SCREENLAND JOTTINGS

Evening Star, Issue 22460, 3 October 1936, Page 5

SCREENLAND JOTTINGS

Warner Brothers are planning to make a film based on the lives of the Wright Brothers, the aeroplane pioneers. Orville Wright, who is still alive, will assist with the production.

A 1 Jolson, whose film ‘ The Jazz Singer ’ first revealed the possibilities of the talking screen, returns in a spectacular musical production entitled ‘ The Singing Kid.’ This him will commence at the Strand on Friday. The picture combines hilarious comedy with drama, spectacular specialty numbers, and catchy new songs. It is a colourful production with the glittering background of New York show life with beautiful chorus and dancing girls, and 50 undulating black beauties from Harlem, mostly members of the “ Blackbirds.” 11 The Cotton Club Revue, 31 and other shows. Two big specialty numbers were staged by Bobby Connolly, including ‘ 1 Love to Sing-a,’ in which A 1 Jolson is featured with the Yacht Club Boys in a melodious niedley of lyrical nonsense, and ‘ Save ■ le, Sister,’ in which Jolson and Wini haw appear in blackface singing a umeful air to the syncopation of Cab alloway and his baud. It is in this ccond number that the coloured lancers do their best work, beginning in a night club and then on to a tabernacle where they dance up “ dem golden stairs.” The story concerns a Broadway entertainer who loses his voice after his fiancee and his manager have robbed him of every cent he has and have then eloped.

Cary Grant, who was one of the rtars of ‘ The Eagle and the Hawk,’ returns again to a role in an aviation him, Paramount’s ‘ Wings in the Dark.’ The picture, starring Grant with Myrna Loy, comes on Friday to the Octagon. Althong ‘ The Eagle and the Hawk ’ was a picture of war aviation, ‘ Wings in the Dark ’ is devoted to depicting the thrills and romance in the development of peacetime aviation. Grant plays the role of a scientific explorer of the air, a man who strives to make aviation safe by perfecting blind-flying. When ho is blinded in an accident Myrna Loy, the girl who loves him, help.- him to carry on his work with money she earns in spectacular stunt flying. Grant learns how she has boon helping him; he leaves her rather than accept charity. But fate intervenes, and Grant, in a gripping dramatic climax, goes on a flight that saves Miss Loy’s life and unites the lovers. Directed by James Flood, the picture features Rescue Earns, Hobart Cavanaugh, and Dean dagger in the principal featured roles.

Lillian Coogan, mother of Jackie, is collaborating with scenarist Wmnifred Dunn on ‘ Everybody’s Boy,’ tho first of a series of three pictures starring the new child player, Bobby Breen. * * * * George E. Stone is going to England to play in Warner Brothers’ film at Teddington.

Paramount’s * Give Us This Night,’ a charming musical romance co-starring Jan Kiepura and Gladys Swarthout,’ will be screened at the Regent on Friday next. Bringing together as it does two of the most talented and attractive singing stars of the day, it is safe to predict that it will be remembered as the outstanding musical success of the season. Singing a score by Erich Wolfgang Korngold and Oscar Hammerstein 11., and acting a story that has more charm and appeal than anything seen in months, Jan Kiepura and Miss Swarthout are superb. They are assisted by Philip Merivale, noted stage ■ star, who makes his screen debut in * Give Us This Night,’ and Benny Baker, the chubby comedian, who gets a laugh by merely walking into a scene. Kiepura makes his American screen debut in this film, and will prove an even greater favourite than in ‘ Tell Me To-night,’ the picture in which he scored his first success. Miss Swarthout, who came to the screen from ‘ Rose of the Rancho,’ is likewise lovelier than ever. Six song hits are featured in ‘ Give Us This Night,’ melodies which will linger long in your memory — 4 My Love and I,’ ‘ I Mean to Say I Love You,’ ‘ Sweet Melody of Night*’ Music in the Night,’ ‘ Laughter in the Air,’ and ‘ Was There Ever a Voice.’

The annual convention of the Australasian organisation of Paramount Pictures, is to be held in Sydney at the Australia Hotel on October ]3, 14, and 15. More than 30 delegates from all parts of Australia ami New' Zealand will visit Sydney for the three-day conclave. The New Zealand contingent, headed by Mr Stanley H. Craig, general manager of Paramount in the Dominion, includes Messrs lleg. Felton, publicity manager, F. B. Thompson, Auckland representative, and J. L. Warren, salesman. The convention will be presided oyer by Mr John E. Kcnnebeck, managing director of the company in Australia and New Zealand, who will no doubt have some very enlightening news for visiting delegates, regarding next year’s product from this company. Twentieth Century-Fox arc already planning a second film with the Dionne (Quintuplets as stars. Ibis lime Ihev aye considering including Shirley J cmplc in the east —thus ensurin' r that the picture will be a success.

