SCREENLAND JOTTINGS

Evening Star, Issue 22194, 23 November 1935, Page 5

SCREENLAND JOTTINGS

Richard Boleslavsky is to direct Feinmore ; Cooper’s well-known ■ adventure story, ‘ The Last of the Mohicans,’ for Reliance. ♦ ♦ • • Warner Brothers are planning to produce a film biography of Beethoven. William Dieterle will direct, and the music will be supplied by a 125-pieco orchestra. •*; * • The University of California has invited Francis Lederer to produce and star in ‘ Romeo and Juliet f and ‘ Ham- . let ’ this summer. He will accept, provided the dates do not'conflict with his picture commitments. 'Although she is 74 years "old, Charlotte Granville, currently appearing with Gladys-Swarthout in Paramount’s . 4 Rose of the Rancho,’, works continuously and never misses a' studio call; " • • * ♦ • Jan Kiepura, who : has just arrived in Hollywood for his first American picture, is to follow this up immediately with a musical film in Germany. He will be paid £30,000 in Polish currency for the .Continental picture. ¥e * * * . Rex, the once-famous wild horse of the screen, is making a come-back in a Universal picture, “ supported by” Raymond Hatton and Noah Beery, jun. Elinor Glynn once said Rex had more “ It ” than any screen star. ♦* l * * Harold Lloyd, starring in Paramount’s ‘ The Milky Way,’, is an accomplished. magician, and _ belongs to several magicians’ societies. He only practises magic for the amusement of his close friends, however, and has never given a public display of his talents. 4 • a * • Charles Laughton has been offered the part of Bill Sikes in Metro-Gold-wyn-Meyer’s ‘.Oliver_ Twist,’ with Freddie Bartholomew in the title role. He is due back in England first to play the lead in London Films’ ‘ Cyrano de Bergerac.’ Cabled advice has been received by Columbia Pictures that two further very important additions have _ been made to the new season’s roster in the persons of Bing Crosby and George Bancroft. . The Tatter star has already been cast in a prominent role in * Hell Ship Morgan.’ Two pictues that book-loving moviei goers are waiting to see will be arriv- . mg in New Zealand shortly. First ot these is ‘ Jain;’ from Mazo de la Roche’s ,prize-winning novel of family, life. - ' Kay Johnson,, laii'Hunter,' Peggy Wood, C. Aubrey Smith, and Nigel Bruce are among the cast which brings the : Whiteoaks family to the screen. ‘ Freckles,’ picturisation of the famous Gene Sirattou-Porter _ novel, , is- the other picture. Virginia Weidlcr, the •ight-year-old who scored such a‘ hit in ‘ Laddie,’ has the important- ; role of Laurie Lou, with Tom Brown in the title role and Carol Stone as “The Angel.” New Zealand .will shortly see the .latest Katharine Hepburn picture, ‘ Alice Adams.’ Movie fans don’t have to be told that a Hepburn picture is a real event, for while she remains—happily, in RKO .Radio’s opinion, from publicity viewpoints—a controversial artiste; there cam he no two opinions about her acting capabilities, and she invariably 'turns in a thoughtful and sensitive study. ' Whatever her picture, Hepburn remains one'of cinema’s definite draws, and it only remains for readers to go along and see her latest Sicture,: Alice Adams.’ Fred Mac[urray is the “ certain young man” 1 • opposite the star. _ “ Fans ” will remember him for his sterling performance in. r ‘.The Gilded Lily,’ in which he ■ played opposite Claudette Colbert. .. Hollywood isn’t making any pictures without dances these days. Anything from a mere ballroom dance to a chorus of 150 is included in almost every film that goes before the cameras. Le Roy Prinz, dance director at Paramount Studios, has 150 girls working in ‘ Collegiate,’ and smaller groups in 4 Coronado,’ 4 Rose of the Rancho,’ ‘ The Bouncer,’ and ‘ It’s a Great Life.’ In such time as he can find, between dashing from set to set, he is picking out more girls for Paramount’s musical comedy, 4 Anything Goes,’ and is lining up some possible chorus work for Mae "West’s ‘ Klondike Lou.’

