FILM TOPICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21716, 3 February 1934, Page 12 (Supplement)

FILM TOPICS

/' Snake Bite," a story by Robert Hichens, is to be filmed by Universal, with exteriors in Africa. Jack Hulbert's next comedy, "The Camels are Coming," is to be produced largely in Egypt. John Balderston, author of "Berkeley Square " and " The Mummy," is to adapt " The Ninth Guest," a mystery play, for Columbia. Donald Cook "will play the leading part. r - " Springtime for Henry," the farce by Benn W. Levy produced in London a year ago, is to "be filmed by Jessie L. Lasky, with Nigel Bruce in his original stage part and Leslie Banks. . Australia- (and not the Amazon, as was first proposed) is to bo the next subject, for the camera of Robert Flaherty, the globe-trotting film-maker, who has just "completed "Man of Aran." Mr. Flaherty will sail for the Commonwealth, early- in' the New Year. " Les Miserables " is to be filmed by Twentieth Century, with Fredric March as Jean Yaljcan. Victor Hugo's great novel was adapted to the silent screen moro often, probably, than any other book. Two French versions, the last of which was made in 1927, were outstanding pictures of their times. At least three American versions were also produced, the last, by Fox, in 1918. " Waltzing Matilda " is the quaint title by which the next Pat Hanna production will be known. It is a title which is well-known in Australia, and is the term used for those men who are forced to " carry their swag " in search of work. The title is particularly appropriate in this picture, as the story centres around the famous " Chic " Williams, of " Diggers " and " Diggers in Biightv," caught by the depression and tramping to the big station where his Scotch friend is overseer. There is plenty of comedy in " Waltzing. Matilda," the nonchalant Pat Hanna and the witty Scotch comedian, Joe Valli, being largely responsible.

" The Crime Dealer," a story by Israel Zangwill, is to be filmed by Radio with Richard Dix in the leading role. The marriage is expected to take place of Franchot Tone and Joan Crawford, whose divorce from Douglas Fairbanks, jun., will shortly become final. Harpo' Marx is appearing on the variety stage in Leningrad and Moscow. " I have a hunch I'm going to Hop," he said to a representative of the Moscow Daily News. The Fox version of the musical play, " Music in the Air," is to be produced in five languages, the English edition being made in Hollywood and the others in Paris. The stars.will be Lilian Harvey and Henry Garat. Napoleon, the Duke of Wellington, and Talleyrand are among the numerous celebrities of the period who will figure in George Arliss' Twentieth Century picture, " The. House of Rothschild." As soon as Wallace Beery has completed " Viva Villa " for Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer, he will join Twentieth Century " on loan " to play the titlerole in " The Great Barnum," a story of the famous American Conrad Veidt, whose performance in the title role of " The Wandering .Tew " made at the Twickenham Studio, has been highly praised in England is to appear in a, spectacular talking picture version of " Bella Donna," to be made at the same studio. " Bella Donna " which was originally adapted for the stage by J'. B. Fagan from Robert Hichens' well-known novel, was first staged at the St. James' Theatre, London, in 1911 by the late Sir George Alexander, with Mrs. Patrick Campbell in the role of Mrs. Shepstow. It has twice been made as a silent film, first in 1918 and again in 1923. Conrad Veidt, who Will have the role created in Australia by Hugh Buckler, is to appear opposite a famous American actress as yet unannounced.