STAGE AND SCREEN

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 58, 6 September 1934, Page 18

STAGE AND SCREEN

Majestic's New Conductor. Great interest will be felt in the re cent arrival from Australia of Fred Web ber, the -well-known vaudeville artist, wlu is to be the now conductor of the Majestic stage presentation band. Mr, Webber has brought with him three or four excellent musicians and promises tc present an entirely new style of entertainment to the patrons of the Majestic. Mr. Webber is not a stranger to Wellington. This is his tenth visit to New Zealand, the most recent being with the. Frank Neil JRevue Company. Mr. Webber is an accomplished musician, playing' no less than four instruments, as well as being the possessor of a very fine tenor voice. "Murder in the Private Car." Secret panels, sliding doors, invisible microphones, and disappearing rooms— tricks of legerdemain that ivould make Houdini look like an amateur, come to the screen in "Murder in the Private Car," Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's comedy mystery thriller to be presented at -the Majestic Theatre shortly. Charlie Buggies, Una Merkel, Mary Carlisle, Russell Hardie, Porter Hall, Willard Robertson, Berton 'Churchill, and others are in the-featured cast. Into one set, the last car on a transcontinental limited train, studio technicians incorporated every known trick of magic. Electrical wizards installed switches so delicate that all lights could be extinguished by passing the hand in front of a concealed control board. Bells rang when invisible light rays were broken by the passage of a human body. And to cap the amazing devices installed for purposes of comerly and thrills, the car had secret panels that rolled down at the pressure of a button, enclosing the occupants in a rolling coffin. The set was one of the most remarkable ever built for pictures, and attracted the admiration of all studio technicians. In it is enacted a thrilling story crammed with laughs. Adapted from the stage success, "The Rear Car," the picture tells of the murderous attacks made on a young heiress, and her rescue by a comedy deflector of crime. "Dubarry" on Tour. AVhen the Auckland season of "The Dubarry" and "Waltzes from Vienna" closes 011 Monday, September 10, the J. C. Williamson musical play company will set out on a comprehensive New Zealand tour. Both operettas will be produced at New Plymouth, on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 11 and 12; Wanganui, "The Dubarry" oh Thursday, September 13; "Dubarry" and "Waltzes" at Palmerston North on Friday and Saturday, September 14 and 15; "Dubarry" and "Waltzes" at Hastings, Monday and Tuesday, September 17 and 18; and Wellington, for a season lasting from September 19 to October 10; and a South Island tour to follow. "Waltzes from Vienna" made as deep an impression on Auckland audiences as did "Dubarry," the wonderful scenes of Vienna of the forties being a supreme example of the art of the producer. Miss Welling and her colleagues excelled themselves in this light opera, musically beautiful to the ear and a fascination to the ' eye by its series of extraordinary cameos. Old-time romance in the form of luscious Strauss 'music, culminating in a" "Blue Danube" waltz pr.p.ne of unforgettable • beauty, describes the appeal of "Waltzes from Vienna." "White Ensign." . ; The part played by the Fleet in peace time is the subject of the film "White Ensign," commencing'at the De Luxe Theatre tomorrow. The direction has been in . capable hands, evidence of this being the unique "shots" of naval,routine which are usually missing from this type of picture. Woven into, the theme is a romance commencing with the arrival of a , cruiser and submarine to protect the British inhabitants of a place where a revolution is in progress. The parties involved are the lieutenant-commander of the H.M.S. Hawk and Molly Rapson, the Consul's daughter. It is more an affair of hate than love at first sight, the' officer being responsible for the* girl's undignified "spill" from a horse. The evolution of this affair progresses amidst the social incidents ashore and the conflict between the unruly' islanders and a naval picket which defends the British colony. Rollicking humour cleverly relieves the tense situations and the -claim that Admiralty support was given to the producers is borne out by the impressive sea scenes. Anthony Kimmins, a newcomer to the screen, divides the honours with Molly Lamont at the head of the .cast, which also includes Ivo Dawson, Ballard Bakeley, Ivan Sampson, and Anthony Ireland. Gun. In order to have the ISO beautiful girls made up in time each day for their parts in "Murder at the Vanities," Paramount's make-up heads devised a pressure spray gun which gave the girls a coat of liquid in half the time it would have taken in the usual hand application method. Philip Hargrave In October. Mr. H. Stringer, New Zealand representative for Messrs. J. C. Williamson, announces that Messrs. J. and N. Tait are definitely sending the Australian boy prodigy ofi the piano, Philip Hargrave, to New Zealand, his tour probably commencing in October. Philip, who is not yet in his teens, is at present playing to capacity audiences in his native land, speaking the language of music with an authority and a fullness of supple expression that leave his hearers spellbound and dumbfounded. Such a small boy, garbed in cream knickers, white shirt, sleeves rolled above the elbows, white socks and pumps, to be playing the classics like a veteran. This bonny young Australian is a lad of Tnost amazing accomplishment, as New Zealanders will realise when they fall under the spell of his fluent playing. With shoulders well back and head up, Philip comes on to the stage with a walk of budding manliness and sturdy health, and a most disarming smile. The twelve-year-old boy then settles himself at- his beloved keyboard, and turns himself into a serious artist, plnying Bach, Haydn, Liszt, Paganini, Chopin, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Levitzki, Beethoven, Henselft, Schubert, Granados, Backhaus faultlessly from memory, announcing his encores in a clear, boyish voice. And having brought-to life ,the beautful music of dead masters, the disarming smile returns, and a happy youngster bows his grateful thanks. ' "Servant's Entrance." While "Servant's Entrance." Janet Gaynor's ciuTon starring feature for Fox Films, has its setting in Sweden, only ono player in the east is of Swedish ancestry. Astrid Alhvyn, who enacts the role of .Tanet Gaynor's rival for the affections of Lew Ayres, comes of Swedish parentage, although she was born in America. With the Amateurs. T. C. Murray's Irish drama, "Autumn Fire," has been chosen by the Auckland Catholic Repertory Society .for its next production. It is a study in character and temperament, and has a delightful leavening of humour. Thelma Trott has been entrusted with the leading role of "Sans-Gene," the washerwoman turned duchess, in the' Mareo Operatic Society's production in Auckland of "The Duchess of Dantzig." Klaborate costuming and scenery will be used, six tons of costumes and "props." having been ordered from Sydney to augment the locally-made scenery and costumes. The Dunedin Operatic and Dramatic Society has selected "No, No, Nanette" for its next production. The scores are on their way from London, and rehearsals will be put in hand on their arrival, for presentation of the tuneful piece on November 17. The society made a. profit of £.500 on its season of "Sally." "The Belle of New York" is to be staged next'month by the.Wanpjanui Amateur Dramatic Society under th/C direction of Mrs. Tabor-Gregory, with Mr. Gordon Mcßeth as musical director. "Pygmalion," by the Mauawatu Repertory Society, was a great success, Mrs. Linda Bennett directing the: two performances. A. C. Zohrab was Professor Hisruins; Ailsa Varcoe, Eliza ' Doolittle; and Mesdames D. J. Davies, H.-D. Howlet, and J. G. Gibbs; Misses Eileen Trask and Jean Thomson and Messrs. J. F. Tasker, J. G. Driver, C. R. Moody in prominent roles, -:

Grand Opera fo ' Centenary. ' Sir Benjamin Fiille 1 *.is determined toigh7' Australians witl i voices and actin] i capabilities a chanci ' during his gram ! opera season in.. Australia. ■tralia. Recently ai ■ audition was held ii ' Melbourne, at whicl a committee judgec \ the entrants; thi committee iijcludei ! Gustav Slapoii'ski, th. ! well-known oonduc tor; Fritz Haxt, dir 1 ector of the . Alber Street, Sydney, Con servatorium; and T , Leslie Middlteton, ! i teacher of singing a . the University Con : servatorium. . Thosi selected are ueceivinj instruction, and : final selection wil be mader in Septem • ber, when they wil begin further;l instruc tion under Rober Aimsworth, . .of Co vent Gardeni, who ii arriving fnbni Lon ■ don shortly. Thi • English stars en 1 gaged for tihe seasoi ; have left for Australia 'tralia in cornpan; ■ with Sir ' Benjamii and Ladjy Fuller and are ejepected a - Melbourne on Sep tember 3. (The operai to be presented I. during the first week inchide Johann \ Stmuss's "Die Fie---1 dermaus." Sydney will see the company "-at Chrisitmas, and it is likely that a tour of New Zealand will follow. "Sour Grapes." Once again the Wynyard-Brook costarring combination hasve scored a triumph under the R.K.O. Radio banner. In "Sour Grapes,'" the famous stage play, pieturised. as "Let's Try Again," Diana Wynyard and Clive Brook show the world what artists they really are.

