Films and the Stage.

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 126, 25 February 1928, Page 23

Films and the Stage.

Those who revelled in. the stage play of “The Last of Mrs. Cheney,” presented here last year, will be interested to know that Gloria Swanson .Will appear in the picture version of the story.

The story of “A Gentleman of Paris,” with Adolphe Menjou in the leading role, and which is at the Regent Theatre this week, revolves about a rich Marquise who possesses a perfect valet and a young fiancee whom he hopes to marry. The comedy for the most part explains his innumerable amours with Parisian devotees. He strives to make them all happy, and still avoids suspicion. Chief among them is the wife of the valet. Here complications set in, with a plan of revenge on the part of the valet.

The Archduke Leopold of Austria became an ex officio technical adviser during, the making of “Surrender,” the Universal-Jewel. The locale of the picture is a Galician town on the Russian border, part of the former Austrian Empire. The story takes place in 1914, and the Archduke, happening to be a Californian visitor during the production of “Surrender,” was invited to Universal City to witness the picture in the making. He gave valuable technical suggestions concerning the atmosphere of the town.

"Millionaires,” with George Sidney and Louise Fazenda in the leading role, is showing at the Empress Theatre this week. The story, suggested by the E. I-'hillipps Oppenheim novel "The Inevitable Millionaires.” tells the amusing tale of an East Side tailor’s adventures, with his family, in the rarified atmosphere of Fifth Avenue, when they become millionaires overnight.

While in the south last week Messrs. E. J. Tait and Bert Royle examined the Theatre Royal in Christchurch, and also had several interesting consultations dealing with the rebuilding of that theatre. Included in the scheme of contemplated improvements is the renovating and modernising of His Majesty’s Theatre, Auckland. To the Grand Opera House at Wellington several important improvements have of late been effected.

Rod La Rocque has the role of the swashbuckling braggart brigadier of Conan Doyle’s novel “The Exploits of Brigadier Gerard,” which is showing at the Theatre Paramount this week. The various adventures of Doyle’s famous character are very thrilling, and enacted in that time of excitement and action —the Napoleonic period—are full of colpur and vividness.

Dolores Costello is to appear in light comedy in the film version of George Ade's “The College Widow.”

Pola Negri is the star of “Barbed Wire,” which is coming to the Regent Theatre next week. This is a story of the back eddies of the war, a tale of the German concentration camps. Moa is a daughter of a French farmer, who has an internee camp near the farm. She falls in love with one of them, and is hated by the French villagers for it. However, with the signing of the armistice everything is cleared for a happy ending.

The Auckland season of “Tip Toes” and “Queen High,” the two musical Williamson-Tait comedies, opened on February 15, and will extend to Saturday, February 25, when the company will depart on a provincial tour of the North Island, which includes visits to Hamilton on February 27; Wanganui, February 29 and March 1; Hawera, March 2; New Plymouth, March 3 and 5; Palmerston North, March 6 and 7; Hastings, March 8 and 9; Napier, March 10 and 12; Masterton, March 13, after which the • Wellington season will commence on March 14, and extend to March 27.

Irene Rich’s latest Master picture starring role is in “The Desert Woman.”

The Gayle Wyer Company, which recently concluded a season at His Majesty’s Theatre, Wellington, started out on a provincial tour of New Zealand last Saturday, commencing at Martinborough. This week Greytown, Masterton, Dannevirke, and Napier have been played, to-night being the second night in the latter town. The following are date announcements for the next two weeks:—Hastings, February 27 and 28; Wairoa, 29; Gisborne, March 1,2, and 3; return visit Wairoa, 5; return Napier, 6; Waipukurau, 7; Palmerston North, 8,9, and 10.

All the thrills associated with horse racing, “the sport of Kings,” are to be found in “In Old Kentucky,” a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer special attraction to be screened at the King’s Theatre, with James Murray in the leading role. This unusual picture has for its theme the war’s effect through bad companionship on a youth of Kentucky, and the subsequent trouble and heart-breaks he occasions his family, and bis sweetheart, is very humanly portrayed. Helene Costello is the leading lady.

The dashing, romantic role of Prince Danilo in the film version of the famous stage play “The Merry Widow” is played by John Gilbert, who is at the present time one of the most popular male stars appearing in pictures. Mae Murray has the 'title role of the “Widow” in this film, which will be released at the De Luxe Theatre shortly, where also will be seen “Napoleon,” a new dog star, in “The Thirteenth Hour.”

