Films and the Stage.

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 189, 12 May 1928, Page 23

Films and the Stage.

Two visits to New York to settle a dispute with Florence Ziegfield, the American manager, cost George Grossmith, the actor-author, over £l2OO, The dispute arose over the recent production in the United States of “The Three Musketeers” in musical version. Grossmith and I'. G. Wodehouse wrote this musical play, but it was contended that while Wodehouse's lyrics were made use of, Grossmith’s book had been dropped. Legal action is expected to result.

Mr. Frederick Blackman, the noted producer, who has been doing such fine work in “Madame Pompadour” for J. C. Williamson, Ltd., is from Daly’s Theatre, London, where he was engaged for nearly a quarter of a century. One of Mr. Blackman’s tasks was to understudy the famous Haydn Coffin. Lily Elsie, the original “Merry Widow,” was one of the many great stars who passed through his hands when he was stage director and producer for George Edwardes, and Gertie Miller (now Lady Ludley) was another.

After a week in the leading comedyrole of “Take the Air,” the musical comedy at the Sydney Empire, Mamie Soutter by mutual consent terminated her engagement. Miss Soutter, states a correspondent, was by no means a bad artist, but there was nothing in the part to justify a £5O per week salary and two fares (her husband's included) to and from London. Violet Elliott, the fat girl, has stepped into her role. The husband, Jack Swinburn, was the weakest man in the show; but he had a part of no consequence.

Curiously enough (says a New York paper), there are two countries which boast of more movie theatres per capita than the United States. 'While the United States has only one theatre for every 5,500 inhabitants, Australia and New Zealand have one theatre for every 4000. The motion picture has certainly established itself as an important part in the lives of our brothers in Australasia. The United States boasts of one motion picture theatre for every 5500 citizens; Great Britain has one for every 11,000; France and Italy one for every 14,000; Argentina one for every 12,000 and Brazil one for every 30,000.

The Nordisk Company of Denmark, which in 1914 produced the finest quality pictures in the world, but which since has dropped out of sight, except on the Continent, has come strongly into the spotlight through a deal with the Wembley Film Syndicate, says the London correspondent of “Everyone’s.” It is proposed by Nordisk to follow up a recent decision to produce in England, and a studio will be established at Wembley Exhibition grounds, which for nearly a year have been boosted as an excellent manufacturing centre. The capital of the new company will be £850,000.

At the time of his death, in January, Vincente Blasco Ibanez, the famous Spanish writer and author of “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse,” was planning other stories for the moving pictures, including one entitled “The Fifth Horseman.”

A wonderful success has been made in Sydney by Annie Croft, the London musical comedy star, in “The Girl Friend,” and New Zealand will see this clever girl and company shortly. With Annie Croft are Reginald Sharland, another London musical comedy favourite; Lorna Helms, recently returned from London; Leo Franklyn. Gus Bluett, Marie La Varre, Rowena Ronald, Rosie Le Varde, Harry Wotton, Winnie Tate and. others.

In Sydney “Norma” proved an outstanding favourite among the extensive repertoire of operas presented by the Fuller-Gonsalez Grand Italian Opera Company. It is nearly two score years since ‘'Norma”, was last performed in Sydney, and the old_ melodies, such as the march, revived memories of the past.

‘‘The Gaucho,” played by Douglas Fairbanks, is to be the attraction at the Strand Theatre on May IS. “The Gaucho” is an outlaw who by his daring gains control of a city until ousted by a beggar, who infects him with a disease. He hides away, but is found by a girl “miracle worker,” who cures him and takes him back to the town. There he is captured by his enemy and is rescued by the girl he loves, and With whom he rides to freedom.

Mr. and Mrs. David Lyle recently held re-union of members of the old “Dandies” and “English Pierrotts” companies, at Perth. A number of the members of there companies are settled in West Australia, while some are at present visiting Perth.

Fine Art Slotion Picture Co., Ltd., an organisation capitalised at 80,000,000 dollars (£16,000,000), which includes the former Metro concern and United Artists, with headquarters at Hollywood and branches in London, Venice and Nice, is about to invade the Australian film-producing world. Already one of its dramatic directors, Albert O. Bradshaw has been in Melbourne for a week (says an Australian exchange), to start a train'of arrangemnts for making three pictures, of which one at least will be made in land around Melbourne. Each picture .will entail an expenditure in Australia of between £lO,OOO and £15,000, and productions will be started within six .weeks. It is rumoured that Victor Seastrom; famous American producer Is in Australia in connection with the Undertaking. . \ '

Mary Carr, who is world-renowned for her portrayal of “mother roles” in motion pictures, has to add the prefix “grand” to the type of part she is now playing. In “On Your Toes,” the Universal production starring Reginald Dennys. Miss Carr plays the part of Denny’s grandmother, Barbara Worth is also in the cast.