Grenadier Guards' Band. The visit of the Grenadier Guards' Band to Australia and • New Zealand has been welcomed everywhere with the greatest enthusiasm, and it is safe to predict that enormous crowds will foregather to greet •this historic institution wherever they appear. His Majesty the King, in granting this special permission for the band's visit to the Centenary celebrations in Victoria, realised the great patriotic value of such a visit. The Grenadier Guards is one of Britain's greatest institutions, and the. visit will most assuredly arouse enthusiasm, in the hearts of every loyal Australian and New Zealander. The firm of J. and N. Tait must feel greatly honoured that ■ the management of such an important event. has been entrusted to them, and with a splendid record of management of the great musical events in this part of the world during the past thirty years, it goes without saying that the arrangements will be carefully- studied. , Busy Theatrical Year. : This is a busy year for J. C. Williamson^ Ltd., for the firm has in hand a number of important attractions and others are being arranged for. The new His ' Majesty's Melbourne,, has opened with "White Horse lan," the biggest and most spectacular stage production ever seen in Australia. A Russian ballet of 70 artists will be the following attraction. The Sylvia Welling Company, after a tour of Xew Zealand, will add the latest Continental Romic opera successes to the repertoire. Madge Elliott and Cyril Ritehard, whose opening production in Sydney is "Gay Divorce," will introduce for the first time in Australia the latest musical comedy success "Roberta," a new Australian musical play, written by Jim Bancks, .with -music by the young Australian composer Swar. Philip Hargrave, the phenomenal boy pianist, has entered upon another triumphant tour, which will take him again to the various capital cities o£ the Commonwealth and to Xew Zealand. Next year the world's wonder violinist, Yelnuli Mcnuhin, will be the sensational attraction. Another attraction for New Zealand will be "White Horse Inn." "Wonder Bar." Dealing with, the whirl of night life in Paris, and showing a cross-section of the characters of those who visit the famous cabaret, "Wonder Bar," which was privately screened in Wellington recently, is a remarkable film. The scene is almost entiueiy in the environs of the night club, which is run by Al Wonder, played by. Al Jolson. Supporting him in the entertainment are Dolores del Rio and Ricardo Cortez, as two dancing partners between whom is something .more than friendship. As the wife of a busy banker, Kay Francis, not the least famous name in the cast, is conducting an affair with the, handsome gigolo portrayed by Cortez. The gigolo turns out to be an utter villain, though a likeable one. The entire story . is confined to one night, and one performance of the cabaret stars. During the evening no fewer than five new melodies are introduced, together with two new dances. .Two songs , are particularly pleasing, as well as beine admirably backed up by settings and photography. These are "Valse Amoureuse" and "Ridinf to Heaven on a Glory Mule," a negro spiritual snnsr in character by the inimitable Al Jolson. Th« singing and acting of the veteran are warranted'to please any audience. Ho is undoubtedly at the top of his form in this role. "Viva Villa!", "Viva Villa!" Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film starring Wallace Beery, has been given the Blue Ribbon award of Associated Publications for the best all-round family picture released in America during the month of , May. This . award is based on a direct exhibitor, report, and the victory for "Viva Villa!" according to the publication, was the most one" sided of the past year. Jack Conway directed. the film, and the cast includes Fay Wray, Katherine Dellille, Joseph Schildkraut, and>Leo-Cari;illo.

