GENERAL FILM GOSSIP.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18544, 18 August 1928, Page 24 (Supplement)

GENERAL FILM GOSSIP.

jUnWBBS TO COBBBSPOIfDBHTS. Wondering. —The programmes were as follow: —Liberty, “On Your Toes”; Strand, “Upstage’ and “Brooding Eyes.” No. 10. —Clyde Cook, Warner’s Studio, Hollywood. California. Montague Love, Tiffany-Stahl Studio, 933, North Seward Street, Hollywood. California. Lina Basquette, Cecil De Mille Studio. Culver City, California. George Davis. Educational Studios, 7250, Santa Monica Boulevard, Hollywood, California. These are all I am able to supply. Some of those you name are out of pictures, while others are freelancing or appearing in small parts, and consequently have no fixed studio addresses. The leading parts in “Blake of Scotland Yard” are filled by Hayden Stevenson, Gloria Gfey, Grace Cunard, Herbert Prior. Monty Montague. Wilbur Mack, Albert Hart. Jack Kenney, Walter Brennon and George Burton. Burr M’lntosh has the part of A. B. Charles Sim in “That Certain Thing.” For the small amount you mention, get international coupons, which are obtainable at the Stamp Department of the Post Office.

"Metropolis,” which opens at the Grand next week, is a huge and bewildering film from the German studios. It is the story of a city in future times, not so far advanced as to be grotesque or fantastic, but sufficiently futuristic as to pique the curiosity and whet the appetite for more. It is practically impossible to explain this picture, with its mechanised existence, its

two worlds, one of wealth and leisure, the other of sweated labour and misery. Running like a golden thread through the picture is a charming love story, for men and women will always be the same. It is a marvellous thing, this ‘‘Metropolis,” the visualising of these inventions of the future smacking of sheer genius. The acting of the large cast is admirable. 52 52 5*

“Carmen” opens at Crystal Palace Theatre on Monday, and will be preceded by an atmospheric prologue in costume, with the three principals from the opera. The season will be characterised by a musical festival as well as a dramatic and operatic. Carmen is played by Dolores del Rio, who gives a vivid, bold and elittering performance as the gipsy siren who lured all men and then cast them off. Escamillo, the toreador, is played by Victor M’Laglen, a burly, amorous fellow, who tries hard to resist Carmen, but eventually succumbs like the rest. The picture is gorgeously produced, with all the beauty and movement of old Seville. The ending, the just deserts which overcome the fickle Carmen, is left just as in the opera. Don Jose, the soldier who loved Carmen but who wreaked on her a great revenge, is played b" Don Alvarado. This picture is one of the best things the American screen has ever done. A grand opera orchestra is with the picture. 5: s* Johnnie Hines is back again in another of his cheery comedies, this one entitled “Chinatown Charlie,” and it comes to Everybody’s Theatre next week. It is very funny, as are all Hines’s pictures, and is a cheerful mixture of humour, thrills and romance. It is played out in San Francisco’s Chinatown, and is all about how Johnnie’s girl was kidnapped by a mandarin and imprisoned in his house, and all the time Johnnie dressing up in Driental garments, and masquerading es a mandarin, and generally manag«ng to make a real ass of himself. It nil ends as it should, and is really a most diverting comedy. 52 "Womanwise,” with June Collyerand Walter Pidgeon in the leads, is another of the pictures to be screened at next week. It is a romantic comedy, set in the gay and hectic land of Persia, with a lot of the action taking place in the Consulate. And there is a tremendous amount of fighting with a pasha over the girl, until everything ends upg happily. 55* 52 52 Aileen Pringle and Norman Kerry, assisted by Lionel Barrymore, have the leads in “Body and Soul,” the film drama to be presented at the Liberty Theatre next week. It is the story ol June wedded to December, and June wanting to walk with May; the story of a fiendishly jealous husband wanting to possess his wife body and soul, wanting to hide her away trom the eyes of the world. Lionel Barrymore, as the crazy husband, rises to great heights, while Miss Pringle, as the young and spirited wife rebelling against his impositions, and Kerry as her youthful lover, are both most effective in their roles. The tense drama is played out in the Swiss Alps. 52 52 52 “The Shield of Honour,” the second attraction at Liberty Theatre, is a great little story of a branch of public service something like policemen with ’planes. The heroes, and they are real heroes, are connected with an aerial secret service, and their, job is to round up all manner of criminals, and if they chose to fall in love during the process that is their business. Neil Hamilton and Dorothy Gulliver have the leads in a most attractive picture. 5$ 52 52

