THE ANSWER CORNER.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 134, 8 June 1929, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE ANSWER CORNER.

REPLIES TO INQUIRIES,

Jf.G. (Portland): Write Madge Bellamy, Tom Mix, Mary Astor and Sue Carol at the Fox Sutdio, 1401, N. Western Avenue, Hollywood, California; Patsy ' Ruth Miller, Mary Philbin and Sally O'Neill at the Universal Studio, Universal City, Cal.; Loretta Young and Joan Crawford at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Culver City, Cal.; Doris Dawson at the First National Studio, Burbank, Cal.; May McAvoy at the Warner Sutdio, 5842, Sunset Blvd., Hollywood; Jackie Coogan at 673, South Oxford Avenue, Los Angeles, Cal.; Dorothy Dwan, c/o the Educational Film Co., Ltd., 7250, Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood; Virginia Lee Corbin, c/o Gotham Productions, Ltd., Ejpllywood; Claire Windsor, c/o Tiffany-Stahl Productions, 4516, Sunset Blvd., Hollywood;, and Pola Negri, c/o Wardour Films, Wardour Street, London W.

Eeed Howes is playing the lead opposite Lina Basquette in "Come Across," which Ray Taylor is directing pt Universal City.

Leatrice Joy's initial Vitaphone picture for First National will be "A Most Immoral Lady," from a drama of the Same name by Townsend Martin.

Jack Oakie and "Skeets" Gallagher ■will be seen and heard as a song and dance vaudeville team, in the Paramount talking and singing picture, "Close Harmony." Nancy Carroll and Charles Sogers have the leading roles.

Dolores Del Rio has returned to Hollywood from Louisiana, where "Evangeline," the adaptation of the -well-known Longfellow work, was filmed. Finis Fox, who dramatised "Raniona" and "Revenge," adapted the story for screen purposes.

Edward Sedgwick, who writes songs on lis set between directing scenes in his pictures, collaborated with William Haines on a new one, while making the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer drama of the navy •with the cheerful William. They have titled the new song "He Talked His Way Into the 'Talkies/' and He Talked His Way Out Again." >

Mary Nolan has returned to Universal City to play with Eddie Leonard in his first Universal production, "Harmony Lane." The only other player so far announced is little Jane la Verno, whose work in "Show Boat" is of a sensational nature. Robert F. Hill will direct "Harmony Lane," which is adapted by J. G. Hawks from Jo Swirling's story, "The Understander."

• In Warner Bros.' latest forthcoming mystery thriller, "The Terror," there is not one title shown on the screen. Even the introduction is spoken. All the stars speak throughout the picture, thus heightening the thrill and. giving _ a grimly realistic effect. The cast includes May McAvoy, Alec. B. Francis, John Miljan, Louise Fazenda, Matthew Betz, and Holmes Herbert.

Daphne Pollard, who plays a prominent part in two RKO pictures, "Sinners in Love"" and "Hit of the Show," is another Australian making good. Miss Pollard has been one of the most popular stars in musical comedy and vaudeville in the leading cities of America and Europe. "Diggers" who happened to be in Paris at Armistice time will remember her at the Follies Begere, where she was appearing with Fred Kitchen's company.

Having put the finishing touches to Harold' Lloyd's latest picture, Malcolm St. Clair now makes his debut as a director of Radio Pictures. Hβ has signed with RKO Productions, Inc., to do Florenz Ziegfield's "Rio Rita," the musical show, and "Forty-ninth Street, ( another Radio Pictures all-talking pro-, duction. The three Moore brothersOwen, Tom and Matt—have all signed for "Forty-ninth Street." This is the first time that all three Moore brothers have arranged to appear in the same picture.

Jeanne Morgan, winner of the contest run by the "Boston Post" some time ago to determine the New England miss most eligible for the movies, a contest in wnicn 40,000 girls took part, has been awarded a five-year contract with Film Booking Offices. Miss Morgan's new contracts awarded not only for her. beauty, but tor her ability as an actress. She was born in Trinidad, of a French-German father and English-Irish mother. She s five feet seven and a-half inches tall arid bears a striking resemblance to tne screen type characterised by brreia Garbo. Because the voice of Laura La Plantc has proved outstanding in talking pictures. Universal Pictures' Corporat on has contracted for a £40,000 pdg> insuring it against injury. If the star should suffer a total and permanent losb of the ability to "talk clearly and distinctly as now," Universal would receive I £40,000, according to the policy, to onset expenditures on whatever starrin o vehicle might be in production. Amoyietone test was made of Miss La PI ante s voice in order to preserve the evidence of its present quality. In case of injury the test would show to what degree her voice had changed. The policy covers loss of voice either through accident or through conditions developing from niness. It will be in effect as long as the star is under contract. Miss ia Plante is now working on the and dialogue sequences of "Show Boat under the direction of Harry Po» ara - Following the completion of aaovr Boat," she will do talking scenes tor "Scandal," a Wesley Ruggles prociuer &m . \- - - — ■ -*- •

Cinema Art. Films announce the completion of the British International picture, "The Farmer's Wife," a screen version of Eden Philpott's famous stage comedy. Jameson Thomas lias the starring part, with Lillian Hall-Davis in the feminine lead.

