The SCREEN and its STARS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11949, 20 May 1933, Page 10

The SCREEN and its STARS

r (J3y lho Movie l'an).

REGENT THEATRE

To-day, i r n.in.. o p.m., and S p.m., Mon. and Turns. —“Girl Crazy''— Comedy featuring Wheeler and Woolsey and Eddie Quillau. Wednesday, Tiiurs. and Fri—“ The Frightened Lady”—Drama, featuring Norman AlcKenncl, Catlileen Nesbitt and , Gordon. Barker.

MAJ ESTIO THEATRE

To-day 2, 5, and S' p.m. and'Mon. — “On Our Selection”—comedy, star, ring Bert Bailey. Tues. and Wed.— “Penguin Foul Murder” —Comedy, drama starring Edna May Oliver, James Gleason, and Robert Armstrong. Thurs. and Friday.— “70,000 Witnesses”— Melodrama-comedy-— star, ring Philip Holmes, Dorothy Jordan and Charles Buggies.

TELEVISION MENAGE

FILMS IN EACH HOME

THEATRE AUDIENCES LOST

EXHIBITORS WILL SUFFER

Tho perfection of television within IS months; television sets available for hire at moderate -charges ; talkies televised for direct projection to the home ; the whole cinema industry revolutionised- by the new development —these were some of the confident prophecies advanced by Samuel Goldwvii, the Hollywood magnate, when he arrived in England recently in the finer Jfuropa. On the subject of mechanical entertainment few can speak with greater authority than Mr Goldwyn. He has been a leading figure in Hollywood wince the early days of the films 21 years ago. It has been under bis banner that such stars as Charlie Chaplin. KonaUl Column, Gloria Swanson. Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Bickford, and Eddie Cantor have risen to world fame.

“f have been closely interested in thd development of television during tlni last few years,” Mr Goldwyn said, “but not until recently in No.w York did I properly realise the degree of perfection which lias now been attained. It was one of the biggest shocks I have had in all- my career as a.-show-man. “I saw a- talkie televised over a distance of IUO miles and reproduced with perfect sound on a, screen some three feet square. The reproduction of the picture and its dialogue were as good as could he had in the best-equip-ped cinema. In fact, the dialogue was hotter because back scratch iwas entirely absent. lam convinced that nothing can retard television's progress to perfection in the course of the next- IS months, and the conversion of every house into a private cinema, within three years. “I can visualise the time,” Mr Goldwyn went on, “when five- or six talkies are televised every night on various wave-lengths. You will put, say, a shilling or less in the slot of your receiving set- and tune into the particular picture you wish to see and hear on your drawing room wall. The sfizcl of the picture will be a matter of (adjustment. “Naturally the ordinary cinema industry will undergo revolution. The actual makers of pictures will be leastaffected, because the demand for productions will remain. But- television is certain to result in fewer cisemas.

“Really fine talkies will continue to draw crowds to the cinemas. and good plays will prosper. io r 'Outstanding entertainment, whatever its nature, will always lure people from their firesides; but when ah the proa t film stiix-s into available on every home aval 1 the cinema inn us try will he driven to some hard thinking.

PICKED OUT FOR FAME. FOUR GIRLS IN “WEDDING REHEARSAL,” Alexander Korda, the brilliant Continental film whose first British production, “Service for Ladies,” was hailed by many critics as the finest English film to date, determined to achieve an even greater success with is second picture, “Wedding Rehearsal,” and commenced by engaging a dazzling array of stars for the leading roles. After casting Roland Young and .John Loder (who came over from America especially to play in the film), George* Grossmitli, Lady Tree, Maurice Evans, Kate Cutler, Edmund B'reon, Lawrence Han ray, and Morton •Shelton, he spent a number of weeks in an exhaustive' search for new screen talent. Ultimately, following many camera tests of more than 50 picked girls, he announced that he had finally selected Diana: Napier. Merle Oheron. Wendy Barrie, and .loan Gardner. Those four girls (who will he seen in “Wedding Rehearsal”) ho says, have just got the qualities that will elevate them to the first ranks of stardom, providing they are given suitable parts, adequate direction and capable photography. They are striking and beautiful, and, strangely enough, each a. complete individual and distinctive type

•THE ESCORTS BLUSHED. Constance Cummings, the lovely young! star who has travelled from Hollywood to play for a British stvidio spoilt her first Sunday in London sight-seeing. Touring hy car, she saw the changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace before driving past the Houses of Parliament, Whitehall, and Trafalgar-Square, through' the city ■St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Bank of •England,..and Hie Monument over Tower Bridge to the Tower of LonHpre she was completely enthralled and very; distressed that awing to a temporary order she could not take photographs. It was here that she put hef-Enmsh’escorts to. slmme, by cot-

recting historical facts concerning the Tower which they had proudly explained. “I ‘know English history bettor than my own.'' said Constance, “and, believe me, Mary Queen of Scots was never in tlv Tower.” The escorts blushed deeply. On tho return journey the party visited Ye Okie . Cheshire Cheese, that famous tavern in Fleet Street associated! in tine past with Dr Johnson yud other' notable litterateurs. Here the star drank a tankard of good British ale and signed the visitors’ book before continuing her tour ; the West End and so homewards.

