Films and The Stage

Grey River Argus, 14 January 1928, Page 4 (Supplement)

Films and The Stage

By ** OW Pro ”

“The Film Girl” in Sydney. “The Film Girl” the third production at the New Empire Theatre, Sydney—the other two were “Sunny” and “ Tweek ie”—has a cast headed by Van Lowe and Bobby Jarvis. American comedians, ami Carre apd Carlotta Continental dancers. In support are Audrey Lewis, Keith Connelly, Gwen Matthews, Violet Elliot, Sam Stern, Bertie Wright Nancy Girdwood, Edna Dare, Arthur Clarke, and Bert Barton. • * * Farewell to Marie Burke. Marie Burke said farewell to Australia at Sydney the other night in a revival of “Wildflower” in which she scored her biggest success. Miss Burke first came to Australia three and a-half years ago, in vaudeville, as partner of Arthur Klein. “Up in Mabel’s Room.” The holiday atraction in Christchurch is “Up in Mabel’s Room,” described as a snappy farce. The company includes Zara Clinton, Billy O’Hanlon, Hilda Attenboro, Shirley Cook, Sybil At hoi wood, Eric Harrison, A. Brandon Cremer, Warwick Beattie, and Thomas McDermott.

“Rose Marie” in Auckland. “Rose Marie” has captured Auckland. A friend writes that it has more than exceeded expectations—and that is saying much! The Totem Pole Ballet is especially striking, ami creates tremendous enthusiasm. •» * * Albert Frith in New York. Albert Frith, formerly very popular in musical comedy in Australia ami New Zealand, is appearing in “The King Can Do No Wrong” in New York. The piece did not please the critics. The New York Billboard says: “Alfred Frith cannot be blamed for the uncomic relief of his Cockney role.” Edward de Tisne, an Australian, is also in the cast. * * * ‘‘Grand Guignol” Failed To Thrill. The Arts Theatre Club. Great Newport Street, London, recently presented ‘‘Four Grand Guignol Plays”— that was the official description. There had been a rumour that the plays would prove to be so bloodcurdling that strong men would shudder and weak women faint. Actually (says a London paper) there was nothing more awesome in any of them than is found in any one of the “crook” plays now so familiar. The first play told the story of a man who had gone to a hotel with “a woman of the streets” in order to “fake” a divorce cas *. This was more dull than “daring.”

The second told of a blind woman who havipg discovered that a girl had become the mistress of her husband, thrust the girl’s face in the fire. The third, called ‘‘Blind Man’s Buff,” led up with much detail to a tragic climax when the blind people of a hospital blinded a man who was both deaf and dumb and whom they believed to be a spy. The fourth was a farce—ono of those obvious farces that are supposed to be “so very French.” Some good acting came from Miss Nadge Snell, Miss Nancy Price and Miss Gillian Lind. A doctor, it had been said, was present in case of fainting fits. If he were present he must have spent an idle and dull evening.

A beutiful private yacht was sunk at sea for a thrilling sequence in the Universal Jewel, ‘‘The S-nsattion Seekers.” This picture, directed by Lois Weber stars Billie Dove and Huntley Gordon with an impressive supporting east including Raymond Bloomer, Peggy Mongomery, Phillips Stanley, Edith Yorke, Clarence Thompson and Nora Cecil.

One of the greatest fights ever staged for the screen provides a climax in ‘‘The Desperate Game” the Universal release, starring Pete Morrison. It is a battle royal of the range with two neighbouring ranc hes settling a feud of long standing with a general clash between all hands of both factions. Morrison shows his ability as a scrapper of distinction by felling villains in rows, and wins the object of his affections after much turmoil. The San Francisco earthquake in 1906 yvas the cause of Virginia True Boardman, who plays the part of the mother in ‘‘Down The Stretch,” the Universal Jewel production, embarking on a stage career which eventually led to moving pictures. The ’quake and subsequent fire resulted in family financial reverses which forced her on to the stage where she met with almost instantaneous success. With her husband, th? late True Boardman, she appeared in many of the two-reel thrillers in the early days of the industry. * * * Footlight Flashes. Elinor Glyn novelist is likely to go into vaudeville in America. Iler subject will be “It”!

