a publishing house to supply a thrilling serial in rather a hurry. Within lo minutes of receiving the commission she had formulated mentally the story of “The Scarlet Pimpernel.” Originally the setting was to he Russia, hut for diplomatic reasons. Baroness Orczy altered it to France at the time of the Revolution. Since its first publication the story has been a best-seller in almost every country ir. the world. Double of Dillmger. During the days when the police of the entire country were hunting for John Dillinger, a Hollywood actor. Edward Pawley by name, was having a hard time in life. He looked so much like the notorious Public Enemy No. 1, that he was frequently stopped by police officials and several times barely escaped arrest. “I was tempted to turn myself into a sandwichman and wear a sign stating 1 was not .Dillinger,” he says. Now Edward Pawley enacts Public Enemy No. 1 in the screen’s first drama of the war on crime, “G Men,” in which James Cagney will open at the Majestic I hcatro, on Saturday.

Wagner’s opera, “The Flying Dutchman,” is to Ivo filmed in Germany by Carl Froelich, producer of ‘Madchen in Uniform.”

Paramount has entered into a contract with Robert F. McGowan, director of many Our Gang comedies, to produce a short subject in which the six child players under contract to the studio will ho used. These are Virginia Weidler, David Holt, Baby Lo Roy, Betty Holt, Lois Kent and Billy Lee.

Dolores Del Rio, First National star, wears a diversified array of smart gar-' inents in her new musical, “In Cahente,” which comes to the St. James Theatre next week. These include evening dresses, sports outfits and negligees. The production is a veritable 1935 style show, according to Director Lloyd Bacon.

Friends in Hollywood call it “his lucky suit,” the plain blue serge business suit Clark Gable wears in at least one scene of every motion picture. And true to form it appears again in ‘After Office Hours,” new Metro-Goldwyn-Muyer production co-starring Constance Bennett. Although Gable refuses to admit superstition, it is reported that the suit lias brought him luck, being worn in each of the long series of hits which led up to his great popularity.

The popular rliumba-time song “La Cucaracha,” will ho heard as a comic parody in Spanish in the new Fiist National production, “In Caliente.” It is sung as a novelty by Carlitos Salazar, the clown of the Mexican quartet which supplied special entertainment at Agua Caliente during the progress of the screen story.

If you are looking for a dash of romance, drama and mystery, don t fail to see '‘Such Women. Are Dangerous,” the Fox Film release starring AVarner Baxter, which opens at the St. James Theatre Tuesday next. This new, crisp comedy-drama presents Baxter in a delightful role as. a bachelor-novelist. Ho lias Three charming leading ladies: Rosemary Ames, Rochelle Hudson and Mona Barrie. Nine million women read ibis young novelist’s books, and admire him from afar. Three women, who are directly concerned with bis private life try to re-enact* the love stories ho writes. His secretary, secretly m love with him, tries to protect him from the iove of two other women, one a voting girl who has come to seek Ins advice in regard to her writing ability and the other an opera singer who is already married. And there you are. Blaster performs splendidly in a role that is perfectly suited to his talents. The film was produced by A 1 Rockett, and Janies Flood directed. _

British Empire Films is shortly to release British International Pictures ambitious historical drama, “Drake of England,” in Ashburton. The film reacts one of the most colourful and inspiring chapters in English history, and brings to life te most daring, adventurous, and greatest Admiral tie world has ever known, Sir l’^ ncls Drake. Matheson Lang is perfectly cast as Drake; he looks every inch the part and has the necessary personality and histrionic ability to make a success of a difficult role. Athene Seyler. who will lie remembered for her performance as the Arch-duchess m “Blossom Time ” contributes a very striking and convincing portrayal as Queen Elizabeth. Inspired casting this, ten Miss Seyler is able to give to the character such verve and dignity that te Virgin Queen” literally lives. Jane Baxter, who also starred m Blossom Time,” is very charming • as Elizabeth ,Svdenliam, a lady of the Queen s Court, with whom Drake falls in love.