TALKING PICTURES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 22, 7 November 1935, Page 8

TALKING PICTURES.

CHATS ABOUT THE CINEMA. CBy “Spotlight.”) Loudon Film Productions will produce a film based on the life of the late Colonel : Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia). Official permission lias been received from the trustees, _ giving this company authority for this film to be made. It will be the sincere endeavour of London Film Productions to make this picture not only an authentic chronicle of a great man, but also a fitting tribute to an Englishman whose exploits have become history. It is probablo that a great part of the film will he shot on the actual locations in Arabia, where Colonel Lawrence was known as “The Uncrowned King.” Warner Bros.’ “The Irish In Us,” with James Cagney, Pat O’Brien, and Frank McHugh in the leading roles, opens at the St. James Theatre Saturday next. It is said to be one of the most entertaining pictures of the season, combining riotous comedy with tense drama, pathos and a most unusual triangular-romance, involving tlie love of two brothers for the same girl. The cast as well as the director and most of the crew are Irish, including that inimitable trio, Cagney, O’Brien and McHugh as the three sons of Mary Gordon, herself born in Ireland. Once a happy family, a lift sets in when Cagney and O’Brien, fall in love with the same girl, Olivia de Havilland.

The film presents what is said to be the longest and most fiercely fought ring bout in history. Although it takes but 15 minutes on the screen, it was five days in the making. Cagney and Harvey Parry, a former boxing champion, are the contestants. J. Farrell AlacDonald and Thomas Jackson also have important roles. The picture ivas directed by Lloyd Bacon, an Irishman, despite his English name. The screen play is by Earl Baldwin, based on the story by Frank Orsatti.

Mae West Fijm. * Paramount’s “Now I’m a Lady,” which comes to the Majestic Theatre on Saturday next, brings Mae West back to the screen to 'win new laurels as a modern belle with ultra-modern ideas. The costumes worn by Miss West in the picture are dashing and new, the situations are as up-to-date as tomorrow’s newspapers, the backgrounds might even be termed ultra-modern, but Mae West is still the same, grand Mae West. Shrewd, ingenious, robust and full of sly humour and observation, she proves again that she is not necessarily a girl of the “Naughty Nineties” or of the “Hectic Thirties,” but an eternal character. The “tall, dark and handsomes” who support Miss West in “Now I’m a Lady,” are well chosen and more than usually effective. They include beside Cavanagh, Ivan Lebedeff, Tito Coral, Fred Kohler, Si’., and Grant Withers.

Before a record-breaking crowd, little Shirley Temple, Fox Films star, wrote her name and recorded her hand and footprints in the concrete of the Holly wood Chinese Theatre. The occasion was the opening of “Little Miss Marker,” her latest picture. The honour is one reserved for Hollywood’s greatest stars, and to date less than 25 have placed their prints in the beautiful Graunian’s Chinese Theatre Court. Little Shirley wore a powder blue frock trimmed with ermine for the ceremony. Her parents were among -the proud witnesses of the event. “Little Miss Marker” will shortly be released in Ashburton.

“Silent” to be Refilmed. D. W. Griffith, the well-known film producer, is visiting England on a sen timental journey, in search of the past. Just before he sailed from America he signed a contract with Julius Hagen, of Twickenham Films, by which lie is to make again lus famous silent film “Broken Blossoms. Griffith has a completely free hand. He can cast for his film anyone he wants—star or unknown. His task is to find a new Lilian Gish, a new Dick Barthelmess, to play the parts that made these two great artists famous 17 years ago. He will have unlimited resources, time and money to make this second version.

To be screened at St. James Theatre next Tuesday is 8.1.P.’-s new musical release, “Dance Band,” which features the smiling young actor, Buddy Rogers. “Dance Band” is a good original idea. It is a story of rivalry between two bands —a male and female band—that very cute American stageanu screen star, June Clyde, plays opposite Buddy as the leader of the Girls’ Dance Band. Magda Kun and Steve Geray have also very important parts. ’ Also Sherkot, whose pantomiming as the goalkeeper in Cochran’s “Streamline” was one of the funniest performances seen for years, repeats his famous act in the picture. “Dance Band” was made under the direction of Marcel -Varnel, who directed “Freedom of the Seas” and “Girls Will he Boys” for 8.1. P. ' Mabel Wayne, who wrote some of America’s best song hits, including “Little Alan, You’ve Had a Busy Day” and “Ramona,” wrote the numbers for the film. “Dance Band” is one of those snappy original musicals with plenty of that- extra something in it.

“Cardinal’ Richelieih” “Cardinal Richelieu,” George Arliss’s latest starring vehicle for Darryl Zanuek’s 20tli Century Pictures, marks the distinguished star’s sixth historical screen characterisation. With this portrayal the red-robed prelate who stood behind the throne of Louis XIII. of France takes his place beside Disraeli, Alexander Hamilton, Voltaire, Nathan Rothschild, and the Duke of Wellington. In this most recent effort, Arliss has the support of Maureen O’Sullivan, Edward Arnold, Francis Lister, Douglas Dumbrille, Cesar Romero, Violet Cooper, Lumscien flare and Halliwell Hobbes. Rowland V. Lee handled the megaphone on this Joseph M. Schenck presentation, released through United Artists.