Films and the Stage.

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 70, 15 December 1928, Page 22

Films and the Stage.

Janice Hart, with the New London Revue Company now at Christchurch, is one of the cleverest male impersonators seen in the Dominion for a long time. Her act is one of the big features of the production, and her pleasing personality makes her a favourite with the audiences. She also specialises in picturesque song scenes with effective settings and clever dancing.

During their forthcoming visit to New Zealand, Miss Irene Vanbrugh and Mr. Dion Boucicault who, with a specially selected company, are coming under the J. C. Williamson management, will present a series of very fine plays.' Some of these include some of the latest London successes while others are plays with which these world-famed artists have been associated. These will' include, “All the King’s Horses,” “Belinda,” “Miss Nell O’NewJJrleans,”.“Caroline,” “On Approval,” and the ever-popular “Mr. Pirn Passes By." The production of these plays by this specially selected J. C. Wililamson company, headed by two of the finest stage artists the world has ever seen, should prove a veritable treat for New Zealand theatre-goers.

British Dominions Films announce the early release of six Walter Forde British super-comedies. Walter Forde is recognised as Britain’s leading film comedian and director, and these six two-reelers are the best he has produced. With clean, consistent stories, together with fast action and laughtercompelling humour, these comedies should be suitable for any class of movie audience. One of the features of the comedies is the Walter Forde Bathing Girl Troupe, a dozen speciallychosen British bathing beauties. It is said that many of the devices and situ-, ations which appear in these comedies are smething quite new to this class of film. '

Of the five McLaglen brothers acting for the films, Cyril and Victor are the best known. It was Victor who first brought the family name into prominence, but Cyril bids fair to outrival his brother. He is of the strong, silent type, as his brother, and possesses the same pleasing smile, but is not quite as formidable as Victor in appearance. During 1929 Ijp will be seen in leading roles in five British Dominions Films—“Quinneys,” “Rough Seas,” “Balaclava,” “The Lost Patrol,” an Anthony Asquith’s sensational film, “Underground.’

The latest J. C. Williamson musical comedy successes, presented to New Zealand audiences are “The Girl Friend,” and “Hit the Deck,” both of which have been received with wonderful enthusiasm. The South Island tour of this brilliant organisation has been as successful as as the Northern itinerary and large audiences have greeted the very strong company engaged with the utmost enthusiasm. Miss Annie Croft, the famous London musical comedy star; Reginald Sharland, whose singing and acting have pleased everyone; Leo Franklyn, who has proved himself to be one of the most versatile comedians ever seen in these parts; Gus Bluett, 'who seems to be improving at every appearance; May Beatty, whose reception by the public is just as sincere to-day as it was when she appeared with sister Maud in days gone past. These two lively musical comedies are presented in the firm’s best style. There is movement in every scene and music and mirth in every act. The Wellington season opens on December 26.

“In Old Arizona” will be the new title of Raoul Walsh’s first all-talking feature, for Fox Films. Walsh is playing the lead, as well as directing, and other members of the cast include Edmund Lowe, Maria Alba, Farrell McDonald, Ivan Linow, and Elena Llota. Tom Barry wrote the story and dialogue for this Fox Movietone production, which is now in work at the company’s West Coast studios.

The big Boxing Day attractions at His Majesty’s Theatre, Dunedin, will be the thrilling comedy “The Mystery Bride,” which features two stars of “The Ghost Train” company, who made great personal successes on their former New Zealand appearance. Miss Betty Ross‘•'Clarke, who played Julia Price, the mysterious heroine, and Mr. Basil Radford, who played Teddy Deakin, the “silly ass.” “The Mystery Bride” is full of thrills and comedy and is a lively evening’s entertainment.

r “Beauty and the Beast” is the Christmas J pantomime to be presented at the Palace Theatre, Melbourne, by the O’Donnell-Ray Company, in conjunction with the Fuller management. Bert Ray is taking the part of the Dame, and he will be supported by a very able company, including Renee Dixon (principal girl), Jack Settle (Demon King), and a ballet of twenty-four with a big specialty to be selected.

