MOTION PICTURES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19771, 19 February 1927, Page 15 (Supplement)

MOTION PICTURES

“BEAU GESTE” PICTURE OF WIDE FAME. " COMING TO OPERA HOUSE. Wide is the fame of Paramount’s film of the French Foreign Legion, “Betin Geste,” from the story by P. C. Wren, which will commence its tour of the Dominion shortly as a road show attraction. Files of the English press to hand reveal the fact that in the Old Country its appeal and drawing power is being felt there in a like fashion to Wellington and Auckland. Coincident with the praise bestowed upon it by the Australian and New Zealand press the following extracts provide interesting reading. Looking further we come across “The Daily Herald’ ’ which has this to say: —“One of the most stirring pictures that has been seen for a long tim e is ‘ Beau Geste.’ ” Looking still furthore wo note this from “The Daily Mail” which is something out of the ordinary in the sense of criticisms: — “The film refreshing after too manv matrimonial and mother love dramas and, in addition, has a flavour of its own. ” “SOUL MATES" ELINOB GLYN'S NEW NOVEL. COMING TO HIS MAJESTY’S. A hitherto unsuspected gift of humour is revealed in Elinor Glyn’s new novel “The Reason Why,” the Metro-Goldwyn-Nlayer screen version of which, directed by Jack Conway, will be shown at His Majesty’s Theatre on Wednesday. Under the title of “Soul Mates,” this new photoplay will prove just as acceptable to Australian land New Zealand audiences as her other productions. Subtle comedy abounds throughout this picture, which deals with the passionate romance of two English lovers. It accentuates the dramatic nature of the film’s sequences, and there is no attempt to burlesque —a tribute to the insight of the director. Most of the scenes are laid in England, and the atmosphere of the production is undeniably that of the Homeland. Aileen Pringle and Edmund Lowe play the leading parts with great charm.

The Famous Lasky Film Service, Ltd. /"Australia), is appealing against the tax of 5s in the £ on ail money paid to foreign companies for the release of foreign films. Last year this tax cost famous Lasky £17,000, and this was in addition to the 2s 6d tax payable on the net profits of all films.

A REAL PICTURE ‘ WINGS” COMING SOON. A PICTURE OF REAL ACTION. It is la psychological fact that the knowledge that genuine realism is being injected into thee making of a motion picture inspires both technical staff and cast to greater efforts than where everything is but an illusion. This is interestingly illustrated in the filming of the Lucian Hubbard Paramount production “Wings.” “Wings” gives every promise of being a truly great picture, because the action of the story is real. The battle scenes tare real, the planes are real, the ‘ ‘ crashes ’ ’ are real. Director William Wellman has consistently refused to make a trick picture. The whole thing is so real to him that he means to make it real to the theatre-going public of the world.

THE CORONEL FILM AN ADMIRALTY DENIAL The Admiralty official specially concerned with the arrangements for the production of the film of the Battle of Coronel has denied the accuracy of the statement that there was reason to believe that the Admiralty proposed to invite, if it had not already invited, German co-operation in the making of the picture. He said: “The Admiralty contract provides that, so far as the Admiralty is concerned, none but British people will be employed in the production of the film. No Germans and no other foreigners will be allowed on the British warships used in the preparation of the record.”

When asked if there might be any justification, outside the Admiralty arrangements, for a suggestion of German co-operation, the official added that the point was that the Admiralty was represented as having invited or intended to invite such co-operation. The Admiralty had issued no such invitation. had never contemplated asking German aid. and had never heard any suggestion till now of such a course being taken or contemplated. 'What Messrs. Woolf and Bundy (who were stated to be financing the scheme) might have in mind, apart from the Admiralty’s promise to giye naval cooperation. both here and in the South Atlantic, he could not say, for the excellent reason that he did not know.

