STAGE AND SCREEN

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 141, 16 June 1932, Page 16

STAGE AND SCREEN

Revue Vaudevllte-for New Zealand;

It will, be'^elcbme news to vaudeville lqveral to learn that Messrs. J. C. William-' son,; Ltd.; are sending over a revue-cum-vaudeyille .company, next .month. It will. be headed toy ' that famous impersonator of the.London -stage, Ella Shields, whose male impersonations are things of perfection. Miss Shields has been astounding Australian audiences with.her art once more, for she is now at' the top..of the tree in her particular form of entertainment, and comes with a repertoire of old and new favourites that will roll the curtain back for many.of the older theatregoers and give the modern .generation something to think about beyond the sophistication of films.' In. support of Miss Shields will be a 'superb company of artists, and Mr; John Tait, of the firm of Messrs. J. and N. Taitjis sure that New Zealand audiences will support the. kind of performance to be. put on by high-class celebrity artists. There is already a keen interest in the announcement, auguring well for the siici cess of the revival of a brand of entertainment of.which we have too long been deprived. .... - ■ "Sentimental Bloke." An all-Australian-talking picture based on C. J. Dennis's celebrated work, "The Sentimental Bloke," and bearing the same name, has achieved considerable success in, Melbourne and Sydney. Mr. C. Eskell, , :»Newv Zealand manager for the Universal ■v Film Manufacturing Co. (Australia), Ltd., ".<! who returned rto Wellington by the •• Monowai from Sydney, said that the pic- ».- tore .was admirably produced, and had run' I, for, eight weeks in Melbourne. It would *r be shown shortly in Wellington. -» '■■ . ■■ - "Radio Patrol." •'?. Robert Armstrong and Russell Hopton have been added to the cast of "Radio [y. Patrol," which went into production at •f Universal City in March. "Radio Patrol" ■I is a story by Allen Rivkin and P. J. Wolfc ;« son .for which Patrick Kearney made the ■| adaptation and continuity. - *l Contradictions. i| !Will:'.RogerSj America's,leading aviation :* booster and: passenger,' has never piloted ;r ah "aeroplane. :; Spencer Tracy (Fox Film •■• star) who'd iTather play polo than eat, and . r often does, »does, hot own a polo pony. :t Janet Gaynort3<beach home is ,2200 miles from:the: studio. It is in Honolulu. "■>: 1 "Blue Roses" Coming. General satisfaction has followed the statement by Mr. John Tait, one of the directors of Messrs. J. C. Williamson, Ltd., * who is now in Wellington, that the.Jively musical comedy, "Blue Roses," is coining'^ to New Zealand shortly. Featured in the' , romantic roles will be dainty Madge Elliot and Cyril Ritcha'rd, two Australians who have taken London by storm, and who v are now first favourites of the.English stage. The piece has a definite plot, is full of tuneful songs and choruses,, and gi\es every opportunity to the dancing < stars to exhibit the grace that has made them famous. The association of the two Australians has become almost a permanency, and New Zealanders will revel in their polished work> in acting and dancing.' r Few will forget the aviators', dance of the w P^ir in "Going Up" a few years ago, or the charm of their ensembles in "A Night Out ' m,"- 5- 188 "^ Time," i'Cabaret Girl," >y w c 9mP any tnat will be coming to Zealand-includes Jean Duncan, Winnie Tait, Dulcie Davenport, Mona Zeppel Cecil Kelleway, Leo Franklyn, Arthur Cornell, Frank Leighton, Alathea Siddons, Eric .Bush Elvy Jay, and others, and Frederick Blackman will produce. Bought. ■..■'■"'■■, ; ; ' - ■ / . "The Prison Doctor,"- a novel by Dr Louis Berg, was captured by Carl Laemmle, ' junr., as the prize.of the literary market ot; recent months. Mr. Laemmle read the novel-m proof form. , Sign Contracts. !! Wallace Beery and Robert Montgomery j, have signed new long-term contracts with j. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Beery's most re-. !■ cent characterisation:is that of Preysing !: S^TO^ 11?}? textile,magnate,.in "Grand . ■ Jiotel, while Montgomery's last starrine , t film was "Bufc the Flesh is Weak." Mont- • j gomery is also co-starred with Joan Craw4. fordin "Letty Lynton." '; .. ' |; Big Timer. i! en^- 1i yoJ1' ™ho hai tue lead in _ \ Co!umbia's"The Big Timer," a comedy of the prize-ring, is a finished boxer. His trainer, an old-time professional "pug" says Lyon would make good in the ring if he wanted to take up. the. "profession." The Columbia star is in the -welter division. ' Long Shots. ■■: • •; .- .". _ An expedition to the Malay 'Archipelago is_ planned for the making of:.scenes for Black Pearl," an. original story written by Kay Doyle. A cameraman was recent.ly> dispatched to-Shanghai-to secure up-tor the-minute views of that Chinese city for inclusion in.."Shanghai Interlude," which' stars Lew jAyres. . And another photographer has> been ; sent to Africa for atmospheric :i shqts"'in that country,. destined to form; a: part:of "Adventure Ilady,"' production of .which has been postponed until September ;: allow for, this additional material.'. '