MOVING PICTURES lX GRAND

OPERA

Paris has just gone through a quiet period, during which our lyric theatres have given themselves some respite (writes a correspondent- of the “Christian Science Monitor”.). The only important event has been the revival, at the Opera, of “La Tour do Feu,” the remarkable composition of Mr Sylvio Lazzari, which, after a brilliant inauguration was taken oft the bill as a result of the departure of an artist whom it was not considered possible to replace. “La Tour do Feu” made a great impression on the general public because of the sensationally new element in its production The last- act takes place in a lighthouse. pounded on all -sides by tho waves of a stormy sea. To achieve the required effect cinematographic projection was resorted to. To right and left- of the lighthouse were placed screens tinted to blend with the stage setting, and rupon these two projectors threw films of a raging sea. In the “sky” a third projector pictured storm clouds driven by tile gale, and the orchestra had n u difficulty in evoking for us the unloosened elements which burl themselves against the tower.

It is impossible to describe the powerful effect- of this simple device. The natural rhythm of the waves breaking against the rock gives extraordinary life, actuality, and scope to the action. One escapes at hist from the canvas and cardboard prison ot the theatre. The walls of the Opera seems to have been knocked down to bring us into contact with nature. It is inconceivable that modern stagecraft should make such a limited use of the, admirable resources provided by motion pictures. in the lyric theatre that- which is mow the exception should be the rule. The last act- of “La Tour de Feu”, which has at last relegated to the storehouse the green painted canvases shaken by stage hands from behind. which in days,gone by repie-s-ented the -stormy ocean, marks a date in the history of production. And this lesson should not be forgotten.

ACTRESS IGNORES DIETS BIT LOSES WEIGHT.

Diets may come and diets may go, but Kay Francis, the Varner Bros, .star, calmly ignores them all, and for a good reason. Miss Francis invariably 'l°scs weight during the. production of a picture. Not an alarming amount, to be sure, and nothing lu worry about, but slie never takes off less than three pounds. Sometimes during a particularly intense and trying picture, slxe will lose as much as eight pounds.

H<.r own explanation of this fact i >; that she throws herself so intensely into the part she happens to be playing, with all the nervous energy at her command, that a loss in weight is the result Besides which, she finds that her appetite is subnormal during a picture.

Kay Francis eats lightly from the day that shooting begins, and doesn't regain her .normal interest in food until ip is over. She finds that plenty of sleep does her more good than food.

GRETA GARBO RETURNS

MORE FILMS. AT HOLLYWOOD

If was revealed in London 'on March 27 that Miss Groto Garbo left Gothenburg, Sweden, for San Francisco in the Swedish liner Annie Johnson. Her departure was secret, and she was accompanied to Gothenburg only hy her friend. Countess Wachtmeister, who drove her down from her seat at Tistad where they have been staying. Everyone thought it was an ordinary excursion, and in Gothenburg only a few people recognised the film star. Months ago, when the question whether she would or would not return to Hollywood, was exercising the minds of cinema enthusiasts, Miss Greta Garbo ordered an American ticket from a friend of hers, the chief of Johnson Liners Company, who promised to keep her departure a secret. Nobody knew on March' 27 that the girl who stepped on hoard the Annie Johnson in a little green hat was Miss Garbo returning to Hollywood to begin new film work.

HARD ROAD TO FAME

HOW THE STARS STARTED

The theory of the unknown actress who catches the director’s eye appears to he exploded. Luck can, happen, hut it is not to he depended on. Norman McLeod, the director who makes the Marx Brothers’ pictures and whose latest film is “A Lady’s Profession,” says that at least 10,000 “extras” have worked in his pictures, hut he has never singled out one to become a star.

“The studios are always on the lookot for new talent, D he says. “But 'it usually must he experienced'to get a chance.” Out of 30 players at his studios only six became seveen artists tbynijgli! sheer accident.

Adrienne Ames, a New York society girl was given a chance because •& portrait .artist-sent her picture to the studio; Gary Cooper, an out-of-work cartoonist, worked as an “extra” and advanced ; Buster Grabble was urged to take a test as the “lion, man” in “King of the Jungle,’” and was successful ; Francis Dee, visiting from Chicago, went to the studio with two friends whlo were “extras” and was given a part; Kent Taylor did a favour for friend who iwas testing a new camera stunt and his impromptu acting brought him-.a contract; and Adolph Scott, an engineer holidaying near Hollywood, took a part in the local, theatre for fun and was snapped up.

