STAGE AND SCREEN

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 61, 9 September 1937, Page 21

STAGE AND SCREEN

"YOU CAN'T HAVE EVERYTHING."

Featured in the leading singing roles in: one big film musical after another, .lovely Alice.Fays never has had. a singing lesson in her life, and rebelled violently when a .good-intentioned but misguided producer endeavoured to arrange vocal instruction for her. Once she was left alone and . permitted to ,sing-in'the natural and unaffected manner that won her success on stage arid radio, the blonde actress began to rise rapidly in the film- capital and will next be seen in "You Can't' Have Everything," 20th Century-Fox musical with Don Ameche and the Ritz Brothers. She was recently selected as. Hollywood's best "song-plugger" by Irving Berlin and Cole Porter. ■ Successful "song-plugging" not alone on a good voice, enthusiastic rendition, or an attractive .appearance, but rather on nn indefinable .perfect combination of Ihp three. : '

CLAUDETTE COLBERT.

.The legion of ■ Claudette Colbert'fans have a:treat in store when Paramount releases." "I Met Him in Paris," a comedy as-Witty';: as; tlie: gay -French; capital- and ■ the snows of the Swiss AlpsV where the action of the film takes- place. This picture:presents Miss Colbert exactly as-her fans have demanded her—in another role that gives her the chance for snappy "quick-on-the-trigger" dialogue of the sort which she did 'so well in "The Bride Comes Home" and "It Happened One Night." Melvyn Doug-. las..and- Robert Young are cast in the roles; of .the two writers who meet Miss Colbert on vacation in: Paris and: simultaneously fall in love with her. . The film features outdoor;scenes set inithe Swiss Alps,, during, the winter, sports season and thrilling-skating, 'iskiing, ■ and^bob-sledding' shots make-, these scenes outstanding. .

"THE BARRETTS."

Rudolf Besier, author of "The Barretts of Wimpole Street," has'granted Katharine Cornell the world rights to this rqmance ( which she acted 709 limes in the United States and Canada. He writes: "Of course you can produce 'The Barretts' when and where you like—there's no kind ' of doubt about that!" Should Miss Cornell make her contemplated world tour, she will include the play in her repertory for Australia and New Zealand.

NORTH-WEST FRONTIER.

. With the tentative title of "The Drum," an original story by A. E. W. Mason will be put into production by London Films. The production manager, Geoffrey Boothby, has already sailed for India, where, with the cooperation of the India Office, atmosphere shots will be taken on the Northwest Frontier of India. The production will be entirely in technicolour. Sabu, the boy star of "Elephant Boy," will play the lead and Zoltan Korda will direct. The screen play has been written by Oliver Garrett,/the famous American scenario writer who was responsible for "City Streets," "The Story of Temple Drake," and "Night Flight." He has recently been work ing- on "Four Feathers" to be made by London Films.

WORLD'S GAYEST CITY,

"Hollywood ■ has supplanted Vienna as the world's gayest city." This is the opinion of Oscar Strauss, noted European composer who.;recently arrived in the. film" capital from the Austrian city to write the music for' Bobby Breen's new R.K.O. starring vehicle, "Make a Wish." "The depression,1 the results of the World War, and the tangled" political situation in Austria," said_ Strauss, "have reduced Vienna to a shadow of its former gay self. The HghUieartedness of the peoplehasgiven" way toa wistful sadness which is all the more noticeable because it is in ■ such contrast to the atmosphere'of a generation ago. Of all the cities of the world, I think that Hollywood best displays the sunny dis- • position ■' of. its ■ residents. The populace seems to be in a perpetual holiday mood."

A TALENTED DAUGHTER

Cornelia Otis Skinner, the talented daughter of a talented father, has been astounding Londoners with her "one woman" show. Miss Otis Skinner is the daughter of the veteran American actor of the same name. She presented some of her old favourites, ''The Wives of Henry VIII," "The Loves oi Charles II," and "The Empress Eugenic." Her changes of voice anc character make- her acts of outstand ing merit and provide witl: some amazing quick-change episodes.

"LOVE IN A BUNGALOW."

