FOOTLIGHT FLASHES

Evening Star, Issue 22382, 4 July 1936, Page 5

FOOTLIGHT FLASHES

SCREENING JOTTINGS

Spencer Tracy and May Robson have both been given long-term contracts with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

'Dolores Costello Barrymore, costarred with George Raft in ‘ Yours for the Asking,’ is thp only feminine star in Hollywood who regularly goes fishing. She declares that it is her favourite, diversion. .

To celebrate the tenth 'anniversary, of talking pictures, which occurs next year, Warner Brothers plan to produce a ‘‘ modernised ” version of ‘ The'Jazz Singer,’ :the first, feature picture with'’ sound; rAI Jolson will again be the star,- and h© will he supported by*il)WHy players. The picture will go- into production early in the ypar at the Burbank Studios. • \'. .y -;*- -- >- , - * God’s Country and the Woman,’ the forthcoming screen -version of James Dliver ■ Curwood’s -famous novel, with Betto- Davis_and George Brent heading the cast, will bcL directed by William Keighley. The picture is to /be filmed entirely, ih tecbnicolour, . Mr Keighley has,within the past year, made himself lone of the ace directors on the Warner-First National lot by his direction of ' G-Men ’ and other successful pictures, his co-direction .with' Marc Connelly of ‘ The Green Pastures,’ and his recently completed job on ‘ Bullets or Ballots,’ starring Edward G. Robinton.

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An announcement of the utmost interest comes to the effect that Clark Gable, popular star of numberless successes, including ‘ It Happened One Night’ and ‘ Mutiny on the Bounty,’ will make a picture under the Warner Bros.-First National banner. Gable will have the role of a prize-fighter in Marion Davies’ newest picture, ‘ Cain

and Mablc.’ This role was much sought after by many of Hollywood’s leading actors, but the services of Gable were secured after Miss Davies herself had made the request that he ho allowed to play the part of the handsome heavy-

weight boxer.- ‘ Cain and Mahle ’ is a thrilling story of the Broadway show world and the ring. One of its climactic sequences has Gable appearing in a 'strenuous ten-rountl boxing .bout,- while the picture will also have elaborate stage spectacles and musical numbers, which arc now being i written by Warren and Dubin, the composers of many of the screen’s catchiest numbers heard in pictures like the 4 Gold Diggers ’ series and ‘ 42nd‘Street.’ Gable is expected to prove the ideal type in the role he has been given in ‘ Cain and Mable.’ • * * • Fred Stone has been given a longterm contract by Radio, for whom he recentlv featured in ‘ The Farmer in the Ddl.’ ' , . • * ♦ • Gory Cooper and Jack Oakie have left Hollywood for New Mexico’to play in the location shots of ‘The Texas Raiigers.’ King Vidor is. directing. t

Jottings on the people of the Stage and Screen and on the latest recorded Music.

A sparikling comedy drama, filled with rollicking laughter, delightful romances, tinkling music, gigantic spectacles, and spiced with thrills, will come to' the Strand on Friday. This new First National film musical, which is enacted by ah all-star cast, bears the title of ‘ Broadway Hostess,’ and is a storv of New York night life in its liveliest aspects. The picture introduces a new and beautiful singing star to the screen in the person of Winifred Shaw in the title role. She plays the part of a small town girl who goes to the big city to make good, and has a rough time of it until Lyle Talbot, in the role of a big shot gambler, takes her under his wing and makes her the toast of the town. Sharing ’ singing honours with Miss Shaw is Phil Regan, the “ singing cop." Regan sings alone and with Miss Shaw', having, the role of her accompanist in her night club successes. Allen Jenkins furnishes much of the comedy ns the bodyguard of Talbot. While, the picture contains all the elements of a spectacle, as well as those of a musical, it is also a drama, and there is tragedy and pathos, ns well as daughter, music, and romance in the well-balanced plot. There arc two mammoth spectacles with hundreds of beautiful girls, which were created by the famous director. Bobby Connolly. One number is called ‘Playboy of Parce,’ and revolves about Winifred Shaw, who sings a song of that title. The second spectacle shows Phil Regan and Miss Shaw singing 1 Who But You? ’ Others in the cast include Genevieve Tobin, Spring Byington, Marie Wilson, Joseph King, Donald Ross. Frank Daw'son. and Harry Seymour. * * * * Gary Cooper, now teamed with Marlene Dietrich in Paramount’s ‘ Desire,’ is said to have the fastest automobile in Hollywood, It is capable of a speed of 207 miles an hour.

