Films and the Stage.

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 45, 16 November 1929, Page 29

Films and the Stage.

One of the finest characterisations in “Journey’s End,” the gripping war play which is now being presented in New Zealand by J. C. Williamson’s company, is that of Lieutenant Osborne, as presented by Mr. Harvey Adams. The part of the kindly middle-aged schoolmaster, who 1 is second in command to the gallant, but nerve-racked Captain Stanhope, is a particularly lovable one. Possessing a wonderful understanding of human nature, his placidity, his tenderness, and his firmness, come as a stimulating influence on the occupants of the rat-infested dug-out. His reception of the impetuous Lieutenant Raleigh, and his paternal solicitude for officers and men, are surely fine expositions of dramatic art. In the presentation of this character Harvey Adams has added considerably to the already high reputation which he possessed as a talented and versatile actor.

Five members of the “Journey’s End” company, which J. C. Williamson* Ltd. sent to New Zealand, are making their first appearance in the Dominion. These are Reginald Tate (Captain Stanhope), Ambrose Flower (Captain Hardy), Vincent Lawson (Lieutenant Trotter), Alan Lawrence (Lieutenant Hibbert), and Reginald Dane (the Colonel). All five have greatly impressed New Zealand audiences by their highly capable acting, and there is no doubt that Mr. R. C. Sherrill, the author of "Journey's End,” made a very wise choice when he selected these five talented artists for the Australian and New Zealand tour. Lewis Shaw is also from London, but he has already appeared in New Zealand in the comedy-drama of. college life, “Young Woodley.” It will be generally admitted after seeing a performance of “Journey’s End” that these six members of the company, together with Harvey Adams, Reginald Wykeham, John Fernside, Hedge Carey, George Jennings, and Arthur Stlgant, junior, form one of the strongest dramatic combinations which has ever appeared on the New Zealand stage.

That students learn more things in college than football is demonstrated In “Words and Music,” a college musical revue, which will be shown here shortly. It is a Fox Movietone, alltalking, singing, dancing picture, “Words and Music? has a love story revolving about a competition staged at Darnell College for the best musical comedy number produced by a student. Lois Moran, making her debut as a singer and dancer on the audible screen, plays the lead. David Percy, who won his spurs as a Fox Movietone performer in “Fox Movietone Follies” and “The Black Watch,” plays opposite her. Tom Patricola, Broadway’s most famous eccentric dancer, plays a role and stars in a “hot” dance number. The story is fast and entertaining from the outset. There are eight of which has scored a' success. James Tinling, a veteran Fox director, directed the story and Frank Merlin, Broadway producer, staged the dialogue. A chorus of more than one hundred dancing and singing beauties adds zest to this colourful production.

Reginald Tate, the talented young actor from London, who plays the important part of Captain Stanhope in the Great War drama “Journey’s End,” has achieved a wonderful triumph in New Zealand by reason of. his intensely realistic acting in one of the most difficult- roles he has been called upon to play. 'The varying moods of the company commander, suffering from thestrain of three years of warfare, always extending sympathy and consideration to bls men, jealous of his good name, fearful that his recourse to the whisky bottle will become known to his betrothed, dominating, and yet withal a soldier and a gentleman', are presented in masterly style and stamps Reginald Tate as one of the finest actors who has ever appeared under the J. C. Williamson management. The strain of portraying such a character must be considerable, but Mr. Tate has the happy knack of shedding the tragedy of the dug-out as soon as the final curtain falls.

Dance hall scenes are usually common to modern pictures, and .unless they possess an unusual point of appeal, they drag on the public’s mind. In the U.F.A. production, “Hurrah! I’m Alive!” which Kinema Art Films are releasing, the dance hall-scenes are inevitable to the continuity of the picture, but the producers have overcome this by introducing an entirely new and novel effect. The centre-of the floor was constructed in the shape of a circular disc, which revolves in the manner of a merry-go-round. : Around this centre plane another concentric turning disc revolves in the opposite direction. This gives an unique effect, and, together with a series of .clever camera shots, makes the sequence an interesting feature of the picture.. The picture was directed by Wilhelm Thiele, and stars well-known screen celebrities, among whom are prominently seen Nikolai Kolln, Gustav Froelich, and Betty Astor.

