IN FILMLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19496, 27 November 1926, Page 8 (Supplement)

IN FILMLAND.

Valentino's Successors. Rudolph Valentino's death leaves a blank in the ranks of popular film stars which, however, one may speculate on the name of his successor, is actually unfillable. A screen idol is generally made by one picture, and since the pic-ture-going public requires an attractive personality much more than brilliant act-_ ing, his or her merit is by no means commensurate with the publicity acorded to it. . At least four names come to the mind immediately Ricardo Cortez, V ictor Varconi, a new arrival in America from Hungary, Ramon Navarro, whose latest picture, " The Midshipman," proved highly popular, and whose was made by his initial appearance in The Prisoner ot Zenda,"and, finally, the English actor, Ivor Novello, whoso apache role in an adaptation of " The Rat," made him still more an idol of the women. Any or all of these might be said to be capable of becoming " the sheik lover," but in fact, they would all be entirely different in method; Navarro would always be Navarro and not ? new Valentino, and the same with the others. Names on the screen can be. made from a single appearance in a picture. (Adolphe Menjou's success in " A Woman of Paris" is an excellent example of this), and' a name that has not been before the public for a few months can be as easily forgotten. It may happen that a part is eminently suitable to an artiste who is being given a first chance, and a new phenomenon is promptly hailed in the screen heavens. Valentino was made by his part in " The Four Horesemen of the Apocalypse,' just as Betty Bronson was made by the screen version of " Peter Pan," which part suited her admirably; in other parts she has not been successful, but her name is accorded a publicity value for as long as she keeps before the public. Big names on the. screen, generally speaking, are publicity-made, and the real merit, both in entertainment and artistic endeavour, lies with those whose work and names are kept in the background. Notes and Comments. Gloria Swanson is making "Sunya" for United Artists. It is based 011 Max Marcin's stage play, "Eyes of Youth." Mrs. Jack Dempsey, otherwise Estelle Taylor, will shortly be seen in Wandering Footsteps." Described.as the story of a man who adopted a father and lost a sweetheart, the picture also, has such old favourites as Bryant Washburn and Alec B. Francis. A light romantic comedy is a new sort of vehicle for Pola Negri, but in " Good and Naughty," this capable continental actress shows that she can make us laugh as well as the best of them. The versatile Tom Moore and Ford Sterling collaborate in the fun. "The Last Laugh," the German-made film, shortly to be released by Master Pictures, was originally made without titles, thus creating a sensation in Europe and America when released. The Australian copy rf this photoplay, however, has been titled. "The Last Laugh" stars Emil Jannings, heading a Continental cast in an intensely human story of a hotel commissionaire. In the " Palm Beach Girl," Bebe Daniels and her partner, Lawrence Gray, have their work cut out to obey the laws of gravity. They tear over the earth and water and slide about arid turn somersaults in the manner of the roughest slapstick. There is nothing delicate about it but it is full of laughter spiced with a few original twists in plot and thrills. From behind the high stone wall of sex prejudice which surrounds all Mexican women of high caste, emerges Dolores Del Rio, the dark and lovely flower of an old civilisation, to blossom or. the silver sheet in a picture which promises to bo among the great film productions of the season. This beautiful Mexican actress appears in the Fox picture " Charmaine." > Magnificent fashion creations are seen in "Monte Carlo," the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production, which is about to be released in New Zealand. "Monte Carlo" is an excellent comedy-drama that deals with three small town girls at the world's greatest gambling casino. They have won their trip to Europe by way of a popularity cohtest, and their adventures on the Riviera are very amusing. Roy D'Arcy, and the inimitable Karl Dane, are featured with Lew Cody and Gertrude Olmstead. Patsy Ruth Miller will continue as a Master Picture star. The producers have lately exercised their option to renew the contract with Miss Miller. The'renewal carries a substantial increase in salary. During the past year Miss Miller has been featured in the following Master Picture productions:—"Rose of the World," "Red Hot Tyres," "Hogan's Alley," "The Fighting Edge," "Nightie Night Nurse." and "Hell Bent for Heaven," the Ijast of which has just been completed under J. Stuart Blackton's direction. For two months Douglas Fairbanks sought a leading lady for "The Black Pirate." He wanted a tall, stately girl to play the part of m unsophisticated princess of 200 years ago. That girl was finally found. She is Billie > Dove, and she won in a competition in which more than 1000 girls were considered. Miss Dove, born and educated in New York, was deemed the ideal type for this role. She is sft. Gin. in height, is slender and graceful, and has dark brown hair and blue eyes. Her screen experience has extended over a period of four years, during which time she has played many important roles. I