TALKING PICTURES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 115, 25 February 1937, Page 8

TALKING PICTURES

CHATS ABOUT THE CINEMA. (By “ Spotlight.”) Rudolf Foster (German actor), has been signed by Metro-Goldwyp-Mayer. He played opposite Bergner in several of her German films.

Next in importance to the magnificent portrayals by Katharine Hepburn and Fredrie March and the dramatic significance of the Maxwell Anderson play are the historic settings and costumes of “Mary of Scotland,” soon to be released by R.K.O. Radio. Approximately 45 sets were used in this picture. Queen Elizabeth's lavish Whitehall Palace, the austere, picturesque Scottish castles, Holyrood, Fotheriiv gay, Dunbar and Lochleven are reproduced in all their splendour.

Robert Young who was recently displaced by Fraoehot Tone in the cast of “Love on the Run” has been given the leading role in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s “Maiden Voyage.” It is the story of a flirtatious young American’s adventures in the Tyrol.

Fred Astaire, who has always expended an unusual amount of physical energy in his work, even on the stage, has found the burden of toil and hardship more than doubled in the movies. For “Follow the Fleet,” his new R.K.O. Radio musical, in which he is co-star-ring with Ginger Rogers, Astaire faces many full days of dancing under the blazing rays of hanked movie lights. For this same picture he will he called on to dive off a battleship deck and he lias already been in the thick of a fist-to-fist fight between sailors and marines.

“Dodsworth” commences To-night. How a retired American automobile magnate and “representative citizen deals will a pleasure-loving and selfish wife is he theme of “Dodsworth.” the story from (Sinclair Lewis’s novel which opens to-night at the St. James Theatre. Tlie film has brought out all the best qualities of the novel. Not onlj’ is there a wealth of delightful characterisation, hut much of Sinclair Lewis’s dialogue is preserved intact. Dodsworth is, of course, the centralfigure. Having sold tlio automobile plant, for which he has laboured for twenty years, Dodsworth yields to the demands of his wife to take a holiday in Europe. The sight of the Bishop Light makes him realise how keen he is to see England and nil ho has ever heard of it. His wife thinks otherwise, and • ends a ship-board flirtation to make new friends in Paris. So it is right through Europe, and it is only after he has been finally cast off for another man that he finds a woman ,with whom he has common interests. Dodsworth lias l>een ideally created by Walter Huston. His wife, played by Rjitli Chatter ton, is artificial, self-seeking and whole-heartedly selfish. This unsympathetic role, nevertheless, hn,s called forth some thoroughly convincing acting such as Miss Clmtterton brought some years ago to the screen. Mary Astor, in the part of the other woman, makes a charming figure.

Astaire and Rogers in “Follow the Fleet.”

“Follow the Fleet,” R.K.O. Radio nautical musical coming to the St. James Theatre on Saturday next, is the fifth screen feature teaming Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. It is the fourth co-starring the dancing duo, tho third in which they have Mark Sandrich as director and the second of their films featuring a complete musical score by Irving Berlin. Astaire and Miss Rogers first appeared together in “Flying Down to Rio,” sharing the billing with Dolores Del Rio and Gene Raymond. They made their debut as costars in “The Gay Divorcee,” under the direction of Sandrich. Irene Dunne starred with them in “Roberta” which William Seiter megaphoned. Sandrich again directed them in the recently released “Top Hat” which introduced the first Berlin musical score. For the second time in his screen career, Fred Astaire is leading a band in “Follow the Fleet.” In “Roberta.” he led a college band that invaded Paris. In the new picture ho wields the baton for a sailor jazz band which dispenses Irving Berlin melodies. “Earthworm Tractors.” “Earthworm Tractors,” doe F,. Brown’s latest laugh riot is due for early release at tho St. James Theatre. Joe brings to life on- the screen that blundering and ill bis own egotistical estimation, natural-born super-sales-man, Alexander Butts, who somehow always wins out in the end despite bis egregious mistakes. Joe has two leading women in the picture, one whom lie loses to a rival when lie leaves town,

and the other who he finds is quite unwilling to play second fiddle. The first love is played by Carol Hughes and the second by June Travis, whose love he finally regains by a series of mistakes in which ho almost causes her death, and then, playing the conquering hero, rescues licr from a dynamite trap into which lie had led her.

