Hollywood Filmograph (Jun-Aug 1929)

HOLLYWOOD FILMOGRAPH 13 Pictures ---Reviewed and Previewed Preview "The Virginian" Previewed at the West Coast Westlake Theatre. Paramount All-Talking Production. Directed by Victor Fleming. Dialogue by E. E. Paramore, Jr. Photography by J. Boy Hunt. THE CAST: Gary Cooper, Walter Huston, Richard Arlen, Mary Brian, Chester Conklin, Eugene PaJlette, E. H. Calvert, Helen Ware, Victor Potel, Tex Young and Charles Stevens. "The Virginian," the charm of which seems heightened rather than impaired by the lapse of years, was previewed last week before a packed and delighted house. Frequently, throughout the sequences, the work of various members of the excellent cast was applauded with enthusiasm. The details of the story itself are too well known to warrant elucidation. Suffice it to say that the sequences followed closely in the footprints of those of the stage version. We believe that the screen version of this sterling western drama will click just as strongly as did that of the footlights. Director Fleming's work is peculiarly noteworthy. His finesse at times is charming, especially when he flashes two whistling quails just as the hangman's rope is placed around Steve's neck. Steve and Henry (The Virginian) are pals and have a quail's whistle of salutation between them. Steve, thinking it is his friend's farewell chirp, turns his head, but, sensing his mistake, closes his eyes in resignation for the big leap before him. Photographer Hunt's dips into lights and shades of nature's outdoor grandeur were praiseworthy. The cinema-voice honors go to Walter Huston (Trampas) and Mary ; Brian (Molly Wood), both turning in splendid chcaracterizations. Huston's i western villain, in all its unredeemed cynicism and snarling wickedness, is i among the greatest of its sort the | screen has known. Mary Brian is a 1 revelation as the golden-hearted school teacher. She rose to dramatic heights in her burst of grief at the bedside of the wounded Virginian, merging a '< sweet naivette with a glamorous : charm. Gary Cooper was suave and easy in the title role. Richard Arlen's Steve was a knockout. Others who clicked were Eugene Pallette, Chester Conklin, and Helen Ware. Don't miss "The Virginian" — it's a great picture. ED O'MALLEY. GLENN TRYON CAST FOR NEW PICTURE Glenn Tryon's performance as the male star in "Broadway" has won him a similarly important role in "Skinner's Dress Suit," which is to [ be made as one of Universal's most pretentious all-talking productions on this year's program, according to studio report. Tryon has just completed the starring role in "Barnum Was Right," another all-dialogue opus. Review "The Hottentot" Starring Edward Everett Horton. Playing at Warner Brothers Theatre. "The Hottentot" is supposed to make you laugh. It more than succeeds. It makes you howl. It makes you roar with glee. The devices used are hoary perhaps, but they are so successful that their age doesn't matter at all. Edward Everet Horton is the central figure in all this merrymaking, of course. His performance produces one continuous gale of laughter. His rendering of the comedy lines is masterly, and would make the picture an outstanding success even without the fine support given him by an excellent supporting cast. "The Hottentot'' relates the story of a young man's overwhelming love for an incurable equestrienne, who wants him to accomplish big things in the canter and gallop time. But the amorous hero, who fell from a hobby horse in his youth, is deathly afraid of horses. Fate and the needs of the plot place him in the saddle and the film gallops merrily along through some delightful situations. Patsy Ruth Miller is the girl, and her interpretation is easily the best thing she has yet done. The scene wherein she weeps because her pet horse develops a balloon-like figure as the result of a water and apple diet is unusually well played. The various members of the supporting cast turn in excellent performances. Included in the honor role are Edmund Breeze, Gladys Blockwell, Stanley Taylor, Edward Earle, Otto Hoffman, Douglas Gerrard, and Maude Turner Gordon. Stanley Earle perhaps tries a little too hard in playing his part, which is that of Patsy Ruth Miller's brother. Unlike the average talking picture, "The Hottentot" does not leave its audiences satiated by a flood of meaningless dialogue. With the exception of the first reel, which is a little too berbose and therefore a little awkward, the production is a fast moving, honest-to-goodness motion picture even though it is a talkie. E. L. E. 111 NOT A BAD IDEA William Bakewell, inseparable friend of Johnny Mack Brown, has been developing into quite an athletic later under the tutelage of the former AllAmerican football star. "Here's a new leg developer. Bill," said Brown reecntly at the Hollywood Athletic Club gymnasium. "Lay down on your back and move your legs in the air as though you were riding a bicycle." For approximately five minutes, while Brown was engaged in the other end of the gymnasium in jumping the rope, Bakewell continued the exercise. Shortly after, Brown espied his friend's legs in the air — stationary. "Hey, what's the idea, tired?" "Nope," replied Bakewell, "I'm just coasting." "Fast Company" A Paramount