1933-09-12 — Page 5

"CELLULOID"

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1933.

REVEALS THE TRUTH

ABOUT "CAVALCADE"

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 Cavalcade at the King's Theatre to-morrow with an increase in the price of seats has been the cause of these fulminations wh ich have embraced many forms of writing varying between res entment, childishness, hysteria and misrepresentation.

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

WHAT'S TO DO ABOUT IT?

What it boils down to is this. Hongkong resents (or pretends to resent) the impositions placed by the King's Theatre on the prices for the Premiere of Cavalcade, Splendid! The ease 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.

DIANA WYNYARD.

YOU CAN SEE THESE TO-DAY.

Alive"

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

"Hell's Hous" "Hot Pepper" "Bird of Paradis "As You Desire A

TO.MORROW,

"The Man From

Toronto"

Queen's

King's -Central

.Oriental Majentic .Star

King's

Queen's .Central

"Cavalcado" (Premiere).King's "Women Who Play" "Hell's House"

Around the Shows

PEG O MY HEART

AT QUEEN'S THAT Peg Q' My Heart has been exceedingly well produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, is, as they would say in the legal 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- vies and other members of the cast, the picture la not only saved from such an abysmal fate, but is truly raised to a creditable level of entertainment.

MAR

*

ARION Davies has become such a stranger to us in Hong- kong that most of our recollections And what Is the public of It is not difficult to appreciate of thia vivacious young actress Ilongkong doing about it? Well, that, although the King's Theatre are centred round her appearances just slip along and have a look (in common with the other cinemas in musical comedy and other types at the bookings. Try and find a in the Colony) do benefit from the of light entertainment. But in bookable seat in the dress circle regular support of the Services, Peg O" My Heart, Marlon Davies (the $5 seats). What will you from the box-office viewpoint it gives us a glimpse of real hig- And? The whole place is booked twould not be financially worth it

ability, allied with à out. And to-morrow night, I can deliberately to refrain from show-sympathetic and intelligent re- promise you, the whole theatre willing a film because the Fleet were action to the character. The por- be packed,

formance strengthens very con- siderably her claim to being an actress of versatility rather than

not in Port.

trionic

Which forces me to draw one Servicemen enjoy the privelege of two conclusions. Either the of paying only 50 cents for the blood and thunder critics of stall gents. To suggest that none of a part. this gala performance are not theatre would deliberately delay speaking on behalf of the gen- the showing of a big film to cap- eral public, or Hongkong hasn't ture this patronage, is, financially the courage of its convictions. opeaking, ridiculous.

PLAIN ISSUE.

•

•

A CONTRIBUTOR'S VIEW

ARE EXHIBITORS WRONG IN METHOD OF PRESENTATION?

IMPORTANCE TO THEATRES OF SERVICES' PATRONAGE

(By Geoff ray Dane)

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. Ita nature Fleet return in the Autumn. Now is enough to stir the patriotism of a gala performance at special the whole

sworld. Naturally prices la offered either as a pro- enough the cinema-goera, regular Stable_geld-mine, or as the re- or ocensional patrons alike, have sults of constant clamouring of an waited on tip-toe for its coming. carlier showing. Unable to secure the film before the departure of the Navy for Wei-hai-wei the management

MUSICAL PROGRAMME

. S. W. B. BAND TO ATTEND

"CAVALCADE" GALA.

Patrons are requested to note that to-morrow's galo 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.

management on behalf of the Navy The 'benevolent' attitude of the of a condemned as a chance to

the Fleet arrives la nelther bone- "Feather a nest." That

a good picture should be delayed until volence nor sharp business alono. WHAT CINEMAS OWE SERVICES.

No one. refuses to acknowledge the debt which the cinema cur- porations of Hongkong owe to 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 does the Colony owe it to them for the variety of programmes availa-

"THE MAN FROM ble, for should the Navy change

TORONTO"

BRITISH COMEDY COMING

its base to Singapore fifty per cent. of the cinemas would be out of business in a short space of timo.

