Screen Stars and Films

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 71, 24 March 1928, Page 5 (Supplement)

Screen Stars and Films

Florence Vidor will be featured in Blipport of Emil Jannings, the star of "The Patriot," his current Paramount picture, Leslie Fenton is at work in a featured rolo with George Bancroft in the latter's new picture for Paramount, titled "The bliow Down." Adolphe Menjou's picture, started in production under the title of "Captain Fwrreol," has been given a new title. The picture is now captioned "Code of Honour." Richard Dix's new Paramount vehicle is to be "Easy Come, Easy Go," from a stage play by Owen Davis. Gregory La Cava will direct. Dix recently completed "Sporting Goods." "Hold Everything," an original story by .John McDermott, will be Bebe Daniels' next for Paramount. Clarence Badger, who is directing "Red Hair" for Clara Bow, will direct Miss Daniels' new film. Sojin, the noted Chinese actor, will have an important "heavy" role in the new Esther Ralston comedy for Paramount. The picture is called "Something Always Happens." Neil Hamilton is leading man, and Frank Tuttle, director. '

Paramount' 9 greater movie season this year marks the thirty-third anniversary of motion pictures. It is recalled that Lumiere Brothers of Paris were the first to instal their novel picture show in a ■mall hall situated in the basement at the Grand Cafe of that city. Since that time, the industry has grown to the third largest in the world with its organisation reaching every corner of civilisation. A new picture under the title of "La Paiva" has commenced production at the United Artists studios, with Lupe Velez in the principal role. Miss Velez, a Mexican, has had the most rapid rise to stardom of any star in Hollywood, and with only one comedy previously to her credit, has made a sensation wtfh Fairbanks in "The Gaucho," a •tory of treasure, combat, love, intrigue and adventure. Madge Bellamy has now completed "Soft Living" an, original screen production. A new male lead comes to the fore in this story, in the person of John Mack Brown, a virile young hero who is bound to win much admiration from the ladies. "Soft Living" is a satire oa the present divorce system, and gives a glimpse into the lives of those women who make a "soft living" by divorcing for the alimony they can obtain. Reports are received that Fox Films' tmique production, "Sunrise," haa gone into its fourth month at the Timee Square Theatre, New York, at which thMtro it received its premiere. "Sunrise 1 * has also gone into its fifth week of screening at the Carthay Circle Theatre, Loe Angeles, the home of "long runs." At this theatre, the former Fox stioccsscs, "What Price Glory," and "Seventh Heaven," screened for five months and seven respectively, and every indication is given that "Sunrise" will run for ten or twelve months. Every critic who has witnessed the film declares that it is an epoch-making production, and setw a new standard for motion pictures. The acting of Miss Gaynor and George O'Brien, who play the leads, has reached the highest pinnacle, and the unusual direction of F. W. Murnau set "Sunrise" in a distinct elaas. Glamorous Spain is shown at the height of its picturesque beauty in Fox Films' "Loves of Carmen," with Victov McLaglcn, Dolores Del Rio, and Don Alvarado in the principal roles. Aside from the dramatic qualities of the narrative, the background is one of unusual colour. The Spanish town on a fete presents a most curious and interesting spectacle. The extraordinary animation contrasts strongly with the habitual calm of the place. The whole city is brilliantly attired in its fiesta garb. Striped hangings droop from •very window. Peasants crowd about in dense masses, some on foot, others on their ponies or mules, covered with Rraceful mantles in place of saddles. In "Loves of Carmen," Kaoul Walsh has obtained the genuine fiesta spirit. It is interesting to know that in all of the Mg scenes, actors and actresses of Spanish descent were used. "The most nearly perfect play ever written." Thus does George Pierce Baker, famous as the "maker of plays and playwrights" at Yale University, dwwibe Anne Nichols' "Abie's Irish *om," which is now being made into a •notion picture at the Paramount Studio |n Hollywood. "Abie" was a success Because it is a perfect example of how • pi«y should be based c. n situations, I Wither than funny lines, according to Professor Baker. Baker brought his •ntire dramatic class from the New Hnven college to witness a performance « this play in New York City, using JM the topic for an "ideal play" lecture. Nichols is herself supervising the nlming of her play at the Paramount Btudio. Victor Fleming, maker of "The y 7 Of All Flesh," and many other ™*ful film stories for Paramount, is The cast includes Nancy y°'» Charles Rogers, Jean Hershoiw Gorcey, Ida Kramer and many t

