THE ANSWER CORNER.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 230, 28 September 1929, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE ANSWER CORNER.

- • REPLIES TO INQUIRIES. MAUD.—Helen Foster ie 23 years old, five feet tall and weighs 1021b. B.T.H.—Write Universal Studio, Universal City, California. '& PAN.— Write Cinema Art Films, Guthrie Bowron "Buildings, Albert Street, Auckland. EODNEY—Write Warner Studio, 5842, Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood (California). £>ON. —Tie boys who played in "Four Sons" were James Hall, Charles Morton, Francie X. Bushman, jun., and George Meeker. 3D.G. —GwenLeeis 23 years old and comes from Hastings, Nebraska. She is sft 7in tall and weighs 1351b. Her real name is, Gwendolyn Le Pinski. A.N.-rNils Asther was born in Malmo, Sweden, January .17, 1902. His next picture will be "The Single Standard." i Gary Cooper played opposite Colleen Moore in "Lilac Time." DXw —John Boles is an American and , is ■ married. His latest picture is "The Desert Song." His next will be "Rio Rita." The **X" in Francie Bushman's name stande for Xavier. 33.P.T—Rollins and McLaglen, care of Fox - Studio, 1401, N. Western Avenue, / Hollywood (California); Brown, care v of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Culver City (California); Laura, care of Universal , Studio, Universal City (California). J!. —Harry Carey's first wife was Alma Fern. Hia second (wife is Olive i Golden and they have two children. Louie H. Fontaine was Helene Chadwick's first husband. Marguerite Clark was born February 22, 1887, in Cincinnati, Ohio. BELLE.—Richard Arlen is married to Jobyna Ralston. He has a seven-year-old daughter by a former marriage. Dick's latest pictures are "The Man 1 Love" and "Four Feathers/ , Jackie Coogan will be 15 years old in October. - , He ie. appearing in vaudeville now. INQUISITIVE.—Grant Withers played opposite Corinne Griffith in "Saturday's Children." Frederic March was Clara Bow's leading man in "The Wild Party." George Lewis is married to Mary Louise Lohman. Dorothy Gulliver is Mrs. William De Vito. Al Joison's next picture will be "Little Pal." Buddy Rogers' last picture was "Close Harmony" and hie next one will be "A Man Must Fight." Ra'mon Novarro, Nick Stuart and Lois Wilson :>' are still single. "Nick expects to marry Sue, Carol when her divorce becomes j final. CURIOUS.—Victor McLaglen was born in London on December 11, 1888, being . the son of a bishop- He spent most of his youth in South Africa and has fought in many wars and travelled in _ many countries. For further particulars write him at Fox Studios, 1401, N. Western Avenue, Hollywood . fornia). Hare took the part of colonel in "The Black Watch." Milton Sills is thirty-seven years of age. Particulars can be obtained from First National Studios, Burbank (California). Try any bank. H.B.—Loretta Young was bora at Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1913. She is sft 3Jin in height and weighs 1001b. She has light brown hair and blue eyes. Address, M.G.M. Studio, Culver City (California). William Boyd ia .21 years of age. He is 6ft lin in height and weighs 1601b. He has blonde hair and blue eyes. He married Elinor Fair. For other facts, concerning him and the other player you mention , write Pathe-De Mille Studio, 4500, Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood (California)*

Three catcny songs are featured in "The Rainbow Man," which stars Eddie Dowling, favourite of the Broadway musical comedy stage. They are, "The Rainbow Man," "Little Pal," and "Sleepy Valley." "Young Eagles," a forceful and realistic aviation story which takes place during the closing days of the World War, will be the next starring pro-, duction for Charles Rogers. William Wellman, maker of "Wings," will direct the picture. So expressive of campus life are the Alma Mater and Victory songs used in "College Love," that no less an organisation "than the Men's Glee Club of the University of California, at Los Angeles, has been granted permission to use the songs as their official, universal airs. All the boys in the club sing in the picture, which features George Lewis, Dorothy Gulliver, Eddie Phillips, and the other "Collegian" players who have become famous through their work in the shorter pictures. . .."..,. The origin of an ancient Chinese custom of wearing fingernails at great length was discussed recently by Rowland V. Lee, director of "The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu," an all-talking production centred round a Chinese charactci. "The Chinese aristocrats used to let their fingernails grow to a grotesque length," Mr. Lee explained, "because long nails were proof that they never worked with their hands. Nails were often worn six inches or more in length. To the European mind there is something sinister and repelling in the custom." Despite, prohibitions in their contracts, Norma Shearer and Joan Crawford while swimming became badly sunburned recently. Studio officials fcund both artistes in such pain that further admonition was deemed unnecessary. The reason for the provision in contracts forbidding stars to become sunburned seems at first unreasonable, but it is quite necessary, since it is difficult because of the searching quality of studio lights to overcome the change of appearance due to sunburn even with most expert make-up.

