Famous Airman on the Films

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 140, 3 September 1927, Page 23

Famous Airman on the Films

Alan Cobham’s Story “THE FLIGHT COMMANDER” SIR ALAN COBHAM will be the next celebrity to feature in the films. He has been visiting the Gaumont Company’s premises at Shepherd’s Bush, London, W., where a new picture, “The Flight Commander,” is being made from a story especially written for the screen by Sir Alan, in which he will act. Work was being done in a Chinese mission hall, hung with texts, where

the heroine and her father, a missionary, were going through some scenes with the girl’s fiance, an English business man in China. The big spectacular outdoor scenes will be take on Stag Lane airdrome, Edgware, where a complete Chinese village has been built. Forty or fifty airplanes will take part in the action when “The Flight Commander” effects a last-minute rescue of the hero and heroine by air. Besides playing an important role in the piece, Sir Alan will be in charge of the very considerable task of organising the flights required. ■ , i “The Flight Commander is to be a stirring melodrama, with an admixture of comedy. Miss Estelle Brody and Mr. John Stewart will be the heroine and hero, with Mr. Humberston Wright also in an important role. Sir Alan Cobham will appear as himself, and will play a highly dramatic part. As second cameraman on the picture is Mr. Basil Emmott, who accompanied the airman on his Cape to Cairo trip and secured the fascinating film record of the exploit. EMIL JANNINGS AMERICAN PICTURE RELEASED Emil Janning’s first American made picture was recently presented at the Rialto Theatre. A „ _ „ It is labelled “The Way of All Flesh, and featured with Mr. Jannings is Belle Bennett. The story is said to be very simple. It is about an honest, hardworking, methodical Middle Western banker, presumably of German descent, who goes wrong through a young woman whom he meets after a railway accident. . The high dramatic points of tins feature are said to be reached when the old man who is thought to be dead, returns to his old home town and sees, from a distance, his children then grown. The climax comes during a snowstorm when the old man, known as August Schilling, is seen peering through a window of his family’s home and watching a cheerful Christmas scene.

Charles Rogers is Mary Pickford’s leading man in “My Best Girl.” The picture is now in production at the United Artists’ studio.

“Alias the Done Wolf,” will be Bert Lytell’s next starring picture. Bois Wilson will have the leading feminine

Louise Fazenda has been selected for the leading role in “Ham and Eggs at the Front.” Work has already been started at the Warner studios.

Arthur Lake is to be featured in a series of “Drugstore Cowboy” comedies by Universal. Max Kimmich will direct the 13 pictures in the series.

Marion Nixon, diminutive Universal star, is to play opposite Reginald Denny in “Out All Night” that star s new production.

Warner Brothers have borrowed the services of Conrad Nagel for the lead opposite May McAvoy in her next starring picture, “Slightly Used.”

Roy D’Arcy is to have the role of O’Brien in “Romance,” the Joseph Conrad novel to he made as a starring picture for Ramon Novarro. “HOLY CITY” SHOCKED! “SO THIS IS PARIS” BANNED

ADELAIDE is not known as the “Holy City” for nothing. Aucklanders will be surprised to learn that “So This Is Paris,” which was really nothing but a “Frenchified” American farce, was banned in Adelaide. The picture was considered “unfit to be shown” in the South Australian capital. The Federal Royal Commission on Films, after hearing evidence from local showmen, decided to see for themselves just how naughty “So This Is Paris” really was.

Johnny Harron has been selected for the leading role with Laura La Plante in Universal’s adaptation of Cyril Harcourt’s play “A Pair of Silk Stockings.”

“Lost at the Front,” with Charlie Murray and George Sidney is at the Mark Strand in New York. This is a war comedy with a new locale — the Russo-German front.

A note from a Hollywood correspondent: Pola Negri arrives this week to begin work on “Barbed Wire,” which is to be directed by Rowland V. Lee, producer of “The Whirlwind of Youth.” Mildred Davis (in private life Mrs. Harold Lloyd), has returned to the screen after an absence of four years. “Too Many Crooks” is the title of her feature. “Colleen” a Fox production starring Madge Bellamy will be released shortly. The cast includes J. Farrell MacDonald, Charles Morton, Sammy Cohen, Ted McNamara, and Sidney Franklin. Fox Films announce that the special attraction “Is Zat So?” a screen version of the stage comedy which piayed in New Zealand some months ago, will be released shortly. Joan Crawford will have the leading feminine role in “Spring Fever” starring William Haines. She is now appearing opposite John Gilbert in “Twelve Miles Out.” rr Vi* ri- rfc -!x r'r rr. -r rl- rl? sfe ‘h ru

COURSE OF TRUE LOVE NEVER DID RUN SMOOTH

Kenneth Marie THE course of true love never “*• did run smooth. Marie Prevost and Kenneth Harlan have discovered that fact for some time past. A special message in the American papers, however, states that a reconciliation between husband and wife will soon be effected.

Director Raoul Walsh has just finished filming “Carmen,” which, by the way, has now been re-named “The Blue Moon.” Victor McLaglen and Dolores Del Rio have roles. Gloria Swanson’s next starring picture for United Artists’ release will be “Sadie Thompson,” a pictorial version of “Rain.” Lionel Barrymore and ’ Blanche Friderici have the leading ; roles.