A TROPICAL SETTING

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22436, 24 June 1938, Page 5

A TROPICAL SETTING

The semi-tropical beauty of the Hawaiian Islands forms the background for “Hawaii Calls,” Bobby Breen’s latest musical starring vehicle, Which begins, to-day at the Mayfair. With the exception of scenes taking place on board a passenger liner on its trip from San Francisco to Honolulu, all the action of the film takes place amid the luxuriant settings of "the islands.” Many of the bestknown spots of Hawaii are seen in the film, including the famous Waikiki Beach, ' Honolulu’s beautiful resort hotels, its picturesque Oriental quarter and the fern-covered areas of the island of Oahu. The latter are dominated by the Pali, a towering precipice 600 feet in height, over which the ancient King Kamehameha once drove an opposing army to destruction on the rocks below.

Late in the story of the picture the Island of Maui is the scene of a luau, or native feast, with garlanded throngs of merrymakers partaking of a banquet, consisting of a pig roasted underground, sweet potatoes, and an assortment of purely Hawaiian delicacies, while girls dance to the music ox native musicians. The cast of “Hawaii Calls” is exceptional, including as it does such Popular screen figures as Ned Sparks, Irvin s. Cobb, Gloria Holden, Warren Hull, and Juanita Quigley. Mamo Llark, Pua Lani, Aggie Auld, Birdie de Bolt, and other native Hawaiians are also seen in important roles. During the film Bobby Breen sings naif a dozen tuneful songs, including two written specially for the picture P y .Harry Owens, whose “Sweet Leiiam is one of the popular hits of the day. These are “Hawaii Calls.” the uieme song of the picture, and “Down Where the Trade Winds Blow.” Raymond Paige and his orchestra take a prominent part in the picture. m the story Bobby and his young Hawaiian friend, Pua Lani, who have |^; rri ed their living on the streets of oan Francisco, go to Honolulu as

rJ^u 66 studios are anxious to get Bing rosby’s signature for the one picture p,; ear he is allowed to make outside aramount. He used to make it for *wmanuel Cohen. * * » Selznick is preparing “Earl of meago,” the story of a tough Ameriwho goes to England. He hoped Spencer Tracy for the title yart. but Tracy went on holiday. r M-G-M have bought the*title of Dale hook, "How to Win Friends if f People.” They will use • el a comedy co-starring Fanle Bnce and Frank Morgan. Universal will make “That Certain Muf 6 a ? eanna Durbin’s next picture retu rns from New York. It is au thor of “Mayerling,” Irmgard yon Cune. iti' - iV.

Bobby Breen in “Hawaii Calls”

stowaways on a great passenger liner. They make their escape to shore with the police in pursuit. Their, exciting adventures in Hawaii, during which they are secreted by native friends of Pua, reach a thrilling climax when the boys become involved in the search for a band of criminals who have stolen government naval secrets.

W. C. Fields’s new picture is to be called “Behind the Eight Ball.” He found it himself after Paramount turned down his first suggestion of “The First Gentleman of Cucamonga.” Mary Carlisle and John Howard provide the love interest. * » * Warners have gained permission to film “Wings over the Navy” at Pensacola, the American Government’s naval training station. This is a concession, since studios were informed that “Test Pilot” would be the last picture to be produced with the co-opera-tion of the United State services. * » w John Intel gets a leading part opposite Kay Francis in “In Every Woman’s Life.” This is the picture previously titled “My Bill.” * *• * The Marx Brothers’ next picture for M-G-M is being prepared under the title “A Day at the Circus.” They will do “Room Service” for Radio first.

Ann Dvorak, Charles Bickford, and Alan Baxter are playing leads in Republic’s “Gangs of New York.” Bickford also draws an important part in “Valley of the Giants,” Warners’ next big open-air feature. * « * Cecil de Mille will glorify one of America’s great railways in “Union Pacific.” The picture will be produced by Paramount. * * • Another accomplishment was added to her repertoire by Simone Simon, when she emerged as a dancer in her current 20th Century-Fox picture, “Josette,” in which she appears with Don • Ameche and Robert Young. Simone has 1 never danced professionally, but the ’ training given her during the last few 1 months enabled her to do a solo waltz s and rhumba in the picture.