SCREENLAND JOTTINGS

Evening Star, Issue 21992, 30 March 1935, Page 8

SCREENLAND JOTTINGS

‘The Mexican a ’ is the title of a new dance which Dolores Del Rio will introduce in the Warner film ‘ Calicnte.’ It is said to be a cross between a rumba and a waltz. * * * * Violet Kemble-Cooper, who appears in Mctro-Goldwyn-Maycr's ‘ Vanessa ’ is a descendant" of ten generations of theatrical folk, one of her ancestresses being the famous Mrs Sarah Siddons. ■\ * * * Gary Cooper, star of ‘ Lives of a Bengal Lancer,’ ha.s a reach equal to I’rimo Camera’s. He hopes, however, that his career will be a little longer than that of the ring champion. • * * * Eddie Cantor, banjo-eyed clown who last year cavorted among chariots and lions in the Rome of the Caesars in ‘ Roman Scandals,’ this season invade:the land of camels and the pyramid: in ‘ Kid Millions,’ released by Unitci, Artists. The comedian’s fifth amnia screen musical extravaganza for Samuc. Golclwyn introduces Kim as a black sheep of the Brooklyn waterfront who inherits a fortune in buried treasure and travels to Egypt to claim it, with Ann Sothern, Ethel Merman, George Murphy, and Block and Sully lending romance and hilarity to the proceedings. The season’s most tuneful song hits are a- feature of the new Cantor fun feast. Eddie sings ‘ Okay Toots ’ and ‘ When My Ship Comes In.’ Ethel Merman sings ‘ An Earful of Music,’ and in a lavish Crinoline number Ann Sothern: and George Murphy make a romantic duet of 1 Your Head on My Shoulder.’ * * * # Constance Bennett, who is now appearing with Clark Gable in ‘ After Office Hours,’ has signed a long-term contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Miss Bennett recently completed work in ‘ Outcast Lady ’ with Herbert Marshall. * * * • The foreign colonies of nine different European nationalities are being combed by Cecil B. Do Mille for one actor from each to portray the twelfth century kings of their respective nations in his first Paramount spectacle, ‘ The Crusades.’ Haying cast the British actor, Henry Wilcoxin, as ; King Richard the Lion-Heart, De Mille wants to achieve further realism by having Hugo of Burgundy, William of Sicily’ and other old-time kings portrayed by the correct racial type. « « m » Flora Robson will play Queen Elizabeth in a forthcoming London Film production to be produced by Alexander Korda. The film 'will contain such famous characters as Mary, Queen of Scots, Philip of Spain, Admiral Drake, and Sir Walter Raleigh,' and will deal with the great period in English history embracing the reign of Elizabeth. ; It will be a straight-forward historical film with highly dramatic qualities, and will be the second London Film in which Flora Robson has appeared. She was the Empress Elizabeth in ‘ Catherine the Great.’ • * * *

British Dominions Films Limited have received cabled advice from Madrid to the effect that Spain has given an enthusiastic welcome to ‘ Nell Gwyn,’ the elaborate British a~nd Dominions production, starring Anna Neagle in the title role and Sir Cedric Hardwicke in the role of Charles 11. Press notices are lavish in their praise cf the film, which has been booked for an indefinite period. ‘ Nell Gwyn ’ is to open shortly in Italy, where a repetition of the success following its screening in Madrid and other parts of the world is confidently expected.