The big double bill which was presented at the St. James yesterday met with the instantaneous approval of the audience last night. Clean, crisp comedy dominates ‘ Her Master’s Voice,’ a clever .adaptation by Paramount of Clare Kummer’s Broadway success. It is an engrossing story of plain folk, which featui’es that popular screen star, Edward Everett Horton, as ‘ The Fireside Troubadour ’ for a radio company, who triumphs over a nagging mother-in-law and dominating Aunt Min. In the guise of a manservant, he is sectctly following his work as a radio crooner, who specialises in _ the mournful harmony numbers which have been so dear to the hearts of every generation. His favourite is 1 Down by the Old Mill Stream,’ which has been warbled with gusto by greyhaired grandfathers and high school boys during Ihe past half-century. The comedy is deftly written and brilliantly acted, and the big house thoroughly enjoyed it last night. Edward Everett Horton is at his best as the radio crooner who is the idol of American womanhood, ami lie is well supported by _ pretty Peggy Conklin > as his sprightly young wife. Laura Hope Crews makes a domineering Aunt Min, and Elizabeth Patterson plays .tyrannical mother-in-law to the life.' ” The second feature subject was a thrilling Paramount drama of exciting happenings on the wrong side of the Rio Grande. George Murphy takes the part of a star reporter, who gets nianv valuable tips from the denizens of the underworld. His zeal for front-page stories leads him into more adventures than he cares for when he attempts to follow up the activities of a gang of bad men in Mexico. George Murphy is excellently supported by Gertrude Michael, who takes the part of a thrill‘■eelring girl, and fine acting is also done by Akim Tamairoff, Sidney Blackmer, and Roscoe Karns.

• * * • . In ‘ Babes in Toyland,’ the pictnrisation of the Victor Herbert operetta which comes to the Octagon on Friday, Laurel and Hardy, stars of the elaborate feature-length production, appear in period costume. This is one of the very fey , times they have discarded their shabby but genteel habiliment, Tvhicli has characterised them for many years. As Stanley Bum and Oliver Dee, poor hut honest toymaker's apprentices. Laurel and Hardy are attired in tights, smocks, anil jaunty feathered skull-raps. Lovers of music; will revel in the tunes of Victor Herbert's rleliehtful operetta. ‘Babes in Toyland.’ The never-to-he-fnrgotten numbers ‘ March of tho'ToyF,’ ‘ Castles in Spain,’ ‘ Toyland.’ and many others, are revived by a symphony orchestra under the able direction of Harry Jackson.

The happiest picture, of Shirley Temple's career, ‘ Curly Top,’ is now at the Mayfair. In ‘ Curly Top,’ a charming story of a little girl who captures the heart of a lonely bachelor and makes both their dreams come true, Shirley lias two new songs to sing and several now and intricate dance routines for audience approval. In this Fox film comedy-drama John Boles is cast as a bachelor who adopts Shirley and her big sister, Rochelle Hudson. His generosity takes them from the drab and dreary atmosphere of an orphanage to the sunny summer surroundings of a palatial home in Southampton. There the romance of Boles and llochelle Hudson flourishes under the childish .guidance of little Shirley, who sings, dances, and laughs her way into their hearts. Shirley is really happy in this picture, for she has the opportunity of displaying her full talents when she sings ‘ Animal Crackers in My Soup ’ and ‘ When I Grow Up.’ Shirley is not the only one to sing in this joyful film. John Boles sings ‘ It’s All So Kew To Me ’ and ‘ Curly Top,’ while llochelle Hudson surprises by singing for the first time, ‘ The Simple Things in Life.’ 1 « * * * Gene Markoy, Joan Bennett’s husjband, has given up writing to become ’an associate producer with Darryl Zanuck,

Edward G. Robinson’s new Warner Brcs.’ starring' picture, ‘ Bullets or Ballots,’ has just been completed at the Burbank Studios, and is in the hands of the editors and cutters. Joan Blondell plays opposite Robinson in this thrilling melodrama of present-day racketeering, and among other principals are Barton Mae Lane, Humph rev Bogart, Joseph King, Frank M'Hiigh, Henry Kolker. Gilbert Emery, George. E. Stone, and William Pawley. Martin Mooney, journalistic export of racketeering, whose knowledge of that subject led him to a prison term not long ago for contempt of court, wrote the story of ‘ Bullets or Ballots.’

