Films and the Stage.

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 120, 18 February 1928, Page 21

Films and the Stage.

Mr. Dave Meredith and his famous jazz orelicstia arrived from Sydney last week under engagement to the management ol the new Adelphi Cabaret. They will make their initial appearance at the grand teopening : 11 Thursday, March 1. Air. Meredith and his combination will introduce a new form of jazz music to New Zealand. “The days of blaring jazz are gone,” he says. “Leading orchestras

throughout the world have developed the symphonic air, and are making a greater study of rhythm.” “Aly boys,” lie continued, “will give music that will be subdued and light. The brass instruments will play into barrels in order to take away the blare. 1 think that dancing enthusiasts will welcome this change, for now they will get music, and not only just tempo.”

Violet La Plante, a sister of Laura La Plante, is just beginning a movie career that may jjossiby make her famous. She is Bob Curwood’s leading woman in lii.s next, picture.

Jean Athol, the stage name of a West Australian girl, is well to the front in “The Wrecker,” the IMeM Arnold Ridley thriller, in London. This play is being presented in London by E. J. Carroll, and Jean Athol has an important part. Zillah Bateman, the actress, is to be leading lady in films. She will appear in “Caught in the Net,” which will be directed hv Vaughan Marshall for the Advance Films Syndicate. Miss Bateman was in New Zealand with Joseph Cunningham. The Minneapolis Orchestra (U.S.A.) costs something to run. The sum of £35,000 per annum is guaranteed, principally bv the Minneapolis Civic and Commercial Association, for a jieriod of three vears Of this amount the salarv of the conductor, Mr. Henri Vcrbrugghen, who was in New Zealand wit lithe New South Wales State Orchestra, absorbs £OOOO per annum. Billie Burke, a fascinating musical comedy actress in London many years ago, and later a popular film star, has returned to the New Vofk stage, after a long absence, in a play entitled “The Marquise.” In private life Billie Burke is the wife of Flo Ziegfeld, the millionaire producer of the once celebrated Ziegfeld Follies, a Broadway show that has given many a beauty to Hollywood. Critics praise “Lumber Love,” which was first produced at Birmingham recently before a crowded and enthusiastic'audience. The “Birmingham Gazette’s” dramatic critic predicts that it will be a second “Rose Marie,” and pays a tribute to the charming music, in the revision of which Berte Adams and Miss Emmett Adams collaborated. The Londong “Evening News” says it is delightfully tuneful and extraordinarily vivacious.

In his recent American tour John McCormack was supported by the Australian musicians Lauri Kennedy (’cellist) and Dorothy Kennedy (Pianist). Gerard and Enid Adair, two London specialty dancers, will come to New Zealand with “Tip Toes,” a dancing musical comedy to open in Auckland on February 15.

During January Miss .Madge Mclntosh arrived in Sydney, mainly in order to enjoy a period of sustained sunshine, and thus incidentally miss England’s colourable imitation of an Arctic winter. This dramatic celebrity was last there in 1.112, when “The Blue Bird” was exquisitely staged with all the details of the Haymarket production down to the pigeons, which were carried on board with most of the original cast. Miss Mclntosh as Night, and Ernest Hendrie as Tvlo the Dog will be remembered (says the “Sydney Morning Hetald”). However, the main bodv of playgoers will recall even more vividly her earlier visit in 11)07, by reason of her triumphs as Fedora, Camille, and Kate Hardcastle tn strong casts, which included Messrs. Harcourt Beatty and Gaston Mervale Mr. Beatty played a heroic part throughout the full length of the Great War, Ins arm being saved only by an almost miraculous effort of skilful surgerv. The newly-returned visitor was in leading characters up to the time she sailed on her present visit. Her last role was in Noel Coward’s “The Queen Was in the Parlour” at the Brixton.

