FILMS and the STAGE

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 33, 2 November 1934, Page 16

FILMS and the STAGE

News From 1 The Studios And Theatres

“Folies Bergeres” For Screen |~|ARRYL ZAN'UCK, production head of 20th Century Pictures, announces that he has purchased the world film rights to “Folies Bergere de I’arls." He plans to place it in production immediately. One of the features of the screen production will be the original French Qan Can girls who will be brought to Hollywood to appear before the camera in their internationally . known specialty. Costumes, scenery and the chorus of the Parisian musical show will be transported to the American film capital under the supervision of Max Weldie and M. I)uval. who for the past fifteen.years have been th° owners and' directors of “Folies Bergere de Paris." Work on the story, the music and the spectacle, has already been started. ' ' ■ i Florence Desmond: Sophie Tucker i

yyiTH the well-known Florence , ‘J Desmond and the equally wellknown Sophie Tucker in the stellar roles, “Gay Love,” a British Dominions musical comedy, will ' shortly be released. The talents of the two artists are said to be given full scope, and the. film should be one that will rank among the year’s most notable successes. ’ Sophie Tucker will siiig several songs in her own Inimitable way,, and Florence Desmond, of course, willglve her famous impersonations. ■ Greta Garbo’s intense remoteness, ; Zazu Pitts’s forlorn fluttering,. and Mae West’s brazen seductiveness are ■ portrayed in an uncannily life-like manner by Miss Desmond in an elaborate ballroom 1 set/ This scene alone is bound to make "Gay Love” pne of filmland’s most successful ' productions. The cast of “Gay Love" includes Ivor McLaren, Enid Stamp-Taylor, Garry Marsh and' Sydney Like Father Like Son WHEN Ralph Bushman, son of Francis X. Bushman, the screen Idol of the silent days, stepped on to the "The Girl from Missouri” stage at the MetroGold wyn-Mayer studios, he unexpectedly stepped into a doorman’s uniform. Bushman strolled on to the stage just as Director Jaek Conway was ready ,to shoot an exterior scene with Jean Harlow and Patsy Kelly for the new picture. Conway took a look, at young Bushman’s Apollo-llke physique and ordered the cameras to “cease fire.” He thrust Bushman into a doorman's uniform then pushed him into the scene as a foil for Miss Kelly’s flirtatious antics.' Jean Harlowis the star of the film, and also in the cast are Lionel Barrymore, Lewis Stone and Franchot Tone. Domestic Comedy-Drama a cast of unusual merit headed by Adolphe Menjou and Doris Kenyon, and featuring Charlotte ', Henry, famed as “Alice in Wonderland” and Betty Lawford, Hollywood’s most distinguished “other woman,” “The Human Side,” Universal’s comedy-drama of American family life will be released shortly in New Zealand. The story is of a theatrical producer, his temperamental star and his understanding former wife and four children 1 , Some of the most amusing and riotous scenes pictured on the screen occur between Menjou and Miss Lawford because 'Menjou insists on being in love with his ex-wife. New Janet Gaynor Film "WITH most screen stars playing opposite a different leading man in nearly every picture,- Janet Gaynor has set something of a record in restrict- *

ing the number' of her co-stars. Through the list of 21 starring vehicles the titian-haired favourite has made for Fox Films, she has had but seven leading men. Charles Farrell heads the record with an even dozen costarring appearances with her, and Warner Baxter and Charles Morton have both played opposite her in two offerings. Lew Ayres, who scored so heavily with Miss Gaynor in “State Fair” a few years ago, now joins the “double” list, again being co-starred with her in “Servant’s > Entrance,’ 1 which Frank Lloyd is directing.

A Boxing Star JACK DOYLE, one of the best-look-ing fighters who ever stepped into an English ring, has signed a contract with 8.1. P. to becotne a film star! Jack Doyle’s first film will be “.Radio Parade of 1935.” He will play the part of a lift-man who is discovered to be the possesor of a fine voice, and he is, of course, brought to the microphone. Jack Doyle will then play “McGlusky" in the film version of A. G. Hales’s book, "McGlusky, the Sea Rover”—a character which just suits his rugged personality. It is doubtful if any man on the screen to-day has such a fine body and splendid physique as Jack Doyle. He will be the screen’s newest type of lov.er.

