Screen Stars and Films

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 258, 30 October 1926, Page 28

Screen Stars and Films

"Silken Shackles'' is to be the title ol the next Irene Rich picture. "The Door Mat" is to be Ernst Lubitsch's next production, after the completion of "Lady Windermere's Fan." Hugo Ballin, who has been directing pictures for several years, is now on location acting a* art director for Gloria Swanson, who is producing her first picture for United Artists. "Leavs It To Mc" is W_J_am Beaudine's first production since returning to Warners. The cast is headed by Dorothy De-ore, John -Patrick, and Montagu Love, supported by George Pearce and Jim Cordon. Priscilla Dean, who impressed everyone by her acting in "A Cafe in Cairo," has just completed "The Crimson Runner." In this new story she assumes the part of a fiery Apaohe girl, who plays the role of a Robin Hood and steals from the aristocrati to feed her lover. Albert Parker, who directed Douglas Fairbanks in his latest sensational success, "The Black Pirate," is directing Gloria Swanson in her present story, "Personality." Miss Swanson will later make "Eyes of Youth" for United Artists. "Reckless Romance," a rollicking, hilarious farce, with many surprising situations and mirth-provoking episodes, provided by a large cast of comedians, is to be screened here shortly. Australia's screen star, Sylvia Breamer, looks more beautiful than ever in this picture. Lincoln Plus ler, popular with Sydney audiences on the regular stage, T. Marshal, N. Wallace, Harry Myers; Roy Barnes, Juck Duffy, and Wanda Hawley, all contribute to the fun. Again Matt Moore plays the role of the slow-thinking clerk in "How Baxter Butted In." His one ambition ia to be a hero, and you will have many laughs out of his dreams in this picture. Not only does he dream of becoming a hero, but when actually put to the task he shows that he can do more than dream. He saves two people in a. fire, and wins dainty little Dorothy Devore for his wife. Races seem to fall to the lot of May McAvoy, leading feminine star in "My Old Dutch," Universale quaint romance of London coster life. She finished her role in "Ben Hur" as a central figure in chariot race scenes; a donkey race began her work in "My Old Dutch." With Miss McAvoy are Pat O'Malley, Jean Herscholt, and Edgar Kennedy. Several hundred people take part in big spectacles that embellish the story.

Gladys McConnell is said to have proved herself a brilliant horsewoman in "The Flying Horseman," a Buck Jones starring vehicle for Fox. Edmund Lowe, his wife, Lilyan Tashman, and Lila Lee Bailed from America recently-on the Mauretania for England, where they will act in the Fox super-production "Oh© Increasing Purpose." In "Arizona Sweepstakes," a Universal attraction starring Hoot Gibson, both men and ponies were put to a hard teet. The great cross-country race which comes as a climax to the picture is said to be one of the wildest and most hairraising, scrambles of men and horses that has been screened in a long time. A slender, blue-eyed Irish lass is Hollywood's most .celebrated sportswoman. She is Eileen Percy, and she holds championships in swimming, riding, skating, diving, dancing and shooting. She is due shortly in Hoot Gibson'* famous Western, "The Phantom Bullet," a Universal-Jewel production. r Steve Donoghue, the famous English jockey, will be seen in Auckland Bflortly in a series of, short pictures dealing entirely with stories of the Turf. Steve, has surprised even all tho hard critics as to his ability as a screen actor. Ths story of "My Old Dutch" is a deeply humanised tale of a happy pair ef London costers, or vegetable mongers, whose inordinate love for their only son led them to make a great personal sacrifice in order that he might grow up in ignorance of the sordid side of life that had been their lot. Two lonely and desolate hearts pin* for the love of their own, and are paid with ingratitude and disdain, as is frequently the case in this life. But, as usual in the movies, the story moves oh, with highly amusing episodes, to relieve the pathetic ones, until the sun shines again and hearts are light. A very ; good film version of.de Verc Stacpoole's well-known novel; "The Blue Lagoon," has been 1 made by a South African film company. . It was filmed on a tropical island off the coast of East Africa, in a ideal setting for the story,. The actors and actresses in this film were sent to Africa from London. Arthur Fuisey, a well-known London actor now playing at the Adelphi, plays the part of "Dick," and Mollie Adair, an English actress of promise, as "Emmeline." Dick Cruickabanks, a well-known London character actor/ makes a very fine study of "Paddy Button" the genial Irish sailor. The story Of the boy and girl who grow up alone on an" island is portrayed with charm and delicacy; "The Blue Lagoon" has been screened in 060 theatres in Great Britain, and had a long season at the Stoll Picture House and the Regent, two of ths biggest London picture theatres. "Ths ™J*WUgooa" wiU be serssnsd here

