"A MAGIC CARPET."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19833, 31 December 1927, Page 8 (Supplement)

"A MAGIC CARPET."

ROMANCE OF SCREEN TRAVEL.

HT D. WIM'rER H.AIX.-

The urgo to travel is felt by everyone, either as youngsters, or later on in life. But money plays the greatest part in the ability to gratify this desire, and most would-be roamers sre perforce confined to their comparatively unromantic and commonplaco homes. A few years ago, it was only tho welleducated class which was informed about the rest of the world. Books, both historical and geographical, brought other lands and climes to their doorsteps and gave a wider outlook on life-—an outlook which was most certainly not enjoyed by tho less fortunate, who, although they did not live in complete ignorance, lived out their span within a radius of fifty to one hundred miles. The customs, the peculiarities, the religions of different races in all parts of the globe did not interest them at all; they were usually content with life as they found it. Wo have witnessed, in this century, a complete change from these restrictions. This is mostly due to increased educational facilities; but credit must also go to tho men who conceived and perfected the most influential inventions of the twentieth century —wireless and the motion pictures. Marconi we know, and appreciate. But it is very seldom that the public looks behind the so-called silver screen, and realises the immense obstacles and handicaps which havt been, and are, combated, in order to ..sure entertainment. ..... Wide Sphere oi Action. Beginning with stories of local lands and people, wider and still wider became the sphere of action. The producer searched farther and farther afield for settings and stories which he imagined would draw public interest. This course ; of action necessitated the importation of I authorities rn life and various idiosyn- ' erases in fc reign countries; men who " could describe minutely the high caste Brahmin's dress; the mods of hairtiressing patronised by South Sea tribes; the costume of an Eskimo; the boomerang used by aboriginal Australians; the swords of Cossack regiments; the type of foliage found in i-he heart of darkest Africa. The task was undertaken cheerfully, and settings were obtained infallible as to dotail. Every studio boasts what is known as a "research" department, and here one 'can find men from all parts of the world, huge libraries containing descriptive and illustrative matter, all in charge of three or four highly paid experts. The result is well worth while. For the price of a seat in any good motion picture house, one can leave tho coundarics imposed by space, time, and mc-iey, aru travel at will over every quarter of the globe. What is more, the past is recreated; the momentous events of history take place again before one s eyes; it is possible to see the great heroes of the world and fiction in lifelike caricature. By tasting life, different, new, original, through the medium of the cinema, inspiration is born to travel and learn and appreciate, to read of theso lands, and I understand them. Romance is also imparted to unromantic lives; "Camille" looks at us with her pleading eyes; "Madame Pompadour charms with her tricks and wiles; ' Nell Gwyn" draws our pity; and _ Carmen bewitches U3. Vast funds oi instruction and amusement wait to be drawn on at will. Russian Films Popular. All of Hollywood's premier studios include in their programmes this year many stories of foreign locale. Nowhere is it so marked as in the production schedule of the Metro-Gold wyn-Mayer studios. Many are the countries figuring as backgrounds for the company's colourful output, and different also are the periods of history chosen. Russia, the country of turmoil and uneasiness, mixed with fables and legends of bygone, more glorious ages, is enjoying a run of popularity just now. The Russian costumes are picturesque; there is an air : of romance and mystery swinging over thfc land; the Russian type of beauty films in an appealing way; and, the j greatpu qualifications of all, Russia is a place where anything may happan. The hero and heroine can find themselves puzzled by all sorts of unpleasant dilemmas and dangers; the screen writers can loose their imaginations, and draw from them hundreds of thrilling, daring, but more or less improbable events. So Metro-Goldwyn Mayer is producing two Russian films, both of grnat promise. They are "Love," itnd a "super specif," "The Cossacks"; the former starring Miss Greta Garbo and John Gilbert, the latter featuring Miss Renee Adoree, and Mr. Gilbert again. _lt has been to my everlasting wofi>r tL.it t?-<. high- nfiic-'^ 1 :" fit iC . ":t. *?io_ "''"id "? 1 -yy : tit] KV, 'o. > '.ov .. h. n\,*y , t .•oil* ""n. sify, ' c«» r.oanjoy *'»•« toi••«!.•««on *<? by Tor- :, '.-a; - , the h.v k has Jo- v transi-tied j r/: : virt.v-iily *very modem iaagc- • '<?, no'. 1 ,t. large sale i r3P»red. T'~" directr, .'H- ?r " . v; -V.v ?u.t. • w»_4> lrt;«ure 9*' tiac:- Ct "Aims K&•£"■'.''.'.l h is ■ -V'U.O IOO'-t ♦" (r WTjWa.J >:t R,W;-. i , days ■■nr>n Czzr'p court vn." t'so most g 4 taring ripf.'.<.ac<ilar f> ;v ,. o p 4, whsr; the never ending parade oi cout'v .v .iOi'i.a marvelous pageant of drosses, gowns, furs, and silks, will i all servo to accentuate the trials of "Vronsky," and "Anna." Tho true wonder of the cinema is revealed when tho Winter Palace, and other great splendours of the old regime in Russia, can be recreated with ease and exactness. It is a modern magic carpet which carries us, easy spectators, through _ all thewealth, the romance, the heroism, and the adventure of the world.