News of the Cinema

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21813, 19 June 1936, Page 5

News of the Cinema

CHAPLIN AFTER FIVE YEARS

Critic of Life in “Modern Times”

presentation of a new picture by Charlie Chaplin is always a notable event The comedian had the reputation of being the outstanding genius of the silent screen. He has now made a talking picture, and Christchurch theatregoers are eagerly awaiting the presentation of “Modern Times," »which will be shown at the Theatre Boyal and Plaza next Friday. A little more than five years have elapsed since the Christchurch public saw a picture by Charlie Chaplin. Hurt was “City Lights,” which was very successful. The “Circus,” which preceded it, was released here early m 1988. A considerable period will elapse before the comedian acts again. He will not appear in his next production, which will be a starring vehicle for Paulette Goddard, his new leading lady in “Modern Times.” When he appears again, Chaplin will talk on the screen, and be an entirely new character. The reason he has been silent so long is because his speaking voice does not suit the Chaplin tramp. The comedian experimented with speech during the making of “Modem Times.” He made tests, and discovered that he changed from a clown into a stiff actor, mouthing words. So he threw out all dialogue. When the film opens Chaplin is seen as a tiny unit in the huge mass-pro-duction scheme of a vast steel mill. Standing in front of a moving belt he has to tighten nuts with an epileptic twitch as they speed past him on an endless band. Desperately he trfes to keep pace with the stream, until finally his reason gives way, and he runs madly round the factory twitchipg at every nut he can see. •. L'eaVmg. hospital, he becomes involved ip a labour demonstration, and is hurried off to prison, where he. accidentally takes, a large dose of cocaine, and, with Dutch courage, foils an attempt to break out For this he

is rewarded with a comfortable cell, and settles down to a life of ease, but, to his disgust, is pardoned, and starts once more the quest for work, which is the key-theme of the film. At this point he meets Paulette Godadrd, with whom a romance develops. As a shipyard assistant, as a nightwatchman in a big shop, as a mechanic, and as a waiter, Chaplin becomes involved in a succession of richly comic situations. Being unimpeded by dialogue, the film moves with a rapidity which has been forgotten since the introduction of sound, and this enables Chaplin to hurry through an unusually large number of situations. Sometimes, especially when actors ether than Chaplin are engaged in pantomime, this speed seems a little ridiculous. The only speech is from a radio set, from a gramophone, and a song sung in gibberish by Chaplin himself during the time he is a waiter. His voice is a good light baritone. A few odd words in Italian, French, and English emerge from the general hubbub, but the story is plain. It tells of a girl who was given a diamond ring, and, taking it to a pawnbroker, found it to be false.

Chaplin undertook six roles in the making of “Modern Times” —star actor, producer, author of the story, director, composer of the music, and film editor.

Germany is the only country which will not enjoy “Modern Times.” The picture was banned in that country because, according to a Nazi spokesman, “reports from abroad indicated that the picture had a communistic tendency.” A Singapore correspondent who met Chaplin there recently, said that the comedian laughingly remarked that he was entirely in disagreement with the Nazi verdict. “My picture just depicts some of the expected vicissitudes of life in 1936,” he said. “I made it to amuse, as I make all films, and never by any chance intended it to be a propaganda picture.”

