Cinema Stars, Films and Stage-——i A MAGNIFICENT DOCUMENT !

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 29 June 1935, Page 4

Cinema Stars, Films and Stage- ——i

A MAGNIFICENT DOCUMENT !

“LIVING ON VELVET”

MRS WIGGS OF THE CABBAGE PATCH

THE MOST LOVABLE CHARACTER IX LITERATURE ‘Airs Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch” adapted from tlio famous book of the same name, introduces tlie most lovable family in shanty town; who, despite the fact that they are as poor as church mice, have lots of fun. What a. glorious get-together of old friends! Airs Wiggs has millions of them, who have loved her for years. She is just the same as she always was—the valiant spirited leader of “Cabbage Patch Society,” who sang so joyously in her humble corner, that the whole world listdued'vwitjl bright unashamed tears and comradely laughter. Pauline Lord and WAGi. Fields who have the leading roles,'have'been acting, on the stage and screen-most of their lives to {late, while:!,%iau.Pitts*, C another featured player in the production started shortly after leaving school. Evelyn Venables and Kent Taylor support the

leads. Lovingly they have been brought to the screen, as real as you would want them to be,, as human as the immortal novel itsfjlf: Life will be richer, sweeter after you’ve met Mrs Wiggs.

Who’s who in “Radio Parade of 1935” With Will Hay as the DirectorGeneral, Helen Chandler as his daughter, Clifford Mollispn as the complaints manager, Davy Burnaby as Maj.-Gen. Sir Ffrederick Ffoth'cringhay, Robert. Xainby as Col. Egbert Featlierstone Haugli-Haugh, Jimmy (hidden as Lieut.-Comdr. Were de A', de Vere, Basil Foster as. Capt. Esine St. ,T. Entwhistle, Ivor McLaren as FliglitLieut. Billy Bennet'„ss m issiona ire, Hugh E. Wrighty asythe inventor, Lily Morris and sr.eilie‘ Wallace as the charladies, the i. osffrn Brothers as two anhouncei's, Three ’’Sailorsas assistants to the icoinplaints.:,manager, Haver and Lee as* Two effttts men,'*the Carlyle' Cousins as three telephonists. George Harris as the chief page-boy, Gerry Fitzgerald and Arthur Young as two window cleaners, Claude Dumpier as a 1 piano tuner. Alfred Drayton as Grahain and ..numerous others. j — .-i) ■ -.•j'

■.“. SEQUOIA”. '- : “Sequoia' I ,' Metro-Gold wyn-Mayer’s unprecedented drama of wild animal rev<)|t iajfJtiiwteman, is something totally out of? the/ordinary in motion pjc-tu'|S.-'ciJtc(Vtaiiuneiit. is* something more than a motion -picture. It- is a magnificent dociiiheht that.Svill bring out the Letter side of'mankind—that makes the soul revolt-. against njan’s inhumanity to the other creators of the earth—that thrills the eye and the mind with its beauty—that hypnotizes with its charm —that brings a new and inspiring belief in the true greatness of the motion picture. There’s the 1 enchantment of a great foyest—th£: b&iuty" of nature in all its glory—the intense drama of wild hearts of the big woods, living in terror of. ; all "mankind, with the odds all against them—and there’s the strange romance of two animals —a mountain lipn and a deer—born in bitter hatred of’each other, who battle their mutual enemies to protect each other’s lives!

“The Lives 'of a Bengal Lancer” “When of men dies out—that’s the end.” The Bengal Lancers,

hand-picked - for courage and daring, to hold^T,tlic uotposfs of tlie Empire against'hordes of ruthless outlaws. A sensational spectacle of gallant men who live dangerously, love recklessly, and face death-daily with a contemptuous smile ion their lips. This, in a few words,;_stnns, up Paramount’s re* markable production. “The Lives of a Bengal Lancer,” . which will-shortly be presented in Nelson,

