General Film Gossip

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17352, 17 May 1924, Page 21

General Film Gossip

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. B.G.S.—AII available information will be published next week. M.C.—William Desmond was born in Dublin, Ireland; year not given in " Studio Directory." Height sft llin. Harried in 1919 to Mary MTvor, his leading lady at the time. The "Studio Directory” does not give any of the information yon ask for with reßpeet to Esther Ralston. Blue Bell—Gladys Walton, Universal Studios. Universal City. California. Marie Prevost, Warner Studios. Hollywood. California. Lila Lee, Gcildwyn Studios, Culver City. California. May M’Avoy, Inspiration Pictures. 565, Fifth Avenue, New York City- Thomas Meighau, Laaky Studios, Hollywood, California. Others not available. The name of the dancer is not given in the oast Possibly it could be obtained by writing t.o the mauager, Fog Studios, Hollywood, California. 'A.O. —Charles de Roche, Laaky Studios, Hollywood, California. Anna Q. Nilsson, Metro Studios. Hollywood, California. Norma Talmadge, Colleen Moore, and Jack Mulhall, United Studios, Hollywood. California. Percy Marmont, Metro Studios, Hollywood. California. Elliott Dexter. Grand-Asha Productions. Hollywood, California. Ann Forrest. Fox Film Corporation. West 55th Street, New York City. Mary Miles Minter has been out of pictures for some months. The others are free-lancing, and consequently have no fixed studio address. No information with respect to the date of the screening of the picture mentioned is available. John Gilbert Fan—Richard Dix, Laaky Studios, Hollywood, California. Florence Vidor. Warner Studios, Hollywood. California. George Walsh is in Rome at present assisting in the production of " Ben Hur." A letter addressed Goldwyn Studios. Culver ®ity, California, would be forwarded. The casta available are as follows:—"Omar the Tentmaker. '—Omar Khayam, Guy Bates Post: Shireen, Virginia B. Fairs; Nizuen el Mulk, Nigel de Broulier; Shah, Noah Beery'; Crusader, Maurice Flynn; Executioner, Walter Long; Omar’s father. F-dward Kimball. The Isle of Lost Ships *’ —Dorothy Fair-

fax, Anna Nilsson; Frank Howard, Miltou Sills; Detective Jackson, Frank Campeau ; Peter Forbes, Walter Long ; Patrick Joyce, Bert Woodruff; Mrs Joyce, Aggie Herring; Captain Clark, Hershell Meyeil. "The Covered Waggon."—Will Banion, Jus. W. Kerrigan; Mollie Wingate, Lois Wilson; Sam Woodhull, Alan Hale;*Mr Wintf&te, Charles Ogle: Mrs Wingate. Ethel Wales; Jackson, Ernest Torrence; Bridger, Tuliy Marshall; Kit Carson, Guy Oliver; Jed Wingate, John Fox. "The Brass Bottle." —Horace Ventimorc, Harry Myers; Professor Hamilton, Tuliy Marshall*. The Queen, Barbara la Marr; Mrs Bapkine, Aggie Herring; Mrs Hamilton, Clarissa Selwynne; Rapkin, Ford Sterling " Potash and Perlmutter ’ —Morris Perlmutter, Alexander Carr; Abe Potash Barnev Bernard; Rosy Potash. Vere Gordon; Passinsky, Lee Kohlmer; Office Eoy. Jerry Devine: Irma Potash, Hope Sutherland. " Wife in. Name Only.’ Norman Arleigh. Edmond Lowe; Madeline Dornham, Florence Dixon: John Deans. William looker; Mrs Hemingway, Ora Jones; Margaret Dornham. Edna Mav ; Sum. Tyrone Power: Victor Harwood Arthur Houseman; Phillips. Mary Thurman. " Bella Donna."—Bella Donna Pol a Negri; Mahmoud Baroudi. Conway Tearle; Nigel Armine. Conrad Nagel; Mr Chepstow. Adolph Menjou: Dr laaacson, Claude King: Patricia, Lois Wilson; Tbrahim. Macey Ilnrlam; Dr Hartley. Robert Schable. “ Tb« streets of New York"—Gideon Blood good. Anders* Randolf. Lucy Bloodgood. Barbara Caatleton; Paul 1 airweathei. Edward Earle; Badger. Leslie King. Sally Ann, Dorothy Mackaill: Mrs Fairweather Kato Franeke. "A Friendly Husband Triend Husband. Lupjno Lane; Tootsie Alberta Vaughan; A other-m U iw. t*.. Thatcher. "The Lone Star K»ng«r. Duano. Tom Mix. the GirL Bidie Dove. Lawson, Len Shumaway; Poggtns, *\t - ton Heck: Kane Edward PeiljLmigstretoh, ‘William Conklin, - _ _ , Minn. E»dmnn; Ur.jm. J'™* Clark. The other a Coming to the Liix-rty Theatre tod,y h The Bad Man," n production founded on the border operations ; ol the late Pnncho Villa, the famous Mexican revolutionist Holbrook Bilim. creator is called npnn to do certain things that arc not countenaeed m polite .ociety. or in fact any hut because it

