THE ANSWER CORNER.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 261, 3 November 1928, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE ANSWER CORNER.

READERS* INQUIRIES ANSWERED

K.N. (St. Helier's): Claire Windsor was married to Bert Lytell. They have been divorced.

CURIOUS.—No; far from it. Myrna Loy was born in Helena, Montana, in 1906. She ia of Scottish and Welsh descent.

M.A.J. (Dominion Road). —Write William Austin at the Paramount studio, 5451, Marathon Street, Hollywood] California.

M.R.T. (Epsom): Lois Wilson has not given up screen work. She is now making a picture for F. 8.0.; as yet it is untitled. Write her at The F. 8.0. Studio, 780, Gower Street, Hollywood, California. '

OLD-TIMER: It has often been said that the late Wallace Reid was a drug fi\ il, but no definite statement has ever been made. He died on January 18, 1923. Further inquiries would be answered by writing to Ray E. Harris at The Wallace Reid Memorial Club, 3625, R Street, N.W.„ Washington, D.C.

F.W. (Newmarket): That is Norma Shearer's right name. She was born in Montreal, Canada, on August 10, 1904. Her family was recognised as one of the best in that city, but reverses caused Norma to set to work for a living, and her decision in favour of a motion picture career took her to New York. Eventually she met Louis B. Mayer, vice-president of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, who placed her under contract. She is married to Irving Thalberg.

SCENARIO.—Address the MSS to "The Supervisor" at any of the studios. Write a letter with the MS, and your name will naturally be on that. It might be worth while suggesting any particular players, but you may be assured that the casting directors will choose the players whom they consider the most suitable. MSS will be returned if requested. Prices vary for stories; often remuneration is based on a percentage of the profit. Please yourself as to what name you use, but in your letter you should certainly use your own name. If the officials like your work, it is possible that a contract will be offered. It is almost certain that the scenario writers will alter your stories quite a bit. Payment would probably be made in English money through the New Zealand branches of the producing companies. One side, t>y all means; have MSS typed. Send them in anything. If the officials like the titles of your stories and the names of your characters, they will not be changed.

"The Escape," a Fox production featuring Virginia Valli and William Russell, is coming shortly to Auckland.

Ray Taylor has been chosen to direct "The Final Reckoning," a Universal chapter-play with Newton House, Buffalo Bill, jnr., and Louise Lorraine.

Esther Ralston stars In "The Case of Lena Smith," which is now in the course of production at the Paramount studios Josef von Sternberg is directing the picture.

Estelle Brody plays an important part in British International's picture "Kitty," adapted from Warrick Deeping's well-known play of the same name. Victor Saville, one of England's youngest directors, ifl supervising the production of this picture.

The famous Scottish ballad, "Annie Laurie," has been converted to the screen in a particularly lavish picture, with Lillian Gish taking the role of "The Scottish Joan of Arc." Norman Kerry, Hobart Bosworth, Creighton Hale and Patricia Avery have the leading roles in the cast.

The popular nigger stories of Octavus Roy Cohen which have, for years, beer. • feature of the "Saturday Evening Post," have been bought as material for future Paramount Christie comedies, which will be woven around the Meof the well-known negro characters. in* pictures will be synchronised with dialogue.

Mack Swain has been chosen as the Kelly of "The Cohens and Kellys in Atlantic City." This completes the quartet of George Sydney, Vera Gordon, Mack Swain and Kate Price, who will arrive in New York next week under the leadership of William J. Craft. They will then go to Atlantic City for the exteriors.

A large number of big star names figure in the cast for "A Woman of Affairs," a story by Michael Arlen now in production at Culver City. John Giibert and Greta Garbo head the list, ard are supported by . r *wis htone, Hobart Bosworth, Douglas lairbantcs, jun., Cyril Chadwick, Dorothy Sebastian, Gertrude Astor and John Mac* Brown.

Estelle Brody, remembered /«_*« excellent work in "Mademoiselle From Armentieres," will be een in tne Cinema Art Films' release, Hradle Wakes- a story of Lancashire We actually produced near Bradford, l*eas, and the famous English seaside resort Blackpool. Norman McKmnoll, who plays the "heavy," will be; remembered for his work in the Irene Vanbrugband Hion Boucicault visit, to thu country.

