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Evening Star, Issue 22276, 29 February 1936, Page 5

SCREEHLAND MINGS Screen aspirants are advised by Claudette Colbert, star of Paramount’s ‘ The Bride Comes Home,’ to go to New York instead of to Hollywood. She said it is almost essential to have stage experience to get ahead in talking pictures, * * * * Mary Boland and Charlie Buggies, popular comedians, will continue their team work in ‘ Where Am I? ’ forthcoming production. The Boland and Buggies combination will be next seen in the 1 Big Broadcast of 1936.’ * * * * Moroni Olsen and Jean Parker have joined lire cast of ‘ The Fanner in the Dell,’ in which Radio are featuring Fred Stone. •■* * * Motro-Goldwyn-Mayer have given Robert Taylor a rise and will feature him with Wallace Beery, in ‘First to Fight,’ Beery’s next picture. Jean Harlow has inserted a clause in her new contract stipulating that; she .shall never be called upon to go platinum again. * * * * Moore Marriott, one of Britain’s foremost character actors, plays his 112th screen role in the Garrett Element film, ‘ The Amazing Quest of Mr Ernest Bliss,’ starring Cary Grant and Mary Brian, « * * • Gary Codjper is the latest star to be assigned to a “ Western.” He will play in Paramount’s talkie veroion of ‘ The Pony Express.’ It has also been suggested that he will play under Cecil B. De Mille’s direction in a story of Buffalo Bill. :

Rosalind Russell has been cast as the Lady Venetia, Ronald Column's tnie love, in ‘Under Two Flags.’ Victor M'Laglen and Simone Simon are also in the cast. >■ * * * Dorothy Bartlam, the popular film actress, makes a welcome return to the screen, in the Garrett Klement film, ‘ The Amazing Quest of Mr Ernest Bliss.’ She recently returned from Devonshire, where she has just completed her third novel. * * * * John Beal is to be Katharine Hepburn’s leading man again in ‘ Quality Street.’ Beal has been absent from Hollywood for some time because of serious illness. The Marx brothers have signed a contract with Irving Thalberg to make another comedy for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer this year. It will, as before, be tried out as a stage show first.

The cast of ‘ One Rainy Afternoon,’ Mary Pickford’s first effort at co-pro-duction, now includes Francis Ledercr, Ida Lupino, Hugh Herbert, Joseph Cawthorn, and Edward Everett Horton. * * * * Another Carole Lombard “ vehicle ” has been found —‘ Hard to Handle,’ in which Miss Lombard plays the part of an actress who writes her memoirs, with Fred MaeMarray as the publisher’s press agent. * * * « Rachel Crothers, who wrote ' Splendour.’ has written another for Samuel Goldwyn ealled ‘ The Perfectly (food Woman.’ Miriam Hopkins. Billie Burke, and David Niven will be in the'east. * * * » Many years ago, when Cary Grant was a Bristol schoolboy, he invented a stage lighting device which the manager of a local theatre allowed him to install and operate for an actual performance. While comparing notes with Quinton MacPherson, who is appearing with him in the Garrett Element film, ‘ The Amazing Quest of Mr Ernest Bliss,’ Cary Grant discovered that this fine character actor was “ top of the bill” when he carried out his demonstration. Neither had realised the other’s identity through their both having changed names. In those days MacPherson was “ Mymac,” the “ quick change ” artist, whose act was famous at music halls throughout the country. ‘So Red the Rose.’ Stark Young’s novel of the South before and after the Civil War, lias been dramatised on the screen by Paramount, with Margaret Snllavan. Randolph Scott, and Walter Connolly in the leading roles. As in the novel', the picture deals with a proud Southern family, rich in tradition and accomplishment, which responds to the call to arms when war sears the country. Exciting war scenes serve as the pipture's background, as do

the scones of plantation negroes who respond to their liberation with mixed feelings of joy and sadness. Margaret Sullavnn plays the popular heroine of Stark Young’s novel, and by her moving performance proves that she ranks high among the emotional actresses of the screen. Randolph Scott is effective as her sweetheart, and those three outstanding character players Walter Connolly, Janet Beecher, and Elizabeth, Patterson do well in carefully delineated parts. * * * * Anna Steu has completed her first British film, ‘ A Woman Alone,’ which, incidentally is tho initial production of Garrett Klement Pictures. For the final scenes in this ambitious film a number of dancers from the famous Ballets do Leon Woizikovsky were flown over from tho Continent in a specially chartered aeroplane. Anna Step appears as Maria, a Russian peasant who becomes a famous dancer. Though her father was a teacher of Ukrainian folk dances, she has never before danced on the screen. Her* bal-

lets will form one of the biggest attractions in the picture. Unfortunately a number of regrettable incidents such as the illness of actors and the director, and a strike have marred this production and seriously delayed its completion. This bad' hick, however, has brought to light a director of exceptional merit. Ho is , Eugen Frenke, Anna Stcn’s husband, who, after the illness of Fedor Otzep, took over the direction of the picture. Anna Stcn’s leading man is Henry M ilcoxon, the brilliant actor who returned from Hollywood specially to appear as the dashing young Russian officer. Other important roles are played hy a brilliant east which includes Viola Keats, John Gnrrirk, Francis L. Sullivan. Guy Middleton, Romilly Lunge, Henry Oscar, and Esme Perry.

