1932-10-21 — Page 5

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THE ·HONGKONG TELEGRAPH. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1932.

OUR BRITISH CROSSWORDS

CINEMA "SHOTS" AND "SEQUENCES”

GORDON HARKER SCORES AGAIN IN

POWERFUL BRITISH DRAMA

"THE FRIGHTENED LADY" DEVELOPS INTO A FINE

PICTURE AFTER POOR OPENING

TALLULAH BANKHEAD AND FRED MARCH AT KING'S

(By "CELLULOID")

AFTER a most appalling an asurance of good acting, since in this picture, and the nolo rea-

beth have long

won their son le because there is no acting! opening scene-a scene spurs in the talkies. Actually, they It is a brilliant example of how so crude in acting and dominate the film, the remainder of effectual can be the camera in direction as to leave one the cast being somewhat weak. capturing colour and realism and "My Sin" is not a new picture, nor, transferring it without loss to the half minded as to whether for that matter, is the theme in screen. In your society drama, the rest will be worth while, any way original, telling of the re- your gangster melo-drama and The Frightened Lady, the generation of a woman who had your romance-drama with nero- fallen very low in the social scale. (nautics or something equally as British picture at the There is, in fact, a dual regenera- noisy and expensive as a back- Queen's Theatre mergestion, since the woman is induced to ground, everything depends on into

and try again" by a man who had him- dialogue, its form and its presen strong drama

acli become A "down-and-out."tation. In Congorilla, the jungle works up to remarkable Frederic March is particularly goud animals in their natural surround- climax, I left the theatre all through, while Tallulah Bank-ings, caught by the camera clusc

of herself. un, provide drama and reality. quite convinced that it is there are not many highly drama- There is nothing faked, forced or one of the best British tic moments. and the story runs phony. The scenes taken in the screen dramas Hongkong along somewhat slowly, Neverthe pigmy village are remarkable, par- less, the film is very well worth sce-ticularly the shots of the two little ing, and in admirably produced by men endeavouring to master the George Albutt.

intricacies of cigar lighting. The picture has Trader Horn well beaten in that no attempt is made to introduce extraneous and un-

has seen.

HARKER'S CHARACTERISATION. is the second sequence which changes the whole possibilities

Gordon Marker

head is always

sure

ARSENE LUPIN.

KEATON'S MISTAKE.

of the film. It serves to introduce WITH Arsene Lupin at the necessary elements such as love and Norman Queen's Theatre next week, we scenes and romantic and melo- McKinnel as Scotland Yard aerare on somewhat more serious dramatic rescuce of white maidens geant and chief inspector respec- critical ground, because this most by black men, and vice-veran. It lively and from their entry the sprightly of detective dramas has is the finest pictorial nature study picture takes up a new tempo and been used to provide Mr. Lionel the American producers have yet continues a smooth way through Barrymore and Mr. John Barry given us.

that seem more first rate drama. As a purveyor more and with of light comedy, Gordon Harker is like duel than dual roles. No beginning to stand on his own in doubt they give two superlative performances-if you like super- British screendom, and the aplative performances without any pearance of his name on the pro- gramme is sufficient to awaken: particular point. one's interest and to assure one of entertainment from at least one quarter. In The Frightened Lady, ho is the cockney who has raised

AST week I wrote that whilst Buster Keaton keeps his lips closed he is one of the funniest world. A pantomimists in the accond visit to see The Passionato Plumber, left me even

Keaton hus vinced about this.

voice." not the right "comedian

more con-

"THE FRIGHTENED LADY"-Splendid drama features the Britian production now showing at the Queen's Theatre, and Gordon Harker given one of his best performances. This picture

taken from one of the scenes.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE

CINEMA?

to

18

Across

1 A besetting weakness of politi

clans on the other side. 8 Rienzi.

