Craft of the Cinema In Three Countries

Radio Record, 17 July 1936, Page 25

Craft of the Cinema In Three Countries

QF the films from which the above scenes were taken, one I’ve had a look at, two are pleasures in store. But more interesting is the fact that they represent the craft of the cinema in three countries-"Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" was made in America, "The Beloved Vagabond" in England, and "The Flying Doctor" in Sydney. "Mr. Deeds" is one of the finest examples of the American theatre that I know of; it isn’t Hollywood American-it stands for American art just as "The Doll’s House" is thoroughly Scandinavian and "The Cherry Orchard" so indisputably Russian. "The Beloved Vagabond" I can only talk about at secondhand, for a print of the film hasn’t arrived in New Zealand yet. It is adapted from W. J. Locke’s story and Maurice Chevalier is the star. The critics speak very well of it. "The Flying Doctor" hasn’t arrived in New Zealand yet, but I spent two or three days

on the set in Sydney and the actual scenes wore a professional’ air. WHAT is a star? Mr. Darryl Zanuck, production chief of

Twentieth Century-Fox, «and known in Hollywood as the "world’s biggest . star-picker," answers the question without any beating about the bush. "A star," he

declares, "is someone who, through his or her individual magnetism, is able to achieve distinctive box-office siiccess without the added- weight of supporting players He also adds that a ‘legitimate star’ can attract atleast two million patrons to the theatres of America, irrespective of the quality of the picture. Which seems to explain a great deal of the tripe we see on the screen. Myrna Loy Has It. A FEW of these rare creatures may possess what Mr. Zanuck ealls "individual magnetism’-Myrna Loy has it, and Elisabeth Bergner-but most of them have a good cameraman, or a good make-up man, a good dentist, or a good hairdresser. At every stage of the picture they are creatures of synthesis, wholly dependent-upon the light-

ing expert or the director, the sound engineer, or the cutter. They have as much care and cunning lavished on their moulding as Pygmalion spent on Galatea, and as often as not there is no life ‘in the marble at the end of it. Individual magnetism is all my eye, Goldwyn’s Latest. ‘THE Samuel Goldwyn productions for the coming season will include the following eight pictures:-Edna Ferber’s "Come and Get It," adapted by Jane Murfin, with Edward Arnold, Virginia Bruce and Francis X. Shields, which will be directed by Edward Hawks; Sinclair Lewis’s "Dodsworth," adapted by Sidney Howard, starring Walter Huston and Ruth Chatterton (this will be directed by William Wyler); Sam and Balla Spewack’s "The Princess and the Pauper," starring

Miriam Hopkins; Charles NordhoffJames Hall’s "Hurricane," adapted by W. P. Lipscombe, most of which’ ‘will be filmed in the South Seas, and’ probably in colour; the annual Eddie Cantor production, "Pony Boy," by Harry Selby, with Parkyakarkus as Eddie’s chief comie support; "Goldwyn Fol-

lies,’ an international revue; Sidney Kingsley’s "Dead End," based on one of the current stage successes on Broadway (this will probably be Miriam Hopkins’s second production for Goldwyn) ; the final production will be a starring vehicle for Merle Oberon. Great Matters. HILE on matters of great moment it seems suitable time to mention the fact that Shirley Temple keeps an autograph .album "filled with bright sayings, music, and verse, contributed by people with whom she has worked or has met. It is considered a privilege in Hollywood to be asked to contribute to the Shirley Temple ‘collection." Here is a gem from Jay Gourney, who wrote the lyrics for Shirley's first big picture, "Stand Up and Cheer" : : Everybody’s asking me Who’s that bunch. of personality? And my answer is always Miss Shir? ey ‘ Temple, : or you may like the following lyri¢ from a couple of musicians, Mack. Gordon and Harry Revel :- You’re the greatest inspiration to write about, You’re the. darling I simply delight about Your praises I’ll recite about, . Honestly, but definitely, I loves ya. He Makes Stars. JN film circles, Richard Dix ‘is s cteait- ed with having started moré actresses to fame than any other mascu-

line star, Among the many who soar~ ed to stellar rank after playing leads opposite Dix are Bebe Daniels, Esther Ralston, Nancy Carroll, June Collyer, Irene Dunne, Elizabeth Allen, Dorothy Wilson and Margot Grahame. Margaret Callahan, young RKO Radio "find" eurrently appearing opposite him in "Special Investigator," is his fortyfirst leading lady-and studio officials predict that she, too, will soon attain’ stardom in her. own right, "Stage Struck." Dick POWELL, who has been resting his voice for a while, went to work again recently in the big musieal picture, "Stage Struck," at the First National studios in Burbank, He will also resume his broadcasts, as the vacation he has enjoyed has put him in fine shape and his throat and voice

ate, despite certain rumours, in splendid condition again. "Stage Struck" is being produced as one of the biggest of all Warner Brothers’ musicals, Besides Dick, the stellar principals in-. elude Joan Blondell, Jeanne Madden. Warren William and Frank McHugh Busby Berkeley is directing the entire production. . "Thin Man" Role. GAIN mysterious murders call William Powell to the sereen as a crime-solver in RKO Radio’s "The exMrs. Bradford." And this new case of the debonair star, who made himself top sleuth of the screen in "The Thin Man," is reported to tax the ingenuity of solution-seeking filmgoers to the utmost. With blonde Jean Arthur costarred, romancing and clowning with him, Powell looks into the case of a jockey who is murdered during a race while riding an "odds-on" favonrite. The investigation of seven suspects is complicated by another murder, committed to throw suspicion on Powell himself.