TRENDS IN PRODUCTION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 March 1940, Page 9

TRENDS IN PRODUCTION

MORE SERIOUS DIRECTION. ' Last year saw unmistakable evidence that, in Hollywood at least, the film producers are making a move in a more serious direction; the words of Walter Wagner, in the "March of Time" about the movies, were an indication of trends that may be expected, and these trends are strongly marked in recent and forthcoming productions. The purchase of such works as “Personal History,” “The Grapes of Wrath,” “Of Mice and Men." and "Dynasty of Death,” and the making of one-third of a nation” and “Idiot’s Delight” show that the heads of the industry intend to direct purposefully the powerful influence that can ae exercised by this medium of entertainment. Warner Brothers' production of “Confessions of a Nazi Spy" was an outstanding example of this psychological weapon in its most potent form; for the pointed and ruthless in-1 dictment of the Nazi regime was pure propaganda, perhaps the strongest propaganda of which the screen is capable. It was not made without risk, and consequently not without caution, and in fact the name of lhe actor who played Dr. Goebbels has

music. They included "Jesse James." I "Marie Antoinette,” "Alexander j Graham Bell." “Young Mr Lincoln."] "Flying Irishman” (Douglas Corrigan), “Great Waltz" (Strauss). "Suez" | (a very inaccurate story of de Les-< seps), "Sixty Glorious Years" (a Tech-j nicolour remake of "Victoria ihe I Great"), and "A Man to Remember"j (a biograph.'.' of a country doctor). | The great Masses of adaptations ftoni books and plays are always with us, but 1939 has been remarkable for their almost uniform excellence. Aanong the plays, "Pygmalion" was | important as the first of Bernard Shaw's works to be filmed, and another is promised in "Major Barbara.” also starring Wendy Hiller. The list also includes "You Can't Take ft Withy

not yet been disclosed even to the You." “Sweethearts," and “ Tovarich.” American trade papers. Among the books that were filmed In America, patriotism is popular, were "Wuthering Heights." "The Ciand this popularity has been reflected tadel," "Gunga Din." "Housemaster.” on both stage and screen. “The “The Hound of the Baskervilles," "ll' I American Way,” in which Fredric Were King.” “The Little Princess.” March and his wife, Florence Eld- "The Mystery Rider." "Three Musketridge, have been appearing on Broad- eers,” "While Banners." mid "Th? way, and “Abe Lincoln in Illinois,” Saint in London" (from “The Million starring oddly' enough, the English ac- Pound Day”). tor, Raymond Massey, are typical of The successful "Snow White" war. patriotism on the stage. The latter the fust full-length cartoon ever made, play is to be made into a picture, and but its creator. Walt Disney, is workthere will be others, while Richard ing on "Pinnochio," the Italian story Dix’s “Man of Conquest." "Young Mr of a puppet, end "Bambi" the door. Lincoln," and "Song of the Plains." Possibly, though, the cartoon reached the city this year. i found its destiny in the immorh-J fairy So marked has been this trend that I sto’-ies. even in a pure comedy like the Oliveri "Mayerling," which has been seen Hardy-Harry Langdon "Elephants Ne-|in the north, was the first picture of ver Forget," the Declaration of Tn-1 Continental origin to be shown io the dependence played an important part, l general public, apart from propaganda and was recited in part by a little no- hints, and it opened the door to the gro boy. whole realm of Continental motion Apart from this most noticeable picture art. which has previously trend, while there was a complete dis- been unknown in New Zealand Difappearance of the "screwy" comedies ferenees of technique in lighting, phowhich were in such a majority last tography. and direction wore easily year, there has been no dearth of light apparent. Other films of foreign make romantic comedies as typified by arc to follow, one, “Un Carnet d-' Bal ” "Three- Loves Has Nancy” and “Mid- ?; already in this country. right. The "Hardy Family" and the The vogue for biographies, far from "Jones Family” continued with some diminishing, has become one of the success. The "Charlie Chan" dims more important trends of the year's got away to a fresh, start with Sydney product. While the majority wore 'Toler accenting the role of Warner historical, one or two were modern, Gland as Chan. Peter Lorre has' cartwo were in technicolour, and two had j r j cc ] on the “Mr Motto” series,' while