9 Tan

11 A school still of note and tone, 12 Ancient fly-trap. 13 Depend upon it,

10 When things are this we have

them 4 as a preliminary. 17 The solgan "Eat more fruit"

began with this,

18 Our Vicar'a "one word more"

often leads these.

with laughter at their own wit? It is doubtful, however, if the Durante indulges in loud Ameri-term demand is strictly apposite can humour which is only accept-in, this connexion. The general able when it has the distinction of public is singularly submissivo being witty.

where its cinema entertainment in concerned, and though in the last analysis it pays the piper, it has not hitherto been accustomed a call the tune. Passively I'VE no use for the cinema or cent, it has allowed the Hollywood 21 Taking nothing on him ren- day.

"The stuff served up is magnates to give it, not neither good art nor good enter-arily what it wants, but what the Hollywood magnates think it tainment.' The condemnation is.

wants. of course, too sweeping, but it is impossible to deny that the cinema,

DOCILE PUBLIC. in spite of its amazing technical

If only the cinema-goor would advances, has so far quite de-

off his lethargy, and finitely not fulfilled its promise as shuke

*

neces-

different

in cultural force. The function of demand good cinema, he would entertainment is, obviously, to get. Alternatively, if only there entertain, and any conscious and were sufficient directors, British imbued with preference, deliberate attempt to graft "up-for lift" on to the cinema would faith and courage enough to surely meet with the fate it would enter for a higher level of taste deserve. But there is no reason and intelligence than the public Is in the world why a film, in order generally credited with, then the to amuse, should be an insult to same results would be achieved. The gay adventures of the thief

the intelligence or an offence to One feels that such faith would who defied the police of Puris are

good taste, as some admittedly are, not be misplaced, nor such courage oo well known to need recital in

or at best compounded of sac-go unrewarded. In a his place. In any case, to give

charine sentiment and unlikely sphere, the B.B.C. has shown what way the plot of such a pleture is

situation, as are 80 very many can be done in the way of educat himself from an ordinary London

to do filmgoers atligaervice. He puts over a wise-crack-like a others. Ton seldom does the filming public taste, and of cultivating

Lionel Barrymore, streets beat to a responsible poal-

in my opi-bank manager refusing an over-story of to-day ring true to life, an appreciation of tion in Scotland Yard. But apart nion, gives us watered-down draft, and one has to enjoy a very and arouse genuine emotion by the music amongst listeners whose ex- from his qualities as EL delector

version of his work in Free advanced, or distorted sense

portrayal of authentic mon and perience had previously extended of crime and criminals, he Soul, and I am really tired of see- humour to see anything funny in

women reacting to circumstances no further than jazz and drawing-| would follow not utterly devoid of probability room ballads. holda the "blue riband ofing the whites of John Barrymore that! If Keaton the darting world", and proudly ves used to express what I be Chaplin's footsteps and remember This criticism naturally does not In a recent Interview, Rene':

mcdula on displaya his

that whilst speech is silver, silence hia lieve la intended for antire. Silvertown

One producer, is reported to have watch, chain in

In spite of such faults, there is is golden, he would turn out pic-apply to films whose purpose 18 Clair, the eminent young French true

frankly to create laughter. style. He spends most of his time

would as soon. dream of objecting characterised the French public In this picture mimicing members

to a fairy tale or a Wodehouse as "probably the worst in of an aristocratic family with an

novel as of taking exception to a world." Like many another pro Oxford accent, and being well sup-

Ralph Lynn-Tom Walia farce on ducer, Rene Clair complains of plied with witty lines gives one of

the ground that it is utterly re-being bound by the trammels of his best performancea to date.

mote from reality1

OTHER PLAYERS.

newcomer.

