GENERAL FILM GOSSIP

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18009, 20 November 1926, Page 25

GENERAL FILM GOSSIP

Coming to the Grand Theatre soon is “ Sparrows,” Mary Pxckford's latest picture. The popular star has not deserted her famous juvenile roles, and once again in this film she is the youthful and vivacious youngster vfho has, in the past, delighted the hearts of film fans the world over. In “ Sparrows,*’ the central theme is a country orphanage, with Mary a merry orphan. Although pathos is naturally attendant upon such an idea, there is plenty of comedy in the picture, in which, of course, the heroine is as, accomplished as she is in more poignant things. “Sparrows” is a true Mary Pickford; picture, with a new twist. Douglas Fairbanks's latest picture, “ The Black Pirate,” is soon to be released in this city. Of all the stirring pictures made by the popular “ Doug ” this film is one that recalls boyhood’s days most vividly- It is a bounding tale of the Spanish Main, one that is reminiscent of Stephenson’s great romances, with as much adventure and tingling drama in it as that most delightful tale, “ Treasure Island.” It is a magnificently produced picture, with many scenes made in colour. It is, of course, a very romantic tale, but above all it is a stirring and manly story of jolly buccaneers and verv gallant knights. Billie Dove and Mary Astor figure in the cast. ” The Sheik ” writes as follows:—Can vou tell me why, when a good British film is shown, it is spoilt by most inappropriate music? This has happened in Christchurch theatres within the last two months. It is indeed a pity that such should be the case, more especially as the British producers have a big enough hurdle to get over in their endeavours to keep up with their American cousins. What are the orchestras for ? With all due respect to the conductors, I would suggest that they endeavour to get music suitable to the picture, and at the same time study the film a little more when it is being given its preliminary run through, before launching their programme for the ensuing week. Contributors and musicians should glance through your article published in the “ StaF ” of December 30. 1922. J.J V *.♦ “ Moana,” Paramount's film of Samoa, New Zealand’s mandate in the southern seas, was screened privately to a number of prominent persons in Wellington last week. The screening was held in the projection theatre . of the Government Department of Internal Affairs, and there were present Sir Maui Pomare, Minister in niharge of the Cook Islands. Hon JR. -A. Wright, Minister of Educa-tibn, the Hon G. J. Anderson, Minister in Charge of Publicity, Mr J. D. Grey, Secretary of Internal Affairs, and representatives of the New Zealand Government Publicity Office, also Lady Pomare. The film “ Moana ” proved to

be a most interesting story of the scenery, life and customs of the Samoan people. The picture will be released throughout New Zealand at an early date.

:*: I he Publicity Office ha;-; .released through the Metro-Gofdwyn-Mavfer circuit the third of a trio of

scenic? tone-poems of the Great Winterless North, under the title of “Still Waters.” From a pictorial point of view the picture is perhaps the best of the bracket, and includes some fascinating studies of the silent and almost, unknown riverways that thread a picturesque passage through the ferns and forests of the Northland. Contrary to the general belief, the North Auckland peninsula is not a dreary desert of sand dunes and wind-blown wastes, but a wonderfully forested and well-watered country with a class of scenery peculiarly its own, and second to no other type within the confines of New Zealand. Those who have the good fortune to . view “Still Waters” will be surprised at the vast extent and the xinusual scenic charm of the Northland’s “terra incognita.”

. Work on the Regent Theatre, Wellington, is being pushed forward rapidly in order that the building may be completed in time for the opening fixed for the first screening in New Zealand of Paramount's big production “ Beau Geste.” Elaborate plans are being made for the premiere of this adapta-

lion of P. C. Wren’s best seller. In bringing “ Beau Geste ” to the screen full justice to this great story of the French Foreign Legion has been done by the producer. The magnificent and bizarre atmosphere of desert background has been carried out with marvellous effect. The dramatic, aspect—the. wonderful story of brother . love—also has been strongly developed, justifying the theme of “Greater. Love Hath No Man ” upon which the story is based. The players in “ Beau Geste ” are Ronald Colm.an, Neil Hamilton, Rajph Forbes, Noah . Beef}', Alice