"Chang," one of the most talked o* pictures to-day, opened for an extended season at the Prince Edward «r^ atn r S >' dne y> on Friday, March Chang was produced by Paramount. Buttons," Jackie Coogan's latest production with Lars Hanson, Gertrude Olmsted, Roy D'Arcy, and Polly Moran also in the cast, is to be released shortly. Buttons is a vivid drama of lite on an Atlantic liner, in which Jackie Coogan plays the part of a page boy. "Huntingtower," starring the wo.Mfainous comedian, Sir Harry Lauder, is creating a sensation at the Plaza Theatre, London. "Huntingtower" is a British production and will be release! in New Zealand and Australia by Paramount Pictures during this year. Jack Canzhorn, Burton Ruff and Ethan Laidlaw have been added to the cast of Partners in Crime," Paramount's new comedy-melodrama, co-featuring Wallace Beery and Raymond Hatton. Mary Brian plays the feminine lead. The supporting cast includes Jack Luden and William Powell. Frank Strayer is the director. Harry Earles, the clever midget wlio played with Lon Chaney in ''The Unholy Thiee, has veered from a sinister character to a comedian in his latest screen role. Earles appears in the cast of "Baby Mine," in which Karl Dane and George K. Arthur are beiii£ co-starred. He plays a vaudeville midget induced to impersonate a baby in the new picture, a hilarious filmisation of the famous stage play, with Charlotte Greenwood, Louise Lorraine and a notable cast. The original Garden of Eden was a place where sin, sorrow and repining were unknown. But, quite possibly, humour was also unknown, since so much of laughter is based on the misfortunes of others. Certainly comedy is far from unknown in Corinne Griffith's production of "The Garden of Eden." The story is one of up-to-date society in Monte Carlo, and the experiences of a little unknown singer in the social world. Charles Ray and Louise Dresser head the supporting cast. The artistic resources of the three greatest Swedish characters in the motion picture industry have been combined to produce one of the most sensational films of the year, "The Dirine Woman." The Swedes are Greta Garbo, star of the production, Lars Hanson, her leading man, and Director Victor Seastrom. The casting of Miss Garbo and Hanson in "The Divine Woman" marks their first co-appearance in the principal romantic roles since they played in "Gosta Berling's Saga," and will, without doubt, prove one of the most popular films of the year. Will the latest craze for "teams" in motion pictures mean the disintegration of the star system? The question flared up with the recent announcement that Gary Cooper and Fay Wray are to be "teamed" together by Paramount as a result of their excellent performances together in "The Legion of the Condemned," a companion picture to "Wings," now being completed. The pair are called a perfect combination for romance. Does the public care for two leads? Apparently. Look at the success of Wallace Beery and Raymond Hatton, and Chester Conklin and W. C. Fields, and the countless others who are making film history by being placed together. And the producers are willing to pay two salaries if it means that the public is satisfied, for after all the public is the judge. But what about the old star system ? Is it to become a double star system ? And, in the future, will writers and directors be consistently teamed as are the players?

