General Film Gossip

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17527, 2 May 1925, Page 20

General Film Gossip

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. r Stiff}* —Lola Todd has the part of Mimi in ‘‘The Iron Man.” S.M.—Many thanks for sending: the in- | formation. Your kind interest saved j me the trouble of searching- through j Ted—Colleen Moore, Norma and Con- I stance Talmadge and Viola Dana, United Studios, Hollywood. California. Laura La Plante, .House Peters, Reginald Denny and Virginia VaMi, Universal Studios, Universal City, California. Shirley Mason, Fox Studios, Hollywood, California. Marion Davies, Cosmopolitan Productions, Second Avenue and 127th Street, Mew York City. Percy Marmont, and Alice Terry, Metro-Goldwyn Studios, Culver City, California. Winter Hall has no regular studio address, being a freelance. Femo.—Regret unable to supply tho information this week. Press sheets available do not give the name of the actor. Will search other records ami may place him in time for next issue. “ The Mask of Lopez,” to be screened at the Liberty Theatre to-day, i's full of exciting incidents in which Fred Thompson and his horse Silver King play a prominent part. Thompson is depicted as Jack O'Neill, a typical rough-rider, aud the plot affords him ample opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities as a “stunt” acord. tie obtains a position as cowboy on a ranch owned by a girl who is tr}-ing to carry on after her father's death. The superintendent of the ranch is a bandit, associated with Lopez, the leader of a gang of desperate nomads who terrorise the cattle-owners. With the aid of his wonder horse, Silver King, Jack rounds up the gang, and then wins the love of the girl. The picture is packed with exciting incidents, and shows Thompson at his best. The climax is intensely ' dramatic. The heroine is on a runaway horse, and is heading for a chasm thatmeans certain death. O’Neill puts his horse to the gallop, vaults over barbed wire fences, and snatches the girl from the other horse while both animals are rearing in the air. Hazen Keener pla}*s opposite Thompson, and the principal supports arc David Kirby, Frank Hague}* and George JMagrill. * * + * The story of a reckless heiress is portrayed in “ Dangerous Money,” a Paramount production to be screened at the Liberty Theatre to-day. Adele dark, a working girl, suddenly inherits vast wealth. She goes for a trip to Europe, and meets an impecunious Italian nobleman who desires to replenish the family coffers by marriage with the wealthy American. By this time Adele has become very extravagant, and her

trustees, in an endeavour to make her realise her position and show her that she must curtail her expenditure, despatch a messenger in the person of a former sweetheart. His efforts, however, fail, and he leaves Adele in anger. She thereupon marries the count, but it is not long before she realises that she has made a mistake. On a trip to America, she learns that she is no longer wealthy, consequent on the discovery of an old will. There is a happy conclusion. Tom Moore and Bebe Daniels in the leading roles are' supported by a strong cast. * * * * “ The Cyclone Rader." which comes to the Queen's Theatre on Monday, is simply packed with thrills, and yet room is found for a generous vein of comedy. Reed Ilowes, as James Kent, a young engineer, has many chances to do breath-taking deeds on swinging cables and on steel constructions poised high in the air, the reason for most of the heroism being a girl named Doris Howard, played by Alma Bennett. The big scene, and the biggest thrill of the picture, comes in an automobile race which he enters, hoping to win a 5000-dollar purse. Doris's father has decreed that he shall earn this amount before he can win the girl, which explains the death-defying chances he takes to cross the line first. Then, with the race practically won, a child wanders out across the track, and he is obliged to wreck his machine to save her. That gives an opportunity for the picture to run into even more thrills. Even the wedding at the finish is not an ordinary wedding in any sense. The hero arrives through the window, swinging on a steel derrick beam, in time to prevent Doris from marrying a blackguard, and then, since the minister was there and everything ready, he marries her himself. The big scenes include a leap in an automobile from a pier to the deck of a ferry steamer, and a battle against seemingly overwhelming odds in water mains beneath city streets. Heaven,” which will be the chief attraction on the new programme at Everybody’s Theatre, commencing on Monday, is an adaptation of the novel of the same name, by Clive Arden, which was adjudged British prize novel for 1923. Tt is the story of a prim daughter of a conventional English family, who is persuaded to go on a round-the-world flight in a hydroplane with Alan Croft, a flier of international

