ACROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS

Taranaki Daily News, 17 June 1933, Page 18 (Supplement)

ACROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS

' COMING EVENTS. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. To-day, Monday and Tuesday: “The Son Daughter” (Ramon Novarro, Helen j Hayes and Lewis Stone). June 21 to 23: “Grand Hotel” (Greta . Garbo, John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore, Joan Crawford, Lewis Stone and Wallace Beery). June 24 to 28: “The Sign of the Cross” (Charles Laughton, Elissa Landi, Baudette Colbert, Fredric March, nnd a cast of thousands). BEGENT THEATRE. To-day, Monday and Tuesday: “Sailor’s Luck” (James Dunn, Sally Eilers, Sammy Cohen, Lucien Littlefield and Frank Atkinson). June 21 to 23: “The Devil is Driving” (Edmund. Lowe, Wynne Gibson, Lois Wilson and Dickie Moore). June 24 to 27:, “Hidden Gold” (Tdm Mix, Judith Barrie, Raymond Hatton and Eddie Gribbon). NEW PLYMOUTH OPERA HOUSE. To-day, Monday and Tuesday: “Pack Up Your Troubles” (Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy). June 21, 22 and 23: “Lucky Devils” (Bill Boyd, Dorothy Wilson, William Gargan and Roscoe Ates). June 24, 26 and 27: “Sherlock Holmes” (Clive Brook, . Miriam Jordan, and Ernest Torrence)* “THE SON DAUGHTER.” “The Son Daughter,” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s 'fihnisation of the celebrated stage play, comas to Everybody’s to-day at 2 and 7.45, with Helen Hayes and Ramon Novarro co-starred in the leading roles. The picture, which tells the story of; a Chinese girl who sells herself at auction in order to aid her countrymen, is‘laid in San Francisco’s Chinatown, and presents a glimpse of the political intrigues, tong warfare and other mysterious activities of this colourful localeA distinguished cast supports Miss Hayes and Novarro, including Lewis Stone, Warner Oland, Ralph Morgan, Louise dosser Hale and H. B. Warner. The picture was directed by Clarence Brown, whose last production was the successful Crawford-Gable vehicle, “Letty Lynioh.” ♦ * GREAT STORY WITH A GREAT CAST. “Grand Hotel” will be screened at Everybody’s Theatre on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday next. Produced by M-G-M on a scale that pales the stage presentation to insignificance by. comparison, the film version of the famous Vicki Baum story marks a new milestone in screen achievement “Grand Hotel” is not just another picture. It is a distinct accomplishment. Of course, of paramount interest to the picturegoing public is the tremendous cast Think of Greta Garbo, John Barrymore,' Joan Crawford, Wallace Beery, Lionel Barrymore, Lewis Stone, Jean Hersholt and a host of other well-known players in .a single cast They are all there, but you are scarcely conscious of the unusualness of it, They belong there, and having witnessed their superb characterisations, you cannot imagine the picture being made without them. Greta Garbo is Grusinskaya, the temperamental ballerina. John Barrymore is the titled thief who steals her gems—and love as J well. Joan Crawford is the stenographer whose charms cause the downfall of Preysing,' industrial magnate, played by Wallace Beery. Lionel Barrymore is . the sick little factory clerk who goes to the Grand Hotel to spend his last days in splendour. Lewis Stone is the doctor, and Hersholt the chief porter. The settings are extraordinarily imposing, and lend a distinctive character to the backgrounds. Of course, it is the drama itself that occupies the greatest interest, ; but the appeal of the cast cannot be denied.

MECHANIC EXPOSES CAR THIEVES.