* East of Java,’ the film in which Charles Bickford, its “ he-man ” star, was nearly killed by. a ferocious lion and was at death’s door for days, opens at the Grand on Wednesday. Actual jungle scenes, treachery,, bitter-sweet romance, and real animal fights, man against wild beast, that made front page news all over the land when Bickford was clawed and bitten in the throat by a 4001 b lion during,production. This is ‘ East of Java.’ Bickford plays Red Bowers, fugitive American gangster, who escapes British East Africa on a wild animal cargo schooner. A typhoon sinks the ship and strands the crew on a desert island. The animals in the cargo also swam ashore. The lions kill the other beasts. They begin stalking ,tho humans and throw the frightened survivors into an abyss of fear. That is, all save .the gangster, the leader of men, the red-headed “he-man,” Charles Bickford, who battles as a wild man against the wild animals who seek his life and the lives of others. Supporting Bickford in ‘ East of Java ’ are Elizabeth Young, Frank Albertson, Leslie Fenton, Clarence Muse, and others. George MMford directed from the story, ‘ Tiger Island,’ by Gouvcrreur Morris. * • • « 1 No More Ladies,’ .Meiro-Goldywn-Mayer’s now Joan Crawford picture, co-starring Robert Montgomery, is one

the finest pictures these two popular stars have ever made. An uproarious comedy with strong underlying drama of the taetics used by a modern woman to hold the husband she loves, it was cleverly adapted from the Broadway stage hit by A. E. Thomas. The featured cast is exceptionally brilliant, including Charlie Rngglos, _ Franehot Tone. Edna May Oliver, Gail Patrick, and Reginald Denny. • « * • Ann Sothern. appearing with Francis Lederer in Paramount’s ‘ The Count of Arizona.’ is a direct descendant of Cyrus J. Lake, inventor of the submarine.

“ It is certain that no more dramatically satisfying or more unusual film lias over been produced than ‘These Three,’ writes a leading American critic about the Samuel Goldwyn production released by United Artists, which will start on Friday at the Regent Theatre. This critic continues: ‘‘ Indeed, the film is so unusual in plot structure that it can fittingly bo termed sensational, though this is scarcely surprising in view of the fact that it is taken from the play by Lillian Heilman, which during the past year has provoked more discussion and controversy than any other American theatrical venture.” The starring parts in ‘ These Three ’ are brilliantly taken by Merle Oberon, Miriam Hopkins, and® Joel M'Crea. Merlo Oberon is described as being particularly outstanding, more than fulfilling the dramatic promise she gave in ‘ The Scarlet Pimpernel,’ and more recently in ‘ The Dark Angel.’ But while these three adults are directly concerned as the objectives of the plot, it is created, carried on, and brought to completion by two little children. In those roles superb performances are contributed by two girls, Bonita Granville and Marcia Mao .Tones. Never-* thelcss, this is not a “ children’s picture,” though its subject matter and the moral it draws are such that it is suitable for universal exhibition, and, indeed, carries a censorship; certificate to that effect. The story tells • how Merle Oberon and Miriam Hopkins, the closest of friends, start a school for girls. Joel M‘Crea, a young doctor, falls in love with Merle Oberon, and it is evident that Miriam Hopkins also has a silent affection for him. The innocent relationship of these three happy young people is the cause of, a whispering campaign started by an evil-minded little girl, which grows to the proportions of a public scandal that threatens to wreck-all their_ lives. As the lying, vicious little girl, Bonita Granville is so convincing a “ menace ” that she lias been likened by one reviewer to “ a little Charles Laughton.” The supporting programme, in which Walt Disney is said to he at the peak of his genius with ‘ Three Orphan Kittens’,’ a new coloured silly symphony, includes also ‘ Ye Old Sawmill,’ a Mack Sennett coinedy—the first for two years.

