Films and the Stage.

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 100, 22 January 1927, Page 23

Films and the Stage.

A sense of humour is man’s greatest possession. That is the theory of Hoot Gibson, for his abiity to view himself and his surroundings with amusement, coupled with a natural ability as an actor, an equal ability to ride any horse that ever lived, and a likeable personality with it all, has made him a rich man and famous movie star. Hoot Gibson’s latest picture is the UniversalJewel, “The Buckeroo Kid.”

The troupe of Red Indians who are to appear with the big Paramount speAuckland yesterday to appear at Auckland yesterday, and will appear at the Regent Theatre for a season commencing immediately. The Indians will arrive in Wellington towards the end of the month, and will appear at the Regent Theatre with “The Vanishing Race” on February 4

Everyone knows the romantic story of Jessica Harcourt. George Highland considered her too beautiful to be a programme seller, even at Her Majesty’s, Sydney, and, after a little training, she joined the chorus, has smiled quietly from advertisements, and now Jessica Harcourt, the beautiful, will make her screen debut when “For the Term of His Natural Life” is released shortly.

The public fancy has certainly been captured by that bright and merry band of - entertainers, the Midnight Frolics, who commence their fifth week on Monday next. In spite of the generous proportions of the programmes already submitted, and the large number of novelties which have already caused considerable comment, the treasure chests of the producer are by no mans empty. From the many sources at the command of Messrs. Fidgley and Dawe, several big novelties will be produced in the fifth week’s programme. It is difficult to- say 'in advance what will be the most popular item, but no mistake can be made by putting the humour sketches by Clem Dawe and company well at the top of the list.

Mr. Joseph Cunningham’s capable little dramatic company is reported to be doing excellent business in the south at present.

“Temptation” a French film, now at the Empress Theatre, is a story that tells how the devastating hand of war swept aside the traditional magnificence of a Regal Court, yet could not destroy the powerful love of a beautiful woman of Roval lineage and a young tutor of humble circumstances Hugguette Duflos, known as the most beautiful woman in Paris is the star, and she is supported by George Vaultier, Henri Houry, Marcya Capri, and Gaqui Catelain

The fact that he predicts that comedies will continue to monopolise the world’s screens led Edward Everett Horton to desert the stage permanently. His first vehicle as a straight screen star, in which he co-stars with Laura La Plante, is “Poker Faces,” a Universal-Jewel production. In the supporting cast are George Siegmann, Tom Ricketts, Tom O’Brien and Dorothy Revier.

In “Fascinating Youth,” which is at the King’s Theatre, one sequence depicts the most unusual Charleston ever performed—on ice skates and by a trained ballet. This is the picture which has been justly heralded as the “personification of pep” for the cast includes the sixteen Paramount Junior Stars, selected from 40,000 applicants for admission to the Paramount Picture School. The story written by Byron Morgan, who wrote the Wally Reid auto race stories and directed by Sam Wood, who made “Bluebeard’s Eighth Wife” and . other Swanson successes, is one that will make the aged apply for more monkey glands and make the young happy, in that they are young. Besides the cast of the sixteen Paramount junior stars, that old-time veteran, Ralph Lewis, plays the role of the father of one of the boys.

Pauline Starke and Johnny Walker appear in the leads of “Honesty the Best Policy,” a humorous burlesque on the conventional type of crook melodrama. A. struggling autho’- at last meets an .editor who will give him a luaring, and the scribe’s efforts will be accepted provided the storv will satisfy a committee of typists. The man then proceeds to narrate a most touching and thrilling storv of his adventures when he was a crook, having since reformed due to the influence of his sweetheart. The end is almost in sight, and acceptance a foregone conclusion, when an unexpected development occurs by the entrance of one of the story’s central characters, upsetting the plans of F. Kipling Smith, and proving his story is fiction in every instance.

The season of the “Is Zat So?” Company at the Grand Opera House concludes to-night.

When “Is Zat So?” was produced in New York, it became a phenomenal success, almost over night. Fox Films immediately saw its possibilities for screen use, and purchased the screening rights of this laughable play. The story of a “png and his pal” will be made by Fox Filins during the coming season, and its advent will be looked to with the greatest interest, especially when the success of the play from which it is adapted is noted.