i;AN ORIGINAL FILM

V <fTHB MUSIC GOES |1 ’BOUND” « PICTURE FOR MAJESTIC ;Jp theatre : I shout one of the most popular mm written for some time. ‘The sssc Goes 'Round,” which is a comS||gttiaction at the Majestic Theatre, EL IB sir at freshness and originality ‘St will come as a pleasant surprise sp'ttose who expect that the film will another musical.” MBirough the film there is woven a idjuti of entertainment which would Ss S toow in itself. There is comedy fcfifil measure, negro dancing of a SR tyPfr and a whole series of catchy fine The Plot is delightfully original |pdt generally, the acting is of a high WmhgA. The picture starts with a Sppl American film battle of words, At participants being a New York P—tribal producer who refuses to see Rlt merits of the “round and around” Kg as an item, and a popular stage M» Star who does. The star, Harry Iji" played by Harry Richman, pnppointed at Ids lack of success in fijphw and on the verae of a breakSNrn through overwork, throws aside Ml his contracts and disappears. A pw and cry is raised, but Wallace Cpnat be found. Actually he flees as jpg’ as the Mississippi river, where he ■H the Courtney players, a river ■Mie which has come upon evil jfpri Wallace, assisted by Rochelle Ifciaon, popularises the show and realIjjßietc is comedy all through the pfea. but the best is that provided by gpt dancing feet of three amazing fIEW CARTOON CHARACTER RIVAL TO MICKEY MOUSE IL Hjßioae Mickey Mouse achieved world Mme thousands of various film carMwa lave been created to compete UPttl tt> world’s most popular film HfcWtwiar. but so far none has been 11 RBlii England a new film characfy ppr beca originated by Anson wNft • caricaturist—a new character perhaps the first really to StdH>|o compete with the unrivalled ~ BK& interesting to learn that JBctar’s newest rival is not an animal a person called “Old Sam,” mown all over Britain as the hero of jat Raaous Stanley Holloway mono- " lljrii the character who refused to □MkcKm his moosket.” He is greatly AHMipiiM, having now become the |nti<«C the first real British sound IMW-cartoon. He is even more, beWaca Old Sam is going to be an entfeefy new British industry, although Wbc 'Anson Dyer, the creator of this wßW’Rfure of screenland. expressed WW view that the first need is a score :igf expert animators; that is to say, the iHists to draw the thousands of BBltebes needed to bring the film to JrSeperienced “gag-men” to find out / iMr jokes, stunts, and comic situamm will be employed by the artist. Hr Dyer has spent years looking lor p teal British character to animate, •■d old Sam of Yorkshire fame satisifpai all his demands. His humour is Universal, and he has a quality which • PCStatmely valuable on the cartoon ■waao—pathos! v On the other hand. Stanley HolioigW*s Ideas of monologues as a backto the film are something -mSMUghly original and picturesque. B ‘.PO fewer than 18 famous monologues ■y IHpttlcy Holloway are already under ipMiM;-but new ones may be writSMpp'SEilt special technique. Kflc first of all such monologues iBWWWd will be “Sam and His

“METROPOLITAN”

LAWRENCE TIBBETT IN NEW FILM

COMING ATTRACTION FOR STATE THEATRE

From the point of view of music and artistic production, “Metropolitan,” which was screened in Christchurch this week before representatives of musical societies and a number of blind people, is worthy of being classed among the best pictures of the year. The story is somewhat flimsy, but it serves as a perfect background for the singing of Lawrence Tibbett and the comedy of Virginia Bruce. Tibbett plays the part of an ambitious young singer who strives against almost ■ insuperable objects to obtain recognition. He leaves the Metropolitan Opera because he receives no encouragement and attaches himself to the company of Alice Brady, a temperamental and amorous prima donna. She loves Tibbett and he in turn loves Virginia Bruce. But because he realises that the fate of everyone in the company depends on his actions, Tibbett manages somehow to temporise. Finally Miss Brady leaves the company stranded and penniless, just before their anticipated opening. The climax of the picture shows how Tibbett and his fellow singers achieve the almost impossible and manage to open and win a success beyond their , wildest dreams. A blend Of popular and classical music is heard in the film. Tibbett sings “The Toreador,” from “Carmen,” the prologue from “I Pagliacci,” and negro spiritual songs. In addition to the players mentioned the cast includes Cesar Romero, Luis Albemi, and George Marion, sen. The picture was produced by Darryl F. Zanuck. It will be shown at the State Theatre soon.'

DEATH OF STAR OF SILENT FILMS (UIUTKD PUSS ASSOCIATION —COPTEHJHT.) HOLLYWOOD, June 17. Henrv B. Walthall, a star of the silent cinema, died to-day in a toriumDirector Bill Beaudine, who made the second Will Hay comedy for Gau-mont-British, "Boys Will Be Boys,” started his film association during July, 1909, in one of the lowest jobs of the industry, a prop man. at eight dollars a week. Beaudine has since worked in nearly every studio in Hollywood and has made every type of film.

