Films and the Stage.

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 210, 1 June 1929, Page 25

Films and the Stage.

A rare violin, said to be worth ' £BOOO, recently came Into the possession of Joseph Schildkraut. It was selected for Schildkraut by Efrem Zimbalist The instrument was made in the eighteenth century by Jacobus Strainer, a Swiss. It is one of 101 instruments carved by Stainer while he was serving a sentence in a Swiss prison for murder and was made from .wood growing on the Alpine slopes.

Two featured screen players with 'tremendous followings, George O’Brien and Lola Moran, are co-featured in “True Heaven,” Fox film now being shown at the Queen’s Theatre and duly accorded the most flattering encomiums from those who have seen the offering. O’Brien, from the days of “The Iron Horse,” has bounded into popularity, winning a host of new admirers by his brilliant work in F. W. Murnau’s production, “Sunrise.” Lois Moran first came into screen notice In “Stella Dal- t las,” which created a wonderful following for her among fans. She has Increased that following by her work in numerouse productions. “True Heaven” concerns, chiefly, a young British officer and a mysterious girl, who meet under strange circumstances, fall In love, are separated and later meet again under tragic circumstances when she, unintentionally, traps him as a spy and is forced to decide between love and loyalty to her country. “True Heaven” Is human drama of the highest type and should be seen by all who love good acting, fine direction, lavish production, and suspense and thrills.

“White Shadows in the South Seas,” which has been hailed by American and English critics as a production which will make motion picture history, will be seen at the Regent Theatre shortly. This Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production presents a rare opportunity to take a glamorous motion picture voyage through the South Sea Islands, the garden spot of the world. The picture, which is sound synchronised, is a puleating romance and is the actual story of the passing of the magnificent race of Polynesians. Raquel Torres . and Monte Blue have the leading roles in “White Shadows in the South Seas.”

Surely no comedy-drama of recent years has aroused so much interest and controversy as “Young Woodley,” the Interesting stage story of college life ;es depicted by John Druten, which ' opens its New Zealand tour at Auckland next Tuesday, June 11. It is iinterpreted by one of the youngest feasts ever seen in this part of the jworld. So difficult was it found to ‘gather together suitable exponents of the various youthful characters in this remarkable comedy that it took nearly a year's searching of the various theatres in England before the company coming to New Zealand was finally assembled.

i It is expected that Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell, in company with director Frank Borzage, will shortly, after completion of their present picture, “The Lucky Star,” sail for Budapest, Hungary, to make an epic picture of Hungarian life.

British Film Service, Ltd., announces that dialogue is being added to every Pathe feature in production at Culver City studios. Results to date have exceeded every expectation. “Sal of Singapore,” starring Phyllis Harver and Alan Hale, will be one of the first sound pictures to be released in New Zealand.

In “Show People,” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer give the great motion picture public a picture of 1001 laughs and heart-throbs, and its most informative and entertaining glimpses of . Hollywood movie life. It has a story movie-goers everywhere will revel in, the most distinguished cast ever assembled for a motion picture, headed by Marion Davies and William Haines in the two principal roles, and was made by King Vidor, ace director. In addition to the stars, this unique picture has the most distinguished assemblage of supporting players ever brought together for a motion picture, and the cast includes John Gilbert, Norma Talmadge, Douglas Fairbanks, Charles Chaplin, Karl Dane, George K. Arthur, Leatrice Joyce, Mae Murray, Rod La Roque, Polly Moran,. Tennen Holtz, and many more well-known players. ’’Show People” is due for release In Wellington shortly.

Owing to the tremendous success of “The Bellamy Trial” at the Regent Theatre this thrilling mystery drama Is being continued for another week. The many thousands who saw and heard this Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer “talkie” were pleasantly surprised and fascinated to note the state of perfection which the dialogue had reached in so short a time. Even if it had been a silent picture, the headline attraction, “The Bellamy Trial,” would have been clased as “something new.” The film opens as an ordinary news reel, showing a house in which a murder has been committed. Next are presented scenes of the court, and the rest of the story is the trial of two people for the murder of a woman. The solution of the mystery is unusually well concealed, and in order that the enjoyment of those who are yet to see the film should not be spoiled, the producers ask that all those who have already seen the picture to refrain from revealing the identity of the real murderer.

George Abbott, a prominent Broadway stage producer, is directing Moran and Mack in their first Paramount alltalking picture, which has been titled “The Two Black Crows.” Much time is to be spent on rehearsals before any scene is put into production. A full supporting cast will appear with the “Two Black Crows,” and an original story for the production has been written by Octavus Roy Cohen, author of the popular “Darktown” tales. The dialogue was also written by Cohen In collaboration with Moran and Mack themselves. Paramount is producing the picture in full feature length.

Henry B. Walthall will again be seen in a Fox production. This famous veteran of the screen will have the part of the broken-down surgeon in George B. Seitz’s masterpiece of 'drama in the South Seas, "Black Magic.” Josephine Dunn, Earle Foxe, Ivan Linow, and Sheldon Lewis are also in the cast. This picture was formerly titled “Cape Smoke."

