Films and Screen Stars

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 40, 16 February 1929, Page 5 (Supplement)

Films and Screen Stars

FIRST RELEASES IN AUCKLAND. WEEK COMMENCING FEBRUARY 21. 'Take Me Home." Bebe Daniel. r » **** "The Battle of the Sexes." J~£ HerSt Comedy-Drama. Paramount. "Laugh. Clown, Laugh." Lo „ " ersholt - Drama. United Artist,. "iL Crash" m? OSf 7 * Drama. Metro - Goldwyn - Mayer. 4nyllf. or ih. Follies." LUw Ashman g"™? n $* :^ in h ;" Cop " £=£&=: SST- 1 the Brave.- £?»£? £

THE ANSWER CORNER.

REPLIES TO INQUIRIES.

pM (Papatoetoe).—Clara Bow has not assumed a name for the stage. She is 24 years of age, her height being sft SJin. Your favourite has red hair and weights 1201bs.

POW-SP ANKER (Mangere). — "Bill" Hart has retired, but he certainly was an entertainer in his time. He had plenty of 6tage experience before he went to the movies fifteen years ago. He i» 6 ft lin in height, with brown hair and blue yes. Address, 6404, Sunget Boulevard, Hollywood (Cal.). £C. (Onehunga). — Talkie films are popular in New York and appear to have come to stay. In Australia theatres have already been equipped with the necessary devices and the talking films are having a good run wherever exhibited. It will not be long until the talkie is in Auckland.

Greta Garbo's entrance Into motion pictures resulted from her falling over g wire on a stage in Sweden and attracting the attention of Director Moritz Stiller.

John Boles and Jane Win ton have keen cast in "The Haunted Lady," starring Laura La Plante. It is for this production, directed by Wesley Ruggles, that Miss La Plante left New York so Jiurriedly for Universal City.

Laura La Plante, her holiday in New Tork over, returned by aeroplane to Universal City, and "The Haunted Lady" is her next picture vehicle. Lan Keith is her leading man, and Wesley Buggies will direct this story by Adela Jlogers St. John.

"The Four Feathers," now being filmed tt the Paramount studios, is the third picture directed jointly by Merian Cooper ind Ernest B. Bchoedsack. "Grass" and "Chang" were their previous films released by Paramount. Richard Arlen, Jij Wray, Noah Beery, William Powell and Clive Brook play the leading roles Jn "The Four Feathers."

Hoot Gibson has just concluded "Kirg if the Rodeo," much of which was made At the giant rodeo in Chicago this seaion. It is his outstanding rodeo picture. His current releases are "Clearing the Trail" and "The Danger Rider." Among bis other Universal releases for the enrrent film year are "Burning the IWind," "Points West," "Blow for Blow," Lariat Kid," and "Smilin' Guns."

"The Patriot," Emil Jannings* next paramount production for release in Jfew Zealand, is a drama of Russia in Che days of the Mad Czar, Paul I. A great deal of action takes place in and around the Czar's palace in Moscow. The trteriors of the great pile were constructed in the etudio from old drawings that had been smuggled from Enssia. Florence Vidor, Lewis Stone fad Neil Hamilton are featured.

The development of long-distance fceroplane flights has brought to light »ome interesting possibilities in connection with the making of motion pictures. Many Paramount pictures are t lmed on location so that they may be absolutely authentic. According to executives at the Paramount studios, ly 1935 the sending of players, staffs, cameras and other equipment to locations in far corners of the world will te an accepted practice, and the longdistance aeroplane will play the chief pole in that development.

Some very beautiful scenes, showing B»e star and his leading lady, of First National's "Love and the Devil," were ttade on a Venetian set at the Burbank Itudios. These are remarkable for their lealism, and it would take an expert to detect that these were not actual scenes taken in the exquisite Venice. Maria Corda as the feminine lead appears as the Italian prima donna, who is ardently Wooed by Sills as an English explorer. Bills during the shooting of these •equences was called upon to master all the eccentricities of a gondola, and learned to make the picturesque conveyance do everything but stand up and beg. "Love and the Devil" is actionful and picturesque.

D. W. Griffith, the famous motion picture director, believes that reality is the oasis of the greatest drama, and in consequence has chosen for the theme of his latest picture a story that might have had its setting in any town or city in the United States to-day. His new picture is entitled "The Battle of the Sexes." Early in his career Griffith produced a picture similarly motivated, and the popularity it enjoyed was phenomenal. Griffith was convinced that with the proper facilities and the appreciation °* human beings that comes with Bpatured reflection and experience, such * theme could be made a human document never to be forgotten. Hours were devoted to research and reading till he »ell upon "The Battle of the Sexes." Audiences, wherever the picture has been «hown, have been enthralled by this •veryday tale of the domestic complications arising from a fate that was too *ind and a husband who was too weak. The plot, Griffith claims, deals with situations that might happen to anyone *nd of which everyone has seen either * counterpart in his life or that of someone he lias met. Overnight a happy benedict finds himself unbelievably rich. He and his family look forward to peace *nd plenty for the years to come, but they do not figure what chance may throw in their way. Lured by his gold, ■a adventuress contrives to burst in Ipon hU tranquil life, and instantly there is chaos. Home, happiness, forttuie, honour, all are risked for the Jove gf this female fortune-huntea,

Adolph Menjou has almost completed his latest picture for Paramount, titled "Marquis Preferred." Nora Lane plays the feminine lead, others in the cast being Lucille Powers and Chester Conklin,

Universal has purchased "The Drake Murder Case," by Charles A. Logue, for an all-dialogue melodrama, to be directed by Edward Laemmle, the producer of "Man, Woman and Wife."

