FILM ACTORS SAIL TO THE FAR EAST

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20168, 9 June 1928, Page 3 (Supplement)

FILM ACTORS SAIL TO THE FAR EAST

A CHINESE PICTURE IN THE MAKING The determination of Whitehall's, producers of British films, to give variety and interest to their productions, is revealed by the fact that their production unit sailed for the Far East during the first week of May. The film story of Marco Polo deals with the exploits of the twelfth century explorer at the Court of Koublai Khan, whose dominions reached from the shorn® of the Kaspian to those of the Pacific Ocean.

Captain N. A. Pogson, the firms business manager, an expert in Chinese life and customs, and a Chinese linguist. not only promoted this expedition, but also took an active part in the production.

Captain Pogson will be remembered for his share in bringing to Britain last year the first real Chinese film—“ The Willow Pattern Plate,” which aroused the interest of our Royal Family, including Queen Mary, who paid a special visit to the New Gallery Kinema to view this film.

Mr Reginald Fogwell is to be the director, while Mr Eric Bransby Williams, junior, has been cast for the name part. Screen tests have demonstrated that the young English artist will make an admirable Marco Polo. Assistant director, camera-men, and supporting cast are all British. Prominent Chinese citizens have been keenly interested in this first real Chinese drama, especially when, as in the past, where-Chinese have to be portrayed, the latter have always played the unenviable role of villains. In the case of “Marco Polo,” however, Chinese anxiety on this aspect was allayed when it was known that Chinese character wi ! l be presented in a manner that will coni* n no possibilities of offending national susceptibilities.

Paramount studio officials are enthusiastic over the work of that master of emotion, Emil .Tannings, in his new picture, “High Treason.” Jannings was taken from Germany to America and of all the imported stars is the only one who is as big in his new pictures as he seemed in his European productions. “The Way of All Flesh,” his first, is to bp seen throughout NewZealand, and will be followed by “The Last Command.” both great picture*, before we have the pleasure of seeing “High Treason.”