1933-06-09 — Page 5

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 1939.

CINEMA" SHOTS

SHOTS" AND

AND "SEQUENCES

When Good Films are

A GLARING EXAMPLE AT

KING'S THEATRE

AGE-WORN MELO-DRAMATIC

INCIDENTS

...

WOMAN DIRECTOR ON THE “ART OF THE SCREEN"

By "CELLULOID" ·

In

Spoilt

Mias Betty Benu concert violinist, appearing in the successful Holly- wood Hi-Light show at the King's Theatro.

by

Poor Material

WAB DINK

"Occasionally, however, one! confronted with a Alm of such startlingly good quality that it was

one's

cult to maintain one's attitude of indifference, and it would simply bo churlish not to acknowledgo appreciation of some of the silent Russian films and the early German work,

"Perhaps I should explain that my remarks refer more particularly to the European, rather than the Ameri- can, fim because I spend most of my time on the Continent. I was born in Hungary, grew up in the Transvaal, and later studied and taught at Reinhardt's school in-Berlin.

Thus, having seen the pick of the Continental productions, with their amazingly clover camera-work and at times lyrical beauty of treatment, I decided that making a film must be a very exciting business. Farther than that I would not go! și

"For, being an actress and producer of plays, I felt, and still feel (not unnaturally perhaps), that the theatre must remain the great mother, the origin, of all these things.

·

YOU CAN SEE THESE TO-DAY.

"When London Steeps"

-"Hot-Saturday"

"It's a King" "Hells Divers"

King's. Queen's ..Contral. .Oriental.

"Tell England" ..World. "This Modern Ago"..Star. "Rebecca of. Sunnybrook

Farm"

..Majestic.

AND THESE ON SUNDAY, "Scarface"

King's. "Make Me a Star" Queen's. "Symphony of Six.

Millions"

Central. "Yes, Mr. Brown" Majestic,

MANZILE

ad-

"Here, then, is ono distinct vantage of the film over the stage. One can go direct to one's locale, and build up

the story from the bottom in las proper setting. Instead a scase of atmosphere" artifice.

Or, one can show on the i

angle. One

write some free and imaginative acting by It is no new thing to plots in the cinema to-day" opening shots are splendid forming as they do a realistic background for The discovery was made years the central point of the film and ago. The industry recognises accentuating in vivid manner the it; the public realises it; and underlying idea of the picture, that,

""THE Alm is the youngest and most of fascinating child of the theatro, by the

actors must just about while London, and for that matter, the rest of the world, is asleep,

Good acting is essential to both stage: break their hearts over it.

intrigue, fast living, crime, love,

and screen-more essential, I think, screen types of girls too tender and fact its repetition seems to have laughter and tears can still be found. DASED on man's inherent idealiam tlinn good looks and elegant clothes. all to play on the stage. Through had the effect, not of stimulat-But after that distinctly emotional and woman's quest for romance, Note how the excessively plain uni- the lens of the camera one looks at

the world from a now ing the producers to make an opening, with quick photographic Symphony of Six Million, Fannie forms in Madchen in Uniform' ac-secs faces and things in a now and honest and conscientious search shots of recumbent and aged forms Hurst's saga of Now York's Ghetto centunte the lively enthusiasm of the exciting and quite revolutionary way. on the banks of the Thames, of Eres which opens at the Central Theatre, fresh young faces, I think it is s to-morrow is a dramatic and tensely mistake to show only beautiful faces, for new material or the public gleaming in the dimmed lights of interesting story of a young Jewish or at any rate only pretty ones, on might Piccadilly, of the journalist catching doctor's love fo for a social worker the screen. For youth has not the to insist on what one almost describe as "rights," but the last (er maybe the first) tram in the slums. Ricardo Corotez, as the monopoly of beauty; a face on which to have intoxicated one and the after "putting his paper to bed," the doctor who overcomes social and eco-life has painted its lines is beautiful Saw's plays. If managers find there

is too. to display his full opportunity

Up to now the film shows piace. From the reality of London's histrionic talent, while Irene Dune world which does not exist in reality future of the intellectual drama on other with an air of resignation almalides back into the common-nomic barriers to attain fame,

streets we are taken to the artificiality make for a sympathetic and delight For this reason the legitimate stage of the studio, and except for a couple ful sweetheart. Cortez is depleted still remains indispensable, as it pro-

am sure platform from which the cinemagoers of sequences at a touring Fair, wo as a dreamer whose tole ambition is vides a

ambitious family to give most of his on life, stage and screen atmosphere.

time to wealthy patient, he Boon acquires wealth and fame, but loses means

poles apployed to conver the respect of "his people"-- tho the audience. folks of the stums. Cortez loses all

to the inevitable.