Film with Dorothy Brunton ■QOROTHY BRUNTON, the Australian musical comedy star, is to make her talking picture debut in the Efiftee adaption of the English comedy “Clara Glbbings.” She has the title role which was enacted in the Efftee stage ■ production at the ' Garrick Theatre last year by the Melbourne actress Ruby May. Mr. Thring regards Dorothy Brunton as ideal for the role of “Clara Glbbings.” The latter is an East-End barmaid, who discovers that she is the legitimate daughter of the Earl of Drumoor by an early secret marriage. It Is a part full of exuberance, with some sparkling dialogue in which Dorothy Brunton may be expected to revel. It also provides her, in the closing scene, with the opportunity of revealing her talent as anemptional actress as well as a comedienne. Universal will release the film in New Zealand.

Brian Aherne will play the male lead opposite Helen Hayes in-the film version of Sir J. M. Barrie’s play, “What Every Woman Knows.” Miss Hayes has just returned to the studios from New York, and is to start work in the new picture within the next few weeks. - s'j . : ♦ ' * ' / ♦. \ ■ \ •

Bombardier Billy Wells, the famous ex-boxer, will appear as a detective in “The Giri in the Crowd,” which |s being •produced in England. The film has an all-star cast.

Edward Everett Horton of the most popular comedians on the screen to-ddy is Edward Everett Horton. The humour which he puts into his various characterisations is unique, as it is of a type which only he possesses. Mr. Horton always appears in supporting roles, as he considers that for him to appear as the star would be detrimental to his screen career. His next show is Warner Brothers’ “Smarty.”

Montgomery’s New Show 'J’HERE is said to be a wealth of genu 1 i ine entertainment in M.G.M.’ k “Hide Out,” a new release which fea tures the ever-popular Robert Montgomery, who is seen as a "racketeer’ who finds reformation through contacr with, a farmer’s family. The settings are mostly rural. The dark-eyed Maureen O’Sullivan is seen as the farmer’s daughter, and Whitford Kane, a noted American stage star, as the farmer. Elizabeth Patterson is the farmer’s wife and Mickey Rooney shines in a child role.

Gertrude' Lawrence, and. Douglas Fairbanks, jun., are planning to appear together in a play written specially for them by Clemente Dane. The play will be staged first in London and then on Broadway.

“The Merry Malopes,” the Fuller musical comedy, is' drawing crowded houses at. the Mayfair, Theatre, Sydney. Polly Walker i$ the star. Joan Beere. formerly of Wellington, has a prominent dancing part.

• “Enter, Madame” Filmed ALBERTO VALENTINO, brother and heir of the late Rudolph, has returned to American films ‘as an Italian opera singer in Paramount’s •‘Enter Madame,” a story that features Elissa, Land!, Cary Grant and others. For the past few years Valentino has been starring in independent pictures and foreign versions. “Enter Madame” was played on the stage in New Zealand some years ago by Gertrude Elliott, and was also released as a silent film with Clara Kimball Young in the leading role.

“Ten Minute Alibi,” the play that ran for over sixteen months on the London stage, is to be filmed by British Lion,- who are also making a film of the 8.8. C; feature. “In Town Tonight.”

Claudette Colbert, who usually contrives to wear as few clothes as possible, recently announced that she was very much opposed to much undressing on the screen.

Erich Von ‘Stroheim is confessing that he changed his original name. Oswald Hans Caul Maria von Nordenwall. after paying a visit, to a numerologist. Apparently, “Erich” is luckier as well as shorter.