is satire, it is delightfully humorous and those who view it in that light will thoroughly enjoy it. Many racing pictures have been produced in the past, and many doubtless will be produced in the future; but “Long Odds,’’ a British Master picture showing at the Liberty to-day, is in a class by itself. There is a villain in the story, who contrary to custom does not dope or injure the horse but tries to attain his desire by means that would do credit to the most ingenious mind. There are several novel effects, and a most exciting steeplechase. Mabel Normand in “Susanna,” coming to Greater Crystal Palace on Monday, has a role in which not only the merry quality of her art is given delightful play, but in which she is able to reveal those deeper and finer elements of her acting which have till now never been fully disclosed. This Sennett feature production has been culled a comedy-drama, and that js just what it is. Miss Normand will be seen in plenty of comedy episodes. Her childish pranks are the life of the picture. Miss Normand will also he seen in episodes of poignant interest and tragic suspense. A picture surprisingly beautiful an.l brililant will be witnessed at Everybody's Theatre till 'Wednesday, when “Woman to Woman” will be shown, starring Betty Compson. In this, her newest photoplay. Miss Oompson takes the part of a dancer who. in a Parisian cafe, meets the one man in the world for her Qji..the eve of their intended marriage lie is suddnly and

unavoidably called away, taking with him the memory of their last glorious moments. An able cast, including Clive Brook, Josephine Earle, and Marie Ault, aids materially in making this picture well worth seeing. The story of “Cause for Divorce” which comes to Everybody’s Theatre on Thursday, revolves around a theme that there are always two sides to every question and that even a sup-

posedly innocent person may be somewhat to blame for the wrong doing of his associates. "Cause for Divorce*’ has a good story and a capable cast, while the direction has been excellent. The great problem of having two wives, both sisters, one insane and the other normal, is confronted by the hero in “Man and Wife,” which will be shown on Thursday at Everybody’s Theatre. How he solves it makes “Man ami Wife” -i story of dramatic interest. leading up to a stirring climax. An hilarious comedy. “ Ruggles of Red Gap,” with an all-star cast, will he shown at the Queen’s Theatre on Monday. An American small town ha-s rival social sets, and the aerimonv is very serious at times. One of the would-be leaders takes her husband abroad for the purpose of having him polished up a bit in order that he may return and thus take his place as a leader of mid-western society. Whilst abroad they meet an impecunious English nobleman, whose manservant is a gem of his kind. The wife of the cowman feels that with the acquisition of this fellow the education of her husband will be completed. When the party returns to Red Gap the misleading announcement in the local paper turns the pi.dure into a broad lane Eventually tin- confusion i< cleared and llie rival parties come to an amicable understanding. Ruggles of Red Lap “ is real entertainment.

Mae Murray, in “The French Doll,” her latest picture, which is coming to the Grand Theatre to-day, wears the most elaborate gowns that she has ever worn in her starring career. Not only ure they the most elaborate, but there are twice as many as Miss Murray has ever worn liefore. The old record, made in “Peacock Alley,” was twentyfive changes of gowns. The new record i,s fifty. “Fifty changes meant 100.000 dollars spent on clothes,” said Miss Murray, “but thqy are so lovely I don’t begrudge n cent of it. And then j went through the fifty charges without catching a cold!” Charlie Chaplin is always lnughable. One of his l>est early comedies “Tillie’s Punctured Romance” will be ve-sho\ru at the Grand Theatre to-day. The youthful Gladys Walton is the star of “ Crossed Wires,” a tale of an ambitious telephone girl who listens in on a talk about a big coining social event. “ Crossed Wires.” which will bo shown at the Strand Theatre today, is- a broad comedy, alive with action. A mythical kingdom, a bad king, a lovely princess and an adventurous young man are the ingredients of a ccniedy-drama, “ The Prisoner.” which comes to the Strand Theatre to-day. Herbert Rawlinson is the dynamic adventurer. All racing enthusiasts liavc a treat ill store for them in the splendid British ‘production. “ Long Odds,” to he screened at Sydenham Pictures to-night. Monday and Tuesday. This fine racing ’ story contains an exciting steeplechase, a number of very novel effects, and at , least one big surprise even for those | who are familiar with race meetings. j Just a dumb-bell American doughboy blundering through Europe in countries whose language he doesn’t savvy, hut oh what a riot he stirs up! Edward (Hoot) Gibson is the lad and he does it in “ The Gentleman from | America.” which will he screened at Sydenham Pictures to-night, Monday and Tuesday next.

