FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 1931.
TALKIE TALKS
by
Diane
THE
CHINA MAIL.
"MAN TROUBLE" FIRST SCREENING HERE.
MILTON SILLS THE STAR.
tion and the acting. "Thunderbolt" is wonderfully well rounded-truly a master motion picture.
"ROMANCE."
takes the part of the philandering ROUND THE CINEMAS matches the perfection of the direc husband. Marie Dressler has an other striking role, that of the eccentric Dowager-as usual perfec- tion. Raymond Hackett, Gilbert Emery, Sally Ellers all good. The scenes are laid in attractive society settings. Miss Shearer and the others wear delightful creations by Adrian. I guarantee when you see "Thunderbolt" was one of the ing voice. Best thing that Jean it you will admit it is one of the first Talkies made, but there is no Hersholt has done in the Talkies, biggest hits of the year, and it terday in the talkie film "Man Trouble" in which Dorothy Mac- denying that George Bancroft is and Ralph Forbes all that one de- should fill the Queen's for a weekkaill is the leading lady. Sills has
sired as the
handsome German
officer. It was a big success in the Central
*
诗
*
*
*
It is a great pity that Milton Sills, the film star, is dead. He was heard at the Queen's Theatre yos-
a fine, clear tone, and he would have inade much progress in talkies had
HOLLYWOOD GOSSIP.
he lived. "Resurrection" has been done by and John Boles. Lupe Velez Dolores del Rio has dono nathing since the shelving of "The Dove." The Duncan Sisters, the best and
perfectly cast in a Bancroft-made- to-order rolo. He shares honours with Richard Arlen, two other men also coming in for their share with outstanding portrayals, Tully Mar- "Good News," a silly Collegiate sha and Fred Kohler. It is dar-story, but good music, splendid ingly conceived and pictured with chorus work, right kind of atmos- swaggering virility by one of the phere plus little Bessie Love, danc- finest producers of the day, Josefing "The Varalty Drag." Ukelele most famous of all sister acts, have von Sternberg. Denma shot with Ike. and the football hero, Stanley parted. Mrs. Nils Asther has gone comedy, Some may question the Smith, and you are in for quite a with her husband to Berlin. What good taste of the dialogue between cheery evening, if you like this a loss to the vaudeville stage.
Now that Reginald Denny la a the inmates of the death cells. type, go by all means! (Queen's).
supporting player and not a star, What made the lump come into my throat was the love of the brutal "Song of my Hearl." What is its he is making an enormous success, man for the mongrel dog. His exit recommendation? The greatest going from one star, to another, and is one of those moments in films hullad singer of all time rambles praise all along the line. We shall that staards out in my memory. through a silly plot, and sings-see him shortly in "Madam Satan
mirth. Maurice Chevalier has been an Fay Wray is convincing, and cer- sings well to tell the truth-eleven tainly pretty. There is this much to be said in its favour-the story is
new, and in this day
of
plagiarism something for which to
be thankful. (Central).
屹
*
What good news! The two artistes for whom I fell so badly in "The Grand Parade, Helen Twelvetrees and he with the lovely golden tener voice, Fred Scott, in their second Talkie. "Swing High," a tale of circus life, is due on Sanday in the Majestic Theatre. If it be half as good as their first elfort, we are in for an entertain- ing evening. Drama and song and really fine acting. (Majestic).
*
*
*
in
Bebe. Daniels
The plot of "Man Trouble" is more or less of the usual type, that is,, newspaper man versus racketeer. Sills is the latter and he runs a night club in New York, and leads a notorious gang of men in robbing warehouses. The newspaper man is Kenneth MacKenna, who falls in love with Dorothy Mackalli, but she is obliged to Sills for her rescue when she jumped into a river. Apart from its excitement and dramatic ending, Roscoe Karns, and cast supply much others in the
In an interesting newsreel one sees Britain winning the relay race at the Empire Gaines at Ontario, whilst the landing of the French
America, after their fight from Paris, is also featured.
"THUNDERBOLT."
songs. Some good, some indiffer-absolute failure on the stage. The ent. some perfect. We have for Press have advised him to stick to years listened with joy to the Vic- the Talkies, not go about demand- tor records of John McCormack, ing exorbitant salaries for his very Even though many of us have had small singing voice, and the privi-airmen, Coste and Bellonte in the pleasure of seeing and hearing lege of seeing the "Million Dollar (What a Press Agent him in all parts of the world, we Smile." shall want to see his first Talkie. that man has). Hardly worth the
hear he was paid $500,000 for price of admission.
