Plays Players Pictures

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 79, 3 April 1926, Page 18

Plays Players Pictures

THE SHOWS.

Opera House— Easter: Fnnk Harvey, in "The S«venth Heaven," to-night. Hl» Majesty's—Fuller's Vaudeville. Da Luis Theatre—Picture*, icing's Theatre—Picture*. The Tfvoll—Pictures. Artcraft—Pleturei. Our Theatre—Pictures. Empress Theatre—Picture!. Bhortt'i Theatre—Pictures. Strand Theatre—Picture!. Britannia Theatre—Picture*, Queen* Theatre—Plcturea. Princess Theatre—Picture*. Louis Bennison, through here in "The Great Lover" and two other pieces, is co-author in a new play, "The Virgin," recently produoed in New York. He also plays the principal male role. A very popular and clever act to appear at Fullers' shortly is that of Joe Brennan and Ida Newton. These people come direct from Hugh J. "Ward's big pantomime, in which they were a great success. Mr. Joe Brennan is a one-time Dunedin boy, and has gone high up the ladder of theatrical success, having appeared in'some big productions in England and America. Miss Newton is a vivacious performer, with personality and a fine voice, and is a splendid foil for Mr. Brennan's humour. ■ Mr. Herbert J. Bentley, producer for the Little Theatre Society, Auckland, is at present an inmate of the Waipukurau Sanatorium. It is hoped that Mr. Bentley will benefit by his treatment there, and that he will soon be back in Auckland to take the reins of the society into his hands once more. The New Zealand friends of Mr. Jan Caryll (Christchurch) will be interested to hear that he has returned again to London from a most successful tour abroad, having fulfilled dancing engagements at all tho principal theatres in the cities of Egypt, India, Ceylon, Burma, Malay States, China, and Japan^, Fays the London correspondent of "The Post." His work everywhere has been very well received, and at the moment Mr. Caryll is considering offers and propositions for cabaret and other productions in London. About the end of the present year he is hoping to go out to Australia and New Zealand for a short tour. Apart from hi* professional work, he is looking forward with much eagerness to meeting all his old friends in New Zealand again. Decima M'Lean, once, known with her brother Eddie as "The Little Dartos," was married recently to Eric Masters, a baritone musical comedy actor who has been ■in the. same company with her from time to time. She does not mean to give up her dancing with her brother for partner, and they will be seen again together in their whirlwind dances shortly. The wedding took place at her mother's home at Bandwick, with only the immediate family circle present. Decima was the only girl at her,own wedding whose hair was not shingled. It falls in shining glory to her hips, ,red-gold and glossy as spun silk. The Hon. Eileen Plunket is playing in ,v new farce, at the Fortune Theatra, called "Do Be Careful." She takes the part of Lady Myttoo, writes "The Post's" London correspondent. The "Morning Post" critic says: "What it was about I do not know, nor can I imagine." The "Daily Telegraph" describes it as "one of these wild, extravagant, and wholly irrational farce* about which it is vain to argue. Thirty years ago it might have made an appeal to a public sufficiently large to recoup its producer for his outlay, but to-day fit strikes one as out-worn and frievously old-fashioned." One of the golden qualities of Percy Grainger, the celebrated pianist and composer, is that of thorough research. In all art, as well as science, there are wells of truth, if one only has the desire and persistence to explore them to their more or less obscured sources. This quality Las made the name of Percy Grainger pro-eminent in Europe and America,, where .his work as a determined, delver into the folk songs and dance melodies of the Nordic races is perhaps better known than it is out here. 1 All the musical world knows -what Liszt did for Hungarian folk music; how he drew out from the mists of the past those golden threads of melody whose rootß were enmeshed in the hearts of the people, drew them forth and cleborated them with his matchless genius Mintil all the world camp to know them. In the same .manner-, Percy Grainger has during the last ten or fifteen years done a great deal of valuable work, in bringing to light those half-forgotten dance' and song tunes, which may have perished altogether, but for his resuscitating hand. As one of the most intense and eager students of Greig, the Norwegian composer, Grainger could not pass Norway by, and in that country is he not only known and honoured as a performing artist, but he has made a special niche for himself as the skilful restorer of much of the music that went hand in hand with the old sages of battle, sea-~ lust, of the mountain and fiord, the cote and the byre, which would have vanished from human ken but for his aid. Mr. Grainger also delved deep into the sources of Irish melody, and found much beauty and graco lying dormant and neglected. He proved that long before the days of Tom Moore Ireland had her'sweet songs of woe, which had been crooned over the turf fires of her people centuries before it occurred to anyone to write them down for, the enlightenment of posterity. Grainger's work as an arranger of old sea chanties is also becoming known to the world. Before Sir Benjamin Fuller left Now Zealand ho made an important announcement to the effect that he would shortly present to his patrons Irving'a Imperial Midget*. This is the most-•talkad-.of act ever booked. It consists of twenty-five artists, who are tho smallest folk in the world, and they offer a wonderful programme of musical comedy, acrobatics, boxing, wrestling^ dancing, singing, and a circus. This act teems with unique novelties, and combines the most lavish scenic environment with novel and attractive coitumes. One is absolutely transported to Midgetland. The fascinating, unbelievable Gulliver at! last becomes real, as actual "Lilliputians" disport in front of one's eyes. These little people are not dwarfs, but perfectly-propor-tioned miniature men and women. Thetr hearts are apparently of normal size, for despite their working hard they yet find time to help their less fortunato brethren. They are a happy crowd these twenty-five little folk. They radiate happiness through their mere presence, but when they present dancing and acrobatics one only thinks that fairies have come to life, i I Seventy-three and still on the boards! That is the proud record of Mr. George Sholton, "the one and only Smee." Mr. Sheltoii appeared in the part of Sroeo in the original production of "Peter Pan" in 1904. In every revival of Sir .Tames M. Barries immortal fantasy be has taken up his old part. He reached his .seventy-third birthday last January. Priseilla Verne, in her day the greatest ,of Australian soubrettes, also par excellence as a "feeder" in comedy acts, for somp time, says "Everyone's," Sydney dramatic and motion picture weekly, as been in the service of David Jones and Co., whero her reputation for dressing is being particularly invaluable in hor present canvoanial iuiroundinea. Miss Verne, as,