All tho others, including Carole Lombard, Nancy Carroll, Sylvia Sidney and Wynne Gibson, wanted to act from tlie beginning, and began their training early.

DIVORCED. ,

JOAN AND DOUG., JUNIOR

SURPRISE FOR,- HOLLYWOOD

Joan Crawford the film star sprang a surprise on Hollywood recently announcing a separation between, herself and her husband', Douglas Fairbanks, (junior. The sensation caused by the announcement iwas all tho greater because it followed the citing of hex* husband on a suit for £1.0,000 brought by Mr Ojorgen Dietz, of Los Angeles, U'or the alleged alienation of the afFection of Mrs Dietz. Air Fairbanks denied a-ntll Joan joined him in describing- tho suit as an attempt at -extortion. , ,

“I do nob contemplate divorce proceedings.” Joan Raid after, “a net I want it to he understood! that the Dfietz ease has nothing to do with our decision, to separate. I have known all about the Dietz case all the time and I have discussed Ulie matter with Douglas. If it comes to a point where I can assist hin„ by appearing in Court in tho case I shall go there without hesitation.

“We have discussed xho question of separation for the past twelve months. It is merely a case of two people being unable to get along together. I believe that this is the only method' of determinating car future happiness. We will be able to learn whether it is best to continue to live apart or to kiss, make it up, and got- back together.” Douglas is definite in lbs hopes that eventually the breach between hiin and Joan will be healed. “I am going io send her flowers, ’phone her every day,” he said, “and .send telegrams when i can’t get her on the ’phone. This is not like other separations. We are still in love. There is not another [woman in the world for me.” Both declare that their separation actually occurred a year ago, but they continued to live in the -same bouse.

■[Apparently the -breach- could not be healed for a cable message- from Hollywood announced that Joan had been granted a divorce.]

NOTES AND NEWS A life-size nude of Marlene Dietrich, which will figure in her new Paramount picture, “The Song of -Songs,” is being sculptured by S. Caitano Scarpitta. In Rome he executed an heroicfigure of Mussolini on horseback.

Wlien Air F. W Timing, the Australian film producer, returned to Melbourne latch- lie had the satisfac--1 9 tion of finding “Harmony Row”, the Geoi'ge Wallace film which lie -pi'oduc?ecl prior to Ids departure for London, breaking records all over Australia and New Zealand.

The one and only Mary Bickford will shortly l*e seen in ‘“Secrets” oi which the Hollywood Reporter writes : “As Secrets summarises in a panoramic epitome the life of its heroine, so does it summarise all that Mary Las meant to the motion-pic-ture lovers since the ‘Good Little Devi!. The old Mary Pickford of 15 years ago comes hack with all her demure devilry, her sparkling-eyed mischief;, .in an opening sequence that kept the audience in gales of laughter as- she played out the forbidden romance and elopement wit hi Leslie No actress could have surpassed! her in. this scene and the subsequent ones as the stricken mother during the pioneer days of California, her dead baby in her arms while her husband stood the cattle rustlers with his shot-gun. Years of training in the too-eomplotely-forgottcn pantomime of the silent drama were distilled into these scenes.”

The following cablegram was recent ly received hy Mr E. L. Rutledge, general manager for New Zealand for the (Fox Film Corporation : “Cavalcade” command performance, "Windsor Castle, for Their Majesties the living and Queen, following dinner party which Their Majesties giving, specially invited guests, to-night Mav 2.”

Clyde Beatty, universally recognised as the world’s greatest animal trainer, is in danger every second lie is in the cage witki his savage beasts. “My sole defence in tlio arena”, says Beatty, who, hy the way is a. young man of 2 < with a brilliant smile and curly brownhair, “is a [whip which I snap to concentrate the wavering attention of the animals, a revolver loaded with, blanks which I use for the same purpose, and an ordinary kitchen chair. There are no loaded guns either inside or outside the arena, for if an attendant should shoot an animal which might attack me, the wound would simply madden fit tof uncontrollable fury, and greatly lessen, my chances of escaping (alive.“ Clyde .Beatty is the star of Universal’s “The Big. Cage’’ which presents on the screen his wonderful circus act which has made him famous all over the world. ■ • ... . , « Robert Montgomery, the popular start has definitely prepared himself as a first-aid expert and physicians assistant. Montgomery uses his leisure time .to serious advantage in a study of first-aid ana surgery. He has watched many difficult operations _ and stiiided ihc various surgical implements employed.