From-Experience.

Walton-Greeny former chief investigator of Prohibition Enforcement in Washington, "is one of the new Government ofllcials w.ho have successfully turned authoi and made a living at it. Green, who was also, a' newspaper publisher and a lawyei going to the front lines in France, has sold scores of short stories,-magazines articles, and.:other pieces in the past two years. He also has one best-seller novel to his credit—"Corsair." Chester Morris is the star of this United Artists picture. Ignorance. '■'". ' ' - • James Cagney, who will play a raciii}> driver of automobiles in-his next picture, "The, Crowd Rqars," doesn't know a carburettor fronV.a:chassis, nor a spark plug .-.from: a cartoon. "The First Mrs. Fraser." With a cast, the magnitude of which is seldom seen, in one British film, the St. John Ervine classic, "The First Mrs. , Fraser," was recently completed by Brit:ish Dominions Films in England.- The pro duction has been elaborately treated, anil in every way, is. a film that will be palatable ito every moviegoer in the world Henry Ainley and Dorothy Dix occupy the stellar roles, while Harold Huth, of "The Outsider" fame, Joan Barry, and Richard Cooper are in the supporting cast. Thiis the first St. John Ervine production that-the-versatile author has allowed Übe. reproduced on the sound films, ami the making of the picture was absolutelj and entirely under his personal direction Marian Burns. Marian^ Burns, a Hollywood girl, who found Broadway the shortest road to the picture studios of her native city, has been signed by Fox Films. Scouts of that company discovered her while she was playinp a featured role in the recent drama, "They Didn't Mean Any Harm." She was given a screen _test which proved highly successful. Miss Bnrns has enjoyed an unusual , amount of acting experience. She has played more than fifty, important roles in stock, ■ over- a period' of several • months ,She..is aprpduet.of .the. University, of California and.has never appeared'in a motion picture. •— .

Perfection Not Sought;

Near perfection isn't sought in Hollywood, according to Director Reuben Maniouhan, about to pilot Maurice Chevalier through Paramount's "Love Me To-night." ' Perfection isn't human and for that reason does not appeal to an audience," he says. "The handsome boy and gorgeous girl often are too good to be true. A blemish usually is an asset. It gives a bond of common. feeling and understand•°B between public and player. Since we all have faults we wished could be rectified, we are strongly drawn to those who have the same faults. Comedians realise this, Mamoulian states, when they surround themselves with perfect folks. When the comic stumbles, looks out of place, and makes mistakes, audiences love him and laugh. ■ ■ Womanless Play. Maurice Browne, the entrepreneur, is to present in London "Wings Over Europe," the play in which he collaborated with Kobert-Nicholls, the poet. There are no women in. the twenty characters of the play, the entire action of which takes place in the interior of No. 10, Downing street. The play was done in America three years ago by the New York Theatre Guild, with a largely English cast, and-the-entire scenery and settings (exceptionally, fine, too) have been bought from the guild., by. Maurice Browne, Ltd., together, with - the. English rights of the piece. ; .-." " . •■•'■■.

Directors. ' . . Carl Laemmle,- junr., is insuring next year's' Universal Pictures not only by the strongest story department in Hollywood, but by a good directorial staff as well. Recently he signed up John Ford; director of "Arrowsmith," and Tay Garnett as an addition .to the staff which already included John M. Stahl, James Whale, and Hobart Henley..-..'.'

