FILM TOPICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22344, 15 February 1936, Page 12 (Supplement)

FILM TOPICS

Moscow now has eight film theatres reserved exclusively for the use of children between the ages of six and 13. Lecturers and teachers are present during performances. Edmund Lowe will have Virginia Bruce as his leading lady when he goes to Motro-Goldwyn-Mayer shortly to play Philo Vanco in "The Garden Murder Case." An independent Hollywood producer is to make a picture called "The Right to Kill," based on the recent "mercy killings," in which relatives and doctors have put incurable invalids to death. Buddy Doyle, an old-time vaudeville actor, will impersonate Eddie Cantor in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's "The Great Ziegfeld." Doyle was Cantor's understudy when ho played in the stage version of "Whoopee." Clark Gable has turned manager as well as actor. On his recent trip to South America he met a guitar player, Felipe, whom he has now put under contract. He will introduce him to New York and Hollywood night clubs. Metro-Goldwvn-Mayer announces that "The Good Earth," an adaption of the prize-winning novel of the same name by Pearl Buck, will shortly be placed into production with Paul Muni and Luiso Rainor in tho chief roles. Victor Fleming will direct under the Supervision of Irving Thalberg. Karl Freund, director of "Mad Love," will return to camera work for this picture.

Franchot Tone and Joan Crawford will appear together for the first time since their marriago in "Elegance, which Jack Conway is to direct tor Metro-Goldwyn-Maycr. Clifton Webb, the dancer, .also is in the cast. Mrs. Lillian Coogan, Jackie's mother, has turned film-writer. She has been given a contract by Sol Lessor to write a story for tlio child-actor Bobby Breen. Mrs. Coogan had a hand in most of Jackie's scenarios in the old days. Preston Foster is to be Carole Lombard's leading man in "Lovo Before Breakfast," the Faith Baldwin storv originally entitled 4 'Spinster Dinner. Carole Lombard will afterwards star with Fred Mac Murray again in "Imported from Paris." An effective answer to the statement so often made that England has no promising child players is supplied by Ann McLaren, aged eight, who plays a small part brilliantly in H. G. Wells' "Things to Come." This London Film Production will bo released by United Artists. With Jackie Cooper and Joseph Calleia in the leading roles, "The Tough Guy" (previously "The Getaway") has been comploted at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. Principal supporting roles were played by Jean Hersholt, Harvey Stephens, Robert Greig, Edward Pawley, Mischa Auer, Robert Warwick and Rin-Tin-Tin jun. It was directed by Chester Franklin and produced by Harry Rapf.