One of the Three Smart Girls in "Three Smart Girls" was Nan Grey, who comes to Wellington shortly in her first starring picture since that first great success she made with the New Universal. The girl, a hostess in a model bungalow, earns her living by pointing out the architectural and other advantages of an ultra-modern house which was specially designed for the purposes of the picture. Jusl after she has arrived at the model bungalow one morning, Nan Grey, find? that there is a man asleep in one of the. bedrooms. Naturally she takes a dislike to this unwelcome intruder (Kent Taylor), but he explains that he is a commercial traveller who is having a compulsory rest, and that is why he has taken refuge in the bungalow. Then one stormy night Taylor visits the house and takes refuge from the rain over the radio a happily-married coiiple competition is announced in which the best letter from a happily-married couple is to be given a handsome cash prize. For fun they make up the texf pf a letter, using the domestic surroundings of the bungalow as their theme and a good deal of imagination about Iheir twins and their happily-married state. Then they write it, and after i quarrel they part. The letter is not posted to the girl's knowledge until she learns from the maid that she found it and posted it. Judge the girl's amazement and consternation when the letter is adjudged the best and - the 3onor of the prize annouuees his intention to" call and award the prize. .There ire some amusing complications before love in a bungalow reaches its natural conclusion. -. .- ■ .

V "THE CALIFORNIAN."

The character of the West's most 1 Jamous bandit finds a remarkable parallel in Harold Bell Wright's "The Californian," stirring outdoor drama to be released by 20th Century-Fox with Ricardo Cortez in the starring role. ■'' This fabled outlaw, the most • daring and elusive renegade in.the history of California, was the notorious Tiburcio Vasquez. . Turning against the American invaders whose advent had despoiled the vast holdings of the prosperous Mexican land owners, he was for years the scourge of the offending forces of the law. Throughout the length of the new frontier he became known as the Robin Hood of the West, preying only on those who represented the new era introduced h'v Hio ViQ+orf afinana

GRACIE FIELDS

Most eagerly sought after of all British stars by Hollywood interests, Gracie Fields has remained in England, at the highest salary ever paid to any entertainer, to make each succeeding picture a bigger success. That is her ambition. Victor McLaglen and Adolph Menjou play prominent roles in her first picture under the G.B.D. banner, "He Was Her Man," which will be ready for release early next year.

WAR'S GLORY DENIED.

-There are many scenes in Universal's striking sequel to "All Quiet on the Western Front," entitled "The Road Back," to show that war is a futile and insane business. In the whole trend of. the story can be seen this message to civilised humanity:—"This is what happened before. Are you going to condone the recurrence oi such happenings?" Here in all its stark realism is the bitter truth aboul what war meant to the youth of Germany, when they returned to theii homes. They found that all the patriotic fervour had been empty Erich Maria Remarque; author of "The Road Back," "All Quiet," and a third book entitled "Three^Comrades," which was just recently published in English translation, is a man upon whom the Great War left such a vivid impress that he seems to have resolved to do all in his power to dissuade mankind from participating in such bestial insanity again. The cast of "The Road Back" is not a "glamorous" one. Neither was there such a cast in "All Quiet on the Western Front." But there is little doubt that some of the young players who take the leading parts in "The Road Back" have earned their entry to the ranks of the stars. John King, who was last seen in "Three Smart Girls," is in Ihe prominent role of Ernst, the leader of the village band with whose welfare we are chiefly concerned. Then there are Richard Cromwell, "Slim" Summerville (who was Tjaden in "All Quiet"), Andy Devine, Barbara Read, Louise Fezenda,' Noah Beery, jun., John Emery, Etienne Girardot, Lionel Atwill, Spring Byington, Arthur Hohl, and Greta Gynte.

NAUTICAL FREDDIE

Can you snap a thole pin in a gunwhale socket? Do you know how to nest a-dory? If someone told you to cathead the anchor, what Avould you do? A few months ago Freddie Bartholomew couldn't have given the answers, either. But that was before he starred •in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's "Captains Courageous." Since he went to sea on the Gloucester schooner "We're Here," Freddie has become an encyclopaedia of .nautical information, and just to demonstrate his seamanship, here are a few more' questions he has thought up for the uninitiated: What is a buoy keg? How much is a quintal of fish? How do you pronounce the word "forecastle"? Where is Stone Fence? What are headers, splitters, gutters, and" idlers? If you w.ere told to sluice djwn the gurry into the scuppers, how would you start? Freddie cannot only give, the answers to all of these questions, but he can "fly the pigeon," coil his trawl, hook into a painter bepket and help clew up a topsail. He also knows which is the peak, which the foremast, which the main hatch, the throat, the Duncan Street, the job, and the balloon. The answer to those questions? Well, yes, you could look most of them up in a good dictionary. But the answers are demonstra td pictorially in "Captains Courageous." With Bartholomew in the cast are Spencer Tracy, Lionel Barrymore, Melvyn Douglas, Charley Grapewin, and Mickey Rooney.

