STAGE and SCREEN

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 365, 20 February 1937, Page 2

STAGE and SCREEN

“Marry the Girl.”

Following their individual smash comedy successes in "Three Men on a Horse” and “Sing Me a Love Song,” Warner Bros, popular comics, Frank McHugh and Hugh Herbert, have been teamed together in “Marry the Girl,” which went into production recently. McHugh’s latest picture, the equine comedy “Thr.ee Men on a Horte” is now' breaking records everywhere, while Cosmopolitan’s "Sing Me a Love Song,” to be released through Warner Bros, has Herbert in the leading comedy role. “Marry the Girl" is being directed by William McGann.

In Diamond Fields.

Warner Bros, thrilling drama ot England and Africa, centering in the diamond fields of the Cape Colony, will have Warner Baxter in the title role-, according to word from the studios. A long line of stellar players including Paul Muni, were ■considered for the name part in “The Gentieman from Kimberley,” but it was finally decided to borrow Mr Baxter for vfaat is expected to be one ot the most important pictures of the year. The new film is expected to go into production soon. Paul Muni will be kept busy for the next two or three months with "The Truth is on the March,” in which he will play the role of the great French novelist Emil Zola, the champion of Dreyfus.

Anita Louise.

At soon as she completes work in “Call It a Day,” now in production at the Warner Bros, studios at Burbank, California, Anita Louise will Have the leading feminine role in "The Go Getter," Warner Bros., First National’s screen transcription of the famous Peter B. Kyne story, according to word from the Coast. Miss Louise v'lll play opposite George Brent, replacing Doris Weston, who was originally scheduled for the part. Bu. by Berkeley is to direct the new picture.

French Singer.

Metropolitan opera star Lily Pons is stepping back into the environment of her native France for opening scenes of her nzw RKO Radio picture, “That Girl from Paris.” A provincial French village has bdeu constructed in a wooded valley eight miles from Hollywood as a setting for the production. And ISO French atmosphere players have been en gaged to work the village scenes The largest building of the all stone village is a typical rural inn. In the open courtyard of the inn, Miss Pons is to sing her first song, a rollickin.' modern composition by Arthur Schwartz and Edward H'yman, as a feature of a grape festival. The song is called “A Call to Arms.”

Can-Can Dance.

The most famous 1 of Parisian dances, the can-can will be brought to motion pictures in “The King and the Chorus Girl,” according to word from the Warner Bros, studios at Burbank, California. Bobby Connolly, director of many lavish dance specialties in Warner Bros, films, will stage the number, which. v'ill be led by Joan Blondell and Jane Wyman Fernand Gravet, noted French actor, is starring in the film with Miss Blondell. It will be M. Cravet’s first American picture. The film is being produced and personally directed by Mr Le Roy.

Grand Old Trouper.

When it became known that the day May Robson reported for a fea tured role in “Rainbow on the River,” which Sol Lesser is produc ing for RKO Radio, v.'as the anniversary of her 54th year on stage and screen, an impromptu celebration was accorded the gTand old trouper on the set. Production was halted v.tiile Bobby Breen, the star of the film, and other members of the cast entertained Miss Robson with a number of songs at her request which recalled to her happy memories of her many consecutive years on stage and screen.

Good Advice.

“Laxly Be Careful” is both the title of Mary Carlisle’s newest Paramount picture and a good bit of' advice for the girl v.-Qio wears a hat with a quill. The hat reaches a peak at the crown, leaves one side of the hair completely uncovered and $-touches over, one eye, according to the mode.

Spectacular Set. Five thousand square feet of heavy

plate' glass was smashed with bricks, and stones during the shooting of looting seems in RKO Radio's. “The

Plough and the Stars." a story of the Easter uprising in Ireland in 1916. Mobs of men, women and children took part in the spectacular scene v'jich showed the populace of Dublin .breaking into the shops, smashing everything, in sight and carrying away everything from bird cages to pianos. In one scene the camera and technical crew were barricaded behind heavy timbers With only the camera lens exposed to the barrage of bricks, vegetable; stones and bottles being hurled in every direction.

New Creation.

The only word which describes Carole Lombard’s newest Travis Banton creation is “exciting.” It is a dinner dress of black crepe, with a simple bodice top and a Ekirt which has a flat panel in front and back and gathered panels across both sides. Over this goes a jacket of black, silver and valiant red lame, with long sleeves, a high, round neckline and a bit of a peplum v’ith long of the lame which descend to the floor in the back. The same jacket is repeated in maroon velvet so thst Miss Lombard may change whenever she wishes to.

Gas Masks.

Conditions of modern warfare prevailed on the “We Who Are About to Die” set at RKO Radio recently when members of the technical staff and a favoured few of the cast donned gas masks for protection during the filming of prison riot scenes. The action depicted quelling of a convict uprising by the use of tear gas. Instead of actual tear gas, a special liquid smoke preparation was used. Essentially harmless, it nevertheless gave John Beal and other players who, through the nature of their convict roles could not wear masks, some uncomfortable moments. Insisting on the utmost realism, director Christy Cabarne had bis actor guards fill the prison corridors with a dense cloud of the gas substitute. The director, however, refused to wear one of the masks which he forced upon hisj technical crew, being unwilling to require any of the players to endure something he didn't take himself.

,n. ——.n. Robert Burns.

A two-reel Vitaphone musical short subject, based on the life of Robert BurnEi, the Scottish poet, is currently in production at the Warner Bros., First National studios in Burbank, California. The film, which is the

latest in the series of Vitaphone. short subjects' based on historical personages, is being directed by Crane Wilbur, and features Owen King in the role of Robert Burns. A huge cast of studio contract players are in the production.

Mark Twain Story.

Donald Crisp, recently signed to a long-term contract by "Warner Bros , hat entered the cast of “The Prince and the Pauper,” as his first assignment under his new contract, according to word from the studios. . Mr Crisp Will play the captain of the King's Guard in the screen transcription of Mark Twain's immortal

novel of boyhood in sixteenth century England. Other members of the cast of the new picture, which went into production several days ago, will include Errol Flynn, who will be seen as Miles Hendon, Claude Rains, Fritz Leiber and Barton Mac Lane. The name roles will be played by Billy and Bobby Mauch. Errol Flynn, in New' York on. vacation left for the studios at the end of last week.

Important Roles.

Virtual completion of an important cast assembled for the new Bette Davis picture, “Marked Women,” has been announced by the Warner Bros.. First National studios at Burbank, California! where Miss Davis is making her first film since her recent European vacation. Isabel Jewell, Lola Lane and Rosalind Marquis will have leading feminine roles opposite the star. Other additions to the cart include Teddy Hart, of “Three Men On a Horse, who w'ill have an important comedy part; Raymond Hatton, old-time silent star who will play the part of a criminal lawyer, and Eduardo Cianelli, who will play a head racketeer. Humphrey Bogart who will be in the male lead, Vill have the role of an assistant district attorney responsible for breaking up a vice ring.