STAGE AND SCREEN

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 137, 11 June 1936, Page 21

STAGE AND SCREEN

. Jean Harlow recently did a little investigating:of her own, and found that the best-dressed secretaries are the best secretaries. As Miss Harlow plays the role of a very modern private secretary to Clark Gable ; s aS VWife Wl v? Wecre^ary,'; 0 to swsrstts'W sawsfeft conduct themselves during office hours, For several days Miss Harlow visited n-f +v,o cecrptarip'; of executives, interviewed them 'and' watched thrm e «^a4g d with *of =e£ th M SMSSSSS & lifeved in wearing fluffy things, Others confined their office wardrobe strictly to well-tailored suits. I found the most succeMfiil secretaries were thP hpct-dres'pd ones" "Wife v.« Seretary." from Faith Baldwin's latest best-selling' novel, presents . a new -treatment of the modern business man,

Thejlorious voices o' Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy x g out more triumphantly, than ?\er "Rose Marie, because, of unusual altitude of their _ tain location. Sue u was ea Nelso^ Eddy's vocal teacher, «« && tst giant musical, the ftrst r against n f/ u l p first darhere," Liope covered it tne nrsi .aay ncic, said. .^^5 n 'and Nelson harmon^eisoftl^ ~ citement, asked Bill Stemkamp, the chief soundman to make a A ash cording—the kind which can clear no rough ed|es ncme the usual haze which singers must re, hearse a nd jehearse to cut throu|h. Lippe explained that the a »«« de : mile and a half above sea ie\ei.

| TYPIST AS PLAYWRIGHT. i Originally written for a local ama- t teur dramatic society, a play by a 26-year-old Harrow typist has been pro- < ' duced at the Ambassadors Theatre, ' ! London. The play is entitled "Sonata, and.it took its author four months to write.. The lady is a typist m a Regent Street firm; she has written other plays ; but nothing so successful as "Sonata, which was written in the first place lor a friend in the same dramatic society. When it was read by a producer to who'm the young lady was introduced recently, he decided to give it a West End showing. The only alteration necessary was to the ending, which in the first place had been made a tragic one. However, the playwright -fell in with the producer's wishes and made it a happy ending. Interviewed, the author was candid and said she ■ could hardly credit her luck. "I am not thinking a. lot about the chances of success," she said. "I wouldn't go to.see it twice myself." The play concerns a German professor of music who adopts the "son of his former sweetheart and trains the boy. When the boy is to give a recital at the Queen's Hall, London, and is to play the Beethoven Sonata, a rich woman meets the lad and falls m love' with him. So interested was the producer in the story that he engaged a. splendid cast, including Lawrence Hanray, Terence de Marny, and Vera Lennox. REWARD.As a reward for his splendid performance in "The Country Doctor for Fox, John Qualen was advised by Darryl Zanuck that he draws one of the featured roles in the Twentieth Century production "Zero Hour, a French war story which co-stars Frederic March and Warner Baxter,' with Lionel* Barrymore. BANDIT. ' "Ghost Towns" of the early Calilornian gold days, slumbering many ■years in forgotten loneliness, had a brief period of new glory during the filming of "Robin Hood of El Dorado, the spectacular feature starring Warfaer Baxter, which comes to Wellington shortly. A small army of workmen frorri the Metto-Goldwyn-Mayerstudios was recruited to rebuild a half-dozen of ,the . ancient mining camps in the heart of the gold region of '49, as backgrounds for the romantic story oJ;. Joaouih .Murrieta, the West's glamorous early-day bandit. Among the towns reconstructed were Sawmills Flat, butter's Fort, and the old mill site on the Sutter property, where gold was first discovered in California. Such notorious dives as Angel's Rest and.the Last Chance, saloons which figured in the history, of-the State, were rebuilt from old sketches and descriptions.

