THE HONGKONG TELEORPH BATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1;· 1036....
"FIRST NIGHT"
ON THE TALKIES
You Will Hate Laughton
"LES MISERABLES”
ENTERTAINMENT
KING'S THEATRE
THIS picture is not a mere sugar-castle for the amusement of an idle hour: a fact that will be suggested by the title even to those people who. are not already. familiar with Victor Hugo's sombre masterpiece.
The book was written at white hout, to serve an urgent purpose: there was no room in it for sugar, no factor that was not intently humanitarian.
The film, too, has the terrible interest of its original. It does not offer, nor does it seek to offer, the light confectionary with which most audiences are accustomed to be regaled. Indeed, Ita effect is designed not to lull, but to awaken.
Witnessing "Les Miserables" is not, therefore, the mere passing of a plea- sant hour; it is an emotional ex- perience that can be as painful, even as exhausting, as any human experi- ence. Yet the power of the film is so sweeping, its very agony so intensely fascinating, that one's life is enriched, obscurely but certainly, by the dread ful spectacle.
This I think, is the sixth time that
STAR OF THE WEEK No. 6 Charles Laughton for. magnificent acting in "Les Miserables”, something that will make you hate him. When an actor can do that he's a real actor. Puts parts before pay- cheque and refuses any picture that he thinks unsuitable. Three of his filme ("Ruggles of Rod Gap", "Les Miserables", "Afuting on the Bounty" vated among best ten produced last your. Going to London this month to play Ghost in "Sir Tristram Gore West for Alexander Kurde, who made his best picture Private Life of Henry'). Born Scarborough, July 1, 1800, Married Elsa Lanchester, who appeared with him in "Privato Life" and was "Bride of Frankenstein. Both regarded us among Britain's best stage-screen stars..
"Les Miserables" has been put on the The Green Rome
screen; the last talking-version, by a
French company, was released in
England a little more than two
years ago. But the Twentieth Cen tury version differs from its five pre-
in decessors
curious onu
important respect. Thin
and
ту bo
summed up by the bare statement that Charles Laughton plays the part
at the Javert
There
selentious
"octors
bean efficient and cons in this part before, And they have played it (as it should efficiently and conscientiously,
though one of the princi
be)
But
pal
"FIRST NIGHT” GETS A SCOOPTM
Why Jeanette Loff Consented to Sing From ZBW
IF you detect a purring note in this corner to-day, it's becauso
well, it's because I'm purring
Already tucked away in the family album is an autographed photograph, of as nice a girl as you'd like to meet. She's a film star, but don't hold that against her.
.
We who earn our daily bread and dripping, with an occasional bottle of beer, by the power of the pen, are apt to treat film stars with a certain degree of boredom in Hongkong, and even names like Charlie Chaplin, Duggie Fairbanks and Ronnie Colman have awakened only flickering interest.
JEANETTE LOFF Revived a heart throbi
But when Jeanetto Lof arrived this week, I revived a heart throb of four or five years
ago. E
King of Jazz", in which she played opposite John Boles (Paul Whiteman led the band, you'll remember) was her talkio debut and was the first real Technicolour feature film.
A lot of people besides myself fell violently for the boautiful blonde who Bang "In Old Monterey" and "Bridal Vell
To-day, Jennette is a little older, not quid so alim as she was In those days, but she's still the beauty whom critics predicted would have a brilliant talkie CatDOT.
ring
Instead, she chose a wedding and is now Mrs. Bert Friodiob.
Above-mentioned purring is caused by fact that I managed to get Jeanette to sing in Hongkong, Even Eddie Kelly's mind wouldn't be bril- Jant enough to think up tactics I
PHILHARMONIC LOSS empleneite," I said, "the broadenst-
ON "COUNTRY GIRL GRIPPS
""
is again in full swing, with Six Gaiety Girls doing their aluff at both Ten and Dinner Dances, Period of morning when H. K. Hotel closed down on all amusements was not period of idle- ness for thern, for rehearsals took up four hours each day.
To-night's change of programme will be cream of items they
ing people in Hongkong are terribly xious to put you over, here. Won't you?"
"Sure," she
she said:
And that was how you received' your special little treat at 7.45 p.m. on Thursday night.
Because she didn't have time to arrange accompaniment for "Bridal Voll" she omitted this old "King of
Jazz" favourite, but gave "Monterey this gaseration.
, has remained in the have been rehearsing. Star item introduces the five de Gaetano Bong hit that will never die out
shall
One remembers Valjean, not the policeman. With the latest version, I I think it
It may be claimed that, in ten years'
time, we
Valach remember Javert, and not This, when the relative aren cach character occupies is considered, may seem an enormous prophecy. It is an enormous prophecy; and it is made credible by an enormous actor.
