Plays – Players – Pictures

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 144, 21 June 1930, Page 25

Plays - Players - Pictures

THE SHOWS. lowa Uall— Oriwn Rocltal every Sunday, 5.30 p.m. Philharmonic Orchestra, 21st June. Grand Opera House— Pictures. St. James's—X'ictnrcs. Majestic-- Pictures. Ileuent—;Plcturea. Do Luxer-JPictures. ■ ■ -... Paramount' Theatre—Pictures King's Theatre- Pictures. , - ' Artcraft Theatre—Pictures. Our Theatre— Pictures, SUorlt'a Theatre—Pictures. , Britannia Theatre—Pictures. Queen's, •heatre— Pictures. Princess' Theatre^ Pictures. Kilbirnie Kiuenia—Pictures.

A profit of about £200 was made from the Auckland University stu dents' play, "AIJ Quiet on the Water, front,V■according-to "a statement mado at a meeting of the Students' Associa tion tho other evening, reports the "Star." This result is considered highly satisfactory.

Mr. Shayle Gardner has returned to London fpr a, short stay, writes;.:!' Tie Post's" London correspondent. During tho course of a conversation with the filni correspondent of the '' Even ing ■..News" the New Zealand actor re marked: "Tragedy lurks round every corner in Hollywood. The amount of unemployment is terrible. Not . more than" one in twenty among- the film colony, has regular work. The others do;•any sort of menial job to keep alive. They beeomo waiters and waitresses, chauffeurs —anything that will, keep;" them'near or in the studios. They, exist from; day to day in the . hope, that some director will notice them or that some emergency will arise •which will give. them the magic chance. Many of them, 1 am. sorry to say, are Englishmen. • Tho advent of the talkies "led to a rush to Hollywood of- pe'oplo. who. can speak good Eng lisii. ! They,,beg and borrow and live froni hand to mouth. The unemploy ment is duo to the talkies. They take only four weeks or so to inalse, ;as against the two or three months required for a silent film." The purpose of. Mr., Gardner Js return ;to! London \ is. that'he%ay'renew his permit to* work in America^ • The ''Evening News" adds: "Since his-remarkable ■ success as ■.the father in-the'Rex Ingram film, • ' Tlio Three Passions, " he has been' acting in American talkies, including "The-Three-. Live "Dis-,. raeli," with George -Arliss, and the latest Dr. Fu Man Chu film with Warner Olfriid He is returning /to. Holly, ■wood as soon as his immigration permit is arranged.

In spite of the most unfortunate weather, St. Andrew's' Hall, 'Hastings; was comfortably filled, last week when the Hastings Women's Choir, assisted by an 'orchestra of 12' pla'yors, gave its fourth concert, states the "Tribune." It is impossible to exaggerate the value of &c work which this fine combination is dbing by way of meeting the real de~ marid of the-public for-natural music, as distinct from the mechanical substi ■tatek for it, and all eoneemed are to be Congratulated on "a fine performiince. Mrs."; Whitlock conducted the choir, Mr , Haniy Cooper (violinist) led the'orcljes tra,;;'and Miss M'Hutcheon played the pianoforte accompaniments. '■", There is move than ordinary humour in '?;Love Lies," the piece selected by Messrs. White and Edgely as the vehicle for their talented brother, Clem Dave's first sustained comedy part. The; comedy has been running at the London Gaiety for over a year, and is stilK going strong. ; ft; is not only a comedy; it is studded with musical gems, and a ballet of tap-clanccrs," trani ed by Dick White himself, do: simultaneous step-dancing "as one leg, 3.' as it were.-