THE THEATRE""COMEBACK." A recent trip to Europe decided "Terry" Duffy, the well-known American producer, to expand his theatrical operations, which for the last year have been confined to El Capitan in Hollywood, with an occasional road company, such as thosie in "Anything Goes" and "Petrified Forest." "Everywhere I saw unmistakable signs of increased theatrical activity,' he said. "In London there were 48 plays open. In New York there were 14 hits, and by'hits I don't mean plays doing eight or nine thousand dollars a week, but plays doing sixteen and eighteen thousand. There haven't been that many smash hits any season in the last ten years. What I saw in London and New York convinced m< that this is the time for the theatre to make good its comeback." SINGER'S ARTISTIC LASSITUDE. An audience that overflowed to th( extent of three hundred on to th< stage of the New York Opera House was ample evidence of the "radio popu larity" of Nino Martini, one of th< recent additions to the tenor sectioi of the Metropolitan Opera Company says "The Argonaut." The audienct was not made up- of the usual con cert-going public. As at. the concert! of John McCormack, the majority o those present came to see the artis as well as to hear him. They were evi dently fully satified in both instances Martini's youthful freshness matchei his clear lyric tenor voice, which -hi used with, consummate skill-as to in to'national security'and faultless breatl : control. His programme was comprise! essentially of the ballad orffer of songs which he interpreted with a saccha rine sentimentality that brought tear to the. eyes "of yearning emotional souls Sometimes- the - artist broiight tears t our eyes—but for an entirely dineren reason. "CAIN AND MABEL." Marion Davies's next Warner Broi Cosmopolitan starring vehicle, follow ing "Hearts Divided," will be "Cai and Mabel," a musical picture base upon a story by H. C. Witwer. 'Cai and Mabel", is the romance of a Broac way star and a boxing champior whose names are linked for publicit purposes though they dislike each othe very much—at first. The film will b produced on an elaborate scale; stellar cast will support Miss Davie and the production will, be conducte by Lloyd Bacon, who has been ident fled with the production of such su ; cesses as "42nd Street,'' "Footlight Pa ade," "Wonder Bar," "Broadway Goi t dolier," "The Irish in Us," and Dev e Dogs of the Air.".. Earl Baldwin n writing the screen- play of ■ Cain' an Mabel."

II ♦ * TIMITIIIII'iTr MOTTO. Perseverance is a valuable asset in romance, even though it be in the movies. Anyone who saw Walter Abel's futile courtship of Ann Harding in "The Lady Consents," had to admire his tenacity of purpose. Abel courted Miss Harding most ardently throughout the picture, and then . sorrowfully watched Herbert Marshall capture the blonde* beauty's heart. Now R.K.O. Radio decide to reward Walter Abels persistency, so they placed him opposite Miss Harding .in . the "Witness Chair," in which he wins Miss Harding's hand. HOLIDAT. Film stars, these days, move around with as much fuss and ostentation as Royalty. Determined to have two months' vacation far from Hollywood and picture-making, Fredric March will go up into the north-west woods as soon as he has completed work in R.K.O. Radio's "Mafy of Scotland, in which he co-stars with Katharine Hepburn.' The only contact with the outside world will be by radio,'with both a sending and receiving set installed at the camp. March will be accompanied on the trip by his wife, Florence Eldridge, who plays Queen Elizabeth in the picture, their two children, Penelope, three, and Anthony, five years old; March's trainer, a nurse, and the necessary servants. "ANYTHING GOES." Abounding in tuneful songs, humorous antics, coupled with the performances of Bing Crosby, Ethel Merman, Charlie Ruggles, Ida Lupmo, and others, Paramount's "Anything Goes gives every indication of enjoying similar success as a screen attraction as it enjoyed on the Broadway =ta=e, where it ran for twelve months. Bi.ig Crosby is afforded, a grand opportunity to display his versatile talents in son" and comedy. Ethel Merman, who shares the leading honours with Crosby, played in the original stage presentation and appears in the picture in the same capacity, which earned her the title of the "Broadway Rhythm Girl." The Cole Porter song numbers include "You re the Top, "Anything Goes," "I Get a Kick out of You," and "Moon Burn, all of which will be sung, hummed, and whistled generally by theatregoers for many months after their presentation. SUTTER'S GOLD. An unusual film of first millionaire was screened privateiy in Wellington this week. This is a romantic version of the life of John Sutter, the Swiss pioneer who colonised a large section of California, receiving huge land grants from the Mexican Government. He added to his holdings by purchasing the Fort Ross tract from the Russians, and all domain was his property before the United States acquired California. By 1848 he had built up an enormous fortune in irrigated farm lands, orchards, vineyards, lumber mills, horses, and cattle, in that year gold was discovered on his property. Then followed a paradox which challenges belief, but is a matter of record. John Sutter, already a millionaire, was ruined because of the gold that lay in the soil he owned. Blaise Cendrars wrote a book entitled "Sutter's Gold," based upon the life of Sutter, and that book has been adapted for the Universal film of the same name, with Edward Arnold, Binnie Barnes, and other outstanding players in the cast. On the discovery - of gold, Sutter's soldiers and workers deserted him to dig for it. From every part of the civilised globe came t determined men seeking to tear a fortune out of the earth. The film re- ; veals in interesting fashion how Sutter f founded his empire after many ad- - -art<4 Vinw VIP Inst. it.