MUNI OF "THE GOOD EARTH."

Paul Muni was born Muni Weisenfreund in Vienna, Austia. As his family went to the United States when he was very young, the star regards himself as a 100 per cent. American. He was educated in the New York schools, but his education was often interrupted by professional stage work from his eleventh year on. He is one of a theatrical and musical family, his father and mother being actors, and his two brothers musicians. Since his early childhood Muni's ambition was to be a great figure on the stage. His first opportunity came when he was travelling with his family. They were about to open in a small town and needed an actor to play an old man's role. , No player being available, they tested the boy and he was given the part. This was the first of the many "old man" character roles he has played. The stage play, "We Americans," brought him his first recognition in the New York Theatre, although he had played for several seasons with the Theatre, Guild and other art theatres. His present ambition is to be allowed to continue his career along the lines he has laid out for himself. His appearance in "The Good Earth" for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer is in line with this. Never to be "typed" to one kind of role, is one of his steadfast ideals. In "The Good Earth," in which he plays the pivotal role of the Chinese farmer, Wang, who rises from peonage to become an influential overlord, Muni has the most difficult role of his entire career on the screen.

"FAREWELL AGAIN."

In the London "Daily Mail," Collie Knox 'describes "Farewell Again" as far and away the finest British picture yet produced. "I remember no film whiqh has given me more pleasure- • no film which has brought me out into the lighted street so happily silent," states the critic. "Farewell Again" was produced by Erich Pommer for London Films, and stars Leslie Banks,Flora Robson, and Sebastian Shaw. It is released by United Artists.

"WINGS OVER AFRICA."

"Wings Over Africa" has lan Colin and Joan Gardner, two of Britain's most popular screen stars, in the lead ing roles. Without being sensational the picture is a thrilling drama of the African Veldt, and has all the essen tials of a first-class drama packed with action. The well-known and popular cast includes James Harcourt, James Carew, James Craven, and Alan Napier, and in this production. they do more than justice to their parts. An interesting feature of this film, and one that enhances its entertainment value,-is that many of the African scenes were actually taken in Central Africa.

A THEATRICAL SENSATION,

One of the theatrical sensations of London is the production of "Victoria Hegina," the remarkable play based on the life of Queen Victoria, which the censor banned for a long time, and it was only allowed to be publicly produced through the influence of the Duke of Windsor, while he was King. "Victoria Regina," which is such a popular success that every seat is booked in advance, has been described by one of the newspaper critics as "a grim play which keeps a tight hold on the interest of the audience—a play about the indecent human heart. Ths interest never flags and, something crops up in every scene." "Victoria Regina" will be the opening play of England's greatest actress. Fay Compton, who with her London company of nine artists, will commence her Australian season under the J. C. Williamson. Ltd., management in Melbourne on October 23. The repertoire will also include "Tovarich," "proscenium," six one-act plays by Noel Coward, and "George and Margaret." Already many requests have been received by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., with regard to the plays to be presented. Many playgoers have tasked that "Mary Rose," the title role* of which-was created by Miss Compton, should, be included. .