"Don't try to remove burnt cork makeup with, vaseline," is the advice given by the two Black. Crows, to amateur negro actors.

In "Weary River" Richard Barthelmess will be heard as well as seen, and the star's voice is said to be sensationally fine, in singing as well as speaking. There is interest in every foot of the story. Betty Compson, who has already won fame in silent films, achieves the success she deserves by reason of her perfect voice and acting.

First reports on the premier presentation of "Blackmail," at the Capitol, London, indicate that the praise bestowed by the trade and Press critics throughout the country has. been confirmed by the : equally critical public. Every record has been beaten since the opening of this house four years ago. The Duke and Duchess of York,- recognised as two of the keenest Royal patrons '. of the cinema, honoured the Capitol with a visit. ■ . ' ■-' •' ■ A ■

Walter Scottj well-known on the New York musical comedy stage, is signed to play the lead opposite Laura La Phinte in "One Rainy Night." Olara Bow 'has itwo leading men in !her latest all-talking picture, "Dangerous Curves." They are Richard Arlen and David Newell. Others in the cast are Katiherine Francis and Jack Luden. Lilian Harveyj temperamental blonde beauty, recently left Germany on a cargo boat for Teneriffe. She is playing the title role in "The Equator Tramp," a comedy, the exteriors of which will be made in Teneriffe. . Joan Bennett, .the young stage and screen actress, whose climb to fame in talking pictures has been one of themost meteoric in Hollywood's history, wins the chief feminine role in "Song of Broadway." Miss i Bennett's first appearance in talking pictures was. as: leading lady.in Ronald Colraan's "Bulldog Drummond." Marceline Day and Douglas Fairbanks, jun., are studying'the operating mechanism of electric street cars, in preparation for a hectic ride they are scheduled to take on a one-man "dinky" as a part of the action of "The Jazz Age," which Lynn Shores is directing. A major portion of the action in the production hinges on a runaway street car, hence Miss Day and : Fairbanks, are both primed to qualify as motormen. Marilyn Miller, star of "Sally," which is. now introduction in technicolour, is the central figure.of. a wedding scene, in which, while she wore her bridal garments, she was unable'to sit down. The wedding gown was designed for standing and walking purposes only. It took all day to complete the wedding sequence, and, except for lunch-time, when the star ' doffed the extremely clinging apparel, she was on her feet the entire time. " ', Ronald Colman has come into his own as the hero of the famous "Bulldog Drummond." From its great success, both in book form and on the stage, many people may already know the story of the ; demobilised officer who becomes, so bored with "after "the war quiet" that lie ' writes to the London "Times" offering his services in any kind of adventure so long as it is, dangerous. The procedure immediately involves him in the troubles of a.beautiful girl, f whose uncle is being tortured by a gang'of criminals headed by two men and a woman. By out-guessing his antagonists Drummond finally, breaks up the criminals' nest in the fake sanatorium and wins the -girl. Joan Bennett, appearing for the first time on the screen, is Bulldog .mond's lady-love.-The dreams of the average/woman of possessing a huge wardrobe of pretty gowns are ordinarily unknown to the screen player. The taste for finery among actresses is usually satiated after several years of studio work, during which time they are called upon to make from eighteen to twenty changes of dress in each production. Upon being notified that she would have but few changes of dress in depicting the leading role in "She Goes To War," Eleanor Boardman related that she was quite elated by the announcement. The experience, however, did not prove a. happy one. For the first few weeks it was quite a novelty, but after appearing day in and day out in the drab uniform of a* woman worker at the front, the uniform began to affect her nerves, she avers. . /

Billie Dove, who has been vacationing at Malibu Beach, has returned to the studio with a coat of sun-tan, and is about to face'the cameras and microphones in "The Broadway Hostess."

Ruth' Chatterton plays a brilliant role in the all-dialogue production, "Charming Sinners." Other fine, characterisations are given by Clive Brook, Mary Nolan and William Powell.

Warner Baxter and Mary Duncan are to appear in a. talkie, "Such Men Are Dangerous." The story is woven around the tragedy of Alfred Lowenstein, who mysteriously disappeared from a LondonParis aeroplane several months ago.

