Screen Stars and Films

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 246, 17 October 1925, Page 28

Screen Stars and Films

Norma Shearer has completed work in Victor Seastrom's "The Tower of Lies," for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and is on a vacation.

Robert Z. Leonard's next Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production will be "A Little of Broadway," by Richard Connell. Pauline Starke will play the lead.

Gilbert Roland, young leading man, has been placed under a long term contract by R. P. Schulberg. He will appear in "The Plastic Age" as his first Preferred picture.

Laura la Plante, who has hereto appeared in comedies, is playing her first dramatic part in "The Midnight Sun,"' which Dimitri Buchowetzki is directing for Universal.

"The Nervous Wreck," the stage play by Owen Davis, ha? been purchased by A'l Christie for 40.nnn dollars. This will be made as a feature for Producing Distributing Corporation.

George O'Brien and J. Farrell Macdonald will try for new honours together again when they make "Three Bad Men," the next bis: effort of Jack Ford, who made "The Tron Horse."

Franei.a X. Bushman ha? been signed by Metrn-Golrtwyn-Mayer to play opposite Mac Murray in "The Masked Bride." which Jo«ef yon Sternherg is to direct, from the story by Leon Abrams.

Cecil B. de Mille has added Gladden James to the cast supporting Leatrice Joy in 'The Wedding Sons." Alan Hale is the director. Robert Ames. Charles Gerard. Rosa Rudama and Ethel Wales are other featured players in the cast.

Alan Crosland. film director, is recovering from injuries received when the automobile he was driving collided with another machine at a Hollywood street intersection. Crosland's car was "entirely demolished and tbe director had a narrow escape from death.

Ernst Lubitsch has selected the principals for "Lady Windermere's Fan." They are May McAvoy, Irene Rich, Matt Moore and Ciive Brook.

Warner Brothers ar» alout to produce a mammoth picture entitled "Broken Hearts of Hollywood." The report modestly admits that a great many stars will participate. Syd Chaplin, Monte Blue, Marie Prevost, Irene Rich, Louise Fazenda, Patsy Ruth Miller, Lowell Sherman and even Rin Tin Tin.

According to the most expert brains at the Customs House in New York. Pola Negri will have to pay 57,000d0l for the jewels which are now in the possession of the Federal authorities. Pola failed to declare them when she arrived from Europe last May. and blamed the oversight on her maid. When she was questioned about the diamond and emerald bracelet and diamond ring, she cheerfully—nay. proudly, admitted that they were presents she received in France- The value of the jewels was assessed at 47,000d01, and the total amounts to 57.000d0l when you add the lu.OOOdol levied by the Government.

A cordial welcome on behalf nf the' Irish Free State was extended personally to Thomas Meighan. Paramount film star, by President Cosjirave. who entertained the American at the Executive Mansion. Beech Park. Rathernham. recently. President (osfrrave expressed to Mr. Meiehan the hope and the confidence he felt that the film which is now being made by the star "would convey Borne of Ireland's true character and beauty to the rest of the world through the great medium of the cinema." The Paramount star replied that he, in turn. was certain that such confidence was not misplaced. On the Saturday night Mr. Meighan sat in the Presidential box at the concert given by John McCormack in Dublin. All members of the party afterward were the guests of the famous Irish singer at a supper. The race track near Dublin was the scene of considerable interest to Dubllners on the afternoon of the McCormaek concert. Several scenes for the forthcoming Meighan picture were filmed. The picture is taken from the "Saturday Evening Post" story, "The Imperfect Imposter," and will be titled, "Irish Luck."

Theodore Kosloff, the noted actor, dancer and ballet director, ha 3 been added to the large cast with which Dimitri Buchowetzki is making " The Midnight Sun" at Universal City. The first of the six Blue Streak Westerns which Universal is to produce under the supervision of J. Joseph Sameth is to be called "The Hurricane Ranger." This story, written by Tom Gibson, will have Pete Morrison as its star, with Dolores Gardner as leading lady. Dell Andrew? has been assigned to direct the forthcoming series of "Andy Gump" comedies. Andrews is now working on the first of the new series which chronicles tho adventures of Andy ami Mill, and which is now known as "Mm Walks in Her Sleep." Samuel Van Ronkel is producing the pictures. Colour photography will be used for the opening and closing scenes of "The King on Main Street," which Monta Bell will direct for Paramount, with Adolphe Menjou as king and Greta Xissen and Bessie 'Love in the chief supporting roles. The story begins with the King of Moldavia reviewing his cavalry troops on the military parade grounds. The vivid colours of the uniforms, the gowns o' the Court ladies, and the lavish decolat'ons of the monarch's reviewing stand will be brought to the screen by the use of the most advanced methods of colour photography.

Mildred Davis (Mrs. Harold Lloyd) will make her return to the screen in "The Two Soldiers," a "Saturday Evening Post" story by Hugh Wiley, which appeared under the title "The Spoils of War." It was announced by Jesse L. Lasky. This was a result of a conference held between the author (Hector Turnbull), supervisor of production (Victor Fleming), who will direct the production, and Garnet Weston, who will act as supervising editor. Hugh Wiley is now in seclusion in his San Francisco home, preparing the treatment. Production will not begin for some time, as right now Victor Fleming is completely absorbed in making "Lord Jim."

