GENERAL FILM GOSSIP.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18467, 19 May 1928, Page 24 (Supplement)

GENERAL FILM GOSSIP.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS Movie Fan. Fred Thomson. Paramount ctiidin Hollywood, California. R.A^——Fred Thomson, Paramount studio, Hollywood, Calitornia; Hoot «.ibson : Universal Studio. Universal fornia. Uefty Flynn appears to " sociated with independent producers, and no address is available. WiUiam Farnum recently started to ma picture for Fox, after a very long absence from the screen, but was taken iil, and had to retire. I never s f® House Peters's name nowadays m connection with pictures. A American movie maga=in.- St< tv<l he had retired. I can find no Harold Goodwin. Roy fatewart was Ue rlr” was at°the Strand Thear mSn,« IS, my records. “A.D.” Clara Bow, Esther Ralston and Florence Vidor, Paramount Sthdro, Hollywood, California. Joyce Compton. First National Studio, Burbank, California. Leatrice Joy and Jobyna Ralston, Cecil De Mille Studio, City, California. Louise Fazenda, Helen Costella and Myrna ner Studio, Hollywood, CaliforniaPatsy Ruth Miller, SOB. Crescent Drive, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, California. Olive Borden and J?* 1 Rio, Fox Studio. Hollywood, California. Greta Garbo, Metro-Goldwj n Studio. Culver City. California. Snirlty Mason, Columbia Picture Corporation Gower Street,* Hollywood, California. Pauline Starke is freelancing. Her latest address was Educational Studio. 7250. Santa Monica Boule\aia, Hollywood, California. The others are

not available. ,jCo. 3.—Any addresses not given in the following list, or not to be found in answers to other correspondents, are not available: Nils Asther, MetroGoldwyn Studio, Culver City, California. Jetta Goudal, Cecil De Mille Studio, Culver City, California. Noah Beery, Paramount Studio, Hollywood, California. William Russell, Fox Studio, Hollvwood, California. Sojin and Glenn Tryon. Universal Studio, Universal City, California. Varner Studio, Hollvwood, California, should find Hobart Bosworth, who is a freelance, Ricardo Cortez, Columbia Pictures, Gower Street, California- Ivor Novello is an English actor and film star. De Mille and Pa the are associated. Edward Burns was born September 27, Have no data with respect to William Boyd. ‘•J.M.C.”—Vilma Banky, Constance Talmadge, Douglas Fairbanks and Norma Talmadge, United Artists Studio, Hollywood, California. Colleen Moore. Milton Sills and Billee Dove, First National Studio. Burbank. California. Laura La Plante, Universal Studio, Universal City, California. Richard Dix. Clive Brook, Fred Thomson, and Clara Bow, Paramount Studio. Hollywood, California. Ramon Novarro and Norma Shearer, MetvoGoldwyn Studio, Culver City, California. Victor M’Laglen, Fox Stuoio, Hollvwood, California. Rod Le Rocque, Cecil De Mille Studio, Culver City. California. Lois Wilson, Columbia Pictures, Gower Street, Hollywood, California. Tom Mix is in, or is on his way to, the Argentine. The Mooie Brothers are freelancing, but can be reached at any of the leading studios. M A.Z.”—Lois Moran, Fox Studio, Hollywood, California. AL Wilson and Mary Philbin, Universal Studio, Universal City, California. Belle Bennett, Claire Windsor and Viola Dana, Columbia Pictures, Gower Street, Hollywood, California, George Jessel, Warner Studio, Hollywood, California. Warner Baxter and Mary Brian, Paramount Studio, Hollywood, California. William Boyd and Lupe Velez, Cecil De Mille Studio, Culver City, California. John Bowers, Fox Studio, Hollywood, California. Dorothy Gish is out of American pictures, and so are Charles Ra,y and Anita Stewart, who are on the stage. For Silver King, write Fred Thomson, Paramount Studio, Hollywood, California, and for Tarzan, write Ken Maynard, First National Studio, Burbank, California. Other available addresses are given in answer to other correspondents. “Claire.”—You will find a number of the addresses inquired for given in answer to other correspondents. of the balance those available are as follow: James Hall and Evelyn Brent, Paramount Studio, Hollywood, California. Conrad Nagel, Lionel Barrymore. and Ramon Novarro, MetroGoldwyn Studio, Culver City, California. Ronald Colman, John Barrymore and Mary Pickford, United Artists’ Studio, Hollywood, California. Lewis Stone, Ken Maynard, Ben Lyon, Dorothy Mackaill, Doris Kenyon, Jack Mulhall, and Mary Astor, First National Studio, Burbank, Hollywood, California: George Lewis, Universal Studio, Universal City, California; Monte Blue, Warner Studio. Hollywood, California. Virginia Valli and J. Farrell MacDonald, Fox Studio, Hollywood, California. Edmund Burns, Louise Lorraine and H. B. Warner, Cecil De Mille Studio, Culver City. California. Blanche Meliaffey, Tiffany Productions, f»33. North Seward Street, Hollywood. California. Marie Prevost, Caddo Productions, Metropolitan Studio, Hollywood. California. Robert Frazer. 6356, La Mirada Avenue, Los Angeles. California. Malcolm M’Gregor, 6043. Selma Avenue. Hollywood, California. Ruth Clifford, 7627, Emelita Avenue, Los Angeles, California. Raymond M’Kee, Mack Sennett Studio, Hollywood, California. Blanche Sweet and Alice Terry are making pictures in England. Alice Joyce has ijo studio address, as she appears only In special productions.

