Not Butchered For A Movie Holiday

Radio Record, 12 June 1936, Page 27

Not Butchered For A Movie Holiday

By

TREVOR

LANE

NOW. ye cynics, turn over the page, look at the half-page adwertisement for "The Story of ‘Louis Pasteur," then wag your "heads knowingly. I can hear you saying already, "Ah-ha, so that’s the reason for the eulogistic writeup of the film. Sort of bribery, eh!" Well, it’s nothing of the sort! If I had had to pay several shillings to sit’on a hard seat in a draughty theatre, I would still be convinced that "The Story of Louis Pasteur" is one of the most significant things to come to the screen this year.

And it says a great deal for the rising | tastes of film-goers Warner Brothers, who, after all, aren’t in the business for fun, should consider it worth while turning the life of: a French chemist into a film.

Not Butchered. Paul Muni, as Louis Pasteur, is magnificent. | While the twentieth century may think of Disraeli, Rothschild, Voltaire and Richelieu looking like George Arliss, or go through life convinced that the Crusades were fought for the lily-white . hand of Loretta Young, there is little or no need to think that history has been butchered in this case to make ea movie holiday. Pasteur’s. life

was lived in an atmosphere of bitter disappointment, of hard work and. finally, of triumph. The outstanding incidents have been high-lighted, of course, but the story is factually correct. This is no dry tome of scientific and medical facts ,but qa living, human story that, if the people of New Zealand are as discerning in their film tastes as the

cinema fans of Hngland and America, should fill the theatres for many weeks. Popular Everywhere. THE outstanding success of "The Story of Louis Pasteur" has come as a surprise to everyone. When Warners ‘made it, they thought it. would do good business with that portion of the public that appreciates: a finely-constructed film of a biographical nature. Instead,

the whole of the public has flocked to it-the woman who usually goes to eternal triangle films, the flapper whose mind doesn’t go beyond the lightning limbs of Astaire and Rogers, the youth who likes cah-lege pictures with Crosby crooning somewhere in the background; they’ve all fallen under the spell of Louis Pasteur. And well

they might for this pieture has as much entertainment in its 9000ft. as any three other films f ean think of.

What of the , Censor?

USUALLY, a film taken from a successful "straight" play is rather flat beer. But not so "Living Dangerously," the British International film that was privately screened in Wellington the other evening. The thanks for this fact are due largely to the directors, who have skilfully changed the sequence of the scenes and so given. the story that "life" that the screen’ demands more than the stage, But the picture may have trouble with the censors. One

‘‘ Story of Louis Pasteur, " Factually Correct, and Splendid Entertainment

scene shows a man being shot in cold blood; another shows an important district attorney providing a murderer with a good alibi. But "Living Dangerously," which stars Otto Kruger and Leonora Corbett, is good entertdinment; part of the setting is London, the other,. New York, "Show. Boat" Here ° AMONG’ the‘ "many "amusing interludes in "Show Boat," which is to be shortly. released in New‘ -Zealand;, none: can surpass for brilliance of individual mimicry the: work’ ‘of Charles Winninger, who introduced the original role to New York audiences, As Captain Andy,. proprietor of the Show Boat. he takes the stage when one of the dramatic acts breaks down and completes the act, ‘single- handed, impersonating in’ turn the hero, the villain, the heroine and’ her sister. It was a ‘turn possible only ' from one mature in the ripe experience of the stage. To say it is side- splitting is inadequate ack: nowledgment' of ‘a brilliant, ‘piece’ of work,

Robeson Again CONSIDERING that work on the film version of "Show Boat" began only in July of ‘last

.year, the production of, this picture, previewed to a’ big audience at the Regent, "Wellington, on