Starring Mary Pickford, supported by Charles Rogers, Carmelite Geraghty, Lucien Littlefield, Sunshine Hart and Hobert Bos worth, “My Best Girl” will be the principal attraction at the Queen's Theatre next week. The theme is a pleasing variation of the everpopular “Cinderella” type, with Miss Pickford in the role of a stock girl in the basement of a “five and dime” establishment, and the leading man, Charles Rogers, as the son of the millionaire owner. A light-hearted humour that never reaches the slapstick variety, yet which pervades the entire film, serves to carry the audience along irresistibly, and Kathleen Norris, the noted novelist, has introduced an unusual degree of heart interest and appeal into the story.

k 5* :*: , ••The Red Mill.” a screen version of tfte well-known musical cornedv, which heads the current programme at the Strand Theatre, shows Marion Davies in a new role—one different from any aba has ever attempted: more alluring, ■Hva and probably the most

entertaining in her career. Miss Davies’s whimsical comedy talents are said to find a ready opportunity in this romance. It is a story of love and adventure in Holland. A winter festival, a great church scene, a stirring adventure in boats on a canal in a Dutch village are all interesting high lights in the production, together with eerie incidents in a weird haunted mill. But throughout it teems with comedy —uproarious situations between Miss Davies and her Irish lover, played by Owen Moore. “Annie Laurie.” the film of the famous Scottish legend and song, with Lilian Gish in the title role, is booked for early release in this city. A brave and romantic story is told against all the rugged beauty of the Highlands, with all the fierce and warlike instincts of the clans predominating in the story. Norman Kerry is Miss Gish’s leading man, and is as conspicuous, if not more so. than the star. 52 52 52 Mr Barrie Y. Marschel well known with the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer organisation in New Zealand, has resigned from the general managership of that organisation, and is now general manager for the British Dominions Films, Ltd., of which the Right Hon W. A. Watt, P.C.M. and ex-Prime Minister of Australia, is chairman of directors. British Dominions Films controls and wiU release shortly the highest grade British pictures from the following leading English studios:—Gaumont, British Instruction, New Era, Gainsborough, Pro Patria, Stoll and Enders. The first Australian release, “The Coronel and Falkland Islands,” was recently presented at Hoyt’s New Regent Theatre, Sydney, and the success of the film wes described as “electric—no less.” This fine attraction is due for early release in New Zealand. v 52 52 52 “ The Bush Cinderella,” with Dale Austen in the star part, is nearly made (says the Auckland “Star”). It will soon be billed in box office vestibules. In making a picture just as in making a stage drama there must be the three elements, good, evil and the particular theme that brings them into relationship. Mr Henry Hayward, in adapting his story to the screen, has remembered the importance of the footlights. Their effect, also, must be got in a different way. The casting of the principals in strong relief against their background is still the same as on the stage, but the background is different. In a play it is a piece of painted paper or canvas, and quite unreal. In a screen drama it must be people and places, and both must be very real. In “The Bush Cinderella” the two principals are cast against a background of New Zealand scenery and old colonial types. All those are represented that in the past flew South for adventure or for fortune, and with them the companion of all real adventure, the mother of the people. This part is played by Miss May Bain. Her many interests and sympathies doubtless contribute to the subtle harmony of detail with which she interprets her part. 34 52 52 Edith Roberts, Edmund Bums and Walter Long, have returned to Hollywood after a wonderful time in Fiji where they went to appear in the principal parts of “ The Adorable Outcast.” The whole of this picture was taken in Fiji and being so close to New Zealand it should have a particular appeal for New Zealanders. Those picture fans who saw “ For the Term of his Natural Life” will remember Jessica Harcourt, Arthur M'Laglen and the other Australian members of the cast. These members are again cast in very good characters and the picture is a worthy successor to “The Term.” During the making of the picture in Fiji the natives from the surrounding districts made it a gala time. They were all paid for appearing in some of the massed scenes. Besides which there were feast scenes and in order to lend realism to the picture, the feasts were carried cut detail. Helene Costello has reached stardom She will co-star with her sister Dolores and George O’Brien in “Noah’s Ark.” Mary Astor’s contract with First National having expired, she has signed up for three years under the Fox banner. 52 52 52 Monty Collins, who has been appearing in two-reel Educational picture?, is regarded by American critics as the most promising comedian in motion pictures. R 52 52 According to the London illustrated weekly, the “Daily Sketch.” Winter Hall is playing, “father” to Betty Balfour in the British film “Paradise,” which is being made at Elstree, Herts, England. Syd Chaplin has scored another hit, it is claimed, in “The Fortune Hunter,” a Warner Master picture, in which he appears as a young man who went to a small town to marry money. The picture will be shortly released in New Zealand. 52 52 52 Harold Lloyd was inducted with full ceremony into the Iroquois tribe of Indians recently. His Iroquois name is Chief Ron-Was-Der-Ista, which trans lates into Chief Make-Em-Laugh. All this happened when Lloyd went to Montreal for a Canadian premiere of “Speedy.” A London message to “Everyone’s” (Sydney) states that remarkable booking figures for “Dawn” were revealed at the general meeting of British Dominions Films. During its first four weeks of release contracts totalling £48,000 were made in the United Kingdom, while foreign rights brought in another £30,000. * X * In the Metro-Goldwyn production, “Across to Singapore,” Ramon Novarro plays the role of sailor of the old windjammer days—a mariner in sweater and dungarees sailing before the mast in a whirlwind of adventures, storms, mutiny, Oriental intrigue and other thrilling episodes. Joan Crawford plays the