_ "Four Devils," a stirring drama with a circus background, will shortly be released by Fox Films. Janet Gaynor, Charles Morton, Nancy Drexel and Barry Norton have the leading roles in this production. Mary Duncan is also featured. Miss Gaynor is said to surpass all other performances as Marion in this beautiful story; of the "Four Devils."

Paul Bern has rejoined Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and will take up his duties at the Culver City studios as associate producer under Irving Thalberg. Bern, who has been connected with pictures for fifteeyn years and is considered to be-one of the most popular executives in the industry, began his career as a laboratory manager, and has been in turn cutter, publicity maji, assistant director, director, scenarist, scenario editor and producer. -

Monty Banks' latest production, which he'is making in Spain, isnearing completion! The title is "The Compulsory Husband,". and has in its cast Lilian Mantpn, Trilby Clark, Janet Alexander and Clifford Heatherly.

When the postman, arrived at Marion Davies' home recently he brought with him a box of flowers . sent by John A. Pearson, the London horticulturist/These carnations were plucked jus.t before the Mauretania sailed, and when they arrived in New York were forwarded to California by air mail. It took just eight days from the time they were plucked until their arrival, and, having been packed very carefully, they were still fresh when received by the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer star.

Eaoul Walsh is busy preparing his next Fox Films production. The Cock - eved World," an all-dialogue film, which will be in the nature df a sequel to Walsh's earlier masterpiece, "What Price Glory."

Joan Crawford, William Haines, Karl Dane, George K. Arthur and Gwen Lee have been added to the impressive cast afready assembled for Metro-Goldwy-Maver'a "Revue of Revues," an allmusical production, which is now in production under the direction of Christie Cabanne. Stars from musical comedy and vaudeville, aw.also included in this new spund picture, >

The latest George Bancroft talking picture, "Thunderbolt," has just gone into production, at the Paramount Hollywood studios. 'Fay Wray and Richard Arlen are appearing in ' leading roles.

Clara Bow's first talking picture for Paramount, titled "The Wild Party," is completed and ready for release. The popular red-headed star is supported, by Frederic March, Marceline Day, Jack Luden and Jack Oakie.

William Le Baron, vice-president of Radio Pictures, selected Ann Greenway for the featured role in "Rio Rita" when the Ziegfield musical comedy was transferred to the screen. Miss Greenway is a brunette and a talented singing artiste.

William Boyd, Jetta Goudal, Lupe Velez, George Fawcett and William Bakewell are in the cast of "Ladies of the Night," formerly known as "Lady of the Pavements," directed by D. W. Griffith, a story laid in the period of Napoleon the Third.

Richard Dix has started work on his latest picture for Paramount, "The Wheel of Life," which will be produced as a talking picture, and also as a silent production. Esther Ralston is to play the feminine lead, and 0. P. Heggie is featured in an important, part.

Baclanova's voice is heard for the first time in the Paramount all-talking picture, "The Wolf of Wall Street." The Russian player speaks English with a charming accent, which fits perfectly into her part. George Bancroft, the star, is also heard in his first talkie role.

Sam Wood, who plucked Anita Page from obscurity for the leading feminine role in "Telling the World," has selected another unknown girl for' the feminine lead in "College Days," an all-talking picture of college life which will go into production shortly at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. The new find is Sally Starr, a small, dark-eyed Pittsburgh girl, who has never before played in motion pictures.

Lavish and spectacular in its settings, and with a most unusual plot, "Secrets of the East," the Ufa production, which is to be released by Cinema Art Films throughout New Zealand, should be a screen sensation. Not only is the scenery most elaborate, but the producers have filmed the entire setting in techni-colour. Some thousand feet of the film are in colour. Nicolas Kolin is seen as a poor cobbler and he is supported by Marcella Albani, Agnes Petersen, Ivan : Petrovitch and Dita Parlo.

America, Germany, Hungary, Mexico, Denmark and many other, countries are represented in ','Eternal Love," with John Barrymore as the star. This is his. latest United Artists', picture. Ernst Lubitsch (director) . and Camilla Horn (leading lady) hail from Germany; Mona Rico, who plays second feminine lead, is from Mexico; Victor .Varconi's homeland is Hungary; Bpclil Rosing is from Denmark;' and members of the technical staff come, from all over Cpntinental Europe. Barrymore.is an American, as are Evelyn Selnic and Hobart Bosworth, in the supporting cast.

William Le Baron announces that he has signed Bebe Daniels for four big pictures under the Radio Pictures banner. Stories and directors are now being selected for his, newly-acquired star. Olive. Borden, Betty Compson, Sally Blane also have been signed for Radio Pictures.

