THE SCREEN : ITS PLAYS AND ITS STARS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20056, 13 March 1935, Page 14

THE SCREEN : ITS PLAYS AND ITS STARS

A Poignant Problem This is what the “Sydney Morning Herald” says of Universal’s “Imitation of Life”:—“ln ‘lmitation of Life,’ wlr.ch was written by Fannie Hurst, two stories run side by side. One concerns a charming widow who makes a fortune by selling packets of pancakeflour and smiles her way bravely through a few not-very-serious domestic crises. The other is a more original and more touching tale whose chief characters are a pitch-black negro woman and her pale-skinned daughter, who is white enough to pass herself off as a ‘white’ girl, provided her mother stays in the background. This is a heartrending situation, which must be painfully common in the United States. Serious American novelists have explored it, but the film producers, whose general aim is to please all of the people all the time, have carefully avoided this poignant American problem. It is encouraging to come across a film which treats so controversial a subject so honestly, even though the producers have played for safety by making it the minor theme in a picture in which most of the limelight is allotted to a popular actress (Claudette Colbert), and comic interludes are provided by an accomplished comedian (Ned Sparks).”

The Long Arm of the Law Through the action-packed exploits of “The Kellys.” that notorious band of bushrangers who, in defiance of the laws of justice and right, carried on a mad career of crime in the early days of Australian history, runs a stirring human story of friendship and duty that stands out in welcome relief against the callousness of the other side of the drama. Realistically recreated for the talking screen by Imperial Films, the days “When the Kellys Rode” and terrorised our brothers and sisters of yesterday, come back to delight and entertain modern audiences. Among the thrilling incidents of the film are the amazing exploits of “The Kellys,” the bank robbery at Euroa, the Jerilderie hold-up, the attempted destruction of the police train at Glenrowan, and “the last stand” at Glenrowan Hotel. Reverting to the poignant and human side of the story, which had its beginning in what was probably the most callous and daring of all “The Kellys’ ” raids, the attack on the police camp at Stringybark Creek. Three policemen were killed in that raid, another barely escaping with his life. Sergeant Steel, a bosom pal of one of the murdered men. Sergeant Kennedy, was entrusted with the painful task of breaking the news to the widow, and he swore then and there to avenge his friend’s death by bringing the gang to justice. For over a year after this Steel relentlessly pursued “The Kellys,” but, although several times he had them seemingly cornered, each time they escaped. But the law must prevail, and at Glenrowan Hotel, the Kellys make their last stand, and it is Sergeant Steel who makes the bushrangers’ defeat certain by rushing up reinforcements to the attackers’ forces. Dan Kelly, Joe Byrne, and Steve Hart were either killed by police bullets or burnt in the fire that followed, but Ned Kelly, in running from the hotel and making for the bush, encountered his inveterate enemy, Sergeant Steel. In the exciting hand-to-hand struggle that ensues, Steel overcomes his adversary and brings the notorious leader to his deserts at last. “When the Kellys Rode” is interpreted by a splendid cast of Australians, headed by Hay Simpson, as Ned Kelly, Regina Somerville, John Appleton, Norman Wait, and Robert Inglis.

Says Norma Shearer “Since women have found and tasted their freedom I don’t believe that they will ever give it up. I don’t think that women will ever go back to the old pre-war restrictions on their freedom of thought and action.” -

So says Norma Shearer. “Women to-day are having careers, going places and doing things, but they still are managing to be good wives and mothers. A few years ago such a thing would have been impossible,” she says. “And I really believe they have given up their grand and glorious attempt to imitate the masculine sex. They have discovered that they can be independent but still feminine. So I don’t think that there is any chance of a return to the old standards. Women have tasted freedom and they like it.” Norma Shearer will be seen in Timaru shortly in “Riptide.”

Queer Diversions Actors and directors, fatigued by the daily grind of film work, find many forms of relaxation, while the crew is preparing the camera and lights for new shots.

Joe E. Brown, while making “Six Day Bike Rider,” a First National Picture, rode a bicycle and delighted in ad libbing to piano accompaniment. Lloyd Bacon, who directed the comedy, sought out a corner for a discussion on sporting events. Like Joe, Frank McHugh rode a bike around the stage. Lottie Williams would pick up a prop and start sweeping the floor.

Maxine Doyle, the star’s leading woman, knits. During the making of the picture, she completed a sweater. Gordon Westcott, because of a serious injury to his left leg in a polo game the day before the picture went into work, found it necessary to rest completely when not before the camera.

