COLUMBIA FILMS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 94, 15 January 1935, Page 2

COLUMBIA FILMS

Productions for 1935 The Columbia film concern proposes releasing during 1935 forty productions, including "One Night of Love,” featuring the famous Grand Opera artist, Grace Moore; a production which has proved a phenomenal success wherever it has been exhibited. This picture, when screened in Wellington some two weeks ago, created much favourable comment. Grace Moore is at the moment on her second production, which, it is hoped, will be released this year, but which has not yet been titled; the producer of the second production is Frank Capra, who has a remarkable number of successes to his credit. Victor Schertzinger, who made such a success of “One Night of Love,” is now at work on his second production, which is titled for working purposes “Once a Gentleman,” and features Tullio Carminati (who supported Grace Moore in "One Night of Love”) and who will have as his co-star Lilian Harvey. Frank Capra’s production “Strictly Confidential,” featuring Warner Baxter, Myrna Loy and Walter Conolly, will be seen here in due course. It is adapted from a well-known New York stage success entitled “Broadway Bill.” "The Girl Friend” is a very fine musical comedy, which, by the way. came to New Zealand under J. C. Williamson. The leading characters in this will be taken by Jack Haley and Lupe Velez. Edmund Lowe will be co-starred with Jack Holt in a thrilling under-seas story entitled “The Best Man Wins.” _ The support cast in this production will include Bela Lugosi and Farrell McDonald. “Sure Fire” is a musical featuring Gene Raymond and Anil Sothern. Boris Karloff has been engaged for (ho leading character in the real thriller, “The Black Room Mystery.” The total output scheduled by Columbia includes “One Night of Love” and one other Grace Moore production; six extended season productions, seven specials and twenty-six de luxe productions.

Columbia have always paid particular attention to short subjects. This year's output will include tweqty-six two-reel comedies, thirteen screen snapshots, giving intimate insight into the lives of most film stars; thirteen Scrappy cartoons, which will this year be coloured by a new method; thirteen Krazy Cut cartoons, the famous travelaugh scenes featuring John P. Medbury, etc., etc.

Slight damage was done to a house occupied by Dr. P. Marshall, at Ludlani Crescent, Lower Hutt, when a fire, believed to have been started by a cigarette butt, occurred there shortly before 3 a.m. yesterday. A further gorse fire broke out at Gracefield Road yesterday also. The engineer of the Pctone Borough Council reported to the meeting of the council last evening that permits for 'buildings to the value of £l4, 295 had 'been issued during the month of December. Fees paid amounted to £3B/10/-. The sttmber of subscribers in the Petone library at the end of December was 1330, au increase of 35 on last year, according" to the librarian’s quarterly report presented to the meeting of Hie iPetone Borough Council last evening. •Throughout the quarter 72 new books 'were added to the main library and 60 to the juvenile section, which had 142 •members at the end of the month. OLDEST RESIDENT Mr. E. H. Bennett, of Lower Hutt Extraordinarily active in spite of his 95 years, and retaining his faculties to a remarkable degree, Mr. Edward Henuy Bennett is probably the oldest person living in the Hutt Valley. He has seen the progress of Wellington during the past 60 years, for it was then he arrived here from his birthplace in Jersey in the sailing ship Hawera, of which Captain Polio was master, and he can talk of the time when Wellington boasted but one street, and when the sea came up to the spot where the Empire Hotel now stands. An interesting fact which he recounted to a “Dominion” reporter, yesterday, was that four generations are represented in the house in which he lives at 44 Pretoria Street, Lower Hutt. It was only two years ago that Mr. Bennett walked from Rona Bay to the Pencarrow lighthouse and back. Ho has done that on two occasions, and as he puts it, he has passed plenty other young people on the way. A walk like that, although he considers he could still do it, is not taken on now, but Mr. Bennett nearly every day walks from his home to the Hutt Park, and does the shopping on the way. A year ago lie suffered the first illness in his long life, and the doctor said there was no hope for him. But Mr. Bennett smiled, and says now he feels good for another 20 years. Neither walkingstick nor glasses is known to him; lie can hear distinctly what is said even if it is spoken in a whisper. And he says the recipe for all that is, “when you go to bed throw all your worries in the rubbish bin.” Furthermore, he has never smoked nor drunk, “although I had a good glass of ale at Christmas.” Mr. Bennett’s daughters are Mrs. V. Jensen, 50 Fitzherbert Terrace; Mrs. J. Porter, 76 Hobart Street, Miramar; Mrs. G. Griffiths, Frankton Junction; and Mrs. T. Taylor, 44 Pretoria Street, Lower Hutt. Hi's only other child, Mr. Henry Bennett, died in Australia some time ago. There are 15 grandchildren, 22 greatgrandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Mr. Bennett’s wife died about 50 years ago. BOROUGH MERGER Petone to Discuss Question The question of amalgamation of boroughs was introduced at the meeting of the Petone Borough Council last evenin’ when a letter was received from the' Mayor of Lower Hutt, who stated that he had been empowered to open negotiations with a view to arranging, if possible, for a poll to be taken at the election in May. “In view of the fact that the members of the Lower Hutt Borough Council have recently discussed the question and expressed their opinions, I desire that you should hhve an opportunity of expressing your opinions prior to my entering into negotiations,” said the Mayor, Mr. A. Scholefield. He moved that the subject be placed on the order paper for the next meeting, which would give members of his council time for consideration. The council resolved accordingly. FAREWELL GATHERING Some 50 guests were present, at Mrs. C. J. McKinnon’s house, Mnhina Bay, yesterday afternoon to farewell Mrs. Arnold Atkinson and Miss E. Atkinson, of York Bay. who are to leave shortly on a visit to England and the Continent. Afternoon tea was served in the garden by the hostesses. Mesdames McKinnon, Bogle and Hursthouse.