THE THEATRE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 7 March 1925, Page 13

THE THEATRE

PEOPLE. PLAYS AND PICTURES. “Pollyanna,” a dramatisation of the “glad” book, ran only a fortnight 111 Lonuon. , •■Quarantine,” which was played in New Zeaancl last year by Eawrence Grossmith, has just reached New York.

“Abie’s Irish Rose” is*the most successful musical comedy m America today. Numerous companies are tour-

ing with it. Madame Olga. Petrova, formerly a popular movie star, is touring America in the stage piav, "me rnirrican,” whicli she wrote herself, one says she may return to tne screen. Harold Lloyd was a real hero when he stopped a horse which threw Duane I iiompson from its back alter it had shied at an automobile in GriniUi Park, i Miss Thompson was bruised and cut. i it is said that Julian Eitinge, the famous American femme impersonator, will shortly undertake a world tour which will include Australia and New Zealand. After 19 months abroad, Sir Benjamin Fuller is returning to Sydney bv the Aorangi. The result of his trip will shortly be realised iu many new and nigh-class theatrical attractions. A total of 46 vaudeville artists have been engaged, and they have the reputation of being first-class entertainers both on the Continent and in England. “Air Hugh .J. Ward is still in London, and ,L have just received cabled advice from him to the effect that he has bought several new musical comedies and plays,” stated Sir Benjamin. Sir Benjamin Fuller and Air. Hugh Ward are bringing a number of new attractions for their theatres. One notable comedy they have secured is “The Nervous Yfreck,” which, with a vale-

tudinarian as its central figure, has had a long and prosperous run in New York In that city also they acquired “Abie’s Irish Rose.” The history of “Abie’s Irish Rose” shows how easily experts may be confounded in their attempts to gauge xuiblic taste in the theatre. This domestic comedy, amusing in its way, was rejected by various managers, and when at last it was produced the critics scoffed at it, one at least of them boldly predicting that it would not run a month. Their predictions have been completely falsified. The piece hast kept upon its hilarious career for more than tw r o years, coming a fortune for its author, and is still running at the Republic Theatre. “The Storm,” in which a Canadian snow blizzard and forest fire accentuate the climaxes of an exciting story, written by Langdon AlcCormick, is a new drama purchased by Air. Ward, in addition to “The Cobra,” previously announced. The list of new comedies socured for the liugjh. J. Ward theatres include'also “Six-Cylinder Love,’’ “The

i.ottentot,” and “Stop Flirting,” and there is a ’budget of musical comedies, among which are “Archie,” “Little Jessie James,” “The Last Waltz,” Gabriel,” “The Music-box llevue,” “No, No, Nanette,” and Betty Lee.” , Moving pictures of submarine life at a depth of 12,000 feet will be made during a world-tour, with mainly scientific objects, which is being organised by Commander Attilio Gatti, the noted explorer, writes the Rome correspondent of the .London Daily Express. _ The tour will last three years, and is expected to cover more than 80,000 miles. Commander Gatti has been assured by Signor Alussolini of the Government’s support, and the Duke of Pistoia and another member ol the royal family are likely to joiut> the party. The deep-sea films, which will be taken with the new Maggioni-Alascigatti apparatus, are expected to revolutionise oceanography. Other plans for the expedition are salvage operations near Cape Guardaful, Somaliland, where a number of ships sank many years ago, and big-game hunting in Equatorial Africa. A prop used in the filming of “Idle Tongues,” the picturisation of Joseph O. Lincoln’s novel, “Dr: Nve,” is'in great demand at the Thomas H. Ince studio, and may be auctioned to the highest bidder. The prop is a trick bicycle, in the frame of which “Bluey Batchelor,” the village bootlegger in the story, carried his hootch. , Lilian Rich has been assigned the chief feminine role in “A Kiss in the Dark,” which is the Paramount screen version of Frederick Lonsdale’s hilariously funny play, “Aren’t We All p’’ this is the play which Dion Boueicault presented so admirably on. the Australian and New Zealand stages, and Cyril Mamie in the United States. This particular role will he played by Auolpbe Menjou. ’’Saciamouche,” from the great story by Rafael Sabatini, will be released in New Zealand this year. It is said to be one of. the most magnificent stories of the days of the French Revolution, and brings to the screen a. newcomer in the person of Ramon Navarro, a star of unrivalled dignity and poise, and admirably' suited to the roie of a courtier of the heraldic days of the old French regimq. Rumours that Beatrice Joy had deserted the screen were finally and definitely set- at rest when Jesse L. Lasky announced recently that the popular Paramount star had been assigned the chief feminine rote in “The Dressmaker from Paris,” a Paul Bern production which was expected to be commenced about the middle of the current month. Apart from the general trend of the story, and its fascinating atmosphere, the picture is to be invested with the

lavish fashion display. Ernest Torrence has been assigned the chief male role. Virginia Pearson, famous as a star in her own right several years ago, and one of the most beautiful women on the stage or screen, has been cast in the role of Carlotta, the rival prima donna to Christine Daae, the heroine in “The Phantom of the Opera.’’ The “Faust” scenes for this production are being enacted on the “Paris Opera” stage. John Sainpolis has also been added to the cast. Betty Compsoh’s next offering through Paramount will be “The Female,” an adaptation of the story “Delta The Lion Cub,” by Cynthia Stookley “The Female” is one of the big Paramount. Famous Forty productions, and those who are admirers of- Cynthia Stocklcy’s works may look forward with anticipation to the screen adaptation. Warner Brothers have started their first picture on their new stage at the West Coast studio, which they claim is the largest in the world. The picture is “Thei Alan AVitliout a- Conscience.” AA’illard Louis has the title role, while others in the cast are Irene Ilich, June Alarlowe, William Ormond, Helen Dunbar, Robert Agnew and John Patrick. The most important purchase that Universal has made for some time is the current Rex Beach novel, “The Goose Woman.” Almost every company has been negotiating for this story because it: offers unusual moving-picture possif*s. Rex Beach is one of the few authors who fully understand the requirements of the moving picture as it concerns the original story.