1923-02-15 — Page 9

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1929.

THE FILMS

TO-NIGHT.

THE CHINA MAIL.

Reid was graduated from a military em life, business, manufactures academy at Freehold, New Jersey, and government methods, Re- Business did not suit him, however, versely, when film production is and he became a newspaper re began hew, pictures truly repre porter, going from that into vaude sentative of Ching will be sent to ville, which he left with the rise the Occident.

in popularity of motion pictures to The textile subsidiary, of which enter the film industry, In his Mr. Chow is president, also expects ment-and there is something to be making mints or sinners is a theory The first big picture in which he expected to reach here shortly, with dreadful and the melodrama of ing roles but was also the director. lium. C. Mitchell, of Boston, ie early pictures he not only took load to make a beginning soon. Mr. Wil- PROGRAMME FEATURES said for it is that the thing been that still remains to bo proved: appeared was Griffith's "Birth of a staff of experts, to launch the

will have more influence than the thing which is only read. The old cinema is unreasonable, but it with Paramount, his last pictures

The whole agitation against the Nation." Since 1917 he has been company. idea of the child's exuberant in would be silly to expect reason from being "Nice People" and "Clar parent corporation are Mr. J. A, The American directors of the agination which could make a the modem. Puritan Logio is ence; the latter by Booth Tarking Thomas, well known here as cons living picture of the dullest fairg hatoful to him. He will treat ton. Coronet Theatre. "The Prodigal rightly, I think. It is held that cisely the same kind of minds for handsome man, and he was the idol-perty Custodian; Mr. Charles A. tale has been thrown overbound adults and children as having pre- Reid was considered an extremely Garvin, former U.S. Alien Pro- nected with the BIA.T.; Mr. F. P Judge."

an ordinarily cautions youth might purposes of the theatro, and, will of American floppers. He was 6 Meade, vice-president of the du hesitate to try and Dickens's. "Artful Dodger" until between them for purposes of the 170 pounds.

oranlate draw a hard and fast distinction feet, 1 inch in height and weigbel Pont corporation; Mr. M. A. Pou World Theatre.Frank Mayo in he saw him actually fooling the cinero; he will arrest a man for Benides bis wife he is survived by Mr. P. E. Mann, of the Eagle Silk cher, one of the du Pont directors: police on the cinema. "Doctor Jim."

But what about the theatre arouse no comment in the street year-old adopted daughter.

doing in Hyde Park what would a seven-year-old son and a three Company, of New York; Mr. A. J. That is the real flaw in the argu- outside; he will prohibit the use of

Drexel Biddle Jr.. who married ment. What about plays, like alcohol and glorify that of tannin-

Mias Mary L. Duke, and Mr. R. Raffles? What about The Beggar's he draws his line anywhere, at

C. Patterson. Opera? And, above all, what random, without logic or meaning, about the Punch and Judy Show? because he does not really want to Are we seriously asked to believe draw the line at all. Like his that children who are so powerfully seventeenth-century ancestor, what It was Mr. E.-V. Trucks who once affected by a representation of the he really objects to is that people said that he should be sorry for any petty thefis of the Artful Dodger" should enjoy themselves and do af Policeman whom he happened to as to emberk forthwith upon a they like. If children did not like s bending over- as he walked out career of crime, will be uncon going to cinemas, the Puritan of a cineam hal after watching staminated after witnessing Mr would stop in and compel them to Charlie Chaplin L. This is prob. Punch's horrible series of murders, go, on the grounds that cinemas. ably. De most important thing that ending with that of the policeman have an educational vale-which Mr. E. V. Lucas ever said. It is, who comes to arrest him?

It is is perfectly true-and are a vigor

THE CINEMA.

AND THE PURITAN.

as far as I know, writes Clennell asking too much of our credulity, as and, on the whole, a healthy Wilkinson in The Outlook, the only And if it be argued that Mr. Punch, stimulant to the young imagination recorded instance of a person with meets his deserts in the end, the-which is even more obviously criminal instincts going out of his answer is: So does the Artful true. way to make a free confession that Dodgar.'; so does Fagiu." Virtue

those instincts were around by the always triumphs on the cinema, s

cinema.

·

it always did in. the old-fashioned We may discount confessions, molodraina and the penny dread made before magistrates. When a The question of the film dealing |

WAL LACE REID'S DEATH.

hungry child stents a feaf of bread with the relations between the CINEMA STAR DIES AT LOS from a baker's shop he knows that sexes is not quite so simple.

ANGELES.

