THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, BATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 1997,
NEW FILMS
By "FIRST NIGHT"
Edward G. Goes Tough Again
Film: "BULLETS OR
BALLOTS." Stars: Edward G. Robinson,
Joan Blondell,
་
Verdict: Tough but juicy,
-At the King's.
Tmoral tone.
HIS is a film of high
That is to say, every charac- tor carries a gun at the hip, tough guys get tough breaks, police and gangster alike deal death at sight, the gunshots are as resounding as the moral platitudes, and the whole thing ends with the triumph of right over might by means of one of the most grant pieces of double-crossing in the annals of law and order.
I must say It's nice to know that one is on the side of the angels and ti:ut one sit back and revel in thla saturnajin of sub-machine-guns.
and sub-harbans with an easy sense of virtue.
I pity the poor angels their tough task or sorting out the G-men from the gun-men when the last tough guy
has sobbed out his fast "uh-huh" and died with a "yeah" on his Ups.
Film: "LITTLE LORD
FAUNTLEROY" Stars: Freddie Bartholomew, C. Aubrey Smith, Verdict: Beautiful
All of the story that matters may be very briefly set out. It shows how the idyllie domestic happiness of the nine-year-old Ceddie Errol and his mammin, "Dearest," is invaded from England by the formidable old Earl of Dorincourt, who has decided that Ceddle shall take his
ม
rightful
old
patri-
will not recoinise "V
son
bind
ioon Boon
place as his grandson and the title of Lard Fauntleroy. The cian thinking his beneath
Ceddle but him, changes all that, his ever-urbane per- sonality finally winning the Earl's ungrudging effection. An interloper comes on the scene claiming that it -King's, To-morrow. is her son who is the rightful Lord
old man's heart
be
THAT Mrs. Burnett's old-The dry last when steunt o fashioned story should broken at losing his beloved Ceddie, the interloper's claims are proved emerge so magnificently as false, and the Earl, the little boy.
and his idolised "Dearest" live hap- screen entertainment is
pily together at the castle. little short of a modern miracle.
i
become
Before arriving at the Bagrant melodrama of the fraudulent claim Really it is an extraordinary to the succession, the development has chiefly been a matter of expertly achievement on the part of the
co-ordinated detall in which the producers, for here we have a laugh is ever chasing the tear. Ced- candidly novelettish exeursion die's idolatry of his "Dearest" Into Victorian sentiment whichalngere and manly for all its "mam- has nevertheless
ma's boyishness his unaffected re- gord for a pleblan bootblack and an mighty fine picture. For this, obese old grocer, his pathetic fore- thanks and salutations to wells from these, his friends, on David Selznick, director John leaving for England, and the wealth of incident which so ably character- Cromwell, and every technician
ises his devotion for his fierce old and artiste associated with the grandfather whole amazing metamorphosis, is
It is the characterisation
which not least little Freddie Bartholo- matters mast, however, even in a Alm otherwise remarkable for its new, whose delightfully uncon- aristocratic atmosphere and finely cerned histrionics are quite artistic settings of Imposing castle clearly the backbone of the ad- and its lovely old period furniture. venture.
Freddie Bartholomew's Ceddie, for Instance, is superb, a
a restrained and artistically poised study of precisely apoke believe, even to the inroads he makes boyhood in which one can
on the
implacable detestation of du mankind enjoyed by the vid earl. Hardly less commendable the redoubtable 13 the finely etched portrait of the latter contributed by C. Aubrey Smith, Barrymore as the stricken "Dearest," old patrician Henry Stephenson as an old family Lawyer,
and Guy Kibbee as the plebian grocer, also prescht authentic portraits.
way Mr. Edward G. Robinson's face was stuck on; and said so.
The angels will be called upon to okny Mr. Edward G. Robinson.
Mr. Robinson began as a police. Then he was given the shan, washout by his boss, Then he took a job with Al Kru-
To cut a long story short, Bugs ger, whose business in life
was washed out Al, Mr. Edward G. Ro- collecting dimes off innocent Ameri-binson turned out not to have been can children by installing penny-in-, washed out by his boss after all, and the-slot machines 数 American
so he and Bugs washed out schools.
one another on the stairs of 1,204, East Seventeenth-street, and a most en- joyable time was had by all.
Mr. Bugs Fenner, a nasty bit of work If ever there was one, had a of his own in the green- grocery business and didn't like the
rocket
For good shooting and the works generally I recommend this fim.
the
stern
THE STARS
come down to earth
by-
CEDRIC BELFRAGE
"T
HE only essential difference between a movie actor and a longshoreman, apart from dirty and calloused hands, is that the longshoreman's working day is half as long and he gets better pay."
Who said that? Not Harry Bridges, leader of the American maritime workers, nor any other of the union leaders who, according to the Hearsts, are stirring up "class warfare" and leading the U.S.A.- straight to Communist Hell. It was part of a speech on Are Actors Workers?" which I heard given in the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Hall, at a meeting of the local branch of the Inter-Professional Association, The audience was made up of writers, social workero, doctors, nurses, office workers, actors, dentists and other professional men and women who have been united in opposition to the nnobbery that keeps the white-collar class" from union organi- sntion.
