FILM and STAGE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 238, 5 September 1935, Page 10

FILM and STAGE

Thrills and Romance. Edmund Lowe is off to a'new peak of popularity as a result of his performance in “Black Sheep,” which is now showing at the State Theatre. He portrays a new character—far removed from any type ho lias yet done. In Fox Film’s latest comedy-drama. “Black Sheep,” which has received great ovations wherever it has played, Edmund Lowe plays the part of a professional ship gambler who is returning to New York on the secondclass deck because the cards and the horses wouldn’t behave abroad. Claire Trevor, as an actress who is “walking home” from her first trip to the Continent, joins forces with Edmund Lowe to back a romance and keep a captivating adventuress. Adrienne Ames, from a desperate move involving the life of a young playboy, Tom Brown, who wouldn’t play her game. The story zips merrily along in a fast comedy vein with the underlying drama coming more and more frequently to the surface. The romance between Edmund Lowo and Claire Trevor is one of the most refreshing ever seen on the screen and has been well received everywhere.

Military Musical Play. Bringing with it the enchantment of Hawaiian nights, the spirit of the

United States Army, the thrill of "West Point and the romance of glorious youth, “Flirtation Walk,” first military musical ever screened and First National’s mammoth new spectacle is scheduled to open at the Regent Theatre on Wednesday next. Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler, the popular screen lovers, and Pat O’Brien head an all star cast, which includes, in addition to a score of Hollywood’s best actors, the entire cadet corps of the United States Military Academy at West Point, a portion of the Pacific fleet, and a detachment of the regular army at Honolulu. “Flirtation Walk” is said to be an entirely new departure _ in screen musical plays. Far from being a mixture of jokes and gags around

■which to hang some songs and introduce dance numbers, the startlingly sensational spectacles which distinguish “Flirtation Walk” are incidental to, and a definite part of the plot itself. Dick Powell sings liis Hawaiian songs written by Sol Hoopii, descendant of Hawaiian royalty, and to the accompaniment of Hoopii’s famous orchestra. For these scenes First National constructed the biggest exterior sets they have ever attempted.

Lyle Talbot has been chosen to replace William Gargan as Marion Davies’s leading man in “Page Miss Glory.” Mr C. B. Cochran, Sir James Barrie, Mr Bernard Shaw and Miss Elizabeth Bergner are planning a dramatic production which will make theatre and film history. After a battle in which fortunes have been offered by Hollywood for the right tp film Shaw’s “St. Joan,” with Elizabeth Bergner'as the Maid, English film-makers have won the victory, and the production wi.. now be made, under the- direction of Dr. Paul Czinner, with Miss Bergner playing the title role.

Another Musical Treat. The musical treat of 19J5 lias come to the screen in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer musical extravagana, “Reckless,” which comes to the Regent Theatre on Friday. Of first importance, the picture introduces Jean Harlow and William Powell as co-stars for the first time. The glamorous platinum star is seen as Mona Leslie, a dazzling Broadway dancer who rises to great social and professional height, only to be plunged into the depths of scandal and disgrace by the mad act of her millionaire playboy husband. Powell is seen as Ned Riley, the jovial sports promoter who walks side by side with Mona through her triumphs and tragedies and finally emerges as “best man.” Franchot Tone ably handles the role of Bob Harrison, the millionaire husband, and others deserving of honourable mention are May Robson, as Granny; Rosalind Russell, as Jo Mercer; Henry Stephenson, as

the elder Harrison; Ted Healy and Nat Pendleton as Powell’s companions and little Mickey Rooney. A Naval Epic. “Brown on Resolution,” the spectacular Gaumont-British naval production coming to the State Theatre soon, is based on C. S. Forester’s bestselling novel and is distinguished by realistic scenes made with the co-op-eration of the British Admiralty. This is the first occasion on which permission has been granted for the Navy to he used in a purely dramatic film, previous facilities being afforded only in cases where productions have possessed a documentary or other official value. In expressing his company’s

gratitude to the Admiralty for their whole-hearted co-operation. Mr Walter Fordo, the director of the film, said:- —“I wish it were possible for mo to thank individually each naval man who helped in the making of the film. The officers and other ratings of the warships involved wore untiring in their whole-hearted efforts to make our work easy and pleasant; and their kindness is all the more to be praised in view of the fact that a film unit aboard ship is better calculated to get in the way of normal ship routine than anything ! can think of.”

