Screen Stars and Films

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 276, 20 November 1926, Page 28

Screen Stars and Films

Buck Jones is now acting in "Desert yalley," Mβ third Western production of seven this year for Fox, in the Mojave pesert. Blanche Sweet will be featured in "Lova o' Women," an original story by Adela Rogers St. John, which Fox Films has purchased from Miss Sweet's hus)>a,nd, Marshall Keilan, the director. Philip Klein, son of the late Charles Klein, has done the scenario on his lather's celebrated play, "The Music Master," which Fox will picturise, and is auting in an advisory capacity on "The Auctioneer," on which Klein Senior ■was co-author. Johnnie Walker, who has been one of the screen's leading actors since his unusual performan" in "Over the Hill," portrays one of hia favourite roles, that of a returned young soldier, in his latest attraction "'The Transcontinental Limited,'' being released in New Zealand by Universal. Tom Mix has been doing as much riding of late behind the iron horse of Western railroads as on Tony, his wonder horse. The cowboy stnr went to the Royal Gorge of the Arkansas in Colorado to film 'The Great X and A Train Robbery," and then to Yellowstone Park to make '"The Canyon of Light.' , -'Luna , ? Amusements have secured the iN'ew Zealand distributing rights of the recently released British picture, "Neleon," "the story of one of England's fajnous heroes. The film depicts the stirring battles that made the hero famous and also the romantic episode in his life —the struggle between his affection and duty to iiis country. The picture i 3 to be relcnsed in the Dominion ■early in the Xow Year. For Gloria Swanson's initial picture for United Artists, she is to make a story of the famous "Legion of Death," that* historic band of Russian women who organised themselves into a battalion to fiaht side by side with the men in the trenches. Gloria will appear as the peasant woman, a sort of Russian Joan of Arc, who inspired the deeds of this heroic band. E. A. Dupont, the famous German director of '"Variety," is announced to direct this picture. A year's searching and testing that included virtually every important star of the screen, male and female, for the parts of Diane and Chico in Fox Films' great production, "Seventh Heaven," has ended with the choice of Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell. The transition to the screen of Austin Strong's drama, •which packed a Broadway Theatre for "two years, will be unrivalled in scope. It ia a special "pei," of the organisation and for over a year and a-half preparations have been under way. While the "Clash of the Wolves," a Master Picture Company was on location for Rin-in-Tin's newest starring picture for Master Pictures, a cowboy carved a bas-relief of Rinty from a piece of redwood. So cleverly did he ■wield his jackknife that even the grain of the wood was worked into the picture, to give the effect of ocean and clouds. 3Che Warner dog star is a popular subject for statues and portraits, and a general favourite with the members of ■IJie picture company, which includes ■June Marlowe, Charles Farrell, Heinle Oonklin, Will Walling and Pat Hartigan. Being Irish and in lore with Irish fciatory and folklore, John Ford was made a very happy mail when told he would be the director of "The Story of Mother Machree" for Fox Films. Hie friends in Hollywood say. that the news he would make "Three Bad Men" and "The Iron Horse" elicited nowhere near the enthusiasm of his latest assignment. Another factor for Ford's elation is the acquisition of Belle Bennett, one of the greatest motion picture actresses, to be Mother Machree or Ellen McHugh, aa she is also known in the late Rida Johnson's poignant story that ia symbolic of the heartaches of Irish motherhood. Talking of difficulties in production, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer seem to have another "Ben Hur" on their hands in "The Myeterious Island," which they are having tremendous difficulty in getting under way. After a considerable amount of shooting had already been done under the direction of Maurice Tourneur, the heads of the studio declared themselves dissatisfied with the results, and it was decided to scrap everything that had been done, and to make a fresh start under the direction of Benjamin Christianson. The whole cast is also being reconsidered, and it is understood that Lionel Barrymore and Warner Oland are among those who are being dropped from the cast. The death of Valentino, and the consequent disrupting of the United Artists' programme, has caused Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks to decide to abandon their European tour. Mary will Btart on a picture which presents her in the role of a shop girl, to ba followed by two or three others. Douglas, however, since the cutting short of his European tour has spoiled the plans he had for making a Crusader picture, has to look round for a suitable subject. The stars returned to California last month. They inspected the enlargements and improvements at their joint studio, ■which will henceforth be the official United Artists' Studio. One of the world's oldest stories and yet a story that is always new is the tale of Cinderella. It was told in Rome 5n the third century and two hundred years before that it was told in Egypt. All ages and all peoples have known it, but never has it been more charmingly related than by Sir J. M. Barrie in "A Mas For Cinderella," the new Paramount picture which Herbert Brenon has produced, with Betty Bvonson in the leading role. In "A Kiss For Cinderella" the author used the legend as a dream sequence but modernised in his own whimsical way. It will be released throughout New Zealand and Australia as a big Christmas attraction this year For Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer there is some talk that Lubitsch may be assigned to direct Ramon Novarro in "Old Heidelberg," which the later is to make on the completion of "The Great Galeoto," on which he is at present working It is a combination that is full of possibilities There is a spiritual quality about Novarro's work, emphasised particularly by his magnificent role in "Ben Hur," that has earned for him the sobriquet of the "crueading star. 5 Lubitsch is the master par excellence of subtle sophistication One must not forget that Novarro first came into screen prominence for his dashing debonnair role in "The Prisoner of Zenda." So if the proposed combination takes place, its resulte will be eagerly awaited by all critical-minded followers of the crt and progreee of the gereen. - -m -m^