Charles Laughton is a great drai more than the Perfect Policeman; he presents the as the very epitome of blind, mechanical, but passionately faithful, offelaldom. All officialdom, all departmentalism, all red tape and blue paper, every servant of role and regulation in the world, from Can- borra to Canton, is expressed in this extraordinary figure. You may con- demn this Javert, you will certainly detest him, but in the end you will be compelled to find reluctant admira- tion for the blind principle which he For the end of Javert's represents. job is the end of Javert. This
is a
The
world-type is part of the of Laughton. Once again he being as distinct from Ruggies as Mr. Barrett was from Henry VIII. close-cut, bullet-shaped head has been adroitly emphasised; every ture has been creating of his lip thought, from the to the rasping of his round hand, itu
ng of a particular part to a
like a smooth
. His work
AS
chin. So,
strides through the picture Fredric
Against this current, March, as Valjean, performs credit- but without noticeable fire. It be unfair to match him against
always and painstaking.. There is not much interest left from the terrible drama of the major themse for the junior love-Interest; the young people, too, soem Intensely American, though this cannot be argued as a
Bincare,
fault. The long narrative starts in a cage of wild beasts, rowing their talley to gong-beat, and ends (as most good French melodramas do) in the sewers of Paris. Not once dosa It lose its power. The intrinele fas- cination of the acting has been forti- fled by the splendid photography, which ranges from Interior scenes, with the soft beauty of a painting, to strect- the smoky panorama of a Hattle. The touch of the director (Richard Boleslawski) is at its best here.
Who's Your Favourite Movie Star
TELL HOLLYWOOD
Sforecast worthy contem-
Aporary Previower" of South
China Morning Post commenced annual popular star ballat yes ferday, and is calling for your vote until next Thursday,
Apart from fact it's lot of fun
· Anding out just who the Hongkong| -publia liken - best, there's a business and be It, for you vote for No. 1 and others will halp well the tide' thai decides Hollywood and Elstree a. star plans for future, de
Hongkong, was feat com
contro to vote
Ginger Rogors No.1 last year. Sydney (Australia) other London," centros rapidly followed suit to-day Ginger ls In A1 cinsy all because you and other people like you let Holly. wood know you wanted her.
Vote for your future entertainers..
Girls in big specialty number, which will take as long to do as four ordinary dances. In fact, it's production all on its own.
Don't think you're going to be robbed of usual four appearances, how ever, for in addition to above, the six girls are scheduled for three other new numbers. One will be a sole by fielen (who, incidentally, makes a dazzling orchestra leader for part of the specialty number), Jo. will do a happy toe solo, and the Gaetanos will show you the Nagasaki (Shim Shan), latest dance craze in the States, as it should be done,
Valentina, sixth member of the coxtette is, in addition, booked for a soln number.
Having previewed at the rehearsals, I'm taking my whirlwind along
to-night for a real treat. Roof Garten is the venus.
PHILHARMONIC annual meeting scheduled for next Tuesday, Fin-
ances, incoming committee (will they remember my suggestion?), forthcoming production will be chief subjects of discussion.
First speaker was Tay Garnet, until recently one of M.G.M.'s best-
had to say known directors, now branching out for himself. What he about Hongkong censors was plenty: primed, he said nothing over radio. but doubtless thought a lot.
Other speaker was Bort. Friedløb, well-known Hollywood producer, who's
night's No. 1 star
Miss attraction.
Photo by von Kolia-Nagy
FEODOR CHALIAPIN SAYS—
"I WANT TO SING IN YOUR HONGKONG"
-and he's going to.
the lucky husband of Thursday FEODOR CHALIAPIN, the great Russian Doreen Ma, who consented to net as to sing in Singapore (plenty of singing in this singer, may have demanded too great a fee Jeanette's thanks at end of broadcast. opening paragraph-but that's Chaliapin fon Danial Les horn La Doug File you!),
accompanist at short notice, obtained
FOOTNOTE: Peanutla 280's_patella_were
This page's tip is that, despite Rev. C. Brown's hint from Queen's stage on last night of "A Country Girl", Philharmonic won't tackle "Maid of the Mountains." What about "Student Prince" as play more likely to popularly and voice exiturs. Became organist at appeal
to public?
Finances much firmer than following painfully-remembered "Fountain of Youth", of-more-pleasant-memory "Pirates of Penzanco", "Hiawatha." A birdie whispers that "A Country Girl" lost $300, which isn't too bad, con- sidering lavishness of settings, costumes, contliness of centra theatres.
