STAGE AND SCREEN

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 113, 9 November 1933, Page 16

STAGE AND SCREEN

Sydney Howard. Sydney Howard was born in the month of-August, 47 years ago, at Yeardon, Yorkshire. He was first employed as a printer's traveller, and then commenced appearing at concerts. His first stage appearance was in a musical show, "The Radium • Girl," and then- in "Box of Tricks" at the London Hippodrome; toured South Africa, and later appeared in "Hit the Deck" and "Funny Face," and in, 1929 made his first film appearance,in "Splinters." Subsequent talkies of his were "Almost a Divorce," "Up for the Cup," "The Mayor's Nest," and "It's a King." His latest film is "Up for the Derby." His main recreation is golf. He is married. "Without Glory." /'Without Glory," an original story being written by Jane Murfin, has been definitely announced by Merian C. Cooper, RKO Radio's production head, as the nnal r vehicle, on, the 1932-33 programme for Constance Bennett. At the same time it was announced that Gilbert Roland has.been ■signed-as the leading man opposite Miss Bennett. The acquisition of the darkHaired Latin actor as a leading man tor the" fair star will probably prove news for those who saw them together in "Our Betters." Many letters were received by studio executives asking that Roland again fee cast ; with Miss Bennett in a picture. Texas Guinan's Career. - The.'recent death of Texas Guinan, the noted cabaret owner and entertainer o£ America, removed a picturesque figure who attained notoriety some years ago by her apen, defiance of the prohibition laws, not to-.mentiontho censorship restrictions of theVStates. A dynamo of energy, a ceaseless worker, 'aiid a woman of ideas, Texas •was no longer in her youth, but her "gang"-was composed of girls who sang or danced and whom she mothered. Gifted Vrjth am independent mind, and utterly unafraid .' of of her actions or sayings," she spent years of battling as a,night club hostess, fought reformers and police, ■nd' as' a result achieved a poise capable of icoping with any situation. The glare of publicity had left little mark on her disposition or her attitude towards life. Nor •was her domesticity dulled by her notorious! public life. One of her triumphs in her' career .was her conquest of Casey, "the'■•terrible censor of Boston," who com-pleted-his capitulation to Texas by offer■fngrber the bouquet of his admiration— "anyone who can make a crowd laugh as did' Miss Guinan and her gang cannot be all:wrong or bad," he said. Another high light was her battle with the Paris officials who denied her and her girls full freedom of the city, and kept them under partial restraint till they could conveniently leave the French capital. • Brahms's Chamber Music. : Another little book of. that useful series, 'The Musical Pilgrim," edited by Sir 'Arthur Somervell, this time devoted to the chamber music of Brahms,'is to hand from-'-the publishers, the Oxford University Press. It embodies the programme annotations, slightly revised, written by Mr. H. C Colles, for the complete series of .performances! given in eight centenary concerts at WigmoreHall, London, last April and May by the Isolde Menges String quartet, -and Mr. Harold Samuel, with the assistance of other artists. The notes on the various chamber works are necessarily brief to suit the purpose of this admirable pocket edition, but they contain all that is necessary as a guide to students of Brahms's works for the various chamber music combinations. «X : Man's Castle." ; Marjorie Ranibeau, dramatist and screen actress, has replaced Helen MacKellar in the cast of New Columbia's "A Man's Castle,", which Frank Borzage is directing. The substitution was made necessary by Miss ;MacKellar's sudden illness. Others in'the cast of "Man's Castle," which tells thei story of an American _ "depression c»mp" or vagrant's village, include Lor.etta Young, Spencer Tracy,, and Walter Connolly. After a long and successful career in the theatre Marjorie Rambeau . entered pictures, and gained prominence through roles in "Hell Divers" arid May Kiss." "Bella Donna." Conrad Veidt, whose performance, in the ttile role of "The Wandering Jew," -made at:.the Twickenham Studio, has been highly praised in England, is to be starred ' in a i spectacular talking picture version «f'"Bella Donna,' to be made at the flame studio. "Bella Donna," which waß originally adapted for the stage by J. B. - Fagan from Robert Hichens's well-known novel, was first staged at the St. James Theatre, London, in 1911 by the late Sir George Alexander, "with" Mrs; t Patrick Campbell in the role of Mrs. Shepstbwl It' has twice been, made-as a silent film, first in . 1918 and again in 1923. Conrad Veidt, "who.will have the role created in Australia? by Hugh Buckler, is to appear opposite a famous American actress. .; ■ "White Ensign." For "White Ensign," Sound City's naval film, 'sequences have already been shot at Chatham, Sheerness, and Portsmouth. Anthony Kimmins, the ex-naval commander, playwright, and .film star, is cast in ;■■ the lead with Molly Lamont. Commander Hunt directs. - :

