ATTRACTIONS IN 1929

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 72, 18 December 1928, Page 56 (Supplement)

ATTRACTIONS IN 1929

A Sequel to “Over the Hill”

Mr. S. S. Crick ManagingDirector Fox Films.

During 1929 the pictures that will be offered to the public of New Zealand under the Fox banner look particularly attractive, according to the expressed opinion of some of the industry’s foremost critics.

The 1929 output will comprise fiftytwo pictures, one per week, with the probable addition of four super-produc-tions. The ever-increasing popularity of Fox short subjects is ample proof that the public appreciate good supporting pictures. This justifies the care exercised in the production of Fox Comedies, Variety Subjects and Fox News.

Among the authors and playwrights whose works will be placed on the screen by Fox are such well-known names as I. A. R. Wylie, Edna Ferber, Chas. Francis Coe, Lawrence Stallings, Edmund Goulding, John Galsworthy, Jerome K. Jerome, and many others. Directors who will weild the megaphone include such masters of their art as John Ford, who directed “The Iron Horse” and “Mother Machree,” Raoul Walsh, director of “What Price Glory,” and Frank Borzage, of “7th Heaven” fame.

A great array of talented stars will appear in Fox 1929 productions. Among the following will be recognised many who have proved by past performance their ability to capture the public fancy—Janet Gaynor, Dolores Del Rio, Charles Farrell, Victor Melaglen, Madge, Bellamy, Edmund Lowe, Lois Moran, George O’Brien, Sammy Cohen, June Collyer. Picturegoers In New Zealand are indeed fortunate, for during 1929 they will have an opportunity of seeing such notable productions as “Four Sons,” the greatest mother-love picture since “Over the

Hill.” Margaret Mann, as the elderly Bavarian mother of four sons, contributes a performance which, for charm and sympathy, has never been excelled on the screen. “Four Sons” is a profoundly moving picture of family life among the humble people of rural Bavaria. As an artistic creation, the production is magnificent in the amazing effectiveness of its fine realism and its utter simplicity.

“Street Angel,” the story of the love of a wandering artist for the little street waif of Naples, features the pair, Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell, who climbed the heights and carved a place for themselves in the hearts of picturegoers throughout the world by their immortal performance in “7th Heaven.” Critics classify “Street Angel” as “the highest peak of screen entertainment.” Dolores Del Rio scores another outstanding success by her portrayal of "Toska,” the Russian peasant girl who becomes a famous dancer, in the Fox production “The Red Dance.” This is a fine story of Russia, its people and events, just prior to the Menshevik Revolution. Co-starring with Dolores Del Rio is Charles Farrell, who can always be depended upon to give a satisfactory performance. As Grand Duke Eugen, Charles Farrell again demonstrates his remarkable versatility. In “The Red Dance” his devotees will see a new Charles Farrell, with his royal carriage, his uniforms, his physical assets and his love-making scenes. “The Red Dance” is an audience picture the world over—absorbing, effective, compelling and complete.

Among the outstanding pictures of the year “Mother Knows Best” undoubtedly finds a place. Of this picture the “New York Morning World” said, “Miss Madge Bellamy has never yet been seen in so altogether delightful a portrayal.” Louise Dresser, as the mother who always knows best, gives a performance which cannot fail to impress and convince. Then there will be “The Air Circus,” a rollicking story of civil aviation handled from an entirely new angle. Howard Hawkes, the director, will go down in history as the pioneer of commercial aviation pictures. He has produced a superpicture based on aviation with nothing of stunt flying or foolhardy adventures in the skies. But there are sufficient thrills and romance in “The Air Circus” to satisfy the demand of the most critical picturegoer.

“Fazil” is a lavish story of beauty, romance and action from Paris to the desert of Araby. Charles Farrell, as the Arabian Prince, and Greta Nissen, as his bride, lend an amazing colour and romance by their respective performances. “Fazil” is a story of exceptional dramatic appeal.