FILM PERSONALS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17218, 8 December 1923, Page 1 (Supplement)

FILM PERSONALS.

Mr H. Waters, manager of Every j body’s, returned to Christchurch on j Friday morning after a successful busi- > ness trip to Wellington. A cable message from Ncav York announces the marriage, at Chicago, of Irene Castle, who was recently divorced in Paris. Her third husband is Frederick M’Laughliii, a coffee merchant. The success that attended the characterisation of Mark Sabre by Percy Marmont in the Fox screen version of Hutchinson’s novel, "If Winter Comes,” has gained for this Australian artist the leading role in the new Fox attraction, "You Can’t Get Away With It.” . Pola Negri’s real name-is Apollinia Chaulapev. She was born in Breraberg, Poland, and lias-led a most interesting life. She first appeared in stage plays under the direction of Max Rhineliardt until she was.offered a big contract by Paramount. Miss Negri

fitli is a Texan, having been born in Texarkana, and was a favourite as a professional dancer before beginning her screen career with the Western Vitagraph Company. Samuel Goldwyn is to lie permitted to use his name, in connection with pictures, according to a decision handed down in the United States District Court. It is stipulated in the ruling, however, that he use the words, " not connected .with the Goldwyn Pictures Corporation.” The decision follows a bill in equity. filed .by . the Goldwyn company urging that Samuel Goldwyn be denied the use of the name in connection with pictures. If a player is a good actor, no matter how small the part is, he w ill stand out- in it- (says an American writer). Who is better proof of this than Harry Myers? It makes no difference howsmall the " hit ” he is playing, Myers makes it a big part. This actor is one of the few who has the punuu «rrth him before he starts. He not only has unusual ability, but a strong person* ality. Yet a number oF duds are being featured while Myers is forced to play insignificant- roles. Ti seems only yesterday (says an American movie publication) that Wesley Barry sat on a desk in his manager’s office, swinging thin, kniekered legs and watching the clock to point the hour when lie was to be taken to

his first ball game in New York - meanwhile trying hard to he polite "and attentive while interviewed. And now. it’s announced that he recently celebrated liis seventeenth birthday at the studio where lie was completing " George Washington, Junr..” his latest production. It has been said before, but we sav it again : Time does fly! | Viola Dana’s - honeymoon almost j proved disastrous for hubb> . Viola was given a thousand dollars for pin money, and her husband opened a cheque account iu a Los Angeles bank. In two weeks it was all gone. When the husband chided Viola for her extravagance, the comedienne burst -into tears and protested, "Why, the idea of calling me extravagant. 1 ve got half of the cheque book - left yet !’’ That was years ago and to-day Viola knows as much about hanking as the next one. She has to. A mighty big salary such ’ as ‘ slie receives demands careful attention. Rapid indeed lias* been, the rise of Jean Arthur. Jean is the latest "comet” of the kinematic sky. Sixmonths ago she was earning her way through a Now York college. . Today. she shares feminine load honours j in the forthcoming William Fox special.

44 Cameo Kirby.” Miss Arthur** meteoric rise to prominence is due to her tenacious will, mental keenness, and vivid beauty. Five feet three of slender brunette loveliness, at the age of seventeen slio finds herself a screen, personality of important. This is duo to in a great measure Miss Arthur's posing for the artist photographers and winning the attention of Fox, who signed her to a long term contract and sent her to his West Coast Studios, where, after six months of playing minor roles, she was given, a feminine lead in 44 Cameo Kirby.” i George Walsh, after being in the discard for a considerable period, has | been selected by June Mathis, editorial director at the Goldwyn Studio, to play the part of Ben Hur. It was Mias Mathis who was responsible for Pitting up the obscure extra—Valen tinfcfrand pinking him leading man of " 'Hie , Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.’* Walsh lias been on the screen for years, hut has not been much of a success. He made a hit, however, in Hugo Ballin’s version of "Vanity Fair,” and was selected by Mary Pickford as her support in "The Street Singer.” Then; came the Goldwyn contract, - and his first appearance for that firm was in Balzac’s ' The Magic Skin,” in whicli:he plays the most romantic part that lias been given to any screen actor-for some time. " It is,” says " Motion Picture .Magazine,’’ "one of the most

interesting cases of salvage ever seen in the history of the inuvTes.” Constance Talmadge arrives at tlm studio promptly at 8 o’clock each morning when duty calls her. She is at present appearing in a picture which calls for her to wear gowns of the period of James 11.. and not only does she have to pose for the dressmaker, but once the gown is completed she must attend the studio to have screen tests made of each creation. Then she lins'to pose fop the "still” photo* graphers, the fellows who take for the movie magazines, and. in addition, she has to do her picture work in between. It. is on record that one could set. a watch by Connie’s arrival and departure. " 1 keep union hoursq?? she says. " and wlven my day is dons I am- just as prompt, to - leave the studio as. to arrive. Of course, if an expensive cast of players has been engaged, and. the ‘overhead* on ths picture is larger than usual, I am only too" w illing to * work overtime c n Satn urdays,’ and'such like. But whenever possible I do like to have that weekend .to myself. I’m not a hit shy when-it comes to taking what I think is my heritage of sun and air.” 1

Lengthening skirts come just in time for the revival of photoplays made a* tew years ago. . *