Anna Neagle in “Nell Gwyn” T HE British Dominions super-pro-duction, “Nell Gwyn,” shortly to be released in New Zealand, will introduce to screen audiences a new Anna Neagle. In the past this glamorous young star has played a variety of roles, ranging from the “hard-boiled” "Little Damnzel" to the demure Sari Linden of “Bitter Sweet,” but never has she had a part so consistently abandoned and unrestrained as that of the orange girl and Drury Lane actress who captured the affection of Charles 11, and held it unbroken until his death. “Twenty Million Sweethearts” tIIMPLY because a man is alleged to u have twenty million sweethearts, it does not follow that he is an out: and-out flirt. One may think so, but if one sees Warner Brothers’ delightful comedy romance, that was screened privately In Wellington during the week, one will find out that the man with so many attachments may really be true to one only. In this exceptionally entertaining film, the audience is introduced to a “go-getting” publicity man, a promising vbcalist, a radio girl, business men and the wellknown Four Mills Brothers, of whom are merrily mixed up in a, romance that .vas almost shattered through too much publicity. The show goes with a great swing from start to finish. Many of the scenes take place within the walls of a New York broadcasting station, and are of more than passing interest. Richard Powell, young and enthusiastic, and in excellent voice is the hero, who is the radio sweetheart of the twenty million radio listeners. Ginger Rogers, more charm-

Ing than ever, is the other part of the love element, Pet O’Brien is at bis cheekiest as the publicity man, and brilliant character acting is displayed by Joseph Cawthorne, Grant Mitchell, Johnny Arthur, and Allen Jenkins. The music is supplied by Ted Flo Rito and his band. The song hits, especially “You May Not Be Au Angel (I’ll String Along With You), and "Out for no Good,” are bound to be great hits.

Practically all the leading Hollywood production companies are now refusing to let their stars broadcast. They maintain that the radio competes with the cinema to the detriment of the latter.

Jean Arthur’s Ambitions JEAN ARTHUR, recently signed by Columbia studios as a featured player, had an early ambition to become a tight-rope walker. In her high-school days she thought she would like to be a teacher of languages. After graduation she took up commercial modelling and, when a stadia scout saw her. her ambition changed again. She signed a contract and was almost at once on her way to Hollywood. Her most recent picture is “Host Precious Tiling in Life.” Richard Cromwell. Donald Cook and Anita Louise have the other featured roles.

S’s in “Chu Chin Chow 1 ’ QOUN'I) engineers loathe the letter “S.” Even with the most modern recording system, the sibilant sound is not beloved of the soundman. Imagine, thereiore, the feeling of the Gains borough British engineers when George Robey’s song-number .in the cave scene was first tried over:— ‘•Scimitars, sabres and swords. With scabards of sapphire And silken cords. These snicker-snees Are mine to seize All here to do with as I please, To swish and slice with As I please.” “Chu Chin Chow." which will socn be screened in Wellington, is a glamorous pictorial version of the renowned spectacle made famous by Oscar Asche It is said to be the most pretentious and gorgeous show to be sent out from a British studio. The piece is lavishly besprinkled with Frederick Norton’s melodies, and the special cast includes George Robey (AH Baba), Anna May Wong (Zahr;it), John Garrick (Nur-al-Din). and .Frank Cochrane (Mustafa). (Mr. Cochrane plays his original role and sings the “Cobbler’s Song.”)

• J. B. Priestley Story MARKING the first o£ twelve new X feature productions to be produced by RKO Radio Pictures, “Dangerous Corner,” the much-discussed screen dramatisation of J. B. Priestley’s famous novel and play of the same name, was launched before the cameras on the ■first of last month. Conrad Nagel. Virginia Bruce, Mervyn Douglas, Erin O’Brien Moore and Betty Furness head the cast of the new film.

Gala Night in Melbourne unusually interesting theatrical event in Melbourne will be the gala opening of the all-Australian musicai play, “Blue Mountain Melody." at His Majesty’s Theatre to-morrow. Written by J. C. Bancks. of “Ginger Meggs” fame, with music and lyrics by Charles Zwar, the young Melbourne composer, “Blue Mountain Melody” has achieved tremendous success in Sydney, and could have.run for many more weeks but for the fact that arrangements nad been made long ahead for its production at His Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne, as the Centenary attraction. It introduces the biggest aggregation of popular stars ever brought together in the one production on the Australian stage, headed by Madge Elliott and Cyril llitchard, with Gus Bluett In his best role to date, and including Leo Franklyn, Agnes Doyle. Frank Leighton, Marie Le Varre. Charles Zoll, Don Nicol, Eric Bush. Mona Zeppel, George Moon, Arthur Clarke, and many others. The ballets and dances have been arranged by Ruby Morriss (from “White Horse Inn”), the musical director is William Quintrell, and the whole production is staged by Frederick Blackman. Most Unusual Film SHORTLY to be serened in Wellington is Sound City’s "Doss House,” undoubtedly one of the most unusual aud yet true-to-life films ever screened. “Doss House” is a story of life in one of those houses which abound in big cities and which serve as a shelter for derelict humanity. It is with the lives of the frequenters of dbss houses that the picture deals. It is pathetic, and at the same time it is more than interesting. The cast is excellent, the various types of men being portrayed with almost uncanny realism; so much so that the audience soon forget that. they are looking at a film, but imagine they are viewing a slice of real life. The cast of “Doss House” is composed entirely of men.

