NOTES FROM THE FILM WORLD

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12423, 17 April 1926, Page 13

NOTES FROM THE FILM WORLD

“SO THIS IS MARRIAGE,” AT KING’S Those who go to thb theatre seldom, as 'well as those who go more or less regularly, cannot afford to miss the Hobart Henley production, "So this is Marriage," which is screening at the King's Theatre. It .is one of those rare pictures which possess not only unusual excellence in direction, acting, suspense, and plot; but also includes a feature—an insert in natural colours of the Biblical story of David .and Bath-Sheba—that is extraordinarily beautiful and out of the usual in every way. This sequence, which include® five .hundred players clad in the vividly coloured garments of Old Testament 4 vintage, is an interlude in an otherwise modem story. It is particularly noticeable, as the gorgeous colouring has been caught by the cameras by the Technicolour process.

The story concerns the gay , and extravagant wife; Eleanor Boardman, her humdrum husband, Conrad Nagel, and the sympathetic bachelor friend, Lew Cody. The remark of the wife to the husband, "Why don't you earn more money? ; Other ni€>i do,” is significant of the situation' that develops between them. The insert in colours, which was taken from the eleventh and twelfth chapters of the second book of Samuel, was directed; by Hobart Henley. • • • # A 4 glimpse of the Jerusalem of King David's day is afforded in "So this is Marriage," a Hobart, Henley production for Metro-Goldwyn, which is screening at the King's Theatre. Whilst \ the story, which was written by Carey Wilson, concerns the experiences of a modern young people, an interlude in natural colour photography is used to illustrate the Bible Gtory of how BathSheba betrayed'her husband through desire for David, and the punishment meted out by God. ✓

• * • • FIRST NATIONAL SPECIALS With architects* plans completed and actual construction getting under way, the new First National studios at Burbank, California, to cost over 1,500,000 dollars and designed to be the 1 finest in the world are clase to becoming a reality. On a site three miles from the heart of Los Angeles there soon will rise a studio plant of surpassing beauty and afforaing every latest mechanical device that can contribute to the making of motion pictures. The Btudios ate being erected as an ideal borne for the forthcoming of all conqerned in the making of First National pictures, and'-due consideration is being given the need for harmonious surroundings of inspirational beauty where creative minds may work at ease. * • • • •; There should be a big future as a matinee idol for young Frederick Cooper, who got such favourable mention for bis action in Sutton Vane's "Outward Bound." He achieved the flattening distinction of being chosen by a committee of ladies, out of more than nine hundred applicants, as the most suitable candidate for the part of "double” ,to Sir John Martin Harvey in the film version of "The Only Way” the first big British production to be released in New Zealand by First National. • • • •

An excellent cast ‘will be_ seen in "What Fools Men," an early First National offering. Lewis Stone has the leading role? with Shirley M&fon playing opposite him. Others appearing include David Torrence, Barbara Bedford, Joyce Compton, Hugh Allen, Ethel Grey Terry, and John Patrick.

Alma RUbens, who acts the leading role in "Under the ReU Rohe," a First National picture based upon Btanley Weynlan's novel, and which is echedub ed for early release, is one of the screen nfffresses who made her theatrical debut in motion pictures instead of spokefi. plays. She is a native of California, and first acted for the old Triangle Company. Among her recent big pictures in which 6he has appeared are "World and his Wife” and "Enemies of Women." As Renee in "Under the Red Robe" she. lias n romantic and appealing part that gives her splendid opportunities. • • • • At the premiere of "Irene/* given at a Los Angeles theatre this week, Colleen Moore wore the identical Alice Blue Gown which she wore in the central scene of the production. As a result of insistent demands of fans. « re-issue of the music "Alice Blue Gown” has been arranged with the publishers. As Miss Moore walked down the aisle that was the tune that greted her. "Irene” will be released throughout New Zealand by First National pictures.

• > • • * Last week saw the completion of First National’s big steel special, "Men of Steel/* which lias been in production for some months. This picture is expected by First National to be one of tho biggest pictures yet filmed by this organisation. and all who have seen the rushes or have had anything to do with it are .fairly bubbling over with enthusiasm.

