STAGE AND SCREEN

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 58, 10 March 1938, Page 21

STAGE AND SCREEN

OLD HUNGARIAN CUSTOM.

TALLULAII'S CAREER.

a Walt disney feature. . ,_

PULITZER PRIZE PLAY.

, PEPYS AS RE WAS.

"SH-H-H! THE OCTOPUS'."

PLAT INVENTOR*

DEANNA'S NEW PICTURE.

"NOTHING SACRED."

"BALALAIKA" AT EASTER.

"TOVARICH."

GRACIE A 3TAR.

LIFE IS HARD.

WELLINGTON ACTOR IN LONDON.

HER FILM DEBUT,

PEESONALITY CONCERT SERIES.

TOURING BUSINESS REVIVES.

WARDEN TURNS PLAYWRIGHT.

MARIE NEX'S NEW.PLAY.

LEWIS. STONE.

PLAYERS FROM PALESTINE.

THE NEW "MADAME X."

A LABOUR PLAY,

•TOUR MEN AND A PRAYER."

"THE MARQUISE."

POPULAR REVUE.

FAMOUS ARTISTS FOR NEW ZEALAND.

-. RICHARD H ON THE MAP.

- i MR. BYNG'S NEW ROLE.

THEATRE EXPERIMENT FAILS.

UNIQUE OCCASION.

FROM BUDAPEST.

SELF-TAUGHT OPERA STAR.

TWICE CROWNED.

A LONG WAY ROUND

Have^you. ever seen a magic mirror, A mirror which actually speaks am answers any question put to it? Un ' doubtedly' not, but such a mirror i only, one of' the wonders which wil „ .be^een in Walt Disney's first feature ■' length production, "Snow White an< .the.-Seven Dwarfs.!' Those who re 1 member their fairy tale lore will re member the magic mirror in the orig ' inal Grimm story. The ordinary pic ture medium could not depict such ; fanciful thing, on the screen, but Wai Disney's medium is only as limited a his imagination and his imagination i limitless. Melting-eyed deer, pertsquir rels-. and, chipmunks, and brightly-col oured, birds, ■ all with human mtelli /gence,-. not only rescue Snow White from the frightening woods but tak< her to, the cottage of the seven dwarf! and' help her clean it thoroughly ir a sequence such as only Disney's genius can produce. A wishing wel that sings back to Snow White as sh< sings the ballad, "Some Day My Prince Will Come," and blends its voice intc a duet will also be seen as a proof oj the.fanciful lengths to which the Di& - nev artists, can go'.

■ Paramount has commissioned S. 'S Van Dine, master of mystery fiction, tc write an original starring vehicle foi George Burns and Gracie Allen, undei the title of "The Gracie Allen Murdei Mystery." Van Dine will do all his writing in the East. Lewis E. Gcnslei will produce the picture. Gensler alsc made1 known .hat he plans prominently "to feature John Barrymore in the big comedy production. The step-up to stardom for Gracie Allen and her consort .is the outcome of ',heir constantlyincreasing radio popularity and their highly-praised performances in recent pictures.

»-Sidney, L. Bernstein was instrunientaT in 'securing 'for a London sea'son,' following their appearance at the Paris Exhibition, of the 'famous Habima Players, of Palestine. He has closely followed the fortunes of this remarkable company ever since he first , saw them at their theatre in Moscow fifteen years ago. The Habima Players are really an offshoot of the Moscow Art Theatre (whose influence is still so strong ■in ' progressive drama), for Stanislavsky was one of the. first to help them, lending them hft-best.assistant, Vachtangov, as producer, i After- the revolution they;were given-a theatre in Moscow, but for the - past ten years their headquarters have been' at Tel-Aviv. They were in London last in 1931, when,' mainly owing to .the efforts of Charles Laughton, the Players were ■ seeri in a matinee performance so that London theatrical folk could see their work., The Phoenix (Theatre was packed, on that occasion. -During the recent season in London 'the matinee idea'was repeated, . and with the .exception of "The IJybbuk," plays were put on which' had not been seen in'London before.

