THE “STAR”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18380, 4 February 1928, Page 24 (Supplement)

THE “STAR”

NEW ZEALAND’S OFFICIAL FILM NEWSPAPER

By

“THE MOVIE MAN."

OFFICIAL FIRST RELEASES IN EACH CENTRE FOR NEW ZEALAND.

WEEK COMMENCING FEBRUARY 6, 1928.

Feature. Make. Star. Town. Released by Sainted • Universal-J’w‘l. Hoot Gibson. Auckland. Universal. a F r' l l!r Uni versa 1-J’w'l. Hoot Gibson. Dunedin. Universal. ■.. e i' r 2 wd ,• • First National. Harry Langdon. Christchurch. First National. nderß F R O. Fred Thomson. Christchurch. First National. U a n^"? wn Metro-Goldwyn. hfn Chaney. Auckland. Metro-Goldwyn. ' Metro-Gold wyn. Conrad Nagel. Wellington. Metro-Gold wyn. v!?n2l. y .. Metro-Goldwyn. Lon Chaney. Christchurch. Metro-Goldwyn. h 1 * y ° f I,eH Metro-Goldwyn. F. MacDonald. Dunedin. Metro-Goldwyn. T, Metro-Goldwyn. Ramon Novarro. Dunedin. Metro-Goldwyn. 1 i" K r> T V Ver * Fox. Tom Mix. Auckland. Fox. y c£ treat T*ox. Tod McNamara & S. Cohen. Wellington. Fox'. au,y Fox. All Star. Dunedin. Fox. fslr 2* Sw J7 l Paramount. Bebe Daniels. Auckland. Paramount. £ h,M " Paramount. Wallace Beery &R. Hatton. Wellington. Paramount. by the Police” Warner. Bin-Tin-Tin. Auckland. Master Pictures „ Warner. Syd. Chaplin. Christchurch. Master Pietures. of Paradise Alley ” Chadwick. Barbara Bedford. Dunedin. Master Pictures.

GENERAL film gossip. NSWERS TO CORRESPONDENT?. —The part of Margie in •• The Poor Jut,” was played by Jean Arthur. Lddress First National Studio. Bur«ink. California. Pauline Starke. fetro-Goldwyn Studio. Culver City. California. The others I am unable o supply. m Fan.—Louise Fazenda. Warner Itudio, Los Angeles. California. Ivor Jovello, 11, Aldwych, London. W.C.2, England. As “Faust” is a Ufa proyction, I should say that Gosta Skmann can be addressed care Uniersum Potsamer Platz, Berlin, Germany. V.—Cast of “Is Zat So?”: Chick Cowan, George O’Brien: Hap Hurley. ■Cdmund Lowe; Marie Mestretti. Kathyn Perry; Robert Parker, Cyril Chadrick; Sue Parker, Doris Lloyd; Florince Hanley. Dione Ellis; Major Fitz Stanley, Richard Maitland; Clinton llackburn, Douglas Fairbanks, jun.; immy Parker, Philippe De Lacy; Jas. louse Duffy, Jack Herrick. Adolphe .fenjou and Mary Brian, Paramount Studio, Hollywood, California. Lilian Gish, Metro-Goldwyn Studio, Culler City, California. Mary Astor and Colleen Moore, First National Studio, lurbank, California. Shirley Mason, Columbia Studio, 1435, Gower Street, lollywood, California. Constance ralmadge is the blonde member of he family. ppv.—Joseph Striker is the Spaniard n ” Cradle Snatchers,” and Nick stuart the young lover. David Torence and Lew Cody, Metfo-Goldwyn studio. Louise Fazenda and Kenleth Harlan, Warner Studio, Los Angeles, California. Charles Rogers ■nd Mary Brian, Paramount Studio, lollywood, California. Dorothy Philips, Columbia Productions, 1438. lower Street, Hollywood. William ioyd, Cecil De Mille Studio, Culver City, California. Winter Hall is freeancing, but a letter addressed Fox Studio, Hollywood, California, should each him. The others are unknown o me. Possibly they are extras who, occasionally, are required for a small >art now and again. 3.H.—Lawrence Gray was the hero in >♦ The American Venus.” Edward (Hoot) Gibson was born in Tekamah, Nebraska, in 1892. His early career was as a cowboy, circus rider, and actor. He was a prize-winner in nany rodeos. Appeared first in tworeel westrens. but was speedily elevated to five-reelers, and has been with Universal for quite ja. number of years. Has light hair and blue eyes. Married Helen Johnson, vaudeville actress, and has a daughter. Donald Read (real name Ernesto Avila Guillen) was born in Mexico City, July 23 1902. Was a travelling salesman. ,'i’rst appeared in Universal Western two-reelers, then with Alice Terry in “ Any Woman.” This led to a short contract with Metro-Goldwyn, and was followed by a five-years' contract with First National. Read, when seven years of age, was taken to the United States, and attended school in Pasadena and Los Angeles. Have no data with respect to Barbara 'Worth, arguerite.—Ramon Novarro was born in Durango, Mexico, on February 6, 1899, of Spanish descent. His real name is Ramon Gil Samanyiegos, tne Novarro being his mother's maiden name. He first -came into notice in “The Prisoner of Zenda.” Has black hair, and dark brown eyes, and is unmarried. Lewis Stone was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, on November 15, 1879, and has been soldier, cowpuncher, sailor and actor. After various experiences on the stage he drifted into pictures, and is now one of the leading free-lance actors. He is married and has two daughters. Agnes Ayers was born in Carbondale, Illinois, but records are silent as to the date. Her maiden name . was Agnes Hinkle. She entered pictures without any stage experience, and while she secured some public notice by her performances in the screen versions of a number of O. Henry’s stories, she really made a screen name when playing opposite Valentino in “The Sheik.” She has golden brown hair and blue eyes. Has been married twice —first to Frank Schtiker. an army captain, about 1898 (divorced 1921), and then to Manuel Reachi, commercial attache of the Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles (proceedings for divorce were filed by Miss Ayres in June last). William Boyd was born in Cambridge, Ohio (date pot in "Screen Directory”), and was In business in Okjwhoma before entering pictures. Has brown hair and blue eyes. Married Elinor Fair, who appeared opposite him in “ The \ olga Boatman,” on January 14, 1926.

lllliillllllllllllillllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllHllllllillllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll the irresistible stunt, and the good old caveman won the day. Norman Kerry is excellent in the leading role, and receives sterling assistance from his cast. Harry Langdon,- that queer-faced comedian of childish tricks and infinite pathos, 'is the star of “ Three’s a Crowd,” to be presented at Everybody’s Theatre next week. Although this picture is wonderfully amusing and occasionally shading off into hilarious farce, there are other aspects to the story that are not so droll. Parts where the laughter borders on tears, and parts where stark melodrama comes in, are unusual features of a picture that is often riotously funny. Langdon gives an inimitable performance in the leading role, and shows real genius in differentiating between farce and pathos. “ The Man in the Shadow ” is the title of the dramatic picture to be offered at Crystal Palace Theatre next week, a picture which the producers describe as “ a humble protest against the supreme penalty of death when the evidence against a human being is circumstantial ”; and the picture well lives up to its lofty mission. Though it is vividly dramatic throughout, there i.; a delightful love story Tunning through it, and it is at all times immensely thrilling and human, and occasionally quietly humorous. It is wonderfully interesting, holding the attention like no other drama of its nature. A fine cast interprets the parts, David Torrence, Myrtle Stedman and Mary M’Alister appearing in the leading roles. Syd Chaplin in “ The Missing Link ” will be the starring feature $t the Liberty Theatre next week. This picture

[f any screen lover is irresistible, that : rson should assuredly be Norman 1 :rry. He wears the fine uniform of ; European officer so easily, twirls his j mstache so thoughtlessly, and gets ; ; quarry so romantically. In his est picture for Universal, “The Irre- 1 tible Lover,” which will be shown at rerybody’s Theatre next week, this 1 and manly sheik has a picture after i own gay heart, and has also a fine ppprting cast, including Lois Moran, irtrude Astor and that delightful median of other days, Lee Moran. In is sprightly comedy, which is so romtic at the same time, he is portrayas a man about town, who, up till s late thirties, had done nothing more rious than experiment with the synetic hearts of blondes, brunettes and i-heads. When he meets the daugh- • of a policeman, however, he got the and and glorious feeling, and, though e read a horrible scandal about him d even looked black, he started in on