good a judge of women's gowns as the next, on this account pulls down a good salary. "It is far more regular," she says. (Miss Verne was well known to New Zcalanders as interlocutress of the Hugo Minstrels. She was the wife of the late Charles Hugo.) The audience in the Theatre Eoyal, Hobart, at the performance of "Tho Tempest," by the Allan Wilkie Shakespearian Company, applauded what it took to be most realistic stage effects for the storm scene. But they were applauding, in reality, the rattlo of fire engines, the crash of falling timbers, and the roar of flames accompanying a real fire, which caused thousands of pounds' worth of damage to property adjoining the theatre. The area in which the fire occurred Contained thousands of feet of stacked timber. The storm scene was just being staged ns the engine* r.rrived at the fire, and, thinking that the noise outside was only an echo of the stage effects, tho audience remained in their seats, while within a few yards of the theatre there was a blating inferno, the flames leaping hundreds of feet into the air. Patrons of Fullers' will be interested to hear that Rene Barlee has announced her engagement in Western 'Australia to Mr. Murray Church, of Perth. Miss Barlee, whose younger sister, Mona, scored a success as Jane in "Leave it to Jane," will make a brinf tour of New Zealand before settling down in the West. Herschel Henlore arrived back in Sydney from New Zealand a sick man (says a Sydney paper). An operation will be necessary before he sails for South Africa to fulfil * contract there, so his return season at the Tivoli has been cut out. The Pictures. How a horse can rescue his master from being lynched is one of the high spots of "All Around Frying Pan," Fred Thomson's latest production; but no horse save Silver King could accomplish the trick as he does it. \ Edmund Lowe has the title role in the big attraction due for release in New Zealand shortly, namely, "THe Fool," a powerful drama of a young preacher who endeavoured to live the life that Christ would have lived had He been on earth at the present day. The result is much the same as what occurred nearly two thousand years ago —"He was despisedl and rejected of men." His wealthy congregation becomes so indignant at the Christmas sermon that is preached that they bring about his dismissal from the church. Then follows a life spent in the service of his fellows, with many sacrifices, but his achievements are worth the trouble, for he brings a great influence of good to the waterfront mission in which he works, ■ and peace comes to his own soul. Edna Murphy, the delightful leading lady with Glenn Hunter in f'The Little Giant," is a native of New York City, where, at an early age, her beauty was in demand by photographers and artists for whom she posed. Her screen career had its beginnings in small parts supporting Hoot Gibson. The pictures in which she has appeared include "Lying Wives," "A Man Must Live," "Daughters of To-day," "The White Moth," and Wildfire." "The Wanderer," to be released in 1026, is b#sed on the immortal story of the "Prodigal Son." This picture has been built on the same lines as what i known as tha first section of "The Ten Commandments," and it is a worthy successor to that picture. The cast includes. Greta Nissen, William Collier, jun., Ernest Torrence, Wallace Beery, and Tyrone Power. A brilliant cast interprets "Recompense," adapted from the Robert Keable "best seller." Marie Prevost and Monte Blue have the co-starring parts. The inimitable starring team of "Kiss Me Again" and other notable s -ccesses, Monte Blue and Marie Prevost, is together again in "Other Women's Husbands," now in production at the Warner Stndio. The pictured version of the celebrated stage play, "Lightnin*," is to have i'l premiere in Wellington in the second week of April. The original stage play was a tremendous success, and the picture is said to be in every way as good, the cast having been selected with great care and attention. Jay Hunt, as "Lightnin' " Bill Jones, was chosen after many applicants had been interviewed, from the fact that his personal appearance and ability were the most like Frank Bacon, the first actor who made the role famous. "Lightnin'" fills the bill in regard to humour, romance, and action, and the story is so well-known that nothing more need be said regarding it. Tom Mix has just completed "My. Own Pal," a picture with two exceedingly beautiful females as co-stars. The "pal" in the cast is ' Virginia Marshall, the pretty child who, was seen in "East Lynne," and who did such splendid work in that picture. Ohe is just six years old, but already she gives great promise of becoming an actress of some note, and the way in which the sturdy Tom looks after her is very appealing. The other important lady is Olive Borden, the latest "find," who is signed for-a long term contract, during which she will appear with Tom Mix and in other leading toles. Miss Borden is of the vivacious Latin type, of much charm and- ability, and her future promises to be one of the very brightest that a picture actress may look forward to. Pat Hartigan, famous for his screen villainies, is the village bully, Jamber Niles, in "Below the Line," who attacks a wealthy young woman and then attempts to steal the church funds from Donald, the hero. Victor Potel appears as Jamber's half-witted brother. Kin-Tin Tin, the wonder dog, is the star. ' "The Goose Woman" was based on a real murder, which was followed closely by Rex Beach, author of the story. He turned it into a thrilling newspaper mystery $tory. Clarence Brown directed the production, with a notable allstar cast, headed by Jack Pickford, Louise Dresser, and Constance Bennett. A fascinating, daring, inconstant lover is John Barrymdre as the "Don Juan of Byron's immortal poem. This production is near completion at the Warner Studios. It is announced that the New Zealand copies of the spectacular drama, "The Johnstown Flood," have just arrived in New Zealand. A great cast, including George O'Brien and Florence Gilbert, have been chosen to present this screen version of a* catastrophe which befell the inhabitants of that valley some 36 years ago. Perhaps there is nothing more terrifying than the knowledge that a mighty volume of water is rushing uppn one—a terrible, devastating flood, a roaring avalanche from which there |is no escape. In "The Chechahcos," forty men and women buried themselves for six months in the heart of the Frozen North to make this powerful drama human and real. In -.'The Call of Courage," starring Art Accord, the star gives several daring exhibitions of his wonderful horsoinanship. He is without doubt one of the best horsemen now in pictures. The picture of Zano Grey's latest novel, "The Vanishing American," will be released in New Zealand under tho t'tle of "The Vanishing Bace." In an interview recently: Mr. (ir*v uu»a««^i-