A fine action-drama, dealing with a vanished phase of Western life is the P.D.C. special to be released by First National, "The Last Frontier," presenting the terrible vengeai.ee of savage Indian hordes on the invading white man. The production is replete with daring deeds, heroic sacrifices, relentless destruction, and a revelation of primitive passions. The story which moves swiftly through finely vivid sequences reveals firstly, Col. Halliday, who, impoverished by the Civil War, is eager to replenish his fortune in the West, and is proceeding towards his goal by wagon train. The train is attacked by a band of Sioux Indians, and the Colonel and his wife are killed. From this incident revealed with splendid colour and atmosphere arises a train of circumstances that comprise the clever plot. William Boyd, as Tom Kirby, a Government scout, is very fine, while other featured players include Margueritte de la Motte, Jack Hoxie and J. Farrell McDonald. Some splendid Indian types are portrayed which lends an additional interest to the production which abounds in remarkable highlights, including a buffalo stampede.

Edmund Lowe will soon begin work in Dressed to Kill," a Fox production. Lowe will play the part of a gentleman crook in this satire on underworld life.

The pranks that aviators would take time to play on each otlier when they know that in a few minutes they would bt, facing almost certain death, are vividly portrayed in "The Lone Eagle," a universal-Jewel production. Raymond Keane and Barbara Kent are featured m the picture, which was directed, by Emory Johnson.

A Western with an additional feminine appeal is Hoot Gibson's latest universal starring vehicle, "Galloping Fury." This appeal consists of a beautymud discovered on Gibson's ranch, about w '"ch the plot is built. The supporting cast includes Sally Rand, Otis Harlan! Irank Beal, Ed. Coxen, Duke R. Lee, lee wee Holmes, Max Asher and Black Hawk.

"The Shepherd of the Hills," First National's elaborate screen version of Harold Bell W right's widely read novel, is a highly dramatic and realistic production, featuring some very beautiful photographic effects. Alec. B. Francis enacts the title role, and is responsible for a very live characterisation. Molly ODay, reputed to be the newest screen find, through her wonderful work in The Patent Leather lvid," is cast as the central feminine figure. The production embodies all the elements of absorbing entertainment, thrills, action, and intensely sympathetic interest evoked by the beautiful love affair between the backwoods girl and a mountain boy. All the appeal of sheer beauty of settings, and the fascination of the Ozark backwoods and mountain scenery, poignant charm contrasted with ugliness, and no little humour, all combine to make the film version as interesting as the well-known novel.

Ken Maynard, who has attained an enviable reputation as one of the most versatile of Western stars, has achieved something interestingly different to the usual cowboy vehicle in "The Wagon Show," his latest First National Picture. The star, who executes some breathtaking riding and driving feats, is provided with a circus background, and he takes the most of a unique opportunity to display stunts and trick riding that fills the picture with vivid action from start to finish. The plot, which centres round Maynard's own ideas, tells of the Vicissitudes of a small circus travelling through the West in the early days. These shows were an event that brought the ranchers into town from miles around. The theme also embodies an appealing love interest, as well as dealing with the intimate and fascinating life of those who follow the circus tent. Maynard is responsible for excellent work, while Marion Douglas and Maurice Costello also figure in the strong supporting cast. Tarzan, the wonder horse, exhibits an almost unbelievable degree of equine intelligence.

A meeting that will play an important part in the making of the bjg Maori picture by Universal Pictures Corporation was held in the Native Land Court chambers at Rotorua. Sir Aparima Ngata, the Rev. F. A. Bennett, Archdeacon Williams, Dr. E. P. Ellison, Mr. Tai Mitchell, Mr. Page Rowe, and Mr. Hamilton, representative of the Maori Ethnological and Arts and Crafts Boards, journeyed from their respective localities to meet Mr. Alexander Marky in whose hands lie the making of this picture. Mr. Marky spoke for an hour and a-lialf, after which he withdrew, at his own suggestion, to allow the meeting to talk the prospect over. He was eventually called in and informed that the assembly waß impressed beyond words with the theme and object of his picture, and that he could rely upon the utmost support from the entire Maori race. Mr. Marky was so moved by the kindness and generosity displayed,- that he has offered to present the Maori race with copies of the completed film to be kept as a permament pictorial record of old Maori customes and a valuable reference for Maori generations of the future.