Arthur Aylesworth spent his off moments reminiscing with old-timers on the set. .“Six Day Bike Rider” is Joe Brown’s latest and funniest comedy. It is based on the story and screen play by Earl Baldwin. Expert Linguists The company of players making the thrilling drama of an international jewel robbery on board a European trans-continental train, under the title “I Am a Thief,” a Warner Bros, picture, constitutes a group of accomplished linguists, in addition to their ability as actors. Ricardo Cortez, who was born in Vienna, speaks and reads both German and French. The same is true of Mary Astor, although she is an Ame- [ rican girl born in the State of Illinois. Irving Pichel is conversant with French, German and Italian. Robert Barrat is a German and French scholar. Ferdinand Gottschalk is at home in the same two languages. Frank Reicher. of the famous German stage family of that name, is naturally at home in German, and knows French and Italian besides. Leo White is a five-day linguist, with a sufficient command of French, German, Spanish and Italian to have played part in talking pictures, in all four countries. And Robert Florey, the director of the production, a Frenchman born in Paris, speaks German, Spanish and Italian, besides his native tongue, and has a very fair working vocabulary of Chinese, Japanese and one or two of the Malay languages. Cortez Finds Slapping Girl Hard Task In one scene of the Warner Bros, picture, “The Firebird,” Ricardo Cortez was required to slap a woman and didn’t enjoy the task. Cortez had to hit Dorothy Tree, but he repeatedly ruined things by being too gentlemanly and it was only when Miss Tree assured him that she didn’t mind a stinging slap for the sake of the picture, that Cortez managed to enact the scene properly. “The Firebird” is a thrilling drama, filmed from the Lajos Zilahy play produced on Broadway by Gilbert Miller. The cast includes besides Cortez and Miss Tree, Verree Teasdale, Lionel Atwill, Anita Louise and others. William Dieterle directed it from the screen play by Charles Kenyon.

The Penalty of Fame Here is a new aspect on the “admiring” public, enthusiastic boosters for the motion picture stars. Typical of an average day, Mae West’s mail one day at the Paramount studios brought requests for gifts and “loans” that reached over £20,000, Miss West’s secretary recently revealed. A resident of Texas asked for £12,000 co open an oil well. He “guaranteed” the blonde star of Paramount’s “Now I’m a Lady,” a profit. Five thousand pounds was the sum needed by a man in Illinois who said he wanted to finance a baseball team. Two men m Davenport, lowa, wanted to start a dairy farm and asked the star to advance £IOOO. An enterprising youth in Lancaster. Pasadena, desirous of studying medicine, asks for the loan of £SOO to put him through college. A former owner of a machine shop in Pueblo, desires to start in business once again and could realise this desire if a loan of £2OOO could be made. Then a widow in Ottawa, Kansas, wishes to start in the restaurant business and expressed the thought that Miss West would make it possible for her to earn a living as a restauranteur. She thought £SOO would do it. Royal Visitors to “The Scarlet Pimpernel” The Alexander Korda production, “The Scarlet Pimpernel,” which has now reached its fifth record-breaking week and continues to play to capacity houses at the Leicester Square Theatre, London, is fast becoming a society function, as well as a venue for members of the Royal family. The Duke and Duchess of Kent, the Duke and Duchess of York and other members of the Royal family, including Prince Arthur of Connaught, Princess Alice and Princess Helen Victoria have attended “The Scarlet Pimpernel.” The average weekly takings amount to nearly £SOOO. which are record figures, eclipsing the previous records set up with “The Private Life of Henry VUE.” “The Scarlet Pimpernel” will be released through United Artists. “Clive of India” With historical subjects rapidly gaining popularity for screen drama, Hollywood producers are finding it advisable to consult the living descendants of historical characters rather than risk lawsuits and family disapproval. Darryl Zanuck asked for and received assurance that there would be no family objections or lawsuits when he decided to produce “Clive of India,” starring Ronald Colman, 20th Century’s first million-dollar picture, shortly to be released by United Artists. W. P. Lipscombe and R. J. Minney, authors of the stage play which enjoyed a year’s run in London, brought permission for the film production directly from the Earl of Powis, present head of the house to which the great general gave his name, when they came to Hollywood to prepare the screen version.

