Cinema News

Grey River Argus, 23 March 1940, Page 9

Cinema News

PICTURES, PLAYS & PLAYERS

“THE SPIRIT OF CULVER."

STARRING JACKIE COOPER AND FREDDIE BARTHOLOMEW. Co-starred with Jackie Cooper. Freddie Bartholomew has his first romantic scenes for the screen in his role as a dashing young military school cadet in Universal’s “Spirit of Culver.” In addition to many dramatic and comedy scenes, the picture is highlighted by colourful parades and the gaiety of school- life.

The- object of Freddie’s .affections in the story, is Kathryn “Sugar” Kane, cast as a young singing star o( the I movies. The picture tells a dramatic I narrative of life at a military academy and the supporting cast features Andy Devine, Henry Hull, Tim Holt, Jackie Moran and Gene Reynolds. Brigadier-General L. R. Gignilliax, famous head of Culver Military Academy, , acts as technical adviser. “WATERFRONT." It’s dramatic, thrill-packed and action crammed. Produced by Warner Bros., it has a cast in which Gloria Dickson, Dennis Morgan and Marie Wilson are featured, and which also includes such reliable players as Shelia Bromley, Larry Williams, Aidrich Bowker, Frank Faylen and Ward Bond. AU except one of those names are known to film-goers, but the one name which isn’t known —Dennis Morgan—is precisely what makes “Waterfront” a picture of much more than ordinary significance. Fox Dennis Morgan has the leading male role in “Waterfront” —in fact all the action of the story revolves about him—and he must “have something” for the Warner Bros. Studio to allow him to make his debut in so important a part. In the film story, he’s a leader among the city’s port workers, an aggressive fellow who is quick |o anger and- just as quick to fight. In fact, from the point of view of the girl who becomes his wife, played by Miss Dickson, his strength is his weakness.

She fears his tough aud brawling nature will eventually lead to some serious brush with the law, and when his brother is murdered by an enemy, it seems as if her fears are to be justified.

In a series of episodes breathless with suspense, the film teMs how the brave girl saves her husband from himslf but almost loses her own life in the effort. It is the realisation that, in his irate haste to wreak vengeance on his enemy, he almost kills his wife, that finally brinus the youpg firebrand to his senses.

Biggest money-maker in Hollywood last year was Mickey Rooney, whose films drew more patrons to the boxoffices than any of the older, and bet' ter established stars. Springing a surprise, Tyrone Power turned out to be the screen’s second biggest asset, whit popular Spencer Tracey was third. These facts were revealed as a result of a box office poll conducted by the “Motion Picture Herald.”

“THE WIZARD OF OZ” A city of great green bubbles which serve as houses, a forest of trees which speak and throw apples, a horse which changes colour at a word, and monkeys which fly through the air are but a few of the wonders in M.G.M’s. technicclour masterpiece, “The Wizard of Oz.” One of the most elaborate sets represents the Emerald City, home of the fabled Wizard. A glasslike compound was worked out by studio chemists, giving, under strong lighting effects, an appearance of sparkling jewels. The almost human trees, were constructed of rubber. Each one was controlled by invisible wires, operated by technicians offstage. Men in fantastically-coloured “flying suits” played the monkeys. “The Wizard of Oz” is a remarkable piece of entertainment. Based on an Alice-in-Wonderland type of story, it unfolds the adventures of Dorothy, a farm girl played by Judy Garland, who is blown away by a cyclone and finds fantastic adventure in the land of Oz. There she meets hundreds of sdrange characters. There is Ray Bolger as the poor Scarecrow who wants a brain, Jack Haley, as the Tin Woodman who went rusty when he cried, and Bert Lahr as the Lion who had lost his courage. Altogether, there are 9200 players in the picture. A brilliant musical score with six hit songs accompanies the action of the film, which in brilliance and sheer delight exceeds any thing the screen has offered before. “THE RAINS CAME." Myrna Loy, Tyrone Power, and George Brent are claimed to bring tn e three leading characters of the great novel to life in Darryl F. Zanucks production of “The Rains Came,” by Louis Bromfield. Myrna plays the amorous Ladv Eskeh; Power is seen as the romantic Major Sefti, and Brent is cast as the world-weary Tom Ransome in this Twentieth Century-Fox fiirn. Brenda Joyce, Darryl Zanuck’s newest discovery, heads the supporting cast as Fern Simon in this story of human emotions at breaking point