'. Douglas Hoare, whowrbte the amus--ing Vdomedy,-' "Lord ; Kichard rin the'; Pan'jtry," has written ydf another amusing Apiece called "Think' of a Number." This had a preliminary run-in Edinburgh, being presented at;the Comedy- Theatre* London. "Winifredi Shotter, -heroine of so many Aldwych farces,iheaded.the women,in the cast, and Douglas Byng was her colleague. Mr. Byrighas a wide experience of the London stage; in. revue, pantomime, and music-halls he has-been a popular performer. The gallery of' imaginary arid extraordinary women hehas-often impersonated are almost national .possessions; . Strange. as it seems, he has never" appeared in a play until he acted in "Think of a/Number." ' Sara Allgood, 'the original "Peg o' My Heart," and Tony Quin, two of the Irish'-Players, were prominent; in: Mr. Hqare's farce, arid Denis TVyndham also- had a big part. ../

A — ' a "Gone With the Wind'V and "You " Can't Take It With You" must be sisters under the script, for the latter, ,?•, about to be filmed by Frank Capra as , his next Columbia production, is i arousing quite as much casting specula lation as the long-announced Margaret ;. Mitchell noveL Billie ' Burke, Alice ; Brady, Walter Connolly, Frank Mor- " gan, Thomas Mitchell, and Henry Trav- ' ers are' a few of the well-known playi ers who have recently been suggested , for prominent roles, with the studio as * yet announcing no casting. "You Can't . Take It/With You" is the Pulitzer Prize ' play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, for which Columbia paid the re- , cord price of 200,000 'dollars. Long a I comedy'smash hit on Broadway, it deli picts the madcap doings of a harumr , scarum family. A whole legion of . Hollywood players are hoping they may, 1 be found suitable to play one of the * contrasting- types in this group.. To > be cast in a Capra picture is the once--5 in-a-lifetime "break" each fervently i desires. As with previous Capra successes, Robert A. Riskin, the director's * ace collaborator, is adapting -the play to the screen.

) ' — After working until two in the m'orn- • ing on RKO's "'Living on Love," Whiti ney Bourne' hurried home and slept • until seven,'then arose and dashed to > take part; in an early-morning broad- ' cast of scenes from her first RKO pic- ! ture, ."Flight from Glory." She api peared at the radio station wearing • heavy dark .glasses. "Do you mind if • I leave these glasses on?" she asked • wearily. "It's not a television broad- : cast, and 'besides my eyes won't' be open for several hours yet."

.Thirteen years>ago Gladys George, just entering her twenties, played the stellar role ,of Jacqueline Fleuriot in 1 "Madame X" at the Denham Theatre in Denver, Colorado. The play was 1 a great success but in the years of stock and Broadway starring that followed. Miss George never happened to repeat it. Then Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer decided to modernise the story, retaining intact the original theme. Gladys George was selected for "Madame X" once again. She was dubious about the part, believing that the situations by now might have become outmoded. At •the suggestion of Sam Wood, the director, she. sat through projection-room showings of the Pauline Frederick and ;Ruth Chatterton versions. "I-came ,out of that projection room downright 'depressed," she declared. "And that's no'reflection on the acting of Pauline ■ Frederick or Ruth Chatterton, for they were fine. But styles have changed - so,- and I just couldn't see myself repeating that old-fashioned melodrama. ■ Then I was handed the new script by ' John Meehan and was asked to read it ■ I' took it home and sat up that night finishing it. I never did a more complete about-face. . The role, as now written, had balance, humour, and a real psychological basis. It shows Jacqueline as she was at first—a young .wife, pretty, gay, left to her own devices by a husband who was too busy ' for her. It shows her through ( the ; years after her husband has disowned her. It shows her keeping that sense ] of humour, sometimes light, sometimes • forced, but, always with warmth -and ' tolerance. /It's a role that any actress 3 could be enthusiastic about." < i

■ Franciska Gaal, the Budapest beauty, who will make her Hollywood screen debut in "The Buccaneer," which Para!mount has just completed with Fredric March in .the leading role, has ,iust been awarded-her second role under the newly-signed contract, and is to . appear opposite' Bing, Crosby in "Paris Honeymoon."- r

