FOOTLIGHT FLASHES

Evening Star, Issue 16923, 21 December 1918, Page 9

FOOTLIGHT FLASHES

[By Loiteeeb.]

CHURCH AND STAGE,

A largo number of cases of players born in the atmosphere of *ho Church, are quoted in tho October number of the New York 'Theatre Magazine,’ as showing close affiliation. Among the more famous noted are:

TTIO Vanbrugh sisters, Violet (Mrs Arthur Boiuvluer) and Irene (Mrs Dim Boueicault), who are the daughters of the Rev. Prebendary Barnes, of Exeter. Lilv Langtry, the noted beauty actress, a daughter of the Very- Rev. W. C. E-, Le Breton, Dean of Jersey. Lena Ashweli, a daughter of Captain Pocook, of the Royal Navy, who later hncamo a clergyman of the Church of England. Basil Gill, the son of the Rev. John Gill, of Cambridge. Chas. Hawirey, son of the Rev. John Hawtrey, a master at Eton. The late Kyrle Bellow, who was in Dunedin with Mrs Brown Potter in the nineties, a sou of tho Rev. J. C. M. Bellow, a London clergyman. Matheson Lang, son of the Rev. Gavin

Otis Skinner (the great American), son of the Rev. 0. A. Skinner, of Cambridge. Massachusetts. F, R. Benson, famous Shakespearean actor, a nephew of Archbishop Benson, late Archbishop of Canterbury. Harry Houdini (to romo to vaudeville), the son of a Jewish rabbi.

more; about dorothy. Dorothv Bruntoirs mother writes chattily to a Sydney friend concerning the young Australian’s debut. in ‘ Shanghai ’ at the Theatre Royal. Loudon. “You remember the part of Pieter Boodv in ‘The Arcadians,”’ ;;ho writes; “'.veil, that was origi nrded by Fred Leder, who is the principal comedian in ‘Shanghai,’ and all Dot’s work in tho play is with him. Wo heard he was a very difficult man to get on with. Well, ho is wonderfully lurid, and has '.moved himself quite a dear. Ho evidently just loves to act with Dot, mid it is shown in both their work, for he helps hex- all he can Can you imagine that wonderful theatre being packed ? Tim rm-mtml La-:,.,: called Dor the nouso rose, and the reception war, like a huge bomb fulling. As soon as it subsided it started afresh. Then Lester said; ‘I third* someone, here know;, you’; then another ovation, so he said: ‘I don't think you are a real Chinese; I Lung you arc 0 'air dictum Australian,’ and the horse- shook again with another ovation, and so -it wont on. Oh, at ,br finale of tho play' we received gorgeous flowers-.* I paid £1 to hove them'’sent home in two taxis. One lingo -basket with tho Australian flag in tho centre was lowered from tho top bo:-; from tho Australians just on leave from France. , This was greeted by hundreds of coo-ees. I just felt my heart would give out, and I would cry; but I didn’t giro way. I felt glued to my seat. Then, when the curtain dropped, Mr Denison 'Miller, from the Commonwealth Bank, introduced mo to his party of 50 Australians. They said they would like to convey their eon a ratal a lions to Dot, so I took them to her dressing room, And to my surprise over 100 Aussie soldiers followed, because they saw Colonel Dr Ryan come in. As there war. no room for the wonderful reception in the dressing room, .-ihe entertained them and signed programmes on the stage; she also was presented with an Iron Cross as a souvenir from Colonel Watson. I must tell veu that tho 50 Australian visitors presented her with a floral boomerang, 4ft long. The nest. morning I wired South all Hospital to send someone who would lake in tho flowers. Dot- received 03 telegrams. One she cherished very much was from Mr Lester, saying: ‘To Dot, my little male,’ etc. I must also tell you' Hot received several offers the day niter her opening night. She-can’t accept anything till after the run of ‘Shanghai,’ but she certainly has made a nice impression. All the same, wo can’t, get away from tho fact that we are a long way from heme, and wo find no one in the world like our own friends and dear Australians.”