PARAMOUNT WEEK,

Today Paramount has passed the quarter-century mark of motion picture production, which means that much of che history of the motion picture industry itself is entwined in the history of Paramount. An important factor in establishing Paramount in . the public eye has been Paramount Week, a period now famous throughout the world as the commencement of. a new show season in entertainment, when theatre managers compete "in advertising contests and when practically every town can boast of at least one of its theatres screening a Paramount picture. Paramount Week for 1937 will be observed from August 30 to September 4. Some of the pictures which will be released throughout the Dominion about this time are "Waikiki Wedding," a delightful musical comedy set against a background of Honolulu and featuring Bing Crosby, Shirley Ross, Bob Burns, and Martha Raye; 'John Meade's Lady," with Edward Arnold and a newcomer to the screen, Francine Larrimore, acclaimed as one of the finest dramatic actresses on the New York stage; and "Make Way for Tomorrow," with Victor Moore and Beiilah Bondi, Barbara Read (one of the "Three Smart Girls"), and Fay Bainter; "The Jungle Princess," in which Dorothy Lamour comes to the screen for the first time and is supported by Ray Milland, Akim Tamiroff, and Lynne Overman.

"GEORGE AND MARGARET."

Gerald Savory, an actor of note who has appeared in Australia, has written an amusing comedy called "George and Margaret" that was presented at Wyndham's early this year and entertained London theatre-goers. It concerns a family with a hyphenated name—the Garth-Banders. It is impoverished, though it resides in a mansion, dresses for dinner, and does without eggs for breakfast when they are more than tuppence-farthing. The family consists of Claude, an architect; Dudley, mercurial younger son df a nasty type who is supposed to be studying Beethoven under the tuition of Roger, a professional pianist who stays in the house for weeks at a time; Frankie, the daughter, addicted to beach pyjamas at breakfast, the sanguinary word in the dictionary, and shocking manners. The cast included Noel Howlett as the father, Joyce Barbour as Mrs. Garth-Bander. Jane Baxter was frankly Frankie; Ann Casson, daughter of Dame Sybil Thorndike and Lewis Casson, was a delightful maid. The young men were played by John Boxer, Nigel Patrick, and Ronald Ward (who was in New Zealand with the Boucicault-Vanbrugh Company). This play is to be presented in Australia and New Zealand by the Fay Compton Company, under Williamson engagement. Gerald Savory is the son of Grace Lane, the London actress who starred in "Fresh Fields," the part played in New Zealand by our own Ethel Morrison.

MONTAGUE REVUE THIS MONTH,

Jewell and Warris, who play comic roles in the Montague Revue Company, '• to be presented in Wellington, by Sir Benjamin Fuller on September 25, have been, associated with the English stage for nearly twenty-five years, having made their first appearance as child performers with Mr. Jewell's father. Also in the company are the Two Rogues, "knock-about" dancers who have had considerable screen experience and appeared with Jack Buchanan in "Brewster's Millions," and Jessie Matthews in "Evergreen." The original producer, Mr. Lewis Marks, ■is with the company. The London comedian. George Doonan, is well-known in the West End as a; famous representative of the modern school of "dress-suit" comedians. The leading lady, Barbara Vernon, hails from America and stepped out of "Transatlantic Rhythm" the day before her boat sailed for Australia. She made a tremendous hit in the name part in the' revival of "No, No, Nanette" in London. A feature of th<; show is the Damora Ballet, of 12 beautiful Hungarian; girls', picturesquely attired, and under the leadership of Madame Damora. , :

The music, is one of the features of the production of "Balalaika," which J. C. Williamson, Ltd., are now staging for the first time in Australia at His Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne. There is an orchestra of thirty players, under the conductorship of Andrew MacCunn, and a balalaika band on the stage. The balalaika, a triangular stringed instrument, resembling a, guitar or banjo, is typical of Russia. The players in the balalaika stage band, who are Russians, provide their' own instruments. There is something of a romance in the story of the success of this notable musical play. Originally titled "The Gay Hussar," it failed to win public approval. Then Eric Maschwitz, of the staff of the 8.8.C., took hold of it, rewrote the dialogue and lyrics, and staged it at His Majesty's Theatre, where it was an immediate success. Recently, a wonderful celebration, party was given on the stage at His Majesty's.' Theatre, Kondon, to celebrate the 200 th performance.

POWERFUL STAR ROSTER.