"The Merry Widow" will be pro- this, and asks $650,000 for the next, so there may not be a next. duced by M.G.M., BUT they are The recording of his voice is per-dangling after Maurice Chevalier feet. John could not be more than of Paramount, and Ernest Lubitsch in his late forties, but he has been of the same Studio, and Jeanette my Macdonald now of the Fox. Fer- singing for years, and is to mind as good as over. We are sonally I think this cast would be unable to say that of other singers perfect.
# *
*
30
Bancroft and Von Sternberg! Marvellous portrayers of life on the screen. It seemed that these two, director, Achieved the star and
on the greatest things possible screen with "Thunderbolt" now showing in the Central Theatre, in the all-talking screen medium, the miracle workers have perfected a new and greater picture of life in the little known milieu of the underworld.
In playing opposite Greta Garbo in "Romance," which is showing on Sunday in the Queen's Theatre, Gavin Gordon undertook one of the before
most difficult assignments the microphone.
As the minister-lover of the opera atar in the picturisation of the Edward Sheldon play, Gordon en- acted the part of a man 28 years old. In the prologue and epilogue he had to "age" scenes, however, himself physically and vocally 50 years, appearing as a man nearing 80.
Clarence Brown directed the new Garbo talkie for Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer from the adaptation by Beaa Meredyth and Edwin Justus Mayer of the play in which Doris Keane triumphed on the stage.
Lewis Stone heads the supporting
cast which includes Elliott Nugent, Florence Lake, Clara Blandick, Mathilde Comont, Henry Armetta, and Countess Nina de Liguoro.
UNCLAIMED TELEGRAMS.
THE EASTERN EXTENSION AUSTRALASIA & CHINA TELEGRAPH CO., LTD.
The following unclaimed tele- gram le lying at the EE Tels graph Co. Office, Hong Kong:-
Lee, 2nd floor, Morrison Hill Road, from Macao.
S. LACK
Superintendent. Hong Kong, January 29. 1931.
THE GREAT NORTHERN TELEGRAPH CO., LTD. OF DENMARK.
who have been before the public' Adolphe Menjou is highly prais- as long as McCormack. The story ed for his work with Lawrenso her and support I will leave to your Tibbetts and Grace Moore in "The "Love Comes criticism. Enough, just to hear New Moon."
Count
WAS Jobyna Howland, who Rupert the celebrated Irish tenor, by
good in "The Cuckoos" and "Haney", appeared in the Ameri- "Man Trouble" with the late can and London productions of with "The Gold Diggers," and was for Milton Sills and the girl
at his best, three seasons in "Kid Boots" with whom he was ever
I saw them in Eddie Cantor. Dorothy Mackaill. their first Talkie together, "The Captive Woman," they were both FATAL AVALANCHE.Her ways the lives and destinies Road, from Cardston, Alberta.
first drama,
directed Along," Julian, who told me that Bebe is McCormack. (Queen's). really fine in dramatic roles, and rings in another "Win". Between them they have done their best to make a weak story rate at 75 per cent, with the aid of Lloyd Hughes and Montague Love. Bebe sings two catchy sumbers. It is well worth seeing. (Central).
*
*
*
"His First Command" in the Majestic Theatre, the first Talkie we have had here of William Boyd, now known as Billy Boyd. Join the Army and win your girl, that is the theme. Dorothy Sebastian excellent in the feminine lead, quite an amusing story, and also served to introduce, for the first time, Greta Garbo's "Lead" in "Romance," Gavin Gordon, in the part of the other man.
The
*
excellent, and so they are in this, one of the first taken after his severe illness. It also serves to
new ↓
this face to introduce Colony, and an actor whom I rate very high, Keaneth Mackenna. We
ITALIAN TROOPS STILL MAROONED.
·Paris, Yesterday. Sixty-three Italian soldiers are are shortly to see him in one of the still marooned in the snow at Bar- adventures of Bulldog Drummond, under the title of "Temple Tower" donneche, and cannot be rescued
No stronger drama has ever been .conceived; no greater emotional
climax ever screened than Von The following unclaimed tele- Starnberg and Bancroft have grama are lying at the office of brought forth in "Thunderbolt." the Great Northern Telegraph Opening in the Intriguing atmos-
Company (Limited) of Den- mark:- phere of Harlem's black metropolia, where Bancroft as a fearful death
of hundreds, of human beings, it awings to the awe-inspiring setting of Sing Sing's Death Row, where the final exciting dimaxes in this most exciting drama are enacted.
