Page
"THE HOUSE OF
· ROTHSCHILD” Coming To The
King's
At a time when stars and pro-. ducers are hurling recriminations at each other, it is interesting to note the tribute
NL Joseph Schenck and Darryl Zanuck re-
pald cently
to George Arliss probably the most signal act of deference yet shown an artist by the "men behind the money."
In recognition of the importance of "The House of Rothschild" Arliss' first starring production under, his new 20th Century con- tract, Zanuck halted all other activity at the studia so that he Inight throw the full resources of his staff into the making of the picture.
ch
It was the first time in Holly- wood history that an entire studio the had been concentrated making of a single picture. With drama whose background covers the whole of Europe during the Napoleonic wars. Zanuck aimed at the supreme making this film effort for himself and, therefore, for Arliss.
On the outcome of this novel gesture hangs a significance which may have a far-reaching effect on the future of Hollywood film pro- duction an outcome which may give great momentum to the trend away from the present major studio system of mass production. Zanuck has expressed the, belief that big pictures
the vital sustenance on which production in Programme future must depend. pletures have had their day, he contends. And big pictures can only be insured when the pro- ducers concentrate their complete attention and resources on making one picture at a time.
are
This attitude merits attention, for Zanuck first made his reputa- tion by his abilty to turn out a multiplicity of programme pictures which were money-makers.
"The backbone of the pro- gramme picture was the cycle." Januck avers. "Some producer would pioneer a new type of story with a new type of background or a new veln of dramatic action. Then would "follow a deluge of all of programme productins,
which would be successful unti the freshness of the type of pic- ture wears off and the public become tired.
"But the cycle era is over, and there is nothing new to replace It. The only thing that can take its place in the making off pic- tures on a bigger scale is, with casts of stars supported by stars, and stories either big or daring in theme and lavishly mounted..
"We must revive the big spec-. tacles big not in terms of mobs, but spectacular in action. colour- ful in pletorial quality, impres- sive both in though and dramatic i.treatment.
Such stories require careful development and much showmanship in building them up. Every department of Alm produc- tion must concentrate in putting the utmost values into, such a pro- duction, and this calls for de- liberate, individual attention.
So certain is Zanuck that this is the ultimate in systems of pro- duction, that, in concert with Joseph M. Schenck, he has adopt- ed this system as the permanent polley of all future 20th Century pictures. The stars the company now have under contruct
are
TO-DAY AT THE
KING'S:
CINEMA
.HONG KONG
"Finishing School"
QUEEN'T:-
"Aunt Sally ORIENTAL:—
LEE:-
"Terror Trail"
"The Invisible Man"
KOWLOON
ALHAMBRA:—
"Hi, Nellie" MAJESTIC:-
"Change of Heart?
KING'S;—
Coming
"The House of Rothschild" ORIENTAL:—
"Fugitive Lovers"
"Headline Shooter" "The Working Man" "Tarzan and His Mate" "Men in White"
MAJESTIC:
"Hold That Girl"
ALHAMBRA :---
STAR:
"Mickey Mouse Silly, Sym- phony Programme"
Lily Turner"
"20 Million Sweethearts"
"Berkeley Square*
"Hell and Hign Water"
WORLD:~
"Tenderfoot“ "Laughing Boy
George Artiss, Fredic March. Ronald Colman, Constance Ban- Young and and Robert nett
the factors they are
around the which
future company's
bult. plctures will be
Each of their productions will be bullt and filmed with the entire com-. pany staff concentrating on them in individual succession.
The cast of "The House of Rothschild," which includes, be- side Arliss. Boris Kartoff, Loretta Young. Robert Young, Helen Westley,
Aubrey Smith, C. Reginald Owen and others, re- hearsed three weeks before the The cameras started grinding.
Al entrusted to direction Werker, assisted by Maude T. Howell.
дая
Johnson,
"
16
HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9,
TO-DAY ONLY
AT
2.30. 5.10 &
7.15 P.M.
KINGS
GIRES ON THE
VERGE OF WOMAN.
1934.
-BOOKING
"AT THE THEATRE TEL. No. 25318 -25332
OPENING 10-MORROW
HOOD AND GALA PREMIER TO-NIGHT
HUNGRY
FOR ROMANCE
inishing SCHOOL
With
FRANCES DEE' BILLIE BURKE GINGER ROGERS BRUCE CAROT
LIVES OF RADIO ENTERTAINERS
In "Twenty Million Sweethearts"
..64
RADIO Picture
Wanda
jd George
Сворет
rodycar
“AUNT SALLY"
Showing At The Queen's
that
AT 9.30 P.M.