Merle Oheron, the British film star, is demanding £25,000 from the Selznick International Pictures Company because she did not get the Florence Nightingale role in a film about the famous British . nurse.- Her lawyers have entered suit against the Selznick concern for this amount, representing both wages and damages, claiming that Miss Oberon’s contract specified that she was to have the starring role in ‘ Florence 'Nightingale ’ and that the company is not now producing the film. The company, Miss Oheron says, abandoned the project for a Florence Nightingale

film because another concern iVmaldng a similar film. The suit also declares that tho Selznick concern selected '■‘The Garden of Allah’ as a film in which Miss Oberon should star instead, but that when she reported for duty she was not assigned tho leading role, which, she claims, she had been promised. Merle Oberon was recently reported to have declined the leading part in ‘The Garden of Allah,’ and, at her own request, was transferred to play The lead in ‘ Dark Victory.’ Marlene Dietrich, who scored a groat personal success in ‘ Desire,’ is taking Miss Oberon’s part in ‘ The Garden ol Allah ’ film, it was reported. * * • * For the first time since the founding of tho Comedie Francaise in 1785 an ac7for from a country other than France has been invited to participate in a production of that famous theatrical organisation. Charles Laughton, now making a film called ‘ Lion of Mayfair ’, at the studios of Alexander Korda, to whom ho is under contract, has received a bid to play in an act from Moliere’s ‘Le Medecin Malgre Lni.’ Upon reenivin'T tho invitation Laughton made the following comment; “I have never been so flattered in my life. It really is about as near the summit of my ambition as I can hope to get.”

. The talented English youngster who gave life to Dickens’s immortal character, David Copperfield, on the screen, and who appears as Greta Garbo’s soil in M.-G.M.’s ‘ Anna- Karenina,’ now showing at the Empire Theatre, lias been in America just long enough to arrive at some very definite conclusions. Nine months ago lie came to the United States unheralded and unsung, an unknown lad who had been found in England by Producer David 0. Selznick as the ideal child to play Copperfield’s boyhood. Since then he has achieved fame as one of the outstanding child actors on the screen. “ Sissy (his aunt and guardian) and I have seen almost all of America,” says Freddie, “ and I find the country very lovely and interesting. America has been most interesting to me because it is so different from my own country, England. The skyscrapers of New York really held me spellbound because it seemed unbelievable . that buildings can be built so tall and that people really live high up in the clouds. Picture work has been very thrilling to me. I love it because I have met so manv charming people. Best of all. in ‘ Copperfield ’ ■ I believe I liked Eliza-

beth Allah, who was my sad little, mother, and my Aunt Pcggotty. 1 was glad to return”to Hollywood because 1 have .had the pleasant experience of playing Miss Garbo’s son in ‘ Anna Karenina.’ Strangest of all, I never knew of Miss Garbo before 1 arrived in Hollywood. I have since learned much about her, and do know now that she is the greatest artist of the cinema.” * • * Freddie Bartholomew has _ inspected America and has found it satisfactory. *** « ■ Clark Gable, the -Aim .star, was injured in a film earthquake in Hollywood recently. He had to be dug out of the debris of a wall that collapsed in the film ‘ San Francisco.’ He was taken to hospital to be treated for shock, bruises, and cuts. It was_ an 18ft structure made of wooden bricks that fell on and completely buried him, while some actors, portraying workmen, landed on the heap on top of him. ’