Very charming indeed should be the costumes, setting, and atmosphere of "The Man With a Load of Mischief,” Ashley Duke’s three-act comedy of the Regency period, which is to be produced by the National Repertory Theatre Society in the Concert Chamber on Saturday next. The costumes are being made by Kirkcaldie and Stains, whilst the Scoullar Co., McKenna’s and Co., and the S. S. Williams Co. are assisting with the furnishings.

Based on that lilting melody written twenty years ago -by Maude Ntfgent, and known the world over, Master Pictures has produced a film under the original title, “Sweet Rosie O’Grady,” with the petite Shirley Mason in the original- role. The Master Picture, “The Lone Wolf Returns,” is to be released early in the New Year. “Sweet Rosie O’Grady” will follow soon after. Also in the cast are Cullen Landis, Duane Thompson, and Helen Dunbar.

“Wings,” Paramount’s •film drama of the air, has already earned the title of “The Covered Wagon of the Air.” Flying officers of four nations are actively participating in the filming of the production under the direction of Lucien Hubbard at San Antonio. Baron von Hartman, who won his record on the Russian flying front, is in charge of the fleet of aeroplanes, while Ted Parsons, an American flier who served;, with the French Air. Service, and Captain S. C. Campbell, a British airman, are the chief persons actually concerned with the stunts in the air. ____________

The early arrival of "Variety” is announced. T h i s great U.F.A. production has, indeed, made- history the world over, as in England and New York it has simply baffled the critics to find superlatives. Its complete novelty of treatment is something to startle everyone, and the Hollywood experts got a jolt that will be to the good of the industry. Lva ■de Putti, the new star who shines in “Variety,” is possibly the most beautiful living human being in Europe. Apart from that, she is' certainly the greatest living kinema actress. The circus scenes in "Variety” are taken with the camera on the new theory of “the moving eye.” As one American critic says, “One gets the complete reaction from this method of the terrible dan ger, of giddy height, of the far swoop down of the trapeze artists, of the lightning skill and resolution required to link hands at the moment of flashing peril. The mystery is, how is it done?”

The readers of “Photoplay Magazine” have awarded the gold medal for the best motion picture of 1925 to the now famous epic of the Great War, “The Big Parade,” In making this annual award—the highest honour in the world of the silent drama—-the readers of “Photoplay” have steadily shown fine discrimination. I'or six years the gold medal award has provided the highest encouragement to motion picture producers. The credit for “The Big Parade” can be distributed between Marcus Loew, Jiead of the Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer Corporation; King Vidor, the brilliant young director who made it, and Irving Thalberg, the guilding force of the Metro-Goldywin-Mayer studios.

United Artists have now made arrangements for their latest big production "The Winning of Barbara Worth” to have its New Zealand premiere at the Majestic Theatre, Auckland, on Pebruary 25th.

A very human story, done in the style which made Lois Weber one of the screen’s greatest producers before her retirement a few years ago, is at the Regent Theatre, it is “The Marriage Clause,” a Universal-Jewel production, and Miss Weber’s first directorial effort since she returned to the screen as a director and a writer. It is a glimpse into stage life, revealing not the gawdv chorus girl and night lite scenes so common to pictures of this tvpe, but the actual humans who spend their Jives in the theatre.

Prank Lehar. the composer of “The Merry Widow,” is represented by a musical number in “Katja.” The song is entitled “I’m a Real Bad Lad Tonight,” and is sung by Cecil Kelleway. It has typical Lehar swing and melody.

The re-issue of the big Fox success of a few years back, “Over The Hill,” has proved most successful, and exhibitors who have availed themselves of the opportunity for showing this picture are more than pleased at the results.

Paramount’s “The Vanishing Race” had its premiere in Auckland yesterday. Final arrangements have now been made for -the arrival of the ten. Red Indians,- who will appear in connection with, this picture, and ■ they are due to arrive in Auckland on January 18. They are in charge ;of the Rev. Hugh Smith, who acts as interpreter and enide.