JOSEPH M. SCHENCK presunto :
GEORGE ARLISS.
in DARRYL K. ZANUCK'S production
THE HOUSE OF ROTHSCHILD
20
with Boris Kartofj Locate Young Zobert Young
#katamad this UNITED 'AKTISTS
66
CHAINED."
Coming To The Queen's
With "Chained", the new Metro- CHldwyn-Mayer picture opening on Bunday at the Queen's Theatre and Clark Gable win new laurels for their already glistening crowns.
Spectacle, plus the inimitable talent and personality of great artist, Cicely Courtneldge, is the keynote of the splendid Gains-Joan Crawford
Sally Borough picturc.. "Aunt which tops the bill at the Queen's Theatre.
First National in another timely and revealing production, "Twenty Million
15 which Sweethearts." scheduled as the feature attrac-
at the tion
Alhambra Theatre" next week, pictures the joys and Cicely puts over what is pro- tribulations, the glamour and the bably her finest performance to romance in the. Ilves "of radio en- date as Sally Bird, the not-so- tertainers as gathered from peep-young artiste whose "many humor- ing behind the scenes.
The story, by Paul Finder Moss. and Jerry Wald, presents the in- timate side of the singers and an- nounces whom everyone has heard over the air, but whom few have seen or kaow: While there is a well knit plot with comedy and drama and, romance intermingled the picture is enlivened by many musical numbers, both vocal and instrumental.
There are four catchy airs writ-
ace "nationally ten by the
song writers.
re-
The script, based on a play by. George H. Westley, was writteri by Nunnally known playwright, magazine author and search experts, head- ed by Edward Lambert, who 'en- joys a world-wide reputation as an expert on costumes, historical data and national customs and he was busy three months amassing the data from which the colour of the life of Napoleon's time was produced.
And the high acclaim accorded "The House Rothschild" by all who have seen it would indicate that. Zanuck is on the right track and that his idea of giving each of his big productions the un- divided attention of himself and his studio is a good end a pro- fitable one, for the film, which United Artists releases at the King's Theatre on Saturday, has been pronounced the best to be made in Hollywood this season.
LEE THEATRE
TO-DAY & TO-MORROW
AT 2.30, 5.30, 7.30 and 9.30 P.M.
THE
INVISIBLE MAN
A UNIVERSAL PICTURE
Harry Warren and Al Dubin. One, "Til String Along With You," sung first by Dick Powell and then by Powell and Ginger Rogers, is sald to be one of the biggest hits of the year
-
Pat O'Brien furnishes" much at the comedy as the well meaning but bungling talent scout who boosts many an unknown to fame only to get into disgrace himself through his wildly enthusiastic but unethical promotion schemes.
A new romantic team is brought to the screen in this picture with Dick Powell and Ginger Rogers, as screen lovers, bath of whom have been trained in the art of singing and acting. Dick, as the singing cabaret waiter who leaps to fame as a radio crooner almost overnight, Ands that the path of love runs anything but smooth even for the great.
Miss Rogers bas the rule of Dick's radio singing sweetheart
TO.DAY
&
TO-MORROW
ous 'atempts to break to fame as a cabaret star are thwarted, -until by persistence and force of per- sonality she wins through.
With Miss Courtneldge is Sammy Hardy in the fim, as the hard- bolled cabaret manager, who anally falls in love with Sally.
include Other
Billy players Mliton, Hartley Power, Phyllis Clare and Ben Weldon. Several well known radio and stage turns take part in the many sumptuous cabaret spectacles, including the Carlisle Cousins, the Three Admir- als, Leslie Holmes and Debroy somers and his Band.
"For "Chained" is an excellent picture, expertly mounted, directed und acted.
Clarence Brown-who- gave "Sadle Mackie" Joan's last is also responsible for the splendid direc- tion and pace of the new picture.
As Diana, modern Manhattan niss, Joan Crawford brings a new and vivid characterization to the screen. Clark Gable holds up his end with more than suficient skılı and charm as Mike, likeable young rancher in South America
The supporting cast is equally fine, with Otto Kruger 25 Mr. Field, the "other man" in the case; the role of Stuart Erwin in Johnnie, wisecracking friend; Una O'connor as the sympathetic com- Panion, and Marjorte Gateson in the role of Mrs. Field.
But excellent as all other phases of the production, are, chief honours go to the co-stars, who, brilliantly who is misled into thinking that cast, turn"t performances that he prefers fame and sortune and
compare well with the finest screen other lovely ladies to herself.characterizations of the year. Grant Mitchell plays a straight role us the manager of a great radio broadcasting company with Henry O'Nell as his assistant. Allen Jenkins is said to provide many laughs as a children's hour entertainer; while Joseph Caw-
thorne, as one of the firm's wealthiest advertising clients, en- acts another comedy role.