FOX NEWS LATEST STUDIO GOSSIP. FEATURES FOR GRAND THEATRE. John Ford, director for Fox Films has just completed a production entitled. “Upstream,” a comedy drama from ’ho serial story, “The Snake’s Wi< The cast for this production •no. Earle Foxe (Van Bibber comedy star), Raymond Hitchcock, Ted Macnamara, Sammy Cohen, Nancy Nash, and Judy King. The story deals with a theatrical boarding-house, their vtarying fortunes, and the final rise of fame of one of their number. The big Fox production, “Mother Macheree,” gives an indication of being one of the finest pictures ever turned out of the Fox Hollywood studios. Most of the scenes have been shot, but in order to have a more authentic background, two cameramen were sent last week to Ireland to attain extensive atmospheric back-ground for this romance of the mothers of Erin. Belle Bennet, the emotional star plays the title role supported by a very large cast. ’ The haunting song by Rita Johnson-Young, who also wrote the novelette from which the story is taken, is known all over the world and expresses that love of home and mother for which Ireland is so noted. Tom Mix appears in the leading role in “No Man’s Gold,” the production screening here to-night. The story is an unusual one dealing with a strange legacy. Three men are each left a piece of a map of a gold mine, by a dying miner who makes the recipients promise that when the mine is found they were to share the spoils with his son. No man dan reach the mine without the other two pieces of the map and round the thrilling incidents which occur in the hunt for the mine, this drama is built. Eva Novak plays the feminine lead.

ANOTHER MILESTONE DEVELOPMENT IN PICTURE INDUSTRY. BETTER PHOTOPLAYS COMING. The constructive developments in the motion picture industry during the past year will be demonstrated to the pic-ture-loving public of New Zealland during the coming month of Mir ch, Paramount’s fourth greater movie setason. The occasion will be a wide celebration of the rapid strides motion pictures have made and la Iso will introduce the coming of bigger and better photoplays.

March will be a month of entertainment to young and old, rich and poor. The achievements of the motion picture industry and the rapid growth of motion' picture theatres throughout New Zealand will be realised by the big celebrations. During the past few years the opening of such elaborate new theatres particularly the Prince Edward in Sydney and the Oapitol in Melbourne, the DoLuxe in Wellington, N.Z. The Regent also in that city and one of the same name in Auckland of more recent date, together with the Wintergarden in Brisbane, show the marked progress of the motion picture theatre in Australia .and New Zealand from the small irsignificant wood and iron structure to the magnificent edifices of to-day.

WORLD-WIDE EFFECT INFLUENCE OF THE PICTURE Mr. W. N. Blake, president of the Kinematograph Exhibitors’ Association, said in London hist month that his association showed every week to a total of 24,000 000 or 25,000,000 people. Wiril thb eyes saw the brain actually and quickly, and for a long period, held. Miss I. Barry, at the same meeting, said there were about 47,000 kinemas in the world, and they had an extraordinary effect on the millions of people who saw them. People became mucn more citizens of the world because they attended kinemas. The film had brought a new widening of life to people, and had shown itself capable of touching a very high and aesthetic level, and it acted as the medium for satisfying the unsatisfied wish of the people woo had not the thipgs they would like to have. She disliked most of the English films she had seen until just lately, when she had seen one or two which were much better. It would be wise if we could see British films which portrayed ordinary life. Incidentally the speaker mentioned that the cost of production of Ben Hur amounted to About £1.000,000, and that Tom Mix received £4OOO a week, and was well worth it. Mr. Blake in a. second speech said that a. British picture had been made

mhiiiwimiiiih A DROLL PICTURE “SPARROWS” COMING SOON. “Sparrows”—full of the drollery that children love —is nevertheless la “grown ups” entertainment, because of the compassion it expresses for unfortunate children is of that profound type which adults feel more understandingly than children themselves. Here is a picture for children and grown-ups both, treated with that wide range of genius for which Mary Pickford is famous. Nine remarkable child actors are seen with Mary Pickford in “Sparrows.” the United Artists’ Corporation picture, which will be shown at His Majesty’s shortly. They were chosen from almost 500 children who responded to a call from Miss Pickford before the picture was started. They were chosen because of their wistful, sad faces, for all are supposed to be orphans or abandoned children on a baby farm. “Mademoiselle from Armenticrcs” is considered to be a great British production. There is a spy story involved, and a wonderful love theme runs right through the story. It is brimful of comedy, the uproarious times of boys at their estninanhys behind the lines being a scream. The production is excellent in every way, and a wonderful entertainment. It. is shortly to be released in the Dominion.

this summer which would leave a cool profit for the producer of £20,000 to £25,000 for English bookings alone. What their patrons wanted was true, clean British stories, and when they had them they could beat all the cabarets from anywhere.