In his newest vehicle, “Orchids For You,” John Boles plays the part of an attorney whose romance with Jean Muir supplies most of the love interest of the picture. Norma Shearer is to play Juliet in a film version of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” Robert Donat has been suggested as Romeo, and it is possible that John Masefield, the Poet Laureate, will adapt the plnv to the screen. “Romeo and Juliet” will follow Miss Shearer’s next picture. “Marie Antoinette”

Clever Comedy. A clover touch in the development of the original idea to write a comedy story round a Bulldog Drummond theme was to ask “Sapper” himself to collaborate on the scenario. The result, emanating from the Gaumont-British studios as “Bulldog Jack,” proves to be one of the most diverting comedythrillers of the year. It is being released by Fox Film on Saturday next at the State Theatre and, for many members of the audience, presents Jack Hulbert in a new form of characterisation—one in which he neither sings nor dances, but has far more “serious” business to engage his attention, as he had in “The Ghost Train” some years ago, in a part in some features reminiscent of his latest role. But packed as it is with thrills and suspense, the picture is just as rich in comedy. Jack Hulbert defending himself from a massed attack by the gang, calling to his aid only a handful of boomerangs and the stern portion of a suit of war horse’s armour, is delightful. Equally diverting is his toboggan sude on a table down a long spiral staircase. But there are many more comedy highlights, to most of which Claude Hulbert, as Algy, brings his priceless fatuity to aid and abet. his brother. The paid of the heroine is in the able hands of the popular Hollywood actress, Fay Wray. A Dickens Clasisc.

“David Copperfiekl,” the sensational Hit picture which comes to the Regent Theatre starting on Saturday, September 14, promises to be unusual in many respects. Advance information from Hollywood lists these facts:—lt is the picture which introduces to the screen little Freddie Bartholomew, the ten-year-old hoy who is hailed as the greatest screen “find” since Jackie Coogan rocketed to fame with Charlie Chaplin in “The Kid.” Freddie plays the juvenile “David.” It is an adaption of a novel which has entertained millions, and was called by its author Charles Dicken, “my favourite child.” pixty-fivc stars and featured players are in the unprecedented cast. Among the stars are W. C. Fields, Lionel Barrymore, Madge Evans, Maureen O’Sullivan, Edna Slay Oliver, Lewis Stone, Frank Lawton,' "Freddie Bartholomew, Elizabeth Allan, Roland Young, Basil Rathbone, Hugh Williams, and Herbert Mundiig to mention only a few. The picture has been well more than a year in preparation and production, setting a new record for lavishness. It is one of the few pictures on record in which the writer of the adapation, himself one of the leading novelists of contemporary literature, plays one of the roles; the novelist is Hugh Walpole, t'e eminent writer and authority on Dickens. Feast of Music.

Four songs and three song-and-danc© production numbers comprise the musical features of the First National picture, “In Caliente,” which comes to the Kosy Threatre on Saturday next. One of the songs, “To Call You My Own,” is a ballad which is sung by Phil Regan as an entertainer at Augua Caliente as part of the comedy plot. Tho other three are production numbers around which Busby Berkeley has built his special dancing features. “In Caliente,” the title song of the picture, is sung by a group of singing entertainers and accompanied by a colourful “sombrero dance” by the chorus. “Lady in lied” is a novelty Spanish-type song in rumba rhythm, sung by Winifred. Shaw. “Muchacha” is an important production number song, telling the story of the special act in both verses and chorus. In this big number, a revue is being staged at Agua Caliente featuring Dolores Del Rio as a dancer and Phil Regan as a singing bandit chief. In the ‘Lady In Rod” numbers, Renee and Tony DeMarco, famous ballroom dancers, present, 'in costume, a new version of a Spanish type dance. In the same production, members of the “hill-billy” Canova family introduce a specialty.'

Kay Francis and Herbert Marshall are to star together in “I Found Stella Jan Kiepura’s first film in Hollywood will be “Song of the Nile, a modern romance. Norma Tahnadge, a star of the silent films, and her husband, George Jessel, have been engaged by Joe Sachs to appear on the London stage in the autumn in “Jazz Singer.”

An attraction that will be coming to New Zealand very shortly, is “Dance Band,” in which the famous American star, Charles “Buddy” Rodgers, makes his first film for a British company. Claude Rains and Barbara Stanwyck arc to appear together in “The Pas-

try-Baker’s Wife.” This was originally suggested as a Margaret Sullavan vehicle. The first film in which Gertrude Lawrence and Douglas Fairbanks, iunr., are co-starred, is entitled “Mimi,” and it is an adaptation of Murger’9 famous “Vive do Boheme. Critics overseas have acclaimed this as one of the greatest motion picture achievements yet witnessed. Jack Oakic is to appear in a speedtrack story called “Fast and Furious. “Three Men on a Horse,” a very amusing comedy that is a great hit in America, lias been secured for Australia by J. C. Williamson, Ltd. The leading roles will be played by importations from America. It was recently announced that Mr Winston Churchill will collaborate in the making of the film production ‘‘The Conquest of the Air.” Mr Churchill will personally supervise liiamy of the sequences, dealing with the history of English air development, and liis unique knowledge of the events which brought- about certain aspects of aerial development will be of invaluable assistance in the making of what it is confidently believed will be the greatest and most authentic epic of the air ever chonicled.