Ailecn Manning, screen character actress, went t o Hollywood to enter

the real estate business, but found motion pictures a more profitable venture for her. Miss Manning is playing a supporting role to Laura La Plante in “Home James,” the star’s latest production for Universal which is now screening at the De Luxe Theatre. William Beaudine directed it and Charles Delaney appears opposite Miss La Plante. In the supporting cast are Joan Standing, George Pearce, Arthur Hoyt, and Sidney Bracy. Mr. Lane-Bayliff, who was business manager for Lady Forbes Robertson during her tour in New Zealand, and will be remembered for his clever acting in “The Best People,” is now business manager for the Allan Wilkie Shakespearean Company, which is due to open at the Grand Opera House, Wellington, on January 26.

King Vidor's great epoch of peacetime struggles against poverty,' “The Crowd,” is a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production soon to be seen in Wellington. In the making of this picture Vidor is said to even have exceeded his directorial work when he made “The Big Parade” last year. The story is an original by the director, and Eleanor Boardman and James Murray have the featured roles. The supincludes Bert Roach, Freddie Frederick, Lucy Beaumont, Del Henderson and Daniel Tomlinson.

Probably for the first time in history, a group of convicts marched to their cells during the regular night lock-up recently to the strains of sombre music from a baby grand piano and a violin. The prison they were serving time in, however, was erected on a huge stage at the Paramount Studio in Hollywood for important scenes in “Forgotten Faces,” a melodrama of society and crook life, which is now showing at the Regent Theatre. The night lock-up is an authentic bit of prison routine. Victor Schertzinger. the director, instructed the set musicians to play sombre music which would add to the gray, depressed atmosphere surrounding the convicts. Clive Brook, Mary Brian, William Powell, Baclauova, and Fred Kohler are among the members of the all-star cast of the picture.

Hoot Gibson has purchased “The Hell Wrecker,” a novel by Buckleigh Oxford, for his next production. Jacques Jaccard is writing the continuity and Universal will release it.

Polished and tactful in treatment, better cast, more handsomely mounted than any picture previously made in England, “Tesha” seems to be the most distinguished British film yet made by British International Pictures. Maria Corda, the beautiful Hungarian actress, makes great use of magnificent opportunities, and Jameson Thomas, as the husband, gives one of the finest pieces of screen acting yet seen for many months. Kinema Art Films will release “Tesha” during the new year.

To supply the continual demand of the public, the Paramount studios in Hollywood are ever active. At the present time there are twelve films in the making, which will be seen next year by New Zealand audiences. The final scenes for “Redskin,” the*Richard Dix picture, are being filmed in the studios. “Sins of the Fathers,” Emil Jannings’s latest Paramount picture, is nearing completion, as also is Adolphe Menjou’s “His Private Life”; Clara Bow is working on “Three Week-Ends,” and the mystery story, “The Canary Murder Case,” with William Powell and Louise Brooks heading the cast, is well under way. Noah Beery, Richard Arlen, and Clive Brook are appearing in the Mason story, “The Four Feathers,” which is being produced by Cooper and Schoedsack, who made “Chang”; and George Bancroft has started on “The Wolf of Wall Street.”

"1 wonder whether Irene Homer, who has scored such a brilliant success over here in ’The Patsy,’ will go to New Zealand,” writes a Sydney correspondent. Watching Irene as The Patsy, in the play of that name at the Criterion, no one would dream that she could equally be successful in a vampire role, yet in America she isknown as a dramatic actress, and “The Patsy” is the first time she has ever played a good girl. She has even played Tondeleyo in America, and it is rather interesting to note that May Collins, now appearing in Sydney with Leon Gordon in the role of Tondeleyo, played “The Patsy” in America.

