IN FILMLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20722, 15 November 1930, Page 11 (Supplement)

IN FILMLAND.

E. A. Dupont, who made liis name with " Atlantic" has been selected by George Bernard Shaw to handle his first talking picture for British International Pictures.

Fox has decided to retain tho title of " Lilioni" for the play of tho same name. Charles Farrell and Roso Hobart have the leading roles under the direction of Frank Borzagc.

Noah Beery, junr., is making his debut on the screen in " College Lovers," which is now in production at Warner Brothers studios. Jack Whiting, Marion Nixon, Frank McHugh and Quinn Williams are among tho featured players.

" East Lynnc," tho famous stage melodrama, will bo produced in modern style by Fox as one of its specials for tho next season. Already signed for the cast are Ann Harding, Clive Brook, Conrad Nagel and J. M. Kerrigan.

Mickey Bennett, a 14-year-old veteran" on the films, makes his fifth talkie appearance in '' Swing High" the Pathc musical circus picture. Mickey's other talkie roles were in " The Ghost Talks," " The Dummy," " Footlights and Fools" and " Love Madness."

Further bi lingual or trilingual films are about to go into production at Elstree, among them being British Interna-

tional's " West End," to bo directed by Richard Eichberg. " West End" will

bo made in English and German. Leading parts will be played by Jameson Thomas and Jack Raine as rival detectives.

Jacqueline Logan, the American film star, is to appear in British International Pictures' production, "The Middle Watch." Jack Raine, Owen Nares and Dodo Watts, who appears in " Almost a Honeymoon," are others. " The Middle Watch" is being directed by Captain Norman Walker, director of " The Hate Ship" and " Loose Ends."

With new comedy construction for " Fifty Million Frenchmen," and the selection of the leading players, this Warner Brothers' adaptation of the stage success is almost ready for production. Olsen and Johnson, a noted comedy pair, will have the leading comic roles, while William Gaxton, Helen Broderick, Lester Crawford and Laura Lee will be seen in support.

" Captain Thunder" has been completed at the Warner Brothers studio. This production was previously called " A Gay Caballero," but the title has been changed. Fay Wrav and Victor Varconi have the leading roles, while the supporting cast includes Charles Judels, Robert Elliot., Bert Roach, Frank Campeau, Robert Edeson, John St. Polis and Robert Emmett Keane.

In Betty Balfour's initial independent production, " The Brat," provision is made in the cabaret sequences for the singing of five numbers, three of which are rendered by the star herself. "The Brat," an all-British offering, which was sponsored entirely bv Miss Balfour to tho extent of £25,000, has already been released in London. It* is adapted from the French story, " La Mome," and invested with Cockney settings.

Lily Damita, who was seen in •" The Cock-eyed World," " The Bridge of San Luis Rev" and " Rescue," has been selected by Paramount to lead opposite Gary Cooper in " Fighting Caravans," the forthcoming screen version of Zane Grey's novel. Ernest Torrence and Tullv Marshall, who scored in " The Covered Wagon," will be featured, others engaged for principal parts being Stanley Fields, Clifford Dempsey and Blanche Frederici.

" The Saute Fe Trail," Richard Arlen's completed Paramount Western drama, which was produced under the working title of " The Law Rides West,'' adapted from Hal Evarts* " Spanish Acres." It was directed by Otto Blower and Edwin Knopf, who made " The Light of Western Stars" and " The Border Legion." Rosita Moreon, a new Spanish star, is featured, with Eugpne Pallette, Mitzi Green and Junior Durkin heading the others.

Evidence that Pathe looks upon Helen Twelvetrees as one of its most valued personalities is evidenced by the number of important parts given her. On completion of " Swing High" she was starred in " Her Man" under the direction of Tay Garnett., following this with " Price of a Party," a story written by Joseph Santley, which is described as a new version of the Cinderella theme. In additions lo these parts, Miss Twelvetrees is enacting one of the leading roles in " Beyond Victory."

" Africa Speaks," is the first sound picture to come out of the heart of the African jungle. A picturisation of human, animal and plants life in the least explored regions of Africa, the productions contains close-ups of hostile rhinoceri, taken with tho microphone, herds of giraffes, in natural and slow motion, elephants, antelopes, gnu, wild-beeste, jackal, buzzard and flamingo by the hundred. The sound effects are described as being life-like. There is, in addition, a. lion hunt which carries a full quota of thrills.

Britain has discovered a new singing star in Dodo Watts, a pretty London blonde, who appears in Maurice Elvey's screen version of " The. School for Scandal." Miss Watts will be seen and heard singing Purcell's " Passing By," and critics are prophesying that she will be a big surprise. She is the star of two other new British Talkies, " Almost a Honeymoon" and "The Middle Watch," and a company has already snapped her up on a long term contract. She has had considerable stage experience, chiefly in pantomime and in Elephant and Castle repertory drama.

Marjorie Bambeau, who is featured in the Pathe production, ''Her Man" began her stage career at the age of 12 in " Camille." Success greeted her initial effort and as the result she has played nothing but leading roles since. Outstanding among her stage performances are " Cheating Cheaters," " Eyes of Youth," " Where Poppies Bloom," "Daddy's Gone A-Hunting," "The Goldfish," " Antonia," " The Sign on the Door," and "Just Life," her last stage production. " Her Man," which serves to introduce Miss Bambeau to the screen, is an original story by 'Fay Garnett and Howard Higgins, and is directed by Garnett.