Therefore it is the duty of the management of amusement and catering organisations to study the source of their revenue. What CERTAIN BImpic, unsophis- they should do. In certain cases ticated charm is the chief must be governed, not by the LSO enjoyable, and fitting in asset-or principal drawback?"big noises" but by the Services. well with the general atmos of The Man From Toronto, a By the very Victorian way in phero 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 theatre-might-take-such-an-action, rens, trene Browae, Tyrrell Davis Thursday.—— It is a perfectly plain issue.

ure due, to a great extent, to the but in the

Most of the action takes place lack of other amusement offered to fall to see where such ethics as neither of these issues arise.

case of Cavalcade, and J. Farrell MacDonald, The "fair play by the public" comes

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 age, and the rural atmosphere is the sailors attend good and had far as the exhibitors are concern that the picture has not been obbly the happy ending, and perhaps light romantic story. But the "fan" cannot choose, as there is hard struggle to fit in comforta pleasantly superimposed on programmes alike. The nautical ed is purely w commercial and tainable until now, and, please

be very very qualities which may appeal very little scope box-office concern. In this case note this, we in Hongkong are the producers cannot the exhibitors are taking advan-seeing it a month before its gen method chosen. It suggests more dies must become faults in the ing. Many see two performances for alternative the to those who like easy-going come methods of passing a long even- inge of the opportunity of giving eral release in Englandi

EXTRA presentation

of an anti-climax than the con- eyes of filmgoers accustomed to during the same evening. Every of 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 giving the Cavalcade run depends entirely on scenes are handled cleverly, and "slick" and "amart." The treat in its soldiers and sailors the evening

the status of a social the public 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 pleture con- the point of being downright old yet these fellows must look to the event.

port does not warrant it, the pic-tinuca its showings at the Queen's fashioned and the plot is trans- Alma as their first, and almost. Hongkong need not go if long-ture will not be shown for more Theatre until to-morrow, kong thinks it is being exploited, than a week.

only, method of passing away two and a half years. Little wonder The performance in no wise al- fects the ordinary run which starts

GIVEN no knowledge whatever the China Station is regarded as COMBINING the fantastic of of the play from which the the worst of all. on September 20.

with the whin-film is taken, it would be difficult, Actually I don't think Hong-ly nothing more than a ennard, 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 typical Gilbert and beneficiarica under an eccentric

1.1

seats

ONLY A CANARD,

The so-called "scandal" in real-

our

warmly congratulated

*

on

parent from the start.

*

aro costing $5 for to- to lose all sense of proportion. Sullivan note, 's Great To Be will which insists on their mar-have at last studied their means The management of the King'e 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 realfaed booking (and box-ollice figures might be (and probably is) the mixture of ideas. For the most they will (a) furiously repudinte that it is to their advantage to sponk as American producers have greatest film of the age. But why part the Ideas' aro cleverly ex the idea of such a marriage; (b) study the wants of the Fleet. been emphasising for years), the lose our heads and

tempers pressed, affording plenty of fun.meet ander a cloud of mistaken Ronilaing the groans which the public rather likes it. It has because we have to wait a few Here and there can be discerned identities; and (c).

fall in love sallors gave, as certain appeal; from an ordinary months for its presentation? We shaft of wit, a touch of sutire and and decide to comply with

the promised the Cavalcade failed to be shown be "Arst showing in Hongkong of didn't exactly get a simultaneous rather delicious burlesque. The conditions of the will after

London and New theme, imaginative in character. When such confident confectura judge the feelings of the Fleet all.fore their departure, it is easy to Comething we can talk about im-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 Cavalcade" it becomes un "Event"; release with our clubs; 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 nim awaiting them. rocount during the cocktail hour, super-alms.