Edmund 'Lowe, Wynne Gibson, James Gleason,* Lois Wilson, Dickie Moore and Allan Dinehart play leading roles in “The Devil is Driving,” Paramount’s rapid-fire melodrama which comes to the Regent Theatre on Wednesday next Lowe plays the role of a good-natured, easy-going mechanic, who, when he discovers he needs a job, gets his brother-in-law to employ him in a garage he manages* Lowe soon finds that the place houses a variety of enterprises not connected with the storage of automobiles. First and foremost it’s a centre for stolen cars—a place where the stolen nta chines are renovated so that they could never he recognised and then resold. ' It’s also a “blind’* for a luxurious night club, and on a flat atop the structure is the apartment in which the >■ directing minds of the enterprise live, in armed security. It is only when his brother-in-law is murdered by the gang, and his little nephew is seriously injured by one of. the stolen cars, that Lowe is jarred out of his good nature. • * * * * JAMES DUNN AND SALLY EILERS. Fox Film’s “Sailor’s Luck,” fourth costarring vehicle of James Dunn and Sally Eilers,’ commences a season at the Regent ’ Theatre to-day at 2 and 7.45 p.m. Besides Dunn and Eilers, the complete cast includes Victor Jory, Esther Muir, Sammy Cohen, Will Stanton, Frank Moran, ' Lucien Littlefield, Buster Phelps, Curley Wright, Jerry Mandy, Germaine de Neel, Phil Tead, Frank Atkinson, Eddie Dillon ! and Matt McHugh. “Sailor’s Luck” probably leans more to comedy than any previous team picture of the well-known screen pair. The story concerns a bunch of “gobs” on shore-leave and their romantic adventures while “dame-chasing.” Comedy, for the most part, is supplied by Sammy Cohen,- -Will • Stanton andFrank Moran, former heavyweight boxer. All are cast as sea-faring pals of Dunn. The action takes the’sailors everywhere from a hilarious comedy scene in a swimming pool to a battering gang fight in- a marathon dance hall. Entwined throughout is the tender romance of Dunn and Eilers. i . # ’ * ■* * “SIGN OF THE CROSS.” One of the most eagerly-awaited films of the year, “The Sign of the Cross” •will commence an extended season at Everybody’s Theatre on Saturday, June 24. Adapted from the immortal book and play by Wilson Barrett (who was himself seen in New Zealan with Lillah McCarthy many years ago), “The Sign 4 of the Cross” is a romantic drama of ancient Rome under Nero. Several soectacular incidents in the film include the burning of the city by the emperor, and also' a Roman holiday, with the arena games. The games were varied bv foot races, wrestling, boxing with cniked gloves and the hunting of wild ffis It is said that Julius Caesar turned 400 lions into the arena at once. Zthe Roman thirst for horror increased Sid as the emperors wanted provide <nme new gruesome sport, the early ChXtians were subjects of various tortuS? The chief of these was the throwjng of many of them to the lions. Cecd B. De MiUe, who gave (< Th« Ten Commandments’ in 1923 mid The King Kings” in 1927, has added another brilliant chapter to the Scture record with “The Sign of the Cross,” in which Elissa Landi takes , the

famous role of Mercia, the Christian maid who sacrifices everythint for her faith. Fredric March has the part of Marcus Superbus, Prefect of Rome, who also sacrifices life and fortune for love. Claudette Colbert, Charles Laughton, lan Keith and Tommy Conlon play the main supporting roles. « ♦ # * “HIDDEN GOLD.” Tom Mix is on his way in another of his Wild West stimulators which Universal has aptly titled “Hidden Gold.” The Regent Theatre will be th scene of the activities, beginning on Saturday, June 24, and beautiful Judith Barrie, Raymond Hatton, Eddie Gribbon and intelligent Tony will be cn hand to help things along. Arthur Rossoa directed the film from a story by Jack Natteford. The action concerns a good-looking cowboy who goes into the prize ring to save his sweetheart’s ranch from financial ruin, and he is confronted with a jail sentence, a prison break, a forest fire and a two-fisted, two-gunned tussle with a gang of bold, bad bandits before finis is written to his little adventures. * . . # « * “SHERLOCK HOLMES.” . “Sherlock Holmes,” the new Fox picture, based on one of Conan Doyle’s most thrilling tales, comes to the Opera House next Saturday. Clive Brook, who plays the great detective, finds himself, in conjunction with Scotland Yard, pitted against the arch criminal, Moriarty, and a band of gangsters recruited from both sides of the Atlantic. How Moriarty sets his traps, which are quickly sprung ,by Holmes, and how the detective .exterminates the gang and sends Moriarty, to the death cell, form the basis of what is said to be one of the most thrilling and exciting screen dramas ever produced. Miriam Jordan, English stage beauty, who made her film debut in “Six Hours to Live,” opposite Warner Baxter and John Boles, enacts the lead-, ing feminine part, sharing th- romantic interest with Brook. Ernest Torrence, outstanding in menace parts, portrays the role of Moriarty. Reginald Owen, distinguished English actor, well known on both the. stage and screen, pppears as Dr. Watson, devoted friend and ally of Holmes. Other membei. of the cast of the picture arq Howard Leeds, Alan Mowbray, Arnold Lucy, Montague Shaw, Herbert Mundin, Brandon Hurst, Lucien Prival,' Roy D’Arcy, Stanley Fields, Eddie Dillon and Robert Graves, Jnr. The film was directed by William K. Howard, who directed “Scotland Yard,” “The Trial of Vivienne Ware,” “Transatlantic” and “The First Year” for Fox Films.