3

of

a great deal in this picture to at-tures worthy to rank with the greatest acreon, com- Intelligent filmgoer, world's traet the Apart from its "edges"

and median. Keaton understands and patches," it is in, every material can interpret pantomime and slap respect, a highly polished work, stick and through it can translate

Any exeur while Tully Marshall and John emotions and moods. Miligan are two notable suporting sion into the realms of dialogue plavers, and Karen Morley shows leaves nothing else but disillusion- ment. Honestly I can't see any- THERE is only one weakness in real progress,

Miss Morley is an interesting thing in Jimmy Durante. A real up- She has beauty and wise-cracker does not laugh the cast-Belle Chrystall, who has a squeaky voice and overacts.character. When she was an un-roariously at his own jokes. Can On the other hand Cathleen Nesbitt, ergendunte at California Univer-you conceive Woosley, Wheeler the other famale member of theity, she intned the Los Angeles and the Marx brothers shaking cast gives a brilliant protrayal of Repertory Company is "Fata Mor Lady Lebanon, who turns to dab- bling. with crime in order to achieve her fanatical desires to maintain Brown, the director of many of the unbroken the majestic line of the Almos atarring Greta Garbo, and Lebanons, whose proud historyukert for in-between-theatre work, dates back a thousand years. Even, Brown asked her to read Mies more entertaining is Emlyn Wil-Garbo's part in Inspiration, for liams as the Lord Lebanon, who is which he was then seeking a lead- not only completely dominated by

ing man. his mother, but provides the thril- ling denouement to the story,

AN

CLEVER TWIST.

N unusually clever twist has been given the plot by its author, the late Edgar Wallace. He makes very little acrious effort to hide the identity of the

gana."

She puproared Mr. Clarence

Miss Morlov rend Miss Capho'al Dart so, expertly and her voice re- corded so perfectly that Mr. Brown eave her a part in Inspira-|

Since then she has abroared

in Doubreak and Neuer the Tonnin Sholl Meet. Now. I think, she has arrived as one of the most attrac- and most talented of the

murtivo

derer, but when he finally reveals uncer actresses in talking ple-

him it is as a wonderful study of tures.

A disarranged mind. It is splendid

drama, so brilliantly conceived as

to makes its presentation simple A

for players and director alike.

.

SAVED BY ACTING.

REAL DRAMA AT LAST.

N interesting commentary

on Hollywood's superficial! drama. comedy and renkiam in obtainable from Congorilla, the African jungla film which has had THE fact that Tallulah Bank-showings in Hongkong this week. head and Frederic March are Rarely have I seen drama present- coupled in "My Sin," which opened cd in such vivid form, or emotional at the King's Theatre yesterday, is studios ao excellently portrayed an

THE

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OUR

UR picture shows the young Denish film actress, Gwill ́An- dre, who has become a sensation in Hollywood and who has had a successful debut in her first film. The opinion is that she surely will be a dangerous rival to

Greta Garbo.

Arst-class

the

public taste, and it appears that This latest picture, "A Nous la SICKLY SENTIMENTALITY.

Liberte." recently seen in Edin- mostly from Hollywood-whose burgh, has been a fallure in Parls ita demanding more sickly sentimentality and thread-lowing to bare situations not the most skilful thought than the average Parisian acting nor the greatest measure of fan is prepared to devote to hla technical perfection could rescue films, from futility and fatuity. Those

HIGHER POSSIBILITIES. good-bad (or bad-good) girls wno, after a series of doubtful adven-

The cinema has developed un-i tures, are finally received back,

evenly. Immensely powerful tearful and contrite, into the arms the technical side, it still remains of the only man who ever really only potential as a commentary on mattered, those sweet but penni-life. or an interpretation of t less emigrants who smile and sob

•

οτι

by turns through several thousand certain notable films excepted. Its feet of vicissitude, before being depths are yet unplumbed. As an rescued from permanent heart- art, it has still to take and is break, just in the nick of time, by eminently capable of taking-Its their handsome young millionaire, stand on an equal footing with the Ifade out in a fond embrace against very best "theatre," though quito the sunset background-how much distinct from it.

Will these higher possibilities longer have we to suffer these

of the cinema be fully realised and and such as these without a mar-exploited? The answer depends

mur of protest?

