Cinema . . . Snapshots

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20388, 31 December 1937, Page 8

Cinema . . . Snapshots

Hollywood Player Comes Home to Dunedin For New Year, Of interest to all New Zealanders or rather the legion of New Zealanders who are “picture minded’’ watching the every move of Hollywood and its stars, is the news that Colin Taplev, New Zealand's greatest ambassador in Hollywood, who has been under contract to Paramount for the past four years, is planning a home coming to Dunedin. Four months ago. Paramount sent Colin and a production unit from 1101 l wood to the distant location of l. Straits Settlements, to produce a p.« ture set in the Malayan Jungle lit ■ i "Booloo.” Camera work has lasted eight weeks and in playing the leadin role, Colin Tapley is the only while man in the cast. This is definitely the biggest role lie has been awarded, but his many appearances in such pictures as “The Lives of a Bengal Lancer.” ‘‘The Last Outpost,” “Early to Bed,” ‘The Preview Murder Mystery,” “King of Gamblers” and "Night of Mystery” certainly give evidence of the confidence and satisfaction that the Paramount studio executives have found in his ability. It is fitting, therefore, that his homecoming should follow the biggest role entrusted him and a grand reception Is most certainly awaiting him when he arrives. As yet definite information has not been received regarding the actual date of his arrival, tut his plans are to fly from Singapore to Sydney, then to catch the first available steamer across to this country. His stay is to be a particularly short one as his contract with Paramount calls him back to the studio in a very short time for future appearances.

“ Ali Baba goes to Town 99

Joining forces for the first time with 20th. Century-Fox in the happiest mirth merger in the history of hilarity, Eddie Cantor brings Bagdad up to date in his starring glorious musical hit, ” Ali Baba Goes To Town” featuring Tony Martin, Roland Young, June Lang and Louise Hovick. All Baba Eddie slaps a head-tax on harems and a tail-tax on camels, slips carpet tacks under the sit-down strikers and snaps the sultan into step with the march of time as Bagdad goes Broadway to the new hit tunes of Mack Gordon and Harry Revel, “ I’ve Got My Heart Set on You,” ” Laugh Your Way Through Life ” and ” Swing Is Here to Sway,” and the modernistic swing composition “ Twilight in Turkey ” authored by Raymond Suott, leader of the famous quintet.

Tom Walls with Gainsborough

Pictures Tom Walls has rejoined Gainsborough Pictures alter a break of 18 months, and will make his next picture for them at Pine wood. The leading feminine role has been assigned to Reno Saint-Cyr, the French star. The film, which is based on the novel ” The Strange Boarders of Palace Crescent” by E. Phillips Oppenheim, will go into production immediately under the direction of Herbert Mason, the director who made the George Arliss film “His Lordship.” “Who's Your Lady Friend 99 “Who’s Your Lady Friend" Is an intriguing and extremely picturesque comedy based on the Continental success, “Der Herr Wohnung.” Some numbers were specially composed for Frances Day by Vivian Ellis, and the music by Robert Stoilz. brings back the delightful gay vivacity of Paris. The fun commences when Fred, secretary to a famous plastic surg eon Is sen to dm • I the daughter of .< Parisian perfmnler. He brings back Uistead an attractive cabaret dancer e i led Lulu. Fred's fiancee Mimi, breaks their engagement on seeing him with the glamorous l.ulu, and In hie depression Pi ed m ikes s tour of wine gardens and restaurants, and unfortunately runs Into the doctor. In his rush to gel out of lho doctor’s sight, lie lakes the doctor's coat and leaves his bj mistake. Later he is taken home in a cab to the doctor’s bouse. The complications which ensue arc riotous, and provide a fund of laughter before Fred clears himself, and is reconciled lo his sweetheart. Betty Stocklield appears as the doctor's wife. She is also involved, as Lulu flirts outrageously with her husband under her nose. The doctor himself is Vic Oliver, while Lulu is Frances Day, and Fred is Romne> Brent. Margaret Lockwood is every effective as Mimi.

“ Sailing Along 99 in the Cut-

ting Room After three months of strenuous work, Jessie Matthews* latest film “Sailing Along” comes off the floor this week and goes in the cutting room where two months will be npenl an editing and making the necessary recording adjustments. ‘ Sailing Along" is a grand-scale picture of Jessie. She has four h ading men: Iw.i English, Roland Young and Barry McKay, and two Vmei U - Wldting and Noel Madison. She slags five new songs, special!; written for her by Arthur Johnson “Pennies from Heaven” and Maurice Siegler. and she dances four new numbers, one lasting This should satisfy her large public who have been clamouring fbr more songs and dances in her pictures.