'; # « # # “PACK UP YOUR TROUBLES.”

■ It is invariably the custom to question the veracity of the statement that there is no professional jealousy between screen comedians. Laurel and Hardy, co-starring for more than five years in dispensing film laughter, are ,an outstanding example. There is declared to be no friction or jealousy whatever in their professional pursuit. The best evidence of this fact is that for several years the comedians had planned to spend .a vacation together in Europe. And the plan was carried out recently, following the completion of their latest Hal. Roach feature-length comedy, “Pack Up Your Troubles,” which is now playing at the Opera House. “Pack Up Your Troubles” is their second feature-length comedy, the other being “Pardon Us.” Charles Middleton, Richard Tucker, Mary Carr, Donald Dillaway and Jacquie Lyn are included in the' supporting cast. Other items on the bill include the Pete Smith sporting special, “Chalk Up,” introducing Willie Hoppe, 20 times champion cueist of America, in an exhibition of novelty billiards; a travelogue, “The World Dances,” an "Our Gang” comedy entitled “Readin* and. Writin’,” and the most recent Metrotone News. . ♦ *; - * « “LUCKY DEVILS.” The original stunt men—the men who drive automobiles over cliffs, fight wild beasts, flirt with dynamite and nitroglycerine, rush into toppling buildings, bound over burning structures—are lionised in RKO-Radio Pictures’ “Lucky Devils,” the thrill hit coming to the Opera House next Wednesday, in a melodrama relating the daring exploits of these unknown Hollywood heroes. Bob Rose, probably the last remaining veteran of the original army of adventurers who first risked their lives to make movie thrillers, heads the group of film stunters who have important parts in the film. His clique of nervy men are seen crashing automobiles through plate glass windows; dropping to the ground 50ft. below through a skylight; performing deliberate head-on collisions; leaping into a huge chandelier and crashing with it 15ft on solid ground. “Lucky Devils” reveals to what lengths aerialists and general stunt men will go to satiate the fans’ craving for -thrills. They think nothing of the denouement, but steel their nerves and co-ordinate mind and body to perform breath-taking crashes, leaps and fights. Bill Boyd is featured : in this thrilling film, supported by William Gargan, Dorothy Wilson, William Bakewell, Rosco Ates and others. Ralph Ince directed from Ben Markson and Agnes Christine Johnstone’s screen play. I ■ < OPERA HOUSE, HAWERA. June-17, 19 and 20: “A Successful Calamity” (George Arliss). June 21, 22 and 23: “Marry Me” tßenate Muller). GRAND THEATRE, HAWERA. ■Tutip 24 and 26: “Almost a Divorce” (Sydney. Howard) and “White Eagle” (Buck Jones). # « * * GEORGE. ARLISS’ CORRESPONDENCE During the making of his latest picture, “A Successful Calamity,” coming to the Hawera Opera House to-night, the preceding picture starring George Arliss, “The Man Who Played God,” was generally released. It brought him more personal correspondence than any picture he has ever made and his spare time during the making of “A Successful Calamity” was pretty well used up in answering telegrams, letters and printed comments about the previous picture. Perhaps the most unique thing about the general acclaim with which “The Man Who Played God” was received by the clergy as well as the lay public was the fact that practically every creed and denomination was represented among the commenters and complimenters. The picture ■ itself was used as a sermon topic, with ministers, priests and rabbis urging their congregations to see the picture for its moral as well as for its entertainment value. “Alexander Hamilton” as a play had brought Arliss the most correspondence of any of his stage productions, not even excepting the famous “Disraeli,” but “The Man Who Played God” set new records for all time, so ‘far as the actor was concerned, in personal messages of congratulation and approval, ’Jjl w SOUTH AFRICAN ACTOR. lan Hunter, who palys opposite Renate Muller in her latest Gainsborough triumph,' “Marry Me,” which comes to Hawera next week, is a native of Cape-