Millicent Knight In Argyllshire. "At the Sir Harry Lauder concert he at the Pavilion on 12th March, 1932, Mi Millicent Knight, the New Zealand mezz soprano, who made her first appearani before a Dunoon audience, created a ye favourable impression and a desire on tl part of the audience to hear her again says the Dunoon "Herald." "A beau ful voice, fully- trained, accompanied 1 an unaffected pose and keen delineatio especially in her Maori song, 'Waiata Po was highly appreciated." Cantor. Eddie Cantor has begun his new seasoi work in pictures with "Ballyhoo," < original story by William Fields. For tl first time since he came under the Gol wyn banner, Eddie will make two pictur during the coming season. Two years ai he made "Whoopee," produced by U Goldwyn in association with Florenz Zie feld. Last year saw "Palmy Days," ; original screen musical comedy, as li effort. After the inaugural "Ballyhoo" th season, Cantor is likely to do "The X From Spain," in which the comic appea as a bull-fighter from Brooklyn.

Moiseiwitsch and Philharmonic,

When Benrio Mbiseiwitsch returns to . Wellington .this month, it will be in the . capacity, of soloist with the Wellington 1 Philharmonic Orchestra in the perform- . ance of two concertos: Tschaikbwsky's, , arid Beethoven's "Emperor," with full '. orchestra The brilliant pianist is at pre sent having a highly successful tour of the [ South Island, after his triumphal North . Island tour. Everywhere he has been rap- , turously received, and it is safe to predict \ that when he plays the two concertos in , the Wellington Town Hall on : Saturday. , 25th June, the occasion will be an epoch [ making one. The orchestra is deep in rehearsal under the ■ enthusiastic guidance of Mr. John Bishop. The orchestra has ' a fine record of achievements, and a high standard is to be expected when it is associated with such an artist as Moiseiwitsch. Already it has been signally honoured on numerous occasions by associai tion with visiting., celebrities. Two con- ■ certos oh one programme,' and a, bracket ■ of pianoforte solos and orchestral seleci tions will provide an outstanding musical : occasion on 25th June. . Smoky. . William Powell smoked two hundred and ' three, cigars during the making of his : newest Warner Bros.' picture, "High Pressure," in which he plays a high-power-i ed, cigar-smoking salesman. There is an ; affidavit from the'property man on this , He had to furnish them and, with economy i programmes what they are in Hollywood just now,'he kept exact count.:

Szigetl in September. : Joseph • Szigeti,. the Hungarian violinist, is to make.his first-New...Zealand visit in September of.this year, and-wife be heard at the Wellington Town Hall "djuring' that month. Mr. Hugo Larsen, who, sponsored tile phenomenally successful Dqlmihion tour of Peter. Dawson and Marki Harabourg last year, secured the -famous- violinist when he was in Paris,'and premises musiclovers here a rare treat.', Srageti is the most sought after, violinist in the worlddurmg 1931 he played, in twenty- countries in Europe, including Russia* -(his tenth tour),-besides America (seventh tour), and Japan where he was hailed as the greatest violinist ever to have visited the Orient f^inn^ 3 1 Joseph Guaa.-narius, valued v -if °'^; he 1S tall ai»d. graceful in build, still a young man iM his early:'forties, and has a very like3ble: personality "Bird of Paradise." John Halliday, .the .popular romantic character actor, has be^n. added to the cast of EKO Radio Pictures' "The Bird of .Paradise, now in :pro6suction. Hallidav «?T lmP°rtant roles in.;«' Smart Women" tonsolation Marriage,"S"Men'of Chance " and is working on thjj studio's John Barrymore starring vehjide, "State's Attorney. Dolores Del Rio Sis the star of "The Bird of Paradise," withl JaehMcCrea, Bert Roach, Skeets GallagUer, and Creighton bhaney in supporting proles. King Vidor is directing. '■'■■'■■■ i .-':;