The Tauniafuuui Operatic Society, •which came into being with a produc tiori. of "A Country Girl" last year, had a wonderful success for a comparatively small community, and made £10S profit, after purchasing its scenery, , Excellent progress is being made with, the preliminaries for the production by' the Masterfon Amateur Theatrical Society of "Going Up/ a delightful music; al comedy. The cast has been announce, ed as follows:- —Miss Zonne, telephone girl, Miss L. Taylor; John Gordon, ruattago.r:of. Gordon Inn,.-Mr v K. -Pods; F: H. Douglas, a . chronic bettor, Mr; Rex Shaw; Mrs. Douglas, his wife, Mrs. N. 11. Prior; Jules. Gaillard, prospective son-in-law, Mr. C. Rogers; Grace Douglas, his fiancee, Miss E. Ralph; Madeline Manners, her chum, Miss M. Donald; Hopkinson Brown, her fiance, Mr. W. Mann; Robert Street, author of "Going Up," Mr. Seymour Gilding; James Brooks, his publisher, Mr. D. Thompson; Sam Robinson, a-mechanic-ian, Mr. 11. Robinsoni1 Louis, Gaillard's mechanician,.Mr. v R. HOrnc... . ...;-,„ ... The Orpheus:Musical.'Society, ivvvhich gave so successful a performance of j Sullivan's "■Rpseli of ; .Persja'^:\ : ?last.j month, has ldst n6 time in .commencing, preparations for its second concertThej work chosen'••is Wallace's- ever-popular'j opora "Maiitana," which will be presented at the end of July.- Rehearsals have commenced,/ and are held each Monday evening iv the Terrace Congr.6-1 gational ; Church . Schoolroom, Bowen street.. The society has vacancies for all voices, particularly- tenors and basses. Mr.- Harison Cook will again be conducting the society. In Betty' Eleyj the ' English actr-ess brought out "for- the Australian ..season of "Love Lies" (by the White-Edgely managerial, duo), is a little lady of many accomplishments. Sho has played Bhinie Hale's part "in "Puppets" in England; been principal girl in pantomimes; appears with George Grossmith and Mamie Watson in "Lady Mary;"' has appeared with Wylie-Tate productions; and took Evelyn Laye's part in "Betty of MayfairM on a., provincial tour. She comes to Australia fresh from a revival of "The Vagabond King," in which she was noticed by Mr. Erie E.dgely, who booked her for "Love Lies." Michael Gole has joined the company, stepping/from "The Merry Widow "ito a speaking ana singing 'part. BoiDfty Gordon and Rita M'Lcan are two .English artists with "Love Lies,":and Paul Pluuket, Mona Barlee (daughter, of Phil Smith), brie Edgcly, Dan rAgar, and Marie Baton arc well-known .namc3 in the east. The piece abounds with musical numbers,; snappy dancing,' and gorgeous dressing. Mr. Arthur Stigant, the ' English comedian who is now almost an Australian, so long-has he'boen retained in the Antipodes by J. 'C. Williamson for character, parts, is^ taking his old -crt cf t-^-a-' urbane Govei-nor in the Williamson ~ revival of "Maid of the 'Z."i:ntains.".. Ho claims the distine_r ».avitig been the only member ni the chief company who never missed r performance of "The Maid" in Australia or Now Zealand. Edwin Brett is in Leslie Holland's old role of th"c Governor's ridiculous aide; Gus Bluett in th(? ■ f ar-f rom-desperate desperado,Tonio, into which he infuses his youthful enthusiasm. Beppo is in the capable hands of Herbert Browne, the tenor of "many Williamson : successes, notably "Wildflower," "Frasquita," "Desert Song," "Student Prince," "Sally," and others. Vera Spaull enacts the part of Vittoria originally done by Nion,e Stewart and Nellie Payne, juul Romola Hanson, of "Desert Song," is the Governor's daughter.

Dame Nellie Melba gave an afternoon cimrerV nt';t"lic Park Lnne iloti-l, London, in aid/of the Children's- Natioiinl-j\doptioa-Society, which finds good homes'for "abandoned infants. "After not singing in public for so long, I could

not help being thrilled," said Dame jNfellie.>' "But I have never sung in my life without being terribly nervous beforehand.- Some members of the Royal Family were present at the concert. Mclba saiig some Debussy and Strauss and an excerpt from "Bohemc." Lance Fairfax, who was here as lead :n '.'The Desert Song," was siiiging at some of- the picture theatres in Molbourno before he left for London.

