1933-09-12 — Page 17

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1933.

CELLULOID' REVEALS THE TRUTH

ABOUT

SO-CALLED “SCANDAL” BECOMES A CANARD

FILM NOT DELIBERATELY HELD UP FOR NAVY'S RETURN

LITERARY HYSTERIA OVER TO-MORROW'S PREMIERE

Literary hysteria, which seems to attack the Hongkong public at regular intervals, has, for the last fortnight, been ravaging the correspondence columns of local newspapers and found a thriving place in contemporary journals.

The gala presentation of Cavalcada at the King's Theatre to-morrow with an increase in the price of seats has beer the cause of these fulminations | which have embraced many forms of writing varying be tween resentment, childishness, hysteria and misrepresentation.

I make bold to say that almost without exception these writera linve ignored the practical issue,

WHAT'S TO DO ABOUT IT?

What it bolls down to is this. Hongkong resents (or pretends to i resent) the impositions placed by the King's Theatre on the prices for the Premiere of Cavalcado, Splendid! The case is a good one, But as the popular song has it "What's to do about it?" There is only one way of displaying dis- approval of this action.

BAN THE THEATRE TO-MOR- ROW NIGHT,

bookable seat in the dress circlo

eral

PLAIN ISSUE.

DIANA WYNYARD, .

not in Port.

CAVALCADE"

YOU CAN SEE THESE TO-DAY.

"Peg O' My Heart" "It's Great To He

Alive"

“Hell's Houso" "ilot Pepper" "Bird of Paradise". "As You Desire Me".

TO-MORROW.

„Nuçen's

King's

.Central

.Oriental

Majestic Star

"The Man From

Toronto" King's "Cavalcade" Tremiere) .King's "Women Who Play"...Queen's "Hell's House"

..Central

Around the Shows

PEG O' MY HEART

AT QUEEN'S THAT Peo O' My Heart has been

exceedingly well produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, is, as they would say in the fogal profession "a self-evident fact". It could have developed into a one hundred per cent, all crying sob film, but through the tactful work of the director, together with the excel- lent performances of Marion Da- vita and other members of the cast, the picture is not only saved from such an abysmal fato, but is truly raised to a creditable level of entertainment.

•

MARION Davies has

become

such a stranger to us in Hong- kong that most of our recollections

1

A CONTRIBUTOR'S VIEW

ARE EXHIBITORS WRONG IN METHOD OF PRESENTATION?

IMPORTANCE TO THEATRES OF SERVICES' PATRONAGE

whole

(By Geoffrey Dane)

MUSICAL PROGRAMME

of

Wednesday's gala performance of the epic film Cavalcade has caused a disturbing reaction in the Colony. That the film is to be taken off after one showing added to an increase of 150 per cent. to usual prices, must necessarily cause dissatisfaction. Cavalcade is the film of the latter the King's decided to await the day British Empire. Its nature Fleet return In the Autumn. Now is enough to stir the patriotism of a gala performance the

at special world. Naturally prices is offered ofther as a pro- enough the cinema-goers, regular fitable gold-mine, or as the re- or occasional patrons nitke, have sults of constant clamouring of an waited on tip-toe for its coming. earlier showing. Unable to secure the Alm before The 'benevolent' attitude of the the departure of the Navy for management on behalf of the Navy Wei-hat-wel the management is condomned

ав a chance to "Feather's nest." That the Fleet arrives is neither bene- a good picture should be delayed until volence nor sharp business alone. WHAT CINEMAS OWE SERVICES. No one refuses to acknowlosyo the debt which the cinema cor- porations of Hongkong owe the Services in general and the Navy in particular. Virtually the excellence of films, and the comfort and up-to-date methods, which the various cinemas offer the public, are due to the support of the Navy. During the summer their absence is felt, and it takes little to realise that to their sup- port Hongkong owes the excellence of its premier theatres. More so emmacawanacio | does the Colony owe it to them for ble, for should the Navy change the variety of programmes avalla- ita base to Singapore Afty per cent, of the cinemas would be out of business in a short space of time.

S. W. B. BAND TO ATTEND "CAVALCADE" GALA,

Patrons are requested to note that to-morrow's gala performance of Cavalcade starts at 9.30 p.m. sharp.

The band of the South Wales Borderers will be pre- sent on the stage and will play selections from Cavalcade, as well as patriotic airs before the film is shown,

THE MAN FROM TORONTO"

BRITISH COMEDY

COMING

to

Therefore it is the duty of the management of amusement and catering organisations to study the source of their revenue. What

tleated charms the chief must be governed, not by the

And what is the public of

It is not difficult to appreciate of this vivacious young actress Hongkong doing about it? Well, just slip along and have a look that, although the King's Theatre are centred round her appearances (In common with the other cinema in musical comedy and other types at the bookings. Try and Anda in the Colony) do benefit from the of light entertainment. But in (the senta). What will you regular support of the Services, Peg O' My Heart, Marion Davies And? The whole place is booked from the box-office viewpoint it gives us a glimpse of real his- out. And to-morrow night, I can deliberately to refrain from show-sympathetic and intelligent re-

would not be financially worth it trionic ability, allied with promise you, the whole theatre willing a film because the Fleet were action to the character. The per- be packed.

