1936-02-08 — Page 8

"FIRST NIGHT":

TALKING

Star-Picked Stars

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1920..

ENTERTAINMENT

of 1936.

WARNING: You don't have to believe a word of the following:-

Ho

[ONGKONG film-goers have shown in no uncertain manner that Ginger Rogers, 1934 favourite, is the star they'd rather pay their $1.50 to see than any other.

Since contemporary "Previewer" of the South China Morning Post has told you all there is to tell about her, I'm going to content myself with peering into the future, to see who'll be your choice in twelve months time.

Now maybe I won't have to do it myself, after all, because there lives in Hollywood a quiet, little lady, com- fortably in the fifties, who plays the role of mother con- fessor to the film great, who has taken the words right out of my mouth. Her name is Mrs. Mabel Smith, and she is a professional astrologer, Charlie Chaplin always takes her advice. Her clients call her Smithy.

In the last few years she has so accurately foretold things that happened in the film colony that now they hang on her every word. Film stars are addicted to the stars.

Here, very briefly, ard her main forecaste for 1936. (I am holding out all her matter-of- announcements of sudden death-this is an entertainment page.)

Pauletto Goddard: Not even Chaplin is aware of the great screen success that awalts his proteges in 1930,

Jean Harlow will retire from the acreen at the end of two

yours.

She must guard against an accident about that time.

Wallace Beery, Ruth Chatterton are warned of danger in the air.

British films will sour.

Gangster films will finally be for- gotten.

Romances with war backgrounds will bo the next film cycle.

A big boom in colour films, about May

Hollywood is threatened by an in- fectious epidemic. It will start in the dusty plains of the Middle West, creeping to the coast, reaching a peak about September. Smithy does

not limit herself to film prophecy. She has this to may about other folk:---

八

STAR OF THE WEEK No. 7 is Shirley Temple, despito corres- pondent's complaint about picking out only headlinera. When you are The Littlcat Rebel" you'll know why Shirley was chosens this page, frankly, has never liked her hitherto, Celebrates acventh birthday in April. Born at Santa Monica, California, Likos ice cream and vopet- able soup, Ambition: to have house with ice-cream factory attached. Receives 4,000 letters a week from "fans" and employs secretary to read them. Occasionally scrawls own signature to replies. Once received 800 invitations to US, birthday parties. Came third in "South China Morning Post's "Most Popular Star" competition.

Shirley Will Tap Her Way Into Your Heart

"THE LITTLEST REBEL”

-King's and Alhambra Theatres. SHIRLEY TEMPLE, If she hasn't already sang and smiled her way into your

hearts, will tap her way when you see her in "The Littlest Rebel" to-night. ·

As in The Little Colonel," "The Littlest Rebel" presents a la Temple in hoop skirts and high button shoes, and pairs her with nimble-toed Bill. Robin-

8011.

It's also another story of the American Civil War, the scenes of which are on the authen- tle and spectacular scale that is making Twentieth Century-Fox the outstanding Hollywood producers of 1935-36.

First-rate entertainment are the tap dances by Shirley and Robinson, highlight of the Blussolini cannot succeed in Abys- picture being the slave cabin dance in, which the two performers seek to distract & Yankee ainia. His crisis will come between coin.

and again in the street when they seek to raise money to take them to see Abraham '.

March 20 and April 20.

It will be a dark year for Hitler. Personal danger.

At the end of the year Russo- Japanese war is threatened. After math of this threatens to involve America (and possibly Britain) in 1940.

Other highlights: Shirley singing "Believe Me, If All Thone Enduring Young Charms" and "Polly Wolly Doodle:" minuet by Shirley and new child actor Edward McManus (of who you'll see more), at which McManus gravely pipes his apologies at boing unable to bow low because his pantaloons are too tight.

PACTS—Shirley voted biggest boxeiro ati traction of 12 by US Exhibitors. Littlest Nabel" played eleven days fncluding, twa Haturdays and twa · Bundays to more than

Famine threatens Russia and Indin. 0,005 is Shanghai, being great busine (Smithy is very definite about this. done at Grand Theatre. Their opening ple Sho oven talks of food hoarding Lure *Ifoll-Refow," - in ̈1931-played ten daya before the year is out.)

to $27,000.