The continued success of Ashley Duke’s romantic comedy, “The Man With a Load of Mischief,” in London shows how ready people arc to enjoy poetry and romance. Quite recently its third leading lady, Miss Isabel Jeans, was lending her elegant art to the part of the runaway in succession to Miss Fay Compton. It was first played by Miss Laura Cowie and since this play, like, “The Beggars’ Opera,” has habitual members of its audience, there were many comparisons of the different renderings. But since comparisons are odious, no more need be said than that each lady is, in her own beautiful way, very charming. It will be particularly interesting to see how the young Wellington amateur, Miss Mollie Plimmer, appears in this delightful comedy which is to be staged by the National Repertory Theatre Society on Saturday next. This will be Miss Plimmer’s final appearance for some considerable time, as she leaves early next month for London to pursue her dramatic studies. Associated with Miss Plimmer will be Miss Louise Hall, Miss Rosalind Atkinson, Mr. W. S. Wauchop, Mr. Robert Charlton, and Mr. E. S. Baldwin, whilst Mr. Leo du Chateau will direct the production.

According to the National Board of Review Committee, Corinne Griffith has scored again in “Mlle. Modiste,” her latest production for First National. “Mlle. Modiste” has been selected for the photoplay guide of popular entertainments because of Miss Griffith’s vivacious interpretation of the title role, and Willard Louis as the comedian Ihe entertainment value of the picture, according to the board, makes it suitable for all classes of the community. Among thosefseen in support of the star, in addition to Willard Louis, are Norman Kerry, Rose Dione, and Dorothy Cummings. . ,

Two of United Artists’ special attractions which are in great demand at present are “The Bat” and “The Son of the Shiek.” These two productions are very heavily booked, and United Artists have received many requests for return bookings.

“While London Sleeps,” Rin-Tin-Tin’s latest starring picture for Master Pictures, is to be released shortly. The dog-star will be seen in a new story, with an entirely new production staff and supporting cast. The two humans heading the supporting of “While London Sleeps” are Helene Costello and Walter Merill.

There are two distinct tribes represented in the ten Red Indians who are coming to New Zealand in connection with Paramount’s “The Vanishing Race.” They are the Hopi and Navajo tribes. The names of the Hopi are: Chief Se-ump-te-wa (Blooming Flower), Tel-we-pe (Swift as Lightning), Sikia O-nie-voma (Red Fox), Num-ke-na (Warm Welcome), Tech-a-we-na (Able to Scare), Ka-shon-ka (Pretty Parrot), llomi-a-si (Sand Paint), Du-wa-ku-ku (Sand Foot). Mavajos: Lennard Manhammer and Nasjah (The Owl), the Indian boy star who appears in “The Vanishing Race.”

Tom Mix, starring in “No Man’s Gold,” has as his leading woman Eva Novak, who was the leading woman in “Sky High,” “Rough Diamonds,” “The Speed Maniac” and “The End of the Trail.” “No Man’s Gold” is Fox Films, version of J. Allan Dunn’s dramatic novel about a gold mine and a girl, which is now showing at the Queen’s Theatre. Mix has the role of Tom Stone, a cowpuncher, and Miss Novak plays the part of Jane Rogers, cowgirl rider, owner of the Box R. ranch. Stone wins both the mine and the girl after a series of thrilling and unusual events. Cast with Mix and Miss Novak are Frank Campeau.

There are fashions in Satans, just like there are fashions in practically everything else in this world of ours, which has just taken on a new lease of life by entering upon the year 1927. Years ago one could recognise the Devil. That particular one wore scarlet horns, a scarlet cloak, a tail, an angrv looking three pronged fork—and a “dirty” look. To-day—what a difference! Adolphe’ Meujou, with his immaculate clothes, suave smile, and clean-cut features, as the lead in D. W. Griffith’s picturisatiou for Paramount of the story by Marie Corelli’s “The Sorrows of Satan,” does not look a bad sort of a chap after all 1 Ricardo Cortez plays the hero, Carol Dempster the heroine, and Lya De Putti, the Viennese musical comedy star, and European screen favourite, appears in her first part as “the most alluring woman in the world.”

