STAGE AND SCREEN

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 22 October 1927, Page 18

STAGE AND SCREEN

Fav Wray, who plays opposite Erich von fcrtrohjaim 'itu “Til© Wedcluig March, and has been cast to appear opposite Emil Jannings in ‘'Hitting for Heaven,” was so young when she made her bow as a film leading woman rcr a comedy company, that she had to have a tutor on the set. And that was only four years ago!

Vera Yeremina, the exotic blonde Russian leading woman, has .returned to Hollywood after a trip to Eng (and, w.lieie she payed opposite Sir Harry Lauder in that beloved comedian’s picture. ‘ Huntingtower.” Her last work before departing to England, was in support of Rola Negri, in “The Woman on Trial.”

Emil Jannings lia« just signed a new long-term contract with Paramount Pictures. Under the agreement- he will make four feature pictures a year. The success of his fir-st Paramount Picture, ‘‘The Way,of all Fleshhas been so great that 'Paramount hastened to insure his continued .service with the company. The .picture ha s not yet been released in this country.

“Chang.’’ tire epic of the Siamese jungle, contains, among other virtues, a most thrilling scene —the moment wherein a maddened herd of .stampeding elephan ts plunge headlong through a Siamese village. It is questioned whether any other dramatic entertainment can supply the primitively moving thrill equal of that scene.

Two more line stories, with real Br itish bat ties bins 'as backgrounds, have been begun. One is “The Luck ol theNavy ” directed by Fred Paul. Tlio other “The Further Adventures of the Flag Lieutenant,” with Henry Edwards 'in the leading rote. Maurice Efvev and W. P. Kellino are jointly responsible for this .specially-written take by I,ieut.-Colonel \\ . 1- Drury.

Master Pictures will re’ease four Betty Compso.ii .starring productions. The first “The Ladybird,” is already completed. The sopor ting cast includes Malcolm McGregor, Ruth Stonehouse, John Mil jail, Sheldon Lewis, and Hank Mann The other three Betty Compson mills are: “Say It With Diamonds “Love lit a Cottage,” and “Icmpta-ti-ons of a Shop Girl.”

A Ivoudon chorus girl of 'll , hitherto unknown, has won .success at her lust opportunity. Miss Mimi. Orawtora, who is taking one of the eading .parts at the London Pavilion in “One Dam Thin"- After Another,” was indisposed and Miss Sheikh Graham wa, s _cailled upon to take the part. She made- a rrreaf hit at her first appearance, ana "he next night was even more successful.

May Mc.At’ov, elevated to stardom by Warner Brothers, for her excellent work in feature -roles during the past season, will be seen in several .pieductions on Master Pictures 1928 F r< L "ram,me. The first is * Irish Hearts, Tn which she is supported by J««on Bollards, who was Dolores Coste.los leading man in tlie “Third Degree, Warner Richmond, Kathleen Key and Lex Bates. Her next is “Slightly Used,” with Conrad Nagel and Bobby A "new in support. Another May McAvov picture is “Rebecca O Brmn.

After six weeks, of camera work with only her leading man. Mary Pick ford has completed the supporting cast for “Mv Best Girl,” her new United Artists’ picture. To save time m production. the star and leading man, Charles Honors, took aP their individual scenes hefoin the other players were engaged. Mo hart Bosworlh heads the cast as the millionaire store owner. Lncieu Littlefield plays the role of the. henpecked father opposite Sunshine Hart, makin<r a new comedy team. Carmchta Geraghtv is cast a« Mary’s wayward sister, and Avoime Taylor plays the part of young Rogers’ fiancee. Evelyn Hall, Eilgish dramatic -actress, has the rote of the nfillionaire’« wife, and \\ uPa.ni Courtwriglit. Harry A alker and Frank Finch-Smites compose the balance of the company.

In search of new talent to head their myriad revue companies, Sir Benjamin and Mr John Fuller have engaged the well-known comedian, Syd. Beck. It is expected that a. company will be organised for him in the immediate future, and that he will shortly start tour of Australia and New Zealand. M- . Heck a few years ago was one of Australia’s champion swimmers.

For each of the two performances which; he was to give at the Albert Hall recently, Chaliapin.- the great Russian bass was to receive £1250. There was to be a chorus of 1000 voices, and the London Symphony Orchestra, .under Mr Albert Coates, to assist the great artist. The best seats for the. concerts cost a guinea, plus entertainment tax, and the lowest priced seats cost os. The salary paid to Chaliapin for these concerts is believed to be the larges ever paid to a singer in England.

Uiidevstudiqs., have been meeting with considerable success m Australia recently, such .sir cess that seems almost. impossible outside the pages o 1 novels-. Miss Billie Lockwood, a singer and dancer, took Miss Judith Anderson’s ill ace when the American favourite was ill. and her name was made. The same has happened in musical comedy. Recently. Miss Bepwe De Vries.' the star of “Madame Pompadour,” was indisposed,, and her part was taken hv a chorus s?irL Rowena Ronald. Miss Ronald will now aopear as a star in her own right in “Castles in the Air,” which is to he produced in Sydney shortly.

The novelist and playwright, Cosmo Hamilton, has signed a contract to deliver a dramatisation of his new novel, “Caste, the end of October. The novel will be published shortly and the play produced about cue same time. Meanwhile, his “Pickwick,” after a. long run in the American provinces with an all-English company. has been produced at the Empire Theatre, New York. AYitli a company of London players, ‘‘Pickwick” will also be seen in London during the forthcoming season. At present Cosmo .Hamilton is working with his brother. Philip Gibbs, on an historical play to be called “King’s Favourite,” in which there will be a scene between Shakespeare and Bacon.

“Oh, Rose-Marie, I lovo you!” This fervent declaration by the hero in the musical comedy probably reflects the regard of J. C. Williamson Ltd. for the piece itself, for it is expected that “Ruse Marie” will prove to be the greatest musical comedy success ill the history of the firm. It is stated that the four weeks’ season in Adelaide broke all records for length of run in that eitv, and for the financial receipts. From Adelaide the company went to Perth. then to Kalgoorlie; after which a “long jump” was made t-o Brisbane lor the opening there on October 5. Visits to Toowoomba (.Q.) and Newcastle (N.S.W.) will be made, after which the company will embark for New Zealand, where the season will begin on December 20.