Romantic and glamorous are the scenes in "Prescriptions For Komance when an ancient Hungarian custom which is always observed by sweethearts when they learn that dawning love is reciprocated, is depicted in a gay cafe scene in Budapest. Gazing into the eyes of his sweetheart, and oblivious to the glittering throng that dances and dines about them, young William Lundigan tenderly kisses the hand of his little sweetheart Constance Moore, and then as she shyly smiles upon him and favours his suit, they lift high their champagne glasses and crash them to the. floor. Their action sets the tempo one of the most intriguing scenes in this Universal production; in which Wendy Barrie; as the sparkling and enticing Dr. Valerie Wilson, and Kent Taylor, as the impetuous and beauty., loving detective, Steve Macy, play the leading roles. ' Other stars in "Prescription For Ko--1 mance," include Mischa Auer, Frank i Jenks, Dorothea Kent, and Gregory 1 Gaye. "Prescription For Romance" is ; filled with exciting situations and alter--1 nating moments of suspense and romance. Mischa Auer, as the penniless ! Count Sandor and Frank Jenks, as the American newspaper man who must score a scoop to regain his job, furnish comedy situations which critics acclaim as comparable with their much lauded . efforts in "100 Men and a Girl."

Another world-famous athlete has succumbed to the lure of motion pictures, followifig in the wake of Johnny Weissmuller, Buster Crabbe, Frank Shields, and others who added cinema gold' to their sporting glory. It was learned that Sammy Stoller, thd "world's fastest human" of 1937, has become an actor. He made his motion picture debut in David O. Selznick's technicolOur, , picture, "Nothing : Sacred," co-starrmg\ Carole Lombard ' and Fredric March, ■ and directed by William A. Wellman, as a "bit" player. Stoller, who was graduated but recently from the'University of Michigan, is this year's big,ten champion in the 100 yards dash. He is co-holder .of the world's record in the 100yds dash, 9.4 seconds, and of the 100 metre dash, 10:3sec." Since high school days, Stoller has raced" 25 times against the sprinting marvel,- Jesse Owens, and won,on three occasions.' With Owens he shares the world mark of 6.lsec for the 60yds dash. ■ . ,

An enormous amount of interest is j apparent in the approaching opening r of' the Personality Concert Series in j Wellington at,the Town Hall on Mon- ( day* March 21. , F^or his opening attraction *of the four events which, constitute the series, Frederic : Shipman, the Canadian Impresario, who introduced Paul Dufault, Paul Althouse, Arthur Middleton. Mischa Ehnari, and many other-eminent artists to Australia and New Zealand, has chosen-a decidedly uflique attraction, no less than Howard .Milholland,; who ,has acquired a reputation of being totally different froni any other entertainer before the public today. A Milholland programme brings to life, without the aid of scenery or costume, a wide variety of characters to each of which he gives a di& tinct individuality., Mr. Milhollana possesses,?, keen sei;se of the ridiculous, (yet it is .a kindly humour even . with the indecisive'young man' who cannot make up his mind whether or not' to get married; or the inveterate old .race track gambler. Several of the Milholland characterisations will be enriched by original musical backgrounds arranged by the brilliant Spanish pianiste, Eva Garcia, who/will also be. heard in a group of unique Spanish coihpositions. Season tickets for the same" seats for' the entire series at a remarkably low rate may be secured at Begg's music house.

Warden Lewis E. Lawes, of Sing Sing Prison, has; with the help of Jonathan Finn, written1 a play of crime and punishment entitled "Chalked Out." Its stark realism held attention from theatregoers when it was played in New York. The system of chalking prisoners: in and out of prison was taken as his theme by the warden, who had first-hand information and experi-, ence to guide him. It is his first effort as a dramatist and he wisely, refrains from, posing as a crusader by relying solely on melodrama, without preaching reform; he tells the simple story of a boy who went wrong, and why. The story is as old as crime itself, but the warden ; thickens his plot a little with complications that make for emotionalism and romance. An out-of-work boy; money needed; contact with a gang; and capture are the episodic happenings on which quite a, sound. play has been constructed. The authentic background helps the play along.