A well-known and experienced actress, Gertrude Esdaille, will shortly make her reappearance on the stage in Auckland. A series of tabloid plays is to be presented by Mr. Conroy Smithson. and Miss Esdaille will appear in them. She has a repertoire of success to her credit'and studied her profession under the late Charles Taylor, of the old Taylor-Carrington Company, with which she toured Australia before accepting an engagement with Alf Woods to play Madame Valerie in “Hands Across the Sea” and other parts. Miss Esdaille then met the late Ada Lee, sister of Jennie Lee, and the two became great friends. Many of the older generation of theatregoers will remember Miss Esdaille’s performance as Madame Vinard in “Trilby,” and as Lady Gertrude in “The Sorrows of Satan,” when she toured New Zealand with George Darrell’s Company. Later Miss Esdaille was associated with Miss Fitzmaurice Gil', in “Dr. Bill” and “East Lynne.” Ttt the last-named play she was engaged by Sanford’s American Players for a tour. Under the J. C. Williamson banner, Affss Esdaille plaved in “Daddv Longlegs” with Kathleen Macdonnell and Charles Waldron, and was afterwards associated with manv well-known managers, including the late d’Orsay Ogden, William Anderson, Charles. Verner. Kate Howard, and the late Stirling White.

The production annuallv of one film in Canada, Australia, India, and South Africa is part of the programme of the British and Dominions Film Corporation, a new company shortly being launched, with a capital of 41300.f)D0. The capital lias already been underwritten, and studios are being built at Harrow (states a cable to the Sydney “Sun”'. The stories produced in the Dominions will be written around the Dominion concerned. The comnanv will distribute Rs own fi'ms Ihe first prodiiction n-111 be entitled “Drake.” and will be illustrative of Britain’s strim"le for maritime sunremnev. Another Bini ii-Ul be Sir Hall Caine’s story, “The Bondman.”

Among the New Zealanders holding up their end on the English stage are Marie Nev. Cecil Haines. Shayle Gardner. Isabel Wl'ford, Robert Geddes, and Jack Kirby.

“Clown in Clover” is a highly successful revue at the Adelphi, London. “The best revue we have .seen for a long time,” states a London weekly. Jack Hulbert and Cecily Courtneidge »re two of the principals. Those who have been to London and visited the West End theatres will surely remember these clever people.

The Firm is likely to produce a Spanish melodrama, “The Squall.” A Sydney journalist states that "White Cargo” will be mild in comparison. The story of “The Squall” tells how the peace of mind of three women, a mother, her future daughter-in-law, and a servant, is temporarily banished by the infatuation of their respective husbands, present or to be, for the soulless gipsy girl who has gained a footing in the household.

Jobyna Ralston, who for many successful pictures was the heroine of Harold Lloyd, is playing the principal feminine role in the Universal production “The Count of Ten,” starring Charles Ray. The story is from the pen of the well-known sporting writer Gerald Beaumont, and deals with the boxing ring.

Al Wilson, a trick and stunt aviator, who stars in “The Air Patrol,” the Universal air film, is not only an exceptional flyer, but he lias also the distinction of being the first flyer to make a commercial flight from Los Angeles to San Francisco. He made the trip in 1919, under the auspices of aviation officials of both cities. His skill as an aviator is well displayed in “The Air Patrol.”

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s “Ben Hur” is to be screened again in Wellington at the King’s Theatre, commencing on the twenty-fourth of this month.

The role of Lady Violet in “Archie” is played by the charming Nellie Deane, well known to Dominion audiences, with whom she has been acclaimed a favourite. As Lady Violet, a widow who lias no illusions left about romance, she has a most suitable, as well as principal, part in “Archie.” “Archie” is to be presented by Sir Benjamin and John Fuller at His Majesty’s Theatre, Wellington, and is due here about Easter time.

“Private Izzy Murphy,” the Master picture now at the Empress Theatre, stars George Jessel, the “jazz singer” who won acclaim in New York last year. Featured with Jessel are Patsy Ruth Miller and Vera Gordon. “Private Izzy Murphy” is the story of Izzy Goldberg, a young delicatessen keeper of New York, and of his dealings with the Irish. For business reasons lie decides to change his name to “Murphy,” and goes overseas with an Irish regiment under that name. THe story does not burlesque racial traits, but is a- play with that “touch of nature” which “makes the whole world kin ”

Lew Cody and Aileen Pringle, who recently appeared in the comedy-drama “Adam and Evil.” will shortly be seen again in their second co-starring picture, for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, “Tea for Three,” in which Owen Moore is also featured. This picture will be screened at the King’s 'theatre.

“Mother Machree” is the next big picture which Fox Films will show here in March. As indicated by the title, the story revolves round the famous song of the same name. Belle Bennett plays the part of the Irish mother, with (Victor McLaglen and Ted McNamara (of “What Price Glory” fame) in character roles.