FIGHT AGAINST NARCOTIC HABIT,

Los AXOXLES, January 18: Wallace Reid, the movie actor,

zzerstei.

MARY PICKFORD HHROUGH THE BACKDOOR/

The Chinese members of the directorate: have not yet been de finitely announced, but among the names mentioned are those of Mr. C. C. Nieh, former president Li Yuan-hung, Mr. C. T. Wong, Mr. another. Chang Chien, Mr. Chow Taz-chi bo no insuperable reason why, by

means of amalgamation such as ta

and others..

Bhortly coming to Hongkong.

"KISMET.”

There would appear to

Representatives of the American taken place among the British rail. CORONET'S NEXT PICTURE,

· interests are to visit the Orient way companies, distribution of films

within the next few months when should not be conducted oa far more:

"Kiumet," Otis Skinner's ́re

a conference will be held and de- economical lines. A precisely simi finite plans will be drawn up for the lar state of things, though on a markable stage success, and the ous various projecte contemplated, correspondingly smaller scale, exists chosen by him to make his debat Among the representatives who in this country, where both the in motion pictures, is one of the will come to Shanghai Mr. Drexel, American and English producing Biddle will represent the Duke in terests, while the du Pont and Brady and other interests will also send representatives.

FILMLAND IN 1923.

STRENUOUS COMPETITION

COMING.

TI

and distributing concerns maintain most magnificent productions over umerous provincial agencies, screened. It is a gorgeous spects. Some time ago, the head of one of cle, filled with fascinating harew our leading firms of producers drew girls and intensive dramatic action up a scheme to pool much of this against a background of beautiful overlapping activity, and also to put Oriental splendour. The picture, s expenditure in other directions on

an economic basis. There is little Robertson Cole super-special,, will doubt that the reforms he outlined be shown at the Comnet Theatre will soon be imposed by the pres- to-morrow.

Bure of necessity, unless there is a sudden and quite likely return of nerare two of the screen's loveliest Chiefly in support of Mr. Skin» prosperity. One of the contingent

it is useless to tell the magistrate shall not adopt the cynical orgu- that he took it because he was ment that there is nothing to pre- hungry. Apparently magistrates Tent young people from finding out do it think like that. They ask about these matters if they have themselves, How were this child's the mind to; timt a study of the, criminal instincts aroused? Has he daily Press will supply them with feen to see a film about Dick Turfall the information they require; lied in a sanitarium.bere, where he $1,000,000 for three films completed He is reported to have effered pin, or has he been reading one of and that if schoolboys are still was taken a month ago after "a those trashy novelettes?" They innocent it is simply because nervous breakdown said by his by " Fatty" Arbackie before his trial Rem to take it for granted that schoolboys are bored by the subject. family to have been due to a fight which have never been released either literature or the cinema is to What really is astonishing is that against the narcotic habit." blame, and, being fair-minded mon, the County Council shold. ave The death of Wally" Reid, as they obviously regret their inability moved the strong modern tendency he was popularly known, marks the to put the playwrights and novelists towards greater frankness in thesessing of one of the most popular 2000 THEATRES FOR CHINA be expected to approach appreciably in the dock histead of their wretch.matters. Books are appearing at in stars and at the same time.

BIG AMERICAN SCHEME..

**change which will be brought about "I GIVE HER NOTHING. brief career on the legitimate stage,

less with intention than by the adoption of new.business methods, Two thousand motion picture certainly not inspired by mathetic

..

ed dupes. The explanation that the rate of about one a month, brings to a sorrowful, climax the

e lad was hungry is to common written by distinguished lady any reports that a large number place: it fails to touch the magis doctors, urging that children should of prominent figures in the Holly terial ingination; anyhow it is bo acquainted with the main facts wond

consequences of this purely commer. Women, Rosemary Theby and, During the preser year the move opening for a new rate of film pro- dark, Oriental type of beauty, while cial reform. should be to provide an Elinor Fair. Rosemary is of the ing picture industry will producers who might leaven the whole Elinor is a sweet, coy little ingente, ably undergo something like industry and hasten ita transforma Miss Theby was born in 8 metamorphosis, says a writer in a tion into an art, as has been said. Home paper. Incidentally, it may

Louis, Missouri. After graduating. with high honours from the Sar gent Dramatic School, and after s

Learer to the status of an art, a

ever accepted as an excuse. So of life before they leave the nur-addicts, movie colony are dres theatres located throughout China considerations. In order to retain PAULINE FREDERICK CUT for her talent than did the stage.