A feature of the “Archie” production, coming to New Zealand shortly under the direction of Sir Benjamin and John Fuller, is said to be the attractive ballets, for which Mr. Royston McDonnell is due for congratulation. The parasol number is a particularly effective and beautiful item, the exits, first as a pyramid and then as a car, being delightfully executed. “Put on the Ritz,” “I Know All About Girls,” and “My Idea of Heaven,” are also triumphs of the chorus.

“Very Confidential,” Fox Films’ attraction at the De Luxe Theatre this week, is a delightful comedy. The story concerns Patricia, a salesgirl in a sporting goods store, who falls in love with the photograph of a famous athlete. When he visits the store the hero doesn’t even notice the lovelorn Pat, and she determines to meet and win him, no matter to what lengths she has to go. She puts a scheme before her emploj'ers, whereby she is to endeavour to sell a big shipment of sporting goods at a fashionable resort, and there meet her hero. She poses as Adelaide Melbourne, a celebrated sportswoman, and impresses everyone that her visit there is “very confidential,” and, of course, becomes the most discussed and popular visitor at the fashionable hotel. The wealthy young athlete falls victim to her charms very quickly, and, through rivalry, Pat’s claims are put to a gruelling test.

Fox Films have purchased the musical success, “Blossom Time,” to bring to the screen. This production will be made in conjunction with the FoxCase Movietone, the sound-and-move-ment film, which has proved the most successful of all “talking’ pictures. It is intended that Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell, the young stars of “Seventh Heaven," will be co-featured in “Blossom Time ”

Beppy Devries, James Liddy, and Frank Webster, who play the leading roles in the light comic operas, “The Student Prince” and “Madame Pompadour,” together with a specially selected company, should be over here very shortly. Maurice Moscovitch, with “The Ringer” and “The Terror,” two of Edgar Wallace’s thrilling plavs of mystery and drama, is also scheduled for New Zealand at an early date, and later on. those world-famous artists, Dion Boucicault and Irene Vanbrugh, will appear in some of their London successes. It is almost certain that Somerset Maugham’s “The Letter” will be the first play to be staged. Miss Annie Croft, an English artist of renown, who has scored a wonderful success in “The Girl Friend,” may also come over to New Zealand before the end of the year.

Who does not know George Willoughby ? The droll comedian who will make his reappearance in New Zealand in “Archie,” the new musical comedy to be presented by Sir Benjamin and John Fuller. As Sir Michael Cunningham, the rich old uncle who is desirous of separating his nephew Archie from bis gay and irresponsible wife Billie, he adds another triumph to his long list of successes.

An interesting member of the cast of “A Cuckoo in the Nest” at the King’s Theatre, Melbourne, is Jane Comfort, who has been called “the girl with a monocle.” For some time she was associated with Renee Kelly in London, and when that popular star was playing “Daddy Long Legs” Miss Comfort was her understudy. During the absence of Miss Kelly owing to an illness, Miss Comfort played the part and won fine eulogies from the London critics.

Elinor Glyn, the novelist, has been appearing in vaudeville in New York at a salary of £5OO a week.

The principal boy of “Aladdin” is Jennie Hartley, who was very popular here some years ago.

A London paper says: A captivating Princess Badroulbadour has been found in Miss Maude Fane, who is dainty and pleasing in all her work. Her songs include “You Like Me Like I Like You,” “Weddijig Bells in China,” “Whv Am I Blue?” and “Dreams,” in the last-named of which she is aided bv several pretty girls blowing soap bubbles. — A new and delightful form of entertainment which has caught on in England and America, is that presented by Ruth Draper in London, and Cornelii Otis Skinner in New York. Both arc great artists, and their offerings are the delineation of feminine types. Alone, on an empty stage they present little dramas of life end love and tragedy until the barren stage is no longer barren, and the performer is no longer alone. Miss Skinner is a daughter of Otis Skinner, one of America's most famous actors, a charming personality, and a great entertainer. Whilst Miss Skinner is attracting crowded houses in New York, Miss Draper is doing likewise in London. Their sketches are all original, and creations from their own pens

