1923-03-08 — Page 9

THURSDAY MARCH 8, 1928

THE CHINA MAIL.

THE FILMS

TO-NIGHT.

•

A NOTABLE SERIAL.

BUILDING THE WALLS,

1

Ever and Stories from "the In the past many attempts have Opera; "impressionist pieturas re-been made to perfect the natural quiring special presentation effects, colour photography process, but Conquering Everest being an until the advent of the Prizina pro- example; and a host of other cess succes was not achieved. The developments of minor ziete. Priza people have been experi- menting for some time past with The presentation sido of the cine still life coloured photographs, but] na has extended very considerably, it remained for J. Stuart Blackton, is magnified beyond proportion, high valua he puts upon his laboura; This has already been noted, as in an Englishman with a wide Ameri- PROGRAMME FEATURES.decorated and surrounded by futile but rumours of now corts circulate the case of little prologues and can producing experience, to try the

accessories, and exploited to the

musical effects and selections. The now invention out on 'eix-not vulgarest content.

The serial we may always have place of music has been firaly and photo-drama. If a lady is found with attractive with us—(yes, up to all appear finally recognised, a very valuable The Glorious Adventure" was legs and easily marked eyelashes, ances for them too.) A serial in advance being made by the Pro-selected because it is set about the she is clothed at once in tights, seldom shown in the bigger bouses vincial Cinematograph Theatres. reign of Charles II,, when elaborate laden with jowels, and left to toe. Exceptions, however, havo ben Thesa and other things have been and highly coloured costumes were dance in butterfly wings to the title such films as the Gaumont Com-marking the progress of the picture tho vogue. Another reason was be- of Passion" or "The Bonds of pany's excellent Three dus-play. It only remains to eliminate cause the story cane to a climax, in Love."

(These titles, of course, keteers," for instance. And this omo objectionable, or, rather, mis-the Great Fire of London. (1866), are fictitions, but still It company, it may here be remarked, guided features, to forget the film Both these factors provided oppor- ny really sometimes be wondered have much to be proud of in their industry in the film art, and, to tunity for the colouring to be seen whether such-and-such a company production of "Rob Roy a des enlarge the bursting crysalis of to best advantage. credits the public with the meanest cription of the making of which I dramatic realisation. Given a com- There is no doubt about the suc taste or intelligence.

Igave in these columns in July. pany of players, a'skilled artistic cess of the innovation. Quito At first pictures of this type One serial, nevertheless, has left lead, enthusiasm and ambition and apart from the absorbing story and attracted big houses, till common- on indelible mark-" The Leather the work is on its way. Let the fing drama of the picture, the sens made itself felt and the Pashers.", whorein Reginald material be worthy of respect. greer the rental the less becanie] Denny, a-new English actor, plays. the box-office receipts.

Coronet Theatre.--Mary Pickford in Through the Back Door."

World Theatre.-William Farn- um in "Wolves of the Night."

Stor Theatre. Madge Kennedy

in "Baby Aline."

FILM PROGRESS.

HOME RECENT CHANGES.

PLEASING PICTURES.

A

MOVIES, IN NATURAL COLOURS.

ENGLAND LEADS THE WAY,

magnificent colouring is in itself worth seeing. Nothing is harsh or sharply defined. The whole blends into beautiful lights and shadowa, and, even where the colour is vivid, it is not garish.

MADGE KENNEDY

Star in Goldwyn Pictur

At the Star this week.

EDUCATIONAL

INCREASING-

POPULARITY,

The educational film has yet to be produced, Dr. Kimmins, chief inspector of London's education department, has said recently. He' is clairmah of a committee now sitting to investigate more fully the educational value of the cineras, and the effect upon the child from every point of view, and nobody in in a better position to judge of its merits than this sympathetic sta- dent of childhood.

People are asking how long the child retains the impression of the rapidly moving picture and what is its relative value to the stationary, Lantern slide. A successful lecturer on bird life has combined the two methods, giving for example clone pictures of birds sitting and stand- ing on the nest or the ground which the teacher can describe, at length, and with moving pictures illustrat- ing the development of flight and the habits of the fully grown bird The same method could be applied

KINEMA IN BORNEO. to the study of animals or plants.

the load-a serial, be it said, of a new and much appreciated nature. On the other hand, a finer im-Its story will by now be familiar, the It is easy to recognise changes spread over a long period, broad pression was left by productione adventures of a young ex-college differences in the same subject. So of a different type. "Smilin' man forced by pecuniary circumi- NEW ERA IN PRODUCTION. The close-ups of the leading lady, in this consideration of fibus a vast Through" has already been praleed, stances to take up boxing, and each