FOX FEATURE FOR QUEEN’S "No pay, no work!" This familiar slogan has long been known in the industrial world, but its latest adaptation, is by modern wives. "We want fiftyfifty !" is their cry, and the hubbies don't think they really mean it until they find themselves stranded, and the independent Marthas have walked out and left them to realise that they are serious. This is the situation that is faced in "Wages for Wives/' a Fox attraction to be screened at the Queen's Theatre for week commencing April 23rd. It is an hilarious comedy with the funniest scenes and situations imaginable, caused by the tangle the three modern housewives create when they demand wages for their services. After all, are they not within their rights? * •* * '* "Tlie Johnstown Flood," a Fox supreme attraction to be released in New Zealand during the next month, is a remarkable picture in many ways. It is the pictured happening of a terrible disaster which befell the inhabitants of that valley some thirty-six years “ago—the breaking loose of enormous quantities of water, sweeping and roaring upon the helpless victims in an avalanche of destruction. The popular athletic young star, George O’Brien, who made such a good impression with ’his portrayal of Davy Brandon in “The Iron Horse/* has the leading masculine role, and Florence Gilbert, the famous star of the Van Bibber comedy series, plays opposite him. An important contribution to the fresh screen personalities discovered this season has been made in the signing of Janet Gaynoi* for her appearance in featured roles, including a big part in "The Johnstown Flood." • * • • Raoul Walsh, the famous director who has directed many successes, among them bein« "The Thief of Bagdad," had now joined up with. Fox Film®, and is signed to make "What Price Glory," the screen version of the great stage drama. Several years ago he made a wonderful picture for Fox, namely, "The Honour System/* and his most recent one was "The Wanderer/* for Paramount, • • • THE TEN BEST PERFORMANCES OF 1925

The craze for classification continues. This time a New York critic attempts to list 1 the 10 screen performances that cling most tenaciously to mind amid the best of pictures that were shown in New York last year. While always recognising that standards of judgment vary widely according to the individual making the classification, the list is quoted because it gives rise to pleasant reminiscences, and because the critic's opinion is not to be taken too lightly. It will be observed that some of the photoplays mentioned have yet to be seen in the Dominion. The list is as follows:

Emil Jennings in "The Last Laugh." Charlie Chaplin in "The Gold Rush." Betty Bronson in "A Kiss for Cinderella.” Louise, Dresser in "The Goose Woman." Lon Chaney in "The Tower of Lies.” Mary Alden in "Siege." Claire McDowell in "The Tower of Lies." Renee Adore© in "The Big Parade." Roy D*Arcy in "The Merry Widow." Lois Moran in "Stella Dallas." Among the other performances of the year recalled with considerable vividness were John Gilbert in "The Merry Widow/* Belle Bennett in "Stella Dallas/* Monte Blue, John Roche and Marie Prevost in "Kiss Me Again," Norma Shearer in half-a-dozen pictures, Chaney and that midget in. "The Unholy Three," Betty Broncon in '‘Are Parents People?" Adolph Menjou in "A King on -Main Street," Greta’Nissen in "Lost: A Wife," Florence Vidor and Edward Everett Horton in <# Marry Me," and W. C. Fields in "Sally of the Sawdust." The aforementioned writer also offers a list of the 10 American directors whose work during 1925 seemed the most encouraging. They are judged chiefly by their ability to use the camera and tell a story with it, by their sophistication—if the reader will permit the employment of that forbidden wordr-and by their skill at creating living characters by means of the motion-picture camera. The 10 follow: Erich von Stroheim. Ernest Lubitsch. Victor Seastrom. King Vidor. Malcolm St. Clair, iMonte Bell. James Cruze. Herbert Brenon. Tod' Browning. 1 Svend Gade. ■'

To this list the critic would like to In* dude William De Mille—if he would show just a trifle more imagination—and Frank Tuttle —if he would reveal just a bit more of the fulfilment of bis great potentialities. • * • •

The many friends of Mr Garnet Saunders, the well-known New Plymouth exhibitor, will bB pleased to learn that be is rapidly recovering from his recent operation and should shortly be resuming his duties.

BETTY COMPSON As a little vagabond violinist Betty Compson (Paramount star) made her first appearance before the public. Betty and her mother. Mrs Mary- Cdtopson. were living at that time in Salt Lake City, Utah, the city in which Betty whs born, and where she spent her entire girlhood. In 'order to increase the family budget Miss Compson was playing the violin after school hours in the orchestra of a local theatre. It so happened that one day one of the acts scheduled for the evening’s performance was unable to appear, and in desperation little Betty was begged to fill the vacancy by playing a violin solo. Tho iCompson funds were low, and the elaborate costume Betty would have liked to have worn was out of the question, so as a little gypsy vagabond she stepped before the footlights and played her solo with such charm and enthusiasm that she won the spontaneous and hearty applause of her audience, and, figuratively speaking, opened the gateway to her career. Her remarkability was soon discovered. and she wont on a tour as a vaudeville violinist. Her magnetism and boautv wero soon recognised oy motion picture producers, and before long she made her debut in Christie comedies. Hard and eon>tant work won well