“Show Boat,” Carl Laemmie's big talking picture, is a nine-days' wonder in the south, reports Ralph B. Williams, Universal's sale manager in the southeast of U.S. The time, on its second week in the Capitol Theatre, Miami, with business holding up to a level never before experienced in that city. For the first seven days the picture did more than three times the average business of the house. Williams explains that the box office figures would daily go much higher but for the fact that the picture is playing to absolute capacity. Following its brilliant opening in the Paramount Theatre,, Palm Beach, before high society, the picture completed its week’s run in that house with record-breaking business and then played to capacity at the Arcade Theatre in West Palm Beach. Arnold Bennett’s serial story, which has been produced by E. A. Dupont, the famous European director, will shortly arrive in this country, where it will be released by Kinema Art Films. ' “Piccadilly” is the title, and it stars three of the best-known players in England, Gllda

Gray, Jameson Thomas, and Anna May Wong. An outstanding success greeted this flln when it was tradeshown recently at the Carlton Theatre, London, it be Ing proclaimed as being the best film yet produced in England. Gilda i Gray gives an exhibition of her now famous dance, “Tin Picadilly Shiver,’' und Anna Maj Wong also gives several Eastern dances.

The Qulllan quota of nine actors in one family fades away before the astonishing record set up by an elderly woman named Senora Lueva. This 76 - year - old emigrant from Refugio, Mexico, acts in the pictures herself, and so do her eighteen children and a score or more grandchildren. In the recently completed D. W. Griffith film, “Lady of the Pavements,” starring Lupe Velez, Senora Lueva appears with six of her children and four grandchildren.

“College Love” is the title for the feature in which the principals of “The Collegians” series are now starring at Universal City. Having completed the fourth series of “The Collegians” in sound and having developed extraordinary talents in this direction, Carl Laemmle, jun., their sponsor, is utilising the same cast, under the direction of Nat Ross, in a unique mingling of songs, dances, wisecracks and love, written by Jack Clymer.

Mis Isabelle Brook, the , talented young Auckland dancer who has appeared prominently in many productions in the northern city during recent years, has been engaged to dance at the new Majestic Theatre in Wellington. Miss Brook is a pupil of Miss Cecil Hall.

A theatre which is being erected on the Wirth’s Park, Melbourne, by Mar-low-Rolls Theatres, Ltd., will be completed in September. A'novelty will be a cabaret where supper dances will be possible after the show. The theatre proper will seat 2400 people.

Al Jolson, famed as a blackface comedian, lays aside burnt cork for the greater part of his new Warner Bros.’ Vitaphone special, “The Singing Fool,” and to a great extent plays the role straight. And he plays it not as a clowning wisecracking comedian, but with an emotional power and depth of feeling that are remarkable. Heading the star's supporting cast are two leading ladies in the persons of Betty Bronson and Josepphine Dunn.

Mary Odette was born in Dieppe of an English mother and French father. She came to England when eleven, and made an instantaneous hit as the child witness in “On Trial” at the Lyric Theatre, London. She has starred in many British films, including the recent Anglo-Indian picture, “The Emerald of the East,” to be released in New Zealand by Cinema Art Films, in which she had thrilling adventures in Gwalior.

“Love Never Dies,” First National's aerial epic, has good thrill, stunt, heart, and love interest, and though an Ameriaan production it glorifies the British airmen’s part in the war to the exclusion of other nationalities. The most powerful element in this picture is the perfectly amazing photography of formation flying and of war in the air.

A film method of teaching children the alphabet has been introduced at Budapest. Moving line drawings are projected on a screen before a class. In order to teach the letter A, for example, an apple tree laden with apples is shown. The apples drop one by one and form the letter A. For “M,” mice run from a hole in a wall. A cat’s head appears suddenly and the mice seem frightened, scampering to and fro, then slowing down, join each other, flattening themselves, and their group forms the letter M.

“Clows in Clover,” ' in Sydney, reveals Vera Spaull at hetbeet — appearance and acting—in the motor sketch in which she appears with William Kent. Hearty laughs _ are scored by Mr. Kent. But for Miss Spaull it is a triumph in brightness, piquancy, and humour. The highly spectacular show has passed its fifth week.

In the great J. C. Williamson revue, “This Year of Grace,” which it is hoped will come to New Zealand this year, the dance specialists are the noted star performers from the famous London Pavilion, Pat and Terry Kendall, who are generally acknowledged to be at the very top of their class. The ballets and dances, which are described as being one of the most attractive features of this fast-moving, spectacular revue, are the work of Kathinka Starace, who was specially engaged in London for the purpose.

Richard Arlen has the role of a British officer, who faced certain death to atone for his cowardice; in the Paramount sound synchronised production “The Four Feathers.” “The Four Feathers” contains many scenes taken on the actual location of the story in the Sudan, Africa. Others in the cast include Mrs. Fay Wray, Clive Brook, and William Powell.

