THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1933.
CINEMA "SHOTS" AND "SEQUENCES"
LOCAL FILM HISTORY
TO BE
MADE NEXT WEDNESDAY
“CAVALCADE” TO BE COLONY'S FIRST PREMIERE
PICTURES OF THE WEEK
(By "CELLULOID")
OCAL cinema history.
Lo
is to be made to be packed out for morrow week.
"Cavalcade," the picture of all time, over which the American and English press critics have become almost hysterical in their efforts to apply the most descriptive superlatives, is
the Premiere
next Wednesday, but that when the film returns for a full length season, capacity full notices will be displayed nightly, “
AROUND THE SHOWS
I
to have its first presenta- MONTGOMERY AS tion in Hongkong.
RACKETEER
Furthermore it is to be a full
dress
·
19
to-
T+ It
*
*
"CAVALCADE"One of the many vivid scenes in the brilliant Fox Films production of "Cavalcade" which
picture will have its Premiere at the King's Theatre next Wednesday.
ONDON critics did not hesitate to slow action, affected speech, "ham" Aen. I hope this is the case because
Up direction, stagy technique and most If so it succeeds. If the picture pronounce Sydney Howard's
is for the Derby, the best comedy he of us dislike them too. holds some other meaning it
and doubtful whether you. will dig-has yet made for the screen,
dustry knows of us has been when this picture is shown here. a la Tivoli premiere. DOBERT Montgomery, is a rac; cern. it. When this happens it local nudiences will assuredly ngrec DUT all that the American film in His Excellency the Governor R keteer This may make his means that a picture is a failure, starts a run at the Central Theatre to- gathered from hearsay, from flying (Sir William Peel) has agreed admirers shudder, particularly and you can't say that about Made morrow. Sydney Howard has done so visits to the European capitals, from much first rate work since his debut reports of stars. and technicians who to attend and the occasion will those charming members of the on Broadway.
in pictures that it is, perhaps, difficult have worked for a few weeks in our be an additional "event" in the opposite sex who have thrilled to
Buch as trade envoys, not always tactfully social calendar of the Colony. the masterly technique of his love-TT seems that Metro-Goldwyn-to appreciate that he can be more en- studios, and from conversation with
Mayer's co-starring of stars and tertaining than in films Such lavish praise has been be-making. But his racket is being.
subsequent experiment af Splinters In the Navy, Up for chosen.. from this aide. The real of famous Coop and others. But Le wide scope temper of Europe can never be dis- # galaxy stowed on this "Picture of Plea wise guy, and making a lot of the lures" and that by critics who money out of people who are not bringing
in Grand afforded him by the scenarle of Uncovered in this way.
for the Derby allows this comedian have the reputation of being ex-such wise guys, in the intervals players together
un-of which he wisecracks and leads Hotel influenced British-Gaumont to be acen at his very best, a fact IE article in "Autivites" does not muntion England in the list of ceedingly discerning-that,
Jack Hulbert, Cicely which enils for no further comment.
Hollywood's European competitors, like the customary studio publicity us to believe that even Casanoval to coerce sheets, one is willing to take the wasn't such a hot follow when it Courtneidge, Lilian Harvey and eulogies on face value.
came to making female conquests. Sonnie Hale into appearing So that his admirers can breathe gether in Happy Ever After, now AN outspoken commentary on the but I am convinced that America It
showing at
the Central Theatre. Euposition of the American Alms, in elk has the wit to appreciate that to-day appears in a recent England, of all European countries, 18, at the moment, the most dangerous again more freely.
Which, I humbly suggest. is a pity. issue of the London Observer une potential opponent or the most valua
Lejeune, the talented pen of C. A.
here that America In it the writer says: A French month ble ally. There are several things venture to NEVERTHELESS!
come-and-see-your-favourly revue, "Activities," has just sent going on ever
ought to know, if the film trade gen. suggest that a disillusionment THIS
Hard times, is in store for those who have notites-in the-sume-picture type me its August number, in which my
can audience has changed. American Decadence of the yet seen the inimitable Robert in of film may be good box-office attention is drawn to an article on erally is to prosper. The temper of
"The
At least, I take it that the and the wisdom learnt from contact his featured role in Made on Bread- technique, but it is no guarantee
Cinema."
rent, employment, have made way, the current Queen's Theatre that you are going to get an out-
in us choosey." The radio has taught "The Atmosphere on ments offering. Montgomery himself is standing presentation. Of course publishers are not inviting my con-with the unsentimental facts of food, perfectly O.K. in fact he makes the chief fault with Happy Ever U.S.S.R." or "Views on D. H. Law.