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

It is, perhaps, as well to bear whole it is satisfactorily handled, is slow and laborious. topic for consumption with the

in mind that the management are Nations is delightful in its concep- The burlesque of the League of coffee.

refraining from Increasing their

picture as its tion, and one has to appreciats the THAT is the fate of The Mana busy street, it is of little uso This is the practical side of the prices when the

Whereas in Singe-ent way in which fun is poked at is not bad; it is merely negatived football crowd. He is

From Toronto. The direction his shouting and shoving in a question.

proper run. pore prices were raised daily ne the film continued..

do

A FEW FACTS.

And now, perhaps I can something to elucidate the "my- sterica"

of the appearance of Cavalcade in Hongkong, over which so much ink has been spilt and sa much misrepresentation made.

Here are the facts. The film

(A special 'English text) arrived in Hongkong by the P. and O. liner Corfu last Wednesday, hæring already been censored here some time ago.

QUEEN'S NEXT CHANGE

WOMEN WHO PLAY

scientists' conference.

Wo, who sit in judgment, must realise that although 'big Noise' may push for what he wants in

but

&

by the Impossibility of creating minority member, who, though surprise or suspense. So the film deserving his just dues, must also RAUL Roullen leaves one with falls back on It's humour and bow to the dictates of the majority. mixed feelings. His attractive there it is renactiably 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 ho over-acts Kerr, Margaret Yarde and Ken-a gala night has been given. If outrageously and endeavours to neth Kovo all supply some amu- the Colony heartily desires to see plagiarise Chevalier, Attle less sing moments.

the film it is the duty of the mana- manneriams, and a more natural.

gement to supply its wants. They

Bome rather frritating features

་

deportment will do much to efface THE greatest tribute one can pay have done so. WOMEN Who Play, with an Eng from his acting. Gloria Stuart, is that even this unsuitable materi ty has been sacrifice to the to the star, Jessio Matthews,. It is not the fact that the minori- lish cast and producer, is not Joan Marsh and Edna May Oliver al a particularly clever film. Times are excellent in supporting leads, charm. She skips and pouts and its pleas which has boon given cannot conceive her roguish majority, nor that the answer to have changed since Lonsdale There is a typical air of Hollywood generally coquettes fvrote it for the stage as Spring allckness in the production which through the picture so effectively the management have adopted of It is being simultaneously re Cleaning, and the central Idea la does much to getting the film na to hold interest where the plot satisfying the roaring lions.

her ways at fault, but the method which longed in Hongkong, and Shanghai. out of date. Modern decadent across."

It begins its run on September wouldn't leave a dinner-party In 20. AND IT HAS NOT BEEN the scandalised manner of vicarn- WITHELD FOR THE RETURN ge-haunters because their host in-

:

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

on the confidance of both sides "given of the multitude of films which

OF THE NAVY. Tho Navy docs vited a woman of onay virtue," wronged husband, Inflicts not get back from the North as Mary Newcomb in known. Overybody, particularly his wife, a characteristic and comic por flicker before us in a year, Or it formance Margaret Yarde, as a there are about ten films which until next month. I believe the After tho first shock of surprise aren't suited to the screen. whole of the Fleet is due to be the unexpectednes of the stunt may be that it takes an actor as village gentlewoman whose on provide really super entertain in the Colony by the 17th. coming from a prosy moralist like magnetic as one of the Barrymores thusiasm for modinoval arts and mont. Though not of such vital I can state authoritatively that the horo would almost certainly to put them across. Benita Hume crafts aro a futamos to every interest; as the fim under dis- the King's Theatre is putting on havo delighted them and caused the wife, Barry Jones as her body, is also good, but Ian Hunter, cussion, this handful represents Cavalcade at the FIRST AVAIL them to take the lady to their admirer, and Gerald Lylyan a though adequate for the plot's the cream of the year's output. ABLE OPPORTUNITY, which is | bosoms. The longthy homilies modern equivalent of the Roman purposes,, is wooden and definite Taking it that six reach the Colony

100 kamukkukan stand and make Bakki (hows Et the Queen's to-morrow, i en

gemar Continued on POUT:77)

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