Mr. Brennan, heading the new revue company at His Majesty’s Theatre, is a New Zealander, and took to the stage at the age of twenty-one. Mr. Brennan’s first big achievement was as the “dame” in J.C. Williamson’s pantomime “The Forty Thieves,” and he was the first colonial to take this most difficult part. Since then lie has played many parts and in various countries, and now visits New Zealand again at the head of his own revue company.

The London Musical Comedy recordbieaking success, “Archie,” is to be the Fuller firm’s next offering in the line of light and bright entertainments. The musical score by Haydn Wood and Jack Waller, with the libretto as the joint work of George Arthurs and Worton David, was acclaimed by the critics of Sydney, throughout ‘‘Archie’s” recent season at the St. James’ heatre as “better than the best to date.” The musical play possesses a plot, built upon the efforts of a grouchy uncle to divorce his nephew (Archie) from his flighty wife. Miss Elsie Prince, who achieved such popularity with local theatre patrons last year, heads the feminine section of the cast in the role of the wife of “Archie.” With the exponent of the title role (Jack Morrison), she presents what is certain to prove the boom vocal duet number of the piece, “Cairo Moon,” in the presentation of which the duettists provide skits on the mannerisms and customs of Scotch, French, Cockney, Lancashire, American and Australian folk.

Marie Lohr played Mrs. Darling in “Peter Pan” at the Gaiety Theatre, London, this year. Her daughter, Jane Prinsep, also appeared in the play.

Robert Geddes, the young Aucklander, who is winning fame in London, was one of the guests at an “At Home” given recently by Anne Williams, the celebrated teacher of singing.

Jack Morrison, of the London Musical Comedy Co., to be seen in New Zealand shortly in “Archie,’ “Sunny,” and “Mercenary Mary,” is a comedian of rare ability. He began in the chorus. Soon he graduated as a small part man and played a long season in South Africa, where the company he was associated with produced 14 musical comedies. Returning to London he had a small part in “The Arcadians,” and later on tour played Simplicitas in that memorable success. At the London Alhambra, he appeared in a series of revues, and following 31 years active service in France played engagements at Wyndhams, the Garrick, Palace and Gaiety Theatres in musical comedy. He, also played a season in New York under the Shubert management. Other than musical comedy he has figured in drama at Drury Lane, and also in farce comedy, playing lead in “Tons of Money.” Mr. Morrison has a fine baritone voice, an impressive stage presence, that will quickly make him popular with New Zealand theatre-goers.

So enthusiastic are the New York dramatic critics, without exception, ovei “Coquette,” starring Helen Hayes, at Maxine Elliott’s Theatre (says a New York paper) that Miss Hayes is being proposed as the First Lady of the Theatre, and the drama as the outstanding candidate for (lie Pulitzer Prize as the most meritorious American play of the year. George Abbott, author and director of several big Broadway successes, and Ann Preston Bridgers collaborated in the writing of “Coquette.”

Lionel Barrymore, noted stage and screen star, will be seen as the leading character in “The Thirteenth Hour,” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s latest mystery drama, which is to be screened at the De Luxe Theatre. The story deals with modern detective problems presented in a new disguise. In addition to Barrymore, the cast includes Charles Delaney, Jacqueline Gadson, Fred Kelsey, Polly Moran, Bert Starkey, Malcolm Denny, Napoleon, the German police dog, and others of note. It was adapted for the screen by Edward T. Lowe, jun.

Gaston Mervale, having given a fair trial of Grand Guignol, in Sydney, is now of opinion that success can be assured by 7 giving the public nothing but thrillers, and is carrying out that idea of eliminating the comedies from the bill of fare. He intends presenting several new and startling "shockers” in the near future at the Majestic, Newtown.

Coming shortlv'fo the King’s Theatre is a new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer racing drama, “ In Old Kentucky.” James Murray, a new comer to the screen, has the principal role .with Helene Costello, and a large number of negro players in support".