of dus has taught us others. In a world his usual creditable job. But 1 After, which is frankly the big-rence" or "Fifteen Days in London us some things. The continental exo- of the year with the Hindus. There is, like this, the periodic visits of Holly- wish the folk responsible for this gest disappointment picture had remembered that it locally, is that the scenario is too coarse, un article on "The Corruption wood aim atars and the benignities
But I should be was to be presented to some other inadequate. What is the results? of the Writer. people besides America's 200,000,- Four "stars", tumbling over one grieved to think it was that. 000 people, who either because of another in an effort to get some- and lack of education or because thing out of their parts which isn't they had not enught up with the there (or by the same token enden- current issues of the film magn-vouring to put something in which one zines, were not familiar with just won't fit) and cutting
another's throats for honours America's "publicity racket."
which don't exist.
YOU CAN SEE THESE
-TO-DAY.
"Made on Broadway."
"Best of Enemies"
"Happy Ever After"
Queen's King's .Central
"Wicked"
Majestic
"Words and Music" "State Fair"
Star
Orientai
TO-MORROW. "Up for the Derby" "Congorilla"
.Centrai .Oriental
"The Billion Dollar
Scandal"
"Dangerously Yours"
"Up for the Derby' "Congoria".
Queen's .King's Central Oriental
THURSDAY.
The task of producing Caval-
unc.
▸
•
of passing Hollywood producers are We have not likely to cut much Ice. not the smallest animus against THE author of the film article Hollywood, and no particular sense of speaks of the "battle between the patriotle duty in entertainment; we boycolt asserts that "In Europe we are aware American pictures or whitewash Bri- American and European cinema, and don't in the least want to that the battle is lost (for America). tich ones; but we do want occasionally French producers, and with, even to see films of our own people, in our better reason, German and Russian own idiom, about our own problems. producers,-no-bager-fear the_comor nt least about the circumstances The director, in his effort to TE necessity of a picture of this petition of the United States, Cau that involve real people of this gen- type is that the dialogue shall it be said that in New York or Holly eration, here or in any other country, cade on the kereen was a gigantle
The magnitude of the theme make the picture an expression of be funny, or even witty. It is not weed this state of decadence has yet in real and urgent affairs.
see Jack Hulbert been relay. Unfortunately low-
"Unfortunately" is and the sincerity of treatment hustle, becomes merely incoherent. sufficient to
The slow TINGLAND, with its 4,000 cinemas, needed to transform Noel Coward's have no doubt that Itabert Mont-mile; Cicely Courtneidge cannot "U
carry such a film to a successfulness of the American film moguls to any acem a Hitle place, for Inspiration into a living reality of gomery, in his role, had
that the British country, is doing the industry na Americans know the canvas was sufficient to make perfectly stunning ideas. but
much worth tho and crying "paapeer;" Sonnie Hale!
more unfortunate a market Kond. But still
And any producer and director hesitate far as I was concerned, heaven conclusion by standing in a kiosk grasp situation outside their own Amerien to hother about. But wise
alone knew what they were. He is needs more than the chorus of all this talk of battle." With tele- bother. England has colonies. before attempting, the task.
go through the picture theme song to make his appearance vision just round the corner and England had a film industry because It is not to the discredit of the made to
effective; and Lilian Harvey's world struggling to pay its debts, the few of its alma, so far, have been British studios that it was left to at breakneck speed. Ile talks like Hollywood to produce this, epic, a muchine gun, but unfortunately splendidly restrained acting is just film centres of Europe und America in the front rank. The British film sheer waste of time. The whole cannot afford to light one another. A industry is just beginning to operate, To suggest this would be to be the opigrammatical bullets dy sG
pieture
The lump in Hollywood may mean temand believe me, it is equipped to go n is incompatible.
for Elstree and long, long way. little the great work of the Fox fast that they miss their mark. He
un-has to make whirlwind entrances actors do their best; the director porary prosperity studios. Frank Lloyd has
even (more or less) does his best. But doubtedly achieved the crowning and exits, and the camera
of movement, of triumph of a successful career in hasn't got time to pier a close up there is a Inck
vitality, of the rich humour asso hig direction of Cavalcade. He of him. Need I say more!
rinted with these comedy players. all because the material quite un suitable for them.
some
80
#
•
THE most attractive sequence is filmic expression of Lilian Harvey's dream. By skilful dis- solving and admirable angle photo- graphy, the dream, typical of the Tantastic and grotesque is given full expression.
