AT THE HAMILTON CINEMAS Cinema... Snapshots

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21205, 30 August 1940, Page 4

AT THE HAMILTON CINEMAS

Cinema... Snapshots

“Swanee River^_ — Colourful Drama One of the most colourful and romantic periods in American history—the days- of minstrels and river boats —has been magically preserved for us in the songs of Stephen C. Foster who set the very heart of America to music. Out of the bitter and sweet of a great love —the most beautiful thing in his stormy, exciting life— Foster wrote these matchless songs. Minstrels strutted them, river boats tooted them, gay ladies hummed them and lovers sang them soft and low. “The Old Folks at Home (Swanee River), “Oh. Susanna! , “Old Black Joe,” “My Old Kentucky Home” and countless others—the songs we all grew up to—and took to cur hearts forever. Now these stirring days are brought to a new pulsating life on the screen in “Swanee River” the story of Stephen Foster, which has been produced by 20th Century-Fox with Don Ameche as the handsome composer; Andrea Leeds and A 1 Jolson in the leading roles. Filmed in Technicolour, the lovely old settings of the story are endowed with striking realism and rare charm. “House Of Seven Gables Nathaniel Hawthorne’s famous novel. “The House of Seven Gables,” has at last reached the movies. The screen dramatisation of the classic will be released in the near future. Contrary to general belief, this powerful novel of early nineteenth century New England has never been filmed before. Few changes have been made in the original plot. The screen play preserves the mystery and menace of the ill-fated Seven Gables structure visioned by Hawthorne and peopled with the Pyncheon family living under the scaffoldflung curse of the long-dead Matthew Maule, executed for practising witchcraft. Margaret Lindsay is seen in the role of Hepzibah, whose love for the unhappy Clifford, played by Vincent Price, transcends all difficulties. She is seen first as a girl of eighteen, and, in the latter episodes of the story, as the stern, tight-lipped forbidding recluse in the gloomy house while she awaits the release of her imprisoned lover. George Sanders is seen as Clifford’s brother, while Nan Grey portrays Phoebe, who brings light and happiness to the Pyncheons. That no Hollywood picture producer has ever placed Nathaniel Hawthorne’s story before the. cameras until the present Is somewhat surprising. When Universal discovered that the Hawthorne tale had never before been filmed, it quietly began preparations for its production. Has No Desire to Achieve Fame as a Glamour Girl Hollywood boasts one actress who has not the slightest desire to be a “ glamour girl.” No fancy wardrobe for her. No special hair-dressers. She prefers pigtails and gingham dresses. She is twelve-year-old Virginia Weidler, featured in “ Bad Little Angel.” She plays a little waif whose faith and courage affect the lives of ■ a group of people in a small New Jersey town. “ Maybe I won’t always feel like this,” says little Virginia, “ but, gee, I can’t imagine anybody wanting to be all slinky and wearing silk gowns trailing behind them. They could never climb trees, or ride horseback, or do anything without mussing themselves up. But if you're mussed already, who cares? ” Virginia went on to say that she hoped some day to be a great comedienne, not dependant upon frills and furbelows. “You know, I’d like to be like Helen Hayes. Only I guess my nose is too turned up to be ever as pretty as she is. Her roles are always so real, too. Not like something you hear about, but never see. Margaret Sullavan is another one I’d like to be like in my serious days.” Also in this Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture are Gene Reynolds, Guy Kibbee, lan Hunter, Reginald Owen, Henry Hull and Lois Wilson. Star Made Debut in “Golden Boy 99 Willaim Holderi, who is co-starred with Martha Scott in Sol Lesser’s production of “ Our Town,” went into the theatre after he had decided that his profession should be in the field of bacteriology. At Pasadena Junior College, where he matriculated, young Holden started acting and was seen by a Paramount scout. On this lot he played odds and ends and posed for publicity stills. Anything might have happened if Rouben Mamoulian hadn’t been looking for a hero for “ Golden Boy.” Holden became that hero. Small parts in two more pictures followed, and then Lesser, casting around for a suitable “ George ” for “ Our Town,” I thought of Bill Holden and called hirp. in. William got the coveted role opposite Martha Scott. He is still interested in bacteriology. He keeps a microscope around the place and makes and occasional slide to look at. He collects recordings of jungle rhythms and does a bit of violin-play-ing. What interests him most is I acting. He claims he is just finding out what it is all about. He says that until Director Wood pointed out several facts to him, he had never realised how complicated acting can • b*