The Bioscope (Oct-Dec 1931)

November 11, 1931 |THE BIOSCOPE 15 British Studios To-day Julius Hagen’s Big Push— A. F. A. Anglo-German Tie-Up— Edgar Wallace’s “Frightened Lady”— Ealing Nearly Ready Mary Newcomb, co-starring with Owen Nares in the current Twickenham production, “ Frail Women,” has been signed by Julius Hagen on a twelve-months’ contract Mary Newcomb’s Contract with Hagen Mary Newcomb, the American stage star, who makes her “ talkie ” debut in " Frail Women,” which Maurice Elvey is directing for Julius Hagen at Twickenham Studios, has signed a contract with Mr. Hagen to star in three further films next year. Mr. Hagen is unhesitating in his conviction that he has discovered the greatest emotional screen actress since the advent of “ talkies.” " Her performance in ' Frail Women,’ ” he said, “ will create a sensation.” Her stories, Mr. Hagen states, will probably be written specially for her. He feels that this will be the only way properly to exploit her potentialities. Co-starring with Mary Newcomb in “ Frail Women ” is Owen Nares, and the supporting cast includes Miles Malleson, Jane Welsh, Edmund Gwenn, Margaret Vines and Frederick Peisley. Hagen’s Sherlock Holmes for P.D.C. Julius Hagen announces that the first of the three Twickenham supers for distribution by P.D.C. will be a Sherlock Holmes adventure, adapted from the late Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s story " The Adventure of Charles August Milverton,” by H. Fowler Mear and Cyril Twyford. This story, which deals with the theft of an international art treasure, is to be temporarily titled " The Adventure of the Missing Rembrandt.” Arthur Wontner, who is definitely stamped as the greatest interpreter of the famous sleuth, following his triumphant characterisation in " The Sleeping Cardinal,” will again play the role of Sherlock Holmes. This was the Twickenham film which, under the title of " The Fatal Hour,” surprised Broadway — and the Warner Brothers’London office, who had taken the picture for British distribution only and suddenly found that it had been booked through independent channels straight into the Warner Broadway theatre. New York ! Leslie Hiscott will direct the new film, assisted by the same team of technicians who were employed on " The Sleeping Cardinal.” “ The Beggar Student ” I was haled off to Beaconsfield the other day to see work in progress on the first production of the Amalgamated Films Association — or, as they prefer to be called, A.F.A. I was hustled on to the set and into as comfortable a cell as I have ever occupied. Not only were there two inviting beds and a couple of canaries fluttering about the window, but on a table in the middle of the floor was a luscious array of dainties — lobster, chicken, grapes and other fruits of the earth, capped by a bottle of " bubbly.” In the middle of it all were Jerry Verno and Lance Fairfax chanting one of the tuneful ditties that will characterise this production of " The Beggar Student,” an adaptation of a famous Continental operetta by an equally famous Continental composer, Millocker. Six British A.F.A. Films The picture will be the first of a group of six which A.F.A. will make at the British Lion studios ; others in the cast are Mark Daly — in the role of a comic sergeant — Ashley Cooper, Margaret Halstan, Frederick Lloyd, Jill Hands, Alfred Wellesley and Shirley Dale, the last named being the leading lady. A newcomer to the screen, Miss Dale was just bracing herself for her first appearance before the camera when I arrived. She has, however, had considerable stage experience, though under another name. A Harvel Concern The A.F.A. Company is a new venture of John Harvel, who is directing " The Beggar Student,” and it has an arrangement with the German producing concern A. A.F.A., whereby the British company will have the English rights of subjects produced by them in German. The musical score for this first effort has been adapted by Horace Shepherd, who is conducting the symphony orchestra which will make frequent disturbances on the sound track. The whole production is scheduled to be off the floor this week-end, allowing only 13 working days in all ! New Wallace “ Talkie ” On completion of " The Beggar Student,” now in production at the Beaconsfield studios, British Lion announce that the third of the British Lion-Gainsborough joint productions will take the floor. This will be Edgar Wallace’s successful play, “ The Case of the Frightened Lady,” now enjoying a lengthy run at Wyndham’s Theatre. T. Hayes Hunter will direct, with Herbert Smith assisting, and it is safe to predict that Gordon Harker will play his original role. Niblo Arrives this Week Fred Niblo, famous American director, and Claude Allister, “ silly ass ” of Hollywood “ talkies,” arrive on the Leviathian on Thursday for the Eric Hakim film, ” Two White Arms,” first mentioned in The Bioscope some weeks ago. Margaret Bannerman will star, and the British & Dominions studios will be used. Dean Back Suddenly Basil Dean, managing director of Associated Talking Pictures, Ltd., and chairman of A.R.P. Studios, Ltd., returned suddenly to England on Saturday from New York, said to be on account of a breakdown with Jack Buchanan’s arrangements to star in the next Radio British film. Mr. Dean says he foresees a trek back to the Old Country of hundreds of British film artists who went fortune seeking in Hollywood, because the American companies are seriously considering a great reduction of output. Film production is due to begin during this month at Ealing Green. ‘‘Brother Alfred” Additions Brother Alfred,” the comedy by P. G. Wodehouse and Herbert Westbrook, which is to be directed by Henry Edwards, the popular screen star and director, has some important additions to its cast. As previously announced, the stars will be Gene Gerrard and Molly Lamont, and the supporting cast includes Hugh E. Wright, Hal Gordon, Clifford Heatherley and Harvey Brabon. Leslie Fuller Returns Leslie Fuller, who has been featured in so many B.I.P. comedies dealing with the adventures of the incorrigible ” Bill,” is again taking the floor at Elstree Studios in " Bill Takes a Holiday.” This picture, which is going into immediate production, will be directed by Monty Banks. Bill, this time, will appear as the secretary of a Slate Club, who is the victim of an absconding member, and is forced to take his holiday in jail. A strong supporting cast includes Frank Perfitt, Charles Farrell, Renee Ray, Hal Gordon, Wilfred Shine and Sid Courtenay. Betty Fields, younger sister of the famous Gracie, also has an important part. Islington’s Liner Islington is very nautical this week, with stewards, sailors and immaculate young men in yachting caps at every corner. The whole action of " Lord Babs,” the present Gainsborough production, takes place on a liner, and the full floor space of one studio is now occupied by a brightly polished promenade deck. It is a particularly gay and cheerful liner too, with Bobby Howes as an energetic steward. ‘‘It’s a Boy” Follows "Lord Babs” has at least another fortnight to go yet, but “ It’s a Boy ” is also scheduled for production in the middle of the month, so the two pictures will probably overlap. Victor Saville will direct this new Leslie Henson vehicle, and repeat his successful partnership with Mutz Greenbaum as cameraman. The cast is not yet finally settled, but an announcement should be ready in a day or two. Short Shots In addition to the players announced last week, Henry Caine has joined the cast of Hitchcock’s new B.I.P. film, " No. 17.” Mr. Caine played a strong part in Anthony Asquith’s recent British Instructional production “ Carnival,” based on the Compton Mackenzie story. * * * Manning Haynes put the concluding touches to the British LionEdgar Wallace thriller, “ The Old Man,” last week, when the last of the night exteriors was " shot.” * * * Western Electric are installing a noiseless recording set in the third of the British & Dominions studios at Elstree. & Work is expected to be completed by December 4th. This will make the fourth W.E. recording unit at the British & Dominions studios. W.H.M.