William Huighan, the world-famed actor-singer who visited New Zealand in 1025'left London in January on another world tour. His itinerary includes a comprehensive tour of the whole Dominion.

“The Circus,” with Charlie Chaplin, is showing a second week in Wellington, as it has been transferred to the King’s Theatre. In this picture Charlie plays the part of a meek and selfeffacing circus hand, who is bullied by all but the circus owner’s daughter. He falls in love with this girl, but she has lost her heart to a handsome young actor, and there is nothing left for Charlie to do but help her with her romance.

Theatres similar in design to the new Capitol in Sydney will be built in every State by Union Theatres, Ltd. The Sydney Capitol is the first really asmospherie theatre constructed in Australia. There are only two theatres in the United States where a similar principle has been introduced. The public now sits at the Sydney Capitol Theatre in a Florentine courtyard, encircled by huge pedestals carrying reproductions of world-famous statuarythrown into relief by decorative cypress trees leading to a large palace front with a balcony. Above is an evening sky, with stars twinkling, and clouds wafting softly. The theatre, which seats 2600 people, was built by Union Theatres, Ltd., under the personal superintendence of Stuart F. Doyle, one of the managing directors.

Miss Gladys Moncrieff’s husband, Tom Moore, will not be in “Dio Rita” in Sydney. He is acting as her manager nowadays.

George Fawcett, one of the pioneers of the screen, and previously an actor of the legitimate stage, was known throughout the world for his work in Shakespearean drama. He has a powerful role in the dramatic picture “Flesh and the Devil,” now showing at the De Luxe Theatre. As Pastor Voss, he preaches a sermon overwhelmingly dramatic and forceful in an attempt to avert a scandal that is developing under his eyes. John Gilbert, Greta Garbo, and Lars Hanson have the principal roles in this drama.

What has become of Constance Talmadge? A few months ago Constance signed a contract with United Artists, but oddly enough, the powers iu charge seem to be singularly indifferent to the lady’s future (says an American magazine). She hasn’t worked,, for months, and there seems to be no mad rush to put her back on the screen. And there’s no denying that other younger and fresher comediennes have cut into Connie’s position. As sister of Norma and sister-in-law of Joseph Schenck, overlord of the United Artists, Connie had her own way for a long time. Her marriages, her divorces, her engagements and her diamond bracelets were always good for publicity. Lately a strange silence has enveloped Connie’s doings. There have been no reports of either a new husband or a new picture.

There is a double programme at the Queen’s Theatre this week, “The Volcano,” with Bebe Daniels and Wallace Beery, is one of the pictures, and “Shooting Irons,’’with Jack Luden, Sally Blane, the other. “Volcano” shows how the eruption of the Mount Pelee volcano helped a girl to establish her claim to belong to one of the noblest families in France. The second picture is in a Western setting and tells of the struggle of a young girl to shield her father from the police, and shows how her. efforts were rewarded with the love of her accomplice.

Bills ranging from £32,000 for 111 acres of land to £l6 for bow ties were revealed as the reasons for the shrinkage of the estate of the late Rudolph Valentino from £135„511 to £57,492. S. George Ullman, executor, filed the first accounting of the estate of the one-time film idol in Superior Court. Mr. Ullman himself advanced one of the largest claims against the estate in asking for £9703, said to be due for cash advanced to Valentino by his former manager to aid in producing the film “What Price Beauty.” Included in other bills were those of London merchants for clothing, one of these alone amounting to £5412.

“Slgnorina Olga I’oletti, who added vivacity and charm to genuine niusical feeling in her interpretation of the roles of Violetta and Gilda in the Ful- , ler-Gonsalez operas, has already gained considerable experience on the lyric stage in her own country and in South America," says a Sydney paper. The youthful soprano, hailing from Leghorn, on the shores of the Mediterranean, received her musical training in Florence, but, recognising that a singer must always be a student, she affirms that her chief education has been gained in her actual experience on the stage. It was when she first sang in Leghorn that she met Mascagni, who was present In the audience, and at the end of the concert offered her his congratulations. The composer later heard her sing privately in several operas and acted as her accompanist on these occasions, for incidentally he is an excellent pianist. Signorina I’oletti’s operatic debut was made at Como in Catalani’s “Lorelei,” a work of whose graceful qualities she speaks in high terms. Since then leading roles have fallen to her lot in continuous engagements in Italy, and recently she sang with success in opera in South America, where another of the principals, by the way, was Signorina Scavizzi, who was here with the last Williamson-Melba Company.