Far and away the greatest air spectacle of the age, “Love Never Dies,” is a worthy chronicle, a glorious picture history »bf the courageous deeds of British aces. They lived greatly, these heroes, in those four unholy years of slaughter, riding up into the deathstrewn air lanes with twisted smiles and hearty “Hello’s.” defying the Fates that sent them to file skies with orders to stay there until they were forced to come down This, the most thrilling air picture possibly ever conceived, presents remarkable and mt forgettable scenes: Scores of ’planes in death grips, miles of quaint villages left merely shattered monuments lo the fury of Mars, tin orgy of havoc and heroism that holds a calm minor note of beautiful romance. wherein Colleen Moore ns the little French girl, Jeauine. and Gary Cooper. Hie daredevil young aviator are responible for unforgettable characterisa tions. “Love Never Dies” grips and holds you. just as much for the beauty of the story, as well as for the magnificence of the terrible air crashes, and one is not ashamed of one’s tears nor the whimsicality of the smiles its quaint humour evokes, or those spontaneous reactions of its exquisite beauty.

Perhaps the most surprising thing in “Adam’s Apple,” the latest British International picture, shortly to be released in New Zealand by Kinema Art Films, is the abandonment by Monty Banks of the slapstick style of comedy, of which he is past-master. Throughout the entire picture, Monty’s play is almost with restraint, and therefore

superb. Pretty Gillian Dean, the young English girl, whose fortunes have been one of the romances of filmdom, proves delightful as Monty’s bride.

A story with real Parisian atmosphere, peopled by types that arb peculiar to the French capital, is “The Veiled Woman,” which Emmett Flynn directed for Fox Films, Mr. Flynn spent two years in Paris, so that he is especially adapted to produce a picture of . this type. The leading roles are played by two new-comers to the screen, who, in the opinion of Fox studio officials, are destined to become immensely popular with the motion picture public. They are Lia Tora, a beautiful young Brazilian, who comes to the screen through winning a beauty contest in Rio de Janeiro, and Paul Vincenti, a young Hungarian actor, who gained his experience on the stage in Budapest.

In "On Approval,” the remarkable play which will be staged by the Vanbrugh-Boucicault Company, during their New Zealand tour, Miss Vanbrugh will play the role of Mrs. Wislack, a widow, with £25,000 a year, who believes it would be a good thing to have a busband on approval. Dion Boucicault will appear in the role of the Duke of Bristol, a rather wicked but good-natured nobleman, impecunious to the point of bankruptcy. The play is described as one of the wittiest and cleverest ever staged, with ingenious situations that make one wonder how the characters will disentangle themselves from the web in which the dramatist has caught them.

With a reputation based largely on romantic stories, told with his characteristic flair for visual brilliance, Samuel Goldwyn adds still another element, mystery and adventure, in his latest and last co-starring vehicle for Ronald Colmon and Vilma Hanky. “Two Lovers,” in which Goldwyn’s famous team of stars make their appearance at the Strand Theatre, is an adaptation by Alice D. G. Miller of the celebrated Baroness Orczy novel "Leatherface.” Completing the series of which “The Dark Angel,” “The Winning of Barbara Worth.” "The Night of Love,” and "The Magic Flame” were former contributions, Mr Goldwyn has lavished on “Two Lovers” the most ambitious production of his career. Briefly, its story concerns rhe restoration of William. Prince of Orange, to the throne of the Dutch lowlands. The Spaniards, under the tyrannous Duke of Azar, are frustrated in their attempts to stifle Flemish liberty and to capture the renegade prince by the efforts of the mysterious masked figure, Leatherface. Even the marriage of Lenora. “The Flower of Spain.” to Hie lordly Mark fails. Two thousand players, turreted castles, giant drawbridges, wild night rides, bloody battle in the swamps are among the enisodes that tell of their fight for freedom ami of Mark’s battle to win the love of his bride by a marriage of slate.