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Richard Di_ will be seen shortly in "Say It Again," a Paramount attraction. Virginia Valli has the leading role in "Watch Your Wife." Pat O'Malley is co-starred. "Grass," an unusual picture, dealing with nomadic life in Persia, is a coming attraction. Bses M-redy-h has been assigned by Warner Bros, to writ* the third John Barr-more feature, "The Tavern Knight." This is to be commenced immediately, a* he has just finished "Don Juan." "Sea Horses," a sensational film of love and Ufa on the high seas, is adapted from the story by Francis Brett Young. Florence Vidor and Jack Holt are starred. Allan Dwan directed. The wrangles of two financial factions for control of an oil field in a South American Republic form the basis of "Hands Up," an absorbing story, tinged with highly amusing burlesque and enlivened by the splendid acting of Maurice (Lefty) Flynn and a good cast. Never, it is said, has the age-old problem of whether marriage for money is preferable to marriage for love been treated in so unusual and unconventional a manner as in "Soul Mates," ths new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film coming to Auckland shortly. It is an adaptation of the Elinor Glyn novel, "The Reason Why." Aileen Pringle and Edmund Lowe play the leading roles. George O'Brien is now preparing to play the lead in "A Song of Two Humans," which F. W. Murnau, German genius, will direct. At a banquet of the American Society of Cineihatograpers, held In Los Angeles, Hoot Gibson, famous Universal Western star, was the guest of honour. Gibson is an ardent amateur photographer, and he has ample opportunity to put his hobby to good use in "The Phantom Bullet," a Universal-Jewel, in which Gibson characterises a young man with a fondness for photography; Upon this penchant the plot hinges. Two of the sweetest children In the Hollywood movie colony have important parts in the "Return of Peter Grimm,** the Fox version of ths noted David Belasco stage presentation of .some years ago. They are Mickey Mcßan, who plays the little foundling adopted by the kind-hearted Peter Grimm, and Virginia Marshall, who has the role of 4he niece of Dr. MacPherson. Alec B. Francis has the title role, and John Sainpolis is his friend the doctor.

One of th* big scenes ia "Watch Your Wife," a Universal Jewel, is that staged on the top of a roof garden. Th* set is a combination of the Astor roof in New York, and a famous roof garden in Copenhagen, Denmark. The latter feature I was furnished by Mr. Svend Gade, the director, who was one time director of the Royal Theatre, in Copenhagen. Pete Morrison, popular star .of "Chasing Trouble," a Universal Western attraction, and who is the holder of rodeo and round-up awards given him in all parts of the world, ha* performed his feats of horsemanship in almost every stats in America, and in England, France, Spain, Australia, and several other countries. One of the most daring and spectacular railroad wrecks ever filmed will be seen in "The Trans-Continental Limited," to be released shortly by Universal. An engine and a long train of cars, speeding at sixty miles an hour, were completely demolished to produce this stirring thrill. Johnny Walker and Eugenia Gilbert are the leading stare in the thrilling railroad drama entitled "Th* Transcontinental Limited," shortly to be released by Universal. Others in the exceptionally strong cast include Alee. B. Francis, Edith Yorke, George Ovey and Eric Mayne. Only fir* men have been able to ride Rex, the wild stallion starred in "Black Cyclone," a new production which i» coming shortly, since he was taken out Of a Colorado reformatory, where he was branded as a "killer.'' Before that no one could ride him Although regenerated through kindness, and.no longer given to viciousness, Rex is still a wild horse'and not a little temperamental. In "Blaick Cyclone," Guinn Williams,..the male. lead, who has known horses all his life, rides Bex in a scene that ia said to surpass in real thrills any race that was ever 1 run. Rex will allow no one to stay on his back for longer than five minutes, and will not tolerate a. saddle. "Fighting Fins" is the title of the Government Publicity Office's latest film; and on* of the most unique fishing itpries ever placed upon -the .screen. U deals with the deep-Be* fishing off the northern coasts of New Zealand. The central figure is the. famous author and sportsman, Zane Grey, and round him in this wonderful story, are Captain Milchel and other noted deep-sea fishermen from the four corners of.the globe. Giant tuna and other deep-sea monsters fade into comparative insignificance alongside the 10001b monster swordfish that rise to the bait off the Bay of Islands—fighting monsters tfcat fight back every yard of the struggle, and do not hesitate to carry th* battle into th* enemy's country. Swordfishlng has all ths thrills that red-Wooded men lor*, a_d "Flg-tfag Fins" putt (hem n the pUrsf sheet.

