NEWS OF THE TALKIES.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18809, 3 December 1932, Page 17 (Supplement)

NEWS OF THE TALKIES.

“Dad” Going Abroad. Bert Bailey (who was “Dad" In the film “On Our Selection"), accompanied by his daughter, is to leave Sydney to-day on a trip to the Far East. The strenuous period of the past six months, together with the recent death of his wife, has called for a great amount of work and worry, so that the vacation will not come out of its turn. “Fatty” Arbuckle’s Return to Films. Playing the part of a restaurant chief In "his first two-reel comedy, which went into production recently at a Brooklyn studio, "Fatty” Arbucklo has a chance to display all those familiar juggling tricks with knives, forks, eggs, eto., that won him fame in the old silent days. However, Arbuckle, who also does a dance In this picture, will not be clad in the proverbial cook’s uniform, but will be seen using his undersized Derby and wide, flapping, short-legged trousers that he used on the screen when he was the country's most popular comedian, before a scandal sent him from the screen 12 years ago. Pat Hanna’s Diggers In Films. Pat Hanna’s new Australian picture, “Diggers in Blighty," has been made at Efrtee Studios, Melbourne, and according to the hearty laughs drawn from file few hard-boiled critics who have seen some of the shots, it looks ns if Pat will be giving another of his inimitable comedies. The cast includes such well-known personalities as Alfred Frith, John. P’Arcy, Field Fisher, Joe Yalli, George Moon and many other stage favourites. Pat Hanna is making a complete series of shorts featuring popular variely artists. These will prnhahly be released with "Diggers in Blighty" as a complete unit programme. The first short completed is “The Long Lost Son,” original comedy sketch by Joe Yalli, who plays tha chief comedy role, supported by Charlie Albert.

Norma Qlves Up Sophistication! Norma Shearer has turned her hack on her screen past. In “Smilin’ Through," her latest production, she has a role far removed from those which have taken her along the bypaths which lead away from convention, a role that is frankly tinged with sentimental romance. It Is devoid of that sophistication which marked her characterisations in “Strangers May Kiss," "A Free Soul and “Private Lives." In turning to wistful romance, Norma Shearer sheds the “woman of the world" character for the first time since the peach blossom fragrance of * The Student Prince," in the days of silent films. In “Smilin’ Through" she portrays two different, girls whose romantic cxI perienccs affect the life of one man at an Interval of 50 years. First, as Moonyeen Glare, In 1808, she. is the betrothed of a young English aristocrat, played by Leslie Howard. Later, in 1914, she becomes Kathleen Sheridan, with Frederic March as her lover. Others in the cast are 0. P. Heggie, Ralph Forbes, Beryl Mercer, David Torrence, Margaret Seddon and Forrester Harvey. Tom Mix Injured. Tom Mix, the rough-riding cowboy of the films and the circus, has been injured bv a fall from his famous black horse Tony while making a film at Los Angeles. While going down a steep embankment Tony stumbled and threw Mix, and then rolled on top of him. Mix sustained a double rib fracture, and his physician declares he is in a serious condition. Tom Mix is a native of Texas, and I? 51. , Altogether Tom Mix has starred in i neariv tOO films, and at one time J earned a salary of £4,000 a week. English Star, £I,OOO a Week. Who will write the stories for the Madeleine Carroll pictures to be made l , v ('lauinont-Brilish Madeleine, who said to have been offered £ 1 .000 a week in the. new contract sue has siirned. will have some say m the i , n; ,Her of the stories she is to play in. Scenarios will ha .specially written I around her personalil >. J “ Cavalcado” to Cost £200,000. ][ js said Unit I lie American film ! version of Noel Coward's speclaclo of j Knglish history, “ Cavalcade,” will cost I e-.MMi.IIOO. I for many moniiis a large staff of I truined men and women concentrated ’ the collection of informalion con--1 ,■erning the architectnre, traflle, and | atmosphere of London from IS!) 1 .) to I |») ;s o, an ,| Die dress, uniforms, flue - fighting devices, public ambulances,

policemen, soldiers, railway guards, and hundreds of other things common to the period of the story were closely studied. » Cavalcade” Is to be the Him of a generation; an illustration of what Hollywood can do in the creation of something truly English. Diana Wynyard, star of the London and Broadway stages, and Clive Brook have the two leading roles. Ursula Jeans, musical comedy and screen favourite in England, has a featured role. , . Una O'Connor, Merle Tottenham, and Irene Browne will play the iniPoctant character roles they created In the stage showing of ” Cavalcade. Frank Lawton (“Young Woodley of stage and screen) will have the leading juvenile role. Looking After Their Mother. Dorothy C.ish, formerly prominent in silent films, when visiting England said that she and her sister Lillian had so arranged their lives that one or other was always with their mother, who is in failing health. ti “I am here for but a few days, said Dorothy, “and now I must go home to release Lillian, who is to star in a revival of 'Camille.' Her tour is held up until I return."

How They Pronounce Their Names. How do screen stars pronounce their names? Here is a lesson on the way several film celebrities prefer lo have the public call them: Maurice Chevalier, Maw-RERCE Shev-AHL-yay; Marlene Dietrich, Mahr-LAY-nah DEE-trlkh; Sari Marltza, SHA-ree MAH-ritsa; Jimmy Durante, Jimmy Doo-RAN-tee. Vaudeville and Talkies.

"Beauty on Parade,” the revue at the Regent Theatre, Melbourne, occupies 90 minutes. Maie Baird and Archie Thompson, dancers, are appearing in new numbers. Gus Bluett, Jennie Benson and L'Etoile and Laurence are also seen again. Tlie second part of the programme consists of a talkie.