IN FILMLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19798, 19 November 1927, Page 9 (Supplement)

IN FILMLAND.

Ernest Torrence bas been cast for a supporting role with John Gilbert in " The Cossacks," which is being produced by Metro-Goldwyn Mayer.

" The Claw," a story by Cynthia Stockley dealing with the adventures of a beautiful girl on the African veldt, has been filmed by Universal under the direction of Sidney Olcptt. Norman Kerry and Miss Claire Windsor have the leading roles.

The two humourists of " What Price Glory," Sammy Cohen and Ted McNamara, are being co-fentured in " The Gay Retreat," a rollicking romance of the Great War, which Fox Films are now preparing for release. In the cast are also Miss Judy King and Miss Betty Francisco.

A story of modern collegians will give the junior stars of the Paramount firm their annual opportunity to prove their worth. It is "Rolled Stockings," an hilarious comedy, moving at breathless speed, and w be released in Auckland shortly. Leading parts are taken by Miss Louise Brooks, Miss Nancy Phillips, James Hall, Richard Arlen and El. Brendel.

Mother Machree," the Fox screen version of the novelette of the same title

by Rida Johnson Young, also author of the words of the evergreen ballad, is a story of mother love and sacrifice, woven into a film of dramatic depth and strong appeal. Miss Belle Bennett is in the title role, and is ably supported by .a strong cast.

A potential star has flashed on the horizon in the- person of Stephen Carr, who is playing a juvenile part in " The life of Riley," tho First National comedy in which leading parts are taken by Charlie Murray and George Sidney. He is the son of no less a person than Mary Carr, the celebrated " screen mother." " The Life of Riley" cast also includes Miss June Marlow, Miss Myrtle Stedman, Sam Hardy and Edwards Davis.

Unequalled popularity as a screen comedy team is enjoyed by Wallace Beerv and Raymond Hatton, who have been responsible for the laughter in more than one Paramount comedy. Few will forget their work in " Behind -he Front and " We're in the Navy Now," and they will be seen again shortly in a new pic> ture,

" Firemen, Save My Child." The picture has been made with the assistance of the same production staff which served for the former two comedies.

For tho first time in their respective careers Miss Billie Dove and Gilbert Roland will play roles opposite each other in the Fitzmaurice production, " Louisiana." Their combined talents should be a guarantee that the acting of the produduction is in good hands. Roland has been developing rapidly opposite Miss Norma Talmadge an.d under Fitzmaurice s direction while Miss Dove's sensational rise to stardom, the direct result of public demand, has been one of the screen sensations of the year.

"The Stolen Bride," a picture to be released here by First National, is said to prove the claim of Miss Billie Dove to be one of the leading figures on the screen to-day. It is a romantic drama and an excellent setting for the dazzling personality of Miss Dove. The settings are said to be gorgeous but never oppressive, accentuating rather than detracting from the climaxes and sympathy for the characters. Lloyd Hughes has tho male lead opposite Miss Dove and Armand Kaliz appears as the villain. The picture was directed by Alexander Korda.

A huge library of news reels has been (Established by the Fox Film Corporation, forming a pictorial record of every notable personality and event of the past twenty years. One of tho oldest films in this collection shows Bismarck, the Iron Chancellor of Germany. Another shows the funeral of the late President McKinley and a third shows the late Isar Nicholas, of Russia, with his family. The picture was taken in the Royal Palace at St. Petersburg before the revolution. Other films preserve scenes of the inauguration of- presidents of the United States, the pioneer flights made by the Wright brothers and scenes of battle areas during the Great War.

Another war picture has appeared in " The Patent* Leather Kid," a picture release by First National which will be shown here early next year. It has been praised by the American critics who say that no matter how much the war has been exploited on tho screen there is always room for one more good war picture. Richard Barthelmess, tho star, is said to give his best performance for years. The work of Miss Molly O'Day, a comparative newcomer to leading parts, has also drawn high praise from critics, who sav that she has a rare intuition for emotion and pathos. "Under the garb of a well-told story," says one writer, the ■Patent Leather"Kid,' carries the constructive message of a national ideal, which makes it a significant as well as an interesting achievement."