AUSTRALIAN FILMS

A BIG DEVELOPMENT CJX.ESOUND UNIT REORGANISED Edmond Seward, writer of the original .story of “One Way, Passage,” which won an award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts an ( l Sciences, arrived in Sydney by the Mariposa. Cinesomul Productions, Ltd., made

the announcement through the general manager,'Air Ken Hall, who added that the engagement of the scenario-writer , ; of “Fashions of 1034,” “Wax Museum,” “42nd Street,” “Parachute,” and “Big Brain” marked a new era in motion picture production in Australia. TO BE MODERN STUDIO As a result of Air Hall’s recent visit] to America, the whole of the Ciuesound unit is being reorganised. The latest production and laboratory plant lias been ordered from overseas, and when this arrives Cinesouitd Studio, in a smaller way, will be equal to any studio in the world. ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ “The Priceless Gift” “One invention or discovery—call it yvliat you will—has done more to arouse imagination in those in whom it was' suppressed than all the past centuries have contributed together. I mean the cinema. “T dare think that the significance of this new departure in human effort is not yet apparent to the great majority even of our social thinkers. “The fact is that for the first time inthe history of man .something is offered to the people which appeals to them on principles they can understand. For the, first time they find their famished imaginations roused, stimulated, fed. : “Those who hitherto have been denied, or provided with that which was beyond their capicity, have now been given something which meets them on tjieir level, and the response has been outside all possible calculation.”—Basil Fling, the well known writer, in his book “Faith and Success.”

* V ffi ¥ Revival of “Song of the Plough” One of the real Old traditional songs of the English countryside is a prominent feature of “Song of the Plough,” the Sound City production which has been such an outstanding success everywhere. This is the’-famous “pig” song, which is so old, having been banded down from father to son through the years, that the meaning of many of the words is obscure. It is sung in the film by Albert Richardson, the sexton of, Burwash, the home of Rudyard Kipling. The song is Mr Richardson’s speciality- and lie has made a gramophone record of it of which nearly 7000 copies have' been sold. For the filming of his song. Mr Richardson undertook, apart from his London expedition, the longest journey he has ever made. The

recording of his song took longer than be anticipated and a special car was chartered to ’take him back to Burwash in time for him to toll the bell for the morning service. Many delightful scenes from rural England are a special feature of the picture and perhaps the most unusual of all is the excellent dog trail scene, which for novelty and interest lias rarely been equalled.

“SOCIETY DOCTOR”

PERFECT EMERGENCY HOSPITAL IN STUDIO A modern hospital, so compleloly equipped that it could serve 1 lie emerge l icy needs of any large city, provides the setting for the new Aletro-Goldwyu-Alayer picture, “Society .Doctor," featuring Chester Alorris and Virginia .Bruce. “Nowhere can you find a more perfect emergency hospital than the one used in this picture,” declared Dr. Thomas F. AlaeLaughlin, member of the medical staffs of Bothlem Royal and Bartholomew's Hospital of London, and a faculty member of Northwestern University. Dr. AfaeLaughlin, wintering in Southern California, consented to act as technical director of “Society Doctor.” He supervised the construction .of the hospital, which occupied every foot of space at ALG.AL’s studios and directed tlie surgical and all other scenes that involved a medical and surgical knowledge. The huge “set” had its beginning at tlie receiving station where, during tlie filming of the story, ambulances i and taxi-cabs clanged up to the doors to disgorge their cargoes of suffering humanity. Spacious corridors led from the receiving station into tlie outer olliees, reception rooms and examination room. Adjoining the examination room 'the operating room and operating theatre were built, equipped with tlie most modern inventions for surgical science. In tlie new picture, Chester Alorris and Robert Taylor, a newcomer to tlie screen yet on the threshold of greater achievements, portray two young internes who compete for the love of Virginia Bruce, a nurse.

¥ • ¥ ¥ ¥ For Grace Moore Columbia has engaged Gaetano AleI'ola, impressario of tlie San Francisco Opera Company, to conduct the orchestra in tlie musical sequences of tlie new Grace Aloorc production, “Love Ale Forever,” which Victor Sehertzinger is now directing. Leo Carillo is the star’s leading man. while Michael Bartlett, an American-born operatic tenor, Robert Allen, Spring Byington. Luis Alberni and Gavin Gordon, will be seen in featured roles. ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ “Happiness Ahead” There is something new in motion pictures and it was staged in tlie First National production, “Happiness Ahead.” It is an oriental revue, done