The black crime of the Black Hole of Calcutta is brought to light on the screen for the first time in ‘ Clive of India,’ Darryl Zamtck’s million-dollar 20th Century production starring Ronald Colman, which United Artists will release. Not even the Bastilo of France or the Tower of London housed greater horror than that infamous cell, some 18ft square, into which, on June 20, 1756, in the city of Calcutta, India, one hundred and forty-five men and one woman were crammed by the soldiers of a cruel potentate and left to die in a night of hideous suffering. Not until 6 o’clock the nest morning was the door of the prison opened. So crushed were all the bodies that it took

twenty minutes to sort the Jiving from the dead. Twenty-three survivors managed to craw! out of the death chamber, among them a young bride, who was placed in Surajah Dowlah’s harem. In the screen play the scene and events of that night have been reproduced exactly as described by the few survivors. In the title role of this -lose])]! VI. Schenck presentation Column leads the small army which avenged the outrage. »««>» ‘ Have a Heart,’ Jean .Parker’s first starring vehiHe for Mctrc-Gold-wyn-Mayer. which opens at the St. James on Friday, is truly the romance of the decade. The wholesome theme of the picture concerns the regeneration of a crippled girl through a romance ■hat gives her the will to overcome her handicap and marry the man of her heart. Into the simple plot are packed comedy, pathos, tragedy, hope, nid courage. As Sally the young danor who is forced to take up doll-mak-utter a tragic accident, Miss Parker : j a role ideally suited to the vivid /.ninth of her screen personality. The nle lead is played by James Dunn ns aimy Flaherty, a vendor of ice cream ,v.o finds a heart he could not buy or oil for a million pounds. Comedy ligblights are provided by Una Merced and Stuart Erwin whose hilarious nitics are packed with laughter.

Walter Mycroft, director of production to 8.1. P., announces that Miss Lilian Harvey, who has been signed to star in three pictures at Elstree during the next twelve mouths, arrived in England aboard the Europa. It is understood that Miss Harvey is being paid a record salary for a British company. Miss Harvey will take a holiday in Switzerland before commencing on her first picture in England. Miss Harvey’s first film for 8.1. P. will be ‘ Invitation to the Dance,’ which will include Weber’s famous ‘ Invitation to the Waltz ’ number. The story, of the film and the music have been written by Mr Eric Maschwitz and Mr George Posford, who wrote the phenomenally successful ‘ Goodnight, Vienna,’ film.

The “ Squibs ” sot at Twickenham now represents a hive of industry. The scene depicts a market square, with its stalls and shops and a crowd of Shoppers bargaining in realistic stylo. A brisk trade was done by the man selling rabbits—the genuine articles —and by the orange vendors, and between takes t'v ‘■••nit t "reafclv aopreciated by the extras. Gordon. Darker as a street corner bookie paying out bis losses added humour to the scene. Within a few weeks it is expected that one of the largest sets yet built for “ .Squibs ” will be ready for shooting. This will represent East End tenement houses. In this sequence “Squibs” (Betty Balfour), having won a large sweepstake prize, is cheered by all the dwellers. An tin-

usual scone follows when “Squibs” promises to turn their slum into a heaven. She keeps her word, and in a most amusing sequence we see a tenement fairyland. From the skies above a gyroplane appears, in which is a gorgeously attired Squibs. ‘ Squibs ’ will be released throughout Australia by British Dominion Films Limited. * * ’« * While Cecil B. De Mille was dipping into ancient Rome and Egypt for material on the Paramount picture, ‘ Cleopatra,’ he apparently borrowed the old Roman maxim, “Make haste slowly. ’ Though it is hot generally known, ho worked on this picture tor almost a year before a camera was turned. Instead of getting a ready-made story for the script, Do Mille set up a staff of research experts, and under his supervision began gathering material from all parts of the world. Every famous library was called on to contribute, including the famous library and museum at Cairo. Every contemporary writer, including Plutarch and Dion Casius, was drained dry of information. Every available manuscript, inscription, painting, and drawing was copied and added to tho daily increasing pile of material. From all this the story took shape—and not only the story, hut the very appearance, features, manners, habits, and even thoughts of the characters. This research was so thorough as to make