is built on the same comedy scale as are all this popular comedian's presentations, which is to say that laughs abound in every reel, that there are ingenious situations, complications to unravel and enormous comedy at every turn. Chaplin, who is a brother to the one and only Charlie, still has a distinctive style, quite different from that of his illustrious relative, and in “ The Missing Link ” he produces a picture that for laughs, thrills and hilarious adventure stands on its own. “Two Arabian Knights” will run a second week at the Grand Theatre. This comedy, produced by United Artists, which has William Boyd, Mary Astor and Louis Wolheim in the leading roles, is a clever and romantic skit on the “ One- Thousand and One Night,” a story told with typical American disregard for Oriental susceptibilities, and therefore all the more humorous for the Western mind. The humour of the tale is brilliant and original, and, as

lIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIH Mary Astor and William Boyd are also leading participants in a charming love story, the interest is complete. lan Keith, the one-time Shakespeare actor, also has a part, that of the menace, ' Shevret. A story that revolves around the resolve of a man never to use his right hand again during the rest of his life, is the theme of Fred Thomson’s latest Western picture, “ Lone Hand Saunders,” to be shown at the Queen’s Theatre next week. Thomson does some remarkable gun play during the picture. It is especially noteworthy* because it is all done with the left hand, a feat the star had to learn and perfect for this particular role. Silver King is greatly in evidence, and has some splendid opportunities. One of the most thrilling scenes is when Fred must choose between breaking his vow or seeing a life lost. His decision and the consequences form a gripping climax. The second attraction, “ Smilin’ Jim,” is also a Western, and is crammed with exciting action, romance and strong suspense. Franklyn Farnum and Alma Bennett have the leading roles. In “The Unholy Three,” the principal attraction on the current programme at the Strand Theatre, Mae Busch portrays the leading feminine role—an Irish-American girl who is in league with an underworld band. Lon Chaney, is the leader of the crook trio. The remainder of the crook tri’o consist of Victor M’Laglen and Harry Earles, a thirtj'-five pound midget who masquerades as a baby. Matt Moore plays the male romantic lead opposite Miss Busch. The story concerns three men of a circus side-show—Pro-fessor Echo, a ventriloquist; Hercules, a giant; and a dwarf, Tweedledee. The ventriloquist assumes amazing disguises. and leads the others in a series of bold roberies, with the assistance of a girl of the underworld, Rosie O'Grady. A series of thrilling events unravel the tangled threads of the story, bring the lovers together, and deal out justly deserved fates. “The Merry Widow” has been book- • ed for early release locally. This is the Metro-Goldwyn production of the famous Franz Lehar comic opera. Eric von i Stroheim directed the picture, and has . inserted into it all his well-known Con- - tinental tricks, with the result that the r (Ad dramtic romance of a dancer and - a prince has an appeal to modern audt iences. Mae Murray and John Gilbert ’ play the leading roles. * The next film to be shown at the r Grand Theatre will be the Metro-Gold--5 wyn-Mayer picture, “Mons,” a picture ' that tells, in human, stirring, martial manner, the story of one of the great--11 est retreats in history. Exteriorally, it is a war story, but it is fundamentally something a great deal more. It is the story of a people, an army, an ideal, and told so forcefully and with such profound interest created at every move of the great game that the picturised version of the British Army’s maryellous feat ranks as a great film.

Those who read books and those who attend plays will recollect Eugene Brieux’s world-famous book, “Damaged Goods,” which has been brought to both stage and screen. Intense controversy was created at the advent of this book, its subject having actually been made the pivot of much high court comment from learned judges. No less have theatre audiences the world over discussed its straight candour. The latest screen version has been booked for local presentation at an early date, and those who have the interest and welfare of the rising generation at heart, as well as their own, should not fail to see this powerful and dramatic indictment, which is at the same time an appeal. “Damaged Goods,” originally a great book, has been made into a great picture. “The Mountain Eagle," a Gainsborough production, will be released in New Zealand by the British Film Service, Ltd. This picture will be released as a special attraction. N.Z. Educational Films have purchased the New Zealand rights of “Armageddon.” which will be shown to the school children in New Zealand, by arrangement with the Educational Department.