“Ranglc River.” The most tangible expression of the world’s confidence in Australia as a motion picture "production centre was best evidenced by the making of “Rangle River,” first American-hacked film to he made in that country, which comes to the St. James Theatre shortly. Columbia Pictures, at all times fostering a genuine desire to incorporate the unusual in their picture entertainment, had long had their attention focussed on Australia as- a setting for an out-of-door romance. Thus, when the opportunity! presented itself of collaborating with National Studios, who were successful in securing the only Australian story written by Zano Grey, the opportunity was readily grasped of sending one of their most able diioctets and popular stars to Australia. The wisdom, of importing two such key men in the production of a picture is obvious as under the skilful direction of Badger, the thrills and romance of Zanc Grey’s story, interwoven with the natural backgrounds of the country in which it was filmed, plus the outstanding and virile portrayal of Victor Jory have together been responsible for a film that will take its place on any ■ screen in any part of the world as an outstanding entertainment. “Sing Baby Sing,” Whooping with laughs, tingling with tunes, sizzling with swing and ablaze with names, “Sing, Baby, Sing’ opens at tlio Majestic Theatre, Saturday and Monday, March 6 and 8, and reveals itself as a mad jamboree of fun-makers, stars and stooges, songsters and sliowstoppers, that is one of the most hilarious triumphs ever brought to the screen. Featuring an astonishing number of Hollywood’s most famous comedians, a wildly riotous story and! a veritable hit parade of songs, the makers of “Thanks ai Million,” Twentieth Century-Fox have topped their previous triumph in a million ways. With Alico Faye, Adolphe Menjou, Gregory Ratoff, Ted Healy, Patsy Kelly, Michael Whalen and a trio of very welcome screen newcomers, the Ritz Brothers, “Sing, Baby, Sing” starts off in a gale of laughter that increases steadily until it is a raging tornado of mirth at the rib-racking climax. Four new songs, “Love Will Tell,” “Sing, Baby, Sing,” “You Turned the Tables On Me,” and “When Did You Leave Heaven?” provide musical interludes for the neveiending laughs. Darryl F. Zanuck selected Sidney Lanfield as director and B. G. Do ‘Sylva associate producer.

“Educating Father.” The typical family of the movies is definitely an American family of the stage. At least one member of the Jones Family, featured in the now Fox hit, “Educating Father,” coming to the Majestic Theatre, Saturday and Monday. March 18 and 15, has played in everv legitimate theatre in the Ijniter States. With more than one hundred and fifty years theatrical experience represented by the members of tlie cast, it is not surprising that every

theatre in the country should luwc been visited by them at one time or another. Jed Prouty, “father” of the Joneses, has been an actor lor fifty years and has spaced Broadway appearances by vaudeville and road show tours which have taken him back and forth across the continent more times than lie can remember. Florence Roberts, “granny” of the “family,” has not only circuited the country many times, but has also made three complete tours of the world. Spring Byington’s long career has also led her into practically every city in America.

“Half Angel.” “Half Angel,” the thrilling story of a “sorrow girl” who jinxes the lives of those who love her, opens Saturday and Monday, March 20 and 22 at the Majestic Theatre' with Francess Dee, Brian Donlevv and Charles Rutterworth in the featured roles. A glorious blending of laughter and mystery, romance and comedy, suspense and thrills, “Half Angel” was directed by Sidney Canfield, with Helen Woslley, Henry Stephenson and Sara Hadon also prominent in the cast. Frances Dee is scon as the “Poison Queen” who is twice implicated in murder with Donlevy cast as the daring young reporter who believes her innocent! Buttorworth has one of his inimitable comedy roles as Donkvy’s muddle-headed, butterfingered stooge. Replete with sparkling dialogue, unusual romance and hilarious comedy situations that highlight the mystery, thrills and suspense “Half Angel” was authored by Bess Meredytli and Gene Fowler from a story by F. Scott Tennyson.