Karl Dane, the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer comedian, gave a party on the lawn oi his beautiful bungalow in Hollywood, and for amusement pretended to squirt a garden hose at his guests. George K. Arthur, unknown to Dane, turned the water on. Dane is still paying cleaner's bills.

Dances of old Mexico are a feature of the Paramount production, "Wolf Song," in which Lupe Velez and Gary Cooper have the leading roles. Others in the cast are Louis Wolheim, Michael Vavitch and Augustina Lopes. Victor Fleming is now directing studio Bcenes at the Paramount lot in Hollywood.

A new mystery story titled "Seven Footprints to Satan," which boasts the largest cast of the year, has been completed by First National Pictures. Featuring Creighton Hale and Thelma Todd, this well-known story is presented as a mystery play full of eerie sequences and spooky thrills, with some splendid acting by the principals.

Oswald the Rabbit is to be movietoned. This decision was made by the Winkler Productions, which make it, and Universal Exchanges, which release it, A special sound studio at Universal City is being built for the purpose, and work is already progresisng on "Oswald's Ragtime Band," the first of his sound pictures.

D. W. Griffith, who directed "The Battle of the Sexes," believes that there is nothing so appealing as the human quality in pictures. The reason for this, Griffith contends, is that the average person is more sympathetically affected by something that he has gone through— a minor suffering or perhaps a small success—than by a spectacular display of emotions on the screen. In "The Battle of the Sexes" Griffith has attempted to present a picturieation of home life as it is lived in the average home-apartment or flat throughout the United States. Jean Hersholt, Phyllis Haver, Belle Bennett, Don Alvarado, and Sally O'Neil appear in the cast. In support of them are William Bakewell and John Batten. The picture was made at the United Artists studio.

Universal last week acquired all rights of every description to "The Luxury Husband," the sensational English novel by Maysie Grieg. It is regarded as one of the most promising vehicles for sound, music and dialogue of the year.

'•Romance of the Underworld," a Fox film just completed, pictures the life 01 the shady side of a great city. The film has aroused wide discussion at previews by its realistic revelations of cabarets and their attendant evils. Mary Astor, Robert Elliot, Ben Bard and John Boles have-the principal iol^b,

Tim McCoy, the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer outdoor star, is looking for a successor for his stable boy who mistook molasses for leather dressing and applied it to McCoy's saddle. McCoy has also purchased a new pair of riding breeches.

To Lorayne Duval, erstwhile extra girl, has fallen the good fortune to play opposite Reginald Denny in his forthcoming picture, "His Lucky Day," now under production at Universal City by Edward Cline.

Reginald Denny has started production of "His Lucky Day," By John B. Clymer and Gladys Lehman at Universal City. The cast includes Otis Harlan, Harvey Clark, Eddie Phillips, Cissy Fitzgerald, and Tom O'Brien. Edward Cline is director.

"The Canary Murder Case," a Paramount production based on the mystery story by S. S. van Dine, was recently completed at the Paramount studios in Hollywood. William Powell played the part of the detective, Philo Vance, forsaking his usually villainous roles.

Ramon Novarro is making a study of the tribal music of the South Seas, and will arrange several native songs, which he plans to sing for sound detail in "The Pagan," his new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer starring vehicle now being filmed in Tahiti under the direction of W. S. Van Dyke. Dorothy Janis and Renee Adoree have the two leading feminine roles in the new picture.

One of the principal characters in "The Case of Lena Smith," the latest Esther Ralston starring picture for Paramount, is played by Fred Kohler. Kohler has appeared in many Paramount productions, notably "Underworld" and "Forgotten Faces." James Hall is playing the male lead opposite Miss Ralston, under the direction of Josef von Sternberg.

Perfect health and the ability to appear always at one's best are big factors in the success of any motion picture 6tar, according to Esther Ralston, who is now playing in Paramount's "The Case of Lena Smith." Miss Ralston says that a healthy body is the first requisite for lasting beauty, and she achieves that end by plenty of exercise and sleep. Miss Ralston also advises the old remedy of "an apple a day," which she claims not only keeps the doctor away, but also any signs of wrinkles.