•

given full

บริ

I is encouraging to note that an

attempt has been made to m is a delinite public who enjoy seeing Arms and the Man' and other Shaw Alms, there is great hope for the the

that these potential must feel eternally are still who enables them to sit, during as they are also in the reasonable daylight hours, in a com- ideas to fortable and cosy cinema, listening to Show's words of wit and wisdom

screen.

[

INFORTUNATELY the continual remain In the midst of that artiflejal to heal the sick, but. forced by a realiat may speak. In their outlook grateful to the enterprising producor

filming of these hackneyed plots and stories is doing the cinema no good. It is definitely detracting value! from a picture which is otherwise entertaining and worth while. An illustration is when London Sleeps, at the King's

which holds sway

tral Theatre to-tarrow.

In

IS however, is not the chief T complaint. Excessive dialogue faith in himself when he is unsuc "For instance, when I undertook (how many thousands of unecessary cessful in an operation upon his aged the production of the play "Gestern words are used!) and a collection of father and shuns all of his former und Heuto-from which the film, age worn incidents on which to peg friends and gives up his practice un-Madchen in Uniform, and now the so-called drama and romance are the til Irene, through her love and under- English version of the play, Children real deficiencies. Two men carry en standing, shows him the right road. In Uniform, was made was told a very unrealistic fight whilst a house Symphony of Six Million in heart that fifteen girls were the utmost they acted. Cortez is could grant me, times being what any, while Miss Dunn they are. he has previously

is burning a couple of yards away;

15

A girl, leaps from the roof of the burning domain

to the telegraph

wires, when if she cared to wait a

done,

and well

no the social worker. and

couple of seconds the firemen would Cortez's 'sweetheart. Others in the uWIE problem on the stage was

Geogory Rateff, Anna Appel, Noal paco to the school as a whole when cast who are worthy of mention are how shall tone give a feeling of Madison and Lita Choyret.

lave run up an escape by which she could have descended to terra firma decently and naturally. And earlier on, a lightweight amateur knocks out a heavyweight professional boxer for

the action takes plage in only ong'or two class-rooma? How shall I show THEN this film points the moral, the girls whispering in corridors and the kiss of a girl. It has all been it doesn't forget to go right corners, herded together like sheep

done so often before. The picture lacks freshness.

COMING however, to the players one finds something more stimulating,

through with it, as so many Holly-headmistres, aloof and scornful of the In one room? How shall I show the wood epic productions have done, For this reason, Scarface is is really

problems of these laughing, in- great film, no matter how much nocent girla?

one

is disgusted by the theme. The

400 "Well, these were only a few of the moral is heaved at us with the forea

a success. It has

label O'Brien another of the

I don't think Harold French has been of a cannon ball, and it comes at just questions that were eventually solved. high spots in the Hollywood Hi- seen in Hongkong before, although in the right moment from just the right The play was

been shown in every capital of Leslie Howard we have seen bis people. Howard Hawks double. This young actor has talent, among Hollywood's truly inspired opening in Deriln a film producer empty-hended 'cutie and her leather-

Futs

"The

Lights. himself Europe. A few weeks after the rather than to the fatuities of some Trane Dunna and Ricado Cortez as charm and a most pleasant volce. He missen, with this epic of diserang up, asking me to produce it as lunged gangster-lover.

misses no points, works out his start-a fim. they appear together in "Symphony is typically English and because of ling theme with characteristic vigour, of Six Million" starting at the Cen- that cannot fail to prove popular in and gets the very Tony Camonte, see things optically. Dialogue must it may be the prelude to

"Now, for the first time, I began to opens up, new vistas of film-making, ́experiment, -- if · successful, best from his whole this Colony. We dote on our "typical cost. Paul Muni, as English" nctars here, and no small ho

a gract Theatre until Sunday. This picture wonder when' they can give us show shows the dago gangster ut in alhis be used sparingly in the film version, intellectual revival via the screen.

yellowness. lle exhibits all the for speech is tiresome to an audience myself long to produce plays by the haa big possibilities. In some respects such as that of liarold French. Next characteristics of the Chicago thug that has been trained to

histrionic merit is at its busest in such a manner that primarily with its eyes, in order of Alexander Fjeld who delineates to one never is constrained to feel the "Time and space were at others they are stunted and denied one's intense delight and satisfaction slightest symptom of sympathy for poeal. The building used for the entirely because of the triteness of the assistant showman with a big Scarface. Which is as it should be, school, for example, had once been an the vehicle which carries the picture heart and a sense of humour. Once especially in America, if these gangs- orphanage. It was very large. It was situated at Poladani, in the heart through from a promising opening to again I feel there is need for vast ter films are to do any good.

of pre-war. Prussian militariem. a "Now we're all right again" con- Improvement in the English screen

felt like a man who has suddenly clusion. The film has the director,

become rich and builds himself Lesije Hiscott; it enjoys the photo grapher, Thomas Emmott; it boasts

those possibilities are realised.

out of the ordinary Actually the picture is neither one nor the other.

