The Brooklyn Daily Eagle from Brooklyn, New York • Page 59

THE BROOKLYN DAILY EAGLE, NEW YORK, SUNDAY. OCTOBER 28. 1928. FORECAST AND REFLECTIONS OF THE CINEMA REALM iw 1 J- fx Kif Emil ianningt. Star of "Tht Patriot thtCurrtnt Photoplay at thiE.F.

VV'Jf 1 "mmi I yoiiia HaUton in "Th Toiler," th Sew Motion Pictnr Attraction tit Albee Theater. fj. 1 "wT' 1 1 s- the Brooklyn Strand Theater. Slow Motion -i 'JC7 Studio and Screen I By MARTIN D1CK3TEIN- 'J NO ammyy More About the "Talkies" in General and "The Home Towners' 'Wings" Leaves the Criterion An Impression of M. Chevalier.

Movietone on the Stump Other Items of the Screen. The Local Cinema Loew's Playbill INGS," Paramount spectacular war aviation film, has at last "W1 abdicated from its rank of supremacy among New York's amuse ments. After pnffnerempnt. nf idTtv-flvA rwfri th Particular The Dialogue Influence And Mr. MacGowan's Opinion.

IN "THE HOME TOWNERS," which had lta first Broadway sluing last Tuesday evening, tha Warner Brothers appear to have solved a number of the more immediate problems of the talking picture. Consequently, this synchronized adaptation of George M. Cohan's comedy deserves to go "Two Lovera" sit the Metro politan "Night Watch" and "Excess Baggage" Occupy Other Local Screens. departed from the Criterion Theater on Friday evening. It was not'van qulshed, however, by that common foe of entertainment projects, bad busw r.css, for throughout Its entire run there never has been a single week whea "Wings" failed to show at least a tiny profit.

Even at its close the attraction was earning a net of $3,000 to $4,000 a week and chances are that i could have continued to do so indefinitely. There seems to be little reason to doubt the expressed opinion of A. Griffith Grey, chief promoter ONALD COLMAN and Vilma Banky In their last co-starring film production, "Two Lovers," will be seen at Loew's Metropolitan "The Toiler" at the Strand. Fox Offers "The Air Circua." Other Neighborhood Attractions. "The Toilers" is the title of the new photoplay fenturlng Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

and Jobyna Ralston, rhich Is to be seen at the Brooklyn Ji-xrk Strand Theater this week. The film, equipped with sound accompaniment, is based on an original story by L. G. Rigby and concerns the struggle of coal miners against the earth's infinite reluctance to yield up her resources to the human race. Against tho background of the daily toil, dangers and anxieties of their perilous, back-breaking labor, and the terror of a mine disaster for its climax, a tender love story is related.

The supporting cast includes, in addition to Miss Ralston and Fairbanks such favorite players as Harvey Clarm, Wade Boteler and Robert Ryan. Reginald Barker directed. The Vitaphone presents several short subjects of unusual Interest Tnese Include William Demarest In a down in the record as a significant step In the development of audible motion picture entertainment. If I am not mistaken, "The Home Towners" marks the first time that the "talkies" have attempted to reproduce on the screen a sight-and-sound record for an actual play. Heretofore, the so-called "dialogue pictures" have been content merely with snatches of conversation and various other Intermittent stage and offstage noises such as door-knocking, bell-ringing and, perhaps, the pounding of a fist upon a desk.

Actually, there was no dialogue worthy of the name. The players recited lines which were nothing more than spoken captions. When they had finished speaking, the film was apt to continue in a depressing silence which was interrupted only by the harsh ring of a telephone bell or the pounding of knuckles against a door. Always there were the bells and the knocking. The "talkies" apparently were limited to a form of retarded mechanical expression.

In "The Home Towners" It Is demonstrated that the primary requisite the talking pictures Is continuous There must be none of those embarrassing pauses where the players find themselves actually at a loss for fords. These pauses serve to emphasize silence, and silence, obviously, has to place in this new form of entertainment which presumes to be both heard and seen. cupied similar positions in their countries. On his first day in New York he went to see Jolson in "The Talking Fool." It was the first synchronized picture Chevalier had seen and he was deeply impressed. It far exceeded all his hopes and expectations, he said.

Jolson is a wonderful artist, he believes, and seemingly the black-face song and dance man holds him in the same high esteem-Chevalier is a warm friend of Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks and other Hollywood celebrities. He revealed that six years ago Miss Pick- the picture, that had not circumstances intervened "Wings" could hive set a longevity record for all $2 films of two full years on Broadway. It lacks seven weeks of equaling the splendid mark established by "The Big Parade." Not any dimming of its box-office appeal, but the vogue for talking pictures, together with other circumstances, is given as the cause for the early closing of this veteran feature. Paramount' first all-talking picture, "Interference." will succeed the aviation thriller at the Criterion oi; or about Nov. 16.

