TO-MORROW, at 2.30, 5,10, 7.20 & 9:30 THE MOST THRILLING EVENT IN SCREEN. HISTORY
Greta GARBO-John BARRYMORE
GRAND
HOSEL
| METRO-MOLDWYN
MAYER PICTURE
Wallace BEERY Conet BARRYMORE
GARBO
Tawsaddened dancer
Grusinskayd
BARRYMORE
as the romantte Borona
thief tumed loper C
JOAN
CRAWFORD
"os Fluennchén, secretary
WALLACE.
BEERY
ur Preyaing fighting to sat
"his fortunaj
BARRYMORE
AT THE
STAR
INITIAL SHOWINGS
IN HONG KONG
Helen Twelvetrees Greatest Dramatic Role
FIT
DEEP IN YOUR HEART these Characters
will live forever!
ORD
Never such a picture! Seven stars in the most spectacular success of stage or screen history!
YOUR TREAT
of a
LIFE TIME Į
METRO GOLDWYN MAYER'S
Proudest Triumph
RH
with
Lewis Stone Jean Hersholt
Directed by
EDMUND GOULDING from Vicki Baum's stage. play-
TO-DAY TO SATURDAY
At 2.80, 5.20, 7:20 & 9.20
HONG KONG DAILY PRESS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1933.
GRAND HOTEL
INDEED
Amazing Scenes at M.-G.-M. Premiere
FANS WAIT 24 HOURS
Scenes unprecedented in the his fory of the Alm industry were wilnessed on Wednesday evening Lart when Grand Hotel," "the M.-G.-M,... all-star: sensation, “COM- menced its triumphant run at the Palace Theatro, Cambridge Circus.
Seats for the opening perform ance had been booked up weeks ahead and despite the fact that as much as one guires was being charged for the Royal Circle, tho. house was sold out three days prior to the opening.
Unable to book seats enthusias- tie fans started Naing up on Tues- day evening at 8 o'clock, twenty- four hours before the actual opening, hoping to gain admittance to the amphitheatre, the only unbookable part, of the hall.
By Wednesday afternoon a quens stretching, round the building" had gathered.
Many handreds of people congre gation in Cambridge Cirous and de- spite the endeavours of a large body of police reinforced by numerous burly theatra attendants, the crowds continued to gather and it was only with the greatest difficulty that ticket-holders could force their way through the throng.
The interior of the Palace had been decorted to resemble the inside of 4 hotel, and at the reception office in the capacity of ze ception blerk was no lesa a person than Leslie Henson, famous English stage and screen comedian. Every body entering the theatre was expected to sign their name in the hotel register, h hugo book specially made for the premiere.
Among the many famous people whose names were entered in the book, were Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Goulding, H.H. Rauco of Sarawak, Admiral Sir Mark Kerr, Gloria Swanson, Evelyn Laye, Rosie Dolly, Gordon Selfridge, Alice Delysia, Frederick Lonsdale, Priscilla Coun tess Annesley, Mrs. Elinor Glyn, Sir Charles Higham, C. B. Cock- raa, Uraula Jeans, Robin Irvine, Sir Victor Sassoon, Maurice Elvey, George Grossmith, Henry Kendall, Eric Bransby Williams, Arthur Fer- rier, Sir Gamer and Lady Berry, Bernard Nodell, Lady Melchett, Lady Islington, Lady Swaytbling, Bir William Jury, Sir Herbert Mor-; gan, Madame Conchita Supervia and Mr. Edward Marsh,
Ab the conclusion of the show, the picture eceived an ovation and in response to repeated demands Edmund Goulding, the young Eng- lishman who was responsible for the direction of the M.-G.-M. opus, made an appearance on the stage and said a few words of apprecia. tion.
Reprinted from The Cinema of September 23.
DIETRICH THE FIGHTER
TO CONTINUE WITH PARAMOUNT
IF
COMPANY'S £20,000 SUIT
Marlene Dietrich, the film actress, who was sued by Paramount for £20,000 damages. for alleged breach
of the company, in which she says that Paramount have broken their contract with Her, and that she proposes to hold them responsible.
FILMS OF THE YEAR
RISE OF THE BRITISH INDUSTRY
BY CAMPBELL DIXON.
