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The Times (16/Oct/1929) - The film world

(c) The Times (16/Oct/1929)

THE FILM WORLD

AN INDIAN TALKING PICTURE

Encouraged no doubt by the recommendation of the Indian Cinematograph Committee that the cinema industry should receive liberal treatment from the Government, the India Office and the Indian Army Council have made arrangements to cooperate with Mr. Niranjan Pal, the Indian producer, in the production of an all-colour talking film to be entitled Khyber Pass. Although the film will not be a propaganda picture, the story will seek to combat certain Continental films which have recently been made, condemning the British attitude in Northern India. The film will be directed by Mr. Pal, and Mr, V. Frenguali, formerly of the London Film Company, will be responsible for the photography. The cast will include Mr. Lawson Butt, brother of Dame Clara Butt, Miss Seeta Devi, who appeared in Shiraz, M. Jean Favreau, and Miss Myno Burnet. The interior scenes, including the talking sequences, will be pictured actually in the Khyber Pass, this being the first time a film unit has entered the territory. The musical accompaniment will be provided by the Indian Military Band.

Preparations are now well advanced for the production by British International Pictures of the talking film version of Mr. Sean O Casey's play, Juno and the Paycock. The work will be carried out at Elstree under the direction Mr. Alfred Hitchcock, whose first talking film, Blackmail, recently met with considerable success in America, In Mr. Hitchcock's new film Miss Sara Allgood will appear as Juno, Mr. Edward Chapman as Captain Boyle, and Mr. Donald Calthrop as Nugent. The part of Johnnie will be played by Mr. John Laurie, who began his stage career 10 years ago in Shakespearian plays at the Old Vic. Four other talking films are also being produced by the same organization. These are Harmony Heaven, directed by Mr. Thomas Bentley ; The Song of Soho, directed by Mr. Harry Lachman, with Mr. Carl Brisson and Mr. Donald Calthrop in the principal parts ; Raise the Roof, directed by Mr. Walter Summers ; and Cinderella, to be produced by Mr. Manning Haynes, with Miss Betty Balfour in the leading part.

Several other companies are now engaged in producing talking films, and there is every indication that within the next few months a fair number of British films will be available for exhibition in this country. At least five talkies are expected to be completed before Christmas by the British and Dominions Film Corporation, who have now begun work on their fourth production, The Loves of Robert Burns. This film will be followed by The Life of Beethoven, which will be directed by Mr. Herbert Wilcox, with Mr. Mark Sambourg and Miss Baclanova, the Russian actress, in the principal parts. The film will be made in tour languages — English, French, German, and Russian. The Co-optimists have also finished work on their first film, which has been made by the New Era Film Company under the supervision of Sir Gordon Craig. The cast for the new talking film revue, entitled The Gainsborough Picutre Show, will include Mr. Ivor Novello, Mr. Roy Royston, Mr. Gordon Barker, and Miss Iris Rowe.

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