Cecil Marks, Arrived From Sydney, Talks of Films For Coming Year

Radio Record, 9 December 1938, Page 14

Cecil Marks, Arrived From Sydney, Talks of Films For Coming Year

Popular film stars, Margaret Sullavan and Brian Aherne, are to play the leads in a new Hollywood film, ‘Captain Midnight,’’ a picture which will have an Australian background. _-This news was given to the ‘‘Record’’ by Mr. Cecil Marks, general manager in this part of the world for United Artists, when he arrived in New Zealand from Sydney the other day. Mr. Marks and his Australian organisation have lately been busy doing research work to supply the details necessary for this production.

"WE have got to thank New Zealand _picture-lovers for the way they have patronised United Artists’ attractions during the past year,’’ said Mr. Marks. ‘‘During the past year we . have released" many outstanding and popular films-‘The Hurricane,’ "Tom Sawyer,’ ‘Goldwyn Follies,’ ‘Algiers,’ ‘Blockade,’ ‘Divorce of Lady X, ‘The Drum’ and ‘Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel.’ TH the producers,’ story material and stars we have available, we predict that next year will be an even more outstanding one." Arriving in New Zealand this week is "The Young in Heart," a Selznick production, starring Janet Gaynor, Douglas Fairbanks, jun., Paulette Goddard, Roland Young and Billie Burke. Another early release is "There Goes My Heart," with Frederic March, Virginia Bruce, Patsy Kelly and Alan Mowbray. This has been produced by Hal Roach, celebrated comedy producer who has made the Laurel and Hardy series, and has come very much to the fore lately as the maker of "Merrily We Live" and "Topper." For United Artists,

Roach in 1989 will produce "Topper Takes a Trip" (Constance Bennett, Roland Young), and a comedy starring Oliver Hardy and the famous silent screen comedian Harry Langdon, the latter having taken the place of Stan Laurel as a result of a split in the Laurel-Hardy team. Next year, United Artists welcomes back to the fold of its preducers Edward Small, the man who made "The Count of Monte Cristo." The pictures he is scheduled to make are Alexandre Dumas’ story "The Man in the Iron Mask," "Kit Carson, Avenger," "King of the Turf," with Adolphe Menjou, and a follow-up to "The Hurricane" entitled "South of Pago Pago." Jon Hall, star of "The Hurricane" will be seen in this with Sigrid Gurie. Alexander Korda productions for

1939 include "The Thief of Basgdad" (in colour, and starring Sabu) and the A. EB. W. Mason story, "Wour Feathers’; also an HEnglish version of the successful French film "Prison Without Bars." . Together with "the Young in’ Heart," David O. Selznick will produce Carole Lombard and James Stewart in "Made for Hach Other." Then there are the Goldwyn pro-ductions-and Goldwyn should perhaps go first in the list. They will be "The Lady and the Cowboy" (Merle Oberon, Gary Cooper): "The Daring Age" (with the famous violinist Jascha Heifetz, Adolphe Menjou, Sigrid Gurie and Joel McCrea) ; "Wuthering Heights" (Merle Oberon); and "The Last Frontier" (Gary Cooper, Andrea Leeds). Walter Wanger productions include "Trade Winds" (Fredric March, Joan Bennett); "Stage Coach" (to be made by John Ford); "A ‘Man-and His Women," and ‘Winter Carnival." Mr. Marks is particularly enthusiastic about a new series of short subjects entitled "World Windows." These are travel pictures, with beautiful music taking the place of the usual spoken commentary. The camera work, and the colour photography, says Mr. Marks, are outstanding.