< Kay Francis and George Brent spent a whole week in gaol during the production of ‘ The Goose and the Gander,’ the Warner Bros.’ picture. The gaol selected for the film scene was a modern bastille in Barbank, California, where the two are incarcerated on suspicion of burglary. They were given the freedom of the place between shots, and spent their time hobnobbing with the prisoners. They left their autographs with the bona fide inmates. “ Not such a bad place at that,” remarked Miss Francis. “ No,” said Brent, “ not if you got out when you want to.” » » * * The formation of an important new British film-producing company, Criterion Film Productions Ltd., was announced recently. The chairman is Captain A. S. Cunningham-Reid, M.P., and the joint managing directors Mr Douglas Fairbanks, jun., and M. Marcel Heilman, ' a Continental producer. Mr Fairbanks, who has been planning the new venture since he went to England from Hollywood, says that four pictures n, year have been planned, all for world release through United Artists, at an average cost of from £BO,-

000 to £120,000. Work on the first picture, an adaptation of Jeffery Farnol’s best-seller, ‘ The Amateur Gentleman,’ will be begun at the British International Pictures Studios, Elstree, shortly. *■* * * The new programme that opened this afternoon at the Mayfair is composed of ‘ The White Cockatoo ’ and George White’s 4 Scandals.’ In the first feature the attempts of two bands of criminals to steal a young American girl’s fortune lead to three murders, the kidnapping of the heiress, and an attempt on the lives of several others. An American engineer, aided by a cockatoo, finally solves the killings and other mysterious happenings in the spooky French hotel. Jean Muir has the role of tho heiress whose past is wrapped in mystery. The other picture is embellished with the spectacle, grandeur, and beauty that_ only the camera can encompass. White himself enacts a part in the film, and he has recruited a galaxy of radio, stage, and screen favourites. The film fairly brims over with spectacular revues. Girls dance the intricate and fast-mov-ing steps created by Georgia Hale and singing the 10 melodic song bits written by three of the country’s foremost song writers. Jack Yellen, Irving Caesar, and Ray Henderson. Interwoven with the comedy, songs, revnes, and dances is a tender romance that concerns two of the principals of the show.

In ‘ Look Up and Laugh,’ her new 8.1. P. picture, which opens at the Regent on Friday next, Gracie Fields is given every opportunity for that delicious brand of comedy which has made her. so deservedly popular with picturegoers. Like her recent success, ‘ Sing Ae We Go,’ the slory of the new film was written specially by J. B. Priestley, and it provides wonderful opportunities for effortless comedy, each of which is snapped up by the star and her supporting team, including Gracie’s brother, Tommy Fields, and Douglas Wakefield and Billy Nelson, of English music hall fame. J. B. Priestley this time takes us to the rural haunts of Plumborough, there to stage .a hilarious battle between the stallholders of the local market, and a pompous shopkeeper who seeks the demolition of the market. The cause of the stallholders is gallantly upheld by Gracie, who heads a deputation to the comical mayor of the town and makes fearless mirth at the opening of a new store by her rival and entirely spoils the whole function. Gracie Fields readily turns her hand to every form of comedy entertainment in the film, her sense of

humour, flair, for the dramatic remarkable voice, and extraordinary facial expressions being all used to extract every particle of entertainment from the story. Her tireless performance is certain to delight and add to her legion of admirers.