-OFF:

she became very much interested in motion pictures and decided that", the screen afforded a greater outlet Her mal type of beauty and dramatic ability attracted so much offered leading roles. Perhaps the attention that she was immediately

the criniini-who is also not with-sery. No champion appears on the

While the immediate use of within the next three years is the ita-hold-on-the-huge-world audience out imagination—taker rimont oker sith The dil Victorian fairy, the death of Heid in believed to be goal-set-a-part-of-the-programme it has conquered, the cinema thea- pleasure in tracing the origin of his tales about birth, with their inevit. influenza, according to reports from of the Peacock Film Company, sub tre, it is realised more and more crime to some vaguely remembered able disillusionment, are understood Los Angeles during the latter par sidiary of the G-$10,000,000 cor clearly, inust offer an economical moving picture or penny dread-jto be utterly out of fashion. Yet it of December, it is admitted by portion-tha China Enterprises, form of entertainment. The scale ress, who was formerly's kinema best work of her screen cancer is

Miss Pauline Frederick, the act ful," in the not ill-founded hope, is considered unsafe to allow chil-toonbers of his family that the Incorporated recently organised by of prices charged for admission is star, has been cut off withont adone in Kismet where her dark that he may gain some sympathy dren to witness one of those intolerovie star had used narcotic to powerful Chinese and American the barometer by which, speaking penny by the will of her father, hangorous beauty and striking man thereby. Such confessions are unably dreary, sentimental love some extent, important. We realise now that dramas," which even grown-ups the press on December 18, Reid's

In a slatement to inancial groups. ;. our parents were wrong in attribut-'counot understand, because it may wife, known to the motion picture moth new corporation was brought Raise the scale by ever so small a

Information regarding the mam public may be gauged infallibly wich, Connecticut, recently.

generally, the attendance of the Richard Libby, who died at Norner of wearing clothes shows.ber ing to the influence of the penny put idons into their heads. What world as Dorothy, Davenport, said: back to China by Mr. Chow Taz-chi, fraction and the effect is immedi-clause-1 give and bequeath to this production stamps her as one The will contained the following weductive, dazzling Kit-al-Kulbin to advantage. Her portrayal of the dreadful about half the is it actually dies is to send them to "Wallace always drank to some former Minister of Finance and ately noticeable in the increased my daughter, Pauline Beatrice of the finest actresses on the screen. demeanours of errand-boys and sleep, just as ร mid-servants. We realise that it would. It is not persons under six-hegan to use drugs. He was very turned from a tour of Europe and Diminish it, and the empty places this omission to show that the same wholesome as she appears on the

modern novel extent, and about two years ago he Acting Premier, who has just re number of would be as reasonable to blame teen, but persons over and especiill at that time, but there was a America 323 Economic Commis fill up again: Little wonder, there is intentional and not a mistake.**

unoccupied seats. Rutherford,, nothing. I mention Mise Fair, just as sweet and Bella Donna, for the Ilford crime. suffer inoral damage from the re- felt that he must keep up some. The great commercial undertake theatre, seeing his means of liveli-Charles Rutherford, of Seattle, one Virginia in 1902. She is the same Mr. Robert Hichens, the author of ally just over-that age who inay great deal of work at his studio and sioner for the Government. fore, if nisny an owner of a picture Miss Frederick is the wife of Dr. having been born in Richmond, screen, is not yet out of her teens, To quote Mr. Chesterton, it is no presentation of sex problems on the how, so he resorted to the artificial ing is being backed in America by hood at stake, came to look on the of her girlhood's friends, to whom winsome little girl who so ably por longer held that "gutter boys, un cinema.

"They

are interested means which have been his un, the da Pout Brady and Duke inter price he was asked to pay for the she was married several months ago tryed the role of the invalid girl like everybody else in the con- soluetines teo much interested doing. Any talk of his having been ests and the Chinese group will be films he showed as the only thing Previously she was the wife of in "The Miracle Man," and whe munity, find their principal motives, Children are not.

connected with a for conduct ja printed books." The If the charge against the cinemas absolutely absurd and untros; nor capital being equally divided. The that really mattered. Cheapness, in Willard Mack, the dramatist, whom played ingenue roles in several of

dope ring is correspondingly as strong, the magistrates, in fact, have sequitted were that of stupidity; if it were dil he frequent the dope parties, coporation is chartered in Dela- the literal sense, became, in fact, she divorced. She is now playing Lew. Cody pictures. Literature. The Cinetos stands in alleged that while they were I think he did go to one or two such ware,, under a constitution which the firm exhibitor's first desidera in Chicago in the dock in its place.

obviously incapable of influencing a affairs, but he found then distaste will permit it to engage in practi-

tum.