Miriam , Seegar, the blond screen beauty who was. seen heard .in "Fashions: in Love," the first Adolphe Menjou talking picture, has been cast for a featured role in "The Love Doctor," the latest Richard Dix talking picture, now in production-

Wallace Beery plays an important role in "River of Romance," an all-talking picture starring Charles ,Rogers, whicn will be an early.release in New Zealand. Gertrude Lawrence, the English musical comedy actrees, is being starred in "The Gay Lady," a sparkling talking and singing picture, in which Miae Lawrence will sing several numbers written specially for her. ' ' • George Marion, jun., famous writer of titles for the silent screen, has turned author, and his first story, "Sweetie," will, be produced as an alltalking and singing picture with Nancy Carroll, Jack Oakie and Helen Kane in the leading roles. Harold Lloyd is making the dialogue and sound version of his silent picture, "Welcome Danger," which is already completed. It will be released during the coming season. Barbara Kent is playing the leading feminine role, and May McAlister and Noah Yound are featured. . '■ "Alf's Carpet," tlie sequel to . "Alf s Button," and based on the further _ adventures of Alf and Bill, has gone into production at Elstree. This story Was specially bought as a big vehicle for "Long and Short," the famous Danish comedians, who were so successful in their first British picture. William Kellino has been engaged to direct this film. It will l be remembered that Kellino has produced some excellent comedies, featuring such well-known artistes as Billy Merson, Teddie Gerrard, and Lupino Lane.

Alice White's salary has jumped from £100 to something like £400 a week. In the way of a bonus Miss White was given an eight-cylinder auto. A colourful all-talking and singing operetta, "The Love Parade," starring Maurice Chevalier, is now well advanced in production.. Richard Wallace is to direct Clara Bow's third all-talking picture, "The Saturday Night Kid," 'which will go into. production shortly.. Victor Fleming, maker of "The Way , ' of All Flesh," "Wolf Song" and "Abie'.s Irish Rose," has completed. the direction of Owen Wister's "The Virginian," in which Gary Cooper plays the title role. Clifford Grey, who wrote the lyrics for "Hit the Deck," "Sally," and a number of famous Zeigfeld successes, was signed to write the lyrics for the first original screen operetta, "The Love Parade," which is being produced with. Maurice Chevalier in the starring role. , Ludwig Berger has been assigned to direct "The Vagabond King," which.is to go into production shortly with Dennis King, star of the original stage production, in the, leading role. George? .Carpentier and Jack Dempsey, neither of whom need any great introduction, are possibilities in "Show of Shows." The Frenchman, who was a huge success in Paris as a song and dance man, showed promise in his screen tests. Just what the former "pugs" will do in this picture isn't properly known . at the present time. Paramount will produce and release during the season 1929-30 a total of 200 talking pictures, according to a recent announcement of Jesse L. Laeky, vicepresident. Of these pictures 70 will be feature length talking and sound productions, 81 will be one and two reel short features, including talking and singing acts, and there will be 52 issues of the sound news. Latest reports from Elstree state that the first all-talkie pantomime, "Cinderella," is now. in production, starring Betty Balfour, and will be completed in time for showing- at Christmas. This is the first time a panto, has been filmed, and with'..'the charming, personality of the star the picture should be a success. The story'is based on the old tale, which has been.modernised for the screen. It has a wonderful supporting, cast, exquisite scenery, gorgeous dresses, magnificent settings and a beautiful bevy of British beauty choruses. . In. evolving, a new technique for talking pictures,., producers , are gradually cutting down dialogue and restricting it to the essentials of plot and character development, according to Monta Bell, producer .at Long'lsland studios, "At ithe > beginning of this new era screen entertainment everyone thought that as much; dialogue as possible should be cramped into a picture," said Mr. Bell, "and naturally the technique of the etage predominated. It was not long, however, before it was found that more action and less worde were required for the proper balance-.in talking pictures." Eden Philpott's famous book, "The American Prisoner," is rapidly, nearing completion in its film version under the direction of Thomas. Bentley. The story deals with the days of the Napoleonic War,- when Dartmoor, the famous English gaol, w"as used as a war prison. In those days when England was at war with France, American merchantmen used to smuggle arms to the French, and be captured as prisoners, of war by the British. This picture is to have sound and dialogue sequences. Buster Keaton says: "One of my most prized possessions is a camera. It ie an old Moy camera, a contraption of cog wheels and bicycle chaine that when I first went into pictures was the very latest thing of its kind. In fact, in my first picture role, in "The Butcher Boy," that camera cranked on me. Some years later I bought it-from the cameraman who owned it, and it has always been a sort of talisman. A while ago when they made "The Cameraman" I dug it up and used it for a prop when they wanted an old camera, bo it was of practical use in a new role too." Thrilling scenes of wild life in Africa are contained in the epic of the Sudan, "The Four Feathers," which will be released this year in New Zealand. Ernest Schoodsack and Marian Cooper, the producers of the picture, "shot" most of those scenes in the Sudan, and the remainer ni. Portuguese East Africa. For six months they lived among the native tribes, whom Kipling christened the "Fuzzy-Wuzzys," learning their ways and teaching, them to act for the movie camera. One remarkable scene shows thousands of those warriors streaming across the desert on their racing camels, to give battle to the British forces. Later, they are shown attacking a British square. Another impressive scene shows the mad flight of a herd of hippopotami before the driving flames of a bush, fire, and their plunge for safety down the precipitous banks of a river. A hoard of baboons is also seen in flight.