STAGE AND SCREEN

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 34, 9 August 1934, Page 18

STAGE AND SCREEN

Quaint Operettas. - - Quaintness, beauty of costume and setting, and, above all, beautiful music, characterise the stage productions of "The Dubarry" and "Waltzes from Vienna," with which Messrs. J. C. Williamson open a New Zealand season at Auckland on Saturday next, August 18. The first is a tale of Paris of the eighteenth century, and Sylvia Welling as the Dubarry of historical reputation achieves fame, not only as a singer, but as an actress. The Viennese operetta is set to waltz-time, and is another lovely production with much. instrumental playing that affords a striking background to the voices. The Strausses are responsible for the music. Both plays make for captivating success, for, apart > from spectacular appeal, both have logical themes, spoken and sung by sound actors and actresses who wear the rich and ■elaborate period costumes as to the manner born. Accompanying Miss Sylvia WelKng (a new and glamorous prima donna from London) to New Zealand for "The Dubarry" and "Waltzes from Vienna" season are many old Williamson favourites, who are sure of a warm welcome from New" Zealand admirers. They include Leslie Holland, Cecil Kelleway, Richard Parry, Lorna Forbes, Jean Duncan, and Lou Vernon. Newcomers include John Dudley," Cecil Pawley, Hilton Porter, Douglas Herald, and Ivy Kirby (solo dancer). A ballet wearing frocks appropriate to; the Dubarry period (Louis XV of France) and to Vienna of the forties ("Waltzes from Vienna") are a definite feature of the productions, which allow unlimited opportunities for marvels of stagecraft. 'Born To Be Bad." A motion picture camera in the role of ..private detective! It may sound fantastic, but it is based on fact. A camera is seen in this capacity in "Born to be Bad," the Twentieth Century picture to be-released by -United Artists, starring Loretta Young and Cary Grant. In this* original story by Ralph Graves, a motion picture cameraman is employed furtively to take motion pictures of a small boy at play—fighting, wrestling, running, and romping. Later the pictures are shown in a court room to the utter consternation of the boy's pretty and ninscrupulous young mother, played by Miss Young, who has sued a wealthy man for heavy damages on the charge that a truck owned by his firm had

Boosts Employment,

Indicative of the upturn in the Hollywood employment trend, 755 members of the motion picture extra- ranks reported to work recently at Paramount Studios. Of the nine productions under way at the sudio six placed a call for extras ranging from totals. of 220 to ten. Leo McCarey, filming, an outdoor ring battle of the Naughty Nineties in Mac West's "It's No Sin," demanded 220 extras. On Cecil B. de Mille's "Cleopatra" set 200 extras found work, while 150 were called for "Thank Your Stars," the picture featuring Jack Oakie, Dorothy Dell, Ben Bernie, and his band. W. C. Fields had to have ninety extras for atmosphcro' in "The Old" Fashioned Way," and scenes for the George Burns and Gracie Allon comedy, "Many Happy Returns," requiredr fifty more. Thirty-five people were employed with Elissa Landi and Adolphe Menjou for the Charles E. Rogers production of "The Great Flirtation," while ten were re-, quired for "Hero Comes the Groom."

"The Count of Monte Cristo." Robert Donat, the young English actor who made a hit as Thomas Culpepper in "The Private Life of Henry VIII," will play Edmond Dantes in Dumas's "The Count of Monto Cristo," while Elissa Landi is his sweetheart, Mercedes. Louis Calhern, 0. P. Heggio, Sidney Blackmer, and Irene Hervey , have also been assigned important xoles. United Artista will release this new film. Tracy and Colbert. Lee Tracy and Claudette Colbert will be teamed by Paramount in "Are Men Worth It?" picturised version of Tiffany Thayer's "One Woman." It will go into production after Miss Colbert's return from a visit to France, which she will start as soon as she finishes her role in "Cleopatra," one of the most spectacular productions Paramount has made. JeanHarlow,