The next Bert Lytell starring vehicle on Master Pictures programme is ! “ Obey the Law,” a Columbia production. Edna Murphy supports the star, who has a similar role to that he played in “ The Lone Wolf Returns.” The greatest film attraction that has been screened in London for some considerable time is an Alvan production, entitled “The White Slave Traffic,” which will be released in New Zealand v shortly. The settings are said to be most lavish. Mrs M. Clement Mason, of Mason’s British Films, Ltd., is at present in Wellington, making arrangements for the opening of a New Zealand branch. “The Last Laugh,” featuring Emil Jannings, will be the first release of this new company. K K H A Western with an additional feminine appeal is Hoot Gibson’s latest Universal starring vehicle, “ Galloping Fury.” This appeal consists of a beauty-mud discovered on Gibson’s ranch about which the plot is built. Hoot’s leading lady is Sally Rand. Ramon Novarro, who was recently seen here in the leading role in “ Ben Hur,” will probably make his next appearance in “ The Road to Romance,” as a dashing officer in the Spanish Navy. This is a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture of pirates and adventure on the high seas. ;-i m I A film quite different from anything that has previously been seen on the " screen—is promised from Paramount, who announce that “Chang” will be ] soon released in New Zealand. Prob- j ably no other film has excited so much interest on account of its difference ( from anything previously attempted. ] Mr W. J. Braemar, managing director ] of the British Films Service, Ltd., was ] in Christchurch last week, completing t the arrangements to transfer the registered office of the company to Welling- j ton. Mr T. Buxton, accountant, of * Wellington, who has had a wide ex- j perience of film business, has been ap- , pointed secretary. .. s* x « : In “ Dearie,” a Warner Master Picture, Irene Rich is cast as a modern mother who sings in a cabaret to pay her son’s way through college, only to i meet obstacles almost too great to sur- ‘ mount. Miss Rich gives a character- i isation of delicate and moving beauty, j In her support are William Collier, Jnr., 3 Edna Murphy, Douglas Gerrard, Anders c Randolph and Richard Tucker. 1 The first all-woman-made picture has 1 recently been completed at Paramount £ Studios Hollywood. It is Clara Bow’s 1 “Get Your Man.” Every person in 1 authority, except the camera operator, j was a woman. Dorothy Arzner was 1 director; Henrietta Cohn the business 1 manager; Hope Loring wrote the £ screen play; Agnes Band Leahy pre- 1 pared the continuity; and Marion Mor- 1 gan was the technical director for certain scenes. “La Boheme,” loved and sung J wherever opera is sung, is now a mo- * tion picture. The tragic story of Mimi, * the little seamstress of the Latin Quar- . ter, and her poet lover has been trans- , lated to the screen under the direction 1 of King Vidor for Metro-Goldwyn- 1 Mayer. Miss Lillian Gish and John Gil- 1 bert play the starring roles, and Miss i Renee Adoree, Roy D’Arcy, Karl Dane , and- Edward Everett Horton have im- , portanWoles. J 5 pi All the drama of the Russian revolu- , tion rages about Lon Chancy in “ Mock- ■ cry,” his latest starring vehicle for Metro-Gold wyn-Mayer. This picture af fords the master of make-up a thrilling new characterisation—a Russian peasant who by a queer turn of fate is thrown into a position of power. “ Mockery,” which has been produced on a lavish scale, abounds with romance, mystery and intrigue. Barbara Bedford and Ricardo Cortez are included in the cast. In the Metro-Goldwyn production of Sabatini’s widely read romance, “ Bar delys the Magnificent,” John Gilbert is said to have his most active and colourful role. In this picture he swims raging rivers on horseback, fights several duels, pole-vaults over charging spearsmen, scales 100 ft walls, and altogether goes through a series of strenuous feats. Eleanor Boardman plays the leading feminine role, and Roy D’Arcy, Karl Dane and George K. Arthur are included in the cast. Douglas Fairbanks, jun., made his appearance on the stage at the Commu--1 nity Theatre, San Francisco, on De- : cember 2, in the leading part in John ' van Druten’s “ Young Woodley.” Judg- ’ ing from the eulogistic notices of his ' performance, he has made a bigger hit > on the speaking stage than he did on : the s screen. One critic wrote as fol- ' lows: “ He has much in his favour to ’ begin. He is tall and pleasant of face. 2 expressive, too, and his voice rings true ; and falls on the car with charm and ’ attraction.” : !•: m k 1 First there was the stone age, then the iron age and then the bronze age —now comes the silk age—the modern ' day when women are claiming as their 2 right a peaches-and-cream satin com- • plexion, and fine-spun silk to adorn their 1 legs. Madge Bellamy is featured in s “Silk Legs,” a William Fox comedy, * which revolves round a saleswoman for silk stockings who beats a rival salesman at his own game, and makes him ' like it so much that he marries her. t James Hall and Joseph Cawthorn are in the male leads. e Victor M’Laglen is surrounded by ten 1- lovely leading ladies in his first starring e vehicle for the Fox release list, titled il “A Girl in Every Port.” Louise t- Brooks, Myrna Loy, Gladys Brockwell, t Sally Rand, Eleanor Jurado, Maria y Casajuana, Eileen Sedgwick, Natalie e Joyce, Dorothy Mathews and Natalie I, Kingston are the feminine foils to his h masculine ruggedness, while Robert y Armstrong, William Demarest and Francis M’Donald are prominent male s leads. The story tells a tale of roi. mance in every clime and virile adventure over the Seven Seas. ie e “ Bertha, the Sewing Machine Girl,” d is Madge Bellamy’s next production o to be released here by Fox Films. > “ Bertha ” is founded on the old-time is melodrama of the same name, modernn ised and slightly changed for screen *t use. Bertha loses her job as a seemJS stress, and then obtains work asteie:r phone operator in a lingerie establisht- ment. However, her natural charm and >r grace recruit her to the ranks of the e, models, and it is as a result of her d work in this direction that her adt. ventures occur. A speed-boat race is >1 one of the “ high-lights ” of the story. n iy A rumour gained currency in the a film trade in Wellington that Mr W. J. Braemar, managing director of the British Film Service, Ltd., has resigned r- his position and accepted a position as in manager for an American film-distribut-r- ing company. When approached on :d the matter, Mr Braemar said there was no truth in the rumour, and in conversation he mentioned the fact that his ir- company had an offer to merge with .r- an Australian company which had been le recently formed. In all probability the ir- merger would take place, but the matle- ter was one for the shareholders in the company to decide.

