The Bioscope (Oct-Dec 1931)

0 THE BIOSCOPE December 16, l'J51 BRITISH STUDIO ACTIVITIES Warners’ Next— Fogwell Using Blattner’s Studio— “ In a Monastery Garden” Cast— A. R. P.’s “Button” Studio— “ Buy British ”—F. A. G. Christmas Parties Pertwee Story Teddington's Next The next story to come into production at Teddington studios under the Warner Bros, and First National banner will be an adaptation by Roland Pertwee and John Hastings Turner of an original story written by Pertwee, and entitled “ A Voice Said Good-Night.” William McGann will direct and he is now looking around for cast. Reginald Fogwell's “ Betrayal ” Reginald Fogwell has launched a new production at the Blattner Studos, Elstree, where he is personally directing " Betrayal,” an original story written by himself in conjunction with Hubert Griffith, the wellknown playwright and dramatic critic. " Betrayal ” is a strong drama, in which the leading parts are taken by Stewart Rome, Marjorie Hume and Leslie Perrins, supported by Henry Hewitt, J. FisherWhite and Humberston Wright. One of the high spots of the production will be an Old Bailey trial scene, in which Humberston Wright will play the judge. Fogwell’s assistant director is Billy Phelps, and his cameraman D. P. Cooper. Elvey Directing for Hagen Julius Hagen has signed Maurice Elvey to direct "In a Monastery Garden,” the new production at Twickenham, and the cast has been signed. John Stuart and Joan Maude will play the chief roles, and will be supported by Hugh Williams, Alan Napier, Humberston Wright, Frank Pettingell and Dino Galvini. Joan Maude will be remembered as "Salome” in the recently revived stage play and as one of the featured players in the "talkie” version of Hobson’s Choice.” Hagen’s permanent team of technicians are being employed on this film. Heather Angel as “ Sookey ” The title role of " Sookey” in the new George King production, to which I referred last week, has gone to Heather Angel, who made her " talkie ” debut in " City of Song ” as the little Italian peasant girl, and has just completed a leading part in " Bill the Conqueror.” A big cast of 50 will support the star. There is only one other important woman’s part, which will probably be played by Florence Desmond. The “ Button" Studio “ Quite different from anything I have ever seen in any other studio.” That is the remark made recently by an important visitor to the A.R.P. Studios at Ealing Green, the fine British film centre where Basil Dean’s “Nine Till Six” is now in production. " The methods are apparently new. They work smoothly, the heart machine serves its purpose admirably. They work it without a hitch. Dean knows how to take advantage of this mechinisation,” the visitor said. Methods of talking production have changed a great deal. There is no clapper boy running on to the set to mark the film ; all that is done automatically. Nobody whistles, a button is pressed and there is silence. No shouting for doors to be closed, for the pressure of another button locks them. Harry Rowson’s “Buy British” “ A Lucky Sweep,” which has just been completed, is the first production of National Talkies, Ltd., of which Harry M. Rowson is the managing director. Rowson tells me that his company’s policy is to produce pictures essentially featuring subjects of national interest, and in pursuit of this policy he intends to follow up this picture as early as possible with “ Buy British.” I hope the exhibitors will listen to him. National Talkies, Ltd., are producing each picture and arranging individually for distribution after showing each picture to interested distributors. “ The Frightened Lady " Hustles T. Hayes Hunter, who is directing the British Lion-Gainsborough production, “ The Case of the Frightened Lady,” at the British Lion Studios, Beaconsfield, is already two days ahead of his schedule ! Work this week will be concentrated on the huge Priors Hall set, which occupies the whole of the studio floor space. This fine set, designed by Art Director Norman Arnold, is one of the most solid structures we have seen in a British studio, and it reflects great credit on Mr. Arnold, who worked through two days and nights to have it ready in time for shooting. Kathleen Nesbitt, Gordon Harker, Emlyn Williams, Julian Royce and Finlay Currie have been hard at work during the past week getting through their scenes just in time to hurry away for the evening performance at Wyndham’s Theatre. Lupino Lane's “ Milky Way " Cast Lupino Lane, who is directing " The Milky Way” for British International Pictures, has now selected his cast for this picture, which is a comedy dealing with gangster life. The principal role will be played by Henry Kendall, under contract to B.I.P., who has been seen in " The Flying Fool ” and " Rich and Strange,” and will shortly be seen in "The House Opposite” and " Bill the Conqueror.” The Milky Way ” also heralds the return of Margot Grahame to the B.I.P. fold, for she is to play opposite Henry Kendall. Betty Norton, another B.I.P. discovery, will also play a leading role in the picture, as will Charles Farrell in one of his very own " tough ” parts. A newcomer is Polly Luce, and the cast also includes Ben Welden, Bernard Nedell, who played a leading part in " The Man From Chicago,” Wallace Arthur, Frank Perfitt and Arthur Finn. Other B.I.P. Pictures Cecil Lewis, who is directing B. I. P.’s “New Year’s Eve,” is now engaged on one of the most interesting sequences in the film — that of a New Year’s Eve party. * * * " Brother Alfred ” unit has transferred from a millionaire’s yacht in the Mediterranean to the dance hall of a Continental cabaret, where some magnificent scenes are being filmed. Arthur Wontner, again as Sherlock Holmes, gets a “ close-up ” in the Julius Hagen production, “ The Missing Rembrandt,” just finished at Twickenham by Leslie Hiscott " Bill the Conqueror,” “ Bill Takes a Holiday ” and "Bad Companions ” are now finished. Film Artistes' Christmas Parties Mary Pitcairn, of the Film Artistes’ Guilds reminds me that the Guild is holding it, most important annual function — the Christmas Dinner and Party — followed by a dance and cabaret, at the Guild headquarters, 43-44, Great Windmill Street Shaftesbury Avenue, W., on Friday next, December 18tli, at 8 p.m. The Guild Children’s Christmas Party will be held next Wednesday, December 23rd, " Father Christmas ” being in personal attendance to distribute presents to the smaller guests after tea. Short Shots Maurice Elvey’s latest Twickenham production, " Frail Women,” which introduces Mary Newcomb to the screen, is now cut and ready for showing, and Hagen declares it to be Twickenham’s greatest achievement to date. W.H.M.