Yorkshire Post (24/Apr/1928) - Work in British Studios

Details

article: Work in British Studios
newspaper: Yorkshire Post (24/Apr/1928)
keywords: Alfred Hitchcock, Betty Balfour, British International Pictures, Carl Brisson, Champagne (1928), Clemence Dane, Frank Stanmore, Hall Caine, The Manxman (1929)

Article

Work in British Studios

Mr. Denison Clift, the American director, who mode several films over here for Ideal a few years agoamong them "A Bill of Divorcement"has returned on a contract with British International Pictures. His first work will be to direct Miss Betty Balfour in a film called "Paradise," based on a story by Sir Philip Gibbs.

Miss Balfour has just finished "Champagne" under Mr. Alfred Hitchcock, who is now to direct a version of Sir Hall Caine's "The Manxman," with Carl Brisson in the leading role. "The Manxman" was filmed in 1917 by the now defunct London Film Company, with Mr. Henry Ainley as the "star." It was considered very good in its day, but I do not suppose Mr. Ainley would welcome a reissue of it. I should like to know whether the films of 1928 will look as odd to audiences of 10 years hence as even the best films of ten years ago look to us now.

British International have altogether a most unusually varied and premising programme under consideration. They have arranged with Mr. Arnold Bennett to write them a special story of London life called "Piccadilly," and are negotiating with Mr. Compton Mackenzie to assist in their projected film of Oxford University life. They are also contemplating, I believe, film versions of Hardy's "Under the Greenwood Tree," and of Miss Clemence Dane's play, "Will Shakespeare."

Miss Dolores del Rio, who became well known to English audiences through "What Price Glory?" and "Resurrection," is to make her next Allied Artists' picture in this country, it will be called "The Bear-Tamer's Daughter," and Mr. Finis Fox is shortly coming to England to look for a studio, which may, it is said, be used afterwards for other Allied Artists' productions in this country. Will Charlie Chaplin ever use it?

Mr. Geoffrey Malins is directing for Welsh-Pearson-Elder a series of six comedies from stories by W. W. Jacobs. Mr. Jacobs and his inseparable illustrator, Mr. Will Owen, recently visited the Cricklewood studios and watched Mr. Frank Stanmore playing the immortal Night Watchman apparently to the author's entire satisfaction.