Roy Russell, the new English juvenile who plays the important part of Rollo Metcalf in the dancing jnusical comedy, “Tip Toes” (which will be played throughout New Zealand by the specially selected J. C. Williamson Company), is making his first appearance in (.he Dominion. Mr. Russell, it is interesting to note, played opposite several of the London stars, and was a great favourite with London audiences. He played a pro opposite Josie Melville in “A Greek Slave,” and with Rowena Ronald taking the part of Prince Carol in “Castles in the Air.” He made quite a hit in Australia, and it was at first doubtful if he could be included in the company for the New Zealand tour, but the firm made certain readjustments so as to enable Mr. Russell to appear in New Zealand before he returned to England

Four Gilbert and Sullivan opera companies are continually on tour in Britain. The combination that delighted us a short time ago has now replaced the unsuccessful musical comedy “Queen High” in Melbourne. In a recent American production of “The Mikado,” the Mikado himself wore a monocle.

The eminent English actor, Matheson Lang, has signed a contract with Dr. Lion Feuchtwanger under which he has acquired the entire English-speaking rights of the German author’s famous novel, “Jew Suss,” Mr. Lang will create the title role in London and the provinces. “Jew Suss” is such a weird, sensual literary work that the stage adaptation is difficult of conception.

Arthur Adams, the New Zealander, who is claimed as on Australian novelist and playwright, has left Sydney for England with a number of his comedies, which he will try to place on the market. Mr. Adams’s last play, “Mrs. Pretty and the Premier,” was produced in London early in the wat. On the voyage to England Mr. Adams will act as secretary to Sir Owen Cox, the shipping magnate:

"Hats Off,” a typical Hal Roach fun film, will be shpwn at the De Luxe Theatre with the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture, “The Thirteenth Hour.” Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy are featured in the role of two bright young men, who, having failed at everything else, decide to become washing machine salesmen. They carry a “sample’ machine with them, and what happens to it, to them, and to the unfortunate people with whom they comes in con-’ tact, forms materia’ for one of the breeziest comedies ever made.

A play which in its second year of a Broadway season is free to the public. You may go to the box office, tell how many seats you want, secure the pasteboards, and pass right into the show.

Admirers of Tim McCoy, Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer’s Western film star, and William Fairbanks, Western star of his own productions, will have a chance to see both of these actors in “Spoilers of the West,” McCoy’s newest frontier film drama now showing at the Queen’s Theatre. McCoy has the stellar role of an American army officer, while Marjorie Daw is seen in the featured feminine role with Fairbanks in the villainous role of her brother.

“The provinces badly want repertory,” said a prominent English producer recently. “There is a widespread repertory movement. In place of half-baked touring companies murdering London plays, we may soon see West End successes being played .by local repertory companies. The twicenightlv system is on the wane, revue is dying out, and touring actors’ salaries should be raised.”

“Rose Marie” did an unusual thing in London. It broke a record of nearly 300 years’ standing at Drury Lane by being the first stage presents tion to run over a year at England’s accepted national theatre.

And it isn’t a bad play (says a correspondent of the “Film Weekly”), even though it has had a lot of kidding at the hands of the critics and the intelligentsia. It is “The Ladder.” Built upon the theme of reincarnation, it is the hobby of a millionaire oil man, who some time ago pledged that he would run the play until it had lost him a million dollars.

Joe Brennan’s Revue Company delighted a crowded house at His Majesty’s Theatre last Saturday, when the initial performance was staged. Outstanding leatures are the versatility of the chief comedian, Joe Brennan, who is responsible for an abundance of humour, the tenor voice of the operatic singer, George Correlli, and the dancing of a number of the principals and ballet. A complete and entirely new programme will be presented this afternoon at ; the matinee, and will be staged until Friday night next.

A sensational dancing feature is coming to New Zealand with the “Tip Toes” and “Queen High’ - musical comedy company which is to tour New Zealand under the auspices of that enterprising firm, J. C. Wiliamson, Ltd. this is the famous combination of Josephine Head, Albert Hugo, and Mdlle. Ramona, who are dancers of international fame, and come direct from the Folies Bergeres, Paris, where even there their dancing constituted one of the star acts among the best exponents from all parts of the world. The last appearance in Paris of this wonderful trio was in “La Folie de Jour,” which created a sensation. These famous artists have also appeared at Monte Carlo, London, the United States, and in almost every big city in the world, lhey are truly wonderful exponents of the dance, and they appear in acts never yet seen outside Paris, London, and New York.

