TALKING PICTURES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 16, 31 October 1935, Page 8

TALKING PICTURES.

CHATS ABOUT THE CINEMA,

(By “Spotlight.”) Constance Collier was born in England of an old theatrical family and was on the stage practically from infancy. She lias played with unqualified success in such stage hits as “Grand Hotel.” “Dinner at Bight,” and was responsible for introducing to . the American stage both John and Lionel Barrymore.

The Hal Roach studios announce the cast of the new Laurel and Hardy feature, “Bonnie Scotland,” which is now mnder way. ■ It reveals such names as. David Torrence, Lionel Belmore, Margaret Mann, Claude King, Brandon Hurst, Daphne Pollard, Phyllis Barry, Gilbert Emory, James Finlayson, William Janney and, June Lang.

“Go Into Your Dance,” First National’s latest musical spectacle opens at the St. James Theatre Saturday next, with A 1 Jolson and his wife, Ruby Keeler, co-starring. This is the.first time Jolson, the famous Broadway singer who introduced talking pictures to "the public, and Miss Keeler, ono time musical comedy star who rose to fame in two years on the screen, have over played together before* Then* team work .is said to be remarkable. The picture is based on the story by. Bradford Ropes, author of “42nd Street.” It is intensely dramatic in spots, with hilarious comedy situations and a glowing romance. Spectacular dance numbers in which scores of Hollywood’s most beautiful chorus girls take part, were created and' staged by Bobby Connolly, noted Broadway comedy director who recently has turned his talents to the screen. There are seven song hits in the picture, wiitten by the ace team of Warren and; Dubin. The story concerns a Broadway .entertainer, who is barred from playing in New York because of his fondness' for wine, women* and the “ponies.” The staging of his comeback leads tlwough love tangles, thrilling situations and a dramatic denoument. There is a talented supporting cast which includes Barton Mac Lane, Sharon Lynne, Patsy Kelly, Benny Rubin, Gordon Wcstcott and Joyce Compton.

The New Marie Dressier. The late Marie Dressier at the time of her death was the idol of millions of cinema fans and it is only natural that there must be some ono who will adorn her mantle and will in time he come as popular as “The Grand Old Lady.” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer who produced all Marie Dressier’s successes announce the signing up of the eminent British actress, Constance Collier, and it is with confidence that they have given her the roles originally intended for the late Miss Dressier. Picture Marie Dressier as an eccentric old recluse and you see Miss Collier’s impersonation of “Aunt Mellissa” in Arthur Somer Roche’s mysterious comedythriller—“Shadow of Doubt,” which opens at the St. James Theatre Tuesday next, November 5 1 . The supporting cast includes Ricardo Cortez, Virginia Bruce and Isabell Sewell.

Joan Crawford will have Brian Aherne as her leading man in" her new film. “If .Yon Love Me.”

“Mr Dynamite,” by the author 'of “The Thin Man.” is coming on Saturday to the Majestic Theatre. This murder mystery, written in Dashiell Hammett’s inimitable brisk style, stars Edmund Lowe. ' Lowe enacts the role of “Dynamite.” a detective' who is T.N.T. to the police, and who solves three baffling murders in an amazing fashion. Featured in the case are Jean Dixon, noted Broadway comedienne, Verna Hillie, talented, screen newcomer, Victor Varconi, Esther Ralston and a host of others. The picture was directed by Alan Crosland. It is a Universal feature.

Some detail from Mae West’s own life and career can be found in every picture that she has made. Due to the fact that the blonde star of Paramount’s “Now I’m a Lady,” coming to Ashburton shortly, writes her own screen stories, she cannot resist making them all autobiographical in some small detail. In her first, “She Done Him Wrong,” the heroine was a collector < f diamonds, which Miss West most certainly is in real life; Her second picture, “I’m No Angel,” contained the famous court-room scene, copied from a court drama of Mae West’s own career. “Bello of the Nineties,” Mae West’s most recent film, contained the hold-up and jewel robbery which Mis 3 West had just experienced in real life. In “Now I’m a Lady,” Miss West is an owner of a string of racehorses. And that fits, too, "because she recently de cided to start a stable of her own. The new picture, with settings in modern Buenos Aires and Southampton, brings Miss West, bonded by Paul Cavanagh the man who wins her because he can’t escapo her.

The modern talking screen is proving itself definitely as the greatest entertainer in world history. Take, for instance, the “Buddy” Rogers film “Dance Band.” coming shortly to the St. James Theatre, Ashburton. There are artists appearing in this picture which normally we would have very little or no chance of ever seeing in Australia or New Zealand. For instance, Leon Sherkot. Just recently this comedian created a sensation in a C. B. Cochran revuo with an uproarious act in which he impersonated a Continental goal-keeper. By means of “'Dance Band” we are able to enjoy tliis screamingly fnnnv performance, which has been reproduced exactly as he did it on the stage.

Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, who shared vocal and acting honours in “Naughty Marietta,”; will he co-starred by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in “Americans Can Sing.” an original story for the screen with a career angle. Hunt Stromberg, who produced “Naughty Marietta,” will also, do “Americans Can Sing.”