STAGE AND SCREEN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 11 May 1929, Page 3

STAGE AND SCREEN

Bernard Shaw’s now political comedy, ‘■The .Apple Curt,” is to be presented by Sir lhirry Jackson, of the Birmingham Kepertory Theatre, in August.

“Jew Suss,” the famous novel, lias bccii turned into a stage play by Ashley Dukes and is to be done in London with Matheson Lang in the leading role.

Ernest Raymond's play, “The Berg,” the drama based on the Titanic disaster, provided mo with one of those (piite unexpected thrills which make the theatre the most attractive thing in the world, writes a London dramatic' critic. Perhaps things were a little slow at first, but from the moment that the ship struck the berg (the very slight shiver that passed through her was terrifyingly impressive) the drama proceeded with relentless speed. The second act was as deeply moving thanks to the singularly lovely performance by (Godfrey Tcarle as the invalid philosopher —a smile on his face, but a trembling hand—cheering, consoling, speeding on the wavering spirits. Beatrix Thomson, as a young wife, and George Ralph, as a doubtful padre, both did splendidly; I cannot imagine these difficult roles better played.

Miss Maisie Gay, the famous London comedienne, who will make her first appearance in New Zealand in “This Year of Grace” at the conclusion of the present Australian season, is as well known in New York as in London. When a London company went across to New York to play “The Quaker Girl,” in which Miss Gay was Madame Blum, they took with them six chorus men, “just to show how the English Johnnies wore their clothes.” Among them was Reginald Denny, now a famous film star. “It was no time,” said Miss Gay, “before they were all earning much more than their salary posing for advertisements for collars and suits. We played ‘The Quaker Girl’ for two years in all—a year in New York and a year on tour.”

There is a pretty general feeling that the craze for naturalism in drama has produced license in “natural” acting which makes for carelessness in pose and diction by the younger stars in the stage firmament. The art of being natural is inartistically neglected. Championing the American development in the skilled “direction” of plays by producers who do not act, Mr St. John Ervine discusses in the “New York World” the director who may “ruin a play as thoroughly as any actor-director can.” He had known, he said, of a director who told the players not to speak their words clearly. “Give the audience an impression of them,” the great' man had said, and because lie was a director of immense influence ho soon'had all the actors and actresses mumbling so intimately to each other than the audience could hear little that was said on the stage. Mr Ervine repeats the story of the martinet director who told Ellen Terry to move so and stand thus and speak in this fashion. “Yes,” the famous actress retorted, “and then I’ll add the little extra bit that earns my salary!”

William J. Locke, who was brought to Hollywood to write an original story for Norma Talmadge, is returning shortly to England. It is,,said that his stay at the film centre a happy nor a successful one', ijfr Locke’s original story, which was intended as a screen vehicle for Nonna Talmadge, is the subject of various' rumours. It is said that Joseph Schcnck paid £IO,OOO to persuade the famous Briton to pen a story for Nonna. Now the story has been shelved.

An English newspaper recently said, that the best American pictures are now made at Elstree in England, This statement appears to be a fact judging from the reception received by the latest British picture to be released shortly thoiighout the Dominion, “Paradise.” starring Betty Balfour, and the latest find of the screen, Alexander D’Arcy. “Paradise” is adapted from Sir Phillip Gibb’s story "The Cross-word Puzzle” and depicts the gay adventures of a London girl, in Die French Riyiera, and how eventually she found “Paradise” in o drab London suburb. New Zealand’s own veteran screen actor Winter Hill also plays an important part in the production.

A new mystery story titled “'Seven Footprints ’to Satan,” which boasts the largest cast of the year, has been completed. Featuring Creighton Hale, and Thelma Todd, this well- known story is presented as a mystery play full' of eerie sequences and spooky thrills, with some splendid acting hv the principals.

John Barrymore’s “Eternal Love” has been completed. Camilla Horn, who was the leading lady in Barrymore’s “Tempest,” and who was known chiefly prior to then for.her work as Marguerite in “Faust,” the Murnau production for U.F.A., is to he seen opposite Barrymore again in this film. The setting'for “Eternal Love” is the Switzerland of the early nineteenth century. Others in the cast are Victor Yareoiii, Hobart Bosworth, Bodil Rosing and Mona Rica, the new Continental “discovery.”

Production is now well advanced on the all-talking picture, “The Woman Who Needed killing.” The picture lias a setting in tropical Africa, and the main roles are being played by Baclanova, Clive Brook and Neil Hamilton.

Thu combination that'produced “Two Arabian Knight's” —Louis Wollieim, William- Boyd and Lewis Milestone — will again combine their talents, this time in an all-talking comedy, “Take It Easy.” Lupo Velez will follow up her work in 1). W. (IrilFith’s latest picture, “Lady of the Lavements,” by appearing in the leading feminine role in this new him. Louis Wollieim is one of the best known actors in Hollywood, having appeared in the stage version of "What Price niorv,” and "The Jest.” William Boyd was the star of “The Yolua Boatman.”