leading feminine role and Ernest Torrence is the cast. 52 52 52 Warner Bros, have taken out a mil-lion-dollar policy on the life of A 1 Jolson, with themselves as beneficiaries. So big are the commitments in connection with the famous Al’s future that Warner Bros, have deemed it advisable to cover him in case anything unforeseen should happen to the star. A 1 Jolson will shortly make his debut in New Zealand in the Master picture special, “The Jazz Singer.”

Owing to her extraordinary bad luck in meeting with some petty or serious mishap in her recent pictures, Bebe Daniels advertised for a good-luck charm to ward off accident, and received several hundred replies. She proposes to select ten charms that appeal to her most, will try each of them out for ten successive days, and the one that brings her the most luck she promises to wear always.

There are two villains in Emil Jannings’s Paramount picture, “The Last Command,” which will be released this year in New Zealand. William Powell plays the part of a Bolshevik spy, and Michael Visaroff that of Jannings’s servant, who turns traitor to his master. Jannings has the role of the Grand Duke Sergius Alexander, the Commanding General of the Russian Annies. Evelyn Brent plays the part of the heroine. ’

In making “Annie Laurie” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer leased a woollen mill and wove more than 28,000 yards of special cloth in accurate copies of twenty-six different tribal plaids of Scotland, to clothe the hordes of warriors appearing in the picturesque

battle and clan-gathering scenes in the picture. Lillian Gish plays the starring role, and Norman Kerry, Hobart Bos worth and Creighton Hale are in the cast. Many days were spent in filming difficult episodes of “Hot News,” Bebe Daniels’s latest starring Paramount picture. Miss Daniels, as a news-reel camera girl, travelled out in a breeches buoy to a shipwreck, a scene requiring clever camera work. Another difficult “shot” was taken on top of the Statue of Liberty, hundreds of feet in the air. The director, actors and cameramen were drawn to the top on painters’ hoists. More than forty police dogs appear in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s “Under Idle Black Eagle,” which will be released shortly throughout New Zealand. The picture shows’the heroism of the police dogs during the World War, especially on the Russo-Austrian front in the province of Gallicia. The picture contains a beautiful romance between a young officer and a nurse. The role of the officer is portrayed by Ralph Forbes and that of the nurse by Marceline Day. The making of films in Europe has become a definite part of the First National programme. Two productions affiliations have already been made, one in England and one in Germany, and eight features are completed and await distribution. In Germany First National has set up a studio, the Defu-First National, located in Berlin. The London organisation is known as First National-Pathe, Ltd., and four pictures have been completed. The first to be released will be “Confetti.” Merry Mae M’Keen has usurped the title of her brother, Snookums, as the youngest screen star. Merry Mae, chubby fourteen-months-old Hollywood beauty, by the completion of her first screen role recently, has taken the title of “youngest screen star” away from Snookums of “The Newlyweds and Their Baby” comedies. Merry Mae, whose temperament fits her name, started on her screen career as the baby in “Buster Minds the Baby,” a Buster Brown Comedy released by Universal. On the theory that children are en--1 titled to their share of moving picture

