STAGE AND SCREEN

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 107, 2 November 1933, Page 16

STAGE AND SCREEN

Bernice Claire. Bernice Claire, who has the title role in "Kiss Me Again," First National's big Vitaphone film version of "Mile. Modiste," entered training for her career at the age of. six. A baby song her mother heard her sing at that age put the idea into her mother's head. From that time on her family devoted itself to Miss Claire's training. She' went io New York, studied some more under Emil Polak, attracted the attention of the famous diva jeritza and in a short time won the leading role in "The Desert Song." Miss CJaire, Edward Everett Horton, Walter Pidgeon, Frank McHugh, June Collyer, and other favourites are seen in "Kiss Me Again," which contains much of the music of Victor Herbert's original musical romance hit of the stage. William A. Seltcr directed the picture. "Over the Hill. A ghost from the silent past has shown up in healthy blood and flesh at the Fox Hollywood studio to claim a second introduction to Old Man Opportunity. Jerry Devine, the boy lead of Fox Film's original silent picture, "Over the Hill," which was one of the biggest moneymakers of screen history, made his first Hollywood appearance one day recently, called at the Fox studio, and within an hour had been given a part in Irving Cummings's "The Mad Game."

"By Candlelight." • With the signing of Elissa Landi to play the leading feminine role in "By : Candlelight," 'Universal has added another of the uiost pbpular reigning stars of pictures to the cast. "By Candlelight" will have Paul Lukas as its star. Lukas just recently -renewed his long-term contract with Universal, and this production is the first in which he will appear under the terms of the new contract. "By Candlelight" is an audacious Continental comedy' with- a Viennese background with roles for the two principals suited to their own European personalties, and the background in which they 'were reared. ''The Golden Fleece." Universal has decided to make a screen version' of ' the famous dramatic ■ fantasy, "The Golden Fleede," and will star Paul Lukas in the rdle of "Jason"; Tom Reed and Lawrence Blochman, .who just completed the screen treatment for Universal's "Bombay Mail," have been assigned to write the continuity and adaptation. Lukas, whose most recent picture for Universal is "The Secret of the Blue Room," has just been signed to a new long-term contract. Musical Comedy for New Zealand? There is a possibility that Madge Elliott and Cyril Ritchard Will provide,'l with' a first-class Williamson company, the Christmas attraction in New Zealand, with a repertoire including "Our Miss Gibbs" and "Quaker Girl" before their return to London. Their last Australian performance is set down for December 15, and it is hoped that the New Zealand'season will follow shortly after. Miss Elliott' and her dancing ■partner, it will be remembered, were released from London contracts for a six months' visit to Australia, and it is a tribute to their popularity that their stay has , extended to two years, but London calls. Miss.Elliott and Mr. Ritchard are Australians. Their success iii London has been remarkable, and not only- do they appealby reason of-their agile.<dancing,-but both have' developed into fiYst-rate actor and actress. '.-' , • .'.; . Feature Comedy. ' " ' ■ For the first time since Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy were teamed by Hal Roach several years ago, an "outside" director will put them through their paces in a feature comedy. William Seiter, well known for.his many screen successes, is to direct the comics' next picture which will go into production shortly. At the same time it-is announced that Glen Tryon, erstwhile comedy star in his own right, and now a writer, will assist Frank Craven with the preparation of the story, which is as yet untitled. Fifi D'Orsay. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer announce that casting for "Going Hollywood" has begun, and that Fifi D'Orsay will have an important role in the film. No other names have been added as yet.

"Music in the Air" Everywhere. There are some interesting names in the London and New York'casts of "Music in the Air," which ia being given at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne, byJ. C. Williamson, Ltd. In the London production are Horace Hodges, who was out hers with Wilson Barrett and Julius Knight; Lance Fairfax, the Red Shadow of "The Desert Song," with J. C. Williamson's; Herbert Ross, who played the "Messenger from Mars" with Hawtrey years ago; Donalda Warne, who "will b<> well remembered in a number of J.C.W. productions; and, until recently, Claude Fleming, who is now on the way to Australia. In the New York production are Ivy Scott, who has the role her old stage companion, Carrie Moore, is playing in Melbourne; and Prince Alexis Obolensky, who appeared with the J. C. Williamson-Dame Nellie Melba Grand Opera Company in Z924. "I Cover the Waterfront." Less than ten years ago Claudette Colbert was an ambitious young student, with professional acting farthest .from her thoughts. Today the screen star and former stage favourite, who currently appears in Reliance V romantic thriller for United Artists, "I Cover the Waterfront," with Ben Lyon playing opposite her and Ernest Torrence heading the supporting cast, can look back over a decade that has brought her international fame.