There's a good deal more, but that seems a plenty from a motherly little "PETER IBBETSON"

Indy sitting waiting for the stars to

call on her in sunny California.

In fact, it seems a lot.

OT news for Alm-goers.

HOT

L

---Queen's, to-morrow,

Don't think I am funking the issue

if I suggest that this film might well have ton different receptions from ten different audiences.

the

That's the way it is with Charlie Chaplin, in addition supernatural on the screen. You may to composing the music for his new be touched to the heart when Ann film, sings a song, thus breaking his Harding and Gary Cooper play a tender love scene in a wood while Solemn Yow of Silence.

In fact, Chaplin breaks his S.V.S. in they are dreaming the same dream miles apart. You may be embarrass-

a far more spectacular munner,

He shatters the silence with what ed

is known in polite nursery circles a You might malt in tears. And you

a tummy rumble. This occurs after might enigger. How can I or any- he has unwittingly foiled a fall break body else toll?

governor,

and is invited to ten by the prison This is a mystical poem of a ple

ture, an imaginative, part-ethereal Chaplin's delicato alarm, na the romance, an anashamed flight of nolres of a cup of tea coursing gally highly sentimental fancy.

very

around his very empty interior breaks story is that two small children who All that happens in cold terms of upon the silence, should be funny.

are devoted to each other are parted. Later, when the boy is a success- ful architect (and has changed from Dickie Moore into Gary Cooper), he stables. Is commissioned to design a duko's.

...

Ho falls in love with the duchess (Ann Harding), and then discovers

Charlie had great trouble with this borborygmle interlude. It is many, many years since the great comedian'a stomach has been as empty as the that she is the long-lost Mimsey of scone demanded. Nor was ho willing his infancy.

to starve himself in the cause of his

art.

The duke (John Halliday) accusos,

ho.

So he had them record the noise of them of being lovers while their love" bath-water running out. Two famous yet unspoken, and when dieticians, called into consultation on kills him with a well-directed chair.

threatens to shoot both of them Fotor the scene, raised gentle eyebrows in He goes to prison age he is kept Through the protest

Apparently they feared greatly for shadow of death to the comedian's internal economy, until alive by the fanciful ability to meet the trick was explained to them,

his love in his dreams, for they have The problem will soon be handed on such a close accord that their dreams to Hongkong's Board of Film Censors, coincido.

In dreams they keep their freedom because U.A. are releasing film hero

and their shortly

youth and their love. Chaplin also sings a song in gib. Then when she dies we have him berish, having mislaid the lyric. For going to join her. sh, we are indebted, surely to Bing Cronby

ter, 1.

Acoupling the mysticism, there is a

wealth of tender, tenuous beauty in tho-creation of the film, and in the - acting of the stars.

Cooper's matter-of-fact, semi- TEAN HARLOW has alguod a new piness that: too intense playing would articulate manner cancels 'n' slop contract for a fabulous rum with put into many of the situations.". her employers, Metro-Goldwyn-Way-Ann Harding's fine-wrought beauty and the unusual warmth of her act- And a very peculiar contract, too. ing are utterly and always in tune It stipulates that she shall not be with the theme: ATK CONS called upon to make any picturo in I have not seen better sentimental blonde.

BARS FACTS-Henry Hathaway, he made the * In' faturo productions she will Jar Paramennt, borang an: dacăutant directar her own light brown hair, Chewy. RES. Gary Comper Find The Ma to directingwand he made “Bengu); mella With the platinum locks that made Lancar CUENTA NA her famo" will go the roles, that ae- : Curser, den years ser un anbaliwach cow. companied them

Joy In`Wallywood, but just 'Ankhed "Desire": Baroon, because with Marlene Dietrisk, having worked for on the in futura (cinematically) Jean intends sightsen entha without a breaks. He is now ang,hollingwelwa, manika! In Bermuda, ihon

WOAK

"First Night" Tells-

THE STORY

BEHIND THE STORY OF PHILHARMONIC'S ANNUAL MEETING

IF YOU went to Philharmonic's "A Country Girl" recent- ly, you'll remember that the Rajah of Bhong sang "A Peace Song."

Nobody thought of singing it at the Annual Meeting last Tuesday.

As a matter of fact, the atmosphere was decidedly unpeaceful.

You would have gathered, had you attended the meet- ing, that certain sections of the Hongkong press, including my unworthy self, were unpopular.

