Screen Stars and Films

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 76, 29 March 1924, Page 23

Screen Stars and Films

a iccording to the critics Paramount's Jhtonrood" wiU be one of the most re- ;' fi-Jble films of the age. I', is not Vjd entertainment bv.t a rare screen Itr in th" nearly everyone of note ■flU° dh " arole ' in * t -"

igone of its Perfect Thirty-Six, Uni\L\ has purchased Kathleen Korris' ■ UfMt novel and ona of the five best ;S of the year. "Butterfly." Olga is already putting it into Kjaario form.

I Tfilliain Duncan has finished work on lis current serial, -The Fast Express," : from a story by Courtney SvfcY Cooper, and lias started work on oother serial which is at present called rrje Free Trader."

Anne Cornwall, who was at one time I jarred in a production at Universal I fstT'tas been ch° sen t0 support Hoot I fiiteon in "Forty Horse Hawkins," in I shich the redoubtable western star will I Lay the role of a cowboy who becomes I , taW> driver in New York City. I "Eid^waj , o{ Montana," one of the I fcjtest 0 movins dramatic tales of the I 2° st " from the pen of Will'am McLe.-d I Rune, will be the next starring vehicli : for Jack Roxie. Universal has purchased I the story and it is being- prepared in conj touity by E. Richard Scliayer.

' William 5. Hart, who 'has just re- ; jnjjed to the screen under the Para- ! mount banner, will offer as his first ! picture "Wild Bill Hiokok." It is 8 . ; ttpical Hart story, in which he is eeer ': vrith all his old style and sensation creating' stunts. is a worthy successor to "The Red Warning," "The Man from Wyoming" till "The Phantom Horseman," Umvcr»l" has purchased • Williaai Ucl.eo? Eiine's novel, "Ridgeway of Montana ' is Jack Hoxie's nest production. —. Ediard Schayer is preparing the continuity.

After looking over the field thoroughly, Edward Laemmle, who is directing the (krald Beaumont racing stories with Billy Sullivan as star, has cast the typical gambler role of "Red" Murdock. He 3iose Duke R. Lee, who will be rememlered for his characterisations of Daniel Boone, George Washington and Buffalo BilL

The advantages of Los Angles as a film centre are apt to be over-rated. It is aieautiful clear atmosphere, but not so many scenes are taken in the open &3 is thought, except -where absolutely necessary. For some technical reas n ifbich I do not understand, it gives bad effects, and many an apparent open-air seine is taken in a closed-in Btudio. For desert scenes Los Angeles is well-placed, although the natives always look for the eucalyptus trees in the background, •which are a 'give-away, , as they term it."

Those famous Indian types, the Babusyl •/lo have become known throughout the I world through the -writing of Rudyard . Epiing, are seen in the pictureeque j itreet scenes of George Archainbaud'e production, "The Shadow of the East," . bow being made at the William Fox West Coast studios, Hollywood. The Babus are the umbrella carriers of India. They never go without one. In their , colourful costumes they add a glamorous touch to the Indian city scenes in the screen version of E. M. Hull's . romantic novel.

"To the Ladies" is another production for Paramount by James Cruze, maker of "The Covered" Wagon." Here ie a story that will find a response in the hearts of every member of the fair sex, for it is a document dedicated in some measure to the (sometimes djubted) intellect of the fair sex. It gives wi,man due credit for personal and mental qualities which many a story has denied and derided. The cast includes Edward Horton and Theodore Roberta.

James Craze, famous for "The Covered Wagon" and "Hollywood" direction, will present as his next picture to be screened for Paramount, "Rugglee of Red Gap." The story is adapted from Harry Leon ilson's story, and the cast includes Edward Horton, Ernest Torrance, and Lois Wilson and Fritzi Kdgeway. "Ruggles of Red Gap" telU the amusing story of an Englishman valet who goes out West, and of the amazing adventures 'he went through and finally his complete Americanising.

"Hoodman Blind," one of the celebrated melodramas written by Sir Henry Arthur Jones and Wilson Barrett, has been adapted for the screen by William Fox. The list of plays connected with Sir Henry is a distinguished one. Ffom the writing of "The Silver King" and on down to "The Middleman," "The Liars" and "Michael and His Lost Angel," Sir Henry Arthur Jones has given the stage a succession of remarkably forceful dramas. Wilson Barrett, his collaborator oh "Hoodman Blind," was one of the noted actor-managers of the latter Half of the past century. He produced the - play himself and played Jack Yuelette, the leading role. This part is played in the screen version by David Butler. The scenario is the work of Charles Kenyon, the playwright who set the theatrical world to praising the fine human qualities of his drama, "Kindling," when it was produced several years ago. Mr. Kenyon is now a member of the Fox scenario staff. John Ford, the director of "Hoodman Blind*? has gained an excellent reputation for the authentic touches of character he puts into all his pictures.

Scenic beauty which nature has lavished upon Santa Cruz I-la"d. which I'es like a gem in the blue Pacific, has been transferred to the screen and enhanced by the addition of the beauty of a thousand bathing girls in the Fox production, "The Temple of Venux." Few places have the natural beauty tVat makes Santa Cruz island a veritable garden spot. Deep set caves, crystal grottoes, and overhanging Icd3es wa he! by the rolling waves of the Pacific, form the background for a picture which is said to be one of the most elaborate of its kind ever produced. Phyllis Haver and llary Philbin have the lead'ng feminine rojes, with David Butler as tha male principal. A cast of 1000 bathi g beauties wearing the most remarkable costumes to be found, lend additional splendour to the scenic effects. Tiie story is a comparison of the Mc of a beautiful girl born and reared on the lonely, but exquisits island, w th that of a Xevv York society debutante. Interior se+s are said to be nearly as elaborate ' and spectacular as those taken on the island. The picture w»j directed by Henry Otto.

The Dangerous Blonde," the second Laura La Plante starring on the Universal City lot, has been cast. The principal players are EdwaH Hearu, Dick Sutherland, Margaret Can.pbetl Philo McCullongh, Eve Sothern. Frederick Cole and Rolfe Sedan. Bob Hill is directing. Tom Forman, well-known actor and director, has been engaged by Universal in pro-luce "Tlm Throw-BacK." the

story which won first prize in the Laeminle College scenario contest last fall. It was written by William Ellwell Oliver, of the University of California, and put into scenario form by Jas. 0. Spearing, late of the Xew York "Times."

Owing to his exceptional work in "Fools Highway," in which he supp rted Mary Philbin Pat O'Malley has been I'hosen for the principal role in" "Th 3 Throw-back," the Unive-sal scholar.-'h'p prize winning scenario of William Ellwell Oliver, of the University of Ca'iforn a. The direction will be in the hands of Forman, who directed "The Virginian" and a number of Meighan films,

Rudyard Kipling is perhaps one of the most popular writers in modern times. One of his most-read stories is "The Light That Failed," which has been brought to the screen by Paramount with an all star cast of players, including Jacqueline Logan, Percy Mannont, David Torrence, and Sigrid Holmquest, the Swedish star. This immortal epic of the South campaign has been excellently handled in its transition to the screen, and the historical value of the picture lies in the fact that its detail is perfect.

j Ruth Dwyer and Hayden Stevenson have already been cast for Reginald f Denny's second Jewel picture which will be directed by Harry A. PMlard from Earl Derr Bigger's "Saturday Kvenipg Post" serial, "Love Insurance." Its , moving picture name is "The Reckless Age." The company leaves this week for Los Olivas in southern California for the j first exterior scenes.