British Films

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 22, 7 December 1934, Page 15

British Films

England Comes to the Front Whole World Flocking to British Talkies : Many Fine Films Promised from B.|.P. During 1935 When the talkies were introduced the British film industry was but a puny infant beside the Colossus of Hollywood. But when sound came to the screen, the English film forged ahead, and to-day it stands shoulder to shoulder with the American product and, in some cases, is miles ahead of it. But it was not the waving of a magic wand that brought this change about; hard work, a careful study of production methods, attention to public likes and dislikes, and the sympathetic handling of the stars have all contributed toward placing the British film industry in the enviable position in which it finds itself to-day. ;

"The first British talkie was ‘Blauckmail’ and was made by my company at Histree," said Mr. R. L. Grant, New Zealand manager for British International Pictures, in an interview with the "Radio Record." © " ‘Blackmail’ was followed by another ‘big success, ‘Atlantic,’ and the public response to these two films so heartened the producers that

they immediately set about laying more ambitious plans for the future. The talkies caught the American companies ‘on the hop,’ as it were. and the early Hollywood efforts were made in studios that were not meant for sound. England had not ‘advanced far in the-silent field so that, when talkies became established, the producing companies were able to go, ahead with the ‘erection of special sound studios ‘Tnder the Greenwood Tree’ was: another B.LP.

film that enjoyed splendid seasons-it had ‘in the cast John Batten, the young Aucklander, and brother of the famous Jean. "In the early days British talkies had to be sold’ to the public by means of ‘flag-waving’ and appeals to patriotism. That is to say, the picture-going public had grown used to seeing silent British pictures that were definitely inferior to the American, and the British talkie had to-overcome this formidable | hurdle. But gradually the public came to realise that the British talkie was equal, and often superior. to the Ame-'-can-especially in the matter of voice’ and accent-and now a picture from the Hnglish studios can ‘stand on its merits-and does! Pictures like ‘Henry the Bighth’ and ‘Blossom Time’ are head and shoulders above anything from Hollywood. ! "Great Britain, too, does not lag behind .America in the matter of salaries Gracie Fields, probably the most popu lar star in the Empire to-day. receives £65,000 for each picture she makes-a salary that can’t {be touched by any American star. She has just completed ‘Sing As We Go,’ a film for which the scenario was written‘/by no less an author than J. B. Priestley. ‘Sing As We Go’ is to be released in New Zealand early in 1935." : Mr. Grant went’ on to discuss the films that his company will be releasing in New Zealand in:the near future. In the forefront is Richard Tauber’s first English film, "Blossom Time." This picture was recorded on (B.I.P.’s latest recording system known as ‘"Ambiphono," and all who see this film will agree that anything nearer the actuai sound would be almost impossible to. achieve. Next on the list isia production that promises to put all previous musical shows to shame-‘Radio Parade of 1935." A great story has-been written for this show, which will contain all the radio stars who are so well known i this‘country through broadcasts of their recordings. A third spectacular production which is now under way is "Abdul Hamid,"

which features beautiful : Adrienne Ames, the American actress-millionair-ess, and wife of Bruce. Cabot, wellknown young film star. Nils Asther is included «in the cast, and so is Fritz Kortner, the actor who made a big hit in "Chu Chin Chow," and who also played a’ small but impressive ‘part in "Little Friend." Gertrude Lawrence and Douglas Fairbanks, junior, have been signed for

the ‘leading roles in "Vie de Boheme," a play which should give these famous stars ample opportunity to display their "talents. Matrimonial rumours have floated about these two for some time (it will be remembered that. Fairbanks was once married to Joan Crawford), and picture-goers will welcome this ‘opportunity of seeing them together on the screen. "The Old Curiosity Shop" tis also on B.ILP.’s schedule, and this famous Dickens story is being directed by Thomas Bentley, noted director and Dickensian. Jacki Doyle, the Irish boxer, is to appear in a film version of "McGlisky, ‘the Seg Rover," and with him will be that beautiful Continental star, Tamara Desni. Will Hays, whose first talkie, "Those Were the /Days," was such an outstanding success in New Zealand, has been signed up for another film, "Dandy Dick," which is also adapted from ia Pinero play. Joseph Schmidt, the diminutive tenor who has frequently been heard on the jair, will appear in the musical show, "My Song Goes Round the World," which has a Venetian set‘ting ‘and is concocted of glamour, romance, laughter and sighs. — "Mister Cinders," the gay musical comedy which enjoyed such a long and successful season ‘at the London Hippodrome, has been made into a film with Clifford Mollison and Zelmg O’Neal in the leading roles. Miss O’Neal tis a young American who has suddenly leaped to the front in British comedies. She was half the ‘fun in "Give Me a Ring," and more than half the fun in "Freedom of the Seas." The New ‘Zealand branch of the B.I.P. is also handling several Australian films. Talkies from the Commonwealth have been remarkably successful in this country and such pictures ‘as "On Our Selection," "The Hayseeds," "The Squatter’s Daughter" and "The Silence of Dean Maitland" have come perilously near breaking the records established by American : super-features. "Splendid Fellows" is an Australian talkie that is due for release in New Zealand at Christmas-time. It is probably the most ambitious Australian film yet made, and its star is Bric Colman, brother of ‘the celebrated Ronald. "Robbery Under Arms" is an Australian film that will have particular interest for picture-goers on this side of the ‘Tasman as it numbers among its cast Blaine Hamill, the beautiful young New Zealander who jleft her home in Taihape to try her luck in the film world of Sydney. Miss Hamill is a charming blonde, who was ‘concerned last year in the Paramount "Search for Beauty" contest. New Zealand’s first talkie is also due for jrelease shortly. It is tentatively titled "Down on the Farm," and is similar to "On Our Selection" in that it . is a story of ithe. rip-roaring comedy type. From shots already reviewed, "Down on the Farm" should be a big success in the Dominion, ‘especially in view of the fact that the entire cast has been drawn from New Zealanders, From these details some idea can be gained of the progress that is being made in the film industry, not only in Hngland, btit in the colonies, British International Pictures is the oldest film-producing company in England, and it is ably living up to its ‘motto, "British pictures for British peoplebut not at the cost of merit."