SCREEN JOTTINGS

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 20 July 1925, Page 6

SCREEN JOTTINGS

Tho story of a screen adaption outlasting its stag© parent is an oft told taio; out tho caso of a famous stag© comedy success being out-popularised by its screen adaption is comparatively now. Such a story comes to light m tho screening and I'elease of “Listen Lester,” a Master picture. To try to analyse tho reasons for this is difficult bocauso tho screen appeals to different elements and omotions than tho stage. Tho introduction of numerous gags, situations and comedy coincidences that tho technicalities and facilities of the stag© would not permit must bo held largoly responsible. Praise must also bo given to tho scenario writer and director, who visualised tho opportunity to put in tho gags and situations that have rnado tho film such a stupendous success. Harry Slyer, Lee Morgan, ,-Vlex Francis, Georgo O’Hara, Eva Novak, Louis© Fazenda, and Dot Farley comprise the cast that has worked hard and faithfully in making tho picture a hit. According to early reports “Listen Lester” is one of tho real screen comedy hits of tho year. It will open on Saturday at tho Theatre ■Royal. • • • •

In “Tho Narrow Street,” tho Master picture version of the story by Edwin Laconian Morris, Dorothy Devoro and Matt Moor© will be seen in tho loading roles. Tho novel revolves round the sudden introduction of a shop girl into the womanless life and home of a confirmed bachelor. Simon Haldane, the bachelor, is a character created especially, it would seem, for tho humorous eccentricity of Matt Moore. Absentminded and forgetful of social banalities, he lives his life apart, until one stormy night his hermit-like existence is completely upset by tlio appearance of tho girl.

“Stormy Seas,” a new and exciting photoplay, which comes to tho Grand Theatre on Tuesday, offers a rare treat to all lovers of the screen who demand plausibility along with their romance and action. Declared to bo one of the most realistic sea tales ever photographed, it is pointed out by the producers that every foot of the film is authentic to the extent that where- the sci-ipt called for action on board a coast-wise vessel, passage was booked for the entire company, and the scenes wore taken “on the spot.” In this manner the engineroom and tho stokehole seen in the picture am not Hollywood reproductions, nor does tho captain, pacing the bridge in tho face of a terrific storm, gaze at tho sunny hills of Los Angelos. J. F. McGowan and Helen Holmes are tho stars.

Film fans arc accustomed to seeing Eugeno O’Brien as the polished, urban man of fashion. In “Frivolous Sal,” his latest picture, however, he has an entirely different role. He rides madly over mountain trails, chases a band of robbers into a huge ice cave, and finally battles the ringleader as the two shoot across a mountain gorge in tho bucket of an aerial tramway. The picture, lovo drama of the pioneer Western mining camps, affords O’Brien an opportunity for some rapid-lire and thrilling action. Mae Busch, Tom Santschi, Mildred Harris, and little Ben Alexander, also are in the cast. “Frivolous Sal” will be shown at the Royal Theatre on Wednesday evening onlv.

Arthur Shirley, the star and producer of “The Mystery of a Hansom Cab,” is ono of thoso Australians who left Australia to join tho moving picture colony in the U.S.A., and made ono of tho real successes there. He is known throughout the different studios as ‘Vhe Big Australian.” After achieving distinct, success with Mao Murray, Wm. Hart, and different organisations, he returned to Australia, with tho intention of making pictures in his own country for the world market. Backed by a strong iinancial organisation, in “Tho Mystery of a Hansom Cab” he has produced a picture which marks a new standard in Australian production. “The Mystery of a Hansom Cab” will bo presented to Theatre Royal patrons this evening.

“The Price of Pleasure,” co-starring Virginia Valli and Norman Kerry, which will ho screened at the Theatre Royal on Thursday and Friday next, is a story of decided contrasts and ono of groat dramatic intensity for tho most part, although a vein of delightful comedy runs through it. Miss Valli, cast as a shop girl who, through a •alhcr unconventional meeting with a voung millionaire, portrayed by Kerry, gains her most fervent desire. The supporting cast includes Louise Farenda, T. Roy Barnes, Kate Lester. George Fawcett. Mario Astaire, and James 0. Burrows.

Betty Blythe, who plays the other woman in “The Breath of Scandal,” a Master Picture to he seen in the j tom inion shortly, was horn in Los Angeles twenty-seven years ago. After completing her education at tho University of California, she spent two years in Paris studying music, and when she returned to America entered at once upon a long anticipated stage career. She achieved her first conspicuous c'licnw .success in “The Queen of Sheba.” Impressed by her work in this exotic spectacle, n group of European producers signed her to play.