Sunday evening, stands as a monument to the hurry-up methods of- modern talkie production. But in the hurry-up, nothing has been negiected, either in the matter of cast or presentation, It is essentially a musical production, and as its song hits preceded it the picture is assured of a popular following in New Zealand. Paul Robeson’s singing of "Ol’ Man River," the concerted work of Irene Dunne and Allan Jones, and the massed singing df the darkie ensembles explain in some measure why the stage play enjoyed such long runs in England and America, A Singing Find ALLAN JONES, who plays the masculine lead in "Show Boat" has had a quick rise to

fame. He was discovered by Carl Laemmle, junior, and had ‘only two minor screen appearances before being cast in this great show of shows. Jones, an Adonis with a charming voice, makes talkie history in collaboration with the equally charming Irene Dunne, for their yocal work in solo and duo carries "Show Boat" along on a very high note, Good Thing's. "THERE seem to be lots of: things coming out of the large sleeves of the J. C. Williamson Picture Corporation. "Little Lord Fauntleroy" is concluding a successful season at the Wellington Regent, with "The Amateur Gentleman," the British film starring Douglas Fairbanks, junior, as the next attraction. . Close on the heels of this is ‘Things to Come," the huge H. G. Wells drama which wrung leading articles from some

of the most conservative papers in Ingland. "Things to Come," which was privately screened in the presence of the Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet in Wellington at the weekend, is the most costly picture ever made in England-£260,000 of London Films’ good money. Fo.Jowing it will be "Desire,’ the Paramount special which introduces a new and more human Marlene Dietrich to the cinema world. Sten in England. ANNA STEN’S first British talkie, "A Woman Alone," is now finished and copies of the film are already on their way to New Zealand and Australia. The picture was previewed by Mr. Stuart Doyle, well-known Australian film head in London, and his cable to his Sydney office was most enthusiastic "‘A Woman Alone’ a magnificent production with tremendous woman appeal," he cables. "Anna Sten marvellous entertainment and the box-office value should be outstanding." Co-starred with Anna Sten is Henry Wilcoxon, who played a big part in mtbe Orusades."" "Rose Marie" Soon. FULLER-HAYWARDS, too, are not exactly lacking in big films.

The Majestic Theatre, Wellington, is at present screening "Thoroughbred," Australia’s first world-

standard: production, while’ the pictures to follow "Thoroughbred" include a new Laurel and Hardy feature, "THe Bohemian. Girl," "Wife versus Secre-

tary," with Myrna Loy, Clark Gable and Jean Harlow, "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine,’ the glorious Technicolour talkie that has caused critics to rave in 4 dozen different countries, and "Rose ‘Marie,’ the super-super effort with Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Hddy in the starring parts... And can’t you see the matinee fans'"avoiding the crush at night’ to get a’glimpse of the

handsome

. Myr,

Eddy

and his larynx?

"Green Light." -. MILTON KRIMS: has practically completed the script of "Green Light," the picture which: Warner Brothers will shortly prodyce as a starring vehicle for-Leslie Howard, based on Lloyd C: Douglas’s hestselling novel. Studid executives are enthusiastic over Mr. Krims’s tréatment of the story. "Green Light" will be filmed with an all-star cast sup-

porting

Mr_

Howard

Big Campaign. * = ° [F there was anyone. left in Wel- . lington who ‘didn’t know that "Thoroughbred," ‘the’ Australian talkie, was opening at the Majestic Theatre last Friday, they must have been either blind or bedridden. The city was campaigned from end to end -bookséllers had large -displays of the novel "Thoroughbred" in the windows.