George du Manner’s immortal love classic. ‘Peter Ibhctson.’ which has achieved fame in recent years as a novel, a stage play, as an opera, and now as a motion picture produced by Paramount, was released at the,Regent Theatres, in Auckland and 'Wellington

yesterday. Gary Cooper and Ann Harding appear in "the loading roles, and studio executives claim that these two stars could be classed as perfect temperamental affiniles. Delicate, ethereal, whimsical in mood, ‘ Peter Ibbetson ’ carries its hero and heroine out of the world of realism into one of fantasy and dreams. The story revolves around tho beautiful love and binds two people together for a lifetime, oven though fate sees fit to part them. . Friends, playmates, and sweethearts in Paris, as children,,tho two are separated when the boy’s mother dies, and his military uncle takes him to England. As a talented architect, Peter Ibbetson is sent to a wealthy aristocrat’s estate to design new racing stables. Peter discovers that tho mistress of the house, the Duchess of Towers, is none other than his childhood sweetheart. As the story moves on, the Duke, suspecting their love, threatens to kill Peter. In the ensuing argument the Duke is accidentally killed, and Peter is sentenced to life imprisonment. Although the prison, walls separate them, they meet in their dream world as the years pass on. Their romance is stronger than life and more powerful than death.

According to American newspaper reports now coming to hand, 1 Strike Mo Pink,’ Eddie Cantor's latest comedy, contains tho most exciting climax ever seen on the screen, surpassing the fun of the bull fight in ‘ Tho Kid From Spain ’ and the chariot race in ‘ Roman Scandals.’ Eddie is cast as a timid fellow who takes a correspondence course in acquiring a dominating personality and becomes manager of Dreamland Amusement Park. Sally Filers, scon as Eddie's Dreamland sweetheart; Harry Parke, better . known ns the Greek dialectician ’ Parkynkarkns of radio fame; William Frnwley, and the 1936 crop of Gohlwyn Girls are featured beside Ethel Merman in tho comedy, which Norman Taurog directed. The tuneful song hits introduced in the film include ‘ First You Have Me High,

Then You Have Ate Low,’ ‘ The Laily Dances,’ ‘ The Calabash Pipe,’ and ‘ Shake It Oft'.’ ‘ Strike Me Pink ’ is a Samuel Goklwyn production, and will he released by United Artists.

Fred Astaire, the ingenious sophisticate, has traded “ top hat, white tie, and tails ” for a sailor’s uniform. The man of the world has become the man of the sea, and the polished gentleman is to-day the rough-and-ready deck swabber. In other words, Astaire is cast in a characterisation entirely different from anything he has heretofore done for the screen in ‘ Follow the Fleet,’ new RKO Radio musical romance in which he is again co-starring with Ginger lingers. He is a typical happy-go-lucky who “ joined the navy to see the world.”

Robert Donat, the, handsome young English actor who rose to world famo overnight when he was brought to Hollywood to play ! The Count of Monte Cristo,’ makes his latest appearance in ‘ The Ghost Goes West,’ Alexander Korda’s gay romantic comedy in which Jean Parker and Eugene Pallotte head the supporting cast. Adapted by Robert E. Sherwood from a story in London ‘ Punch ’ by Eric Keown, ‘ The Ghost Goes West ’is tlie first production to ho directed in English by Rene Clair, the famous French director, who handled the megaphone on such successes as ‘ Sons Les Toits de Paris.’ ‘ Le Million.’ and ‘ A Nous La Liberte.’ The story follows the amazing adventures of a handsome and amiable “ spook ” who haunts an ancient Scottish castle. When a wealthy American food merchant named Martin buys the eastle from Donald Glonrie. the ghost’s debt-ridden descendant, and transports it to America stone by stone, the spook goes along. Donat plays the dual role

of Donald and the ghost, and a series of hilarious situations develops when the ghost suddenly makes his appearance aboard the luxury liner and is mistaken for Donald, who is credited with all his strange and unaccountable antics. The stoi;y reaches a surprise climax that will send laughter-limp audiences out chuckling. • • • • Talk about the luck of the Irish! This young fellow Errol I Flynn, who plays the title role in ‘ Captain Blood,’ soon to be seen in New Zealand, seems to have been born with his full share of it. Here’s a chap who, six months ago, was one of the groat unknown. That is, he was not even a name to the general public, though he had done very well in one or two motion pictures made in England. Warner Bros, took him to Hollywood under contract just as an experiment; for he is a strikingly hand-