It will be necessary to devote several weeks to wir Theater beginning tomorrow. The picture is an adaptation of Baroness Orery's novel, "Leatherface," and relates the adventures of Mark Van Rycke, son of a patrician burgomaster of Ghent Wild night rides, hair-raising duels and the glamor of romance mark the course of this picturesque production. Among the vaudeville attractions at the Metropolitan will be Bob Nelson, former musical comedy star, in "A Song a Minute;" Leo Bill, ventriloquist; Clinton and Rooney and Band; Morgan, Wamer and Margie; Cook and Rosevero, and the Romas Troupe. Loew's Melbs "Uncle Tom's Cabin," a picturiza- ing the theater and otherwise equipping it for the reception of its new audible tenant. Incidentally, "Wings" comic sketch, "Amateur Night," and David the well-known recording artists "The is having its first popular price show ing at the Rialto.

Revelers," in a group of popular Colman in "Two Lovers" at Loew's Metropolitan. Above: Rollins, Sue Carol and Arthur Lake in "The Air Circus." at the Fox Theater. rTTHAT "The Home Towners" does have continuous dialogue is its most ford had asked him to appear as her leading man in a picture. He speaks English with scarcelt an accent. He learned it from English soldiers while spending 26 months in a German prison camp after he had been badly wounded early in the war.

France gave him a military medal for valor. Ballyhoo. The latest phenomenon on Broadway's passing stage is the throng which hear and see simultaneously by Movietone each night Govemof Alfred E. Smith, Mayor James J. num tiers.

Fox Theater distinguishing feature. It marks the first time that a talking picture has had anything definite to say. result Is that the attention of the tion of Harriet Beecher Stowe's famous novel and play, will be the feature film at the Melba Theater today and tomorrow. For Tuesday and "The Air Circus" is the current film Patio Theater in Flatbush gan will be the famous Spanish or attraction at the New Fox Theater Wednesday the attraction will be "The ganLst, Emil Velazco, known for his Its cast includes Sue Carol, Louise Dresser, David Rollins and Arthur recitals over R. Henry I.

Mar A Dickens "Talkie." UNIVERSAL PICTURES CORPORATION have announced that they will make a "talkie" of Charles Dickens' famous "Christmas Carol." Tom Terris, British actor and director, will direct the picture, as well as play the role of Scrooge. Production will be started at Universal City at once to have the picture ready for shall will be production manager of Lake. the Patio. A romantic drama of aviation, many Sawdust Paradise, starring Esther Ralston. There will also be a program of Vitaphone pictures, including a one-act play called "Overtones." "Excess Baggage," film version of the play of the same name starrin? WI- mruis and exciting moments are lur nished by the scenes In the air.

In Walker and United States Senator Pat Harrison speak in behalf of tha "Belinda" cldentally this picture Is the first one Democratic candidate. spectator is held by the course of the dialogue very much as it Is by the spoken lines of a play. This, perhaps, should not be the primary objective of the cinema either silent or audible. Fine photography and imaginative direction should not be sacrificed for speech. It is unfortunate that the new production at the Warner Theater betrays a willingness for making this sacrifice.

The photography is the poorest imaginable; the direction Is uninspired and limited to the most elementary design. It is plain to see that the "talkies" have not yet succeeded in combining the motion picture's artistic accomplishments with those of the stage. The fusion of the two, probably, will produce the effect sublime. To return to "The Home Towners," however, as a comparatively ad At Broadway and 46th st. there 1 itam Haines, as scheduled lor Thursday and Friday, together with Vita- to oe made in diaicgue with the Fox Movietone.

The story deals with the timely showing throughout the coun The cast for A. A. Milne's "Belinda," the initial program of the Little Theater Dramatic Company at the Brooklyn Little Theater the week of try during the Christmas holidays. phone numbers. "The Man Who Laughs" will he shown on Saturday enorts oi a young man to conquer his fear of the air.

He is aided ic Universal produced this Dickens clas sic as a silent picture first in 1915. this by his mother, his sweetheart Will Open Friday 'Evening The Patio Theater, Flatbush ave. and Midwood will celebrate Its opening on next Friday evening. This is the latest. unit in the extensive chain or Brooklyn motion picture theaters operated by the Schwartz enterprises.