Lady Diana Manners, said by development is notably apparent and praised deservedly. No film of episode or "round," completo in

terities to be one of the most beauti since the days of the cowboy drama. the year was so worthy, so widely itself, is a fight in his career. The While it is admitted that America ful women in the world, are simply

As regards travel-filus, there is No longer, or at least but seldom,appreciated, and so promising. It humour and remarkable currying is responsible for nearly 90 per cent. superb. The features seem to

no question of the interest they A WONDERFUL PLACE.

create in various countries. If the do heroes in campaign buts and fur-appealed because of its truth, its power of this picture have made of of the film production of the world, stand out in relief from the screen, trimmed

inpression is flecting, it lasts long: trousers captivate the sweetness, its all-round quality. it a popular favourite.

it has remained for an English pro-und the colouring of hair, eyes, and

enough to ha a'foundation for the small boy's heart and stir the The acting was good, Norma Tal- There have been many other new duver to lead the way with motion flesh is exquisitely delicate.

Mr. Rex. M. Everett, writing on work of a teacher. pseudo-adventurous as they shoot madge won fresh laurels, and the features in the past year" Eve's pictures in natural colours.

Many well-known English and the Cinema in Borneo, sars-If know the city child regard the out- Those who six shots from the right hand and polueer had taste combined with Film Review," fushions, etray bita

"The Glorione Adventure," Continental artists who were pre-you want to land at Miri (Earawak) side interest evoked in this way say roll a cammi cigarette in the left. business instinct.

of art, and the ventures of which was privately presented to asent at the London premiere are you have to anchor three miles out very valuable in itself. Anything The good old days (1) are gone. Noteworthy, moreover, have been Felix, the Cat; " films of the big audience at the King's Cross reported to have been very much to set and go ashore in a rowing that stretches the imagination, that Trac, we have Douglas Fair-some smaller, less ambitious efforts. "Nanook" kind; a few taking series Theatre, was something in the na-impressed with these close-ups of boat or motor lunch, and yet once sets forth a picture of some aspect banka and some shadowy foliowen, Recently I attended a house where such as "Songs That Will Live Forture of a sensation.

Lady" D."

you, land there you find that it of lile other than that of griur figies of a thousand stout gyn- the mun film was not of a story

possesses the most wonderful cine-streets and bricks and mortar must nastic feats. But there they stop. nature and where as a species of

ma in the world.

be a great factor for good, since Duggie" isDuggie," and the "sop to the groundlings" a short

The cineroa building-you cannot even a fleeting impression is better The central story is merely incidental. Falling play was shown.

call it a theatre-is unique, for it than none at all. "The picture I over a elit and being caught in a character was an amorous sea-cap-

houses an audience that even Sir like best is a meadow," wrote a girl tree is the main thing-the critictain, nothing more, and the tale cir-

Oswald Stoll has never dreamt of. of 10 It has flowers and little eled round a complete successs, and and the ernic can go to bed.

Facing the screen there are two hille. Why I like it is because it Fortunately, however, there is left a satisfied peusstion that was

enormous verandalis, or grand- makes you think you are in the more artistry in the film world than entirely general.

stands, with a restaurant and bars country youmelf." that of the horizontal bars, and,

What is called for is acting, the even the long-suffering spectator of nirring of life, a following on the muscular energy can find fare lines of the straight" drams and nearer to his liking. And, anyhow, inn honekt attempt to leave behind to put it tritely, Rome was not built, the theatre at its best. And in con-

Isolation, it is better to travel hope-| in a day.

By examining what has gone fully than to arrive, Truth, the before, and particularly what has play, and legitimate credit. taken place in the immediate past,

COMEDY DRAMAS.

by asking, that is, at the pictures In the realm of the comedy there

of 1922, we ung attempt to forecast the triumphus or otherwise of 1923,

have been many shifting aspects. From the old rough-and-tumble fun

on farrive at the general trend of fof dropping a bucket of dirty water affairs.