Daisy Jerome is rehearsing to appear in an important London revue. xora Darnel, the New Zealand soprano, has been playing at Brighton with the Phillips Opera Company in ‘ Madame Butterfly ’Amcl ‘ Travistc.,’ Sa jjpera will give a special matinee seance for women on Friday afternoon next. On the occasion of the seance for women in Bydncy the mystic was bombarded with questions for three hours, and alter answering some 1,000 queries fainted upon the stage. In the bill at Fnhers’ Opera-house, Auckland, is the new American tramp specialty of Reiman and Kennedy, which, according to the on?its. evokes irresistible merriment. 'This clever pair come to Dunedin in a few weeks. Violet Trovenyon ia in the same hill, making a big hit with ‘ John Bull’s Girl ’ and ‘Every Little While.’

Daisy Hnrconrt, the Australian comedienne who has been appearing in Sydney cn the ]■ ulJer circuit, will shortly return to America to take up contracts long since entered into.

Mcwr- Bon and John Fuller have decided that returning Anzacs who joined in 1914 are to be admitted free to any cf their theatres in Australasia, and an invitation is extended to tho men to bring with them mother, wife, sister, or sweetheart.

-Madame Melba, acording to a Melbourne paper, lias received a cable from the K ; ng commanding her presence in England. She leaves Melbourne this month, and it is assumed that she is required to take part in tho peace celebrations. Charlie Knight will pilot the ‘De Luxe Annie’ Company through New Zealand for Messrs J. and N. Tait.

Muriel Starr has been playing a. revival season at tho Sydney' Criterion, marking time till the company can get a clearance for New Zealand.

Th.e Sydney ‘ Sun ’ says : Ben Fuller engaged (bo damo for ‘ Bluebeard,’ tho Newtown Majestic Christmas pantomime, in Bagdad. The engagement was made by cable many months ago, and the offer went to Driver Jim Gerald, of the Australian wireless section. By loiter Gerald accepted conditionally on the wre being over, and remarked: “Johnny Turk and the Hun will bo well licked by Christmas, 1918, so you can rest assured I’ll bo Dime.” Jim Gerald is tho first pantomime dame ever engaged in tho mysterious city of Bagdad, the homo of tho heroes and villains of a myriad legends. Among tho victims of tho epidemic in Dunedin was Mr “Con” M'Guinness, of Wellington, an advertising agent, who ia woii known throughout tho Dominion by the theatrical profession. Mr M'Guinnes.s was for some years a theatrical advance agent both in Australia, and New Zealand. Finally ho settled in Wellington, and ran the advertisement programmes in the theatres, controlling the screen advertisements in His Majesty’s Theatre and several of the city hoardings. Tho deceased was 49 years of age.

Granville Barker, dramatist and theatre manager, was married recently to Miss Helen Gates, who has published both poetry and fiction under tho pen name of Helen Huntington. Mr Barker’s first wife was the actress Lillah M'Carthy, who came out hero as leading woman to tho lata Wilson Barrett.

George Graves, the London comedian, was recently married at Liverpool to Ma.dgo Compton, who is now appearing in ‘The Alan From Toronto.’ Sir Edward Marshall-Hall, K.C., was beat man. ‘ The recent season of ‘The Gondoliers’ by the amateurs in Wellington was not without humor that Gilbert was not responsible for (says' “ Sylvius ” in the ' Dominion ’). During the scene in the first act between the two gondoliers and their wives there drifted slowly across the back of the stage a queer figure 'n a drab black working dress and an apron, carrying a tin of biscuits—a figure, be it noted, quite foreign to any .character in the opera. The puzzled audience grabbed it?, r.wvrcmnie with a furtive idea of identifying tile new arrival, when a frantic whisper, loud enough to be heard at the back of tho dress circle, called: “Missus, Missus.” But “ Missus ” took no notice, and slowly ambled across tho piazza of old Venice and vanished behind the ducal palace. It was the theatre charwoman, who had miscaltnjlatccl tho geography of tho stage.”

Ben axi<J John Fuller have installed a new sliding roof at the Melbourne Princess Theatre. The house was to reopen to-night with a new version of ‘Uncle Pom’s Cabin.’

