SCREENED JOTTINGS

Evening Star, Issue 20486, 17 May 1930, Page 21

SCREENED JOTTINGS

Tho all-colour, all-talking cartoon is the latest development of the screen, and this innovation is presented for the first time by Universal's special, ‘The King of Jazz,’ starring Paul Whiteman and his band, which is now being completed under John Murray Anderson’s direction. The cartoon sequence entitled ‘A Fable in Jazz’ opens the picture by showing how Whiteman came to be crowned King of Jazz. Paramount’s uproariously funny musical comedy, ‘Honey,’ starring Nancy Carroll, will shortly be released in New Zealand. The talking picture is adapted from the stage comedy success, ‘Come Out of the Kitchen,’ and set to music by Paramount staff writers. The chief supporting roles are played by Stanley Smith, Sheets Gallagher, Lillian Roth, Harry Green, and Jobyna Howland

An imposing group of players is represented in ‘ Footlights and Fools,’ which will be screened in New Zealand shortly. Tho star, Colleen Moore, whose delightful personality and exceptional dramatic talent have often been demonstrated, is afforded a splendid opportunity in her characterisation which calls upon her to speak with a French accent during part of the story. As his next directorial effort King Vidor will direct ‘ Billy the Kid,’ one of the best-known of American desperadoes, according to an announcement from Motro-Goldwyn-Mayer. He will work with Laurence Stallings, who assisted him in the preparation of ‘The Big Parade.’ in transferring the story of ‘Billy the Kid’ to the talking screen. Stallings is now busy on the scenario, and it is expected; that the picture will go-into production soon. The famous stage thriller, ‘ Insido the Lines,’ written by Earl Derr Biggers, lias been purchased by Radio Pictures, and will bo produced with au all-star oast. This was the first war tale depicting life within tho confines of Gibraltar. Originally produced at the Longacre Theatre, New York, it scored an instant success which was duplicated two years later on tho stage of the Apollo, London. Adventures of English and German spies supply tho basis for its thrills. Sir Gerald Du Mauricr has been engaged to play the leading role in the 'talking picture version of Galsworthy’s ‘Escape.’ to bo produced by Basil Dean for Radio Pictures. It was previously announced that Clive Brook would play the rolo in a talking version for Paramount. . .

The ‘Now York Times’ has reported that Mr Charles Chaplin, who has not yet appeared in a sound film, has secured the manuscript of a play entitled ‘Josef Suss,’ with a view to the possibility of reproducing it as a sound film. It is understood, however, that Mr Chaplin intends to remain a silent character, appearing ns the Silent Tramp, the part in which he first won recognition. The announcement has aroused considerable interest in England. According to Mr Louis Blattner. Who owns the film rights of Dr Feucht Wanger’s book—which naturally include those of the, play, since the_ two stories bre to so great an extent indissociablo e—there is not the remotest truth m

any suggestion that these are being transferred to Mr Chaplin. Mr Blattner said that he was at present in negotiation with an American firm for an Anglo-American production of a “Jew Suss’’ talk film, but this Jinn was not United Artists, of which Mr Chaplin is a member. On the other hand, since “Jew Suss” was an historical character, it is entirely open to anyone to write a story based on i is real life, without including any of the incidents of Feuchtwanger's invention It would be possible for Mr Chaplin to introduce a silent tramp into such a film, and it could include rr.y scene which did not infringe Dr Leon Feuchtwanger’s rights to his own imaginings. It is significant that Mr Chaplin made his debut on the music-hall stage in the East End of London mousy-live

years ago as “Sir _ wish comedian.” He reverted 'to his real name afterwards in a juvenile sketch called ‘ Casey’s Court Circus.’