BARREN LABOR.

on a Tated rival's head or the "clouting of a fat policeman, In these coluins some time ago, thero have been many strange (enys a writer in a bome paper) gradations. Men sliding down a particulars were given us to the cost cra-chute have been followed by of Ala production and we saw how embryo golfers, and close upon Tavish in some cases the figures them the explosive cars of Henry were. Lange expenditare, indeed, Ford. Centiry Comedies now in- geems to have been the predominant, troduce a monkey and a clever dog, note of the year that has gone, it must be adulted with fading Intely Poolish Wivs" consum- populbrity,

ed a record sum running nearly to Bobby Vernon, for one, has had ilf a million pounds, Endonlited- long run, marking the reign of ly producers in much cases get their the "newly-weds" series. But that money's worth: settings, exteriors|ton seems on the verge of dis and interes, dresses and devices appearance. Probably the most of all sorts are gorgeous. The re-attractive, comedy film of recent amit, as has been previously remark.date was "The Show," featuring ed, is a splendid show.

Barry Semen. Here, perhaps, this Shows, all the same, are not factor lins reached his climax. original, while good acting is be coming more and more ro every day in the film staulio. Even when good actor or actress is found, the star system steps in, and he or she

FILM TOPICS.

QEIVER TWIST." ·

The big three in pictures to Way,

House, Covent Garden, twice daily for over a month. With the likely exception of one other French super film, it is probably the great. The upptal of Charlie Chaplin is! 10ore than on its wane. It is to be Patrons of the provincial cinemast commercial success in the his remarked that in the provinces he houses may expect soon to see a tory of the French cinema trade. When shown at Covent Garden, is seldom exhibited. The reason picture that the advance publicity.according to the Stoll people, for this, it has been alleged, is the material heralds as a milestone on Atlantide" set up a now record for

A Hot Weather Hint: Keep Cool

MARGARET LOOMIS THE SINS OF ST ANTHONY ®-

Rather cool as a hot weather costums, perhaps, but not as evol as the reception she got at the conservative country club, when, as an Egyption: Mancur. Margaret Loomis uripeared as the guest of Drgant Washburn, the "St Anthony" of the community. In tile forthcoming Paramount picture, the young,salat promptly loses his halo, so hot up do the local residen ladies becomic. But Margaret, as you may have guessed, kreps tool.

"DICK TURPIN"-

at the back. On one verandah all Naturally boys often like pictures the European populace is gathered of the swashbuckling hero, of the and on the lower one all the leading rescuer of forlorn maidens, of the Malays and Chinese, and very pic automobile dashing along the edge turesque they look in their national of a precipice, but interest in by no costumes, the wonderful collection means limited to this type of excit of gold coins, hangles and ankletsing venture. Experience bus prov. of the Malay ladies, displayed upon ed the great delight taken by many their many-coloured and beautiful children in the film of great expedi. sarengs, with their over-rouged tions. The London County Coun lipe and dainty sandals quite out-cil has no Ahns or apparatus for use shining the Chinese in their quieter | in the schools but parties of school: nitive.

children in Charge of a teacher visit

The screen itself is placed out in the best pieture houses after school. the open 72 feet, from the front of hours. The small special fces these verandahs, and on the ground charged by the theatre are paid by all round it sit the rest of the addi- the parent or the proceeds of an enco-Chinese coolies by the 1ho entertainment provide the funds. sand. Malay coolics, Dyaks, and The Shackleton expedition, the scores of other subjects of the ascent of Mt. Everest, the great Kajah. When I say they uit round aeroplano flights have all been re the screen. I literally mean round,ceived with enthusiasm.

is the screen is erected on a vast The expedition film has the added "padaug" or lawn, and is trans- virtue of showing the charter of parent, so they can see equally as the explorer, his courage, persist- well from hoth sides, and as they ence and resource in the face of cannot read English, it does not difficulty and obstacle.

The pre- matter about the sub-titlos being sentation of genuine heroism scena

the wrong way round."

to give as much pleasure as that got It is marvellous how well they forth in lurid surroundings so that follow a picture without the sub-the problem of the film as educator'. titles, and how enthusiastic they resolves itself into producing & but- become over their own favourites. ter class of film rather than in de They will watch a Pathé Gazette or ploring its present tendency to de- | Topical Budget with comparative pict unsuitable stories. The Stoll filter "Dick Turpin's calm, but as 8000 na Tom Mix, ide to York," which has been re- Charlie Chaplin, or Larry Senten leased in London has a theme appear a mighty roar goes up, and romantic enough for any drama. the cheering. laste for several Mr. Matheson Lang is admirable minutes. I have never heard any

MR. MATHESON LANG ON SCREEN.

the highway of art, and which the first night of a filin. bears the highest recommendations There is a brilliant cast of French in its own right.