There are several big specialty numbers, including the Four Mills Brothers, whose voices are known from Coast to Coast, Ted Flo Rito and his band equally famous, who render their catchy orchestrations while Dick Powell warbles and the Three Radio Rogues
George Folsey outdoes himself with the photography, and the same thing can be well said of the striking Adrian gowns, which are much in prominence. The story was written especially for the screen by Edgar Selwyn and was adpated by John Lee Mahin.
Altogether the picture is said to be one of the most colourful pro- Auctions to come to the screen as well is one with the widest variety of entertainment. Ray Enright directed from the screen play by Warren Duff wid Harry Sauber.
QUEEN'S
CQCY
AT 2.30, 5.10
7:20 & 9.30
•P.M.
"HI, NELLIE!"
MAJESTIC
PARA THEATRE
Showing At Alhambra Raad Kowloob. Tel 57222
TO-DAL & TO-MORROW
Paul Muni, the star or pictures At 2.30, 5.20, 7.20 & 9 20 P.M. such as "I am a Fugitive from „A Chain Gang." "Scarface" and The World Changes" appears in quite a different, but nonetheless attractive role in H, Nelliel" the current attraction at The Alhambra Theatre.
This star, who has made himself a success in serious roles have turn- eu his hand at comedy and one feels inclined to recommend the
film very strongly on Its merit as light entertainment. "Hi, Nelllet" will establish him securely as pre of the most versatile stars of the screeri He is a remarkable per- former.
It must not be assumed from the above that Hi, Nellie" is a comedy and nothing else. It has many dramatic moments but is well punc- tuated with lighter snatches.
The managing editor of a big metropolitan daily Ands himself suddenly in hot water because he has "fallen down" on the publish." er's pet story. From his high post- tion he is reduced to the writer of a "Lovelorn" column, but he is ever a leader and worms his way through to the top again. How he does it comprise the story of “Hi, Neille!"
4 SPICES DAIRY 2.30-515
1:15-6:30
Lovers again
f
Janet.
GAYNOR Charles FARRELL
CHANGE OF HEART
NEXT CHANGE
HOLD THAT
GIRL"
WITH
JAMES DUNN, CLAIRE TREVOR
TAKE GAY TRAM OR HAPPY VALLEY BUS
FLEMING
ORIENTALE
THEATRE
WANDMAI
TEL, ZOATS
2 DAYS ONLY-TO-DAY & TO-MORROW
SEE Tom disarm bis enemy by roping the gun right out of
his hand! Tree him escape from the gang's guns by using a table top as a shield! See him trapped in a jail-see him shoot the lock right of the jail door and go tearing right after the whole gang.
TOM MIX
in
TERROR TRAIL"
|GALLANT KNIGHT ment which pretends to afford
AND DRAGON.
correct social training, but which is operated cold-bloodedly for pro- it only. Its principal caters to the whims and ambitions of self- interested society mothers. The result of such a disorganized sys-
In "Finishing School" tem is a number of suspensful
"
The Immortal theme of the lone
situations, which, are finally re- solved by the superior character innate in the girl and the young.
ly, neglected princess who is im-man of the romantic episode. prisoned in the castle whose gates are guarded by a fiery dragon, but who is ultimately rescued by the gallant knight on a spirited charger, is dramatized in a photo-. play which makes the scene of the action a modern boarding school.
In this instance, the princess is a neglected, lonely daughter of wealth whose society-mad mother: banishes her from the home and love whick are rightfully hers. The dragon is the snobbish principal of the school. The gallant knight is a young physician, and hi charger is a battered old nivver, which shoots fire from all its tin seams
."
And the happy ending is there, too, in the marriage of the lovers after a drama of tears and compli- cations that would shame the old- time fairy tales This picture against the colourful and often humorous background of dormi Jory life, is Finishing School," showing at the King's Theatre.
-Frances Dee, remembered for her Meg of "Little Women," brings ali the power of sweet, simple charm to the leading role, Billie Burke. is her shallow mother. Bruce Ca- bot is the young hospital interne who finally succeeds in crashing through the false barriers. "Beulah; Bondi has the difficult role of the school principal. Ginger Rogers has vivacious comedy-role. John Halliday is cast as Miss Dee's father,
The story, new in both theme and treatment, presents the or deals of an innocent girl who is led into error through lack of pro Der supervision in an establish-
ALHAMBRA
THE STRE TO-DAY & TO-MORROW See Why Two Little Words Made
PAUL
tear the "town in twol The words are
"Hi Nellie
And that's the title of- «his latest and greatest- Warner Bros. bit
Page 5Page 6