NOTES FROM THE FILM WORLD

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12465, 5 June 1926, Page 13

NOTES FROM THE FILM WORLD

“WE MODERNS” AT PARAMOUNT Israel Zangwill, famous English author, is now turning his talents towards the xoovics. At..least, new “We Moderns.” has been adapted to the set •o'* oy TTirst iSattonul j-'ictnres, and will bo seen week at the Paramount Theatre. colleen Moore has the role of the Eritisii society girl of the story, and is said to render a characterisation as striking as that of “Flaming Youth/' Colleen introduces her brother Cleve Moore to the photoplay world in her new production, and others in the cast include Jack Mulhall, Claude Gillingwater, Tom McGuire and Blanche Payson. Lois Moran, the “wonder actress,” is conceded by all critics to be on the high road of film success, although she has just completed her third picture and

hardly completed her sixteenth year. Miss Moran’s latest screen vehicle is “The Reckless Lady,” from the novel by Sir Philip Gibbs, which is to be realeased by First National Pictures. In the featured cast are Ben Lyon, Belle Bennett, James Kirkwood, Lowell Sherman and Charlie Murray. • • •

Making love to the beautiful woman in the screen world has gotten to be a something of a habit with Norman Kerry, whoso latest picture appearance- is iu Corinne Griffith’s First National Picture, “Mile. Modiste.” In “Mile. Modiste" Kerry plays opposite Corinne Griffith, who is cast as Fifi, the little Parisian modiste. Kerry is a dashing French cavalry officer in this picture. Willard Louis has the major comedy role.

Arrangements have been finalised for Guy Bates Post to make a comprehensive tour of South Africa before going to London. Mr Post will present “The Masquerade!*” and other plays in the chief cities of the Union, under the management of African Theatres, Ltd., who have been negotiating for some time to secure the actor for a tour under their management. The arrangements were finalised through the medium of J. c Williamson, Ltd.

MASTER PICTURE AT EMPRESS Against a picturesque background of cattlo ranges, riverbeds, and mountains has been filmed a dramatised story of red-blooded Ruth Harkness inherits a ranch in New Mexico. With her uncle and aunt and fiancee she takes possession. Rex Anderson is the ranch boss. Masten hires a man to kill Rex, who beats him to the draw. Masten becomes involved with Haarar, the daughter of a squatter. Rex thrashes Hasten, who intimates to Ruth that the ranch boss is responsible for Hagar’s ruin. The squatter learns the truth and pursues Masten. Ruth makes her peace with Rex, and they are engaged. “The Code of the Wilderness,” a Master Picture featring John Bowers, Alice Calhoun, and Charlotte Merriam is now screening at the Empress Theatre. “That Devil Quemado” a Master picture now screening at the Strand Theatre, has Fred Thomson, Silver King (his horse), and Gloria Hope for its stars. • * • • •Rin-Tin-Tin, the Warner dog star, stands in grave danger of contracting permanent stiffness of his front paw, if \ he continues to shake the hands of his ' numerous children and grown-up ad- ’ mirers on his personal appearance tour throughout the country. The unusual dog and his master, Lieut. Lee Duncan,are touring America in connection with Rinty's latest Master picture, “The Night Cry.” • • • • Screen work is an all-round education. It teaches an amazing number of different things, some nice and some not so nice. Dolores Costello, the lovely Warner star, for instance learned the art of being light-fingered so that she could realistically pick the pockets of her different victims in the “Little Irish Girl,” her latest Master picture. In the “crook” plat, Miss Costello is sup-j ported bv Joan Harron, Dot Farley,!. Mathew Betz, and Gertrude Clair. t • • * • * “ZEEBRUGGE” A MASTERPIECE J The colossal masterpiece. “Zeebrugge/* f which is shortly to be shown in New 5 Zealand, is the only motion picture thathas ever been reviewed officially by their Majesties King George and Queen Mary, . the only picture in fact that has ever secured the patronage of a King of Great Britain. “Zeebrugge” ran for twelve months at the Empire Pavilion,; London, and uresent indications are ; that the world's long run and attend- : ance records will be shattered by this , great naval enic. Mr W. A. Gibson, 0.8. E., recently returned from London* states That he paid £f 2s for a seat to . view this amazing production. It is the story of a handful of British officers and sailors who, ly blocking up the Brngee Canal, brought the enemy to its knees, and took every risk in the spirit of joyous fun, just as if thev were playing cricket. In the whole history of the world, no handful of men or army for that matter, has been called upon to face such a deadly attack as that which, met the men of Zeebrugge from the shore batteries guarding the mole, and the very men who took part in the wonderful decH, together with the Vindictive and the other ships that invaded tho enemies deadly fir© actually on that occasion, take part in the re-enactment for the screen. The British Admiralty produced the Master pictures “Zeebiugge” with all the resonfees at its command, and the picture is something that will make even the most hardened feel proud that they arc British.

FOX FILM FEATURES Olive Borden, "who is to play the lead* ing role in the South Seas story, “Yellow Fingers,” for Fox Films, has also been cast for the lead in “Fig Leaves.” In this production special sets of the Garden of Eden, which are most striking and beautiful, were built at the West Coast studios, and Miss Burden, always anxious to bring pleasure to others, expressed a desire to have the orphans of Southern California see the great outdoor stages whilo George O’Brien and other well-known actors were working. Hundreds of kiddies, coming as Miss Borden's guests, got the thrill of their, lives watching the handsome George prowl round among those prehistoric monsters, dinosaurs and brontosaurus. This production is well in hand for next year's schedule, and promises to be something great.

Betty Compson's first production for ; Fox Films, “The Palace of Pleasure,”; is due to screen in Wellington at the Queen's Theatre shortly. This production concerns the adventures of a, Spanish dancer, Lola Montes, who loft a trail of broken hearts in all the courts of Europe, a couple of centuries ago. How this wilful little coquette was captured by a dashing captain of the guards provides most thrilling entertainment. For the purposes of this picture Miss Compson's abundant blond© locks were shorn, and she wears a sleek black wig, which is immenselv becoming to her. • ’ « * * Mr C. F. Eskell, manager for Universal Film Mfg. Co., returned to Wellington on Monday last after a few busy days spent on business in Auckland. • • • • What is known in film circles as “Fox Week” will be celebrated from September 4th to 10th inclusive, and Mr G. Dagnall, general manager for Fox Film Corp.. Wellington, advises that exhibitors all over the country are co-operating with the exchange by booking extra programmes and big special attractions for screening during that ‘week. • • • * Mr IV. W. Duff, general manager of Famous Lasky Film Service, Ltd., returned to Wellington early this week, after having spent some busy weeks in the South Island. Mr Duff, accompanied by Mr R. S. Davison, publicity manager for Paramount, sailed yesterday by the s.s. Ulimaroa for Sydney to attend the annual Paramount Convention to be held shortly.