entertainment especially suited to their needs, the h?ational Board of Review, 0.5. A., has drawn up a list of 100 films for the younger set. This group of photoplays will be used in a national campaign for children’s matinee showings at motion picture theatres, and producers will be asked to supply enough prints to make the whole hundred available in any part of the country. Athletic and adventure stories predominate on the list. A barefoot boy of fourteen; coon-skin cap at rakish angle, ragged trousers, suspended from a single “ gallus ” over a hickory shirt, a squirrel rifle under his arm and his faithful dog at his heels. This is the initial glimpse of Richard Barthelmess in First Nation al’s great picture “ The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come ” emoing shortly. Barthelmess has long been the typicax mountain boy in pictures, and only Barthelmess could give so convincing a performance as “ Chad,” the plucky little hero of John Fox Jr’s, great romance of the hills. “The Yellow Lily,” one of the most suitable vehicles in which she has ever

appeared, giv.es Billie Dove an opportunity to prove both her undoubted pulchritude and histrionic ability. Clive Brook, playing in support, is a splendid foil to the beauty of the star, and does some good work as the Archduke Alexander. The story carries one behind the scenes of palaces and brilliant Court life. Jane Winton is ideally cast as the notorious actress and sweetheart of the “hero.” It is a First National picture that will please for the lavishness of its production and splendid acting. Victor M'Laglen, who was first seen as Captain Flagg in “ What Price Glory,” and then as the Toreador in “ Loves of Carmen,” now becomes a sailor in his latest starring vehicle, “A Girl in Every Port.” It is a thrilling, spicy journey to the most interesting and romantic ports of the world, and its theme is the love affairs of a rough, soft-hearted first mate of a tramp steamer. Robert Armstrong plays the role of Victor’s buddy. Eight of the leading actresses in Hollywood, one for each port of call, and a supporting cast that includes many favourites, aid in the success of the screen story. Trying to look funny while knives hurled through the air and pinioned them on to a board before which were acting, and trying to look still funnier when heavy steel battle-axes took the place of the knives, was the harrowing experience of Karl Dane and George K. Arthur in “Circus Rookies,” their new co-starring comedy for MetroGold wyn-Mayer. Of course, the knifethrower was played by a professional, who could split a match with a knife at thirty yards, but it took nerve to stand stjll and look funny all the while wondering if one of the deadly missiles would work a shade off its correct line. Wherever motion pictures are shown, the wide, broad, good-natured smile of Monte Blue is known. He also has an infectious laugh. That smile of Monte’s is worth a fortune, not only as a picture asset, but to himself. It brought him his first notice, it won him a chance to appear in a picture with D. W. Griffith, it helped him withstand his early day knocks, and it keeps him in a happy frame of mind during his present palmy days. In his latest picture, “Brass Knuckles,” with Betty Bronson, he brings it into full play “Brass Knuckles,” a Warner produc-

