STAGE AND SCREEN

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 2 January 1926, Page 11

STAGE AND SCREEN

PEOPLE, PLAYS AND PICTURES. Pathos, Humour, action, drama, continuously .intermingled in just the right proportions, are hound to produce 'results. They have in the case of “The Iron Horse,” the "William Fox super epic of the screen. George O’Brien, A Lodge Bellamy, and J. Farre.'l MacDonald head a cast of seven thousand. The cast includes a regiment of cavalry, 2000 Cheyenne, Sioux and Pawnee Indians, and a host of engineers and railway constructors. It is a chronicle of that marvellous and glorious feat, the building of the transcontinental railway across. America. Through it runs a delightful and thrilling human story. In an age when remarkab’y line plays are few, and great dramatic stars fewer, the visit of the stage genius, Guy Bates Post, will be hailed with joy bj r New Zealanders, for many reports'of Mr Post’s great successes in the capital cities of Australia during the past year have reached this country. The residents of Hawera will be delighted to ]earn that .J. C. Williamson, Ltd., have arranged for Mr Post to appear here next month.

Dore Davidson, foremost portrayer of Hebrew father roles on the America]] stage or itSereeH interprets the role of Isidore Solomon in the Master Picture “Welcome Stranger,” the Belasco production. His first appearance on the screen was as the father in “Humoresque.” This wa-s followed by bis father role in ‘‘The Good Provider.” He ha.s just completed one of the principal roles in Ooismopolitan’s “Gain am! Mahle,” starring Anita Stewart.

When the Master Picture “The Foolish Virgin” .in shown Elaine Hammerstein devotees will have a chance to see their favourite screen star at her best.

'Hie Warner schedule is now at a peak. - Both the Warner ami the old Y'itagraph lots are active. Over 50 per cent of the 1925 programme is completed and 12 pictures are now in preparation, shooting and cutting.

Sojin, famous Japanese actor, noted for the subtlety of bis oriental characters, has been signed to play an important featured role in “The Gold, en Journey,” which Raoul Walsh is directing for Paramount.

Over 5000 people have already signed a petition to J. C. Williamson to retain the sendees of Miss Gladys Monerieff, who, it has been announced will leave for London at the end of the year.

Princess Rangiriri and her Maori Maids have returned to New Zealand after a successful theatrical tour of Australia.

Virginia Yalli and Eugene O’Brien, two great film favourites, are co-star-red in the Universal attraction “Siege,” shortly to be released in New Zealand. In addition are no less than 23 avell known screen .stars, assuring a production of excellent dramatic intensity.

Betty Blythe returns to the scene of her triumphs in the new William Fox special production “Folly of Vanity,” now at the Britannia Theatre, She is ably supported according to all advance reports, by a cast of noted screen artists including Billie Dove and Jack Muihall. It will be remembered that Miss Blytlie first won fame in the title role of “Queen of Sheba,” which also was a Fox production.

Pol a Negri’s next production will be “The Woman of Mystery.”

In the screen version of “Seven Keys to Baldpate,” starring Douglas McLean, the leading ladies are Betty Francisco and Edith Roberts,

Rudolph Valentino, the moving picture performer, who has just arrived iu England from the United States, was tlie centre of extraordinary scenes at a West End picture show, which he personally attended on the occasion of the screening of liis film. He was surrounded by a crowd, mostly girls. The police forced them back, and the doors had to he locked. After the performance Valentino, rather than face the crowd which remained in the street, had to escape over a theatre roof.

It is undoubtedly the aim of every producer to “go one better” when it comes to the production of a railway smash. “Motion Picture News” hands it to R William Neill, producer of “By Divine Right.” We’ve never ■viewed a more exciting smash than the one ‘shot’ here —no toy stuff, but the crash of two locomotives and trains,” says “M.P. News.” “By Divine Right” i.s in Exhibitors Alliance catalogue for 1926 releases.

What is known as “Steiescopiks” is announced as the most fascinating novelty of the modern moving picture. It i.s the third dimension of the screen. Jo the ordinary moving picture there are only two dimensions, length aiui breadth, hut. there is no perspective, and the liguros have no depth. With the latest novelty, however, the figures actually come right off the screen oui over tiie heads cn the audience. Depth, the elusive third dimension ot the screen, has been the problem of scientists for years, but through the eflorts of one of the leading figures in the world of science to-day the problem has been solved. The novelty is being released throughout the world oy Paramount. In order to get this third dimension effect, it is necessary to secure a pair of special glasses, having two separate eyes, one of red and the other of blue gelatine paper. These glasses, of course, are supplied by the theatres when “Stereoscopiks” are shown.

A special announcement this week tells of the first simultaneous release of a motion picture in Australia and New Zealand. The picture selected for this honour is the Paramount production of Sir J. M. Barrie’s immortal classic, “Peter Pan,’’ a story known throughout the world, and 5 theme which is one of the sublime influences which have helped make the British Empire greater. That is a power which is shared by Barrie and Kipling, and in no instance has .Barrie’s influences been finer than in “Peter Pan.” Fourteen of the foremost motion picture theatres in Australia and New Zealand, in the twelve principal cities, will be screening “Peter Pan” simultaneously.