STAGE AND SCREEN

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 9 April 1927, Page 7

STAGE AND SCREEN

A suitable site lias been secured iu Stratford-on-Avon lor a new Sliakespeaie Memorial Theatre, to take the place of the building, which was destroved bv fire in li)2(j. The estimated cost is £100,001), half of which will be not ne bv die Memorial llieatre liust. With knowledge of the old huddling, one can only hope that its successor wil) be better worthy of the name ot our greatest dramatist, and in this connection it is lv’assunng to learn that the site, plan and specifications will be prepared b< r the Roj'al Institute or British Architects. The plans and specifications will form the basis of a competition, open to English and American architects.

“Private Izzy Murphy,” the Master Picture due for early release, stars George Jessel. The story concerns, a poor East-side boy named izzy, who joiiins the army and is placed in an Irish regiment, known as “The riglituig (jytii.” where he discovers that- his name is a handicap to promotion. When he changes it to Izzv Murphy, some of the derision subsides, and lie makes good. This marks Jessel’s first appearance in pictures. 'The cast incudes Patsy Ruth Miller, Tera Gordon and A ait Can*.

Miss Pauline Frederick, the film star, whose capacity for emotional, acting has given her rank among the greatest exponents of the silent drama, is to make ner first appearance on a London stage at the beginning of this month, when she appears in a ten weeks’ iseason of ‘■Madame X,’’ under the direction ot Mr E. J. Carroll, the Australian theatrical manager. ;Miss Frederick’s first appearance i,n London under Australian managemenet is a sequel to her visit to Australia in 1925.

After the season of three weeks in “Tea for Three,” in which he will, be associated with Judith Anderson at the King’s Theatre, Melbourne, Leon_ Gordon will produce “The Green Hat, for J C Williamson, Ltd., with JiwVrth Anderson as Iris. Mr Gordon will not appear in the production, alie is due to return to America, and also wr 1 go to Paris to witness the revival ot ms play, “White Cargo.” m that city. He has never seem it played in French, and is very keen to witness this production.

The simple stupidity of a comedy character to whose mind water is the only means of fighting fire and who promptly lets loose a leservoir in an attempt* to extinguish a roaring inferno of oil has given rise to impressive and dramatic thrills in the F.R.O. production “Flaming Waters,” which is being released by First National. The reresult of opening the flood gates is that a sea of the flaming liquid surrounds a; house in which the mother and sweetheart of the hero are iniprisoned, and. gives him .o chance to effect a rescue which is brilliantly conceived and marvellously shot.

Fox films are going to make u picture entitled “Adventure.” in which Victor McLaglen, the star of their big production. “What Price Glory,” will have the lead. The storv will practically he an autobiography, for McLaglen’s adventurous life will form' the basis for the film, and the: colourful incidents with which this has been interpolated should make wonderfu 1 screen material. McLaglen is at pres•2lll jiit work on tlie Fox lot in Caimen.” under the direction of Raoul Walsh, who piloted him through “What Price Glory” and to such outstanding success.

The surest way to break into motion pictures is to start, out in an entirely different line. Alt least, that has been the past historv of many of those now prominent in the film world. Biographies of the stars and directors show that almost, two-thirds of them started their careers by doing Things entirelv foreign to screen acting. For instance. Richard Dix used to be a bank cashier, and Adolphe Menjon seemed destined to become a hotel manager. But there’s an exception to evci-v rule. So far as is known, W. C. Fields. Paramount’s comedy star, had idwavs been on the stage prior <to entering ‘pictures. Theatre-goers will remember him 1 in vaudeville, and -as nn almost perennial feature of the “Ziegfeld Follies.” Mr Field’s latest farce. “So’s Your Old "Man.” is to have an early showing.

A hacienda, in the silver night—moonlight in Mexico —a brave boy and a lovely girl, palm fronds waving across a velvet sky, a soft breeze and romance, all are included in Dick Tab niadge’s' latest production. “The Blue Streak.” an E. 8.0. offering being released bv First National.

Edward Everett Horton, the droll comedian who stepped into .screen fame through his work firstlv in “A Beggar on Horseback,” and just lately" in “Poker Faces.” is the 'star of another hilarious Universal comedy “The Whole Town’s Talking.”

Colleen Moore has found that it required study to learn how to he naughty but nice. “N'augbty hirt Nice. ”* her next starring picture 1 for First National, concerns the very exclusive finishing school of a young o'irl. It will reveal Miss Moore as a voung person with a distinct distaste for remaining iri one spot longer than necessary to move to another spot.

More than 500 tons of steel were nsod in malting Tb'cnid.’ heated to the point where it runs like water is shown in its various stages of manufacture, and the players appearing in the film are seen as steel mill workers. It is claimed that never in the historv of motion pictures have such remarkable scenes been screened. Vera Ttevnolds and' William Boyd have the leading roles.

It is difficult to meet people socially in a • butler’s garb, particularly when you have met them before in your own expensive tailored suit and when you don’t want them to know you. This the irresponsible Dick Tiilmadge discovers in bis latest picture. “The Wall Street 'Whiz.” an amusing comedydrama. shortly to he. released by First National. The ludicrous, situations into which a vulgarly wealthy yonug man may lie plunged when, because he has a sense of humour and 'admits to having “no job” be accepts a position as a butler, are deligthfiilly developed in “The Wall Street Whiz.”

“Now We’re in the Air” will round out Berry’s <- vole of service coniedies. He began as a Digger in “Behind the Front.” followed that as a sailor in “We're in the Naw Now.” and now he. will done aviator’s garb to execute new unties, in the clouds.

With “Somewhere in Sonora.” Ken Maynard. First National’s Western star is said to have more than justified his efforts. One of the biggest thrills eve introduced into a Western drama is a race between stage coaches.