The story captures and viviűcs the dramatic incidente that cross the news horizon in the newspapers
As one expects from this combina-by ordinary means as there is con-every day. It goes behind these stant danger of another avalanche. | flitting episodes and brings the tion, we shall see real he-man
Meanwhile, would-be rescuers whole tale forward. Superbly act- drama, amidst the glamorous night life of New York. Highly recom-have succeeded in passing to the ed by a splendid cast, headed by mended, both artistes at their very marooned men eighty pairs of Bancroft, Richard Arlen and Fay waterproof boots. through A Wray, it is a slice of contemporary best. (Queen's).
specially emptied underground life made to live. water conduit.-Neuter.
*
*
sincerity, charm and humour of Ramon Novarro pleased From one who knows, take the his admirer in the week in "The tip that Warner Brothers' "Show Call of the Flesh." A story of old of Shows" to be seen shortly in Seville. Ramen sings and dances the Queen's is on a par with Paul with Renee Adoree as his partner Whiteman's revue, "King of Jazz." in a Cantina, which is surprisingly They are the best so far produced. near a Convent. Still, it does give What a galaxy of stars, bits of dear little much-Improved Dorothy everything to please all tastes. Jordan a chance to climb the wall John Barrymore above criticism in and gaze upon her idol, and then Gloucester's Soliloquy from Henry to do the most daring thing VI. Winnie. Lightner, Ted Lewis, AND what marvel- house and Noah Becry. if she might
his lous work by the chorus trained by be cook! Good story that, but Larry Ceballos. NOT to be miss.
run
ask
away
to his
I am not surprised that both ed. More of it later! (Queen's). his late lady-love and the innocent
*
*
Convent girl's brother are modern; Clara Bow in "True to the Navy" enough to believe the worst. The in the Central Theatre. In this the atory gives opportunities galore "It" girls singe. The story is re- for the sweet voice of the star. miniscent of her silent alm, which Ernest Torrence and Mathilde I liked, "The Fleet's In." Fredric Comont took my fancy in amali March steals the heart of the little parts. Renee Adoree in the best girl who runs the soda fountain thing she has done in the Talkies. which appears to be the home of (Queen's).
the entire Pacific Fleet. It is de cidedly "Bowish" if that conveys my meaning, but the little girl is worthier of better stories. There are a few moments of good comedy See it, because Clara is always worth seeing and hearing (Central):
*
*
*
After this finishes, comes Greta Garbo in Dorla Kean's "Romance."
0
* * *
The picture that has made ma wholly and heartedly a Barrymora [ "fan" is "General Crack,” . Export
sive and elaborate production of George Preedy's novel of an 18th Century soldier of fortune. Lowell] Sherman as Leopold IInd per- fect. Marion Nixon miscast as bie] sister. I do not fancy Armida; she' disappoints; but the men and the story? Oh wonderfull More
about it later.
#
*
(Queen's),
Hurry up, Rudy Wallee, the idol of the Radio and the Victor Re- corde. We know you cannot net. but after all you really do, make that old saying go to the wall, about "Jack of all trades and
I do not mean she wrote. It. No, manter of none," for you certainly Edward Sheldon did that, but CAN do more than one thing well, Doris Kean WAS the living emYou sing, you play the "Sax," and bodiment of WHAT Sheldon In-you steal our hearts. What more tended Cavalial to be AND Greta can we expect in reason? The Garbo? Well, ses if I am not name of the concation that will right. She was most ill-advised to sorve te introduce to our eyes the even try the part. The Garbo man whose crooning volca we all "Fans" will want to see it, so I love? "The Vagabond Lover." will leave criticism and what I (Central) personally think of this per- formance till later, (Queen's).
"Let us be Gay" Norma Shearer's fith Talkie, will shortly "Mamba" was a pleasant Burbe seen in the Queen's Theatre. prise. I know my East Africa, and Many regard it as the best of them the story rings true. I certainly all. Robert Z. Leonard directs. It want to add more of the delightful is" from the stage play by Rachel Eleanor Boardman. She looked a Grothers and adapted by the picture in the colour photography, Famous Frances Marion Playing and has a cultured beautiful speak-- opposite le Rod la Rocque whe
[An earlier message stated that a column of Italian Alpine troops on the march near the Franco-Italian border, were surprised by a hillside avalanche, which carried away a cap- tain and twelve men. A company of Alpini reported to be missing. Was said to have arrived at Bardonneche with several dent.]