c- In view of the visit to the Dominion In future British Dominions Films, j. later of the Russian Ballet,. Miss Nolle Ltd., will be handling their own sales and Scanlan. writing from London recently, distribution in all States of Australia and 0 says: "The success oC the Russian Ballet in New Zealand, states Mr. Barrio Y. c at Covent Garden is >' stimulating interest Marschel, director of the company. Some r- in. dancing. At the. gala performance branches of the new " organisation are ir this week the scenes/were reminiscent of already in working order, and others will ° Edwardian days. 'ESlwardian' is a term be opening at an early date. British "■■much used now as^a standard of com- Dominions Films, Ltd., is an entirely - parison, and it suggests a phase of-digni- Australian and New Zealand company, '• tied splendour, with.' a certain lavishness and has always restricted itself to British L- that has been shorn from our modern pictures. The establishment of this- new k conception of pleasore." The. ballet for marketing organisation, it is expected, n Australia and New Zealand is being ar- will be another milestone in the develops ranged by M. Victor Dandre, husband of ment of English films in Australia and g the late Madame Pavlova. The tour will New Zealand. The new step is the outbo under Williamson-Taif management, come of the increased demand for Britishand some world-famous people will be in made pictures in the last two or three the ranks of the dancers. years. ■ . • Bought. Extremes. . c "Hawk of the Desert," a novel by At- Hollywood's oldest and youngest ac--3 bert Treynor, has'been purchased by Fox tresses are to be featured together in ' Film Corporation and will be produced Paramount's "Now and Forever," with ! by S. M. Wurtzel. The. action of the-story Gary Cooper and Carole Lombard. The . takes place in the Arabian Desert and oldest is- Charlotte Granville, 71-year-old [ calls for a large feast and extensive loca- actress,/and the youngest is Shirley lemtion work. No pflayers have been assign- pie, five-year-old youngster, who has been ,' ed to this picture the biggest infant attraction since Baby 1 . Le Roy made bis first bow. .'

"My Mother." Preparations are well -to the fore at Universal City for a production called "My Mother," to be made around the famous painting of liis mother by the American artist, Whistler. This is the only American picture in the Louvre, and . reproductions of it' have made it familiar all over the world; Julius Klein is preparing the sciipt at present, and; in > it, ho plans to include the whole life and story of the creator of the great masterpiece. Such a stormy and many-sided life as that of the genius Whistler will make excellent film material, and Universal plans a big studio concentration on this picture. "Embarrassing Moments." UniversalV "Embarrassing Moments," i starring Chester 1 Morris and Marion i Nixon, liae just' re- : cently been com- < pleted. In this film i Chester Morris is l 6ecn as- a young man < who refuses to take life seriously and is 1 constantly , playing 1 practical jokes on his I friends. His activi- ; ties are pulled up I with a jerk, however, I when his joking j starts to involve his 1 own love affairs, i Amusing events follow thick and fast. A practical joker is usually regarded as \ n social pest, and it 6ays a groat deal for • Chester Morris's 1 characterisation that j ho has succeeded in this instance in mak- ' ing the man a very * I likeable person. £ Marion Nixon plays \ her. role on a high comedy note. Walter ". Woolf also has an I important role—in ■ i which he sings sere- I ral theme songs c

