1930-09-12 — Page 11

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1930.

MUSIC DRAMA · FILMS

"TALKIE TALKS.”

"THE LAST OF MR. CHANEY."

MAN OF MYSTERY.

How prophetic reads that last interyiew"The Last of Mr. Chaney". The Man of Mystery. who always refused a Press Agent, never granted an Interview, shunned Public appearances at Premieres, pablicity of all kinds. And now we read of his death, at the early age of forty-six.

What an irreparable loss. There was but one Chaney. "The Man of a Thousand Faces" stood alone.

"This is my last interview," he

stated to the reporters and I only

grant it now, because I have been

so often misquoted, and fictitious interviews printed."

THE CHINA MAIL.

aro ROUND THE CINEMAS

the Queen's, "Such Men Dangerous," the tragedy that took the life of one of the "coming" Directors, Kenneth Hawkes, hus- band of Mary Astor, who is rated as one of the most beautiful women on the screen to-day. I had the pleasure of seeing her only that week in an excellent comedy- "Among the Married" with Florence Eldridge, and Edward

Everett Horton. It was just a week after the marriage of his brother to

Bessie Love.

They blame the setting sun for the accident, wronk light for the pilots. Four neroplanes were being used.. One with the man who was to "double" for Warner Baxter, two with cameras, and one with the Director and his assistants. They flew too close to catch the scene, and then the crash. Ten men "gone

West" in the course of duty, duty that endeavours to bring a thrill. and to pamper to the emotional aide of us all. A few feet of film, and at what a cost!

Chaney, you remember, with Charles Chaplin, held out the long- In this same play is Claud Allister est against going "Talkie." Chaney who received such praise for his signed a five-year contract with the first effort in the "Talkies" as M.G.M. Studio, for a cool million | "Algy" ́'in "Bulldog-Drummond." A or thereabouts. Chaplin still firmly | few of us remember him when he refuses to talk, but has admitted played the name part with Court- "Sound" to his new creation, "City neidge's Company out here The Lights."

same Company that had as one of ita members George Zucco, who portrayed the role of the school master all through the original "Run" of "Journey's End" in Lon-

Five Voices.

I have been reading the critics' opinions of Chaney's revival, in ound, of one of his greatest auc

U509

Jeanette Macdonald

MARION DAVIES'S OPINION OF

"CAUGHT SHORT."

BUBBLING WITH GAGS

"The next best thing to having Marie Dressler and Polly Moran in your home is to see them In pictures."

The speaker was Marion Davies, Cosmopolitan star for Metro-Gold- wyn-Mayer, and her statement was made following a studlo ad-

FILM INFLUENCE.

SINGERS STRANDED.

HEADMASTER DESCRIBES IT CARL ROSA COMPANY'S BAD

AS PERNICIOUS,

What he described as "the pernicious influence" of the cinema was criticised recently by Mr. P. Abbott, head-master of the Poly- technic Secondary School, Regent Street, at the annual speech and prize-giving.

Mr. Abbott in his report referred to the important part which the school clubs and societies played in the general education of the boys.

LUCK IN INDIA.

Bombay, August 8. That those who finance theatrical ventures in the East are entering upon a risky gamble is proved by the disaster which has overtaken the Carl Rosa Opera Company, some members of which are now stranded in Bombay.

The company, opened, in Bombay on February 1, and the houses were good. Later, the company, had a successful season. In Calcutta, but cubsequently a series of setbacks were met with.

Miss Anna Lindsey and Miss

experiences.

"If a boy's education is to be a vance view' of the new Dressler. true education," he said, "we must Ethel Beard gave details of their Moran talking comedy, "Caught ducats him not only for life but for Short" which is being screened at his pleasure. We hope that the in- terest which a boy takes up at the Queen's Theatre.

school will absorb a considerabla

"It would be morvellous

If

everybody in the United States could meet Marie and Polly per- sonally, as is our pleasure here," said Miss Davies. "They are so sincere and so human, and 80 bubbling with 'gaga' that they are the life of any party they at-

tend.

part of his leisure, and will form an antidote to what we regard as one of the most pernicious influences of

our time. I refer to the cinema.