I Jacques Lerner has spent twelve years studying how to make a perfect monkey of himself, as he is Faho in "The Monkey Talks," a Fox picture. "The Lily," the picturised old Belasco success, was gorgeously gilded as to settings and properties by Fox Films. Many famous paintings and antiques were used. Colonel Tim McCoy, famous as the "friend of the Indian," and one of the most colourful figures of the modern West, has left his Wyoming ranch and signed up with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to play the lead in a series o-' Western pictures. From all accounts we are to expect something artistic as well as thrilling. "Lovey Mary" and "Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch," those unforgettable fictional characters of Alice Hegan Rice, are presented in screen form by Bessie Love and Mary Alden in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer adaptation of this author's famous novel, "Lovey Mary." Under the direction of King Baggott, the charm of the original story is transferred, and the subtlety of its handling is an achievement worthy of praise. William Haines has the leading male role. It seems to be quite definitely settled that Norma Talmadge is to make "Camille" as her next screen offering, and Fred Niblo, who was to have directed Valentino in his next picture, '"The Life of Cellini," will instead handle the megophone for the Dumas classic. Following "Camille" she will make "The Dove," the sensational New York stage success, and is at present endeavouring to persuade Holbrook Blinn, the star of the stage production, to play his original role in the screen version. John Barrymore has started work on his initial picture for United Artists, "Francois Villon" and has selected Mareeline Day, another of the younger group of lesser-known film actresses, to play opposite him. If Miss Day achieves as much fame for her work as did Dolores Costello in "The Sea Beast," then her future is assured. Miss Costello has recently been endeavouring to secure her release from Warners, having apparently been dazzled by screen offers from other quarters. However, the matter has now been satisfactorily adjusted, and Miss Costello is to start work immediately in "The Third Degree."

