IN FILMLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20384, 12 October 1929, Page 11 (Supplement)

IN FILMLAND.

Richard Arlcn's first starring piclnro for Paramount, " Tho Lost God," is to go into production shortly. The supporting oast will include Eugene Palletto and Fred Kohler, but the feminine lead has not yet been announced.

Douglas Mac Lean has the leading role in " Divorce" Made Easy," a clever " talkie " farce which Paramount will release shortly in New Zealand. Miss Marie Provost, Miss Frances Lee, and Jack Duffy play featurod roles.

Thotography has been completed on " The Taming of tho Shrew," with Miss Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks appearing together under tho direction of Sam Taylor. For tho nfcxt few weeks both stars and director will bo busily engaged in cutting and assembling and putting the finishing touches to tho first Shakespearean " talkie." In addition to Fairbanks and Miss Pickford, other members of the cast include Edwin Maxwell, Clyde Cook, Joseph Cawthron, Miss Dorothy Jordan, and Geoffrey Wardell. Viewed by the most critical audienco in the world, including men and women high in the social, artistic, and political life of England, " The Divino Lady," First National's screen version of E. Bar-' rington's story, was greeted with rounds of applauso in London recently. The critics were exceptionally enthusiastic, commenting on tho dramatic force of the story, tho splendid sea fights and the historical accuracy with which tho figures were portrayed. Several of the reviewers pronounced the naval engagements the finest ever shown on tho English screen.

That Chaplin is progressing with his forthcoming production, " City Lights,' was indicated in a recent cablo received by United Artists to tho effect that tho filming of two sequences had been completed at.tho comedian's studio. Though Chaplin declared that ho will not talk in tlio new picture, sound and synchronisation will bo amply provided." City Lights " is tho story of a tramp's meandorings in a big city, and in addition to Miss Virginia Chcrril, his leading ladi r , Henry Clive, famed for previous stage and screen appearances, will bo featured in a " man about town " role. Another newcomer from the stage, Paul Muni, is introduced in " Tho Valiant." Both the picture and the actor are important because they are honest, straightforward, and finely moving. Incidentally, Muni provides an example which should bo heeded by screen players essaying dialoguo. It is tho complete absence of accent from his speech. His English is pure and is neither provincial nor affected, yet this is really the result of his stage training. His flawless speech is all the more a credit because, being a foreigner, it wa3 cultivated for his debut on tho English-speaking stage only a few years ago.

" Black Waters," tho first British talking feature, has arrived in Now Zealand and passed tho censor. Those who were privileged to witness a private screening of tho° production recently are most enthusiastic. Adapted from the Broadway stage success, " Fog." this mystery play represents one of the thrillers yet screened. Not only .is tho story ingenuously constructed, but it is interpreted by a competent cast. James Kirkwood gives a really fine performance as Kelly, alias Larrabee, and by reason of his stage technique and resonant" voice brings moments of real drama to the play. " Black Waters " will be released at an early date by British Dominion Films. The death is announced of Mr. Paul Leni, the noted film director. Born in Stuttgart, Germany, forty-four years ago, Mr. Leni began liis career as a painter. Later he became art director in a Berlin motion picture studio, and developed as a producer. Interested in his career, Carl Lacinmle offered him a contract which brought Leni to America some thrCG years Among his outstanding motion picture successes made for Universal were " Tho Cat and tho Canary," " Tho Last Warning," " The Man Who Laughs," and " The Chinese Parrot." In tho passing of Paul Leni, tho cinema loses a remarkable artist, but he leaves behind him tangible evidence of his work as an artist—tho great pictures ho created. Those who have read of Ramon Novarro's operatic ambitions will have their first chance to hear the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer star's voice in The Pagan," recently made in the South .Seas bv W. S. Van Dyke, who directed ""White Shadows in tho South Seas." Novarro's splendid tenor voice is heard to advantage in " The Pagan Love Song, which he sings as part of his role as a South Seas Islander. " The Pagan was adapted from John Russell's story of tho same name, and Novarro, Miss I?enee Adoree, Miss Dorothy Janis, and Donald Crisp, together with Van Dyke and his technical staff., travelled to the island of Tahiti and remained on location about two months during the filming of the picture.

Paramount is to film the well-known musical comedy success, "The "Vagabond King," entirely in sound and tecbnicolour, according to advice just received from the Paramount studios in Hollywood. Technicolour has been used for portions of Paramount talking pictures with excellent results. This is tho first time that an entiro picturo will bo in natural colours. Dennis King, an English star who played tho original title role in the Broadway presentation of "Tho Vagabond King," has been engaged to play the lead in the Paramount picture. Miss Jeanette Mac Donald, who has just completed a singing role opposite Maurice Chevalier in "The Lovo Parade, has been cast in the feminine lead. Iho Australian actor, 0. P. Heggie, has another featured part.