Daily tho toll of the road is road—the grim record of appalling accidents that shock tho community. The New Zealand Government is even now bringing down drastic regulation to control tho reckless driver, and in particular to apprehend the “ hit-and-run ” motorist. In ‘ The Hit-and-run Driver,’ showing at the Empire in conjunction with ‘ The Bohemian Girl,’ M-G-M demonstrates fearlessly first, the tragedy that this speed fiend leaves in his wake, and then tho relentless methods by which the police of a nation track him down. The general manager of the ILG-M Company in New Zealand received the following letter from the Minister of Transport (Mr R. Semple) in connection with this interesting and educative film;—“l desire to thank you for affording me the opportunity of witnessing a private screening of "the film. 1 commend to tho public of New Zealand the lessons taught. I cannot too seriously stress the gravity of the problem of accidents on the roads of our owm country. The position is indeed serious, and should be faced without delay. In the last seven years 1,250 people have been killed, and approximately 35,000 injured as the result of motor accidents on our highways. P.ut in another way, if all the persons injured in motor accidents in one year had to be put in hospital at the one time they would occupy no less than one-half the number of beds in our hospitals. During the last 13 years the casualties resulting from motor a;cidents have been greater than those recorded in the New Zealand Forces in the Great War. To bring it home according to the law of averages, in every family one of the number is predestined to bo either killed or injured on the highways. In all the factors of road accidents the most despicable and heartless is tho ‘ hit-and-run ’ driver, and I heartily commend your effort iri bringing this class of offence before the public.” The film was also taken up by the Automobile Association (Wellington), which drew the attention of all road users to its educational value, and through its official magazine urged all association members to see ami study the film. The picture itself lias a brief foreword by Mr E. A. Batt chairman of the executive of tho Wellington Automobile Association. It is also strongly supported by the Automobile Association (Otago). ■* * * * . Edmund Lowe as Philo Vance! The intriguing image conjured up by that phrase is no more engaging than the reality ju ‘ Tho Garden .Murder Case ’ which opens at tho St. James Theatre on Jjnday. As the super-scientific detective Lowe gives a performance that is utterly delightful. He drawls his way in and out of a series of thrilling adventures, more than once being in actual danger of sudden death. “But not one of his thrills can be compared to his sudden falling in love! It is the first time in Philo’s adventures that he has undergone this experience, and the way he reacts to romantic situations is at once humorous and entertaining. Virginia Bruce is the smart society girl who gives him palpitation of the heart, and to save her from police suspicion he risks not only his reputation, but his life. Supporting the two principals is a strong cast, each member of which deserves special meutoin. Outstanding in their roles are Benita Hume, Douglas Walton, Nat Pendleton, Gene Lockhart, H. B. Warner, Kent Smith, Grant Mitchell, and Frieda Inescort, while Henry B. Walthall, Jessie Ralph, Charles Trowbridge, and Etienne Girardot contribute notably. ‘ The Garden Murder Case,’ from the latest of S. S. Van Dine’s novels, was produced for M-G-M by Lucien Hubbard and Ned Marin, and was ably directed by Edward L. Marin from a screen play by Bertram Miilhauser.

Charles Laughton, motion picture Academy award winner and one of the foremost actors of the English-speak-ing stage and screen, is assisted by five of Hollywood’s leading comedyplayers in Paramount’s ‘ Haggles of Red Gap,’ tho picturisation of Harry Leon Wilson’s famous story which comes on Friday to the Octagon. With Laughton in the title role are Mary Boland, Charlie Haggles, Roland Young, Zasn Pitts, and Leila Hyams. The picture opens in London in the gay and gusty 1900’s, when Egbert Frond, a rough diamond from America, wins Haggles, the perfect butler-valet, from his titled master in a poker game. Back to the States goes Ruggles with his new master and mistress, but his new master, bred on the democratic principle, introduces Haggles to the town as a colonel in the English Army. Ruggles becomes the lion of Red Gap society and becomes infected with the democratic idea himslf. He decides to open a lunch room and become selfsupporting. There is, of course, a concerted howl from Red Gap’s self-con-stituted society, and a great deal of comedy, but finally Ruggles, with the assistance of the town’s leading widow who has become enamoured of the perfect butler, achieves his ambition. Leo M‘Carey, well-known comedy director, made ‘ Ruggles of Rod Gap.’ Maude Eburno and Lucien Littlefield are prominently cast in tho supporting cast of the picture.

