. . . THE . . . Shadow World

Southland Times, Issue 20522, 26 June 1928, Page 11

. . . THE . . . Shadow World

LATEST REAL NEWS OF REEL PLAYERS

ATTRACTIONS AT THE MAJESTIC. To-night:—“The Circus” (Charlie Chaplin), “Buttons” (Jackie Coogan). To-morrow:—“The Circus” (Charlie Chaplin), “Sunnyside Up” (Edmund Barns, George K. Arthur). Saturday Next: —“Monte Carlo” (Betty Balfour), "A Woman Tempted” (All-Star).

Movie patrons who have not yet seen Jackie Coogan in his newest Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer picture, “Buttons,” now showing at the Majestic Theatre, should not miss the juvenile star to-night, when the closing performance will be given to-night. In this lavishly-produced picture Jackie Coogan essays the role of a captain’s page on a modern ocean-going liner.

'Monte Carlo,” a British production, released by Mas: er Pictures, and featuring Betty Balfour, Carlyle Blackwell, Louis Allibert and Robert Lane, written by E. Phillips Oppenheim, and produced by Gaumont, was taken in Monte Carlo, and penetrates the Casino, the Sporting Club, the most costly villas in and around Monte Carlo—(some scenes were taken in the Prince of Monaco's Palace) —will be shown at the Majestic on Saturday.

It is with deep interest that we learn that the novel by Vera, Countess of Cathcart, which has stirred up such a lot of comment, both in England and America, has been picturized by Wardour, and is to be released shortly by Cinema Art Films, Ltd., at - the Majestic on Saturday next. This picture deals with many of the problems which beset us in a fearless and lucid manner. An all star cast, headed by Juliette Compton and Warwick Ward, do full justice to this powerful, gripping and daring story. The countess attacks modern hypocrisy in no uncertain manner, and incidentally gives us some really fine entertainment.

Charlie Chaplin’s Press agent for “The Circus,” the new Chaplin comedy, which is now at the Majestic, went to the famous comedian with a problem. “Charlie,” 'he said, “I’m afraid of writing too many superlatives into my story on ‘The Circus.’ I don’t want to employ old-time circus publicity phrases.” Chaplin looked up from a book he was reading. He laughed, pointed to the very page before his eyes, and handed the book to his publicity man. It was a volume of the late Joyce Kilmer’s prose. The particular essay Chaplin was reading was entitled “The Circus.” The publicity man read the words written by the young American poet who went to France in 1917 with the famous 69th Regiment of New York —and who never returned. “Restraint is perhaps the most conspicuous virtue of the artists in words who have the pleasant task of describing in programmes, in newspaper advertisements and on posters the excellences of circuses,” Kilmer had written. The Press agent gasped, and then read on: "The litterateur who, possessed of an intimate knowledge of the circus, merely calls it ‘a new, stupendous, dazzling, magnificent, spectacular, educational and aweinspiring conglomeration of marvels, mysteries. mirth and magic,’ deserves praise of a verbal economy almost Greek. For he is not verbose and extravagant, he is taciturn and thrifty; he deliberately uses the mildest instead of the strongest of the adjectives at his disposal. Shyly, it seems, but in fact artfully, he uses modest terms—‘new,’ for example, and ‘spectacular’ and ‘educational.’ These are not necessarily words of praise. An epidemic may be new, an earthquake may be spectacular, and even a session of school may be educational. Yet the adjectives proper to these catastrophes are actually applied—in letters of gold and silver and purple—to the circus! The laureate of the circus, with an aesthetic shrewdness which places him at once on a level with Walter Pater (whose description of the ‘Mona Lisa,’ by the way, is an admirable example of circus Press-agent writing) considers, and rejects as too bewilderingly true, the mightiest of the adjectives that fit his theme. Discreetly he calls it ’new’ instead of ‘immemorial’; ‘educational’ instead of ‘religious.’ He does not, as he might, call the circus poetic, he does not call it aristocratic. Yet all these great words are, as he well knows, his to use. The consciousness of his power makes him gentle.” The Press agent looked at Charlie. Chaplin nodded blithely as he resumed his reading of Joyce Kilmer. And then the Press agent grabbed a Corona and wrote this story about “The Circus.”