"Gordon Daviot" (the nom de plume of a Scottish woman playwright), who wrote "Richard of Bordeaux" in such masterly fashion, is acknowledged by London players and playgoers to have put England's second Richard on the play-going map of London. Recently John Gielgud played a successful season of "Richard II" at the Queen's Theatre, arid lovers of Shakespeare rolled up in full force to see the popular young actor in a role he suits splendidly. Some critics thought the production over-dressed, but all agreed on the perfection of the Gielgud performance and those of Frederick Lloyd (Earl of Northumberland), Harcourt Williams (Bishop of Carlisle), tLeon Quartermaine (John of Gaunt), and Michael Redgrave (Bolingbroke).

Gina Cigna,: handsome brunette soprano, wHo is a firm favourites in America, has been singing professionally for only eight years. Yet in that brief span she has, reached the highest heights of opera fame, her name being linked with the great stars of all time. Born near Paris, she is the daughter of a French mother and1 a father who was Italian, but became a naturalised Frenchman at the age ol 20. During the world war he was,a General in command of the 20th Brigade, was severely wounded, and decorated for bravery. Gina Cigna s artistic talent first revealed itself in pamtj ing: she was sent to the Academy of Fine Arts in Paris, and at the same time, studied the piano at Pans Conservatoire. She showed interest--in singing, but nothing was done to develop her vocally except through self study. While visiting Milan she secured an audition with Toscaninl, when he was general director at La Scala. The maestro was greatly impressed with her voice, and gave her a contract to sing at La Scala, but first sent her back to Paris for a year's preparation. Continuing her studies without any outside help whatever, she returned to Milan a year later, and made her debut in 1929 at La" Scala with the unique record of having had,-,, no professional vocal instruction up to that ithne.

Lloyd Nolan, currently featured in Paramount's "Wells Fargo." was recruited by Hollywood from the New York stage, but actually had his first theatrical experience in a Passadena playhouse, not far from the movi« ".apitaj.

Cinderella had a fairy godmother, Aladdin owned a lamp; Ali Baba had the "Open, Sesame," and Deanna Durbin has a magic voice. Cinderella, ,iAh Baba, and Aladdin were figments of the imagination. But there's nothing unreal about Miss Durbiri. The wonderland which has opened to her is due to her own talents. Only a few months ago Deanna was just another one of the nation's youngsters. But the movies brought Deanna fame and fortune. The fifteen-year-old girl soared to stardom in her second film, "100" Men and a Girl" after she skyrocketed into prominence " in "Three Smart Girls." Now, the New Universal is presenting Deanna in a picture that takes advantage,of everything the child has to offer. The producers have designed; a production to bring this everything out in the most effective manner. The result is ""Mad About Music," which will be seen in Wellington, Duhedin, and. Auckland, during Kaster. In "Mad About Music," which is planned along comedy-with-rnusic tones, Deanna borrows a father and the innocent impersonation creates a most amazing, and amusing train of circumstances. • A big cast, including Herbert Marshall, Gail Patrick, Arthur Treacher, William Frawley, Jackie Moran, Franklyn Pahgborn, and ajscore of others are supporting Deanna. \