It Is said to be the most beautiful and most dignified in its decorative scheme of nny playhouse which Mr. Schwartz and his associate, H. Clay Miller, have so far constructed. It was in the same vicinity but a few years ago that Schwartz and Miner built the first of their present group of 24 picture theaters, known as the Century Circuit Chain. The Patio Theater is appropriately named.

Its architecture is almost entirely in the Spanish manner. In the and nis buddy. (Sunday and Monday). Th. HilUida Btllle Dove will be starred in her Dorothy Burgess has been placed Of equal interest Is the stupendous stage show which shares honors with a safety island capable of accommodating a crowd of 2.000 and the Democratic campaign heads stag their continuous free show upon a mammoth sheet suspended from a building.

The orators can be heard clearly above the roar of It ts estimated that in the course of a night 40.000 people stand and watch this brief political show. Incidentally, it Is a grand piece of advertising for fh talking nlrtlires. the photoplay. Opening with th: latest picture, "The Night Watch," under contract by Fox for talking pictures. Her first assignment will be the leading feminine role in the Movietone drama.

"In Old Arizona," now being directed by Irving Cum- "Marche Slave" as the overture, the Nov. 19, will include Elberta Trowbridge in the title role. John Koch Mildred Anderson, Judith Knight, Randolph Somerville, and Kathleen Freeman, will also be seen among the players. At the Momart "The Mystic Mirror," a mystery melodrama, Is the new feature attraction at the Momart Theater. The story is based on the legend of the mystic mirror, which, if looked into program continues with a Halloween surprise novelty, in which the Fox grand orchestra, chctal ensemble and Leonldoff Girls take part.

Following mings. Miss Burgess nrst came into notice me ox Movietone News are nor when she succeded Helen Hayes in the leading role of "Dancing Moth loge," a dance fantasy, and Monvirt lobby there is a beautiful patio, the ers" during the Broadway run. Lately Asther-Garbo. NILS ASTHER, who appeared recently with Marlon Davles' in "Her Cardboard Lover," has been center of which is adorned by an 1m she has been appearing in The at the Hillside Theater, from Monday to Wednesday. It was directed by Alexander Korda.

The vaudeville features during the first half of the week will be White and Tierney, Sonny Hlnes and his Rah Rah Girls, Peggy Mackechnle, John R. Walsh and Kate and Wiley. Beginning Thursday the film feature at the Hillside will be "Excess Baggage," starring William Haines. The stage program will include Pat Henning and Company, Eva Clark and Blue Boys, Coogan and Casey, Carlton and Bellow and the Georgalis Trio. posing three-tier statue which Mr.

Squall" at a Los Angeles theater. Schwartz discovered In an old Ha Nights. The last is described as a merry carnival of Joy, harmony and rhythm. In this episode Dorsey By-lon sings "My Dennlson and Leland ars in an adagio; the Cosmopolitan Trio are heard in a medley of famous operatic airs; Smith and Had-tey offer novelty specialties, and cienda near Seville, Spain. The Maurice Chevalier.

vanced example of talking picture production, it is interesting to note that iU cast Is not altogether familiar to the patron of the erstwhile silent drama. Which is to say that the Warners were disinclined to experiment with screen actors and actresses of little or no experience with speaking roles. This Is quite In line with reports that sooner or later the "talkies" must replace many of the present crop of screen stars with actors and actresses who have been adequately trained for the stage. Thus, Richard Bennett appears in the principal role, which, under ordinary conditions, would have been occupied by one of the more personable on the regular Wamer roster. It is hardly necessary to point out ihat Mr.

Bennett (this Is his first fling In the is an actor of considerable training and experience. No, he may not cut as romantio a figure as, say, Ramon Novarro or John Gilbert, but he is better qualified to assume a role which requires something more than displaying an even row of teeth a camera closeup. The selection of Mr. Bennett for a romantic lead Is indeed a departure from customary movie practice; it indicates, I think, that more intelligent casting is to be one of the indirect blessings of the talking pictures. chosen to be Greta Garbo's leading; man in her next Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer starring film, an original story statue represents a small boy holding MEETING with Maurice Her, the French music hall idol, a dolphin.

by John Colton, as yet untitled. Sid The auditorium nas oeen aesignea Gomez and Winona dance. recently imported by Jesse L. Lasky to star in talking pictures, went a with an eye to the comfort of the patron. The aisles are wide and the on a moonlight night, is said to predict the fate of the gazer.

