IN FILMLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20130, 15 December 1928, Page 10 (Supplement)

IN FILMLAND.

Edward Slornan lias commenced production on " Tlio Bargain in the Kremlin," purchased by Universal Pictures from Sir Philip Gilibs. Joseph Schildkraut will pixy tho leading role.

" The Darling of the Gods," a thrilling drama of Japan, is to be screened. Tho film is to be made in Japan, with Miss Dolores Del Rio in the starring role, and in tlio leading male rolo thero will be welcomed back to tho screen, that onetime idol of picturegoers, Scssue Ilayakawa.

Massive studio sets, constructed in aul out of doors, and nigged mountain sectors of one of America's scenic beauty spots, provided tlio settings for " Plastered in Paris," Fox Films' pretentious comedy production. The story tells of the adventures of two delegates to the Paris convention of the American Legion, who work their way into a campaign against the Riffs, from whom they kidnap an entire harem. Sammy Cohen and Jack l'ennick have tho leading roles.

Alexander Korda is to direct Milton Sills in his next starring vehicle for First National Pictures. Tentatively titled " Tho Comedy of Life," it is a story of Venice. / Korda, the distinguished Hungarian director, has been responsible for such successes as " The Private Life of Helen of Troy," " Tho Stolen Bride," " Tho Mellow Lily," and has just completed " Night Watch " with Miss Millie Dove. Sills recently finished " Hard Rock," and "The Comedy of Life " will be his first picture with'a European background.

A typical Valentino part is to bo played by Alexandre D'Arcy in his next production for British International. It will be mado by Norman Walker. D'Arcy will play tiie part of a Spanish nobleman's son who falls in love with a local beauty, and rescues her from brigands on her wedding morning. Tho period is that of modern Spam, and most of tho exterior scenes will be filmed in the vicinity of Toledo and Seville. A very original note is to be struck in this Spanish production in that there will not be one bull-fighting scene.

liaoul Walsh is doing most of his talking in front of the camera at persent.' He has nothing to say when behind tlie camera, but waves a short enno up and down and over and back at certain junctures. Walsh is acting and directing in " The Caballero's Way," a Fox Movietone and motion picture version of (>. Henry's story of the south-west. He plays the " Cisco Kid." When directing a scene, he cannot talk, as absolute silence must be preserved on h Movietone set. So ho indicates and emphasises points for tlio other players with his " talking stick."

The rights to Sir James M. Barrio's renowned play, " Ilalf An Hour," were recently acquired and tho picture lias entered into production on Paramouut's sound stages with a cast of stage-trained players enacting the leading roles in tho company's second all-talking picture. Miss Ruth Chaltcrton. H. B. Warner, John Loder, Robert Edeson, and Miss Ethel Wales and Wilfred Noy. all noted for their work on the New York legitimate stage as well as in motion pictures, lead the group of players who will portray Barrio's forceful characters on the talking screen. The production will be directed by William de Mille, the pioneer film director, playwright and author.

Louis Wolheini prefers the screen to the stage. That is the reason for tho former New York stage star's appearance in motion pictures. Mr.; Wolheim's outstanding' film role to dntc is Bulba, a Hussian soldier, in the new John Barrymore picture, " Tempest." " Tempest" is a United Artists picture that was nearly eight months in production, and is the biggest feature in Barrymorc's career. As the faithful comrade of Barrymore, who plays a peasant oflicer enamoured of .a princess, Wolheini, usually associated with villainous- performances, offers a sympathetic characterisation hat is «-«".icl to be a radical departure from anything 'he has ever done on tho screen cr stage.

Paramount pictures will end their twoyears' sway at tho Regent Theatre at the end of this year, and next year the successors to such masterpieces as " Beau Geste," " Wings," " Chang." and " The Way c«f. all Flesh" will appear at the National Theatre. From tho production schedule, it would appear that Paramount will have many fine things to offer during, the coming year, and several newly-created stars, in addition to such favourites as ,Miss Clara Bow, Mr. Emil Jannings and Mr. Adolphe Menjou, will appear in films made with that precision and care which lias made Paramount pictures famous all over the world. Without detracting from silent pictures. Paramount is also giving considerable attention to sound films and some interesting talking productions should be seen and heard at tho National if the theatre is equipped for sound.

Ramon Novarro lias signed a new contract with iletro-Goldwyn-Mayer under the terms of which he will devote six months yearly to motion picture work, and the balance-of-tiie. year will pursue* his musical studies an/1 perhaps give concerts in Europe and the United States. For several years Novarro has been studying under Louis Graveure, the eminent baritone, who recently described his voice ai one of tho most promising he had heard. Novarro .is now appearing in " The Flying Ensign," a story of naval aviation. Miss Anita Pace plnys the leading feminine role, and Eddie Nugent, Ralph Graves, Gardener James and Miss Carroll Nye aro included in the supporting cast. Most of " The Flying Ensign " is being filmed in the air, specially equipped camera 'planes being used for the wo?k.