Six New Pictures In speaking of the films made by Twentieth Century Pictures, Mr Schenck states that the six pictures soon to come from that studio follow no set pattern in entertainment. Each varies from the other in type, their only point of resemblance being the scope and breadth of production, and the significance of story. In this way. he plans to present a widely diversified programme of entertainment on a scale of big picture importance. As an example of the variety this programme represents, Mr Schenck found it necessary only to mention the titles and types of the picture. “The Mighty Barnum” is a comedy based on an outstanding character and period of American history; “Clive of India,” starring Ronald Colman, is an epic of British -dominion in India; Jack London’s “Call of the Wild” is a melodrama, but it covers the stirring scene of the Alaskan gold rush; “Folies Bergere de Paris,” which stars Maurice Chevalier with Merle Oberon and Ann Sothern, is a musical extravaganza; George Arliss in “Cardinal Richelieu” is drama of a historical type on the grand scale; while “Les Miserables,” with Fredric March in the starring role, is a romance with a French background. “It can be seen,” he concluded, “that Twentieth Century is following ,no set type and no formula. With Darryl F. Zanuck producing our pictures, we are spending more on each production, and making each production stand on its own merits as entertainment.” Fashion Notes from Filmland A large bow of striped taffeta perches itself gaily at the neck of Sally Eiler’s navy cloth frock, and has for accompaniment two striped cuffs to match, fastened with buttons red. A brightening touch for sunny days! In the lapel of her navy blue linen suit, Una Merkel wears a flower—unlike any that ever grew in a garden it is true—of pleated organdie. You could make one yourself from a strip of finely pleated organdie frilling, twisting it round and round to make one big frilly rosette, and centreing it with a wee scrap of stiff lace—like Una’s—or a button mould with the suit linen. A gay little Eton jacket of taffetas looks ravishing, as it tops a patterned frock worn by Sylvia Sidney. All its edges are finished with a gathered frill, this turning over to give the effect of a collar at the neck. The elbow length sleeves are also frill finished, and to add yet another touch of novelty to the ensemble, Sylvia’s suede gloves are finished with a taffetas frill to match. Kay Francis, still deemed one of the smartest women in Hollywood, accents the whiteness of her linen suit by the addition of coffee brown etceteras. Blouse, gloves, handbag, and shoes are all in brown and they match the wooden buttons that link her linen coat together.

INTERESTING TOPICS ON FILM ARTISTS AND CINEMA ATTRACTIONS

Spun Glass Gown A gown so fragile and elaborate that it could be worn only once gave Nancy Carroll a new experience during the filming of Reliance’s “Trans-Atlantic Merry-Go-Round,” in which she shares stellar honours with Gene Raymond and Jack Benny, heading an all-star cast which includes Sydney Howard, England’s favourite comedian. Sid Silvers, Mitzi Green, Frank Parker, The Boswell Sisters and other leading screen, stage and radio personalities. It took three wardrobe women an hour and a half to get Nancy into the extreme en bouffant creation of silk, lace and spun glass, and once she was literally sewn and moulded into it, she could not sit, or walk more than a few steps for the rest of the day. The gown was worn in a singing number in this Harry M. Goetz-Edward Small presentation released through United Artists. When Miss Carroll was ready to go from her dressing room to the sound stage four hundred yards away, she stood on a low electric “dolly” and was transported up a ramp and directly on to the set. Between scenes she rested by leaning her arms on a pair of suspended wooden poles like parallel bars. When lunch time came, she had to eat from a tray placed across the poles which supported her. Blended in “Hide-Out” 'Here is one motion picture that will find favour in every eye, no matter how critical. The picture is “Hide-Out,” the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production that opens in Timaru very soon. It brings back to us in one of his most entertaining characterisations —“Lucky” Wilson, the prankish postrepeal racketeer who finds reformation through contact with a farmer’s family in a typical rural setting. Maureen O'Sullivan, always dependable for an excellent performance, again repeats with her portrayal of Pauline, the farmer’s daughter. Whitford Kane, for thirty years a leading character actor of the London and New York stage, makes his screen debut as Miller, the farmer. Mickey Rooney, 12-year-old actor, appears as Willie the pestiferous boy, and Elizabeth Patterson plays the farmer’s wife. The cast also‘ includes that universal favourite Robert Montgomery. Other performances worthy of mention are contributed by Edward Arnold, Edward Brophy and C. Henry Gordon.

“The Mighty Barnum” Every century there passes across the stage of the world theatre at least one amazing personality who occupies a niche in the memory of the minds of the world, and such a man was Phineas Taylor Barnum, showman, economist, banker politician and foremost advance agent of modern advertising methods. He lived throughout the greater part of the 19th century which started with the prudishness of Puritanism and finished in a blaze of glory with the gay nineties.

