IN FILMLAND.

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

IN FILMLAND.

"The Patriot" was to have been the next picture made by Emil Jannings for Paramount, but the production of this picture has been postponed and " The Last Command" will take its place. "The Patriot" will follow as next on the schedule. "The Way of All Flesh," the first of Jannings' American picturos, will bo released here shortly, and it will bo followed by "The Street of Sin." i , United Artists will release shortly I "Sorell and Son," the screen version of ; the Warwick Deeping novel. With a particularly powerful cast, which includes 11. B. Warner, Miss Alice Joyce, Miss Anna Q. Nilsson, Nils Aster, Miss Carmel Myers, Louis Wojheim, and a host of others, " Sorrell and Son" is expected to furnish one of the dramatic attractions of 1928. Intensive preparations are being made to fit out the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer expedition, which is to film Robert Flaherty's "Southern Skies" in the Southern Pacific. Robert Flaherty, who made,"Moana" and " Nanook of the North," will handle all the atmospheric shots in thb picture, and will manage the expedition, while* W. S. Van Dyke will assist in directing the dramatic sequences. "The One Woman," previously titled " The Patenfi Leather Kid," first National's special attraction for 1928, has been endorsed by Rupert Hughes, author vOf the story from which the film has been made. After attending the premiere screening, he wrote: "I must_ congratulate you upon the magnificent picture thai/ has been made of the story. It convulsing laughter—heart-rendering thrills—floods of tears —a tremendous battle scene —and, best of all, a consistent and wonderfully characterised, brilliantly acted love story full of youth and fire." An immense parade of soldiers of five hundred assorted nationalities, clothed in the colourful costumes of the famous Foreign Legion, paraded recently for "The Foreign Legion," + he r picture which being'made by Edward Sloman for Universal. The company b id_ returned from a two weeks' location trip to Guadalupe, California, where the terrain is similar \\o that encountered in Algiers. Lewis Sto.v. and Norman Kerry lire costarred, while the cast inMary Nolan, Crawford Kent, Waiter Perry., and Miss Juno Marlowe. Adeln Rogers St. Johnf the novelist, and Wil'is Goldbock, scenarist of a dczen famous screen plays, will 1 £ko the film treatment of "Lilac Time" x? r First National, with Miss Colleen Moore the starring role. Intended as one of tnai organisation's most ambitious efforts of the year, it will bo a George Fitzmaurice production. Goldbeck's scripts include Scaramouche," " Peter Pan," " Mare Nostrum." "Flower of tho Night," and others. Filming of "Lilac Time" will begin following the completion of Miss Moore's new comedy dramu, as yet untitled. Vocal music as an inspiration to the stars, has been introduced at tho Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios, where orchestras alone have been used for some tin)e. When Ramon Novarro aid Miss Renee Adoree appear in emotional scenes before the camera, a singer standi! near by and renders appropriate numbers, accompanied by the usual orchestra. Other 'players have followed Novarro's lead, and are insisting on singing, in addition to instrumental music. M.tss Lillian. Rosin© is the first to get that kind of job. Sho has learned the favourite selections of the plavers and sings the %ongs which are best suited to the a.'.ti.vn of the scene. Jimmy Finlayson and Big Boy Williams have been added to tha cast of "Ladies Night in a Turkish Bath," to which Edward Small has turned his attention now that "The Gorilla" is completed. Miss Dorothy Mackaill and Jack Mulhall have tho featured rolt-s in the former production which, like the Ralph Spence mystery picture, is a First National release, and is directed by Eddie Cline. Although known as a clever comedian, Finlayson has acted but few tirnos in feature length productions. Williams has proven his ability in comedy work. The roles afforded Miss Macknill and Mulhall are said to bo richly humorous. Henry Leyford Gates, one of the most widely read authors of England and America, arrived in Hollywood recently, to prepare for the screening of " The Red Dancer of Moscow." ono of his latest novels, at Fox Films West Coast Studio 3. This production, to be directed by Raoul Walsh, will feature Miss Dolores Del Rio and Charles Forrell, two artists who should ensure a fine picture. A number of Gates' novels have been accorded onormous circulation in England and the United States as newspaper serials, his " Joanna" having been published as a 36-day serial in 200 leading newspapers in America. Noah Beery, one of the best-known and most talented character actors on the scroen, has been named to play tho third important role in "Louisiana," a George Fitzmaurice production .for-First N».Mcr-.' in which Miss BUlia Pv-Is to HSi'v Oiiiiyrt- U.' i ,j id will opposite th beautiV.; ■ DerJi;;,. vith the rt/trwatK »r days -si t'o I'm - • •:I'. . t)' "inty rrs ; VWflv-ni-H ox be&aiy, jsac (trams 'Th to "til ,;jt ; • x v.d.erta the hi. .. V.< T , .*y i'/i.'it-.- one ot the-strong.!6 & ; „g>egationV ?A yts that, has bt.-»c a3S««sti;d for - ■ py.'.u-a - yea-'.. Misis Phyllis <vb-"> ir-s returned from HollyVood aftar c'>«ciu«i<!g (V m* tract with C'ecii B. Do Mak, > .•riven bet u:o»iy aptf«.r lu ati .a*'r .'-'M- Aiuiuif Hi£* gins has siguea nor up for "Odds On," which will be commenced early in January. Miss Gibbs was tho winner of Firr,t National's Star Quest, conducted at the beginning of this year. Mr. Biggins has chosen a, racing story for her first Australian engagement and ha 3 placed Arthur Tauch.ert under contract i-' an important. comedy part. Others engaged are Bob Purdio and John Faulkner, with the balance of the cast to bo announced shortly. Mr. Higgins will direct. Tho siege of Troy, with tho Spartan soldiers emerging from the famous wooden horse within the city's gates, recently occupied tho attention of the First National Company filming "The Private Life of Helen of Troy." The company worked from tho moment it first became dark until tho dawn had arrived once more, making tho most spectacular scenos for the big production. ;n addition to the principals of the cast headed by Maria Corda, Lewis-Stone, and Ricardo Cortez, tho company's call-board included 900 extra men in armour, 300 women, 100 chariots and drivers, 100 slave girls and divers other assorted personalities, including Nubian staves and other characters. The picture is being directed by Alexander Korda. "The Ch&snr," an intriguing story of a "twelve o'clock man in a nine o'clock town," will be Harry Langton's next picture for First National. This film has just gone into production. For tho first time since his two-reel days Langdon deserts the ranks pf tho bachelors and becomes a benedicts In "The Charier" ho is a much-married man. " Mrs. Harry" is a woman of a few thousand words. Miss Gladys McConnell, who will bo remembered for her excellent work in "Three's a Crowd," has again been signed as Langdon's leading lady. Bud Jaimiiou plays the "boy friend" who leads Ilarrv astray. Other cast announcements will lot) made shortly. "Tha Chaser" is an original atory 9 "written by Arthur Ripley* '