“I Married a Doctor,” with Pat O’Brien and Josephine Hutchinson in the two leading parts, is scheduled to be released soon by Warner Bros. “I Married a Doctor” is based on one of Sinclair Lewis’s best-known novels. In addition to O’Brien and Miss Hutchinson, the cast includes Guy Klbbee, Louise Fazenda, Boss Alexander, and Alma Lloyd. ,

BRITISH FILM INDUSTRY

DANGER OF RISING COSTS OPINION OF WELL-KNOWN PRODUCER The British picture industry is heading for disaster if it continues to oay the present high prices for artists ana technicians, said Julius Hagen, of Twickenham Films, recently. Money is pouring into British film studios as it never has poured before, and it is going out again in higher and higher salaries. “Pictures which ought to cost £20,000 are eating up £30.000 to-dsy,” said Julius Hagen, m declaring that the expenses were becoming too great. Mr Hagen is one of the most experienced British producers. He is an mdepenaent producer, which means that although he hires out his own films he has no large group of cinemas behind him.

He asserts that directors who used to get £.1500 for making a film are now demanding £7OOO, and they are st ill worth no more than £ISOO.

“1 pay good money for stars. Some are getting £SOOO for making films in my studios, and I would pay £25,000 for the right star—one who would enhance the value of a film. But I resent being asked large sums for stars who may even be a detriment to my films. “Stage stars who get, maybe, £SO a week in the theatre expect to get £250 a week when tney are making a film, and on top of that they make all sorts of restrictions ibout the days on which they will work, and the hour at which they must be released to get on with their stage work.” This kind of person is killing the goose that lays the golden eggs, according to Mr Hagen. “The British film business is a fine thing with wonderful prospects,” Mr Hagen said. “The demand for British films in England is big. But if you spend more than £30,000 on a picture and have no assured market in the United States you will probably lose money. “Yet you hear of optimistic persons who are spending as much as £IOO,OOO on films in these circumstances. I am afraid some of them are going to have a rude awakening. “The producers should get together to combat the rise in salaries and to tighten up the control over employees.”

The rollicking story of “It Had to Happen,” the Twentieth Century picture to be released soon, was adapted from an original story by Rupert Hughes, the famous screen writer. It co-stars George Raft and Rosalind Russell, and features Leo Carrillo in his funniest role.

Ten black widow spiders, deadliest of all poisonous insects, were taken to the RKO-Radio studios recently for scenes in the picture, “The Ex-Mrs Bradford.” The spiders were rented from S. W. Allman, who specialises in furnishing reptiles and insects for the films, Allman has 20 of the spiders on his reptile and insect farm near Hollywood.

FILM NOTES

RKO-Radio has announced a definite policy of producing twice as many Class A pictures in the immediate future. The decision to seek bigger personalities and to devote more time and money to Class A productions will not conflict, however, with the studios policy of developing young talent. Every effort will be made, it is announced, to build up one of the strongest lists of contract players in Hollywood. In keeping with the latter policy, RKO recently obtained an elusive five year contract for the services of Harrie Hilliard, whose debut in “Follow the Fleet” convinced studio executives that she is definitely a star of the future.

Walt. Disney has begun a search for talent to be used in his forthcoming pictures. The quest is being made for a group of trained artists whose talents can be diverted toward making animated cartoons. Candidates will require to have not only drawing experience, but ability to create ideas, make lay-outs and work with colours.

Columbia Pictures’ spectacular fea-i ture, “Roaming Lady,” in which Fay Wray and Ralph Bellamy are co-fea-tured, is Miss Wray’s first picture since her return from England. The production is from a story by Diana Bourbon, which appeared in “Liberty Magazine.” Thurston Hall heads the cast. Other prominent players include Ed. Gargan, Paul Guilfoyle, Roger Imhoff, Charles Sullivan. Billy Arnold, Jack Gardner, Jack Stewart, Harold Goodwin, Arthur Rankin, Edwards Davis, and Tetsu Komia.

When Mae West’s last picture, “Klondike Annie,” was screened in America, 28 newspapers owned by Randolph Hearst. attacked it on moral grounds. Now an English writer is wondering whv Miss West was singled out for castigation rather than Jean Harlow, or the earlier Shearer of “A Free Soul” days, or Constance Bennett, or Joan Crawford, who have appeared in pictures that “exalt disreputable living and glorify vice.” The writer adds that the picture is not one whit worse than “Coin’ to Town.” and Mae’s “wisecracks” seldom descend to the staggering level of that film’s dialogue.