“The Prodigal Son,” Sir HallCaine’s great masterpiece, has been picturised by Sir Oswald Stoll, and, according to the drastic U.S.A, critic, Harristm, is “safely classed with the few acknowledged masterpieces of the screen. . . One of the finest motion pictures that has so far been produced.” “The Rat,” with Ivor Novello, is an extraordinary production, and a genuine triumph for British screen art. The story is strong, dealing with a Parisian life, both of society and the Apache underworld. As one Yankee critic says, "If the majority of ■the pictures that .are made in Britain are as well directed and acted, and the plot as well constructed, as ‘The Rat,’ the American exhibitors need not worry about shortage of good pictures.”

An imposing array of pictures will be made by Earl Hudson for First National. They' will include “Mismates,” “The Chrystal Cup,” “The Lying Truth. ’ and’ “The Lunatic at Large.” “Mismates” is an adaptation of Myran Fagan’s play of the same title Doris Kenyon will be seen in the feature role. ‘The Chrystal Cup” is adapted from Gertrude Atherton’s novel of the same name.. Dorothy Mackaill, Lloyd Hughes, and Jack Mulhall will be the featured players. “The Lying Truth” is an original story by Ralph Spence. This will be a comedy and Milton Sills will probably be starred. “The Lunatic at Large” will star Leon Errol.

A big French picture, shortly to be released by Universal in New Zealand, is “Michael Strogoff,” by Jules Verne, which has a big popularity, both as a novel and as a play. In literary form it has been translated .into nineteen different languages, in dramatic form it had a long run under the title of the "Courier Tsar.” In the film version, the leading role of “Michael Strogoff” is played by Ivan Moskine, who is a celebrated European stage and screen star.

The German film “Vanity,” to be released by Exhibitors’ zYlliance Films, Limited, opens at the Regent, Auckland, on February 11.

Pauline Stark, brown-haired screen beautv, has been engaged by Ray Rockett to'play the leading feminine role in “Not Herbert,’’ 'opposite Ben Lyon, who has the featured role in this First National picture.

Tom Mix’s latest offering is “No Mau’s Gold,” in which charming Eva Novak has the feminine role opposite him. The plot of the story is a very coherent and interesting one, dealing with a legacy of a map,_ left to three men by a dying gold-miner. He has been shot by a mysterious person, and Tom and two others come upon the scene to find him with his littlb boy of nine. The miner divides his map into three to protect the boy, making each man give his promise that the treasure shall be shared with the. child. One of the men who receives his portion of the map is the miner’s assassin, and it is he . who endeavours to outw’it Tom and his pal in gaining the possession of the rich streak. Thrilling and breath-taking sequences during the exciting race form the basis for the climax to be reache din a satisfactory manner, and makes one of the best Mix pictures seen for years.

“The Masked Woman,” which is being produced by June Mathis for First National, is based on the stage pay of the same title, which scored an emphatic success on Broadway. It presents a version of a domestic triangle dealing with the story of a woman whose love is sought by her husband’s closest friend. In the cast of_ “The Masked Woman” are Anna Q. Nilsson, Charles Murray, Eimar Hanson, Gertrude Short, Ruth Rowland.

FILM FOLK Mr. A. G. McGowan, general manager of Australasian Films, Ltd., who returned from a business visit to Sydney on Monday, has since been ill and confined to bed. The first general meeting of the N.Z. Picture Showmans’ Association was held in Wellington on Wednesday, January 19. Among those who attended were E. J. Righton, O. N. Gillespie, H. \V. Shortt, S. S. Bridgford, W. R. Kemball, Beaumont Smith, P. Allen, F. Fowler (Wellington), A. McHardy. (Upper Hutt), W. Smith (Petone), H. Waters (Christchurch), R. Thomas and S. Pitt (Dunedin), H. Hayward, P. Hayward, G. Alexander, W. Martin, and T. O’Brien (Auckland), G. Saunders (New Plymouth), E. McKeever (Invercargill), H. E. Bennett ,aud T. Scott (Palmerston North), H. Thompson (Napier), T. Donovan (Devin) > E. Luxford (Hamilton), A. Conroy (Hawera), E. Morse (Otaki), A. Beban (Greymouth), E. Norden (Nelson), E. T. Eyre (Danuevirke), and J. Foote (Hastings). Advice has been received from Berlin that a Mr. Hubert, a director of the U. A. Company, of Germany, will shortly visit Australia and New Zealand to investigate the film position. At the meeting of the New Zealand Picture Showman’s Association, held on Wednesday, the following officebearers were elected-President E. J. Righton (Wellington) ; vice-president, W. R. Kemball (Wellington) ; eexecutives, S. S. Bridgford and H. W. Shortt (Wellington), T. O’Brien (Auckland), O. N. Gillespie (Canterbury), G. Saunders (Taranaki), H. Thompson (Hawke’s Bav), G. Johnstone (Otago), G. Calder (Waikato), H. E. Bennett (Manawatu), E. McKeever (Southland) , E. Norden (Nelson and West Coast). Mr. W. W. Duff, Wellington manager of Famous Lasky, advises that “Beau Geste” the big Paramount attraction, which plaved with such remarkable success at Auckland and Wellington, is to be featured throughout the Dominion as a Road Show, being accompanied by some talented singers who will provide a prologue in keeping with the picture. Mr. Duff states that the Paramount Anniversary month which will be celebrated in 'March, tends to be an outstanding success and that exhibitors from all parts of the country are assisting to celebrate this anniversary ._ The Paramount super special “We’re in the Naw Now ” will be released simultaneously in Auckland and Wellington in March, and is in great demand by exhibitors.