t Mr.. Noel ■ Coward ■, in ■ his ■ autobio- . graphy "Present Indicative" recounts ; the .following, amusing .experience in i connection with his eighteenth ceni tury comedy "The Marquise"—which >, was written 'for Marie Tempest—and I'which :is to "be produced'by Leo du . Chateau for ;the Wellington Repertory Theatre Society, in the Concert! Chamber, from the 22nd to the 26th of this month, he saysy "Wd went \ to1 Vienna to see the first performance of 'The Marquise' at -the- Vokstheater.. -It was ■ played by a celebrated German.actor 1 named Albert Basserman. We.arrived i only an hour ' before ' curtain ' time, dressed hurriedly at the hotel, and '■ were'escorted to «r stage box-by sevi eral. directors and the translator who, • iii the scramble,, had omitted .to ex- • plain' to me that he had taken the i liberty of transposing the period; of : the i play from the eighteenth century to the present day. My lack of Ger- : man prevented me from discovering : this until about ten minutes after the beginning.of the first act; up to then I was. under the impression that I was "watching a.curtain-raiser. When finally I caught'the word 'Eloise' which Was the heroine's name and observed her enter in a red leather motor coat the; truth dawned upon : me, and • I laughed so much I nearly fell out of the box. At the end of the play I was.called on to the stage and hand in hand with the Bassermans took endless curtain calls. Finally a group of students clambered over the footlights with a zeal that I could not but feel was out of proportion tip the merits of the play and we all signed autographs, thereby setting the seal of success upon, what had been for ,me. at any rate, a thoroughly hilarious evening. ' ' ■■. v ■■■ -. ■■■ ■■ ■ ■ ■

A real balalaika stage band,, a beautiful Russian ballet, dancers, and singers, figure in the expensive musical spectacle, "Balalaika," which Messrs. J. C.\ Williamson announce as theirEaster attraction/for tne Dominion, commencing at 'Auckland on Easter Monday, April 18. It.is a most romantic play, dramatic in parts, full of comic situations, and has an all-star cast of international repute. Robert Halliday, American male lead, has as co-stars dainty Mar j orie Gordon, an English comedienne, and Margaret Adams, an American danseuse and songstress, while Don Nicol, an old favourite, has a congenial comedy role. In a six weeks' season in Melbourne,, over 100,000 playgoers saw '.'Balalaika." It is an outstanding achievement of the firm, and in allowing Dominion theategoers an opportunity: of .seeing this remarkable production -'in its entirety, is providing' a never-to-be-for-gotten treat. Thadee Slavinsky, late of .the Monte Carlo Russian Ballet, heads the Russian Ballet that adorns the-piece. and has' perfected the Russian accents of the players.. The motif of Eric Maschwitz's "book" is the love of a high-born Russian officer for a modest ballerina, of pre-revolution Russia. ,\'. '

Judging by the reception accorded the latest Williamsdn/ revue in Auckland; there can be no doubt that vaudfr ' is -one of • the most popular forms of entertainment in New Zealand. Mr. Frank Neil has brought many "ace" companies to these shores, but none more popular than the present combination of international stars. For Ella Shields; debonair male imperonsatorj there is always a tumultuous welcome,, and on this visit' to .the Dominion she nis receiving the same fervent reception as always characterises her smiling, happy appearances. Then there is Jim Gerald, funnier than ever, who is -also receiving plaudits from, eager admirers of his perfect technique. .Other, headliners in the excellent company are:—The amazing canine artists, Gautier's highly efficient dog bricklayers, who.are a joy to children and adults alike; Don Galvan, Mexican troubadour;, Arne^Hartman, American piano-accordion expert; Petillo and Pesco, acrobats; U. S. Thompson, coloured American dancer; ! Janetski, the xylophone wonder; Len . Ruch, Max Reddy, sketch artists; : Shirley Lawson, vibliriist; John Fraser, baritone; Lily. Coburnl dancer; Iris -' Shand, soubrette; Molly Hislop, so- • prano; and a-very efficient Australian ' ballet. The dates, for the company's '• tour are:—Auckland, March 7-19; Ham- : ilton, March 21; New Plymouth, March < 22; Hawera," March 23; Wanganui, 1 March 24;'Palmerston North, March 25; 3 Wellington, March 26 to April 9; " Christchurch, April 12-23; Timaru, April 26; Dunedin, April 27 to May 7: 1 Tnvercargill. May 9 and, ; lo. 1