Sylvia Welling's Charm. - Sylvia. Welling, who. is to star in the Australian production of "The Dubarry" and "The Student Prince," came out under engagement to Messrs. j. C. Williamson, to star in their "Music in the Air" season. ■ She has achieved great popularity in Australia, and combines with her attractive appearance and personality, acting and singing talents right put of the ordinary. Miss Welling was born in London, but-has lived most of her life at Brighton, Sussex, in an atmosphere of stage life, her parents having been enthusiastic members of amateur operatic societies. Her mother, ; Madame. Edith Welling, has gifted her daughter with a beautiful voice;' as accompanist to her mother, Sylvia had a.very early acquaintance with the concert platform, being only a student of music at the time. Her first stage opportunity in London .cams■ as;.; Huguette. in "The Vagabond<King." As? Kathie in "The Student Prince" she will follow on Beppie de Vries's interpretation of the role a few years ago (with Jamea 'Liddy'in tlw title rolej. It was'in the London production of "The Dubarry" that Miss Welling made her grand success, stepping into the name part at short notice after the tragic death of Army Ahlers, German prim a donna. ! "Miracle in the Mountains." The new play by Ferenc Molnar "Miracle in tlie Mountains," which has not yet been producad either in the United States or Europe, has "been acquired for the screen' by" Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The purchase is considered one of the most important of the year by the film company, and plans are now under way for the screen adaptation. The plot of "Miracle in the Mountains", concerns a servant girl, living in a small mountain hamlet,, who is accused of the murder-of her child, and the climax revolves .abouta supernatural ■ manifestation,.' • . !'.. - ' "The. Vinegar Tree.^ . ; ' Alice. Brady,. Lionel Barrymore, and Conway '.Tearle.,have been.engaged "for. principal roles in Metro-Goldwn-Mayer's forth-coming'picturisation-of .the stage comedy "The . Vinegar Tree.'' Miss1' Brady has just completed a new part in ''Broadway to Hollywood," while Barrymore's current production is "The Late Christopher Bean" in which Marie Dressier has the other starring role. Chosen. Heeding the advice of theatre operators, Jesse L. Lasky has selected Warner Baxter for the leading male role-in "As Husbands Go." Shortly after the purchase of the play by Lasky two months ago, he solicited the advice of the theatre managers and owners, asking them to co-operate with him in the selection of a male lead —a man capable as an actor and a certain box-office draw. A preponderance of replies named Baxter as the actor most suitable for the husband's role.

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Jungle Guide., . . Leo Carrillo, star of "Lombardi, Limited,", will. turn. Malaysian for Cecil !p. de Mille's next Paramount picture, "Four Frightened People." Carillo will play the role of a native guide who tries to lead the four main characters, Claudette Colbert, Herbert Marshall,;' Mary Boland, and William Gargan, through the mazes of a Malay jungle. , .-•'■. ■'

John Boles. John Boles has been, signed for a second Universal picture on completion of his role.in "Only Yesterday." For years John Boles's admirers have wanted him to sing in a picture. In this picture he will sing. The production is tentatively titled "Love Time." It is a 'story by Paul'Gangelin. for which' music has been composed by Victor Schertzinger.

"Night Bus." Columbia Pictures, who have been searching for a good story for the Frank Capra-Robert Montgomery picture which they will shortly put into production, announce the purchase of Samuel Hopkins Adams's "Night Bus" in which the young star will' have the leading role. "Night Bus" will present a new background for the cinema—a transcontinental omnibus which plies its route across America and has become a popular mode of travel in that country. The fact that Frank Capra, Columbia's best director, has been assighed this film indicates that it will be one of the company's more pretentious offerings next season. iiddie Cantor. Eddie Cantor's latest musical comedy is nearing completion at the United Artists' studi is. The pop-eyed comedian will be seen an a crashing charioteer burning up Rome under his own horse-power. Throwing the bull in "The Kid From Spain" was nothing to keeping the chariot from throwing him as he thunders down the arena. The picture is being designed to make a Roman holiday for film audiences the whole world over. "Going Hollywood." Raoul Walsh has been signed to direct Marion Davies in her new starring picture, temporarily titled "Going Hollywood."