Early next year Lady Macbeth will be seen in London in modern clothes, played as if Shakespeare had created her as a vamp for Hollywood, in Sir Barry Jackson’s repertory season at the Court Theatre. It will be remembered that Sir Barry Jackson produced, at the Kingsway Theatre, “Hamlet” in modern dress, in which the Prince wore plus fours. Air. Bland, of the Birmingham Repertory Company, told a “Dailv Chronicle” representative that it had not yet been decided who was to play Lady Macbeth. “The season will consist of a series of five plavs,” he said. “Each will run for exactly four weeks, whether it is a success or a failure. ‘Mr Prohack’ will be transferred elsewhere, and we shall open with ‘The Adding Machine,’ by Elmer Rice, in a futurist setting. This will be followed by ‘Macbeth,’ Shaw’s ‘Back to Methuselah,’ Tennyson’s poetic drama ‘Harold,’ and finally ‘The Taming of the Shrew,’ also in modern dress. ‘Hamlet’ in modern dress ran for 11 weeks. Some weeks ago Sir Barrv’s producer. Mr H. K. Ayliff, gave ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ in modern dress in America, and it was very successful.” Sir Barry laekson believes that Ladv Macbeth should be interpreted as a little restless woman, with the nature of a viper, ever ready to urge on her husband tn difficult or evil deeds. One of the most recent Ladv Macbeths in London was that of Miss Sybil Thorndike, who looked tall and haggard in the part. It is undet-'nod that a little woman will be given the part in Sir Barrv Jackson’s production. How Macbeth will be dressed is not stated, but doubtless he will be able to appear in a kilt of not too barbaric a . cut}

No more popular musical comedy lead has appeared in Australia and New Zealand than Maude Fane, and there was much regret when she left for England last year to “retire to her farm in Surrey.”

Playing in a matinee of the thrilling drama, with a strong love interest, “The Nine Forty-five,” Miss Muriel MartinHarvey, daughter of the famous English actor, Sir John Martin-Harvey, was handcuffed in the second act. The key fell out of an a'ctor’s pocket, and was lost, and she could not be released. An understudy, therefore, played her wt for the rest of the play, while Miss Martin-Harvey was eventually released by a locksmith.

From opera to drama and back again is* unusual nowadays, though Bryl Walk ley and Marie Burke have done it very well (says an Australian paper). In the old days Alice Lingard and Maggie Moore changed from the dramatic to the lyric stage with facility. Nellie Stewart as a youngster played small roles in drama, and then traded in comic-opera and panto, for twenty years before she seriously took up drama for good. Ditto Marie Tempest, Genevieve Ward and others. Mrs. Brough in 1885 gladly dropped opera for the spoken drama. Big salaries offering in London seem to be having their effect in Hollywood (writes the London correspondent of “Everyone’s,” Sydney). The announcement that the British director, Alfred Hitchcock had been placed under contract at £17,(W0 a year, has, according to reports from U.S.A, made many front-rank performers and technicians look on London with renewed interest. Edmund Goulding whost contract with M.-G.-M. has expired, is returning to Emgland—for a holiday only, he states ; but Goulding is a Britisher through and through, and his ambitions are to produce at home. It will be remembered that six years ago he approached the Australian Government with a proposition to make pictures in the Commonwealth for wo-ld-distribution as an aid to trade and immigration, but was turned down. Ronald Colman, Clive Brook, Victor McLaglen. and other Englishmen engaged in holiday express themselves constantly as wanting to come back, but are prevented bv long contracts. 1928 will see many of the stars working in the British studios. Incidentally in America at present the English director, Tom Terriss, who has been in the States for many years, is making a picture with an all-British cast for 1'.8.0. The pinvers came from Canada, England and Australia.

In one particular the drama of to-day resembles that of the middle ages. Our playwrights, like the monks who wrote the miracle plays, often try to stage heaven and hell, says a London critic. The results of their efforts are rather disconcerting., 'Hie medieval authors set out to make hell's mouth seem so terrible a place that their audiences would be warned against evil-doing. In actual practice, however, Satan and Beelzebub showed such a tendency toward knock-about humour that nobody could be frightened of their company That paradoxical idea has lasted almost to the present dav. Hell is still spoken of as a place of flaming torments by people who, in the next breath, will mention it as a resort of good fellows. Thus Bernard Shaw was moved to render this apparent contradiction logical, by picturing hell as a place for those who suffer from romantic illusions. It is “the home of the unreal and the seekers for happiness.”- «

A unique first night was the recent screening in the small township of Murgon (Queensland) of the Australian film, “The Romance of Runnibede,” at a date coinciding with its release in Brisbane (says the Sydney "Bulletin”). The Murgon first night was for aboriginals only, and the School of Arts was filled with 500 duskv members of the neighbouring Baranbah abo. settlement, where most of the film was made. The exuberance of the abos. as they recognised themselves on the screen was wild and loud. The outstanding actor in the film is Dunstan Webb, as an abo. medicine man. The obvious unreality of the picture’s theme may militate against its Australian success, but it should fare well enough overseas.