In "Thunderbolt," the all-talking medium of screen presentation is exceptionally effective. There are so many things to hear as well as to see that the combination of picture and sound is necessary to The the complete entertainment. perfection of the dialogue recording
Wong K. Bart, 112, Queen's
Bethsteel, from New York.
F. V. JENSEN,
Superintendent. Hong Kong, January 21, 1931.
YESTERDAY'S SOLUTION
"AİLİ EN GR
ILL
MEAST
SPEED
AN PROS
BETRO
ONE R NUMBER SOONER ETUDE NEEDS
THE
HONG KONG
PENINSULA HOTEL:
HONG KONG HOTEL: REPULSE BAY HOTEL ; PEAK HOTEL
AND
SHANGHAI
ASTOR HOUSE: PALACE HOTEL.
HOTELS,
LIMITED
11
In association with the Grand Hotel des Wagons Lits, Peking.
THE HARBOUR VIEW PRIVATE HOTEL,
8-12, Chatham Road, Kowloon,
Finest Suation on the. Peninsula. Large Airy Rooms with Fall Benefit of the Cool Sea Breazes. Unequalled Calsins.
Phone
Tel 56734.
Proprietress:-Mrs. Gardiner.
Cable Add. "Harviaw."
SAVARIN HOUSE
Telephone
56780
PRIVATE HOTEL.
31-34, Wing Lok Building, 1st floor. ALL MODERN CONVENIENCES. UNPARALLELED CUISINE.
The finest of foods and wines served in the brightest and most attractive surroundings. class orchestra. luxurious lounges.
First-
Specious and
Tiffin $1.10.
Tel. Add.
"Savarin" H.K.
Hotel Cecil
Renowned for its High-Class Cuisine and Service combined wih a Moderate Tariff. Near shops and theatres. Yat in a pleasing neighbourhood.
Dinner $1.30.
ENCLOSED IN ORIENTAL FERNERY AND EASTERN CHARM.
SELECT PRIVATE HOTEL,
Furnished with An eye to the comfort of its tenants. Luxuris ous single And double rooms large and airy.
THE MARBLE HALL
21, Nathan Ed., Kowloon.
Telephone 57089.
Modern bata- tooma attached
to each zoom,
and private gar- age benefits
moborists.
DAILY CROSS-WORD PUZZLE.
FROM NOW ON -
-OUR CIGARETTE!
(This cross-word puzzle has been made by an expert but
our readers are warned to look out for occasional phonetic spellings, such as harbor, plow, and altho.)
THE FAVOURITE
OF DISCRIMINATING SMOKERS
THREE CASTLES
CIGARETTES
FAMOUS FOR FIFTY YEARS
2
19
12
17
18
25
16
5
7
8
36
42
47
150
$49
HORIZONTAL
1-Converse In
gossipy manner
HORIZONTAL (Cont.) |36-Goddess of the sen (Norse Myth)
5-8ubstance used, for[37-A protuberancă în
fuel
9-Graded
+11-Morita
12-Pronoun
the skull
a8-Scotch river
40-Exist
41-8eed-covering
13-Boy's name (short) 42-Fondle 16-Feminine name 44-Arab (abbr.) 16-A continent (abbr) 45-Part of a carpenter' 17-Insect
joint.
19–To soek, as a favor 47-Any ́asttled opinion} 20-Dafaca
49-Groove 21-8tout twilled linen 50-Pltof 23-A doctrine 25-Time period
26-DBORY 27-Part of the body .28.Pronoun..
'25 Greek letter Ei
80-Combining form. Als
82-A 'Greolan Island -
$4-One who homrdá.......
avariciously
VERTICAL Ponitď'a' bad- 2-Detested
-Near
4-Half-cora
6-Woodland spielt. (Gr. Myth.) 6-Comparative
139
VERTICAL (Cont:)) 8-Title of former
- Russian rulers 10-Formal statement. 13-Amuand 14-U. 8. monetary unit
(abr.)
16-8Kits
16-Before 20-Joined
22-Wrathful
24-Part of face (pl.)
20-Esplo
31-A color
32-An animal 83-Terminate 84-SWAD [35–Enfargon, an a holo |36-Fadent (pl.)
|30-Time-period (pl.) [41-Kitchen utensil
45-8mail child
7-First year's revenue 48-Negative reply"
48-Depart
of a bishop
(The solution of the above cross-word puzzle will appear jp to-morrow's issus along with a neto cross-word puzzle.)