Next in importance to the magnificent portrayals by Katherine Hepburn and the dramatic significance of the Maxwell Anderson play, are the historic settings and costumes of ‘ Mary of Scotland,’ soon to bo released by RKO Radio. Approximately 45 sots wore used in the picture. Queen Elizabeth’s lavish Whitehall Palace, the austere, picturesque Scottish castles— Holyrood, Fothcriugay, Dunbar, and Loehleven —arc reproduced in all their authentic splendour. Two thousand yards of the richest velvets, brocades, embroideries, and laces were used by Walter Plunkett, noted designer, who created the sixteenth century wardrobe for the cast. One hundreds pounds of jewellery contribute to the general effect of luxurious elegance of the Scotch and English Courts of that period. But don’t let the label “ costume picture” or 11 gorgeous spectacle” frighten yon away from ‘Mary of Scotland.’ It is as thrilling a story as you have ever seen, full of emotional depth, adventure, and intrigue, and the passionate conflict of two great women, Mary Queen of Scots and Queen Elizabeth of England.,

Fred Astaire has no ambitions to become a “ mammy ” singer, but despite this the famous wing-footed star goes blade-face for the lirst time in his career in ‘.Swing Time,’ Ihc now H.K.O. Radio film musical, in which he is again teamed with Ginger Rogers. Astaire's donning of the burnt cork comes in the course of the spectacular ‘ Bojanglcs of Harlem ’ number, a glittering creation of glass and chromium, in which he presents a unique hand-and-foot tap dance to tho accompaniment of 24 dancing girls. Through tho' rest of the picture he portrays a nimble gambler, whose complicated romance with Miss Rogers is carried on in a gale of hilarious difficulties. • • • • Victor M'Laglen, who appears with Mao West in her picture, ‘ Klondike Annie,’ fought a draw in an exhibition with .Tack Johnson when the latter was world’s heavy-weight champion.

Charlie Rugglcs is probably the screen’s greatest business man, despite bis funny, mouselike personality in films. In addition to owning and operating a profitable orange ranch, he is the proprietor of a thriving chicken farm, a dog shop, kennels, and a dog feeding service. To these various enterprises he devotes his entire time when not required at Paramount, whore he has just completed ‘ Early to Bed.’

* Timothy’s Quest,’ the new Paramount picture opening on Friday at the Strand, brings to the screen, the popular story of a waif’s search for love. Young Dickie Moore portrays the title role. The film recreates all the “ folksy ” people of Pleasant Valley, from Miss Vilda, Hitty Tarbox, and Jabe Doolittle, to the villainous Doc Cudd and the impish Samantha. Eleanore Whitney and Tom Keene interpret the young lovers in the little New Hampshire village for whom “ the course of true love never runs smooth,” until Timothy comes to their aid. In addition to Dickie Moore, the child players are Virginia Weicller, Sally Martin, and Bennie Bartlett. Ages of the two principals and four children in ‘ Timothy’s Quest,’ Paramount’s presentation of Kate Wiggin’s hearttugging drama, total 68 years. To balance this are six screen veterans whose collective ages aggregate 300 years. Hugged oaks and saplings, as it were. Dickie Moore, playing the title role, is nine. Eleanoro Whitney is 18, Tom Keene is 21. Wee Sally Martin is the youngest; she is a trouper of four. Director Charles Barton is a staunch advocate of the theory that children are adepts in drama, and bring sincerity to a picture. All girls with screen aspirations, attention! Eleanoro Whitney was given the featured feminine part in ‘ Timothy’s Quest ’ because of her tap dancing virtuosity in ‘ Millions in the Air.’ She abandons her dancing slippers tor the moment to depict a tender, ' idyllic romance. Tom Keene was leading man in the first picture to win the League of Nations cinema award, ‘ Our Daily Bread.’ This Western star goes Eastoru in ‘ Timothy's Quest.’ • » ♦ • Bonita Granville and Marcia Mae ■Tones, the two children who scored hits in ‘ These Three,” have been added to the cast of ‘The Garden of Allah,’ in which .Marlene Dietrich stars. ■* * • • Bohori Biskin, the script writer who is always teamed with Frank Capra, has been promoted to the rank of producer; but ho will continue to write stories for Capra in his spar© time.