The speaker was a comely young person whom you have seen in many a clinch fade-out, and of whom you probably think, if you think of her at all, as just another film cutie: Jean Muir.
H
☆
re-
AVING partially covered from my sur- prise at hearing such true and bold words from such lips in such a refined place (it hadn't at first occurred to me that any respectable-sounding organisation with £5 could hire Hollywood's Chamber of Commerce Hall), let me now congratulate Jean on her courage and her inteligence.
In proof of her assertion as to income, Jean was able to show that while no longshoreman receives less than £0 10s, a week 52 weeks in the year, the average movie actor's income over a full year is considerably below that gure. It is the dawning realisation of such things as this that is bringing more
.
JEAN MUIR, "What's the difference between
a movie actor and a long- shoroman?"
and more Hollywood ex-Follyannas Into the bleak presence of the facts of life.
What is the reason? Just organi- sation, And Jean went on to state that Hollywood actors, who only three years ago were a disorganised rabble, motivated solely by a devil- take-the-hindmost scramble for quick millions, are now 00 per cent. unionised.
80
I doubt if there is a place on earth which has grown up quickly, socially speaking, in the last few years, as Hollywood and Los Angeles,
LIVED in the movie colony from 1927 to 1930, and its backwardness
were
as a social group had to be seen and felt to be believed. Attempts to organise studlo employees of the get-rich-qulek industry thwarted by the snobbery of Rugged Individualism and by the treachery of rich stars and writers, who soid their less fortunate brethren to the producers for mess of dollars.
3
The outside world never knew how..many hundreds of motion. picture workers starved in the sun- shine for every one who lived in vulgar luxury. Members of the In- dustry were as lacking in group consciousness as they were in any knowledge of, or interest in, what went on in the world of three- dimensional events.
And now I can hardly recognise the place. In the lower wage brackets of the movie industry, a militant union spirit is overywhere manifest. The electricians, stage hands, and other manual workers, as well as the musiclans, are 100 per cent. organised, and dictate
working conditions to such former dictators as Louis B. Mayer.
In the dizzy salary brackets, though four out of five Beverley Hille mansions may still be ivory towers, there is a swiftly growing movement of group consciousness, of helping the less fortunate in the struggle for life, liberty, and food. And no longer, for the twinkling inhabitants of Beverley, is the world bounded by their sunkissed 12111,
☆ ☆
IRST, there came a con- sciousnicas among the,
rich and successful elc- ment that their interests were one with those of all workers, proud or humble, la the movies wherein fame is like the mayfly.
Then they began to perceive the common interests of all profes- sional workers. And now some of them are willing, and even wayer. to ally themselves with all the workers, both manual and mental. whose interests arc itie SAME throughout the world. Here are some of the ways in which this change has shown itself Intely:
When the lettuce, workers of Salinas, Califorula-poor Mexicans, for the large part-recently went on strike, it was viewed with alarm by the local reactionary press that the following, among others, had sent contributions to the strike funds:
James Cagney, Fredric March, Fred Keating, James Gleason, Lionel Stander. J. Edward Brom- berg. Gary Cooper, Grie Bonder- gaard. Humphrey Bogart, Pat O'Brien. Herbert Marshall, Eddie Cantor, Robert Montgomery.
A
SKED by Hearst ra- porters to explain them- selves, most of these celebrities gave non-committal answers, and the Hearst Presa sug- gested to them that if they did
such a thing again they might not find their names in print as much as formerly. It was a pity that none of the contributors-was willing to defend himself and the strikera boldly. It would have been a fino gesture if they had countered with a threat that, if the Hearst Press did print their names again in any connection after such a dispiny of Bourbonism, they would sue tor." Iinel.
But still, it was something that these wealthy stars should have shown by their financial help to the strikers that their hearts were in the right place.
Then, not long afterwards. mass meeting was held in Los Angeles to hear the three envoys of the Spanish Government who are making a lightning tour to tell America the truth about thie Franco Invasion: Seven thousand people crammed the Shrine Audi- torium and wildly cheered the trio who had been forbidden to speak in Canada: Fr. Luis Sara- sola, pro- Government Basque priest; former Minister of Educn- tlon Marcelino; and Isabel do Palencia, Spanish Minister to Sweden,
A
☆ ☆ ☆
MONG the audience, I saw many members of the movie colony, altting aldo by side with stevedores, Negroes and Mexicans. Donald Ogden Stewart, the famous humorist and scenarist, was one of the movie workers who sat on the stage behind the speakers.
In
fow minutes many thousands of dollars were collected to send provisions to the Spanish loyalists. From a studio worker sitting near me went up the cry. to be echoed throughout the hall: "Send them armat"
Once again the movie people publicly showed their solidarity with the world's workers, thele sympathy for the victims of Fascist tyranny, when at the same auditorium the, Hollywood Anti- Nazl League for the Defence of American Democracy held a meet- Ing of protest against Fascism.
