What's Happening Round the British Studios

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 25, 28 December 1934, Page 11

What's Happening Round the British Studios

Jan Kiepura Appears in Person — "Abdul Hamid" vo be Big Show — Lillian Harvey and "Buddy" Rogers For England — "Nell Gwyn" Welcomed.

British studios are humming with activity and ships bound for the Dominion are carrying a substantial number of new films. New Zealanders may expect to see the pictures mentioned below within the ‘next few months, .

AN KIEPURA, the Polish tenor, who won the hearts of British filmgoers by his work in "Tell Me To-night," had a wonderful welcome recently, when his latest production, "My Song for You," was shown for the first time at the New Gallery Cinema, London. A distinguished audience, which included Mr. Lloyd George, Mr. L. Hore-Belisha, Minister for Transport and Viscount Lee of Fareham, watched the picture with evident enjoyment, and at the end, when Mr. Kiepura appeared in person, he had a most enthusiastic reception. He had to sing seven or eight songs before being allowed to escape. A smiling, boyish, very likeable person, he would have sung from the windows to the crowds gathered in the street if it had not been pointed out to him that a traffic jam in Regent Street might not be welcomed by the police. Talking to a correspondent after the show he frankly confessed, himself delighted. "Applause-to the artists that is the breath of life!" he cried. "I like to sing, I like to work, but very much I like the applause." He certainly gets plenty of it-well deserved. ORDON HARKER and Ralph Lynn have been ieamed by ‘GaumontBritish and have started work on "Dirty Work" undcr the direction of Tom Walls. Others in the cast are Peter Gawthorne, Robertson Hare and Basil Sydney. " AFTER six months of preparation, work has now begun on ‘Abdul Hamid,’ which without doubt is going to be one of the greatest films, which B.I.P. have ever made," says the Bnglish "Cinema," Fritz Kortner is playing the rile of Abdul Hamid, and Nils Asther will play Kadar Pasha, the chief of police of Constantinople, who is Abdul’s right-hand man and chief conspirator and executioner. Adrienne Ames will play Therese, an Austrian dancer and singer, and John Loder, Tallah Pasha. ‘ ATHESON LANG, one of the finest stage and screen actors in England, has signed a contract with British International Pictures to star in two films. This follows Lang’s excellent work in

B.L.P.’s recent production, "The Great Defender," in which he played the role of the defending K.C. (GORDON ELLIS, of British Empire Films, bas received cable advice of important additions to B.I.P.’s lavish schedule, Iéllian Harvey will star in a special screen adaptation of "Invitation to the Waltz." Charles ("Buddy") Rogers has also been signed for a musical, "Dance Band."

"NLL GWYN" sets a new standard for British and Dominion Films, puts Anna Neagle across as a real star and not merely a lady whose name appears in lights, and reveals Sir Cedric Hardwicke as one of the greatest costume actors of his generation. His Charles II. js brilliant. He looks very like Charles, if the portraits do not lie; he has enormous dignity combined with the easy charm for which Charles wus famous ; his diction is an object lesson ; he achieves the maximum effect with the most superb economy of means. A tour de force by a great actor. Herbert Wilcox, equipped with a much better seript than usual, has directed .extraordinarily well. Only the last shot of ‘all, showing Nell walking slowly out of the palace after Charles’s death, seemed to miss fire. "WIpow’s MIGITY." starring Laura La Plante is nearing completion at Warners’ Teddington ~° (England) studios. Lhe supporting cast includes ‘George Curzon, Garry Marsh, Margaret Yarde, Barry Clifton, Hugh E. Wright. Hal Waters, Davina Craig and Joan Hickson. *e