SCREENLAND JOTTINGS

Evening Star, Issue 21718, 12 May 1934, Page 6

SCREENLAND JOTTINGS

Jan Kiepura, the popular Polish tenor, whose first British film, ‘ Tell Me To-night,’ had an enormous success, both in the British Empire and in the United States, is to make another picture for Gaumont-British, ‘ A Song for You.’ It is to bo an English version of the German success 4 Ein Lied fur Dir.’ Maurice Elvey will direct. * * * * The successor to George Gee’s ‘ Cleaning Up ’ is the British Lion comedy ‘ Strike it Rich,’ a British Dominions Films’ release to be screened at the St. James Theatre next Friday.

The story deals with the adventures and misadventures of a down-trodden clerk 'who suffers from an inferiority complex until he visits a phrenologist, who, after reading his bumps, tells him that he is a second Napoleon. Gina Malo plays opposite the popular comedian in ‘ Strike it Rich,’_ and gives a Eerfofmance which promises well for er future on the screen. Others who figure prominently in a strong comedy cast are Davy Burnaby and Betty Astell. ■' * * * * Paramount will bring Washington Irving’s immortal classic ‘Rip Van Winkle ’ to the screen as an, elaborate musical comedy, with W._ C. Helds as the star. Lyda Boberti, stage and screen comedienne, will head the supporting cast. Paramount holds exclusive registration rights to the vehicle that made Thomas Jefferson a star on the stage. William le Baron will act as producer. * * * * The mysterious and to a large extent secret workings of that division of the Police Department in which are recorded the cases of kidnapped men and ■women and those who strangely vanish are brought to the screen for the first time in the ‘ Bureau of Missing Persons,’ which shortly comes to the Strand Theatre, with Bette Davis, Pat O’Brien, Lewis Stone, and Glenda Farrell heading the large cast. In every large city there are thousands of missing persons reported yearly. A fair

proportion of these persons are found, but many disappear completely. Every class and age is represented among the missing, as ‘ Bureau of Missing Persona ’ relates. It is the effort of the police ih the bureau of missing persons to solve these mysteries around which the plot of the story is woven. The cases in the picture are based on actual fact. They parallel some of the most famous disappearance cases the country has known. The story also gives an accurate and graphic picture of the methods employed by the police. Robert Presnell, who wrote the screen play from a book by Captain John H. Ayres and Carol Bird, relating the captain’s experiences as head of the New York City Bureau of Missing Persons, made an exhaustive study of the police departraents in New York, Los Angeles, and other cities in order to get accurate data for the picture. There is an exceptionally large and able cast of players, many of whom have starred on both stage and screen. They include, besides those previously mentioned, Allen Jenkins, Ruth Donnelly, Hugh Herbert, Alan Dinehart, and Marjorie Gaieson, * * .* * New Zealand audiences will soon have the opportunity of seeing Katherine Hepburn, famous for her interpretation of Jo in the RKO Radio picture ‘ Little Women,’ in a' picture adapted from the _ Lulu Vollmer play ‘ Trigger.’ ‘ Spitfire,’ the title of the new film.

introduces Miss Hepburn as a mountain girl in love with an engineer. The film provides excellent scope for this dynamic actress, and should be one of the big film hits of the year. Robert Young and Ralph Bellamy are also cast.

All the world loves a lover and all the world adores a fighter. These are two reasons why all the world will love RKO Radio Pictures’ 4 Morning Glory.’ There are other reasons—the starstudded cast headed by dynamic Katherine Hepburn, Douglas Fairbanks, jun., and Adolphe Menjou; the sparkling direction by Lowell Sherman; and the play by brilliant Zoe Atkins. 4 Morning Glory ’ is the story of a fighter, and a dramatic romance with New York’s colourful Broadway as its background. It presents Miss Hep-

