SCREENLAND JOTTINGS

Evening Star, Issue 22026, 11 May 1935, Page 8

SCREENLAND JOTTINGS

One thoroughbred racehorse, : two lions, two Russian wolfhounds, six monkeys, and. fourteen parrots play “parts” in Mae West’s new picture, ‘ How Am I Doing?’ 1 •.* * * Eighteen young dancers coated from head to foot in gold payit are featured ,in the night club scenes from Paramount's ‘/Paris In Spring,’ featuring Mary Ellis and Tullio Carminati.' * * « * Maurice Chevalier's saucily-tilted straw hat served as an inspiration to Dave Gould when he came to create the lavish dance numbers for Twentieth

Century’s ‘ Folios Bergere,’ wliich presents 'the' genial star in his first dual role. Gould, who gained; fame With his Carioca number in L Flying- Down To, Rio ’ and the Continental nunlber in ‘ The Gay Divorcee,’ used 100 girls and enough steel, lumber, and masonry to erect a four-story apartment house for the lavish;straw- hat number in this musical extravaganza for release ‘ through United Artists. The scene cost 100,000dol. •• »■ : « * Jessie Matthews has been offered £12,-500 to" play -in one picture with Fred Astaire in Hollywood. The offer has been made by Radio Pictures, who are looking for a hew team of dancing stars. The Gaumont-British Company, • which has Miss, Matthews tinder a three-year contract, was willing to release Miss Matthews if Fred Astaire 'would appear with her first at their own studios in London. So far no deal has been settled. t Twenty more years of talking pictures will wipe out localised dialects in America, according to Mayo, a Hollywood director. “ Idioms, colloquialisms, and'Tarious dialects are being levelled by the he de- ; dares. “ This is going to result in a new language which 1 believe will he something of a ■ combination of the pure English of George Arliss, the broad “ A\.” of Miss Chatterton, and the clipped New .Sarkese-of Jimmy Cagney. Wo’ll be all talking,, alike soon.” « ♦ * • Lilian Harvey, the inter'natiohaUy famous star, who was last seen, _'in ‘My Lips Betray,’ has the leading, feminine foie in ‘I Am Suzanne,’ which opened at the Mayfair to-day. It is Miss Hanrey’s third American filpi, and it is said that her role'offers, her a more ample opportunity to display her versatility than any of her previous endeavours. The film offers something, new, in that its background is found in the unique setting of a puppet show. -In direct contrast to the tiny puppet show there are three spectacular revue numbers that form . the major part of the film. The three song numbers, ‘St. Moritz Waltz,’ ‘Just a Little Garret,’ and ‘ Eski-o-lay-li-o-mo,' all taken from the re-, vues, have already proved popular with the public. Tropica] nights, stranded beauties, ' bandit-fighting marines turned into chaperones, budding Jove In the jungles—all intermingled with laughs and action—make Paramount’s ‘Come On, Marines!’ which is the other, feature, exceptional entertainment.

A specially written script has been composed for Noel Coward's first American film, which is tentatively titled, ‘ Miracle on 49th Street.’ It is a drama with a modern Now York background. The film will be directed and produced for Paramount by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur, with Lee Cannes as photographer and associate director. Tito production unit personnel •will bp the same as that which made ‘ Crime Without Passion.’ ; » * \ .» * ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel,’ produced by Loudon Films, is making box office history in America, exceeding the popularity of ‘ Henrv VII 1.,’ produced by the same company. The ‘ New York Times’ comm-nts upon its merits as follows Stirring to the pulse and beautiful to the eye. An enormously satisfying photoplay. A succulent and