“The Bad Alan," First National’s screen version of the famous stage cornedy, comes to Sydenham Pictures on Wednesday next. The caste is headed by Holbrook Blinn and Enid Bennett. The supporting attraction is the fine Pathe feature, ‘‘The Sage Hen,” featuring Gladys Brockwell. A romantic story full of comedy and interest is Watch Your Step,” coming to the Liberty Theatre on May 24, Cullen Landis and Patsy Ruth Miller are featured. Cynthia Stockley’s story of the African veldt, “ Ponjola,” tells of a woman who tqre aside the sex barrier to live as a man until love tempted her to don her frills again. Anna Q. Nillson. James Kirkwood and Tuliy Marshall are the players who sweep all audiences along in this sensational adventuve. “ Ponjola ’* . comes to the Liberty Theatre on May 24. A jealous husband is no better than a leaking roof or a- bouse built upon sand, and very often does a great deal more damage to the home, the wife and the kiddies. So Jane Novak resolves never to marry a jealous man again. “Jealous Husbands” will be screened, at the Liberty on May 31.

The stamp of David Belasco is indelibly marked on every foot of film in “ Tiger Rose.” a Master picture due at the Liberty shortly. This is the first time that the producer has deserted the legitimate stage for the screen. New Zealanders will remember “Tiger Rose ” as a play by the J. O. Williamson Company, which toured the Dominion a year or two ago. Of “ A Woman of Paris,” coming to Everybody’s Theatre on June 9, the “New York American ” had the following* to say:—“This picture is rare in its natural realism, unconventional m the originality of technique, and forceful in every effect. Every foot of film is significant to the telling of the story, and t lie re is not a gesture wasted. Charles Chaplin has put a story on the screen with the vigorous style and effective workmanship that a De Maupassant might havo put the same story on paper. ’ A Woman of Paris ’ can bo seen many times, and something new found every time.” “Sporting Youth.” featuring Reginald Denny, the attraction coming to Greater Crystal Palace on May 26. will he of particular interest and thoroughly enjoyed by all motor enthusiasts. It is a story of the speed tracks of America, where increasing speeds and breaking records is the chief concern ol the daring young man with the little speed cars. Reginald Denny, once a chauffeur. is suddenly cast into this breathless life, and participates in a race that is bound to thrill any audience. In the film, there are some marvellous race sceeus. and the photography is excellent in that- it gives some remarkable close-up views of the cars as they fly along. There is not a slow moment in the film— nothing less than about 120 miles a minute. It is rather a remarkable coincidence that at the time that the motion picture “ Woman to Woman ” is being screened in Christchurch Miss Iris Montgomery, who made important, contributions to the dancing features of the film, should he here. Miss Montgornerv lias recently returned to New ealand after having studied dancing under Espinosa. “ Woman to Woman ” is the only motion picture in which she has appeared. Miss Montgomery, as she is quick to emphasise, is a dancer and not an actress, and it is because of the wonderful dancing scenes in " Woman to Woman ” that her services were called upon in its production. AH the ballets and ensembles in the film were arranged bv

