1923-04-12 — Page 9

THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 1929.

THE FILMS

PROGRAMME FEATURES.

TO-NIGHT.

Coronet Theatre.-Max Linder

in "The Three Must- Let-theres."

World Theatre.Priscilla Dean

in "Under Two Flage." Star Theatre. Alice Joyce in

"Cousin Kate."

FILM CENSORSHIP.

MR. T. P. O'CONNOR'S REPLY

TO CRITICS.

THE

CHINA MAIL.

THE THREE 'MUST-

GET-THERES"

CORONET'S GREAT COMEDY,

A.

UNDER TWO FLAGS."

WORLD THEATRE'S FINE

FILMA

"THE PRODIGAL SON."

A GREAT BRITISH FILM.

Every part of the Royn! Opera There is a certain feeling of antis-House, Covent Garden, was occupl ed by the guests of the Stoll Film faction that comes to a reviewer Company, recantly, to see a private when be sallies into a theatre to oxhibition of what is, probably, the review a Priscilla Dean Jowel foa-longest, and is certainly one of the six years ago? That there was not

ture, From past experience he beat, filme ever produced at Home. a day's paper which did not contain

knows an evening's entertainment For the first time, almost, an effort. bas boon modo to give a faithful the suggestion, either from the

is going to be combined with the interpretation of an author's work, |Bonch or from the pulpit, that the] cinema was increasing, even to an

work in bond. Nover hus Univer-overy salient feature in the story alarming extent, the amount of

sal's dynamic atar appeared in being visualised on the screen. The of thie juvenile crime in the country.

necessary consequence There are casts, real coats and disappointing picture. Her vitality method involves, of course, using This, the first serious problem I had to confront, compelled ras, after all-star caste, and then there are utter abandon, ability to hoge berat inordinate length of film. Ae consideration, to take a strong scroon comedy casts so good that self in her characterization, her shown recently, The Prodigal sland, and to announce this stand cach player brings a laugh to the flashing eyes, and mobile features San" occupied somewhat more than to the trade. In the circnlar I issued I laid it down emphatically spectator in everything that he deer enable her to give portrayals that four hours, actually, on the screen, that no film would be passed show-and that is the kind of cast there carry away even the most blase of jing the actual method of crime. in in Max Linder's latest five reel After quoting Dickens's descrip film comedy, "The Three Must- tion of the murder of Nancy by Bill

most laughable Sikes, Mr. O'Connor asks: Will Get-Theres," anybody in bis senses maintain that kind of a burlesque on Douglas

[scene?"

work or a

PLEA FOR LIDERTY:

international

A

patron.

rich and assumed

The first part, which is sot almost exclusively in Iceland, is really in the nature of a prologue. The In Quida's “Under Two Flage"

drama then becomes tense and jai which began at the World Theatre worked up with grast art to the yesterday, het interpretation of the climax, when the prodigal son, passionate Cigarette, who loves and hates with equat intensity, is a whom everyone supposes to be dear I should allow on the screen Fairbanks' vonion of Dumas' great work of art.

The picture opens famous man, nader. an

returns to Iceland, realistic representation of the ghast romance, The Three Musketeers." with the cafe scene where the man name, just in time to save from ruin ly murder of Nancy, or the awful

Of conice Max Linder is the of mystery, "Victor," in gambling the elder brother whose birthright The two brothers, comedy favourite, with Cigarette to see whether he The Times last month received one of the death of Bill Sikes? Of course not. What, then, becomes

fights with the French or the Arabs, he had stolen. from Alr. T. P. O'Connor, M.P., of this extravagant theory that be maker of cinema commedies that for Brom the start Director Tod Brown Magnus and Oscar, played respec president of the British Board of Film Cours, a statement in which use a thing is in Dickons it most years have been making movie fansing has set a fast tempo which is tively by Mr. Stewart Rome and be accepted for the film, without of all countries laugh, and he maintained throughout, increasing Mr. Henry Victor, are very real he defends the existing film censor-.

B Three Must-Get-Theres' is the first at the finish to crescendo characters; so, too, is Stephen ship, and replies to the recent criti-oven the change of a

furioso." The scenes thowing Stephanason, their father, in the cism of the Board's uction in delet.

feature production for United Cigarette in her wild desert race bande of Mr. Frank Wilson, Miss ing certain scenes from the film ver-

Turning to another judgment of Artists, which has been booked by against death, and the climax where Collette Brettel, who enacts the ion of "Oliver Twist."

