TALKING PICTURES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 27, 13 November 1935, Page 10

TALKING PICTURES.

CHATS ABOUT THE CINEMA. (By “ Spotlight.”) The reopening of the Hal Roach studios is announced from M.-G.-M. headquarters. Its schedule of films includes a screen version of the operetta, “The Bohemian Girl”; a story as yet without a title that will Tstar Thelma Todd and Patsy Kelly; and a two-reel comedy with Charlie Chase. There will also be an “Our Gang” comedy. From the announcement it appears that the reported break in the Laurel and Hardy partnership has not occurred, or has been overcome. They are to make “The Bohemian Girl” as a full-length feature.

“Cardinal Richelieu.” First as Disraeli, Voltaire, and Rothschild, and now as Richelieu, Mr George Arliss has shown himself without doubt to be the greatest actor on the screen to-day. In “Cardinal Richelieu,” commencing at the St. James on Saturday, Mr Arliss is just as much himself as ever, always a perfect actor taking a great story and making it even greater for his presence. _ “Cardinal Richelieu” is a presentation of Mr George Arliss. It has to be admitted that he is as much Mr George Arliss as ever —his voice would give him away even if they hid him in the cloak of the invisible man—But that does not spoil the effect or the enjoyment of this, his latest ‘ 'and outstanding picture. He vmakes a perfect Cardinal Richelieu, just as he did a perfect Disraeli, Rothschild, and Voltaire. It will be granted he is always given a part that is a great one from the outset, but he finds more in it than there was to the mind of an ordinary man, and this time gathering about him a strong cast, every member of which seems drawn up to meet the great occasion, ho makes perhaps more of a masterpiece of Richelieu than the great cardinal himself could have done. A romance is brought into the story, with. Richelieu’s ward as the very good excuse. Maureen O’Sullivan plays this part.

Little five-year-old Shirley Temple, featured in Paramount’s “Little Miss Marker,” which comes to the Majestic Theatre at the week-end, made her motion picture debut at the age of three and a half in the “Baby Burlesque” comedies. In “Little Miss Marker,” Shirley is the daughter of a gambler who leaves her as security for one of his bets on a horse race. How she comes into the hands of a number of wrong-doers and teaches them that love can grow even in the midst of the underworld, makes up the main thread of the story.

Dickens’ Works Picturised. Freddie Bartholomew, the 10-year-old boy who made his film debut in the title role of “David Copperfield,” will play Oliver Twist in the film version of Dickens’s novel, planned hv M.-G. ? M. for the near future. An all-star cast will he assembled. The same studio is now engaged oil “A Tale of Two Cities,” ami filming of the “Pickwick Papers” is also planned.

The Paramount picture, “Melody In Spring,” starring Danny Ross, one of America’s famous radio singers, will commence its Ashburton season at the St. James Theatre shortly. In the picture, which was directed by Norman McLeod, Ross is supported by a capable cast, including Charlie Ruggles, Mary Boland, Ann 'Sothern, George Meeker, Wade Boteler and Helen Lynd. “Melody In Spring” concerns the hilarious adventures that befall an ambitious singer when be attempts to sell himself as a feature on the nation’s most popular radio hour. Charlie Ruggles, married to Mary Boland of course, is a wealthy manufacturer of dog-biscuits, who owns the most popular radio hour. He has a penchant for collecting souvenirs and curios. Ann Sothern, his dauglitei, falls in love with Ross, hut her father isn’t so much, in "favour of the young fellow. 'When, however, he learns that Ross has a hobby of climbing mountains, things' look brighter, until, through an innocent action on the part of Ross, Ruggles is thrown into gaol. Then amidst laughter and song, romance blossoms.

Version of Robin Hood. Robert Donat, the young star ot stage and screen, who made a successful debut in American motion pictures in the title role of “The Count of Monte' Cristo,” is returning to the United States to appear in ’ns second Hollywood production. He will star in an elaborate film version of “Robin Hood” for the producers of. “Monte Cristo.” Actual production of-“ Robin Hood” is being scheduled to coincide with Donat’s arrival from England. He will leave for Hollywood immediately on completion of his present engagement. a screen version of “The Thirtynine Steps.” After “Robin Hood," Donat is to star at Hollywood in “Captain Blood” and “Peter Ibbetson.”

“The Case of the Howling - Hog/ 1 Warner Bros.’ latest and most baffling murder mystery drama, opens at the St. James Theatre next week, with Warren William and' Mary Astor in the stellar roles.

Not only is the picture, based on Erie Stanley Gardner’s story, one of the strangest mystery plays screened, hut it is climaxed by a sensational murder trial in which a beautiful society woman faces the hangman’s noose, charged with the killing of her husband.

The spectacular trial also uncovers a series of other murders. The police never Jfctually solve the crimes, althoughnhe spectator is given a peep behind the scenes.

Warren William is the famous lawyer and Mary Astor his client, while Helen Trenholme supplies the romantic interest ns the sweetheart of William, who helps him on the ease. Dorothy Tree has the role of the sweetheart of one of the slain men, and is the State’s star witness in the murder trial.