It is "Oliver screen actors, including Stacia a Dick, while Miss Isobel Elson thing like it in the "Old Country Chaplin or Larry Semon do one of

Napierkowska, Marie-Louise Tribe, Plays the part of Esther Bevis, the The nearest approach to it that I their absurdities. Twist," Juckie Coogan, produced Jean Angelo, Georges Melchior, unwilling bride of the Earl of Wes- 'can remember was when. Vosta And then when it is all over ap by Sul Lesser, directed by Frank Franches, and Abd-El-Kader Ben. ton, who was rescued, from her Tilley took her farewell on that go the house lights"-large in- dilemma in the nick of time by the memorable Saturday night at the condescent street lights-and the Lloyd, and presented by a company Ali..

gentlemanly highwayman. But London Coliselim.. They watch house," never less than 5,000 all' of the most distinguished soreen: The great charm of the film apart they must share their honours with every foot of film with the greatest told empties in 90 seconds, after celebrities, including Lon Chaney is the atmosphere.of mountain and the part of Black Bess.

from its lure of fantastic adventure the gallant little mara who plays keenness, and applaud and clap the band has played the Nations! Glady's Brockwell, Lionel Belmore, desert, translated into wonderful Most of the exteriors were taken "atunt" and defeats the villain, and King," but the Sarawak National their hands when Tom Mix does a Anthem--not "God Save the pictures of long horizons, sunset

and a host more.

The picture is described as the silhouettes, strange grottoes, and at Knot, the seat of Lord Sackville roar with laughter when Charlie Anthon-"God Bless the Bajah.

ambitious in which the carven rocks which give the produc- loveliest and most stately of all our at Sevenoaks, which is perhaps the juvenile star, Jackie Coogan, bastion an extraordinary air of couvie-great English country homes. Here

most

over appeared, and it is asserted tion.

that in it he has registered ou appeal that strikes the bearts of

young and old of all classes of pic

are

THE HYPOCRITES."

it is supposed to represent the Castle Weston, where most of the| action takes place.

What there is of the story in well

turo patrons as well as of those that ferry. Arthur Jones's famous enough known through rhyme and not usually drawn to the play. The Hypocrites, which legend Mr.Maurice Elvy, the theatre. It is the appeal of inno-was first presented by Charles producer, bus made good use of cent boyhood through the medium Frohman at the Hudson Theatre, both.

of one of the greatest stories ever Now York in 1906, and at the Hicks

penned. The plot has been follow-Theatre, London, and which proved

ed with unusual fidelity, it is claim-a wonderful success both in Eng.

7

ed, and the characterisations, will land and America, has now been Mary Odette, Lillian Donglas, Ger- satisfy the most enthusiastic adapted for the screen by Eliot trade Sterroll, Harold French, Dickens' readers. "Oliver Twist Stannard, and is in course of pro- Bertie White, and Roy Travers.

duction at the Granger-Binger

is a First National attraction-liat ed among the biggest of the year. Studios.

Lon Chaney, it is interesting to nate, ona of the principals in sup port of Jackie Coogan in Oliver Twist, says that Fagin is the most [important rôle of his career,

A COMMERCIAL,SUCCESS.

J.

which abounds in tenso.situations,

This thrilling play, A SPORTING PICTURE. should make an excellent film. No With the commencement of the expenso is being spared in the pro- New Year, British film producore duction, and it is expected that this started work on their progmmunes subject will prove to be one of the for 1923. At Kew, Mr. Walter cost successful Super films of 1928.West is busy on his new racing film A very strong cast has been en entitled "The Lady Trainer, and gaged Wyndham Standing, who be has made frequent visite to race is a member of the famous Btanding meetings with his company to "The Queen of Atlantis," the family, in the featured player. secure the necessary race-course novel by Pierre Benoit, which was Although an Englishman by birth, atmosphere, which is always a fea crowned by the French Academy Wyndham has become famous in ture of Mr. West's sporting pic the best of its year, has been made America. One of his greatest suc-tures, into a remarkable photoplay byceeses was in the loading role in Violet Hopson has selected sothe Jacques-Feyder, and was released Earthbound Big Latest Amed wonders gowns for her part as by the Stoll Film Co., Ltd, on the can film to be shown in this coun- The Lady Trainer, and her 8th inst. in London, under the title 'try, was "Smilin' Through" in sporting costumes have been speci of Atlantided For over three which he played opposite Normally designed for her. Misa Hopson months it was shown three times af Talmadge The supporting cost is still favours the breeches and day at the Madeleine Cinema, composed entirely of well-known astride fashion when she sppears in Paris, and fled the Royal Opera atage, and screen stars, including sporting filmg.