the Board which has been severely the management of the Coronet she gives her life for the man she dual role of mother and daughter, The Board, he enye, bas now criticised. Mr. O'Connor says: "It existence of tan years behind it, and is said that the subject of the film Theatre as the chief feature attrac lover and her beloved France, are is a very charming ingenue, and some of the finest things ever por of passion. She appears to be now more than once rises to real beighte consists of three sections. The first referred to is very unpleasant; so it tion for the next six daya.

trayed on the shadowy screen. is a committee elected from the

Of course Max Linder plays the

to the screen, but should have a different branches of the trade is. It is said that there are scenes

future. The other parts are all which mosts from time to time, and of vicious lives and characters; so leading mla of D'Artagnan-or

adequately filled. But nobody suggest Dart-in-Again-with Jack Richard- in which generat discussion takes that there is a single scene which in

scanes, particularly those on the place on the principles and general indecorous in word or gesture." son, Charles Metzetti and Clarence

Rivier and in Paris, are excellent: policy of the censorship. Secondly, After further discussing the charuc- Werpz, appearing as "Walrus," there are four examiners appointedter of the film in question, he says "Octopus" and "Porpoise." better by Mr. O'Connor, who view all the that he regards it as his duty to known to the lovers.of The Three filma submitted; and finally, there is the President of the Bird, to safeguard not merely the decency of Musketeers" as Athos, Aramis and the film, but also its liberty, and Porthos. Frank Cooke is seen in when in left the final and complete that so long as decorum is maintain the role of King Louis XIII., with responsibility for the passing or re-est and the subject is not one that Bull Montana cast as the Duke of jection of filins. states that it is perhaps not

erally realised that on every work-

there are.

CHILDREN AND THE

CINEMA.

OBJECTIONABLE FILMS.

'In the course of an exhaustive re- port on juvenile delinquency in Scotland, prepared by the Scottish

Some of the

William S Harl

"He's the very image of his daddy!" exclaimed, Williant S. Hart famous screen actor, as he first gazed upon his son. True enough but William S. Hart, Jr., failed to bring about a reconciliation between his father and mother, the latter the beautiful Winifred Westover Hart, who had left her husband's pretentious home in Los Angeles before the birth of the baby."

WHAT IS A STAR?

A MOTION PICTURE PROBLEM."

The

ton Sills and Jacqueline Logan. These minor technicalities are naturally, overlooked by those un- familiar with the customs, but if Jou really want to make sure who' is starred and who is not watch the title sheets as they are thrown on the screen, or scrutinize the billing on the sign boards announcing the picture and you will find that the decrot is usually told by the little propositions, "in" and "with."

This question has been asked a number of times. Is seems to be a question in the mind of many motion picture enthusiasts just who are stars and who are not. confusion has probably been occa- sioned by the erroneous use of the

Walter Hiers, DOW star, has word in publicity articles. It is so embarked on his firat vehicle for much easier to say "starred" than Paramount in which he plays the to explain that so-and-so is one of stellar role. By a unique coin

FIRST STAR ROLE. ·

replica of the inside of, a motion

NAZIMOVA'S CRAVING.

A WORD OF WARNING. Referring to the methods, he should be reserved for the study hallRichelieu under the burlesque title National Council of Juvenile Or or the dissecting room or a special of the "Buke of Rich-Lou." ganisations, and published by the

In an interview at Los Angeles the featured players that a featured cidence. the first, set in which theatre, he will fight for the liberty Catherine Rankin sppears as the Stationery, Office, reference is made with Heuter'e correspondent, Nazi-player and a leading or Walter Hiors works as a star is the ing day throughout the year with of this new form of artistic expres Queen, with Jobynn Ralston as to the influence of cinematograph mova, the famous kinema actress, have many times been termed as

1 sion. Dealing with the question Connie the Queen's seamstress exhibitions on the morals of the stated that she intended to give up atar incorrectly. Consequently the exepetion of short vacations

with whom Dart-in-Again falls young. There is, it is stated, a con-1 acting for the 'movies' and to re-the uncertainty a to just what picture theatre- taken in turn, the four examiners of control, he says-

The question has been raised. madly in love. Fred Cavans takes fict of opinion among social workers turn to the stage because she craves, spent from five to six hours in the

Two of the What are the limits of the control the role of Bernajoux, with Harry of long experience on the question applause, Newa item.] inspection of filus. examiners have been engaged in which the censorship exercises? Mann as "Bunkumain."

of the direct connection between the that work since the inception of the far as the trade itself is concerned,

Every member of the cast is a cinema and juvenile delinquency. O filmed and famous beauties; that control is practically complete laughmaker from the very first Where the home influence is not Board, and there is a lady ex-There remain, however, the public door of the film till the very last, definitely good, where the clement. Before you change your duties (And male performere, too) Consider what you do! licensing authorities of the country.

aminer.

POOR OLIVER.