i Tallulah Bankhead, the' American actress who is almost British by adoption, is described by an interviewer as a "slim, but lusciously moulded figure; rapid, nervous gestures; a mop of tawny hair forming a bell with edges :flaring below the ears, and always a deep-toned flow of animated talk." The vibrant personality of the actress has meant that she leaped from a small town Alabama girl to become the toast of Piccadilly. Miss Bankhead loathes temperament by any name, even by its other name, temper. She adores Hollywood if only because it is a place where one meets people from all parts of the world. "You meet everyone you ever knew there among, the writers and actors they have gathered from :New York and London and every other city in the world. People go there to meet their friends as they used to go to the South of France.". Miss Bankhead is the daughter of. William H. Bankhead, Speaker pf the House of Representatives. She was reared in Alabama, and later in, Washington where her father spends many months each year.. Her stage career dates back,to an evening when she attended a party given by' Frank Crowninshield, a -publisher. Charles C. B. Cochran, the' London manager, was there, and liked Tallulah's imitations so much that he ofiered' her a place '■ in one of his revues, '

Of several plays presented in New York in 1937, Ira Wolfert, an American columnist, has compiled a .snappy inventory of .the'-rnost successful. They; include:-^Sidney ; Kingsjey's "Dead End," a sermon "by boy actors on how gangsters are made and unmade; it is • taut and. compelling drama; "Masque of Kings," Maxwell Anderson's tale of power and beauty* -with due attention to the larger implications of the tragic love, affair between Franz Joseph's heir and the Baroness Mary Vetsera; Maxwell Anderson's "Wingless Victory," a story about a New Englander soured into regretting bringing home a-Malay bride; Shakespeare's s'King • Richard II"; Laurence Housman's "Victoria Begina"; Maxwell Anderson's comedy* "High Tor"—a fantasy; "Tpvarich;". a story about noble Russian; exiles-who .find their level as servants', of .a t self-made Parisian; "Yes, My Darling Daughter," a comedy about the children of the pioneer modernists and how they want to be modern;.Moss Hart's and George S. Kaufman's comedy hit, ; ."You Cant Take it With You," a prank' about a family whose exercise is^iding hobby horses; Max Reinhardt's musical production, "The Eternal Road," a version of the Old Testament with its application to modern times underscored; Shuberfs "The Show is On," a clever "leg-and-laugh" masterpiece; "White Horse-Inn"; Lehar's "Frederika"; and "Red, Hot, and Blue," a rude and boisterous story of a girl who sat down on a hot waffle iron and got a scar.

Gilbert Miller, with his usual cleverness in assembling interesting caste for his productions, excelled himself re cently when he had on the same programme lor his "Silent Knight" , at London St. James, such well-known ~ names as Diana Wynyard, Ralph Richardson, Margaretta Scott, and Lynn Harding. "Silent Knight" is a romantic comedy in verse of the fifteenth century, set in Italy and Hungary. It was adapted from the Hungarian^ Eugene Heltai by Humbert Wolfe. Mr. Wolfe has a considerable reputation; he made a beautiful job,of the Hungarian comedy, his version being graceful and poetic, with playful colloquial touches to tickle the modern ear. He it was who adapted "Cyrano" as well as writing a book of theatrical sketches. Mr. Miller, who has big interests in America as well as in England, is much struck with,the revival of the touring business in the States. Helen Hayes's tour with "Victoria Regina," he reported, was doing "fantastic" business, while the Lunts were also achieving remarkable success with S. R. Behrman's adaptation ;of Giraudoux's "Amphitryon 38.".

; A labour play called- "The Cradle Will Rock;," was recently produced on Broadway. The story revolves about a strike in Steeltown, and there is no attempt to conceal the sympathy of actors, composers, and director with.tha labouring man. During rehearsals there was some doubt if . the piece would have production; the powers that be evidently could not make up their minds whether the play was satire or dynamite. Actually, on the eve of production, during a dress rehearsal, word came from Washington that it had to, come off. The lessee of a theatre: on another street invited the company to" use'his empty theatre to continue'rehearsals, rand the,..,cast : moved over,' sat'in1 the -front rows of the orchestra,: and at the call of the composer, Marc. Blitzstein, left their ; seats and sang or spoke and sat down again. Everybody wore street clothes at the subsequent showings, and it went on for some time in like manner. Burns Mantle, well-known dramatic critic, commenting on the play, said: "No, the Federal theatre project never could have endorsed 'The Cradle .Will Rock,' but it is just as well to let the boys get it, out of their systems. Its festering stuff." , : •:

When the latest Priestley play "People at Sea" was being rehearsed in London three Priestley producers were noticed in the stalls on one occasion—Auriol Lee, who produced it; Irene Henschel, who produced "Time and the Conways," and Lewis Casson, who produced "I Have Been Here Before." "People at Sea" has no "time^ theme," thereby differing from • the .other two. Jean Muir, the charming American actress who was specially engaged by Mr. Priestley when he. saw her in New York, played the role of an ageing film star trying to console herself with drugs and dissipation. She is only 26 years of age, but is a consummate actress. >While she was acting in "Twenty One" in New York Mr. Priestley saw her and liked her art so much that he offered her the part in his latest play; it was the first time he had ever cast away from type. Miss Muir had to dye her hair red; her make-up took {wo hours to put on, but she loved the opportunity of getting . away from "personality "girl" roles. -She is chiefly interested in character acting.

It required eleven- ballots for the New York dramatic critics to decide which play of the year 1937 should have the Henry Varnum Poor plaque, awarded annually to. "the best new play written by an American. playwright, and produced in New York." Maxwell Anderson's "High Tor" was chosen, with Paul Green's "Johnny Johnson" a second choice, and Robert Turney's "Daughters of Atreus" third. Eighteen members of the circle are entitled :to. vote, and under the^ rule governing the < vote,. fourteen votes are necessary 3 for; a choice. Other current plays figuring, in the voting ihcluded the Hart-Kaufman "You Can't Take It With You," Arthur Kober's "Having Wonderful Time,'.' Mark Reed's "Yes, My iDarling Daughter." John Howard Lawson's ..'.'Marching Song," and two other'Anderson dramas, "The Masque of Kings" and "Wingless; Victory," With this victory Mr. Anderson and his''associates," Guthrie.;McClintic,' Who staged v"High Tor," and Jo Mielzinere, who designed the settings, are twice crowned, the same trio having won last season's ■ award - with "Winterset." l

Based on Arthur Bryant's biography of Samuel Pepys, a new pfay, "Ninety Sail," had a recent presentation in the" West End, London. It first had production at Golder's Green Hippodrome, then Streatham Hill, and finally the Hippodrome. Edmund Gwenn, whose" name has been "associated with the play since its production was • first mooted, nearly a- year ago, played Pepys, and Barry K. Barries (who was in- New Zealand with the Margaret Rawlings company, and played Robert Browning to her Elizabeth Barrett in "The Barretts of Wimpole Street"), played Charles 11. Mr. W. P. Lipscomb, author of "Ninety Sail," has endeavoured to present the .principal characters as they really were. Mr. Lipscomb holds that Charles was not the ' easygoing amorist the -public imagines he was, but a subtle • statesman. And that Pepys, besides- being a writer of entertaining gossip, was a great man who organised the British Navy so that it would last. He condensed the action of his play to eight years, and before finalising his work had interesting conversations with Mr. Bryant himself. »

Mr. Stafford Byrne (Wellington), who is well known 'in stage circles in London, has a part in Ben Jonsbn's "Volpone," at the Westminster Theatre. - Mr. Byrne has been praised for his performance by several critics, writes the London correspondent of . "The' Post." ,

According to ."The Post's" London correspondent, mystery at present "surrounds the play in which Miss Marie Ney is to make her next, London appearance, but her admirers are assured ! thdt it will be staged, quite soon and i that it will-be a drama, of a very i unusual nature. Miss Ney has been a • very busy person during the past ' fortnight in two • very " different en- ■ vironments. One day last -week she i was in Glasgow for a very important , meeting of British Equity, the actors' . trade union; then ~she. rushed over to , Paris' for some intensive play-going." . She went by air, and says: "It was \ unbelievably beautiful. We flew above clouds miles bigger -than anything Michael Angelo dreamt of, and we saw , a perfect sunset and a crescent moon." While Miss Ney was in a book store in Paris she heard a voice say, "That 1 looks like Marie Ney."" It was Gabriel ' Pascal, the French film director, whom she knew. "There was another man. with him whom I did not know," she said, "and I found myself being introduced to Leslie Howard; He was very charming. They took me along to see a new collection of dress models. They are looking for dresses for the ■ film of 'Pygmalion,' in which Leslie Howard is to star." . ■,

