THE BIOSCOPE    July 21 1927

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Pioneer Series Nearly Completed

Famous Stage Favourites Filmed

Pioneer Film Agency announce that they are nearing completion of their “On With the Merry Dance” Series, which are scheduled for release in early October. Directed by Harry Parkinson, each of these subjects will be about 600 feet in length [about 6 minutes] and will feature such well-known favourites as Binnie Hale, Sonnie Hale, Leslie Henson, Phyllis Monkman, Laddie Cliff, Bobbie Howes [later Binnie’s stage partner], Annie Croft, Reginald Sharland and the Tiller Girls, etc. H.B.Hedley, of Co-optimists [a very successful revue company] fame, is arranging all the music for this series of pictures.

THE BIOSCOPE   July 28 1927

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SHORT FEATURES

“On With the Dance” Series

Offered by:

Pioneer.

Directed by:

Harry B. Parkinson.

Length:

Series of twelve, 600 feet each.

Release Date:

First week in October (approx).

Type:

Interest.

Cast:

Binnie Hale, Sonnie Hale, Laddie Cliff, Phyllis Monkman, Leslie Henson, Madge Elliott, Cyril Ritchard, Bobby Howes, Sid Tracey, Bessie Hay, Leslie Hatton, Devina and Charles, The Tiller Girls, Annie Croft, etc.

IN BRIEF.

Dances by well-known stage stars. Some good slow-motion pictures.

Suitability:

Excellent short-reel subjects for all houses.

The Films:

The music for these shorts is being arranged and synchronised [i.e. to match the (silent) projection on screen] by H.B. Hedley, of Co-Optimists fame. The dances themselves are very graceful, especially when the slow-motion camera permits of the dancers’ movements to be studied in detail. In character the dances range from the beautiful footwork of Phyllis Monkman and Leslie Hensen to the acrobatics of such experts as Sid Tracey, Bessie Hay, Devina and Charles. The unusual angles from which several of the shots have been taken give novel and interesting aspects to familiar team work dances. The effects obtainable by the variation of stage lighting have been achieved with a fair measure of success by suitably tinting portions of the films.

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[PHOTO: Madge Elliott and Cyril Ritchard in some clever dancing included in the “On With The Dance” series, which is being handled by Pioneer Film Agency.]

KINEMATOGRAPH WEEKLY   Jul 28 1927

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ON WITH THE DANCE

PIONEER HANDLES PARKINSON PICTURES

Something New in Dance Films

PIONEER FILM AGENCY, LTD., will shortly present a series of half-reel “Dance” films, which have the attractive title of “On With the Dance.” Harry B. Parkinson, the well-known producer, is responsible for these productions, which is an assurance that the artistic and entertainment value will be well looked after. Apart from this many famous dancers are appearing in this series, and there has been gathered together in the eye of the camera such household names from the West End and cabaret as Binnie Hale, Sonnie Hale, Laddie Cliff, Phyllis Monkman, Leslie Henson, Madge Elliott, Cyril Ritchard, Bobby Howes, Claude Hulbert, Sid Tracey, Bessie Hay, Reginald Sharland, Annie Croft, Barbara and Graham, Leslie Sarony, Billy Leonard, Norman Griffin, Madge Aubrey, Leslie Hatton, Divine and Charles and the “Tiller” girls.

Such a galaxy of stars that appear in the series have never before faced the cmaera, and the up-to-date exhibitor will readily realise the possibilities of advertising these leading stars as a first-class attraction. The music has been specially synchronised and arranged by H.H.Hedley [sic], the well-known pianist and composer of the “Co-optimists,” and each number has a complete set of band parts [for the cinema orchestra to accompany the films] supplied for free.

Original Effects in New Dance Films

In Harry B. Parkinson’s production of “On With the Dance” series for Pioneer. he has used some original effects with a view to obtaining the charm and beauty of such wonderful dancers as Madge Elliott, Cyril Ritchard [who performed a spoof of Sonnie entitled ‘Worse-than-any Mary’ — true flattery!], Bessie Hay and Sid Tracey. Ordinary studio settings were dispensed with, and apart from a specially constructed dance floor, the background and lighting were arranged in such a way as to bring a perfectly stereoscopic effect, as well as something new in lighting.

Dancing Craze Continues

In view of the fact that the dancing craze gains in popularity every year, Pioneer’s new “On With the Dance” series should be a very acceptable addition to the up-to-date exhibitor’s programme. Short and snappy half-reelers like this leave the audience always asking for more.

Slow-action Films

The series contains in each number a section of slow-motion showing the actual movements of the dancers in this slow form. In one of the most wonderful swings which Sid Tracey and Bessie Hay have become famous for, this is shown in slow motion to be a beautiful and most graceful movement that could ever be conceived. When it is being shown at ordinary speed it is too fast to show the risk that these dancers run in their revolutions to get the effects. Students of dancing will be able to learn a great deal from these slow-motion studies.

[page of photos: including Sonnie and Binnie?]

(Click on image to view larger scan)