Cinema... Snapshots

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20491, 6 May 1938, Page 4

Cinema ... Snapshots

Two Chaplin Stories '* Some years back, in New York,” •aid Charlie, ** I travelled on the subway during the rush hour. Back home I found a gold watch in my overcoat pocket. I hadn't the vaguest notion who could have put it there, so I gave It to my secretary, and asked him to hand it over to the police. Next day t h e postman brought a letter: • My dear Mr Chaplin, This is written you by a professional pickpocket. Yesterday I was -working on the subway, and just as I had taken n gold watch from a fat man's pocket, I saw you. Now, since I am one of your admirers I decided to make you a present of the watch, «o I stuck it in your overcoat.* ** A year passed. The police failed to find either the pickpocket or the owner of the watch, and returned it to me. Then the newspapers gave the incident publicity, and a day or two later I got another anonymous letter. * Dear Mr Chaplin: About a year ago I was travelling on the subway and found that my gold watch had been stolen. Now I read in the newspapers that, oddly enough, a pickpocket presented it to you. Keep the watch. Mr Chaplin. And because I’m an even greater admirer of yours than the pick pocket. I send you herewith the gold chain V Columbia Buys Clifford Odets' \ * Golden Boy ” / m Golden Boy,” Clifford Odets’ current stage success, now in its fifth month on Broadway, has been purchased by Columbia, and will be one Of the forthcoming Important productions offered by the company. Considered the Group Theatre’s most successful play, “ Golden Boy ” has also brought author Odets the greatest praise of his short, though brilliant career. He first came to fame with the sensational “ Waiting for Lefty,” which was followed by •* Awake and Sing,” and “ Paradise Lost.” The cast and director of Columbia’s version of " Golden Boy,” not Vet ! selected, will be outstanding. When the Odets play opened at the Belaaco Theatre on November 3, New York newspaper critics accorded It high praise for its brilliant characterisation, tense drama and vital dialogue. Miss Frcmciska Goal After viewing a screening of “ Catherine The Last,” made in Berlin by Universal and starring Franciska Gaal, Cecil B. de Mille said that he regarded Miss Gaol’s contract as worth s small fortune. The famous pro-ducer-director announced that he rarely has been so enthuslastfc about ft new player as he is about Miss Gaal. whom he co-starred with Fredric March In Paramount’s “ The Buccaneer.’* De Mill© soon will decide whether or not to launch Miss Gaal on a personal appearance tour to acquaint the American public with her before presenting her In the picture or permit the public to “ discover ” her without preliminary build-up—a policy he used In the case of Gloria Swanson. In any event, de Mille says that he is on record as believing that the petite Hungarian actress Is the* greatest find of his career. mmmmmmtn Korda Announces New Programme Alexander Korda announced on his return to England from the United States In January, t*tat the London Films schedule for the current year would Include fifteen productions to be made at the Denham Studios at an estimated total cost of £2,000,0d0. Ftnanre has been arranged for the whole series, he stated, of which three or four would be in technicolour, and it is planned to enzage famous American stars for several of them. Among the pictures slated for early production during 193*. Korda named the following: “The Four Feathers.” ” King s Messenger.” an H. C. SherrlfT story based on a flight from Southampton to Tionzkonz; - Bicycle For Two.” a Robert Sherwood musical, with score and lyrics probably by Irvine Berlin: and a film of the Russian Ballet in terhnicolour. Meanwhile Korda is readying for release four pictures recently completed or in the Anal stages of production. These include. Mutiny In the Mountains.” terhnicolour adventure film starring Sabu under the direction of Zolfan Korda: ” The Challenge.” dramatic story revolving round the climbing of the Matterhorn, produced by r.unther f=tapenhnrst under the direction of Milton Roomer, with Joan Gardner. Robert Douglas and Luis Trenker in the principal roles: •* Conquest of the Air.” the amazing drama of the history of aviation, produced bv Donald Taylor with Laurence OliVier and Margaret ta Scott heading « brilliant cast under the direction of Alexander : <»ve. the Moon.” terhnicolour picture •-i.trring Merle Oberon under the direction of Thornton Freeland. r.tnnmnzitr T Eft i .AP.RILL*» has been siarne-l for feature role in the Walter Man 0 «r product’on. ‘ The River is Blue, directed by William Dieterle and starring Madeleine Carroll and Henry Fonda.