GENERAL FILM GOSSIP.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18615, 17 November 1928, Page 25 (Supplement)

GENERAL FILM GOSSIP.

cast of ten or more players give astonishingly finished performances. . . . “Odds On” does not pretend to be a notable contribution to the art of the film; but. except in a cabaret scene, the technique of director and photographer (Mr Arthur Higgins occupied both offices) is at least equal to that in an average American '’feature” film. Although the picture has a thoroughly Australian atmosphere, Mr Higgins has sensibly and successfully used American outdoor films as his model. Here are the Australian equivalents of the bright subtitles of the Hollywood “Western” picture, the slight the picturesque rural settings, plenty of human comedy, the exciting finale. The action moves briskly from beginning to end, and the final description of the race day at Randwick is a brilliant piece of direction. The lack of some spectacular incident, such as usually adorns an American film of this kind, is made up for by glimpses of wellknown racehorses and jockeys, a spectacle vastly more entertaining to an Australian attendance. Conspicuous among a cast in which all do good work are Mr Tauchert, an experienced film player, who, as the “urger,” provides most of the humour; Mr Hayes, Mr Faulkner, and Mr Purdie. Mr Higgins, who is a moving-picture photographer of considerable experience in Australia, has announced that the film .was produced for only £2OO.

FIRST NATIONAL PICTURES THE 1928-9 PRODUCTIONS. First National is calling their fortyeight pictures this year the “ President group.” Of these forty-eight pictures, forty are already known quantities, in so far as any picture can be known up to the time the audience views it in the theatre. The titles, stars, stories and directors are set, and in many instances production is completed. For example, “Lilac Time ” (which is to be released in New Zealand as “ Love Never Dies ”) has already been reviewed, being hailed at its premiere as the greatest picture the versatile Colleen Moore has ever made. “ The Strange Case of Captain Ramper ” should be something to fill a house several times a day. Other big pictures are “ La Tosqgi,” a Firnatone production, with beautiful Billie Dove as the star. The rest of her programme includes “ The Other To-morrow,” an Octavus Roy Cohen story, and “ The Heart of a Princess.” Colleen Moore is down for three besides the super-special beforementioned. These are “ Synthetic Sin,” a great story; “Baby Face,” by Cosmo Hamilton ; and “ The Richest Girl on Earth.” Corinne Griffith is to make the magnificently conceived “ The Divine Lady ” (which is almost completed, and is reputed to be the greatest picture from First National Studios to date), dealing with the life of Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton, and depicting the battles of Trafalgar and the Nile. Miss Griffith is also to make

“ Saturday’s Children ” following the powerful drama, “ Outcast.” Milton Sills in “ The Barker ” has also another opportunity for a great picture. In conjunction with the popular Dorothy Mackaill. he will make “ Changeling,” from the Don Byrne novel, which has been retitled “ Stranded in Paradise.” Sill’s other vehicles include “ The Crash*” “ The Eagle's Trail ” and “ The Captain of the Strong.” all virile stories which should prove ideal for this star. Alice White, an up-and-coming star, will be seen in colourful plays such as “ Show Girl,” “ Hot Stuff,” “ Ritzy Rosie ” and “On the Air.” The titles just about give away the kind of pictures they will be—young, fast moving Stuff, the kind she can do so well. Ken Maynard will be seen in “ The Glorious Trail,” “The Phantom City,” “ The Royal Rider,” “ The Lawless Legion,” “ Cheyenne ” and “ The Wells Fargo Express.” Dorothy Mackaill, consistent and attractive, makes the famous Drury Lane melodrama, “ The Whip,” “ The Girl in the Glass Cage ” and “ Two Weeks Off,” and with Jack Mulhall she is scheduled to make “ Children of the Ritz ” and “ Waterfront.” Mulhall will star alone in “Ritzy Rosie” (with Alice White), “ Apple Sauce ” and “ When Irish Eyes are Smiling.” Richard Bartheliness, always a great favourite, has “ Scarlet Seas ” and “ Diversion,” following Phillip Gibbs's great novel, “ Out of the Ruins,” which is already completed.

In addition to the above, First National is producing several mystery thrillers, including “ The Haunted House,” “Seven Footprints to Satan” and “ Sh! the Octopus.” Already made, and scheduled for release very soon, is the smashing sea epic made with the co-operation of the German Admiralty and furnished with special Australian sequences, “The Exploits of the Emden,” which should prove of more than average interest Then there will be the films from British First National. Some of these are “The Ware Case,” “God’s Clay,” Eileen of the Trees ” and “ Zero.” First National is also two great specials, “ Toilers of the Sea,” Victor Hugo’s masterpiece, and the brilliant stage play, “ The Squall.”