Messrs N. Handricks (Gisborne), W Hamer (Foxton), G. Calder (HuntIv) and G. R. Drake (Manakau) were among the visitors to Wellington to attend the first meeting of the Picture Showman’s Association.

Mr. Tony Wood, of the De Luxe Theatre, reports good houses and exceptionally heavy bookings for the “Big Parade,” which is expected to head all previous records.

Mary Pickford’s newest production “Sparrows,” has now been fixed to open at the De Luxe Theatre, Wellington, on February 11, and Mr. Tony Wood is now busy on his publicity campaign. '

A procession of five motor loriies stacked with thirteen big cases, through the streets of Wellington the other dav, attracted a good deal of attention. The contents of the cases formed the big Wurlitzer orchestral organ that is now being installed at the De Luxe Theatre. This organ is the latest design of such instruments, which are fairly common in first-class American picture theatres. Its virtues are many. Everv orchestral instrument, from violins, oboes, flutes, to xylophones and timpani, is represented in its 75 stops. Apart from the beautiful orchestral effects, which are all produced electrically by the organist seated at the twomanual console, the instrument can be used as an ordinary church organ or a piano. Instead of the usual draw stops (as on the grand organ) there are 75 ivorv tabs which respond immediately to the slightest touch, setting up an electrical connection with the tone colour desired. The organ will be erected over the space extending from the floor level on one side of the proscenium to the floor level on the other, including those spaces which have hitherto served as decorative boxes on either side of the stage. The percussive instruments will be placed between the ceiling and the roof, so that the music will flood the auditorium from all directions. The new Wurlitzer, on which over £2OOO duty was paid, is being erected under the supervision of Mr. J. E. Dodd, who erected a smaller model in the Prince Edward theatre, Svdney, and in other big theatres in Australia. The work of erecting the new instrument will occupy about four weeks. Tne console (which will occupv a central position in the orchestral well) will be exhibited in the foyer of the theatre for a couple of weeks to come, and, as its arrangement is novel, it should attract attention. Mr. Tonv Wood, manager of the De Luxe, states that the provision of the new organ will not displace the orchestra as now constituted, one will re comple'mentarv to the other, and will be associated, in the playing of overtures and entr’acte music.

It seems incredible that Ronald Stafford is self-taught, but it is quite true. As a youngster he attended the Polytechnic College ot Rondon, and at an early age made music a hobby. In 19-.11, this brilliant pianist, appearing with the Midnight Frolics at Fullers’, first met Alee Regan, another very popular member ot the company, and it was only then that the Frolics pianist was inspired with'the idea of turning his hobby to financial account. Stafford and Regan opened a double act, and earned their share of applause all over England. Later, they came to Australia, and played all tlie principal theatres tn the Eastern States and New Zealand, until eight months ago. The management of tlie Frolics valued their worth, and invited the couple to join the present -ompanv They accepted, and the result is that their numbers have added considerably to tlie popularity of the company. Both Stafford and Regan are composers of many melodies, and while “Statt” writes the music Alec provides the words, with happy results.