"Looking for Trouble." "Looking for Trouble," the newesl Twentieth Century picture, starring Spen cer Tracy, which is shortly to be /eleaeec by United Artists, offera some of th( most definitely thrilling and entertaininj film fare of which picturergoers have par taken in months. The story deals with i little known phase of life —that of the professional "trouble-shooter," the telephone • linesmen whose business it is tc keep the wire 9 clear through blizzard, fire, 'or earthquake. Spencer Tracy, east as the foreman of a group of these adventurous lads who brave every cataclysm of Nature so that communication between man and man ■ niay' not be interrupted, brings to the portrayal of 'his role a virility which makes.it one .of the most convincing parts he has ever played on the screen. Jack Oakie, who plays his assistant, is responsible for much of the humour. Constance Cummings and Arline Judge play the respective sweethearts of the two "troubleshooters", in. this Joseph Schenck-Darryl Zanuck production. Star. ' Spencer Tracy has b.een elevated to stardom in'his current picture for Fox Films, "When New York Sleeps," which is adapted from Mrs. Arnold Rothstein's story,, "Now I'll Tell." Beginning with tHh picture his name will appear over the main title, according to Winfield Sheehan, vice-president and general manager of Fox Film. Fox Film.brought him from-New York several years ago to appear in "Up the River," a travesty on prison life. Incidentally, Tracy was discovered in New York while appearing as "Killer Hears" in "The Last Mile," the same role Clark Gable was playing in Los Angeles when he was discovered for pictures. During the four years Spencer has been in Hollywood he has appeared in fourteen pictures, twelve of these being for Fox Film. "Most Beautiful in Hollywood." After visiting Mac West at Paramount's Hollywood Studios Madame Helena Rubenstein, international beauty and cosmetic expert, ' declared that the blonde star's complexion is the most beautiful in Hollywood. Mac talked with Madame Rubenstein during production of the star's next cinema of the Naughty Nineties, "It's No Sin," in which, she wears gowns that expose arms, - and shoulders —with a perfect complexion necessary.

"Cleopatra."

The; changes which have taken place in the motion picture industry arc never more forcibly realised than when an old-time star turns up on a set playing a small part. Fifteen years ago, William Farnum was' ope of the most popular and highestpaid stars in filmdom. .Recently lie satopposite Henry Wilcox on Cecil B. do Mille's "Cleopatra" set at Paramount, playing a "bit" part. Wilcoxon, who recently arrived from England to play the role of Mare Antony for de Mille, was an ardent admirer of Farnum when the latter was in his heyday. Oddly enough, one of the roles which brought fame to William Farnum when he^ was on tliu stage was as Marc Antony in "Cleopatra." There were times in the past when -de Mille wanted Very.-much. to have William Farnum as a star in his pictures, but the star's salary was a bit too prohibitive, de Mille started out his career twenty years ago by bringing William's brother, Dustin, out to California and starring him in his first picture, "The Squaw Man."

"The Camels are Coming." . As it has been necessary to send cameraman Glen Mac Williams back to Egypt fo.t special shots-for "The Camels are Coming," -Phil"Tannura; who has just returned from holidays in .; Hollywood, has taken over the interior photography of the picture at Islington" in1 Gleu'a abse'nee. "Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back." Loretta Young and Warner Oland have prominent parts in "Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back," in which • Ronald Colman makes his reappearance in the role of Drummond. It will be recalled that Colman made his initial hit in talkies in the character of Bulldog Drummond. United Artists will release the new film-. "David Copperfield." Hugh Walpole has buen signed by David O. Selznick to "collaborate on the filming of "David Copperfield," according to announcement made by Metro-Lloldwyn-Mayer.