Snappy Entertainment. Joan Blondell and Glenda Farrell, long engaged by the same motion picture company and working simultaneously in the same studios, have never appeared in the same production until teamed for “Havana Widows,” the First National picture which conies to the Kosy Theatre on Wednsday next, September 11. They have the two most important roles in the production, tho picture deviating from tho usual fare in which a male and female player have the outstanding roles. The romantic male lead, a part played by Lyle Talbot, is important, naturally, but this is a straight role in a comedy production in which the love interest is incidental and subordinate to the comedy characterisations. The two girls are supported by some of the cleverest comedy players of the screen, with Frank McHugh as the girl’s counsellor. Allen Jenkins is featured as a gunman bodyguard to a gambler. As a gold digging Broadway chorus girl in Havana on the hunt for millionaires, Miss Blondell with her pal, Glenda Farrell, creates more spontaneous laughs than is usually found in

half a dozen comedies. The screen play by Earl Baldwin gives a unique twist to the old badger game that takes it out of the serious class and into the realm of snappy comedy.

Prince Sigvard of Sweden, who married a commoner, is now earning his living as assistant-director in Hollywood.

Elissa Landi is to make a now version of “Koenigsmark” in France,

with Pierre Fresnay as her leading man. A British company have sold “Blossom- Time,” “Abdul the Damned” and “Mimi” for distribution in America. Francis Lederer lias received an offer to star in a musical picture. Lederer sings a song, “Paris in Evening,” in his present film. “The Gay Deception.” This is his first attempt at screen singing. Clive Brook is to appear in “The Life of David Livingstone,” with Madeleine Carroll as Mary Moffat. Basil Rathbone is in “A Feather in Her Hat,” with Ruth Cliatterton. and Louis Hayward. Messrs J. C. Williamson announce through their New Zealand representative, Mr H. Stringer, a revival of musical comedy in the Dominion, commencing at Auckland on October 2. The news of thc_ forthcoming season of “Roberta,” “High Jinks” and “Our Miss Gibbs,” with their catchy tunes, snappy dialogue, and gorgeous clance scenes, will he hailed with delight. Madge Elliott and Cyril Ritchard 'will head the company and will again be seen in some of tlieir exquisite dance ensembles.

NOTES *AND_ JOTTINGS. Spain lias decided to reform its motion pictures. A company has been formed in Madrid to make only moral films. Six arc already scheduled. Elaine Llamill, whose parents reside in Tailiape, is appearing in Gregan McMahon's production of “The Shining Hour” in Melbourne. She scored a great success in the Sydney production. The famous Soviet directors, Fiscnstein and Pudovkin, arc starting work on films again after a long interval. Eisenstein’s picture will ho his first “talkie,” with a 12-year-old child as hero. Pudovkin’s film is also his first since “The End of St. Petersburg.” Edith Fellows, the famous child actress, will have a prominent role in “She Married Her Ross,” Claudette Colbert’s new starring vehicle, now- in production. Little Miss Fellows had the leading role in “Keeper of the Bees,” and outstanding parts in “Mrs Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch” and “J;>n© Eyre.” The Clem Dawe Revue Company are

having a most successful season in Newcastle, New South Wales. They are playing at the Victoria Theatre in conjunction with Sir Benjamin Fuller, and already the season has had to be extended several weeks. In all probability this popular company will play a season in Melbourne at the Apollo Theatre, taking in the Cup Carnival period, before sailing for England. Arrangements there are complete for a big tour of the larger provincial towns,

after which the company will return to New Zealand with a brand new show containing all the latest ideas in modern entertainment, for which the Clem Dawe companies are noted. Erich von Stroheim has received his first big assignment as a writer. He will adapt the novel, “Purple Night,” to make a screen play for Clark Gable and Jean Harlow. Louis Hayward, a young South African actor, has been offered the lead opposite ltuth Chattel-ton in her picture, “A Feather in Her Hat.” He has accepted. Antonio Garrido Monteagudo Moreno, famous silent star and one of Garbo’s earliest leading men, is coming back to pictures in “Storm Over the Andes.” Cesar Romero, who was originally chosen for the leading role in the film, lias injured his ankle and the part has been offered to, and accepted by Moreno. Once famous as a “great lover,” Moreno’s successes included “Mary Nostrum,” “The Temptress,” and “Madame Pompadour.” Soon after the advent of “talkies,’ he took to directing Spanish pictures and has not' been seen on the screen for some time.