captivating entertainment. Leslie Howard’s newest performance is also his best. Mr Korda succeeds as miraculously as he did in ‘ The- Private Life of Henry VIII. ’ in evoking not only charm and humour and beauty, but also an air of reality and conviction. A rare and satisfying experience in the cinema.” * Farina, the famous piccininny who played girl parts in ‘ Our Gang comedies, is playing Ins second boy’s role with Douglas Fairbanks, jun., in ‘ Tlie Life of Jimmy Dolan,’ now at the Strand Theatre. His first boy role was with doe E. Brown in ‘Von Saul a Mouthful ’ ft * * * Dances which Anna St on learned as a child from her father,,a ballet master in Russia, are to be seen in ‘ The Wedding Night,’ the Samuel Gqldwyn production in which she'is starred with Gary Cooper. Goldwyn employed Harold T. Zulawinski, dance instructor, to teach various members of the cast, including Miss Stem After half an hour With her on the big sound stage Zulawinski told Goldwyn: “1 can’t teach her a thing.” Goldwyn was amazed because lie interpreted Zulawiiiskis words as meaning that the fair Anna’ wast unable to learn anything. Instead, Zulawinski quickly explained, he meant only to say that Anna was an expert dancer, and had taught him some new and intricate steps. ~ Zulawinski, originally from Poland, operated dancing studios in New York and other American cities. Now, however, he plans to remain permanently in, Hollywood instructing film celebrities. ‘ The Wedding Night ’ is a United Artists’ release.

i For five. successive years Paramount cameramen have won tho annual award of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for excellence of photography. The system of awards lias been in effect for seven years. ‘ With Byrd At the South Pole ’ won the bronze statuette in 1929 for Cameramen Vandeveer and Rucker; ‘ Tabu ’ won it for Floyd Crosby in 1930; ‘ Shanghai Express,’ as photographed by Lee Garmes, won in 1931-32; ‘ A Farewell To Arms ’ brought the prize to Charles Lang in 1932-33; and ‘ Cleopatra,’ with Victor Milner, as the 1933-34 winner, was just recently announced. Winner the first year, 1927-28, was Carl Stress, for ‘ Sunrise,’ who is now under .contract to Paramount as Mae West’. 1 / cameraman. Stress will do tho camera work in Mae .West’s latest starring picture, ‘ How Am I Doing?’

A film entitled 1 The Valley of Fear,’ dealing with the private life of Sherlock Holmes, is now in the course of production at the Twickenham Studios; Leslie Hiscott, who made ‘ Gay Love ’ another forthcoming British Dominions release, is directing ‘ The Valley of Fear,’ s and 1 the roles of Sherlock Holmes, Dr Watson, and Mrs Hudson arc being played by Arthur Wontner, lan Fleming, and Minnie Rayner. The famous detective is shown in retirement in Sussex, until a sensationally interesting murder case attracts his attention and he cannot resist -emerging from his country retreat to solve the problem. His old friend. Professor Moriarty, will also be revived.

Alt the amazing events which made P. T, Barnum perhaps the .most flamboyant figure in America in the latter part of last century are recaptured with remarkable zest in the outstanding United Artists’ film, ‘ The Mighty Barnum,’ which is the next attraction for the Elnpire Theatre. His almost incredible frauds, his _ ruthless yet generous nature", and his unique personality earned him the title of “ the greatest showman on earth,” -and in this role Wallace Beery is provided with almost unlimited scope for his talents. His brilliant characterisations in ‘Grand Hotel,’ ‘Treasure Island,’ and ‘ Viva Villa ’ have placed him in a preeminent position, and his portrayal of this picturesque figure is said to be superb. Others in the cast are Adolphe Menjon, Virginia Bruce, and Janet Beecher. There is also a fine supporting programme.