Referring to the Board's decision in the case of Oliver Turist, Mr.

O'Connor states-

at all."

the

THE PRIMATE ON FILMS.

At the invitation of Colonel Brom.

for the occasion.

ary facts of tight and wrote of honesty and dishonesty, are not taught, attendance at certain pic turo houses undoubtedly has a peri ous effect on a boy from the point of view of juvenile delinquency. The inquiry disclosed several cases. of theft in which it became clear pay the charge for admission to a cinema.

You say your temper chafed is,

You miss the man who clops? But silence has its safeties.

As well us its misbapa.

The stalwarts who inherit

The older drama'a ̈ cause, They oft instat on merit

Before they give applause; *From the answers we received as to the use of leisure it appeared With obeers and acclamation" that the vast majority of children They show their kind regards- regularly attended picture houses. But loud disapprobation With reference to lads who appear Is also on the cards.. dance varied from, once to four Now, those who pay to witness

A fair average

Over then of course the censorship and all of them are well known to has not the right of compulsory con-ovie comedy fuus. Larry Semon trol. All that it can seek or hope in "A Pair of Kings" and the latest We have been accused of silly for is to create such faith in its topical Budget complete a very fine presumption, of a wanton shut on general judgment as to establish programme. the parity of one of the must moral, confidence in the minds of the local and one of the greatest, men of authorities, and thus induce them to genius English literature has ever accept the decisions of the Board. produced, and of spoiling a good I am glad to be able to say that that ARCHBISHOP AND KINEMA, that money was stolen in ae creat story told by a good film. Taking position has been establisheil he the taal point first, we have not tween the censorship and skiled the story: the testimony on majority of the local authorities of that point comes from the owner of the country. I may name in parti- the film, who certainly ought to be cutar the decision of the foremost most exacting, and who does not of these authoritics the London spune at action from unflattering County Council to adopt this posi-head, the Archbishop of Cantered before the Sheriff Court, atten

It is anggested that the comment on general grounds. tion. What he says in. The muletin) Bond taight be armed with powersbury paid, a visit to the private

Some modern movie pet effect on the film is negligible; in to make its decisions compulsory theatre of the Gaumont Company, times a week. fact, in fairness to the Censor, I the Board seeks no such powers. It in Denman-street, to see a pro- would be twice a week, usually on They never doubt the fitness

Wednesdays and on Saturdays. At Of anything they get; Just say that the film will riot suffer has confidence that, as its work 18gramme of films specially composed that court there were also several}

better understood, and after friend-

Dr. Randall cases in which young wage eamers Though stater and infirmer "The deletion we mude was very ly und frank consultation between small. It was in a part of the scers the Board and the licensing authori Davidson, who was accompanied by of 14-16 years of age spent all their Become the ancient shams money, in attending They never make a murmur

But lap it up like lambs. in which Oliver Twist is instructed ties, an understanding can be arriv. Mrs. Davidson and her sister, Mise available

"On the whole question, the by Fagin in the art of pocket-picked at with them us with the London Tait, and the Bishop of Dover, was cinemas. ing and even this is not entirely County Council, certainly the more conducted to the firm's comfortable value and the possible future of the Ye Monarchs of the Movies, oliminated; it is shown, but not workable and the more satisfactory little projection room by Mr. B. C. cinema must be recognised. It is Who seek the old career elaborated. I bold that we had no because it is the result of voluntary Bromhead, joint managing director something to make a slum boy Baware-you present groove is

A somewhat safer sphere! other course which would be in arrangement instead of compulsory accord with the principles and pre. powers. The only alternative to the of the Gaumont Company, and the laugh innocently, to help him to. forget the rough lessons of the strect cedents we have laid down during present system of censorship would exhibition began at once.

for one evening.

To be able to I say no more at present The programme, which occupied send the children of an overcrowded sur existence. What did I find be what is called a State censor

Beyond this final word- when I took up the censorship some ship."

about thirty-five minutes in all, in-home to a place of entertainment Applauso is very pleasant cluded some fifteen separate sub-which is never far away, and to

But not so nice "the bird"! jects, among them being an inter-know precisely where they ara, is national Rugby match, the Shrove often a relief to an overworked Tuesday football, game, at Asbourne mother. This wonderful invention. and Chester-le-Street, the opening might, however.. be used not only of Parliament, laying the founde- for amusement; but also to inculeate tion-alone of the, war memorial at ideals of kindness to record Charterhouse, slow motion pictures examples of high adventure, to re- of a steeplechase and of a dance by call the great stores of history, to Miss Edna Maude, Princess Mary's unfold the secrets of science, and in wedding, Mr. F. Salisbury, B. the end to touch the imagination at work on the Archbishop's por and permanently to influence the trait, and Mr. S. M. Monaca, the life of a lad..