"HEARTSi DIVIDED." Marion Davies's newest starring picture, "Hearts Divided," has been completed at the Warner Br os. stud,os, fK BorFag^ UCt A "large and distinguished cast supports Miss Davies m this romance of the early da J s ,°* American Republic, when j Bonaparte, younger broth " ° £ great Napoleon, came wooing Be .-y Patterson, of Baltimore. Marion Da\ .es is Betsy in the picture; Dick Pcu\til will be seen as Jerome; Claude Kams plays Napoleon, First Consul of France, afterwards Emperor. prominent members of the cas \ .."V " Edward Everett Horton. Treacher, Charles Ruggles, Stephenson, Hobart Cavanaugh. Fran* Rcicher. and Halliwell Hobbs. Hearts Divided" is a Cosmopolitan production which will be released by Warner Bros.-First National. WELLS'S PICTURE. Costing more than £260,000, "Things to Come" is easily Britain s most lavish and ambitious picture. Five years ago £50,000 was considered enough tor the most "super" of British epics. The Private Life of Henry VIII. the nr=t home-produeed film to set the world agog, cost £60,000. "Things to Come will be issued in five languages, ine dialogue will be "dubbed" separately, but scenes in which writing, such as posters and advertising, appear had to be filmed five times—in English, merman, French, Spanish, and Italian. "THE JAZZ SINGER." Next year the tenth anniversary of talking pictures will be celebrated by the industry as a whole, and particularly by Warner Bros., the firm wiiicn brought about the revolution from silent to sound films by the - successful introduction of Vitaphone. in honour of the decennial Warner Bros, are planning to produce a modern isea version of "The Jazz Singer, the lirst feature picture "with sound. Once again the leading star of The Singer" will be A 1 Jolson, supported by an all-star cast. All the resources of the combined Warner Bros., lirst National, and Cosmopolitan studios ; will be behind the determination to ! make the new version of "The .Jazz Singer" as outstanding as was its pre- ■ decessor. The picture will go m„o , production shortly and will be released in 1937. A 1 Jolson recently completed "The Singing Kid." soon to ne released by Warner Bros.-First Na- . tional. i "SHOW BOAT." ! A film which brings life, movement, i and music to the screen in a manner 3 rarely equalled is "Show Boat, Unii versal's remaking of the famous Ham--3 merstein-Kern success which was pri--3 vately screened in Wellington this I week and-which proved itself to be a . triumphant filming of a sensationally i successful show. In the cast of the film i there are three of the principals ol s the New York stage presentation, Irene i Dunn, who is more attractive than ever, Paul Robeson, whose ability / needs no bush, and Helen Morgan. Ir f addition there is Alan Jones, recently [ with the Three Marxes in A Night a the Opera" but much more, at home e in this familiar and attractive tale o: ,i old days on the river. And, of course e there is the brilliant music of Jerom< 1, Kern presented by a trio of voice: a which it would be difficult to better y "Show Boat" appears to have every •- thing, action, music, and the appeal o: i quaint old dressing. And those wh< a saw the original "Show Boat filrc •- will find that the new one is a revela tion o! a really great show, and on< r unsuspected by those who witnessee 1- that version made in the early days o the talkies.