Two well-known English film actors were engaged to support Thomas Meighan in "Irish Luck," the motion picture he is producing in Ireland for Paramount. They are Cecil Humphrey and Robert English, who were engaged by Director Victor Heerman after a thorough search through all the agencies and theatrical bureaus in London. In Cecil Humphrey Director Heerman found just the type he wanted for the heavy villain of the piece. Humphrey is well known to the British film public, having played in a large number of Stoll productions. English, while not quite so well known, is a capable actor and is well suited to the character role 'to which he has been assigned. Messrs. Humphrey and English will return to the United States with the Meighan party, to finish the interiors of the picture at the Paramount Long Island studio.

Moving picture devotees of New York have another important Frank Lloyd production to talk about for some time, and. judging from the reception given his "Winds of Chance" at its premiere presentation. First National officials are prone to believe that once more the famous producer of "The Sea Hawk" has given the exhibitors of America a real box-office attraction (states a review). The attraction, featuring an impressive ca>t. including Anna Q. Xilsson, Viola Dana, Ben Lyon. Victor McT-ag-len, Hobart Bosworth, and Dorothy Sebastian, opened at the Piccadilly Theatre on Broadway, Saturday, August 15. the house being filled to capacity. Although this virile screen version of Rex Beach's thrilling story of Klondike gold rush days differs widely from his filmisation of Sabatini's sixteenth century romance with its stately Spanish galleons and picturesque Moorish corsairs, it seemed quite generally agreed that "Winds of Chance" contains many of the fundamental elements which made such a tremendous success of "The Sea Hawk." In place of pirates and ships of old, Mr. Lloyd has the rugged pioneering gold seekers of '98 and the striking grandeur of Chilkoot pass. The vivid scenes enacted in the rush to the Klondike over White Horse Rapids, the glamour of Dyea, Summit, Dawson City, around which Kex Beach has written bis romance.

Irving Cummings will direct Corinne Griffith in "Caesar's Wife," just purchased for that star. "Wives for Rent" is the somewhat intriguing original title of the production which Svend Gade, the Danish director, who produced "Siege," will make for Universal. Charles Whittaker, wellknown scenarist, has been engaged to do the screen adaptation for this film. Two famous New York State race tracks will be used in the filming of spectacular horse racing scenes in "The Scarlet Saint." which First National places in production soon at their Eastern studios, with Mary Astor and Lloyd Hughes in the featured roles. The Belmont race track will be used for the big race scene and the Empire race track for scenes in and around the clubhouse. '-The Scarlet Saint" is the screen adaptation of Gerald Beaumont's magazine success, "'The Lady Who Played Fidele." Much nf tiie story is laid about the race track and some stirring racing scenes will be among the features of the picture. George Archainbaud will direct. Granville Redmond, internationally famous marine painter and lifelong friend of Edward Sutherland. Paramount director, plays in several scenes of "He's a Prince." Raymond Griffith's current starring production for Paramount. Redmond is deaf and dumb and is given direction in the sign language by Sutherland. Through force of necessity, Redmond has been compelled, for the most part, to convey his thoughts by expression and this pantomimic experience has stood him in good stead in the various sequences in which he appears. Mary Brian, of "Peter Pan" fame, is playing the feminine lead in the picture. Other featured players include Tyrone Power, Xigel de Bruliere, and Edgar Norton. Keen Thompson wrote the screen play from a story by Reginald Morris and Joseph Mitchell. The same four persons who helped to make "The Wanderer" a success, also assisted in the making of "The Lucky Lady." Because of the remarkable success of "The Wanderer," BETTER PICTURES LEAGUE. At this time when there is a clash of opinion regarding the moral influence of moving-pictures, it is interesting to note that the Photoplay League of Hollywood itself, has started a revolutionary movement, which it claims is the most forceful one in the history of the film industry. The aims of the league are set out in a pamphlet calling for members, as follows: 1. The presentation of films free from censorship. 2. The encouragement of art, literature and technique on the screen. 3. The recognition, approval and presentation of pictures of merit, regardless of who makes them, who is in them or their Fo-called box office value. 4. The production of our own pictures. 5. The development of community interest in the possibilities of the photoplay, through establishment of Photoplay League branches. 6. The organization into one body of the legion of intelligent playgoers who are seeking a higher grade "of picture. "We maintain the censorship of motion pictures is just as unnecessary and just as detrimental as in the realm of the stage, the novel or the newspaper." states the League. "We are not defending license or obscenity, but we are in favour of using realistic elements in pictures, the same as are used in books or stage plays, for the purpose of making the story or the characterization something more than merely a lollypop. Because we are not primarily trying to get rich quick and therefore are not interested in the great god, box office receipts, we are consciously making an appeal to a limited audience, many of whom do not now go to the movies because they consider the pictures dull and a waste of time in their present state of orthodoxy and adherence to the entertainment standards of the multitude. Some of the best pictures ever filmed are now on the shelf because they are considered "too highbrow" and cannot get release for distribution through regular channels. If you are one of our audience, or intend to become one, you will be pleased to hear that we are taking these shelved pictures out of cold storage and will present them on our programmes. The League also declares that "when we film a known book, we will stick to the 6tory as originally written."