THE PICTURE PARADE

Northern Advocate, 29 October 1932, Page 4

THE PICTURE PARADE

FILM FACTS AND STUDIO STORIES

(By “Man In The Box.’’)

Readers please note that the Picture Parade column, containing the latest news about pictures and stars, will be published iu the “Advocate” eacli Saturday. “The Man in the Box”' will be pleased to answer any questions in regard to coining or current film attractions, or any information in regard to stars, addresses, etc. “Communications, or inquiries on these subjects should be addressed to:—“The Man in the Box,” C/o. “Advocate,” Water Street. Answers to correspondence will be published in this column each Saturday. Those desiring a personal reply should enclose a stamped and addressed envelope.

HER COMPREHENSIVE KNOWLEDGE OF PICTURE MAKING OF GREAT VALUE TO JANET GAYNOR IN PERFECTING HER OWN ACTING TECHNIQUE.

No screen celebrity lias the self-ef-facing modesty of Janet Gaynor. Or more right to a spotlight position, if she cared for that sort of thing. Like Maude Adams, she believes an actress should be known for her work, not by the gowns she wears, the glamour of her cocktail parties, the fame of her satellites, or the public places in which she is seen.

Work, to her, is still the principal thing in her life. She probably is the best informed screen star on the mechanics of picture making. For her own information she has followed the progress of negative film from the camera, through the laboratory, to the cutting rooms, and had each operation, its purpose and reason, carefully explained to her by experts. Veterans Learn From Her. By the intensity of- light and shadow on her. face she -can tell when a set is lighted properly. • Any cameraman who has ever worked with her can verify the fact that, she has an uncanny wisdom of the psychology of camera angles. Hardly ever does an actor work with Janet for the first time —and this includes those with years of experience—without profiting from some bit of her screen wisdom. She is perfectly qualified to direct a picture, a feat that only one woman has hitherto successfully accomplished, Dorothy Arzner. As to her own w’ork, Janet has never been satisfied with it, although during the six years of h’er stardom she has become symbolical to millions of all that is expressive of happiness. Another of her enviable records is shared with diaries Farrell. Theirs is the most successful of all screen teams whose popularity has constant13’ mounted through the 3 r ears.

Have You Heard— That Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell have worked together so much that the director has little to say in their love scenes together? That Janet’s pet name for Charlie is . . . Farrell? That Janet bawls Charlie out . . . on any and every occasion ... but that she resents bitterly anyone else attempting to do so? That both seem to be inspired when together before the cameras? That William K, Howard introduced Janet to Lydell Peck . . . her husband . '. . over the telephone? That George Meeker was a featured player with Fox when Janet was first obtaining recognition? That Minna Gombell once actually lived the part she portrays in “The First Year?”

That “The First year” is the first Gayiior-Farroll picture this year?

That “The First Year” is considered the best of all Gaynor-Farrell romances ?

BIG CAST OF FAVOURITES IN “THE EASIEST WAY.”

When a famous stage play is turned into a talking picture producers are wont to’ be exceedingly careful in their casting. For devotees of the stage,* now picture fans, remember the players who originally created the stage roles, “The Easiest; Way,’’ for years a classic discussion for the single standard in the lives of men and women,

lias at last been bought for talkies, with Constauee Bennett in the stellar ride of Laura Murdock.

. I aide Conway picked the characters to support Miss Bennett with exceeding earc, -and the cast bristles with “big names.” Adolphe Monjou plays the suave Brockton. Laura's all'air with the wealthy advertising agency head precipitates the tense drama, when the girl' combs, to a realisation of her mistake through her new-found love for Robert Montgomery.

FOR. THE HOUSEWIFE

When beating eggs add a little salt —it saves time and labour.

Green vegetables will keep fresh if sprinkled with water and rolled up in paper.

Fried eggs will not break or stick to the pan if a little flour is added to the frying pan.

When washing greens add borax to the water; it removes the dirt and insects and greatly improves the flavour.

Don’t forget the little bantam's eggs. One of these is quite sufficient for a small child’s breakfast, with bread and butter.

Duck eggs are excellent for custards, and they will be much lighter if a tablespoonful of boiling water is added to each egg.

Suet will keep fresh in hot weather if it is sprinkled with flour, and meat can be kept fresh by "wiping over with a piece of clfcan muslin dipped in vinegar.

Beef or ham for sandwiches is much more palatable if the meat is first put through the mincer and mixed to a paste with a little fresh tomato pulp and a little made mustard.

Instead of putting ■ felt beneath your carpet, try a square of cheap linoleum. It will feel soft to the tread and it will haibonr neither dust nor moths. '

Both Very Well Known. Neither of these gentlemen needs introduction. Menjou has been an outstanding star in “men of the Avorld” parts for years, while Montgomery —of ‘ ‘ The Divorcee, ’ ’ ■ Greta Garbo’s “Inspiration,” and other hits—is one of the fastest-rising luminaries the screen has known. “Pa” and “Ma” Murdock, two great character parts, are done respectively by J. Farrell MacDonald, veteran of four-score pictures, and Clara Blandiek. Anita Page has a splendid role as “Peg,” Laura’s sister. Clark Gable, brought from the stage ; hit, “The Last Mile,” plays her sweetheart. Marjorie Rambeau is “Eliie.”

‘ ‘ The Easiest Way, ’ ’ ■when introduced on the stage in 1909, created an international sensation because it "was the first play to hint even remotely that a man could forgive a woman who had made a misstep. It was the first move for the abolition of the single standard in favour of the double standard of morality.

It also did away with the starkly black villain of the old-time theatre. Brockton, played by Adolphe Menjou, is no saint, but likewise he doesn’t eat children alive. He is a very modern, very successful man. His villainy consists of tempting the beautiful Laura Murdock, played by Miss Bennett, with luxuries, jewels, motor

cars, etc

And then along comes Madison, portrayed by Robert Montgomery. He, too, has things in bis life be wants to forget. The struggle of Laura and Madison for their happiness provides the dramatic, motivation.