In order to assist the exhibition of British films in Australia and New Zea land (says a London cable) negotiations have been concluded by Mr C. Chershwell on behalf of the British Dominions Film Proprietary, Melbourne, with British Instructional Films, Gaumonts, Ltd., and New Era Prodiifctions, Ltd., by which the former agree to market the productions of that latter in Australia and New Zealand, and have already arranged to take twenty pictures. The announcement adds that Melbourne firms are willing to undertake the distribution of other British producers’ films on similar terms. In her portrayal of the role of Patsy, in Warner Brothers’ production of “ Irish Hearts,” May M’Avoy, the star, is fulfilling a great ambition. “ I have played so many reserved, bloodless young mirrors of perfection,” she declared. “ I want to do something that requires real acting, something with snap and character. I want to hold the centre of the stage, to command attention, little as I am, even if I have to throw Irish confetti to do it. There’ll be plenty of time to play society granddames and other proper persons when I get old.” Patsy is a lovable little immigrant, battling for love and a livelihood in the wilds of Harlem. In being cast for the part May M’Avoy has her wish. Florence Vidor has been - 'led the best dressed star in Hollywood. But living up to that title is a task. Miss Vidor will vouch for that statement herself. In the Paramount picture, “One Woman to Another,” Miss Vidor wears thirty-two different gowns and frocks, which means that she spent hours with her designers, in an attempt to create something that will interest feminine picture-goers. “I have always worked under the belief that clothes make the woman.” Miss Vidor said one day during the filming of one of the scenes. “But in saying that, I do not want to give the idea that all a girl needs to win fame on the stage

