“Cleopatra” Statistics

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 85, 4 January 1935, Page 5

“Cleopatra” Statistics

TOURING the production of Paramount’s "Cleopatra,” Cecil B. De Mille’s latest spectacle, someone with a penchant for plain and fancy statistics unearthed tlie following information. In addition to Claudette Colbert, Warren William, Henry Wilcoxon and ■Joseph Schildkraut, there were more than 5.000 people employed during the production. This includes technicians and general studio staff. The feathers of 900 pheasants were used to make up the fans of tlie Egyptian dancing girts in one scene.' A total of ISS pounds of clothing was worn by Claudette Colbert as Cleopatra and Henry Wilcoxon as Marc Antony, in a‘single love scene. Wilcoxon’s armour weighed 110 pounds and Claudette’s beaded gown weighed 75 pounds. It took 000 ostrich feathers to make up the arch at the back of Cleopatra’s couch. Twelve persons worked nine months on research before a camera'had turned.

It took approximately 250,000 square feet of space to build- all the necessary sets. Cleopatra’s palatial barge, one of the most lavish tilings described by history, was reproduced both as to exterior and interior. The original was 400 feet long and could carry 4000 people. Baramount’s “Cleopatra” is due for early release in New Zealand. Shirley Temple’s Next T)AVID BUTLER has been assigned to direct Shirley Temple in “The Little Colonel,” her next starring picture which is now in production. Butler lias just'completed Shirley’s latest production "Bright Eyes,” and was so successful with the baby starlet that he was given his new assignment as a reward. “Little Colonel” is based on the famous child’s story by Annie Fellows Johnston. Garbo Signs New Contract P* ARBO, who has just completed work at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios in “The Painted Veil,” has signed a new contract with this film company, setting at rest rumours that she had contemplated retiring from the screen. Several stories are now under consideration for the star, although no definite decision has been reached as to her next'picture. Grace Moore TtFISS MOORE’S radiant personality and beautiful singing voice, which had been hailed from the stages of the La Scala Opera House in Vienna, the Opera Comique in Paris and the Metropolitan Opera in New York, has now found an enthusiastically responsive audience in the millions of moviegoers throughout the world. The character'of “Mary Barrett’ which Miss Moore creates in “One Night Of Love” parallels to a degree her own remarkable life story. It relates the adventures of a young, ambitious girl in Italy studying for an operatic career who rapidly climbs the ladder of fame until she reaches the crest with her debut at the Metropolitan. Supporting Miss Moore, in the role of the amorous music instructor is Tullio Carminati, debonair, romantic leading man, and Lyle Talbot, as the American playboy in Milan, Others in the large cast are Mona Barrie, Jessie Ralph, Nydia Westman, Andres De Segurola and Rosie Marie Glosz. Victor Schertzinger directed the film Charles Beahan and Dorothy Speare wrote the original story which was adapted to the screen by S. K. Lauren, James Gow and Edmund North.