One of the outstanding Christmas attractions for New Zealand will be the Zlegfield musical sensation “Whoopee," which will be produced in the Dominion under the noted J. C. Williamson re- ; gime. “Whoopee,” which is described as a fast-moving musical,, dance, and specialty production, created a’ sensaiont when it was produced at the New Amsterdam Theatre, New York, and more recently in Australia. It will introduce to New Zealand an entirely new combination of imported and favourite artists, and is said to provide something entirely original in the entertainment line.

“Slang Director” is the latest job in connection with talking pictures. John Langan, world traveller and Paramount dialogue director, is an authority on every territorial dialect of England and the United States. He was recently appointed "slang director” for Paramount Langan supervised the dialogue in the baseball all-talkie “Fast Company,” featuring Evelyn Brent, Jack Oalpe, “Skeets” Gallagher, and Chester Conklin. Extreme care was taken to preserve the peculiar slang of the baseball field. The lines of Miss Brent and others in the cast were also watched carefully.

Sir Benjamin and Mr. John Fuller are at present contemplating the arranging of a tour of New Zealand for Gregan McMahon, who recently signed up with this management. Mr. McMahon is at present appearing with great success in Melbourne, and it is anticipated his season there will run for some time yet. After that New Zealand will most likely be the next move for this popular producer and his company. Plays in his repertoire include “The Fanatics,” “Bird in the Hand,” “Message from Mars,” “The Play’s the Thing,” “Thunder in the Air,” and several others of popular appeal.

British Dominions Films have received advice that Miss Margaret’ Bannerman, the distinguished English act,ress,. who was recently seen in New. Zealand, is now making her first all-talking production for the screen, entitled “The Lure.” Her role, it is stated, gives her ample opportunity to reveal her vivid personality and polished acting, while her “frock creations” have been especially designed by Parisian and London fashion experts.

The first all-talkie picture to star the popular comedian Reginald Denny is the Universal special, "Embarrassing Moments,” which is to celebrate its premiere Australasian release in the Majestic Theatre on December '6. Those playing opposite Denny in this hilarious comedy are. Merna Kennedy, who plays one of the principal roles in the. big Universal super, “Broadway,” Otis Harlan, the lovable Captain Andy, of “Show Boat,” William Austin, and others.

■ Danny Dare, prominent New York dance director, has been placed under a long, term contract by Fox Films. Dare staged the dance numbers for “Hot Chocolates,” and “The Little Show,” and has just completed the dances for the latest Kammerstein show, “Sweet Adeline.” : He is to leave New York for Hollywood shortly.

Marjorie White, smallest actress on the Fox Movietone contract list, to-day is the possessor of a long-term agreement with Fox Films Corp’n. Miss -■White won her new contract through her work in “Sunny Side Up,” the De' Sylva, Brown and Henderson musical, comedy, starring Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell, which David Butler is ■ directing.

Alaee Lake, whose name was featured in pictures several years ago, lias returned from vaudeville to play the role of Moosehide Kate, a dance hall girl, in Lenore Ulric’s first talking picture vehicle, “Frozen Justice,” a Fox Movietone alltalking drama of the. Arctic. Miss Lake’s hig scene comes when she stages a scratching, clawing and biting match with Miss Ulric in a feminine argument.

Joe Farnum, noted little writer and humorist, is responsible for the clever travesty which brings Gilbert and Shearer back together for the first time since they appeared in “He Who Gets Slapped.” Both have just finished feature talking pictures, Gilbert having made “Redemption,” and Miss Shearer having played the titular roles in “The Trial of Mary Dugan,” and “The' Last of Mrs. Cheyney.”

. .Ivor Novello will be seen early In the New Year in his first all-dialogue picture, . “Symphony in Two Flats,”- which is said to give great scope for the remarkable musical talent of this young star. Novello is famous for his “Keep the Home Fires Burning,” and he is said to be a pianist of no mean ability. He has a beautiful singing voice, and in this super-production he will ■ sing several of his own songs. “Symphony in Two Flats” will be released by British Dominions Films.

