PICTURE PLAYS and PLAYERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 62, 4 June 1927, Page 25 (Supplement)

PICTURE PLAYS and PLAYERS

“Old Ironsides” is coming! In the meantime, boys, build a ship for £lO. Study THE SUN for details. David Wark Griffith, that genius of motion picture production, has excelled himself again—this time in “Sorrows of Satan.” the Paramount feature to be screened at the Regent shortly. Adolphe Menjou, by the way, is Satan.

Tie colourful life of the man of the forest: an Eastern girl trying to adopt Western ways; outlaws; a fight for right against the villiany of a dishonest bully—that is the action of “The Man of the Forest.” This picture will be shown soon at the Princess and Tivili Theatres. * • * A fashion show which for lavishness and colour outshines anything ever staged in Paris is one of the scores of unusual highlights in Esther Ralston’s "Fashions For Women,” the Paramount photoplay which comes to the Regent Theatre soon. * * * Frank Tuttle’s latest production, ‘ Love ’Em and Reave ’Em,” lays claim to the distinction of being as strictly New Zealand as football. Adapted by Townsend Martin from the play by John V. A. Weaves and George Abbott, this new Paramount picture is a character comedy of tile glib children of to-lay. It is a homely tale of everyday life. The chief characters, Marne, JarJe and Bill, played by Evelyn Brent, Louise Brooks and Lawrence Gray, are as much the product of their department store and boardinghouse environment as anything that has; sprung from New Zealand soil. * * * ‘‘Synthetic Sin,” a farce comedy by Frederic and Fanny Hatton, given a Los Angfeles premiere recently, has been purchased as Colleen Moore’s .ne.vt photoplay. Miss Moore is doing Naughty But Nice” at present. In "Synthetic Sin” she will appear eui a. young actress who is told she needs “experience.” She moves into the “Flaming Forties” in New York in an apartment full of bootleggers, crooks dope-sellers and gangsters. To her great disappointment they tumble over one another in their efforts to protect her from the very experiences she is seeking. In "Naughty But Nice” her current picture. Miss Moore is seen as a pupil in an exclusive girls’ finishing school.

As a result of his work as one of the two leading men in “Wings,” Paramount’s epic of the aviator in France, a new agreement has been extended to Richard Arlen by Paramount. It was almost in the nature of a wedding gift, as it came to Arlen less than a week after he had become the husband of Jobyna Ralston, who plays opposite Arlen in the air service picture. Charles Rogers plays the other leading man in the picture, with Clara Bow opposite him. Gary Cooper, El Brendel and Henry B. Walthall are also in the cast. William Wellman is directing with Lucien Hubbard supervising. * * *

Announcement that Gloria Swanson’s new picture, “The Love of Sunya,” tbe first she has made for United Artists, lias been selected out of a choice of 34 films for the opening of the new Roxy Theatre, Seventh Avenue and Fiftyfirst Street, New York, has been made bv S. L. Rothafel owner of the house. The picture is Gloria Swanon’s first independent production. It is directed by Albert Parker, who made “The Black Pirate’ for Douglas Fairbanks, and includes in its cast, John Boles, Florabelle Fairbanks, Anders de Segurola, Pauline Garon, Hugh Miller and Anders Randolph.

Johnny Hines’s forthcoming picture, “White Pants Willie,” has gone into production in Hollywood. All preliminary work has been completed, the laugh sequences having been injected into the film version by Peter Milne, Howard Green, Kerrie Clark, Horace Woodman see and George Amy. The offering is being produced under the supervision of C. C. Burr, with the direction in the hands of Charles Hines, assisted by Frank Crane and Paul Wilkins. The leading feminine role opposite the comedian will be in the hands of Leila Hyams.

In this age, when dresses are made of three yards of material, the wedding gown which Janet Gaynor wears in the Fox version of “Seventh Heaven” is a distinct novelty. This filmy creation is made of 75 yards of exquisite lace and net over a satin slip. The bouffant skirt with tight bodice is composed of eight tiers of lace ruffles. It is this frock on which Chico spends most of his earnings, so that his Diane may be properly attired for their weddin, the wedding tha£ is interrupted by the mobilisation of the French troops. Charles Farrell plays the role of Chico.

Wearing styles that will not be seen upon the streets of Auckland for at least another 12 months was the experience of Esther Ralston, Paramount star, during the filming of her newest photoplay, “Fashions for Women.” All of the clothing .£n which Miss Ralston appears for the photoplay was created a year ahead of the regular style, so that when the picture is released, the gowns and dresses will reveal the fashions which will prevail immediately- thereafter. The photoplay is being directed by Dorothy Arzner. Dinar Ilanson and Raymond Hatton are in the supporting cast.

Apparently the only way to see one’; favourite athlete in action these day; is at a picture theatre. George God frey, famous boxer, and Duke Kahana moku, champion amateur swimmer are among the latest to appear. Botl signed contracts to appear in .Tame; Cruze’s “Old Ironsides,” a story of tin frigate Constitution, Paramount’s filn epic of the sea, soon to be released ii Auckland.

ceiling you auoui Jtionywoou, where the stars are residing: in a world of reality which rivals a kingly realm ill its lavish mode of living, I might say that I am not altogether unknown in this part of vle world. Some few years ago I came out from London, hieing engaged by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., to produce a number of their pantomime successes. Carrie Moore, Jack Cannot, Talleur Andrews, Frank Green, Marie Eaton and Grace Palotta (now living in retirement in her native Vienna) were among the artists with whom I was associated.