The repertoire of the Fuller-Gonsalez Grand Italian Opera Company, which is expected to commence a New Zealand tour about the middle of June next, comprises “Il Trovatore,” “Traviata,” “Iligoletto,” “Ernani,” “Un Ballo in Maschera,” “Aida,” Puccini’s “Manon Lescaut,” “La Boheme,” “Madame Butterfly,” “Tosca,” "Lucia di Lammermoor,” “Favorita,” “Andrea Chenior” "Fedora” “Fra Diavolo” “Lohengrin” “Mignon” “Carmen” “Norma,” “Faust.” “The Barber of Seville,” “Cavalleria :Rusticana,” “Pagliacci,” “Lakme,” and possibly two or three other operas now being negotiated for at Milan.

Mr. Nevin Tait with 50 principals of his Grand Opera company, which totals 100. with the chorus, left for Australia by the Orsova. The Italian press asserts that it is the greatest company that has ever been sent abroad. Prince Potenziaiii, Mayor of Rome, which the artists great success. Gabriele D’Annunzio personally sent a message to Toti Dal Monte: “The roses in my garden are blooming, but, you, the nightingale, are absent. I long sought perfection, but realised that I found it when I heard you sing ‘Lucia.’ ”

Cabled advice states that, a remarkable sound reproducing apparatus is en route to Australia from America, for use in theatres in conjunction with the screening of- Paramounts’s air epic “Wings.” From the facts to hand, it is learned that the working of the mechanism is ( based on the “sound film” principle, whereby all effects such as zooming of aeroplanes, the rattle of machine guns, the boom of artillery, and the crash of planes will be reproduced perfectly, and will synchronise with the scenes in the picture.

Australian theatres differ from those of England and other countries in the strictly-observed rule forbidding admission to the back of the stage to all save those with business there (says a writer in a Sydney paper). In some London playhouses it is hard to understand how back-of-the-house staffs are able to work, so thick is the crowd of visitors to the wings and dressing-rooms, and in Parisian and New York Theatres it’s even worse, especially between acts. Here managers tak the view that allowing the public behind the scenes destroys the 5. atmosphere of

Sir Charles Oman, K.8.E., M.P., the historian, is writing an original screen story, with Charles I. as the central figure, and an extraordinary love romance—no less dramatic because it has been disinterred by Sir Charles from historical records —as the subtheme of the plot, says “The Daily Mail.” The film will introduce the principal events of the years 1642 to 1649, including, of course, the political moves and intrigues leading up to the Civil War, King Charles’s trial and execution, and introducing Cromwell and the outstanding Parliamentarians as well as Royalists. This will be filmed by Supremacy Films, a new British company, but actual production will not begin until September, as the company will be fully occupied until then on its picture based on Colonel T. E. Lawrence’s “Revolt in the Desert,” which so vividly describes the part played by the Arab tribes during the war, and also with another new picture, entitled “The Spanish Cavalier.” The story for the latter is being written by Boyd Cable and will deal with the military operations against the Riff’s from 1922 to 1924.

There is a thrilling mystery story at the Paramount Theatre at present. This is “The Gorilla,” with Charlie Murray and Fred Kelsey as the two detectives, whose efforts to solve the mystery are so ridiculous. They are detailed to find out who or what is responsible for a number of murders, but the house where those murders take place is too terrifying a place for them, and they lose their nerve, letting someone else unravel the mystery and capture “the Gorilla.”

Mr. John Fuller, of Fullers’ Theatres, Ltd., who returned by the Drama to Sydney on April 12, after a tour abroad, acquired during his tour not only “Rio Rita” and “Good News” for his firm, but four other new pieces, comprising “Mary Malone,” a George M. Cohan musical comedy; two plays, “Whispering Friends” and “Baby Cyclone,” both George M. Cohan productions, and a humorous piece called “Funny Face.” A new company will be organised to play “Whispering Friends” and “Baby Cyclone” in Australia.

“Britain's Mystery Film Girl,” after acting for three years as a sort of unofficial herald for the British film revival, is back in England, reports a London daily. Three years ago she set out with some short travel films, tak. . with the idea of bringing both well-known and little-known spots of the Old Country to the overseas public. With these she has toured Australia, New Zealand and Canada, giving a music-hall act of films combined with songs appropriate to the pictures shown. Her identity has remained a secret behind the mask she wears. In each of the Dominions, the “Mystery Girl” secured new scenic pictures, so that she has shown Canada something of New Zealand and familiarised people in many parts of the Empire with each other’s lands. Her tour was not confined to variety theatres and kinemas alone, but included lectures and women’s clubs and organisations whose interests lie in cementing the bonds of Empire friendship. Baek home again, Miss Domino, as she has become known, expects to continue her work here. The pictures of far-away spots phe has brought home and her method of presenting them should find an enthusiastic reception.