burn, the screen’s most interesting personality, as a girl who believes in herself, who knoWs she has the talent to become a great actress. In stirring fashion it depicts her courageous fight to win recognition, with its disappointments, its heartbreaks, and its final triumph. It gives young Fairbanks one of the strongest roles of his career ns a young theatrical producer who believes in the struggling girl and eventually teaches her the meaning of love, and it presents Menjou as. a fascinating man of the world. *** * • The virile 'actor George Bancroft returns to. popularity in 4 Blood Money,’ a dramatic romance of society and the underworld. Frances Dec, Chick Chandler, Judith Anderson, and Blossom Seeley are featured with Bancroft, making his first appearance in a twentieth century picture, a Darryl F. Zanuck production presented by Joseph M. Schenck. * * * * Colleen Moore and Douglas Fairbanks, jun., are co-starred in RKO Radio Pictures’ 4 Success At Any Price,’ an adaptation from the successful play by John Howard Lawson. The story concerns a young man who, by unscrupulous methods, fights his way from the slums to wealth and power. He finds true love and happiness only when his so-called success crashes upon him and he is forced to rebuild his career. 4 Success, At Any Price ’ marks

the introduction of a new Colleen Moore to the public. Gone is the long hair craze so often sported in the silent days by this star, and in her place there stands a bobbed and beautiful woman. This is v the new Colleen Moore, who makes ‘ Success At Any Price ’ success at any price. * * * * The title of the Fox film reuniting Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell has been changed from ‘ The World is Ours ’ to ‘ Change of Heart,’ according to its producer, Winfield _ Sheehan. Adapted from Kathleen Norris’s recent “ best-seller ” ‘ Manhattan Love Song,’ ‘ Change of Heart ’ has a brilliant supporting cast headed by James Dunn, Ginger Rogers, Beryl Mercer, Shirley Temple, Gustav Von ScyffertitZj and Irene Franklin. John Blystono is the director. ♦ * * * Probably _ the most famous dean in the world is he who is known as the “ gloomy ” one—Dean Inge. But probably the dean around whom the greatest interest is being centred at the moment is the fictitious one whom Maxwell Gray created in ‘ The Silence of Dean Maitland.’ This emotional epic will shortly be brought to the New Zealand screen with John Longden in the stellar role, supported by Charlotte Francis, Jocelyn Howarth, John Warwick, Audrey Nicolson, Les Warton, Leal Douglas, Claude Turtpu, W. Land-

Bauliff, John Pickard, Patricia Minchin, George Lloyd, Fred MacDonald, and little Billy Kerr. 4 The Silence of Dean Maitland ’ is Cinesound’s most ambitious production yet, and is directed by Ken. G. Hall, with Captain Frank Hurley at the camera.