Production has started on Lillian Gish’s first all-talking picture, “The Swan.” Among the well-known names In supporting roles are those of Conrad Nagel, Rod La Rocque, and Marie Dressier. Miss Gish will have the role of the princess in this version of the stage success; Nagel is to play the tutor with whom she falls in love; La Rocque will be the prince, and Miss Dressier will portray the queen, the role in which she distinguished herself on the stage.

A special sound truck, fitted with

extension apparatus for filming talkies in the underground Chinese dens of San Francisco, was dispatched to that city to film important scenes for Harold Lloyd’s first Paramount talkie, “Welcome Danger.” The Chinese deus in Sau Francisco’s Chinatown are situated mostly below the street level, and the Lloyd company had to overcome many difficulties in placing their apparatus. The special portable equipment proved of great assistance. Over a score of Chinese “extras” were engaged to play in the Chinese sequences. “Welcome Danger,” which has just been completed at the Paramount studios, will arrive in New Zealand shortly. It has already been previewed in Hollywood, where it created much favourable comment. The cast includes Barbara Kent (who plays the feminine lead), Charles Middleton, Noah Young, anjd William Availing.

In conjunction with J. A. Thorpe and Stuart Paton, Thomas Bentley, the well-known British producer, is now arranging his cast for “Harmony Heaven,” the one hundred per cent. British International musical “talkie,” which will be released by Kinema Art Films. A real big theatre had to be built at one of the Elstree Studios for the filming of the theatre scenes in this production. The theatre will be of the latest futuristic Continental type. The ceiling will be a mass of hanging lights disguised as a vinery. There will be, of course, the usual boxes, a big dress circle, and a number of magnificent dEQP gatalna.

John -Gilbert and Norma Shearer share starring honours in a “Romeo and Juliet” .skit, which is featured in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s big musical motion picture spectacle, “The Hollywood Revue,” which will be seen shortly. . The novelty sketch, which begins

with the romantic balcony scene from the great Shakespearean play,- and winds up with a modernised version, is directed by Lionel Barrymore, who also appears in the scenes in his directorial capacity.

“The Song Shop,” a colourtone revue, will introduce to the screen many famous composers of popular music. Jack Benny, who was master of ceremonies in “The Hollywood Revue of 1929,” will serve in the same capacity, afid among those to appear in this film will be Fred .Fisher, who wrote “Dardanella,” Raymond Klages, who wrote “The Japanese Sandman,” Dave Dreyer, Roy Turk, Fred Ahlert, Nacio Herb Brown, Arthur Freed and Buster Dees.

Lon Chaney, whose hobby is amateur movies, has a new trick of the lens. With telescopic apparatus he is taking moving pictures of the moon and planets.

In “The Sky Hawk” there is authentic reproduction of such typical British vistas as Piccadilly • Circus, Hyde Park, Soho, Leicester Square and other spots, built by an army ■of technicians and filled by a horde of extras..

Polly Walker, star of George M. Cohan’s musical company success, “The Merry Malones,” during its run in New York last season, will play the lead in Radio Pictures’ spectacular talking and singing production of “Hit the Deck.” The only other player thus far announced for this lavish musical production is Jack Oakie, who will enact the leading masculine role. Oakie was selected for the part because of his excellent work in the Radio Picture, “Street Girl,” starring Betty Compson. Luther Reed, who has produced many of the screen’s outstanding films, and who recently completed direction of Bebe Daniels's first R.K.O. production, “Rio Rita,” which is to be given its world premiere at the Earl Carroll Thetre, Sunday evening, October 6, has been entrusted with the task of bringing “Hit the Deck” to the audible screen

“Please give this little girl a hand,” said Janette Gilmore in the musical comedy “Rio Rita” when it was here recently, and never once during the tour of this company did she fail to receive a very big hand indeed from an admiring and enthusiastic audience. Unknown to this country when she first opened here, Janette Gilmore became the rage in theatrical circles, and her vivacity and personality, her amazing dancing and comedy ability, won her enormous personal popularity. Sir Benjamin Fuller has secured this delightful artiste for a further Contract, and it is not beyond the bounds of reason that she will be back in New Zealand at the head of a talented company some time in the future. _