A London journal has been running a symposium on cinema “howlers” (says an Australian paper). One is the living of the Union Jack at a time when that banner did not exist—that was in “Captain Blood.” In the “Sea Hawk” the heroine is escorted by a Borzoi wolfhound. The Russian tyke was not known in the West till centuries later. In “Tlie Sea Beast” Barrymore gives his sweetheart a puppy. Long after, when he returns as an old man, the Methusalhound is on deck to welcome him home. An Australian example is the appearance of Maurice Frere in “The Term of His Natural Life” wearing the mess dress of a British officer, a rig that was not sanctioned bv “Dress Regs” until long ago the passing of the “system.” Less excusable is the saluting of the Admiral on his quarter deck in “The Flag Lieutenant” bv the capless lieutenant hero. And many naval officers and men took part in the screening of this film, including this particular scene 1

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s epic “Ben Hur” is now playing a return season in Wellington at the King's Theatre, where it is being screened with the atmospheric prologue and special musical score.

Minnie Everett, ballet mistress for J. C. Williamson, has returned from a four months’ trip on behalf of the firm. She has been studying the latest methods in ballet dancing (says an Australian exchange). Some of the leading schools would not allow professional dancers to take lessons, so Miss Everett joined the classes incognito. Maggie Dickinson, the young Australian dancer, who has done so well in London, went with her. Both were amused when the instructor told them they showed a good deal of promise. One teacher told Miss Everett that she would have done still better if she had been trained, but for an amateur she shaped well. While abroad Miss Everett met Madge Elliott, Rita Nugent, Cyril Richard, and John Brownlee. Lovers of Madge Elliott’s and Cyril Richard’s graceful dancing will be pleased to hear that they have both been extremely successful on the London stage. There is some talk of them bringing out their own company to Australia next year.

It seems that America is not to have all the profits from the film industry after all, for recently a reciprocal agreement was signed between the Gaumont British Film Corporation and the U.F.A. Film Company, that great German combine which has produced some of the finest pictures of the last two years. This agreement has been accepted bv the British Press as “a move to defeat United States competition.” According to Colonel Bromhead, chairman of the company, American combines have been seeking a monopoly on the German market. From April of this year, though, the British organisation will distribute the ILF.A. films in the British market, and the German company will carry out a like service for products of the Old Country. Arrangements have been made between the two companies for the exchange of artists and directors to their joint advantage. “The new agreement,” says the “Sunday Times,” “which is in any wav a financial amalgamation, actually makes the two companies the most powerful in the world.”

Among the problems with which the French National Theatre, Comedie Francaise, finds itself beset are tlie recent departure of several of its finest members and the immediate demands for higher pay by the remaining troupe (writes the Paris correspondent of the “New York Tribune”). The institution owes its origin to Moliere who, two hundred and fifty years ago, managed to gain the favour of “King Sun,” as Louis XIV. of France was nicknamed for his magnificence. Since that far day the theatre has weathered many storms, not the least being the French Revolution, out of which it emerged greatly shattered. It was reorganised by Napoleon Bonaparte, who granted a special decree now famous as the Decree of Moscow, which he sent from headquarters while on the disastrous Russian campaign. This decree er Napoleon has been invoked several times of late as unruly members of the company have attempted to elude the terms of their contiacts. Members of the company are forbidden to appear outside the National Theatre unless permission is given, and consent is never withheld when ciriciunstances permit. The present trouble is due to a number of the leading members of the company claiming that they are underpaid, £BOO a year being the highest income earned by the principal aiti'sts. Salaries, however, are considerably augmented by State players being permitted, at intervals, to accept l foreign engagements. - 1

“The Thirteenth Juror,” a Universal-Jewel production co-featuring Anna Q. Nilsson and Francis X. Bushman, was adapted from the Henry Irving Dodge stage success, "Counsel for the Defence.”

George Gee, well known in New Zealand for his brilliant comedy work in many musical plays, is in London now playing in “The Girl Friend,” and critics say that he is one of the funniest comedians ever seen on the London stage. He was first engaged as the principal comedian of another show, but was on the stage for only about sixty seconds. All he had to do was to amble from one side to the other leading a bull terrier on a leash. He did not speak a word. The manager said, “Gee’s no good. That’s all I can trust him with.” Yet George Gee might have saved the show, which was “White Birds,” another of the many London failures last year. To-day the man whom Lew Leslie despised is the hit of “The Girl Friend.” New Zealanders will say “Good luck” to Gee.