A Talented Hostess. Mrs. Matthew Murphy, wife of the chief American representative in the Irish Free State, recently appeared at the San Francisco Memorial Opera House as violin recitalist. Mrs. Murphy was a former German baroness—Olinda yon Kap-herr, and studied in her native country with Schuster, a disciple of Joachim. She has previously given concerts in Europe, and had given concerts in America in 1928 —at the New York Town Hall. Mr. Murphy has started an Irish Consulate in the Californian capital, having already established similar institutions in NewYork, Boston, and Chicago. ■ Associated dii the same programme with his distinguished wife was Frieda Siemens, pianist, formerly of Berlin and now of San Francisco. Mrs. Murphy is a very handsome ivoman and has already become a musical celebrity in the States, where her playing lias greatly pleased critics. Jack Hulbert. Jack Hulbert is an actor, dramatic author, manager, and producer. He ,was born at Ely, Cambridge, in April, .1892, and was educated at Westminster School and Caius College, Cambridge, where he took his degree. He is married to Cicely Courtneidge, and first appeared in amateur theatricals. His first appearance on the professional stage was in 1930 in "The Pearl Girl," and since then has had a distinguished career. His first talkie appearance was in "Elstree Calling," with his wife, and since then they have appeared together in "The Ghost Train," "Jacks the Boy," "Happy Ever After," and "Falling for You." "The House of Rothschild." George Arliss will start for Hollywood from England early next month to ' commence his new contract for 20th Century Pictures. His first ,production will be "The House of Rothschild," based on the history of the famous European money barons. Darryl Zanuck also announced the purchase of a new vehicle for Arliss. It is a stage play by.Harold Simpson, "Sentenced," successfully produced in London. It is a dramatic opus, in which George Arliss for the first time will portray a judge. These pictures will be released by United Artists. "Kiss Me Again," "Mile. Modiste," from which "Kiss. Me Again" was adapted was the most famous af all of Victor Herbert's operettas, and is entirely- in colour. One thing which critics have pointed out as unique about "Kiss Me Again" is its double appeal to men and women. Usually a film is rated either a "man's picture" ,or a "woman's picture" but so gaily and tenderly worked jut': is the love story, and so varied are the scenes between a modiste's shop and the lives of French soldiers in their cafes and their camps in Algeria that "Kiss Me Again" has drawn audences composed almost equally of men and women. "S.O.S. Iceberg." The only actress in the world who could liave played the heroine in "S.O.S. Iceberg" is Leni Riefenstahl. Her cool courage an face of danger, her ability to undergo hardship, and her natural ability as ■in alpinist and flyer, made her ideal for the role. When Carl Laemmle planned "S.O.S. Iceberg" to be filmed in Greenland, it was first necessary to obtain the express permission of the Danish Government which heretofore had placed a ban on expeditions into Greenland following the disastrous Nobile venture. Deadly Animals. In trying to learn what would most frighten a person loat in a Malay jungle, Cecil B. De Mille discovered that the king cobra and the Sludang water buffalo are the most deadly and dangerous. Therefore, he has written parts for these animals in the script of his next for Paramount, "Four Frightened People," which he is filming in Hawaii with Claudette Colbert, Herbert Marshall, Mary Boland, and William Gargan. Contract. , Mona Barrie, one of Australia's leading ictresses, has been given a: long-term contract to' appear in FoxJ pictures. Miss Barrie started her career as a dancer, but 3oon changed,to the legitimate theatre and became a favourite leading lady in Australia. ■ She has appeared in such plays is "Let Us Be Gay," "Autumn \ Crocus," "Hay Fever," "While Parents , Sleep,? and others. The actress was en route to London to fill a theatrical engagement md was given a screen test by the Fox lasting department in. New York just'as 3he was about to board ship for England. Miss Barries work on the screen, which nras the first she had ever done, was so enthusiastically received by Fox studio executives in Hollywood that she was immediately signed to-a contract. "Sorrell and Son." ' H. B. Warner arrived in London recently to take up the part of Sorrell in the B. and D. talkie version of Warwick Deeping's "Sorrell. and' Son," which Jack Raymond is to1 direct at Boreham Wood almost; immediately. Warner, who created the role in the silent version of the story, was 'as.* in. England in-1927, when he. paid a- visit" for" the purpose of appearing in exterior scenes for ,this pictureunder the directibnof Herbert Brennori. : :'■■■'! . '■■;!■