Nothing is missing from 1 the Edmund Lowe-Jaclc Holt Columbia thriller, ‘ The Best Man Wins,’ wliich opens on Wednesday at the .Grand Theatre. The new film boasts of a dramatic theme that is amazingly vivid and graphic > n its delineation of the adventures and perils in the lives of deep-sea divers. Early in the film, Lowe is injured in an attempt to rescue his pal, Holt, pinioned against a sunken hulk. As a result of the accident he is forced to leave the profession. Holt leaves too, and becomes a harbour patrolman. Lowe goes to work for a smuggler, portrayed by Bela Lugosi, who operates by having confederates drop watertight packets 'of gepis from incoming steamers at designated places,' later having Lowe descend to reclaim them. What happehs when Holt is assigned to apprehend the smugglers and discovers Ins own friend, Lowe, involved in the nefarious schemes Quakes for one of the most thrilling and dramatic climaxes ever shown on the screen. Running through tho film is an exciting romantic rivalry between the two divers for the affections of lovely Florence Rice. The latter turns in a remarkably sincere portrayal and lends immeasurably to the tender romantic appeal that underlies the film’s thrilling drama and riotous action. Lowe and Holt, teamed for the first time, should prove 1,0 be the most popular pair on the screen'. Their clashing characteristics provide all the flashing wit and excitement of flint meeting steel. As tho wily smuggler. Lugosi, as usual, is excellent. Tlie second picture of this splendid programme is a stirring romance in the golden palaces of the ultra-rich, containing some delightfully sugar-coated philosophy and a dash of sparkling comedy skilfully mixed in ‘ Tho Richest Girl in the World.’ The dashing, modern, title character, ‘ Tho Richest Girl in tho World.’ is in the capable hands of Miriam Hopkins, tho lovely blonde star. /

Wallace Beery, Jean Harlow, and Clark Gable are “to be co-starred by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in ‘ China Seas,’ based on the novel, of that title by Crosbie Garstin, which Tay Garnett is scheduled to direct. The supporting cast will include Lewis Stone and Charles Buttenvorth, * » * « After a record season at the Majestic Theatre, Wellington, the Paramount epic film, ‘ The Lives of "a Bengal Lancer,’ is now at the local Regent. Adapted from Francis Yeats Brown’s book of the same _ name the film gives a vivid insight into the adventures and hazards in the life of the famous Bengal Lancer regiment in India, and the very human bond of understanding that exists between three of the officers. Gary Cooper plays with perfect ease the role of Lieutenant M'Gregor, Franchot Tone is cast as Lieutenant Forsythe, whose elaborate sarcasm is frequently vented on Cooper, and Richard Cromwell makes his portrayal of Lieutenant /Stone one of utmost, sincerity. Tho other important characterisation is /played by Sir Guy Standing, who as Colonel Stone, whose son is a junior officer in tho regiment, magnificently, portrays .the role of an unrelenting old colonel who puls duty before love.

Quifo the most outstanding of .lock Halbert's many breezy and laughable comedies is his latest film from Gainsborough, ‘ The Camels Are Coming,' vvliioh is the current attraction afc the State. Jack lias scored a big success in the past as a policeman and a sailing and now, in ‘ The Camels Arc Coining, he becomes Squadron-leader Jack Campbell, arriving in Egypt in charge of ten aeroplanes bought by the Egyptian Government to assist in lighting overactive smugglers. The fun begins straight away with live opening scenes and continues with a crescendo movement to the climax which is a positive riot. He blunders into the smugglers’ headquarters and, obliging chap that ho is, actually runs a cargo of contraband, known "as “ Arab’s Delight,” for them. Ho is later involved in a desertfort siege, when, disguised as a sheikh, at the head of a camel caravan manned by life-like straw dummies, he is surprised by the real sheikh.' Played before novel backgrounds, the story provides Jack with limitless opportunities for compdy situations, of which he readily avails himself. - His scene with a camel, for instance, is a priceless piece of work that will cause beholders to literally curl up with laughter, jyet this is only one incident in a picture absolutely packed with happy laughter. Of course, Jack has an opportunity for singing and dancing. _ A particularly tuneful and catchy lyric by; Noe] Gay, ‘ Who’s Been Polishing the Sun ? ’ provides him with a number destined to outrival bis 1 Hat’s On the Side of My .Head,’ made popular by bis previous film. The song being dealt with in Jack’s inimitable fashion, ho breaks out into a very original tap dance and introduces a rhythmic shuffle stop on the sandy floor of the smuggler’s hut 10 the'desert

