TALKIE TALKS
by
- DIANE
SPLENDID COLUMBIA RELEASES
SHORTLY AT KING'S
FAMOUS ENGLISH MIMIC'S HOLLYWOOD
DEBUT IN "MR. SKITCH."
"Stand Up And Cheer Should Prove Big Hit.
RENE DUNNE. like Anne but they all make the best of it,
Harding, da always be
lied uupon to give us something wise if you missed seeing and different from sweet, brainless hearing the wonderful little En- beauty and feminine wiles. For glish girl, Florence Desmond. this reason her pictures are al(All due at the Alhambra). ways worth a visit. "Anne Vickers" is the film version of Sinclair Lewis' novel, so that
"Lets Fall In Love"
Hundreds of girls were tested for you will be assured of good dia- the Columbia film, "Let's fall in logue. Cramming the life's his-Love", and Harriet Lake, a Broad- tory of the heroine into a few way show girl, was chosen. reels has naturally rather spoilt studio changed her name to Anne the story, and much of the ori-Sothern,
scen
The
here recently in
ginal satire and exposure of pri-"Melody in Spring, and she has son life has been left out. The proved herself of stellar material
Here again we have Hollywood film concentrates mure upon the sexy side, and the romances of from the Inside, and pratty Anne the girl which are shattered.
on
THE CHINA MAIL, FRIDAY, JULY 27, 1934,
Napoleon and his Empress Josephine, Hollywood version, are portrayed by Carl Laemmle, Jr., and Miss Binnie Barnes, who selected these roles to attend the brilliant costume party given in the motion picture capital by Laemmle for stars of the colony, re-
cently.
"This Man Is Mine"
LAURA
LA PLANTE
SHORT
“IT IS TIME WE HAD OUR FREEDOM”
MARRIED SHOTS Elissa Landi Sues
Community Kissing
at Wedding.
Paris.
Miss Laura La Plante, the American Alm atar
Was married here recently to Mr. Irvine Asher, the London studios, director of Warner Bros.
Mr. James Walker, the ex-Mayor
JOAN CRAWFORD IN "INDO-CHINA.”
COMEDIANS SUED
(BY DIANE)
The George O'Brien's (Mar- guerite Churchill) have a son.
For Divorce.
DISTINGUISHED CAREER
•
Hollywood, June 26. Elissa Landi has started, divorce action against Mr. John Cecil Lawrence, London lawyer, it was learned to-day.
Mr. Lawrence refused to join her in Hollywood through fear of
Land.'
of New York, and his wife, better Two comedians are being sued joining that unenviable group of known as Betty Compton, acted as for divorce, Slim Summerville and husbands here known only because of their wives' fame in pictures, witnesses.
Ned Sparks.
Miss Landi said. "My husband at Miss La Plante stated that in Conrad Veldt will again be co first did everything possible to marrying again she has not acted starred with Madeleine Carroll, in insure the continuation of my act- on any sudden impulse because she Anna Karenina, with directioning and writing," she said. "Now met Mr. Asher 14 years ago in by Letha Mendes, at one time the he refuses to submit to any situa- Hollywood, After the ceremony husband of Dorothy Mackall.
tion that he says might entail his they returned by aeroplane to Lon- Sylvia Sydney will be George being called 'Mr. Elissa don where the bride is to start Raft's leading lady in "Lime This is no doubt pardonable mas- work immediately on a new film. house Nights."
culine pride. They were accompanied by Mr. George Arliss will appear as
Constant Refusal Walker and Betty Compton, who is the Duke of Wellington in his first "I have continually besought my to play in an English film entitled | British pleture, "The Iron Duke" husband to make his home over "The Richest Girl in the World." Columbla have to pay the stiff here, but my requests have only
price of £16,000 for the services met with constant refusal.
My 1of Warner Baxter.
high regard for the marriage con- William Powell will play the tract has resulted in my practi- part of Flo Ziegfeld in the Univer- cally living the life of a hermit in sal film which Bille Burke, Mrs. California, and has caused me to Ziegfeld, helped to write. be stigmatized as the coldest wo
STAGE DRENCHED AT REHEARSAL
Bath For Chorus.