Of the twelve speaking parts in “Black Waters,” the British Dominions’ Films alltalking feature, which is now screening at the King's Theatre, Wellington, nine are important. These are filled by artists who form what is possibly the strongest cast yet got together, in one talking production. Three particularly interesting people of the cast are John Loder, son of General Loder, and a relative of the Duke of Bedford, a particularly good - looking man, credited with possessing an exceptionally fine speaking voice, and who was educated at Eton, and wag a captain in the British Army during the Great War; Mary Brian, the clever girl who was chosen by Sir James Barrie for the part of Wendy in the original “Peter Pan,” and James Kirkwood, who is responsible for an outstanding performance as Eve Kelly, a wandering evangelist. He was formerly a member of Dublin’s distinguished Abbey Players, the company which gave us Sarah Allgood, the gifted actress, who delighted New Zealanders in “Peg o’ My Heart.”

After each performance of the “Whirligigs” Revue during its first week, Mr. Nat Phillips, speaking from the stage, stated that he and his company would be only too pleased to receive requests to give an afternoon’s entertainment at hospitals or any insti-

tutlon of this kind. The first of these requests has been acceded to, and last Tuesday saw the “Whirligigs” bringing a little sunshine into the lives of the patients at the Victoria Ward for cripples and incurables.

Jack Gardner, head of the Fox basting department, sought 200 real Eskimos to appear with Lenore Ulric Jn “ Frozen Justice,” and after searching for weeks, finally rounded up 116. Considering that balminess of the California climate, everyone is wondering how he managed to get that number out there—especially when they had to - wear “summer furs.”

The White Star liner Majestic has led the .way for ocean greyhounds by wiring its motion picture apparatus for “talkies.”

Fox Films has secured the talking picture rights to the great stage success “Liliom,” and it will be used as a vehicle for Paul Muni, who is rapid- - ly establishing hhne self as the greatest e character actor in a the motion picture world. It is expected that Muni will start “Liliom” ' as soon as he has ' completed his present picture, “Seven 1 Faces.” - • Barrymore, who deserted acting to become a talking picture director, vowed never to again appear before the camera, . but was persuaded to direct and act in the “Romeo and Juliet” number when granted the concession that he might “ play it straight” without make-up. It has now been definitely decided ■' that the title of British International’s “The Hate Ship” is to be called “The Melody of Fate,” and the film which is now being cut and assembled, will • soon be ready for presentation. Captain Norman Walker, responsible for “Tommy Atkins,” will direct this alltalkie 8.1. picture, which will be released by Kinema Art Films.

“The Desert Song,” the screen’s first operetta, is to be produced by Warner Bros., whose introduction and development of the Vitaphone is responsible for the advent of the speaking photoplay. Presenting the first sound-film when they released the John Barrymore production, “Don Juan,” with a synchronised musical score, Warner Bros.’ next included actual talking in Al Jolson’s “Jazz Singer.” Then followed many other productions, making a constantly added use of the Vitaphone, and finally several which were all talking. As a climax to their endeavours they have produced the glorious musical operetta, “The Desert Song.”

Lilting strains of “Broadway Baby Dolls,” “Wishing and Waiting for Love” and “Jig, Jig, Jigaloo,” the rhythmic tapping of feet of fifty dancing girls, the wailing saxophone and the high notes of a grand opera tenor in a theatrical boarding-house, the staccato bark of gangsters’ guns—these are some of the high spots of “Broadway Babies,” First National’s Vitaphone production, starring the little comedienne, Alice Waite, now showing at the Majestic. This picture, which is thorough entertainment from first to last, takes one behind the scenes in a big musical comedy theatre; into the night clubs of gay Broadway, and into a theatrical boarding-house just off the Big Street. Gay and dazzling sets, particularly the theatrical scenes and those in the night club, add to one’s enjoyment, but apart from the songs, the dancing and the background, “Broadway Babies” has a real story, and one that is portrayed by an ideal cast All dancing, singing and talking, “Broadway Babies” is one of the finest productions since the introduction of the talking picture. Power of suggestion is known to be a mighty weapon. Paul McAllister, one time matinee idol, who enacts the role of the Patriarch Noah in Warner Bros.’ gigantic production, “Noah’s Ark,” vouches personal knowledge of the truth of this assertion. “Director Michael Curtis said to me, in outlining a scene, ‘Remember, Max, you are an old man,”’ McAllister explained. “I acted old and thought old during the protracted shooting of the scenes, and when the filming was over it took me several days to straighten my back and erase real lines of age from my face.”