Espinosa, who chose for the work the most capable of bis pupils. The picture was “ shot ” in Paris and London. and it was in Paris that Miss Betty Compson learned her dancing from the famous master. James Kirkwood is to have another try at the legitimate stage. He will appear in a play with his wife, Lila Lee. Roseoe Arbuckle, banned from personally appearing on the screen, is directing *• Buster ” Keaton’s latest comedy. Arbuckle gave Keaton his first job in the movies. An English company has purchased the rights of “Charley’s Aunt,” and | is seeking to secure the services of the ■ popular American screen comedian. Douglas M’Lean. for the leading part. The price for the screen rights is said to be £20,000. The Trouble Shooter is the title ol Tom Mix’s next picture for the Fox Corporation. It affords the star ample opportunity to display the particular histrionic abilities which have made him a favourite throughout the world. Kathleen Key is Tom s leading lady. Maribvnn Milter ‘'Mrs* Jack Picklord). who created the part ol : Sallv in that great stage success of the same name. endeavouring to secure the teciccn right* oi the production, m

order to make her film debut in it. If she succeeds. Jack Picbford will be provided with a part. Mary Piekford and JXniglas Fairbanks (says a New York paper) recently issued a flat denial of rumours that they will desert United Artists to go with the Famous Players-Lasky Company, for which Miss Piekford made pictures before the Chaplin-Griffith-M ary-and-Doug organisation was formed. The Los Angeles correspondent of the Melbourne “Herald” cabled as follows, under date April 27:—It is rumoured that Charlie Chaplin may marry Thelma Morgan Converse, u twin sister of Mrs Reginald Vanderbilt Converse, now a movie star. Both refuse to discuss the matter, although they are seen together constantly. When someone says “ Moulin Rouge” thoughts revert to the gay, dazzling cafe of Paris, where all would leave dull care behind. It would not seem possible that a lily could bloom in the exotic atmosphere of this restaurant. but the stirring Master picture, "Queen of the Moulin Rouge.” which will be screened shortly, will show that innate purity will thrive regardless of The forthcoming Master picture, “Beau Brummel,” in which John Barrymore is starring, is declared to be the most pretentious* production ever made by Warner Brothers. In regard to caste, sets and costuming, this production is most elaborate. Nearly a thousand costumes tvpifving tho periods of 1795, 1814 and 1821 havo been assembled by the research and wardrobe departments for the filming. A story of the follies of to-day, of yesterday, of the short comings of the youth of three generations is told in “His Children’s Children,” a coming Paramount release. It reveals the story of a family from the first generation to the third, and illustrates that sometimes “Tho follies of the forefathers shall be visited on the child-

ren.” The cast includes Bebe Daniels, George Fawcett, and Mahlon Hamilton. Bryon Morgan, famous for his automobile stories, many of whic. were picturjsed for tho late Wallace Reid, has sent another one to the silent sheet under the banner of Paramount. It is entitled “Flaming Barriers.” It is said to be one of the livest and fastest screen stories that have been produced in a long time. The all-star cast includes Jacqueline Logan, Antonio Moreno, Walter Hiers and Robert M’Kim. The contract of the Motion Pictures Producers and Distributors of America, Incorporated, with Will H. Hays, which expires in 1925, on March *3l was renewed for three years, extending it to March 5. 1928, the organisation announced at its annual meeting. The association, which originally included nine of the larger producing and distribution companies, now lias a membership of twenty-one. which includes vutually the entire industry. Charlie Raj' is cured (says a New York writer). In the future lie will make no more so-called “ super specials,” but will return to the producing of tho sort of pictures which made him famous. These were of the five-reel feature type dealing mostly with life in rural communities. Charlie nearly went broke on “ The Courtship of Miles Standish,” and is therefore resolved to let somebody else do the “ bigger and finer tilings ” in the future. “ You can’t keep a good girl down,’* declared Sally in the musical comedy of that name. Truer words were never spoken, rand Barbara La Marr, the screen actress who has won a high place among moving picture stars, proves it anew in “ The Hero,” a forthcoming Master picture. Relinquishing her popular vamp roles, she gives a splendid portrayal of the every day married woman, who tries to keep romance from flying out of the window, when poverty comes in. Several of Zane Grey’s stories have been brought to the screen recently, and one of the most successful was “ To the Last Man,” which was shown here some time ago. The next Zane Grey picture will be “The Call of the Canyon,” which was produced under the supervision of the author. The cast