"The House of Rothschild." Watching George Arliss . as. Alfred Worker directed him during the .filming of "The House of Rothschild," a United Artists release, one of the secrets of his success could have been easily realised. He is one actor who works for the joy of his labours and to .justify the large salary he receives; While his contract requires that lie be permitted, to leave'the studio every afternoon at 4.30' lie gives more of himself until quitting time-than any young player whose career is still in the making. Every minute of his working day is concentrated on. the'picture, and. even while snatching a brief relaxation between scenes, he is studying, studying; his mind never relaxes. Pie has a keen eye for every detail of his production. He inspects the* costumes "of his fellow-players as well,as. his own-to ensure their authenticity. He knows instantly whether the gold ' braid on .' the Duke of Wellington's uniform is- right, .and the buttons on Napoleon's coat correct in number. - : ' ■ "Hollywood Party." ' ' Mickey Mouse, the cartoon, . ■.-actually acting with human actors,, a great orchestra suspended in mid-air; huge glass sets iiP which, beautiful girls dance in cellophane garb; a lion stampeding,. a great Hollywood party.1 These* are just a lew sights, thrills, and laughs in "Hollywood Party," a Metro-Goldwyn-Muyer production, to bo presented at the Do Luxe Theatre shoitly. This picture presents a distinctive new foim of enteitainment. Among Us lilting song hits aie "L've Had My "Moments," the love motif of Kahn and Donaldson; "Hot. Qhocolate 'Soldiers," by Brown and Freed, which embellishes a reniaiknbly clever Disney colour silly symphony introduced by "Mickey Mouse. The new picture, 100 per cent, pine entertainment, is topped by a thrill when a lion stampedes a g.iy Hollywood' party, and Jimmy Dm ante wrestles the beast. Acting honours aic divided between Laurel and Hardy, Jimmy Durante, Charles Butlerworth, Polly Moran. Lupe Velez. Frances Williams, Jack 'Pearl, Eddie Quillan, June Clyde, George Givot, Riehaid Carle, and Ted Healy, and his stooges. Gerald Savory's Talents. When the J. C. Williamson company comes to Xew Zealand playing Ivor Novello's "Fresh Fields," there , will be introduced to New Ze«landeis an actor who has played on the London stage with Marie Key, the ex-Wellington actress who is now iv the first flight of English actresses. This is Mr. Gerald Savoiy, a very likeable young man who was brought from Homo to play, in "Fresh Fields." He is1 a brilliant actor, and in the second piece of the company's repertoire, "The Sacred Flame" (Somerset Maugham), he has been winning fresh laurels in Australia for a splendid bit of acting as tlie young and crippled aviator who is poisoned all too early in the play's development. Mr. Savory was originally intended for the Stock Exchange, but the stage called. He.played in "The Lake" and "Dangerous Corner" with Miss Key, and has a high opinion of her acting capabilities. His first expeiience was with Repertory, the finishing school of many aspirants for legitimate stage honours. Mr. Savory and his colleagues are anticipating their Now Zealand Visit with pleasme. Misses Grace Lane, and Jane Wood are in the company. /.They hail "from England too. ''There's Always Tomorrow." "There's Always Tomorrow" has just recently been completed at Universal City. This production froni the "Liberty Magazine" story by Ursula Parrott has a screen play by William _ Hurlbut and a cast of unusual exeellcncb and capability. It is headed by Frank Morgan with the famous English Binnie Barnes, Lois Wilson, Louise Latimer, Elizabeth Young, Alan Hale, and a number of the children in "Seed" now grown up. These children include Dick Window, Helen Pnrrish, and Maurice Murphy. The cast also includes Anne Darling and Dean Benton. Miss Darling is making her debut in this production, and Dean Benton is one of Universal's newest contract players.

"One More River." An interesting comparison between an Ameiican courtroom and lone in England is furnished by a gigantic setting in which Diana Wynyard and moie than 200 supporting players are appearing at Universal City for scenes in the John Galsworthy drama, "One ilore River." The set represents a courtroom in London, with Judges and lawyers gowned and winged, and seats for spectator steeply, banked opposite "his Woiship's," high bench. Wainscotingextends almost to the ceiling, as do shelves of law books at each side of thp bench. Lawyers may not approach the witness box, but conduct their examinations from the froni row of the spectators section. Following out the geneial milVi • 2 le £ eat r» oom' the iurr box is e^n courts 01' a"S llsto' nnaya'>y ln A>"eri-

"The Love Captive." "; , If a man's fiancee ,STiddenly|:r declared her love tor another man, and even' went to live at His home, couldv'hV possibly hold her Yet' thia was the predicament of Gloria Stuart as the victim of a hypnotist-doctor in "The Love Captive,"-the # Universal ■drama-Awth Nils Asther as the.evil, influenceS'-LiSther has purposely captured.■: tlie' :affee'£ious wof' another man^s,, sweetheart: .by ;lier -under-a^bypnotic-'speily'-thusfgaitiing^eßti-■■■tfbV-'W l3i;r?actions 'arid" feeling?:;" Efforts to release the girl from the-influence of the hypnotist only ' result in 'placing: still other ,persons in the .pow.er'/lof. :the 'tenscrupulone phj'sician, and finally bring about a climax which is startling" arid dramatic. . The supporting .cast- includes Paul Kelly, Alan Dinehart, ißenee Gadd, Russ ißrown," and Virginia Kami. ;"