The Christchurch Star

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18959, 4 January 1930, Page 22 (Supplement)

The Christchurch Star

NEW ZEALAND’S OFFICIAL FILM NEWSPAPER.

By

“ THE MOVIE MAN ”

OFFICIAL FIRST RELEASES IN EACH CENTRE FOR NEW ZEALAND.

WEEK COMMENCING JANUARY 6, 1930.

GENERAL FILM GOSSIP.

The principal picture to be screened at Everybody’s Theatre next week is an Anglo-Indian drama, entitled “ Afterwards/’ in which Marjorie Hume and Cecil Barry have the leads. The picture opens with a party of English visitors going through the jungle on a hunt. A doctor and a lady go on ahead, and, finding a temple, explore it. Being discovered by fanatical priests, they are imprisoned and given a few hours before they are tortured and put to death for defiling the holy place. As the natives approach, the girl persuades the doctor to shoot her, which he does, just as both the natives and a victorious rescue party arrive. The fiancee of the dead girl swears vengeance on the doctor, and the scene then moves to England, where are finished the last scenes of this strange and powerful drama. It is most unusual in theme, and with plenty of opportunities for thrills and romance. At Everybody’s Theatre next week, the Wallace Beery-Raymond Hatton comedy team will again be seen, this time in a Swiss-American comedy, “ Wife Savers.” They are seen as Americans in a Swiss village, where an edict has gone forth from a crusty Swiss general that all the unmarried women in the village must take unto themselves husbands. This comes very hard on the two bashful heroes, who are immediately pursued by determined women, bent on entering the holy state. Zasu Pitts, as the professional husband-hunter of the village, is a scream, combining as she does pathos and comedy, while Sally Blane, as a nifty flapper who has the pick of the place, is quj£e cute. At Crystal Palace Theatre next week, the all-talking picturisation of Sax Rohmer’s famous book, “ The Mysterious Dr Fu Manchu,” will be presented. This well-known story, which combines all the urbanity and subtlety and mystery of the Chinese with the romance and colour and light of the West, is a magnificent vehicle for *a talkie, and Paramount have turned out a genuinely good talkie film. Warner

Oland is the mysterious Dr Fu Manchu, and he plays the revengeful, hating, wily maniac to perfection. Jean Arthur is his English ward, under his hypnotic spell, innocently carrying out his schemes of vengeance on her own family. Others in the cast are Neil Hamilton, O. P. Heggie, William Austin and Claude King. The Chinese atmosphere lends colour and authenticity to the picture, and the acting and speaking are excellent. ** Broadway ” is the all-talking picture to be screened at Liberty Theatre next week, a picture that may not •trictly be described as an all-talking, for there are some delightful songs sung in it, notably “ Broadway,” “ Hitting the Ceiling,” “ The Chicken or the Egg ” and “ Hot-footing It.” In the leads in this spectacular and gorgeous production are Glenn Tryon, Merna Kennedy, Evelyn Brent and Leslie Fenton. Glenn Tryon plays a song and dance man in a night club, and he combines smart dancing with his own priceless comedy acting. The picture itself is rather dramatic, a drama wherein Merna Kennedy and Evelyn Brent figure mainly. The excellent story which runs through the maze of show life makes “ Broadway ” a picture that is infinitely more than a mere musical comedy on the screen. ** The Show Down,” at the Grand, is sheer drama, and stars the popular heman, George Bancroft. Evelyn Brent and Neil Hamilton are also in the cast. This is a very powerful drama, with little or no light comedy or the like, but taking its place among the best things the screen has given us. The scene is laid in a Mexican oil camp, where elemental things are the _ only things that count. The climax is remarkable, keeping well to the atmosphere of the story. Another of the pictures to be screened at the Grand Theatre next week is “ Toni,” a vastly funny comedy starring Jack Buchanan. Buchanan made a great name for himself in musical comedy on the London stage before entering pictures. The story of “Toni” is a happy, inconsequential affair, light, thrilling and good-humoured from the beginning. Certainly there is a ring of international crooks who are trying to get the Crown Jewels of a delightful Ruratanian princess, but they are never as important as Toni, the rich and idle young man who exchanges place with a famous detective to get a little excitement. He gets it, and of course, you have guessed, the Princess too, when her ungrateful country turns Bolshie. Dorothy Boyd is the lady, and between Jack Buchanan and herself, they make “ Toni ” a comedy that is worth seeing. "The Trespasser,” now showing at