Tennis. > | If Janet Gaynbr becomes a tennis champion she will have to. thank. John McCormack, the Irish teno*'. : A beautiful tencourt is a;part :di., the, equipment of ; McCormacks. recently constructed Hollywood hillside home,' which Miss Gaynor recently leased. Urf;ed by McCormack to try the game, Miss/Gaynor is now'an enthusiast and takng daily, lessons from Mrs: , Ethel Suttpn Bruce, sister of May Sutton. former national champion. Ralph Graves. ,'

Ralph Graves, ".irho'se wort as botli actor and writer, has been outstandin■ld dui-mg the past yiizr, has signed a new j sg three-way .contract with Metro-Gold ;o . wyn-Mayer. Thnj contract calls for hi* cc services as either actor, writer, or direciry tOT: Graves, wlio first won note in the be acting field, laterf- turned to writing, and ..since then has,j alternated between the tl . two. As an Mitor, ,he has recently apb peared m "Huddle and "When a Feller Needs a Friend," co-starring Jackie (i ;, Cooper and Ch'a.rles ("Chic") Sale He has won note with performances in "Dirie Ale." "The Flyjng Fleet," and other film! Among his -wntmg achievements are hi* i'a work on "We«it of Broadway;" "Yen" an geance, "Sistefrs," and others. [^ A Lonsdale SVitire. es , Something oi£ a sensation is likely when go l'redenck Lonsdales new comedy "STipal[r. ing Our Thoughts Aloud," is released ■g. He has gone Jersey to finish the workiin and it is_announced his play deals with us politics. Seeing that he has never lacked us courage, .it.if is.-safe to predict his new id piece will be full of biting satire; shrewd rs thrusts at contemporary political types: and verbal i'fireworks. ' "J'i^'l'

Mark's Game. Mary Doran, who plays a colourful character.role in "The Final Edition," the Columbia newspaper drama featuring Pat OTJrieh and Mac Clarke, is an ardent golfer. Miss Doran spends a good deal of -time on the ■ links, • and she < says if' she. ever gets a : score.lower than 102 she will probably drop dead with joy. - "jßadio Patrol." ■}j Russell j.Hopton.-proved himself a real hr "Radio Patrol,", police car .Btory at work at "Universal. Hopton.shot score of 89 ; but. of a: possible 100 at ;;j:he police;pistol,range.of Los Angeles, .'where scenes, were made. Russell won" i) the snarpshooter's}medal. in the navy some years ago, and apparently hasn't lost his skill. . ...'.. ■ i Galli-Curci's Success. - ; ; :•■'■ GaHi-Curci,"ttie idol of all nations^ has. ; /-. scored suph. a phenomenal success in Aus- \ , tralia ■■ that '-'it.'has' been found imperativel ito arrange for concerts to be ; I given in Australia, which-will necessitate : rearranging the^itinerary- of ■ the" Dominion ': ; tour; consequently, the New Zealand opening will be deferred for; some jweeks. Mr. ; John'Tait, .one of the. impresarios'responsible for the appearance of this celebrated artist in Australia and New Zealand,-has : received cable information to-the efEect that such unbounded enthusiasm as has ! been witnessed' at Galli-Curei's concerts is unparalleled in the musical history of the ' Commonwealth. After the extended season in' Australia, Galli-Curci will come to N"ew Zealand, and will give concerts in the principal cities, in which she will be,assistedby, her,husband (Mr. Homer Samuels), ;an accomplished:pianist and accompanist; ' iind Mr. Williams, flautist. In connection i with the present visit of this. celebrated i singer, Mr. Tait states that the Firm, in I full realisation of the decreased earning powers of the people, has decided on a scale of charges.in ; keeping with .the altered times—a that has the warmest ■ approval' of Galli-Curci herself. ; i "When London Sleeps." i Julius Hagen, known to the British'film - industry .as. a .most energetic talkie pro- .' 1 ducer, has just acquired' the screen - rights ■ of the super, melodrama, "When London Sleeps." A'cast is being sought for the 1 many important parts, and it will enter ; into its; first" stage of production the mo- V ment they are signed. The Twickenham .' studios where Hagen carries on the good .' work have been working in two shifts ' night and day since the commencement of .' the ye;ar, so eager has been the demand for ■ the production of this' industrious studio. '• History. Mac Marsh, who plays the role of Re- ] becca's aunt in "Rebecca of Sunnybrook i Farm, was given her first lesson in screen < make-up, by, Mary Pickford, who originated i the Rebecca role in. silent pictures. Marian 1 Nixon has that part in the new Fox pic- ' ture. ..-■'....■'■ '

