1923-06-02 — Page 9

BATURDAY JUNE 2, 1928

THE FILMS

PROGRAMME FEATURES. on, because they have never taken

TO-NIGHT.

Coronet-Norma Talmadge in

"Smilin' Through."

Work Theatre. "A Wife's Awakening.** Theater," Puppets

Pate."

Star

"FILM CRITICS

+

yk

COMPARISONS THAT ARE

FUTHE.

FAIRBANKS JUNIOR MAKES

HIS BOW..

unhappy because no words are spoken. They are made unhappy,

the trouble to understand the technique of the films, nad have not; With a generous swoop of his the naivete of mind that will make hand (writes Oscar M. Sheridan in the accopt what they see without the Picturegner Monthly), the comparing it with other arts.

maitre d'hotel indicated an open

THE CHINA MAILY

LEARNING TO DRIVE.

POLA NEGRY TÁKES UP MOTORING

Pola Negri celebrated the conclu sion of Bella Donna," her first American motion picture, by learn- ing to drive an American motor car. In this day when everyone under- stande the superficial mysteries of driving, Pola Negri stood unique: She had never learned to drive a car. In Europe, according to the talented Polish star, very few

The first principle of the moving door; if he said anything, I did not women pilot their own automobiles. picture is quito simple. You are hear him; nor did I hear the mother shown moving photographs of of Douglas Fairbanks juntor greet scones or episodes instead of wil. All I could hear was the crash, newing them in reality, as the stage rattle, and booming of an impro- attempts. Much, no doubt, is lost vised ragtime infernally-jazz band in the process; but, on the other under the unique direction of Doug- haud, much is gained. To conceive las himself. In a corner of the and to carry out these episodes brightly-lit and choorful apartment deminds us much imagination and gramophone was trying to make even more cave than to net then on itself heard; but Dong. junior the stage,

wouldn't let it. Not him "Bang.

To appreciate thora cannot de-oooooouse, crash-honk-honk I said mand less imagination than to Douglas to me, appreciate a stage play. A novel "Not at all!" I shouted above, nicans heavier demands, perhaps the din, with a cheerfulness I surely In fact a film requires quicker did not feel. "Zoomph, pong, hoot, olmavation and dediction than a zing, crash!" The last sound, how- Do those wh write and talkinge play, for there are no words ever, was only Douglas fulling off against the film imagine that their except a few bald subtitles to help his stool of neatly piled ongazines, vain invective will stop the progressThe spectator has to malo his own the traps, drums, and other para and popularity of moving pictures?ychology from merely seeing the phernalia of a Parisian jazz-band Gracefully of the actors. Imagination has to extricating himself from the débris, expression of face and the gestures collapsing over him.

work.

flushed but smiling, he rose and extended his hand, saying: "Not! bad for a jazz band, is it?"

If films are us bad as they are made out to be by those who do not like them why not help to make them better? No good is done by vague generalizations. Indeed, one even compelled to believes that writers indulge in those generaliza tions because they have no parti. cular criticisms to make.

are rubbish.

THE LOVE OF WORDS,

The real truth is that, to a certain type of mind--especially the half- educated mind words are every thing. Steb people cannot imagine suything unless it be explained to them fully in words.

ін

TRE FORCE OF ACTINO.

Pola Negers

.Cut. £15, 31.2; Huť. Ve

Norma Talmadge in "Smilin' Through." To-day is your last chance to see her at the Coronet:

TO BE FILMED.

ZANE GREY'S STORIES.

To deny that acting on the sercon The first thing that strikes one can make a spectator understand when introduced to Douglas Fair the outstates of the dramatis per-banks junior is the fact that he has human beings to express anything famous smile. Doug. junior is of ROGE is to deny the capability of completely inherited his father's without the use of words. That, medium light, athletic build, sad we know from common observation has fair hair brushed back from the Who would criticize the novel as

is moy a fuct.

forehead in exactly the same style a form of art by some of the poor vention of showing unnecessary strikingly handsome, and has a Much is made of the screen con- on his father. He is, naturally, examples which fill the publishers' detail. Well, the convention is charming and bewitching per- circulam? Who would sweep usideoften carried too far.

But it is sonality.

never be made. No producer is at Donna and who plays the feminine serious consideration of the stage founded on a real need. A film is Douglas bas the gift of free and

all liable to take a chance with a lead in Paramount's "The Covered because ninetenths of the plays we

only a series of episodes or scenes, easy conversation; he is extremely

But in Aubotica everyone does.

atory in which the vital element is Wagon of which J. Warren Kerr see are algolute rubbish. They nay

just as a play is, and connecting witty, and is never at a loan to She didn't have time to learn while

omitted. links are often necesary. fulfil their aim by amusing audi-

These answer whatever question one may she was at work on Bella Donna,"

gan is the leading inan. Miss Wit Have you ever seen ences, but do bail flas, and both they are a convention au experi- of amusing tales of his life out inclusion of this work found Pola has been made last week by Jesse add, come to think of it, that almost like best? The question is rather

can be, and often are, overdone, but put to him. He has a vast repertory but the first day following the con-works are to be produced as Para su educational subject or a news wenmahood.