the Civic Theatre, is a sensational drama of modern life, with the upper social strata of Chicago as its setting. The production is particularly noteworthy because it marks Miss Swanson’s audible picture debut. In addition to speaking dialogue throughout the picture, she sings two songs, one a ballad style melody, “Love,” written for her, and the other a standard work of wide popularity. “The Trespasser” also marks Miss Swanson’s return to fine clothes on the screen, the character she portrays being a woman of fashion of the hour. All of her clothes, even to the jewellery and other costume accessories, were designed particularly for her, and they forecast the mode months in advance. And, in addition, the star’s role is one of tremendous emotional latitude, equalling, and perhaps surpassing in dramatic possibilities the outstanding screen portrayals of her career to date. Her voice is rich and well modulated, and quite in keeping with the role of the lady of refinement that' she essays. Another revelation is Miss Swanson’s soprano singing voice. That she well might have succeeded on the concert stage is indicated in her singing of the two numbers that give lyrical heights to the feature. The leading man is Robert Ames, who has appeared in a long list of Broadway stage productions and has several strong screen portrayals to his credit. Others are Purnell Pratt, Henry B. Walthall, Wally Albright (who is regarded as one of the most promising child actors in Hollywood), William Holden, Blanche Friderici, Kay Hammond, Mary Forbes and Marcella Corday. “ The Boob,” which heads the current programme at the Strand Theatre, is a whimsical story of youthful dreams and the hilaiious consequences that came as a result of one effort to realise them. Its basis is the humorous story of a youth disappointed in love, who sets out to prove to the girl of his heart that the spirit of knighthood is not dead. His adventures •provide » feast of thrills and comedy. George K. Arthur and Gertrude Olmsted are in the leading roles, supported by Joan Crawford and Charlie Murray. The principal supporting film, “ No. 17,” an adaptation of J. J. Farjeon's

drama of the same name, is packed with strong action, thrills and mirthprovoking humour. t*» S 5 “ Blackmail,” the English talkie that set the critical American newspapers humming, and had the producers looking to their laurels, is booked for a season at Crystal Palace. This picture was banned in Australia, but, even if there are one or two controversial scenes in it, the picture still remains a faithful and vivid picture of London, of the London Bohemia and of Scotland Yard. The story it tells is a sound one, the acting is perfect, the English voices perfect, and the villain, the blackmailer, gives a splendid portrayal. Anny Ondra is a delightful actress. A Paris cable message, dated November 18, stated that Adolphe Menjou was critically ill from appendicitis. Reported that Dorothy Dalton (Mrs Arthur Hammerstein), once one of the most popular of screen actresses, is to attempt a come-back. Helene Chadwick, one of the most popular stars of the silent screen, returns to films to play the feminine lead in “ Men are Like That,” an alltalking picture. “Paris,” First National’s Vitaphone production, starring Irene Bordini and Jack Buchanan, is produced in technicolour. Some gorgeous costumes are shown in natural colours. A battle between the vagabonds of Paris and the soldiers of Burgundy forms one of the interesting sequences in Paramount’s all-colour romance, “The Vagabond King,” which will be released this year. Gary Cooper’s first all-talking starring picture for Paramount, “Medals,” will be among the early 1930 releases in New Zealand. “Medals” is the picturisation of the stage play “An Old Lady Shows Her Medals,” by Sir James M. Barrie. A society drama screened almost entirely outdoors, and with an abundance of action, including a polo game, night fireworks carnival, swimming, gay dancing and thrilling lake storms, will be seen in Norma Shearer’s new starring vehicle, “Their Own Desires,” produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Some years ago, Francelia Billington was advancing rapidly to moving picture stardom. Her biggest boost came when von Stroheim picked her for the leading role in “ Blind Husbands.” Then something happened and she dropped out of the picture. Miss Billington is staging a come-back with Hoot Gibson in “ The Montana Kid.”