Charles Brabin has been assigned to direct the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production ot the best selling novel of this year, "The Bridge of San Luis Rey."

The second Thomas Meighan picture for Paramount release during the coming year is "The Mating °Call," recently completed by the star. The vogue of the theme song for picture releases seems to have become established with the advent of the sound synchronised picture, and "The Mating Call" will have a song specially written by a popular composer. It will" have the same title as the picture.

Florence Vidor, the Paramount star, recently returned from a trip to the Continent and is starting on her new production, "Divorce Bound."

Stripped to the waist and riding bareback, John Barrymore leads a band of Russian dragoons in a mad dash into a lake in one of the scenes in the United Artists' picture, "Tempest." Camilla Horn, the blonde actress who was first seen in "Faust," has the leading role.

One of the notable additions to the case of "His Private Life," the latest Menjou picture for Paramount, is a boy of 15. His name is Paul Guertzman, and he is a Russian who prevailed on Jesse L. Lasky, vice-president of Paramount, to take him back to Hollywood when the latter was in Paris recently.

'Tort of Dreams" has been chosen as the releasing title of the Universal feature for 1929, which Wesley Ruggles has just completed as a starring vehicle for Mary Philbin. "Port of Dreams?' is an original story of the San Francisco waterfront by John Clymer. It has been variously known as "Salvage" and "Forbidden Love."

The names of three well-known personages appear in British International Pictures' production "Piccadilly." First of all the eminent English playwright and author, Arnold Bennett, wrote the story. Gilda Gray, the world-famous dancer, plays the principal part, while the noted European director, E. A. Dupont, will personally direct the picture.

Frank Borzage has produced another screen classic in "The Street Angel." This powerful drama, based on the play, "Lady Christilinda," by Monckton Hoffe. was selected after careful search as the most suitable picture to follow "Seventh Heaven," his masterpiece of last year Mr. Borzage is confident that in it he has something as great, if not greater, than the famous romance of Chico and Diane. Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell are co-starred again.

The French vaudeville artist, Maurice Chevalier, will begin work shortly an his first Paramount sound picture. He will sing and talk in both English anrt French. The first story will have a French background.

Glenn Tryon, star of Universale comedy, "Hot Heels," has been gaining experience since the age of six, when he first played a role in his father's stock company in Spokane. Patsy Ruth Miller appears opposite him. William Craft directed.

In "Love Never Jies" Colleen Moore appears as the little French girl, Jeanine, who "mothers" the British aviators billeted on her home farm. Gary Cooper, as No. 7, brings to his role a refreshing earnestness and distinction. This picture was released in America as "Lilac Time."

"Hangman's House" will bring to the screen some magnificent camera effects. This production features Victor McLaglen, June Collyer, and the cast include.* Earle Foxe, Larry Kent, Hobart Bosworth, and other widely known screen favourites. John Ford, the director, in preparatory work for the screen version of Donn Byrne's novel, spent many weeks in Ireland. He returned to Hollywood brimming with ideas.

British Dcrnin )ns Films have received advance new 6 that six two-reel comedies, based on stories especially written by H. G. Wells, are now in the course of production at Gainsborough Studios. The £ta.- is Elsa Lanchester, who plays successful character parts in "The Constant Nymph" and "Oi.e of the Best," two productions which will be seen shortly in New Zealand. The direction of the comedies is in the hands of Frank Wells, a 6on of the author.

The final title of the Metro-Ooldwyn-Mayer production previously known as "The Mask of the Devil," staring John Gilbert with Eva Von BernSj is "The Masks of the Devil."

"Four Walls," Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's latest John Gilbert production, was held over for two weeks at the Capitol, New York. Joan Crawford, Carmel Myers and Vera Gordon appear in support of Gilbert.

