Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1929)

1258 M ot i Picture News Opinions On Pictures Illusion Stage And Society Comedy Drama (Reviewed by Freddie Schader) {All Dialogue) THIS might have been a much better picture than it is. However, does prove entertaining and it seems to have a really popular song hit in ' ' When The Real Thing Comes Your Way," which is the theme song of the picture. The combination of Buddy Rogers and Nancy Carroll, after the hit that the pair achieved in "Close Harmony," is undoubtedly counted on to take the production considerable distance at the box office. It is a picture that will gel by in all the de luxe houses, but it won't break any records anywhere. Arthur Train's story of the same title was utilized as the story on which E. Lloyd Sheldon built the dialogue for the talkies. It is a combination of circus, small time vaudeville and society in its background uilh the romance of a youthful pair of circus performers breaking into small time vaudeville, with the young man finally breaking into society and almost establishing himself therein through his marriage to the daughter of an overnight millionaire who made his money in the tracking business, as the theme. Of course, the young man doesn't marry the wealthy girl, for in the end he turns back to his former partner in a magical act and effects a reconciliation with her while she is lying on a hospital cot, this being the result of her trying to commit suicide through refusing to switch the bullets in the sharpshooting feature of the act and giving the marksmen the real bullets instead. There have been tremendous production values given the picture, and the scene with the entertainment to the visiting Queen of a Balkan country is very big, as is also that with the circus as a feature of the opening function and housewarming of the trucking millionaire's country place. Lothar Mendez, who handles the direction of the picture, manages fairly well once the story is underway, but the earlier scenes are entirely too episodic and that portion of the picture has been poorly edited. Buddy Rogers and Nancy Carroll naturally walk away with the principal honors, but Jnne Collyer is right behind them in the role of the society del). It was smart casting to have selected her for this role lor she can and does play it naturally because she is to the manner born. Kay Francis as a social adviser al o Bl the pi nicely, while Knute Erickson bandies the role of the newly rich father in a mosi satisfying manner. Eddie Kane slips over i Iim. iking agent convincingly, while Emelie Melville as the "mother" of il"1 theatrical boarding house proves to be all that could be asked. Bj playing up Rogers and Miss Carroll ill " i Im-i I l.u n\ " and with in head the names of the othci in the lengthy cast this picture will gel by nicely in most hou Produced and distributed by Paramount Famous Lasky. From the story by An Inn Train, adapted by E. Lloyd Sheldom. di rected by Lothar Mendez. Length, 6,972 Silents Are Not Dead, Says Cecil B. DeMille "I THINK it is foolish for anyone to say that the talking films have 'killed' the silent screen," declared Cecil B. DeMille, motion picture producer for M-G-M in a personal expression of his views on the subject. "Some of the best stories can be told most effectivly in silent form," he declared, "others are twice as forceful with dialogue. The talking newsreel is a great step forward for the motion pictures. And the addition of good music is a boon to millions of persons who never had the benefit of the big city picture house orchestra." DeMille believes silent films will experience a favorable adjustment to present conditions. "Perhaps it will be four or five years before we know exactly what proportion of silent and talking pictures is best," thinks the producer. Screened grand opera is only a step away, he believes. The Trespasser (Continued from page 1257) father maintains his character right to the end and this is one of the good points of the story. You can't, as an exhibitor, afford to miss this picture. It is going to make new box office records, it is going to cause a lot of discussion, and above all it is going to bring you a new Gloria Swanson, one that you neved dreamed existed. From a production viewpoint the picture has everything, and while a talkie it is at all times a motion picture. Produced by Joseph P. Kennedy, distributed by United Artists. Story, dialogue and direction by Edmund Goulding. Running time, an hour and a half. THE CAST Gloria Swanson Marion Donnell Robert Ames Jack Merrick Purnell Pratt Hector Ferguson Henry B. Walthall Puller Wally Albright Jackie William Holden John Merrick, Sr. Blanche Friederici Miss Potter Kay Hammond Catherin "Flip" Merrick Mary Forbes Mrs. Ferguson Marcella Corday Blanche Pathe Making Filmusical Hollywood, Oct. 3. — A filmusical with a jazz band background is being prepared by Pathe for early production. Leo McCarey i redited with the original story, and will also direct. Earl Baldwin wrote scenario. feet. Running time, an hour and thirteen minutes. Released, Sept. 21, 1929. THE l \SI Thorpe Chai -les (Buddy) Rogers Icrnigan Hilda Scbmittlap June ■ AM. i l ton Kay i i incis Eric S Regi i ii | Mr. Jacob Schmittlap Ki I u -. !;-n'-: .;. I mi in, Besserer Queen of Dalamatia Maude Turnei Mr. 7. William Austin Fay Emelii Melville Mi V Raymond Z Ka1 ei ine Yi ftl ici Mi \ I Gus Bloomberg Eddie Kane Equerry Mil Count Fortuny Paul l.ukas Three Live Ghosts Crackerjack Comedy Talkie (Reviewed bv Freddie Scbader) {All Dialogue) FREDERICK S. ISHAM'S story, "Three Live Ghosts," which Max Marcin adapted as a stage play, and which later was made as a silent picture, emerges again as a talkie. On this latest occasion it is Joseph M. Schenck who is the producer, anil Max Marcin is credited with adapting and staging the picture, as well as writing the dialogue, and this makes it "A Max Marcin Production." It is the author's first adventure into the production ranks on his own, and he has turned out a well worth while picture that will get money anywhere. The story is that of three British soldiers who have returned to London after they had been officially declared dead. They had been captured by the Germans, put into a prison camp, and finally made their escape. The trio comprises a half goofy chap, who finally has his faculties restored and proves to be of the peerage, an American who is dodging the law at home, and so enlisted in the English army, and finally a typical limey from London Whitechapel. The troubles that they encounter because the American is wanted by the American police, and the fact that the limey's stepmother wants to give him up to earn the reward offered for him, the thieving proclivities of the goofy member of the three, and honest effort of the limey to protect his two buddies, are the basis of the tale. Beryl Mercer, as Mrs. Grubbins, the mother of the limey, gives the outstanding comedy performance of the picture, but Claud Allister as the goofy one runs her a close second for the honors. Charles McNaughton gives a corking characterization as the limey, and walks away with acting honors, while the romantic interest is carried by Joan Bennett and Robert Montgomery, the former as a starving painter of chinaware and the latter as the American. Thornton Freeland is credited with the direction of the picture. He has handled the work nicely, but the fine Italian hand of Max Marcin is seen in the production and its staging. If they like laughs in your house, and where is the audience that doesn't'.', you can go right after this one and play it up •.tiling. You have to go after the story itself, for other than Joan Brunei t there is no one in the cast whose name has a boxnfiiee value. Produced by Joseph M. Schenck ami distributed by United, From the story by Frederick s. Isham; adaptation and dialogue by Mux Marcin, directed by Tin. niton Freeland. Length, 7.4S6 feet, running time an hour and two minutes. Released, Sept. I.'!. lilL'S). THE CAST Beryl Mercer Mrs Gubbins I liM.i \ .mi,:!,!, 1'. ... U n ll.ll.i Mill, lis J, .in Bennett Rose Gordon Alice Charles McNaughton Jimmic Gubbins William Foster ler "S Arthur Clayton Paymaster Tenen Holu Crockery Man Sbaylc Gardner Hnggs Jack Cooper Benson Jocclyn Lcc I~idy Leicester