ASHES OF FILM ACTOR

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 23 May 1936, Page 9

ASHES OF FILM ACTOR

UNCLAIMED IN I-UNERAL PARLOUR MARLENE DIETRICH REMEMBERS LOS ANGELES, sth April. The ashes of John Gilbert, the film star, who died tragically in January, aged 33, are lying unclaimed in a funeral parlour here. None of his four ex-wives has claimed them. Gilbert left no instructions for the disposal of Ids ashes,, but expressed a desire that they might he scattered near the mountains adjoining his hilltop home overlooking Hollywood. His only legal survivors are two daughters, both minors, the children of Virginia Bruce, his. fourth wife, and Beatrice Jov. bis second.

The only regular visitor to the funeral parlour is Marlene Dietrich, one of Gilbert’s closest friends. She leaves flowers on the urn regularly. ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ Captain Marryatt’s “Midshipman Easy” When Captain Marryatt wrote ‘'Midshipman Easy” he produced a book which was to vie with “Treasure Island” for lasting and universal popularity with readers of all ages. This exhilarating and vastly amusing naval story of sea-faring adventure in Nelson’s day will revive many fond memories of youth among adults and gives screen entertainment all too rarely seen. All the old familiar characters come to life once more on the deck of HALS. Ilarpy, on the Money shore of Sicily. Excellent performances are given by Ilughie Green as Easy, Harry Tate as Biggs. Robert Adams (an exchampion wrestler) as Mesty, and Miss Margaret Lockwood as Donna Agnes. ¥ « ¥ ¥ Valuable Pearls

Two hundred thousand dollars worth of matched pearls, said to be the most perfect in the world, appear on the screen in “ Whipsaw, ” t. he n e w Metro - Goldwyn - Mayer feature starring Myrna. Loy a n d Spencer Tracy. Tho studio obtained the gems from a Los Angeles jeweller. They were carried to and from the studio each day in an armoured car. “Whipsaw,' 1 described as one of the more important new season offerings, marks the first co-starring appearance of Miss Loy and Tracy.

“She Couldn’t Take It” The widely acclaimed romantic comedy “She Couldn’t Take It” has been adjudged “one of the most entertaining films of the new season. George Raft and Joan Bennett as a screen team a revelation and a delight. Their boisterous antics provide most of the comedy in an excellent film. Raft, who first won the hearts of audiences in a series of gangster portrayals in “S/carfacej” “Hush Money,” and “Quick Millions,” reverts to this type of characterisation in this film.

Unprecedented Cast in “Dancing Lady”

For the fourth time, Joan Crawford anil Clark Gable are starred in a romantic film—“ Dancing Lady,” and for the fourth time this already famous ous partnership has proved an outstanding success. A particularly brilliant cast has been assembled in

tliis picture including such well-known stars as Franchot Tone, May Robson, Winnie Lightncr, Fred Astaire, Robert Bentley, Ted Ilealy and last but by no means least Nelson Eddy. Several catchy song numbers are included in the production, which is notable for the partnership of Astaire and Miss Crawford in some excellent dance numbers. . .

Variety is the keynote of “Dancing Lady,” in which comedy, drama and romance are presented against a spectacular background of songs, music and

dances. Joan Crawford returns from her usual dramatic roles to the type that first gave her popularity. Nelson Eddy also makes a brief appearance!, singing “That’s the Rhythm of the Day.”

¥ V * “Last Days of Pompeii” A drama of the historic Roman city at the height of its magnificence, “The Last Days of Pompeii,” transports the | audience back to the gilded days of the first century. The scenic highlight of the film is the historic eruption of Vesuvius. For sheer magnitude and breath-taking thrills, the destruction of Pompeii, with its fear-maddened mobs caught between toppling walls and rivers of molten rock challenges any spectacle heretofore filmed. Preston Foster, in the role of Marcus, undoubtedly gives the finest performance of his career. Basil Bathbone is outstanding as Pontius Pilate, and Alan Ilale is well cast in Die humorous, colourful role of an ex-convict pal of Marcus. A newcomer from English films, John Wood, as the adopted son. is a screen find of great ability and charm. Playing the son as a child, 5 David Holt proves his amazing grasp of difficult dramatic roles.