Bebe Daniels in "The Palm Beach Girl" contains some motor boat racing that will give Auckland experts some hints. It is said to be a. speedy and apicy comedy, full of laughs and thrills. Syd. Chaplin has given up wearing skirts. He will appear in "The Better 'Ole," a character made famous in the Bruce Bairnsfather cartoons. "The Better 'Ole" is already in production under the direction of Chuck Reisner, with Doris Hill as Syd's leading lady. "Don Juan" a Master Picture, is a picture of romantic richness. It has all the red blood, the amorous high lights and nerve and spirit that "Don Juan" should liave. Barrymore'a interpretation of the role is but another of the many splendid characterisations with which he and other members of his famous family have emblazoned their names upon the tablets of fame. •Tadloeked," a "Saturday Evening Post" story, will be the first of Paramount's Fifteenth Birthday Group to be released in New Zealand. It was written by Rex Beach and enjoyed a popular run. "Padlocked" is a story of parental repression and its effect on a spirited young girl of to-day. Lois Morgan, the wistful heroine of "Stalla Dallas," gives an inspired performance of the modern daughter who braves the dangers and temptations of Broadway night life in pursuit of a career as a dancer. Noah Beery, as the oldfashioned father whose zealous reform efforts drove his daughter from home, spores a distinct triumph in a role that is entirely new to him. Unprecedented enthusiasm on the part of the moving picture public prevails in Wellington in regard to the advent of great picture, "Beau to the new Regent Theatre. The ?.T ? at tbi9 B"** p - c - Wren etory >» to have ,ts New Zealand premiere at ?tuu n e »rty <tete, certainly comes as *s P e n ietL ß WrßTis . e, for «>eW itself offierff it iCtflTee Witi omce tn*t it was possible to «et thi« picture here at such an early dato m?

Anita. Stewart, featured in Fox Films' "Whispering Wires," has never had * failure artistically or at the box office in pictures. A fascinating comedy-drama is "Oh! Baby," a Universal release in which Madge Kennedy and Win. Fitzgerald will soon be starred. "The Bells," the famous old Drury Lane play which H. B. Irving played here in masterly style some years ago, is shortly due to reach the screen in Auckland. Lionel Barrymore is the star. Performances in "Three Bad Men," as a girl of the outlands, and in "Fig Leaves," as a gilded butterfly, made Olive Borden a "natural" for "The Country Beyond," in which she is both a wilderness girl and a musical comedy stnr. Last Christmas Paramount was to the fore with "Peter Pan". Few who saw the picture will fail to remember how charming was Betty Bronson in the role of Barries heroine. This year the same clever little lady will star in "A Kiss for Cinderella". The picture is well reviewed in England. "The Wedding March," directed by, and featuring Eric Yon Stroheim, will bring this star back to the screen after an absence of some months. This picture is one of Paramount's Fifteenth Birthday Group and has been produced on a lavish acale. All the splendour of European Court life ia depicted in this picture. A penniless adventurer masquerading as a prince of a royal house provides much of the delightful fun in "Monte Carlo," the new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture, with Lew Cody, Gertrude Olmsted, Zasu Pitts, Karl Dane and Roy D'Arcy. The bogus prince falls in love with a pretty tourist, whom he imagines to be a heiress, and the pair are led into an exciting series of humorous adventures. "The Blue Eagle," the Fox photodrama filmed on the decks and in the stoke holds of Pacific Fleet man-o'-wars in battle manouevres, is expected to have an influence in Navy recruiting. It has been found that, after pictures of high drama of the service are shown, enlistments take a jump. Incidentally, until "The Blue Eagle" was made by Director John Ford, the marines and the doughboys had been getting most of the play via the photodrama. George O'Brien, a sailor in the World War, is featured.

Irving Cummings, the Fox director, has left the fastnesses of the Canadian Rockies, scene of "The Country Beyond," for the wilderness of tenements and canyons of New York, where exteriors will bo made for "Bertha, the Sewing Machine Girl." This old melodrama will be radically different from the heavy-footed thriller of a score of years ago. "Bertha," Madge Bellamy, is a very modern person who, after losing her stitching job, steps out and becomes a lingerie model with a sense of humour. There is every evidence that Zane Grey's "The Vanishing Race" is to be released in New Zealand this year. It was the intention of the Paramount Company to withhold the release of this picture until next year, but owing to the fact that production is working at such higa pressure in the United States and that Paramount have so many big pictures, it has been decided to prerelease this picture in New Zealand. It is to be mentioned that at present "The Vanishing Race" is showing to capacity houses in the Australian capitals, having just completed an eleven-weeks' boxoffice run at the Prince Edward Theatre, Sydney. Two years ago Janet Gaynor, featured in Fox films productions, was virtually unknown outside her circle of friends and acquaintances. To-day, under long-term contract to William Fox, she is playing the leading role in the first and only American production to be directed by F. VV. Murnau, producer of "The Last Laugh," one of the greatest directors of Europe. Immediately following her selection by Murnau for the leading role in "Sunrise," Miss Gaynor attracted the attention of Frank Borzage, noted Fox director, and was selected by him to play the part of Diane in "Seventh Heaven." Borzage, now jn France for the purpose of filming exteriors for this Austin Strong drama, made his decision after seeing Mies Gayuor's work as Catherine in "The Return of Peter Grimm," a Victor Schertainger production. In the Murnau picture, a eereen version of "A Trip to Tihit," a Sunderman novel, Mips Gaynor is surrounded by an all-star cast, including George O'Brien, Margaret Livingston apd others. In "Seventh Heaven" she will play opposite Charles Farrell. J. Farrell Mac Donald, of "The Iron Horse" fame, has been selected to play the amusing role of "Boul," who wreetlei with the obdurate taxi. Ben Bard, popular Fox featured player and "*""* °W**». «*«* <*«Mtu Colonel