Supercharged comedy interspersed with merry melodics and fortified with a cast of comics who arc “ tops ” establishes R.K.O. Radio’s ‘ To Boat tho Baud,’ coining to the Grand on Wednesday, as excellent entertainment. This si roam lined musical zooms to high altitudes with such master pilots as Hugh Herbert, Helen Broderick, Kric Blore, Roger Pryor, Fred Keating. Ray Mayer, ami tho original California Collegians at the laugh controls. Hugh Herbert is named heir to 59,000,000d0l by an eccentric old aunt. She stipulates, however, that her nephew, who is in love with the stunning blonde debutante Phyllis Brooks, must marry a widow within three days. Roger Pryor, a disillusioned blade, is side-tracked at Herbert’s apartment while bent on suicide. Herbert, who wants both the object of his affections and tho fortune, enters into a compact with Pryor. But he overlooks the connivance of his lady lawyer, Helen Broderick, Fred Keating,

a dance band “ baron ” who is also named in the will, and even his loyal but looney butler, Eric Blore. ‘To Beat the Band ’ brings together three new teams—Hugh Herbert and Helen Broderick, Roger Pryor and Phyllis Brooks, and Johnny Mercer and Matt Malneck, “ song smithies ” par excellence. The Mcrcer-Malneck tunes are interpreted by the new movie orchestra, the California Collegians, and other members of the cast, including hand-

some Ronald Graham, Evelyn Poo, Bill Carey, Roger Pryor, Fred Keating, and Johnny Mercer. * • • « Leonore Ulric, famous American stage star, will have an important part in Garbo’s ‘ Camille.’ She was once the wife of Sidney Blackmer, and has played in some films before. ft « • • Mrs Enrico Caruso lias given permission for a film to he made of her husband’s life. The famous tenor’s actual voice will be “dubbed” from records for use in the picture.

Pondonnis Productions have started shooting at Denham Studios on ‘ Fire Over England,’ based on A. E. W. Mason’s best-selling novel of Elizabethan times. This is Erich Pommcr’s lirst production To be presented by London Films, and is one of the most important pictures to be made at Denham this year. Tho screen play is by Glcmcnce Dane and Sergei Nolbandov. Direction is in the hands of William K. Howard, famous Hollywood director of ‘ Vanessa ’ and ‘ Rendezvous.’ One of the most brilliant cameramen in the business, dames Wong Howe, is in charge of the photography. He has photographed such famous films as Whipsaw,' ‘ Viva Villa,’ and ‘The Thin Man.’ In ‘ Fire Over England ’ he wall again have a wonderful opportunity with the rich costumes, beautiful women, and lavish settings of the period. The story is concerned with the latter part of the sixteenth century, towards the end of Elizabeth’s reign. Flora Robson, perfectly cast as

the Queen, will be seen with famous figures as Drake, Eord Burleigh, and the Earl of Leicester. The settings by L. Meerson include rooms in the Queen’s palace, the courtyard of the palace, and a military camp scene at Tilbury, with over a thousand extras. Full advantage will be taken of the beautiful grounds of the Denham Studios for exteriors, while naval battle scenes will bo taken in Cornwall and in the English ■ Channel. Vivien Leigh plays The part of Cynthia, lady-in-waiting to the Queen, her first filni part since being signed on long contract by London Films. First names in a brilliant cast are: Queen Elizabeth, Flora Robson; Philip of Spain, Raymond Massey; Michael Ingolby, Laurence Olivier; Cynthia, Vivien Leigh; Burleigh, Morton Selten; Elena, Tamara Desni; Spanish Ambassador, Henry Oscar; French Ambassador, Lawrence Hanray.