fame. The machine is wrecked in a typhoon off the coast <>f a small island in the tropics. All on board arc lost but Barbara and Alan, who escape, to find the island inhabited by savages. As time passes, Barbara and Alan realise that they love each other, and finally plight their troth before God, and themselves perform a marriage ceremony. Later Barbara is rescued just when the savages have discovered that Alan is not a god. but the latter is left for dead. When Barbara returns home she finds the town outraged at the news of her unconventional marriage. but the miraculous reappearance of Alan restores her happiness. The east is a strong one, with Bebe Daniels and Richard Dix in the leading roles. “ Frivolous Sal.” a First National production coming to Everybody's Theatre on Monday, tells the story of Roland Keene, a weak though lovable actor, who settles down in a Western mining town. There he marries Sal, the favourite of the settlement, whose father has left her the Greenback Saloon, from which she receives a comfortable income. For a time all goes well, but Keene succumbs to a weakness for liquor and commences to gamble. lie loses heavily to a professional gambler named Osner, anncl, in

spite of all his wife's efforts, sinks to a lower level. Osner gets from Keene the key to the safe, which he robs. Sensational events lead up to a climax in a desperate fight to the death between Keene and Osner on a naerial tramway, high above a deep gorge The cast includes Eugene O’Brien. Mac Busch, Ben Alexander, Mildred Harris, Mitchell Lewis andn Tom Santschi. * * * m “ For You My Boy,” the second attraction on the new programme at the Grand Theatre, commencing t r -day. ir the story of a father's sacrifice and the dire consequences that followed an act. which he at the time thought was for the best interests of his motherless babe. But he was forced to «tard at one side and see his boy grow to manhood without the right to guide him. In the end, however, the bov receives the heritage of his birthright and when the big crisis comes in his life he stands up to meet it in a manner that sends a glow of pride to the father s heart, and in part compensates for the suffering and sacrifice that he had gone through. Matty Roubert, Lours Dean and Jean Armotir have the leading roles.

