FILM TOPICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22006, 12 January 1935, Page 10 (Supplement)

FILM TOPICS

D. W. Griffith's famous " Broken Blossoms '' is to be remade as a talking film.

" Murder in a Chinese Theatre " is the title of a book chosen for William Powell's next picture. The story has a San Francisco setting.

It is now definite that Charles Farrell will not appear with Janet Gaynor in "One More Spring." Warner Baxter will play opposite Miss Gaynor in this production.

Hugh Walpole's novel, " Captain Nichols," is to be filmed by Metro-Goldwyn-Maycr. Preparations for the production of his " Vanessa " are already under way at the same studio.

W. P. Lipscomb, British scenarist and co-author of " Clive of India," is writing the script of " Los Miserables," in which Fredric March will play the part of Jean Valjean. Mr. March is at present on holiday in the South Seas.

" The Hundred Days," Mussolini's drama of the Napoleonic bid for power, is being filmed at Elba. The cast is entirely Italian, with the exception of the celebrated German actor, Werner Krauss, who plays the part of Napoleon himself.

The coal owners of Pennsylvania hare complained that Paul Muni's coming picture, " Black Hell," which tells of life in a coal mine, is calculated to cause friction in industrial areas. Warners have already put the picture in production and refuse to do anything about it.

" Wicked Woman " has been placed in production at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios, with Mady Christians in the leading role. This is Miss Christians' first role since her arrival from the Continent under a long-term contract. Charles Bra bin is directing " Wicked Woman " and Harry Rapf is the producer. The cast includes Jean Parker, Betty Furness, William Henry and Sterling Hollowa.y.

Mercedes De Acostu, a friend of Gnrbo, litis been called into M.G.M. to make a treatment of the life of Joan of Arc. Rumours are prevalent that the Gnrbo herself will play the lead. Katharine Hepburn having now apparently decided not to make a similar picture.

After an absence of two years from the screen, Thomas Meighan has returned to take the principal adult role in " Peck's Bad Boy." He intends to continue with further work on the screen. Jackie Cooper plays the leading juvenile part and Dorothy Peterson and Jackie Senrl are also in the cast of this screen version of the amusing story of youthful escapades.

learned tor the iirst time, Alary Boland, famous for her many comedy films, and Polly Moran, celebrated for her work with the late Marie Dressier, have the loading roles in Radio's musical extravaganza, " Hawaiian Nights." Miss Boland appears as the queen of a tropical paradise, and the rough-and-ready Miss Moran plays the part of a shipwrecked captive who becomes the queen's masseuse. They are supported by a cast of twenty-seven favourites and a chorus of 200 dancing girls. The amazing events of the film take place 011 the tropical Island of Molakamoknlu.

A producer, a production and an actor, all associated with United Artists, were winners of awards at the recent International Picture Exposition held' at Venice under the sponsorship of the Italian Government. Walt Disney, producer of the Mickey Mouse and Silly Symphony productions, won a gold medal for the best animated cartoon, "Funnv Little Bunnies." "The Private Life of Don Juan," Douglas Fairbanks' new production for London Films, directed by Alexander Korda, was awarded a premium as being the best world premiere. Wallace Beery, soon to be seen in 20th Century's "The Mighty Barnum," was honoured with a gold medal as the world's best film actor.