considerable prido in this work, and expressed himself also as immensely pleased with the adapted s'ory. Naphaie, the leading character in the story has been symp tietically drawn. In tie picture thjs part is played by E'tihard Dix, and never before has he been cast in a more suitable role as the young Indian taken from his people, and educated, in a white man's school. The inevitable occurs, however, and he fills in love with a white girl. Of the trials of love against race barriers tho tale abounds, and it is with the genius of a great philosopher that Zane Grey has drawn this in some measure tragic picture '' The Vanishing American" will be released in New Zealand late this year. Illimitable wastes of sea, a tiny, rocky islet, an old lighthouse inhabited by three uncultured, lustful Dutchmen—this is the setting of Dolores Costollo's next picture for Warner Bros., "Bride of the Storm." Bin-Tin-Tin has started his next picture production, called "Hero of tho Big Snows," featuring one of filmdom's youngest and newest screen discoveries, Don Alvarado. Bobert Fraser is the type of cleancut American who persuades by personality as well as histrionic ability. In "The Foolish Virgin," he is cast opposite Elaine Hammcrstein, and does some dramatic acting that explains why Pola Negri called him the screen's greatest lover. : The hands of the clock are turned back in "As No Man Has Loved," the big attraction screening here this week, and the audiences are treated to a sight of the pretty frocks, the dainty dances and the interiors of beautiful homes of a hundred years ago.