THE FILM WORLD

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11251, 1 July 1922, Page 10

THE FILM WORLD

Eumonr tells of a stupendous film production which is to be shown in Wellington within a few weeks. It is said to be enacted by multitudes of people, and to eclipse all previous cinema spectacular plays. “The Swindler," a film adaptation ol one of Ethel M. Dell's stories, is to be screened in Wellington shortly. The hero makes himself responsible for the card cheating of the brother of a beautiful girl, and has to go to gaol for five years. The gii'l repays the hero in the end. Quite a number of scenes in the “The swindler" were’taken on board the Olympic. Actually they were taken in beautifully clear summer weather while the vessel was lying in dock at Southampton; but some of them were supposed to "occur in mid-Atlantic, during a heavy storm. One of the difficulties which confronted Maurice Kirov, the producer, when it came to the filming oi.scones in this storm, was to get the effect of a strong high, wind on deck when actually no wind was blowing at all. Eventually some twenty men were pressed into service. given a largo flat piece of wood each, stationed in suitable spots, and directed to flap their strange implements -about, in order to keep ropes and canvas npd frocks and frills constantly on the move. Miss Marjorie Hume, 'who plays pie ravt of Cynthia Mortimer in Iho Stoll film,. “The Swindler," is a young and beautiful actress, who has dono well on the stage and better still on tlie screen. She makes a beautiful Ethel M. Dell heroine. The biggest thrill in "Wild Honey," which will be shown in Wellington shortly, is based on the destructive flood and a series of brilliant rescues. The flood scenes show a pent-up river unleashed to sweep- down a narrow canyon and through a .valley filled with settlers. The turbulence of the water and.its destructive power are said to be shown with a realism never before attained on the screen. Priscilla Dean is shown in the midst of it, battling hor way to safety and happiness with hor usual courage and dash. As the result of soldiering in five wars, together with the fact that he was a member of the late Colonel Roosevelt's Rough Riders, Tom 'Mis, the Fox star, boars tbp rank and title of a major. Mix never thought to acquire any higher rank than this as a military man until the making of his latest Fox production, "The Rough Diamond,” in which he is playing a new sort of role. In this story, after many merry and thrilling adventures. Tom goes to a Latin-American republic* and becomes a generalissimo in the army of the oounter-revolutionary forces. The atmosphere of the story is unusually varied and colourful, ranging from an American city to the capital of a tropical republic, with ships, a circus in full blase, and a. royal wedding, adding flavour to the -whole. To the host of Mix admirers throughout the world it reveals him as a new genius. -['he Turning Point** is Katherine MacDonald’s latest starring vehicle. This is an adaptation of the famous story by Robert W. Chambers. A girl’s selfsacrifice to restore matrimonial harmony is the theme of the play. The star plays the role of Diana Tenant, a New York society girl burdened with the shadow of a past, and endeavouring to maintain the honour of the family name. Admirers of this popular star will acclaim this her best picture since “The Thunderbolt."

Admirers of Anita Stewart are promised a rare treat in “Playthings of Destiny," her latest and biggest attraction. This is a powerful dramatic play with a back ground which takes in the snow-bound Arctic and the tropics of .Tamaioa. Two of the big scenes include an Arctic blizzard and a tropical tornado. The picture is the last word in sensational realism. In all the length and threadth of fiction there is no more picturesque a character than Haji, the beggar of Bagdad. Edward Knoblock, the playwright, made Haji famous in the stage version of "Kismet," and Oti* Skinner immoi. talised Haji during the years he gave life to this characterisation on the stage. The picture version, which ' will be screened in due course, will give thousands an opportunity of seeing Haji, the beggar, portrayed by no leas a person than Otis Skinner himself, ft is a safe prediction that the swaggering, crafty, adventure-loving and amusing old Bagdad vagabond will win every one's heart and in the years to come, when old plays are discussed, his memory will be green. On the stage Haji' made an instantaneous hit wherever "Kismet" was played; the screen version will do that and more, for, on the screen Haji baa an opportunity far beyond the limitations of the speaking stage, and Skinner's interpretation of this role in the screen version will stand for a long time to come as the finest study in character work that the moving picture cameras over recorded.

A thrilling drama of the •' West, “Staking His Life,” with William S. Hart as the hero, will make its appearance shortly. Supporting the popular actor in this picture are Charles Ray and Louise Glaum.

A feature that will be heralded as a screen classic is "The Eosary," a new screen adaptation by First National The cast is of a large order, including Lewis Stone ns Father Brian Kelly, Jane Novak as Vera Mather, Wallace Beery and Robert Gordon. There are some ■ tremendously dramatic and spectacular moments in the play, not the least of which are the dynamiting of the cannery, the little community's chief industry; the noble act of a widow, who gives her own life to save another; the man hunt of the posse after the culprit, and his tragic end. Tile origin of the Christian Rosary is shrouded in ancient iegendry, but it is known that in tiro fourth century, Peter the Hermit used pebbles to help concentrate his thoughts, casting them aside one by one until his prayers were said. From this crude pebble rosary came that which is used to-day, the string.of beads ending with the cross—the symbol of sacrifice. Because she has been identified with roles of similar character, Jane Novak has been chosen to create the girl of spiritual no*bi!ity in "The Rosary," the screen adaptation of the famous play and song. Blanche Sweet-coming soon in "'Simple Souls," a delightful romance of brilliant drama and [piquant humour. The story relates the romance of two dreamers—she was a poor shop girl, whose passion was books,; he was a rich Duke, who had a habit of foigetting everything but hie precious lizards, biology being his hobby. It was their ideals and dreams that brought these two kindred, simple souls togethor, but it was their different stations in life and certain “holier-than-thou" relatives that very nearly tore them apart.

Thomas H. Ince registers his tribute to womanhood of to-day in his big feature "Hail the Woman," in which Florence Vidor is the Tadiant impersonation of Miss 1922, pitting herself against stern, relentless bigotry—selfish man-made tradition—a parent who has made no advance with t.he times. Theodoro Roberta gives a remarkably fine interpretation of the stern old bigot. Even hismake-up i 8 a work of art, and makes a complete disguise. .