FAY WRAY. Columbia Pictures' spectacular feature . "Roaming Lady," in which Fay Wray and Ralph Bellamy are cofeatured, is Miss Wray's first picture since her return from England. Thurston Hall heads the cast. Other prominent players include Ed Gargan, Paul Guilfoyle, Roger Imhoff, and Charles Sullivan. Robert Pirosh and George Sexton furnished the screenplay, from which Albert Rogell directed. SOUVENIRS. Hundreds of employees of Columbia Studios are prizing small statues of Franchot Tone as souvenirs of "The King Steps Out," the Columbia picture starring Grace Moore which Josef Von Sternberg directed. The statuettes were used in the carnival sequence in the picture. Franchot Tone plays the part of the Emperor, and since the carnival was given for the Emperor's birthday the prizes were replicas of Tone. Now that the picture is finished the property department has distributed the stautettes to all .members of the studio personnel who wanted souvenirs. BALDERSTON. Samuel Goldwyn has signed John Balderston to prepare an original screen play that will star Merle Oberon. The new film will be titled "Covenant With Death." ' Balderston will be remembered as the author of "Berkeley Square," a highly successful work both as a stage play and a motion picture. LORD AS, ACTOR. Patrick Earl of Annesley, a scion of ! one of the oldest families in Ireland, ;is playing a Scottish clansman in R.K.O. Radio's "Mary of Scotland," in 1 which Katharine Hepburn and Frederic ' March are co-starred. The Irish lord ' is known as Pat Sands in Hollywood, 1 where he is trying to make a screen ' career. Like many of his countrymen, : Sands is heir to valuable estates, but ! lacks ready money. I » BUGLE ANN. 1 A breath of freshness is brought to 1 the screen with "The Voice of Bugle " Ann," a drama of the Missouri farm--1 lands, in which Lionel Barrymore • plays the lead. Bugle Ann herself is T a big dog, which unexpectedly won ! by half a mile a two-mile race for foxE hounds at Kansas City. , The fox-hunt-s ing sequences are among the big " moments in the film. A MILNE SATIRE. As a satire on peace conferences, A. A. Milne's "To Have the Honour" f has some delicious moments; but because of a surfeit of small talk and some drab characterisation there are t dreary ones. A bogus "prince" descends t on an English village, and some , humorous situations develop from the : heart-flutterings of the community's j most eligible (and ineligible) young i women—especially as the impostor's j. wife, ajso under an alias, arrives too. I- SELECTED. Harry Carey, star of the silent days who has just had a big chance with a role in the Darryl Zanuck's Twentieth Century production "The Prisoner of :o Shark Island," has been selected for ie another Fox picture, "Little Miss Noie body," starring Jane Withers. d e- ARNOLD.