ocasorship and development of Mexico's moving picture Indu Her main work will be to produce Mexican films to be dis all over the world. The films will show the life of the people and the Industrial movements of the country

lightning coulptor, similarly engagWe are aware that filma of the ed on his bust. This was almost type wa have in view, which cannot the first occasion on which Dr. be described as 'propaganda films Randall Davidson his scan. anys oftea axhibited in the leading thing like a full programme of eiremas. At the same time we are filins, and both he and Mrs. David-bound to say that such a standard son expressed the greatest interest in.overy itom, especially in the two seldom found at the picture houses in the poorest parts of our slow motion pictures, and, of towns. It is enough to refer to the course, the scenes in which the

type of film often seen where Archbishop himself had parti- dranicenmass is regarded as a good cipated. The educational value of

folo and married infidelity psa auch films, asid Dr. Davidson barosu infirmity, whaza a girl le seemed to bin very grant indeed, eluded into file marriage, where both for the present and for future the primitive symptoms of cranity generations Had the cinema' been and revenge, dishonesty and un inverted at the time of the French scrupulousness are displayed, where Revolution, for instance, the world

a human being in subjected to every would have now possossed docu- form of torture without suffering ments of inestimablo worth.

any pliygical detriment where, in Before leaving the little theatre; fact, wrong ideas of life and con- the Archbishop allowed a film to be duct are portrayed. Much that is talen of himself and his party, and contained in many of these performa when asked to sum up bis impres anos may be an insidious poison to sions in a mossage to those engaged plastic mind, for the child takes in the film industry, said he could each scene literally Too great

not do better than quota the well-straintia vat on hij imagination

Strange thoughts oriso, in Khows lines.

Two men looked out through that cirima

bars

The one saw mud, the other stars. moral damage ms

LUCIO.

Funny, isn't it?" asked. Hiers. that I should have a motion pic ture theatre set. for my first days work just after being made a motion picture star:

"star" intors is quite natural. On the other hand the leading lady or leading man some times appears to better advantage than the star and consoquently the division is hard-to:

Wesley Ruggles in directing "Mr. designate. The definition of "atar's Billings Spends Hia Dime." Jac- as used in the theatrical world is queline Logan is featured in sup "the principal members of a cou-port of Hiers. Others in the east pany which naturally leaves a wide margin, se personal opinions are apt to differ widely,

ello, George Fawcett, in Robert McKim, Patricia Palmer, Guy Oliver, Clarence Burton and one or two more well known film players. DIFFICULTIES.

However, the notion picture magnates themselves have a clear line drawn between a star, aid 'all Many actors have been asked the other players. To baatarred bringe question What is the hardest many concessions and there is never thing to do before a camera?" any doubt as to who is and who "Trying to play dead with a live ian't. When a leading lady, & lead-leopard at your side" is Montagu ing man or any other player becomes Love's answer to the question. In sufficiently popular and shows a scene which he made recently for enough marked ability to warrant Alice Brady's latest Paramount stardom they are elevated to that picture, "The Leopardess." Love rank and usually under new con-is attacked and killed by an angry. tracts they are promised that in leopardess. After the scene was every production in which they shot Monts had to lie still, as im appear their name will appear first death, with the leopardess beside except in-the all star cast,, under him while a close-up was taken. which circumstances all the store To keep from breathing, while names appear equal. For instance thinking all the time that the lady in the case of Dorothy Dalton in her leopard might get playful and caress new picture "Dark Secrets" it is me with a rough paw was the fird- done ns follows: "Adolph-Zukor est thing I have ever done before a presents Dorothy Dalton in Dark camera." said Mr. Love. "I'll tell Secrets," etc. While for On The you that it takes more than per High Seas another Paranount sonality to play a scene like that. picture in which Mias Dalton Love did not escape the scene and Jack Holt, also appeared, unscratched, either. The leopard. the billing resd: Dorothy Dalton did put her paw on his forehe and Jock Holt in: "On the High leave a scratch two inches Reas," etc. The featured players And Mr. Love tells the world, in a production are always "affixed there is to press agent stunt în 2 with the word "with" as "Burning statement and shows the scrotoli 'as Sunds" with Wanda Hawley, Mil evidence,

Charica A. Hoxie, of the General Electric mpany, has introduced a row device known as

shane, which photographs sound on motion picture films, the cound waves achating a

upon the

iscanonding vibration fo

fasten Firmly.

on the witzi

can be, made to, reproduce National League iis shown with the in

role. A beam of light is focusse

or the film has been developed sident John A. Heydler, of th Heydler's voice for transmission