With the new season only fairly under way, Master Pictures have already practically one-third of their productions either completed or near completion, and a number of others are in preparation for early production. The progress being made is an improvement on any past season in the history of the company. Present indications are tiiat the twenty-six Warner Winners and the specials will all be completed well in advance of the dates originally set. The productions already completed are the road show attractions, John Barrymore ill “Don Juua,” and the adaptation from “Manon Leucaut,” and Syd. Chaplin in “The Better ’Ole”; “Across the Pacific,” starring Monte Blue; “Private Izzy Murpliv,” starring George Jessel; “My Official Wife,” starring Irene Ricdi and Conway Tearle; and “Millionaires,” with George Sydney, Louise Fazenda, Vera Gordon, Nat Carr, Helene ‘ Costello, and Walter Merill, directed by Herman Raymaker. The last-named picture was produced under the title of “Mama, Kiss Papa.’ The title was changed recently. It was suggested by the li. Phillips Oppenheim book, “The Inevitable Millionaires.” All Master Pictures. Four pictures are now in production. They are the Syd. Chaplin road show attraction, “The Missing Link,” the Rin-Tin-Tin starring vehicle, “While Lon don Sleeps,” the Dolores Costello starring vehicle, “The Third Degree,” and “Fingerprints,” starring Louise .Fazenda and John T. Murray. It is safe to say that no other play in the history of the stage has caused such widespread comment as Mr. Suttons Vane’s “Outward Bound.” After its premiere in London, which caused a veritable sensation, the Press and public spontaneously acclaimed it' as the most remarkable play of the century. A stampede set in for Everymans’ Theatre, where it was originally _ produced, and soon the manuscript was in the hands of the Continental translators. No fewer than eighteen special companies were playing “Outward Bound” at the one time in England, America, and the Continent within ten weeks of the London production. Here was a play that appealed to men and women who rarely visited theatres, dealing as it did with life after death. The editors of the different newspapers were being inundated with controversial letters on the play, such important personages as the Bishop of London, Sir Conan Doyle, Mrs. Besant, Sir Oliver Lodge, Israel Zangwill, Viscountess Grey, and others entering the lists, and oon the columns of the papers were teeming with opinions on the play. “The Weekly Despatch” opened and-de-voted a full page to the. subject, the correspondence being copyrighted by the publishers. “Outward Bound has been a long time in reaching New Zealand, but Mr. Joseph. Cunningham, who was associated wit lithe original production, has just finalised negotiations by cablegram for the Australian and New Zealand rights, and it will be produced for the first time at the Grand Opera House Wellington on February 8 by a carefully chosen company, under the direction of Messrs. White and Ed.ley.

The next E. J. Carroll attraction for New Zealand will be “I he Best People.” Mr. Carroll, who is now on the high seas returning to Australia with his “•The Ghost Train” Company, re-i-entlv cabled from London : “ ‘The Best I’eople’ is now the biggest comedy success of the vear, crowding the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, to capacity at every performance,’ This sparklin'/ comedy by Avery Hopwood, who incidental!v made a small fortune out of the New 'Cork ami San Francisco seasons alone, deals with the cataclysmic sensations suffered by the most exclusively aristocratic New York family on account of the romantic adventures of the son and daughter.of the house. The carefullv educated daughter falls in love with her father’s own chauffeur, and tiie son and heir succumbs to the spell of a beautiful Broadway show girl siren Wb.cn father and mother attempt a diplomatic intrigue of interference the situation develops along hilarious lines and the comedy’s in with a will.

John Barrymore has announced the complete supporting cast of his first starring vehicle for United Artists, lhe

Beloved Rogue,” based on the life and loves of Francois Villon, France’s 15th century beggar-poet and patriot. Barrymore plays Viilon himself, Alan Crosland directs the picture, which is halfcompleted at the Pickford-Fairbanks studio. Conray Veidt, the great German actor, who came to America at Barrymore's invitation, plays Louis XI; Marceline Day is leading lady in the role of Charlotte de Vauxcelles. Henry Victor lias .the “heavy” role in the triangular situation, tlie part of Thibault d’Aussigny. Mack Swain and Slim Summerville, as Barrymore’s boon companions, share the comedy honours. Otto Mattieson, Lucy Beaumont, Lawson Butt, Bertram Grassbv, Jane Winton, Rose Dione, Martha Franklin, Nigel de Brulicr, and Dick Sutherland complete the supporting cast.