COLOUR. Cblour in motion pictures, for years the dream of studio executives, has finally arrived and the finished production under the title of The Trail of the Lonesome Pine" is said to B ive ; Paramount, the producers, good reason to be proud of their achievement. The film, which tells of the primitive mountain folk, has its action entirely set in the thickly wooded hill countrv of Kentucky, which has given Technicolour photography a magnificent opportunity to bring to the screen all the natural colour and beauty of the magnificent scenery. The colour Photography, with admirable restraint, has entirely avoided flooding the production with gaudy, harsh colours. t In "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine, the colour has the simplicity and _ tne naturalness of the true outdoors. Every member of the cast, from Sylvia Sidney, Mae Murray, and Henry Fonda, down to the smallest player, is said to be magnificent. FOUR BIG PICTURES. Four important productions have been completed in the past few weeks at the Warner Bros.-First National studios. They are "The Green 1 asi tures," with an all-coloured cast airected by Marc Connelly, author of the 1 famous stage play; "S°n o Guns, ' Joe E. Brown s newest starring pic- ; ture with Joan Blondell; 'The Law 1 in Her Hands," with Margaret Lind- ■ say, Glenda Farr'ell, Warren Hull, and other favourites; and "The Golden Airow." in which Bette Davis —d George Brent have the two leading roles. TIBETANS WANTED. i Hollywood, seldom baffled, has been - challenged and cannot produce. The i community that boasts its citizenry is ■ so diverse it can cast pictures located 1 in every country of the earth has not t one native Tibetan- Columbian cast--2 ing officials have interviewed and mspected more than 1000 Chinese, 1 Japanese, Mexicans, and Indian 3 types to get sufficient atmosphere t and bit players for Frank Caprass 3 new production , "Lost Horizon, ' and out of that number have signed ! but a scant 158 who could pass the ■ trained eye of Harrison Forman, the 3 explorer, who is technical adviser on - the big picture. The discovery has been - made that the Californian Mission In--2 dians, American Navajos, and Mexican - Yaquis are the nearest Tibetan types, and these are being signed as rapidly as possible. Ronald Colman will be starred in the elaborate production of James Hilton's novel. Other principals are Jane Wyatt. Isabel Jewell, and Edt, ward Everett Horton. l- "THE PRISONER OF SHARK i- ISLAND." is V In order to film "The Prisoner of n Shark Island," which stars Warner Bax>f ter, the largest indoor set ever cone structed in motion pictures was set n up in the 20th Century studios. Eight y hundred men worked on the set, a ren plica of the island prison where Dr. y Samuel Alexander Mudd suffered it years of prison agony for having set ie the leg of the man who murdered I.m; 3f coin. "The Prisoner of Shark Island e, will be released throughout New Zeaie land' by Fox Films. DS y. "HAWKEYE." io , . m Randolph Scott has been signed tc a- play "Hawkeye," the stellar role in the ie forthcoming Reliance production, "The ;d Last of the Mohicans." which Edwarc Df Small is making for United Artists re lease.

Edward Arnold has been signed foi the stellar -role in one of the forthcoming productions of Selznick International. Arnold will portray a fammia character in a highly-colourful period of American history, the script for which is now being prepared. POMMER FILMS. The first Erich Pommer production to be made in London for United Artists release will be "Elizabeth of England" with Flora Robson in the title role. Laurence Olivier will play an English nobleman in her service. This will not be a strictly historical film, although the climax will be the destruction of the Armada. The story by A. E. W. Mason has been adapted by Ferdinand Bruckner, author of the famous play on Elizabeth. .William K. Howard will direct the film. The second Pommer production will be "Knight Without Armour," an adaptation of James Hilton's book, starring Robert. Donat. and Merle Oberon. The background of the story is Soviet Russia. DIETRICH AND COOPER. "t)esire," Paramount's romantic comedy co-starring Marlene Dietrich and Gary Cooper, brings these popular stars together on the screen for the first time since their appearance in "Morocco." "Desire" centres around a Continental beauty's theft of a string of pearls through a cleverly-manoeuvr-ed plot. Sunny Spain, land of romance and dreams, provides the scene of this picture. Dietrich appears to her screen admirers in a modern, ultrasophisticated role. Cooper plays the part of an American engineer bent on making the most of his European vacation. Frank Borzage has placed Marlene Dietrich and Gary Cooper at the head .of a list of the greatest screen love teams of all times. He explains that Miss Dietrich, a mystery woman, creature of ice and fire, finds a fitting complement to her art in the easy-gomg charm of Gary Cooper. NEW WILLIAMSON MUSICALE. The Viennese soprano, Maria Eisner, with Dunstan Hart, baritone, and Charles Heslop, comedian, have arrived in Melbourne to rehearse "The Gypsy Princess," Emrfterich Kalman's musical play for production by the firm of J. C. Williamson in Sydney on July 4. The rehearsals were to start in Melbourne owing to the fact that the "Waltzes from Vienna" company now playing there will comprise the supporting company for the Viennese star. This company includes Strella Wilson, playing the role of the Countess Olga that Sylvia Welling played in the New Zealand production of the same piece; Marie Bremner, as Resi, the pastrycook's daughter; John Fraser as young Strauss; Frank Bradley as Strauss senior; Cecil Kelleway in his old role of the pastrycook; Leslie Donaghey, Leslie Holland, Guy Hastings, Robert Coote, and Reginald Newson. Mr. Fraser has been creating a favourable impression with his singing of the Strauss part and will play a leading role in "The Gypsy Princess." RICHARD CROOKS AND FAMILY. The world-famous tenor, Richard Crooks, together with his wife and children and Fred Schauwecker, pianist, are due in Sydney on June 15. The Australian season will open in the Town Hall on June 20. Messrs. J. and N. Tait announce that the programme of Richard Crooks will be characterised by quality, interest, and variety, and will include items from opera. Three • of Mr. Crooks's biggest successes were achieved recently at the Metropolitan Opera, New York, as Alfredo in 'La Traviata"; Pinkerton in "Madame Butterfly"; and Cavaradossi in "La Tosca. The tenor will be in New Zealand in September. The party are on the Mariposa leaving Auckland this week for Sydney from America.