This Is a Ufa production, distinctive for Its superb camera work, novel theme and fine character acting. On the same program Is a Harold Lloyd comedy, "Bumping Into Broadway." The Hippodrome "The Red Mark," the latest James Cruze production for Pathe, has its New York premiere at the Hippodrome today. It is a vivid, thrilling drama with a penal island, "Noumea," as its locale and convicts as its principal characters. Young love long way toward explaining why this Fox'a Savoy "The Lion and the Mouse," a screen fine looking man with the sincere. ney Franklin will direct the new picture.

Asther will play a Japanese prince in the Garbo vehicle. Lewis Stone, who also plays in support of Miss Garbo in "A Woman of Affairs," will be seen in the other masculine lead. John Cromwell has arrived in Hollywood to commence work under a re attractive smile, is a national insti version of the American drama by Charles Klein, will be the cinema at Gate! Theater Pat Henning Co. will headline the vaudeville program at Loew's Gates Theater from Monday to Wednesday. seats are spacious and comfortable.

The walls are adorned with the works of noted Spanish artists; across the proscenium is an Impressive mural. The opening of the Patio Is expected to be a gala affair. Celebrities of stage and screen have been in tution in his own country. He is a traction at the William Fox Savoy Theater for an engagement of four days commencing Thursday. The supporting bill will Include Coo gan and Casey, Fridkin and Rhoda, Elsie Huber and Hvunes and Wills.

tall, athletically built man and perhaps the easiest way to describe to American picturegners what he looks like is to say that he has a kind front face resembling that of Clive Brook and a profile like Edmund On the screen will be "The Night Watch," a melodrama of the French vited to attend, -inviiauons nave ilso been sent to Mayor Walker, the Spanish Consul and other prominent State and civic officials. Naturally, an extraordinary program has been arranged for the dedication. At the massive Kimball or end senile hatred go in hand through this gTim and colorful romance. The cast incudes Nena Quartaro, Gaston Glass, Gustav Von Seyffertitz and Rose Dione. SPEAKING of "The Home Towners" from the standpoint of entertainment, it may be set down as more than moderately pleasing.

A comedy of American maimers and errors, the Vltaphone version appears to be a rather faithful interpretation of the original Qeorge M. Cohan production. Lowe. His smile is truly magnetic, This Wamer Brothers Vitaphone production with talking sequences is enacted by a specially selected cast including Lionel Barrymore, May Mc-Avoy, Alec Francis, William Collier Emmet Corrlgan and Jack Ackroyd. "The Lion and the Mouse" is a tense, glamorous drama of a girl who has the courage to beard the "Hon" in his den, thereby tamine him.

sav navy, starring Billie Dove. Carl Mc-Cullough, former musical comedy star, will occupy the headline position on the vaudeville program the last half of the week. Others will be Radio Fancies, Archer and Belford, Nancy not a flashy or insincere smile, but a warmly sympathetic and tender smile. cently signed contract with Paramount. Cromwell, who quit the east of "Gentlemen of the Press" some days ago, will become a member ot the Paramount stock company, and soon will be announced for a prominent role? Also well-known as a stage director, Cromwell will make a study of talking films with the purpose of training for directorial work.

He will be remembered as Captain McQulgg in the stage version of A gentleman from Indiana who has made his fortune In New York in When some one referred to him as vltes an old friend in South Bend to come to the big town to act as best man at his coming nuptials. All would have gone smoothly, presumably, had not "the Al Jolson of Paris," M. Chevalier explained that hts technique is not like that of Broadway popular entertainer but he supposed the com Bartlett Cormack's "The Racket." parison was made because both oc the friend reverted to the type of pig-headed small-town smart Aleck that he was. And so when Mr. P.

H. (Pig Head) Bancroft of South Bend gets an Idea that his old friend is being married for his money, he does not hesitate express his opinion and in a loud Indiana voice. Of course, a beautiful romance is all but ruined as a result and it is not until the final moments ing her father from disgrace and winning the boy ct feer choice. The more dramatic scenes nare JTtiphone dialogue. During the first three davs of the week at the Savoy, Virginia Valli and Ian Keith will be co-starred in "The Street of Illusion." Joe Browning, comedian, will be the headline stage attraction on this program.

Other vaudeville acts will round out the bill. St. George Playhouse Films of Russian origin or background make up the program at the St. George Playhouse today and to The New Films BROOKLYN STRAND "The Tollers," a Tiffany-Sun! production dt of the play that everything is patched up In time to effect a wholly agree able ending. Decker and Ploetz Brothers and Sister.

