SCREENLAND JOTTINGS

Evening Star, Issue 21518, 16 September 1933, Page 6

SCREENLAND JOTTINGS

* Viennese Nights ’ opened for its sixth season in Christchurch at the Grand Theatre on September 2. Five seasons of a most successful nature have been played in Dunedin—at the Empire, St. James, Octagon (twice), and King Edward Theatres. * * ■» * Katherine Hepbuni is to star in a Radio version of John Galsworthy’s story, ‘ The Apple Tree.’ The film will bo made in Hollywood, and not in England as originally planned. * * * * Pola Negri is to star in a French screen version of ‘ La Savelli,’ a play by Max Maurey dealing with the amorous adventures of Napoleon HI. and an opera singer.

A sequel to ‘ Frankenstein ’ is to be produced by Universal with Boris Karloff in the monster part which made him famous.

Lillian Gish, the heroine of ‘ The Birth of a Nation ’ and other famous pictures of silent days, will break her retirement from the screen for RKO Radio Pictures, by whom she has ’ u signed for one picture. When she plays the selected role the voice of one of the most popular stars of silent days will be heard for tho first time in talkies.

The part of Tessa in Basil Dean’s forthcoming talkie version of ‘ Tho Constant Nymph ’ is to be played by Victoria Hopper, a twenty-year-old London girl, who has never yet appeared on the screen. Miss Hopper recently made her stage debut in ‘ Martine ’ at the Ambassador’s Theatre. Brian Aherno is to play Lewis Dodd.

An exceptionally fine cast supports Gracie Fields in ‘ This Week of Grace,’ now in production at Ealing for RKO Radio release. Henry Kendall is Gracie’s leading man-, and this clever light comedian should bo an admirable foil to the star's inimitable personality. Frank Pottingell, Minnie Raynor,,and Douglas 'Wakefield also have leading parts in ‘ This Week of Grace.’

With the return of Greta Garbo to Hollywood after her vacation in Europe extensive preparations are under way at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios for production of her next talkie, ' Queen Christina,’ a glamorous picturisation of the life of Sweden’s historic queen. Placed in the turbulent days of the early seventeenth century, the new picture is declared to call_ for the most impressive sets and locations planned in many seasons. One of the greatest tasks facing productive executives, it is said, is the reproduction of the Stockhohn Palace, in which many of the dramatic scenes take place. The magnificent structure was destroyed in a subsequent war, and considerable research is required to obtain authentic details of its construction. Garbo herself is declared to have personally undertaken research work on behalf of

the picture while she was in Sweden. Christina’s career is heroic in her native land, and Garbo is said to be unusually enthusiastic with the opportunity to play the characterisation so closely associated with the background of her homeland. It is believed that Garbo will take a more active part than usual in the groundwork for this production, her suggestions already having been taken into consideration in the planning of the story. Conferences are said to have revealed her eagerness to begin work on the picture, and actual “ shooting ” will probably follow decision on the supporting cast.

Good wholesome fun of a variety of which movie-goers never tiro, and which is guaranteed to make even a cat laugh is contained in ‘ Up For the Cup,’ starring the frozen-faced English comedian, Sydney Howard, which will commence a season at the St. James Theatre next Friday. The comical antics of Sydney Howard as the Yorkshireman who journeys up to London with his lady-love to view the celebrated Cup Final are said to bo positively uproarious, and his is a characterisation that will bo much appreciated. Cast in an altogether different role from those in which ,we have been accustomed to seeing him, this production certainly gives Howard plenty of scope to add more laurels to his crown of fame Laughs come thick and fast, when one is not chuckling, one is thrilling at a superlative display of football by England’s premier teams. One of the most nnnsual mystery films to be shown here for some considerable time, ‘ Tho Chinese Puzzle,’ will support ‘ Up for the Cup.’ Austin Trevor and Leon M. Lion act splendidly as a detective and a Chinese mandarin respectively. Tho production is elaborately presented in a manner that lacks neither dash nor sparkle, with thrills rolling out in an easy tempo that sustains tho onlooker’s attention right to tho very final denouement, that brings a satisfactory conclusion to what everybody seeing * The Chinese Puzzle ’ will agree is one of the most entertaining productions over to come to Dunedin.

# » * * Some of the most romantic characters in the history of the gold rush clays of the early American West, characters as dazzling as those of the most engaging fiction, are emblazoned in the cinema

play, ‘ Silver Dollar,’ which commences shortly at tho Strand Theatre. This attraction is based on the novel by David Karsner, which delves into the life stories of the pioneers and adventurers who swarmed the mining camps of Colorado during the richest silver strike in the history of the world. The central figure is that of Yates Martin, who struggled through days of starvation as a prospector to rise to fame as the richest of the millionaires after he struck “ pay dirt.” Edward G. Robinson plays the part of this Silver King, who slapped a “ dry ” president on the back and asked him to have a drink, ruled a State Legislature in a barroom to the popping of champagne corks, embarrassed General _ Grant by making such a disturbance in his own opera house that the prima donna left in a huff, and scandalised a nation with his divorce and remarriage. Other picturesque personages include the horde of adventurers of the mining camps, the gambling rooms, dance halls, and political forums. Bebe Daniels has the leading feminine role opposite Robinson, that of the second wife of tho Silver King, while Aline MacMahon plays the part of the first wife whom he deserted for the younger and more beautiful woman. . The supporting cast is exceptional, including such players as Jobyna Howland, as Poker Annie, De Witt Jennings,- Robert Warwick, Russell Simpson, Harry Holman, and Charles Middleton..