"The cinema may be and is a very valuable Instrument in education, but, unfortunately, while it might

At the smaller stations the com- pany received guarantees, but at the bigger towns the support re-

ceived was very poor.

Then differences between the

members of the company crepped up, and Mr. Hemingway, the principal basso, left, which, as his under- study had already left, owing to sicknese, greatly limited the com- pany's repertoire.

In Simla, in spite of the promised support, the company played to empty houses.

Further bad luck was met with In Secunderabad. A full house had

itself be an instrument for good, the "But, of course, they can't be films placed before the public have all over the world at once, and a very adverse influence.

them to those who can't great

Weekly Cinemagoers, will come personally, their fun

"Head-masters have recently been over unimpaired in such a picture

Personally, I investigating this matter, and we as "Caught Short." think it is the beat thing they find that somewhere about one-third ever did. The idea of two board- of the boys in secondary schools ed owing to the death of Major ing house landladies playing Wall attend the cinema at least once a Strover and Captain Pitts.

beautifully week.

At Poona, the next stage of the

Street hax been

splendidly Elesner."

directed by

been booked for their performance in this city, but it had to be cancell

handled by Willard Mack, and "Wher we consider the nature of tour, another full house had been Chuck the films shown and the recent booked, but the company did not developments in sound films, which possess the railway fare to get there present a voice and speech which is from Secunderabad.

"THE DOCTOR'S SECRET."

not all that it should be, we ought

cesses in the "Silents," "The Unholy don. Three," and they are unanimous in their praise. This picture discloses

I cannot deny the rumour of the Chaney's natural voice, deep, death of Jeanette Macdonald that vibrant and perfectly poised. was recently reported in a local In this role he

five Chinese newspaper, but in all my

The company then decided to dis- to take every step we can-both band. Those with return passages voices. Those of the "Barker," the last letters from Hollywood, there is

Paramount's all-talking picture, parents and teachers-to dummy, the no' meation of it. Quite the con- ventriloquist, the

combat have gone home and the remainder now what will in time, I fear, produce are now stranded in India. feminine voice of the old woman.rary-She is so happy to be back "The Doctor's Secret," is and the imitation of the parrot. He there, working under the expert showing at the Central Theatre. a very bad impression

upon the

It appears that the company, was warned by the Stage Guild against actually does all this, and allows no direction of Ernest Lubitsch, the William de Mille directed the pic-nation."

Sir William Ray, L.C.C., who pre-making the trip to India. "Doubles" to be used. He intended man who "made" her in "The Love, ture which he himself adapted to duplicate this part in the Spanish Parade." Her new "leading man" from the famous J. M. Barrie seated the prizes, said that he was grateful that the County Council version." He has mastered that is Jack Buchanan, idol of London stage play, "Half an Hour."

The story is one of London high was not responsible for the whole of language in a very few months. and Broadway. He did not make a

secondary school system in He said "I will make Talkies, startling "hit" in his frat Talkic society, of a wealthy self-made the but I still do not believe in them with Irene Bordoni, but he is cer- man who regarda his bought-and-London. They needed variety In My first will make or break me tainly a likeable artiste. I saw him paid-for aristocratic wife with no education more than in anything If it fails to please I will be what I at home with June, now Lady little contempt. The story has to else.

The majority of the books given have never been before-a man Inverclyde. The audiences adored do with her plans to find happi- whose sole Interest is the money he them both. Her new film is called nes with "the other man" and as prizes were chosen by the boys is being paid. At the end of the "Monte Carlo" and was about ready what takes place when carefully themselves. contract I will step out of the pic for release when I had the last laid plans go wrong. ture-and that will be all."

