The Bioscope (Jul-Sep 1931)

34 THE BIOSCOPE September 9, 1931 Sydney— Up for the Cup W. & F. Football Final Comedy James Cagney in “ Larceny Lane,” a Warner Bros, and Vitaphone film for presentation at the Prince Edward Theatre on Wednesday, September 16, at 3 p.m. In a little local cafe one day, Sydney Howard, the famous British comedian, featured in " Up for the Cup,” the B. & D. film W. & F. are showing at the Capitol on Monday evening — as well as (we believe) on board the Homeric off Portsmouth on Saturday— was sitting with some of his friends discussing ideas for plays and films, when a stranger at the table butted in and gave them his opinion of a good story suitable for filming Sydney Howard. Jack Marks and Bert Lee, two of Howard’s friends who are closely associated in the business side of his career, at once saw possibilities in the man’s suggestions. Between them they evolved the story of “ Up for the Cup,” mostly written on the back of the teashop menu ! The finished film story was written by Con West, R. P. Weston (the tea shop stranger) and Bert Lee. Sydney Howard, of course, played the lead, and probably no finer material has ever been written for this popular Yorkshire comedian. R. P. Weston has to be thanked for giving Sydney Howard his great chance on the London West End stage in " Hit the Deck,” the English version of which was written by Mr. Weston, and Sydney Howard’s immediate success in this long run musical comedy was the forerunner of his great popularity to-day. “ Up for the Cup ” tells of a weaving mill operator, his sweetheart, his great invention and his many adventures when he went to London for the Cup Final. The weaving mill and street scenes were " shot ” at Yeadon, Sydney’s home town, and the owners of three mills granted special facilities. Mill workers collaborated as supers, entering into the " fun ” of the thing and its hard work with zest, with the result that the action scenes are real, even to the old-time knocker-up going from house to house. Lonsdale Back Writing More for M.-G.-M. Frederick Lonsdale, the celebrated British playwright, arrived in England yesterday (Tuesday) on the Mauretania after a trip to Hollywood, where he has been making an extensive study of production methods and picture making technique at the MetroGoldwvn-Mayer Culver City studios. Lonsdale went to California under contract to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, for whom he has been signed to write a number of original scripts. His first was completed during his stay in America, and preparations are already being made to put the picture into production, with Robert Z. Leonard directing and Robert Montgomery starring. No indication has yet been given regarding the type of story of this first subject, neither has the title been announced. During his stay, Lonsdale Those resourceful cameramen of Wardour Street who carry on their duties in the strangest possible places, and frequently under most trying conditions, are certain to take off their hats to Charles Duvanel, a Swiss confrere, who accompanied the Expedition to Mount Kangchenjunga in the Himalayas. At a height of 21,000 feet, when the fournation expedition to climb this giant was toiling towards its objective, Duvanel had the thrill and the " scoop ” of his life. In the midst of recording with his movie camera the foot by foot progress of the advance camp, the whole face of an ice precipice began to crumble, and millions of tons of ice swept down on the party. All escaped with the exception of a native porter, but Duvanel, thrilled by the amazing spectacle of the rushing avalanche, filmed the terrific onrush until all was obscured by the mist of ice-dust. The incident forms one of was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Irving Thalberg at their new Hollywood home. He will at once begin preparations for his second M.-G.-M. script, which he intends writing in England. Two of Lonsdale’s most successful plays have been made into talking films for M.-G.-M., and were unqualified successes. "The Last of Mrs. Cheyney ” brought Norma Shearer to the front rank of talking picture stars and proved a tremendous box office attraction. " The High Road,” in which Ruth Chatterton starred, was equally popular with picturegoers. A number of other Lonsdale plays have also been made into talking films, and their success seems to prove that the sparkling and witty dialogue which is a feature of all Lonsdale productions makes ideal talking picture material. many thrills in the Kangchenjunga picture " Excelsior,” which Ideal are presenting at the Prince Edward Theatre on Thursday, September 17th, at 8.30 p.m. The Kangchenjunga film— the record of the 1930 expedition, preparations for which occupied three years, and which included in its personnel the indomitable Frank Smythe, the conqueror of Mount Kamet— has a running commentary by the Rt. Hon. L. S. Amery, M.P. fjKAY FRANCIS WITH WARNERS " The Rich Are Always With Us,” which will be the first vehicle for Kay Francis under her new contract with Warner Brothers, is scheduled to go into production this week, according to the latest news from Warner’s studios in Hollywood. " The Rich Are Always With Us ” is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by E. Pettit. Trade Golf Fixtures Sunday was one of the rare days of the year and the 48 players who took part at Stoke Poges in the thirty-six hole Challenge Cup Competition had one of the most enjoyable golfing days of the year. The cup was won by F. Morris with a score of 151, Charles Wilcox being second with 152. H. T. Young was the winner of the best second round score in the afternoon, 76. The next competition takes place on September 27 for the C. M. Woolf Challenge Cup. Members wishing to play should communicate with the hon, secretary as soon as possible. It is interesting to record that of the 400 members of the Society, 170 playing members have joined the Golfing Section at Stoke Poges. Mr. Exhibitor — Your Licence ! Apply Early, October Is Near It would greatly assist the Board of Trade if exhibitors would send in AT ONCE their applications for the renewal of their licences in order that the Board may be in a position to issue as many licences as possible on October 1st next. Cheques may be post-dated September 25th if desired. The acknowledgment of the fee is now incorporated in the licence. Record books, which are now being issued free to all licensed exhibitors, will be despatched on or about September 29th to all those whose applications have been received by that date. Filming An Avalanche Ideal’s Kangchenjunga Thrills