Is love really akin to hatred? Is there truly a relation between these two primitive emotions? Can hatred hide love? These are tho questions that are answered in 4 Private Worlds,’ a fascinating drama of the psychology of love, which is now at the St. James, and stars Claudette Colbert, with Charles Boyer, Joan Bennett, Helen Vinson, and Joel M 4 Crea. Set in tho eerie surroundings of a hospital for the insane, tho picture is the stirring love drama of a woman physican who could look into her patients’ hearts, but was blind to the need in her own. Claudette Colbert, as the physician, finds happiness and success in her work with Joel M'Crea, another physician. Deep in her heart she cherishes the dream of a lover who died in tho war. When their little world is broken into by a new doctor, Charles Boyer, Colbert and M'Crea co-operate in their defiance of the new man. But Miss Colbert loses M'Crca’s support when he falls victim to the charms of Boyer’s vampire sister, Helen Vinson, and neglects his wife, Joan Bennett. Tragedy is narrowly averted when Joan Bennett learns of her husband’s unfaithfulness. In a gripping finale where the tangled threads of the lives of the people in this small group are unsnarled, M'Crea repents and returns to his wife, and Miss Colbert and Boyer learn that they have been hiding their love under a mask of hatred. «■»* .# British International Pictures secured a decided asset when they signed Crete Natzlcr, the vivacious Continental star, to make pictures for them. Miss Natzler, whoso first picture will be 4 Student’s Romance ’ (Old Heidlcberg), adapted from that lovely opera, 4 I Lost My Heart in Heidlcberg,’ is undoubtedly the most beautiful and one of the most popular stars in Europe to-day. The charming role of Princess Helene and the happy atmosphere of the carefree students’ life arc admirably suited to this star's particular charms. Musical comedy de luxe is the only term that adequately describes this production. ♦ ft * « As Colonel Cattcrmole in the forthcoming British Dominions release, 4 The Private Secretary,’ Oscar Ascbe has plenty of scope for his particular talents. _ In his role of a stout, peppery old soldier, Asche gives a lino character study, and his breezy playing of the part contrasts amusingly with Edward Everett Horton’s meek, quiet portrayal of the curate. One sequence contains some fine comedy work between tho two actors. Ascho, as the irate soldier, comes home to London to find his nephew. In the latter’s rooms ho discovers the down-trodden Robert Spalding, and naturally thinks he is the nephew. Before tho curate can explain away goes vowing he will have nothing to do with such a ■milksop nephew!

It has many times been said that the days of the pantomime and vaudeville show are numbered, but an excellent reason to doubt this often-repeated prophecy is the way in which Joe It. Brown’s latest film, ‘ Bright Lights, will be received when it opens next Friday at the St. James. In the film are many scenes which remind one of the “ live ” shows so popular in the earlier years of this century, and it would bo no exaggeration to say that those present enjoyed it thoroughly from start to finish. There is an old saying about a face being a fortune, and this saying was never truer than it is in the case of Brown. But this time it is not beauty of face that is the asset, for Brown is one of the most surprisingly ugly persons _ imaginable—his mouth is huge and his nose is big —but in spite of this ho has some queer attraction which he exploits skilfully. His face, however, is by no means his only fortune, for he is one of the most versatile comedians on the screen. He can dance, sing in his own peculiar way, perform many acrobatic tricks, but above all he is gifted with the power of always doing the wrong thing at the wrong time. In many actors of less ability, to fill the role Brown fills in ‘ Bright Lights ’ a certain amount of forced gaiety would be required, but Brown lias a gift of seeming to enjoy thoroughly every moment he faces the camera. * * * * The screen adaption of William J. Locke’s widely-read novel 1 The Mountebank,’ which will be as an outstanding success of the “silent” days, is to be produced shortly. Negotiations are pending for Ronald Colman to play the lead in what should be an attraction of wide interest and ap- ‘ peal. * * * • The Wellington office of Warner Bros.’ Pictures has received cabled advice from Sydney to the effect that ‘ A Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ at the first public pre-view of this picture at the Embassy Theatre, Sydney, was wonderfully received by a critical audience, who were held spellbound' at the marvels of the picture, and the applause it received at the finale was among the longest ever accorded any production in the history of motion pictures. When ‘ The Dream ’ was first put into production an amount of one million dollars (U.S.) was set down as production cost. The Hollywood critics spoke of the venture as one of the biggest gambles made by any motion picture company, and this was emphasised when the cost of the completed picture went almost 25 per cent, above the amount called for in the budget. Max Reinhardt produced the picture, and under his supervision the picture closely follows the text, as written by Shakespeare. A splendid all-star cast under Mr Reinhardt’s direction, has reproduced all those scenes that are so dear to the student of the drama. This picture received its London premiere at the Adelphi Theatre, before one of the most brilliant first-night audiences ever to greet a motion picture premiere. • * •» * The famous Chinatown Squad of the San Francisco police department plays a prominent part in ‘ Chinatown Squad,’ the melodrama which heads the Strand’s new fare. Lyle Talbot and Valerie Hobson head the cast. A .picked force of men patrols this mysterious district, constituting a veritable city within a city, with a population of 15,000 Orientals. Tong wars Hare out on occasion, and the quarter has been the scene of many unsolved crimes. Up to a few years ago the .region was especially dangerous, since •the notorious Barbary Coast was in full operation directly adjacent to Chinatown. and at many points extended into the Celestial preserves. In ‘ Chinatown Squad ’ a murder is committed in a Chinese cafe, and 1 the story concerns the solution of the mysterious crime. In ‘We’re in the Money,’ which will be shown on the same programme, two of the most popular and talented actresses on the modern screeiOJqan IBlondell and Glenda Farrell, provide some excellent team work and receive splendid support from Hugh Herbert and Ross Alexander.