De Mille's present collection of Cleopatra data perhaps the most complete in the world. Not only does Warren William, playing the role of Ciesar, wear sumptuous draperies of richlycoloured velvet adorned with massive cabochon rubies and emeralds, but with each costume ho -wears elaborate and costly sets of jewels. In those times men were greatly adorned. W'omen were content with simple, graceful draperies of sheer material, hut the men had intricately-designed armour, bejewelled girdles, and even bracelets and pretentious rings, With one dark red velvet robe, Warren William wears a tunic which has an embroidered border of gold braid. At the neck he wears a plaque of beaten gold in symbolic motif, studded with an enormous cabochon ruby. This plaque’s treatment is repeated in the centre of the upper arm by a bracelet, and in a largo ruby ring worn on the “dictatorial’.’ finger just over the first knuckle. This decoration was believed to make his commandntory gestures more impressive to his subject. Because of this Cic.sar always wore his own signet ring during important meetings. He saved his costly gemmed, rings for lighter hours in the presence of Cleopatra. ‘ Cleopatra ’ is hailed as the greatest piece of screen entertainment ever produced. Not since the pror duction of ‘ 'The Ten Commandments,’ which was also made by Paramount, has anything of such massive proportions been attempted in motion picf tures. Claudette Colbert is cast as Cleopatra, .Henry Wilcoxon as Mare Antony, and, together with Warren William, they head the cast of many thousands, ‘ Cleopatra ’ conies to the Regent on Friday next. * * * » 8.1. P. announces that the scheduled production of a film dealing with the history of the past twenty-five years of His Majesty’s reign will proceed immediately at Elstree. The film will be completed in time to he shown throughout the British Isles and the Empire during' the Jubilee Week celebrations in May. 'ffhe scenario has been written by Eric Maschwitz and Val Gielgud, of 8.8. C. fame. The direction will be in tho hands of Thomas Bentley, who recently completed ‘ The Old Curiosity Shop’ at Elstree in association with Herbert Drenon. A month’s intense preparation work at the studio lias been put into this production by experts. 8.1.P.’s film wijl be a highly imaginative production which will include all the main events of His Majesty’s reign, presented in a novel and dramatic form. Many of the major events, both political and otherwise, will be reconstructed for the picture, and tho most famous actors and actresses obtainable will play the roles of the famous figures in the picture. Clippings from newsreels will be used where it is possible to reconstruct the events, The production, however, will be mainly filmed at tho Elstree studios. 8.1.P.’a reason for continuing with the production is a feeling that tho jubilee celebration calls for a film dealing with tho drama of His Majesty's reign. • * * * In the long ago of picture making motion picture companies considered . a journey of 10,000 miles or so a mere nothing when balanced against the results of suck a trip. In recent years the depression has discouraged tho making of long film treks to foreign locales. The cost being so extremely high and (he results s-o uncertain, few major stiulios have dared even to cori-

siclcr suck journeys. It remained for the .I’aramonnt .Studios, formerly ilio most active believer in locations, to defy tliis economic taboo in sending a group of ii l.m makers 20,000 miles for authentic .scenes. Tim expedition was in charge of .Hollywood’s most widelyknown explorer-director, Ernest IJ. Seboed.suck, and the Him was needed for the Paramount production, ‘ Tho Lives of a. -Bengal Lancer,’ which is dim for /airly release in New Zealand, Schocdsaek began at Calcutta, .India, and travelled by difficult routes to Delhi, Simla, Lahore, Peshawar, Kohata, the Khybor Pass, and the Afghanistan border, and then through ;j,OOO miles of jungle land to Bombay by way of dhansi. In all, this film adventurer spent eight months in the search for unusual scenes for the picture, which features Gary Cooper, Franchot Tone, Richard Cromwell, Sir Guy Standing, C. Aubrey Smith, Monte Blue, Colin Taploy, and Kathleen Burke. * * * • Londoners arc still falling over each other in their anxiety to see Alexander Korda’s production, ‘ The .Scarlet Pimpernel,’ which has now been running for eight weeks at the Leicester Square Theatre, and is still doing phenomenal business. All box office records have been broken. Under the heading ‘ Britain Conquers the Film World,’ the ‘Daily Mail’ comments as follows: “The dazzling success of ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel,’ the film adapted front Baroness Orczy’s famous novel, the first presentation of which is still continuing in London, is a fresh triumph for British enterprise. It shows that in film production —one of the most important industries in the world—Britain is tq-

