Picture Play Magazine (Mar-Jul 1929)

Continued from page 100 tures has to be sound-proof. The blimp is nothing but the regular camera, covered over with a felt-lined case, elliptical in form which prevents sound from percolating through and registering in the microphone. There is another very similar contrivance called the "bungalow" camera. Both types of camera do away with the somewhat clumsy soundproof booths, which are at present a source of grief and exasperation at the studios. Ballooning for Silence. Talkies versus airplanes. Two modern innovations have come into conflict with each other, but peace seems to be established at last. The airplanes make too much noise when flying over the studios, and interfere with proper recording of sound. So the studios have now hit upon the expedient of sending up balloons, with signal flags attached, to inform the flyers when to keep away and when it Hollywood High Ligkts is agreeable for them to pass over the picture-making plants. Another unique sight is the red electric lamps that gleam over the doorways to stages nowadays. When these are turned on they spell — figuratively— "Thou shalt not enter here." They are always aglow when a talking scene is being made, and if they do not keep out intruders, a stern and uncompromising doorman is certain to bar the way. Alas, Poor Mabel! What strange days ! In the midst of all the hurly-burly of revolution and change in Hollywood comes the news that one of the screen's greatest favorites of past years, Mabel Normand, is fighting for life. Poor Mabel! Cherished Mabel! We haven't seen her for many months, and visiting is naturally restricted now. Latest reports afford some compensation in that they indicate her condition is improved. 103 Lew Cody has also been seriously ill. The fact was, however, kept a secret from his wife. Vocalists Forge Forward. Voice does the trick. This time it has helped Walter Pidgeon. He is playing the lead in "The Lady Who Dared," opposite Billie Dove. The picture is an adaptation of the stage play "Declassee." Pidgeon is a singer. His vocal attainments have been well known to Hollywood for several years. But they scarcely helped him to make any headway in the films. Then when sound pictures started he appeared in "The Melody of Love," and gained favorable comment for his work. It looks as if he might be on the high road to success soon. We note that John Roche, another singer-actor, is also enjoying the breaks. A Confidential Guide to Current ^Continued from page 65 ' "Carnation Kid, The"— Paramount. Rel Douglas MacLean returns to the screen in a diverting talkie. Light treatment of the underworld, with a slight mistake thrusting the hero into the midst of a gang war. Agreeable dialogue. Frances Lee, Lorraine Eddy, William B. Davidson, Francis McDonald. "Speakeasy" — Fox. Melodrama, in dialogue, of newspaper office, thering, and fringe of underworld. Has interest, but weak in thrills. Noises of New York caught. Two newcomers, Paul Page and Lola Lane, in leads. H. B. Walthall, Helen Ware, Sharon Lynn. "Lady of the Pavements"— United Artists. Old screen friends in new trappings, but familiar situations. A haughty countess, Jetta Goudal, spurned by her fiance, counters by making him fall in love with a cafe girl, Lupe Velez, picked up and made a lady overnight. The affair gets out of hand, the girl flees, and the lover follows, William Boyd is the man. Lupe sings and sings. "Spieler, The"— Pathe. Realistic story of carnival life, its petty intrigues and loves. Two crooks join a side show to fleece the girl owner, but fate steps in. Melodramatic thrills. Alan Hale, Renee Adoree, Fred Kohler, and Clyde Cook. Brief dialogue. "Sonny Boy" — Warner. David Lee, of "The Singing Fool," in his own picture, which has appeal if you like infant stars. He is the son of estranged parents, and lisps prayers and the like. A kidnaping plot brings things to a simmer. Betty Bronson and Edward Everett Horton. "Strange Cargo" — Pathe. Mystery aboard a yacht sustained without claptrap. Film favorites acquit themselves well in dialogue. Russell Gleason excellent new juvenile. Good performances by Andre Beranger, Claude King, Warner Richmond, Otto Matiesen, Frank Reicher. "Flying Fleet, The"— Metro-Goldwyn. Exciting incidents in the life of naval aircraftsmen, with Ramon Novarro flying a plane. Aviators work hard, with little chance for outstanding roles. Impressive photography. Ralph Graves, Carroll Nye, Edward Nugent, Anita Page. "Ghost Talks, The"— Fox. A blonde, two crooks, a boy with detecting ambitions, some bonds and a haunted house make up a comedy-mystery story that will delight children. Dialogue. Two newcomers, Helen Twelvetrees and Charles Eaton, and several favorites. "Wolf of Wall Street, The"— Paramount. Baclanova, as the wife of a merciless speculator, in an all-talkie. "The Wolf" is fooled by his wife and business partner in a love affair and metes out subtle punishment. Talking debuts of Baclanova, George Bancroft, Paul Lukas, Arthur Rankin. Nancy Carroll also speaks. "Bellamy Trial, The"— Metro-Goldwyn. Much about who killed "Mimi Bellamy," with tabloid flavoring with tricky ending. Fans likely to be concerned with Betty Bronson and Edward Nugent instead of the burning question of the drama. Leatrice Joy, Kenneth Thomson, Margaret Livingston, George Barraud. "Case of Lena Smith, The" — Paramount. Esther Ralston splendid as tragic heroine of "t£e biography of a woman," an artistic success . for the minority. Story of an humble mother's frantic struggle to keep her child despite humiliation and persecution, and her eventual sacrifice of him to his country. James Hall and Fred Kohler. "River, The" — Fox. Romantic, poetic and slow picture of siren's untiring effort to win an innocent country boy, who doesn't know what it's all about. Magnificent backgrounds of forest and stream and best acting of eases Charles Farrell's career. Mary Duncan unusual as persevering siren finally sublimated by love. "Rescue, The"— United Artists. Brilliantly produced version of Joseph Conrad novel does not make brilliantly successful picture, though extreme intelligence characterizes whole. Story of English adventurer in South Seas, who falls in love with wife of another, his mental struggle and their final parting. Picturesque backgrounds, unmistakable literary quality, but not interesting. Ronald Colman and Lily Damita. "West of Zanzibar" — Metro-Goldwyn. Not as interesting as usually expected of Lon Chaney, but unusual atmosphere and voodooism of jungle natives helpful. An ivory trader plans elaborate revenge through supposed daughter of enemy, only to discover that girl is his own, and sacrifices his life to save hers. Mary Nolan, Lionel Barrymore, and Warner Baxter. "Dream of Love" — Metro-Goldwyn. Elaborate, overdressed story of mythical kingdom, with important cast. Crown prince falls in love with gypsy, who later becomes great actress after he has cast her aside. Rest of story given over to court intrigues and efforts of prince to win girl back. Nils Asther, Joan Crawford, Aileen Pringle, Carmel Myers, Warner Oland, and Harry Myers "Masks of the Devil"— Metro-Goldwyn. John Gilbert at his best as pseudo-villain whose handsome face conceals hideous soul, thus making profligacy attractive and easy to accomplish. He betrays his best friend in fascinating the friend's promised bride, but retribution comes when he sees in a mirror a reflection of himself as he really is. Unhappy ending, but glamorous picture. Eva von Berne, Alma Rubens, Ralph Forbes, Theodore Roberts, and Ethel Wales capital. Continued on page 115