"Alice in Wonderland." Tho "Cast of the Century"—that is the way Paramount is billing the long list of important screen players featured in "Alice in Wonderland," -the filmisation of Lewis Carroll's immortal fantasy which is coming to the Majestic Theatre shortly. Heading the list ■is Alice, played by Charlotte Henry who won the coveted role after an international search lasting five months. The search covered every English-speaking country in the world and brought out more than 7000 applicants. Some of the first-rank stars who are included in the "cast of the century" are Richard Arlen, Rosco Ates, Gary Cooper, Leon Errol, Louise Fazenda, W. C. Fields, Skeets Gallagher, Cary Grant, Raymond Hatton, Edward Everett Horton, Roscoe Karns, Baby Leßoy, Mac Marsh, Polly Morau, Jack Oakie, Edna May Oliver, May Robson, Charlie Ruggles, Alison Skipworth, Ned Sparks, and Ford Sterling. I; Tho screen. version of the famous classic was directed by Norman McLeod from the screen play written by Joseph L. 1 Mnnkicwicz and William Cameron Menzies. ;■ The screen play contains the most im- , portant sequences from both "Alice's ' Adventure" and "Through the Looking " Glass." The story of the -picture duplicates i in detail the book known throughout the . world. Alice falls asleep and awakens as ' she steps through the looking glass above the mantle into "Looking Glass Land." 1 There she meets all her chessmen friends , who have come to life. Through .fire i grates, down rabbit holes, and into the ! pool of tears, Alice journeys through her i dreamland. Father William, the Dodo Bird, the Red Knight, the Kin's of Hearts, i the March Hare, The Mad Hatter., and tho Cheshire Cat, all welcome her to their ; homes behind tho mirror. But alas, she : must wake up, and she soars through the Looking Glass house back to the room from where she began her adventures. "Mother of Pearl" in Melbourne. Alice Delysia, who is one of London's most famous personalities of stage and screen, is taking Australians by storm by her presentation of the title role in the spectacular musical play that Mr. Frank Harvey is producing for Mr. F. W. Hiring in Melbourne. She received a tumultuous welcome on her opening night, and her instant success betokens a long run for tho piece, adapted from the German by A. P. Herbert. Phyllis Glen, a 22-year-old Melbourne girl who understudied one of the stars in "Collitt's Inn" (which featured Gladys Moncrieil'), secured the coveted role of Pearl, the daughter of the play. Campbell Copelin, now completely^ recovered from his serious injuries received in an aeroplane accident, plays a leading role, and tho company also includes such wellknown Williamson people as George Blunt, Frank Harvey, Field Fisher, Edwin Brett, Reginald Wykeham, Reginald Roberts, with Robert Coote, from London, in his original role. Pearl's mother covets her lover, and the play is developed along humorous lines, touched with romance and satire that alternately keeps audionrts .-imnsprl and shocked.

"The Scarlet Empress." After many months of production activities Marlene Dietrich's newest Paramount picture, "The Scarlet Empress," has at last been completed. Unquestionably the finest spectacle Paramount and Marlene Dietrich have produced, "The Scarlet Empress" is due for early Release. . Not only has Miss Dietrich surpassed the brilliance of her previous performances, but Josef yon Sternberg, her director,' is said to have made a masterpiece. The supporting- cast for-."The, Scarlet Empress" was o-lected with the utmost care, and Paraluount is confident that it has unearthed a new male star in John Lodge. Lodge has been in pictures for only a very short time, but previous to his screen venture was a prominent stage player in New York. Miss Dietrich is cast as Catherine, Empress o£ Russia, and from advance photographs that have already arrived in New Zealand is: amazingly beautiful in her many quaint gowns. > "Our Daily Bread." "Our Daily Bread" is the title of a film being produced, by King Vidor for United Artists.

Kay Francis,

Kay Francis was born in Oklahoma City and educated in a. private school at Ossining, New York. Later she entered Cathedral School in Garden City. She studied secretarial work and became so-1 cial secretary to Mrs. W. K. Vanderbilt. She also filled the same posts for Mrs. Minturn Pinchot and Mrs. Dwight W. Morrow. After a tour of Europe she decided to go on to the stage,

first appearing in a modern version of "Hamlet." She later appeared on Broadway in "Venue," "Crime," and "Elmer the ,_ Great," among other' productions. Her first x>icture work was in "Gentlemen of the Press." Her success was instantaneous and she was given a contract. Her recent pictures include "Maudalay," "The Keyhole," "One Way Passage," "Jewel Robbery," "Cynara," "Trouble in Paradise," "Man Wanted," "Street of Women," "Mary Stevens, M.D.," "I Loved a Woman," and "The House on 56th Street."

"The Black Cat." Uoiversal's thrilling picture, "The Black Cat," with Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi, will commence at the Majestic Theatre tomorrow. Karloff and Lugosi meet with a powerful desire to wreak vengeance upon each other. An innocent young couple on their honeymoon become involved in their sinister machinations. The story is full of fantastic situations. Jacqueline Wells and David Manners supply an unusual couple ■ who will make tho audience laugh and cry with them. "The Poor Rich" is listed as the second big feature on the same programme. Edna May Oliver and Edward Everett Horton commence their first starring roles together as a comedy team in "The Poor Rich," which is an up-to-date laughable show based on the present ■ financial conditions*. Douglass Montflomor^. Douglass Montgomery, who did such good work in "Little Man, What Now?" ■ with Margaret Sullavan, has been placed under contract by Universal, and will bn starred in "Zest.." based on the Charles G. Norris novel.