town, South Africa, and is purely a post-war actor. He was only seventeen when he went to England and joined the army in 1917, serving on the Western Front. After being demobilised, he turned his attention to the stage, and with youth, good looks and ability, he soon made his mark in the West End. Among his long list of stage successes is the role of Julian Beauclerc in “Diplomacy,” in which he succeeded Owen Nares, who played opposite Renate Muller in “Sunshine Susie.” lan Hunter is coming well to the front in films, and is regarded as one of the outstanding “heroes” of the British talking screen. *«. * * NEW ROLE FOR SYDNEY HOWARD. In “Almost a Divorce,” an amusing comedy of modem life, Sydney Howard, the now popular Yorkshire film comedian, has quite a new type of role. He will be remembered for his droll performance in and later for the big hit he made in “Up for the Cup,” as a Yorkshire mill-hand who visits London to see the Cup final. In “Almost a Divorce,” which comes to Hawera shortly, Sydney Howard plays the part of Mackintosh, a good fellow, but nearly always more drunk than sober! His performance is astonishing in its correctness, in fact, it is difficult to believe that he really is not drunk, but only “acting.” If you have ever had that “trying to walk straight” feeling, and suffered from difficulty in pronouncing your words then you will undoubtedly appreciate Sydney’s performance. What makes' it more interesting is that Sydney Howard is a strict teetotaler. (J # . # * SCENE OF TERRIBLE DISASTER. Buck Jones’ latest picture, “White Eagle,” due in Hawera next week, was filmed on a location in the San Francisco Canyon, about fifty miles from Hollywood, where the collapse of the St. Francis dam in 1927 drowned between 200 and 300 persons. It .was one of the most terrible disasters in America’s history, as the waters, eighty feet high, burst over the helpless victims as they slept. Hundreds of those believed to have been lost in. the flood have never been found and are thought to be still buried beneath the earth.

“Suicide Club.” A little over a year ago Onslow Stevens was signed by Carl Laemmle, jun., from the ranks of the Little Theatre players. His first screen appearance was ip a small serial role. His last picture, just completed, is “Peg o’ My Heart,” where he played the masculine lead opposite Marion Davies. The next part has not yet been selected for this young player, but the possibilities are he may do “Suicide Club,” the Robert Louis Stevenson story that Universal has scheduled to produce. “Rules for Wives.” Gene Raymond, popular juvenile player, has been signed by Columbia for the leading masculine role in “Rules for Wives,” which Eddie Buzzell will direct. He replaces Norman Foster, who was engaged for the part, but has since met with an automobile accident. Fay Wray will appear in the starring role as a famous female barrister. Since Raymond scored his initial success in “Young Sinners” he has appeared in such films as “Ladies of the Big House,” etc.

Teamed Again. John Barrymore, filmdom’s veteran star, and Katharine Hepburn, the screen’s newest stellar light, will be seen together in a forthcoming RKO Radio production, according to an announcement by Merian C. Cooper, production head. , The success scored by Barrymore and Miss Hepbum in “A Bill of Divorcement” caused Cooper immediately to institute a search for a suitable screen vehicle in which the stars will again be teamed. Cameramen. Hollywood is a city of many cines. Nine out of ten stars have their own pocket motion picture cameras, or home movie machines, and all are expert in their use. All, that is, except Richard Arlen. He has owned one of the things for two years and has yet to make a picture -with it. “It is always at home when I need it, and I never need it when I have it,” Arlen explains. But his wife, Jobyna Ralston, uses it frequently and has an interesting pictorial record of Dick as a yachtsman, a golfer, on skis, and in every other of . his many athletic pursuits. Claudette Colbert and her husband, Norman Foster, made excellent use of their camera when they took a trip round the world some time ago, and producers of travel films have attempted to buy the negative they made during the trip through the Orient and South Europe, but they will not sell. Director. When Mary Symon’s best-selling novel, “The Good Red Bricks,” is placed in production at Universal City within the next few weeks, Harry Pollard, who has turned out such films for Universal as “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” and “Show Boat,” will direct.