Tho Trinity College examiner this year will be Dr. J. E. Borland, F.R.C.0., who has been for over twenty years niusie,al adviser, to'the Education Do•partinent of the London County Council Dr. Borland is a Londoner of Scottish 'parentage, and his musical education, begun under private teachers, was con tinued at the Royal College of Music. Since taking Mus.Doc. degree at, Oxford in: 1906 Dr. Borland has acted as lee turer and examiner for the University of London, as' well as for other schools of music.. His own instruments are the piano, organ, and^Freuch horn, and his compositions include school songs and church music; : •

The idea seems to have gained cur rency in some quarters that the Music Week is merely a scheme which lias been devised by the music trade in or der to "boost business." It will be a pity if this notion spreads among the general public. The members of the music trade 'are- certainly giving the week their wholehearted support, and in the nature of things they-.must.gain by the successful carryings.out.of! tho project. But the public may rest-assur-ed that the foremost aim of the scheme is'not a commercial one. It is an attempt on the part of certain people who are interested in music to infuse some much-needed enthusiasm into the .musical life.of the Dominion; and, as such, it it worthyof' the support of all those to whom niusio makes even; the smallest appeal. If it, receives generous support, the Music Week will be an eriorm ous success, and will do much to awaken public enthusiasm.—" Auckland Star." ~.-"■ i ' ■"■ ' '.':■ ' ■

The [fourteenth, annual general meet:, ing- of the Hamilton Operatic, Society :was held last week, when.the president. Mn A.YE. Bouillon, presided over, an attendance, of 35 members. In his remarks 6n\the''past yseas6nj the president stated that allliougti'-tiie year's working had shown-a lo'ss,.the ~production of 'Gipsy Love" was an artistic success. and the members had enjoyed the work immensely, complete harmony prevailing throughout the arduous, period of rehearsal and during the production; The cost of the production of the opera;, was £633, and while it was a large Xigure, it was less than the previous season's.-: The total takings for the season were £507 Is sd, which.showed a decrease of £198 18s 7d on the 1928 season, which reached the high figure of £706 10s'. The statement of assets and liabilities showed fixed deposits at bank £215 os, and no liabilities. Miss Elsie Prince, the dainty little brunette who "is so beloved of ;New: Zealanders for her work in. William-, sou productions, is back in Australia; and. is hard at work on "Mr. Cin-' dors'," which the firm intend to present, shortly. Mr... Handle Edgar, who has also been brought out from England for the piece, is already in Australia, and Sonny Ray is another importation. Miss' Prince brings news of Australians who are doing well on the London stage. "It is awfully nice ■lo be here again," she said on arrival recently, "ancl splendid to have-such a fine part in such a big success as 'Mr. Qindcrs.' I. am sure Australians will love the show.*"' ; '■ . Sydney Burchall, the baritone of ".The Belle of New York," "New. Moon," and "Country Girl" revivals by J. C. Williamson in Australia, has aspirations towards grand opera. Mr. Burqhall's first musical education was in the choir of Chester Cathedral, England. Later he graduated at the [Guildhall School of Music, and completed, his studies under the guidance of no less a famous person than "Sir. Laudon-Ronald. , He has sung in "Desert Song;" as. Captain Piiul Fontaine, !,and has; proved himself''an actor; of. freaf'ability in all the roles, he has , played. ', ■ , ' . ■': ; With the arrival of tho star, Beatrice^ liillie,- internationally famous com-, cdienne,- Hamilton • OVlacFladden, who will direct Miss.Lillie in "Are You There?" her first musical production for the talking screen, is rushing completion of the cast. The story and -mtinuity is by Billy K. Wells and Geoige Grossmith, with dialogue by the latter and Harlan Thompson. Stage ensemble will be directed by Hassard Short, of Broadway musical fame. Of the supporting cast, thoso definitely assigned thus far are Jillian Sand, Mvho recently arrived from England, and John Garrkk, featured recently in "The Sky Hawk." ' Mr. Jesse L, Lasky, of Paramount Pictures, announces thai Paramount will release 70 feature length all-talk-ing in Australia and New Zealand during the season of 1931. It is furthei announced that colour pictures will bo a feature. With the success of. the dramatic use of colour in "Tlve: Vagabond King," Paramount officials have-recognised vast possibili ties for colour in the future. The colour pictures for 1931 will be made under th new improved process, the experimental stage belonging tc the past, v Wit' that genius for, imparting just l.he right flavour-to his directorial efforts, Donald Crisp .has again reached into his store. of histrionic seasonings for "Cooking Her Goose," and added Natalie Moorhead to the cast of this romantic Radio' picture. Mary Astor and Lloyd Hughes, who are to be reunited in this film, will play the leads. Miss Moorhead originated the role she will take in the picture when the "Goose" was first served on the stage n.t Hollywood. Later she played in the San Francisco production.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer has acquired screen rights to, "Tampico," the play by Bartlett Cormack and Joseph Hcrgescheimer, based on Hergesheimor's novel of the same name.

