GENERAL FILM GOSSIP.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20221, 3 February 1934, Page 24 (Supplement)

GENERAL FILM GOSSIP.

LIFE OF PAVLOVA. | Jesse L. Lasky, since he announced that he was to make “The Flight of Swan,” a life of Pavlova, has been 'swamped with applications from young "women who believe they possess the grace, the sense of rhythm and the artistry of the celebrated dancer. Their letters contain elaborate - press clippings, proving some form of association .srith Pavlova, and a count of the ignore impressive applications would in>dicate that twenty-two young. women were appointed her successor. The Temifime applicants are not alone in •this somewhat fanciful allusion to a .past with Pavlova, since scores of men, ’mostly with Russian names, present of proof that they were her partners on various tours. The search |for a woman to portray the ballerina fis interesting because of the limitations r involved. The successful candidate Imust prove that she is a ballerina of iirare capabilities, and again she must - prove in a series of tests that she is _ equally gifted as an actress. In all events, the forthcoming picture is attracting considerable attention throughout the world. Soviet Russia, perhaps because it is the seat of the highest form of the dancing art, comes second to the United States in number of applications. Completed at Last. After two false starts, the third version of Zola’s “Nana” has been completed by Samuel Goldwyn. Anna Sten, the Russian actress who has the leading role, was taken to Hollywood by Goldwyn and, for a long time, had v;nothing to do but perfect her English. ■£§ Remarkable One-man Show. JZ Lawrence Hanray, whose study of V the old major in “ The Faithful Heart ” was one of the notable characterisations in that fine film, is starred in a t. surprising “ solo ” English “ short,” / called “ A Dickensian Fantasy.” He ■?' plays the role of a cynical old misanthrope, who has a dream in which the '•* Dickens* characters, Sam Weller, j Scrooge, Bob Cratchit and Fezziwig " visit him, and convince him that the spirit of Noel is not dead. Hanray plays all the characters himself. Hepburn to Play Joan. Scenarists at R.K.O. Radio studios have been instructed to write a film story about Joan of Arc for Katharine Hepburn. 6© ®®© @®® ©@©® ® @ @ ©55 @©HE I

Experiencing Hardships. Because they lack appreciation of their current box-office value, and are not inclined to play mature roles, many former feminine stars are experiencing hardships. Hollywood is full of women who seek youthful roles and refuse to enact parts more in keeping with their age. The “New York Times” says that one well-known actress has been supported for some time by the Motion Picture Relief Fund because she insists on being an ingenue while studios have made several offers to her to enact mother roles. A more balanced attitude is apparent on the part of Gloria Swanson, who, while not old in fact, is old in the eyes of the screen. Ironically, she .is negotiating with Columbia to play the part of the mature motion-picture actress in “ Twentieth Century ”. For a time Gloria Swanson talked with Cecil B. de Mille regarding the possibility of returning to stardom in some lavish spectacle such as those in which the director brought her to fame some years ago. While not entirely dead, the idea is in abeyance. In the meantime she will probably appear in the film version of the Ben Hecht-Charles MacArthur play. Preston Sturges has completed a scenario for it, and Gregory Ratoff is to play the producer. “ Twentieth Century ” is one of the more interesting of the scheduled Columbia productions. Two stories are under consideration now—“ Strictly Confidential ”, by Mark Hellinger, and an .unpublished novel, “ Ancestor ”, by Elissa Landi. “ Ancestor ” will, no doubt, be purchased and Elissa Landi will appear in the principal role. Recently she was put under contract by the studio. " By Candlelight.” “ By Candlelight ” is said to be one of the gayest, most sparkling screen comedies of the season. Filled with sophistication and smart lines, the picture presents many interesting sidelights on the lives of philandering Europeans of noble birth. Spicy, deliciously humorous situations follow one another in swift succession, with dangers from suspicious spouses always lurking just around the corner. The cast is headed by Elissa Landi, Paul Lukas, Nils Asther and Esther Ralston. The locale is Vienna and Monte Carlo, two places in Europe where joy has always been more or less unconfined, even though the roystering is done in a considerablv refined manner. “ Jane Eyre.”

A film version of Charlotte Bronte’s novel, “Jane Eyre,” is to be made by an independent Hollywood producer. g©©®©©©®®®®®®®®®®®®*

“G. B. S.” Won Over. At last George Bernard Shaw has been won over to the American screen. Although the veteran British dramatist declared only seven months . ag<o, “I don’t belie\-e Hollywood is within ten years of tackling my stuff,” he has consented to allow R.K.O. to produce “ The Devil’s Disciple ” as a starring vehicle for John Barrymore. This is the first of Shaw’s plays to be filmed in America. The dramatist’s ehief objection to the filming of his plays in Hollywood was that they would not be screened “ straight ” or in their original play form. It so happened, however, that this studio had filmed Clemence Dane’s play, “ A Bill of Divorcement ” and G. B. Stern’s “Long-Lost Father,” without departing from the original manuscripts to any noticeable extent. This fact, and also the faithful screening of “ The Silver Cord,” was called to Shaw’s attention. Also, it was pointed out that the first two mentioned were both John 'Barrymore vehicles. Shaw was interested in Barrymore playing the stellar role in “ The Devil’s Disciple.” Consequently, Shaw has been won over and cable negotiations completed. “ The Devil’s Disciple ” is a masterpiece of the characteristic Shavian brand of humorous satire, and is also rich in poignant drama and dramatic situation. Ambitious Film. In spite of the technical difficulties and the tedious work that will have to be done, Basil Dean has decided to carry out his wish to make a screen version of “ Gulliver’s Travels ”. It will be the original story of Gulliver among the Lilliputians. The suggestion was Mrs Stephen Courtauld’s. At first Basil Dean thought it could not be done, but he saw some of the making of “ King Kong ” in Hollywood, and, though he realises it will be a long and troublesome job, he is going to show a Gulliver striding about among the little people. Kingsley’s “Water Babies.” A film version of Charles Kingsley’s Water Babies ” is contemplated by Mero-Goldwyn-Mayer.

Off to Ghina. A M-G-M director and his staff are going to China to film scenes for “ Good Earth,” a screen version of Pearl Buck’s well-known novel. Many of the Chinese scenes in the production will be played by native artists. “A Trip to Mars.” R. C. Sherriff, the playwright-scenar-ist, has completed the story of “ A Trip to Mars ” for production by Universal. Long-term Contract. Billie Burke has signed a long-term contract which insures that her services will be exclusively under Samuel Goldwyn’s management. Early next season Goldwyn hopes to present Billie Burke in the lead of a picturised English stage play, which she will first do for the theatre, either in New York or Los Angeles. Billie Burke may first do another play, of American authorship, on the Coast. Goldwyn believes that this star’s distinguished performances in “ A Bill of Divorcement,” “ Christopher Strong,” “ Dinner at Eight ” and “ Only Yesterday ” established her as one of' the most versatile players in pictures. Since the death of Florenz Ziegfeld, her husband, Goldwyn has acted as adviser to Billie Burke in her choice of roles and in her personal affairs. Golman to Return. It is reported that Ronald Colman’s first picture for Twentieth Century will be a sequel to “ Bulldog Drummond,” his first talking picture. The original “ Drummond,” which was produced in 1929, made Ronald Colman the most popular actor of the screen, and is still regarded as being among his best performances. Wallace Thriller. The late Edgar Wallace’s story, “ The Man Who Changed T 1 is Name,” is to be filmed at Twickenham studios for Universal.