is all .star, including. Richard Dix, Lois Wilson, and Majorio Daw. “The Call of the Canyon,” which is a Paramount production, will bo one of the most important offerings for the coming season. An uproarious mirthful comedy of a trio of unmanageable boys with no one to manage them, is the theme of ‘‘The Country Kid,” released this week in Wellington by Master Pictures. The trio is composed of Bruce Guerin, only four years old and already a screen star. ■ * Spec : ’ O’Donnell, the lad who has caused more violent laughter than any other youngster, and Wesley i»arry, of freckled lame. Imagine these three youthful prodigies ill one picture, and you can guess what mischief and fun there is likely to he. Several of the British women M.P.’s, Mrs Phillipson (Mabel Russell), Lady Terrington and Susan Lawrence, among others, attended the Stoll Picture Theatre, London together with Betty Balfour, to see “Squibs M.P.” Betty Balfour's latest Master picture. Mrs Phillipson was the creator of the Squibs character on the variety stage. The lady members thoroughly enjoyed the film, and said they were anxious to learn all they possibly could about the film industry with a view to championing the cause of British films in the House. Unless plans go awry, Queensland will bo producing films before long (writes a Sydney ‘‘Bulletin” correspondent). The man behind the venture is C. E Chauvel (he is the general's nephew), who went to Los Angelos with “Snowy” Baker, and stayed eighteen months. He has interested big men (pastoralists mostly; in the film company he is forming, and the money is coming in well. The actors and authors are here; the scenery and atmosphere are perfect for picture production, and the market is one of the best in the world. It is a noteworthy fact that in the comparatively early days of the movies

the producers were filming much heavier and high-class subjects than they are to-day. Listed among the one and two-reelers beng offered in 1912 one finds Dante’s ‘ Inferno,” “Homer’s “Odyssey.” Scott’s .“Tvahhoc” and “ The Lady of the Lake,” Shakespeare’s ‘* King Lear ” and “ Hamlet,” Browning’s “ Pippo. Passes,” Hawthorne’s “ Scarlet Letter.” Bunvan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress.” Dickens’s “Pickwick Papers” and “Bleak House,” George Eliot’s “ The Mill on the Floss,” and Tennyson’s “ The Knights of the Round Table.” Hoot Gibson has started work in a new comedy feature at Universal City under the direction of Edward Sedgwick. The picture is tentatively titled “ Broadway or Bust,” and Gibson has the role of a poverty stricken young rancher whose big ambition is to make enough money to blaze a trail down Broadway. Radium is discovered on his ranch. He sells out for a million dollars and buys everything in the i “mail-order” catalogue to outfit him properly for his conquest of the great white way. Ruth Dwyer, who had the leading feminine role in “The Reckless Age” with Reginald Denny, will play the lead opposite Hoot in the picture. Pola Negri’s set (says “Picture Play ') reminds us of one of those signs that you see on banks in a foreign quarter, where announcement is made that: “ On parle ici Francais.” ; “ So Habla EspagnoJ.” I “ .Hier wird Deutsch Gespreclien.” Her director. Buchowetzki, is a specialist in languages, but he explains all the finer and subtler meanings of his scene to l-ola in his native Russian, which she understands. Ho has some extras who only respond to French, because Paris happens to be the locale of the play, and lie uses German to his own assistants whom he brought from Berlin, and English to the other people on the set, to whom the most of his talk is Greek. ! “A Man’s Mato ” is the new title which lias ben selected for the John Gilbert starring vehicles which William Fox had already announced under “ The Apache.” It is a story of Parisian life and many of the sets erected at the West Coast Studios of Fox Film Corporation are copies of famous French dance halls and resorts. Renee

Adoree will be seen as the leading lady for Gilbert and following are also in the cast: Noble Johnson, Wilfred North, Thomas Mills, James Neill, John Gidding. and Patterson Dial. An interesting note may be added in naming the east, as there are three in it who at some time in their careers were better known for their directing abilities than for their acting. They are Messrs Gilbert (the star), North and Mills. Rolfe Sedan, character comedian, has finished his third successive role in a Laura La Plante production at Universal City, that of an artist in ‘* Relativity.” Sedan played his first part in a Universal production in “ Sporting Youth.” in which Reginald Denny was starred, and was promptly cast for one of tlie leading supporting roles in “ Excitement,” Miss La Plante’s initial starring vehicle. He played one of the principal parts in “The Dangerous Blonde.” her second starring production. “Relativity” is based on a magazine story by Sophie Kerr, published under the title of Relative Values.” T. Roy Barnes lias the male lead in the picture. Others in the cast include Lucille Rickscn, Janies O. Barrows, Lydia Yeamans Titus, Buddy Messinger, Jennie Lee and Hal Stevens.