Screen Stars and Films

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 144, 19 June 1926, Page 28

Screen Stars and Films

First National ia to make a. motion , •picture ot tins play entitled ""The Elver," by Patrick Hastings. Lew Cody w_l star in "__o_te Carlo, 1 * a satire on American tourists in Europe, which will be produced by Metro-Goldwyn-ilay er. "Old Ironsides*' is now being filmed ftn the high seas, -where -James Croze found a good-sized storm to furnish, the thrills, for many episodes aboard an old -windjammer. Esther Ralston, Wallace Beery, Geor-ze Bancroft and Charles Farrell are among the featured cast aboard the vessel, which has been at sea for ten days. Ben Turpin. who recently returned to the Mack Sennetc studios, has completed, camera, work under the direction of Eddie ClLne on his first Pathe comedy in many months. He is surrounded by a notable cast of Sennett players, including Madeline Hnrlock, Sunshine Hart, Dave Morris, Blanche Paysen. and others. Constance Talmadge, who has been in Search of an author and a story ever since it was decided to postpone the production of of the Setting Sun" as a big yon Stroheim special, has decided upon an original story by Edward Clark entitled "Silky Anne," for her next First Xational starring picture.

John Waters is making a brilliant record on his first production, "Born to the West," from a Zane Grey 3tory. The east includes *Jack Holt, Arlette Marchal and Raymond Hatton. Florence "Vidor's phenomenal rise as a screen favourite during the last twelve months has resulted in the announcement that she will be launched as a star in her next Paramount picture, "Love ■the Magician." Miss Vidor's starring contract was arranged under the direction of Jesse L. Lasky. "I cannot say anything about the American woman, because I have not been here long enough,** said Robert Keable, when interviewed on his arrival in the United States. "I believe, however, that the American woman who lives in Ire_try, and who does nothing is more degenerate and more dangerous than the French demi-_londaine. The rich and idle woman everywhere presents an extraordinary grave problem." Mr. Keable's novel, "Recompense" has been made into an entertaining photoplay with Marie Prevost and Monte Blue in the leading roles. That animal trainers are about a3 difficult to obtain as small-necked giraffes was recently proven during the filming of a spectacle motion picture. In "The Wanderer," the Biblical parable of the prodigal son, 16 animal trainers were required for the handling of the hundreds of lions, tigers, elephants and camels in the production. Only after an entire circus staff had been engaged and ' individual trainers transported from zoo 3 throughout the States was the quota filled. Fea_tre players" in "The Wanderer," which was directed for Paramount by Raoul Walsh, are Ernest Torrence, William Collier, jun., Wallace Beery, Greta Nissen, Tyrone Power, and Kathlyn Williams.

A lavish musical revue, complete from chorus girls to comedians, was staged at. Universal City for tha opening scenes of "Sporting Life," a production made by Maurice Tottrneur. The star dancer, who joined the movies lately, and the theatrical impressario, was no less than Bert LvtelL

Jerry Mandi, an Italian actor with an interesting background of theatrical experiences ranging from circus and tent shows to "big tune" vaudeville, has been signed by Hal Roach for five years. He will play all kinds of roles, versatility in character make-up being the specialty upon which he gained recognition. Preparatory tests are now being made by Jean Hersholt in anticipation of his first starring role for Universal. Don Marqiiis* famous stage success, "The Old Soak," is his assignment, and he is bending every effort to .attain as near to perfection in his delineation as is hi__a_lj- possible. The body of another woman is worn by Mary PhilEin in her newest starring vehicle, "Stella Maris," Umversal's filmisation of William J. Locke's famous novel. In the dual role of "Unity Blake" Miss Philhin makes up for a woman much larger than herself. A woman of the weight required was enlisted, a plaster cast taken of her body, and this was reproduced in jointed celluloid. The result wa sa perfect illusion. Miss Philbin. applies a remarkable facial makeup which makes her literally another person. There is said to be enough thrilling action in the Universal picture, "Wreckage." -to supply two or three average pictures. .And yet the wealth of movement does not crowd out the plot, or overshadow the beauty of really artistic photography; The great scene presents the Pacific in anger, with a vessel going down. This shot is one of the finest ever caught by a camera. In order to make it, Ben Verschleiser, the producer, and Scott Dunlat, the director, took the entire cast in to the Pacific on a small yacht fitted out to represent a liner. They sailed in the teeth of an ugly gale.