tion, will shortly be released in New Zealand. Politics punctuated by cannon shots figure in scenes of “ The Head Man,” a First National production in which Charles Murray, who is featured in the title role of the picture, does the cannon firing in celebration of the arrival of a visiting politician to Little Arcady. The fact that the shots, fired by Murray, knocked down a water tank and deluged the distinguished visitor was an incidental idea of the comedy-constructors attached to the production staff. Larry Kent and Lor etta Young have the roles of the young lovers of the story, and Lucien Littlefield enacts that of Murray’s crony, a genial village tippler. 52 52 52 In “ The Divine Lady,” her First National starring production Corinne Griffith in the colourful role of Lady Hamilton, wears more than a dozen gowns during the course of the story, most of them elaborate court costumes of rich and expensive material. Other members of the cast are clad almost ornately. The formal attire of the men in those days included silks and satins, with many furbelows of lace, bejewelled and decorated with rare stones of every kind. H. B. Warner in the role of Lord Hamilton, Victor Varconi as Lord Nelson and George Periolet and Dorothy Cummings, who play the British Royal couple, appear throughout in rich dress.. A priceless Stradivarius violin, one of the prized heirlooms in the family of Jean Hersholt, was used by the actor during the filming of “Jazz Mad,’ the Universal picture. Hersholt, who is starring, enacts the role of Franz Housemann, a poverty-stricken German composer. He felt that he could do the part with more sincerity if he handled and played his own instrument instead of one from the property room. Although the actor is not an accomplished musician, he plays with more than average skill and frequently practises on the expensive Strad. So Hersholt brought the prized possession to the studio for use during the appropriate sequences. Marian Nixon and George Lewis are in fea tured supporting roles. Queen Victoria of Spain, together with several members of the Spanish Royal Family, recently witnessed a performance of “Sunrise” Fox Films super-production at the Callao Theatre in Madrid. They were so delighted with it that the King asked for the film to be sent to the palace two days later for a special command performance. This marks the second time that the Queen of Spain has given her official approval to a Fox picture. Recently while in London she and hei daughters saw “ Seventh Heaven,” and were enthusiastic in their praise. Janet Gaynor is cast in the role of the young wife in “ Sunrise,” and George O’Brien portrays the slow-witted, toil-stooped 'husband. The picture will be released in New Zealand early in November.

Recently the executives of Paramount Pictures, in conjunction with the Press, held a competition, in an effort to discover new talent for screen story writing. A prize of £IOOO was offered and the idea met with instantaneous success. Thousands of stories poured into the Paramount offices, and the committee of well-known authors had a busy time in the capacity of judges. The winning story was written by a young hosiery sales-girl, Rena Vale, who has had an adventurous career, being successively a school teacher, a cow-girl, a cook, a waitress, a typiste and a filing clerk. The story, which will be produced at the Paramount studios under the title of “Swag,” will be included in Paramount’s “Whole Show” programme for 1929. 52 52 52 Recently a motion picture machine was fitted into the fuselage of a large air liner in New York, and a performance lasting over an hour and a half was given to a prominent newspaper critic. The picture screened was Paramount’s “The Last Command,” starring Emil Jannings. During the screening the ’plane flew approximately 150 miles, so that it seems quite likely that with the coming of giant ’planes which will open up air routes from continent to continent, picture shows in mid-air will be a feature of air travel. Movies in trains are already an accomplished fact, and some of the world’s greatest expresses carry picture theatres in miniature. Another novel theatre is that located in the Grand Central Station, New York. Here travellers rtiay fill in time while waiting for trains. It is the only theatre in the world that is open for twenty-four hours each day. The British International film studios at Elstree, which are already as large as any in the world, will soon become considerably the largest. Recently Miss Betty Balfour, the British International star, cut the first sod for two new studios which are to adjoin the existing buildings. In conversation with a Press representative, Mr Wilfrid Pippet, architect, who has specialised in film studio construction and has been responsible for the planning and designing of the British International premises from the beginning, gave the following details: —Each of the new buildings will occupy ground space of 325 ft by 240 ft, with actual studio space of 275 ft by 100 ft, and each will be 38ft high. Each studio will contain 32 dressing rooms, 7 offices, 4 bathrooms, green room, and art room, etc. A complete air change will be effected one and a half times per hour, which will give some indication of the purity of the atmosphere in which the

