NEWS OF THE TALKIES

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18229, 17 January 1931, Page 16 (Supplement)

NEWS OF THE TALKIES

Snub Pollard Returning. “Snub” Pollard, the film comedian, is returning to Australia in May next with a vaudeville act. Since he went to Hollywood Pollard has had the misfortune to lose his wife and mother, the latter dying at Melbourne in September. His correct name is Harold Fraser, and he was born in Melbourne. News from the Studios. “Romance” is Greta Garbo’s second talking picture, an adaptation of the famous stage play in wnich Doris Keane starred for six years. Lewis Stone and Gavin Gordon head the supporting cast, whicn mcludes Florence Lake, Mathlde Comont, Henry Armetta, Clara Blandick, Elliott Nugent and Countess de Liquoro. A Statement Denied. I have received the following letter from United Artists, Wellington:— We note in your issue of the 3rd inst. reference made to the effect that “Norma Talmadge’s Star has Fallen.” We take exception to this statement, inasmuch_as that whereas “New York Nights” may not have pleased the public as much as some of Norma Talmadge’s silent attractions, "Du Barry, Woman of Passion,” is an exceptionally fine picture in every -respect, and Norma Talmadge gives a wonderful performance. Apart from this, I am attaching herewith a copy of cable received from Samuel Goldwyn denying that he made such a statement, and in fairness to our company we would ask that same be published in your paper. Mr Goldwyn’s cable is as follows—“I emphatically deny statement attributed to me in New York, Australia and New Zealand that Norma Talmadge’s talkies are failures. On the contrary, her picture, ‘Du Barry,’ has been released throughout United States, and proved a bigger success than she had with ‘Kiki.’, Further, Miss Talmadge will make pictures under my jurisdiction.” To Write Only For Talkies. Frederick Lonsdale, flic famous dramatist, whose successes include | “ The High Road,” “ Canaries Some- j times Sing, On Approval,” “ The j Last of Mrs Cheyney,” and “’The Maid | of the Mountains,” has written his last , stage play. This is called “ Followed.” ; The theme is jealousy. “ But 1 arn never going to write another,” Mr Lonsdale said. “ In future I am going to write nothing but talkies. “ The reasons are simple. First of i

all( if 500,000 people see a stage pi g it Is a howling success. If or 5,000,000 people see a talkie i! irank failure. Naturally,. an an; would sooner have a pub’ic of 20,00: 000 than of 500,000. It is only liumr especially if he is paid the same roy.i ties for a talkie as he is paid for a stag, play. “ Another reason is that the lalkii is a so much moie flexible medium. L a stage play you cannot have mor. than three acts. On the screen yin can have thirty-six. Instead of mak ing a character say that the bailiffs an ‘in,’ you actually see them ‘in.’ Instead of saying that 'the hero has jus arrived from East Africa you" see h.m sail from'Mombassa and you see hi) arrive at the railway station in London. There is no comparison, is there?”