"Little Man, What Now?" "Little Man, What Now?" starring Margaret Sullava\i, the girl who was rocketted to fame with her first picture, "Only Yesterday," will soon be released' in Wellington. The picture, produced and directed by Frank Borzage, tho "man who has never made a failure," ranks with his '"Seventh Heaven" iv dramatic dept'ij 'tenderness, and beauty. It has the additional value of timeliness. The Hans Fallada novel, from which the picture is made, deals with present-day conditions as we are emerging from the depression; it is a picture of the coming of the New Deal, for the countless "little men" and "little women" all over the earth whose dauntless spirits and optimism have weathered the storm and made them ready for better times. Douglass Montgomery plays the leading role opposite Miss Sullavan, but she is the true hero of the story, in her role of Lammchen. wife of the little clerk, Pinneberg, who struggles to hold his precarious job in order to keep together the little home he and his wife have made for their baby. Others in the cast include Alan Hale, Catherine Doucet, Hedda Hopper, Mac Marsh, Fred Kohler, George Meeker, and many others. "Looking for Trouble." Spencer Tracy and Jack Oakie have some highly-exciting adventure into danger, love, and comedy in "Looking for Trouble," the Twentieth Century picture for United Artists release. The two telephone girls who are their sweethearts, and incidentally the cause of, many of their more humorous escapades, are played by Constance Cummings, who appeared recently in "Broadway Thru' a Keyhole," and Arline Judge. Tracy and Oakie have a series of thrilling adventures »9 telephone linesmen when they run: afoul of wiretappers engaged in engiueefing a bank robbery.

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Eric Colman. , " "Doesn't it give you quite a thrill to have a brother as famous as Ronald?' Many people have asked me the same ' question or words to that effect. Well, it does and it does not. The fact is that the relationship has its disadvantages. It is very pleasant to bask in a blaze reflected glory, but not at the expense of losing one's individuality," says Eric Colman, star of Mr.' Beaumont Smith's big feature film "Splendid Fellow,," previously titled "The Big Race." "'A while ago 1 was acting in the capacity of M.C. at the first performance of Ronald's picture 'Devil to Pay' at the State Theatre—it really was my first pub-' lie appearance in Sydney. The very next day I was walking down Pitt Street, when a charming young thing, a complete stranger to me, came up and said, 'Excuse me, Mr. Colman, will you sign my autograph book?' How would my autograph interest her, I asked her quite' nicely, to . which she replied, 'Well, it will be the next best thing to your brother's, as I cannot get him.' " "The Iron Duke." Mr. George Arliss is to make "The Irou Duke" under Gaumont-British auspices. The picture will be directed by Victor Saville and production will commence on August 20. The story is by H. M. Harwood and the picture will deal with the career of the Duke of Wellington in tho period between Napoleon's escape from Elba and the record Treaty of Paris, which, of course, embraces the campaign the crisis of which was the Duke's victory at Waterloo. Requiring, as it will, between throe and four months for production, Fox Film advises that the picture will not be available for distribution in Australia before the end of the year, but it is expected-to bo on*1, of the earliest of the 3035 releases

Frances Dee.

"The Old Bus."