"Bombay Mall." , • As soon as she completes her role opposite Chester Morris in Universal's "Dangerous to Women," Helen :Twelvetrees will begin work immediately in "Bombay Mail," in which Edmund Lowe will be starred. The supporting cast includes Onslow Stevens, John Davidson, and Cavy Owen. i ■ Diana Napier's Progress. Diana Napier, who looks so charming as the novelist's wife in "Her First Affair," is one of- the' stars of ;the new Windsor Films', series., the first of which is called "Going Gay." Madga Schneider is also in these films.: Arthur Riscoe, who has one of the leading comedy roles, was formerly sheepfanning in Australia. "Lady for a Day." May. Robson achieved that name through a printer's mistake more than fifty years ago at her first- stage appearance. Her right name was May Robison, but the types erred' and she was told it would be unlucky to correct them. The "grand old lady of the stage and screen" is now appearing in "Lady for a Day," a Columbia picture soon to be released in New Zealand. ■ William Greene Passes On. Those who remember the vivacious acting and singing of William Greene in the Williamson production "Going Up," "Canary Cottage," "High Jinks," and other musical comedy successes, will regret to: learn of his death at Melbourne recently. He was aged 48 years. -Mr. Greene was • associated with Dorothy Brunton in many of her most notable stage appearances, and • also was an excellent foil to the nonsense, of Alfred Frith. Train. . , ' "Orient Express," Graham Greene's best seller, the story that takes place aboard the great transcontinental express running from Ostend to Constantinople, was placed in production at Fox Movietone City, with Norman Foster in the starring role. Paul Martin, continental director, is in charge of this 'production. He is noted for his direction of Lilian Harvey's "Congress Dances" released throughout Australia as "In Old Vienna'

"The Squatter's Daughter." ■ Sir Henry Irvine, Sir Charles Wyndham, Sir George 'Alexander, Sir Augustus Harris,1 Sir Gerald du.Maurier, Gladys Cooper, and Owen Nares.. It reads like a list of knights who have received their distinctions from the King for their great work in the development of stage art in England; but actually it ,is merely naming a few of the famous men and women of the Euglish stage with whom that interesting personality and famous actor, W. LaneBayliffj has played with at Drury Lane, London. W. ■ Lane-Bayliff came to Australia about ten years ago with Lady Forbes Robertson, as manager, and now we find him playing "Squatter Sherington" in Cinesound's thrilling romance of Australia's great open spaces, "The Squatter's Daughter," which ,■■ comes to the Regent Theatre tomorrow. Mr. Lane-Bayliff has had one of the most interesting stage careers of any actor who has visited Australia; In 1891 lie commenced his career in stage art with Sir Charles Hawtrey at the Comedy Theatre, London, as Gibson the tailor, in "The Private Secretary." After touring. South Africa he came to the Commonwealth in 1923, and later managed for Ada; Reeve with "Snap" in Melbourne, and produced Nellie' Stewart's last performance at the Comedy Theatre in "Romance." He has played Baites the butler in "The Sport of Kings," the Rev. Duke in "Outward Bound," '"Erb" in "My Old Dutch," and the old professor in Muriel Starr's production of "The Evening." ~ ' . ..' The New Merton Hodge.Play.. The play by Dr! Merton Hodge (Wellington), !'The Wind in the Rain," -which is to be staged at St. Martin's Theatre, London, after ashort^provinciabrun,-was-directed during rehearsals by Miss Auriol Lee. Mr. Alee Rea, a well-known theatre manager, was. to present it in Manchester. Dealing brightly with student life in Edinburgh, the play is to be interpreted by a cast including Celia Johnson—a very popular member of London's stage—Margaret Moffatt, and Robert Harris. It was called "As it was in the Beginning," in its original form and was shown by the Arts Theatre Club in 1932, with very gratifying results. The author wished, however, to make alterations, and these have been incorporated in the new version. ... . ■ - , "The Invisible-Man." Universal's screen version of H. G. Wells's fantastic story, "The Invisible Man" has now been completed and will be released in New Zealand shortly. During the actual filming of "The Invisible Man," only necessary members of the production staff were allowed oh the set and they were sworn not to reveal any of the technical methods used in photographing the -weird screen