MOVIE COLUMN.

Thames Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 17618, 9 May 1929, Page 6

MOVIE COLUMN.

iy FIRST ALL-DIALOGUE PICTURE. “THE DOCTOR'S SECRET” OPENS IN SYDNEY fy AND MELBOURNE. Paramount/s “Tho Doctor’s Secret,” the first motion picture to present avldiuloguo throughout, was released at the Capitol Theatre, Sydney, and the State Theatre, Melbourne on April G. “Tho Doctor’s Secret” Jias introt duced a new art to Australia, and the ■ Sydnoy Morning Herald, reviewing the picture states, “ ‘Die Doctor's Secret’ is intensci'y interesting from ?,;■ many points of viiew. In the first place it shows how real ami emotional ]bhe addition of sound makes the moving shadows . . . the actors used perfect Jjjnglisli, with every syllable and inflection beautifully distinct and liatural. The voices of Robert Edeson and Miss Chatterton proved particularly attractive.” LAUNCESTON DISASTER. PARAMOUNT CAMERAMAN FILMS FLOODS. Exclusive pictures of the recent X flood disaster in Launceston, which has rendered many hundreds of people homeless, and caused over £1.000.000 damage to property, have been filmed ;• for the Paramount News by Camera--man Neag.lo of Launceston, acting un_V der instructions from Mr. John V. Hicks, Jnr., managing director of Paramount. -The film will bo issued in a special edition of the Paramount Gazette ip • .throughout New Zealand and Aus- — tralia. Mr. Neagle obtained some remarkv- . able “shots,” many oi which were f|: taken at great personal risk. The .Water is seen pouring across tho if Broken dam, the colllapse of which SV-caused tho disaster. Tho havoc which ‘ the flood wrought over the countryside is also graphically pictured. OVER 100,000 PICTURES. X IN PARAMOUNT’S “THE PATV ‘ RIOT.” Movement on the motion picturo U y screen— due to a rapid passage of a ’ ••.large number of separate photographs

or “Jlrames,” as they are ceiled, through the projection machine. In every foot of motion picture film there are 10 frames and in a picturo such as the great Emil Tannings’ production for Paramount, “The Patriot,” there are over 10,000 feet of film. More than 160,000 separate pictures therefore are ..required to tell that dramatic story. Each one of those frames represents tho thought of the, keenest Drains in the motion picture industry. The entire resources of the Paramount studios in Hollywood were put at the disposal of the director, Ernst Lubitsch, and months were spent in tho construction of the massive settings, which were correct in every detail. Tho main supporting roles were played by Florence Vidor Lewis Stone and Neil Hampton.

HAPPY ENDINGS

WHY MOVIES HAVE THEM

The great motion picturegoing; public of the world havo always demanded happy endings, and with reason. The main purpose of tho motion picture, like that of the stage and any other form of human amusement is entertainment. Most people and particularly New Zealanders, are by nature of a happy disposition; they are always anxious to see the brighter side of life when the go to a picture theatre. Such productions as “Abie’s Irish Rose,” the Paramount sound picture adapted from Anne Nichol’s famous stage play, do much to enliven and colour tlie humdrum lives ol many people. “Abie’s Irish Rose” tells how the love of a boy and girl brought together their almost irreconcilable fathers.

Nancy Carroll will lie seen and heard in the role of Rosemary, and Charles Rogers in that of Abie.

COMING PICTURES

“BLACK EAGLES.”

Lothar Mendes is to direct the new Paramount ail-talking picture “Black Eagles,” which is to go into production in the near future. The cast is headed by Esther Ralston, Gary Coopdr. Walllace Beery, William Powell, and Paul Lukas. There will also! be a silent version.

'■THE CANARY -MURDER CASE.” A poker game p'ayed by seven murder suspects froms a tense scene in the Paramount all-talking picture, “The Canary Murder Case,” which is to bo seen in New Zealand theatres shortly. William Powell has the leading role in the character of the detective Philo Vance. Other featured members of the cast are James Hall, Joan Arthur and Louise Brooks. “THE WOMAN WHO NEEDED KILLING.” Budanova, the fiery Russian actress, who has appeared in many fine characterisations for Paramount, plays one of the leading roles in the Paramount ail-talking picture “The Woman Who Needed Killing.” Others in the cast include Clive Brook and Neil Hamilton.

“TWO BLACK CROWS” TALKIE. •Many thousands of people all over the world, who are familiar with the droll dialogue of Moran and Mack, the ‘VTwo Black Crows,” wiLl also havo an opportunity of seeing them, when Paramount releases their first talking picture, which is now in production at the Hollywood studios of that organisation. Octavius Roy Cohen wrote the story.