"The Old Bus," with Sir Charles Kingsford Smith in his .first and only moving picture, offers cinemagoere the opportunity of a lifetime. For the first time,, all the record-breaking and pioneering achievements of the world's greatest aviator can be seen together—and they/ have to be seen together for the feats of a man who has ben making history in our own time to be fully appreciated. Not only docs . "The Old Bus" portray the epoch-making accomplishments ol Smithy, as he is affectionately ".■died, but it also presents for the first time a faithful record of the part Australia and New Zealand have played in Hie conquest of the . air. The Southern , Cross pioneered the England-Australia air mail —and now the air mail route is about to be opened up. "The Southern Cross pioneered the Tasman Sea air route—and* already there is talk of a regular trans-Tasman service, linking New Plymouth with Australia and the vest of the Empire. The Centenary Air Race is about to commence, and Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, who has flown the route at least a dozen times, will be a competitor. The eyes of the whole world will be on Smithy, for his real name as well as his nickname is a household word everywhere. Fokker built the Southern Cross, or ''The Old Bus," as her owner affectionately dubs her, for a trip across the Atlantic; Wilkins took her over the Arctic Seas; Smithy has flown her around the world and more;, now the tale of her long travels has been told in Universe's motion talking picture, "The Old Bu?." New J.C.W. Theatre. The scheme of decoration in the new His Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne is entirely new to Australia. The conventional style hitherto characteristic of theatre interiors has been replaced by delicate colouring, beautiful panelling in Australian woods, textured walls, and soft lighting. There are no garish eil'ects in which cupids, masks and faces, and gold paint strike the eye. Everything is restful and 'artistic and in perfect harmony. The carpets, drapings, and furnishings have been specially made for the firm, and the seats are the very latest, spacious, well-spaced, and restful. A striking feature of the vestibules is .elliptical columns of walnut, inlaid with peu-tcr and Macassar ebony, rising from Hoor to ceiling, and surmounted by a frieze of dancing figures. In the auditorium, the walls of the stalls and dress circle are lined with walnut panelling, and the biggest walnut panels ever made in Australia frame the. proscenium. The new theatre was opened on July 28 by Mr. Lyons, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth, and a gala performance of "White Horse Inn" followed before an audience that filled every nook and cranny of the wonderful theatre. "I Give My Love." " Should a, wife sacrifice her whole life in order to satisfy the ambition of a faithless and cruel husband—even if he is an artist? A woman, who gave her love to this 'man, prefers to shipwreck her own body and soul so that the man she loves will sail . into a harbour of safety. Wynne Gibson in the title role of "I Give My Love" is this woman, and she does the greatest piece of acting she has yet clone on the screen. The story is a powerful piece of creative writing inspired by Vicki Baum, authoress of "Grand Hotel." Univei-sal ha 6. given this film a sweeping production, a grand cast, and two great stars—Mies Gibson and Paul Lukas. It is one of the most unusual stories ever told on the screen, and in the cast are such favourites as Eric Linden, Anita Louise, John Darrow, Dorothy Appleby, Tad Alexander, and Sam Hardy. "Man Save tho Queen." Tom Walls . has' been making artist's tests for his next Gaumont-British comedy "Man Save the Queen," which deals with hectic doings on a Ruritanian State. The new lauehter-make; comes from the pen of Ben Travel's, and promises to maintain the comedy record of tho great Aldwych team.

Williamson Plays. .. ■~ . , ' Ihe Australian revival, of ; "Gay Divorce" will serve to introduce to playgoers Madge Elliott and Cyril Kitchard in entirely new roles. Billy" Milton, who was brought from England to. star in the original production, has returned "to London. Miss Elliott and Mr. Kitchard will have support from such favourites as Leo Frauklyn, Gus Bluett, Madge Aubrey, Frank Leighton, Charles Zoli, and Agnes Doyle. Grace Lane and Jane Woods, two English importations for the- Australian season of "Fresh Fields/ have been allotted big parts in .'the Somerset Maugham play "The Sacred' Flame," that will replace "Fresh Fields" at the Comedy Theatre, Melbourne. Associated with them will be Gerald Savory (from London), Harvey Adams, Kathleen Goodall, Rita Pauncefort, Guy Hastings, and Jack Wiltshire. Sir Nigel Playfair . will be a strong Williamson attraction in Melbourne for the Centenary. Ho will be. featured in "The Late, Christopher, Bean," an adaptation by Emylyn Williams of Rene Fauchois's drama. Alice Dclysia, the famous Continental star, is being'featured: in the Williamson version of "Mother d' Pearl," which Frank Harvey is producing in Australia from A. P. Herbert's text.. , The .original play was in German, and deals with a mother's ronvantic attachment for her daughter's fiance. Mnsl'c if.by-1 Oscar. Strauss. Mile. .-Delysia .has.with"her Cecil Scott, Barrett-Lcnn'ard, (the light coiiicrlian' last in Xew Zealand with Marie Burke in '"Frasquita" and "Kat.ja"), Roj. Wykeham, George Blunt, Reginald' Roberts. Campbell Copelin, Judy Price. "Bobbie" McMillan1, Harold'_ Meade. .Edwin Brett, and Robert Coote, male lead. ' ■ "White Horse Inn" has been breaking records in Australia and. its popular-' ity shows no sign of waning. Stre'lla''Wilson and her satellites are. proving a big draw to theatre-goers --by '-tlieir excellent performances. ', ' : " May Robson. Blay Eobson has signed a new longterm contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. She played :. recently .in "You Can't Buy Everything," in which Jean Parker, Lewis-Stone, and William Bake-1 well have leading: roles. ~ :