play. . Claude Rains, who.was selected to play the leading role, -went about the Universal lot unrecognised because one of the terms of his unusual contract for the mystery drama was that "he shall not be seen-in character and shall not at any time discuss his characterisation nor be photographed." J. C. Williamson's Plans. Several important musical productions are to be presented by J..C. Williamson, Ltd. After "Music in the Air" has finished its allotted run, it is probable that there will be a special production of "The Student Prince," with Sylvia Welling as Kathie; but J. C. Williamson, Ltd., has secured the rights of several new plays which will be,staged for the first time in Australia. These will include "The Dubarry," in which Sylvia Welling will have the role she played in the London production following the illness and tragic death of Army, Ahlers, the German prima donna. Ore of the biggest productions ever attempted in Australia will be "White Horse Inn." Others will be "The Cat and the Fiddle," and "The Gay Divorce." "White; Horse Inn" created a sensation when it was staged.at the London Coliseum. "The Cat and the. Fiddle" has been a, success in London and New. York. Its music is by Jerome Kern, the composer of "Show Boat," "Sally," "Music in the Air," and other successes.- "The Gay Divorce," which is running simultaneously in New York and London, will introduce to Australian audiences the light comedian and dancer, Billy Milton, who has ap-peared-with success in such productions as "This Year of': Grace"1 and "Bitter Sweet" iin London and New York, besides playing in French ; revues, in Paris. • He is also weir known on the screen in England and America. He played the boy with the nasty mind in "Young Wobdley" (screen version). "Miss Hook of Holland." Several inquiries have reached the office of the "Evening Post" as-to the probability of;a return season by the local Amateur Operatic Society of "Miss Hook of Holland." It will be remembered that this choice of the society'was an exceedingly happy one, and the performances were ■': recognised'- as among the best yet achieved by- it. ■, Another season, according to correspondents, would' hot be amiss during Carnival-Week, or at any time up to and:including Christinas. .....-■■ "Wandering Jew." ■Dr. Hugo Reinsfeld,-who is In-London, has already commenced the -work of composing and preparing his .musical accompaniment for "The Wandering Jew," directed by Maurice Elvey for Julius Hagen at the Twickenham Film Studio.

Objection to German Actor. The Shaftesbury Theatre, London, was the scene of a demonstration against a German actor, Herr Werner Krauss, who was a member of the cast of the Gerhardt Hauptmann's "Before Sunset." Details of the incidents show that the play (English adaption by Miles Malleson and being performed for the first time) was interrupted at the outset by ■persistent, shouts from the gallery and showers of leaflets. The interrupters appeared to object, on grounds that remain obscure, to Herr Krauss's inclusion in the cast. The curtain was lowered, the police intervened, and Miss Peggy Ashcroft, playing- Inken Peters, made a speech, and the play was begun again. During the first scene further attempts were made to stop the play, interrupters being planted in various parts of the house for that purpose, it seemed, but the actors continued steadily, though their dialogue was inaudible at times. The audience had- no sympathy with the trouble-makers and they were speedily silenced, the rest of the play being given in peace. ■ Fanatical youths seemed to be the cause' of the unseemly behaviour. The drama tells of an eld man Matthew Clausen, who discovers renascence in his love for the girl . Inken, his social inferior. His family, desperate in their opposition, treat him not as a human being, but as a possession; refuse to speak with the girl or eat with her, and when their father defies. them seek to have him put under restraint. In face of this threat he dies. " The' tt)eme;is described as having something in common with Strindbe'rg's "The Father.?'., Herr Krauss played the old man; another fine character study- was- that- of F«lix Ayhner, as Hannefeldt, , the x intermediary who, loathing his task, tells Clausen that he is considered mad! ',' The' cast, was a,lengthy one, sixteen people being necessary to interpret -the- -piece.- • ' ■ "Show Boat."