The first Erich Pommer production to be made in London for United Artists release will be “Elizabeth of England.” with Flora Robson in the title role. Laurence Olivier will play an English nobleman in her service. This will not be a strictly historical film, although the climax will be the destruction of the Armada. The story, by A. E. W. Mason, has been adapted by Ferdinand Bruckner, author of the famous play on Elizabeth. The scenario will be written by Gilbert Wakefield. William K. Howard will direct the film. The second Pommer production will be “Knight Without Armour,” an adaptation of James Hilton’s book, starring Robert Donat and Merle Oberon. The background of the story is Soviet Russia.

William Faulkner, author of “Sanctuary,” “Pylon,” and other stark, realistic novels, has been engaged by Edward Small, head of Reliance Pictures, to write the screen play for “Gunga Din.” adapted from the poem by Rudyard Kipling. Faulkner’s most recent Hollywood effort was the script for “Road to Glory,” recently completed for Twentieth Century-Fox.

Charlie Chaplin has been notified by the motion picture division of the League of Nations that he has been awarded its gold medal in recognition of his activities as an international screen figure. The notification read: “The C.I.D.A.L.C. Committee is an institution organised by 53 nations officially represented in the committee, and is particularly happy and proud to thus hoqour the greatest personality of the art of the cinema, and to express by this award the admiration that the committee has for you.” • • •

Reminders of W. C. Fields’ visit to the Samoan Islands were seen in a subsequent visit by Eddie Sutherland, now directing Fields in “Poppy,” who said he found the natives juggling coconuts, bananas, and other objects after the manner taught them by the Paramount comedian 15 years before.

Picture-goers of the silent film days will remember the outstanding success registered by D. W. Griffiths’ picture, “Broken Blossoms.” It has now been completed in “talkie" form by the Twickenham (British Studios with Emlyn Williams as the hero, and Dolly Haas in the role made famous in former days by Lilian Gish. The production is said to be outstanding in every way.

Many anxious Hollywood motionpicture stars are undergoing secret tests to determine whether their features, colourings, and complexion will stand the acid test of colour photography. The situation was brought about when it was said that Walter Wanger had tested several actors and actresses for Paramount’s “The Trail of the Lonesome Pine,” before he found those whose complexions would “stand” colour photography, and that some actors lost roles in the picture because their features, no matter how good to the eye, would not photograph in colour to good advantage. * ♦ •

After eight weeks of intensive production, Herbert Mason has finished his direction of the latest George Arliss drama. “East Meets West.” In a similar type of role to that which made him famous, Arliss is reported to have made a distinct success of the wily Eastern sultan who steers a narrow course between rival British and Oriental powers anxious for his favour. The film sweeps to a spectacular climax where, by the light of a thousand torches, a white man Is doomed to be hanged from the scaffold.

An interesting feature of "Two’s Company,” a new comedy adapted from Sydney Horler’s farce, “Romeo and Julia,” is the teaming of Ned Sparks and Gordon Harker. The union is reported to be a great success, due no doubt to the widely divergent styles of these two comedians. Morton Selton, Mary Brian, and Patric Knowles are in the supporting cast

C. B. Cochran, famous theatrical producer, has been induced to enter the motion picture industry, and has been signed with C. M. Woolf and Capitol Films for a spectacular production in technicolour with all the high-lights of the theatrical and vaudeville stage.