Even so early, Columbia is in a position to announce a star roster containing some of the most important names in screendom, who. are to appear in. the first and other, new season produc tions. In addition to this comprehen si ye group of personalities, many others will be added as the season progresses. With the signing of Gloria Swanson, Columbia once more presents to the motion picturegoers of the world a "remade star." It is promised thai a new, smart, sophisticated Swanson will be the outcome of -Columbia's grooming. It is also; to observed that stars like Irene Dunne have been signed for similar screen subjects in which they have proved themselves so outstandingly successful. For instance, Irene Dunne made her debut under the Columbia banner in "Theodora Goes Wild," and will be cast in. a similar comedy with Cary Grant entitled "The, Awful Truth." Important personalities who will make .their first appearance for Columbia are Madeleine Carroll, Gloria Swanson, Loretta Young, Joe E. Brown, and Don Ameche. The star roster at present includes Irene Dunne, Cary Grant, Madeleine Carroll, Francis Lederer, Loretta Young, Randolph Scott, Grace Moore, Melvyn Douglas, Gloria Swanson,. Edward G. Robinson, Carole Lombard, Joe E. Brown; Jack Holt, Richard Dix, Fay' Wray, Jean Arthur, Walter Connolly, Chester Morris, Don Ameche, Dolores Del Rio, Edith. Fellows, Mary Astor, and Richard Arlen. .

NEW TERMS FOR.TYPES,

Rare wines, rich in hue and vivid with intoxicating • beauty, have -replaced metals in the designation of various types of feminine beauty following the current vogue for giving "winey" .names to costume colours, according to Robert Kalloch, Hollywood studio stylist. "It is passe to speak of golden or platinum blondes," asserted the Columbia . stylist. "Such stars as Sonja Henie, Alice Fay,| and Madeleine Carroll should now be propr erly termed 'champagne blondes.' Titian-haired players like Mary Astor, Claudette Colbert, and Rosalind Keith should be called 'Dubonnet auburns.'" Some of the latest wine colours, as applied to varying shades of Hollywood feminine hair beauty, • are listed by Kalloch as follows:—Champagne: Ann Harding .and Jeanette Mac Donald, in addition to those , already. me.ntipned. Chartreuse: Grace Moore, Irene Dunne, and Joan Perry- Burgundy: Jean Parker and Dolly Haast. /Dubonnet: Mary Astor, • Claudette Colbert, Rosalind Keith,;and Fay'-Wfay.

TACTFUL, WIFE,

Mrs. Lloyd Hughes,, wife of the star of Cinesound's "Lovers and Luggers.' is a tactful lady, as evidenced by an incident at a dance at the Paddington Town Hall, Sydney, the other night, when she probably saved a young man considerable embarrassment. Mr. Hughes did.not dance, having hurt his foot in a "stage" fight with Ronald Whelan, but Mrs. Hughes was among the dancers. During a Paul Jones, a new partner whom she had not met was evidently eager to discuss the euest of honour. He began conversation with the inquiry, "Well, what do you think of our film star?" "Oh." said Mrs. Hughes promptly, "I think he's swell —you see, I married him."

THE STREET SINGER.

Arthur Tracy, who appears in the new Associated British offering, "The Street. Singer's Return," is known by that title to millions of gramophone and radio enthusiasts. ■ In this new production Tracy appears as a famous singer who is mistaken for a "street singer" by Jenny, a beautiful but poor girl, who in real life is Margaret Lockwood, a talented young British star. It is not generally known that Tracy is a gifted linguist, and that whenever he sings in a foreign language he is hailed as a fellowcountryman by dozens of people who speak that language, so perfect is his accent. Actually he sings in a dozen different tongues, which is due to a natural flair for ' languages that led him when a youth to take up - the study ot languages as a hobby.

Getting 1860 garments by, 1938 methods, R.K.0.-Radio had twelve pairs of old-fashioned tights rushed across the Continent by air mail.; The tights will be worn by the buxdm chorus girls of the new Edward Arnold picture, ''The Toast of New York." Adding still another contrasting,:touch to the transaction, the* tights were ordered by telephone from the. only New York house which still specialises in this type of garment. Measurements of the chorus girls were telephoned to the firm and the tights were made to qrder. The ultimate in daring iin the decade from ,1860 to 1870,' the story period of the picture, tights today are manufactured almost solely for circus performers and acrobats.'

RUGGLES IS SERIOUS

Charlie Ruggles, for- ten-years .-•an outstanding screen comedian,; plays * 'serious role for. the; first time in Paramount's "Exclusive," with Fred. MaoMurray and Frances Farmer. . '