Edward Sutherland, the director of many of the best known comedies of recent years, is directing Bebe Daniels in her latest starring picture for Paramount, “The Big Scoop.” It will be a story of the adventures of a girl “cub”

reporter. Robert Castle, Viennese actor recently signed by Paramount, is playing the chief male part opposite the star. The first sound sequences of the lat-

est Harold Lloyd Paramount production, “The Butterfly Chaser,” have been taken. According to the studios reports Lloyd’s voice has

registered exceptionally well. That was to be expected a s the comedian had many years of legitimate stage experience before venturing into the field of motion pictures. Laura La Plante, star of “Home Janies,” Universal picture which opened at the De Luxe Theatre yesterday, recently received a scarf of Chantilly lace made by relatives in Chantilly, France. The scarf bears the La Plante crest and the name of its owner woven into the delicate patt e r n. “Home James” is reported as one of the star’s funniest vehicles. Charles Delaney appears opposite .her and the supporting company includes A i 1 e e n Manning, Joan Standing, George Pearce, Arthur Hoyt, and Sidney Bracy. William Beaudine directed.

Mahmoud Sauy Pasha, Minister from Egypt, and Madame Pasha, were visitors at the Fox Films studio recently. They revealed a keen interest in things kinema by making a thorough survey of both the Hollywood and Fox Films studios. A special entertainment was provided for them on the Charles Klein set, with George O’Brien and Lois Moran acting as host and hostess to the distinguished guests His Excellency, now stationed in Washington, and only here for a few days on diplomatic business, could not resist a peek at the stars. In discussion of talking pictures, he said that a feeble attempt was made in Cairo in 1890 to synchronise the’ voice with movies.

Joseph Hena berry has been assigned by Carl Laemmle to direct Reginald Denny in “Clear the Deck.” This is the releasing title of E. J. Rath’s story, “When the Devil was Sick.” The continuity has been prepared by Earl Snell and Gladys Lehman. Olive Hasbrouck will be leading lady, if previous engagements will permit.

The great rubber fish, which figured so prominently' in one week’s production of the “League of Notions” Revue at His Majesty’s Theatre, is as popular off stage as on. It is the “pet” of the Company, and accompanies them on their frequent trips to the bays, when they all enjoy an .exhilarating dip in the briny. Syd Beck is an exceptionally fine swimmer and has won several championships in New South Wales,

Mr. Bert Royle, the New Zealand representative of J. C. Williamson and J. and N. Tait, has been compelled to re-adjust the New Zealand itinerary of the “Midnight Frolics” company, which has opened so auspiciously in Auckland. It was at first contemplated to carry out an extensive North Island provincial tour immediately after the Auckland season concluded, but as some of the theatres required were not available for the dates wanted, but were to be secured later on, the' company will proceed south, and after the "seasons there will return to the North Island and carry out the provincial tour. The dates as amended by Mr. Royle are as follow: —Wellington, January 12, to 24; Christchurch, January 26 to February 23; Timaru, February 25, 26; Dunedin, February 27 to March 15; Invercargill, March 19 and 20; Oamaru, March 21, 22; Ashburton, March 23; Wellington for Easter holidays, North Island provincial tour to follow.

“Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” now being released generally throughout America, is recording attendance records at almost every showing, both in its original form and as a synchronised picture with the Dixie Jubilee Singers. This organisation played eight weeks with the unsynchronised version at the Central Theatre, in New York.

Carlyle Blackwell, the British film actor, will be seen shortly in three British Dominion Films, which provide plenty of scope to display his excellent acting abilities. Although a star in American films of note, he decided to return to England, and give the British films a try-out. His first, the “Rolling Road,” from the well-known sea story of Boyd Cable, was such a success that he was given starring roles in “One of the Best” (from the play by Seymour Hicks) and the mystery play, “The Wrecker,” by Arnold Ridley, the writer of “The Ghost Train.”