Madge Bellamy has nearly finished her work in “Bertha, the Sewing Machine Girl,” the latest Fox production to be included on the current season’s schedule. Madge Bellamy has recently achieved her greatest success in “Summer Bachelors,” a modern talc of a modern girl—and men—by the author of “Flaming Youth,” and in “Bertha” she appears ns a machinist in a New York “sweat shop,” who subsequently becomes a lingerie model. Miss Bellamy states that “Bertha” is the type of role that she loves to depict, a real, honest-to-goodness girl of to-dav, with plenty of heart and longing for life.

Recognised as one of England’s foremost juvenile actors, Mr. Alex Regan, the vimful entertainer and light tenor with the Midnight Frolics, has played opposite Evelyn Lave in the original production of “Mary” in London. Prior io joining the “Frolics” he played the juvenile lead in “Mr. Battling Butler,” Hugh J. Ward’s successful musical comedy at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne. Apart from being a successful artist, Mr. Regan is also a clever writer of ten minutes sketches, some of which, having been seen in the programme of the Midnight Frolics, must rank him in a high class.

On April 30 at the Playhouse Theatre, Melbourne, Mr. Alexander Watson, the famous English platform celebrity, will commence his fifth and final tour of Australia and New Zealand, under the direction of E. J. Gravestock. No elocutionist maintains his popularity like Mr. Watson, and he is one of the few artists that can hold and entertain an audience throughout a whole evening. His repertoire is an extraordinary one, including, as it does, practically everything that is known in the world of English literature. Amongst his new programmes for his forthcoming tour are selections from Sir J. M. Barrie’s famous story “The Little Minister,” and Chatles Dickens’s own arrangement of Sykes and Nancy, being thrilling incidents from “Oliver Twist.’’ Ibis masterly condensation provides the reciter with some fine opportunities for powerful characterisations of the famous characters of Fagan, Sykes, Noah Claypole, etc. Shakespeare, Browning, Barrie, Dickens, and’ Kipling will figure largely in the famous reciter’s programmes, whilst many new works will also be given, including some bv Drinkwater, A. E. Housman, etc. Since his last visit to Australia, Mr. Watson has been continuously engaged on his tours throughout Great Britain, where large audiences, including the members of lecture societies, literary institutes, and bovs and girls of the big public schools, have keenly enjoved his discerning interpretations of great literature—selections made with that fine feeling he possesses for what is best and most appropriate for verbal presentation. It is not unusual for young people to leave Wellington in order to gain advanced instruction in one .or the other phases of music, but it is unusual for one to leave here for London with the deliberate intention of studying for the dramatic stage. It was more to honour Miss Molly Plimmer, who is leaving for England next montn, that the National Repertory Theatre Society has made such an early statt this year; a kind of well-wishing good-bye to this voting lady, who was so conspicuously successful in “A Bill ot Divorcement” that she set the whole town talking Now Mr. Leo De Chateau has fitted her with a wonderful role in Duke’s play, “The Man with a Load of Mischief,” a role :tt once attractive and difficult,'which will test to the full this voting lady’s powers. The new play, which is cleverly written, has a Georgian setting, and all takes place in a counti-v inn on the Brighton Road. Miss Plimmer is a cousin of Mr. Harry Plimmer, who has been associated with the American stage for the past ten years.

Babette Odeal, appearing in “Katja,” is 17 vears old, and made her first appearance at the London Hippodrome in a charitv matinee, where her singing of "Pack Up Your Troubles in Yovr Old Kit Bag” made it almost inevitable that J. C. Williamson would engage her at a large salary ten years later' No young English artist can be a prodigy with impunity. So soon as she conies to the front her life is made a burden bv pursuing theatrical agents, who endeavour to lure her from her privacy with magnificent contracts. The fact that Miss Odeal refused to publish her genius for seven eight years after her juvenile debut says much for her powers of resistance, but, as those who have seen her in “Katja” realise, she is an exceptional young woman.