I Love Story of a Century .1 yyiTH a powerful story, one of the strongest casts assembled tn many moons and directed by one of Hollywood’s best-known directors, Fox Films’ "The World Moves On” is heralded as "the love story of century.” 'Fresh from a "two-a-day, two-doilar showing”, in New York "lite World Moves On” has been acclaimed as the picture Hollywood will nave to beat for the 11)34-35 award of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences to "the best film of the year.” Made-,, leine Carroll acclaimed for her work in "1 Was A Spy,” was summoned to Hollywood for the leading feminine roje. Franchot Tone was engaged as the perfect foil for Miss Carroll’s blonde beauty. ’ “The. Scarlet Pimpernel” .OBERON has started work on her part of Lady Blakeney in "The Scarlet Pimpernel” at Elstree. in which she co-stars with Leslie Howard. Merle Oberon will be remembered a* Anne Boleyn in "The Private Life of Henry VIII” and will shortly be seen as Antonita in "The Private L'fe of Don Juan.” But as Lady Blakeney she surpasses all her pfevious perforniaitcesi Leslie Howard is dressed in the height of 18th century fashion, with -gaily coloured ruffled coat, breeches and long walking stick. "The Scarlet Pimpernel” is produced by Alexander Korda and will be released by United Artists. ,

Madame Florence Austral Florence austral, whose'glorious voice needs uo introduction to music lovers, and who is now appearing in Sir Benjamin Fuller’s Royal Grand Opera Company;. received her musical; education in Melbourne, i Shortly after the war she went to America, and later to London, to complete her studies, making her operatic debut and becoming famous overnight in the role of Brunehilde In “The Valkyrie” at Coveut Garden in 1922. Since then she has appeared in the principal dramatic soprano rotes in England, 'America and at the Berlin Stiite Opera House. Sir Benjamin Fuller Is particularly proud that Madame Austral’s first operatic appearance in Australia should be made under his direction. About Nova Pilbeam TN . the Gaumont-British picture A “Little Friend,” soon to be released in New Zealand, the interpretation bf the difficult character or the child is done by Nova Pilbeam, a fourteen-year-old artiste. She exhibits something little short of genius in the manner in which, her acting responds to the delicate gradations of the author in tracing the awakenings of the Child to the growing tension of her home. Nova Pilbeam is no ordinary child. Her work is in no way superficial; it is inspired by real feeling. It may also be said that she has none of that irritating precociousness that disfigures the manner of so many capable children.

MAE WEST’S new Paramount J -'- L picture, which was produced under the title' of “It £in’t No Sin.” will be released as “Belle of the Nineties,” the tatter title having been considered' more 1 suitable. As is usual in Miss West's films, she selected her own cast, helped in composing the singing numbers and designed - her own dresses;

Edith Fellows, the clever nine-year-old star who supports Richard Dix in RKO Radio’s "His Greatest Gamble,” is highly versatile. Sho sings in live languages, dances the ballet and the dances of eight different nations, and has appeared in 85 motion pictures.

With the world-renowned Richard Tauber ‘in the stellar role, "Blossom Time,” 8.1.P.’s glorious lyrical romance, will soon be screened in Wellington. It is a. story of Franz Schubert, and in the film, the famous tenor will sing (in English) eight songs set to Schubert’s entrancing melodies. Richard Tauber has the support of a specially selected cast.