Comedy of an exceedingly diverting tyye is provided in ‘ The Charm School,’ which heads the new double-feature programme now being shown at the Mayfair Theatre. In this production Jack Oakie, Ned Sparks, and Joe Penner are associated in a delightful riot of nonsense, which takes place in a seminary for young ladies. Jerry Craig (Jack Oakie) is bequeathed the Bevan Seminary for Young Ladies by his aunt. The conditions of the will provide that he must run the school at a profit fot 12 months. The old order changes at Bevan Seminary when Messrs Oakie, Sparks, and Penner arrive. They decide to concentrate on charm, and dancing and singing become an important part of the school curriculum. This provides an excuse for some good ballet numbers and a song by Jerry’s secretary (Frances Langford). The school attendance improves, and money begins to pour in. In the meantime the hapless Joe Penner, who appears as a curious individual who cannot he sure of his own identity, is persuaded by an inebriated reveller that he (Joe) is none other than Thomas J. Bloodgood, “ the millionaire Australian polo player.” As a result he helps to finance improvements to the school by drawing cheques on the Bloodgood account. The story sweeps on to an hilarious climax, in which all th© worries of the owners of the school are smoothed away. The second picture on the programme Is ‘ The White Parade,’ a comedy-drama, featuring John Boles and Loretta Young. » * * * A sweeping campaign of improvement has been promulgated during the past few mouths by the management of the Empire, with the object of bringing the theatre thoroughly up to date and providing perfect comfort for patrons. This will bo continued until the Empire has the latest equipment and the fullest convenience and comfort. There have been substantial alterations in the past few months. A new and more effective

heatiug plant Las been installed, and special provision for comfort has been made by the introduction of a factor in the the elimination of draught and the purification of the air of the theatre during the performance. New lighting effects have been added, and the excellent lighting equipment is to be used to the fullest advantage. The last word in sound reproduction, the latest Western Electric wide-range sound equipment, is now being utilised. The latest development is the adaption of a new policy embodying the screening of the world’s finest super-features from Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer, Columbia, and Warner Bros.’_ 20th Century Films, including * Petticoat Fever,’ ‘ The Unguarded Hour.’ ‘ Bobiu Hood of El Dorado,’ and ‘The King Steps Out,’ which will be released shortly.

Ann Harding is to avoid delineating ladies who undergo suffering on the screen, and return to the smart, sophisticated comedy of the type which she enacted so delightfully in ‘ Holiday.’ In ‘The Lady Consents,’ her current RKO Radio picture in which she shares top honours with Herbert Marshall, Miss Harding plays the wife of a philandering doctor and tries the daring experiment of sending him into the arms of another woman to prove to him that it is his wife whom he really loves. “ People don’t like a sniveller,” said Miss Harding. “ Audiences will stand for a martyred emotion, but only a touch. They sympathise with a good

sport and a women who takes trouble with a smile and a joke. I like to play that sort of comedy. It can he very human and close to the heart.” “ Ann Harding’s latest film, ‘ The Lady Consents ’ ” (which is now showing at the State), “ is one of those all-too-infre-quent, scintillating comedies which make one want to rise and cheer,” says Hannen Swaffor, the eminent English critic. “It must surely appeal to highbrows, lowbrows, and the nobrows-at-all. It is certainly the answer to the picture patrons’ prayer: America is at last doing right by the golden-voiced beauty of the film. Bless them for it.”

Randolph Scott, Binuie Barnes, and Henry 'Wilcnxon head one of the greatest casts of stars ever assembled on the screening The Bast of the Mohicans,’ Reliance Rictures’ film version of the immortal James Penimore Cooper classic. Also featured in important roles in this unforgettable story of glorious adventure, heartstirring romance, and thundering conflict for a nation yet unborn are Bruce Cabot, Heather Angel, Phillip Reed, Robert Barrat, Hugh Buckler, and Willard Robertson. Scott is seen as Hawkeye, the bravo and handsome colonial Scout hero, beloved by the millions of readers of the book. Miss Barnes is cast as the glamorous Alice Munro, who is torn between love Tor him and loyalty to the gallant Major Duncan Hey ward played by Wilcoson. Cabot has the role of Magna, the renegade Indian spy; Miss Angel is seen as jtho lovely Cora Munro, and Reed plays yiucas, the young Indian brave who hopelessly worships Tier. Breath-taking highlights of the picture arc the defence of Fort William Henry against the onslaught or the French legions; Cora’s death leap from the heights of Lovers’ Cliff; the thrilling rescue pf Hawkeye from the torture stake of . the savage Hurons; -the barbaric - wax J

dance of the Indian tribes, and last,but not least, the hand-to-hand tomahawk battle to the death between tha renegade half-breed and “ The Last oj the Mohicans.” ,

Twentieth Century-Fox are. about to start production on their long-expected ‘ Lloyds of London.’ Don Ameche, C. Aubrey Smith, and Sir Guy Standing have already been cast in the picture, Henry King will direct.