The Bioscope (Jul-Sep 1931)

September 9, 1931 THE BIOSCOPE 29 British Studios To-day Pertwee With Warner— Gainsborough Buying New Stories— Ralph Lynn “In Mischief ”— Sun-bathing And— Soil ! Renate Muller, who returns this week to play in the Gainsborough production “ Sunshine Susie,” interrupted by her recent illness. Victor Saville is directing Pertwee Writing Warner Dialogue “ Murder on the Second Floor,” the first Warner First National British film — as first announced in The Bioscope — goes into production at Teddington next week. Roland Pertwee, who recently broke an ankle, is writing the dialogue, and in order to lose no time, Irving Asher, Warner’s production manager, travelled to Bampton, in Devon, where he and Pertwee attacked the work by the famous writer’s bedside. " Murder on the Upstairs Floor,” so to speak. However . . . Wm. McGand is getting his cast lined up, and several contracts are likely to be signed within the next few days. Meantime, I am glad to hear that Florence Desmond, who proved her mettle so splendidly in “Sally In Our Alley” — far outshining Gracie Fields as an actress — -is to have a big part. So is Sydney Fairbrother, who is to play the role taken by Muriel Aked in the stage version. “ Sunshine Susie” Returns Gainsborough’s new film of " Michael and Mary” finished over the week-end with the lovers driving off the studio floor in a hansom cab, while their “ creator,” A. A. Milne, looked on approvingly. On Monday work recommenced on " Sunshine Susie,” the German musical comedy which Victor Saville is directing. Renate Muller, the German musical comedy star, who plays the lead in " Sunshine Susie,” arrived back in London on Monday looking very fit. After her serious operation, which interrupted work on the picture in July, she went off to her own country to recuperate. There she stayed at the lovely little village of Tegennsee, in the Bavarian Alps, which is next door to the place where the exterior shots were made in " The Constant Nymph.” Tegennsee, according to Miss Muller, is one of the world’s beauty spots, and Pall Mall, where her London flat is situated, seems a trifle gloomy after it. Prince Ruprecht of Bavaria has a castle there, and beside it is a famous old guest house, where you can dine at long oak refectory tables off unlimited home-brewed lager beer and innumerable varieties of succulent sausage for lOd. ! What a locale to exchange for Islington— or even, say. Charing Cross Road ! [New Gainsborough Schedule Making A number of new productions are already being prepared in the Gainsborough scenario department, and it may be necessary for space to be rented shortly in one of the independent studios. The next picture to be made at Islington will probably be that very successful farce " Lord Babs,” with Bobby Howes in the name part. Cricklewood’s New Inn In the Stoll studios, Cricklewood, a comfortable little inn — "The Jolly Pilots” — has been built, and there Kay Hammond is to serve " arf and arf ” to thirsty mariners and other characters in " The Third String,” the Gaumont -Welsh Pearson film, on which work commenced last week. Among the film pub’s regular patrons will be Sandy Powell, Alf Goddard (naturally), Charles Paton and Mark Daly, impersonating W. W. Jacobs’ delightful double-crossing quartette. Sydney Fairbrother and Pollie Emery play " Mrs. Peabody ” and " Mrs. Champ ” respectively — next-door neighbours whose picturesque homes occupy another corner of the studio. " The Third String will also be responsible for bringing a fair to Cricklewood ; George Pearson is making arrangements to concentrate roundabouts, flying chairs, cocoanut shies and other show attractions in the bigger studio. B.I.P. and Sun-bathing " Let’s Go Naked ” is the title of the story by a well-known writer, and will be directed by Norman Lee for B.I.P. The story deals with sun-bathing, and will feature forty of the most beautiful girls in all their highly attractive wear for these occasions, with the scenes laid on the seashore and a fashionable bathing-pool. B.I.P. should change this title. Sunbathing is a healthy recreation pursued by clean-minded people who already have enough to fight in public prejudice and prudery without having to face the criticism that they have " inspired ” a leading British film producing concern to adopt such a title as this. No one minds Mack Sennett stuff even these days, but where nakedness enters into the question it is a matter for decency and discretion and should not be turned to box-office account in this way. Norman Walker’s' Next for B.I.P. The next picture to be directed by Norman Walker for B.I.P. will be “ Bill the Conqueror.” This is an original story by Dion Titheradge, with the scene laid at a farm in Sussex, and the story, dealing with rural life, will, it is stated, admirably lend itself to the picturisation of the beauty of the English country. Ralph Lynn in “ Mischief ” Jack Raymond started production at Elstree on Monday of a new British and Dominions film titled “ Mischief,” and starring Ralph Lynn. Written specially as a cinematic vehicle by Ben Travers, this story, Herbert Wilcox believes, will provide the wry-faced comedian with his finest chance since " The Chance of a Night Time.” “ The Verdict of the Sea ” Cast The cast of the new Regina Films production, " The Verdict of the Sea,” has now been selected, and will proceed immediately to Falmouth, where the company is to embark on a 300-ton cargo boat, the Capri, which will be its headquarters throughout filming operations. Two popular British favourites return to the Elstree fold in this new story of the sea. John Stuart will portray the hero, with Cyril McLaglen in another important part. The only feminine member of the cast is Moira Lynd, who has played in several B.I.P. productions not yet trade shown. She will appear as the Captain’s daughter, and her father will be played by that wellknown stage actor David Miller. The cast also includes H. Saxon-Snell, Hal Walters, Billy Shine, Edward Barker, Joe Arthur and Tom Shenton. Short Shots George Studdy, the famous cartoonist, has shown his interest in the Tailwaggers by placing at the disposal of Delta Pictures, Ltd. — Widgey R. Newman — some original " Bonzo ” cartoons to illustrate the titles in this new series of " talkie ” short featurettes now in production. * * * John Orton, who is supervising Gene Gerrard’s picture, " Out of the Blue,” has taken his unit on location. * * * Gene and Kenneth Kove are to be found outside The Three Hammers Hotel, St. Albans, but not only outside. W. H. M. Quigley Editorial Change Leo Meehan, general manager since its inception of the Hollywood Herald, published by Quigley Publications, has been appointed by Martin Quigley to the editorship of the paper. Walturdaw Extension The Walturdaw Cinema Supply Co., Ltd., are extending their activities in the North by the appointment of Archd. A. Richardson as Scottish representative. Mr. Richardson, who is well known to Scottish exhibitors from his association with Western Electric, takes over his territory next week.