IN FILMLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18897, 20 December 1924, Page 28 (Supplement)

IN FILMLAND.

«' Charlie's Aunt " for the Screen. Actual filming ha:; begun on the farce-comedy-classic, "Charlie's Aunt," which, as a stage play, has held the boards continuously for over years, in the four corners of the globe. The film rights were, secured from the estate of the author, Brandon Thomas, by Ideal Films, Ltd., of London. This firm distributes, after it is finished, throughout the United Kingdom, while the Christie Company will produce the picture in Hollywood and distribute it, through agencies, in other parts of the world. Sid Chaplin is playing the title role, and this will be his biggest undertaking so far. Notes and Comments. . Betty Bronson, whose name is to live as " Peter Pan," has just celebrated her 18th birthday. . " Unguarded Women," produced by Alan Crossland, is a new Paramount picture due for release here shortly. Cinematograph films are being used to train the police of New York to shoot at motorcars and moving figures. This is due to the great number of outrages committed by motor bandits. "Lily of the Dust" is a T'ol.-i Negri offering included in the Famous Forty tor .1.925. The story is an adaption of -the popular novel and stage play, "The Songs of Song." ft is the story of tho life struggle of a \oung girl, whoso beauty is a liability rather than an asset to her. , Douglas Fairbanks Jnr. has signed a. long term contract as an additional mom•ber of the Paramount stock company. ." Young Mr. Fairbanks will cast in juvenile roles suitable to the type, of youthful ■Americanism -which he exemplifies," said •Mr. J. L. Lasky, recently. "He will bo seen in several coming Paramount pictures."

Mr. Joseph M. Schcnck, husband "of Norma Talmadge and head of the Motion Picture Producers Association of America, announces that £15.000,000 will be spent on film production in Los Angeles during the coming year, in addition to £13.000,000 on new studios and improvements. The number of pictures proposed is 630, almost a record number.

. Few are the people who have not been stirred and thrilled through and through by the red-blooded tinge of Robert W. Service's poem " The Shooting of Dan McGrew." Metro produced it with Lewis ■Cody in the name part, and Percy Marmont, Barbara La Marr, Mae Bush, and ■George Seigmann filling the other roles. Paramount will release.it throughout New Zealand.

Rex Ingram's <: Scaramouche ! * will he one of the greatest film attractions for the coming year. The director of "The Four Horsemen" has made in this story by Rafael Sabatini a film play that' is destined to mark another milestone in lavish historical film production. T'io leading role in the storythat of a French aristocratis played by Ramon Navarro, a handsome young star.

• Gloria Swanson's latest picture will be "Man-handled." . It arouses an all. consuming desire, to see what it's all about. Miss Swanson proves conclusively that she is one of the most versatile stars of the picture world. In the story, which is by Arthur Stringer, Gloria lias the role of a shop girl, in a New York department store, getting furs, expensive jewellery, etc., but after reaching dangerous heights she finds out that honest love is best in the long run.

Eric Von Stroheim's picture. " Greed," which is said to be the longest yet made, being 26 reels, was cut down to 22, then to 15, and now to 12, and there is talk of still further reduction. Von Stroheim is said to be the most extravagant producer in the world. He gave Carl Laemmle many a headache during the construction of "Foolish Wives;" on its initial presentation the censors tore the picture to pieces and by the time it reached .Australia it was but a remnant of its former greatness.

. Moving pictures are very popular in China, according to Mr. H. W. Hay, president of Hongkong Amusements Ltd. •In China, he explained, the pictures arc shown just as they are made, with English title and all. A Chinese interpreter stands in a little pulpit on the stage and tells the story of the picture, as it is shown ■on the screen. "If the story doesn't suit him." said Mr, Ray. the interpreter usually makes up his own plot End sometimes he comes to grief, especial y if some boy in the audience happens 'he read English and objects to the story boing told."

There, is no lack of screen talent in the new Paramount production "Changing Husbands." Leatrice Joy in the, featured role portrays a dual characterisation. Victor '.'arconi, who appeared in "Triumph." has a strong supporting part. Raymond Griffin, Zasu Pitts, Julia Faye, Helen Dubai - and William Hoyt, all well known are excellently cast. The production was co-directed by Frank Fseon and Paul Iribe, and was under the supervision of Cecil B. De Milk, from Sada Cowan's and Howarth Higgins' adaption of the story "Roles," by Elizabeth Alexandra.

Appearing in a story which gives full play to her remarkable personality Betty Compson will be seen shortly in the James Cruze production. " The Enemy Sex." Miss Compson scores a great personal triumph. In the strong east arc Percy Marmont. Huntly Gordon, Kathon Williams, Sheldon Lewis, ami De Witt Jennings, enough talent for half a dozen pictures. The story, an adaption from Owen Johnson's novel, "The Salamander," deals with the successful efforts of Dodo Baxter, a chorus girl, to outwit five rich men who are smitten with her charms.

A recent announcement intimated that Papini's " Life of Christ " was to ho made the basis of a film production by Earl Hudson for "First National. It would seem that everyone has his or her idea on wild should be cast in the part of the Messiah. So far more than a thousand letters, offering suggestions, have beon received by Hudson. Among the established films stars, the name.-, of Milton Sills, James Kirkwood arid Ronald Column hold the lead, although hundreds of persons, who admit that they never had. stage or screen experience, believe that they should be given the part. It is not at all improbable, according to Hudson, that a man may be chosen for the role who is yet unheard of in film circles.

Acting m a huge factory of which he is a part owner was the gratifying experience vouchsafed Charles Ogle during the making of Cecil P.. He Mille'a newest Par,) mount, picture, "Triumph." adapted by Jcanio Macphergon from May Edgiirton's. story. Ogle is famous among actors as being one of the thriftiest of the Tbespic tribe. Careful, consistent saving has brought to this player in " The Covered Waggon" and "The Ten Commandments" an exceptional array of gilt edged securities. The principal scenes of "Triumph" are laid in a huge can factory. De Mille used the hugo Los Angeles plant of the American Can" Company, one of sixtyseven similar establishment?, all employ. 1 ing upwards of a thousand "people.