Did You Know That—

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 750, 24 August 1929, Page 27

Did You Know That —

Yesterday was the third anniversary of the death of Rudolph Valentino. The latest slang for talking pictures is “bellowdramas.” • « * “The Big Parade,” which is to he made into a musical play, will make its appearance as “The Grand March.” * * * Charlie Chaplin received £I,OOO for a testimonial to a pppular cigarette. Adolphe Menjou and Richard Dix received like amounts. * * * Although she is only 20 years old, Mary Brian has been in motion pictures four years, and has had major parts in more than 30 Paramount productions. • * * Because the voice of Laura La Plante has proved outstanding in talking pictures. Universal Pictures Corporation has contracted for a 200,000 dollar policy insuring it against injury. • * * American-made home projectors to the number of 5,953 were sent to foreign countries in 1923. Of this number 391 went to England and 483 to Canada. * * * Paramount Pictures announces net profits for the year at £2,600,000, which is 50 per cent, greater than last year. Adolph Zukor, president, says the large increase is due to the popularity of talking pictures. Lillian Gish attended a performance of “Young Love," in which her sister Dorothy is appearing on Broadway, and pronounced it "something terrible." However, the play has been running for several months and looks good for many more. Charles Witwer, well-known American humorous author, has entered suit against Harold Lloyd, charging that Lloyd took the plot for “The- Freshman” from a story by Witwer. The author asks £460,000 damages. * * * Reginald Denny’s new leading woman in his production, “Companionate Troubles,” is Merna Kennedy, who made her screen debut with Charlie Chaplin in “The Circus,” and recently completed the star part in “Broadway.”

The lighting of motion picture sets is a very expensive item, and It has become even more so with the advent of the talkies. In addition to the power used for lighting, a considerable amount is also consumed by the

recording and amplifying apparatus. * * * Betty Lawford, who went to America from England in 1921, has been given the lead in “My Lady’s Man,” which Paramount will produce in New York. Miss Lawford was chosen before many movie stars for her excellent speaking voice. m * * No.el Coward, who was to have appeared in a Paramount picture, will be unable to do so until next season. He recently underwent an operation in New York, and his physician has ordered him to give up all active work for the time being, and spend several months in Florida recuperating. * * * Experts at the Metro Studios, in New York, have developed a silent camera for shooting sound pictures. All gears are made of pressed paper, and a method has been devised to eliminate all sound from the shutters. Previously it has been necessary to enclose the camera in a sound-proof booth. * * * Marilyn Miller, one of America’s most popular musical comedy stars, is reported to have signed a contract to appear in a First National talking picture, “Irene,” for which she will receive £20,000. It is estimated that it will require but six weeks to complete the film. Should First National desire her services for a second picture, the price will be £30,000. * « m The casual cameraman is perhaps better known in person than the greatest stars, because he crops up almost everywhere. It is his business to shoot scenes to be fitted into pictures. The casual may be encountered in Paris, in Buenos Ayres, New York, or New Zealand. He never reports back to the studio and usually acts upon cabled instructions.