Zane Gray's current and future, without love in it? Not unless it is ness of girlhood just flowering into picture son suggests, sweetness, the sweet enced film nudience accepta. California, and he has just that

mount picture. The Ganounceinent reel; it isn't being done. Jan't it Some film acting a very bad, 1 knack of bringing out the best point Negri at the wheel of her own car L, Lasky, first vice-president in any other elament in human society superfluous. It likes anquestion What sort of lover does the public adunit. The conventional poutings about them..- and eye-drill of certain film "stars"

mastering the intricacies of gear charge of production of the Famous or life itself may be omitted but that ably the convincing lover, the one "One afternoon," he was telling shift and clutch. 3.12 distressing.

Players-Lasky Corporation, that you can't get along without love. who expresses the necessary emo They mena me, "I and a few friends organised During the short, vacation be Mr. Grey had not only contracted The eternal triangle has been work- tion as demanded by the characteri the same artificialities on the stage, horses and attractions. We sent Donna and the starting of The of his works, but had also agreed hardly any stories in which there is

But one hea to endure a Wild West abow, with lots of tween the conclusion of "Bella to give Paramount the corean rights ed to death, you say, yet there are zation, nothing. and no critic would dream of out invitations broadcast, and when Chest," Miss Negri spent her time to collaborate in their production se conflict wherein it does not appear criticising stage acting in general everything was ready, and the show at Del Monte, California's fashion- pictures.

JAZZ TYPE UNPOPULAR. by particular instances of inepti- about to begin only three people her own at along to continue her last Man," the suthor's latest work: the screen actor or actress must be Butterfly men and women are as

able watering place. And she fook

in one form or another.. pice first picture will be "To the The literary mind is curious in tude. I have seen fine acting on turned up!"

The superficial, jazz type of love- The corollary of all this that does not create a lasting impression. ranking amused for an hour but it ils workings. 1 once knew a very

the stage.

Only three?" I achoed.

practice on the famous Seventeen It will be directed by Victor Flem- a good screen lover; be (or she) ephemeral as the insect from which literary musical critic, now dead. An instance the other day is in

"Yes," he sighed reminiscently: Mike Drive," a famous scenic trip ing. This will be followed by "The must be natural in lovemaking, must they get the name. When he heard music he was re- my mind. In "The Temptation of "but then they were my cousins! in the vicinity of Del Monte. minded of such and such a pem. Carleton Earle," a strong story, They each paid fifty cente, and said

Heritage of the Desert" and "The be able to expresa the tender passion He uover seemed able to hear music well acted, Aubrey Smith plays afterwards that they enjoyed the

Wanderer of the Wasteland." Mr. with a convincingness that shall Unhollowed lave save in rare in- without associating it with litera-the part of a doctor who, according show... As for us...

his pause

Grey will work with Lucien Hub take the audience along the path stances is more likely to be frowned ture.

to his promise, has to assist the was most eloquent.

bard, one of the production advisory and make it feel the same stress of upon than otherwise. The por I once walked with him through death of an old friend. Late in "What do you do with your time

editors at the Lashy studio, and Mr. emotion as the lovers appear to feel trayal of illicit love affair on the n-beautiful old world garden in a the film he is tempted to kill the now?" was my next question.

Hubbard will be aided by Dors themselves.

screen are never so likely to achieve cathedral tow'u. The golden

brutal and drunken husband of the

Schroeder in writing the continni- "I like boxing, I play a lot of ART STUDENT AS DIRECTOR.ties. It is planned to produce the lovers? How do they express their cause of the tremendous catholicity.

Who are some of our finest screes popularity as upon the stage, be September air was full of indescrib

woman he loves. Without any tennis, and my hobby is every able scent, and the rooks in the words at all, this sterling setor made sport," was his enthusiastic re

Zane Grey stories as pictures in the emotions?

of the audiences. There are a mil locations described in the books, the high trees emphasized the brooding one appreciate the state of mind of joinder. "I am very fond of the

PÓLA NEGRI TEMPESTUOUS.

lion, diferent types who see silence of that garden. My critic

[that doctor. Another character in gym, and I am especially keen on educated at the University, and and so on.

Rex Ingram was bom in Dublin, first in Arizona, the second in Utah

Pola Negri, the Polish Paramount the comparatively small hundreds of average picture of quality against was inspired to copious quotations the film is a drug fiend

Chaates our national game-namely, base destined for the Bar. Unfortunate

atar who has just finished under thousands or less who see the stage from the pets. To him the garden Poulton made one understand his ball. I do quite a lot of paintingly for his family's happiness, he

George Fitzmaurice's direction one. Was a text for his literary notes, state of mind.

and sculpture. I play the jazz band He seemed incapable of seeing the

4 novelist could have peychologiz. (heavens, yes I). I go to the theatre decided that his career was art, and garden as a thing in itself.

so ran away and come to America. ed at great length about both and kinemas and characters; a playwright could have

