SCREEN JOTTINGS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 21 December 1925, Page 6

SCREEN JOTTINGS

Coming to the Theatre' lloyal for Saturday’ next is tho Master Picture sensation “Tho Midnight Express,” featuring Elaine Hammerstcin.. This is a roaring melodrama of thundering express monsters—of a man who flinched in faco of peril, and a girl who showed him the way to true manhood. Alice Calhoun, who plays the lead opposite Syd Ctiaplm in the'.Master I'jcture “The Man on the Box,” has left for Sacramento, wherh a numbor of the exterior scenes will be taken. Alan Crosland will direct . Jay Gelzer’s “Compromise” :for Master Pictures. The cast, includes'’ Irene Rich, Louise Fazenda, and Clive Brook. New "Sork.reports very favourably on the new Master Picture “This Woman.” “This Woman” is the best seller, of 603 stories by Howard Roekey. It lias fallen to the lot of Phil loosen to direct this romance of a pnma donna picked up in the gutter. Ito3on will he remembered as the man 'who made “Abraham Lincoln.” The cast is headed by Irene Rich, , Marie McDermott, Louise Fazenda, Clara Bow, Ricardo Cortez, and Creighton Hale. Rosen has altered the original ending, and it certainly is an improvement, as the heroine does not marry the handsome juvenile after all. The’ author not only thought' the change a. fine idea, but an improvement oh his own.

Marie Prevost and Kenneth Harlan have finished the Master Picture “Bobbed Hair” for Warner Brothers. Miss Prevost has been cast for, “Wanted by tho Police,” a story by Lewis Milestone and Darryl Zanuck, to be directed by the former. The cast includes Olive Brook, Claude . Gillingwater, ’ John Patrick and i Heinio Conklin. “The Whit©r‘Chi.ef,l{ jby • Gregory Rogers, will .ber'Montq'-.TJlue’s next starring _■ Master T Picture;? for Warner Bros. ’ The -scenario is by Will Lambert; Eric . Kepton will direct. ) ; Titles galore. were floating around on the sets at 1 Fort Lee, N.J., while Barbara.; La Marr and Conway Tegrle were filming “The Heart of a'Siren,”, which Sawyer-Lubin has adapted from the Broadway stage success, “Hail and Farewell.” Many of the locales of the films are laid oil the Riviera, and for the purpose of ensuring the proper background, A 1 Hall, who assisted Phil Rosen in the direction of this production, secured the services of several' noblewomen. These included Countess De”nover, Countess Tolo, TlafQqiess de Jnondelle, and Mine. La Aliolqfj.fu .All ot these players possess rtltleS'.'iP l their f own country, ancl ; help:'; the exact atmosphere Mari), in tho role -of Isabella E&hertna, ;the most .beautiful •tyopiah in Payis. The pieijito : will bo shown at ' tlie Theatre' Royal iioxt/Tuesday and Wednesday. “The. Teaser,” tho feature starring Laura La Plante, with. Pat O’Malley as featured player, coming rto .the Theatre Royal on Thursday only, is a breezy tale of a flapper who becomes enmeshed in a domestic scandal through her innocent flirtation with;* .married man. The supporting .cast includes Hedda Hopper, Waltjor McGrail, Byl'on Munson, Viviu'ir Oakland, Wyndham, Standing, Margaret Quimby and Frank