Bo which has final performance to-night. "Trouble in Toyland" is bulls
Metalna UB. Father was well-known in Copebaren violinist. Moved with family from Blain to Canada, where zuesired amuelenl action, continget fater at Partiand Con- wrratairy of Stunic, where specialised in plae Inding Portland einems, then was ""wereen. strucka". went to Hollywood, Plm debut In dos part in "Uncis. Tum * Cubin' (1926) hereafter many leading role, culminating in “King_of_fase,” (“#itar which, the forasek screen for semicality and husband.. Bat still returns in uld love,, and two or three of her pictures: “are on the way. Wolght__KTE.
haired,
sing dark blue eyes that "get you,, goldin
He may have received £150 more than Caruso for one performance.
And he may have been paid £600 for a single performance in Vienna, **
That's of only passing interest to we in Hongkong. What is more to the point is that Chaliapin may yet sing to us for nothing.
In fact, he's already done so but, as can be seen from the photograph taken at Repulse Bay and reproduced on this page, his only audience then was the photographer and a somewhat disinterested girl in the background.---
They Had The World at Their Fingers
FOR over a week, two young men have had the world at their finger-tips.
They are dark-haired twenty- four-year-old Feliz Felton, the B.B.C.' youngest producer, who was in charge of broadcastTM is connection with King Edward's Proclamation and King George's funeral; and Jack Inglis, who operated the control panel under Felton's direction
They it alone in a studio at Broadcasting House before the largest control panel constructed. Thus these two young men heard the programme of their making just as the listeners hoard it.
Through a loud speaker above them came the voices of those chosen to speak along the routes of the tico great' processions.
Thead will be placed together. with recordings of the late King George's voice, in the B.B.C. vaults for posterity.
READERS WRITE
ΤΟ
"FIRST NIGHT"
That Lady
DOUQUET to producers of whimsical-little- pantomime at Helena-May- around excellent idea of dressing characters as toys. Thus you have Old 10 myself, a kick in the pants for
I saw the famous 6ft. 2in. giant beautiful Hongkong" for a brief fashioned toys-Fairy (Prudence Johnson), Pixie (Phyllis Sayer), Dall not remembering that Anne Win-
Jane Strellet), Bear (Martin Seth-Smith), Clown (Evelyn Buyera) ter had broadcasted from ZBW pro when he passed through here last holiday. Mother Christmas (Mrs. Kenyon), Father Christmas (Lb. Dunlop), Mickie Flous to last Sunday. She gave her week
I spoke to him. I heard him Mouse (Viv. Gillesple), Popeye the Sailor (Barbara Rolfe), Acroplane first recital a month ago, just after
are held spellbound by the voice of At The (Wendy Joseph), Telephone (Thomas Beevor), Bicycle (Joceyin Beevor), arrival in Colony from Portsmouth. sing. Baskets of flowers to Hermoito do'v. Beauclerk and Diana de Precourt for
But, best of all, I heard him say; this famous singer. excellence of production.
"Your Hongkong. 'fs the most
MADE HIT WITH ZBW : HOLLYWOOD STAR
* Joanette Loif, star of Hollywood.
with "listonera" on "Whsirsday night
after she appeared
sartly
Listeners who heard her on Bun day are clamenting for more, and
a birdle whispers that their wish will be gratified this month, Looks
like becoming ZBW's star attrac ⚫tion.
DAVENTRY relays overshadowed
People of every race in the world
But to Russiane whether they
beautiful place I have ever seen. are Red, White or Blue does not Alhambra Here, I want to sing. When I con- seem to matter he is almost a
clude my Japanese and Shanghal ged. engagements I want to return here
-
this week.
exilos
music as only Russians can play it,
In Hongkong he was almost mob. "You ask for brick-bats, bouquela before I go to the United States." bed by his compatriots, many of and suggestions. This letter fuldis
Golden words, those, from the whom, unlike himself, are
moro of those requests. Saving graco from their native land. all else in broadcasting during man with the golden voice..
They fcted him from the time he is that it has something to do with current week. To ZBW, the real
No idle words, elther. To return thanks of 4,000 Hongkong listeners to Hongkong means but a slight stepped off his boat until he re-entertainment and Hongkong enter and friends for excellent relays deviation from his originally plan- sumed his voyage on the same day tainment at that
Do you listen regularly to ZBW This week's efforts explain why letters ned tour.
Skilled Russian chefs prepared as it has yours very truly, ZBW la If you do this might have struck you such as the one that appears elso- where
His Far Eastern concerts open dinner at the Hongkong Hotel that not making enough use of Daventry. on this page, are becoming common.