Tho second repertory production by J. and N. Tait was Galsworthy's ‘"Tho Pigeon.’ It was played at the Palace, Sydney, with Grogan M'Mahoa aa the French, vagabond, Louis Fcrrand. MiscSia Liman, prince of violinists, while in New York recently, was invited by Louis .Mann, one of the principals in ‘ Friendly- Enemies,’ to occupy a box at that penormauee. Tho violinist appeared, and was rather surprised when Mann called on him after the second act to coins on the stage. Mr Mann asked Elman : “Will you agree to play a solo if I sell £20,000 worth of Liberty bonds I’’ Mr Elman said he would be del.ght&d to play, but had no violin with him. Mr Haim informed him that was nor a difficult matter, and he produced a fins violin for Mr Elman’s use. The result was that nearly £30,000 worth of bonds were sold, vvhi.ch, no doubt, is tho largest fee on record for one musical solo. Needless to state, Elman received an ovation from the audience.

Messrs J. and N. Tait -hive an imposing cast for their Christmas pantomime, ’Jack and Jill,’ which they will stage at the King’s Theatre, Melbourne, on Boning Night, in conjunction with the firm of Bailey and Grant. Bert Bailey, Barry Lnpino, Jo? Brennan, Marie King-Scott, and Daisy Yates will have principal parts; tho talented Australian Violet Collin ion will be principal girl; and Virginia Roche, a Broadway favorite, will be principal boy. The theatres, motion picture houses, dance halls, and other places of amusement in Boston were closed on September 26 owing to the alarming spread of Spanish influenza. Similar action v, -.is taken throughout Now England. Eighty-five thousand cases were reported iu Massachusetts alone.

Captain Bruce Bairnsfather, of the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, famous for his cartoons depicting the lift of the- British soldier in the trenches, reached New York in October en route for Australia. According to tho New York ‘ Dramatic Mirror,’ Captain Bairusfather said that liehad been released from duty in France at the request of tho Australian Government to lecture there. Prior to sailing ho was to assist in tho nroducß<«n of ‘ Tho Bolter The,' a play based on his cartoons, which was to be presented at the Greenwich, Village Theatre, New York. Cyril Maude has made an immense hit in Ids new starring vehicle, ’ The Saving Grace,’ a play by iiaddon Chain box's, which was produced ,it the Empire Theatre, New York, on September 5-0. According to the critics, tins k the most delightful comedy ox tho season, and tho Lng.ish r,'t n ?’ gives the supreme characterisation-of bis career, altogether crowding Grumpy, enter;.niniag as ho was, into the background. T,ie nmiiv, of Orlando Duly figures niincntly iu tho east of a comedy, • ; -> Blue Rear],’ currently playing at the • , acre Theatre, New York; and a grapn in tho * Theatre ’of one of t- - g scones enables one to recognise him a ■ •„steer tamly, a little aged and weightier, as the Orlando Daly eo well known in Australasia some 20 years ago. I remember him as the Spider in Walter Bentley’jg productions of ‘Tho Silver King.’ and later iot good character work with the Broughs.

In the Divorce Court, before Mr Justice Hood, last month (says ‘Tho Green Room ’). a euit on tho ground of desertion ji'brought by Graham Herbert Penrose Hopkins (29), theatrical manager of Phau-s Buildings, Colins street, Melbourne, against Nellie Frances HoDSdns (.lo), & \ audeville now in Now Zc.i.land, and well known, 'in Australia as iS.'G'lho Ivrilie. Petitioner said he was married in Wellington to respondent in October, 1912. She promised that at the end of her contract with Fullers e.he would give up the stage and settle down v.ith him. Ho sold his business and .accompanied her through her theatrical tour. Her engagement terminated in Sydney about six mouths alter tho marriage, and he then reminded her of a prom Ho to leave tho stage, but she- refused to do bo, ana accented another contract. Ho accompanied her on her next tour. At its dose she entered into yet another contract without his consent, but said when tins cup finished she would j»j vo lip the str-ce. Thm-o _we.ro two children of tho union. Mis said she would not give up the stage to live a domestic life, and' would nr.t live with him any longer. Respondent went to Perth. On ins return she told him she was going away on yet a fresh theatrical engagement to ATeve Zealand and oyduey. Ho scad be would not consent. She replied that she would go all (bo Fame, as she was “sick and ; ireu of living v.'itli him. ” —A •oKrCi’eo r.isi tviis granted.