Wellington Repertory Society. Mr. Benn Levy, author of "This Woman Business," which is to be produced by the Repertory Society in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall early next month, according to Mr. St. John Ervine, the eminent London critic, "may turn out to be a genius." Mr. Levy was born in London on March. 7, 1900. He was educated at Repston and University College, Oxford. A business instinct coupled with a flair for the theatre guided him to Jarrold's, the well-known London publishers, for whom he soon became managing director. This important position brought him in contact with some of the great authors of the day, and at the age of 28 he wrote "This Woman Business," which Press and public with one accord acclaimed. His "theatre" sense is remarkable; his gift of words and constructive ability quite outstanding and his philosophy and imagination are unique amongst modern playwrights. His many successes include "Mrs. Moonlight," "Art and Mrs. Bottle," "A Man with Red Hair," "Mud and Treacle," etc. It should he interesting to learn how Wellington theatregoers will receive his first offering, which is said to be very daring but very clever and very humorous. Miss Zita Chapman and Miss Anette Strickland are the only ladies in the cast of nine characters. t Charlie Chan. Warner Oland, Swedish actor, whe plays Chinese characters better than a native Chinaman, has a new Fox Film contract,' which will include his playing the title role in a new Charlie Chan mystery picture to go into production shortly. . He has just completed "Charlie Chan's Cour- ( age" with Drue Ley- . ton and Donald Woods in the romantic leads. ' i "Sacred and ■ Profane Love." 1 The new Joan i Crawford - Clark : Gable co-starring ye- j hide, "Sacred and ' Profane Love," went • into production at I the Metro-Goldwyn- i Mayer studios this i week. Otto Kruger ' and Stuart ' Erwin J arc in the support- < ing cast under 1 Clarence Brown's i direction i ]

Allen Jenkins. . , Allen Jenkins,' one'of theirare' comedy characters of the■ screen,.was born in New York City. He turned \.to the stage when a boy and has been linked with the theatre ever since. He . started' as" a chorus boy, playing ,in the same snow with James Cagney. After three years in the chorus, he attended dramatic school and branched out as a character actor. He played in many Broadway successes, ' including "Blessed Event," . "What Price Glory," "The Last Mile," "Rain, and "Letters of* Fire." Last season he played in an even dozen pictures for Warner Bros. First National,1 to whom lie is under contract. The more recent include "The Silk Express," "I've Got Your Number," "Bedside," "Havana Widows," and "The Mayor of Hell." He will next be seen in "Jimmy the Gent." Others in the cast include James Cagney? Bctte Davis,and,: Alice-.White,

. Dr. Merton Hodge:for: New .Zealand. { "The Wind: and, the Eaini"; that delightful cemedy of medical student, life,: continues to go on and on at St...Martin's Theatre, and it gives the: author, Dr.- Merton Hodge (Wellington) great pleasure to find people enjoying it bo "greatly.. Some people go over and'over again: everybody speaks well of it, writes "The Post's" London correspondent on 'July.; 6.-; -New Zealand friends of the playwright,:as well us , all theatregoers, will'be interested -'to hear that Messrs. J.: C...Williamson have definitely bought this, play for: production in Australia and Xew Zealand. It is understood that they -want, largely to "cast it in Sydney, as ;the expense of:taking-'out an English company. in . these '■ days is a very serious tax on the firm. ..Dr.1. Hodge hopes to spare1 the time to go-outiand see that when "The Wind/ and' the Rain" reaches New Zealanrt"iti.wi]L-be.;as;ncar a replica of ...the-.; St.. Martin Js'Jproduptipn >as it is possible :::io 'obtain.: *At.Tpresent1 it plays to full houses'1 '.in London. It Has been running without a break'-uince- last September; and.reached;its- 300 th performance some.weeks 'ago.-1:. ''Gri^f/Goes Ovejy' Dr. Hodge's other' play, -is' to- be:; produced in October,'directed br' Miss Auriol Lee,.and under theOntiuageinent of: Messrs. Howard and WyndhaUi. ;;!<;'<'will;,be" after the appearance of this., that' the.-."author hopes to have:a'trjp out toJ^ew Zealand. It ,is. not desiietl;.tli;it. "ffrief,: (joes Over" • shall- be put on While ■ the' .popular and cntcrtiiining comedy still fills" St. Martin's. "The Barretts of Wimpole Street." ; ' -Closely approximating, a" manhunt : m its iutentsity,_:and.'widespread ■~;activityi is the diiily 'fscfarch 'for ■'rare: iiiid.- authentic "props" carried on,''by: ■■th(j r majbi-; film studios; Particularly now- -that.costume pictmpcs are: '.niarcriiug;xiblpiirful.ly:.' under Hollywood's spotlight,, ,the";6earch for rkre and- interesting iequipmeiit'/'ia?' becoming ■Mnore intensive than eyfer.: ''.The.. RrbpeHy do])artment,;of, the'I'M.etro*QpldwyntMa|.-er sstudios spent •mb'tiths '■preparing.settings for ''The .Barrettsi: of: Wim^olef Streejt," now beings produced; :by'lr,ying-^Thalbdrg, with 'Noi'ina: Sheafeer,' Chsifies'lLaiightbn, and Fredric March : in. leading proles, iln her diary yand 'lefters thie\ mid-Victorian poetess wrote ''exact • desciiptionsj of/'. the famous house attsO! Wimp^jlel^Street,;wh^re she lived withr- her-fsisters,..brotKers, and grim father before;'eloping with; Robert Urowninc;.. \ "'•■-. v:-,;.A-->/..''■•.'r'-^-rt''?.-..-; "' ■'