Pictures portraying historical personages such as Abraham Lincoln, Disraeli, Michael Strogoff, and Livingstone, have' been produced with considerable success from an artistic and box office point of view, and producers are now turning their attentions to other historical subjects. United Artists will produce Benvenuto Cellini, when a substitute for the late Rudolph Valentino, who was to have played the part, lias been found. They will also release in New Zealand at an early date a film version of the life of Francois Villon, who lias been wonderfully portrayed by

John Barrymore. Another historical film that is. being looked forward to is the British film “Nelson,” to be released shortly in the Dominion by Fania’s Amusements. This fine picture depicts the great sailor as an intensely human individual, determined that Britain should maintain the supremacy of the seas.

“I have lived to see a big change in the stage Jew,” says Maurice Moscovitch, who is appearing here shortly in a series of plays, including “The Fake,” "Trilby”; “The Outsider” and "They Knew What They Wanted.” “Time was when he was always, from the Jewish point of view, offensively caricatured,” he continued. “But now such a stage type is rare. But if there be any cause for complaint, surely the stage 'Englishmen, Irishmen, Scotsmen and Americans have a grievance.” Frederick Lonsdale can write comedy as everyone who saw ‘Aren’t We All” and “Spring ’Cleaning,” can testify. Few people, however, suspected him of the ability of writing intensely dramatic situations till “The Fake” came to the Opollo Theatre, London, and held the world’s most critical playgoers spellbound for twelve months. Now Mr. Maurice Moscovitch is to present “The Fake” with all the power of a great master of his craft. Mr. Moscovitch is supported by a company, including Nat Madison, George Blunt, J. B. Athol wood, George Zucco, Leslie Donaghev, Alex Sarmen, Misses Ellen Pollock, 'Eileen Sparks, Margaret Murray, Kerry Kellie, and Kiore King.

Historical, quaint, and pastoral scenes in London and surrounding country form the backgrounds of the action in exterior sequences of “One Increasing Purpose,” which Fox Films are immortalising in a most ambitious treatment. The locales photographed by the Harry Beaumont Company during their recent visit to England, include Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, House of Parliament, Westminster Bridge and Abbey. Buckingham Palace, the Old Curiosity Shop, Ship Inn, Rotten Row, Shakespeare’s house at Strat-ford-on-Avon, town and cathedral of Canterbury, Oxford, Eton College, town and castle of Windsor, and punting on Sunday at Maidenhead. The picture is a faithful version of A. S. M. Hutchinson's widely-read novel, with such favourites as Lila Lee, Edmund Lowe, May Allison, Lilyan Tashman, Eva Novak, etc., in the leading roles.

Frederick Lonsdale, author of the new play “The Fake,” to be staged by Moscovitch, the actor genius, who with a J. C. Williamson dramatic company appears here shortly, is the dramatist of the hour. In “The Fake ” he goes beyond his previous manner—the light comedy manner of Mrs. Cheyney, and “Aren’t We All.” It provides a brilliant entertainment and teaches a lesson. This is the new Lonsdale. lie is much more in earnest than in his other plays. There is the same clearcut characterisation, the same crisp and arresting dialogue, but there is what most playgoers find even more desirable—a dramatic story with a strongly dramatic climax. One Svdnev critic said: “The play is admirably adapted to the Moscovitch company. It held the audience spellbound all the time, and the applause at the finish was tumultuous.”

The Hector St. Clair revue company finishes its very successful season at His Majesty’s 'Theatre on Thursday next, and those who have not yet realised what an excellent laughable comedy company is in their midst should immediately rectify their mistake in not seeing one of the most versatile and naturally funny comedians heading several brilliant artists in a series of revue productions that have provided more genuine laughter and appreciation than has been the case for some considerable time in the house of Fullers’. Not only is the revue well worth seeing, but for the past two weeks the vaudeville section has been exceptionally strong, and of a highly entertaining nature. Vaudeville artists, like the revue company, will conclude their season on December' 23. There will be no performance at His Majesty’s Theatre on December 21 and 25, and the Midnight Frolics’ “greatest show that has ever been to New Zealand,” vide the Auckland Press, will make its grand opening at a matinee on Boxing Day.