Georges Carpentier and his new partner, Anna Ludmilla, formerly premiere danseuse of the Chicago Civic Opera Company, started their season in a song and dance turn on November 18 at Nice after which they were to dance at Marseilles, Paris, and Barcelona.

The best-lover sentimental ballad of the last twenty years, “Mother Machree,” inspired Rida Johnson Young to write a story about her. Fox Films have adapted it for the screen. “Mother Machree” will be released at the De Luxe Theatre on March 16. John. Ford, maker of “The Iron Horse” and other notable successes, made the film, and is said to have used all his Irish imagination in making “Mother Machree” a fine picture. Belle Bennett has the title role. Victor McLaglen and Ted McNamara, who will be remembered for their work in the big film, “What Price Glory,” appear in character roles Neil Hamilton and Constance Howard play the young lovers, while Phillippe de’Lacey and Joyce Wirard are these voting people as children. Scenes were taken in Dublin, as well as in the West Coast, and rural Ireland supplied them with some of the most beautiful spots conceivable. Abbeys and ancient castles, quaint rustic nooks, rivers, the sea, and waterfalls of entrancing beauty were recorded for the screen by the photographers, while the Irish peasants themselves, although totally ignorant of motion picture procedure, helped the company’ to accomplish great things.

Owen McGiveney, the English protean artist, has been engaged lor one exclusive week at the Regent 'theatre, commencing Friday next, March 2. He will present “Hill Sikes,” a quick dramatic episode from Dickens, and will play every character—Sikes, Fagin, The Artful Dodger, Monks, and Nancy—himself. To quote an Auckland review, “the art of quick change has been mastered by Mr. McGiveney to such an extent that his appearances in the different costumes of the respective characters in the sketch were positively bewildering.”

It is getting on for 20 years since Air. Arnold Bennett and Air. Edward Knoblock (the author of “Kismet"’) collaborated in “Alilestones.” this original play had the success it deserved. During the last few years they joined hands again in. “London Life,” a sort

ol gloiified Drury Lane melodrama, which in quality was far below “Alilestones.” Now they have made another venture with “Air. Prohack,” a comedy in three acts, which Chatto and Windus publish. Air. I rohack is a Treasury official who comes into money at the right time and makes more. Two such practised playwrights could hardly be really dull—at least not uniformly so—and there is some amusing social comedy in this story of London life. However, it is pretty average stuff, and one is strengthened in the opinion that Air. Bennett, who is an author of distinction, lias but moderately developed powers of self-criticism or perhaps he is frankly cut for another popular success.

Is Sunday theatre-going increasing? Jitdgin" from the events of last night when no fewer than four theatrical entertainments were presented in West End theatres—there seems to be an increasing number of people who like to spend their Sunday evenings watching plavs (savs a London paper). In addition to the Sitwells’ play at the Arts Theatre, Great Newport Street, and the Green Room Club Rag at the Globe, there were plavs at the Strand and Roval Court Theatres. A movement is on'foot to revive the Phoenix Society, which collapsed about 18 months ago after the revival—generally on Sunday evenings—of many'Elizabethan and Reformation plays; and a new Sunday afternoon play-producing society ,is shortly coming into being at the “Q” Theatre, Kew Bridge. The fact that nlavs mav be frequently seen at these “nrivate” Siindav night performances which would not be licensed for public presentation on week davs lends an added attraction to many. Monev mav not be taken at the doors of a theatre on S.undav evenings, but it is a sininle matter for aiivone to become a member of most of the Sundav producing societies and thus to attend performances.

“Odds On,” a typical racing drama of Australian flavour, will give Phyllis Gibbs her first opportunity. She won the First National screen star test in Svduev, went to Holvwood, and returned without having given any indication of her work in the movie colony.

Mr. S. S. Crick, Australian and New Zealand managing director lor the Fox Film Corporation, arrived in Auckland this week. Air. Crick will come to Wellington next week, where he will probably stay for the following fortnight.

When in Australia, the French tennis stars will come under the eyes ol the movie cameras, for arrangements have been made to “shoot” the chain pions in action, with a view to placing the scenes before the world’s movie patrons per medium of the pictorial gazette. The popular Miss bane must Have got tired of the farm, for she is appearing as principal girl in the pantomime “Aladdin” at Newcastle