"Affairs of a Gentleman:" ' • ■ ' "Heir In the Heavens." ' When Carl Laemmle, jun., decided to put "Hell in the Heavens" has been'definitely "Affairs of a Gentleman," on the screen, set as the new title for "The Ace," which he did' it in no half-hearted way. lie is to Btar Warner Baxter for Fox Films, secured the best names and the most with John Blystone directing. Hijgh talented leading ladies in Hollywood for Williams and Herbert Mundin have, been the roles of the women in support of' Paul cast for featured rolels by "Alißockett, iasLukas. The story concerns a successful sociate producer. "The Ace" as n stage writer, who, 6ated with life, is - suddenly play ran more than eight months ■in discovered dead in .his apartments. It London, and is said to; present a new looks like suicide, but murder is sus- and different treatment of aviatiotj pected. Into the investigation is) dragged themes. It was in this play that Ketti the man's former flames and the collec- Gallian, a popular French- actress,, was tion of women is indeed an interesting discoveied and 6igned to a Fox Film con« one. Each of the following players nre tract. Miss Galhan has already been ( as« suspected of the' murder. Patricia Ellis, signed to her first American picture, and Lilian Bond, Leila Hyams, Joyce Comp- will play the leading feminine role op« ton, Doiothy Libaire, and-Dorothy Bur- uosite Spencer Tracy in "Marie'Galante,1' gess. In spite' of all the suspicion' cast a story of the Panama' Canal, upon the beautiful ladies, the plot, also Dhlln \j an . a involves a couple of jealous lovers, a ■ ™'° vance. butler, and a publisher. ' . , William Powell whose newest role* are in Manhattan Melodrama and1 Tha Tone. • ■ Thin Man," has been chosen by Metro* Franehot Tone, whose last appearance Goldwyn-Mayer to '■< star in S. S. \an was in "Sadie' McKee," has been' as- 'Dine's forthcoming Philo Vance novel, signed the lead in "Death on-the. Dia- "The Casino •Murder; Case." Powell has mond," soon to go into production at the starred previously in;ifaur Philo Vapca Metrd-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. Edward stories—"The Benson Murder Case," Sedgwick will direct this., adaptation of "The Canary Murder Case," "The Green Cortland Fitzsimmons's mystery hovel of Murder Case," and "The1 Kennel Murder the same name. Case."

"The Affairs of Cellini." Fredric March will be seen in the ro!» of Benvenuto Cellini, piince of lovers liars, and artists, in "The Affairs of Cellini." Constance Bennett' platys the part of the Duchess of Florence. The picture was adapted from the successful stago play entitled "The Firebrand," and wil» be released by United Artists. "The Private Life of Don Juin." Merle Oberon, Benita Hume, Joan Gardner, Binnie Barnes, Natacha Paley. and Athene Sevler —the sis beautiful ladies seen in ".The* Private Life of Henrs VIII"—will reappear on the screen with Donqlas Fail bank* in "The Pnvnte Lift of Don Juan."' The;picture was directed by Alexander "Korda fiom a story written by Frederick Lonsdale and L.ijos, Bird United Artists will release* the picture^ "Dolly." „_-.,: .