Because of his portrayal In the Twentieth Century picture, “The Prisoner of Shark Island.” John Carradlne has been assigned to an important role in “Under Two Hags,” with Ronald Colman, Claudette Colbert, .and Victor McJu^sdsDU;, i

NEW FILMS AT CITY THEATRES

STATE—“The Country Doctor,” starring the Dionne quintuplets, Jean Hersholt, Dorothy Peterson, and Slim Summerville. Comedy drama. Fox. AVON—“Give Us This Night,” starring Jan Kiepura, Gladys Swarthout, and Benny Baker. Musical romance. Paramount. REGENT—“CoIIeen,” starring Dick Powell, Ruby Keeler, Jack Oakie, Joan Blondell, Hugh Herbert, Paul Draper, and Louise Fazenda. Musical comedy, Warner Brothers. MAYFAIR—“King of Burlesque,” starring Warner Baxter, Alice Faye, and Jack Oakie. Musical comedy. Fox. TlVOLl—“Broadway Melody of 1936,” starring Robert Taylor and Eleanor Powell. Musical comedy. M-G-M. Return season. MAJESTIC—“HeII Ship Morgan,” starring George Bancroft. Ann Southen. and Victor Jory. Drama, Columbia. “Tough Guy,” starring Jackie Cooper, Joseph Callilea, and Jean Herbert. Drama. M-G-M. PLAZA—"Queen of Hearts,” starring Grade Fields and John Loder. Comedy. Associated Talking Pictures. Transferred from Avon. CRYSTAL PALACE—“The Big Broadcast of 1936,” starring Richard Tauber, the Viennese Boys’ Choir and Bing Crosby. Musical romance. Paramount. Second week. LIBERTY—“It’s a Bet,” starring Gene Gerrard and Helen Chandler. Comedy. British International Pictures. “Prescott Kid,” starring Tim McCoy. Western drama, Columbia. GRAND—“Face in the Sky.” starring Spencer Tracy, Marian Nixon, and Stuart Erwin. Comedy romance. Fox. “Pleasure Cruise.” starring Genevieve Tobin and Roland Young. Comedy. Fox. to-morrow ClVlC—“Foreign Affaires,” starring Tom Walls and Ralph Lynn. Comedy. Gau-mont-British.

IMPROVEMENT OF NEWSREELS

ADDED INTEREST TO PROGRAMME VARIETY OF SUBJECTS Although the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences makes awards for the best motion picture and player of the year, it does not recognise the newsreels as coming in its scope. Yet the purpose of the screen as a medium of news and information was markedly advanced in 1935 by the character and range of the newsreels which kept pace with the general upward trend in motion picture quality. Among the historical documents which newsreels have made for posterity recently are the death of King George V. and the accession to the throne of King Edward VIII.; the crisis in the League of Nations; the progress of the Italo-Abyssinian war; the resurgence of Germany, and the tragic implication of a world arming for the next conflict.

All these events and the everyday affairs which go to make news have been mirrored impartially to motion picture audiences the world over. In other ways there has been an improvement in these short subjects which rightly are "the spice of the programme.” Each day sees the newsreels achieving a higher standard in sound and photography. The necessity of moving recording apparatus in a heavy truck to the scene of action does not cause a loss of motion in this sphere of picture entertainment. It has brought the newsreels to a pitch of perfection that five years ago seemed almost impossible of attainment. The increasing success of these films is in no small measure due to variety of subject because, on analysis, it is the ever-changing scene which proves attractive.

Few people realise the work and organisation behind a newsreel, but all can readily appreciate what a contribution to the future and what an assistant to the present are these splendid animated newspapers. The camera cranks turning on the news items for the benefit of the public demanding short subjects have introduced the humorous commentator.

Production began recently on “Public Enemy’s Wife” at the Warner Bros.’ studios. The picture is planned to be a super-thriller. Pat O’Brien and Margaret Lindsay head the cast. Robert Armstrong, whose work in “G. Men” will be remembered, has a prominent role, aind another important figure is Dick Foran. "Public Enemy's Wife” is being directed by Nick Grinde, who has just completed the direction of “Murder in the Big House.” So impressed have studio executives been with that picture that Mr Grinde has been signed to a longterm contract and is regarded as one of the company’s best directors.

Ralph Lynn has made his debut with Twickenham Films in “In The Soup.” In it, he entirely upholds his reputation as one of the few really good comedians of the screen. It is a story in the approved Lynn order, in which about half the laughs come from comically absurd situations and subterfuges, and the other half from Ralph Lynn’s unique brand of swift and absentminded faux pas of words and gestures. Perhaps even more than usual, it is Lynn who makes the picture. The critics agree that It is the best since “Rookery Nook.” The cast includes Judy Gunfi and Norton Selten.