- • ■ '. . ; . Arrangements have been. completed between Universal and Frank Borzage whereby Borzage will make for Universal release a screen version of the late Florenz Zicgfeld's' greatest stage.,triumph, "Show Boat." Written, by Edna"' Ferber,! originally prpduced .by .the master showman, Ziegfeld, and musically •embellished by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstem, second, "Show Boat" ran on Boadway for two solid years and another two years on the road. This last season it was revived both in New York and on the road with many of the original cast and with even greater success. "Show Boat" was filmed as a silent movie, plus a syncho'nised score, by Universal in 1929. Now it will be brought to the screen again. Madge Evans. Madge Evans who has appeared with most of the notable players of the screen in the past several years, has a role opposite James Cagney for the first time in the Warner Bros.' startling and picturesque melodrama, "The Mayor of Hell." A lot of film has gone through the cameras since Madge Evans entered the business sixteen years ago. The director who gave her her first chance is now a Hollywood extra. Very few of the stars with whom she played, shine on the screen any longer, excepting perhaps John Barrymore whose leading lady she was in "Peter Ibbetson" when she was thirteen, and Richard Barthelmess. with whom she appears in . "Classmates." >' t ■ Neagle. Surprises. ', Striking, new plans were announced recently by Hubert T. Marshall, chairman and managing director of British and Dominion Films Corp., who stated that the long-delayed production of "The Queen" is definitely to commence at the end of this month. Mr. Marshall pointed' out that the decision was the direct result o£ the amazing American reception accorded to "Bitter Sweet," in which Anna Neagle and Fernand Graavey-..were featured, adding, that these two stars will ■-play the'roles'originally assigned to Jeanette MaeDonald and Herbert 'Marshall. "And So To Bed" in Auckland. Mr. Zante Wood, formerly' o;f Wellington, has been cast for the important role of Samuel Pepys in the Auckland Little Theatre Society's-production early in December, of "J. B.'Fagan's brilliant comedy, "And So To Bed." Nina Scott will play Mrs. Pepys; Edna Craig, Mrs. Knight; Graham Brown-Douglas, King Charles; others who will take part '. include Misses Audrey Hutchinson,- Annette :\ Thome-George,, Jean Deighton, Maisie; .par:dßpV. ; Messrs? Terence^ Morgan, Dick f*atpj:'PPßtewftrt r and- John Carpenter. Spetial: Wstumes are coming from Sydney for the production, which promises to be one of the most lavish in the society's record. Fountain of Youth. .-■-..-■■.: If you are looking fof^a Fountain of Youth, become an. actor, says Eddie Nugent, who has a lot" of proof "to back .up his contention. Eddie has been in pictures for years, and before that he had a long record of stage experience which started when he was a baby in arms. Yet, at present he is playing the role of a high school boy in Cecil B. De Mille's latest Paramount picture,'^ "This Day and Age." "It's the psychological effect which keeps me young," Nugent declares. "I expect to be a juvenile twenty years from now—and look the part. In fact, I intend to set up a record as the perennial juvenile." Jack Buchanan. Jack Buchanan is to become the world's first film actor-manager.. From. September 27, he has had control of Leicester Square Theatre, and he will run it as a cinema. The first picture to be presented under his management will.be his own film. "That's a Good Girl," which he directed and also played leading role. The cast includes Elsie Randolph, Dorothy Hyson, and Vera Pearce/ Kennedy Rumford Retires. • While Dame Clara; Butt is in Australia her husband, Kennedy Rumford, the noted baritone, is retiring from the concert platform. Recently he was elected-secretary of the famous Hnntercombe Golf Club, in the Thames Valley; he is an ardent golfer. himself, and now spends most of his time on the.links. He has not appeared on the platform for some time; and has declined all offers of public engagements. Dame Clara came to Australia on a health-recruiting trip, but has been prevailed upon by Messrs. J. and N. Tait to undertake a concey,t tour, commencing at Brisbane last Saturday. New Zealand Will follow. • : "Little Man, What Now?" ; ; As a reward for herj performance: in-her first picture for Universal, "Only Yesterday," Margarqi Sullavan will piay the leading feminine role in ■ "Little Man, What Now?" a screen adaptation of the famous novel, which Carl'Laemmle; junior, will place in production as soon as the script is in shape. Her role in "Only Yesterday," in which she is featured with John Boles, Billie Burke, and Reginald Denny, completed, Miss Sullavan. is now in New York enjoying a,brief rest between pictures. . "Golden Wedding." Dorothy Tree, exotic young . brunette, who was recently signed to a long-term contract by Columbia, and Wallace Ford .will be co-featured in the company.'s forthcoming drama, "Golden Wedding" (tentative title). This is the film which will be directed ■by Albert Rogell from Lew Leverson's successful play "Brownstown - Front." Dorothy Tree is a former New York stage player. She makes her first featured appearance ion the screen in "Golden Wedding." '