Chaney hated to talk about him- self, Success and money changed him. When he was strug

печен

gling and unknown, and having a pretty bad time of it, judged by worldly standards, he had the samo habits, same tastes, same beliefs. He believed in the essential good ness of people, he always believed It. His was not the Church-going kind of religion-I remember hear ing someone quoting him as anying "I have my own Faith. I believe that we desert God, but God never deserts us."

He never visited the home of any.

"Movie Tolk"; they never visited his. He lived quietly with his wife and married son, and, eightees months ago, came the greatest joy

in his Ilfe, his grandson.

news.

*

Reginald Denny. Reginald Denny,-At last a play worthy of his ability, and under the direction of "The Master-Coell B. de Mille. Kay Johnson who came. spoke, and conquered from Broad- way, in such a hokum film, but enjoyable--"Dynamite" is the other "Star." The music, and lyrics are the work of Elsie Janis, who has collaborated with Jack King and Clifford Grey. King wrote the

am I to Know."..

Clifford Grey has made enormous

In the production of an all-talk- ing picture it is of primary Im- portance that the players them- selves be adapted to their roles and speak their lines in a vincing, realistic manner.

con- Para

mount has given "The Doctor's Secret" a cast which can do all these things, and furnishes the very acme of screen entertain-

ment.

Ruth Chatterton, who

PRINCE'S JOKE.

TEACHING A LESSON. TO PARIS PRODUCERS.

UNCLAIMED TELEGRAMS.

THE EASTERN EXTENSION AUSTRALASIA & CHINA TELEGRAPH CO., LTD.

The following unclaimed tele- gram is lying at the E.E. Tele. graph Co. Office, Hong Kong:-

Teliperpetuty, from Bombay.

S. LACK,

Superintendent. Hong Kong, September 11, 1930.

THE GREAT NORTHERN TELEGRAPH CO., LTD., OF DENMARK.

The following unclaimed tele- gram is lying at the office of Prince Antoine Bibesco, himself a the Great Northern Telegraph was aplay-wright, has played a rich joke Company (Limited) of Den- star in her own right on Broad- on a number of Parisian theatrical mark way, has one of the leading roles. producers. Opposite her is H. E. Warner, an-

Wishing to demonstrate that some

theme song for "Dynamite.". "Howether "veteran" of the stage, who of them really knew very little about portrays his character perfectly. dramatic literature, and that many Robert Edeson, an old time film of the manuscripts submitted to favourite, handles his part admire them were not even properly read, .carefully copied. Moliero's ably, and John Loder, the new British actor recently imported by "Georges Dandin," altering nothing Paramount, more than lives up to advance notices.

except the name of the author and The remainder the names of the characters....

strides since the days when I worked with him in 1910. He made his first success with "If I were the only Girl in the World" for Vi Lorraine in "The Bing Boys are His personal life, he argued, was Here" during the War. A few of no interest to his innumerable | years ago he went to New York for "Fans." He never signed photo. | Flo Ziegfeld, and from that time he graphs, he rarely read letters, except has never looked back. He is to those from convicts, in whose miss day one of the highest paid Lyric hapen lives he took

an enormous writers in America. Such successes interest.

ES The Love Farade," Ramon Novarro's first Talkie-"Devil-may- Cure," Jack Oakie's "Hit the Deck," "Sally," etc., all B-O-Hits, to use the largon of the Studio.

Off The Stage. Off-stage he was a happy man, cheerful and optimistic. On the screen he portrayed individuals who might have been different had ther-f had a chance. He wanted to point

**

Greta Garbo.

of the cast are equally well

chosen.

We heartily recommend "The Doctor's Secret" as thoroughly enjoyable audible screen enter- tainment, both from a dramatic and technically standpoint.

"RIO RITA."

The first great dramatic spec- tacle of the talking acreen-Radio Pictures' production of Florenz

he

He then submitted the manuscript to seven theatrical producers. Three note of "regrets," and it was of them returned it with the usua!

the piece, even if they had read it. obvious that they had not recognised

The other four have not yet replied.