In Japan, and from there he will must have been reminiscent of the Several times of late when reception return to Shanghai. From Shang- olden days of Imperial Russia, and relaying conditions have been hai he has the choice of retracing A wonderful Russian string or next door to the ideal good Daventry BIG variety concert, arranged by his steps to the United States, vin chestra no-one suspected we had programmes have been given the once. ZBW's library ZBW for last Wednesday, un Japan, or of slipping down to one here until his arrival-played over in order to
of gramophone rec
into use, avoidably postponed until February
Why is it that invariably after the 12. Two surprise" artistes are listed.
PROBABLY a lot of you Hong- And Chillapin, on Because ht 9 o'clock Daventry news bulletin, wo kongers don't appreciate ZBW's Repulse Bay, sang. Because he are switched back to the local station WEDNESDAY will be the big musical interlude between items, but sang alone, and his compatriota did to hear age-old records? Transale studio night in forthcoming week. you should see flock of letters from not hear, he has promised to try sion 2 from Homeside always goes on Waikiki Trio are booked for 9.15 to DX fans to ZBW's short-waver and return to sing again-this time for another half an hour" and is
usually worth relaying Mode later by Pianoferta recital by Marina hall European tune. Here's a sceret. Ho loves
Except when they have arranged Barretto. Bill Cameron, jazz pianlat Tune was composed by Hon. N. L especially his countrymen in exile to concerts, lectures and so fort (and bow!) has a date at the studio Smith, while he was Acting Colonial as they love him, He would be a good idea for ZBW to Tuesday night-8.08 to 8.80.
Secretary during. Sir Thomas South-
But although he is an avowed schedule a continuance of Transmis- orn's Uness. A musical box does the monarchist, the Soviet Government slon 2 until it closes at 0.45, unless, trick.
for a long time showed Challapin of course, reception is too bad? In 'the utmost favour. They let him that case they can always fall, back do what he liked, if only he would on their records nobody auffers aing, and they gave him anything Daventryitus. NERE TRENTER ho wanted. He sang monarchist
This is written in the hopes that with impunity.
But in 1917 he became suspect it will catch the eye of the lady who Lécause he gave a donation to a was at the Alhambra the other night
and ARW
daw Top Hat four times in Paris. Ho was
9.85 p.m., to be followed half an hour They're crazy about half-Chinese for them. his countryme studio' concerts, lectures and so forth
Gramophone Corner
WHINING CROONERS SPOIL
*** vulgar voices chanting stupid, vulgar. words?
songs in the communistie, republic
Wand:
with Fred Astaire
comes out now
White
c
• THE DANCE RECORDS WHY do nearly all dance records spoil themselves with whining fund, to and was accused by the England. I biked it over, avez sw Here, however, is one that enough; if you don't, not so bad af Soviet of providing funds for "the much Ginger Rover etc etco
the pice tare was shownu Horn: majo speaks for itself although you might Imagine (Brunswick enemies" and his estate was. con- qunto her own
02054-A--and next - week: Flanagan fiscated.
If her don't know whether you can and Allen in dust from "Romeo and Even then he could have re- escorts, felt as
spored Dus Iand other dance to it, unless you happen Jullot 2)
habilitated himself with the Soviet, people surrounding her, did about ber- Tnke Cover to be both negro and pretty nude
Four singers called but he refused to do so, declaring everlasting conversation during the at the same moment:
Aces giving uncanny imitation of an that all he wanted to do was to save screening of the film, she'll not b ale raid on one side with "Hand Me Russians who were dying of hunger the lady in question, and to all other taken out by them again. J. G. TO Down My Walking Cane" on riverko.]
"Black and Tan Fantasy." Stridul eus, nonsense and reliablo ametic for most honest English people: for most
הסיין
Quite good. (Doosa F5829.) in Paris females saho chatter while other of the rest of us this Ellingtonian Wooden' Boldiers and uptime Someone blundered In that people are trying to enjoy their! Fair revival of favourites of Chalupin was not booked to appear $1.60 worth, a rebuket for lack of orgy is highly amusing. “Hod den- cribant best Played by Jimmie fourteen years ago. (Decca F6819.) la Hongkong when he arrived here manners. Lancoford band; I that means Thick Fog In London Bard last weeke
thing to you (Brunswick 02112-A) under Sydney Lipton might make a If his engagements in the United Adeste Fideles. Bing Crosby, good dance record-but, oh the vocal. States preclude a return to Hong- of-all-peopli
singing anthem in Latin chorus! Why do they do it? (Decin kong, the blunder will become and English, ldyou elike him; well F5828.5"
musical tragedy
N.D. Pressure onl #forces.me. Crulystantisi të hold:
st