Harold Lloyd has launched the production of his latest Paramount feature comedy after several months of intensive preparation. A considerable portior. of the new story will be set in San Francisco's Chinatown. The Lloyd company will start the production under the tentative title of The Butterfly Chaser."

i Universal has signed the first Greek actress. Her name is Elena Aristi. She was an extra at Universal until Carl Laemmle saw her in the "rushes" and put her under contract.

The picturisation of the well-known Somerset Maugham play, "The Letter," will 6oon be started at '.he Paramount studios. Evelyn Brent and Paul Luke* will be co-featured in the production, and Claude King, veteran of stage and screen, has an important part.

The Paramount production of "Interference" as a motion picture will be done with sound, and the company is now busy on one of the sound stage* The voices of Evelyn Brent, Clive Brook, William Powell and Doris Kenyon will be heard in the production.

William Wellman, the director of Paramount's air epic, "Wings," has been assigned to the direction of the new Wallace Beery picture, "The Tong War," which is about to be produced at the Paramount studios. It is a story of Chinatown, in which Beery plays hiF second dramatic role of the year.

Julia Swayne Gordon, a veteran actress of the screen, who has given to the public scores of sympathetic, human performances, appears as Mrs. Grayson, the mother of the wayward boy in Fox Films' thrilling new production, "The Road House." Maria Alba and Warren Burke are cast in the featured roles.

"White Shadows of the South Seas" is proving, on its first runs in Canada and the United States, to be the best drawing card produced in many years. One critic says: "If 'White Shadows' had no such excellent story as it really does possess, it would still be well worth taking much trouble to see. It is marvellous."

"The Ringer," by Edgar Wallace, is one of the most brilliant mystery stories tha; have flowed from hia prolific pen. The 6creen version of this well-known book ~nd play will be released soon by British Dominion Films. The production includes in the cast Leslie Faber, Annette Benson and Nigel Forbes.

"Roses of Picardy," the British masterpiece, k'.own as "England's answer to 'The Big Parade,'" will be released at an early date by British Dominion Filn:s. Power and characterisation are said to be the distii.ctive features of this production, adapted from R. H. Mottram'a story, "The Spanish Farm." The leading roles are played by Lillian Hall-Davies and John Stuart.

"We Americans," the successful New York stage play by Milton Herbert Gropper and Max Siegel, has been made into a motion picture, and will open under the title of "Heart of a Nation." The cast includes George Sidney, Patsy Ruth Miller, George Lewis, Eddie Phillips, Beryl Mercer, John Boles, Albert Gran, Michael Visaroff, and Eathlyn Williams. It was directed by Edward Sloman.

The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production, "Alias Jimmy Valentine," starring William Haines, has been acclaimed a pre-ordained success by United States writers. Tamar Lane, of the "Film Mercury," a critic known for his searching comments on a picture's merits or lack of them, says "Alias Jimmy Valentine" is sure-fire audience stuff. It pack* a punch in both hands—laughs and thrills.

A most unusual obstacle race take* place in Fox Films' "None But the Brave," with Charles Morton and Sally Phipps. The participants in the race find it necessary to swim, walk, run. aquaplane, sail a boat, and do son>e sculling. In the story Morton portrays an egotistical college youth, who is com pelled to enter the contest. Confiden r of success Charles Morten is in the lead when, by a twist of fate, he loses the race, but wins the reward.

At the conclusion of the premiere of Betty Balfour's latest production from British International Pictures, "Paradise," at the London Hippodrome, an enthusiastic ovation was given by the huge audience to Miss Balfour, who was seated in a box with Dennison Clift, tha producer, and to the persistent cries for a speech Miss Balfour had to say a few words. When she emerged into the vestibule of the theatre some time later, hundreds of people were waiting for her and loud cheers greeted her appearance. Miss Balfour was lifted shoulder high and carried across the vestibule to her car, around which was another terrific scramble. "Paradise" is scheduled for release by Cinema Art Films in 1929.