Up and down New York’s teeming Broadway there meanders every day a young man of less than medium height, bushy hair, a brief moustache, a battered derby, an apology of a frock coat, a bamboo cane, baggy trousers, and too long shoes that curl up at the toes. Ho flicks his cane at discarded cigar butts ou the hot side-walk, darts around corners of buildings on one foot, and at times waddles grotesquely up to the busy traffic “cop” at the crossing—and makes him laugh. A Charlie Chaplin impersonator! Attached to his back is an oilcloth heralding the benefits of a meal at a nearby restaurant. This is how the young man cashes in on his ability to imitate a great film star.. New Yorkers are used to Chaplin imitators. They have seen hundreds of them in the past 10 or 15 years. They are invariably diverted by their antics—and yet, in spite of the incessant appearance of these business-like mimes—New York’s millions always besiege the theatre for weeks and months to see the real Charlie Chaplin during the run of his newcst picture. Because, as the world knows, there are thousands of wouldbe mimics of Chaplin in London, in Tokio, in Calcutta, in Johannesburg, in fact everywhere—but there is only one original, famous, and authentic Charlie. His newest picture, ‘ Modern Times,’ .is now completed. . Releasedthrough United Artists, it will be seen soon on the screens of the world. Practically everyone everywhere will see it —including thousands of his current and potential imitators. Here indeed is evidence of the truth of the famous quotation, “ Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”

In bringing to the screen Bafael Sabatini’s celebrated adventure classic, ‘ Captain Blood,’ Warner Bros, have devoted some two years’ initial preparation before actual production. A complete fleet of fighting frigates was constructed in a secluded bayiet on the ; California coast line, whore the company has been many months shooting the pirate scones ami the adventurous happenings of Sabatini’s story in the

slave colony of Jamaica. This latter settlement has been entirely reconstructed from old data. Errol Flynn, a protege of the Australian stage, has been given the coveted role of Captain Blood, and studio executives are confident that the initial appearance of this young athlete on the screen will definitely mark him as a star of the future. Others in the cast of 1 Captain Blood ’ are Olivia De Havilland as Arabella, Lionel Atwill as Colonel Bishop, Ross Alexander as Jeremy Pitt, Guy Kibbee as Hagthorpc, Frank M'Glynn as “ Rev.” Ogle, and Robert Barrat as Wolverstone. Michael Curtiz is directing. * * * * ‘ Dance Band,’ the British International picture, starring June Clyde and Charles “ Buddy ” Rogers, lias been universally recognised as one of the greatest musical shows ever to be sent out of Britain. The Empire Theatre, London, which is owned by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and is used by them as a show-window for the United Kingdom, is one of the leading theatres in

the British Isles, and though it screens only five British pictures in a year, of these five, one of the first to be shown was ‘ Dance Band.’ This is a picture with a snappy story, bright dialogue, catchy tunes, and spectacular dancing numbers. Its appeal is directed to everyone, and all who sees it are unanimous in their approval. * » * * The whole narration of 1 Brown on Resolution,’ which comes to the State next. Friday, is packed with absorbing detail, and, for all its commendable restraint, the drama is full-bodied and gripping to the imagination, not only in the story, and spectacular culminating action sequences, but in the authentic glimpses in comprehensive range of “ behind the scenes ” in the Navy. Gaumont-British is to be congratulated on the success with which it ultimately secured the co-operation of the British Admiralty for the naval scenes, which, in themselves, are an absorbing story beginning with the work in the boys’ training establishments and continuing to the thrilling spectacle of ships’ crews in action. The successive sinkings of the “Rutland” and the “ Zeithen ” with their relentless gunnery and torpedo work are vivid in the extreme. John Mills, in the role of Albert