Constance Bennett has been ' sigued by Fox Films for .the lead iv "Common Clay,"'which Victor Fleming will direct. When "Common Clay" was produced. in New York in 1915 with jano Cowl in the lead, it proved a sen sationar success for its author, Cieves Kiukead, and one' of the most important plays in tbo career of Miss Cowl. Tho story is built about a danco hall o-irl who is given a- chance to go straight by working as a maid for a wealthy family. The members'of the family humiliate her <vnd tho son betrays" her. AVheJi she is brought to Court on ■'a .sensational charge the lawyer who defends her discovers that shd is his own daughter. Joai. Bennett, sister of Constance, recently completed tho leading. rol< ,in " Crazy. That Way." >■ Braving the'swiftly-flowing treachery of''the Stanislaus River, in the high California-'-Sierra- Nevada Mountains, 35 cowboys swam-their horses from one bank to the other for a talking picture scene. Five cameras, located at widely varied' strategic points recorded the hazardous passage of :the riders and horses, whije carefully-placed microphones captured the sounds of the scene for Paramount's production of 'Zaiie Grey *s '' The. Border Legion,'' in. which'-'Richard Alien is starred.

The nil-star cast, of Radio Pictures' original screen operetta, "Dixiana," received another stellar name with tlio selection or:-Joseph Cawfchorn, inimitable comedian of many stage and screen successes. "Dixiana" will mark.Cawthorn's fourth appearance on the talk-

ing screen in an BKO production. He has played in "Street Girl," "Jazz Heaven,"and "Dance Hall."- The operetta, will have an all all-star cast headed by Bebo Daniels. N "The Lady- of Scandal" has been selected as the final title for Metro-Goldwyii-Mayer's screen adaptation of Frederick Lonsdale's play, "The High Road." This production stars Ruth Chatterton, with Basil Eathbone, Cyril Chadwick, and Ealph Forbes in important roles. .'•■''..

I In answer to'tho constant demand for diversity in screen entertainment, arrangements are being finalised for the .production-of the-first full-length all child-star talking picture. The new typ' of picture, which will be made by Paramount, under the title .of "Skippy," is expected to provide the public with something entiroly different in the way of talking film entertainnicut.

I ' "Talking"pictures have increased tlie demand for 'extra' talent—and as the talkies grow bigger and better, .tho demand will keep apace! " "Figures don't lie,'' says Bailey, "so I offer. them as proof. In EKO's first -film,'"Street Girl,'' 1000 extras and bit players were used. That means 1000 individual daily cheeks were issued in course of production. In 'Half Marriage' 1000 were used; 850 in ■'Side Street'; SOO in 'The Delightful Rogue'; 2500 in 'Rio Eita'; 1000 in 'Tanned Legs'; 2500 in.'Night Parade'; 1000 ii) -Jazz Heaven'; 1000 in 'The- Vagabond Lover'; 250, in 'Seven Keys to Baldpate'; 2500 in 'Dance Hall'; and at. least 2000 in 'Hit the. Deck.' " These figures represent 16,000 "calls" and a wage expenditure of more than 160,000 dollars for bits and extra players the last few months. In addition, Eadio Pictures keeps more ithan 100 singers and dancers under stock contract —something unheard •of in the days of silent drama.

•• William S. Hart, famed western stilt1, 'made his first appearance on a motion picture set after a retirement which has lasted seyeral y»ears, when he cajiie down from his mountain home because of hia interest in tho story of tho historic outlaw of New Mexico, "Billy the Kid,", no\S' being placed on 'the talking screen by King Vidor for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. As a compliment to Hart, ..Director Vidor immediatly staged an impromptu struggle scene between the older star and John Mack Brown, who plays tho title role. It was Hart's first appearance before a microphone. *.