Finch Smiles. : The biggest candle ever made is seen • in the lien- special production I 'She AVclves,” which will open at the Grand Theatre on Thursday. -The candle is fourteen feet high, and its base is used as a banquet table iii one of the scenes. More than a score of actors and actresses are seen at the banquet. In this scene Judy King, “Fox Trot, a girl of the cafes, performs, a daring feat, depicting a moth flying around : the candle flame, while”diners below watch in awe. In addition to Miss King, tlie east includes Alma Hu bens and Jock Mulhall in the loading roles. Bill Cody, starring in ‘The Fighting Smile,” coming to the Grand Theatre on Tuesday, rediscovered when working in tlie. picture the old idea that when fighting for honour or your property or vour girl, or anything else, you;, get better results if you smile;.; • I fiud that tlie old idea about .going into a fight with a scowl on your face is wrong. lou smile,, and immediately you feel more sure of yourself, and at' the same time yohr adversary is mot sure just what is going to:happen, and loses confidence if he se&s> ently enjoying the light.’ '.Bill Cody says from now on ho is going.Jo work tliis idea for all its worth, and'even if he cannot smile outwardly :ip- his pictures, he can smile inside,; and got the same result, with the added knowledge that no one knows the satisfaction; ho gets out of this silent fighting smile but himself. Jean Arthur, Charles Brinlcy, George Magrill and Billie Bennett .are in the cast. ... I "Willard Louis lias been cast in the title role of “The Man ■'Without a - Conscience,” a Warner Brothers’ screen classic, for release shortly by Master) Pictures. The announcenient will come as something of a surprise to those who know tlie character of the picture star. “The Man "Without a Conscience” , is highly dramatic, its recital sticking close to the title in that it tells of the hectic life of a man who rode roughshod over all around lnm ni his , mad rush for wealth. The basic plot j is far from Hungarian novel; the settiw is strictly modern and American, tlie°screen version being from the pen , of Olga Printzlau. Also in .the c “*r i are Irene Krich, June Marlowe, and ■ John Patrick. ....If Bettv Blvtlie found her sweet, oldfashioned home and garden in Hollywood in the.best of condition when she ,

at lived after her several seasons abroad. She had a. good care-taker, and even her favourite rose- bush had been carefully tended. One of Betty’s chief delights is visiting her pretty garden in the morning, and gathering flowers lor the house. The garden is a picturesque tangle of Hi rubbery, ferns and flowers. Miss Blythe is starred m the Master Picture “She.” . Another film troat in store picture-goers is the smashing society drama “Auv AVoman,” which makes its local debut'at the Grand. Theatre next Saturday. If a picture is to be judged by those who had a hand in its making then “Any Woman” conies highly recommended. Henry King, one ot the most expert directors in the business, produced it from an original screen story by Arthur Somers Roche, famous short story writer. Ihe plot centres around a beautiful daughter of a millionaire, used to every luxury. Her father .suffers financial reverses, and loses all his money. She is forced t.i go to work. How the girl fights to love and happiness in a world ol men who try continually to buy _ bet affections rather than her business ability, makes a drama, of universal appeal. Lovely Alice Terry; is feature* in the principal role, and is supported by a, tiig ea-l. including such screen favourites as flcurv Kolker. Lawson Butt. James Neil and Margarita Fischer.

NOTES FROM THE STUDIOS.

Warner brothers have received a l )r iut of “A Broadway Butterfly,” and it lias been shown to the homo office staff in New York. William directed this Master Picture, and featured in. the east are Dorothy Devore, Willard Louis, John ltoche, Louise Fazenda, and Lilyan Tashman. Ju.no Novak has triumphed anew in her latest and most sumptuous Master Picture—“Thelma”—based, upon Mario Corelli’s widely read novel of that name. The production adheres closely to the romarftic drama. built by the noted author about the experiences of a simple little Norwegian girl. George Pearson and Betty Balfour have left England in order to proceed with the immediate production of her next Master Picture, which ',yill be called “Satan’s Sister,” and is based upon Hyde. Vcre Staepoole’s novel, “Satan.” - Deep in Charlie Chaplin’s soul there, is the hankering to be the conductor of a. great symphony .orchestra. And every time Monte. Blue gets in front of the camera his heart aches to. .bo ,on the other side, with a mega phono. • ".Mr Blue is featured in the Master Picture “The Limited .Mail.” Edmund. Lowe, one of the highbrow young Then..of pictures, with a university carter,’ and such, is. about to be to Lilyan Tashman, who was in the cast of “The Gold Diggers” and other of the big Bclasco successes in Nqw,, .York. , Miss . Tashman is going into 'the movies herself, one. of her first engagements being with Mario Provost in the Master Picture “The Dark Swan.’’ . Loiiise Fazenda Iha.Y “arrived” —it was proved by the final returns of a “favourite players contest,” conducted by on© of the leading motion picture trade journals recently. Tlie voting was done entirely by exhibitors. Louise Fazenda was the first nominee, and emerged winner ' of third place' irf _ai list of sonio forty or fifty stare. Miss Fazenda is featured in the Master Picture “Bobbed Hair.” ; In Thomson's latest Master Picture, “Thundering Hoofs,” a bull fight, in which Fred vanquishes a ferocious bulk in a Mexican ring, forms the biggest climax of what' ‘promises to. bo one of. the most thrilling pictures of the season.' ■ Fred’s famous horse, Silver King,” will, as usual, play an important role.’'' Tfi the cast are pretty Ann May, Fred Huntley, Charles ■ Mailes, ‘GhaiTes'l :de. Revenna, Carrie Cy/Ward,

