FILM TOPICS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18589, 27 December 1934, Page 13

FILM TOPICS

A STARTLING formula to 'test, the sincerity of a suitor’s affections is introduced by Miriam Hopkins in the starring role in “The Richest Girl in the World.” Her method consists of introducing the ideal to a young and beautiful girl who presumably has great, riches. Leave the pair alone in the seclusion of romantic surroundings. If he is not engaged to the oilier girl when he emerges from the rendezvous, he is her proper choice. Miriam lias the opportunity to employ her unique—but very dangerous—method in “The Richest Girl in . the World.” Her ideal is Joel AfeCrea and the charming decoy is Fay Wray. *

UILM'S have so encroached on the big theatres that the “stars” of the stage who naturally would be expected to fill the famous old theatres of London, are seldom in them. '“Gracic Fields is mainly occupied with films. Cicely Courtneidge' and Jack Hulbert seem to bo exclusively screen stars now,” says the Manchester Guardian. “The achievement of repute and popularity by the English film companies has made matters harder than ever for theatre managers who want to cast a play attractively, for the disappearance of stage talent to the studio becomes more general anil more rapid, as Wembley, Twickenham, Elstree, and Shepherd’s Bush all join the Hollywood search for personal attraction.” « * * * UOLLYWOOD has just heard of a new kind of ailment.

It has been told that the strong rays of the big incandcseents which light movie sets draw water from the body. And that when too .much water is taken from the body, serious iliness may result. The effect that the lights have had on Miss Ann Harding is regarded as extremely unusual. Miss Harding’s physician has ordered her to take n long rest, declaring that she is a victim of dehydration caused by the infra-red rays of the lights she works under. He said she seemed particularly susceptible to dehydration.

A .more familiar effect of the glaring studio illumination is “Klerg eyes.” Film .electricians, however, say that the number of such cases has decreased since carbon arc lights were discarded.

DOWERS in the movie business in 1 Hollywood believe that color pictures will be the next big development for the industry.

Mr Adolph Zukor, president of one of the major studies, says “color is in pictures to stay,” although his organisation has not made such a film n the last five years.

“There are many rough edges to be eliminated before color can definitely be said to have attained “success,’ ” ho said. “But there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that audiences soon will be seeing and enjoying movies in natural colors.” Mr Sam Goldvvyn is another cxocutivc who envisions color as the coming thing. Mr Goldwyn already has made one outstanding success entirely in color—Eddie Cantor’s “Whoopee.”

MARION Davies’ real passion in life is said to be sick children. The American Government maintains a hospital for wounded soldiers at 'Sawtelle, a village about 30 miles from Hollywood. Marion Davies, passing through one day eight; years ago, saw the children of these soldiers playing around in the road and conceived the idea of a day nursery for them. First she hired three rooms and two nurses. But, children are always' getting hurt or sick, so she added a doctor. And the first month 200 poor children were brought to him for treatment. . 'So Marion gave It up as a bad job, bought a whole block in the neighborhood .and there erected a first-class, fire-proof, earthquake-proof clinic, with all the trimmings. Last year 0000 children were treated there free.

DTIMORS about the immediate future of Greta Garbo—that, she would marry and retire, that she would make films’in Sweden or in England, and -so on—have been set at rest. A message from Hollywood announces that she has signed another contract, though only for a single picture. When that is made negotiations will doubtless be renewed.

Tt was recently assorted that, judged by box-office takings, Miss Garbo was not in the first 10 American screen stars. It is significant, however, that, her salary has been raised from £30,000 to £OO,OOO a picture. No other player in the world receives nearly as much for one pietute, '.although, owing to the infrequency of her productions, two or three other stars may receive as big an income in a year.

pOACIIES used on the old London and 'South-Western Railway in 1893, pulled by an engine of the same date, drew into Hollywood Viaduct station on October 12.

They were part of a film lo be called “For Ever England,” directed bv Walter Forde. Miss Betty Balfour plays the heroine. The scene represented Waterloo Station, London, in 1893. Miss Betty Balfour was saying good-bye to her sailor lover, played by Barry McKay. Tho film is based on 'the novel, “Brown of the Resolution.”

* * % ■» MR A, L. Santell, ’the American director, who is to make the first Toeplitz production, “The Dictator," starring Clive Brook and Madeleine Carroll, has arrived in London. Air Toeplitz’ production manager will be Kurt 'Bernhardt, the German director who made “The Rebel” and “The Last. Company,” and lately “L’Or dans la Rue,” with Albert Prejean and Raymond Oordy. Air Bernhardt is one of the many able directors who have had to leave Germany in the course of the antiSemitic persecution. .He gave a long list of other exiles who helped to build up the German film industry. They include Erik Chanel, Joe Alay, G. W. Pabst, Eric Pommer, Felix Hollander, and Hans -Schwartz (all of whom are working in Hollywood), Siodniak (who directed the Jaiinings’ success, “Tempest”), Zelnik and Fehor (now in London or Paris), not to mention such distinguished artists as Elisabeth Bergner and Fritz Fortner.