Picture. Directed by Edward Sutherland. Assistant Director, Ivan Thomas. Cameraman, Ed. Cronjager. Dialogue by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. Screen Play by Florence Ryerson. Adaptation by Patrick Kearney and Walton Butterfield. From play, "Elmer, the Great," by Ring A. Lardner and Geo. M. Cohan. Don't be surprised if Jack Oakie turns out to be your favorite screen player in a short while. The boy has it in him. He can do with his personality what Lon Chaney does with makeup. "Fast Company'' is Oakie's picture from start to finish and is the biggest break he has had to date for it gives him an ideal chance to show what he can really do. Edward Sutherland, the director, has molded a new character for the screen) that of a sympathetic, fresh aleck in Elmer Kane, portrayed by Oakie. With all the braggadocio of the part there is a wistful quality that gets you. Evelyn Brent, who plays opposite Jack Oakie, is miscast. Her role kills all the glamour and imaginative quality usually created by her vivid personality. "Skeets" Gallagher is great as the pal of Oakie. He and Oakie make a pair that cannot be equalled when it comes to originality and ad libing on the screen. Gwen Lee offers the best piece of work we have seen her do as the sister of Miss Brent. She is "coming out of it" and putting her own pr— sonality across instead of just "emoting." Sam Hardy, Arthur Houseman and Bert Rome are all good in their respective characterizations. Eugenie Besserer gives her usual good performance as Jack Oakie's mother. You have seen the story as a whole done over a great many times, but there are enough new angles, stimulating conversation, and plenty of laughs to make this picture different. Edward Sutherland may be complimented on his direction, Joseph L. Mankiewicz on his clever dialogue, and Florence Ryerson, Patrick Kearney and Walton Butterfield on the way they have adapted the screen story from the play "Elmer, the Great" by Ring A. Lardner and George M. Cohan. If you want refreshing entertainment, want to gain self-confidence, and get that "satisfied feeling, see "Fast Company." CECILLE MILLER. 111 ZEHNERS RETURN FROM HONEYMOON Mr. and Mrs. Harry H. Zehner have returned from a week's honeymoon at Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park. Mr. Zehner's duties as assistant general manager of Universal Pictures Corporation necessitated cutting the wedding trip short. They were married by the Rev. Allan Hunter at a beautiful wedding at their home, 3466 La Sombra Drive, Hollywood Knolls at sundown, July 25. Preview "Piccadilly" Previewed at the Hillstreet Theatre. World Wide Pictures — R. C. A. Symphonic Register. Made in Elstree, England. All-Talkie Prologue — Rest All Silent. Directed by E. A. Dupont. Story by Arnold Bennett. Photography by Werner Brandes. CAST — Jameson Thomas, Gilda Gray, Anna May Wong, King Ho-Chang, Cyril (titchard and Hannah Jones. "Piccadilly" was probably strung together for the purpose of exploiting the smart, night club life of dear "ole Lunnon" and seasoning it with a faithful transcript of the drab doings of the Limehouse district. In these circumstances it is an unqualified success, much credit redounding to Director Dupont for the dexterous and graphic manner in which he hit off the high and low spots of the merrie islanders' nocturnal dissipations. Photographer Brandes was in happy according with Director Dupont's clever work and we are fain to admit that we have haridly ever seen better flashes emerge from a twirling camera. The plot is rather jerky at times, swining from shallow intrigue to Chinese mysticism, the entire production decked out. here and there, with the staple scenes of popular successes. One of the most salient of these is the done-to-death murder, and subsequent trial episodes. In "Piccadilly," however, this is a merit, as it gives the auditor an excellent impression of English-court-room doings. The story focuses on a night club proprietor's change of affection from his star dancer, Mabel Greenfield to Shosho, the Chinese queen of his scullery. The dish manicurist easily outstrips her white rival in nimble underpinning and becomes a night club fad. Then the consomme thickens. Shosho is found murdered. But it would hardly be fair to clear the deck right here, so we shall leave the rest to the closer-eye scrutiny of the paid customers. Suffice to say that Jameson Thomas give sa well balanced repressive portrayal of the enamored night club boniface, Valentine Wilmot. Anna May Wong fitted the Chinese charmer to a dot. Gilda Gray was long on dancing but short on emoting. The other principal characters were well played by Hannah Jones, King Ho-Chang, and Cyril Ritchard. "Piccadilly" is worth while. Don't miss it if }-ou wish to see Johnny Bull in some of his heaviest and lightest moments. ED O'MALLEY. 111 MAY McAVOY TO RETURN TO SCREEN May McAvoy's tremendous popularity with picture fans throughout the world has been aptly substantiated by thousands of congratulatory letters, telegrams and cables sent her from every part of the globe after her recent marriage. Announcement of Miss McAvoy's next appearance on the screen is expected from the tiny satellite within the next few days, negotiations for her services being now under way.