THEATRICAL TOPICS PLAYS AND PLAYERS ROSE MARIE IN MELBOURNE. PLAYS AND PLAYERS. (By “Props.”) The “Prophet Without Honour” theory does not apply to Judith Anderson, the Australian actress who has returned from triumphs abroad to play the leading role in “Cobra,’’ the Belasco drama which is now being presented by J. C. Williamson Ltd. in Sydney. “Cobra” is a dramla of vivid people in a “society” setting. As the super-vamp Judith Anderson has scored a big success in Sydney, and crowded houses are confirming the enthusiastic press notices. Miss Anderson whs known as Frances Anderson when she played soubrette roles with J. and N. Tait productions some years ago. She departed for America with the idea of entering motion pictures, but ill fortune (attended her, and for many weeks she had a heart-breaking time trying to get work. Charles Frohman gave her her first chance, but it was David Bel•asco first starred her in “Cobra.” A new company has been brought to Australia in support.

A FAST WORKER Miss Margery Hicklin plays the role of Julia in “The Cousin From Nowhere” at His Majesty’s Thehtre, Melbourne, with a confidence and ability which gives little indication that she took up the role at a day’s notice and mastered the part with no more than two rehearsals. The beautiful musical romance is one that calls for strenuous work from the principals, and is the most cxiacting play anyone could be called upon to study even in their leisure, let alone at a day’s notice. But Miss Hicklin has been making these successful quick studies ever since she arrived in Australia. It was originally intended thtit she should open in “Lilac Time.” but. she had no sooner reached Melbourne than she was hurried across to play the comedy role in “Katja.” This part was taken bt three days’ notice, and later she took the load in “Primrose” in New Zealand, learning the phrt on the journey across the Tasman.

RENEE KELLY AGAIN There is a pleasurable anticipation in seeing Renee Kelly in any new role. That anticipation is heightened when that role is Mrs Chcyney in Frederick Lonsdale’s clever comedy “The Last of Mrs Cheyney” which was presented at the King’s Theatre on January 29. When first presented in London the play was hailed las a masterpiece of stage construction and conversational brilliance. Certainly Mr Lonsdale’s characters never speiak without saying something entertaining. There is just a hint of daring, too, with a bedroom scene with rather a startling climlax. [Alexander Onslow, an English actor who has been “starred” in dramatic producton in London and New York, made his first Austitilian appearance as Lord Dilling.

SUCCESS OF “ROSE MARIE”

The heroic persons who sit all night in queues waiting to book scats arc sure to have a chance to display their endurance when the box plans open for “Rose Marie” very soon. The record breaking musical comedy is at present due to open in Melbourne at His Majesty’s about April, land the same phenomenal business which has been experienced all over the world is sure to be repeated. “Rose Marie” contains so many novel land beautiful features that its success is only to be expected. New ideas iu lighting, ballets and scenery make the show so different from the average musicial comedy that it establishes a new class of entertainment. All the action of the plot takes place in pantomime. Harriet Bennet achieves her greatest triumph in the title role. The Totem Pole Girls, in their fantastic dance, will be the main topic of discussion in Melbourne. “Rose Marie” will not reach New Zealand until the end of the year. “Girls of 1927” is the catchy title which serves to introduce Jean Barrios, the New York Mandeville fashion-plate, with J. C. Williamson’s vaudeville. The dresses are described as le dernier cri, and are warranted to arouse envy among feminine patrons. An artistic •and unconventional setting, given a new angle to an exclusive act. * * * :Js In its “Plays Reviewed” page of December 26, “The London Theatre World,” considered one of the soundest authorities on the English stage, including as it does on its staff such eminent critics as S. P. B. Mai sand—A. B. Wlalklcy amongst its contributors—is a paragraph as follows:—“The Best People 'at the Lyric Shaftesbury Avenue has been entirely redressed, an occasion that coincided with the 280th. performance of this extremely amusing comedy. Plays of this type do not usually attain such long runs in these days but there is no mistaking the laughter-making capacity of this one. Curiously enough, we are informed by Mr Leo du Chateau, Mr E. J. Carroll’s representative in New Zealland, that the latter’s company, which has been playing the “The Best People’’ in Sydney and Melbourne for the past twelve months, were similarly redressed at the beginning of this year. New Zeallanders will meet “The Best People” about the middle of March.