The screen feature at the Gates, beginning Thursday, will be "Excess Baggage." Loew's Bedford "The Night Watch," a melodrama concerned with the activities of the French navy, will be the screen attraction at the Bedford from Monday to Wednesday. Billie Dove has the starring role. The vaudeville program will consist of Carl McCullough. De Sylvia's Vanities, a sketch entitled "In Wrong." Bristol and Bell and the 3 Orantos. Beginning Thursday the film feature will be an adaptation of the backstage play, "Excess Baggage," with William Haines.

Sonny Hlnes and the Rah Rah Girls, Grindell and Esther, Cole, Ward and Company and Nell and Fletcher and Lawton will rected by Reginald Barker, with Jobyna Ralston and Douglas Fair If it is true that George M. Cohan has written better plays than "The banks, Jr. PARAMOUNT "Varsity," a Paramount picture with Charles Rogers, Home Towners," It Is also true that the talking pictures have not yet re corded anything quite as entertaining. Mary Brian and Chester Conklin. STRAND (Manhattan) "The Midnight Taxi," a Warner Bros.

Production, featuring Antonio Moreno, Helene Costello, Myrna Ley and DISCUSSING the future of the talking picture, it is the analytical Kenneth MacGowan who, In the current Vanity Fair, delivers him morrow. An outstanding feature is the revival of one of Emil Jannings' greatest pictures, "Peter the Great," in which the star gives a remarkable portrayal of that famous Russian monarch. Another attraction is "The Cossacks," starrine John Gilbert, a William Russell. Other Attraction! CAPITOL "While the City Sleeps," with Lon Chaney, continues for see-. make up the vaudeville program.

spirited photodrama of Russia during tne last days of the Romanoffs. Rcnee Adoree and Ernest Torrence Other Loew Theaters "The Night Watch," starring Bil apoear in important supporting roles. Yet another feature is the showlna oi a group oi soviet news reels which lie Dove, may be seed during the first half of tha week at the Premier, Palace, i Oriental and Forty-sixth Street Theaters. Benlnnlnn Thursday the reflect accurately the spirit of the Russian people under the present ond week. ROXY "Mother Knows Best," picturizatlon of Edna Ferber's novel, with Madge Bellamy, Louise Dresser and Barry Norton: first popular-price showing.

E. F. ALBEE "The Patriot," with Emil Jannings. FOX "The Air Circus." with Sue Carol and David Rollins. LOEW'S METROPOLITAN "Two Lovers," with Ronald Colman and Vilma Banky.

ST. GEORGE PLAYHOUSE "Peter the Great," with Emil Jannings; "The Cossacks" and Russian News Reel, today and tomorrow. MOMART "The Mystic Mirror." screen attraction at these theaters self In part as follows: "It (the will be not at all like a play that much Is certain. Broadway managers don't know It, but they will find it out If some of them try to go through with a scheme they have of giving an extra performance of their plays In front of a camera and a sound-recording machine Instead of an audience. The screen cannot be anything but essentially a visual art and a.

free-ranging art. No one will have the patience to try to decide which actor In a roemful is speaking. No one will tolerate half an hour In a single setting. No one will give up the swift pleasure of pursuing a plot in and out of past and present, parlor, bedroom and bath, Keokuk, New York and the China Sea. "On the other hand, the talkie can never shift its scene with the celerity of the tnovW and go on jabbering.

The jar of new voices will ruin the easy interplay of shifting visions. On the other hand, there are real difficulties to be met If you try to save the talking for crucial sequences In the story. After a lapse Into silence the voice of the actor looms out, ks a thunderclap. When the actors have talked awhile a silent stretch of film sounds unbelievably empty and shallow." Ab4 how! win De "Excess Baggage," starring William Haines. Vaudeville Droerams will surround the feature photoplay throughout the week.

Today's screening at Loews Al regime." The attractions at the St. George for Tuesday and Wednesday will bf. "Forgotten Faces," a melodrama with Clive Brook and Baclanova, the recently Imported star of the Moscow Art Musical Studio, and "Topsy ani Eva," starring the Duncan Sisters. D. W.

Griffith's spectacular production, "Drums of Love." co-featuring Lionel Barrymore and Mary Philbin, will be one of the features for Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The othei will be the first showing In Brooklyn Oi iiicuti pine Theater is "The Docks of New York," with George Bancroft, Betty Compsonand Baclanova. At the Warwick Theater todav the major films attraction in "Temoest." starring John Barrymore. Additional Theatrical News On Page 11 of This Section At ixww bijou is "State Street Sadie," with Cormd Nneei and M'rn? Lof. 4n Impression of "Four DeviW'i Janet Gatnor.

Charges Marion and Other Circus Incidentals the Film at.