London.
Greta Garbo intends to make a man in Hollywood.' I have.no In- (picture based on the story of her terest in marrying again and de- own life written by a Spanish sire to devote myself to seting and author.
writing." Evelyn Laye will co-star with "I think," said Miss Landi, "It Ramon Novarro in a musical for is time we both had our freedom, M.G.M., "Tiptoes".
though I regret that necessity has Wallace Berry, Robert Mont-made this inevitable. gomery, Clark Gable and Myrna
plays as a fake Swedish 6lm dis- Let down by her first lover Covery of the director, played by
Edmund Lowe, palmed off (Bruce Cabot) she takes up 30- cial welfare and prison reform. Producer Gregory Ratoff. The dis- Then she meets the Judge Bar-covery of the hoax is brought about! ney Dolphin (Walter Huston), by the director's jealous girl friend,
showy and beautiful. Followed by Tala Birel sur- a married man with whom she Miriam Jordan.
In August, Radio will release two the romantic Maurice Chevalier, The sudden descent of eight lives. When he is accused of prises in a small part. Gregory films that have been highly praised Edward Everett Horton and Baby le tone of water on the stage of the fraud, and both their careers are Ratoff steals many scenes. Edmund by the critics. One is "This Man Roy in "Bedtime Story". Helen Duke of York's Theatre recently ruined. she earns a living by Lowe is all that he should be, and is Mine", with Irene Dunne, Con-Twelvetrees is also in the cast, but nearly led to the abandonment of writing. and awaits his release. Miss Sothern has a charming per stance Cummings and Ralph Bel- the charm of Maurice, the adorable the matinee performance of the Loy are all to play in the M.G.M
lamy. Two more people add bril-Baby and humourous Horton make musical comedy "Happy Week-Mutiny on the Bounty. liance to an excellent picture, Kay this the success it is. Johnson and Sydney Blackmer.
Prison reform is touched upon insonality and an attractive voice. passing, and the seenes dealing with it are poignant and realis-
tic.
Miss Dunne makes "Anno” lovable and human, while Waller Huston carries off his role with his usual artistry. Others In the cast who stand out are Edna May Oliver, on whom we depend for the humour, Courad Nagel, now acting in a play on Broad- way. Bruce Cabot, Sam Hardy and Kitty Kelly, The latter, to my way of thinking, is a grand little actress with too few chances. John Cromwell, the director. handles this intelligent | film with understanding. Worth seeing. (King's).
"Frontier Marshal”
Three films of different types are due at the Alhambra. First a Western, "Frontier Marshal." that is well above the average, by virtue of excellent atmos- phere. brisk direction (Lew Seil- er) and first-class acting.
The hero, Michael Wyatt (George O'Brien), falls in love with Mary Reid (Irene Bentley) while travelling with her through Arizona, and on finding that her father has been mur- dered. stays to find the culprit. |
Two of the leading stars in Fox Film's new musical, “Stani Up and Cheep!" coming shortly to the King's Theatre. They are Madge Evans, one of the screen's most beautiful actresses, and Shirley Temple, the sensational four-year-old "find.” -
The theme song will haunt you
In this he is aided by Abe for days. If you don't feel tired of (George Stone) and Queenie back-film stories, you will find this (Ruth Gillette) the "Mae West"one light and trifling, with plenty of saloon keeper.
pep and spirit.