The principal speaker was Eddio Cantor, who said that he came. there despite warnings that the consequences for him might not be pleasant. Cantor attacked Fascism in all its forms, and pointed to the seeds of the menace which are already showing them- selves in America.
INCE the movies were born, its luminaries have
Sborn
enjoyed a world-wide reputation for empty-headedness. Never-mind-that. It-is-just-be-- cause their reputation, whatever it may be based on, is world-wide that their attitude in these funda-
mental matters is important.
The movie stars have begun to think and to grow up, and it is in their power to influence in the right direction millions of people' throughout the world, people who worship at their feet, people who kewise have not hitherto culti vated the habit of thinking for themselves.
For thinking is the most 'deadly
of all contagious diseases. You' might even catch it from a shadow.
Why a Schoolmaster
introduced
OVALTINE
into his School
ROM his own personal experience, the Head Master of an important provincial school has proved the supreme health-giving properties of delicious Ovaltine. This has led him to inaugurate a scheme for supplying Ovalone to his pupils. He writes:-
"I should like to add that, in preference to any other form of beverage, I regularly take 'Ovaltine' myself each evening. I consider it to be all that you claim for it. I know it is many years since I have felt so fit and bright morning after morning so thoroughly rested and refreshed after seven or eight hours sound sleep. In fact, it is my own personal experience which led me to introduce Ovaltine into my school,"
The experience of school authorities all over the country shows that where Ovaltine is, added to the mid-morning milk at school the beneficial effects are most marked. The children who have Ovaltine are found to be more energetic, more alert and less liable to catch coughs, colds and other infectious ailments.
Ovaltine possesses special properties which, when added to milk, make the milk deliciously palatable, easily digestible and much more nourishing. In fact Ovaltine is, in itself, a complete and perfect food. There is nothing "just as good."
EDDIE CANTOR. "They can't frighton mo, and
I wam you
ENTERTAINMENT
Y.M.C.A. AMATEUR DRAMATIC SOCIETY
j
LOUCESTER Management has
with Rogofta, who has proved Hong-
TO PRODUCE THREE ONE-ACT PLAYS YOUNG Men's Christian Association's A.D.C. has decided not. to
rest on Pantomine taurels for current season, will produce three cause for jubilation at contract onc-act plays in West Lounge carly in April.
Plays have not yet been final- HELENA MAY is reverting to 5.30 Kong's greatest star turn of the past ly decided upon, but will prob pm. for concerts in winter pro- twelve months. With Harles and ably include Laurence Hous- gramine, 9.30 proving unsuitable for Robert, Italian artists from the famed man's The New Hangman," majority of supporters. Next vocal Scala Theatre in Milan, Rogatta is and Instrumental recital is scheduled booked for gala dinner dance on Phillip Johnson's "The Lovely for February 6, will introduce Tenor eighth floor to-night, and will sub- Miracle." W. Robertson (Pan-M. Gaudin for first time, and will insequently appear during week nights. tomine Producer) and Rev. J. D. clude Mrs. Arnold (Cello), Mrs. She has everything that makes for MacLean (Pantomine author)
Evelle (Planoforte) and Mrs. Sanger grand entertainment in between those will produce. Readings will Sydney are the Accompanists. Sub→
(Tenor). Mrs. Griggs and Gerald dances to "Pop" Gellman's Orchestra. take place next week, following sequent concerts will be held on which tentative casts will be torch 12 and early in April. chosen. One certainty appears
аге
SOCIAL season is in full swing, and
several important events scheduled for the next two months. St. John's Ambulance Ball will be
on
St. Patrick's
inFIRST rehearsal for Philharmonie's held in the Hongkong Hotel
forthcoming production of The February 12, and Street Singer" will be held in the Society's Annual Ball will be held in Cathedral Hall at 6.30 pm. on Mon- Peninsuin
to be W. Starbuck, who has had considerably experience "straight" acting and was furore as "Widow Wanchai" in recent Pantomino.
Hotel оп March 12, Austration and New Zealand Associ→ ation has ear-marked March 5-a week before St. Patrick's for An- alco nt the Peninsula, St. Patrick's nual Plain and. Fancy Dress Ball, Day (March 17) has been set aside by Feninsula Management for Em press of Britain Ball, a function. which has become a regular annual affale for passengers aboard the Canadian Pacific round-the-world vi.cruisa Uñer.2
dhy, and rehearsals will 'be continued thereafter. at 8.45 p.m. on Thursdays, Philharmonte are anxious that o many mem COMETHING is in the air, also,bers as possible turn up for Monday's with the Hongkong Amateur rehearsal, when preliminary work in Dramatic Society, but they are keep-onnection with choice of cast will the the
plans a dark secret for the take place. "The Street Singer will There seems every Indica--
that they will occupy be presented at the Queen's Theatre Club theatre, oltherin mid-April. Rev. Cyrli Brown la
producing.
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