Joyce, Victor MLaglan and Mary Brian. Metro-Goldwvn-Mayer’s “ The Big Parade,” which is now in its fortysixth week on Broadway, New Vork, a nth is still going great guns, will be released -very shortly in New Zealand. Belle Bennett has been chosen for the role of Ellen M’llugh in the big Fox feature, “The Story of Mother Machree.” Miss Bennett’s remarkable work in “Stella Dallas” won her unstinted praise from every quarter, and this latest Fox feature is an ideal vehicle for the display of the actress’s fine emotional talents. Virginia Valli and George O’Brien have the leading roles in the Fox production of “Gaby,” the scfqen romance based on the life of the fascinating French dancer, Gaby Deslys. J. Farrell MacDonald,, who gave such a splendid delineation of “Corporal Casey" in ‘‘The Iron Horse,” has the part of the American Ambassador. Percy Marmont docs some of the finest work of his career in Mrs Wallace Reid's “ Broken Laws.” a Master picture. 11 is scenes with little Jane Wray, who plays the part of his daughter! are human and touching, and show this favourite of the films in an entirelv new role. “ Broken Laws ” is played by an all-star oast, and is delighting audiences wherever shown.

The London trade press refer to "Mademoiselle from Armentieres,” “Nelson,” “Palaver, Fhe Lodge" and "Mons” as five great British pictures. “The Bioscope” says that all of them are of a quality which entitles them to take their places side by side with the world’s best. A new standard of British production has been set, but this standard must, be maintained.

“ Don .luan,” a Master picture. is a picture of romantic richness. It has all the red blood, the amorous high lights and the nerve and spirit that Den Juan ” should have. Barrymore's interpretation of the role is but another of the many splendid characterisations with which he and other members of his famous family have emblazoned -their names upon the tablets of fame.

In recognition of the excellent work Reginald Denny has pxit into his many Universal successes and in appreciation of the superior quality of "Take It From Me," the first of six special Denny pictures,, Carl Laemmle, president of Universal, instructed all Uni-

versal exchanges and others in the organisation in the United States to announce the week commencing on . October 9 as a National Denny Week.

Another new British Film Producing Company has been formed in London under the title of British Film Enterprises, Ltd. The productions will carry the brand name of “Pall Mall Productions,” and their first film, upon which production commenced in October, is called “The Creeping Tide.” The scenes are being shot at a famous English beauty spot, Lulworth Cove. The story deals with modern smuggling.

Robert Fraser is cast in the leading supporting role in “The Foolish Virgin." a Master picture, a fascinating and thrilling story of a young lady who emerges with a clean and wholesome

soul out of the slums in a big city. Fraser is the type of clean-cut American who persuades by personality as well as histrionic ability. In “ The Foolish Virgin ” he is cast opposite Elaine Hemmerstein, and does some dramatic acting.

New Zealand audiences will be given their first introduction to one of Europe's most popular stars in “ Her Big Night,” a Universal Jewel attraction starring Laura la Plante. Einar Ilansen, who is one of Europs’ most popular actors, plays the lead opposite the comedienne. lie is under long term contract to Universal. Others in the cast of “ Iler Big Night ” are Tttllv Marshall. Zazu Pitts. Mack Swain, John Roche and Lee Moran. :*; « «/ Racing along at a dizzy rate of speed, with Monc Blue in the lead, “ Red Hot Tyres,” a Master picture, will be seen shortly. This picturisation of the Gregory Rogers novel is one of the most entertaining comedies recently screened, and has thrills, laughs and romance gaily shaken together. Patsy Ruth Miller makes a charming little heroine, even when she dons a pair of size 12 heavy shoes and clomps along through a haunted house.

“ The Wedding March," directed by and featuring Eric von Stroheim, will bring this star back to the screen after an absence of some months. This picture is one of Paramount's fifteenth birthday groups, and has been produced on a lavish scale. The glittering pageantry of the Austrian Court at Vienna is shown in sharp contrast to the sordid life of the peasants, for von Stroheim has not altogether abandoned his penchant for stark realism.

Lon Chancy has played some strange characters during his screen career, but the strangest, it is said, will he in his next picture. " Alonzo the Armless," in which he has the part of an " armless wonder.” To play it he underwent an intensive course in manipulating pen and pencil, knife and fork, and even a revolver, with his feet. In the storv, which is laid in Spain, Chanev, though armless, becomes the underworld ruler of a Spanish city, in a series of dramatic and thrilling episodes.