by a troupe of the fastest and wildest Chinese tap dancers, whose jazz numbers are so furiously paced that hereafter Harlem will be singing “That’s Why Chinese Were Born.” The set used for this unusual act is an elaborate Chop Suey Parlor. Ju this atmosphere of dance rhythms and Chow Mien, Dick Powell meets Josephine Hutchinson and love blossoms in the shadows of the lantern-lit pagodas. * * V ¥ , Actors can now Blush The ability to blush at will is one of the incidental advantages which colour pliotopgrapliy has conferred upon film players, according to Rouben Mamoulian, who lias just finished directing “Becky Sharp,” the first’ fulllength feature picture in colour. For one of the scenes in the production, Frances Dee was called upon to blush. The director exercised his ingenuity by using a red pin-sperb lamp for the desired effect. * « * * R. (1. Sherrill’, author of “Journey’s End,” lias been commissioned to write an original story suitable for Irene Dunne. But first of all Miss Dunne will play the lead ill “Show Boat.” Tom Keene, the ex-Western actor, who made a big success recently in King Vidor’s “Our Daily Bread,” will play in “Two Years Before, the. ■ Mast,” by Richard Henry Dana. ' H- H- * ¥

Margot Oraiiame, British actress, will be. Richard Dix’s leading lady in bis next picture. “Powder Smoke Range.” She has just completed “The Informer.” ¥ ¥ H- ¥ Ronald Column may have to lose bis moustache again. He shaved it off for “Clive of India”; he has just managed to regrow it; and now M.G.M. wnnt it off once again for his part in “A Talc of Two Cities.” •t- * v * Following the great success of “The Lives of a Bengal Lancer,' Paramount are considering making a talkie version of “Beau Clest,” with Clary Cooper in the lead and Sir Guv Standing featured.

AN ACTING SUCCESS When it. comes to “Living on Velvet,” one of tlie best, examples of modern comedy drama. what a change there is. I lore you have George Brent who. with Kay Francis, gives a most admirable performanee. Tlie play is an unusual one. Perhaps it is a little ; unfortunate that

the author seemed to have changed his mind. He began with an aeroplane accident, of which George Brent is the sole survivor. Two years afterwards Brent comes back, meets Kay .Francis, with whom his Dost friend. Warren », iiliam, is in love, and rushes her into matrimony. Brent is Terence C. Parker. He is living on velvet; lie lias been saved by a miracle; and he absolutely refuses to take life seriously. This is the best part of the' film, tlie part in which Brent and Francis and Warren William really shine, for William plays in liis own polished and graceful style a selfsacrilicing role.

“I am a Thief” “I inn a Thief,” feature from Warner Bros., si a fast-moving, well-directed talkie. Something rather like it has. been done before, but if you want to have the robbery of famous diamonds, and the excitement of thieves and insurance crooks rushing away by train, then you must necessarily fall in behind, or get out in front, of a lot of similar pictures. The attraction of “I am a Thief” lies in the fact that it brings new ideas to an old plot, so that you are continually being sur-

prised by clever twists and turns. Mary Astor Jits nicely into the part of the girl who attracts the attention of Ricardo Cortez, when the Karenina diamonds are being sold by auction. 'I hey bring “the mere bagatelle” of nearly four million francs, so the idea that the insurance company had in mind—that the sale would induce the hig thieves into the open—seems feasible.

GRACE MOORE IN LONDON

TBIUAIITIAXT STAGE DEBUT Aliss Grace Moore, the American singer, whose film. “One Night of Love ’ captivated England, had a night of unprecedented triumph when she made her English stage debut in “La Boheme” at the Covent Garden Opera House. She received applause rarely surpassed in the long history of the Opera House. Police had to control tile crowd. Six hundred people waited all day tor the theatre to open. Aliss Moore was almost overawed when many of tlie audience stood and cheered again and again after the first act. while her husband, Senor Valentin Parcra, watched pruudlv from the stalls. Those present included the Princesses Helena. A’ietoria and AJarie Louise, and Aliss Kay Francis, the screen actress. Among tlie audience was a woman

wlio had made a three-day journey from Lourdes (France). She sat on a camp-stool in tlie queue waiting for tlie theatre to open. She had heard Aliss Aloore in her film 20 times. NOW A STAR After having played feature parts for a year, tlie Australian actress, Mona Barrie, has been made a Fox star with a handsome increase in salary. Miss Barrie had portrayed half-a-dozen parts under her Fox contract when she was loaned to tlie Columbia studio for a featured role in “One Night of Love.” It was the actress’s opportunity, and she made the most of it. Returning to her own studio on completion of this fine musical production, the actress was kept idle while the field was surveyed for tlie first of a soties of vehicles best suited to lift her to a- place of importance on the screen. The initial choice was “Alvstery Woman,” a story of romance and intrigue built around a beautiful woman. ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥

I Production Costs The thoroughness and expenditure that is afforded the majority of screen I entertainment in these days, even prior to actual production, is quite a highlight of the industry. A concrete example of pre-shooting organisation is at hand from M.G.M., where the Marx Brothers are preparing their first M.G.M. attraction as yet untitled. The script has been completed, and the musical score written; but, before filming a foot, the famous comedy team will test the volubility of their original humorous situations on various stages throughout the country. A complete act. which will include three or four of the gags' to be used in the picture, will tour for some weeks, and will include a company of singers, dancers, and technicians, who will also be featured in the picture. Tims will a visual reaction be noted, and certain sequences will naturally be passed or rejected according to the reception afforded it by the audiences. ¥ * * * Miriam Hopkins Predicts Her Own Future,

Eight months ago, seeing “La Cucaracha”, short subject ill the now Technicolour Process, Miriam Hopkins declared that the first star to appear in an all-colour feature would be as famous as the first talking picture star. Strangely, Miriam Hopkins herself has won that distinction. Miss Hopkins was selected for RKO Radio’s “Becky Sharp,” produced by Kenneth Macgowan and directed by Reuben Mamoulian, after a search

of the industry. Her blonde beauty exploits the Technicolour art to the full. With Miss Hopkins is a great dramatic cast, including Sir Cedric Harchvicke, noted English stage star. ¥ * * ¥ Athene Scyler, who was in Australia recently, has the role of Queen Elizabeth in “Drake,” for B.T.P. Mntheson Lang has the part of ’England's great empire builder,

Musicians for New Zealand. Gladys Moncrieff, the well-known comic opera singer, will commence a broadcasting tour of New Zealand early next month. ,;Later Gil Deck, the English pianist whose records are so popular, and Percy Grainger, the Australian (now naturalised American) pianist, will come under engagement to the New Zealand Broadcasting Board. “The symphony orchestra is one of the worst musical combinations ever thought of. The arrant stupidity of the continentals comes out m their lousy and filthy musicians.” This view was expressed by Percy Grainger, the noted concert pianist, when asked whether he favoured the establishment of a permanent symphony orchestra for Melbourne. * * # #

Crete Natzler’s first film for 8.1. P. Will be “I Lost Mv Heart in Heidelberg.” This is an original story, specially written for the film, ancl is in no way connected with the-German story. ‘•'Old Heidelberg,” which was kiiown in this country as “The Student Prince:” * */ ’ ••...* .. : ¥ Charlie Chaplin announces that he will make two more, pictures ■ when lie has finished his present one. The first will star Paulette Goddard. The second will star Chaplin—without boots, baggy trotisers and cane. And he will talk! .y. * Herbert Marshall must be a big success as partner to Sylvia Sidney. They are together in “Morning, Noon and Night.” Now another picture is planned for the two. It is “Accent On Youth,” adaptation of a successful Broadway play. Paramount paid £12,000 for the film rights. They will start work immediately the other-film is finished. * * * A character of special interest to New Zealanders in “The Lives of a Bengal Lancer” is that of Lieutenant Barrett, an officer of the Lancers, who ventures! in, .disguise among the hostile tribesmen j and it at last caught and tortured to j dea,th. This is played by the Dunedin contest winner Colin Taploy, whose talent for the screen is undeniable. ¥ ¥ ¥ * Tall, lanky Gary Cooper and blonde, exotic Anna Sten are paired for the first time as a new romantic team in “The Wedding Night,” which United Artists will shortly release. It is a Samuel Goldwyn production directed by King Vidor, and features Ralph Bellamy, Helen Vinson and Siegfried Rurnann. j “The Wedding Night” is a dramatic : romance in which Anna Sten portrays | a modern American girl rebelling against the dictates and restraints of tradition, and Gary Cooper appears as a successful, sophisticated New York author with whom she falls in love.