formance strengthens very con- Which forces me to draw one of two conclusions. Either the Servicemen enjoy the privelege aiderably her claim to being an of of mying only 50 cents for the actress of versatility rather than) blood and thunder critics this gala performance are not stall sents. To suggest that a one of a part,

ACERTAIN simple, unsophia- they should de in certain cases theatre would deliberately delay spe public, or Hongkong hasn't lie showing of a big im to cal ALSO enjoyable, and Atting in setor principal drawback? "big noses" but by the services in the courage of its convictions.uce this patronage, is, financially well with the general atmos-of The Man From Toronto, a the very way

speaking, ridiculous.

phere of the picture, are the thoroughly English comedy-drama which our Colony is legislated, Actuated from sentiment, a characterisations of Onslow Ste- which comes to the King's on the fortune of the, Cinemas here

Thursday. It a perfectly plain issue. 1 theatre might take such an action, vens, Irene Browne, Tyrrell Davis

are due, to a great extent,' to the Most of the action takes place lack of other amusement offered to fail to see where such ethics as but in the case of Cavalcade, and 3. Farrell MacDonald. The "fair play by the public" comes neither of these issues arise. direction is moving in its strength in and around a picturesque villa- the huge population. Thus do into it. The display of films 80 The plain unvarnished fact is and-beauty. There is a bit of a SC, and the rural atmosphere is the sailors attend-good-and-bad far as the exhibitors are concern-

fit in comforta pleasantly superimposed on a programmes, alike. The nautical ed is purely a commercial and that the picture has not been ob-hard struggle to

tainable until now. and, please bly the happy ending, and perhaps light romantic story. But the "fan" cannot choose, as there is box-office concorn. In this case

be very very qualities which may appeal very little scope In Hongkong are the producers cannot

for alternative the exhibitors are taking advan-note this, we

to those who like easy-going come-methods of passing a long even- warmly congratulated on the tage of the opportunity of giving seeing it a month before its gen-method chosen. It suggests more dies must become faults in the ing. Many ace two performances

eral release in England! presentation of

of an anti-climax than the con- eyes of filmgoers accustomed to during the same evening. Every Cavalcade; are charging more for Furthermore the length of the summation of a theme. But the pictures calling for the adjectives one in the Colony wishes to see their seats; and are Kiving the Cavalcade run depends entirely on scenes are handled cleverly, and "slick" and "smart." The trent in its soldiers and sallors the ovening the status of a social the publle reception of the film. the general impression left is that ment here is straightforward to reflection of sober, honest Britain, Which means that if public sup- of satisfaction. The picture con- the point of being downright old- yet these fellows must look to the Hongkong need not go if Hong-port does not warrant it, the pic-tinues its showings at the Queen's fashioned and the plot is trans- films as their first, and almost

parent from the start. kong thinks it is being exploited.ture will not be shown for more Theatra until to-morrow.

only, method of passing away two The performance in no wise af- than a week.

and a half years. Little wonder IVEN no knowledge whatever the China Station is regarded as fects the ordinary run which starts

ONLY A CANARD. COMBINING the fantastic of of the play from which the the worst of all. on September 20.

The so-called "scandal" is real- Frankenstein with the whim-film is taken, it would be dificult Actually I don't think Hongly nothing more than a canard, sical touches of a Lubitsch and not to foresee that when the two

CONSTANT CLAMOURING, kong cares two pins whether the Writers have allowed themselves finishing on a typleat Gilbert and beneficiaries under

an

· EXTRA

event.

*

•

an eccentric The management of the King's

sents are costing $5 for to to lose all sense of proportion. Sullivan note, It's Great To Be will which Insists on their mar-havo at last studied their means morrow's show. Judged by the After all this is just a film. It Alive is a strange, but amusingriage are unknown to one another of Income. They have realised booking (and box-office figures might be (and probably is) the mixture of ideas. For the most they will (n) furiously repudiate that it is to their advantage to speak as American producers have greatest fim of the age. But why part the ideas are ckverly ex- the idea of such a marriage; (b) study the wants of the Fleet. been emphasising for years), the lose our heads and our tempere pressed, affording plenty of fun. meet under a cloud of mistaken Realising the groans which the public rather likes it. It has it because we have to wait a few Here and there can be discerned a identities; and (c) fall in love sailors gave, as the promised certain appeal; from an ordinary months for its presentation? We shaft of wit, a touch of satire and and decide to comply with

first showing in Hongkong of didn't exnetly get a simultaneous rather delicious burlesque. The conditions of the will after all. fore their departure, it is easy to

the Cavalcade failed to be shown be Cavalcade" it becomes an "Event": release with London and New theme, imaginative in character, When such confident conjecture judge the feelings of the Fleet something we can talk about in York In respect of Love Parade, on the lines of Just Imagine and is made possible by a plot, how when, on returning they find the our clabe; a splendid subject to Grand Hotel or any of the other others, might have been more fully fatally easy it is to feel that the film awaiting them. recount during the cocktail hour,

and subtly developed, but on the progress towards the forescen end and alternatively an admirable

is satisfactorily handled. Wholo topic for consumption with the It is, perhaps, as well to bear The burlesque of the League of

is slow and Inborious. coffee.

in mind that the managemetre Nations is delightful in ita concepe refraining from increasing This is the practical side of the prices when the picture has it neat way in which fun is poked at tion, and one has to appreciate the quortion.

proper run.