Eugene O'Brien, who is featured with Claire Windsor in the Master picture. “ Souls for Sables,” suggested from “ Garlan and Co .” by David Graham Phillips, makes his first appearance in an independent production. For many years Eugene was a star in his own right, and then played opposite Norma Talmadge in her most successful pictures. As Fred Garlan. in “ Souls for Sables,” he plays the part of a young business man, and it is said that his portraval of the character is one of the best he has been seen in.

The much sought asterisk of the National Board of Review, which, when conferred on a photoplay in the board's picture guide, means that it is unusually interesting smd well produced, has been awarded “ Three Bad Men.” the epic bf the West, which Fox Films have just released in the United States. In explaining the selection, the board says: “The selection was made because

of its interest as a historic story, graphically and entertainingly told. The entertainment value of the picture makes it suitable for the family audience, including young people.”

“ Padlocked,” a “ Saturday Evening Post ” storv. will be the first of Paramount’s fifteenth birthday group to be released in New Zealand. It was written bv Rex Beach, and enjoyed a popular run. “ Padlocked is a storv of parental repression and its effect on a spirited voung girl of to-day. Lois Morgan, the wistful heroine of “ Stella Dallas," gives an inspired performance as the modern daughter who braves the clangers and temptations of Broadway night life in pursuit of a career as a dancer. Noah Beery, as the oldfashioned father whose zealous reform efforts drive his daughter from home, scores a distinct triumph in a role that is entirely new to him.

“ Les Miserables,” by A ictor Hugo, has probably been one of the most filmed of all stories for the screen. Its dramatic value and wealth of emotional incident has made it one of the most sought after subjects, both for the legitimate theatre and the screen. The latest French version (by Cineromans of Paris! marks a new departure. “ Les Miserables ” has hitherto been shown complete—as one picture. Such, however, was the gigantic scope of the latest version that it would have been an artistic crime to cramp it within the limits of an eight or ten reel story. After many anxious discussions, it was decided to release it i” two great episodes under the titles of ‘ lhe Soiil ot Humanity” and "The Barricades. a *•*

Paramount’s fifteenth birthday month greater movie season will be celebrated throughout the entire month of March next. The greater movie season has been instituted by Paramount Pictures the world over, with the idea of giving to the picture business a general stimulus. So successful has the inception of the movement been that each and every* year it is a bigger and more important event than ever. Exhibitors throughout the world, especially in New Zealand and Australia, are coming to realise that these moves are beneficial to the moving picture industry as a whole, and they are entering into them with greater and greater enthusiasm. The greater movie season next March will be backed by a tremendous campaign on the part of the Paramount organisation, and it is anticipated that this will be the most important concerted event in the history of moving pictures in New Zealand.

All films of historical value to posterity* will be preserved by* the United States Government if a plan suggested by Will 11. IlayS, presideht of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, is carried out. The plan calls for space in the pew Archives building, to be erected in Washington, in. which thousands of reels of important motion pictures made during the war, news events beginning with the inauguration of President M’Kinley*, and historical dramas may be saved. Vault space to hold 50,000 reels is;to be asked. Negatives of immense value to posterity* are now scattered in various vaults all through the country. Some are being inspected regularly, and will be saved in the event the vaults are procured. With proper care and storage at an even temperature, negatives will last for yfcars: Duplicates could be made from time to time, if necessary. Experts are now working on a process which will prolong the life ,of a negative indefinitely. « k

Wampus, that organisation of Holly* - wood Press agents, who have made and unmade all kinds of good, bad and indifferent stars, determined that, while there is a chance in pictures for the long, willowy type of women, her chances to star ai*e about the same as that of Chaplin to play tragedy (writes a Hollywood correspondent). Look over the list, they insist:—Mae Murray is sft Hin, Renee Adoree one-haft' inch short*.", as is true of Louise Lorraine, new Metro-Goldwy n-Mayer contract player. Gertrude Olmstead is only sft Sin. and Sally O'Neil is sft 21in. Aileen Pringle is sft 3in, and Norma Shearer is sft 2in, with Pauline Starke an inch shorter. Claire Windsor and Carmel Myers are considered tall at the studios. vet they are just the average—oft sin. The wise men of the Press have figured out that the public has little use for the big woman who rushes to the arms of the hero for protection. Thev like the little kind, that, can hide behind the manly form of the he-star as he nobly “ does his stuff.”