In fact, our unpopularity' was discussed to such lengths that the subject took up more than half of the time spent in discussing things Philharmonic and the only concrete fact that emerged was the official figure of the deficit on "A Country Girl", already given on this page.

One or two members were prepared

to resent criticism in same page of Society's latest production but others, recognising Its accuracy and remem- boring past favours, decided to forget..

A tentative resolution "to routo misinformed criticism" was seconded but nat proceeded with.

One member was heard to mutter something about sensational journal- iam based on no material foundation, Bennational Journalism being this pago's reference to 300 deficit

A more serious threat was suggestion that the critic should bo made a Vice President... it coats

the

Seriously though, the Philharmonic have nothing to complain of. If they take the stand as amateur musicians and actors they must be prepared to faca criticism.---Amatourism shouldn't

compensate him for

"SCREEN GRID"

ON RADIO

What Gladstone

Said In 1890

WHAT did Mr. Gladstone way in 18901 You'll soon

know,·.·

He said a few words into a phonograph. He was congratulating Thomas Edison, the inventor.

The soft wax cylinder was preserved. No copy could be taken from it-too fragile. Any one wanting. to buy a record of Mr. Gladstone was fobbed off with a substitute reading of what Mr. Gladstone had said.

Three years ago experts unearthed the original. The B.B.C.. became interested. The precious wax was subjected to process after process. With endless difficulties it was ro-recorded through special niters on to'a disc.

Thore are other links with the past being added to the B.B.Cs record library,

Sarah Bernhardt, who recorded in 1000-Lord Salisbury, and Lord Rosebery,

You'll hear the thin, precise tones of Disraeli; the poems of Lord Tennyson, rend by the poet himself.

Phineas T. Barnum, greatest imprezario of all time, will talk to you about his circus, And Stanley, the ex- plorer, will describe his adventures.

What will the B.B.C. do with this astonishing. collection? They propose holding the recorde, for the anniversaries of the men and women concorned to broad- cast during the colebrations. This is wrong.

An entire programme should be devoted to them. and soon. They should be played

THIS FILM MAN SAYS THAT

Hongkong Suffers From

W

Scissors Mania

through, one after the other. And then repeated.

*

•

顱

BW's big day next week will be Wednesday when long-heralded Variety Programme, postponed owing to King's death, is booked for 9.39 to 10.30. There'll be three stars whom you haven't heard before, in addition to old Invourite. Chief on list is Colleen Parker, but you don't know her by that name. See if you can recognlso valce.

CONGRATULATORY radiogram to

now aboard

THEN you ask a Hollywood producer

about censors you usually need some homo-town Shanghai, for particular

avenue of escape."

M.M. Iner Chenonceaux en route to

fine, unheralded broadcast from studio last Sunday night. Departure is Shanghai's gain, our loss. Mme.

Dechesne

cene is well-known in Shanghai

exempt them. As one member said die President's union should be dis- dobate tinguished from others by extra free tickets: "Forty free tickets wouldn't band of amateurs perform to see a President Dr. Valentine was against

NEW Items of note from ZBW other the proposal but it was carried.

than above and Orchestral Question of the Incorporation of the Entertainment critics were always noted for their Quintetto scheduled for 8.03 6 5.30 Socisty was brought up diffidently, bravery, however.

to-morrow night. Deen often ang- Seliciter Strellett shook a grave head and denied that it was a mere matter when he arrived here last week, was what he thought be instituted. Idea is grand, provid So, naturally, the first question to ask Tay Garnett gested that Amateur Nights should of sticking on stamps.

ed amateurs will come forward. about the censoring of "China Seas," Final business of meeting was to decide on future plans. Professor Now Mr. Garnott has a very high opinion of Hong- would be saved from alath of paucity This page still believes that ZBW Brown insisted that Society must be kong. He likes it, and has visited it often in his younger of talent by either Amateur nights kept in public mind, another of my days. At least two of his films, "Outward Passage" and or sponsored programme. Consider- suggestions, you'll recall.

"China Seas," had a Hongkong locale. ¿

ing few artistes avaliable, Miss Dun- A concert was, suggested, but But to mention Hongkong censora to our visitor in matt et staff do a good job. J. C. M. Grenham, of "Barry" fame, liks mentioning Mao West to Greta Garbo. Ask me to put forward an operolta in which all tell you that joko sometime. could participate.