.1 also had the pleasure of producing for Miss Ada Reeve her “Winniebrook Widow,” also the London Revue’s samples, “Honi Soi” and “Bubbley,” for the Tivoli Theatres in Australia. My interests for a great number of years, however, have been directed toward motion picture production and my stay of six and a-half years in Hollywood, in association with the late Thomas H. Ince, of Culver City, ! was therefore of particular interest to BEHIND THE SCENES ! The public is occasionally afforded a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes when the celebrities step out from their own social circle to travel abroad. When a large feature picture has its premiere, throngs gather round the doors of the theatre to watch the stars arrive in their'fashionable attire and glittering jewels. These evenings are filled with splendour and acclaim l'or the celebrities. There is applause when they enter from the congregated crowd, lights flash and photographs are taken, and names are announced through megaphones and loud speakers. Then, too, at the popular dining and dancing resorts of filmdom the public have a chance to rub elbows with the luminaries as they slide or Charleston by, to some jazz tune, or as they thread their way among the closely crowded tables. Luncheon at the Montmartre on Wednesday or Saturday is reasonably certain to yield a. glance at film people in informal array. Tuesday evening at the Coconut Grove, at the Ambassador, is another avenue open to the eager fans who wish to watch their favourites at parties. The annual Wampus Ball affords a crowded opportunity to witness many of the picture people on divei-.'on bent. But the true film socia’ life exists in a smaller and more exclusive domain. Social events at the residence of Mary Bickford and Douglas Fairbanks are distinctive. Within the precincts of the Beverley Hills estate, a favourite few enjoy a charming and quiet hospitality unlike any other in the film world —or probably anywhere else in the world. I might mention that plans are now being developed for the building of an old Spanish rancho by the two film stars near Del Mar, on the road to San Diego. The estate is the realisation of two dreams. Doug. has. always wanted a large ranch where he can entertain and enjoy to the full the outdoor, life he loves. Mary has longed to indulge her fondness of all the old romantic Spanish customs and ideals. TALMADGE HOSPITALITY "While Douglas Fairbanks and Mary ! Bickford entertain seldom and in a ! quiet fashion, Norma Talmadge and

Joseph Schenk, on tire other hand, dispense their hospitality with the allembracing democratic gesture. Their North Hollywood Boulevard home is the scene of many charming affairs. The basis of all parties at their home is, of course, the distinctly clannish

Talmadge family, comprising “Peg” Talmadge, mother of the three girls. Norma, Connie, Natalie Talmadge Keaton and her famous husband, Buster. In Benedict Canyon, adjoining the old Ince estate, is a large acreage owned by Harold Lloyd and his wife. The most original feature of the Lloyd estate is a miniature waterfall which drops from a considerable height to feed a private canoe course, winding through the grounds under overhang-

ing trees and sheltering shrubberies. Under the waterfall is a tiny summerhouse where Mildred Davis Lloyd entertains her guests during warm weather, and where little Gloria plays hostess to her young friends. Another attractive social centre is the lovely Beverley Hills Estate, owned by Tom Mix, prominent Fox star, and his wife. In fact, just before I left Hollywood Mr. and Mrs. Tom Mix gave a tea party to William Fox, Winfield R. Sheehan, George O’Brien, Olive Borden, J. Farrell MacDonald, Edmund Lowe, Delores Del Rio, of “What Price Glory” fame, Madge. Bellamy, Alma Rubens, Margaret Livingston, Leslie Fenton. Mr. Stanley S. Crick, managing director for Fox in Australia and New Zealand, was present. The purchase -of the Thomas H. Ince estate by Carl Laemele is one of the noteworthy developments of recent date. The rambling Spanish home is one of the largest and most beautiful in filmdom. In Hollywood, Mack Sennett has just commenced a large Cali-fornia-Spanish home on an 18-acre estate. The completed investment will probably represent a million dollars. THE MORENO HOME Tony Moreno and his wife remain In seclusion on the top of the hill, called Moreno Highlands, close to Los Angeles, while Colleen Moore and John McCormick intend building a beautiful place soon in Beverley. Although Cecil B. De Mille lives in Hollywood his main interests lie in “Paradise,” a mountain home back of San Fernando. Victor McLaglen is an Irishman. 11c possesses some interest to New Zealanders. as he has a brother residing in Christchurch. This fighting son of a bishop is starring in Auckland this week in “What Price Glory.” the great Fox comedy, to which Charlie Chaplin referred shortly before I left Hollywood as the most thoroughly«*enjoyable picture he had seen. "I laughed, wept and was thrilled,” the little comedian told me.

McLaglen has a broken nose. This is a souvenir of an encounter for the heavy-weight championship of the world with .Tack Johnson. After serving with the British Army during the Great War in France and Mesopotamia, he is now in the pictures. He is the most lusty and primitive man who ever laughed or scowled at you from ' the screen.