AUCKLAND IS SEEING:-

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 32, 30 April 1927, Page 19 (Supplement)

AUCKLAND IS SEEING:-

NATIONAL AND LYRIC .... -The Unknown Soldier- (Cecil de Mille). TIVOLI Harold Lloyd in “For Heaven’s Sake.” EVERYBODY’S Harold Lloyd in “For Heaven’s Sake.” MAJESTIC .. Norma Shearer in “Upstage.” GRAND John Barrymore in “Don Juan.” REGENT Laura La Plante in “Poker Faces.” PRINCESS Harold Lloyd in “For Heaven’s Sake.” STRAND * “Npkfin" __.j 1..nelson nd Johnny Hines in “Stepping Along.” RIALTO “You Never Know Women” (Florence Vidor). REGENT (Epsom) “You Never Know Women” (Florence Vidor). PRINCE EDWARD “The Rat” (Mae Marsk and Ivor Novello).

\rr Erie Rutledge Wellington man- I rf't Fox Films, left by the Makura lf T a. business visit to Sydney. •.f Tom Craigie. manager of the | ■tannin Theatre, Wellington, has reafter having spent a holiday in torn*® , * * * rr E. Neilson, who lias been Christv. rrch representative of First National • fures Ltd., for some months, has burned to Sydney. rt could only happen in Hollywood. _ ‘maid Denny, Ben Hendricks, jun., d Lee Moran worked in their pyja- , for a week during the making o£ Z latest Universal-Denny produetbe -Take it from Me.” The three u ° .apposed to have been trapped in huee department store in their night 1 J»s having inadvertently retired in furniture display in the store’s main 1 dow. This is but one of the many timorous situations in Reginald klnnv’s latest effort to be released SSrUy in Auckland. • Prowlers of the Night,” a Univer- , Western, witnesses the advent of Mother new player in Barbara Kent, i nlike many less fortunate, Miss Kent .•as not compelled to go through the Irini “extra” work to reach her La A beauty contest in Hollywood, * screen test, and she was a leading lonian. Her talent, however, was unmistakable from the first and the test . s a p that was needed to reveal her 'abilities.. This picture is due in Auckland shortly. por the benefit of those who have never read Gertrude Atherton's novel, "The Perch of the Devil,” King Bagt Universal director of the film version explains that the strange title is alien from the name of a mine which Sevres prominently in the story. The mythical mine is located in Butte, Montana, where most of the story takes place. Mae Busch and Pat (VMal'ey played the featured roles in tie picture, which will soon be seen in Auckland. . « * While in London recently the Prince , Wales viewed “Michael Strogoff,” the new Universal production. The Duke and Duchess of York also saw this Aim while at sea. Throughout the screening of the picture the Prince of WaI“S sat enthralled. When it was over it was obvious that “Michael Strogoff” had made another conquest, for the Prince's enthusiasm provoked him to unhesitatingly declare it to be a wonderful picture; one that truly thrilled me.” The F.egent management showed considerable enterprise in securing Ruth Varin and her Maryland Maids, and Harvry Ball and his Virginians, when they were in Auckland on Tuesday on the Aorangi. These two jazz bands are the most expensive yet engaged for the Antipodes. They will appear in Sydney under the management of J. C. Bendroidt, of Palais Royal fame, and Australia's "dance king.” It was Mr. Bendroidt who brought the Californians to Sydnqy. Regent audiences showed 4teen appreciation of the lands, which, Mr. Bendroidt said, were four years ahead of anything yet heard in this part of the world. The “Doll’s Dance,’’ which has set American toes itching to dance, was probably the most enjoyable number.