“ Frank Butler, a son of Rose Eltinge, wrote a poem about Francois Villon's life years ago. long before Justin McCarthy wrote his play*. " I illustrated the poem” said John Barrymore in an interview- “ Frank was a vagabond, as I was in those days. It was then I wanted to be an artist and worked in the art departments, of the ‘ New Vork Journal ’ and the ‘ New Vork Morning Telegraph-’ Frank had a gold tooth on a separate plate, and when everything else was gone he pawned the tooth. If the tooth \Vas there he was in funds and he was safe, but if the tooth was gone he had to be careful. “I. had forgotten the drawings of the Villon poem until one day* Guy Nichols, librarian of the Players’ Club. New Vork, and I were browsing among the vdlumes in an old book shop on Sixth .Avenue, when .1 came across the book. It was like meeting a long-lost child. I bought it, of course, paid 1.50d01. for it, I think, and I have it* now as proof of my claim to long time interest in Villon.” In the interesting interview Barrymore also mentions the fact that Joafi of Arc was burned on the day Francois Villon was born, the coincidence assuming unusual interest, since it was the vaga-

bond poet who carried on the fight for liberty* which the Maid of Orleans lost her life to win. “ Francois Villon ” will be Barrymore’s first United Artists picture. SCREEN FAVOURITES. 22 ALICE JOYCE. Alice Joyce began her career by push ing plugs into the switchboard of New A'ork's Gramercy exchange (writes Cal York in “Photo Play*.”) The lovely lady* of to-day*, with her sparkling jewels and shadowed eyes, at sixteen was only* one of the great mob of working girls. The one thing she had over the other girls was a face exquisite enough to make the gods weep with envy. And no girl with a face like Alice's ever reached the age of thirty obAlice was born in Kansas City, Missouri. Her mother was French, her father Irish. The family moved to Virginia and Alice got her education in the small town of Anandale. Then came her journey to New York and the telephone switchboard. Behind , her voice with a smile some artist 4tiw f her and gave her a job as model. Then ( Kalem glimpsed her features, which resulted in her doing scores of pictures for them, for many of which she wrote the stories. Then Tom Moore saw her. Alice fell in love with Tom and they* married. Alice retired and her first daughter was born. But her romance died. After the divorce. Alice went back to work at Vitagraph. From the very beginning her work was distinguished biie played "The Libu and the Mouse,” “The Third D<° i gree" and inany and it was only j the fact that Vitagraph was slipping from importance that prevented Alice's I being a major star. In 1920 she tried marriage again, j Her husband is James B. Regan, jun., | j handsome son of the man who owned j the once-famous Knickerbocker -Hotel,

the old-time centre of New A’ork’s gayest life. Wealthy*, happy*, beautiful, Alice an ; nounced then that she had left the screen forever. She had another little girl and she devoted all her time to her children until George Arliss lured her back to play* in “The Green Goddess,” After- that offers came to her from every* studio. She finally signed with Paramount. For them she has made “The Little French Girl” and “Dancing Mothers.” Her next release is “Beau Geste” and she was selected to play* opposite Menjou in “The Ace of Cads.” SOME BIG PICTURES. IMMENSE SUMS SPENT ON THEM. Some idea of the immense sums spent .on moving picture production in America is given by a Writer in the Sydney journal, “Everyone’s.” During 1926. he says, the cost of production in America will be £14.000.000 for approximately* 650 full-length features and 1500 comedies, short subjects topical?, etc. The rest of the world may* spend another £1,250.000- most of it in Germany, where the studios are active again. Of that £14.000,000. no vast sums will be put into individual pictures, at least not to the extent of the past. With few exceptions costly* efforts have not brought the same percentage of return as tire regular £30,000 and £40.000 features released by the major companies. According to more or less authoritative computations. these production costs represent the industry’s peak: “Ben Mur,” £1.200.000: "Ten Commandments.” £360.000: “Thief of Bagdad,” £350.000: "Romola,” £340.000; “Robin Hood,” £240,000; “Birth of a Nation,” £200,000; "The Four Horsemen,” £200,000; “Daughter of the Gods,” £170.000: “The Sea Hawk.” £165.000; “Wav Down East,” £160,000; “Greed,” £155.000. Some of those pictures, the writer continues, have cleared immense profits. Although the “Birth of a Nation” was made awav back in 1915 it earned more than £90,000 last year alone, and its gross is reckoned at £BOO,OOO. Others in the list have just about brokeven admitting that “Ben Ilur” cost £1,200,000 (although I doubt that it went quite that high), its present sue cess in America indicates that its producers will come out ahead.