Sir James M. Barrie’s famous play, “Quality Street,’’ made into an exquisite screen romance, with Marion Davies in the role of the alluring Phoebe, will be the great attraction at Everybody’s Theatre next week. When Metro-Gold-wyn decided to make this essentially English romance, they solicited the advice of Sir Esme Howard, British Ambassador to Washington, and his Excellency graciously consented to cast a critical eye over the “sets,” the costumes and the general deportment of the American players interpreting Barrie's delightful, humorous, human people. The result is a “Quality Street” of delicate and lasting appeal, a romance that has its shades of pathos, its wistful humour, and over all the haunting beauty of old England of the Napoleonic Wars. The story told in “Quality Street”—how Phoebe won back her doctor after ten years of war. despite her changed appearance and the epithet “old maid,” is told with all Barrie’s charm, and Marion Davies and Conrad Nagel, in the leads, are a perfect pair of Barrie people. Kate Price has an important role, one of the old maids of Quality Street. a :: Peter B. Kyne's famous story, “The Valley of the Giants,” has been made into a picture for the second time. Patrons of the silent drama will remember the late Wallace Reid’s fine production of this stirring story, and now l Milton Sills _and Doris Kenyon tell the tale, which will be the leading feature on next week’s bill at Crystal ’Palace Thetare. “The Valley of the Giants” is a drama played out in the great tree country of Northern California, the story of a father and son who are threatened with extinction by, a brutal neighbour, a story in which finance and love and gay Irish humour are blended with the incomparable Kyne touch, a story that is as fascinating and intriguing as “The Pride of Palomar.” As Bryce Cardigan, Milton Sills gives a fine, masculine performance, and his wife, known professionally as Doris Kenyon, is equally effective as Shirley Pennington. Other well-known players in the picture are George Fawcett and Arthur Stone. “East of Broadway,” a cornedv adapted from the "Saturday Evening Post” story, "The Tropic of Capricorn,” is the second film to be shown at Crystal Palace Theatre next. week. Owen Moore and Marguerite de la Motto play the leading roles, and the storvdeals. in humorous, but tender, mood, with the struggles of a would-be policeman, ana of how eventually he broke into the force, despite his inability to answer most of the questions on the questionnaire. It is an amusing story, uad hrs an intelligent love story accompanying it. The Christchurch United Banjo Band, which has the distinction of being the largest instrumental band of its kind in New Zealand and Australia,

has been engaged for a week’s season at Crystal Palace, commencing Monday of Jubilee Week. This artistic combination of skilful performers play under the conductorship of Mr Louis Bloy. and presents the classics for strings, as well as representing the modern school of jazz and syncopation. With Jackie Coogan's picture, “Buttons.” the Christchurch Banjo Band should be a great attraction for Jubilee Week. Sammy Cohen and Ted M’Namara, who created the immortal comedy roles in the screen version of “What Price Glory,” as the two ugly, cheeky privates, appear together for the first time in the ney Fox comedy “The Gay Retreat,” which will be the leading film at Liberty Theatre next week. "The Gay Retreat” is a comedy set in the midst of the late unpleasantness, a comedy complete with an objectionable sergeant, some few French girls, as many American Marines as you can conveniently fit into the picture, and Messrs Cohen and M’Namara. They are in the Ambulance Corps, and ,'t would appear from the trend of the hilarious tale that that is the best unit in the army in which to get into trouble. This pair certainly seem to spend their war service in getting arrested by the M.P., making. hits with the mademoiselles, and generally behaving in a manner calculated only to amuse the public. They do that all right. There is a romantic interest in the picture, but the laugh’s the thing. Betty Balfour, England’s premier screen star, and the best comedienne of the English screen, plays the leading role in “Monte Carlo,” the second feature at Liberty Theatre. The story is written by E. Phillips Oppenheim, and is. as is usual with that author’s work, fairly dramatic, always intriguing and colourful, and often bright and vivacious. The scenes are luxurious in the extreme, and some of the shots were taken in the Prince of Monaco’s palace, and some in the famous Casino- Carlyle Blackwell is Miss Balfour's leading man.