Brown, presents the young seaman as an unaffected, well-balanced fellow, full of the joy of life, utterly free from “ side,” unconscious of his own bravery. His performance is outstanding as one of the most notabo characterisations of the screen. His pal, Ginger ” (Jimmy Hanley) provides comedy touches in several of their scenes together, which add to the na-

turalness of the roles of both of them,; •and, at the same time, distinguish young Hanley as a most capable artist who can throw even a small part into sharp relief. Miss Betty Balfour gives a carefully-graded study of characterdevelopment, from girlhood to maturity. Barry Mackay, first as the carefree lieutenant, the lover full of boyish ardour, and later as the commander, the keen, responsible middle-aged officer on active service, is wholly satisfying In a long supporting cast many divergent types, British ’ and foreign, are presented with an all-round efficiency in characterisation that leaves little to be desired. » * * * Helen Twelvetees, popular Hollywood screen and stage star, sailed by the Mariposa on November 12 under engagement to Cinesound Productions Limited, and she will bo passing through New Zealand on her way to Australia on November 29. This talented and lovely star will only be able to appear in one production, which

must be completed in the space of eight weeks, as her Hollywood contracts demand her return to America at the end of that period. The story that has been chosen for her first Australian appearance is ‘ Thoroughbred,’ written by Edmond Seward, the scenarist recently brought from Hollywood. It is said to draw “ an analogy between the characteristics of breeding both human and equine stock.” The Melbourne Cup Meeting and the A.J.C. activities at Randwick will be represented; and there will be glimpses of stud farms and of life in the country towns. The story is one that was originally inspired by the famous Phar Lap, but it is thought that Peter Pan, who of late has made himself almost as well known as his brilliant predecessor, will play au important part. Miss Twelvetrees. who has co-starred with such famous players as John Barrymore, Maurice Chevalier, Warper Baxter, Ricardo Cortez, Robert Armstrong, Robert. Young, and Jean Hersholt, will bo playing in her new film opposite John Longden, the .English actor, who made such an outstanding impression in ‘ The Silence of Dean Maitland,’ and Frank Leighton, the brilliant young Australian J. O. Williamson stage star, now appearing in Now Zealand. Helen Twelvetrees is only the first of many stars who are coming to Australia to make pictures for Cinesound. Mr Ken. H. Hall, who is to direct ‘ Thoroughbred,’ says that Cinesound has said good-bye for ever to the type of film hitherto .produced in Australia, The studios have been equipped with a special process background projectors, the same as those that made the American film ' Sequoia ’ so magnificent, and every other up-to-date device that will bring Australia into,line with the other major producing countries of the world. Overseas stars are being engaged under the policy of building an adequate body of local talent by associating experienced players with young Australian artists. Apnarently £6,000 will he paid, to Miss Twelvetrees alone for her six weeks’ work, which definitely says good-hye to the days of cheap film.

Prcsenting an historical cavalcade of the struggles of early Australian pioneers, the Expeditionary Film Company’s new release, ‘ Heritage,’ written and produced by Charles Chauvel, will he shown in New Zealand shortly. It is another Australian challenge to the oversea film industry. It faithfully portrays Australian history from the wild davs of the first supply ship to the establishment of the Federal Parliament at Canberra, and from the growth of the first cabbage at Parramatta to the completion of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Charles Chauvel. the producer, has shown nnn.snnl breadth and vision in presenting us with this fine caval-

cade of a young nation, besides giving a remarkable close-up of the hardships and troubles which beset the early pioneers, and the courage with which they met and overcome every obstacle. Indeed, of ‘ Heritage ’ it can be said that it sets a noble and inspiring example to the younger generation of what can be accomplished by hard work and perseverance. The cast includes Frank Harvey, Franklyn Bennett, Margot Rhys, and Peggy MacGuirc.