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ideaprred recognition for her, but it was Hot until she played "Rose" in the ever famous Paramount picture, "The Miracle Mas," that she won universal fame. Among her most successful Paramount pictures are "The Miracle Man," "The Little Minister,'" "To Havo and .to Hold," "New Lives for Old," "Eve's Secret," "Paths to Paradise," and "The Pony Express." Miso Compson is five foot two and a half inches in height, and weighs one hundred and eighteen pounds. Her (hair is a beautiful reddish Drown, and her eyes aro large and very • Hue. fihie enjoys musio and dancing and horseback riding more than anything else aside from her motion picture work. She ,is married to James Cruse* the noted ’director. -•• , • •

John Barrymore wanted a rugged, adventurous and stirring tale in which to return to the screen* after the year in which he was winning internationala jtage fame as the greatest "Hamlet" of nis generation. Warner Bros, supplied the story. Herman Melville's "Moby Dick," which became "Theh Sea Beast/ in film form, and Barrymore has supplied screen history with something that inspires tumultuous enthusiasm. His characterisation J of Ahab Ceeley in "The Sea Beast," a Master picture, is a powerful and compelling proof of his genius. Nothing "he has done on the screen can compare with his performance in this production.

HER TEACHER’S INTEREST Margery Hicklin, who is to appear in %e leading role of "Primrose" at the •Grand Opera House on Monday next, played the leading role in the original London production, in which she starred with Leslie Henson for nine months. This is how ehe describee her start in the big London show: "I studied for the stage under# I tel i a Conti, who gave me 6mail parts in her annual production of ''Where theJßainbow Ends," and kept her interest in rfcy work after 1 had begun to find engagements of my own. When 'Primrose' was being prepared for its London opening, the producer rang Miss Conti, and said : 'Sena me a pretty girl with chorus experience The girl I wanted has fallen down, and I am at my wit's end for a type." "Miss Conti took mo along herself, and I was engaged for tho leading rolo tho same morning.*”

And, it was on tho advice of Italia Conti that Miss Hicklin accepted her present Australian engagement. The older actress herself appeared here some years ago with the Brough Company.

George Geoffrey, of Warwick Bridge, Cumberland, sentenced by the county magistrate at Carlisle to two months' imprisonment for neglecting his five children, was stated to be receiving 33« dole and 31s 9d weekly us a life war pension. Inspector Buchland told the magistrates there were four canaries in the house, and they were better looked after than the poor motherless children. • • * *

Robert Wright, a fisherman, whoso horse and cart were engulfed in quicksand at Southport, and who narrowly gave the baron in charge to tho police.

WORLD-FAMOUS STONES

FILM COMPANY’S UNIQUE WORK NEW ZEALAND QUOTA. months ago the New Zealand Government presented to the Paramount Film Company a piece of New Zealand greenstorfe for part of the decoration scheme of the '‘World" Theatre, just completed in New York. Apropos of this the following article has just come to hand in a prominent American picture trade journal:— Four months ago,, Mr Shauer, general manager of Paramoufit's Foreign Department, sent out a call to all foreign representatives for stones from fafhops edifices in their respective territories. are to be-set int othe inner* lobby of the new Paramount Theatre Building, known as the "Hall of Nations," and marked with bronze plates bearing the history of each. Thirty-two countries will he represented. Stones mildewed wuth time are steadily arrivfng. A piece of Rheims Cathedral and stones from the Imperial Palaces in Japan and Berlin have been received. Two of the most significant stones in the collection are a slab of marble from the ancient Dionysian Theatro in Athens and a griiny chunk of granite from Kronberg Castle, Denmark, of Hamlet fame.

The Great Wall of China has loosened one of its century-beaten blocks,' an ornamental piece from the town hall of Vienjna, a stone cut ,out from the historical rock lipon which Captain Cook landed in 1m) has been received. New Zealand offers a pieee of rare greenstone; Switzerland, a block from the League of Nations Hall; Argentina, a beautiful black onyx stone; Brazil, a stone cut from the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain in the harbour of Rio: Panama, a stone from the ancient cathedral destroyed by tlio pirate. Henry Morgan; Chi,le, a stone from the San Francisco church at Santiago, built in 1572, of which there are only two in existence. All are accompanied by official documents proving their_ history. ProbaWy ne other organisation could have accomplished this monumental work, showing tho unparalleled influence of a great industry upon the nations of the world.

the first Levee The levee (or rising from bed) of Louis XIV., from which originated the royal levees,, was attended by elaborate etiquette, and much ceremonial. Tho first ttago began when the King had washo 1 and said his daily offices. Princes of the blood and high officials of the household were the first admitted to hifi presence. Then followed the premiere entree, to which came other less important who were received by the King m his dressing gown.

After ho had shaved, changed his linen and donned his wig, Louis at tho grand Jove© received the nobles and gentlemen of the Court.