boys selling race cards on street corners wore jockeys’ caps with the name of the film emblazoned across the front, a racehorse was paraded through the streets, members of the office staff of B.E.F. donned racing track garb and, wearing masks, walked round the town, a big drapery store had special window displays, 20,000 circulars were distributed and trams were liberally plastered with notices. Jane Harding. IN view of the recent newspaper splashes regarding the charges levelled against Ann Harding by her ex-husband, who accused her of "kidnapping" her own child, it is rather interesting to read Miss Harding’s views on the upbringing of the child. "I want Jane to have the normal childhood to which every child is entitled," she said. "I want her to get her education and grow up under as normal conditions as is possible for the child of a film star. When she grows up she will be permitted to select her own career, and, if it should be the screen or the stage, well, I would have no objections." Romantic Robert. PUBLIC Hero No. 1 among the romantic leading men in British films is Robert Donat, who has

recently been secured by GaumontBritish for a film tentatively titled "Sabotage." Sylvia Sidney has been lured across the Atlantic to play the leading feminine role, while Alfred Hitcheock will direct. The story is based on a novel by Joseph Conrad, and the setting is‘London. Incidentally, Donat’s first excursion into the

actor-manager game was not crowned with much success. He produced a play, "Red Night," in London, playing the leading role himself. But the

lh d hn dwbwrdend dL dordd-LdordorknddodododedAdodd td Le ll publie isn’t keen on war plays at the moment-anyway, "Red Night" had little to commend it-and the production flopped. Portable Sound. FROM the Tourist and Publicity Department comes the news that a 35-millimetre (standard size) portable sound projector has been made in New Zealand for the use of the department. It has already been used with satisfactory results, and is available for such occasions as shows and exhibitions. With the miles

and miles of film the department has wound round our: scenery and industries it is not surprising to find that as much enterprise is being shown for the exhibition of the celluloid as was devoted to its exposure.., ‘ New Songs. WITH "One Rainy Afternoon" completed, Pickford-Lasky are prepating to launch their second production, ""The Gay Desperado," an original story by Leo Birinski, starring Nino Martini, opera and radio star. Wallace Smith will do the screen play for the production-a new type of. musical laid in Mexico-which will be directed, by Rouben Mamoulian, Martini will sing two songs in the film, "To-night, Lover, To-hight," by Jack Stern and Harry Tobias, and ‘The Worid is Mine To-night," by Holt Maryell and George Posford. "A Failure." "THERE was a time when Ben Hecht and Charles Macarthur were regarded by the intelligentsia as the White Hopes of Filmland. That was when they broke away from the Hollywood machine and

produced that remarkable melodrama "Crime Without Passion." Since then they have made one picture of some note, "The Scoundrel," a success with the critics, a failure with the general public; one picture that was regarded as too bad to show.in any but the cheapest New York cinemas, and never shown in New Zealand at all; and now "Soak the Rich," which will please neither highbrows nor lowbrows, "Soak the Rich," like everything Hecht and Macarthur write, has some good stuff in it-but on the whole it is q failure, wavering uncertainly between melodrama, social satire, and the.comedy of ideas. Frith in Films. ALFRED FRITH, the well-known comedian, who kept thousands laughing in New Zealand in his role of Ginkle during the recent successful run of "White Horse Inn," has been signed to play the main starring role opposite Zane Grey in "White Death," the film that is being made in Australia from a story adapted by Zane Grey. Seven tons of equipment has been transported to the Barrier Reef, where the greater part of the film will be shot. Frith has had much stage

experience-he played 12 months on Broadway in "Dracula," and. has toured New Zealand in "The Cabaret Girl, " "Whirled Into Happiness," "You're In Love" and "High Jinks." Hepburn Again. R.E.O. (Radio), which seems to have been lying quiet since its Easter release of the phenomenally successful Astaire-Rogers film, "Follow the Fleet," shows signs of

| Sa = = much activity again. . What may easily turn out to be ‘the outstanding ' film of 1936 is on its way to New Zea-_ land now from the R.K.O. studios. It. is "Mary of Scotland," starring Katharine Hepburn, and: ‘the ‘American . critics, who must be getting pretty hard-boiled by this time, have been tossing typewritten superlatives about over this picture. "Mary of Scotland" is

