CINEMA ART FILMS.

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 72, 18 December 1928, Page 57 (Supplement)

CINEMA ART FILMS.

Forthcoming Releases.

Cinema Art Films, one of the largest Australian-New Zealand film organisations, which has come readily to the fore within the last few months through the excellent productions handled, has a most ambitious releasing programme scheduled for 1920, and picture patrons throughout the Dominion may well keep an eye on this company’s productions, which include thirty features from British International Pictures and sixteen from U.F.A.

British International Pictures, considered to be the largest British motion picture producing organisation, can now boast of having the largest studios in the world, situated only ten miles outside of London at Elstree, Herts. Their financial interest in companies all over the world include Cinema Art Films, and the newly-formed huge British organisation called the Wide World Film Co-operation, of which British International Pictures retain the controlling interest with a capital of two and a half million pounds. It was formed with the object of placing on the American and Canadian market British productions. The U.F.A. organisation is far too well known to require any further explanation. The U.F.A. is the largest European producing, distributing and exhibiting organisation, and its studios are the delight not only of Europeans but American picture men as well. A.F.A. were the people who gave the world such remarkable productions as “Variety,” “Waltz Dream,” “Faust,” and “Metropolis,” and their 1929 programme contains pictures such as “The Spy,” a story of the Secret Service. made by Mr. F. Lang, “The Hungarian Rhapsody,” “The Burning of Moscow,” and "Secrets of the Orient.” The latter picture, by the way, has just been completed, after taking eighteen months in the making. Most of the scenes were taken in Algiers. Both “The Burning of Moscow” and “Secrets of the Orient” were produced by Alexander Wolkoff, the celebrated Russian director whose two recent remarkable pictures, “Prince of Adventures” and “Michael Strogoff,” were screened throughout the the Dominion. British International Pictures, with their vast array of scenario writprs, producers and artists, have scheduled some pictures for release which will undoubtedly place the British motion picture in a premier position. Their programme includes: “Poppies of Flanders,” from “Sapper’s” well-known story, and in which Jameson Thomas, England’s greatest actor, and Eve Gray, a well-known Australian actress, play the principal parts. “Moulin Rouge,” made by E. A. Dupont, the man responsible for “Variety,” in which over 20,000 play a part. 2V certain wellknown critic after he saw “Moulin Rouge” wrote: “Art is international, and if British pictures are to find a place on the screens of the world, it will not bo by ramming British sentiments down cosmopolitan throats or waving Union Jacks from every sub-title, rather let us, as in ‘Moulin Rouge,’ make films which have not only a Continental but an international appeal. In ‘Moulin Rouge’ British International Pictures have lived up to their name by being both British and international —a happy combination that must bring success.

“Piccadilly,” which is under production at present at Elstree, was specially written for the screen by England’s eminent author, Arnold Bennet. It is produced by the famous E. A. Dupont, and contains such wonderful artists as Gilda Gray. Betty Balfour, Anna May Wong and the well-known dancer, Cyril Richards, who. on several occasions, appeared in New Zealand under the .T.C.W. banner. “Tommy Atkins,” which is considered to be the greatest picture yet made in England, was adapted from the well-known Drury Lane Drama by lan Hay, and was produced with the hearty co-operation of the British .War Office. Most of the scenes are laid in Egypt, and 'for the first time in the history of British motion pictures four well-known regiments take part, including the celebrated Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. To make this production more interesting, the entire production was photographed by Friese Greene, junior, son of the inventor of the “Kinematograph,” who only two years ago died in London penniless. A comedian who has been recently engaged by British International to appear in several of the productions u Inch will be shown in New Zealand during 1929 is the well-known J. C. Williamson comedian, George Gee, who will make his first: ppearance on the screen under the British International banner. Cinema Art Films have imide arrangements whereby all their 1929 productions will be screened throughout the Dominion by the Fuller-Hay-ward and W. R. Kemball Theatres.

Judge: “Only married a week and you beat your wife? A month’s imprisonment will cure you.” Husband: “It’s a bit tough spoiling our honeymoon like that.” Edith: “Jack told me I was so interesting and so beautiful.” Marie: “And yet you will trust yourself for life with a man who begins deceiving you even during his courtship.” » * * Aunt Jane: “Well, Ethel, I see you’ve landed a man at last.” Angler’s Daughter: “Yes, Auntie; but you ought to see the ones that got away.”