A new experiment in the theatre, hailed with acclamation by the critics, has failed to appeal to the public and has been withdrawn after three anda half weeks' run. ■ "Choose Your Time" was the name given to a mixed entertainment of short films, musichall turns,: and a short play without intervals, with prominent West End artists as an additional "draw" (writes "The Post's" London correspondent). The idea was that there was a late1 theatre-going public which might be glad to miss the first few items arid perhaps drop in about 9 o'clock for the-play. With traditional stolid conservatism, thp meagre audiences "all arrived in the usual'way at the beginning of the show, and refused to take this excellently-varied programme to its heart. The rest stayed at home ' and complained that there is nothing new under the sun.

Warner Bros.' blood-chilling, hairraising, rib-splitting melange;of murder, mystery, farce, and- fun,. "Sh-h-hl "The Octopus!" will soon be on hand for early release in New Zealand. Hugh. Herbert and Allen Jenkins ;.are confident that they have turned'in'the funniest performances of their careen. - John Eldredge, Marcia Ralston (the successful Australian actress); Margaret Irving, and Eric Stanley are in the supporting cast of this: picturisation of the New York stage:hit. William McGann handled the direction.

During the shooting, of the Warner Bros, film version of -,the successful stage play "Tovarich'7 (Russian word meaning "Comrade"), Claudette Colbert, who stars with ' Charles Boyer, was confined to her home with a severe cold. The filming was carried on of the'hilarious scenes in'the luxurious homejof the French banker, played by Melville Cooper. Charles Boyer as the Russian aristocrat ,who becomes the banker's butler. Cooper, and Isabel Jeans, famous British stage star who is making her film, debut in this motion picture, version of "Tovarich" played in one scene after another. It was directed by Anatole.Litvak, famyous continental- director. -• ,

Florence George, who won fame aa a radio arid opera singer, is making her debutiin motion pictures in Paramount's "College Swing," being fea- ' tured with George Burns, Gracie Allea, and^Martha Raye. I

Lewis'Stone," whose last' picture for Paramount' was '"Outcast,"..1 returned to that studio recently, when ,he signed * contract' to play a featured lead in "Stolen Heaven" with Gene Raymond.

The four leading male roles in "Four Men and a Prayer," the 20th CenturyFox picture in which Loretta Young plays the feminine stellar role, have been assigned to Ge'drfe' Sanders, William Henry, Reginald Denny, and David Niven.

As forecast ■" some weeks ago, Mist Ruth Draper, ithe ' famous . character entertainer, will make a tour.'ofvNew Zealand this-year.- The J: C. William-son-Tait management have made' arrangements for her to tour, Australia and New Zealand, commencing at Brisbane on May 4 and proceeding'to the Dominion in June or • July . (write* ''The Post's" London correspondent on . February 9). Theatre-goers,- in. New Zealand are indeed fortunate to have the opportunity of hearing this gifted artist who is described by the leading English critics as unique and unapproachable. Now at the Height of her powers, she drew the most .enthusiastic plaudits when she appeared yn London a 'few months ago. She can give a monologue or the conversation of a large dinner party with equal facility, and every one of her sketches is a delight. The firm has also arranged for the noted American baritone and film actor, Lawrence'Tibbett, to tour the Commonwealth and Dominion. He will open his Australian tour about "the end of April and will visit New Zealand in June. On his way from the. United States to Australia in April he may disembark at .Auckland to spend a brief holiday at Rotorua, but this is not yet certain. Another prominent singer to visit New Zealand under the same management this year will be, Kirsten Flagstad, the talented dramatic soprano, notf meeting vtith outstanding success in America. She will begin an Australian season in Sydney in June, and us expected to reach the'Dominion about Augusts