"Scarface." '

Scarface," the sensational : Howard Hughes expose . of. gang' activities, continues to sweep America. The picture was created 'to put an . end to all such gang pictures; and to give the'public a true picture of the most horrifying secret and invisible power that threatens • America from within. There are no less than 20,000 people in the cast headed.by Paul Muni. Should the picture pa«s' the New Zealand censor the public will seethe most amazing pictorial document of crime the world has ever known. The: public reaction to the picture in America is that the picture will do more than any other, single factor in announcing indignation : against and bringing about the extermination of the gangster. This "picture'is to 'be released by United Artists. . r

Margaret Rawlings's Elizabeth Barrett. When Margaret Rawlings and her husband Gabriel Toyne passed through Wellington early this year; from San Francisco en route to Australia,, jf.was found that the talented English actress was a charming woman with extraordinary ambition, and the personality, ■ looks,, physique, and talents to take her far.: Since appearing in Australia as Elizabeth Barrett in the Besier play, "The Barretts,: of Wimpole btreet, the youthful lady has made a deep impression, and much is expected of her : by critics who say she will take the world by .storm soon and rank among-the notabilities of the stage. Messrs. J. C. Williamson promise a visit of. the star and her company to New Zealand at the conclusion of the Australian season." The piece which is an intimate drama of the love of Robert Browning, for...Elizabeth Barrett, and complications of. their. romance, hss been running for'some.months in Australia, with no signs of diminution.in its appeal for audiences. Miss .Rawlings has tne support of a fine cast, and; h^er actorhusband is producer, who presents the play m correct atmosphere . and' faultless detail. \ ■ ■■ ' • • '.• Karioff. .' ■ .'.."';.': '-■.■;"■; : ■':'. Boris Karioff is still1 dumb., He utters never a word from start, to -finish of ■•■ Universal's- newest thriller, "Ther Old .Dark House, and you .wilLrememßer a- similar mute performance :in the s'monster of "Frankenstein." "■ ■ : r'-.* ! Fan Mall. . V^ Film stars have no corner fon' the Jan mail market. Although players receive letters by the thousands: each day from admirers throughout the' cburitryj their lesser-known co-workers, while outdistances in quantity,.' are -not forgotten. Whereas the actors' mail comprises requests for photos and "raves", about 'ther work, the.non-acting group draws-entreaties for advice. Scattered among the critical fanmail of such directors'as :Ernst-Lubitsch and Josef yon Sternberg are the invariable how can I become a star?" communications. • Cameramen like.-Karl-Struss, who made "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," contmually are written to by amateur photographers who, besides wanting- to know how to crash the gate,Vask. how certain effects were gained. Rogers. • -.':.'..';.' _One of the recent events, of: the week in Hollywood was the start: of production on Will Rogers' first 1932 picture, "Down To Earth," from the typewriter of Homer Croy, who provided the .ex-Mayor of Beverly Hills with the vehicle for his first talking picture. "They Had To See Paris." Marion Davies. Edmund Goulding, who directed "Grand Hotel," will direct Marion Davies in her next Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer; starring film, "Good Time Girl." This' is ascreen story by _ Frances Marion, with - dialogue .'■' by Anita Loob. Miss Dimes' "last release was "Polly of the Circus." • ; • . Tala Birell. Tala Birell, Dniversal's promising Viennese actress whose work in "The . Doomed Battalion," is being, hailed by critics as a splendid;-demonstration of talents is to be starred in "Broken-Dreams of Hollywood," an original story ; now- being written for her and-to :b'e "directed.iby -Hobart Henley.; ; ■!■-. "Sunrise Trail." : : ' : '■'■'■■ "Sinrise Trail,"-Tom Keerie's sixth starring western feature for ;R'.K:OC Pathe, has now been completed; Fred Allen; responsible for the direction oh Keene's previous vehicles,.directed this" show, an adaptation of an original story by. J. P. McCarthy. Keene's supporting, cast includes Rochelle Hudson, Marie. Wells,: Judson Rivero. Hank Bell, and Tom London