Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-28

opener.
TOGETHER with other prob
= lens, producers are worried
about the colored pictures. The
use of color started off with a
bang. It was a novelty, although
it might be somewhat unnatural.
Then color lost a good bit Of its
popularity. The bright yellowS,
greens, browns and reds were try
ing on the eyes; the colors, al
though the pictures were adver-
tised "in natural colorS," certainly
were something else. There was
certain amount of complaint
over the technical mediocrity of
the color work. Now, from Holly
wood, comes word that an attempt
is being made to revive colored
pictures; that new methods Of ap-
plication and more decided
definition and purity Of shade has
been obtained.
It has always been the conten-
ton of this department that col
ored motion pictures will nS$
reach the height of success for q
long, long time. Color can be used
successfully in the tableau, where
the figures remain in one posi-
ton; but when they start moving
around, they form a tumble, a
masS-like the painter had thrown
every color from the palette onto
his canvas. When color, with all
the technical details, is perfected
so that it can become a mirror of
the real thing-then color will be
a success, and not before. The
picture with artificial color is not
true to nature.
4 X * y
Short Flashes.
"THE ROYAL FAMILY" Para
mounts new picture, had
quite an elaborate premiere in
New York, the best seats selling
for S..
Mabel Normand, film star who
died recently in Hollywood, left
an estate of $4,000, all Of which
goes to the mother. Miss Nor
mand was the wife Of Lew Cody.
There may be more trouble in
Europe. The same version of Cali
Quiet on the Western Front" that
was banned in Germany is Sched-
uled to open in Vienna January z.
It is expected that a Fascist group
will oppose the showing.
Samuel Goldwyn has signed
Michael Arlen and Walter Hackett
to write a scenario for Ronald
Colman. The story will be based
upon the Michael Arlen story,
Men Dislike Women" and the
picture will be titled, What Fun
Frenchmen Have"
From the Fox company comes
news that Dorothy Jordan will
play the feminine lead in young
Sinners" William Holdan will
have a part in the same picture.
Washington exhibitors have a
fine list of pictures for the holi-
days. The opening dates are
somewhat jumbled, each theater
apparently trying to select a diff
ferent day for first Showings. If
you prefer seat on opening day,
better watch the ad announce
mentS.
Something grand over the hori-
zonl It is announced that John
Barrymore is to take the leading
role Of a screen version of "Tril-
by" The picture will carry the
title of "Svengali," and the star
will appear as bearded master
the barefoot singer.
Thomas Meighan, after COM
pleting his role in young Sin
ners," will play opposite jeanette
Macdonald in Good Gracious,
Annabelle," from the Clare Kun
mer stage hit. At the present
time Miss Macdonald has a
prominent role in more Than a
KISS" being produced by Fox.
Charlie Chaplin's "City Lights"
is scheduled for opening in New
York February /. The star has
delayed a trip to Europe to attend
the premiere at the Cohan Theater.
Roxy and his gang will start a
nationwide concert tour in Feb
ruary, under the direction of the
National Broadcasting Co. From
10 to IA appearances will be made
each week, with ~two-hour per-
formances.
Paramount plans to co-star
Clara Bow and Gary Cooper in an
underworld story, after School,"
The Broadway play ION the Up
and Up" has been purchased by
Universal as a starring vehicle for
Mary Nolan. Edward Laemmle
will direct.
The Fox company is making
seven pictures at the present time.
They are Land Rush." "a Con-
necticut Yankee" East Lynne"
''The Modern World" Girls De-
mand Excitement" "All Women
Are Bad" and "Squadrons."
Irene Dunno is playing the lead
ing feminine role opposite Lowell
Sherman in Bachelor Apart
ment." Miss Dunno scored heavi-
ly in the stage production Of
SHOW Boat" and she was select
ed from a field of 40 actresses for
her important role in "Cimarron."
She also appeared in Leather
necking."
Tallulah Bankhead, who has
been appearing on the stage in
London, will arrive in Hollywood
January 20 to play opposite Give
Brook in Her. Past"
Rex Ingram is producing Para
mount pictures in France. His
first release is called lie Dieu De
La Mar" or God Of the Sea-"
TOO much dialogue" according
to the comedy producers. So 1t is
announced that the Christie
comedies of the future will con-
tain 20 per cent less talking.
! Buster Keaton'S new picture is
''Parlor, Bedroom and Bath"
A chain of theaters for children