Pictures appealing- to the French, particularly those based on stories by famous French authors, have the best chance of success in Egypt (writes the Alexandria correspondent of the “Moving Picture World”). ' Through the schools, most of which are French or under French influences, the people have become familiar with I'rench ideas and habit. Well-dressed women, in luxurious surroundings, are popular picture subjects. Pictures showing revolutions, riot,'. or any other forms of rebellion against constituted authority, are likely to be frowned upon by the censor. . Crime picturse are also under suspicion, because of the growing murder rate iu this country.

A list of successes in Australia has made Messrs. Richard White and Eric Edgeley a coming force in theatrical management. These young men, both of them in their twenties, have branched out along ambitious, lines and now, in addition to directing the destinies of that most popular of revue combinations, the Midnight Frolics, are proprietors of the Joseph Cunningham English Comedy Company, and have a working arrangement with Mr. E. J. Carroll, for the presentation of plays at the Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne. Two of their plays, “The Last Warning,” and ‘“The Alarm Clock,” are being presented in Australia by J. C. Williamson Limited. Mr. White, who was in Auckland recently, said the Midnight Frolics would probably tour New Zealand this ysax undex the guitar

Norma Shearer’s new picture, “The Latest from Paris,” should be a treat to all feminine picturegoers. Norma plays the role of a travelling saleswoman in this Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer presentation, which is coming shortly; Ralph Forbes has the leading male role in this picture.

The grim life endured by convicts isolated in the famous French prison on the Isle of St. Noir is vividly depicted in the Universal-Jewel production, “A Man’s Past.” This is the screen version of the stage play “Diploma,” and Conrad Veidt is in the lead.

Miss Kathryn Reece, Broadway’s youngest prima donna, arrived by the Aorangi recently, under engagement to J. C. Williamson, Limited, to play the title role in their newest musical comedy, “Princess Charming.”

During the course of an interview in Australia, Mr. John Tait stated that “Rose Marie” would finish iu Sydney next month after 234 months in Australia and New Zealand.

Miss Reece has sung in grand opera in America, and her soprano voice is said to have a bell-like clearness and a wonderful range. She created the role of Juliette in “The Enchanted Isle” on Broadway last year, and made a big success of it.

One of the most famous stage successes in history has been proved one of the most successful film comedies in “Baby Mine,” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s version of the Margaret Mayo play, which .is to be shown at the De Luxe Theatre shortly. Karl Dane and George K. Arthur, heroes of “Rookies,” are leading .as a comedy team in the new picture.

The travel film “The Wonderland of North-West Australia,” which commences its screening at the Blue Triangle Kinema, Boulcott Avenue, on Wednesday, is a wonderful picturisation of wild native life on the remote north-west coast. Where nature is ever waging her relentless war against her kind that the balance might be preserved, one will see wars between the monsters of the deep. Sharks in their hundreds can be seen attacking a wounded whale, the terrible stringray with its menacing barb; the delightful young turtles just hatched by their foster-mother the sun; the strange fish that are found in coral depths. This film is said to be thrilling and interesting.

Nearly every theatrical artist in Sydney was present at a delightful party given for Gladys Moncrieffi by the Permanent First Nighters’ Club, at the Waldorf Hotel. Over seventy guests were received by Miss , Nida Collins, who presented a large horseshoe of pink roses and dahlias to the popular actress. The long tables were also decorated with bowls of pink roses and dahlias. Mr. Charles Morse welcomed Miss Moncrieffi on behalf of the club, and many well-known artists spoke of her popularity in “the profession,” and wished her success iu “Rio Rita.” The musical play opened at St. James Theatre. Sydney, on April 28. Tom Moore, Gladys Moncrieff’s husband, is not in the production.

When Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s director of. the “Merry Widow” came to the Coronation scene, he was so pleased with the brilliant set that he decided to. present it to patrons in its original colours. The original music score by Franz Lehar was secured to accompany this picture. “The Merry Widow” is being shown at the Regent Theatre this week.

A suggestion has been made to Leon Gordon, who is appearing in “The Trial of Mary Dugan,” at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne, that he should write an Australian play which might be of great value, if produced abroad, of bringing Australia under the notice of those who might be induced to come out to this country and settle here. The suggestion is that Mr. Gordon should see something of typically Australian life and conditions to secure the requisite atmosphere for the play, which could be made a powerful factor in the Commonwealth Government’s migration activities, particularly in England. In any case, it would giye Australia a good deal of publicity. Mr. Gordon is considering the matter,

and possibily might find the opportunity to write the play before he leaves Australia. Should he find the proposal practicable, the play will first be produced in the capital cities of Australia by J. C. Williamson, Ltd.

Miss Beatrice Elliott, a New Zealand soparno, who has been studying abroad for several years, made a most successful debut in New York recently. She gave a recital containing many interesting items and her singing, especially in the English group, drew high praise from the critic of the “New York Times.” Miss Elliott received a bouquet, among a host of others, from New Zealanders in New York. In the Sear future she hopes to revisit New Zealand and Australia on her first concert tour.