Mountains and plains, mystery canyons and sunlit valleys, every variety of scenery to be found within a aundred miles of Moapa, Nevada, were used by Fred Jackman in directing Hal Roach* new Master Picture, starring Rex, the king of wild horses. It is "Black Cyclone," hailed a sensational novelty film. Ronald Colman, Irene Rich and May ; McAvoy are featured players in "Lady : Windermere's Fan," a Master Picture. lt ; is an adaption of Oscar Wilde's famous ■ society drama, which is being released throughout New Zealand. This brilliant play, directed by Ernest Lubitsch, is said to be a wonder of emotional appcnl and tense heart interest. Caroline Deas, of Honolulu, won a contest conducted in the Hawaiian Islands for a new screen personality. She was selected out of 300 screen tests made of Island girls by a three months' contract. If she makes pood in that time she will be retained. Miss Deas plays her first part in "My Wife and I," soon to be released in New Zealand. She is just 17 years old, of Portuguese descent, an all-round athlete, and one of the most expert swimmers in the Islands. Matt Moore, the popular screen star, insists that the gentle art of self-defence and dancing have much in common. There are many who would disagree with Mr. Moore, but this Warner player explains that in his latest picture, "Three Weeks in Paris," the dancing and fighting are so intermixed that he has given up trying to distinguish between them. Matt Moore is supported by Dorothy Devore, Willard Louis and ; Gayne Whitman. \ Irene Rich, again plays the role of a j faithless wife in "The Man Without a Conscience," a Master Picture. This role is unlike the ones that have made Miss Rich famous. As the wife of the unscrupulous wretch who ruined all his friends, she proves that a real actress must not necessarily specialise in any particular character. Willard Louis has the title role. The cast also includes June Marlowe, "the girl with the soulful eyes"; John Patrick, Helen Dunbar, Robert Agnew and William Orlamond. Jack Pickford is to play the male lead, opposite Beatrice Lillie, in "Exit Smiling," for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Miss Lillie is the brilliant young English comedienne who was recently the star of Chariot's English Revue, and so captivated everybody by her artistry that it has just been the case of selecting the most suitable out of the scores of screen offers that have been showered upon her. Incidentally, Miss Lillie is the lion (or should one say the lioness?) of the hour in Hollywood Movie circles, and no entertainment ia considered complete without her. "Moana," Paramount's wonderful film of Samoa, New Zealand's mandate in the Southern Seas, was screened privately in Wellington last week. Tho screening was held in the projection theatre of the Government Department of Internal Affairs, and there were present Sir Maui Pomare, Minister in charge of Cook Islands; the Hon. K. A. Wright, Minister of Education; the Hon. G. J. Anderson, Minister in charge of Publicity; Mr. J. D. Grey, Secretary of Internal Affairs; and representatives of the New Zealand Government Publicity Office, also Lady Pomare. The film "Moana" proved to be a most interesting story of the scenery, life and customs of the Samoan people. The picture will be released throughout New Zealand at an early date by Paramount. |