some specimen and one of the studio scouts pronounced him a promising actor. What happened to him in Hollywood? Well, the first spectacular thing he did was to get married to Lili Damita, who had been a fellow passenger on the ship that took him to America. Not long after that it was decided that ‘ Captain Blood,’ from the famous Bafael Sabatini romance of pirate days, was to bo made as a Cosmopolitan special production for First National release. A dozen well-known actors were tested for the part—also young Hr Flynn, not a well-known actor at all. And Hr Flynn outshone them all in buccaneer costume and got the role, which is one of the most desired of the present season. Unless all signs ere unprecedentedly misleading, young Mr Flynn is going to become, at a very early date, a serious menace to the peace of mind of thousands of fair filmgoers. He is the ty]>e that makes feminine hearts heat faster! Ho is as Irish as his name. Ho hails from the northern end of the Emerald Isle, where his father is a very distinguished professor of biology at Queen’s College, Belfast. • • • • Having scored a triumph, as bitler enemies in the film version of ‘ The ’three .Musketeers,' Walter Abe! and Margot Grahame. paradoxically enough.

now are united as lovers in RKO Radio’s ‘ Two in the Dark,’ a mystery drama based on the story of the same name by Gelett Burgess. Abel, as the dashing d’Artagnan, and Miss Grahame, as the lovely hut unscrupulous Milady do Winter, won high praise for their ' convincing |>erformanccs in the Dumas classic, Abel outwitting and shaming the heretofore shameless feminine film character to the point where she committed suicide, Rut a kindly casting office quickly brought Miss Grahame back to life and ruled that she should fall in love with Abel in ‘ Two in the Dark.’ » * * * Elaborate as a picturisation of Margaret Kennedy's famous stage success, 1 Escape Me Never,’ starring the brilliant little actress, Elisabeth Bergner, has created a veritable sensation wherever it has been shown. Dunedin audiences admired it during its original season here, and there must be many who will welcome the advice that it will be screened for a return season at the St. James Theatre, as from next Friday. It is all based on the life of an elfin-like girl mother, Gemma Jones, which is Bergner’s favourite role, and the one which, she declares, has given her the greatest chance to act. It is a character which achieves intense reality through its very contradictions, and the part, which was specially written to suit Bergner’s style and temperament. is charged with the emotional intensity which Bergner, probably better than any other living actress. is able to express. She portrays this Gemma wandering through Venice, through the Dolomites of North Italy, and through the streets of London, pathetic, and yet full of higli spirits —a naive, loving creature, who yet has nil the amusing tricks and cunning of the alley-ways, and, above all, a mother with an unswerving devotion

ler her child. Gemma moves in a crescendo of emotional climaxes to the final sequence of tho death of her child at the moment when her husband is enjoying the triumph of his life with the production of his ballet. » * * * Three comedians of totally different technique form perfect foils, one for the others, in ‘ It’s a Boy,’ the comedy coining to tho Mayfair Theatre to-day with ‘ M'Fadden’s Flats.’ Leslie Henson heads the cast as star of the picture, and his sparkling, subtle, rapidfire repartee, contrasts strongly with the nervous, quiet, drolleries of Edward Everett Horton, or the broad and obvious Yorkshire comedy of Albert Burdon. Henson produces the scintillating humour that has made him the j most popular light comedy and vaudeville star of the West End of London I and kept him - there for some years.

The story, burlesque from end to end. gives admirable scope to his powers of laughter provocation, as well as impersonation. for during the course of the film he dresses as a woman and impersonates a famous novelist. There is a robust and colourful comedy about real folk that should appeal to everyone from six to GO in ‘ M'Fadden’s Flats,’ which introduces Walter Kelly, long famous for his stage characterisation of ‘The Virginia .Judge.’ Kelly acts as a rough-speaking but soft-hearted Irishman who rises from bricklaying to wealth. Opposite him is Andy Clyde, acting as an economical Scotsman and his ancient friendly enemy. The picture deals with the lifelong fend between those two lovable hardshell* and of the romance between their children which finally brings them together. Kelly, in his first film role, is the classic M’Faddon. Broad of figure and plain of face, he plays the part with obvious polish and pleasure. And ho seems to reveal in JFFaddcn’s invincible democracy his fresh Iris! humour, and his dislike of sham. Duo at the Strand Theatre next b ri day fur its first screening in New Zea land is a Ib'.'lG Columbia Western drama, tilled ' Fighting Code,’ leatur in;; -ibc vli;!'- ar I popiilaa -tar. Buck Jones. Another feature for early re-