But when you ask a Hollywood pro- ducer, on a visit to Hongkong, about the broadcasting circles, since Sunday wo Hongkong censors who wiped out a picture have known why., that is the apple of his eye, you're really asking for trouble.

Mr. Garnett has very strong views about, Hongkong

Somebody cleo said it should be for censors. charity. A whisper went from the Press table that it should be for

They are, briefly, that. Hongkong is suffering from Newspapermon's Widows and Or a particularly acute attack of scissors mania. phans. Another good idea. not pro-

"What do your censors want?" he asked in despair. ceeded with.

"If China Seas had been 'sexy', or had offended the susceptibilities of a certain race of people, there may have been cause for its banning.

The cast of "Trouble in Toyland," produced with such success by Hermione Beauclerk at Helon May Institute last week. Left to right: The Bear (Martin Soth-Smith Baby Mouse (Vivian Gillespie), The Bicycle (Jocelyn Deevor), The Telephone (Tommy Beevor), Father Christmas (Mr. J. Ferguson), The Fairy (Prudence Johnson), The Pizic (Phyllis Saper), Mother Christmas (Mrs. Kenyon), The Doll (Jano Strellett), The Acroplane (Wendy Joseph), Pop-Eye (Barbera Rolfe), and The Clown (Evelyn Buyere).

Miny Yuon.)

READERS WRITE

ONE SAYS

(Photo by

Hongkong Star-Worship Has Gone Too Far

In every "Star of the Weak" sindo you started the Entertainment Page, you've given the kudos to the big stars and ignored the smaller-part players. Ditto in your reviews-and those of your contemporaries. Those who fill the minor zolos are invariably. either adequate or compotent"--or something equally exasperating.

Ruggles of Red Gap..... Charles Laughter, s**t sa hast pleforw of 1930 with Diamond Jim

Roborin j -Ner. Wedding Night

CODIT, Anna Sten. Broadway Melody

The Glel_from 10th Ave.

Davis, Is Inatur,

Homance in Manhatian,

Vagabond Lady;

· Kreisn Versabta.

tha

Edward ́Arnold. "Dari Coppardeld"; "Motiny an

Glogue Rogers.' Elounty"") “The Informer"; "Liven af n Bengal Gary : Laneir""y" "Top-Hai"1 "Mideummer, Night's

Turvan" y """Naughty · Marietta"; ""Ewa" "Maer Eleanor Pawallabies"; "Anna Karénina", and "Ruggles of

Betie Red Coping

- Biernat minay making star «E 1934-36; WAR Ginger Rogers Shipley Temple Raperis frem exhibitors al! Hebert Taung, over United States collected by "Motion Pic

...ture. Herald", pîneed playear-old «jtar, at the

Why?

it that you and your brother standing, though it is a shame to rate Dirk, Hao West, Clark dakis, Peod Astairs critics are afraid to spread a little the other saven under them..: The last and Glasm Regira, Jous Crawford, Claudelta

Brown and Jazume. Cagney in Sivi Altwm,

The first three pictures are out top, with Into Will Rogers, second, Garbo,

"But it did neither. I was most careful that point, and before any scene was shot it received the ap

roval of the Chinese consular repro- sentative.

“Doen

that

the Hongkong censor believa the pirate scenes are likely to cause an increase in piracy in South

China waters?

"He flatters me if he thinks that I can teach these Blax Bay gangs any- thing new about piracy.

AB

matter of fact, Chineso pir- ates do not appear in the film. They are, in order to avold hurting the sensitivity of our Chinese customers. depicted as Malaya

the

MIKE PERSONALITY No. § Elea Alves, those appearances, all' too: "Hongkong is used as the locale for rare, probably responsible for eon- story simply because I like Hong mpion of more H.K. Electric and kong could just as easily have China Light & Power Company juice used Shanghal, Foochow, Singapore supplied to radio-owners than ang ·

dozen other

her places. In that case, other artiste. Cams to this page's suppose, Hongkong wouldn't have notice first 04 loading lady in banned the film.

