OUTDOOR SOUND FILMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 April 1930, Page 26 (Supplement)

OUTDOOR SOUND FILMS.

FOX’S NEW Fox Movietone has launched its.neiV department of “Greater Outdoor Romances,” which is designed to make pictures in their natural locations throughout the world. This is considered to be one of the most important projects since the introduction of sound. Eleven prduetions have already been ; scheduled and 3,000,000 dollars have been budgeted to the new department for this purpose. The pictures planned will be filmed in the pampas region of the Argentine, the African veldt, the tropics and mountains and deserts of tho Western United. States. The first of the 11 productions scheduled is Zane Grey’s “Last of the Duanes.’ Following “Last of tho Duanes”, aro “The Riders of the Purple Sage,” “The Rainbow Trail," and “Lost Trail,” by the same author; “Alcatray,” “Untamed,” ‘Trailin’,” and “Wild Geese” by Max Brand; “Drag Harlan” and “Brass Commandments,” by Charles Alden Seltzer, and “The Great K. and A. Train Rob- / bery" by Paul Lester Ford. < George O’Brien will be starring in the first, and possibly in tho succeeding ones, J POPULAR REVIVALS. MORE IMPORTED ARTISTS. Revivals of more good comic operas and operettas by the J.'C.W. manageriient may bel cprifidently expected, Sir George Tallis said recently. . , Revivals of “The Maid of the Mountains’*, in Melbourne, and “The Belle of New York” in Sydney, ,have given - most gratifying results for the first week. / Both productions began, be-, fore highly enthusiastic audiences, and the management says that on the opening night of “The Belle of New York’* at Her Majesty’s Sydney there was a record house for comic opera. “In this piece is one of the best casts we have ever had,” declared Sir George Tallis, “and it has. been eo well received that already we. have decided to revive “The Gountry Girl.’ “After ‘The Maid, of tho Mountains’ has completed its run, the public will see ' again ‘The Merry Widow.’ ‘Katinka’ has been mentioned as the third piece in which Gladys Mohcrieff will appear during tho season at the Royal, but ‘The Duchess of Dantzic/ which offers a remarkably fine singing role to the prima donna, may take its place. The public now fully realises that these old musical productions are far superior tp jazz shows, and if it desires them, more revivals will be given. It is a clear indication that the public has regained its taste for the theatre, and that it is ready to patronise good stage productions. During the past two or three months I have felt that the turn of the tide was coming.” /J/ ...

Sir George . Tallis , added that the next new musical production would be “Mr. Cinders,” which': the firm had staged with immense success in London. This would have its Australian premiere in Sydney in June, and would be. presented in Melbourne immediately after the season in that city. Tho cast was now being chosen. Four or five people,', including Hiridle Edgar, leading man, would be -brought from England for this production. Some imported artists would also appear in “Sons of Guns,” an American military musical comedy, which would have its first presentation in Aus- / tralia in August. , ', ' ■ The firm intended to give more attention ■to the casting of shows in future. There would be no attempt to require the same principals of a company to undertake a number of shows if it was felt that a change in the personnel was desirable. As the aim would be to make castings as effective as possible, actors who could give the best servico in particular roles would be selected for them, no matter to what company they belonged.' Edith' Taliaferro, who leaves America for Australia on April 17, will appear in “Her' Cardboard /Lover," “Command .to Love,” “Let Us Be Gay” and possibly “Coquette.” ' josie Belville to star. J.c.w. TOURING COMPANY. ' Josio Melville is to head a new J. -C. .Williamson company which is now being organised. This ' clever 'littlo - actress returned to Australia some months, ago under engagement to' tho firm,’ but because of ill-health was unable to . take the. role allotted to her, and was obliged to rest. • Miss z Melville y is to .be Sally again. / In igMSjgal comedy of that name, shf&hittt leading role, 'and the' : many duration records. Miss Melville will also appear--in “the Girl Friend,”. “Hold Everything,” and the new musical comedy, “Love Lies,”, which is at present being played, in Adelaide' by White and Edgeley’s company. The company was to open in Hobart on Easter Saturday. Stanley Grant is manager, and Victor Tatnall producer. Among Josie Melville’s supporting artists are Leonard Rich, the Fallow Twins,' Ivy Parker and Doris Hopkins. .■ s Fifty-four people form this touring combination, which, after seasons in Hobart and -Launceston,- will play in Newcastle, and subsequently in Brisbane and other. Queensland centres. TALKIE IN AUSTRALIA. THE PALESTINE CAMPAIGN. Over 2000 mounted men will be seen investing a Jerusalcum of canvas .and stueeb when “The Desert Legion,” a talkie telling the story of the Australian Light Horse, goes into production shortly ,in Australia. All the, features of the Palestine campaign will be shown in the picture, while romantic interest will not be lacking. Actual of tlie desert war will be incorporated to add to the realism, and the producers will be able to draw on local resources. Old German planes are being .touched up to do battle with the British war machines, and many, well-known piloto have expressed their willingness to take part in the air combat. , Several of the Palestine battles will be fought over again on the plains a few miles out of Sydney. Australian actors will be needed, and if they .do as well as Australians abroad the pro* ducers need have no fears.