More than 3,000 people will appear in a new film now being planned at Shepherd’s Bush, London. This is an adaptation (as yet untitled) of Bernard Kellerman’s story, 4 The Tunnel,’ and the plot deals with the romance and drama surrounding the building of a train tunnel from Britain to America. Maurice Elvey is to direct the film, which relates the downfall and imprisonment of the man whose scheme crashes through fire, explosion, and flood after he has obtained millions of pounds from a public that goes wild with enthusiasm over his plans. Years later the dreams of the ruined man are justified, and the tale closes with the arrival of a train in Now York through the Atlantic tunnel from Franco 12 minutes late. A spectacular starring cast is promised, in addition to the thousands of “ extras.” ♦ * * * In keeping with its policy of giving young players plenty of chance to get experience Paramount has placed eight recent additions to the contract list in the screen production of Earl Carroll’s 4 Murder at the Vanities.’ They are the Dunedinite, Colin Tapley, Toby Wing, Gail Patrick, Barbara Fritchie, Clara Lou Sheridan, Gwenllian Gill, Alfred Delcambre, and Julian Maddison. .Leading roles in the picture, which Mitchell Leisen is directing, are taken by Carl Brisson, Victor M'Lnglan, Kitty Carlisle, and Gertrude Michael. * * * + Details of Douglas Fairbanks’ first British Film, ‘ Don Juan,’ have been issued. It is to be a satirical romance, showing the great lover in his middle years. The Don tired of the pleasures of this world, allows himself to be impersonated by another man, who is killed in a brawl. Juan attends his own funeral, and decides that he will continue to be “ dead ” and so get rid of his amorous reputation. He goes to Italy, where he promptly makes love to the first pretty girl he meets. But without his reputation he is not a success. Ho is awkward, clumsy, and unromantic, and the girl laughs at him. He returns, humiliated, to Spain, and there falls in love with a woman who knows his real identity. * * * * Carmine Galloue, who discovered Jan Kiepura and directed his first film, 4 City of Song,’ was responsible for anther screen discovery in Franco Foresta, a young Italian tenor, who will make his first screen appearance in the Wind-sor-Sterling production ‘ For Love of You.’ This is the second of a now series of British films with Continental settings . which are being directed by Gallone. The first of these was ‘ Going Gay,’ set in Vienna,' and it was while the company was making the second picture on location in Venice that Gallone heard Franco Foresta at the opera. He was immediately engaged to play a leading part in the film, although production was already well under way, and every opportunity was taken to build up the character in order to exploit to the full Foresta’s remarkable voice and personality. ‘ For Love of-You ’ will shortly be released in New Zealand by British Dominions Films Ltd. * * * * Hollywood is the great testing ground for actors and actresses from all over the world, it is asserted by Ida Lupino, English actress now under contract to Paramount and playing the lead opposite Richard Arlen in 4 Come on, Marines.’ “ A player may be considered a great star in England,” Miss Lupino explained, “ and receive an offer to go to Hollywood. If she accepts she must prove herself all over again. If she catches on in Hollywood she becomes even a greater favourite in her native land. If she fails, however, and returns home she discovers that her native land has relegated her to the same minor standing that Hollywood gave her. That is why a prominent actress from abroad is making such a noble gamble when she accepts an American offer. Despite this hazard, however, the interchange of English and American players is increasing all the time. The British are anxious to come to Hollywood, and the California players are anxious for the change that English pictures give them. Concerning my own career in Hollywood, I was brought over to be tested for the role of Alice in Paramount’s 4 Alice in 'Wonderland.’ But I knew I would not play it. I just don’t look like Alice. Nevertheless, I took the chance. _ Despite the fact that I had star_ rating in England, I am not receiving such recognition in Hollywood. I prefer not to have such rating until I prove my worth. I am glad my first role was not so large that it determined immediately whether or not I was a success here.”

* * * ♦ Charles Laughton, now engaged in a season of Shakespearean repertory in London, will play the role of Louis XVI. in ‘ Marie Antoinette ’ when he returns to Hollywood. It will be Mr Laughton’s first obeisance to tho motion. picture camera since his memorable portrait of Henry VIII., since, although it was released subsequently in Auckland, ‘ White Woman ’ was probefore the English film. In ‘ Marie Antoinette,’ Norma Shearer will play the luckless Marie. Following this engagement, Laughton will return once more to London for Alexander Korda’s projected production of ‘ The Scarlet Pimpernel,’ with script by Frederick Lonsdale. ★ * * * One of the most important announcements to come out' of the studios is the news of the definite assignment of Dolores Del Rio and Joel M'Crea to appear together in ‘ Green Mansions.’ The first appearance of Miss Del Rio and M'Crea in ‘ Bird of Paradise ’ proved so popular that officials have decided to team them again in W. H. Hudson’s famous novel. Ernest B. Schoedsack will direct this production. * * * * Otto Kruger has been signed by Radio Studios to play the lead in ‘ The Crime Doctor.’ He will portray the role originally intended for Richard Dix before it was decided that Dix and Irene Dunne would appear together in 1 Stingaree.’ John Robertson will direct this production with a cast that includes Nils Asthcr, Irving Pichol, J. Farrell M'Donnld, and Judith Wood.

