Ra Hould’s First Important Role

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 40, 17 February 1937, Page 11 (Supplement)

Ra Hould’s First Important Role

One of the most mysterious figures of the world is the inspiration of the cen-1 tral character in a picture soon to start production at he Warner Bros, studios in Burbank, California. The life of late Sir Basil Zaharoff, munitions king ■ who died a few weeks ago in France, j will be fictionised in a screen play. Sir Basil’s activities, which attained legendary fame during his own lifetime, included a rise from a humble origin to a position as one of the richest and most powerful men of modern history. His sale of war materials is said to have changed the course of Europeau events on numerous occasions. No cast for tho j picture has yet been announced, although the temporary title of ‘‘Uncrowned Emperor” has been given to| it. I

New Zealanders will shortly nave thv opportunity of seeing Ra Hould, twelve-year-old Dunedin boy, in his first role in an American picture. He plays the part of Jerry O’Brien, a ragged little Irish boy, iu the film “ Beloved Enemy,” a picture of the Irish ' Rebellion of 1921, which stars Merle Oberou aud Brian Ahcrne. This handsome New Zealand lad made his first theatrical appearance at the age of four as an elf iu "The Sleeping Beauty” in Dunedin. iu 1933, when Dame Sybil Thorndike, the celebrated English actress visited the city, Ra was cast as one of her two children in "Medea of the Euripides.” On the strength of his splendid work ho was given the leading child’s part iu New Zcalaud’s first talking picture, "Down on the Farm.” Ra was determined to make acting his career, and persuaded his parents to take him to Hollywood, where within a week ho was signed by a major company, and was immediately borrowed by Goldwyn for "Beloved Enemy.” The film is released througl United Artists. Because of her work with Dorothy Lamour in Paramount’s “The Jungle Princess,” Molly Lamont, South African beauty, has been given roles in several other Paramount pictures, including "Happiness Preferred.” <B> <i> <s> <t> George Antheil made a 9,000 mile trip to study Indian customs before beginning his assignment of writing tho score for Cecil B. De Mill’s Paramount picture, "The Plainsman,” which stars Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur.

George Arliss breaks new ground in the latest Gauinont-Bntish Dominions production, "His Lordship.” in this whimsical political comedy-drama, a much travelled Englishman saves his country from war in the East by impersonating his twin brother, Lord Doncaster, British Foreign Secretary. Tho picture is an adaptation of the stage play, “The Nelsou Touch” and in it Arliss gets fullest rein for his versatile art as he impersonates the two brothers. Lord Duneastcr is a pompous aud precise politician, while the other is a jolly happy-go-lucky soul secretly despised by the august lord. Romilly Lunge and Renee Ray are in the cast. The play makes delightful light entertainment.