SCREENLAND JOTTINGS

Evening Star, Issue 20582, 6 September 1930, Page 21

SCREENLAND JOTTINGS

Frederick Bentley, tho diminutive London comedian, who was in New Zealand in 4 Rose Marie,’ has joined the Hollywood ranks, and intends writing and acting his own Bentley Talky Shorts. Noel Maddison, tho talented son of Maurice Moscovitch, who has been in Now Zealand with many J.C.W. companies, has apparently attracted the attention of producers in Hollywood, He has been secured for a sophisticated little comedy called ‘ Honolulu,’ and has some good engagements ahead, including an important part in 4 Little Caesar.’ Maurice Elvey, the British film director, having completed his first British talking film classic comedy, Sheridan’s 4 The School for Scandal,’ is now engaged in active preparation for an all-talking screen story of Shakespeare’s life. The film, which will be entitled ‘The Dark Lady,’ will re-enact the romantic and dramatic highlights of Shakespeare’s career. Gordon Barker, an English stage and screen player, appears in his first talkie role in 4 The Crooked Billet,’ which ho follows up as tho sinister night porter in 4 The Squeaker,’ a role which he made famous in the stage play. He is now appearing in the West End musical comedy ‘ Sons o’ Guns,’ as well as playing an important part in tho new Gainsborough production 4 The Stronger Sex.’ Tho Fox Film Corporation has produced another revue, 4 The Fox Movietone Follies of 1930,’ which is claimed to be considerably superior to its predecessor last year. The chorus alone consists of 300 girls. Marjorie White and El Brendel have the leading roles, and are supported by a cast which includes Richard Keene, Frank Richardson, Noel Francis, Miriam Seegar, and William Collier, jun. Tho entire cast of featured players in 4 Young Man of Manhattan,’ a newly completed Paramount all-talking picture, consists of former stage artists. They are Claudette Colbert and Norman Foster (who have the leads), Charles Rugglos, Ginger Rogers, Leslie Austin, and John MacDowell. 4 Young Man of Manhattan,’ a story of Press activities, is adapted from Katherine Brush’s 4 Saturday Evening Post ’ serial. Given a tremendous ovation at a special preview held in Los Angeles for newspaper men, 4 Our Blushing Brides ’ stands out as Joan Crawford’s greatest screen vehicle. It was designed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer as a companion picture to _ its two earlier successes, 4 Our Dancing Daughters ’ and 4 Our Modern Maidens.’ The new picture presents the same feminine principals— Joan Crawford, Anita Page, and Dorothy Sebastian. With a replica of an old Swedish inn as a setting Grace Moore walked through a studio snowstorm as her initiation to the screen when Sidney Franklin started the direction of her first talking picture for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Tho Metropolitan opera star plays the role of Jenny Lind, tho famous Swedish singer of .years ago, in a story based on her life. Reginald Denny plays tho hero, and a notable cast appears