“The Sign of the Rose.” which comes *♦o Greater Crystal Palace on Monday. Tarings back to the screen the celebrated *tagc and screen actor. George Beban, # -who is the author of the plav, “ This *;ble character actor,” says a New York reviewer, who gets right down to the bedrock of human understanding in bis inspired portrayal has. in “ The Sign of the Rose,” a picture certain m its tug at the emotions. Tt is a screen version of his stage play, and has been adapted to the silver sheet in such a manner that its many high lights are constantly in the foreground. Mr Be ban plays again the simple, sorrowful ; figure of the Italian whose entire life is devoted to the welfare of his motherless child. It is highly effective to see liim touching the human chords by his deft skill in suggesting pathos or humour or sentiment. It is a human picture and certain of its appeal to any locality. * * * * Love, hate and revenge are the main ingredients that go to make up “ 1 am the Man,” a powerful drama which will be screened at Greater Crystal Palace next Monday. The star is the famous stage and screen actor, Lionel Barrymore, and the part he plays is that of a politician who, used to having bis way in most things, finally believes himself above the law. By unscrupulous methods he forces a woman to marry him, and finally in a fit of jealousy murders a man and then callously attends the trial of an innocent person for the crime he committed. An unlooked for incident brings him to a realisation of the true position and he makes emends that leads to a happy ending. The supporting cast includes such well known players as Seena Owen, Flora Le Breton, Gaston Glass and Joe Striker. * * * * “Manhattan.” a paramount adaptation of Jeffrey Farnol’s novel. 4 The Definite Object,” which will be screened et the Grand Theatre to-day, is something out of the ordinary. It gives an insight into the underworld of New York. There is an unsavoury establishment that thrives by night, rejoicing an the colourful name of ‘‘Hell’s Kitchen.” Events happen in the kitchen. Peter Minuit, bored to tears, strolls in one night, looking for excitement. Ilis millions have failed to make life enjoyable. There is a girl in the kitchen, Mary, a flower of the dingy tenement district. Then there is Bud M Gin ms, a bold bad man of the underworld who fancies that lie has a lien over Marc'. The young millionaire falls in love with the girl, and M’Gimvs gets dangerous. The story begins to grin hereabouts, for Peter goes away to don the gloves preparatory to administering a thrashing to M’Ginnis. There is no paucity of action as the story moves towards a thrilling termination, with the. young millionaire triumphant, and the slum girl radiant in the possession of a husband's proven quality. Richard Dix and Jacqueline Logan are the ieatured players. *** * * “Butterfly,” comwiug to tho Strand Theatre to-day, is a Universal film version of Kathleen Norris’ well-known novel. It. is a most, absorbing love* story woven around tho lives of lour X>ersons, two sisters, a young business man and a Russian violinist. Tho players who portray tho characters are Laura La Plante, Norman Kerry, Ruth Clifford, Kenneth Harlan. Miss La Plante plays the titlo role. * * * * Combining the romance of the West ■with the colourful life of the sawduss ring, “The Circus Cowboy,” Charles Jones’ William Fox production coming to the Strand Theatre to-day, is one of the most highly entertaining pictures this star lias made. The story concerns a cow-puncher who, pursued by a posse in the belief that he shot a man, escapes and finds refuge with a circus as a trick rider. This temporary haven supplies romance in the form of a little tight-rope walker —but 5t also supplies numberless complications and exciting situations. * * s* * Jack Dempsey- will be co-stancd with bis wife, Estelle Taylor, in a picture to be called “Manhattan Madness.” *sl* * * Tlic “Know Your Country” series of pictures of the Australian Commonwealth, will shortly be released in New Zealand. They are said to bo verv »" u - »' * * * Thomas Meighau's next offering for Paramount will be “Tongues Of Flame.” In this picture Thomas essays the role of a small town lawyer, who returns from tho Great War, only 1o find that his own main street bolds more thrills than the battlefields of France. Paramount’s Second Famous Fovly Group will include “The Thundering Herd,” Zane Grey’s great story which is now on sale at the book shops. v- -'fi * * Betty Comi(son’s popularity is growing apace. Recently she was scon in “The Enemy Bex,” one of the cleverest flapper stories of tho rear. Her next, offering will 1,6 ‘ Tho Garden of Weeds.” ’lbis play has n- “backstage” atmosphero in which Betty has the leading role of a chorus girl who is understudying the leading lady of tho chow.