Barnum was one of the riddles of the world, but as a humanist he opened up new fields of expression through elaborate exhibitions and “stunts.” For half a century he played on the moods of the people of the world and his favourite statement was “There’s a sucker born every minute.” In an era when the play and theatre had no standing in social life it was Barnum who fostered it by inviting prominent people to see plays with religious titles. His elaborate and spectacular efforts to gain publicity earned him the title of the greatest showman of all time and most of the modern publicity ideas are based on those used by Barnum.

He was the pioneer of the printed word in advertising, and was the first to use floodlighting. He illuminated Broadway so that newspapers containing his own advertisements could be read at night. “At the outset of my career,” said Barnum, “I realised that everything depended upon getting the people to think and talk and become curious and excited about the rare spectacle.” The life of this world famous showman forms the basis of the United Artists production, “The Mighty Barnum,” ■which will commence a season at the Regent Theatre shortly. Wallace Beery is seen in the title role. »’«*;-» *j*«j« *;* *j» »:* »**»;•* *j*

Lives of a Bengal Lancer Containing much of the glitter, spectacle, and colourful backgrounds of a foreign land. “Lives of a Bengal Lancer” is based on the autobiographical work of CaDtain Yeats-Brown, fear turing Gary Cooper. Franchot Tone, and Richard Cromwell.

Four years in the making, owing to story difficulties in adapting it to the screen, it has been partly photographed in India—these scenes being wonderfully full of exciting and thrilling incident, the manoeuvring of the Lancers, and riding and jumping.

Their gorgeous uniform is also exhibited to great advantage. Fortunately, no love story is introduced, the scenes containing Kathleen Burke being scanty, though she has a very important party to play in one sense, as she attracts the colonel’s son sufficiently to cause him to slip out, against orders, to meet her at night when she betrays him to the Khan. Sir Guy Standing is a hard-baked colonel w'ho never, for a moment, puts his son before his duty and his regiment. His next in command is C. Aubrey Smith, giving an efficient performance.

Gary and Franchot are at loggerheads to begin wfith, though becoming pals eventually, and there is a sly humour introduced in their cross wisecracking. Richard, son of the dry old colonel, is kidnapped by the enemy, Mahommed Ali. and taken off to his mountain fastness, “far north of the Khyber.” Gary and Franchot disobeying orders, and following him in an effort at rescue.

Lawrence Tibbett Lawrence Tibbett is returning to the screen to play in a new musical picture. Tibbett scored great success as singer-actor in such films as “The Rogue Song,” “New Moon” and “The Prodigal.” He has been out of pictures for the past two years, and Darryl Zanuck, who has signed him on his new contract, frankly admits that he is bringing the singer back to Hollywood in the hope that he will rival the triumph recently scored by Grace Moore in “One Night of Love.”

Richard, having betrayed the movements of a train of ammunition to the enemy, this has been seized, and is to be used against the regiment led by Standing into the Hills. The three young men in custody succeed in escaping; and in a very thrilling and hair-raising sequence, we see them explode the huge pile of ammunition, and blow the fort literally to smithereens. The management of this sequence is marvellously executed, so absolutely realistic is it, and the wonder is how the participators in it escape extinction themselves.

“ Girl From Bohemia ” Advice is to hand that the British and Dominions film version of “The Bohemian Girl,” at present in the course of production at Boreham Wood with Anna Neagle in the leading role, has now been entitled “The Girl from Bohemia.”

Refrigerators Prove Useful Electric refrigerators have at last proved to be of practical help in motion picture production. In a scene for Cecil B. De Mille’s spectacular Paramount picture, “Cleopatra.” this most modern convenience helped to create a touch of the ancient Queen’s extravagance—and all without cost to the Studio.

Contrary to former advices, Fernand Graavey will not appear opposite Miss Neagle, and negotiations are now proceeding for a world-famed actor, at present in Hollywood, to play the masculine lead. Miss Neagle’s brother, Stuart Robertson, who made his screen debut in Bitter Sweet,” will have an important role in the film version of Balfe’s famous opera.

As history has it, Cleopatra served wines, the bottles of which were kept buried in snow brought from distant places. A stickler for detail, Cecil B. De Mille wanted it too. The nearest snow-capped mountain to Hollywood, however, is eighty miles distant, but De Mille didn’t care if it were 800 miles—he wanted snow and he didn’t care how or where they got it. An enterprising property boy solved the problem by going to the studio cafe and shaving off the icy snow from the electrical units of the refrigerators, producing the required “prop” in record time. Paramount’s “Cleopatra” is now being released in the main centres of New Zealand.