You can't beat George O'Brien for this virile active type of he "A Lady For A Day” man. Irene Bentley makes an This is followed by another
attractive heroine. while the Columbia release, which brought rest, including Berton Churchill, the highest honours to the famous Russell Simpson and others, put 70-odd-year-old Australian actress, over a strong story sprinkled May Robson, "A Lady for a Day": with suspense and laughs. Quite Her delightful characterisation of a change from the ordinary the old apple seller shared the second Westerns.
place in the Motion Picture Academy This is followed by another Award with Diana Wynyard, of Fox release, "Hello Sister." star-Cavalcade" fame. ring James Dunn and Boots Mal- In this interesting story we find
lory, and comedy situations by the inimtable Zazu Pitts.
her selling apples on street corners
The age-old plot where the so that her daughter may be brought boy, having broken off with his p as a lady in a Spanish convent, where she is kept in ignorance of sweetheart because of false ac cusations, rescues her in an ex- her to be a woman of wealth. On her mother's occupation, and believes citing scene from Я burning building, is used. Just. the ro-deciding to visit New York, the old mance of two lonesome people in lady, with the help of a superstitious a big city. Fair entertainment gambler, has to live up to this-Iden- In "Mr. Skitch," personalities Sounds rather like "Cinderella" in rather than the story count. The a different dressing, but the splan- "Skitch" family, consisting of did acting, and spporting cast com- Will Rogers, Zazu Pitts and prising Warren William, four kids are sold up in Missouri, Norton, Jean Parker, Glenda Far- and take to the road in the fam-rell, Guy Kibbes Ned Sparks and ily "livver" in search of fortune, other, not forgetting the outstand- They pick up Florence Desmonding work of Miss Robson, makes (her first Hollywood film) on the this a picture, you would be foolish way, and she supplies her fam-to miss. (King's). ous imitations of the various "stars."
"Stand Up And Cheer"
Barry
In "Stand up and Cheer", honours So many know her famous re-in this spectacular Fox musical are cord of "The Hollywood Party," easily taken by the now child sense- and in this film they will find her tion, four-year-old Shirley Temple. as wonderfully convincing as She is a Fox star who positively she is on records or radio, One must be seen. Add to this Wamer of the best "Bits" is when she Baxter, John Boles, Madge Evans, stands beside Zazu and takes her James Dunn and many more. The off exactly to the finger-tips, picture is really outstanding with She is undoubtedly the hit of an unusual plot, superior tunes and the piece, and scores heavily dances. More of it later, but put The materials hardly comes it on your Must Bee at Coming up to the Will Rogers standard, shortly to the King's.
¡End."
It I hear that Ronald Colman in, his While the artists were rehear
is witty, dressy and believable, and first talkie, "Bulldog Drummondsing a new number & wire suspen
is worth anyone's while.
will be shown (after many disap-ding an automatic fire sprinkler Followed by "Sing It and Like pointments). The film will be of high above the stage snapped, It", with Zazu Pitts, Pert Kelton, interest to see again, as Colman con- tipped up the container and Ned Sparks. Edward Everett Hor-tinues the stirring adventures of leased a torrent of water.
re-
ton and Nat Pendleton.. Terribly this famous man in "Bulldog Drum- The stage manager, Mr. Sam amusing and out of the ordinary. mond Strikes Back", his very latest Lisons, was knocked down; and Perfect teamwork and continuous Twentieth Century release. All due all the artists on the stage were laughter. Zazu Pitts has the best at the popular Oriental.
part she had for years. Don't miss
seeing these two big hits at the King's in August.
"Dancing Lady"
(drenched, those who suffered least damage being the chorus-girls, "Jimmy And Sally"
who were wearing bathing cos "Jimmy and Sally" is worth see-tumes. ing, with James Duan, Claire! Trevor and a stage recruit. Harvey Joan
Crawford, Clark Gable, Stephens. There is Plenty of hu- Kent Taylor and Louise Dresser. Franchot Tone, Fred Astaire and mour, and Dunn is seen at his best Just a simple story of life in a small [Ted Healey, make "Dancing Lady" in the smart-alek type he seems to town in the States. Good for 'the
a really enjoyable entertainment. favour. Miss Trevor is charming Will Rogers admirers. (Majestic).} It matters not about the hackneyed throughout. The picture that fol- Don't forget the prices are being plot, there is romance, good songs laws, "David Harum", is not so hot, lowered at the Star, Kowloon. Now and the dancing ensembles are with Will Rogers, Evelyn Venables, they will range from 30 to 70 cents.