The average man or woman of to-day is not aware of the fact that Jerome Bonaparte visited America. Jerome was the brother of the famous Napoleon. Had Jerome not visited America there never would have been the story of his meeting in Baltimore with the beautiful Elizabeth Patterson. History records that he fell in love with the charming Betsy and adds that his brother, the Emperor of France, had decided to make him King of Westphalia, but objected to this mesalliance with a commoner A lovelier specimen of womanhood would be hard to find than Dolores Costello in the coming Warner Master Picture, “Glorious Betsy.”

Estelle Taylor, who has been absent from the screen for some time has been signed by Columbia to play the leading role in “Lady Raffles.” Wilfrid Landers, Roland Drew, Ernest Hilliard and Lilyen Tashman are included in the supporting cast. Miss Taylor, who is Mrs Jack Dempsey in private life, has many fine screen performances to her credit. Her “Lucretia Borgia” in “Don Juan” won her high praise. Master Pictures consider her a valuable addition to their list of stars.

Sea-dog, snow-dog, herd-dog and now Rinty, the war-dog, “The Dog of The Regiment,” which Warner Bros, have produced for Master Picture release is a story based on Rin-Tin-Tin’s own life. Ross Lederman directed, and the cast includes Tom Gallery, Dorothy Gulliver and John Peters.

This well-known stage success has been adapted to the screen with wonderful results, and it offers all the facilities for effects that were embodied in the stage production, with Guy Newall, Louis Ralph, John Manners and Ernest Verebes, in the cast, and directed by G. Bolvary.

It is probably because all the world looks upon newly-weds with sympathetic interest that Warner Bros, are placing so much faith in “If I Were Single,” one of their important productions about to be released by Master Pictures. This is a clever story with May McAvoy and debonair Conrad Nagel as its stars. Myrna Loy and Andre Beranger are also included.

Warner Bros. “Across the Atlantic” is a thriller in every sense of the word. Monte Blue, who has the stellar role in this feature, had to take not a few risks. Not only did he handle up-to-date planes, proving himself to be a skilled aviator, but he also flew some early types of machines that many modern aviators would be reluctant to leave the ground in. This feature is a masterpiece of intricate direction, the work of which fell to Howard Bretherton.

CIVIC PICTURES. To-night: “Rash Privates” (Malcolm McGregor, Lya di Putti, Za Su Pitts, Eddie Gribbon) ; “Ladies Must Dress” (Virginia Valli). Wednesday: “Smile Brother Smile” (Jack Mulhall, Dorothy Mackail), “Honeymoon Hate” (Florence Vidor).

Saturday: “Surrender” (Mary Philbin, Ivan Mosjukine), “Wolf Fangs” (Thunder, the dog) and “Blake of Scotland Yard” (Hayden Stevenson).

“Thunder,” whose performance in “Wings of the Storm” last season gained him the title of the ‘‘Wonder dog of the screen,” appears in his second picture for Fox Films “Wolf Fangs,” under the direction of Lew Seiler, at the Civic on Saturday. The plot of this unique story gives the animal a greater opportunity to display his intelligent reactions to direction and surroundings. It takes him from a practically wild state and through his “civilized” instincts he is raised from the wolf pack and restored to his place with human friends.

Mary Philbin and Ivan Mosjukine are to be featured in “Surrender” a stirring drama to be screened at the Civic on Saturday. The love story between the little peasant girl and the prince is one which calls for intense emotional acting and again Miss Philbin excels in a way which reasserts her position as the screen’s most beautiful and cleverest actress. Ivan Mosjukine, who was previously seen in “Michael Strogoff,” is considerably improved in “Surrender!” not in acting ability, for he is superb, but in technical points such as better make-up. The story itself is unwound with a masterful smoothness which reflects to the great credit of Edward Sloman, the director.