-The death occurred on Juno 17 in g Hollywood sanatorium of Henry B. Walthall, famous as the ‘ Little Colonel’ in D. W. Griffith’s ‘Birth of a Nation,’ produced in 1917. Born- in Alabama in 1879 and educated for the law, Walthall served in the United States army during the Spanish-Ame-' clean War, but was invalided out. - He was then aged only 19, The stage called him, and in 1900 he was induced to act by D. W. Griffith for the very “ flickery cinema—then regarded by stage stars as . “ poison. ” to their 1 reputations. He played in a number of Griffith’s earlier, efforts before making his name in ‘ The Birth of a* Nation.’ Later he became one of the stars; of the old Essanay Company; His innumerable silent appearances include ‘The Road to Mandalay,’ ‘Three Faces East,’ ‘ The Barrier,’ ‘ The Scarlet Letter.’ ' The Bridge of San Lais lley,’ ‘ The. Unknown Soldier,’ and ‘ Abraham Lincoln.’ His talkies have been ‘Self Defence,’ ‘Laughing .at Life,’ ‘ 42nd Street;’. ‘ Love Time,’ ‘The Lemon Drop Kid,’ ‘ Bachelor of Arts,’. ‘ Helldorado,’. * The Scarlet Better,’ and ‘ Dante’s Inferno.’

There is no such thing as a earner* . face,” declares Peyerell Marley, ac« Hollywood cameraman, ' who photographed Pickford-Lasky’s ‘ Ono Rainy Afternoon,’ 'the gay Itarisian/romantio comedy .with. Francis Ledcrcr, Ida Lupino, and, a. great cast. ‘‘ Make-up,, can remedy anything ■ hut' .defective , teeth/’ ''continues the.cinematographer* “ Players nuist. have dental .equipment that permits them to smile' as if they meant it. But there is no,, such thing as the ‘made-to-order’ camera face.”* % ‘One Rainy Afternoon/’ which marks the first offering of- the" newly-formed producing affiliation headed by Mary Pickford and Jesse L. Lasky, is released through United Artists.- * * # • I •

Gregory Eatoff has announced that ho will desert acting for writing and directing as, soon as he has/finished hii present role in - * The Road to Glory.*

Leo Carrillo has been signed by Pickford-Lasky to play the second lead in ‘ The Gay Desperado,’ the next picture which Nino Martini will make for them. »** * • Burns and Allen, who have just completed work in _ ‘ Eariy to Bed,’ will appear next with Bing Crosby in * Beach of Dreams.’ Norman Taurog will direct. *., . * * . * If you saw a picture called ‘ Three Orphan Kittens ’ recently you saw a prize winner (says an exchange). The Academy of_ Motion Picture Arts and Sciences at its annual dinner in Hollywood recently voted Walt Disney the award of merit for having produced this outstanding, cartfion of 1935. It was a sillv svniphony in technicolour, and it had to do with the mischief stirred up by three kittens who got into a house* annoyed the cook, and raised a not on the piano keys. This is the fourth successive year that the creater of the Mickey Mouse and silly symphony films has captured the ‘‘best cartoon honours. In 1932 he won with ‘Flowers and Trees.’ In 1933 he won with ‘ Three Little Pigs.’ In 1934 he won with ‘ The Tortoise and the Hare. Mary Pickford summed it all up in 15 words: “ There is only, one Disney. He is the greatest producer in the motion picture industry.’’

Coming to the State next Friday is a Fox musical feature entitled ‘King Of Burlesque,’ starring Warner Baxter, Alice Faye, Jack Oakie, and Mona Barrie. Kenneth Rogers, one of England’s foremost critics, says of this picture: “‘King of Burlesque,’ despite its somewhat stupid title, must rank as one of the best things to come from America. In my opinion, Warner Baxter is even greater than ho was in ‘ 42nd Street,’ and Jack Oakie produces an admirable comic foil to the energetic pep of Baxter. The film is‘hard to describe# as it is so chock full of good things. One might praise its romantic ecstasy, its lustrous stars, its unbridled laughter, its sensational novelty, and kaleidoscopic backgrounds ■ of unequalled splendour, but the one thing that dominates everything else is the fact that it is supreme entertainment There are drama, thronging, glittering girls, haunting tunes, ana gay dance routines, all of which have keen mixed superbly by a master hand to give us- one of the greatest entertainments of the year. It is different, too, except that Here and there it reminds one of ‘ 42nd Street.’ There are lots of fascinating melodies, hut of all the numbers ‘ Lovely Lady/ ‘ Shooting High,* and ‘ Too Good To Be True ’ rank among the best that have come onr way per the medium- of the talkie screen for many a long day. The only fault I can find with this production is the title. It means very little to the average English • audience. But ■what matter, for as I indicated before, it is one of the gayest,.liveliest screen entertainments of the year.”