Looking back at the cinema in 1932, na is the habit at this season of the year, I find myself, most impressed by
The extraordinney progress, com- mersially and technically, of the British film industry; The improvement in European
product generally;;; The high average standard of Hollywood's commercial pro
duct
The rise of Charles Laughton; The death of Robert Williams;
VON STERNBERG FOR ENGLAND
AND HE MAY BRING MARLENE, TOO
Josef Von Sternberg, the famous story must amit her. She is fond film director, has been approached of London, I think she would come, I sincerely hope that the leading by a British film company with a bus it must be for Mariens to decide British, producers will take at least view to his engagement to direqehersall one we fume Wigan and attempt a
their fling. B certaik-number of Alms that have 3. dad von Sternberg will try to chance, as "Rome Express bas, of selling in foreign markets. We have been too long unrepresented on the world's screens, and our pres a tiga and trade havo suffered more
than anyone would believe possible who has not seen Chinese, gazing open-mouthed at American Iyers, and Japanese looking enviously at the film star stepping from ber
The Stars of Grand Hotel.
The superiority of many featured shiny American bathtub into her
Inlayers to the stars they up shiny American motor car..
port;
The urgent need for good English
directors..
The crying need for good English
scenario writers;
i
The proof that good drama (c..,
Maedchen in Uniform easier for the masses to under stand than good comedy (eg, A Nous La Liberté or "Once in a Lifetime").
The tendency of many English
•
German Triumphs. Germany's "record in 1939 has been remarkable. I find that she made five, and the greater part of
sixth, of the fourteen dramas which seem to me to stand out in 1832, as well as a comedy, "The Captain of Koupenick," that is al- ready something of classic.
French drama on the screen is as: producers still to rely on old dated and lifeless as Frenc drama satirical fashioned farce material-mo- on the stage, but in thers-in-law. misplaced lingerie, I comedy. Réné Clair, with "A Nous mistaken bedroonis, etc. a la Liberté," has brilliantly carried The assumption of English pro-19 the Gallie tradition. The year ducers that English filmgoers brought nothing botter, though. will not stand serious, let alone several directors, notably Rouben Mamoulian with Love Me To pight" and Norman Tourog with bave The Phantom President," shown ability to use a very similar technique...
national, themės.........
Less Sweep, More Ideas." Since the talkies came, peopic. tell you, films have been getting
The Year's Best Flims. steadily worse. I give them credit. for sincerity, but I cannot agree Any attempt to select the best with them. I think that on the films of the year is at besta whole films are getting steadily bet
Arbitrary and unsatisfactory busi ter. Subjects have been tackled in ness. You can no more decide be- 1932 which in 1923 would have been tween The Blue Light, and A thought impossible, or at least un- Nous la Liberté." than you can say commercial and if fims no longer that. Tom Jones is a better or A have that epic sweep and grandeur worse, novel than" Crime and of contract, replied with a note that "The Birth of a Nation" and Funishment." You can, safely, say addressed to the Hollywood offices Ben Hur" and "The Big only that they are different
Parade " had, they can at least show more ideas,
Perhaps I can, however, mention Everywhere, except perhaps in most. in 1932-because they told "s some of the films that I enjoyed Russia, pictures this year have gain- simple story superbly (like For The Paramount Company claimed in depth what they have lost in Bidden"), or were technically in- that the damages represent the loss length and breadth The Russians,, teresting (like Love Me To resulting from alleged arbitrary re still trying to ad ust their technique night"), or were notable examples fusal to go on with the filming of to the use of talk, have produced in of the tendez-Alm (like Kame- picture for which preparations were, 1938 only one film fit to compare radschaft), or were brilliantly. complete
with Potemkin 2 and "The Last photographed (like "Shanghai Ex- It is said that since the compleDays of St. Petersburg." tion of her last picture Marlene
presa"), or had backgrounds Dietrich has been paid £800 a week Life" a vivid and powerful stude Do
I mean, of course, The Road to enchanting bebat like
ttalion "). a contract which expires on February 10.
