ANSWER CORNER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 263, 5 November 1932, Page 5 (Supplement)

ANSWER CORNER.

REPUES TO INQUIRIES. 08. Marian Nixon was born in Minneapolis on October 25, 1904, and became a professional dancer ther?. Slie made her screen debut in 1924. Height sft Tin, ■with chestnut hair and brown eyes. She recently scored a hit in "Hebecca of - Sunnybrook Farm" witli Ralph Bellamy. SQUIB —Winnie Lightner (real name Hanson) was born in U.S.A. After considerable experience in revue and musical comedy she appeared in films in 1928. Her most outstanding 1 performance was in "Gold Diggers of Broadway." < INTERESTED. —Born in lowa on March 16, 1897, Conrad Nagel served in the U.S. Navy during the war. Entered motion pictures in 1923. Is married and has a young daughter, Ruth. He is starred in "Divorce in the Family," now Bhowing in Auckland. CUBIOUS. —Loretta Young was born in Salt Dake City in 1912. Height sft 3in. Fair hair and blue eyes. Married. Yes, Marlene Dietrich is married and has a baby daughter. Her next picture is "The Blonde Venus." Was born in Berlin in October, 1902.

Douglas Fairbanks' new film, entitled "Mr. Robinson Crusoe," was given a. veritable "World preview," the first of its kind ever held, when it was shown at the Olympic village to an audience coinposed of 2000 athletes and officials, who were guests of Fairbanks. About fifty nations were represented in the audience. Maria Alba, William Farnum and other members of the cast were also present.

"Obey the Law" is a picture detailing the hazards and adventures of the San Francisco harbour police, and its speedy motor boats. The entire picture will be filmed along the San Pedro waterfront. Lederman, who will be directing this Columbia picture, began his career with Mack Sennet, and has made a reputation for himself as a director of action pictures, and has been responsible for such pictures as "Branded," "Daring Danger," etc.

"Up for the Derby," starring Sydney Howard, is now well into production. The story, which has been specially written for Sydney Howard by the authors of "Up. for the Cup" and "The Mayor's" Nest," introduces the star as an unsuccessful punter who eventually trains a Derby winner. The part of a racehorse owner is played by Claude Hulbert, who is Sydney Howard's foil in "The Mayor's Nest," and the film will be directed by P. Maclean Rogers.

Gerald Lyley, one of tie foremost actors of juvenile parts, is playing the part of "Bobby" the objectionable youth in "Women Who Play," to be released in New Zealand. Lyley has played leading parts in many British films including. "Uneasy Virtue," "Loose Ends," "The Man From Chicago," and "Not So Quiet on the Western Front"; he has also appeared on the West End stage in many successes, including "Baa Baa Black Sheep" and "A Damsel in Distress." Gerald Lyley left the army for'the stage, having previously held a commission in the. Coldstream Guards.

Tallulah Bankhead, continually reported engaged, will never "be! "All of the reported engagements concerning me are extremely amusing, but they are a waste of headlines," she said.'"lt is quite boring to be so frequently reported engaged, and the only saying grace is that all of my supposed fiances happen to have been good-looking. In most cases, I have met my 'future husbands' only once or twice." Asked regarding her preference between English and' Americans, the Alabama 'girl, who spent eight years on the London stage, replied that nationality will make no

difference. "Both the Englishman and ■American have good and bad points," she smiles. "They are entirely different. The English don't pursue; they intrigue. The American treats his wife as a pal, and strives to make her happy. Both are interesting approaches, but the wife may spoil an English husband, and an American do the same for his wife. It's • toss-up."

John Barrymore, one of the five stars of "Grand Hotel," as a boy wanted to ibe an artist. It was his great ambition to draw pictures along the lines of Gustavo Dore's illustrations. He was determined to be an artist rather than an aptor, and went to an art school in Paris. When he returned to this country he decided to broaden his field of experience by getting work as a newspaper illusiv -fr wor ked for 20 minutes on "6 2>ew York "Telegraph," and tried other newspapers without success. He I the stage, his first role was n Magda." Then he appeared in a musical comedy, and did well as a light comedian. His favourite stage role is amlet," and his favourite screen role of, Ahab in "Moby Dick."

Herbert Mundin will play the Doctor Watson to Clive Brook's Sherlock Holmes in the Fox talkie version of the celebrated detective's adventures. This role will be Mundin's second successive appearance in a mystery film. He is currently interpreting an important character in "Chandu, The Magician," which Edmund Lowe is making, with Irene Ware in the feminine lead.

