WITH THE MOVIE STARS

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17750, 29 June 1929, Page 17 (Supplement)

WITH THE MOVIE STARS

Great Singers In Sound Films. Mr. John McCormack, the Irish tenor, has signed a contract with the Fox Film Corporiation to make a soundfilm under their direction. Parts of this picture are expected to be filmed in Ireland during August and September. Signor Titta Ruffo, the Italian barytone, withdrew from operatic work last March to make a sound-film, and Mr. Chaliapin, the Russian bass, is said to have bepu offered contracts worth £ J 00,0f)0.

Mary Plckford as a " Vamp.” Miss Mary Pickford’s performance in her new film “ Coquette ” in which she speaks from the Sqreen for the first time and in which we.also see her with shingled head—is so'polished, so womanly, and so emotionally effective that although the apparatus' temporarily broke down when the film ran fOr the first time at the New Gallery Cinema, the action did not really spoil anyone's enjoyment, says a London paper. ,

It happened at the very crisis in the drama. The audience, many of whom had been in tears, now laughed. When the picture began again they continued to weep as though nothing had gone amiss.

Because of the marked Southern accent of all the players, “ Coquette ” is as difficult for us to understand as is the play “Porgy”; and now and then the sound-reproduction fails, especially when Miss Pickford gives a gasp. Most of her tone's, however, are very sweet and she uses her voice admirably.