The Bioscope (Jul-Sep 1931)

THE BIOSCOPE August 12, 1931 1 ' . *1 jHis p fjj K* ■ J » in; i . ‘ 7 s i i hTCl Igl ** 1 ISTj • fa British • Studios To-day 9 made her film debut and success simultaneously in “ My Wife’s Family," Charles Farrell, the celebrated crook of “ The Man at Six ” and “ The Flying Fool,” Philip Strange, lately returned from Hollywood, Derrick de Marney, Wilfred Shine, Jose Collins, jun., niece of the famous musical comedy star, and a mysterious someone who will appear as Bernard Shaw’s double —as though there could be any sich animal ! Anne Grey Signed by Hagen Anne Grey has been signed by J ulius Hagen to co-star with Denis Neilson Terry in his forthcoming Twickenham production, “ A Murder at Covent Garden," which is to be directed by Leslie Hiscott. During the past year Miss Grey has come rapidly to the fore among British screen actresses. Comparatively recently she was almost unknown and her distinct success in " Other People’s Sins,” P.D.C’s. British production, has been followed by a rapid succession of contracts which have since placed Miss Grey in five different pictures, in all of which she has played important roles. In her new Twickenham picture she will be directed by Leslie Hiscott. This striking aspect of the new multiple stage studio nearing completion for Gaumont-British in Lime Grove, Shepherd's Bush, presents a fresh and invigorating architectural feature as well as an example of terrific growth in British film production. The tiny section sandwiched in the centre represents the original studio frontage “Queer Fish” for B.I.P. British International have purchased the world film rights of " Queer Fish,” the new comedy now playing at the Apollo Theatre. Arthur Hardy and D. A. Clarke -Smith have, I understand, contracted to appear in the picture, which will be made at Elstree. Korda to Direct Rudyard Kipling Story Alexander Korda, well-known director of many successful German and American films, and now under contract to Paramount (European), is to direct for Paramount at Elstree in the near future. He is now engaged upon the preparation of his scenario from Rudyard Kipling’s “ The Light That Failed.” “ Calendar ” Unit Goes Racing Down at Ascot on Friday British LionGainsborough’s ” The Calendar ” unit made film history, by using the famous racecourse for location shots for the first time ever. Those who know the powers-that-be at Ascot will realise the weight of this concession, and it was therefore fortunate that the day turned out sufficiently fine to allow a full day’s work to be put in. Apart from the time spent by Director T. Hayes Hunter in gazing skywards through a smoked glass to watch the passage of clouds across the sun, there were no long delays, and a series of useful shots were taken in the paddock, in Tattersall’s ring and on the track itself. In gorgeous gowns, grey toppers and similar sartorial glory, both principals and extras succeeded in creating the correct atmosphere of Ascot asceticism, though some eagle eye did catch a minor error in the dress of the liveried attendants in time to avoid a cinematic faux pas. However, there were no other such errors, Hayes Hunter having made sure of having everything in order by enrolling the services of a wee lad named Herbert Sturt, who works in the office of the Clerk of the Course, to correct the players on all points of etiquette and dress ! They’ll all be fit to get themselves invited to Ascot next year as members of some house party or other, that is ... if they happen to be ” resting ” that day. While Princesses Looked On During the afternoon Princess Helena Victoria and Princess Beatrice came over in the company of Sir Gordon Carter, Clerk of the Course, to watch the proceedings. Princess Beatrice was, in fact, busy with a camera, so “ Happy ” Hunter may even yet go down to posterity in photo-form via a royal album. Unfortunately, the weather did not prove so kind on subsequent days, so that the unit has to go down to the course again this week, in order to write ” finis.” Sunday the unit planned to " locate ” in a different rural setting, down at Pilshead, near Amesburv, Wilts, where shots were to be taken at the stables of J. Bearv, who trains Edgar Wallace’s horses. For certain equestrian sequences, the services of Michael Beary, the famous jockey, were “ commandeered.” B.I.P.’s “Money for Nothing” In addition to the principal players to be directed by Monty Banks in “ Money For Nothing,” which already include the star, Seymour Hicks, Betty Stockfeld, Donald Calthrop, Shayle Gardener and Henry Wenman, will be seen Edmund Gwenn, whose remarkable performance in “ The Skin Game ” will be recalled, Amy Veness, who Mercanton’s Cast In addition to Jack Buchanan, Joan Barry, Ellaline Terriss, Norah Swinburne, Cyril Raymond and C. V. France, who, as announced in The Bioscope last week, have been signed by Louis Mercanton for his new Paramount picture production " A Child in Their Midst,” the cast for this picture will include Lilian Braith waite and Warwick Ward. This surehr completes one of the most imposing casts assembled for any recent British picture. Mercanton was looking forward with keen interest to his return to England when I met him at the Joinville Studios last week, and I believe he cherishes a secret ambition that he will be given a certain literary masterpiece for his next film production. Hitherto he has not been very fortunate in regard to the scope afforded him bv recent stories he has had to fill. At the same time, he would be the first to admit that he is extremely fortunate in securing for his first two Paramount pictures such well-known leading artists as Cyril Maude and Jack Buchanan. Jameson Thomas Bereaved I am very sorry to announce the death in Hollywood of Mrs. Jameson Thomas, formerly well known in London film trade circles as Evelyn Dudson, the publicity agent. It was in 1926, I believe, that Miss Dudson, who was then acting as Mr. Jameson Thomas’ publicity agent, became his wife, and although she carried on her business for a considerable time after their marriage (which was a secret one) she left for America when her husband decided to quit British pictures to seek fame in American ones. This must have been towards the end of 1 92 9, and almost immediately after her arrival in America Mrs. Thomas suffered ill-health. During the past few months her condition grew very grave and she passed away on Sunday as a result of pulmonary trouble. Mr. Thomas’s many friends on this side of the