artists •will work. This air will actually be drawn from the spacious fields adjoining the studios. Fan mail, which offered a serious problem to producers who found themselves swamped with thousands of letters annually, has been put to worx by the Fox organisation. Determined to ascertain the value or lack of value of correspondence to screen actors, acrtesses, directors and others prominently identified with moving pictures, the Fox company detailed a large force of clerks to count, read and classify the letters. Faith in the suggestions and criticisms of the fans has amply rewarded the company, according to Winfield Sheehan, vice-president and general manager of the company. Success of “ Street Angel ” is attributed to the fans who sent thousands of letters asking that Janet Gay nor, Charles Farreil and Frank Borzagie be starred together again, after their successful appearance in “ Seventh Heaven.” Acting on this advice the company co-starred them in “ Street Angel ” with pleasing box office results. It was German fan mail addressed to the Berlin office of the Fox Company that clinched George O’Brien’s candidacy for the part of the husband in “ Sunrise.” The Greatness of Charlie Chaplin. Mr Chaplin has the great gift (writes Mr St John Ervine, in the “ Observer ”) of arousing in those who see him acting an affection which is unshakable. On more than one occasion I have attempted, without much success, to explain why this man of genius has stepped into the regard of millions of the most diverse persons. Yet, when all the explanations are offered, the mystery remains. Nobody knows why everybody holds that small, sensitive, soltary- figure in such high esteem. He is the symbol of all our vague and, perhaps, impotent desires. We, too, long to be heroic and dashing, and to win the lovely girl from the big, handsome fellow by some astounding feat of strength and skill. We, too, long to break out and to upset authority, and to cast the powerful people into ridculous positions. But we realise, alas, that the high romance is not for us, that our way will be the humdrum way, and our heroic imagination will dwindle to a timid fact. It is, however, the fortitude of this shy, shrinking hermit which brings him closest to our affection. When the fight is lost, when the lovely girl has been captured by some other person, when the heroic act is performed by a rival, when the sensational feat turns into a ludicrous failure, and instead of applause there is derision, the little man shrugs his shoulders, turns his back on his trouble, and, slapping his leg with his cane, shuffles off on his solitary journey in search of the satisfaction that he will never receive. And watching him we discover that we are looking at ourselves. As the result of the'new trend in picture production—talking movies—reigning favourites of the silver screen are to be subjected soon to voice analysis, a new development made possible by the creation of apparatus that is capable of dissecting and classifying the human voice and registering its imperfections (says an American paper). Work has started on examining the vowels, consonants and aspirates of screen stars at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios in Hollywood. Scientists of the University of Southern California co-operated with studio technicians in making the first tests, the object of which is to train present stars for the new talking pictures. It is believed that after the complete variations of the voice are registered, it will be possible to correct defects and thus enable stars who at present are not fitted for the new pictures to continue on in their careers in stardom. “ People predicted,” said Dean Ray K. Immell, of the University of Southern California, who supervised the first test of Anita Page, actress, “ that the advent of talking pictures might drive some stars from the screen, but most of them, with the aid of science and proper training, will achieve new triumphs in their art.” t