STAGE & SCREEN

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 28 August 1926, Page 7

STAGE & SCREEN

“Fig Leaves” will probably be the first production to be released by I'ox Films under the 1926-27 release schedule. This is a production showing the development of clothes, since the days of Adam and Eve. Olive Borden and George O’Brien together in this special .production, while no expense has been spared by the author-director, Howard Hawkes, to make this a wonderful lilin in every way.

In “Daring Days,” a Universal western attraction, there is a wonderful reproduction of a blinding sandstorm in the Arizona desert. Lucille (played by Miss Zama Zamora) becomes lost in tho whirling sand. Catamount (played by Edward Hearn) tries to aid her, but fails. Eventually Eve (Miss Sedgwick) makes her way through the storm and succeeds in rescuing them. It is a. tenso moment, and a great piece of motion picture work

John Barrymore makes his only -appearance in America this season in “The vSea Beast,” a whaling story by Herman 'Melville, that appealed undei the title of “-Mobv Dick.” Moby Dick was the name of a white whale_ of demoniac,oipower that all the New England whalers of 1840 were anxious to catch. Ahab Cooley, played by John Barrymore, is the first to harpoon the whale. He is glowing with pride of victory when Derek, his brother, who is jealous of his success as a lover, pushes him overboard. Allah’s leg has to be amputated as a lesultof the sea beast s bite, and from then onwards life seems to go badly with Ahab. Feodor Chaliapin, son of the renowned opera singer, will play an extra part in “Love Me and the A)’or Id Is Mine. ’ the the Universal. super-production directed by A. E' Dupont. Chaliapin arrived from Paris three months ago. his ambition being to enter the field of American motion pictures. Knowing Dui>ont ljv reputation, be applied for work in any capacity so that he could be in the first American, production of the famour Ufa director. All roles being filled, be accepted the extra work offered him and lie can be seen on the ■screen as one of a large crowd of Viennese citizens. Norman Kerry and Mary Philbiii are co-starring in the picture, while the balance of the distinguished cast comprises Betty Comp son, Henry B. Walthall. George Siegmann. Martha Mattox, Helen Dunbar, Albert Conti, Charles Se'llon, Emilv Fitzroy.

Probably the world’s heaviest girl, Miss Ellen Regina McGrath, aged 21, who weighs 27st, has left her parents’ home in Ireland and sailed for the United States to take up a cinema career. She is going to New York to join her three sisters. Three years ago she weighed 30 stone, and underwent reducing treatment. She has always enjoyed good health, and is gifted with good looks. At the age of 10 she weighed IGst 4lb. and kept, growing at an unusual pace. She is now about sft Sin in height-.

Miss Milliceut Knight, the talented Wellington mezzo-soprano. has returned from England by the Oorinthie. She has been absent four years from New Zealand.

Maurice Mjosoovitch. Due Rifcsian dramatic actor, is now cn route to Australia for another season under the direction of J. C. Williamson, Ltd. Ellen Pollock, his leading lady, is arriving by the Maloia. The Australian season opens on September 18.

The death is reported in I»ndoti of Edith Thompson, better known in New Zealand under the stage name of Edith Dr ay son. Miss Dravson was a popular favourite, who had . appeared in both mnsicai comedy and dramatic productions. She left Australia in May.

“Tell Me more,” a new musical comedy from the Winter Garden Theatre. London, where it has passed its first year, is being staged by the Williamson firm in Melbourne. The east is one of the strongest that hae ever appeared jn musical comedy in Australia. It includes George Gee. Gus Bluett, Cecil Kellaway, Leyland Hodgson. Hugh Stcyne, Harry Wotton, Margery Hicklin, Dorothy Lena, Mona Barlee. Florie Alien. Emmerline Orford. Winnie Tate and Rosie Le Yarde.

Plans have been completed by .1. C. Williamson. Ltd., for tlie resumption of the tour of the Katja” company, interrupted by the railway accident in Australia. The Brisbane season of this piece lias opened with the role previously tilled by \A arde Morgan, whose serious injuries in that accident have aroused tlie sympathy of playgoers and the general public throughout •Australia. Marie Burke, who suffered minor injuries, is now out of hospital and back in the company. “Katja” is due for New Zealand presentation in the near future.

Owing to the exigencies of time and contracts. Feodor Chaliapin the great Russian basso, will only be able to sing in two centres in New Zealand. Mr. Bert Boyle, the New representative for Messrs. J. and N. Tait. has been advised that the New Zealand tour will lie limited to six concerts three to be given in Wellington on •September 16, 18 and 20, and three in Auckland on Wednesday. Saturday and Moutlaw September 22. 25 and 27. Immediately after the last concert in Aucloiand. Chaliapin and his party will sail for America, where he hats important contracts to fulfill.

‘Thou shalt not be found out” is

“The Eleventh Commandment” on which the British film of the same title is based. Fay Compton. London’s popular actress, plays the part of the modern daughter who feels compelled .to fight, her father’s narrow-minded conservatism. Stewart Rome plays the part of the lover.

When the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera (‘omnanv tomes to New Zealand short|v playgoers will he pleased to renew acquaintance with two favourites who wore with the last company to present Gilbert and Sullivan opera here—-Mr. Janies Hay (tenor) and Air. Charles Wn'-een (comedian) Also with the cornpan v will be Misses Strella Wilson, con and Messrs, Lance Fairfax (a Now Zealander). Bernard Manning, and Leo Darton.

Reginald Denny, in “Skinner’s Dress Suit ’’ has surpassed oven his own tomedv standard recently seen in “What Happened to Jones.” Proof of this is given by the tremendous and instantaneous success of this new farce comOflv in the few short weeks since its first screening at the Do Luxe, Wellington, “Skinner’s Dress Suit.” is a rihticklin’g tale of a young married couple, the Skinners, who live in the suburbs. They are just the sort of married children who live next door to you and me, very much in love with one another, with “Honey” under the positive belief that her husband is the greatest business man of all time.