Curious things are sometimes asked I of actors in the course of portraying ! various roles. Sometimes their parts subject them to all sorts of personal inconvenience. If it is a comedy role they are playing, anything can happen. Take Compton Coutts, for instance, appearing in the role of a beachcomber in "The Adorable Outcast." For one of the scenes in this picture Mr. Coutts was asked to array himself out in a beachcomber's apparel, jump 'into a large barrel of treacle, and step out again to be smothered from head to foot with two bags of fowl feathers, while the draught from the nearby propeller of an aeroplane added breeziness Ito the scene. This is merely one of the

many humiliating experiences a come--1 dian is expected to suffer in order to appeal to that instinctive trait of human nature that always makes people laugh a> other folks' misfortunes.

Fred Mackaye and Gustave Partes are the most recent players added to the cast of "The Play Goes On" at Universal City. Dr. Paul Fejos is developing this Conrad Veidt-Mary Philbin picture in talking sequences.

Joan Crawford has been awarded the title role in "Adrienne T eeouvreur," the famous French play which will be directed for the screen by Fred Niblo. A fine supporting cast is now being selected, and so far includes Nils Asther, Aileen Pnngle. Carmel Myers, Warner Oland and Harry Myers.

The Paramount director, Victor Sehertzinger, has written two sobgs specially for the production, "Manhattan Cocktails," which is Being produced on the Paramount sound stages. Schertzinger will be remembered as the composer of "Marcheta," one of the biggest song successes of recent years.

Acclaimed the queen of all comics in the feminine line, Marjorie Beebe, whose first starring picture for Fox is "The Farmer's Daughter," has just completed her second production entitled "Homesick." Sammy Cohen, who will be remembered for his portrayals in "What Price Glory," and "Why Sailors Go Wrong," is in the cast.

The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer expedition which will film the famous book, "Trader Horn," in the heart of darkest Africa will set out shortly from Culver City. W. S. Van Dyke, who controlled the production of "White Shadows of the South Seas," will head this expedition, the most ambitious ever planned and financed by a producing organisation.

Pictures will break almost any good resolution a player may make. Take for instance the case of Marjorie Beebe, the whimsical comedienne with the auburn hair. It has been Miss Beebe's boast that she had never entered a bathing beauty contest, and never would She did. In "The Farmer's Daughter," Miss Beebe's first featured role for Fox Films, one of the important scenes calls for a fair with a bathing beauty contes. as the main attraction. Now she will have to qualify her proud boast when she denies she never entered a bathing beauty contest by adding "except in pictures."

The notorious raider Euden had a sensational career during the early months of the World War, before she met her match in the Austn Hat. cruiser. H.H.A.S. Sydney. The resultant thrashing accorded to her L> the pictorial climax of the remarkable production produced with the co-operation of the German Admiralty and Australian Naval Board. The movements of the two cruise, s and the actual engagement off Cocos Island has been re-enacted on » after considerable research, and the result is au autLentic pictorial account of one of the most spectacular incidents of the Great War. The Emden's career, with her depredations to British shipping amounting to £2,000,CCU. have been outlined in a dramatic manner, which makes "The Exploits of the Emden" a great entertainment as well as a faithful record of a historic encounter.

With a reputation based largely on romantic stories, told with his characteristic flair for visual brilliance, Samuel Goldwyn adds still another element, mystery and adventure, in his latest co-starring picture for Ronald Colman and Vilma Banky, "Two Lovers," in which they make their final appearance, is an adaptation of the celebrated Bawmess Orczy novel, "Leatherface." Ghent in the 16th century furnishes the background for the story of Donna Lenora of Spain and Mark Van Rycke of Flanders. Briefly, the story concerns the restoration of William, Prince of Orange, to the throne of the Dutch Lowlands. The Spaniards, under the tyrannous Duke of Azar, are frustrated in their attempts to stifle Flemish liberty and to capture the renegade prince by the efforts of the mysterious masked figure, Leatherface.

An "extra" girl named Mona Rico has been selected to play the second feminine lead opposite John Barrymore in his next United Artists* picture. Camilla Horn is leading lady. Senorita Rico, 19, Mexican and hitherto unknown, has secured a five years' contract with United Artists. She was an extra in Norma Talmadge's "The Woman Disputed" when selected for various testa which she passed.