Whereas in Singa the scientists' conference. pore prices were raised daily as the film continued.

A FEW FACTS.

do

And now, perhaps I can something to elucidate, the "my- sterles" of the appearance of Cavalcade in Hongkong, over which | so much ink has been spilt and so much misropresentation made.

Here are the fact arrived

(A special English text)

In Hongkong by the. P and O. liner Corfu last Wednesday, having already been consored hero. some -time ago.

It is being simultaneously re- leased in Hongkong, and Shanghai.

super-films.

QUEEN'S NEXT CHANGE

WOMEN WHO PLAY

OMEN Who Play, with an Eng

•

·

We, who elt in judgment, must realise that although a 'big Noise' THAT is the fate of The Mana busy atrect, it is of little u

may push for what he wants in

is not bad; it is merely negatived football crowd. He la but a From Toronto. The direction his shouting and shoving in by the impossibility of creating minority momber, who, though surprise or suspense. So the flim deserving his just dues, must also

[

PAUL Roulien leaves one with falls back on its humour and bow to the dictates of the majority.

mixed feelings. His attractive there it is reasonably well sup Constant clamouring for Caval voice is one of the best features of ported: Jessie Matthews, old Fred cade has brought its reward, and the picture, but he over-nets Kerr, Margaret Yürde"and, Ken- a gala night has been given. If outrageously and endeavours toneth Kove all supply, somio amu plagiarise Chevalier, A little less sing moments. mannerisms and a more natural

the Colony heartily dosires to nee the flim it is the duty of the mana goment to supply its wants. They

deportment will do much to efface THE greatest tribute one can pay have done fact that from his acting. Gloria Stuart, is that even this unsuitable materity has been sacrificed to tho some rather irritating features to the star, Jessie Matthews, It is not the fact that the minori lish cast and producer, is not Joan Marsh and Edna May Oliver al cannot conceive hor roguish majority, nor that the answer to a particularly clever Alm. Times are excellent in supporting leads. charm. She skips and pouts and its plons which has been give have changed since Lonsdale There is a typical air of Hollywood generally Avrote it for the stage: as Spring allckness In the production which through the picture so effectively the management have adopted of coquettes her way is at fault, but the method which Cleaning, and the contral Idea is does much to getting the fimas, to hold interest where the plot satisfying the roaring lons, out of date. Modern decadents "acrosa" wouldn't leave a dinner-party in

the scandalised manner of vicara go-haunters because their, host fn-

fails to do so. Fred (What-a-The Navy represent that aur. septuagenarian) Kerr, as a gruff plus of custom which makes all but kindly, old solicitor who is in the difference to the profits. Out

It begins its run on September 20, AND IT HAS NOT BEEN WITHELD FOR THE RETURN OF THE NAVY. The Navy does vited a woman of easy virtue wronged husband, Inflicts on the confidence of both sides rives of the multitude of films which not get back from the North as Mary Newcomb is known. everybody, particularly- his wife, a; characteristic and comiò per-flicker before usin ́" a year, until next month. I believe the After the first shock of surprise aren't suited to the screen. Or it formance. Margaret Yardo, as a thore are about ton films which whole of the Fleet is due to be the unexpectednes of theunt may be that it takes an actor as village gentlewoman whose en- provide really sopar entertalo in the Colony by the 17th. coming from a prosy metalist like magnetle as one of the Barrymores thugiasm for mediaeval arts and ment. Though not of such vital I can stato authoritatively that the hero would almost certainly to put them across Benita Hume crafts are a nuisance to every interest as the Aim under dia the King's Theatre is putting on have delighted thera and caused as the wifo, Barry Jones as her body, also good, but Ian Hunter cussion, thie handful represents them to take the lady to their admirer, and Gerald Lyly as though adéquate for the plot's the cream of the years output. BARU WAlgon-and-colnita- 1 Toking it that six reach the Colony September 20

Continued on Page 105);

At the FB

beauty-boy-atand.

which George Barraud, as the shows at the Queen's to-morrow.thews mottle.

Whiteaways

WHITEAWAY LAIDLAW & CO LTD.

NEW GOODS

ALL DEPARTMENTS

FIRST

AUTUMN

DISPLAYS

OF

Millinery

Dress Materials

Laces

Hosiery

Dresses

Costumes

ALL

THE LATEST.

INSPECTION INVITED

PRICES

Defy Competition

Whiteaways

THE

STORE for VALUE

HONGKONG