of reclamation, work amongst the
Dramas, This is the second quarrel between child bandita who used to fascinate Preuinefntz sail, Mariene Dietrich ma in the flesh as they ran around (says Repter). Legt day she refus the streets of Moscow in packs and ed to in the say for the filming slept, like rate, in railway trucks or of The Blinde Vaqus out of empty galvanised iron tanksi sympathy with her professional
on
montor, Joseph von Sternberg, wha
had fallen out with Paramount over
British Advance,
the scenario. Later, the dispute was England has shown an settled, and the couple returned, malvance. British stars like Jack De Marlene Makes Feace, Hulbert, Ralph Lynn, Tom Walle The quarrel between Miss Mary Sydney Howard, and Gracie Fields lene Dietrich, the German film have been built up,, and Gaumont actress, and the
Film British have given us for the first star has time, a film that can be judged, and.
Agreed * (according to Hollywood praised, by world!
Company has onde
telegrams from “Renter
British United Press), to resume
work for the company, who will
which 200.000 "dollars
1000
notinced
ask for the dismissal of their action
for alleged breach of contract, in
Pár), damages were claimed,
pikk: temporary injunétion to compel Dietrich
Miss Dietrich to complete works bad broken their. the film Song of Songe! we and that she runted by Mr. Justice Holizer in responsible
hold them
Forbidden (American
Maechen in Uniform 'The Doomed Battalinki (German
American), ZanziNI The Road to Life (Russines). Kameradschaft (German) Shanghai Express (American). Payment Deferred (American) Grand Hotel (American), Tempest (German) Roma Express., (British);;" The Blue Light (German), Westfront1018 (German) Arrow rith(American) One way Praebye (America
towy Madam.
Private Lives" (Amerjogu Servies for Ladies" (British) Love Me Tonight (American
bring Marlene Dietrich, the beauty MAJESTIC
ful Continental star, over from Amerion to act in British "films under, his direction,
Herr von Sternberg spoke of his. affection for England, gave his can- did opinion of Hollywood, and re voaled for the first time the "inside rich is reported to be in danger of story" of why Miss-Marlene Diet-
Kerast, að "the instigation of the Paramount Compary, who are guing her for breach of contract..
Josef von Sternberg was once an Basistant Ala-director at Twicken ham. He want to Hollywood." Thoro he directed a film in whielt, in order to attract attention, hë used as actors unemployed men
When asked for a frank state- ment of his plans and views, this is what voir Staruborg · said :—-
**lave England, and am longing to visit you all. You see, I lived among you for yours.
*** I want to say this at ones: it seems impossible for me to avoid resuming work in England. I have no definite plaus about it yet, but one day very soon perhaps I shall be working among you people in England.
I had offers from British com panies two months ago. I refused Now I am free. Whether those offers still hold good we shall see, I have made no attempts to find: out
"I would like to live permanently in England. My only stipulation would be one of complete freedom in directing. But I know that would be readily allowed.”
When asked if he would endeav our to secure the services of Miss Marlene Dietrich, Sternberg re plied.
I would; but, mind you, the
4 SHOWS
DARY
-230-5.13
·7.15-0.30
J
-THEATRE DEL Nathan Road, Kowloon, Tel. 677299.
TO-DAY ONLY At 8.30, 5.20, 7.20 8 9.20 p.m.
·S'YOU'LL PLAY-
HY WAY
OR ELSE!
HE HAS A STEAN- GE POWER QVNE
·HER" SENOWS HER EVERY WEAKNESS. BUT BE DOESN'T REC- KON ON HER GREAT- EST STRENGTH MOTHER LOVERS
FALSE MADONNA
a Paramount Picture
with
KAY FRANCIS WILLIAM BOYD- CONWAY TEARLE.
-TAKE ANY TRAM OR HAPPÉ VALLEY BUS
ORIENTAL
THEATREN
ROAD WANDHAY":"
TEL...28479.
TO-DAY and TO-MORROW ONLY -A~-NAUTICAL COMEDY NAVAL EXTRAVAGANZAN
THE FAMOUS SPLINTERS CONOERT PARTY - IN A RIOT OF FUN AND GALES OF LAUGHTER
SYDNEY HOWARD in SPLINTERS in the NAVY
Pictou
Funny Entertaiment.
STARTS SATURDAY
AT
THE CENTRAL
JINO ROW
AIR MA
THE EPIC THRI