A National Spectacle

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 106, 7 May 1931, Page 18

A National Spectacle

The "Daily Film Router," a leading newspaper of the cinema industry, devotes the whole of a main article to a discussion of the "Daily Telegraphs announcement "that Mr. D: W. Griffith, the. famous American film director, has been semiofficially approached with a view to his making in-England a super-talkie with the privisional title of "Birth of an Empire."

The proposal is, of course, contingent on the necessary financial support being obtained in this country against a guarantee of the film's release in America.

The "Daily Film Ken tor" approves ot the suggestion in principle, but asks why a British film director should not be chosen to make the film.

There are thi'ce answers to that question :—

(1) There is no British film director whoso record suggests that ho is capable of producing a super-filui likely to appeal to the whole world.

(2) The British film industry, despite tho, opportunity afforded by the Films Act, has not produced anything that could be called a national spectacle, with the single exception of "Tell Englaud!" which the "Daily Film llentcr" does not admire.

(.'}) Air. Griliith is not only widely experienced, .in the making of Rii'nur-uiins, bin. is accepted as a protagunist of Anglo-Ame-rican, sentiment. ...

It must be remembered that Jill-.' Griffith wei-'- to England during the war, at the invitation of the British Government, and made an Anglo-American propaganda spectacle called'"Hearts of the, World," which was a. great success. ' The "Daily Film Renter" is on stronger ground when it says:'"There is not the slightest doubt that British history contains''the material for-a .whole series of thrilling ■ talkie plays., One can well' understand Griffith looking with envy and longing on such material." , That being so, whydoes.not the British Glm-"industry make ,an . effort, to produce such ;films, -instead of leaving "British" national 'spectacles, to America? • ■ ' Again. . . ; ' '■•■. ■ ;; ConradiNagel has. been- signed to-.a new long-term f-contract with the Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer studios.

Ethel Wales. Ethel Wales has been added to the cast of Columbia's "Subway Express," adapted from the stage play of the same title. Listed as one of the company's specials, the production is being brought to the screen under tho direction of Fred Newmcycr. ' The cast to date includes Jack Holt in the featured male role, Fred KelscVj.Ailecu Priuglc in the feminine lead, Jason Robards, and Alan Roycoo iv "The Covered Wagon," "Cradle Snalchcrs," "Tho Donovan Affair," "Loose Ankles," and "The Criminal Code." "New Moon." Some of the foremost names in modern music'were closely bound with the filming of "New Moon," Metro-Gold wyn-Maycr's screen adaptation of the stage musicaldrama, success. Lawrence Tibbett and Grace Moore, co-stars of the picture, need no introduction, Tibbett having achieved a sensational success in his first screen effort, "Tho Rogue Song," and Miss Moore having scored equally in her talkie debut as Jenny Liud of "A Lady's Morals." Jack Conway, of "Tho Unholy Three" fame, directed. Tied Up. Jean Hersholt has quilted the free latice field and settled down at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for a long term. Horsholt's work in "Daybreak," Ramon Novarro's current starring vehicle, Jacques Fcyder directing, is said to have won him the contract. First Screen Role. Loretta Sayers, Larchmont ■ society deb., recently "discovered" by Columbia Pictures, .will play her fit'st screen role for the company opposite Buck Jones in "Red River, Rogues," the last of the series of specials which ho is making for Columbia.. Miss Saycrs is the young society girl who was recently • signed by Columbia on a long-term contract. She was selected from hundreds of applicants iv a quest for new faces.