STAGE AND SCREEN

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 12 February 1927, Page 16

STAGE AND SCREEN

A period of hard luck such as comes fco the best of -actresses was brought to an end for Dorothy lleyier when she obtained tlie covete role of an actress in “Poner Daces,” a Universal Jewel attraction. 1/aura la Plante and Edward Everett Horton are the stars. Miss itevier, chosen a Wampas baby star more than a- year ago secured leading roles with several 1 anious players, and each time bad luck put the company out of business before she could play tier roles.

Arthur Somers Roche, one of the most widely read of present-day autlio.s, is said to have created a masterpiece in “Fingerprints,” a Warner classic on Master Pictures’ 1927 programme, and the story has been given an excellent cast and direction. Those popular purveyors of comedy roles, t.ouise Fazenda and John T (Murray, are the stars, admirably supported by a east that includes Helen© Costello, Myrna Loy, Ed. Kennedy, George iNichols, Jerry Miley, Martha Mattox, Franklin Pangborn, William Denjarest, Robert Perry, Josepli Stone, Warner Richmond, and Andy Norton.

Jean Hersholt, whose many excellent screen characterisations, have stamped him as the foremost character artist in pictures, makes his bow as a real star in “The Old Soak,” a Universal Jewel. Hersholt is to be starred in a series of such pictures, according to the plans, of the studio.

.J. C. Williamson, Ltd., at the present time have a full hand of attractions throughout Australia and New Zealand, in this country there are the following: “Ivatja,” “Is Zat Sot and the Maurice Moseovitch company.

.“Ladies at Play,” First National production, which has been .completed under the direction of Alfred E. Green, is a facile story of the adventures ot two sprightly maiden lAdies, a flapper and a brace” of lounge lizards. Doris Ivenvon and Floyd Hughes have the leading roles, and the supporting cast includes Louise Fazenda, Virginia Lee Gordin, and other prominent plaveis.

The earlv arrival of “Variety” is announced. This great TJ.F.A. production has indeed made history the __ world o\er, as in England and New York it has simply baffled the critics to find superlatives. Its complete novelty o: treatment is something to startle everyone, and the Hollywood experts got a jolt that will be ail to the good of the industry.

Launching work simultaneously. Norma and' Constance Talmadye have once more started work seriously lor First National. Nonna is starring in the unique modern of “Camille” under the direction of Fred Xibio. Constance is • busy an original comedy entitled “The Vamp of Venice,” with Marshall Neilan in charge of the megaphone. Both these are being produced by Joseph M. Schenck. “Camille” is lavishly costumed. Miss Talmadge’s gowns and other finery were brought direct to Hollywood from Paris. Constance Talmadge has perhaps the ■ strangest ole of her career in “The Vamp of Venice.” The istory deals with Venice and its famous waterways. Antonio Moreno is Miss Talmadge’s new leading man ami a cast of prominent players support Miss Talmadge.

Dorothy Appleby, stage player recently featured in “Square Crooks,” a Broadway footlight success, who made her screen debut in Luther Reed’s Paramount picture, “New York,” has been assigned to the east of Richard Dix’s latest picture, “Paradise for i wo.” In this picture she will give an exhibition of the Black Bottom, the new dance craze that is speedily overriding the popularity of the Charleston. Featured in Dix’s" support are Betty Bronson, Andre Beranger, and Edmund Breese, under the direction of regory La. Cava.

Putting New Zealand on the movie nap is the aim of the Aloa Film Company, Ltd., and already preliminary an angements are in hand for their first production, a sporting romance, written round that world-famed equine the great and mighty Carbine, which has been for weeks, past portrayed for the silver sheet by well-known artists, specially chosen for the parts allotted them in the filled piece, “Carbine’s Heritage.” Air. E. Coubrey is the author and producer, and Miss Queenie Grahame, Alademoiselle Lola !>’Ormonde, and Stuart Douglas are in the leading roles

The caste of “For the. Term of His Natural Life,” a Master Picture now almost ready for release in New Zealand, is the most remarkable group of players ever assembled in Australia for a motion picture production. Each player is widely experienced in the theatrical world" enjoying a popularity which will assure them of continued fame. Miss Eva Novak treated the role of Sylvia Pickers admirably. Stephen Murphy and George Fisher, the latter in the role of Rufus Dawes, are both Americans of extensive experience in American studios, whilst Arthur Tauehert. Mavne Linton, Dunstnn Webb, Jessica Harcourt, and Compton Coutts are all Australians fresh from, musical comedy successes.

J. C. Williamson Vaudeville has established a precedent for superlativeness. so that the company visiting New Zealand, headed by Santrey’s orchestra. is bound to attract more than ordinary attention. Santrey’s orchestra has a world-wide reputation, built up on variety, merit, and the powerful personality of the leader. A galaxy of vaudeville stars comprises Jean Barrios, the fasliionplate of 1927; the Stavannys. graceful and daring trapeze performers; Estelle Fratus and her dancing dolls; and Tost and (.'lady, French clav modellers.

Syd. Chaplin, master of all character comedy work, has given us another mirth-pmvoker in the evergreen “The Better ’Ole,” a - Master Picture, due for eaily release. Chaplin has directly used the gags of the stage success, combined them with the gags of Reisuer and himself, and presented a picture without parallel, from a humorous and smart angle. The humourous atmosphere of the trenches and the pathetic incidents in the life of the veteran soldier, “Old Rill.” have been cleverly portrayed. The new Regent Theatre, Auckland, now has an addition to its sumptuous appointments in the shape of a £IO,OOO Wurlitzer organ, played for the- first time the other night by Eddie Horton, noted American organist,, whose playing of these instruments in his own country has earned hint a wide reputation. The Regent Wurlitzer is a two-manual instrument with a vast array of instrumentations mashalled into squads, and ranging from 80-feet muted strings to a mighty storm effect Flutes, ’cellos, violins, piccolos, horns, tubes, and every preeussion instrument are represented.

“The Rat.” with Ivor Novello is an extraordinary production and a genuine triumph tor hritisli screen art. The story is strong, dealing with Parisian life, both of society and the Apache underworld. As one Yankee critic says, •'ll the majority of the pictures that are made in Britain are as weli directed *.ml acted, and the plot as well constructed as “Tne Rat, ’ the American exhibitors need liiqt worry about shortage of good pictuies.

The next E. J. Carroll attraction for New Zealand will be “The Best People.” After the Melbourne season the company will come direct to Wellington, after which a brief tour of the Dominion will be made. On the other side of the Tasman Sea the members of this company are known as “The Nine Nice Americans.” Ti;ey have something new, something different, to show in the way of comedy, and should make a hit in New Zealand, as they did in Australia,