The Bioscope (Jul-Sep 1931)

38 THE BIOSCOPE August 26, 1931 “The Road To Singapore” Wm. Powell and Marian Marsh in the Warner Brothers and Vitaphone picture “ The Road To Singapore,” for London presentation at the Prince Edward Theatre on Wednesday, September 2nd, at 8.45 p.m. Secret Service and the Air First National’s “Men of the Sky” Stories of espionage and the activities of those engaged in secret service work have always been a source of the greatest fascination on the part of the large majority of those ignorant of the work of the Intelligence Department, and the trade should, consequently, look forward with considerable curiosity to the new First National drama, “ Men of the Sky.” The combined work of the creators of some of this company’s biggest musical successes, Jerome Kern and Otto Harbach, this picture is promised for trade show at the Prince Edward Theatre, London, to-morrow (Thursday). As its title suggests, the production in large measure concerns aviation, and tells how a beautiful woman spy, employed in the service of the French, gets into the enemy’s country and, by exercising her charms, worms out war secrets. By means of an exceedingly novel plan she is able to transmit messages to her friends, so that the German advances are crippled. What happens when the enemies who surround her finally learn of her real mission and discover that her lover is working in league with her ensures a very dramatic climax. An exceedingly able cast has been selected for this production, with Irene Delroy as the girl spy, and Jack Whiting as the young aviator who works for the French. The well known British actor Bramwell Fletcher has the part of a German officer, and other popular members include John Sainpolis, Frank McHugh, Edward Maxwell, Otto Matiesen and Lotti Loder. The release not long ago of First National’s “ Song of the Flame,” by the same authors, proved that drama and music could be combined to make screen entertainment of a highly successful order, and as a similar treatment has been used in the case of “ Men of the Sky ” a repetition of this success is to be anticipated. “The Ruling Voice” Alteration September 10th will now be the trade show date for the important First National production, " The Ruling Voice,” and not September 1st as was originally arranged. In view of the extreme importance of this event, which will take place at the Prince Edward Theatre at 8.45 p.m.. First National is taking the welcome step of strictly reserving admittance to only authorised exhibitors and members of the Press. Invitations will not be circulated in the usual manner and all entitled to attend will be invited to apply for seats, which will be numbered and reserved. Lonsdale for M-G-M. British Author to Write Screen Plays Frederick Lonsdale, the British playwright, has arrived in California, where he will work on screen plays for M.-G.-M. It is anticipated that he will do three original scripts for filming, and in all probability the first one will be a starring vehicle for Nonna Shearer. Subsequently Robert Montgomery may play in one. “Canaries Sometimes Sing” was Mr. Lonsdale’s most recent stage success. Others, of course, were “The High Road,” which M.-G.-M. made into a film with Ruth Chatterton as star, “ On Approval,” which was filmed by B. &• D., and " The Last of Mrs. Cheyney,” the film version of which had Norma Shearer as star. “Flying Fool” at Malvern A Distinguished Audience The private screening of " The Flying Fool ” at the Picture House, Malvern, which took place on Tuesday evening last at 1 1 p.m., proved an exceptionally attractive additional feature to the festival of British films organised by Roy W. Limbert in association with B.I.P. Over three hundred guests turned out at this unusual hour. Among the many persons present were Bernard Shaw, Charles Laughton and his wife, Elsa Lanchester, H. K. Ayliff, the producer, Sir Barry Jackson, Walter Peacock, Nell Carter, J. B.' Priestley, Hugh Walpole, Scott Sunderland, Helena Pickard, Marjorie Pickard, Cicely Hamilton, the dramatist, the Chairman of the Malvern Council, and prominent members of the Malvern Urban District Council, Wilfred Simpson, of the Opera House, Cheltenham, Mrs. Simpson, Lady Sibell Lygon and party, Gwen Lally, producer of the Tewkesbury Pageant. Grand Prix for Haik Ingenious Studio Model By the unanimous vote of the jury of thp International Colonial Exhibition (Cinematograph Section), Etablissements Jacques Haik have been awarded the Grand Prix for their stand. This represents a complete reproduction in miniature of a sound stage in their Courbevoie Studios. A cabaret scene is being directed and the detailed set complete with sound and movement is seen. The figure of the director becomes animated — " Lights,” " Quiet, Please,” “ Camera ” — and the dolls representing the artists become animated, and to the sound of the orchestra, each member of which plays a faithfully reproduced instrument, they move round the set. The two stars go through a humorous dialogue, and the movement and sound continue for three minutes. The director’s voice is heard : " Cut ” — " Save your Lights ” — and that is the end. The faithful detail shown in the representation of the studio is exciting admiration from the public, and a crowd is always to be seen round the stand.