John Barrymore will star in tno Master Picture “The .Sea Beast.” it will' bo “a. whale of a picture!” . Harold Lloyd’s latest picturo comedy —“Girl Shy”—which will be seen in the Dominion shortly, intrduccs him in the 1010 of a bashful country boy wiio is trying to make a secret study of women. It is said that his adventures with the fair sex offer greater opportunities for laughter than any of the previous Lloyd pictures: “Girl Shy” also includes in its cast Jobyna Ralston, who plays opposite the spectacled comedian, as sue did in his latest success, “Why Worry?” “The Mon Without a Conscience” is a. picture title —does this mean that .there is. such an animal as a. man with a conscience? Willard Louis stars in this Master Picture. Irene Rich’s next Master Picture for Warners is to be “Compromise,” a novel by Mrs Jay Gelzer. This will be the last picture Miss Rich will do before going to Europe for a vacation. She has been working very hard of Jat-e, so is'-looking forward to. her trip abroad with much interest. She plans to. visit, London,,and Paris, and also Switzerland. Irene. Rich’s two newest Master Pictures—“ The A\ ife. Who "Wasn’t AVanted,” and “The Pleasure Buyers” —aye ready, for distribution. Hunt'ly Gordon completed his starring role in the Master Picture “The Love Hour.” Louise Fazenda finishes one picturo only to commence another.' The comedienne lias completed a." long engagement in “The Love Hour,” a Master Picture for AVarner Brothers, \yhich followed immediately weeks of w'orlc in “Bobbed -Hair.” “Find Your Man,” Australasian Films release, featuring Rin-Tin-Tin. Those who have seen this remarkable police dog in action will anticipate a very entertaining picture, and in this ;lioy will not be mistaken. The titlo s an exceptionally good one, and really, carries the theme- along with it, whilst; die cast of characters is strong. However, the real credit 'of the production., joes to 'the producer and Rin-Tin-Tin. f Hie dog’s work is remarkable in this, dory, which has plenty of punch, fast’ action, and a of the most virile order. “hind. A.our Alan is melodrama, of the very advanced order

to be sure, but it is so well directed that any little ineonsisteneies which may exi,'t pass unnoticed. The feature of tlie production' is in. the excellent outdoor photography. The story has been directed by Aral St. Churn), unit: the principal human characters are. June Marlowe (a. very likeable little ■ actress), and Eric St. Clair I John Hurron has been 1 ree-Jannng of late, but now lie is under eoutraei., and appears in Warner Brothers He played opposite Helene ClnwhvicK ill the Master Picture “The Woman.! Mater,” 'and lie is now-working with. Lowell Shdrmau in “Satan m Sables., 1 Alice Calhoun was born and educated in Cleveland, Ohio. Site lias brown hair and eyes, with which _ lor five years she lias been “knocking cm cold in Vitngranh pictures. Her success in “Pampered Youth” went over so lug •with Warners’ that they J‘ c j; ni) as one ot their stars. She appeal, with Svd Chaplin in the Master I letnre “The'Alan on the Box. N". she doesn't play the box! sa.invmi ail,!, •paaummn -ad i-ixe amu oqi i.ii .mis' ||!" .rmmA.i.iiqj '"r'J Marie Prevdst and Kenm.'ili Haiku have finished th- Master Picture “Boblied flair” for Warn,.,- Bn; . AB- I 'dvo.: lie- been east for “Wanted l.v the 'Police.” a storv by Lewis A!d— l one ."'id Darryl Zannck. to he direeled >v ihe fr,nr,or The mist include. ■, live Brook. I Claude Gilliiurwat<'!'. John Patrick and 1 I lei nie Conklin.