Movie Classic (Sep 1936-Feb 1937)

Gail Patrick, Binnie Barnes, Rosalind Russell and Phylis Clare were decidedly among those present when Victor McLaglen gave an informal Sunday afternoon party at his swanky Flintridge estate recently chooses another, and films some other detail of the story if possible. If not, he has the option of using the stage constructed on the location, for interiors, or, as sometimes happens, ordering the entire company back to the studio to work on a sound stage set. THE town, center of the farming region, is literally a part of China. Crossing its stone bridge, which was brought back from Anwehi province, one enters through the gate in the reproduction of the Chinese Great Wall, over a moat, into a busy market street, filled with bustling humanity. The duck merchant sits beside his piles of roasted dried ducks. The meat merchant is flanked by sides of roast pork and other Chinese staples. The fruit merchants fill the wicker holders that substitute for paper bags. Pottery merchants, grain merchants, sellers of rice and hot water, vendors of cloth, jewelry, and other Chinese goods, often haggling with the customer on the street, add to the Babel. But it is systematic Babel, starting at the command of the director over his loud-speaker system and translated into Chinese by busy interpreters who run to and fro in the crowd. In the hills, in the background, for half a mile, one can see the Chinese farmers, plowing the terraces and hoeing their crops. Aside from a few principals, the entire cast is Chinese. Players recruited from Hollywood are augmented by Orientals from all over the Pacific Coast. Some speak perfect English. Some speak none. There are many unusual characters, such as Moy Ming, oldest Chinese actor in pictures, and a building contractor when away from the camera ; William Law, San Francisco civic leader and controller of business interests totaling a million dollars, who is aiding the picture as a patriotic duty, he says. General Theodore Tu, loaned by the Chinese government, acts as technical adviser. Tom Gubbins, unofficial "Mayor" of Los Angeles' Chinatown, and contractor for Chinese players, aids him. Muni, Miss Rainer, Walter Connolly, and Charley Grapewin, (who plays the old father) literally live Chinese lives in the amazing location. But one finds American touches too. Behind the Great Wall one inevitably finds a group of small Chinese boys, who attend American school, play baseball, just like American youngsters, between scenes. In a shady corner one may see a group of Chinese elders, engrossed in a game of cards, and on close scrutiny discover that the game is American draw poker ! At five o'clock, as the sun sinks and the light becomes yellow, the director orders his final "cut". The big busses limber up. The caterers' trucks that bring food out for the lunch tent, start for town. The Chinese check past "Hezzy" Tate, assistant director, to have their paychecks approved and signed, then past the cashier who pays them off. Extras are paid daily. The principals receive checks by the week. The cameramen pack their equipment in black cases. A film car hurries studioward, with the undeveloped film. Other trucks gather up lamps, cables, the portable sound equipment. The cavalcade starts toward Hollywood. By six, only a crew of quiet watchmen remain on the erstwhile bustling section of China. CHARLOTTE HENRY Appearing in Republic Productions LOVE LY SKIN Hollywood Face Powder, created for the personal use of leading stars of the stage and screen, contains an ingredient that imparts soft, lustrous beauty to the complexion. This marvelous face powder covers the skin with a thin, even and flawless film of beauty so unlike old fashioned powder which gives that "made up" look. HOLLYWOOD MASK 'SZ1W HOLLYWOOD MASK, INC. FREE1 105 W. Monroe St., Chicago, III. I ' Please send me liberal box of Hollywood Face Powder and Free Powder Scoop. I enclose 10c to help cover packaging and mailing. Name A ddress City Stale Check your shade: D Peach □ Brunette D Naturelle □ Sun-Tan □ Creole □ Blanche Hollywood Face Powder at 5 and 10c Stores, Drug and Department Stores 0 The smartest, loveliest creation in perfumes. The 3 exquisite odors, Wisteria, Gardenia and Charazade, are entrancing. In wax form, easy to carry and use, can't evaporate or leak. Beautiful bakelite compact tucks away in the purse. At better stores or send direct, specify odor. VOGUE OF THE HOUR Hollywood Perlumes, Akron, 0. MAILTHISADAND E AMATEUR WRITERS-AUTHORS $135,000 CASH PRIZES TF you've ever had ambitions to write — or have written ■*■ short stories, plays, nonfiction, etc. — and didn't know how to market your work, here's just what you need. The "Writers' Bulletin"! Created purposely for new writers and authors. Gives authoritative and timely market data. Clear and concise. Tells what new Literary Contests and Periodical Prizes are being offered. Lists all conditions, specifications, editors' names, etc. Over $135,000 offered in cash prizes this montli alone! rilFri For a ''n''t,(l time you can get a Free copy rlfr K of "Writers' Bid let in" by merely send inn ■ biibBnh your name and address. Absolutely no obligation, and it doesn't cost a penny. Don't wait. Write today. U. S. SCHOOL OF WRITING, Dept. K-18 20 W. 60th St. NEW YORK, N. Y. Movie Classic for October, 1936 89