The Prince claims that he was not merely out for a little fun, He wanted to teach theatrical producers lesson; to show them that if they did not seriously study dramatic literature and take the trouble to What a far- Rita'--comes

to the Central they would expose themselves to woman of Theatre next week.. Eugene O'Neil's sordid play-'Anna With John Boles and Bebe ridicule and even to contempt. Cristie" in which I saw her that Daniels heading a' gigantle cast first morning at a Los Angeles of players, singers, dancers, them," he says, "who can?"! : Theatre, when with hundreds of beauties and specialty performers daughter of the late Earl of Oxford Prince Antoine Bibesco married a others I stood in a long line (to "Rio Rita" takes its place among the advertisement) "The the great screen plays. In its to the drab lives of his parents. World awaits to hear The Garbo wealth of diversified entertain- Go out and study humanity, copy Talk Supreme amongst them allment it has doubtless, never been Bert Wheeler and a gesture, a way of walking, and he-Again triumph for her In this equalled.

the moral to his audiences, that, sad Greta Garbo has finished Doris Ziegfeld's fabulous operetta, Rio

as their lots might be, very often those he depleted on the screen were so much more to be pitied.

Kean's "Romance."

cry from the atrest

His great art of pantomime was first learned in a bitter school. His parents were both deaf and dumb. He used to play at imitating people, In order to bring a little sunshine quote

still retained that habit, as he nevet new play. Gavin Gordon, her new Robert Woolsey play the comedy "lead," was playing with Mary roles they created for Ziegfeld: read books, he went to life direct.

When he finished this contract. Astor when I saw him, and this is Dorothy Lee, the baby-talk girl of "his Intention was to travel, no particular country, just "Wander- Just."

He had been asked by the Editors of "The Encyclopedia Britannica" to write an article on "make-up" of which he was past master. I do not "know whether be had accomplished

this before the end came.

His second Talkie was in course of preparation at the M.G.M. Studio Perhapa again prophetic, The Bugle Sounds. It has indeed for the last time for one of the greatest artistes that the screen has produced. The curtain bas fallen on Lon Chatey, There may never bo his equal:

we'll te

read the works submitted to them

"If Mollere hiruself cannot please.

and Asquith.

SUING FOR £3,250.

MONTH'S PAY

his first test in the Talkies. He "Syncopation", Helen Kaiser, one FILM ACTRESS'S CLAIM FOR A does not receive the praise that la of Ziegfeld's "glorified" girls; bestowed on the dependable "Stand Georges Henevant, French stage by" Lewis, Stone, but he is a good star, and Don Alvarado are others looker and in no picture in which of the featured cast, and The Garbo appears. is there anyone that really counts. She is all sufficient. She works her best. un- der the able direction of Clarence Brown, who is responsible for many of her greatest hile."

DEANE

PADEREWSKI.

HIS HAIR COMES BEFORE HIS ART

e Paris July 12.

of silver hair

rowski:

Mios: Dorothy Mackaill, the Bri- Much of the film was photo- graphed in technicolour, and thetish cinema star, has filed a sult sets and costumes are said to have against the First National Pictures outdone anything seen on the Corporation for £3,250, alleged ar

rears of salary. talking screen..

Harry Tierney, composer of the

It was claimed that for the past

original Tuneful score of "Rio-month she had not received the Rite," added two new song hits to salary due to her under a the picture. Ciminti grand opera contract made in July, 1825.

Misa Mackalll was chorus of 80 voices the Pearl Eaton chorus of 100 Hol

British . producer beauties, the first stock choras In motion picture, and a symph orchestra <directed, by C Victor Faravelle are other fosfares of the film, which was dire Read:

iter)

went

Yamaguchi, from Osaka.

E. V. JESSEN,

Superlatendent.

Hong Kong, September 10, 1930.

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