'A character endeared to millions through the books of G. K. Chester to n assumes real flesh and blood and comes to life on the screen in Paramount's ‘ Father Brown, Detective,’ which will begin at the St. James on Friday. As acted by Walter Connolly, Father Brdwn is the same amiable, eccentric, and foxy old character who catches thieves with kind words and intelligence where the police of the world had failed with their modern detection methods. The story of ‘ Father Brown, Detective,’ centres around the Flying Star diamonds in Father Brown’s possession, and the efforts of Flambeau, notorious jewel thief, to get them. Although Father Brown Ims the thief well within his grasp several times, he refuses to apprehend hiin and turn him over to the police until ho has repented of his own free will. The fight for the diamonds thus resolves itself into a battle of wits and wills, with a beautiful girl who loves Flambeau taking a hand in the fight. Paul B Lukas and Gertrude Michael are cast" in the principal supporting roles, and Robert Loruine, Una O’Connor, and Halliwell Hobbes are also featured.

Gary Cooper has certainly served a long apprenticeship in films as a soldier. He has worn i.lie uniforms of a half-dozen nations and twice that many branches of the various services. He has carried every known lorm ol war weapon from a -six-gun to a cavalry lance. Mo has soldicrsd in the Sahara, the trenches of France, the mountains of Italy, and on the battlefields of the Civil War. He has fought hand-to-hand, in the air, and a.stride a horse. It is an unique record. Too young to, see actual service in the AVorld War, the'tall Montana lad nevertheless has earned the screen title of •“ The Fighting Man of All Nations.” He “ enlisted ” first as an aviator in that never-to-be-forgotten picture, ‘ Wings.’ Then came brief periods of service in the French Foreign Legion in ‘ Beau .Sabreur ’ and again in ‘ Morocco.’ Who can forget him as the American ambulance driver on the Italian front in ‘ A Farewell to Arms ’ ? Then there were the roles of the British Tommy in ‘ Seven Days’ Leave,’ the United States marine in ‘ If I Had a Million,’ and the American doughboy in 1 The Shopworn Angel.’ More recently he turned time back to don the uniform of an officer of the Confederacy in the Civil AA 7 ar, With all this experience behind him he was the abvious selection for the star role of ‘ The Lives of a Bangal Lancer.’ As the heroic young captain in this picked British regiment stationed on the northern boundary of India, ho wears tin? British Army Service uniforms and the picturesque Indian dress uniforms worn in honour of the native allies of the British. In this extraordinarily vivid picture of the frontier service, Gary Cooper has the intensely dramatic ‘role of a British officer who goes gailv into danger in order that the honour of the regiment, the Bengal Lancers mav remain unsullied and that a soldier-father may never know that his son betrayed the regiment. Critics who have sebn the picture agree that it marks a new era for Cooper, and that the picture promises to be to talking pictures what ‘ Beau Gcsto ’ was to (he silent sereeti. ‘ The Lives of a Bengal Lancer ’ is now at the Regent.

Douglas Fairbanks, jun., claims Ids work in the movies arc the source of a liberal education. In each of his pictures ho Icarus at least one thing that he never knew before, In his latest Warner Bros.’ picture, ‘ The Life of Jimmy Dolan,’ which is the main feature now playing at the Strand Theatre, he was_ initiated for the first time into the ancient art of milking a cow. As a left-handed prize lighter evading the long arm of the law, because of a crime he committed while drunk, he. is supposed to settle on a farm and try to earn Ids keep by doing the chores. He did not have to feign ignorance when it came to the milking scene, but before the day’s work was over he was an expert in its intricacies as any dairymaid. ‘ A Lost Lady,’ Barbara Stanwyck’s latest First National production, which- is the supporting picture at the Strand Theatre, is regarded by many critics as the finest work from the gifted pen of Willa Gather. A Pulitzer prize winner, with an earlier story, ‘ One of Ours,’ Miss Gather ranks among the four or five foremost women novelists in America. ‘ My Antonia,’ ‘ Death Comes For the Archbishop,’ and ‘ Shadows on the Rock ’ arc other works of hers;