"The Big Pond," Maurice Chevalier's third Paramount all-talking picture for- the screen, was recently completed at the Long Island studios. Claudetto Colbert plays the , leading feminine i-ole, -and Andre Cordray, Nat Pendleton, George .Barbier, all noted stage artists,'are ,in the cast. "

William Le Baron just recently announced that Joseph Cawthoru and Sally O'Neil had been given long-term contracts. Bebe Daniels is under contract for eight pictures with Radio, tho first of which was "Rio Rita," the second "Love Comes Along." Richard Dix, under contract for three, has done "Seven Keys to Baldpate." Rod La Rocque' is'to do four Radios, the'first of which was "Beau Bandit." Betty Compson, cast? for the role of Babka in "The Case of Sergeant Grischa," Herbert Brenon production for Radio, has already appeared in ''Street Girl," and is scheduled for two more on this year's programme. Olive Borden, with a longterm contract, has done 'Half Marriage' for RKO, and is the featured lead in "Dance Hall." Sally Blanc, aJso with a long-term contract, has worked in "The Very Idea" and "The Vagabond Lover, '■'starring Eudy Vallee. Lowell Sherman has been awarded a long-term contract with Radio Pictures. Sherman recently completed featured roles in "He Knew Women" and "Midnight Mystery" for Radio.^ j Hafry^:i.P.D]larcl, .director:, of ■ "Show Boat;" who'7 was' recently placed under contract to Metro-Gpldwyn-Mayer, will direct" Joan Crawford in "The Great Day,?',adaptation of the, stage .musical success.-.1 ''.•■"■■■

■ "The v*Dovil's Holiday,", which was completed recently at the Hollywood studio's,. was written and directed by Edmund .Goulding, the man who made '' TheV.Trespasser.'' Supporting Miss Nancy'.,Carroll in'the picture are James Kirkwo-od,. •Hobart Bosworth,' Phillips Holmes, ..Morgan 'Farley, and. Net! Sparks. '••:■ :■"■>'■. : . ... ■• ■.-■■ "

, .'May Beatty, and John Ince have been signed up for featured roles in "Alias, French Gertie," Bebe; Daniels's third starring' vehicle for Radio Pictures. The all-talking nlm,-Uidapted from "The Chatterbox" stage play by Bayard Veiller, is now in production. . Ben Lyon/ Miss Daniels's fiance, plays opposite the star 'in their first film- together. ■

Buster Keaton will next bo seen in "Wai Babies," a comedy of army life dealing with various farcical adventures happening soon after the signing of the Arniistice. Edward Sedgwick, who has directed almost all of Keaton's recent vehicles,' including "Frco and Easy" and "Spite Marriage," has been named director of "War Babies," ■while Sally Eilers will be the comedian's leading lady. ■ Supporting '' Buddy " • Rogers in "Safety in Numbers" a'ro five leading women, Katharine Crawford, Carol Lombard, Geneva Mitchell, Virginia Bruco, Josephine Dunn. Victor Schortzingcr directed, and Richard Tucker, Lawrence Grant, and Fiancis M' Donald are also in the cast.

Greta "Garbo' is .perhaps the' only, motion picture star' to walk into her first', talking scone without . having a voice test or, having practised before the microphone. In making her talking picture debut in "Anna Christie," for Mctro-Goklwyn-Mayer, the star did so without ever having seen a microphone before actual production began. Going to sea in an "acoustic" ship was the unique experience of the motion picture actors who played in '' The Ship from Shanghai, "an adaptation of Dale Collins's novel, "Ordeal," directed by Chaa-les Brabin'for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Members of the cast of this production, which was filmed on the ocean, almost in its entirety, include Louis Wolheim, Conrad Nagel, Kay Johnson, Carme] Myers," Holmes Herbert, Zoflio Tilbury, Ivan Linowy Pat Moriarity, and Tom' M'Guire.' ~A complete floating'studio housed the players for the several .months spent on the Pacific (luring the making of the picture.

With the signing of Arthur Kobison; one of Germany's greatest film directors. Metro-Goldwii-Maycr has assembled one of the.largest groups of wellknown directors and players that will carry out its schedule of filming Spanish, French,. German, and Italian talking pictures.

Excellent progress is/reported on the production of "The Big House" at the Metro-Goldwyu-Mayor studios. The new drama, of prison life is being directed by George Hill,: while Wallace Beery, Chester Morris, Robert Montgomery, Leila Hysuns, Lewis Stone, Karl Dane, and others of note are in th cast.