Lopokova—Actress. Lydia Lopokova, the great Russian dancei% appeared at the Old Vie last month, when ehe held a vast audience spellbound with her work as Olivia in "Twelfth Nir'it." The cast included Roger Livesay, as Toby Belch; Ursula Jeans, ag Viola; Athlene Seyler (fresh from Australian triumphs with her husband, Nicholas Hannen), as Maria; Leon Quartermaine, Malvolio; and Richard Goolden, Sir Andrew Aguecheek. The dancer used her hands to express her role, and she fascinated the critics with her mastery of an art to which her admirers believed she could not accustom herself. At the curtain call, 2500j people rose to their feet and cheered not Lydia Lopokova, the dancer, but Lydia Lopokova, the actress. The immortal words of Shakespeare may have twisted her tongue, but as the critic of the "Daily Mail" expressed . it, "Mme. Lopokova only regarded them as guide-postß for her sensitive full-blooded acting. Even 'die-hards' in the audience who are accustomed to listen to Shakespeare with reverent ears were bewitched by the faerygrace of this actress-dancer." All preconceived ideas of Olivia, the haughty beauty she brushed aside at the outset by the ■ magic expressiveness of her hands. They acted for her." "Hot Daze." . Smith and Dale, equaJly popular with variety audiences in America and England will start the first of their new series of six two-reel comedies immediately. It will be entitled "Hot Daze." Smith and Dale organised their, own vaudeville act in 1901 entitled "The Imperial Vaudeville and Comedy Co." and toured America and England with great success for many years. They have made a number of short and feature length films notably "Mendel, Inc.," "Manhattan Parade," and "Heart of New York."

"Frisco Jenny." A remarkable transition in character, both physical and spiritual, ia developed by Ruth Chatterton as "Frisco Jenny" in the First National . picture of the same title. This transition covers twenty-five 3'ears of Frisco Jenny's life from the time she is a girl of seventeen until she becomes a woman of maturity. The character of Frisco Jenny is shown to grow gradually harder as she fights her way through life. Concurrent with her development of spiritual callousness comes the slow, aging process of a woman growing to maturity. To depict this day-by-day change requires skilled artistry, and is a tribute to Miss Chatterton's talent. It also called for the greatest skill on the part of the make-up department to show the gradual change in facial expression and figure. "Madame Spy," Carl Laemmle, jun., nas just.announced at Universal City that Gloria Stuart will have the lead in a 1934 spy story. As soon as this Universal leading lady finishes as the lead opposite Eddie Cantor in "Roman Scandals," Universal production chief will cast her in the feminine lead of "Madame Spy." This picture, which will be directed by Karl Freund, will have a Continental atmosphere and will deal with the type of spying which has recently been causing so much disturbance between Austria, Poland, Russia, and Rumania.

