PICTURE GOSSIP

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19437, 24 October 1925, Page 22 (Supplement)

PICTURE GOSSIP

A strange collection of frigs, false hair, coils and other forms of feminine headdress is owned by Helene Chadwick. The screen star saved them from various pictures in which she’ has taken part. Miss Chadwick may become a blonde, a grey-haired old lady. a golden-haired vixen, a black-haired Diana, or a white-headed lady of tne romantic period by a mere visit to her wardrobe trunk of wigs. ♦ * * ♦ For genuine entertainment, whieh includes the proper proportion of laughs and tears, “Chickie” will be hard to equal. It is a love-story that appeals not only to every feminine heart, but to the masculine as well. Dorothy Mackaill in the title role gives the finest portrayal of her screen career. She gives an intelligent and convincing interpretation of the poor typiste who longs for wealth and luxury. Chickie. in brief, is the story of Chickie Bryce, a poor typiste, who wants a millionaire husband, not with the thoughts of love, but with the sole idea that he can give her things she has wanted so • long. Others in the all-star cast include Myrtle Steadman, Olive Tell. Lora Sonderson, John Bowers, .Robert Bosworth, and Louise Mackintosh. The picture was directed by John Francis Dillon, under the supervision of Earl Pictures. It is the screen version of M. D. Crawford’s stirring novel of a prize-fighter’s romance in the Canadian woods. Milton Silis, as the star, finds Hudson.

I A motion-picture best described by its title. “The Knock-Out, ” will shortly be released by First National I tie folk held court at countless manors, I considerably more opportunity for a 1 display of virile action than in any i picture he has appeared in since “The | Sea Hawk.’’ A strong supporting cast i includes Lorna Duveen, Milton Sills’ new leading lady. £ £ * * A rousing romance seasoned with several spectacular thrills and some genuine laugh—that’s “Code of the West,’’ the new Paramount film now showing in New Zealand centres. Tt is ! a picturisation of the story of the same | tame by the well-known Zane Grey. I The actual locations mentioned in the ! book—the picturesque and rugged country in the Tonto Basin, Arizona—were used as backgrounds, so that the col’ourful scenery is not the least of the i photoplay’s worth-while features. Interest in the picture is further height- ■ ened by the performances of an exceptional cast headed by a quintet of popular players, including Owen Moore, Constance Bennett, Mabel Ballin, Charles Ogle, and David Butler. * * * * “Graustark.” George Barr McCutchi con’s entrancing romance of a mythical European kingdom, has been modernised for the sc een. That is, the gripping love drama which the novelistso vividly pictured has not ben altered, but the tiny kingdom has been brought up-to-date. Normal Talmadge enacts the role of the beautiful Princess I evite, with Eugene O’Brien as her leading man. First National will release the picture at %n early date in New Zealand.

“A Sainted Devil/’ Rudolph Valentino's second Paramount starring picture since his return to the screen, will be seen here at an early date. With an excellent supporting cast, a story of dash and colour, and rich settings which depict the Argentine and life in the Buenos Aires, “A Sainted Devil” is said to surpass even “Monsieur Beaucaire. ” which was received by the critics and public alike with great acclaim. In this picture, which Forrest Halsey adapted from Rex Beach's story, “ Rope ’s End,” Valentino portrays the role of Don Alonzo Castro, a spirited young South American who travels up and down the scale of love and who [fights at the drop of the hat for the woman he loves. ❖ * * A picturisation of the old stage favourite, George Ade’s “The College Widow,” is to be “ Syd.” Chaplin's second starring Master Picture for Warners. * * # John Barrymore is coming back to Hollywood this summer to work at the Warner Brothers studio in the Master picture “The Sea Beast.” ❖ * * Gayne Whitman has been cast for one of the leading roles in the Master picture. “The Wife Who Wasn’t Wanted,” Bess Meredyth's story which •Tames Flood is directing. ❖ -I- * $ “Don Juan,” the famous love story that was immortalised in poetry by Byron, which is expected to achieve artistic and dramatic magnitude of the first order, has been selected as John Barrymore’s next Master picture for Warner Bros., on their 1926-27 release schedule.

| Norma Talmadge’s latest picture, “Graustark,” has been completed, and 'will be released by First National. Eugene O’Brien is Norma’s leading man, playing the role of the rich young American who upsets a kingdom to win the love of the beautiful Princess Yetive. * * * *

Charles Chaplin is still king of ’em all when it comes to popularity (says an American writer). The week of “The Gold Rush” at the Strand Theatre, New York, brought into the box office 72,577 dol. 15 cents, which is the record for a regular week. The nearest approach to these figures was done in November at the Capitol, New York, with “He Who Gets Slapped,” Lon Chaney starred, which took in 70.468 dollars.

“A Kiss in the Dark,” a Paramount production shortly to be produced here, is a smart comedy of sophisticated society laid in Havana and New York. Adolph Menjou is a ladies’ man whose philandering drives his sweetheart, played by Aileen Pringle, to distraction. Lillian Rich plays Betty King, in love with her husband, Johnny (Kenneth Mac Kenna), but also interested in each and every other handsome young man who happens along. She carries on a flirtation with Menjou and almost ruins things with Aileen Pringle for him.

The charm and enchantment of the old South in the days before the devastation of the war came upon it—the days of Washington, Jefferson, and the heroes of the Revolution; the days of Jackson and Clay, Calhoun, the Lees and their contemporaries; when plantations wore fat with abundance and genare called to life again in all their grace, romance, and chivalry, in the greatest of all films, “Abraham Lincoln.” In “Abraham Lincoln” signal honour has been done the history, chivalry, the immortal heroes and the wonderful women of the South, for the picture is an authentic historical document. Robert Edward Lee, Stonewall Jackson, Jefferson Davis, and others who wrote their names high in the annals of the South’s histor-, come again in living, breathing forms to thrill the

hearts of those who adore their memory.

Taking roles in Pola Negri’s latest Paramount production, “Flower of Night,” are a Russian prince, a Russian princess, the son of an Australian baron and the grandson of a form- c president of Argentina. Miss Negri, herself, is a Polish countess. The Russian prince is Youcca Troubctzky, son of Prince and Princess Nicolai Troubetzky, and nephew of the famous sculptor, Paul Troubctzky. Thais A ladimar is the Russian princess. Her husband. Prince Vladii iar. was killed during the World War. An important part is taken by Gustav Von Sevffertitz, whose father was Baron Von”Seyffortitz, aide-de-camp to the Emperor Franz-Josef of Austria. Completing the list is Manuel Acosta, whose father was a former senator, and whose grandfather, Reca a Culio, was president of Argentina for two terms. Acosta plays a hit in the picture. “Flower of Night” is a powerful, romantic story of California at the height of the gold rush days, written especially for the star by Joseph Herresheimcr. ‘ ❖ * *

Constance Talmadge’s latest picture is “Her Sister From Paris.” The story is about an author husband who neglects his wife and makes violent love to other women, particularly one, a dancer from Paris; at least, ho thinks it is this stage* divinity, but in reality it is his own wife to whom he is devoting himself. Her twin sister, Lola, is the dancer, and they change places for a time while Helen tests her husband’s love, anel get his elear friend madly infatuated, too. When she has brought hubby to his knees she reveals herself and brings about a startling denoument to the tale. Miss Talmadge wears many gorgeous gowns as both Lola and Helen. Of course, she plays both There is plenty of comedy in the storv and a rrood bit of romance.