or in pictures is a fine wardrobe. A girl must have charm and personality as well.” John Gilbert plays the exceedingly eventful role of Prince Danilo in “ The Merry Widow,” a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer reproduction of the famous musical comedy-drama that captivated a million hearts some time ago. This picture should be one of the really big screen events of the year. It is the story of Sally, an obscure little dancing girl, melting the heart of a romantic young prince, his sadly jilting her. her dramatic marriage, her widowhood, her sensational stay in Paris and all the rest of an intriguing career. A very talented cast supports John Gilbert in the presentation of this picture, includ ing Mae Murray as Sally O’Hara. Roy D’Arcy as the Crown Prince, George Fawcett as King Nikita and Tullv Marshall as Baron Sadoja. A remarkable production, “The Exploits of the Emden,” made under the aegis of the German Admiralty, has been very favourably reviewed in -the English papers. The “Daily Express” has this to say, after pre-viewing this thrilling production;—“ ‘The Exploits of the Emden’ is a naval ‘Beau Geste.’ The producers make no effort to minimise the terrible punishment which fell on the Emden. . . . All the acting is excellent . . . the cumulative effect of the Emden’s punishment is terrific. . . . It is a superb sea drama, remarkable for its thrills as well as truth.” The “Daily Guardian” also publishes a very favourable review: “A picture everyone will wish to see, because it records brilliantly the amazing adventures of the German raider and German sailor. Captain Karl von Muller. ‘The Exploits of the Emden’ contains nothing which British audience-s should resent.” At the world premiere of “The Gaucho,” Douglas Fairbanks’ latest, it is noteworthy that Doug has for the first time had a leading woman whose part approaches his own in importance

(writes a Hollywood correspondent). Lupe Velez, 18-year-old Mexican girl, may have overdone a bit on emotional chest heaving, but other than that she zoomed into a great movie hit before Hollywood’s finest professional audience at the Chinese theatre. The “Gaucho” may do for Lupe what Barrymore’s “Sea Beast” did for Dolores Costello by elevating her in one night to continuing celebrity. As for the picture itself, Doug’s latest success has a progression of high spots reminiscent of the big moments in half a dozen of the year’s movie hits. There are a couple of episodes remindful of “The Miracle,” with Mary Pickford herself appearing in the shots as the Virgin whose likeness miraculously appears on the granite side of a grotto in the Andes. Smart shops where a woman may spend a day bargain hunting, are laid out with the most studious fidelity and realism in the Hollywood studios. Since women constitute the majority of movie audiences, no chances are taken on their sharp eyes detecting an inacuracy. Two thousand bottles of imported perfume, borrowed from a Los Angeles merchant, were used in the interior of an exclusive Parisian shop during a scene in Clara Bow’s latest Paramount picture, “Get Your Man.” Some of the bottles were valued at £2O each. A special watchman stood guard on the set. In the Paramount production of “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” being made in the same studio, an exact reproduction has been built of Madame Frances’s famous shgp in New York. Here Lorelei Lee brings Gus Eisman, the Chicago button king, on a shopping expedition, and incidentally he picks out a dress trimmed with long rows of buttons. Richard Barthelmess and Molly

O’Day score a success in “The Patent Leather Kid,” First National’s study of an East Side pugilist and a little dancing girl. “The Patent Leather Kid” embodies a very human story, with a thrilling background of war and the prize ring. Richard Barthelmess has never been seen in a characterisation that is so clever and individual. His boxing bouts are the last word in realism, white his adventures in the Tank Corps are recounted with a grimness and virility that is remarkably convincing. Molly O’Day, a type one hardly associates with such powerful drama, is a complete surprise as “The Golden Dancer,” so sincere and so earnest is she. One New York critic commends Patent Leather Kid” thus: “This is a really great picture, perhaps the only war production yet filmed which has so big a story l>ehind it—a delightful romance. The comedy is very fine, and the titles the most laugh-provoking and generally well-written we’ve read. It is claimed that nothing bigger than the scenes showing the tanks in action has ever been filmed. The thrilling sequences provide more than one surprising denouement, that keeps the spectator continually interested.” a :: The Rev Williams Anthony, representing the Baptist Church in the United States, has very favourably reviewed Cecil B. De Mille’s interpretation of the life of Christ, “The King of Kings.” He says: “‘The King of Kings’ 1 regard as one of the most remarkable films ever produced.’ In scenic effects it mechanically and artistically causes wonder and gives satisfaction. But its outstanding and striking worth lies in the field of history and religion. It graphically delineates historic customs and conditions, so that the one who sees it receives correct impressions of