while the angry forces of Nature rav-

age the earth. SHAW’S “MAJOR BARBARA” Cabled news from London asserts that the filming of “Major Barbara”, : which was written by George Bernj ard Shaw for, and popularised by the ' late Ellen Terry, has commenced in j England under the producership of I Gabriel Pascal with Wendy Hiller in the title role. Every effort is being made to secure from the War Office special leave for Ralph Richardson who is at present serving in the Fleet Air Arm. If negotiations are successful, and there is reason to believe that they Will be, Richardson will co-star with Wendy Hiller as previously arranged. “Major Barbara” is a Gaumont British Dominions Filins release. A SCREAM IN THE DARK A scream in the dark opened the gates of Hollywood for blonde Bernadene Hayes, who plays one of the featured roles with Myrna Loy and Robert Taylor in “Lucky Night.” Although Miss Hayes was a youthful veteran of the stage before her advent into pictures, she found it almost impossible to crash the Hollywood gate until she appeared on a late evening broadcast. She was appearing in a creepy murder mystery that required her to scream. Not only the scream but her performance as well attracted film talent scouts and she won her first Hollywood film role in 1936. In “Lucky Night” she is one of the salesgirls in the paint store where Robert Taylor gets his first job as a paint salesman, and provides several of the picture’s outstanding comedy siquences. “Lucky Night”, the first costarring picture for Miss Loy and Taylor, was produced by Louis D. Lighton i and directed by Norman Taurog. Fealured in the supporting cast with Miss Hayes are Joseph Allen, Henry O’Neill, Douglas Fowley, Bernard Nedell, Charles Lane, Gladys Blake, Marjorie Main, Edward Gargan, Irving Bacon and Oscar O’Shea.

HOLLYWOOD HIGHLIGHTS. Brian. Aherne, co-starred with Carole Lombard in “Vigil in the Night ” took advantage of the delay in the production due to Miss Lombard’s illness by marrying Joan Fontaine in Hollywood... .Working in “The Flying Deuces” with Laurel and Hardy was inspiration for Jean Parker to learn flying....On week-ends during filming of the picture, Jean travels} to Santa Barbara and takes instruc-' tions from Frederick Stearns.... i

Maureen O’Hara is fine delight of the still cameramen on the “Hunchback °f Notre Dame” who have an eye for colour... .She wears a most colourful gipsy dress which emphasised the brilliance of red hair and green eyes... .Ginger Rogers rushed back from Honolulu to make added scenes for her latest picture, “Fifth 'Avnue Girl,” and then rushed to New York for a visit with her mother.... a little jaunt of 6000 miles, STUDIO CHATTER. ] ! As if being a beautv and a clever actress were not enough, Anne Nagel, whose first picture under her contract w'the Univrsal was “Unexpected Father,” appeared at luncheon in the studio commissary the other day wearing clothes she made herself. The gaily coloured print dress was topped with a violet wool coat lined with the print. Anne wore a draped turban of the silk print, and carried a bag of the fabric of the coat. She even made the bag and hat herself. Jerry Marlowe, Universal’s handsome young leading man. is carrying! on the banner laid down by June, Marlowe, his sister, who was a Unl-i versal star in 1928. June is now a happily married housewife, content to sit on the s ; delines and watch tier kid brother ride to stardom. !

Sigrid Gurie’s wedding to Dr. Laurence Spangard gave the Pacific Palisades police department its toughest traffic problem in years. They had to handle the 1.000 cars of the guests who; attended. I **** * * f Sixteen years ago, urged by Edna Smith, of Winnipeg, Canada, Mr and. Mrs James Durbin entered their tiny daughter in a hahv The Durbin tot won the “most beautiful baby”, title. Last week, Miss Smith visited| the set of “First Love” at. Universal and saw the Durbin baby, now the. grown-up Deanna, starring in the film. “She’s even more beautiful now,” Miss Smith averred. I *** * * *

Margaret Lockwood, who pla> ed .Will Fyffe’s daughter in the BritishL made “Owd Bob”, is fulfilling the same role in “Rulers of The Sea , Paramount’s new Frank Lloyd production. Heading the cast is Douglas Fairbanks, Junr. Walter Damrosch, dean of American orchestra conductors, will make his movie debut at the age of 77,.appearing as himself in a featured role opposite Bing Crosby in Paramount’s “The Star Maker.”

Andy Devine, who grew a beard for his role in Paramount’s “Geronimo”, is having a bad effect on his young son, Tad, according to Mrs Devine. It seems Tad reasons that if his dad doesn’t have a shave before coming to the dinner table he can’t see why he has to wash his face.

Paulette Goddard’s screen wardrobe for Paramount’s “The Cat and The Canary” is a very limited one. There are only two dresses and one very elaborate nightgown and negligee. Says she’ll make up for the deficiency of screen clothes by buying a lot of new Spring things for her personal wardrobe.

Myrna Loy. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer star, wears this attractive jacket with tiny stand-up collar, squared shoulders and bracelet length sleeves. The dramatic melon muff is also of sable. Miss Loy wears it with a black wool street dress and black velvet hat with pink birdwing and veil trim. ,