Daring Dancer. A girl who made fame for herself by dropping all her clothes and doing a dance with two ians as her only garb, now claim* a salary of 2500 dollars a week for three pictures. She 'is Sally Rand, and the producer for the company that engaged her at the huge salary made a special trip from Hollywood to Chicago to get her signature to the contract. At the Century of Progress Exposition ia Chicago, Sally bided her time and after several attempts to break into the movies hit upon the idea of shocking the film magnates into recognition of her talents. She astonished the world, and incidentally was the subject of newspaper discussion and arrest, but she got her contract, also a special engagement at a Loop circuit theatre at the salary of 4000 dollars. Miss Rand Certainly took advantage of her opportunity to have all the movie producers chasing her. She has yet to prove that she is as good an actress as she is a publicity expert. . ■ In Hollywood. Cabled advice has been received that Miss Joyce Nielsen arid Mr. Colin Tapley, the New Zealand winners of Paramount^ "Search for Beauty" contest, have arrived , in Hollywood, and have started rehearsals for the Paramount picture, "The Search for Beauty." . Advice has also been received that Grace Bradley and Toby Wing, young Paramount contract players, have been added to thj cast, which includes Buster Crabbe, the Olympic swimming champion, and William Frawley, of New , York stage fame, in addition to the representatives from England, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, British South Africa, Ausi tralia, New Zealand, and several sections of the United States of America. "The Blarney Stone." N Tom Walk's latest British and Dominions picture Was specially written for him by A. E. Rawlinson, author of the story of "Leap Year," and additional dialogue was added by Lennox Robinson, the well-known Irish playwright. The action is set in an Irish district not twenty miles from Cork, and in London, sequences calling for extensive shots of-the London Embankment by night and of familiar scenes* in the city. The story concerns Fitzgerald (Tom Walls), who has more than the ordinary share, of Irish charm and luck owing to the fact that his parents took him as quite a small child to kiss the famous Blarney Stone, and A. R. Rawlinson has developed this material on comic and dramatic lines. Wellington Repertory Theatre. In response to insistent demands the Wellington Repertory Theatre has decided to stage a Barrie play early in December and has chosen the delightful "Alice-Sit-by-the-Fire," in which Ellen* Terry arid. Irene Vanbrugh charmed London audiences, nearly twenty years ago. Burlesque, fantasy, sentiment, and whimsy are ingeniously blended in this amusing skit on the Bex drama where the delightful, seriousminded children try to shield their lighthearted mother from the temptations of the wicked world. Tlie cast to interpret the comedy has been chosen with care, and includes Mrs. Vera Horton, Misses Hazel Wells, Imelda Meadows, Edna Purdie, and Phyllis Batten, and Messrs. W. Simm, Tom Anson, and Alan -Howard; The costumes and settings are receiving special attention, and will be true to the period of the play, adding a picturesque touch to the production under the direction of Mr. W. S. "Wauchop, whose costume plays in the past have been some of his most successful and artistic ventures. "Only Yesterday." » , With the engagement of eighteen additional well-known screen players for the final sequences of John M. Stahl's Universal drama, "Only Yesterday," the filming of this unusual picture came to a close last week. Those appearing in these final scenes along with many supporting players were Edmund Breese, Ben Bard, Creighton Hale, King Baggot, and Jason Robards, v bringing the total cast to 93 speaking parts. "Only Yesterday," presented as Uniyersal's most ambitious picture of the season, features Margaret Sulla van. John Boles, Billie Burke, and Reginald Denny in the leading roles. In addition, more than 4500 extra players appeared in its various scenes. Favourites. • Mary Pickford and Charles Chaplin, United Artists' stars, are two of the five greatest film players of all time, according to a ballot just taken among the readers of "Picturegoers," a London publication. The most dominant personalities in the history of the screen also include Jackie Coogah, Rudolph Valentino, and Greta Garbo. Miss Pickford was awarded over 70 per cent, of the total vote cast, and Chaplin also had an'overwhelming majority. Mickey Mouse stands high on the list of 65 stars chosen, as do Eddie Cantor, Ronaid Colman, and Douglas Fairbanks. "Don Quixote." The London Press critics give high praise to Chaliapinfe for his performance in the film "Don Quixote." The London "Times" reports as follows:—"Chaliapine is indeed the figure of the exaltant idealist of La Mancha—every look and gesture confirming our belief that it has sprung straight/from the mind of Cervantes. Chaliapine makes of the externals a superb figure of fun."