Four new and original songs will be sung by Eddie Leonard, merry minstrel man, In “Melody Lane,” Universal’s alldialogue and music picture. The songs were written by Leonard, whose “IdaSweet as Apple Cider,” Is still a favourite, and Jack Stern, composer of a number of song hits, especially for “Melody Lane.” The four new songs are “Beautiful,” the theme song; “The Bogie Man Am Here,” “Here I Am,” and “Sugar Cane Around My Door.” They will all be sung by Leonard in the picture, which is a story of stage life. Three of Leonard’s own songs which helped to win him fame as a .minstrel will be heard in' the film. They are “Ida,” “Oh, Didn’t It Rain,” and “Roly Poly Eyes.” ; Josephine Dunn plays opposite Leonard in the film.

The first talking pictures were produced in France over twenty years ago. When presented in Paris, the public refused to patronise them, preferring the silent films. The first attempt to make the screen audible was made by the old Pathe Company, which produced several one-reel pictures with the 3 dialogue recorded on gramophone records. That interesting piece of information comes from Louis Gasnier, Paramount director, who has just finished Evelyn Brent’s first starring picture, “Darkened Rooms.” Gasnier was general manager of the Pathe studios at Monte Carlo from 1902 to 1905, and handled the production of these early talkies.

Three hundred and ninety lights, manned by one hundred and thirteen electricians, and consuming thirty thousand amperes of electrical current, were required to illuminate the huge palace garden setting of Paramounts all-col-our singing romance, “The Vagabond King.” Over two hundred persons appeared in the garden scene, which was the largest setting ever constructed in a sound picture studio. This scene was 250 feet long and 75 feet high, completely filling the interior of one of the largest and newest of the Paramount sound stages. Fifteen thousand square feet of sky backing were painted for it “The Vagabond King,” which has been produced on a most lavish scale, is a Paramount musical comedy starring Dennis King, English actor, who sang in the original New York stage production. A large' cast including Jeannette MacDonald, P. Heggie, Warner, and Lillian Roth, supports the star.

The instrumentalist Frank Wilson, who is one of the biggest favourites of the “Whirligigs” Revue at His Majesty’s Theatre, illustrated his musical versatility the other week by presenting an act with bagpipes, which he played dressed in the full rig-out of a Highlander—and incidentally showed himself to be a fine figure of a kiltie. Introduced between various Scottish tunes was a rendering of “There’s a Rainbow ’Round my Shoulder,” which sounded very novel indeed. As a grand finale to this act the whole of the “Whirligigs” Company came on the stage in variegated Scotch costumes and did a spirited fling to the accompaniment of , the music peculiar to this act.

“The Terror,” as a stage play, has held the imagination of Londoners for over three years, and now Warner Bros, have made it into an balldialogue screen play, which in gruesomeness, shivers, shocks and laughter far exceeds the original May MaeAvoy plays the daughter of an aged doctor who keeps an ancient house as a “rest cure.” She is the especial object of the attacks of “The Terror,” and is tossed between knives, shadowy clutching hands, weird suitors and panic-stricken ladies, the most uproariously ludicrous of whom is Louise Fazenda. Edward Everett Horton playa the part of a tippling and terrified lover, and the cast includes Alec B. Francis, Holmes Herbert and John Miljan. It is now screening at the Paramount Theatre.’

Eddie Dowling, the star in Paramount’s “The Rainbow/ Man.” is one of the best-known singing comedians of tlie Broadway stage. Renee Kelly is playing in “Miss Adventure,” Reginald Berkeley’s latest play in London. Isobel Wilford is playing in “He’s Mine,” in the English provinces. The company will go to London later. Tallulah Baukhead, Allan Agnesworth and Helen Haye are playing leads,