IN FILMLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19956, 26 May 1928, Page 9 (Supplement)

IN FILMLAND.

John -Bai-rymore's next picture for United Artists will be " The Life of Cellini," which was to have been made by Valentino. " The Fifty-fifty Girl " is the title of Miss Bebe Daniels' picture for Paramount now in production under the direction of Clarence Badger, with James Hall in the leading male role. The former title was " She Wouldn't Say Yes." Miss Barbara Kent, the Universal ingeuue, who has appeared in important roles in " The Small Bachelor," " The Lone Eagle," " That's My Daddy," and " Stop That Man," has been re-signed by Universal. She is now completing tho leading feminine role in ' Lonesome," directed by Dr. Paul Fejos. Universal announces the acquisition of screen rights for " Cupid at Vassar," the stage success by Owen Davis. It will be used as a starring vehicle for Miss Laura La Plante, Universal's popular comedienne. The story is said to b* exceptionally suitablo for Miss La Plante, who has a flair for the type of light comedy Davis has mastered for the stage. The famous Scottish ballad, "Annie Laurie," lias been converted to the screen with Miss Lillian Gisb taking tho part of the "Scottish Joan of Arc." This picture is said to be the most colourful romance brought to the screen. The supporting cast includes Norman Kerry, Hobart Bosworth, Creighton Hale, Miss Patricia Avery, and other well-known favourites. Universal, has decided that Miss Mary Philbin will play the title role in " The Girl on the Barge," by Rupert Hughes. Edward Sloman, who made " We Americans " and " The Foreign Legion," both still to be released here, will direct the film, and it is possible that the director and his star will make many of their scenes on the famous Erie Canal on tho Hudson River. Apparently the name of Kelly means nothing in Germany. The title, " Anybody Here Seen Kelly ?" has been changed by Universal's German releasing outfit to " Ilat Jemand Den Kleinen lvohn Gesehen ?" All of which indicates that tho " little Kohn" is the equivalent of the English Kelly. It is interesting to conjecture what Universal's German office will do with the title of " The Cohens and Kellys in Paris." .William Haines will play the leading masculine role opposite Miss Marion Davies in her new picture, as yet untitled, which King Vidor is directing at tho Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. James Murray, who was previously announced as tho male lead, will not appear in the film. The new picture deals with the adventures of a screen girl who comes to Hollywood in the hopes of becoming a famous screen star. Cecil*B. De Mille has made realism the dominating note of his latest film, lhe Godless Girl," written by Jeanie Macpherson, the evangelist, and claimed to be based entirely on fact. The story is one of modern youth, in which a reform school provides a setting for much of the dramatic action. De Mille had investigators obtaining data for this production from reformatories in 20 different states, and every character and situation to be presented in " The Godless Girl has been taken from life in these institutions. Two Broadway premieres of unusual merit took place recently. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer put forward their " Trail of '9B with a gala opening at the Astor Theatre, many notables of the industry being present. Directed by Clarence Brown, Robert W. Service's Klondyke poem is an immense affair on the screen, enacted by Miss Dolores Del Rio, Ralph Forbes and Karl Dane. The second premiere was Ronald Colman and Miss Yilma Banky in " Two Lovers," at the Theatre. Baroness Orczy's once-famous " Leatherface " has been used as the plot, and under Fred Niblo's direction the pictuie strikes a distinctive note among recent offerings. One of Now York's most famous night clubs was reproduced on an elaborate scale as a setting for " The Big City, Lon Chaney's latest picture. The club is practically a replica of the famous tavern of Texas Guinan, actress and night clubs hostess, who has startled the metropolis with her daring innovations. The club, with a spectacular ballet and other features, was used as tho scene for a holdup in the new picture, in which Chaney plays as a gangster leader. The story is a mystery romance of tho New \ork nnderwoild, with Miss Marcelino Day as the heroine. James Murrav is her sweetheart, a young gangster, and Miss Betty Compson is in one of the leading roles. The four sons of Grandmother Bernle, the principal character of "hour Sons, are played by James Hall, Charles Morton, Francis X. Bushman, Junior, and George Meeker. "Four Sons" gives every indication that it will be one of the finest films produced by Fox. The story is human and moving, telling a simple tale of family life in Germany. The villagers, kindly and happy, are suddenly engulfed in tho conflict, and tragedy stalks into their simple lives. Three of Grandmother Bernle's sons are killed, but the fourth returns to the land of his adoption, America, and sends for the mother, who has suffered so much. Margaret Mann is hailed as another Mary Carr in her interpretation of this part. " Red Hot Speed " will be the title of Reginald Denny's next picture for Universal. The adaptation is now being made ready for production this month. Fred Newmeyer, who recently had his contract extended by Universal, -will probably direct. No announcement has us yet been made regarding Denny's leading lady. " Red Hot Speed " is a fast and thrilling automobile racing story based on a series of unusual events that Denny has wanted to screen for some time. Denny is now at his cabin home high up in the Sierra Maare mountains, where he is isolated with only a few companions. Here he spends his time riding, shooting, trapping and gardening until the studio advises him to report for his next picture.