Tonight's Symphony Concert. The final concert of the Wellington Symphony Orchestra's 1933 season will, if reservations to date fere any guide, be played to a full Town Hall tonight; Under the distinguished conductorship of Mr/ Leon de Mauny, a brilliant programme will be presented and one that has many elements of populasity. Mrs. Wilfred Andrews in operatice airs, including the favourite, "Softly Awakes My Heart"; Wagner's "Rienzi" overture, Massenet's "Scenes Pittoresques," and Beethoven's shortest symphony (No. 8 in F). In conformity with the committee's plan of collaborating with celebrated visiting artists and making each occasion a memorable one, Andersen Tyrer will be the solo pianist. Mr. Tyrer has a world-wide reputation, and during one Season in England he performed from memory no fewer than 32 different piano concertos''under the batons of Sir Hamilton Harty, Sir Henry Wood, Sir Thomas Beecham, Sir Landon Ronald, Sir Dan Godfrey, and others, and he has appeared at all the principal concerts in England, including the Royal Philharmonic, Albert Hall, Halle, Queen's Hall, London Symphony, Birmingham Symphony, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Leeds Symphony. Mr. Tyrer on this occasion will play two concertos, Liszt's No. 2 in A, and Arensky in P major, orchestrated by Mr. Tyrer himself. "Kiss Me Again." Albert Gran is one fat man who does not hold the high place he does in pictures because of his weight. Gran is one of Hollywood's most accomplished character actors, and his roles are not always comic, although these do predominate. He is an accomplished linguist, speaking English perfectly and without accent, although he did not learn it until he was grown. He was born in Norway, educated in Germany, and started his real career as an actor on the London stage, after studying English for a year with a tutor who was an ex-Cambridge man. He also speaks German, French, Swedish, and Danish perfectly. He is* noted for hia repertory of roles on -the~ speaking stage, knowing nearly fifty parts by heart. After fifteen years on the London stage he came to New York, where he repeated his success. His most prominent role before appearing as the deaf general in "Kiss Me Again" was that of the French taxi-driver in "Seventh Heaven," with Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell. Fox Pictures. , The player additions to Fox Film's contract roster within the last month have reached the highest total of any period in the company's history—and probably Hollywood's. Their potentialities as screen stars have passed the formative stage and have actually been recorded on film in most cases. "My Weakness" witnessed the debut of two of the brightest of the Fox newcomers—lrene Bentley and Dixie Frances. On-'the-strength of her performance in this picture, Irene B«ntley was assigned the lead in "Smoky," while Dixie Frances is set for the Movietone Follies. Claire Trevor's option has been exercised so that she can take over the feminine lead in "The Woman and the Law." Rochelle Hudson won a sevenyear contract with Fox Film by virtue of her work with Will Rogers in "Doctor Bull." So, too, did Preston Foster through his performance in "The Man Who Dared." He gets the lead in "Hoopla" and "The Woman and the Law." "Invisible Man." Bigger than "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" or "The Phantom of the Opera" is Universal's, newest fantasy, "The Invisible Man," the film version of the famous story l.y H. G. Wells; which has been read by millions in every country of the world. At Universal City both the "Hunchback" and "Phantom" sets remain standing as silent reminders of homes of the screen ghosts of yesteryear. The contorted dwarf "Quasimodo" played by the late Lon Chancy and the ghoul-like "Phantom" of "Phantom of the Opera," also a Chancy creation, may lurk there. Claude Rains, noted English actor/plays the leading role in "The/Invisible Man. the story of a "man who invented a. means of making himself invisible. Gloria Stuart and William Harrigan have leading supporting roles. Mischa Elman criticises. Mischa Elman, the famous violinist, recently left San Francisco on his twentyfifth American tour, after a vacation with; hie family in Santa Monica. He is marvied to a daughter of the city and now considers the Californian capital his home. Mischa Elman first played in New York in 1908, and in San Francisco a year later. He has not played in the latter city for four seasons. His present tour will take; him twice across the American continent. Great changes have taken place in America since the Russian boy disciple of Leopold Aver electrified New York at his debut. The violinist notices that since his first knowledge of the States, the principal artistic change has been the modern popularisation of first-rate symphony concerts. Orchestras are now more numerous, bigger and better than" they were in pre-war days. He is not so sanguine, however, about the changes that have taken place in composition. He regrets having been able to find no major addition to the master violin repertory in the last couple of decades; he knows of no splendid concerto that carries on the 19th century tradition, though he acknowledges the contributions of the Spaniard, Joaquin Nin, for. example. Contemporary composers, Elman considers, seem to have lost the gift, of melody. They cover over paucity of melody with rich orchestration. ''The violin is purely an instrument of melody," he added; "song is its life blood." "Hoopla." ...."■■■ , After weeks of tests and conferences, Fox Film executives have decided upon' Preston Foster, one. of their contract players, for the role of "Nifty" in "Hoopla," which goes into production shortly at the : Movietone studio. More than s a dozen, actors had been-tested for'the role; first one and then another wa9 eliminated from consideration until, at last, Foster stood alone. With the selection of Foster the cast is now complete. Clara Bow has the role of "Lou," ; Richard Cromwell is to play "the boy," Minna Gombel will do '"Carrie," Herbert Mundin will be "Hap," and Roger Imhof will play "Colonel Gowdy." Florence Roberts plays "Ma Benson." Frank Lloyd will direct. "Meet the Baron." "Meet the Baron" is announced as the definite title for the comedy in which Jack Pearl will make his bow as a Metro-Gold-wyn-Ma/'" star. This is the film which had been tentatively called "What a Liar!" Jimmy Diirante is co-starred with Pearl, with Lyda Roberti and Ted Healy in other leading roles. Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields, popular song-writinp; team, are en route to Hollywood, and will start work on the score of "Meet the Baron" on their arrival. "Moulin Rouge." "Moulin Rouge" is to be a lavish musical comedy extravaganza told against a background of Vienna, Paris, and New Yark. Constance Bennett is the principal star and she will sing and dance for the first time in pictures. "Moulin Rouge" is to be ■ released by United Artists and produced by Twentieth Century Pictures, Ltd.