One of the largest practical properties ever constructed for motion pictures was completed for "Thunder Below," starring Tallulah Bankhead. It is a fifty-foot log raft built in two sections and roofed with palm leaves. One portion is constructed for sleeping quarters for a party of exploring engineers, and is enclosed with mosquito netting. The other section is a stable for donkeys. Th 6 raft is . propelled with cars and steered by a crude rudder. The raft was constructed, for use on one of the streams on a 2700 r acre ranch, 40 miles north of Hollywood, and is being used in jungle scenes'in "Thunder Below."

The intense activity which has been characteristic of British 6tudios Recently will be intensified by the production of no less than five important feature films, each of which will be outstanding, and will have an original appeal of its own. "Good-night, Darling," takes the Elstree

floor immediately, and is based on an original by Stanley Lupino, tlie popular comedian, who will also star in the film. His leading lady will be Polly Walker, the well-known musical comedy star, who has relinquished her role in "Out of the Bottle" at the Hippodrome, in order to take up the film part. The strong supporting cast includes Charlotte Parry, Frederick Lloyd, Jack Melford and Percy Parsons.

William Gargan, now playing opposite Joan Crawford in the Lewis Milestone production of "Rain," has been offered the O'Connell part in "One in a Lifetime." But, due to prior contracts, lie was forced to turn the offer down. Gargan and the "Bain" company are now in their third week on Catalina Island, where they are making the entire picture on location.

A break in the history of Ascot was made when, a second meeting was staged for the purpose of filming scenes in the Edgar Wallace racing thriller, "The Calendar." A typical Ascot gathering thronged the paddock, the Royal enclosure and Tattersall's Ring included men immaculately clad in shining black and sporting grey toppers, women shrouded in flowered filmy dresses, bookmakers, touts and tic-tackers. Hors,es from the Aga Klan's stables and Edgar Wallace's training quarters were brought into use, while jockeys, stable lads, Royal servants in gorgeous liveries of green and -gold mingled with the crowd of "supers," which numbered, over 500. During the filming in the Royal enclosure, Princess Helena Victoria and

in fees Beatrice a surprise visit to the course and remained interested spectators for nearly three hours.

Hollywood will produce her own native "Cavalcade" shortly. The 25-year-old Carl Laemmle, jun., lias bought "Only Yesterday," and has assigned the direction to John M. Stahl, producer of such hits as "Strictly Dishonourable," "Back Street," and "Seed." "Only Yesterday" is stated to have no plot and, no leading man or woifian. It is a review of all the dramatic and thrilling incidents of outstanding importance in tlia last ten years.

Failure of modern sorcerers in the recent experiment in the Brochen Mountains of Germany, to materialise a handsome young man from a snow white goat sprinkled with blood, while tliey muttered mystic incantations, might have been turned into a success had "Chandu,

the Magician," been present. to officiate. "Chandu" has been performing daily miracles at Movietone City, where the popular radio feature is being screened. Black magic, weird thaumaturgy and Yogi wizardy are the order of the day as "Chandu the Magician," in the person of Edmund Lowe, demonstrates his mystic power. -

"Basputin," with John, Ethel and Lionel Barrymore together on the screen for the first time, is now in production. This is described as the most spectacular film since the advent of the talkies, with huge sets and hundreds of people.

The brilliant young actress, Wynne Gibson, a comparative newcomer to the screen, has been awarded one of the most important roles assigned to any actress, that of the main character in '"The Strange Case of Clara Deane," soon to be released throughout New Zealand. The star for years has had leading parts on the musical comedy stage. "Ladies of the Big House" and "Two Kinds of Women," are two productions in which Wynne Gibson has appeared, but "The Strange Case of Clara Deane," is her first big starring role.

In rapid succession to "Good-night Darling" and "The Case of Lady Camber" will be three other equally attractive subjects. "Leave it to Psmith," a film version of P. G. Wodehouse's classic story, will be a starring vehicle for Gene Garrard; "Magenta Street" will present that popular Hebrew comedian, Julian Rose, under the direction of Norman Lee; and "For the Love of Mike" will reintroduce to filmgoers that lovable and accomplished star, Bobby Howes, under the direction of the dynamic Monty Banks.

fclaudc Hulbert of "Sunshine Susie," is a particularly versatile dancer-author-actor, who has embarked on a film career that threatens to be more than successful. In the film farce "Let Me Explain, Dear," he appears as a goofy young sculptor, and he became so interested in the art during the production that Chelsea may expect him at any moment. Born on a Christmas Day and next door to a workhouse, Claude has, from his early youth, planned out his own peculiar career with a complete independence of the influence of his famous brother Jack. Sons of a doctor, both brothers graduated at Cambridge, and were stout supporters of the famous "Footlights," Claude being a vicepresident. His early stage ambitions were roused by visits to circuses. In a gymnasium improvised in a garage, Claude started to train as a acrobat, but abandoned a neck-breaking pursuit eventually for acrobat and trick dancing. His career began in that nursery for comedians, the concert party.