The popular movie “team” of Jack Mulhall and Dorothy Mackaill is seen on the screen once more. The latest First National picture with the popular player is “Smile, Brother Smile,” which is scheduled as the attraction at the Civic to-morrow. The picture, an original story based on the adventures of a travelling salesman, was produced for First National by Charles R. Rogers. An unusually large supporting cast including T. Roy Barnes, Philo McCullough, E. J. Ratcliffe, Yoia d'Avril, Brooks Benedict, Charles Clary and others will be seen in the production.

“Rash Privates” (at the Civic) has been proving most acceptable to all fans who have seen it. When the first few scenes opened up repressed mirth gave way to chuckles, chuckles to laughter, laughter to shouts and shouts to unrestrained mirth and the last reigned throughout most of the picture. Lya De Putti is delightful in an unsophisticated role and Malcolm McGregor is an ideal military hero. Both are perfectly cast. Za Su Pitts is more capable than ever and Eddie Gribbon deserves the highest praise for a worthwhile contribution to the art of laugh-making.

Hayden Stevenson is the star of “Blake of Scotland Yard,” the super-serial which is to commence at the Civic next Saturday, and his portrayal in the series is said to be the strongest ever attempted by that sterling actor. Hayden may be remembered for his stellar acting in other serials mainly Reginald Denny’s “Leather Pushers,” which marked his debut on the screen, and the “Collegians,” a college comedy serial in which he portrayed the role of the coach. Those in support of the eminent serialist are Gloria Grey in the feminine lead, Wilbur Mack, Monte Montague, Albert Hart, Herbert Prior and Grace Cunard.

Now that his name is the newest among featured comedians on long-term contract, Paramount is wasting no time in putting William Austin to work. Austin’s latest role is that of Banning-Green in “Honeymoon Hate,” Florence Vidor’s new Paramount starring production, which will be seen at the Civic to-morrow. Austin was assigned the new part following his sensational success as Professor Spangle in Bebe Daniels’ “Swim, Girl, Swim.” The role of Banning-Green is not unlike that of Spangle. It calls for an eccentric characterization ; an Englishman seeking the hand of the impetuous American heiress, Gail Grant, played by Miss Vidor, who goes to Venice and marries an Italian prince to tame him.

“Ladies Must Dress,” is a most amusing as well as intriguing picture now at the Civic. Viriginia Valli, in the earlier scenes is pictures as an alert but somewhat oldfashioned girl who loves her work and her sweetheart with equal intensity. Lawrence Gray, as the ambitious young shipping clerk in Ward’s Department Store, thinks that his girl is the essence of beauty until the store employees prepare for the annual picnic. When Miss Valli, feeling that she wants to dress as a sensible girl should, appears in a khaki outfit which gives her the appearance of a trail-hiker in the Alps, Gray begins to listen to the whisperings of his friends in the store and wonders why the girl doesn’t “dress up.” Maizie, a vivacious saleswoman who is married but still fairly happy, then unfolds a tale which at first startles and then intrigues the old-fashioned girl. From this point the action speeds into a series of situations which make the oldfashioned girl dizzy, but which cause Gray to feel that a great mistake has been made and that he wants the girl more than ever. His struggle with Earle Fox, as the “heavy” develops a climax which is thrilling and surprising.

Feature comedies continue to be the keynote of Columbia’s releases. “The Wife’s Relations,” a farce of marital tribulations has been selected to follow “That Certain Thing” in the order of release. “The Wife’s Relations” is a George B. Seitz production starring Shirley Mason, and featuring Gaston Glass and Armand Kaliz in the leading masculine roles. This picture, which marks Seitz’ first deviation to the comedy field since he joined Columbia, has been hailed as pre-eminent among comedies, as the same director’s “The Blood Ship” was among sea dramas. Such prominent merrymakers as Ben Turpin, Flora Finch and Lionel Belmore head the cast, which includes Arthur Rankin, Maurice Ryan and James Harrison. A coming Master Picture release.

Can you imagine Mryna Loy smearing her beautiful face with burnt cork and playing a dusky siren in Warner Bros. Master Picture ‘‘Ham and Eggs at the Front”? Those wonderful eyes of Miss Loy’s should indeed flash under burnt cork make-up, and make her a most convincing negress vamp. “Ham and Eggs at the Front” should prove one of the most novel offerings of 1928.