already being tipped as-a. possible Academy winner for 1936. Another much-praised picture from R.K.O. is "The Hx-Mrs. Bradford," a mystery-cum-comedy drama, with William Powell in one of the roles he plays so well. Jean Arthur is in the cast, too. They’ve Done Well. JDROPPING into a Sydney cinema to have a look at the film version of "While Parents Sleep," the amusing stage play that had a most successful season in Australia, our Sydney correspondent writes that he was reminded that severdl of the members of the ‘cast in- the Australian production have since ‘done pretty well in ‘talkies. Mona Barrie was in the play-she ‘was Mona Barlee ‘In: those days; so was John Woods who has been seen in Australia and New Zealand -as ‘the young man who had a soft spot for papa’s slaves in R.K.O.’s "Last Days of Pompeii": Agnes Doyle played the part of Bubbles. Agnes’ has lately been signed up by an American: film company at a2 salary that will-make the ‘income tax officials of the United States rub their hands with glee. In Kentucky. °° (COLOUR in, motion. pictures, for years the dream of: studio executives, has finally arrived and the finished production under the title of "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine," gives Paramount, the producers, good. reason: to" ‘be proud of their achievement. The film, :which -tells of the' primitive mountain: folk and their’ instinctive ‘distrust’ for" miodern ‘civilisation, ‘has’ -its: action. entirely. set in..the:. thickly-wooded hill country’ of . Kentucky, which’ has: given’. "Pectinicolor photography a magnificent opportunity to bring to the screen all the natural colour and beauty of the mag_nificent scenery. tA

"Winterset." "THE biggest success on the New York stage this year, "Winterset," has been bought for the screen by R.K.O. (Radio). It was written by Maxwell Anderson and it shattered all precedent inasmuch as the drama representatives of the lead‘ing New York dailies chose it as the best play of the year without waiting for the Pulitzer Prize play committee to make its annual announcement. In the past the committee’s selection has been tacitly accepted as the official "best play’ of the year. More Ambitious. "WILDERNESS ORPHAN," the new Australian talkie that I wrote about in these columns some weeks ago, is now to -be produced

on more ambitious ‘lines than was originally planned. The script originally called for. about 5000ft. of film-now it is being expanded to give the picture a footage of about 7000. (By the way, you know that it takes about 11 minutes to run through 1000ft of film in the average cinema. Next time you see the footage announced on the sereen you can work out the picture’s. running-time for yourself.) Ken Hall announces that Bthel Saker, who played in the Melbourne production of "Sixteen" with Blaine Hamill, . has been added to the cast. She is a sister of Herbert Browne, the tenor, who was in New Zealand with "White Horse Inn" a.few months ago. Tax Bogey. PERHAPS you’ve wondered why a lot of the Hollywood "hig shots" are dodging round the world

making pictures far from their native haunts. . Well, the income tax bogey has a lot to do with it. Marlene Dietrich, who is now in England preparing to start work on her first British talkie, says that the change will give her a chance to keep more of her earnings than if she did the job in the United States. It is amazing, but the scale of taxation works out as follows: Salary 50,000 dollars, total tax 11,975 dollars. 75,000, 24,400; 100,000, 39,950; 200,000, 109,950; 500,000, 330,000. An income of 50,000 dollars or 75,000 dollars would be small for the average star. The majority of stars, directors and executives come in the 100,000 dollars. and 200,000 dollars brackets. About a dozen are understood to be in the 600,000 dollars class.

A dispatch states that William Powell is determined that the next, contract he signs will stipulate only two pictures a year, "T’ll work less, get more fun out of life and have just about as much money when I’m all through," he said. Leaps and Bounds. AT the rate Australia is progressing the country will soon have no need to import films-its own product will be able to fill all the theatres, Latest announcement is that F, W, Thring, well-known Australian theatrical producer, now on his way back from America, has secured options over the services of several well-known Hollywood stars and producers, "Typhoon ‘Treasure’ is announced as the title of Mr. Thring’s first venture; the scenario is now being prepared by an American expert.