SMAPS f W THE STUDIOS. AUSTRAL!AY FILMS. 'Hip Yew York < Dramatic Mirror’ of October 12 contains a- samrnarv of Australia 6 lU'ricj c.'.s ; i ! the manufacture of modern pictures. Says the write.-: ( Within the last two months many liiTrjs have been either begun or completed, and among thorn is ‘The Call of the Bush,’ a five-act thriller of ihe Fair batiks typo, Jr. which Snowy Baker, Australia'.-; champion athlete* is i> :! - taretl. Baker is now on his wav to this country to market it. ‘ the Bin its aml Wills Expedition, featuring Qua Lundere and Charles Clark, ;s a four-real historical drama based upon the journey of the exp’oring expedition into the Australian interior in 1860. ‘ Satan in Sydney ’ by Beaumont Smith, is said ic be cue of the bicgoSt money-makers vet stared in that country—made doubly so because of the censor’s action in stopping it at the first run. and. efte*- snaking a whole heap of fuss throned! the papers, allowing it to go on wichojit a single cut. •Just Fegcy,* starred by J. A. Lipman, has Sara Allpood of ‘ Peg o’ My Heart ’ fame, as its star, and is rather .a pretty little picture, if not extraordinary, Maggie Moore, a stage favorite, hag almost completed filming the play ‘ Striu k Oil,’ tinder fhc ' ’direction of Frauldyn Barrett. Rene Adoreo, the 00-pa-rtiK-r of Guy Magley cm the Tivoli circuit, has started work under the direction of Claude Fleming in a fivo-act drama produced by Anstia-losian Films, Ltd., which is as.yet unnamed. The E reduction iirrtlved a journey Jo Mount.osciueko for snow scene'}, and is believed to be a modern-day story of life in Canada and Australia. Fleming, who has signed up with Australasian Films, Ltd., as producer and director, is the actor who played opposite Clara Kimball Young in *Hearts- in Exile’ and ssvcral other world films. It is rumored also Lionel Bslmore, until lately a director for World, has boon contracted to direct features for Australasian Films, Ltd., which points to the theory that this firm intend to start making photo-plays on an extensive scale. Higgins Bros, have staged ‘The Waybacks.’ a comedy drama by Henry Fletcher, from the play cf the same name, and will shorter commence filming ‘The ■ Cornstalks. ’ Arthur Sherry is behind this j venture. | The Southern Cross Film Company 1 have started production on a second isubjccfc, as yet unnamed. The first pic- j tur?, ‘ The Woman Sutlers,’ is directed j by Raymond Longford.

Mary Pick ford’s coat of &ttcs consists of a cash register, and the motto “ Cash!” York ‘Theatre Magazine.’ From musical comedy to moving pictures and from the movies to the midnight revua is Molly King’s stage record. From cne of the most successful screen stars she has become the hit'of the neve reva« at the Century Theatre, Mew York. Dorothy Gieh’s first Paramount feature, 'Battling Jane,’ lias been released. Dorothy is said to have a delightful comedy role.

The .stars in their latest features j W. S. Hart in ‘The Border Wireless ’ (.Art craft); Lillian Walker in ‘An Embarrassment of P.iches ’; Constance T.almsdge in ‘ Mrs LeffingweU’s Boots ’ (Select); J. Warren Kerrigan in ‘ Prisoner of fciw Pines’; Virginia Pearson in ‘Queen of Hearts’ (Pox); Alice Brady in ‘The Better Half’ (Select) ; Fannie Ward in ‘A Japanese XiighuiiigaLe’ (Pathe); Bar-old Lockwood in 4 Pals First ’ (Metro); Jane and Katherine Lee in ‘Swat tba Spy'

(Fox); Dorothy Gish in 'Battling Jano’ (Paramount); Mary Allison in ‘ The Eeturn of Mary ’ (Metro); Marguerite Clark in ‘ Out of a Clear Fky ’ (Paramount). At the request of Mary Pickford, arrangement were made in October for the organisation of a Mary Pickford picture fund for the .Red Grose. Every photograph sent out—and 5,860 were despatched that month—bore a request that the receiver send to the fund <55 cents (about Is), winch represented tire coot of the picture. Arrangements nave been made by All Lin ley t; i tour the Dominion with th super faatuie film ‘The Man Who Stayed at Home.'