day right in front. . . . The British industry lias already broken into the United "States by the spectacular success of such films as ‘ The Private Life of Henry V111.,’ and the presen-

lation of ‘ The Scarlet Phnpohiel ’ will immensely strengthen the appeal of the British picture to the film patrons of the world. It combines acting of the highest standard with exquisite sotting, and has a technical perfection which equals or surpasses anything Hollywood can show.” The picture is to be released by United Artists at an early date. « ♦ * » Hansom cabs clattering over the cobbles, the rustling of crinolines, top hats, waxed moustaches and sideboards form a picturesque background to the British film, ‘Wild Justice,’ a “thriller ’’ sot in a country town, in the ’eighties, which has started production

at Beacousfiekl under the direction of Albert do Courville. The stage version of ‘ Wild Justice ’ had a'successful run at (he Savoy Theatre, and Henry Oscar, who played the leading; role, is talcing the same part in the film. Supporting him is a talented cast, including Olga Lindo. seventeen-year-old Margaret Lockwood, discovered recently, Martha Hunt, and others. Although the action of ‘ Wild Justice ’ lakes place in a sedate setting, the plot is far from lethargic, as may he judged from the fact that L. due Garde Poach, famous for his radio “ thrillers," is responsible for the .screen adaptation.

Heal comedy-—real music. That is the exceptional lure o lie ml in the spectacular musical (dm. 'Sitting Pretty,’ to he .screened at the Strand

Theatre next Friday. The picture is full of comedy, music, and beautiful girls. You sec the inside of tho song writing business and find out how Hollywood makes its musical films in many intimate scenes behind the screen. The locale is Hollywood, and tho characters are song writers, stars, producers, and others. Jack Oakic, Jack Haley, and Ginger Rogers arrive in Hollywood. The boys want to be song writers, and Ginger wants to appear in pictures. In the maddest melee ever conceived by a Hollywood scenario writer, the hoys do get a chance when Thelma Todd, a star, hires them. Ginger goes to work, too. She does a fan dance surrounded by a chorus so large it can’t be counted.

