ON TOP OF THE WORLD.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 377, 19 March 1932, Page 24 (Supplement)

ON TOP OF THE WORLD.

British Film Industry’s Wonderful Progress.

The British film industry is on top of the world. That is the opinion of Ewart Hodgson, the “ Daily Express ” film critic, continuing, he says:— At 'the present time there is only one film company in Hollywood making money. Yet in England, once the land of despised films, you could find half a dozen studios showing substantial profits. These two facts should suffice to convince the public that during 1932 the British film industry will enjoy unparalleled prosperity. British International Pictures have forty major talkies on their schedule this year, " including several musical productions. The Gaumont British organisation, whose schedule comprises fifty features, have planned a series of Lynn-Walls farces, a number of “ musicals ” starring Jack Hulbert, and an air picture to be made in conjunction with Sir Alan Cobham. Meanwhile Elstree and the other production centres in England are actually getting a footing in the American

i ® in m ® si is ® m ® ® si si in m si ® si m m a market which hitherto had proved impenetrable. More Films Exported. In 1932, it is estimated, England s exports of talkies to the United States will be multiplied many times over. In this connection what is vitally important is that where American booking on a large scale is extended to a British picture, it is possible to retrieve the whole cost of the producton from the revenue thus accruing*. In Canada, too, there is a growing demand for British talkies. The Canadian critics in many cases rate the British picture superior to Hollywood’s efforts. The Canadian cinema-goer waits to pay his tribute in queues. If further proof of the increasing quality of British-made talkies is demanded, spend a moment examining the list of the best films of last year which has been drawn up by Mr Arthur Jarratt, who speaks with unchallengeable authority, since he books all the programmes for the largest circuit of cinemas in England. (j Here is the list: “ Sunshine Susie,” Dacjdy Long Legs,” “ Michael and Mary,” “ Congress Dances,” “ Bad Girl,” " The Ghost Train,” and “ One Heavenly Night.” Observe the significant fact that out of seven pictures three are British—a proportion of nearly 50 per cent. Many other notable British pictures are necessarily missing from the list. Such talkies as “ Men Like These,” “ Chance of a Night-Time,” “ Carnival,” ‘ Keepers of Youth,” ‘ Mischief,” “Rookery Nook” and “Plunder” have already won huge financial rewards for their sponsors. Yet another cheering aspect of the British film situation is that 1932 will witness a determined effort to develop native stars. Showing Hollywood. Jack Hulbert has already proved himself a talkie comedian comparable with any one in Hollywood. Cicely Courtneidge brings a personality to the studio that has been missing for all too long. British International are out to exploit lovely Molly Lamont. Gains-

borough are backing Belle Chrystal, Herbert Marshall and Edna Best. British Lion have great faith in Shirley Dale. British and Dominion are building up Dorothy Boucher and are presenting Jack Buchanan in a series of musical talkies, starting with “ Good Night Vienna.” Elizabeth Allan is Julius Hagen’s “ hope ” for the year.

The spirit of enterprise characterising the studios is reflected in the ambitious plans made for the erection of new super cinemas during the year. The Gaumont British Company are putting up ten new palaces at an average cost of £IOO,OOO each. The A.B.C. circuit will be increased by twelve vast cinemas, while independent exhibitors are expected to be responsible for the building of another ten supers. By the end of 1932 considerably more than £3,000,000 will have been sunk in new cinemas. Exotic Personality. Sylvia Sidney gets her exotic personality from a Rumanian father and a Russian mother.

TOM MIX MARRIED. Third Wife is Talented Circus Performer. With a white-haired old retired general of the Mexican Army as the minister, and an interpreter ranged beside him, Tom Mix, the famous cowboy film star who is now making his first talking pictures, and Mabel Hubbell Ward, daring young aerialist of a circus, were married at Calexico, Mexicali, on February 15. The couple, with a wedding party of four, including the cowboy star’s daughter, Thomasina, and Monte Blue, film star, and his wife, left Hollywood on February 14, spending the night at Palm Springs, California’s desert resort. Next day they drove on, originally headed for Yuma, Arizona, the West’s Gretna Green, but when the party reached the border, Tom Mix said that was far enough, and with his bride-to-be he went across the line to Mexicali for the marriage. They came upon General Juan N. Vasquez, Judge of the Civil Court at Mexicali, and through an interpreter arranged for the ceremony. Tom Mix is fifty-two years old, and his bride is about twenty-eight. They met some months ago while Tom Mix, after leaving pictures, was touring the country with a circus. Last year, Miss Ward performed an unequalled feat under “ the big top ” 300 one-arm revolutions on a high bar without the protection of nets. She is Tom Mix’s third wife. Indirectl}', the couple disclosed, Thomasina brought about the marriage. Tom Mix said that after he and Miss Ward had known each other for some time Thomasina asked him one day: “ Daddy, when are you going to get married? ” Mix said he replied: “ Well, honey, whom do you want me to marry ? ” His daughter said: “ Why, Mabel, of course,” and so, Mix concluded, “ here we are.”

NOW IMPORTANT. Studios Note Stars’ “ Fan ” Mail. “ Fan ” mail, the thousands of letters that are sent to motion picture favourites, is taking on a new importance. Time was when a comparatively unknown player might go up to stardom through the number of letters received monthly. Studios watch this mail carefully and know almost to a letter how many each star receives and which man. or woman is coming forward in public esteem.

There are not so many letters now as used to be sent, and they are of different type. They come from better educated people. Formerly it was the quantity that interested the studio; now it is the matter. The letters are examined carefully to discover in what type of picture and character the correspondent likes the actor best. If this opinion is definite enough the future of the player is shaped by these missives.

Many of the letters, of course, talk of love; others give advice, and hundreds appeal for assistance. Different stars appeal to different classes. At least, so a Hollywood correspondent asserts. Often the type of role played determines the sort of men and women who will write. When Irene Dunne made her great success as Shara in “ Cimarron,” she received floods of letters from American pioneer women, whose early days the picture and the character recalled.

Janet Gaynor receives much mail from shop-girls, and Helen Twelvetrees from clerks. Leila Hyams appeals to boys, who write many pages, and Anita Page to girls who want to be village belles. Joan Crowford has one correspondent in Alaska. He writes every day, and in the spring when the mail routes are open the letters arrive all at once.

Tom Mix receives thousands of missives from boys, and so do Buster Keaton, Eddie Cantor, Harold Lloyd and other comedians. George O’Brien’s letters come from everywhere, and he answers them all. Charles Farrell’s letters are mostly from mature women. Women write to Constance Bennett asking advice on clothes, but her sister Joan’s mail is largely from girls in boarding schools. George Bancroft gets many letters from seamen, recalling his own service before the mast. Elissa Landi receives many requests for autographed copies of her novels—and so the thing goes on.