The installation of the “Talkie” films apparatus (Western Electric) at the Regent Theatres, Auckland and Wellington, by J. C. Williamson Films (N.Z.) Ltd., and the remarkable scenes witnessed outside these popular places tof entertainment induced a Press representative to interview Mr. Beaumont Smith, governing director in New Zealand of the firm. “Yes,” said Mr. Smith, “J. C. Williamson Films (N.Z.) Ltd. have decided on a progressive policy , which will have an important bearing upon not only the capital cities of the Dominion but to the principal provincial towns. It has been decided to effect the installation of the latest system of “Talkies” installation, the Western Electric, in the several theatres owned by the firm. Auckland has already been provided with this most enjoyable form of entertainment ; at the Regent Theatre, Wellington, a similar installation has been effected; and in turg Dunedin, Invercargill. Wanganui and other districts will be treated in a similar manner The installation of this system in the theatres in the principal cities and provincial districts will cost J. C. Williamson Films (N.Z.) Ltd. approximately £40,000.”

The George Wallace Revue Company, which has opened a short season at the New Opera House, Christchurch, conspicuously well, has benefited by an addition to its cast in the person of Miss Neva Carr-Glynn, a very dainty and talented artiste, who made an appearance in Wellington some few years past. Miss Carr-Glynn takes the place vacated by Miss Marie Nyman, who has returned to Sydney to take up a part, in one of the musical comedy productions of Sir Benjamin and Mr. John Fuller. The company’s season in Christchurch, despite the tremendous popularity of the little comedian and his supports, will of necessity be a short me, as “Rio Rita” is scheduled to open in Christchurch after its V ellington season.

Edgar Wallace, perhaps the bestread novelist and most-widely-patron-ised dramatist of the day, has now come to the screen, and no more typical example of his work could have been chosen than his world-famous play» “The Kinger.” The tale simply throbs with drama, suspense, sensation and mystery, and it is woven with all the deftness which has given Edgar Wallace his extraordinary popularity. Nothing is more thrilling than the final scene, in which the identity of “The Ringer” is unmasked. As a play “The Ringer” has been seen by more than two million people in England alone, and its picture form will no doubt draw even larger audiences throughout the world. “The Ringer," a British Dominions Films release, will be screened next week at the De Luxe Theatre, Wellington.

The latest musical play to be staged at Drury Lane, the home of “recordbreakers,” is “The New Moon,” hailed by critics as a worthy successor to “Rose Marie,” “The Desert Song,” and “Show Boat.” “The Desert Song” will be produced here by the Williamson management before the end of the year, and the firm will also produce “Show Boat” and “The New Moon.” ‘

Miss Josephine Wilson, the talented leading lady in “The Wrecker,” the thrilling drama of the railway now being presented to Wellington audiences by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., in conjunction with E. J. and Dan Carroll, is making her first appearance before Dominion audiences. Miss Wilson began her stage career at Liverpool in Shakespeare, and has played Juliet, Viola, and other leading roles. She also played lead in the Elizabethan comedies, including the famous role of Lady Teazle. Her first London appearance was in “Paddy, the Next Best Thing,” at the Savoy. Later, she was in “Desire for Change,” at the Playhouse, and played Nora in Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House,” at the same theatre. Following a season in the Komisartevsky productions of Tchekov at Barnes, she played the leading feminine role in Jerome K. Jerome’s .“Soul of Nicholas Snyders” at. the. Everyman Theatre, and also in Galsworthy’s productions at the same house. Just prior to leaving London she was playing lead in “The Master Builder.” One of her many assets is a beautifullymodulated speaking voice.

“The Silent House,” a British Dominions release, now screening at the Majestic Theatre, is the film adaption of the famous stage play of the same name which had a long run in London. The story concerns the robbery of the jewels of Dr. Chan Fu’s joss and of the doctor's chase to London after i 'chard Winsford, who perpetrated the act. Richard Winsford is murdered but before his death leaves a half-written letter to his heir telling of the secret hiding place of jewelled star and of the value of the other jewels which he had turned into bonds. The production contains plenty of thrills and action, and the photography , of the Chinese temple scenes is excellent. Mabel Poulton is the heroine, and plays the part of T’Mala, who is under the hypnotic influence of the sinister Dr. Chan Fu, excellently portrayed by Gibb McLaughlin. Other members of the cast include Kyoshi Takese, Frank Parfitt, Arthur Pusey, and Gerald Rawlinson.

The return of Miss Gladys Moncrieff to Australia after an absence of some years in England, where she made an overwhelming success on the London stage in “The Blue Mazurka,” created an unprecedented enthusiasm in the theatrical world. Sir Benjamin and Mr. John Fuller’s “Rio Rita” was the vehicle which reintroduced her to Australian audiences, and each performance during its long record-breaking seasons in Sydney and in Melbourne was but another tribute to her talents and immense popularity. Truly she has been named the greatest musical comedy star of to-day, and “Rio Rita” provides a part fully worthy of the wonderful gifts that are hers.