The Guilty Peculiarly suited to Miss Fair is Woman.4 Literature leaves the Court with child's actions they might well ful and never want bask

Then the day arrived when the Last March, when Mini Frederick beautiful daughter of the beggar, her role in Kismet." As the ot a stain an its character. Oliver have a bad effect on his taste. by

cally every form of commercial activity. Two subsidiary companies Public began to complain about the abandoned the kinema for the stage, Hajj, she is irresistible, and her Teist may be printed in cheap edi- acenstoming him to sloppy senti tions and sold to all and sundry, mentality, vulgar music, and an the collapse came, and was advised branch and the Universal Textile as our American friends graphically a week from a film producing cons-surely bring her fame on the silver Reid was making a picture when have been formed thus far the film quality of the entertainment, and, he was receiving a salary of £1,800 interpretation of this role, will hit a cinematographie representa obscure and pompous style in prose, at the studio to take a rest. He Corporation, which will enter into express it to "shop" for films. pany. tion of Fagin's thieves' kitchen has one could understand that. been banned for everybody under that they should be supposed to be Los Angeles, where he made a vali large scale, establishing an indus. their mettle. Thay announced that But was removed to a sanitarium near the silk and cotton business on This put the film manufacturars on sixteen years of age.

The argu, any more capable than the penny faut but futila fight against death trial unit in Shanghai and produc- henceforth, their motto would be

for more than two months. At the ing goods both for Chips, and the fewer and better pictures. Un tine of his collapse: Reid was star-export trade.

fortunately, fewer and better pic- ring for the Famous Players Lasky Uther enterprises to be entered tures also meant more costly pro- Corporation, producers of Par. into include transportation under ductions, and the owner of the amount pictures.

takings,

construction of public cinema theatre found that he was utility systems such as water and expected to pay more and more for electrical plants, serculture, silk the hire of these expensive films. spinning and so forth

His barometer, the pay-box, on the

DRUG HABIT ADMITTED.

Several reports to the effect that Reid was on the road to recovery have been received since his col lapsa, but these have time proved

For the present, Mr. Chow says other hand, warned him that it was to be false. On December 18, the it is proposed to move carefully, impossible to recoup himself for this rearreying the ground and paring extra expenditure by charging the the way for the

star had been rear death for the

ment in which he said that the film various projects to be embraced by was, in fact, between the devil and Inat five or six days, adding the parent corporation. The tax the deep sea. It is not surprising

Laboratory tests at the present tile and motion picture subsidiaries, that, in such circumstances, be be time indicate that Mr. Reid is aut in the very near future. The latter much as they do, and to fake quite however, are to make a begiming gan to wonder why filmis-cost so.

fering either from a condition of complete exhaustion or from in-direction of Mt. Frank Chamber. manufacturer's affairs. As the re- branch has been placed under the an impertinent curiosity in the film fluenza. A reinlection of indvenza is possible at any time and could lain, formerly associated with the -sult of his investigation, he came to case his death. His present :Famous Players Company, who is the conclusion det gres extra- ness has no connection with overexpected to arrive in Shanghai be vagance had been practised in many. indulgence in alcohol or narcotice; fore the end of this month. directions, and that for this extra- although much indulgences have un with him a large consignment of bear the brunt in the long run.

Mr Chamberlain is bringing vagance, he, the exhibitor had to doubtedly undermined his strength Gims and will open offices and Films not only cost a large awl system in mouths gone by... begin distribution to various parts amount of money to make, they BIR CARBER of the country. It is planned for also entail voet sums to sell and dis- Reid was the son of Hall Red time to engage simply in filma tribute to exhibitors. Each of the prominent playwright, and was distribution, but oventually to pro- big producing concerns, here and in born in St. Louis, Missouri, in deca pictures here bath for export Arnerics, maintains at great expense 1893. At the tue of his death ha st lansign fields and for issue to the woa just 8 years old and was at the 10,000 theatres which the promoters;

network of branches fiercely Com height of his career. At the age of

propose to secure or establinir

Hour, young Wallace appeared on many towns in China. A fix

The stage in Slaves of Gold but?

his schooling kept him

tricals for a numbi

the

with one anoth

ively.

paign is part

Mr. Uhow insotion, su

DEWCOMTAT

handre al etitions and bands in Southam

making his

more than

cand

piotu