"At last C. B. Cochran, famous the- The London mail letter of April 4 atrical producer, has been induced to brings, news of a very clever revue, go into the pictures and has been s t a ged at the Saville Theatre, entitled "fta? for™ "Spread It Abroad." There is .. doubt technicolour with all the highlights that everyone who sees it will do hra ; of theatrical and vaudeville stage. -This utmost to follow the titular advice, will be something really big! Regards. a ptly-named entertainment is from Tafius't b D e°en le receLd bfSh'Em- the pen of Mr. Herbert Farjeon who pire Films from Mr. Stuart Doyle, who, has got together an excellent cast. Tha is now in Great Britain. revue is bright and full of gooa-natured satire which is always on the mark. r>u4rv The show is composed of over thirty u sketches, songs, and dances. The "plaid interlude,''' a Scots ballet to To the romance, comedy, and fasjm- musia atmg advenUire that Cen- Mauae j_ay outstan | ing feature, lof parody of a film newsree. carried & C sh r o e f g D ra r c7in Z ?he U trso a ns a o d f d Dixil Heliet and one Dunbar and Rita Cansino. These twol' h h e „ "1* Smd feS^eHer specialties dSne imitations quite exnocture! Directed by Tay Garnett, the cellent, and their meeting (in spoof nirture tells the fascinating adventures Italian) between two stars of opera is of a litll e boy kinga nd a gruff soldier glorious fooling. It is always gratifywho team up to make the greatest mg to. be able *° re ?3i r pn ted FTrieon firrVi+inc* mmViinatinn the screen has yet to either of the talented xarjeQ seen. Gloria Stuart and Michael Wh a- brothers, for although e^ w n e^ el " s P^ len are prominently featured in. the bom New Zealand, their chief romantic roles of "Professional father, the late Mr. B. L. J<ar3eon» Soldier;' lived and worked m Dunedrn. J *- v.va.v. -v '.■ VMMW.'MVA