Percy Marmont is ail Englishman and usually is called upon to portray the part of one of his own countrymen on the screen. At the present time he is engaged as Peter Ilungerford in John M. Stahl’s production of “The Right to Live,” an adaptation of the successful play. “Fashions for Men.” for First National, which is being made at the Metro-Goldwvn Maver Studios in- Culver City. * * *■ D. AY. Griffith’s first picture to he produced for Paramount will be “The Sorrows of Satan ” from the famous novel by Marie Corelli. Paramountstates that the picture will have one of the greatest casts of players in history, and although the hulk of the action will be filmed in America, a considerable number of scenes will be made in England and on the continent of Europe. * * * * Agnes Ayres's most recent offering for Paramount is entitled “Worldly Goods.” It is a matrimonial comedydrama through which there runs a vein df really solid philosophy in regard to modern marriage. A humorous critics has described M ks Ay- i-'*s role in this picture as “a girl who thought she was getting the world’s prize husband.— lnit who found she was only getting the booby prize.” It is not infrequent that a woman must give up the man she loves to another woman. But how different it all is when that woman is her daughter! Ernst Lubitsch, the film genius, lias created this unusual situation in “Three Women. ’ a Master Picture. Pauline Frederick, as the mother, is given an opportunity to show her ability as a great emotional actress in scenes of heart-gripping reality. * * ❖ * George Fitzmaurice, director of “A Thief in Paradise,” and master creator of exotic sets and lavish conceptions, is going to Europe to get new inspiration for future productions to be made by Samuel Goldwyn for i iist National Pictures. Mr Fitzmaurice, has just completed the cutting, titling and editorial work on his latest picture “His Supreme Moment,” in which Blanche Sweet and Ronald Colman are featured, * * * * “I want my comedies always to contain clean fun. I find it is what the public likes best and longest.” So said Harold Lloyd the famous comedian, after lie reviewed his latest creation “Girl Shy,” an exceptional Master Picture which is to be released in the Dominion shortly. ‘ Girl Shy” is so simple that a child can laugh at it; so clean that old fashioned grandma chuckles over it without blushing; yet so subtle that philosophers chortle. # Probably the most popular sporting writer of today is Mr H. C. Witwer, who wrote the “Fighting Blood” series which appeared in “Collier s Weekly” recently. This series has now been picturised by the author in twelve tworeel rounds, and will be presented by Master Pictures shortly throughout the Dominion. Each episode is complete in itself, containing a ring battle, plenty of the kind of humour for which this author is famed, arid a spice of romance. * * * * Announced as a spectacular talo of the Olden Golden West ‘ North of ”30” has just been released bv Paramount, and will be liero shortly. This story was written bv Emerson Hough, the man who wrote “Tho Covered Waggon.” Just- as the latter picture was an epic of the linking of the Eastern and Western American States, so is “North of ’30.” an epic of the North and South. The cast includes Jack Holt, Ernest Toncncc, Lois Wilson and Noah Beerv. •* * * * A cable message to Sydney “Sun” reports grave anxiety about the condition of British films. It is proposed to ask the Government to appoint a committee to inquire into the causes of the present depression and to recommend the best means for re-estab-lishing the industry in view of the industrial, commercial, educational and Imperial interests involved. Representatives of the industry are stated to have said that unless immediate action is taken there will bo no industry left to save. * * * * Production is proceeding rapidly at the studio in Auckland and most of tho interior scenes have been completed for “Rewi’s Last Stand,” the first Maori War film yet produced. The company has been fortunate in its selection of its first story which is from James Cowan's book of tho battle of Ovakau in the early sixties. Tho big sijectacular scenes of tho light are to bo photographed' near Rotorua shortly after Easter. Arrangements have been made, with Guide Susan, for several hundred Maoris ami with tho Defence Department for white soldiers. * * * * How much is a screen star worth—dead? The question seems paradoxical, but the fact remains that should Constance Talmadge die to-day the Joseph M. Sehonck Productions estimates its loss would aggregate 1.000.000 dollars. For that reason the film producers have taken out policies for that amount on the lives of both Constance and her sister, Norma. Other policies, also were taken out to cover accidental injury or disfigurement of the stars which would preclude their

future appearance on the scicen. In addition to this, both Constance and Norma carry personal policies of large amounts. * * * * Louise Fazenda, the comedy star, playing opposite to Rin-Tin-Tin, the dog star in the Master Pictuie “The Lighthouse by the Sea.” is the only woman who appears in the picture. The woman in the story walks unscathed through low dives where sin is supposed to be served in huge quantities. ! but through it all she maintains her j child-like faith in an obvious villain ; and through a mistake upsets the plans j of some well-meaning boot-leggers. The j clever doggie is seen to better advanj tage than in any previous picture. His : sensational dash to the rescue, up i the steep sides of a cliff, is a thrilling j piece of realism. ! * * * * .. . j \ itagraph s “Masters of Men. is a } character study of adventure and ro- • mance during the late nineties when i the Spanish-American war was in progress. Morgan Robertson, who fashioned this tale was always a vigorous writer. And he has supplied the story with all the necessary essentials which hold and intrigue the imagination. Two of the scenes show the bottling up of Cervera’s fleet in Santiago harbour and the attempt to run the gauntlet of American ships. The climax is graphic and finely executed. Interpreted by a cast of players who arc not only adaptable for their roles, but enact them with sincerity and feeling, the picture is certain to score as one of the better documents. “Masters of Men” will be released shortly by Master Pictures. * :k ric d: Every kind of beard is represented in “Don Q,” Douglas Fairbanks’s new piev turc from an insignificant “/its” to the most elaborate “beaver.” The reason for this is that the period of the picture—the early- fifties—calls for hircsute trimmings on the stern and austere visages of the men. The whiskers most in evidence arc "sideburns.” In order to keep the “Don Q” whis- . leers in the highest possible state of cultivation, two famous hair dressers, arc kept constantly- on the set. With scissors, wax, crepe hair, razors and other paraphernalia, they “do their stuff.” Of course the championship “sideburns” belong to Dougias Fairbanks. As “Don Q,” hero of the play, he disports a pair of neatly baibered “sideburns” that are the envy of filmland. Quite recently a very fine catalogue announcing Paramount's pictures for