Fix'd Thomson, star of “Galloping Gallagher,” was a world champion allround athlete for three, years—l9lo, 1911. and 1913 —and still claims the world’s record for tho highest number of points scored by any athlete, 7577. Silver King, the intelligent horse, seen in the r-xc'ting Master Picture, “Galloping Gallagher.” has fallen a victim of habit. Fred Thomson. world’s champion athlete,, trained Silver King t > cover himself with a blanket for a seen in “Galloping Gallagher,” repealing (he action time alter time. Silver King now insists on having a blanket every time ho lays down. °

MOTES FROM THE STUDIOS.

in “The Speed Spook,

An outstanding feature of the latost Master Picture, “Tho Bridge of bigi , now nearing completion, is t)“ p, ice palace seen©, m which se hundred extras in ice-skating costume take part, with exhibition by several fancy ice-figure artists from tho vaudeville stage. „

You’vo seen roof garden scenes and roof garden scenes on tho screen, minever one that quite comes up to torn Richard Dix’s star picture, A JUa>. Must Livo,” which opens on fc^Uu-da ; . at the Grand. “Unusual liard.y describes this set—tho playground ot a wealthv newspaper proprietor perened atop of New York’s lofty skyscrapers. To picture fans such scones have como to mean merely flower boxes, wicker furniture, etse., but m A Man Must Live” it is an extravagant affair, kneedeep cushions and Oriental rugs. J n tho distance are til© lights of the other skyscrapers of Battery Park, Isew ioik City. It is here that Dix enacts one of the most dramatic scenes on tho picture. 1 • • * ®

Betty Balfour, Britain’s favourite, is going to the West Indies for the filming of “Satan’s Sister,” the H. do Vero Stacpoole novel, which is tho new film subject chosen by George Pearson. This will bo by far the longest “location” trip ever undertaken by any British company. The journey is being made because of Georgo Pearson s desire to make tho film amidst the scenery described in the Stacpoole novel.

Speed, dash, action, and excitement are to bo found in tho “Speed Spook,” a Johnny Hines Master picture, patterned after melodramatic lines. Any audionce that has become surfeited with jazz parties and flappers as they aro presented in current celluloid, should react to this out-and-out melodrama with a small town setting —and its village villains, cut-ups, sweet girl heroines, and dauntless heroes. The piece lives up to its title, with Hines playing an auto race driver, with plenty of dash and a largo dental smile, it capitalises tho valuo of publicity by showing the hero driving a “ghosD car.” There’s plenty of melodramatic punch.

Do two people exist who aro identical physically to such an extent that one can bo mistaken for the other? Can you imagine yourself suddenly confronted with your exact . double, whose every action mimicked your own, and whose voico echoed yours? It would be uncomfortable, to say tho least. Such a situation appeal's in “Cornered,” a Warner. Bros. Master Picture. Tho story deals with two girls, on© an heiress, and tho other a girl of the slums. When tlio wonderful discovery is made that both girls look identically alike, plans arc formed which will establish tho girl of tho slums in the house of tho heiress, as mistress of the house. The unexpected return of tho heiress upsets some very well laid plans, and tlio impostor is trapped. Thon comes tho climax, when it is revealed that tlio girls aro twin sisters, who have been separated from childhood. There is a well rounded conclusion, which will please the most fastidious of us. Tlio cast could not have been chosen better. It includes Mario Prevost in tho dual stellar role, John Roche, Roekliffo Followes, Raymond Hatton, and Cissy Fitzgerald.

Harry Myers, who played the load in <“Tho Connecticut Yankee,” turns to villainy in “Behold This Woman,” a Master Picture. Those who appreciate tho delicious comedy of Mr Myers will not be disappointed in his latest screen effort, however, for ho gives to the interpretation of the role of a richidler who mingles witli the Hollywood set, a light touch. Irene Rich, Marguerite do la Motto, Charles Frost, Rosemary Tiieby, and Andaro Randolph have roles of equal dramatic importance, with tlio undersigned to Mr Myers. The story is an adaptation of tlio novel by E. Phillips Oppenhoini, entitled “The Hillman.” It Ims hackgrounds of life on a ranch and in a smart set of the film colony in Hollywood.

Creighton Hale has been added to the cast of “The Limited Mail,” a. Master Picture melodrama, in which Monte Blue will bo featured by Warnoii Bros. Mary Reynolds will play opposite Mr Blue, and Georg© TIM -will direct. Willard Louis, a'Warner Bros.’ star, is a good actor, hut lias the soul of a chef. He has been honorary chef of the Lamb’s Club, of Now York, ami the kitchen of his Hollywood homo would put a housewife into estacios. Mr Louis is featured in “The Man Without a. Conscience,” a forthcoming Master Picture.-

The increasing popularity of the “rodeo” or wild west exhibitions in the East and on tho Continent of Europe has stimulated the interest in Western pictures. Buck Jones, the cowboy star, has recently completed his latest release. “The Man Who Played Sepia re.” This is a picture of the gold country of the west, written by William Wallaco Cook, and adapted to the screen by John Stone. Under the artistic direction of W 1 Santeil, the current release is considered one of tho strongest of tho Buck Jones features, and will ho the attraction at the Grand Theatro on Thursday.

BocklifTe Fcllowes, well-known leading man, is scheduled by Warner Brothers to play tho role of Jerry, the “gout” in “Cornered.” a forthcoming Master Picture. Fcllowes has the distinction of being the only leading m,ui on the screen to-day who works absolutely without make-up of any John Roche, who is in the cast, or “Her Marriage Vow.” j\ taking the part ot George Wells in tins him. r> a.

Since 1910 when Johnny ITines first -wont into Cicatrical Yfork he has forged to the front as a motion picture comedian, through the jnteimediate steps of vaudeville ami the “legitimaie.” I'r- I"--,\i i ne popular in the' series of ‘ " comedians. These !' - 1 by a number ot j e:ih : o dies. The latest