IN FILMLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20252, 11 May 1929, Page 11 (Supplement)

IN FILMLAND.

Wallace Beery and Warner Oland play the rival leaders of two Chineso "tongs" in the Paramount all-talking picture, "Chinatown Nights." Miss Florence Vidor has rolo of a society beauty. A completely separate silent picture was also filmed at the Paramount Studios.

Miss Mary Astor has been given tho loading feminine role in " The Woman From Hell." a' Fox film. Robert Armstrong will play opposite her in the screen version of this play by tho late Jaime Del Rio, husband of the film star, George Scarborough and Lois Lesson, which was presented successfully in tho United States recently;

Oscar Shaw, an American musical comedy star, has been engaged to appear in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer all-talking features, and will havo tho masculine load opposite Miss Marion Davies in " Marianne." This picturo will also mark Miss Davies' talking picture debut, and contains a good deal of singing and dancing, as well as dialogue. Robert Z. Leonard will direct.

" The Lucky Star" is tho title selected for tho new Fox production, which will reunite the trio of "Seventh Heaven," Janet Gaynor, Charles Farrell and Frank Borzage, who last combined in "Street Angel." Coinage's new offering is based on the story by Tristram Tupper, "Three Episodes in tho Life of Timothy Osborn." Tupper wrote the original for Miss G ayn'o r's newly - completed picture, "Christina."

John Barrymore's " Eternal Love " has been completed. Miss Camilla Horn, who was tho leading lady in Barrymore's " Tempest," and who was known chiefly prior to that for her work as Marguerite in " Faust," the Murnau production for U.F.A., is to be seen opposite Barrymore again in this film. The setting for " Eternnl Love " is the Switzerland of the eariy nineteenth century. Others in the cast are Victor Varconi, Hobart Bosworth, Miss Bodil Rosing and Miss Mona Rica, tho new Continental " discovery."

Miss Billie Dove, one of the most beautiful stars on the screen, has signed a new contract to appear in First NationalVitaphone pictures, various tests having satisfied studio officials, at least, that her voice is admirably adapted for talking pictures. Her first talking picture is from Elinor Glynn's novel, "Tho Man and the Moment," which has already been completed, and will be seen shortly. Rod La Rocque plays opposite Miss Dove.

Upon the completion of " Broadway," which he is now making, Dr. Paul Fejos wjll direct " Tho Devil " for Universal. Joseph Schildkraut will enact the title role of Oliver Necker, the French-German barber and secret executioner of Louis XI. of France. Nccker was known as Louis Xl.'s prime minister de facto, although his position was outwardly that of jester. " The Devil " was vritten by Alfred Neumann, one of Germany's most prominent authors, who also wrote " The Patriot."

Warner Baxter is expected to rise brightly out of the many changes in the studios this season. The reason is that he has been signed by Fox under a long term contract with the probability that he will be very prominently featured in their pictures. The inspiration for this recognition of Baxter's talents was his work in " In Old Arizona," a talkie made nearly entirely out-doors. Edmunde Lowe and Baxter have the leading roles and Baxter's performance is rated very highly. The girl in this picture is now. Her name is Miss Dorothy Burgess, and she was recruited from a stage production of " The Squall " in Los Angeles.

Miss Lupe "Velez, because of her training as a dancer and her distinctive beauty, is admirably cast. In " Lady of the Pavements." She appears as a girl of the cabarets and - does a solo dance .which is described by one reviewer as being one of the most captivating things he has ever seen In " Lady of the Pavements " there is a dramatic talkie sequence produced under the most modern conditions. The dialogue occurs between the heroine and several other players. Miss Velez sings tho Irvine Berlin song " Where is the Song of Songs for Me?" at three different climaxes during the story, which may or may not be an attraction. She also sings " Ae Que Ver " (at the dance) and " Nena," two Spanish numbers.

Edwin Carewe is now engaged on the work of filming for United Artists Henry Wadswort'n Longfellow's " Evangeline " Miss Dolores Del Rio appears in the title role. Finis Fox adapted the Longfellow poem for the screen, and the film will be synchronised with music and sound effects, but without dialogue. A 1 Jolsnri has composed a theine song for the picture. Ronald Drew, who played opposite Miss Del Rio in " Ramona," appeal's in the new picture as Gabriel. John Holland, the young man brought forward by director Henry King, in the iole opposite Miss Eleanor Boardman in " She Goes to War,"., will be the Baptiste of " Evangeline," James Marcus, who was seen in " Sadie Thomson " and " Revenge," acts the role of Basil, and Alec. B. Francis plays Father Felisian. It is anticipated by Mr. Carewe thar, five months will be required to complete " Evangeline." Trips will bo made to original locales of the story in Nova Scotia and Louisiana.