It has been, said that Mr. John Galsworthy never wrote a bad play, and that he never wrote a better one than "The Silver Box," which Mr. Leo du Chateau is to produce for the Wellington Repertory Society in the Concert Chamber for five performances commencing- on June 30. "The Silver Box' shows the surest of hands from the moment when the curtain rises on a carefully-prepared scene till it falls on one: of the most moving of climaxes. The three scenes in the first act end so unobtrusively that when the curtain falls on them the audience have the same sort of sensation as if they had been peering in at a window and the occupant of the room had quietly drawn the blind. There is no climax and yet the necessary tension is maintained. And the final curtain must be one of the least contrived in all dramatic. literature. An. excellent cast has been chosen with careful discrimination by the selection committee, and this will include several seasoned stalwarts and others making a first appearance in a major production. The cast includes Dr. S. E. Crawford, Miss Florence Penny, Mr. H. A. Painter, Mr. E. E. Le Grove, Miss Coralie Smytbson, Mr. Ralph Hogg, Dr. A. C Keys, Mr. B. O. Cahill, Miss Hester Nicholls, Mr. A. O. Heaney, Mr. Bernard Withers, Miss Beryl Daniels, Mr. Arthur AshleyJones. Mr. Colin Trim, Mr. F. M. Ren- : ner, Mr. A. J. O'Cain, Mr. E. Linden. and Mrs. J. Jack. The new sets will : be painted by the society s artist Mr. • W. J. Conroy. and built by Mr. .W.J. . Johnstone. Mr. Myles Wright is .the : stage manager, and Miss Irene Spidy, • assisted by Miss Lorna Black, will have • charge of the properties.. Miss Edna , Taylor is holding the script, and Miss • Pauline Shotlander is, as usual, super* • vising the dressing. CAPRA'S SPELL. ! Frank Capra, notsd screen director, ! is recognised as having done more : for stars than any other, man in Hol- ! lywood. Those stars who have worked 1 for. him are the first to admit this._ The ' latest object of his magic touch is Gary 5 Cooper, a star of such magnitude even ' before he: fell under Capra's wand that s the possibility of improvement might be ;considered'practically impossible, 1 . but according to reports on Mr. Deeds t Goes ..to Town," Capra's latest picture r for Columbia, the director has found 1; hidden talents in Cooper and brought • them.to life. Featured with him is Jean 1 Arthur. Others in the cast are George b Bancroft, Lionel Stander, Douglas ; Dumbrille. and H. B. Warner. Robert i Riskin wrote the screen play, from s , : the story by Clarence Budington Kelp land.

Evelyn Hall, contralto, who played subsidiary roles in the last J. C. Williamson Ltd. Imperial Grand Opera Co., will take the place of Evelyn Gardiner-, who sailed for New York at the completion of the New Zealand Gilbert and Sullivan season. Miss Hall has been training under Mmnie Everett in Melbourne for the past six or seven weeks, and will join the company lor its season in Brisbane before making her Melbourne debut. With Ivan Menzies, Gregory Stroud, Winifred Lawson, Geoffrey Stirling, Helen Langton and Richard Watson also, the company will begin a five-weeks' season at His Majesty's on June 27 in "The Mikado." The second-week piece will be "Huddigore." During the thifld week "Pirates of Penzance," "lolanthe, . and "Patience" are to be staged. "Princess Ida" is set down' for the fourth week, followed by "Yeomen of the Guard" and "The Gondoliers in the fifth week. Savoy operas completed, "Paul Jones" will be produced on August 1, and a production of Merrie England" will follow. Paul Jones is a comic opera of 1889 by H. B. Farnie (from the French), with music by K. Planqu'ette. THESPIANS NEXT WEEK. In "Laburnum Grove," which _the Thespians are to present in the Concert Chamber for a season commencing next Thursday, the skill of J.-B. Priestley is displayed in its highest form. In this play are to be found the almost Dickensian genius for perfect characterisation, brilliant humour, and enviable ability to construct a flawless, erippins? plot from the most slender and unlikely materials. On the other side of the world Mr. Priestley is now recognised as one of the foremost modern British playwrights. The production of one of his plays has been long overdue in Wellington. Considerable interest has been aroused by the forthcoming Thespian production, and those who remember previous productions by this society will have no doubts as to the success of the production. Those taking part include O. N. Gillespie as George Radfern; Vera Horton as Dorothy Radfern; Betty Wilson: as Elsie Radfern; Dorothy Tansley as Lucy Baxley; A. D. Priestley as Bernard Eaxley; R. J. Larki'n as Joe Fletten; Evan Harrowell as Detective-Inspector Stack; Max Willis as Harold Russ; arid L. M. Schneideman as a police sergeant. The play is being produced by Victor S. Lloyd, the director of the Thespians, assisted by Winnie Cooley; the stage manager is H. A. Painter, and the property and wardrobe mistresses Riirtr>n and PeffffY LuCSS.