FILM TOPICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21153, 9 April 1932, Page 11 (Supplement)

FILM TOPICS.

The cast, for Michael Arlen's " Liily Christine," which Paramount is translating to the screen at their British studios, to date comprises the following notable English artists: Corinne Griffith, Colin Clive, Jack Trevor, Margaret Bannerman and Anno Grey. George Grossmith, the illimitable stago comedian and manager of London's most, famous theatre, Drury Lane, is playing one of the principal parts in the film version of " Service for Ladies" now being made by Paramount British, at Elstree. Mr. Grossmith lias had a great dea.l of experience in the motion picture world, a fact not generally known by his hosts of stago admirers. Ho has in fact only recently returned from Hollywood where he has been director, star and scenario writer in two of the most prominent film studios,A,hose. of Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer and Fox. The picturisation of St. John Ervine's stage success, "The First Mrs. Eraser' ,has recently gone into production at Elstree under the guiding hand of director Sinclair Hill. Although " The First Mrs. Fraser " skyrocketed its author to fame and was the subject of much bidding before it went to the English producing organisation, its most outstanding feature as a talkie is expected to lie in its huge and prominent cast. Henry Ainley has been signed to make his film debut in the part that he made famous on the stage, and other names already announced include: Harold Huth, Joan Barry, of " The Outsider " fame, Richard Cooper, Henry Hewett, Edgar Bruce, and Ellen Pallock. It is confidently anticipated in film circles that " The First Mrs. Fraser " will set a new mark to be aimed at for finesse, smartness and subtleness.

Ruth Chatterton, Paramount star of " Onco A Lady " and " To-morrow and To-morrow," was recently adjudged " Queen of the Movies " in a vot.o in which 28 important Hollywood motion picturo stars cast ballots, each choosing his favourite star. Greta Garbo was second, Maurice Chevalier third, followed by George Arliss, Marlcne Dictlich, Ronald Coleman, Gary Cooper and, Claudotte Colbert. The First National and Vitnphonn newspaper drama in which the celebrated actor Edward G. Robinson appears, is probably the most convincing of all pictures which present man s inhumanity to man, in a way to touch men s humanity. As Randall, managing editor of a newspaper which stops at nothing in order to boost its circulation, Mr. Robinson presents the most dynamic rolo of his career. A brilliant cast will be seen in " Letters of Fire," including Marian Marsh, Anthony Bushell and H. 13. Warner. " Chances," First National and Vitaphone's adaptation of the novel A. Hamilton Gibbs, in which Douglas Fairbanks, jun., and Rose Hobart appeal, will be released in New Zealand shortly. " Chances " is the first picture to depict the service done by the artillery in time of war, and in order to make the picture correct in every detail, First National engaged the services of Captain J. Scott, who served in the artillery of trie British army, during the World \\ ar. However, while every mechanical detail has been made technically correct, it is the emotional appeal of the love story which makes " Chances" one of the great pictures of 1932.