Cinema... Snapshots

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20721, 3 February 1939, Page 4

Cinema ... Snapshots

44 Just Around the Corner ”

Based on what Is said to be the most original story idea ever conceived for a Shirley Temple picture, “ Just Around the Corner" stars America's Number One star surrounded by a splendid cast including Charles Farrell, Joan Davis, Amanda Duff .a pro-

mising newcomer). Bill Robinson, Bert Lahr and others. 0 The story concerns the hilarious but happy "consequences which arise ■when 6hlrley confuses a wealthy old banker (whose name happens to be “ Uncle Sam ” Henshaw) with the lean and bewhlskered gentleman who Is the symbol of American national Ilfs. tiiittuiuiTit , mit mt ‘ Douglas Fairbanks Forms International Production Company Mr Douglas Fairbanks, snr„ announces the formation of his new production company, " Fairbanks International " —the finance for which has been provided by Swiss, American and British Interests. In all £500,000 are at the disposal of the company. Associated with the administration of Fairbanks International are Mr Fairbanks, Mr John Hay Whitney, Mr David O. Selzntck, Sir Adrian Baillle, Mr Montagu Marks and Mr George Archibald, J.P. The aim of Fairbanks International will be to produce only super films of international character either in Switzerland, in England at Denham or Pinewood, in Continental Europe, or in America at Culver City, that is to say in whichever country Is most suitable for the particular production. Mr Fairbanks will personally supervise all production and will solely concern himself with the production activities of this company. He further announces that the programme of Fairbanks International for the forthcoming 1939 season will consist of three auper productions, the first of which, to be made at Culver City, California, very shortly, is entitled “ The Californian." Preliminary arrangements for the casting of this picture were made during Mr Fairbanks’ recent visit to America; the scenario is now in the final stages of completion, and negotiations arf being concluded with Mr Raoul Walsh as director so that shooting can begin immediately on Mr Fairbanks' return to America. The second picture will be “ The Tenth Woman ” —a story based on an episode in the life of Lord Byron. This will be produced in Technicolour. Then will be made " The Three Musketeers " —one of Mr Fairbanks' early successes. This time he will not act but will produce, and negotiations are 'proceeding for the services of three internationally famous stars. This will also be made in Technicolour. All of the company's prbductions will be released through United Artists, of which Mr Fairbanks is one of the five owners.

“Mr Wong, Detective” —Starring Boris Karloff The first of a new series of detective stories will shortly be released by British Empire Films when ‘James Lee Wong’, in the person of Boris Karloff will make his initial bow in “Mr Wong, Detective.” Joining the company of Charlie Chan, Mr Moto, the Saint, Philo Vance, and others, James Lee Wong, newest screen sleuth, is a fugitive from Collier's Magazine and a creation of Hugh Wiley, because for many years Mr Wile;'s “Wong” stories have been appearing in that publication. James Lee Wong is a native of San Francisco, an educated, cultured Chinese. He is a scientific “test tube" detective, who revels in intricate cases. The more battling the mystery, the more intrigued is Mr Wong. Monogram has planned four “Wong” pictures to be released during the 1939 season. Sighing Boris Karloff for tl e lead was a master stroke. Karloff,glong known as the “‘horror” man, hated this epithet, and has yearned to become identified on the *ter who would l ive othpr claims to fame besides his ability to scare children. Boris Karloff spent weeks in research seeking a prototype for the Chinese detective, and finally found a model in a picture of a Chinese sent liim from Shanghai by his brother. “Mr Wong. Detective” is the story of a rare poison gas, and the murder of three men who tried to steal its formula. Outstanding in the cast are Evelyn Brent, Grant Withers, and John st. Polis.