IN FILMLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20112, 24 November 1928, Page 9 (Supplement)

IN FILMLAND.

Playing through the hottest weeks of the New York surpmer, "White Shadows in the South Seas" has on comparison of takings proved a better drawing card than even " Ben Hur," which played largely throughout the winter months. On latest advice this production was in its sixth capacity week in Now York, and was also playing to amazing business ill othei parts of the United States.

" Show Boat" has been completed, with tho exception of tho extensivo sound features which will accompany it. These have boen entirely planned and are waiting for tho complet ion of tho studio equipment. Harry Pollard has already cut down tho working print to thirty reels and in this length has convinced the studio officials that " Show Boat" will be 0110 of tho milestones of moving picture history.

The famous director-producer, Cecil B. Do Mille, has made his final choice for his first picture to be produced in affiliation with Metro-Goldwyti-Maver. This will be " Dynamite," a strictly modern story with a society background, from an original by Jeanie MacPherson, the famous scenarist. Actual production has already commenced and it is understood that De Mille will croato many novelties for this picture.

Following on her successes in "Resurrection" and "Ramona," Miss Dolores del Rio has lately completed her latest United Artists picture, "Revenge." "Revenge" is the third picturo Miss del Rio has completed for United Artists under tho direction of Edwin Carewe. It is a picturisation of Konrad Bercovici's " The Bear Tamer's Daughter," which gives the star an entirely different role from those sho has previously played.

More than two hundred canoes and enough raw furs to represent tho entire winter catch of a hundred Canadian trappers ar:j being used in one of the sequences of "Roso Marie," Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's screen adaptation of the famous musical comedy. Miss Joan Crawford and James Murray have the principal roles in this picture, which was directed by Edmund (jould;ng amid the scenic grandeur of the Sierra mountains.

" Divorce Bound," originally intended to bo tho first' picture for Miss Florence Vidor, after her return from Europe, has been postponed, to give placo to "Unconouered," in which she will play opposite Richard Dix. Dix is now completing work on "Redskn." Miss Vidor's most recent work was in "Tho Magnificent Flirt," and opposito Emil Jannings in "The Patriot." "Unconqupred" is taken from the famous story, "The Admirable Crichton.''

The screen version of " Trelawney of the We.ls" will provide three plays in one. It is a story of the stage, and two play? art- produced as parts of the picture play. The first of these plays is " Virginia," a story of the Roman Emperor and a Christian slave. The second is a play supposedly written hy Owen Moore. M iss Norma Shearer plays the leading feminine role with Ralph Forbes playing opposito her in tho film version of Sir Arthur Pinero's play.

United Artists announce that the title " Coquette " has been selected for Miss Mary Pickford's latest production. Most of her pictures in the past have been based on stories specially written for screen presentation, but in " Coquette " tho production is based on the stage play of tho same title, \vhich recently played a successful New York season. " Coquette " will be directed by Sam Taylor, who was responsible for "My Best Girl " and " Tempest."

A forthcoming British International picture is " Tho Lily of Ivillarney," based upon the famous opera of that name, which in turn is based upon the popular stage drama " Colleen Bawrt." A producing unit has been in Ireland for tho last four weeks obtaining sbme excellent views of tho Irish lakes and mountains. Though the original play "Colleen Bawn" wa3 written for the period of 1860, tho " Lily of Killarney " is modernised. Cinema Art Films will release this picture during 1929.

The new British International picture, " Piccadilly," now under course of production at the Elstreo Studios, contains, what is considered to be one of the best known casts yet included iti one British plctuie. Miss Gilda Gray is tho star, Jameson Thoinas plays tho leading male role, while Miss Betty Balfour also pjays a,very important part. "Piccadilly" is personally produced by E. A. Dupont, the noted director of "Variety," arid the story is from one of England's greatest writers, Arnold Bennct. Cinema Art Films will release the picturo early in tho New Year.

Victor Saville, tho eminent British director, has been showered with compliments for his polished production and excellent direction of " Tesha," tho British International picturo shortly to be released by Cinema Art Films. "Tesha" was adapted from the well-known novol by Countess Barcynska, and the famous European beauty Miss Marie Corda, well remembered for her excellent performance in " Helen of Troy," and England's wellknown loading man, Jefferson Thomas, play tho principal parts. Tho British press has been unanimous in eulogistic remarks regarding " Tesha."

"Tho Mysterious Island," Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer's version of tho classic Jules Verrie story, is orico more in work at tho Culver City Studios. This picturo was commenced somo time ago, but tho tornado which razed Miami and other Florida towns destroyed much of tho technical equipment which was being used to photograph tho undersea sequences of the story off tho Bahama Islands. Tho underwater sequences—said to bo tho most remarkable ever made — have now been completed after months of labour, and Lucien Hubbard, director of "Roso Mario" and supervisor of many famous screen successes, ir directing. Ihe cast is headed by Lloyd Hughes, Lionel Barrymore, and Miss Jano Diury.