Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 - 1954), Saturday 21 October 1939, page 12


NEW CINESOUND FILM

MAHONEY HOPES FOR SUCCESS By Stargazer `" THINK I'll be a big success in this film, but don't get me wrong. It's only because I'm playing myself and I feel I know me pretty well." That's what Will Mahoney said on the sidelines, waiting for. the lights to be placed into position for a scene in the Cinesound production. "Come Up Smiling," which is nearing completion.

*TE chewed his inevitable cigar as he said, "I play in the film a little Irishman-comedy-I get all balled up trying to do everything for everybody." Internationally known as a vaudeville favourite of topline calibre, Mahoney has already starred in previous films, principally "Said O'Reilly to McNab," with Will Fyffe, which was made at the Gainsborough Studios in London. He didn't sing in that, and since singing is part of his stock-in-trade, Producer Ken G. Hall and Director William Freshman made certain that his warble would be heard in "Come up Smiling." "If you want to call it singing," Will pointed to the interviewer's notebook

Tyrone Power, Sonja Henie, Rudy Valle, and Mary Healy in "Second Fiddle."

with his cigar. "But I wouldn't put the word 'singing' down there! We leave that to Evie. I think that's the smartest thing to do." Evie is Evie Hayes. starred with Will Mahoney on the stage, and Mrs. Mahoney in private life. She has a special role in Cinesound picture. "I play a deportment mistress with the name of Kitty Catkin, and I sing two songs specially written for me." she says. Evie likes her screen wardrobe, too-for strictly feminine reasons. "I haven't shown by ankles out here, always appearing in evening gowns. This film gives me a chance to wear some smart day clothes." Like her husband, Evie has been on the screen before, but in American novelty features, made by Warner Brothers and Pathe. "She doesn't appear with me in any scenes in this film," said Will, "at least., not at present. She's right on the other side of the story all the time." Both Will and Evie are delighted to have the chance to remain longer in Australia. "It seems that here we're right in the parlour. We feel we can call everybody by their first names." After their Cinesound appearances, stage work takes them ofi to England, then to South Africa, and back here again. "I'll have a lot of new stuff for the folks, and we'll have another good time," observes Will. Then he made a phophecy. "We'll probably wind up staying in Australia when we come back again. It's the grandest place we know." Transatlantic Interview rHE following questions were submitted to the Alexander Korda star, Ralph Richardson, by a Hollywood newspaper, and his answers make interesting reading. Do you prefer to be a star playing in a supporting position rather than playing top starring leads?-The most interesting acting part is not always the lead. How briefly, would you describe yourself, presuming you were attempting to win a contract by mail?-I can make myself useful about the place. Have you received any offers from Hollywood on the strength of your roles in British films?-Yes. Would you care to work in films in Hollywood?-Yes. If you have received, .offers from America, why have you not accepted them?-I haven't had time. Do you believe it is to the advantage of a British player to come to Hollywood?-Yes. Sketch briefly the highlights of your

Jean Arthur, who will be seen shortly in Columbia's "Only Angels Have Wings"

career, including biographical material as place of birth, schools, etc.-All in "Who's Who." How did you happen to start your career in pictures?-Just offered a part. What is your impression of Hollywood?-Never been there. What interests you most about Amer

RandolphScott with Warren Hymer in "Coast Guard"

ican motion pictures?-Their craftsmanship. What does an English film star, such as yourself, do in his daily life? Could you give a brief outline of the daily activities of such a playcr?-Mostly trying to get sleep and exercise. Guide to New Pictures A PARTICULARLY well-balanced programme will be presented at the Princess Theatre next Friday, when the chief attraction will be "The Oklahoma Kid," starring James Cagney. The film is a major western, with a panoramic appeal and surging action.

Cagney plays a young desperado, who turns to law and order after a picturesque career as a road agent. Humphrey Bogart, Edward Pawley, Donald Crisp, and Rosemary Lane are in the cast. The support is an entertaining musical comedy, "Thanks for Everything," with Jack Haley, Binnie Barnes, Jack Oakie, and Adolphe Menjou. "Sanders of the River," starring Paul Robeson and Leslie Banks, will appeal to many filmgoers. It comes to the Majestic on Tuesday, with "Mystery Plane," fcaturing John Trent, in sup. port. George Raft and Ellen Drew make a new romantic team in "The Lady's from Kentucky," which commences at the Plaza on Friday. This is a thrilling racetrack with comedy relief supplied by Hugh Herbert, who has not