-1926 in the form of a special “Exhibitor” (the firm’s official publication) was sent out. This booklet has been arranged for a special announcement from the Paramount Studios in regard to the Second 'Famous Forty. This group which is now in the course of construction will contain such pictures as “Peter Pan,” with the new star, Betty Bronson; “Madame Sans Gone.” which Gloria Swanson has just 3 completed in France. “Sackcloth and 1 Scarlet.” “Modern Babylon.” “The i Dressmaker From Paris,” wifdi Beatrice Joy, and many others. The feat- 1 ure stars will be Pole Negri. Richard Dix, Rudolph Valentino. Betty Compson, Thomas Meighan. Theodore Roberts. Bebe Daniels and others. A remarkable set of chessmen — unique in that it is the only one of its j kind in the world—appears in “East ‘ of Suez.” Pola Negri’s latest starring 1 picture for Paramount. Scenes in the picture show Pola Negri engaged in a game with Rockcliffe Fellowes. who, with Edmund Lowe and Noah Leery, j is featured opposite the star. For this game, a special set of chessmen was made. The ordinary pawns arc Chinese dagger-men. The kings and queens are miniature busts of Pola Negri and Rockcliffe Fellowes, done in plaster and boiled in oil and benzine to give them the polish and almost the hardness of granite. Following .their appearance in "East of Suez.” the chessmen wore presented to Pola Negri and now repose in a glass cabinet at her home, where she keeps a remalkable collection of iVurv carvings. * * * * In these days of remarkable pictures, one is astounded at tbc lengths gone to by producers in their, efforts to create sensationalism. Lives apparently count for nought, judging by the many hair-raising stunts introduced for tho purpose of additional j thrill. Of .the many pictures favoured in this respect, one of the most noteworthy is the Hodgkinson film. “Down to the Boa in Ships,” which, on its release last year, created some of tlic best box offieo figures for any feature outside of such notable pictures of tlic screen as “ Tho Ten Commandments,” “Robin Hood,” and “The Thief of Bagdad.” Considerable competition took place with regard to the overseas production of this amazing picture, 1 with the result that United Artists J (Australasia), Ltd., wero the successful bidders. This picture will bo rcleased in New Zealand at an early

Woman’s yearning for a man’s full life—is it real or natural? That is tne theme of “This Freedom,” the brilliann film version of A. S. M. Hutchinson's companion Story to “ If Winter Comes.” released by Master Pictures. Womsi are orating on platforms, pleading in the courts, serving on juries, and debating in Parliament A yearning for more of life’s opportunities and excitements force them there. But what of the “ sum.” with which they obtain “This Freedom?” Is it at the price of ruined homes, morally defective children and the finest l'eminir.e instincts tortured and revolted? And in break ing out into this wider life have women really conquered freedom? Have they not really exchanged real liberty for servitude—slavery to an alien and unnatural existence? Can women ever be free in the moderia sense? These arc some of the points raised and answered in “ This Freedom.” ❖ * « To tell the story of “Squibs’ Honeymoon.” the exceptional Master Pic-

turc, would be to spoil the element of surprise in the film. Sufficient is it to say that on deciding to get married. Squibs quickly disposes of the cares of the milk business she acquired in “Squibs M.P.” and brooking no interference or argument from her sweetheart, ex-PF. Lee, names the day and makes all arrangement. 1 ; for the- wedding. This wedding in probably the simplest yet at; the same time the most impressive wedding seen in a film. As for the bride, a well-known film correspondent describes Mfi 1 hs-ihe Lee nee Squibs Hopkins, easily the hapi piest bride ever seen in films. After the ceremony wild scenes of happiness folj low, and then off to the Continent, j where the fun begins in earnest and I the action proceeds with the speed j of the express trains carrying riquibs on her greatest adventure. And it really I is her greatest adventur... ( * * * * I Messrs VY. A Gibson end F. ML 1 Timing (directors), and Percy Dive

