TALKIES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 127, 23 February 1940, Page 7

TALKIES

ROLAND YOUNG GETS CHANCE TO SOCK REAL GIANT Every man's dream came true ' recently for Roland Young. He got to sock a fellow twice his size whom he disliked very much; without any fear of reprisal, and he got to dance with a partner who didn't step on his feet, fumble, trip or-cause him any trouble at all. Young's dream fulfillments came on the set of Hal Roach's "Topper Takes a Trip." As the title character, the actor has a hate for a for-tune-hunting nobleman, played by Alexander D'Arcv. He also has .yen for Constance Bennett. Miss Bennett, in the role Kerbv, has the ability to "tlematerialise" herself, that Young Jiad the time of his life. During the course of the action "Young hit D'Arcy sixty or seventy times, and the latter had to like it. His hands weren't exactly tied but they might as well have been. Connie, in her phantom state, would pull his dinner jacket down over his shoulders every time lie tried to swing on Young. Then she danced "with Roland. She started out to • dance in the flesh but half way through a turn around the floor she tthoYight she ought to dematerialise. Young bceause his eyes were closed. didn't know she was gone. He danced steps that he had wanted to dance all his life but never ha<l because no partner could follow. He injectcd rhumba, manoeuvres into straight waltz time; he. crossed his feet in intricate didos, he bent, swayer, . galloped. Young says dancing that way was even more fun than socking a fellow twice his size. He points out •anybody has the privilege of hitling a big man if he's willilng to be annihilated. But dancing on a .crowded ball room floor without n partner is something that you can't -get away with under any circum- : stances—except for a movie.

Casino Replica Several of the largest ancl most lavish sets Hollywood has seen in recent years were constructed for "Topper Takes a Trip," the most outstanding among these being an exact replica of one of the famous gambling casinos which add to the glitter and gaiety of the French Riviera. W. L. Stevens, head of the property department, spent many weeks in research prior to the erection of this building, and Mr Roach spent a fortune for the shrubbery and plants to surround the building. Hundreds of extras were hired for these scenes, representing patrons, dressed in swank evening clothes; sight-vseers, garbed in street wear; attendants, money-changers and croupiers. Among the latter were a number who had gained actual experience in these various posts at foremost European resorts. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••I

Colin Tapley has again checked in at Paramount after his return from Dunedin, to start work in; "The Light That Failed," new William A. Wellman production, starring Ronald Colman. Taplay plays a Avar correspondent in the screen version of Rudyard Kipling's novel.