“THE INNOCENTS OF PARIS.” Tho story of “The Innocents of Paris,” starring Maurice Chevalier, which will be ldeased by. Paramount both as a silent and as a singing and talking picture, closely parallels many acftua|l. incidents in the life of the French musical comedy artist. Chevalier was formerly a star at the Folies Bergere and the Casino do Paris. He sings eight songs in the sound version of the picture. “THE WILD PARTY.” Clara Bow has completed her starring rolo in “The Wild Party,” which is both a Paramount silent and a Paramount all-dialogue picture. She will commence work on a new picture shortly. “THE MAN J LOVE.” Richard Alien, the Paramount featured player, is a man ®f splendid physique. He plays the main role in

“The Man I Love,” a story of the prize-ring, which is being produced by Paramount both as a silent and an ail-dialogue picture. Mary Brian has the feminine lead, and William Wellman is directing.

“REDSKIN.” i A special musical synchronisation, songs and sound effects will be heard in the,,sound picturo version of Richard Dix's nil-colour production for Pairamount, titled “Redskin.” \ “THE SHOP WORN ANGEL.” Nancy Carroll has the rolo of a world-wise chorus girl in the Paramount sound picture “The Shop Worn Angel,” which is set Tor release in New Zealand. Otliehs in the cast are Gary Cooper and Paul Lukas. Paramount wiLl also release a silent picture.

HAROLD LLOYD’S NEW COMEDY. Harold Lloyd is at work on his latest production for Paramount which will have sound and silent versions, under the direction of Malcolm St. Clair. Barbara Kent is playing the leading feminine role. ‘‘CHINATOWN NIGHTS. ’ ’ Wallace Beeiy and Warner Oland play the rival leaders of . two Chinese “tongs” in the Paramount all-talking picture, “Chinatown Nights.” Florence Vidor has the ro'le of a society beauty. A completely separate silent picture was also filmed at the Paramount studios. “ABIE’S IRISH ROSE.” Nancy Carroll, who plays the role of Rosemaiy in Paramount’s sound picture, “Abie’s Irish Rose,” appeared successfully in musical corned}’ before entering motion pictures.' She sings “Rosemary.” and* “My Little Irish Rose,’ during the production. BIG ALL-TALKING PICTURES. AT PARAMOUNT’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS.

Paramount has many big all-talking pictures in production. At Hollywood

“Close Harmony,” starring Charles Rogers; Clara Bow’s “The Wild Party,” and Maurice Chevalier’s talking and singing picture, “The Innocents of Paris,” have been fumed and are now being cut and edited. “The Mail I Love,” with Mary Brian and Richard Aden; “The Studio Murder Mystery,” with Jack Oakie, Ruth Chatterton and Warner Oland; “The Insidious Dr. Fu M.anchu,” with War-' ner Oland and “The Woman-/ Who Needed Killing,” with Baclanova and (Jive Brook are in production on tiie sound stages. Those Paramount alldialogue pictures in rehearsal and being prepared for production iudlude “Thunderbolt,” starring George Bancroft; “Black Eagles,” with Esther Ralston and Gary Cooper; “The Green Murder Case,” with William Powell; “Darkened Rooms,” adapted from the story by Sir Phillip Gibbs; Douglas McClean’s “Divorce Made Easy,” and a new Richard Dix picture titled “The Wheel of Life.”

CHANGED INDUSTRY

MOTION PICTURES ENTER ANOTHER ERA.

It is the opinion of Jesse L. Lasky, vice-president of Paramount, that the talking and singing pictures have created an entirely new motion picture mdustrv.

“From pioneering experiments in laboratory a few years ago, talking pictures have emerged as a new and vital force in the realm of public entertainment,” said Mr. Lasky. “Terrific handicaps have been qverome, and almost every phase of studio activity has been affected.

“Technical perfections and improvements are coming so -rapidly that cast strides have been made even in the last few months. A year ago we would not have dreamed it possible to produce such talking, singing and musical! pictures as Paramount’s “Close Harmony” ; “The Innocents of Paris,” starring Maurice Chevalier; The Four Marx Brothers’ “The Cocoanuts”; and Clara Bow’s “The Wild Party.” Now those pictures are actual facts, and they will play an important part in the development of the new art.”

NEW ENTERTAINMENT

PAR AM OUNT ALL-DIALOGUE

PICTURES

The all-talking picture has opened up a new field of entertainment different from either the stage or the silent screen. Paramount’s “The Doctor’s Secret,” is a good example of the scope of the talking screen. Unlike the stage, the talking picture takes the audience into the very heart of the story. Tho camera is not limited by three walls and the footlights, bnt it is able to follow the players from room to room, as they walk along a street, or ride in a bus. All the action of the silent screen version has been preserved and the addition of the human voice has given life and vividness to the characters. Other Paramount all-dialogue pictures for early release include ‘ ‘The Canaiy Murder Case,” with William Powell as the detective; “The Wolf of Wall Street.” staining George Bancroft. and “Interference,” with Clive Brook, Evelyn Brent and Doris Kenyon.