Wiiiic 250 persons laughed, unaware of imminent danger, death came perilously close to claiming a fragile little woman on a flying swing during the filming of a scene lor * You Belong to Me,’ the supporting feature at the Strand Theatre next Friday. Only the woman herself, Paulino Loretta, ami Gregory Novikoff, an old circus trapeze performer, who watched from the Jloor below, knew' that for one brief moment it appeared that tragedy had struck. After Miss Loretta had been pulled "high in the air, she was temporarily Blinded by the powerful arc light, and was unable to sec a small red lamp that was to warn her when the swing would break. When the break occurred she clung tenaciously, grabbed a curtain, and hung by her- fingers 50ft above the stage. Her face bruised ami scraped, Miss Loretta was lowered calmly to the floor. Only strength, unusual even in a professional performer, saved her life. The picture tells the heart-touching story of a broken-down vaudeville comedian who adopts a pretty, but helpless actress and her fatherless- son. How the three pit their love and faith against hardships that cross their path, furnishes tho theme for a human and sympathetic drama. The featured players are Leo Tracy, Helen Mack, and Helen Morgan. * * « » All sorts of people have succumbed to the appeal of ‘ Anne of Green Gables,’ thus putting to shame those who thought it might- be only a woman’s picture. Its Universal popularity causes no surprise to anyone who has seen this film, for it strikes a most appealing note in its sweet simplicity and charm. Extraordinary judgment in casting the central figure is responsible for the big appeal of tbo picture, to which crowds are still flocking during its second week. One of tho chief charms of the film is humour. Ripples of laughter are heard all over the house continually. Amusement and interest are keyed high. But it is the part of Anne herself which carries the picture. The role offers a deliciously amusing picture of romantic youth. Anne speaks and thinks with the exaggerated drama of all imaginative children who have dreamt over .books. Played with more sophistication, the part would have seemed unreal. Anne Shirley plays it with such complete sincerity that it passes beyond doubt. The quiet charm of the acting, tho restraint of tho direction, and the beauty of tbo country settings make it a film that will delight all. » * * » ‘ Are You a Mason?’ one of the most popular and successful comedies over presented on the stage, has ftow been adapted to the screen by Twickenham Studios, and this “ matrimonial mirthquake ” is at the Grand in its second week. Recently released in Australia, 1 Are You a Mason?’ created tremendous enthusiasm, tho present generation of theatregoers revelling in the opportunity of witnessing a comedy that has been famous for the last thirty years. An exceptionally strong east of - players is headed by the popular Sonnie Hale (who requires no introduction) and Robertson Hare (the henpecked husband of tho Aldwych farces), other wellknown members being Lewis Shaw (who toured New Zealand as lead in ‘ Young Woodley ’), Dave Burnaby, Gwyneth Lloyd, and Joyce _ Kirby. The scenes in which Sonnie Hale and J. Robertson Hare, as fake Masons, make it their business to initiate Dave Burnaby into the mysteries of -the Masonic rites, of which, incidentally, they have not the slightest knowledge, arc amongst the most hilarious sequences ever filmed. Gwyneth Lloyd and Joyce Kirby provide the beauty angle in this Julius Hagen production, and May

Agate and Bertha Bel more do good work in character parts. ‘ Passing Shadows ’ is the supporting feature. *j m # Madge Bellamy and Astrid Allwyn have been east as Tessio .and Nora in the Fox film; ‘ (treat Hotel Murder,’ which features Edmund Lowe and Victor M'Lagleu, Others in the east to date are:—Miry Carlisle William ,1 annoy. Rosemary Arnes, Henry O’Neill, and C. Wihoji. m * » « 1 Dirty Wdrk ’ is the niiiilo of the Gaumont-Brijisli comedy directed by 'Pom Walls, liml featuring Ealph Lynn and Gordon Parker. Lilian Bond, the dark, attractive English girl who became a Hollywood star, has joined the team in the irolc of an assistant in the

store whore Lynn in shop-walker and Hnrkcr is commissionaire in the jewellery emporium. Robertson Hai'e presents another of his studies of crushed humanity as Peck, the chief assistant, * * « » With scones in widely-differing localities ranging from a winter sports meeting in Switzerland to a. Wapping slum, the action of the G.B. picture ‘ The Man Who Knew Too Much ’ proceeds in fast tempo, exploiting drama, mystery, thrill, and suspense. The stars are Leslie Banks and Enda Best, with Xova Pilbcani. *> * -x- * Four tuneful new song hits are featured in ‘Transatlantic Merry-go round,’ Reliance’s all-star comedy drama, with melody, mystery, and romance, coming to the Empire Theatre on Friday with Jack Benny, Nancy Carroll, and Gene Raymond heading a cast which includes Sydney Howard, who is known as England’s Chaplin, Mitzi Green, in her first grown-up role, Sid Silvers, Frank Parker, the Boswell Sisters. Sidney Blaekmcr, Ealph Morgan, Shirley Grey, ‘■him Hardy, Patsy Kelly, William Boyd, Jean Sargent, and Jimmy Grier and his orchestra. From the pens of Sidney Clare and Richard Whiting come ‘ ft was Sweet of You,’ ‘Rock and Roll,’ and “ Oh, Leo!’ while 1 If I had a Million Dollars ’ was contributed by Mercer and Malnick. Benjamin Stoloff directed this original Leon Gordon story for release through United Artists, while Sammy Leo and Larry Ccballos codiroeted the musical and dance numbers.