Two versions of the Douglas Mac Lean starring picture for Paramount, "The Carnation Kid." are now in Australia. One contains 75 per cent dialogue, and the other is silent picture. The same cast, including Frances Lee, Francis McDonald and Lorraine Eddy, retained for the silent version.

Charles Filpin, a negro star, will make his debut under the Fox banner in the all-talking production, "Hearts in Dixie." The cast will be an, all-negro one. A mixed chorus of fifty negro voices singing spirituals and plantation songs will be a feature of this production.

Robert Castle, Viennese actor-author, will make his screen debut in "Marianne," Marion Davies' new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer starring vehicle. Robert Z. Leonard is directing this all-talking and singing film, which has a French background. Oscar Shaw and Cliff Edwards, musical comedy stars, have featured parts.

As soon as she finishes her role in "You Can't Buy Love," with Jean Hersholt, Charlie Chase and Edwin Martindale, under the direction of A. B. Heath, Kathryn Crawford will begin the coveted role in "The Climax" by Edward Locke. This famous stage play, so peculiarly adapted to modern treatment, will be under the direction of Renaud Hoffman. Others in the cast beside Miss Crawford are Jean Hersholt, Henry Armatti and John Reinhart.

Dorothy Sebastian has teen assigned what is said to be the most important role of her screen career in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's "The Green Ghost," an all-talking version of Ben Hecht's mystery story. The complete cast of "The Green Ghost," which Rupert Julian will direct, includes Roland Young, Ernest Torrence, Natalie Moorhead, Polly Moran, John Roche, Richard Tucker, John Miljan, Lionel Belmore, George Cooper, John Loder, Richard Travers and Philip Strange.

A tribe of Sudanese natives appear in many spectacular scenes of the Paramount sound - synchronised production, "The Four Feathers." Those scenes were filmed, on the actual locale of the "story by the two adventurers, Merian Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack. Included in the ca'st of the picture are Richard Arlen, Fay Wray, William Powell, and Olive Brook.

Gwillian Dean, the beautiful English star, who has been chosen by Monty Banks as his leading lady, has been cast in the film version of Dion Boucicault's famous play, "Colleen Bawn." In ;this film,- which was re-titled "The Lily of Killarney," she appears opposite Cecil Landeau and Pamela Parr. The film, has an excellent supporting cast, including Denis Wyndham, Barbara Gott and Fisher White.

Discovered by D. W. Griffith, Colleen Moore-rapidly rose to star heights, and now is at the apex of her career in "Love Never Dies," First National's aerial production. Miss Moore waited for years to immortalise Jeannine, and the most beautiful role any star has had the chance to play in recent years is given such a refreshing and delightful interpretation by Colleen as to make it unforgettable.

Two Universal directors are receiving the reward of their services to Universal. They are William Wyler and William James Craft. . Mr. Wyler's conspicuous work in "Anybody Here Seen Kelly" and "The Shakedown," has earned him the appointment as director for Laura La Plante in "Evidence," by E. J. Montagne. Craft's clever handling of Glenn Tryon and "The Cohens and Kellys in Atlantic City" has resulted in his handling the megaphone for Reginald Denny in "Companionate Troubles."

National publicity, which has pointed out the exactitudes of dialogue writing for sound pictures, has cut down considerably the number of amateur motion picture. scenarios received at Hollywood Studios. Luther Reed, associate producer of Radio Pictures, announces that since the "talkies" took the spotlight of production the number of scripts received at the RKO lot has fallen from 150 to 50 a day. Postal authorities at Hollywood also report a marked decrease in the number of manuscripts handled.

George Abbott, a Broadway stage producer, is directing Moran and Mack in their first Paramount all-talking picture, which has been titled "The Two Black Crows." Much time is spent on rehearsals before any scene is put into production: Every detail must be correct for mistakes are very costly in sound picture production. A full supporting cast will appear with the "Two Black Crows," and an original story for the production has been written by Octavius Roy Cohen, author of the "Darktown" tales, which are a well-known feature of the "Saturday Evening Post." The dialogue was also written by Cohen in collaboration with Moran and Mack themselves.

Warner Brothers will present Al Jolson in "The Jazz Singer" in Auckland in the near future. The story of the rise of the son of the cantor, who deserted his home to become a jazz singer and at last was torn between the desire to shine on Broadway and the love of his parents, is well known. Allan Grassland, who directed the picture, is said to have treated the story in the spirit in which it was conceived. That Jolson is the logical exponent of the story is clear from the fact that the story of his own life parallels it in many places. Chief in , Jolson's support is May McAvoy, as leading lady, in the role of Mary Dale. "Warner Oland has the role of the elderly cantor. Others in the cast are Otto Lederer,. Eugenie Besserer, Anders Randolph and Bobby Gordon.