• For the “Rio Rita” season at t e Princess Theatre, Melbourne, Fullers’ Theatres, Limited, invited applications for preferential booking for the gala opening night only, but as the theatre was booked out within a very brief space of time, the firm has decided to accept applications for the first twelve nights of the season. The date scheduled for the grand gala performance is December 22.

Again Harold Lloyd registers a big success as a comedian and film producer. His latest Paramount released comedy, titled “Speedy,” which commences its season at the Regent Theatre next Friday, surpasses, it is claimed, anything yet attempted by the versatile film star. Characteristic of all Lloyd comedies, and perhaps the biggest factor of the sc.reen comedian’s success, lies in his ability to inject good, wholesome, and novel comical situations into his films. With “Speedy,” Harold has come up to his standard, and many new and hilarious sequences are features of the picture. Everything is new, and treated in a typical Lloyd manner. The bespectacled comedian is said to be a stickler for authenticity in his pictures, which leads us to believe is the reason for the many interesting scenes of New York City incorporated within the film. Transporting an entire company to New York for the sake of authentic atmosphere is ambitious (to say the least), and helps swing the picture along in a delightfully smooth manner. One of the surprises in this latest Lloyd effort is the appearance of Babe Ruth himself, who figures in one of the baseball sequences. His appearance and subsequent performance adds to the already bright lustre of the conledy.

Marked enthusiasm was manifested at the London Trade Show of the great Gaumont motor racing film, “Smashing Through.’ The big motor race and crash climax brought forth storms of applause, and the broad humour of the comedian, Alf Goddard, kept the audience highly amused. John Stuart was regarded as a- dashing hero, and Eve Grey, a delightfully pretty heroine. The melodrama is said to be excellent, and of the order popular with al! classes of movie fans. Irtish Dominions Films will shortly release “Smashing Through” in Australia and New Zealand.

Adolphe Monjou has started work on ‘'Marquis Preferred,” his new starring production for Paramount. "His Private Life” is now in the cutting and editing rooms, being made ready for release. Frank Tuttle is the director of both.

One of the most popular plays in the repertoire of the old “show boat” that used to cruise up and down the Missisippj River was “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” The visits of this “travelling theatre” provided the only amusement for many of the towns along the river, and the owners selected productions that they knew would reach the heart of the people who dwelt near the banks. This famous stage production and novel has now been made by Universal into a motion picture that surpasses in wide human appeal, beauty, and interest its literary and dramatic predecessors. The film production will open at the De Luxe Theatre shortly. Harry Pollard, responsible for other great motion picture successes, directed the production. In the all-star east are Margarita Fischer, Arthur Edmund Carew, John Roche. Gertrude Astor, Lucien Littlefield, George Siegmann, Mona Ray, Virginia Grey, Eulalie Jensen, J. Gordon Russell, Aileen Manning, Jack Mower, Vivien Oakland, and others.

‘The Trail of ’98,” which is coming to the De Luxe early in the New Year for an extended season, is a picture said to be even greater than “Ben Hur.” The picture released on the screen to tremendous business at the Tivoli Theatre, London, and all critics were unanimous in their praise of this masterpiece. The following are extractions from the criticisms of: —“Daily Telegraph” : “No moving picture play has had a better right to be termed an epic production than “The Trail of ’98.” “Sunday News”: “‘Better than “Ben Hur’" is a phrase fullv justified when applied to •The Trail of ’OS.’ ” “Daily Mirror” : “This tremendous production is bigger even than ‘Ben Hur. Kinematogrnph Weekly”: '‘Great—even for M-G-M.” “Sunday Graphic”: “The most remarkable film I have ever seen.” The principals are Dolores Del Rio, Ralph Forbes. Karl Dane, Tully Marshall and several other well-known artists.

