STAGE AND SCREEN

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 17 December 1927, Page 7

STAGE AND SCREEN

“The Oat and She Canary,” the Universal super mystery drama, stalling Laura La Plante, has been .booked as a feature attraction for the Opera House for three nights next week. As a stage play “The Cat and the Canary” was conceded to be one of the greatest mystery plays ever written, and, according to critics, the iilm version is even more mysterious than the play. The plot hinges about a murder in an unoccupied country residence where six persons have gone at the hour of midnight to hear the reading of a will. Any one of the main characters might be the murderer, and suspicion falls on filist one and then the other. The logical, though unusual. ending is one that is impossible for the audience to foretell. The picture was directed by Paul Leni, noted European director, who was brought to America by Universal. The allfeatured east, in addition to Miss LaPlante, embraces such known actors as Arthur Edmond Carew. Creighton Hale, Forrest Stanley, Gertrude Astor, Flora Finch, George Seigmann. Tally Marshall and Martha Mattox.

There is no vidian in. Mary Pickford’s newest United Artist’s picture, ••My Best Girl,” not even a menace. No longer does “the villian still pursue her.”

It is possible that Mr Hislop, the famous tenor, will pay a return visit to New Zealand. .Representations have been made to Messrs J. arid N. lait to that effect, and they have the matter under consideration.

Two mystery plays, “The .Ringer and “The ’Terror,” are to be (staged in New Zealand early next year. “the Ringer,” bv Edward \\ allace, is described as “a masterpiece of thrilling drama, that not only mystifies, hut amazes.” Maurice Moscovitch has scored many triumphs in Australia m the principal role, and lie has with him a particularly strong and capable company, which includes Pa.tric Cunvau, Nat Madison, Alexander Sarner, Mary Macgregor, Eileen Sparks. Reginald Newson, Michael Hogan, and George Blunt.

New Zealand is to have a visit next year from the Royal Sunbeams Revue Company, an organisation of just on thirtv clever Australian children, all trained at the studios of Miss Chrissie Royal, Australia’s foremost instructess and tutor of the National Duo. the Eleven Wonders, Jackie Clarke, and the Sunbeam Acrobats. A comprehensive tour of the Dominion has been mapped out. Jackie Clarke will be one of the leading members of the company,. which will tour under the of Mr. R. A. Clclam!

A 1 Wilson is literally and figuraliyeJy '‘up in the air” in his latest thrilling aeroplane picture, “Three Milos L'p,” a Universal Picture. Hus is one of a series of four aeroplane pictures which Universal is making.

.Us Nadina in “The Chocolate Soldier.” Strella Wilson has some ot the finest numbers ever written tor a lyric soprano —and sings them as tbe splendid artiste she is.

I It is understood that Dame Nellie Melba, the celebrated soprano, is contemplating a farewell concert tour of New Zealand, and that it may take place very early in the new year. Like “Hamlet,” “The Bohemian Girl” lias appeared in London in modern dress. The book of the od opera lias been entirely rewritten. Thurza Rogers, now on her way to London may soon go back to classical dancing. She has heard that Anton Dolin contemplates the formation of a British troupe of dancers. There are many noted dancers who arc British hut who have taken Russian names. Many beautiful dresses are worn in “Rose Marie,” due at New Plymouth on .January ID, and the colourful' blending of the frocks with the magnifieient. stage settings is a marked feature of this production. James Oliver Cur wood is the author of “Back to God's Country.” the Uni-versal-Jewel starring Renee Adovee. The supporting cast includes Robert Frazer, Walter Long, Mitchell Lewis. Adolph Milar and James Mason. Trim Willat directed.

Remarkable business is being recorded with the screening of ■•Seventh Heaven,” is a beautiful story of ioVo and faith which transforms Diane from a down-trodden, timid street waif, to a courageous glorified young woman; and which softens the audacious Chico to a gentle lover and tills him with abounding hope and optimism. The whole idea of the film is one of spiritual upliftnient.

•Painted Ponies,” Hoot Gibson's latest Universal-Jewel production, is wliat the trade call a box office title, for it is provocative of curiosity, one of the most important elements in the show business. “Get them asking about it. and you’ll get them in,” is a proverb of a big producer. The title was suggested by the painted wooden steeds of a merry-go-round which contributes much of the action and fun.

“Dame Chance” records the rise oi (■'ail Vernon from a small-time stock company to stardom on Broadway. An unusual romance runs through the play which culminates in her finding happiness where she least expects it, learning to love the one man she should in reality despise. “Dame Chance” was directed by Bertram Bracken, under the supervision of David Hartford, from an adaption by Frances Nordstrom of her own novel of the same name. It is relea*secl as the third of a series of AOA Pictures.

Miss Marie Ney, the talented Now Zealand actress who has done so we.) in the Mother Country, has been chosen to play Ike lead in a three weeks season of Shakespeare which is to be given in Cairo by a British company which lias been specially invited by the Egyptian Government. Mr. Robert Adkins' the well-known producer, for so long associated with Shakespearean presentations at the Old Vic., will be the producer on the occasion ol the Cairo tour. Miss Ney deservedly won high commendations for her Shakespearean work when she, too. appeared in the Old Vic. performances shortly after her arrival in the Mother (dun try.