lease at the Strand is ‘ I’ll Tell the World,’ a story of rival news reporters. Brimful of adventure and action, the rapidly-changing scenes are said to convey the audience from one continent to another, while the film is claimed to be Lee Tracy’s best to date. Gloria Stuart and Roger Pryor appear with him. 1 Straightaway,* in which lini M‘Coy, who has now forsaken Western roles, plays the part of a speedway rider, is also coming to the Strand in the near future. « * « * Written and directed by Edmund Goulding, who was responsible for such Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer successes as ‘Grand Hotel’ and ‘Riptide’—‘The Flame "Within,’ which comes to the Empire on Friday, brings Ann Harding and Herbert Marshall to the screen as co-stars for the first time. Not since she left the stage has Ann Harding been given such a powerful dramatic role, the majority of ner screen vehicles having been more to the coined}' side. Maureen O’Sullivan, whose popularity during the past year has grown in greater strides than probably any other youthful actress as a result of exceptional performances in such pictures as ‘ The Barretts of Wimpole Street,’ ‘ David Copperfield,’ and ‘ West Point of the Air,’ shares honours with the stars in ‘The Flame Within’ in the most stirring characterisation the screen has as yet offered her. The New New York stage contributes the services of one of its outstanding young actors, Louis Hayward, whose recent portrayal in the Noel Coward play, ‘ Point Vnlainc,’ won him the Vanity Fair award for the best stage performance of the season. Henry Stephenson, distinguished stage and screen actor, as the jovial “ Dr Jock,” friend and confidant of Herbert Marshall, adds to his many laurels in this story of a noted woman psychiatrist. Written and produced on the same ultra modern standard as 1 Riptide,’ ‘ The Flame Within ’ deals with the life and loves of n eelebrated_ and beautiful woman psychiatrist who/ believes her career to be “ more than a profession—but rather a religion.” Devoting her life to unravelling the, mental angles of others, she gives so much of herself to a young man in whom she is trying to effect a redemption, that she inevitably falls in love with him; an impossible situation that would wreck the lives of four people. One of the most lavish sets of the year, on which is staged an elaborate replica of the annual New York hospitals charity ball, is a distinctive feature of the new production. # * » • When the hero of a story by Znne Grey or Clarence Mulford rides the ranges bringing law and order to the wild west and rescuing the heroine from worse than death, there are about him the ghostly outlines of a knight errant of an older day. If they stopped to analyse them, picturegoers would recognise this feeling in nearly all western films that have ever been made; but they would never find it more clearly or pleasingly illustrated than in ‘ HopAlong Cassidy,’ the first film in a scries of six which Paramount is making this year from Clarence E. Mulford’s famous stories about that hard-riding, hard-fighting hero, Hop-Along Cassidy. Western roles like this should be played to the top of an actor’s bent, and William Boyd, as Cassidy, is doing it. He is a knight-errant of the rangeland. He goes about righting wrongs, and when his end has been accomplished he doesn’t stay to be thanked and rewarded. He just fades over the hill to see what lies beyond. And always he finds trouble and sticks his nose in it. He is like Don Quixote, only different, for whereas Ce»vante’s character was a satire on outworn medieval ideas of chivalry and gallantry, this hero of the Wild West holds up knight errantry as a worthwhile ideal. The author, the star, and the director have combined to make Hop-Alone Cassidy a lusty fellow who can ride like a centaur, shoot with both hands, foil the villain, and rescue the down-trodden. He is a man cast in the common mould instead of a suit of mail. He has the i common liking for brawling and the uncommon virtue of honesty and decisive action. ‘ Hop-Along Cassidy ’ comes to the Regent on Friday.

Inn,’ played the leading role in the original Australian production of ‘ The Show Boat,’ and it was his brilliant rendering of ‘ Ole Man River ’ that greatly assisted to make this musical play an outstanding success in Sydney and Melbourne. Mr Crane will take the part of the Emperor Franz Josef, in ‘ White Horse Inn.’

Miss Elaine Hamill, the Now Zealand girl who arrived in Australia practically unknown and has now achieved stardom under the Williamson banner, is returning to the Dominion ■ at Easter at the head of a J. C. M illiamson company—surely a remarkable achievement for one so young. Miss Hamill has so impressed competent critics in Australia with her histrionic powers, allied as they are to a per-

Hamill, supported by a very excellent Williamson company including our own Ethel Morrison, Lloyd Lambic, Harvey Adams, etc., will play throughout New Zealand, ‘ The Shining Hour,’ ‘ Fresh Fields,’ and ‘Night Must Fall.’

Master Graves, who will make his first appearance here in ‘ White Horse Inn,’ is only 10 years old, yet he is already an accomplished actor, and it is said he presents a finished performance.

Frank O'Brien’s vaudeville and revue company will return to the Dominion within the next week to commence a season in Wellington on Friday next, March 0. This show is expected to reach Dunedin toward the end of May.