War, its glamour and its realities, have been transplanted to the screen in many forms; the surge and thunder of battle has been depicted in great and gripping spectacles, but never has the story of the other war that is waged on the home front so vividly presented as in “The Enemy,” the motion picture which Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer will release in Wellington shortly. It is noteworthy that MetroGold wyn-Mayer was responsible for the colossal spectacle, “Ben Hur,” under the inspired direction of Fred. Niblo, and that the name of Fred. Niblo again appears as director of “The Enemy/’ The same company and the same director again working in unison, with Lillian Gish as star and a brilliant supporting cast, promises one of the greatest motion pictures of all time. “The Enemy” is based on Channing Bollock’s play of the same title—the most dramatic indictment of war ever seen on the stage. Austria is the centre of the story, Pauli (Lillian Gish) being the happy bride of one night when her bushand, a reservist, is called for immediate draft to the trenches. Thereafter the spectator follows the life of the devoted and courageous Pauli, her family, and the babe that is born to her, together with the composite life of a great city gripped in the throes of war, to a most dramatic conclusion. Ralph Forbes, the English actor, appears opposite Lillian Gish. ■

Those who like stirring adventures with a strong dash of romance —and who doesn’t? —will see Tim McCoy in an ideal role at the Queen’s Theatre next week, when his newest starring production, "The Adventurer,” will be presented. This Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture is semi-historical in theme, like all of McCoy's pictures, and deals with rebellion, adventure, and romance in a South American republic. Opposite McCoy, Dorothy Sebastian gives a realistic and appealing performance. With a long line of Spanish ancestors behind Her, sire is equally at ease ip the Spanish costumes she wears and In the role she plays. Charles Delaney ami other supporting players complete a very powerful cast.

Lovers of the phenomenally successful stage play, “Rose Marie,” have a most unusual treat in store for them at thh Regent Theatre, tvhen Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s lavish screen version of the great romance will be screened. In addition to telling the enchanting story all over again—with all the realism the screen makes possible—the fragrant romance of Rose Marie, the relentless hatred of the outlaws, the stirring deeds of the North-West Mounted, and the mental and physical conflicts of the hunted Jim Kenyon—the entire production is set against a background of Nature’s supreme loveliness that has never before been equalled on the screen. Joan Crawford plays the role of Rose Marie. This beautiful and talented young actress assumes the personality .and naive tomboyishness of the daughter of the Canadian woods with wonderful artistry. Opposite her, James Murray gives a most convincing performance in. the role of Jim Kenyon, It will be recalled that Murray was "discovered” by ace director King Vidor, and there is no doubt about the ability of this most promising young player.

When “Beau Broadway” conies to Wellington, a startling likeness to Gene Tunney, heavy-weight champion, will be seen in Hugh Trevor, who plays the part of a cultured prizefighter in the new Lew Cody-Aileen Pringle co-stari-ing production. Trevor was cast for- the important role by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer because he was the “Tqnney type,” although he had never been a boxer outside of college amateur events. “Beau Broadway” is one of the most thrilling prize-ring stories ever filmed. Aside from its human interest appeal in tlie manly art of self-defence, it has an appealing romance and presents some*' new sidelights op the much-discussed younger generation. Cody is seen as a prizefight promoter and Miss Pringle as a sophisticated wonum of the world who gives him some uneasy moments before she makes up her mind where to centre her affections. In the supporting cast are Sue Carol. 1928 Wampas Baby star; Heine Conklin, blackface comic; Janies J. Jeffries, former world’s champion; Kit Guard, and Jack Herrick.

“The Ring,” which will be released early in the new year by Kinema Art Films, should put an end finally to the legend that “nothing of first-rate quality can come from a British film studio.” For sheer technical efiiciene? this picture can hold its own with any picture play of its class, whatever its origin. Carl Brisson makes an unusually handsome and sympathetic boxing champion, and the suspense has been so graduated that the final contest, which was actually staged in the Royal Albert Hall, London, with the famous Eugene Corri as referee, will be followed by every member of the audience with breathless interes.t.