An exact replica of the worldfamous Dclmomco’s New York restaurant, as it appeared in 1890, with its red plush drapes and cut-glass service, was built on a Warner Bros, stage for a brief sequence in ‘ Viennese Nights,’ the'Vitaphonc romance now showing at St. James Theatre. 1 Viennese Nights ’ is photographed in full natural colour, and all the charm and dignity of the old restaurant and its oddly-dressed patrons arc caught for the screen. The story of 1 Viennese' Nights.’ which is the first original screen creation of Sigmund Romberg and Oscar Hammerstein IL, covers a ' period of 50 years, from 1870 to 1930. This required the building of entire streets in the style of a half-century ago as well as the construction of interiors that show the furnishings that wore then considered smart. The east includes WaltorPidgcon, Vivienne Segal, Alexander Gray, Jean Horsholt, Bert Roach, Louise Fazenda, Alice Day, Juno Pursell, and many others. Alan Crosland directed.

British Dominion Films Ltd. are in receipt of advice that the film Version of the record-breaking play, ‘ Tenminute Alibi,’ which they will handle in Australia, had a most successful prm miere at the Prince Edward Theatre, London, recently. The Press, in commenting oil the film, stressed the fact that it is even more entertaining than was the play. The screen medium, being more intimate and direct, focusses the attention on the individual, situation or dialogue that matters at the moment, instead of leaving the eye free to wander over a vast stage. ‘ Tenminute Alibi ’ possesses every basic es-

senlinl of the murdev-mystojrv drama—suspense, human interest, and romance —and rises superior to many contemporary films of its type by virtue of its ingenious central theme, the dramatic power of its characterisation, and the smooth artistry of its treatment in general. Phillips Holmes and Ailoen Marson are the stars of ‘ Ten-minute Alibi,’ and the well-known Continental actor, Theo. Shall, is also in the east.

Not since ‘ Arrowsmitli ’ has Ronald Column had a romantic situation com-* parable in scope to that offered him by his latest vehicle, twentieth Century’s first million dollar picture, ‘ Clive of India,’ shortly to be released by United Artists. As Robert Clive. England’s greatest hero, in this Darryl Zanuck production, Column's romance with Loretta Young is a love idyll of married life. But whereas in ‘ Arrowsmitli ’ he was fighting the battle of science to save humanity, lie fights the battle of Empire, welding two great nations of the Orient and the Occident in ‘ Clive of India.’ Also the sacrifices which Loretta Loung, as Lady Clive, makes, for her husband recall those which Helen Hayes made for Martin Arrowsmith. C. Aubrey Smith, Colin Clive,, Francis Lister, and Cesar Romero are prominent among the 72 principals in the cast of this Joseph M. Schcnek presentation. * « » « Glamorous romance, beautiful women, whimsical humour, and the haunting strains of Franz Lobar’s famous music, blond • into an entertainment of indescribable' charm in Ernst Lubitsch’s production of ‘ The Merry Widow,' which will'commence at the St. James shortly. With Maurice Chevajicr and Jeanette MacDonald as co-starS singing the world-beloved song hits and enacting the whimsical romance of the musical masterpiece, Mctro-Goldwyn-Mayor stage the picture on a massive scale unique in the production of this type of picture. Deft “ Lubitsch touches ” add to its Continental gaiety and humour. Miss MacDonald is singularly beautiful in the gorgeous Adrian-created gowns, and sings the Lchar music beautifully.

Lubitsch’s whimsical humour is ever apparent amid the joyousness of the gay Viennese music, and the comically-con-ceived situations. Edward Everett Horton,, .as the comical ambassador, appears with Chevalier and Miss MacDonald in many hilarious situations. Refreshing humour is also supplied in the sequences in the royal palace, with Una Merkel and George Barbier as king and queen, and the romantic garden scone, the comical trial scones, and other episodes .spice the romantic theme with merriment. ; ,