‘ Too Runaway Wife ’ is a Tr-iangm play commencing cn Tuesday a-t Th.; Qisaon’s. This was originally called * Station Content.’ Tuesday will tell why she wasn’t.

‘ The Groan Boom ’ of December 1 states : “A rumor that has gained considerable circulation and incidentally has raised alarm in the breasts of picture fans, that hi ary Pickford, ‘the world’s sweetheart.,’ now appearing in Artoraft Pictures, distributed throughout Australasia by Paramount Pictures, has left the Artcraft corporation, is hereby emphatically denied. Files to hand show t hat Mary Pickford is to appear, during 1919, in several big Ai ternft jirouinctions, and that her contract calls for her services for somo time ahead. Picture patrons have no cau«i for alarm, for the popular star will still conthmo to appear in Artoraft Pictures, arc] rrjioxtr. to tne contrary are absolutely false.' ’ William Desmond will shortly be seen in a big precaga-nda film entitled *1 TVant My Children..’ Alina Heubens is tho wife who failed her responsibility. Wo are still waiting‘for the New Zealand release of ‘ Ta-rr-nn of the Apes,’ described by the American publicity man as “ b cataclysmic romance of a primeval man end his modern mate midst the

jungle wilds.’’ Fr.tt-v Arbndde’s latest Paramount comedy is ‘ Good Nignfc, Nurse.' Fatty lias just signed a contract that makes him tho high at paid comedian on the screen at tho present day. It calls fot 10 new Pcrarnoant-Arbuclde ing the cmiriff rear. ‘ Good Night, Nurse’ is the first of these super-come-dies, and for original stunts grid humoar is said to bent them all.

Charles tj.haphn is being sii-own 3a a now comedy at The Queen’s and King Edward. This is ‘The Immigrant,’ in which, after a rough «wa trip, he is shown a3 an impecunious but humorously resoiu’ -c ’ul arrival at an' eating-house in New fork’s east side. The fa : r Edna Pur r.rd big Eric Campbell («ince kHlr ] in a motor accident) support the HUf comedian. 0. Henry’s short stories continue to 1 " mccosafuliy Slmatised _by Vitagraph and presented at leading uicture-hnuses in ■ ; e? ■ ■; • i/ep'-'v are promised ■ thing better still in ‘Moths,’ which -■> be shown at the Octagon, commcnc- - Monday. It is the story of a moth e blinded by the social candle. Rex Beach, the great historian of the Alaskan gold country, has turned over to Goldwyn the sola rights for screen reproduction of all his stories. ‘ Laugning Bill Hyde ’ is the latest to reach the shadow stage. ‘To Hell With the Kaiser’ in the light of present events seems to have a very definite meaning. It is the title of % picture which is said to be drawing crowds in America just now. 4 Gome On In * seems a good title from the theat^o-owne^s , point of view. The film is a Paramount, just released. Lois Weber has produced a picture called ‘For Husbands Only.’ said to be as tantalising as a wink.

‘ The Barrier.’ by Rex Beach, is to lie shown at The Queen’s to fill some blank dates duo to the recent disorganisation of tho film business.

Owen Moore, husband of Maty Pickford, was reported critically ill with influenza when th« last rna.il left America. Marguerite Clark celebrated her return, from honeymoon by signing a contract to make Paramount pictures for another year. Her first under the new contract are ‘Mrs Whigs of the Cabbage Patch ’ and ‘ The Golden Bird.’

There are said to bo ornate settings, superb costuming, and a few fine flashes of lingerie in ‘Dodging a Million,’ tho Goklwyn feature in which Mabel Normnnd appears at the Octagon next Saturdav.

Thus a staccato reviewer on Alice Brady in ‘The Knife,’ commencing at Tim Oncen’e next week : “Smart settings, 1 dresses rich: society drama with an abi duct ion. a drugged damsel, and a dark | deed in dead of rdrrht: ourdit to go well.”