John Barrymore’s first Vitaphone talking picture for Warner Bros, will be an elaborate production based on the novel, “General Crack,” by George Preedy. This romantic story affords Mr Barrymore a perfect vehicle full of colourful backgrounds and vigorous action. It is concerned with the adventures of a soldier of fortune in the Austrian army during the eighteenth century. *.* *.j 55 Victor M'Laglen has been besieged by stamp collectors in person, by telephone and by mail since the story was printed that his fan mail comes from all parts of the world. M’Laglen has correspondents in China, Africa, Ceylon, Bombay, the Fiji Islands, Tahiti, South America, Germany, France, England. The amateur philatelists are not interested in fan mail but they are eager to have the foreign envelopes. “ Blackmail,” the much discussed British talking picture, has had its New Zealand premiere in Auckland, and is reported to have fulfilled all the golden opinions expressed about it in the British Press. The dialogue is of splendid clarity, but its main novelty is its clever use of sound effects. The treatment is fresh and full of surprises. “ Blackmail,” which had a long run in New York, is a Cinema Art Films’ release. « * Motion picture rights to the novel “ Temple Tower,” by H. C. M’Neill, an English author better known by his pen name, “ Sapper,” have been acquired by Fox Movietone. The story is a sequel to “ Bulldog Drummond,” carrying on the adventures of the title character of that story. No announcement has been made as to who will play the principal role. The story is concerned with a reunion of crooks, the career of a strangler and a romance. George Arliss, consummate artist and distinguished stage player brings powerful drama to the screen in his first all-talking picture, for Warner Bros., “ The Green Goddess.” Arliss, who has has one of the finest speaking voices in the stage-world, has a distinction and an artistic ability obtained only by a lifetime of success on the stage. In this Vitaphone production, in which he appears in the role of a wily Indian Prince, super-lord in his mountain fastness, Arliss plays on the emotions at will. *: :s Thomas Hardy’s novel “ Under the Greenwood Tree ” has been picturised as an all talkie by British-International. One of its most popular features is the very beautiful singing and instrumental work of the village choir. This English production has been chosen as the leading feature for Australia’s most up-to-date picture palace, the State Theatre, Sydney. This is the first time a British picture has headed the bill for the largest theatre of the Commonwealth. “Under the Greenwood Trse ” is a Cinema Art Films Release. Lewis Stone is the hero of “Wonder of Women,” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s gripping human drama of modern Europe, which will be released shortly, with sound and dialogue. It is the first role since his appearance with Ruth Chatterton in “Madame X.” Peggy Wood, stage star, and Leila Hyams appear opposite Stone in this picture, the story of which is tense in its human interest plot, and depicts the life and loves of a temperamental German composer. There is pathos and tragedy in the play, as well as humour and romance. The glitter aryl glow of Broadway’s theatrical life is shown in Warner Bros.’ production, “ Gold Diggers of Broadway,” a hundred per cent natural colour, talking, singing and dancing production. With a cast of vaudeville and musical revue headliners, songs and tunes out of the ordinary, a chorus of fast-stepping beauties, gorgeous technicolour in scenes which follow each other in a kaleidoscopic procession of rainbow hues, “ Gold Diggers of Broadway ” is said to be the most colourful and melodic presentation of Broadway life ever shown on stage or screen. ♦.* ♦.* The youngest talkie “character man” is Douglas Scott, three and a half year old actor. Douglas, born of British parents, is reaping a harvest in talking roles because of his natural ability to do “character” parts both in demeanour and in language. In “Dynamite,” Cecil B. De Mille wanted a boy who could act and talk like a coal miner’s child, and Douglas did the job. Then Robert Z. Leonard wanted a child to act and talk like a French war orphan. He discovered Douglas spoke perfect French as well as English, his mother having used both languages in the home since his birth. The stock market left a trail of headaches in Hollywood, more so than in many other less romantic circles (writes a Hollywood correspondent). While a movie actor may be 100 per cent with his audiences, he is just another fish, so far as the brokers are concerned Many a manly marcel and many a maidenly mop was torn in the throes of despair when the reports began coming in. Lunch rooms at studios lost their charm at noon on the big day, with the actors and actresses from the sets in their makeup mobbing the offices of their brokers and the banks. Stories of losses as high as 2,000,000 dollars circulate. Whether the estimates are excessive, they are known to be huge. A rush order for “ 36 yards of yells ” was sent forth in connection with the opening sequence of Ronald Colman’s new picture, “ Condemned,” where thousands of convicts face a storm at sea in the hold of the prison ship Martiniere, en route to Devil’s Island. The original filming of the scene was, of course, done in sound, but when the time came to put the picture together it was discovered that for some reason the convicts had failed to yell loud enough. Bigger and better yells, wails, and moans were needed and in a hurry. Twenty studio carpenters, sixteen stenographers, three “ prop ” men, two visiting actors and an assistant director promptly offered their services, and successfully produced the necessary yells. “ Condemned ”is a Samuel Goldwyn production, and will be released by United Artists. Paramount have started production on a mammoth talking, dancing and singing revue titled “Paramount on Parade,” in which every star and featured played under contract to Paramount will appear. Every director, story ; writer, artist and specialist in set designing at the Paramount Studios will