Jeanette MacDonald, who stars with Nelson Eddy in M.G.M.'s "Sweethearts"

been seen for some time, and Zasu Pitts. Supporting will be "Never Say Die," a farce comedy, featuring Martha Raye, Bob Hope,. and Andy Devine. "Boots, Boots," a new George Formby film, will come to the Majestic on Fri-. day next. The English.comedian plays a janitor at. a fashionable hotel. His musical accomplishments attract, the hotel maid, who becomes his partner. "Coast Guard," with Ralph l;ellaiiiy, Francess Dee, and Randolph Scott, and "The Girl from College," with .Anne Shirley, will be on the same bill. Takes Longer in Hollywood THE Mounties always get their man, Sbut it takes longer in Hollywood, according to Bruce Carruthers, formerly of the North-West Mounted Police and now engaged as a technical director on "Susannah of the Mounties." For several years Carruthers-originally sent from Canada by the Mounties-has been trying to persuade pro. ducers that the hero of a Mountie screen yarn should have a rank higher than that of sergeant. But, try as he did, it was no soap until TwentiethCentury-Fox agreed that Randolph Scott in Shirley Temple's latest should be ranked as an inspector and not a sergeant. Carruthers insisted that it just wasn't logical for a mere sergeant to go around back-slapping his superiors, even if they are on the pay-roll at the studio for a couple of hundred dollars less a week. So now Scott is the first Mountie hero in Hollywood ever to be handed a rank higher than sergeant. Building up Part rO build up Tyrone Power's role in "The Rains Came," Louis 13romfield's best seller, which will shortly become one of the costliest films of the

Will Mahoney, star of "Come Up Smiling"

year in Hollywood, scenarists at the Twentieth Century-Fox are rewriting the movie script. Ever -since the studio announced that the young star would play Major Ranma Safti, movie fans scquainted with the book have been writing by the hundreds to Twentieth-Century Fox, objecting to Power being given "a secondary role."Studio Studio omicials explained recently that they never had any such intention, • and that the parts of Power, Myrna Loy, and George Brent would be equal in importance. After the casting of the stars was completed several weeks ago, Director Clarence Brown set about to revise the scenario to give each principal an opportunity to fully develop his or her role. To look like a descendant of the Rajput warrior stock, such as Major Safti came from, Power will be darkened slightly with make-up. He will wear a turban, jodhpurs, and a black atchkan for most of his scenes. Since Safti was a graduate of Oxford and John Hopkins, the romantic star will not speak with an Indian accent. "Green Hell" Started FOLLOWING months of preparation, and with an all-star cast headed by Douglas Fairbanks, jun., and Joan Bennett, "Green Hell," inaugural offering of Famous Productions, has started at Universal Studios. Under direction of James Whale, initial sequences were filmed in a picturesque Amazonian jungle on one, of the most elaborate sets ever constructed on the Universal lot. Laid in the historically famed "green hell" of the Amazon, all backgrounds have been reproduced in authentic detail, . and at great expense. In the cast of "Green Hell" are such performers as Juhn Howard, Alan Hale, George Bancroft, George Sanders, Vincent Price, and Gene Garrick. Written for the screen by Frances Marion, noted scenarist, "Green Hell" concerns the adventures of a party of jungle explorers lost in the wilds of the Amazon with a single woman companion. Brilliant Cast A BRILLIANT cast has been assembled by Producer-Director Rowland V. Lee for "Tower of London," Universal's spectacular. picturisation of the "horror period" in British history, 1475-85. Barbara O'Neil has been signed to portray the role of Queen Elizabeth (wife of Richard IV.). and Nan Grey will play Lady Alice Barton. the orin

cipal feminine roles in the produetion. Previously announced for the role of Richard III., Basil Rathbone will be available when he completes his current picture, "Rio," with Sigrid Gurie. Boris Karloff will play the imrortant role of Mord, famed executioner and torturer of the Tower of London. John Sutton, who was featured with Bette Davis in "Elizabeth and Essex," will play the part of John Wyatt. Dietrich and Stewart MARL1 NE DIETRICH, one of the screen's most glamorous figures, has been signed by Universal to play opposite James Stewart in "The Man from Montana." A spectacular production of American frontier life, the film has been in preparation for more than a year. Miss Dietrich has been cast in the pict? resque role of a dance hall entertainer. Supporting Stewart and Miss Diet, rich will be Charles Winninger, as the sheriff, and Brian Donlevy as the vile lain.