CHARLES ("Buddy") Rogers has
in very
returned to Hongkong this week to delight his numerous admirers, and it' is not conceivable that any of them will be disappointed with his "come- back" in The Best of Enemira, which is now showing at the King's Theatre, In production he is not starred,
this
with but ahares "feature" honours Frank Morgan, Joseph Cawthorn and Marion Nixon. This is, perhaps, why The iz rather overshadowed. Never-
theless his work
Sally Ellora and Robert Montgomery, who play opposite each other in ! and in- next
the. M.G.M. production of "Made on Broadway.". telligent, and undoubtedly America's one-time Boy-Friend has a flair for Shepherd's Bush, Epinay or Joinville WAS talking the other day, to an American technician who has Clive Brook and Diana Wynyard in one of the most powerful scenos of
light roles. There is plenty of hilari- or Neubabelsberg, but it will not on- ty in this picture most of which it sure is continuity. The only ulti-been working in this country rather “Cavalcado”, when Diana Wynyard proposes the immortal toast,
sustained by Morgan and Cawthorn, mate security for the European trade less than a year. "When I first came captured the fine sweeping BUT leaving aside the directorial Wistful Burlon Nixon contributes in stable industry in America, and over," he said, "I reckoned you wort movements of the theme and faults and the fact that the typical performance towards a pro-the only safeguard for American just playing at pictures. The boys werid audiences. In the dim business And at frat it was all so slow, it rat. transferred them in living tones to whole picture is quite unintelligible, duction of excellent light entertain-studios is the friendly co-operation of back home told me I was nuts to go: the screen. It la atirring, bold, one can get some amusement, and ment...
here and there a little entertain- vivid, but sympathetic direction.
lias
•
•
It must be a case of one for all, and led mo, Seemed like you weren't Kelling anywhere. But right now. I nce that you can get any darned place And the all-British east is ment from the actors. Robert 10 more suitable description could all for one.
PUT to effect this protective aill you want to. The English picture brillant tribute to the abilities of Montgomery's breezy personality be given the Mackey Twins than
atico, there has firat got to be industry in Uko a giant octopus, and English players. Diana Wynyard, is always an Interesting study, that of the Boys with the Educator Bu Clive Brook, Herbert Mundin, Unn Sally Ellers is something of an Fect". When they made their initial!
nt the Peninsula Hotel they were must forgive us if we explain a few its tentacles." O'Connor, Ursula Joans, Beryl enigma, but her beauty cannot be appearance in llongkong on Saturday mutual understanding, and Amerien Hollywood has got to watch out for Morcer, Irene Browne, Merle Tot- denied and she places an intelligent given some indication of the succes necessary things about ourselves.
character which ful season
enjoy, and The tonham, Frank Lawton, John construction to
Lindsay, does not seem to be very clearly their subt they were to erley at the deal more about America than. Amo Sarburton, Margaret Billy Bevan, Dick Ifenderkon jun, expressed in the scenaria. Madgo King's Theatre have as Irod this. | rica" knows about sus, Amerion-has/T-DON'T belleve myself that there is Dougins Scott, Shelln MacGill and Evans plays with rare skill the They are about the best pair of scen to that. During thirty odd year Bonita Granville. Here Is the part of the silent, gently-smiling, complete cast williout a week link, understanding,
any posibilty of the British In
waiting witoydancers soon here, and of movie history we have had "ample) dustry seriously menacing" "Holly.
All play their rart in making whose charm has temporary oluded
at the King's have not opportunity of observing the way the wood's prosperity. Bat I do be show their appreciation American mind, functions, of learning live that the time has come when Sasant first class-stage act and fidanticipate the cling of things, and upheaval to function in complete lolation. this the picture of a generation, the comprehenalon of the husband. It is a treat for Hongkong to get the Alberican vernacular and reading the two countries can no longer afford Are there will be Instatant publié demand in Anterican studio politicaWe And there are better ways of amate Truly Hongkong has a great treat
WSE FALBHitlah aims that Americana dialden" them swallowing the other one up In storm, and I am conndent that PERHAPS this Is Hollywood there boys to prolong their stay in know perfectly will the qualities mating two bodies thani by ithery of
having another laugh at Americilons kopers the King's Theatre will not only
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