have an opportunity to contribute to the production. Among the score of stars and half a hundred featured play ers who will take part are: Richarc. Arlen, George Bancroft, Clara Bow, Evelyn Brent, Clive Brook, Nancy Carroll, Ruth Chatterton, Maurice Chevalier, Gary Cooper, Dennis King, The Four Marx Brothers, Moran and Mack, Jack Oakie, William Powell, Charles Rogers, Hay Skelly, Regis Toomey, Fay Wray and many others. The huge talking production will be completed before the start of the New Year, and will be among the early 1930 releases in New Zealand. Bebe Daniels, Radio Pictures’ star, has received a signal honour (writes a Hollywood correspondent). She has been notified of her appointment as Colonel on the staff of Governor Samp son of Kentucky. The tribute was in recognition of her services in stimulating interest in the approaching Washington bicentennial celebration of which Colonel Noel Gaines is in charge. The star has taken active part in preparations for observance of the event. The title of Colonel is significant in Miss Daniels’s family. Her grandfather, once United States Ambassador to Colombia, and long prominent in the diplomatic service, was Colonel George Butler Griffin. His forefathers fought in the Revolution; consequently Bebe concerns herself with anything pertaining to Washington or to the Revolutionary period. This is her second commission. She recently was made an honorary Colonel in the 322 d Pursuit Squadron, United States Army Air Corps. :: :« There will be grand opera on the screen in two years. Within that time the more popular of the famous operas, such as “Aida,” “II Trovatore” and “Faust,” will have been transferred to the screen by producers who are experimenting now with operetta and revue. This is the prediction of Leo Forbstein, dean of the First NationalVitaphone music department. “Many of the ‘heavy’ operas will never reach the screen,” as they never reach the stage,” he points out. As to the operas that may be filmed, while their music will remain unaltered, the stories will be strengthened. That is to say, tailored to motion picture specifications, the action heightened in many cases in intensity and long scenes broken to avoid monotony. Further, Forbstein prophesies, the singing and dialogue will be in English for versions released in the United States. This alone, in his opinion, will have a great deal to do with popularising grand opera. Many are the roads that lead to Hollywood. Luck plays its part, by no means a small one, in opening the studio gates to newcomers, according to the reminiscences of the stars. Colleen Moore was riding in an elevator with her uncle, a newspaper editor, when the latter casually introduced her to D. W. Griffith, and another girl was fired with the movie “bug.” Richard Barthelmess was about to depart on a long sea cruise when Nazimova invited him to play a bit in “War Brides.” Charlie Chaplin was playing in a vaudeville skit at 40 dollors a week when Mack Sennett persuaded him to take a chance on losing that forty to join a fly-by-night film comedy crew. Billie Dove was posing for magazine covers when she attracted the attention of a producer. Alice Joyce was posing for the slides used to illustrate songs when a camera man told his director he knew just the girl for a certain role they were having a hard time filling. Rex Ingram met Jack Mulhall on the street one hot day in New York when the latter had just finished a season in stock and was wondering what to do next, and asked him why he didn’t try pictures during the summer lull. Jack did, and has been there ever since. A publicity man who wanted to write a story about an extra picked out Irene Rich who was playing a maid and who answered quickly when the director called for a volunteer. A month later she was leading woman for Dustin Farnuni. The London “ Daily Express ” has the following reference to “ The Taming of the Shrew,” recently screened in London:— Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks have done what the stage, for many years, has failed to do. They have brought Shakespeare back to the people. Millions to whom Shakespeare is only a name will see the screen version of “ The Taming of the Shrew.” Better entertainment London has never seen. Its gaiety is delightful, and its laughter irresistible. Nothing more Shakespearean than the roaring, Falstaffian laughter of Mr Fairbanks has been heard in London since Elizabeth’s day. This picture is the finest gesture that Hollywood has ever made. Not only is it gorgeously staged, magnificently costumed, and splendidly photographed, but it is Shakespearean in every foot of its length, conforming, perhaps, more to the Tree tradition than to any other. True, there are moments in which Petruchio seems to be giving a marvellously good imitation of Mr Fairbanks, and others in which Katherina is markedly reminiscent of the original tomboy that was Mrs Fairbanks, but they are a delightful couple to watch. They should have acted together long since. Every one speaks well in the production, and there is no straining after declamation, though the voices of the two principals lack something of the polish of those supporting them.

Feature. Make. Star. Town. Released bjr “The Show Down.” Paramount. Geo. Bancroft. Christchurch. Paramount. “Wife Savers.” Paramount. Wallace Beery. Christchurch. Paramount. “Unholy Night.” Metro-Goldwyn. Torrence-Sebastian. Wellington. Metro-Goldwyn. “Afterwards.” British. Marjorie Hume. Christchurch. Metro-Goldwyn. “The Boob.” Metro-Goldwyn. All star. Christchurch. Metro-Goldwyn “ Flying Teet.” Metro-Goldwyn. Ramon Novarro. Dunedin. Metro-Goldwyn. “ Behind the Curtain.” Fox. Warner Baxter. Wellington. Fox. “ The Girl from Havana.” Fox. Lola Lane. Dunedin. Fox. “Chasing Through Europe.” ... Fox. Sue Carrol. Dunedin. Fox.