In part on the attitude of the busi- ness combines who own the big WHO IS TO BLAME?

picture-houses, and on whether or The public blames the producer, not the best producers are going and the producer puts the onus to have the courage of their con on the public, and it is hard to victions as to what constitutes Bay where the fault chiefly iles. good cinema. But in the Inst But as Alm-making is primarily resort the public-that is you and In commercial proposition--the I-must supply the answer. When second in financial importance of once the cinema-goor has decided American industries-one can only to relinquish his present passive presume that it is governed by the rols, the cinema he gets will be prual economic laws of supply and no better and no worse than the demand.

'cinoma ho deserves.

FRECKLES AND HIS FRIENDS

THIS IS A RED HOT IDEA THAT I HAVE. THIS TIME...I HAVE

TO HAVE A PARTNER,

GO I'LL LAT OSBIE

IN ON IT:

WELL, OSCAR, I'M GOING IN THE PUPPY PEDDLIN BUSINESS, AND ALL I NEED IS A LOT OF PUPPIRG.....

WHY TALK TO ME? Z HANENT ANY

PUPPIES

I KNOW...BUT I'VE A DOLLAR AND A HALF AN' WITH THAT WE CAN MORE THAN DOUBLE

OUR MONEY..wall Buy PUPS FOR, SAY A QUARTER. APIECE, AN TURN RIGHT AROUND AN PEDDLE THEM POR FIFTY...FOLKS COULONT

TURN THAT

DOWN!

All Setli

WHERE DO YOU GET THAT ‚"WE" STUFF? WHAT HAVE I GOT TO DO WITH IT F ́AN' 'WHERE CAN YOU

BUY PUPPY DOGS

FOR A QUARTER F

ders thin soldier more formtıl- able.

23 Build, 24 Preliminary to drying. 26 High spot for great warmth. 28 Author.

29 Tho aniniala' tailor counts the

elephant as this.

30 "O, raisin pestle" did you say?

(anag).

Down

2 This is harmful.

3 The burden is on you.

4 Seo 16.

5 Organisations.

6 For ages these have been found

In a force onset.

7 The Dutch variety is the least

admirable.

8 The Fan Torch (anag).

The Well-

Deserved

Fate

of the carolesu

who assistant

allowed the store

to run out of

Pinkettes

10 Thing I anglo, (anag.). 14 Hue of those who lack 72 15 Score of two or more.

10 Trall on the ground-where a

trull should be.

20 A transposition of the first lotter of this town tells how the river moves.

21 Plunder, and how a darklo would

describe it.

22 How good ships treat the storia. 26 Now ones from the ironinonger,

old ones from the nurse. 27 Let it stay as it is.

Yesterday'a Solation.

GRAPPLE-CLAMBER

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(PINKETTES

PERFECTION

PINKETTES

DIER & LAXA

PERFECTION,

A GENIAL THIEF-AN IMPLACABLE DETECTIVE

LIONEL JOHN

BARRYMORE

in "ARSENE LUPIN”.

LIPTON'S

CHOICEST PURE CEYLON TEA From all Compradore Stores

KING CEORGE V

Divat Peg Und

Agents:-W. R. LOXLEY & CO.

I'LL TELL YOU HON! You WALK DOWN THE STREAT AHEAD OF ANE, AMENUHROSI YOU SEE SOMEBODY WHO HAS A PUPPY OUT FOR A WALK, YOu da up AH' BEGIN TO TELL THEM. WHAT A BUM DOS

THEY HAVE —

By Blosser

HOW ITS MARKING IS ALL VIRONE AN' IT ISN'T THE RIGHT COLOR FOR THAT KIND OF A DOS... YOU RAZZ THE PUP UNTIL THOY"

BELIEVE THEY GOT STUNG....TIEH THEY'LL FEEL LIKE SELLIN=1" FOR TWO CENTS-RIGHT THERME I COME UP AN OFFER TO BUY IT FOR TWO BITS... GET THE

IDEA

WILL-WH CANT ANY MORE THAN

TRY!!

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