The Bioscope (Jul-Sep 1931)

24 THE BIOSCOPE July 15, 1931 Norma Shearer brings Sunshine and Thalberg to London Thalberg Anticipates No Revolution “Improve ‘Talkies’ Instead” Norma Shearer, famous Metro-GoldwynMayer star, and her husband, Irving Thalberg, M.-G.-M. production chief, were the guests of honour at a brilliant trade luncheon arranged by Sam Eckman, junr., MetroGoldwyn-Mayer’s popular British chief, at the Dorchester Hotel on Wednesday last. Miss Shearer and her husband were planning a few days in London as part of an extended European vacational tour. With a characteristic appreciation of showmanship, Mr. Eckman arranged that his London trade presentation of Miss Shearer’s latest M.-G.-M. picture, “ A Free Soul,” synchronised with the star’s visit to London, and the trade show audience was a representative one, not only because of the natural trade interest in Miss Shearer’s work, but because the star herself had promised to be present. Prior to and immediately following the luncheon at the Dorchester both Miss Shearer and Mr. Thalberg were interviewed by the Press, Miss Shearer confining her attention principally to the discussion of feminist subjects, while Mr. Thalberg dealt with the more serious problems of the trade. To a Bioscope representative, who asked Mr. Thalberg whether he had any idea what revolutionary innovation might soon be expected from Hollywood, he replied that in his opinion it was useless to look for an>r really radical changes until the ultimate had been reached in “talkie” production. “ We have not yet,” he said, " reached the highest standard attainable in the art of dialogue picture production. Our product which is coming over shortly will prove, we hope, that a distinct advance has been made on, say, our pictures of a year ago. But we believe that the public is only asking for real and sound entertainment, we do not believe that the public is asking for revolution after revolution and novelty after novelty. There is a wide range for novelty actually in the filmisation of various stories. M.-G.-M. are striving at the moment to make their range as wide as possible and to choose subjects of every calibre commensurate with sound entertainment qualities.” Mr. Thalberg was not prepared to say that television, colour, stereoscopy, wide film or any other new ideas now being toyed with by Hollywood magnates could be expected to have repercussions in the British theatre field in the near future. In a speech which he made at the luncheon Mr. Thalberg did administer a mild rebuke to British critics, to whom he suggested that they should show “ more charity ” when dealing with new films. He dealt with a few of the major difficulties facing production chiefs who are out to cater for popular taste and at the same time to make pictures of general and artistic merit, and spoke of the deep appreciation which M.-G.-M. felt for a Press which was genuinely motivated by desires to help and to develop a great industry. Paris Season for “ Outsider ” Rights for “ Midnight Gentleman ” Another tribute has been paid " The Outsider,” which M.-G.-M. are handling in this country, by it being accorded a full season’s run at the Elysees Gaumont in Paris. Eric Hakim, who personally negotiated this run, a day or two ago showed it privately to the Press, the presentation being attended by a majority of members of the French Cabinet and eminent American visitors. Hakim has also concluded the negotiation of territorial rights in “ The Midnight Gentleman,” which is the French title under which Harry Lachman has made " Almost a Honeymoon ” for Hakim. Before the final cutting, the Swiss, North American and Egyptian rights were disposed of, and it has been already booked throughout France, including the Gaumont circuit in that country. Praise for “Rebound” Ina Claire a “Revelation” “ Rebound,” Ina Claire’s picture for P.D.C., is the next P.D.C. offering to be trade shown after “ Sweepstakes.” " Rebound ” was recently given its world premiere at the Carthay Circle Theatre, and it was hailed as a triumph for all concerned. Florabel Muir, writing in the New York Sunday News, wrote : — “ In ‘ Rebound ’ Miss Claire is an honest revelation. She wears clothes as well as Constance Bennett. . . . She is vivacious, bright, witty, sophisticated, charming. “ Ames, a good actor, can still project from the screen the impression ot youthful loveableness mingled with a whimsical waywardness. . . . “ Claire, Ames, Myrna Loy, Walter Walker, Hedda Hopper and Robert Williams round out a cast for ‘ Rebound ’ that it is hard to find a weak spot in. . . . “ The major share of the credit belongs to Edward H. Griffith, who has done a suave, delicate job.” Lionel Marcus Wins Cup Keen Play at S.G.S. Meeting Over fifty members competed for the Screen Golfing Society’s Founders’ Cup, at Stoke Poges, on Sunday. When three players returned cards of 74 it was thought that one of them would be the winner. Subsequently, however, L. Marcus (proprietor of the Commodore, Hammersmith) came in with a score of 70 — a very popular victory. Twelve players competed in the novices’ (over 18) section, H. Yapp recording a popular win with a score of 91, M. E. Balcon being second with 105. The next competition is to be played at Stoke Poges on July 26th, this being a 18-hole bogey for the silver cup presented by S. Rothman. This will be the last competition until September 6th. New Telephone Numbers The following new 'phone numbers should be noted : — Billie Bristow, 72, Shaftesbury Avenue, W.l, Gerrard 5888-9 ; K.R.S., 30, Old Compton Street, W.l, Gerrard 3485 ; and F.B.O., 22, Soho Square, W.l, Gerrard 3912.