Like many other motion picture stars, Williams Haines, "the smart Alec" of the screen, spent many weary months trying to break into "the game" before an atom of success came his way. For months he eked out his savings by posing for photographs of snappy hats and nifty suits until he was on the verge of giving up. In fact, he was on the verge of going home when a strong-minded feminine booking agent, Miss Bijou Fernandez, bullied him into seeing Mr. Samuel Goldwyn who was then in New York looking for talent. Goldwyn liked the look of Haines and sent him to Culver City. When William arrived he had a cold in the head and a large boil on his nose. The studio executives looked sadly at him and wrote him down as "the big boss' biggest mistake." They also confided to one another that he had no sex appeal. Even when he got rid of his boil and proved that he could act, Haines had a hard row to hoe for a long time. When Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer came into being, however, his luck changed. After being a player of minor roles for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, he was tried out as a featured player and made a big hit in "Brown of Harvard." "Tell It To The Marines," "Spring Fever," "West Point" and "Telling the World," quickly followed, and proved that he was more than capable to carry the starring honours that were conferred upon him.

I The business girl of to-day must be smart and up-to-date, but not conspicuous, according to Travis Banton. head designer at the Paramount studios in Hollywood, who recently created models for Nancy Carroll's latest Paramount picture, "Manhattan Cocktail." Mr. Banton states, that the simple costume is the proper dress for business hours, and that all fluffy things should be avoided. The well-dressed girl will include in her wardrobe a smart, well cut suit, with which she can wear several different accessories in the way of wsjsts and jumpers. Scarfs and kexchieii- ««-*lso- moat-appropriar^.

Carl Laemmle has presented feature length photo-plays, and 4070 short subjects, including the separate episodes of chapter plays since 1909.

"His Captive Woman," with Dorothy Mackaill and Milton Sills, is adapted from the story by Donn Byrne entitled "Changeling," and will be released in New Zealand shortly. Very powerfully dramatic, the rugged personality of Sills is ideally suited to the leading role.

Richard Dix is now at Paramount's Long Island studio, where he will start his first talking picture. The picture is tentatively titled, "Nothing (hut the Truth," and is a talking version of th-j well-known stage play which was produced in Australia by Harry Greene. Victor Schertzinger will direct the production.

Carol Lombard, a blonde graduate of Mack Sennett comedies, is the second player to be selected for the cast of Cecil B. De Mille's "Dynamite," now in production at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. Conrad Nagel is the only other member of the cast so far chosen. "Dynamite" will be De Mille's first talking picture.

"Mother Knows Best," a Fox production, is the story of a child of the stage, who was guided to the heights by her mother and her own talent—a mother with a driving force of character which symbolises her point of view on life and a mother who let nothing halt the daughter's career. Madge Bellamy portrays the daughter, Louise Dresser the mother, and Barry Norton, the boy who falls in love with the daughter.

A film more interesting than the usual run of pictures, because of its human qualities and technical excellence, is the latest U.F.A. picture, "Looping the Loop," produced by Dr. Arthur Eobinson, a Scotsman by birth, who for some time has been making pictures for Cinema Art Films. Robinson makes the clown a human, appealing figure, and shows his emotions and love very skilfully, and one cannot help note the masterly direction throughout this production. The excellently expressed pictorial groupings, the perfect technical work and the remarkable lighting and camera angles are characteristic of the latest U.F.A. production. "Looping the Loop" is set for release in New Zealand shortly by Cinema Art Films.

Matt Taylor and Clarence Thompson are writing a circus story as the second Arthur Lake starring production. It will be called "The Boy Wonder." Lake spent the early years of his life travelling with his parents in a circus.

Ruth Elder, Atlantic flight heroine, who has just startled the public and the cinema world by her excellent debut as a screen heroine, has just been signed by Hoot Gibson, Universal western ace, to play the feminine lead in his next Universal Jewel production.

Sir Harry Lauder's second motion picture, which will be released in New Zealand by Paramount, was completed recently. It is titled "Auld Lang Syne."' Dorothy Boyd plays the feminine lead, other featured players being Pat Aherne. Dodo Watts and Maud Gill. The director is George Pearson.

People who enjoy vaudeville entertainment may be divided into two classes — those who have seen the screamingly funny sketch, "A Sister to Assist 'Er," and are never tired of telling: their friends that they ought to see it; and the other class, the people who have not seen it, but have heard so much about it and are constantly on the watch for an opportunity to meet its crafty old Cockney charwoman heroine, Mrs. May. "A Sister to Assist 'Er" has been filmed. Moreover, those who see Mrs. May in the picture theatre are to see more of her and her exploits than those who have seen her on the stage. Mrs;. May is a wonderful tonic, and those who are familiar with her will need no recommendation, but will be glad to meet the dear old soul again, more especially to see her in new adventures as well as the old.

Soon to be presented in New Zealand. Colleen Moore's super-special. "Love Never Dies," has been deserilied as '"the most magnificent air special yet produced," but apart from its s9iisational air crashes "Love Never Dies*' iias a beautiful and appealingly human story woven into the warp and woof of :*t's soul-stirring action. Colleen Moore as the little French girl Jeanine, who mothers the British aviators billeted on Lilac Farm, is outstandingly clever in the piquancy of her comedy, and the deep emotion she is called upon to uortray, while Gary Cooper is manlv and convincing as the hero. The particular sequence where Miss Moore runs amok in a plane is hair-raising in its thrilling realism, while the beauty of the settings and irresistible humour certainly place this fine production in -the "upper ten" of picturedom.