·

actresses. They seem to lack in-

*

•

listen

my dis-

great masters. Do cinemagoers really, want to see such.plays? you nak. I

How it done?

's know. But one can only try!".

dividuality. Rene Ray who play UNI is a magnificent actor, as mansion! Now they told me in the upe snatches an opposite Hareid French is a type M

also is Vince Barnett, a new manager's office: One hundred girls | sky, wrecks acroplane out of tha | whom one can see anywhere. The

comer who Inken the part

of

are necessary!'

That is the question asked by in- numerable people in London after they have seen "King-Kong", the 50- feet-high apo in the fim story which was Edgar Wallace's last work. The

and buildings apparently, at least. Really, King- Kong is only a model and all the horror. and terror of his destructive

makes

old mannerisms, glycerine tears and Camante's Italian secretary, who can a competent cutter and it has an dramatic gestures are there complete neither read nor write. He gets any excellent chat. Put these together and would be very effective if onge

sympathy there may

be going and the result should be something hadn't seen' them so many times such a bunch of crooks, and is right up to standard, if not a little before.

sible for a little comic relief. An in- A new world was opened up for me acts are created by trick photo-

and for the majority of my phy. Each movement which teresting study is contributed, too, by

Almed was were standing When he is shown apparently climb- young people who

separately George Raft as

"little boy, The

under these exelting lamps for the alick a slice of

time. The architectural first THERE IS

meng up a skyscraper, he was actually an appeal In Wheat Camonte's pal, and

frame- London Sleeps, but it's appeal is Bowery produce as one could find in a work in which they found themselves, standing on the floor of the studio. hu- year of gangster pictures. The mo-in

which they could move about as The traffic, the buildings, and the has its high marks, particularly and mucd la tost for reasons set out! him off is an impressive illustrators formed amongst them as they was flracd first and then superimposed dependent on one of two individualsment when the chief slaver bumps they liked, was more spacious than man being are real-but the apo, a any stage could supply. Friendships wonderful model manipulated by wires of camera craft and fino acting ing in harmony for an effective result. had been people in s. real school. on the remainder of the film. Some This in itself will be worth the humis- This was exactly the right atmosphere times as many as seven films were sion price to many keen followers of for a film dealing with school-life. tho cinomatic camp. The feminino element n tough one-lo competently

I hate photography: Ine and in and m

Stuart Erwin, who lends in “Mako Ma A Star”, Sunday's at. traction at the Queen's Theatre, photographed with Juns Collyer,

after he had eloped with the actrees.

handled by Ann Dvorak and Karen Morley, and every booze

from the highest to the

kateer.

painted with vivid clarity. Scarface

of

is a symphony Fangsterdom played.

through by a brilliant orchestra under the leadership of an insured tor. It is a pity that this aplurgo of: sensationallam-

does not finls to the gangster 58 a theme. Concentration on the black spots of its national existence can' never gain the respect of nations for America, and gangsterdom in the blackest spot of all.

THE art of the screen, as compared with the stage was interestingly posed by Miss Leontine Sagan, the known woman producer in the London Observer.

MISK

In screen.

Sagon made herself fatigue en in 1

dom for her direction of Uniforin, Mia Sagan stated:

20

common with others whose training has been mainly derived from the stage, I cannot deny that for long time I bitterly resonted the com petition of the film with the older forms of dramalle art. I was willing to admit that the cinema is. an extension-an augmentation-of the stage.

un-

Imposed" on top of one another to create the final illusion..

Nandy Caviệt and Gray Grant, who play opposite së sach other.

"Hot Saturday a current Queen's Theaire attraction:

IT HAPPENS IN HOLLYWOODI

*Movis Clanic"

Dressing room

SECRETS o Marlene

DIETRIC

DIVORCE -not me, say FRANCES

DEE

rice

LEVALIER Personality

SEEING

HOLLYWOOD WİSH

OUTDOORS

where young

love and am bition brava fameandfor. tunel

WITH

GARY

COOPE

MAKE ME

STAR

A Paramount Picture.

JOAN

with

BLONDELL

QUEEN'S ERWIN

FROM

SUNDAY

STUART

ĪZASU PITTS. BEN TURPIKN

UNHEARD-OF

SURPRISE

BARGAINS

PRINTED SILK-VOILE

27"

BROAD STRIPED

SPUN CREPE 27′′.

PRINTED FERGUSON

VOILE 36"

COVERNMENT

CREPE 27"

JERSEY SILK 36"

50 YD.

.58 YD.

$1.25

YD.

.80 YD.

.85 YD:

TAJMAHAL

SILK STORE King's Theatre. Building.

MASSEUR

ASSEUR R. SHIMIDZU

Recommended for many years`by: Government Civil Hospital, Penk Hospital, etc., and by all the local doctors.

24, Wyndham: Street, Telephone 24945.

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