PICTURES DEVELOP

Evening Star, Issue 23723, 2 November 1940, Page 7

PICTURES DEVELOP

TEMPORARY ECLIPSE OF THE STAGE A FALL FOR HARRY LAUDER LAST OF THE CORINTHIAN HALL [By Loiterer.] XXI. As this century entered its teens the number of visiting stage shows began to decline sharply. Until the last year or two, when talking pictures virtually killed the stage, 1915 held the record of being the leanest year of all for theatrical entertainment. Not only were the number of shows few and tar between, but there was little that could bo classed as good, and there were hardly any artists of note among those who came here. The year of 1914, as was shown last week, was also a quiet year, but there were some big names and correspondingly big forms of entertainment.

Doubtless the Great War was responsible to a large extent for the fallingoff, but there seems little doubt that the sudden improvement in motion pictures and the extent to which this type 'of amusement obtained a hold from 1912

HARRY LAUDER AND A HORSE. Last week reference was made to Harry Lauder’s first visit. This week wo publish a photograph of Mr Lauder (he had not then been knighted) taken on his visit to Australia that 1914 tour. Behind the photograph lies an amusing story. The horse the showman-come-dian is astride is Duke Foot, which in its day won many classic turf events in Australia, and 'the photograph was taken to show the king of the stage and the king of the turf together. The horse, as can be seen fx - om the shadow on the ground, was held by an ostler and behaved nicely. After the photograph was taken and posing began for another the ostler relinquished his hold. Thereupon harmony between the respective “ kings ” came to an end. Committing an intolerable act of aggression, Duke Foot bucked and tossed the diminutive Scottish comedian on to the grass. (And that scene, too, was photographed—but we haven’t a copy!) ‘ COURT CARDS.’ And now to sec what meagre offerings the stage of 1915 presented to Dunedin people. A winning hand was dealt out from the start when ‘ The Court Cards ’ troupe of entertainers opened on February 17. They delighted with bright variety, Sydney Manuering heading .the fun. Maud Fane was delightful, and she scored a hit with her tongue-twisting song, ‘ Sister Susie’s Sewing Shirts for Soldiers.’ George Graystone introduced a number which quickly became very popular, ‘ Keep the Home Fires Burning.’