*"* *■* Charlie Chaplin’s picture "The • Circus” will be continued at the Grand Theatre next week. This picture has been attracting large audiences to the theatre, and has been spoken of as the most amusing Chaplin comedy yet produced by that actor. It tells a simple enough story, it is true, but it is adorned with such a diversity of amusing “gags.” and stunts, and the personality of the comedian is at all times so enlivening, that “The Circus” becomes a comedy of immense hilarity and wit. As the much-abused handyman about a circus, Chaplin has numerous opportunities to display his talent Miss Merna Kennedy is his leading lady. K :: “The Phantom Flyer.” A 1 Wilson’s latest Universal Western air film, to

be screened at the Queen's Theatre next week, is full of thrilling situations. Lillian Gilmore plays the feminine lead opposite the star. A complete circus, with its wild animals, performing horses and dogs and a dozen clowns, many side-show freaks, such as the thin man, fat woman, giant, midget and wire-haired beauty, as well as “Sultan,” the screen’s most marvellous trained horse, appear in “Simon the Jester,” the second attraction. One of the pictures on the current programme at the Strand Theatre is “The Monkey Talks,” a strange and fascinating story. The picture is based on a successful stage play of the same name, and Jacques Lerner, the creator of the original role of the talking monkey, plays the same part in the screen version. Olive Borden plays the part of a dainty circus performer. “Abie’s Irish Rose,” which was produced by Paramount from Anne Nichols’s famous story, will be released in New Zealand this year. vt Warner Bros.’ “Old San Francisco,” which is to be released as a .Master Picture Special, depicts some wonderful realistic scenes of the 1906 fire and earthquake. Dolores Costello plays the lead, and is supported by Warner Oland. Glenn Tryon and Patsy Ruth Miller, the comedy team that scored such an outstanding hit in “ Painting the Town,” will be seen in their second Universal farce-comedy, “ A Hero for a Night.” The picture is said to be even more laughable and fast-moving than the first one. s :: Paramount Week, which is the annual celebration of bigger and better pictures, has been scheduled to take place this year from September 2 to 8 inclusive. About 1000 theatres in New Zealand and Australia will participate in the event, and already preliminary arrangements are being prepared. “Lilac Time” is expected to be the greatest film the piquant and popular Colleen Moore has ever made, embodying one of the finest stories with a World War background ever filmed, and including some thrilling and sensational episodes of the great conflict, “Lilac Time,” is, however, primarily a tender romance. sr Sojin, the celebrated Japanese screen actor, who leaped to fame almost over night by his splendid portrayal of the Chinese prince in “ The Thief of Bagdad,” adds further to his laurels by his characterisation of the Chinese detective in “The Chinese Parrot,” the Uni-versal-Jewel. The picture is a scenarisation of the novel of the same name. a it it “The Trail of ’98,” completed after a year’s work, is the biggest picture ever made, so Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer states. It has a cast of thirty-seven principals and 15,000 extra players. It is based on the Robert Service poem and features Dolores Del Rio, Harry Carey, Tully Marshall, Karl Dane, Tenen Holtz, Polly Moran and many others. The winner of a Chicago beauty contest and recently signed by Universal for a long-term contract, Joan Alden, makes her featured debut in “ Call of the Heart.” Miss Alden has shown such exceptional promise during the six months of her training in motion picture technique that she was given her

first real chance to play the feminine lead in this picture, starring “ Dynamite," the famous police dog.