‘Do, Do, Do!” another jazz number °f a decidedly catchy nature, was likewise popular. Harvey Ball is a comedian of more than ordinary in!*rest. Altogether, the bands were a §re *t treat to Aucklanders fortunate enough to hear them. ♦ * * Alexander Carr, the Jewish actor, v ‘ho was in Auckland earlier in the "eek on the Aorangi, besides having considerable screen experience, is also toe husband of Helen Carr, of Hollywood fame. Mrs. Carr is acknowledged to be one of the beauties of She was originally a Zieggi r i from the famous Follies. , ;? n Carr is now on her way to Australia by the Sierra, where she will ir er husband. Should Mr. and Irs - Carr appear there in some of the Potash and Perlmutter” plays, there every likelihood of them coming to Zealand. They have one small Although Alexander Carr, the Jewish “aracter comedian, who passed rough Auckland this week on the ; oran Ki. originated the role of Maw--88 Perlmutter, lie is equally well nr r n ° n the screen. “Personally, I SUfu»e t * le sta 6e work,” he told THE S movie editor, “though, of there is much more money in 5a t es ” Mr. Carr incidentally rewhen filming “Partners 110 Was tw'ice nearly killed. His Barney Barnard, died in 1923. or . famous partnership is dissolved Su ever - Barney shared in the stage i'ota vf eS as vvell He was the original Alexander Carr will make a Win” a * a PP ea rance under the Tivoli 4nd hamson's) management in Sydney •inot elbo . urne * There is quite a dis*W SP Ssi bility that he will come to w Zealand later. Auc'J? ov ak, who passed through ♦ 5 ear lier in the week on her il, rl° ®ydney, is the wife of William in . • a film actor who has been ha Vp ÜBtr ? lli a for some months. They ia a baby girl, called Vivian, who BtaK« m ° n fbs old. Novak is the screen Wa 8 a name. “My grandfather toy siat °hemiun,” she said, “and when rptat** Jane and I went on the films, te r of r ed our own name. As a matuni BSB mos * artists do nowadays, thi n _ , “ey happen to possess some‘‘'onniirl th f wa y a, name quite un-

William Powell will play the heavy in Bebe Daniels’s forthcoming picture. “Senorita.” * * * “Rich, but Honest” is the title of a film in which Nancy Nash and J. Farrell MacDonald are playing. * * * Gertrude Ederle, the American girl, who swam the English Channel, has followed the lead of others on whom the fierce light of publicity has been thrown, and has entered the movies. Hoot Gibson, that daring rider, has commenced work on “Hero on Horseback,” based on a story called “Nine Points of the Daw.” * * * “Heart of Salome,” Victor Schertzinger’s eighth production for Fox Films, is nearing completion Alma Rubens plays the featured role and others in the cast include Walter Pidgeon and Holmes'" Herbert. Raoul Walsh, producer of the film version of “What Price Glory,” is said to have some lavish sets in his production of “Carmen,” in which Dolores del Rio and Victor McDaglen play the principal parts. * * * Cyril Chadwick, who will be remembered for his excellent characterisation of Spoofy in “Three Dive Ghosts,” figures as a spendthrift millionaire in the screen adaptation of the play, “Is Zat So.” * * * John Ford, who was responsible for “The Iron Horse” and “Three Bad Men,” has gone to Europe on a mission of research for his next picture, “Grandma Bernl Beams Her Betters,” based on a magazine story. Mr. N. B. Freeman, managing director for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, recently passed through Auckland en route to America. Mr. Barrie Marachel, general manager for New Zealand, states that certain interesting announcements may be expected shortly. * * * Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer control many English pictures, including “Mademoiselle from Armentieres” for France and Belgium, and the same price has bought “Mons,” greatest of all British pictures. “Mons” is already in New Zealand, has passed the censor, and will be released shortly. Johnny Hines has bought the film rights to Elmer Davis’s magazine story, “White Willie.” Robert T. Kane is said to have paid 50,000 dollars for Clarence Buddington Kelland’s story, “Dance Music.” Mr. Kane intends to star Adrienne Truex. Jospeh M. Schenck has purchased the rights of “The Woman Disputed” from A. H. Woods. Norma Talmadge is to play the principal part in the picture. Warner Brothers are to make a picture around the activities of the post office. It will be called “The Romance of the United States Mail.” Staying in bed all day was the work done by more than 100 orphans during the filming of “The Fire Brigade.” So long as these children could run around and be entertained by Charlie Ray and May McAvoy, the featured players, they enjoyed themselves. But when the director, William Nigh, made them go to bed for the dormitory “shots” they did not like it so well.

Gloria Swanson will go to Hollywood to produce her second film for United Artists. This new production will be based on a special scenario by Ouida Bergere. It is two years since Miss Swanson has made a picture in Hollywood. Gloria Swanson’s new story has a desert background.—American exchange.