Constance Collier, the well-known English actress, is appearing in “A Spot in the Sun” in New York. * * * Tin-hare racing is introduced into Wirth’s Circus, now drawing crowds at Wellington. “The Alarm Clock” a comedy has succeeded ‘‘The Ghost Train” in Melbourne . When George Geo came to Australia some years ago he was “boosted” as a noted London artist. When he returned to England and scored a sensational success recently in “The Girl Friend” he was greeted as a “discovery”!

Mr Noel Allan, one of the principals of “Rose Marie,” is a New Zealander. He was formerly on a farm in Hawke’s Bay. Miss May Beatty, the popular comedienne, now in New York, will return to Australia for “Hit the Deck” a new musical comedy. A cablegram conveying Christmas and New Year greetings comes from Mr Humphrey Bishop. Of course the good wishes are warmly reciprocated by the many admirers of this popular company.

The Cansinos, those wonderful dancers who were here in “Wildflower,” were in Los Angeles when the mail left. * * * George Aliss is appearing as Shylock in “The Merchant of Venice” in New York. Miss Peggy Wood is the Portia. * * * Mr Phil Smith, the well-known comedian, is acting the dame in Frank Neil’s pantomime “Mother Goose,” in' Sydney. * * ♦ At the conclusion of the New Zealand tour, about the end of January, the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company, will go to Tasmania. * * * Williamsons Ltd., are negotiating with Robert Loraine, the English ac-tor-manager for a tour of Australia ! and New Zealand, with Bernard Shaw 1 plays. * * * “Queen High” a new musical comedy, is proving a popular attraction in Melbourne. Mr R. Barrett-Lennard, well-remembered here in “Katja,” is the principle comedian. * # * Maurice Moscovitch will open his New Zealand tour at Auckland on February 1 with “The Ringer” to be followed by “The Terror.” Both are mystery plays. * * * New Zealanders in Los Angeles. Mr William Valentine, the New Zealander who was in the long New York run of “Sunny” with Marilyn Miller, is now in Los Angeles production of the same musical comedy. Mr Valentine writes that he has never regretted going to America. He has done exceptionally well on the stage the r e, t nd has found life “off stage” very pleasant. Miss Ethel Mossison (Ettie Maginnity), formerly of Wellington; is also in Los Angeles, supporting Mitzi in “The Madcap.”

“Married Virgin” Cast Arrested. After the performance of “The Married Virgin” at the Green Street Theatre, San Francisco, six people were arrested on warrants served by Corporal Peter Peshon, head of the morals squad. Those arrested were Manager Goldtree. Harry Schumm, Stanley Ruhland, Madeline Gray and Agnes Detro. Marion Aye, leading lady, thinking it a joke, left for hogie after the final curtain, and service was not made on her. ‘ ‘ The Girl Friend ’ ’ in Australia. “The Girl Friend” a new musical comedy, will be produced in Sydney to-night, with Miss Annie Croft and Mr Reginald Sharland, English favourites, in the leading roles. It is in “The Girl Friend” that Air George Gee, formerly so popular cut here, is scoring a tremendous success in London. * * * Another English Co., for Australia. Mr Percy Hutchinson and his English Comedy Company will visir Australia early in the New Year, under the management of E. J. Carroll. “The Spider” will be included in the repertoire. Muriel Starr in Sydney. Aliss Muriel Starr is back in Syd ney in “Cornered.” Supporting Aliss Starr arc Harvey Adams, Mayne Lynton, Beatrice Day Barrie Livesay, B. N. Lewin, Rutland Beckett, Katie Towcr.% Fred Coape, Mary Macrae, Ellis Irving, Bertha Bal linger, Felix Bland, and Charles Lawrence. * * * • “Go To !” Thespian: “I wonder why Shakespeare makes so much of that expression ‘Go to’? .It is so ambiguous. Waggley: “Well, I expect ho was too much of a gentleman to finish the sentence. 5 ’ * * « Leon Gordon to Return. Leon Gordon is to return to Australia to play the lead in a novel piece entitled “The Trial of Mary Dugan.” Tin* novelty here is that the whole action takes place in a courtroom, and the curtain is not lowered because the audience is supposed to be .