“When Fleet Meets Fleet,” a coming Master picture release, is not purely a spectacular naval film as the title might imply. The feature contains a powerful story which deals with a British and a German naval officer, both of whom love the same woman. The scenario has been so cleverly handled that the film can be shown to a German audience as well as a British, and achieve equal success with either nationality. :*: it it Statistics from Hollywood announce the existence of 25,000 picture houses in America with a seating capacity of 11,000.000. In Europe, states this despatch from Paramount, there are 22,000; in Asia 3000; in Australia 1200, and in Africa 800. a combined seating total of 21,000.000, or an average of 10.5 theatre seats for every 1000 of population. It is in order to satisfy this public that 800 films a year are turned out of “The Blood Ship,” when first released in America, was secured for the famous Roxy Theatre, and created such an impression that it was retained for the second week. Not only this, but it. established a world record for attendances for one day at any theatre, 32,000 paid admissions being the score for one day. “The Blood Ship” gives a wonderful opportunity to Richard Arlen, and one of the grand old men of the screen, Hobart Bosworth. “Diamond Handcuffs” is a picture divided into three complete sequences, with a separate cast for each set of incidents. It is the story of a diamond, and its progress from the African minds into New York society and down into the underworld. Eleanor Boardman and Lawrenqe Gray are in the underworld sequence; Conrad Nagel and Dorothy Sebastian in New York society, and Charles Stevens and Lena Malena in the African scenes. it it Lady Sholto Douglas, of London, has won a bet she made at a fashionable Eastern dinner party six njonths (writes a Hollywood correspondent!. She has secured a role in motion pictures, and will start work shortly at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer lot on her first work before the camera. Her wager was for £250, that she could come to Hollywood without experience and obtain work in pictures within six months. She will return to England following her picture work here. I Richard Barthelmess plays a difficult I dual role in the Fanny Hurst story,

“Roulette,” which outlines the career of a Russian Jewish boy from New York’s ghetto to socially select circles. The development of the story is responsible for some amazing drama, interspersed with comedy of the best type. Barthelmess appears to have made a definite “come-back” dating from his work as the braggart East Side pugilist in “The Patent Leather Kid” and the fiery young gangster in “The Noose.” Michael Vavitch, who is a member of Norma Talmadge’s cast in “ The Dove,” was born in Russia, and educated in France and Germany. At an early age he went on the stage. In “ The Dove ” he has a strong, if unsympathetic, role—that of a vicious scoundrel named Gomez, who is a tool of his wealthy cousin Sandoval in dark intrigues cf a mythical country. Vavitch played Marco, the blind beggar in Constance Talmadge’s comedy, “ Venus of Venice.” He also appeared in “ Resurrection,” “ Two Arabian Knights ” and Dolores del Rio's “ Ramona.” Syd Chaplin has scored another hit, this time as the gay young fellow who went to a small town to marry money, in “The Fortune Hunter,” a Warner Master picture. Winch ell Smith’s adroit comedy was a great success on the stage and promises to be an even grea*€fr one on the screen. It has be come a recognised fact that Syd Chaplin is one of the most versatile comedians in the movie world. As a pantoniimist he excels, and his work in “The Fortune Hunter" will, according to report. enhance his popularity with the public. This production is released by Master Pictures. :: The Nordish Company of Denmark, which in 1914 produced the finest-qual-itv pictures in the world, but which since has dropped out of sight, except on the Continent, has come strongly into the spotlight through a deal with the Wembley Film Syndicate (says the London correspondent of ‘ Everyone’s”). It is proposed by. Nordisk to follow up a recent decision to produce in England, and a studio will be established at Wembley Exhibition grounds, which for nearly a year have been boosted as an excellent manufacturing centre. The capital of the new company will be £850,000.

“People keep asking me why I go to Europe to find talent."' Samuel Goldwvn said, on the eve of leaving for his annuht European vacation. "The reason lies in the story of every big star in moving pictures. With only two or three exceptions, every important player has come from some out-of-the-way place where no one would expect to find future screen stars. They told me that Europe is combed of all its talent. That, I doubt. At any rate, I shall find out • for myself. And in looking I feel -much more hopeful than if I were to set out on a hunt up and down Broadway for the undiscovered great.” . Nine pictures are now in the making at the Paramount studios. A new untitled Wallace Beery-Raymond Hatton comedy, following their “Partners in Crime," a new Richard Dix starring vehicle, “Knocking ’Em Over,” and “White Hands,” an Arthur Stringer story starring Esther Ralston. Other pictures being filmed are:—“Three Sinners,” starring Pola Negri; “The FiftyFifty Girl,” starring Bebe Daniels; “The Drag Net,” starring George Bancroft: “The Magnificent Flirt,” starring Florence Vidor: “Odd Fellows.” a comedy featuring W. C. Fields and Chester Conklin; and “A Date with a Duchess,” starring Adolphe Menjou. jMary Pickford. Kathleen Norris and Mary Pickford Productions, Inc., all were made defendants in a suit for 25,000d0l damages, filed at Los Angeles on March 19, in which. Corinne M. Swenson charges that the plot of a scenario written by her was appropriated for the picture, “My Best Girl." Miss Swenson's suit alleges that in January, 1927, she wrote a scenario entitled “Maggie Murphy From Cork." She showed the scenario to Miss Pickford. she declared, and the actress refused it. Later, the suit declares, the scenario appeared under the title “My Best Girl.” featuring Miss Pickford, with Kathleen Norris as the scenarist.