Two Slav dances, specially designed for her by the late Princess Astafieva will be performed by Anna Neagle, and for the first time on the screen she will sing a duet with her brother. A number of natural settings are being used, extensive exterior work in Budapest and throughout Hungary having been already completed by the British and Dominions camera unit.

Physical Fitness Brings Role to Actor The lungs that enabled an English lad in the West Indies to prowl, without diving helmet or suit, through the cabins of a sunken vessel, built the robust physique that ended Cecil B. De Mille’s search for Marc Antony, one of the leading characters in his Paramount picture, “Cleopatra.”

One day when Henry Wilcoxon was a lad. living on the island of Dominica in the West Indies, he paddled out in a canoe to gaze below the surface of the bay at a sunken steamer. He was a good diver and began to dive deeper and deeper, hoping to reach the ship’s interior. Months of this diversion built up a lung development almost phenomenal, and the lad eventually worked his way into the ship’s cabins and salvaged many articles of value which he turned over to shore officials. Enjoying this sub-sea swimming, young Wilcoxon followed it as a hobby, and by the time he was out of his teens he had developed for himself an unusual physique, standing 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighing 190 pounds, and perfectly muscled. After varied enterprises he reached the London stage, and in seven years achieved widespread popularity both on the stage and screen in England. After filling the leading role in the London success “Eight Bells,” he was induced by a visiting Paramount executive to take a screen test. When De Mille saw the test filmed in Hollywood, he exclaimed —“There is the Marc Antony for my ‘Cleopatra.’ ” De Mille, who had virtually scouted the world in his search for just the right man for his Paramount picture, had set physical qualifications extremely uncommon among real actors. Joan Crawford’s Dresses In her latest picture “Forsaking All Others,” Joan Crawford, known as the “best dressed woman on the screen,” wears no less than twenty different changes of costume. Created by the noted Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer designer, Adrian, her costumes include a hoopskirted wedding gown and £f number of striking evening gowns, which are said to anticipate next year’s fashions. The new picture, which will commence in Wellington shortly, co-stars Clark Gable and Robert Montgomery with Miss Crawford.

Irene Dunne Irene Dunne—the “accidental actress”—meaning that fate, not Irene, had most to do with her becoming a stage and screen star. She was bom in Louisville, where her father was U.S. Supervising Inspector of Steamboats. With her first schooling she received rudimentary training in music, the piano and singing—not with any idea of becoming a professional but because her father believed every woman should be sufficiently acquainted with the arts to make life interesting.

At 17 she went to the Chicago Musical College and having become infatuated with music, there decided to go in for Grand Opera. After some months she went to New York on a visit, where a friend coaxed her to try for a part in a musical show called “The Clinging Vine.” As a sort of a lark she applied, and was rather amazed when she was hired. Later, when Peggy Wood, the star, dropped out of the cast, Miss Dunne stepped in—and away went her grand opera aspirations. Ten months in “Sweetheart Time” and parts in two other shows followed. Then she gave up her career to marry Francis Griffin. After a four months’ honeymoon in Europe, Ziegfield proffered her “Showboat.” She accepted. During its run RKO-Radio Pictures signed her for a series of musicals. Then came “Cimarron” with Miss Dunne as “Sabro Cravat” —cinema fame overnight!— then a long unbroken chain of hits. “Back Street,” “This Man is Mine,” and her latest and greatest production, “Stingaree,” in which her glorious voice is heard in full quality for the first time in talking productions.

Will the Censor Pass It? 8.1. P. are about to present a film entitled “Forgotten Men,” which has been secretly prepared at Elstree, under the direction of Norman Lee. The film will be shown providing it is passed by the censor. This film, showing war as it w r as, is a compilation of authentic scenes gathered together by war photographers of the Governments concerned, and is a genuine attempt to show the present generation the stark horrors of warfare and the futility of further wars. Sir lan Hamilton, who appears in “Forgotten Men.” recently referred to the film in a widely-published speech, and it was incorrectly assumed that his reference was to an American film. The famous w ? ar historian. Sir John Hammerton, delivers the commentary, which he himself has written, and introduces the “Forgotten Men”— twenty-one men and one woman. These war veterans include: Piper Laidlaw, V.C., Sergeant Kenny, V.C., Captain Holland, V.C., two German officers, each wearing the Iron Cross, and Miss Whitton of the W.A.A.C., and several many-times decorated French, Italian and Belgian soldiers.