Marjorie Daw, who recently appeared with the Duncan Sisters in “Topsy and Eva,” plays the leading feminine role in “Spoilers of the West,” Tim McCoy’s most recent melodrama which was filmed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and which is now showing at the Queen’s Theatre. Miss Daw plays the role of the owner of a fur trading post built on land allotted the Indians, while Tim McCoy has the role of the cavalry officer charged with evacuating the whites from the Indian reserves Williamson’s experienced bad luck with two star actresses last year —Margaret Laurence and Judith Anderson. Unsuccessful opening pieces seem to explain both failures. It took £4OO a week to induce Miss Anderson to visit her native country, and her “Cobra” was not a success; neither were “Tea for Three” and “The Green Hat.” Margaret Laurence—a remarkably clever lady from all accounts—had wished on her “The Road to Rome,, which went off into mere smart talkincss after the first act. Miss Laurence later appeared in “Rain,” a play that was very disastrous a few years ago for the English actress, Barbara Hoffe. The withdrawal of Noel Coward’s “Sirocco” after twentv-nine performances at Delany’s, London, establishes the record shortest run for that theatre, which for years lias been the home of light opera. “Sirocco” was another Noel Coward play with another adulteress heroine. The first night audience booed and hissed all through the production. At the final curtain there was quite an unusual scene. Coward is the author of “Fallen Angels,” “The Vortex,” “The Queen was in Her Parlour,” “Home Chat,” etc. In a wav he was a kind of a Brewster, only that his money, instead of coming back ten-fold, has just oozed away, and awav, until the loss to-day stands at 750,000 dollars. The play has had four shifts of theatres.

Although the New Zealand cast of “Tip Toes,” and “Queen High” has not been decided upon, with the exception of Elizabeth Morgan, Gus Bluet, and R. Barrett-Lennard, the following may come over Cecil Kelleway, Roy Russell, Leyland Hodgson, Thelma Burness, Jessica Newcombe, and Billy Lockwood.

“The Swordsman,” an adaptation of Dumas’s novel, “The Three Musketeers,” is now in rehearsal for production in the provinces prior to going to London. A New York friend writes that Robert Chisolm, Australian baritone, in one of the featured roles of Arthur Hammerstein’s production, “The Golden Dawn,” in New York, has scored a ■ triumph, positively stopping ' the show with a marvellous rendering of “When I Cr mt* Mr Whin ”

Bcbe Daniells has a hero role, that of an Arabian girl in “She’s a Shiek,” which is at the Regent Theatre this week. She refuses to marry the man of her grandfather’s choice, and earns the enmity of his tribe. She saves the life of two kinematographers, who become her slaves and obey Ker slightest wish. She falls in love with an. Englishman, and kidnaps him, causing a revolution. Quite a few of the screen stars these davs, it seems, are being called from the stage, notablv John Barrymore, Jeanne Eagles, Ronald Colman, Dolores, and Helene Costello, and many others, but quite the latest is vivacious little Lupe Velez, a little Mexican girl, who was taken straight from the stage in .Los Angeles, where she was appearing in. a revue, to apear in the star role with Douglas Fairbanks in “The Gaucho.”

A notable cast is featured in “Paid to Love,” a comedy-drama based on unusual situations, which Fox Films are showing at the De Luxe Theatre this week. George O’Brien is cast as the young prince who takes no interest in women, until Gaby, a lovely Apache girl, is brought to the kingdom to awaken him. The dancer i» admirably played by Virginia Valli.

“East Side, West Side” is a picture to be shown here next week by Fox Films. Dealing as it does with New York life, from the Ghetto to Fifth Avenue, the story has a significant interest for all who are striving for a definite goal in life. Jimmy Breen, an orphan boy, brought up by a Jewish family, dreams that he will bring New York to his feet, by reason of his boxing ability. He is helped by Becka, the girl he loves, but who voluntarily gives him up rather than keep him from his ambition

Ben Lyon, the First National star, has a new role in “For the Love of Mike,”which is to be shown at the Paramount this week. Lyon portrays a tough East Side boy brought up by three fosterfathers, ' who eventually send him to college. The transition of the gutterkid, to the polished captain of the Yale crew, and the conflict of his affections between his childhood sweetheart, a little Italian girl, and a girl whom he meets on Fifth Avenue., forms the main theme of this entertaining photoplay. The three old guardians, one a German, one a Jew, and the other an Irishman, provide a feast of humour. When he has finished with “Rose Marie,” Frederic Bentley will probably, return to the vaudeville stage for a time. While playing in London musical comedy Bentley frequently did this between productions.