Estelle Tavlor has .the leading feminine role in “The Whip /Woman.” Cast as a madcap Hungarian girl who drives away with her whip the men who seek her, she rises to the cavewoman portrayal necessary; Eventually she uses her whip on the hero, Antonio Moreno, and learns to loye him only to lose him, until the tables

are turned and the whip is used by her lover to bring her back to her senses. The delineation of the fiery love-life of this intriguing character proves intensely interesting, while Lowell Sherman adds further attraction by a masterly characterisation of the villain, whom “The Whip Woman” imagines she loves.

I have seen the film “ Dawn,” and I can imagine no one who is opposed to war and all its damnable consequences wishing to obstruct the exhibition of this film (writes a London correspondent in an American movie magazine). It is a masterpiece of artistry and screen story-telling. Sitting beside me at the showing, which was a private one attended by only a few journalists, was a ieading German journalist. He afterwards said that he could find nothing in the picture that would offend German feelings. On the contrary, he said, he felt it was done in a manner which showed that the Germans, like the Allies, were chained to the chariot, and could not escape the stain of ordering Nurse Cavell's execution.

A single costume costing 2200 dollars has been designed and made for Corinne Griffith to wear in her starring role in First National's elaborate period drama, “The Divine Lady ” The story is taken from E. Barrington's popular novel of the same name, dealing with the love of Lady Hamilton and Lord Nelson. Miss Griffith enacts the role of Lady Hamilton, and is supported by Victor Yarconi as Lord Nelson. The period of the story is the latter part of the Eighteenth Century, and the action takes place at various British seaport embassies in Europe. Miss Griffith's expensive gown is made of the rarest Chantilly lace and silk, and is elaborately studded with jewels. It is worn at a diplomatic social function. What has become of Constance Talmadge? A few months ago Constance signed a contract with United Artists, but oddly enough, the powers in charge seem to be singularly indifferent to the lady’s future (says an American magazine). She hasn’t worked for months, and there seems to be no mad rush to put her back on the screen. And there’s no denying that other younger and fresher comediennes have cut into Connie’s position.

As sister of Norma and sister-in-law of Joseph Schenck, overlord of the United Artists, Connie had her own way for a long time. Her marriages, her divorces, her engagements and her diamond bracelets were always good for publicity. Lately a strange silence has enveloped Connie’s doings.

The most valuable consignment :>f motion pictures to arrive in Australia this year was brought by the s.s. Sonoma to Sydney on April 12. The shipment included no fewer than six big Paramount pictures which are for release in all States of Australia and New Zealand. The picture* are as follows;—“The Legion of the Condemned,’ sequel to (he Paramount air epic “Wings,” Gary Cooper and Fa>’ Wray co-starred: “Something Always Happens.” Esther Ralston’s latest pi< - ture; “Partners in ‘ rime,” with Wallace Beery and Raymond Hatton; “Tillies Punctured Romance,” a new picture, with JY C. Fields, Chester Conklin and Louise ‘ Fazenda in the cast; "Doomsday.” starring Florence Vidor”; and "The Show Down," George Bancroft s second picture. » Robert Edeson, a favourite player of mature character parts on the screen, has joined the ranks of the freelancer For three years he has been with De Mille, appearing in a number of important productions, among them "The Volga Boatman," and " King of King. ’ The. ermination of his contract in April marked the twenty-third anniversary of his friendship with Cecil B. and William de MiHc. He was in close contact with both during his stage career, and collaborated with the latter in several plays. Cecil dc Mille took Edeson to California to piay the lead in Call of the North ” about fifteen voars ago, when it was produced.in a -arge barn, then known as the Lasky studio in Hollywood. Since then he lias appeared in hundreds of pictures. His latest are, “ Tenth Avenue," “ The Godless Girl ” and ” Walking Back. " Miss Janet Gaynor, the youthful in- - has been accorded what Fox claims as the greatest role in her short but remarkable career. She is the choice of F. W. Murnau, the noted European director, for the main part in "The Four Devil?." his second American production. Miss Gaynor will continue to be starred in big attractions