Quite a number of new picture theatres are being built in various parts of New Zealand, the chief of which are at Remuera, Aramoho (Wanganui). and Paeroa. New shows are also being built at Raglan, Rangataua. and Wairoa to replace those recently destroyed by fire, and it is reported that new shows will shortly be built at Kilbirnie and Lower Hutt, suburbs of Wellington, and Invercargill. The three latter shows will be taken over by J. C. Williamson Films, Ltd., which controls the Regent Theatres in Auckland and Wellington.

Mr. Beaumont Smith, managing director of J. C. Williamson Films, -Utd.. is on a business visit to Sydney. The Lyceum Theatre. Wairoa, was recently destroyed by fire. Mr. E. Munro, proprietor of the theatre, who was absent in Gisborne at the time, is said to be a heavy loser. Mr. H. Thompson, who controls a picture circuit at Raetihi, visited Wellington during the week. The sympathy of the motion picture business is extended to Mr. W. W. Luff, Wellington manager of Famous Laslcy Film Service, Ltd., on the death of his mother in Sydney. Mr. Barrie Marschel, general manager of Metro-Gold wyn-Mayer, Ltd., paid a visit to Auckland during the week to meet Mr. Barnard Freeman, managing director of the company, who is en route for America and England. There has been a suggestion that Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks were not commanding the audiences they once did. Especially has this been said in Australia. “No, such is certainly not the case in America,” says Eva Novak,' the film star who passed through Auckland on the Aorangi, “They are just as popular as ever they were.” Miss Novak said that Fairbanks intended making a picture dealing with the Crusades. Douglas. Fairbanks has engaged F. Richard Jones to direct his forthcoming picture. Mr. Jones has produced a number of Hal Roach films. In the case that Mr. Fairbanks is satisfied with Mr. Jones’s work, this director may also officiate as the guiding spirit of Mary Bickford’s next film. Phyllis Haver has been assigned to play an important part in “The Way of All Flesh,” Emil Janning’s first Hollywood film, which was formerly referred to as “The Man Who Forgot God.” The supporting cast in this production is headed by Belle Bennett. Gilda Gray will play the role of a nun in the first film production in which she will be featured by Samuel Gold wyn, who announced that he had signed a contract with Miss Gray to make one picture a year for five years. Gil Boag, Miss Gray’s husband and manager, said that he is now completing negotiations with David Belasco for the screen rights to “Marie Odile,” Edward Knoblock’s play dealing with a nun and a soldier. Mario Carillo, who plays a part in Constance Talmadge’s picture, “Venus of Venice,” is a count and an LL.D. He uses neither. He is the son of the Duke of Mileti, and he is entitled to be called Count Mario Caracciolo. He served for 13 years in the “Black Dragoons” of the Italian Cavalry. In “Venus of Venice,” he appears as a pathetic bridegroom, who, at his own wedding, is robbed through a ruse perpetrated by a mischievous little canal gamin, portrayed by Miss Talmadge. The last moments of the Battle of Waterloo are to be filmed for Marion Davies’s picturisation of Sir James Barrie’s play, “Quality Street.” It is planned early in this picture to depict the Napoleonic troops concentrating at Boulogne. Later there will be seen the charge of the Old Guard against the Duke of Wellington’s soldiers. Another incident that will be portrayed is the flight of Napoleon from the battlefield. Aside from the military glimpses and bits of recruiting by British sergeants, the war, in “Quality Street,” will be only a background for the story. Miss Davies plays Phoebe Throssel, the quaint heroine.

It all depends on the forthcoming law-suit whether Charlie Chaplin films will again be shown in the United States, according to Eva Novak, the screen star, who passed through Auckland by the Aorangi on her second visit to Australia. Much sympathy is felt for Chaplin, she says, though some evidence of the feeling against him is shown by the fact that in some American towns his films are already banned. “I do think it is a great shame,” she said, “for whatever his morals might be, there is no doubt about the fact that Charlie Chaplin is a great artist.” These matrimonial scandals, Miss Novak declared, made it exceedingly difficult for all connected with the movie industry.