CAPSTAN
FOR QUALITY
They move
never
vary
Warner Baxter and Madge Evans' have the leading roles in "Stand Up and Cheer!" Fox Film's new musical extravaganza coming shortly to the King's Theatre.
Daughter of Royal Line Miss Landi is perhaps the most versatile actress in Hollywood. She speaks four languages, has published three novels and play. She is also a good planist, and has composed music.
оде
She is the daughter of Countess Zanardi-Landi, and a granddaugh- ter of the murdered Empress Eli- zabeth of Austria. She was born in Venice in 1904 and taken to England when a baby,
After leaving school in England she made her stage debut at the Oxford Playhouse in 1923, and jlater played important parts in. such stage production's as "The |Constant Nymph." "Storm," """La- vender Ladies," and "The Painted Swan."
"Underground". Debut
Her film career began when Mr. Anthony Asquith gave her the principal part in "Underground.” After playing leading parts in a number of British films she went to Hollywood in 1930, where she has appeared in leading roles in "Children of Chance."
"Body
and Soul","Wicked", "The De- vil's Lottery," "Burnt Offering." "The Woman in Room 13," and "The Sign of the Cross."
Her husband, Mr. John Cecil Lawrence, was called to the Bar ¡¡n 1927. He practises on the Circuít. He lives at
When Claudette Colbert makes Midland
a picture for Fox she will be paid Brick-court, Temple, E. C. 4.
a percentage of the receipts as
well as a large lump sum down.
椿
Colman As Clive
It Is good news to
CHINA'S FINEST PRODUCTION
hear that Two Sisters" Adjudged
Ronald Colman will enact the title role in the Twentieth Century pro-
duction of "Clive of India.”
Best Talkie.
Joan Crawford will star in The "Two Sisters," starring "Indo-China,” a part intended for Miss "Butterfly" Wu, is the beat Constance Bennett,
talking picture produced in China, Preston Foster, given a contract in the opinion of the China Educa- with Metro, will be in the Garbotional Film Association, which rẻ......... release of Maughan's "Painted cently met in Nanking to review Veil."
the progress of the Chinese Alm industry.
Theda Bara, ex-vamp of the screen, is acting "Bella Donna” on
The "Life," a picture produced the stage in Los Angeles.
by the China United Film Cor- How I used to adore Irene poration, in which Miss Lin Chu- Castle. What a sensation she and chu and Cheng Chun-li were co- her husband Vernon were in the featured. was judged by the As- pre-war days, or rather nights, insociation as the best Chinese the leading. Cafes of London, the silent picture. Continent and the States. They
revolutionized ball-room dancing, back in a Paramount relcase and Irene set the world of fashion "Ladies should Listen.” ** afire with her short bobbed. hair, Rudy Vallee has signed with the first woman to have the cour- Warners to make one picture a age to adopt the becoming style. year.
а
Now after being happily married Hal Leroy, a young genius wità for many years to a wealthy nimble, dancing feet, dose Chicago society man (she has one speciality in Wonder Bar." He daughter) Irene will return to has scored so heavily in the the screen under the Warner ban-Warner Bros "Shorts" that it was ner. I for one, hope she will again Doris Warner who had him given prove an outstanding sucess. She the role in "Harold Teen". He
lovely as ever I hear." has a longterm contract now.
Dorothy Dell will be seen here ahortly in ^"Litte Miss Marker” with the new, adorable child sen- Max Baer wore the kimono at sation, Shirley Temple, and his fight with Carnera that he Adolphe Menjou. Her sad death wore in his screen play, The (killed in a motor accident) at the ̈ Prizefighter and the Lady". It early age of 19 fa much regretted. still had "Steve Morgan” em- She had her feet on the ladder of broidered on it.
success, and had so much to offer. Charles Ray, one-time idol of Youth, beauty, voice and, real 'the "movies, "will try for a a come talent.
Baer's Kimono