"Madame Jolte"; produced by Club de. "It's not much incentive for Alm Recreio three years ago. Only time producers to visit your Colony when the likes jars is when she's dancing they hear that two dne Hollywood to it.

films

Painted Vell' and 'China Seas have been banned simply because their locale was here. It would be reduc-

ing things to absurdity every towin and city in the

banned a pic- turo

it had been chosen as

the

This Colony is beautiful enough to merit Inclusion in any picture deal. ing with the Far East. But not if a bunch of scissorsnippers are going, to be lot lease on the producer. Hall avoid you like a plague.” FOOTNOTES Tay Gammelt pat all ble sam! Into producing "China Besa”no” naturally fouls annered, -Liberty- gave it four stars Landen Daly · Keppraa - dittes described variously by worthwhile erkin "THEE":" tearing meledrama finely seted - and` magal feently produced," "A great cust Inter- preis a'sirong siery'. Blærred Gable, Heery. Harlow. Povmenzes Hongkong what!

Douglas company), showing - Gable's 'Tome]`·. (Walching) alongside: written by Creble Garsin. Other bannad pleinre "Painted_Ve1" also had II. I background. Starred Garbe. Latest Hongkong banningy Paramount's "den Wilkent Names featuring Fred Mac- Muxur, Madre Evana; Fox's "Chartle Chan Ju Shanghai,'* *** Pants - siao Centertelaed. safety of · "Dila. · from the Lambs of Ching", "henghal”, suhe Baitle: "Thunder In the East", "The Gand, Etrth" all with Oriental duckarennde. "Men Without World"

·was a tangatar.

for

GAIETY AT THE GRIPPS

Gala night scheduled for Gripps

portunity of seeing six Gafety Girls at Hongkong Hotel. Following ond-of-season performance to- night they'll transfer to Oriental Theatre for short season, after which they go south to Manila for reason at Manila Hotel,

Gripps have extended night,

New Records

FUNNIEST record for a leng time is Eddy Reilly's version. of a ghastly dilty called “Tha Musid Goes Around and Around." It is Marzian in quality.

Mr. Reilly

does with his volca what tousled Harpo dots with kla idiotic face

He explains in a sort of dañso du ventre tono what happens: whon ho plays the saxophone, how" he pressés a note, and the "musie

down and around, land. around, and comes out here, t

Hauntingly grotesque. (Bruna- sick RL 385

-2005.

On Brunswick's showing the ubiquitons Grace Moore does not sustain her vocal screen' form on the gramophone,

They have just brought out a double-sided disc, chief feature of

which she wears her hält platinum Tasting since "Smilin'. Thru who quite often aro ́s darned sight wo are plëtares you áro, supposed t5 Colbert, Dick-Fawail, Wallace Boetry-Jee-Be to-night, will be your. last on sohich is “Madame Butters

of the limelight over the lesser being forget nS EOON AS YOU leave the theatre. better than the stars 38 because of their brocziness, but I sea Mra. Helen Lockhart is back.

haven't forgotten them yet. first like your entertainment These, are the best bon pictures 1 In our Colony. Sho has been a great page, and to help your correspondence saw and they might bo others that time, now. Her recitale from the column along, fubmit the following as I have not seen that are fust as good Cathedral were a joy. Contraltos are the ton beat pletures I have seen for or oven better than anyone in the scarce, and Mrs. Lockhart has such thetwelve month ending Chinese abaya lat. And if so, I will be very a deep, mellow spice. What about it, New Year Day. They are here glad to see them submitted to Firat ZBW! Let's have all the beat girls have plotted whopping, hig

Allen Adamssless Katharine Hepbura NithAn Enthusiastic Fat ADARES ANIMALS Netekty Warletta palygind Tomate Aeroendent: www for anlay. U..what with No matted': Mrs. Lethkartfinale for night. The early book

MacDonald, Nolam'. EddyBes

5. Natwual Doard at Morland China Berhe katsemi schottak te besideset in mir futuristicore invariably get the good tables.

to be a good, good girl pendanvia. “Tesland, by --Graf: Zippolim, to

Strange "new" Icalways, aho was a natural blonde.

South Amerless and back › to work, Mrs. - My Cooper is u. New York peclatz gizi who piered

The

| aria; but thers appears to be a harsh, nasal quality to her voice, That I was doing no injustice to Alan Moore I

foore I immediately put on Lily Pone record, and the con- recorded purity of the pocket suas remarkable. orrano's voice is of quite flawless quality. This latter recordite made by His Master's Volod, and {{numbered DB STORIA: 7