The central figures of "Sally, Irene and Mary," to be screened here shortly, are three members of a, theatre chorus. With convincing sincsrity this production presents the spirit of stage life, and is remarkable for its dramatic story. Constance Bennett, Joan Crawford and Sally O'Neill have the three title roles, and William Haines is the masculine lead. Several hundred young women clothed in gowns of the latest fashion feature hi "Watch Your Wif*," Unlver-sal-Jewel, 00-starring Virginia Valli and Pat O'Malley. The gowns worn by Miss Valli and the several hundred extras who figure in the restaurant and roof garden scenes will pleas* not only feminine eyes, but also thoss of the men. "Watch Your Wife" is a domestic comedy-dram- based on a Swedish novel of the same name. . . Lillian Rich, playing the lead ia -The I Love Gamble,"' announced for early release by Universal, it called the "love and kisses girl of the screen," owing to the number of pictures with a- "love* or "kiss" title in which she has appeared, for example "Cheap Basses," "A Kiss in the Dark," "The Golden Bed," and now "The Love Gamble." Miss Rich is an English girl, and started her theatrical career- dancing and singing with Harry Lander. "In The Sea Beast* I hope to make Kve again before the eyes of America and the world, ane of ths most adventurous, colourful industries—that of whaling, now defunct and living only la all Its glory and glamour in the traditions ot New Bedford, and of such hovels as •Moby Dick.'" In these words John Barrymore summed up the attitude of the producers of "The Sea Beast," which will be screened shortly in Auckland. It is adapted from Herman Melville's colourful romance of the "Seven Seas." Perfect synchronisation of orchestral Boors and mood of ths film is guaranteed ths audiences which will witness the United Artists' picture "The Winning of Barbara Worth/ Dr. Edward Henkel, musical director of not*, has been present during the making of the .film to enable him.to catch the moods of the film as recorded In production. ' Dr. Henkel, during an interview, said he felt himself carried away by the sweep of the drama and he was deeply moved by the romance in the performance of Miss Banky and Mr. Ronald Colman. "Bean Geste," on* of Paramount's new big attractions, has been set to open ths Regent Theatre, J. C. Williamson's hbuss in Wellington, now Bearing completion. In this connection Messrs. Beaumont Smith and E. R. Greenfield arrived from Australia recently to make the preparatory arrangements. This great story of the French Foreign Legion has been brought to the screen regardless of ths cost of production. Herbert Brennon, the director, has spared no pains faputting together the massive sets of the desert scenes, and, according to him, ho motion picture ever contained a greater number of fine roles than "Beau Geste." Just as "Peter Pan,? James _£, Barries immortal story, was shown throughout New Zealand as a great Christmas attraction last year, so will "A Kiss for Cinderella" bs shown this year. The three same factors are apparent in both these great attractions. The imaginative whimsy of James M. Barrio, the author, the directorial genius of Herbert Brennon, the piquant personality of Betty Bronson. Unlike "Peter Pan," however, "A Kiss for Cinderella" Is not entirely pure fancy. It is, as a matter of fact, a vivid appealing modern-day romance laid against a very realistic background of the London slums, with the little heroins in the person of a lonely half-starved waif, and a sympathetic policeman as tha hero. -The Wedding March," Iris yon Stroheim's n*w pietur*,: which he Ii making for Paramount, promises to be a production of considerable moment. All,the splendour of European court life almost overwhelming in its-lavish richness is depicted in ths picture Some of the most colourful scenes ever shown on the screen are promised.in "The Wedding March," and the added fact that many of them have been produced in colour photography ensures that ths theatre goers will see them in all the gorgeousnes* of the originals. The glittering pageantry of the Austrian court at Vienna is shown in sharp contrast to the sordid, life of ths peasants, for Yon Stroheim has, not altogether abandoned his penchant for stark sodden realism. . =, "\ "Hotel Imperial.*'. This is the title of Pols Negri's most lavish and .pictorial drama since her arrival in America, and is now being produced in the Famous Players-Lasky Studios. The full principal cast is announced for the first time by. B. P. Schulberg, associate Paramount producer. Miss Negri's leading man is James Hall, who has just finished with Bebe Daniels in "The Campus Flirt." He will play tha role of dashing Hungarian Hussar. Otto Fries, Max Davidson, George Seigman and a number of Continental stars will also be in support. Lajos Biro, author of "Hotel Imperial," will give his time and effort to the production, having been placed under a writing contract by Paramount.

"* . BRITISH FILMS. SAN FRANCISCO, September IS. It has remained for aa American film producer to declare that Britain can not only make the best cinema pictures in the world,' bat can also compel their presentation throughout th* universe. Mr. J. O. Williams, an independent director with a notable record, has just come "forward "with this unexpected statement. His argument is that England is a treasure store of reality and romance,,with great traditions and rich achievements, and that English stories of genuine greatness made into films' would be welcomed everywhere abroad. He strikes a note of sharp criticism of his own country's output when he adds that the English pictures will be novel because they will be just English*, faithful Vw> England as it" is, and therefore "unu_uai. M Even the American producers freely admit that all the.., essential, for the making of great pictures can be found in England to-day, 'for ;3_e: of sunlight iio longer 'b^t-ers' producers. They-«<prefer, -in -fact,-■■ ter use artificial light..for--their greatest and-''their most striking effects.- As for backgrounds, it is asked what.country in the world can offer so many, of such infinite vano*.-? As for history, th* vsry stones teem with it. The artists are there, a* suoh films as "Woman to We man" prove even to the satlsfaetoa ot th* most bit__|r Amerleaa critics.