"Only?" I asked interrogatively. That was eleven or twelve years "Oh, no, that is not all, he re-go, and in so short a time he has Some of the critics of the films the actors themselves gave us the sim, go for long walks, and sm He worked in the freight-yard of to Palestine with a company of obstacles and in in itself on evane The Covered Wagon whem the.

given them explicit speeches. But plied, with no little concern made an enviable record. But, of suffer from that complaint.

course, it did not come overnight.j They material in the film, and not being hardly indoors. Most instances I'm will compare the screen with the without imagination I understood our riding in the Bois de Boulogne, one of the big railroads, and when Paramount players to film some of scont thing, despite its momentary current ans swift and strong; like stage or the novel, and are made them.-Daily News.

and when back home, on the Calla student in time Bohool of Fine Arts Ten Commandments," it was an-Being: a really fine artiste she can brave men of a period in remote

be had money enough, enrolled a the more important scenes of the fornian plain. I am interested in

impetuosity and tempestuousness.To Have and to Hold," where amatour theatricals and, ah! lots sculpture, as well as other branches vice-president of the Famous Play modify this to suit the role, but to history, Tought for the love and

at Yale University. He studied nounced by Jesse L. Lasky first" of other things!

I am returning to the States on of art, and his cleverness is illus-er-Lasky, Corporation, in charge of miss, talking sweet nothings over placed in power by circumstance; cast her in a part of sweet country honour of fair maidens against those May 2, when I will appear in tetrated in portraits of his work production. films directed by William Elliott That art experience has been most

Al Kaufman, who has recently folly. For her only the sublimity of deMille's "Clarence" and so on, ad the scenarios and settings of which helpful in putting on pictures. The been in charge of the company's

the garden gate would be obvious charming comédies like William a10 in preparation now. The first Average director is a matter-of-fact European production, has gone to scenes will probably be shot in the Person to whom the practical rather Loa Angoles to confer with Mr. Bon, who also appears in. "Bolla wants.

infinitum. Med than the artistic appools. Mr. DeMille about the strangements for Ingram combine the two qualities the longest location trip in the his- to marked degree, and his pictures tory of motion pieture, half way clearly demonstrate this round the world from Los Angeles to

1

FUTILE COMPARISONS.

י

beginning of Juná.

.

But before leaving the presence of Doug. junior, I was able to elicit an interesting little bit of inform tion, which was to the effect that his roles will be similar to those of his father and as Douglas is, as bear, a finished athlete, I fear that Fairbanks senior will have a very formidable tival

REX INGRAM'S CAREER.

#1

the

of the most exotic of love stories, play. TEN COMMANDMENTS." "Bella Donna, rises to grest and The public likes wholesomeness tempestuous heights of passion but after all. It may occasionally up- withal exercises commendable preciate a bite of spice as flavouring, HOLLYWOOD TO HOLY LAND restraint."

Undoubtedly she ex-but too much is likely to pall very presses in her work the love that rapidly, Cecil B. DeMille will probably go of passion, that tramples down be fought for and won-pictures like carries all before it in a whirlwind Fine, enduring love, which has to

Stage experience offen, bends to the Holy Land Misa Jeanie Mac produce the best player, he said, pherson, when has written all of Mr. though there an ames when an DeMille's recent continuities, is on actor has become very tilted and her way to Los Angeles after spend- mechanical, then, of course, haising a month in the east at work on of little use in screen work, binless the woript for the dramatic story of By the way, said my victim, he is particularly adaptable. But the Ten Commandments" Already as I was just taking leave you where one is clever, his work is on the way to the Holy Land is might tell them through the Pic great delight to any director, be

turezcer that my age is

cause it is not necessary to instruct Mrs. Florence Meehan, whom Mr. "Yes," Iquered hoarsely, Thad him, and the time saved can be fired DeMille dispatched to the Biblical a presentiment that I was about to to good advantage by the busy pro country for autheric date for use experience a shook.

ducer. I consider that a man like in the production. Mrs. Meshen is ***I am not seventeen, he said, Lewis Stone, well known on the much-travelled authority on slowly, preparing me for it "bor English and American stage before ancient peoples and customs, who am I sightson; while autoen is still he went into picture, is an example Baluchistan before proceeding to will explore India, Java, Thibet and incorrect. I was born on Decem of this sort

Palestine whore, she will be joined inspiration in pictures of another by the DeMille company, Mr. country, so does Mr. Ingram enjoy Kaufman, on account of familiarity European pictures, seeking in them with foreign-production condition THEY KEEP YOU WELL something different from the usual will accompany Mr. DeMille on the Constication is the root cause of much sort of offerings. visit to the Holy Land.,

bewithy Pinkettes, barish, san | Elia drecao, to produce in Europe, #ipation, dispel bilionams, Eyarishness in to be realised? At the complation dick headaches, clear the skin, parity:

ber 9, 1909; therefore, my correct Just on the English director finds age is THIRTEENALIS

PINKETTES

FILM LOVER

of his next piciat, be pla to wit

immediat

go location

WHAT THE PUBLIC WWANES.

an overweening passion.

A complete opposite is Lois Wil

That's the sort of love the public

has been declared

chain of th