Mr Irvine Elston has arrived in Wellington ahead of Santrey’s famous £lOOO-a-week orchestra and J. C. Williamson Vaudeville, opening in the Grand Opera House on Monday. “When you hear Santrey’s band, you will know what jazz at its best really means. Eleven musicians, and each one an artist. They give real jazz, but they can let you have Bach, Beethoven, or any other classic in the most approved high-brow style.”

One of the" famous Cappy Ricks stories is brought to the screen under the title of “Moro Pay Less Work,” which will be released here shortly. The juvenile" leads are being played by Charles Rogers and Mary Brian, while the part of the inimitable Cappy is delineated by Albert Gran. How the son and daughter of rival shipping companies arc brought together in a series of mad adventures. eventually bringing peace between the fathers is the basis of the story.

FASHIONS AND THE SEXES SARTORIAL SILLINESS MEN AS BAD AS WOMEN Budding geniuses of the Cambridge Debating Union were recently reckoning up the place of woman in university life, the accusation hurled at woman in the debate being that she is the slave of fashion. Her mode of dressing, it was held, unfits her for university, and therefore for intellectual life. The denunciation of women on these grounds is male hypocrisy, writes a London doctor. There is no more fashion-ridden individual than a min. Woman’s obedience to its dictates arc more noticeable, and draw attention from man’s less obtrusive", but none the less real, subservience to them.

One has only to look at an old photograph album to discern how men rollow the behests nf fashion. A century ago or loss every man encircled his nock with a stock. Then the fashion changed, and scarves came in, while now the young bloods of the university would consider themselves outsiders if the narrow tie, made into a. bow. did not adorn their open shirt-fronts.

Woman is rebuked for the tricks she plays with her face. Man is not less heedful of face fashions. At one time, no man considered himself presentable without a set of Dundreary whiskers. Thon the fashion changed to a rounded blob of hair on each side of the cheeks. In time this was whittled down to mutton-chop whiskeYs. As fashion changed this had to go. Now. mon. following the fashion, are clean shave.t. Clothes and the Man.

Bv tlieir colour and cut, woman’s vagaries in fashion arrest attention. If men’s garments are more sombre and loss striking, their cut and style are dictated, not by comfort, but by the prevailing fashion. Who but a. fashionridden person would have tolerated the top hat, that costly and uncomfortable headgear? If women arc to be reviled for wearing crinolines, man should not escape censure for putting his logs into pegtop trousers. Fashion rules the trousers. At one time" they are as narrow as the clinging dresses of a woman, at others as broad and loose as the bags of a sailor, with no turn-up bottom?’., till fashion decrees that every pair must be folded where it re'sts on the boots. Man’s confs and waistcoats obey fashion’s sway. The double-breasted fancy vest, with a collar around a low opening, which gave scope for the display of a scarf, tied with a sailor’s knot, was onee seen everywhere. This summer I tried to got a fancy waistcoat, hut found that such garments ha-1 gone out of fashion. I had to buy one of the knitted wool ones, just now all the vogue. What has become of the frock-coat, that cumbrous flapping garment, with pockets in its tails? The jacket-coat is more useful and comfortable. Yet man did not adopt it until fashion decreed that he could do so without becoming a conspicuous anomaly.

The Cambridge *‘nuts” who threw rhetorical stones at women live in glass houses.