, (secretary), of Australasian Films. Ltd, | were passengers for New Zealand by J the Maknra (says “Everyone’s”). These j gentlemen will, ifc is understood, be j joined by Sir George Tallis and Mr j Bnleotnbe for the purpose of a confer- ! <snce with the New Zealand Picture Supplies. From what can be gathered, the parties will confer on the future I of film distribution in the Dominion. For some years now, N-Z.P.S. hare to > :» considerable extent, eecured their film supplies from J. C. ’Winiamson f ilms, Ltd. and some time ago gave l he required six months’ notice of their intention to terminate the agreement. Since that time, however, the advisability of the move has been freeIv discussed amongst the executive of that body, and the proposed conference is in re snort- to a renewal of the , former conditions, or. maylie. a move , on the port of Australasian Films. Ltd. to obtain straight-out representation in the Dominion. :}c Jfi * ■* United Artists are soon to ieieasc a nine reel production entitled “Decameron Nights.” This is a picturization of Robert M’Laughlin's Drury Lane success. which ran for nearly a year at the famous home of spectacular drama. Graham Wilcox is responsible for the I picture production, and judging by the London press criticisms which have come to hand, he has turned out something quite out of the ordinary. The ' cast is. in every’ sense of the word, an l international one. as the chief roles are | taken by Russian. Italian, English, American and German artists. each player being chosen for his or her particular ability to portray the different and difficult types called ’for in Boccacio’s classical tales. The London “Morning Advertiser” says of the picture . Decameron Nights is a ically fine production; rich in technical v alues, and with some of the best acting that any picture has yet offered. It cannot [ail to be one of Lhe successes of the year.” The picture will be screened in Christchurch about June next. i* * * * All records for box office receipts to an opera were broken at Universal City, when a 50,000d0l audience filled the reproduction of the Paris Opera for a specially staged performance of “ Faust.” But in this case the audi--1 ence did not pay to see the opera. On the contrary, they were paid to see it. I The 50,000d0l represents what it cost to have the audience there. It is also probably the first time in history that

3000 people were paid from tea t® twenty dollars apiece for looking at an opera. The audience was used for th* “ Faust” performance, one ad the important scenes in Universal* “ of the Opera.'’ In addition to the 50,000d0l which was spent for the audience alone, there was, of course, an enormous expense involved in the one-hundred-piece orchestra, the ballet of 250, the chorus of eighty and the opera stars and principals. Lon Chaney has his most unusual role in the “ Phantom." it is said, and Mar; Philbin and Norman Kerry an*, th* young lovers whose happiness is mei~ aced by his gnm hgure. e * # # Warner Brothers announce that the title of their third Lubitsch proa action* now well under way at the Hollywood studio, is “Kiss Me Again." 1 a Master Picture. This is the story written by Mr Lubitsch and Hans Kraley. The scenes are laid in Paris and in it the director takes the eternal triangle and handles it in a humorous vein. In fact, he has obtained an entirely different twist in unravelling a domestic situation, in which a husband, wife and lever figure. Mane Prevosfc, who is playing the lead, is said to have an unusually good part, and Monte Blue, as a jealous husband, aiso has splendid opportunities. In searching for a perfect type for a rather frolicsome role in the production, Lubitsch was able to secure Clara Bow, “the perfect flapper,” who has won a signal si nee her debut two years ago. Miss Bow will have a role similar to those that have made her famous. John Roche and Willard Louise, who won such wide praise for his splendid acting as the Prince of Wales in “Beau Brummel" with John Barrymore, are also in the cast. * a * a Three million dollars is to be expended upon oseph Schenck's personal production this coming year Isays an American paper). He plans four Norma Talmadge pictures, lour Constance Talmadge features, and two Buster Keaton feature comedies. Of these it is said that two of the Norma Talmadge pictures are to be released by First National, and two by United Artists, that all four of the Constance Talmadge features are to go to First National, and that one of the Buster Keaton comedies will go to the MetroGoldwyn and the other will probably be release dthrough United Artists.