‘The Dover Road,’ now in production at the RKO Radio Studios, will co-star Clive Brook and Diana Wynyard and will he the first since ‘ Cavalcade ’ that has had Wynyard and Brook in its main spots. Other members of tho supporting cast, under tho direction of J. Walter Ruben, will bo Billie Burke, Gilbert Emery, Alan Mowbray, Reginald Owen, Phyllis Barry, and Robin Adair. * * * * Have you ever wondered when listening to Mickey’s voice on tho screen, who it really is that supplies him with vocal organs? Well, you needn’t wonder any longer. The secret is out! Mickey’s “ voice ” is Walt Disney himself, the creator of Mickey Mouse. « * ♦ • Filming of ‘ Jew Suss ’ is proceeding smoothly at Shepherd’s Bush, and the picture is well advanced. Scenes in the beautiful garden of the Hirsau hunting lodge arc completed, as are those by the” forest pool hidden in the woods nearby. It is here that Suss (Conrad Veidt) has his first encounter with Magdalene Sybille (Joan Maude), upon whom he comes as she lies on the mossy bank of the poo! reading a book. Magdalen© is timid, and, after Suss has spoken to her, runs away from him. But she leaves her book, and from her

inscription in the fly-leaf Suss learns her identity, and later has her invited to the ball given by Karl Alexander, his patron, Karl Alexander, with the complicity of Suss, forces Magdalene into submission, and she, perforce, becomes his mistress. Joan Maude, who plays Magdalene in the film, has already appeared on the_ screen with Conrad Veidt. This was in ‘ The Wandering Jew/ Veidt’s last British picture, in which she played an important part as the outcast girl, who, befriended by Matathias, unwittingly betrayed him to the inquisition. Miss Maude, incidentally, is married to Mr Frank Waters, the Rugby football “ blue ” and international, who is one of Britain’s _ best known writers on sporting subjects. On the completion of the forest pool sequences Bother

Mendes moved his unit to a set representing the court room in which Suss stands his trial. Here the work of Gaumont-British research experts was particularly in evidence. Advice has been given throughout the film by Mr Camille Honig, one of the greatest living savants on Jewish ritual and history. So well known is Mr Honig that, when in his absence, the studio research department called on the British Museum for certain information, the museum authorities immediately referred the studio back to Mr Honig. s> * « « Herbert Mundin has played butler roles in a dozen Fox Film pictures, and just when ho had hopes of escaping from this typo of role they cast him as a butler in ‘ Merry Andrew,’ with Will Rogers. • * • * Tlie two famous comedy “ teams ” of Wheeler and Woolscy ami Zasu Pitts and Thelma Todd are to appear together in a Radio comedy. The story, which lias not yet been titled, will be set in Tudor England.

Boldly proclaiming a new star by Universal’s advance publicity, Margaret Sullavan, former Broadway ingenue, has overcome this psychological handicap and sent her first screen audience away singing her praises. This slim, beautiful actress, with the voice of a young Ethel Barrymore, accomplished her triumph before a critical premiere crowd at the reopened Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. She did it—and hero she was lucky —in one of the really impressive pictures of the year, John M. Stahl’s ‘ Only Yesterday,’ a picture to open at the Regent next Friday. Unmistakably a “ woman’s picture,” as they call them in the trade, ‘ Only Yesterday ’ is the story of a girl’s undying love for a man, of his careless acceptance, and ot tho realisation that came too late. The opening sequence of the picture, a orapbic recapitulation of the. 1929 stock crash, finds Jim Emerson, formerly money titan, about to commit suicide. He writes a note to the wife- who no longer loves him, and takes out a pistol. His hand is stayed when he sees a bulky letter addressed to him in a woman’s handwriting and marked “urgent and personal.” Tho picture then cuts back to Virginia in 1917 when nineteen-year-old Mary Hall, under the spell of a moonlight night, surrenders

herself to a young army officer whom she has loved from afar. Dramatically and with unusual sympathy, the film then traces the life of Mary Hall, who continues to love the man who forgets her and who devotes her life to raising his son. Once more Mary meets and surrenders herself to her lover, but until he receives the letter written by a dying woman he never realises her identity. Director John M. Stahl has told this story in simple, moving fashion, and a trio of authors—William Hurlburt, Arthur Richman, and George O’Neil—have contributed some of the most natural dialogue of the year. The two important love scenes of the film —the first when the heroine is an unsophisticated girl and the second when she deliberately gives herself to the man she knows has forgotten her—are as fine and delicate a bit of writing,

directing, photographing, and acting ns you will see. Both Margaret Sullavan, as the heroine, and John Boles, as the young officer who forgot, deserve unqualified praise.