M-G-M’s CHIEF IN N.Z.

Grey River Argus, 27 April 1929, Page 4 (Supplement)

M-G-M’s CHIEF IN N.Z.

MR. N. B. FREEMAN, ACCOMPANIED BY MRS FREEMAN AND SON, ARE ENROUTE TO AMERICA AND ENGLAND.

Mr N. B. Freeman. Managing-Direc-tor of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in Austra lia and New Zealand, arrived in Wellington during last week by the R.M.S “Tahiti,” bound for the United States and England. Mr Freeman is accompanied by Mrs Freeman and their young son. In an interview. Mr Freeman stated that it would be his mission to study deeply the singing, sound and talking picture situation as well as to completely familiarise himself wi h the policy outlined by his organisation for the coming season. This policy is the- most comprehensive ever prepared by any motion picture company, and it embraces full services in both sound and silent, productions. “Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer is now well established a.v a producer of sound pictures ” said Mr Freeman, “and as an illustration of .his. I can point to the very great success achieved by “White Shadows in th c South Seas,’ at the Prince Edward Theatre, Sydney. The biff picture opened its Southern Hemisphere premiere showing by shattering

the opening night record to the Prince Edward, and before I left Australia it had taken two more records. These were (or the mid-day takings and fai- tile biggest takings v ever rogistered by the Prince Edward. Th latter record was established on Saturday. March 16th. Plans are now cample o for the screening of the synchronised version of “White Shadows in the South Seas.” in New Zealand shortly, and I quite anticipate it will prove as great a success here as it has not alone in Australia, but in other countries .abroad. “Among the other big M-G-M pictures in sound are “The Trail of ’9B” which has already been shown in New Zealand in i s silent form; “Alias Jimmy Valentine.” a thoroughly entertaining picture, big in every way, |a>id introducing William Haines’ screen voice; “The Bellamy Trial,” the screen version of the best-seller novel by . Frances Noyes Hart featuring Beatrice Joy; “Broadway Melody,” for which a complete music s.ore- has been written and wlrch has been filmed to a larg e extent in natural colour. This picture will bo .he screen’s first musical comedy, and features a big cast including Bes ie Love, Charles King and Anita Page. There- are many more, each with its individual appeal and all introducing thc famous “Living Lion” stars as sound stars. It is probably known to you that the M-G-M stars ’nave .been pro'nounccd voice perfect by sound experts.

“Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s b’g line up of sound pictures ’ continued Mr Freeman, “i n n oway indica es slackening up of the production of silent pictures. A full supply of these pictures will be available always to th’ theatre? not wired for sound, and they, like the sound pictures will be produced with the same high standard of production that has always charac eriseci the M-G-M product. “You can lok fur even b-gge” things from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in the future.” concluded M r Freeman, “and I say this in the knowledge of advices already received from the studio?. Of course, it is far too early for me to make any detailed statement

of our activities in 1930, but I have learned sufficient in advance already to prophesy confidcn ly that next year will see Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer main tabling its pre-eminent place in the motion-picture industry definitely and securely. 1 ’

When “The- Jazz Singer.” with Al Jolson in the leading role, was being filmed, certain of the spectacular features included a picture of both the interior and exterior of the Winter Garden, where Mr Jolson had achieved h'.s great successes in musical comedy. It became necessary to obtain cordons of police to keep th e great crowds in order, that had assembled. At another time when Orchard Street, located in the very heart of het New York Ghetto, was being photographed, the director of “The Jazz Singer,” Alan Crosland, w’ith the camera men, was concealed within a canvas-topped truck. Holes were cut in the sides and end of the canvas through which the scenes’ in this famous locality where pljbto|grapho|d. If the (people who surged in solid masses had known that they were being “snapped,” :. riot would have been the re ult. A period of four months was required for the actual making of the “Jazz Singer.” May McAvoy, dainty aid winsome star of the, screen, was the unanimous choice for the part of

Mary Dale, the tiny toe-dancer in the play, whose, love am! devotion wer L . : n strum-:,tai in helping Jack Kobin, th. jazz singer, played by A! Jolson. >o achieve his success and bring happiness Io both of them. Warner thaed is cast as Cantop Eavinowitz, Eugenie Besserer is the mother, and Bobby Gordon, plays the part of the 10-, singer, who ran away trim home Io do the tiling lie kn-w p. c could do best. “ 1 lie Physician," now screening throughout New Zealand, is the British Dominion!, Filins screen version of Henry Arthur Jones’ famous play. Excellent photography and the most powerful story seen on the screen for a long time arc among the outstanding merits of this British produciion. The story is so intensely dramatie that the film has considerable power over the spectator. Acting honours undoubtedly g 0 to Miles Mander, as Walter- Amphiel. Beautiful Elga Brink, as his fiancee, who in turn is loved by “The Physician," per.rayed by lan Hunter. The supporting east includes such well-known artist as Humberston Wright, Mary Brough Henry Vibart, Julie Suedo and that elever child actor, Johnny Ashby, who was last seen in “His House in Order." No finer east has been seen in any British picture. A British picture which is an absolute triumph for Mabel Poulton is the British Dominions Films “Wild

Cat Hetty,” now screening throughou’ New Zealand. The story concerns a handsome young scientist who becomes obses ed wi h the idea that environment and his scientific methods will make a lady out of Hetty, a little untamed proclu t of the London slums, whom he has met in unusual circumstances. A strong human interest talented stars and much comedy com bine l 0 make this production a delightful picture with great entertainment. Mabel Poulton is supported by Eric Bransby Williams as the seien ti t, Pauline Johnson as Nancy Price, the beautiful society “rival" pf Hetty, together wi h many othe r wellknown stars.

Anita Stewart brings to the sere m a new *ype of acting io Columbl i s “Name the Woman,” soon io b e e leased throughout New Zealand. She [is forced by the action to evicbr.e the most tense emotum*, with her far * concealed by a grotesque mask. Ti? entii* plot of “ Nairn l the Woman'* i-3 unique. The photof-ry starts w n a murder trial and carries lhe audience through a bridge p-Jty with a suddc.i and dramatic t'-rminatiou. a cal ourful Mardi Gras bi’q a sensation d mOrder, and works up to one of the best climaxes it has ever been our

privilege to witness. '-Name the V.’.. man" is the type of piet'iu that will appeal ■ . j) lovers c-x mystery stories all p-l'S-'-.s who follov "V-’lli inter*-t the proceedings of mnrd r trials, those who Ainjoy beautiful scenic backgrounds, and the individuals who find ent< rtainnient in drama we I don°. The cast is exceptionally well selected. Miss Stewart. Iluntly Gordon, and Gaston Gia s are featured, while Chappell Dossett, Julanne Johnston and Jed Prouty are prominent in the support. Miss Stewart portrays the mysterious masked witness, whose les-

timony is essential to establish the innocence o f the accused. Huntly Gordon makes an excellent prosecuting attorney*. Gaston Glass as a man-about-town, victim of circumstances, accused of murder, wins the sympa.hy of his audience.