“HERE’S TO ROMANCE”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 13 June 1936, Page 9

“HERE’S TO ROMANCE”

As one of the mere handful of world celebrities who held theColumfia Medal for achievement in the .leld of broadcasting, Nino Martini, famous operatic star, is travelling m very exclusive company. Martini, who makes his l’fim debut in Jesse L. Lasky’s “Here’s to Romance” shortly, was the recipient of the medal in 1933. The others who Dossess this unusual award are Sir John C. W. Keith, Director General, of the British Broadcasting Corporation; Colonel Charles A. Lindbergh, Leopold Stokowski and Amelia Earhart Putnam.

It was Martini’s masterful rendition of classical and opera songs over the air channels that contributed so

nuch to the changing taste of the public. With “Here’s to Romance,” Martini urns to another field in the effort to popularise opera with motion picture audiences. The score of the new picture features operatic selections from the works of Mascagni. Leoncavallo and Massenet, in addition to two new popular songs with music by Conrad, creator ox "Continental.” The supporting cast of the picture also includes Genevieve Tobin, Anita Louise and Madame Ernesetine Schu-mann-Heink, equally famous for her accomplishments in the concert fielc. Alfred E. Green directed “I-lere’s Romance.” ' SINGERS’ FORTUNES Dame Clara Butt’s fortune of £39,000 is a large one considering that she was not (except for a few appearances in “Gluck’s “Orfeo” in 1920) an operatic artist. For it is in opera that a singer makes money. Christine Nilsson heads the financial list with £119,920. and then comes a big drop until Dame Nellie Melba’s £65.214 is reached. Jenny Lind left £40,630, Kirkby Lunn £28,718 and Ada Crossley £16,989. Lilian Davies, who died quite young a few years ago, left £14,180, earned in musical comedy and pantomime as well as on the concert platform. y

** ENGAGED FOR AUSTRALIA Byron Brown, well known throughout New Zealand as an elocution judge at Competition festivals, hat been engaged by the Australian Broadcasting Commission to give r series of recitals from the Australian national stations during July. A A A A Her work in Cinesound’s “Thoroughbred” completed, Helen Twelvetrees sailed for Hollywood by the Mariposa. The American star may travel straight from Los Angeles to New York, to visit her family and leave her small son, Jack Woody, in their care. She will then go on to London for her English screen assignment. Miss . Twelvetrees has, however, to make two American films under her contract with Republic, and may complete these before;’her British trip. A A A A Loretta Young is taking up the titlerole of “Ramona” which is to be made in colour.

“Dodsworth” will have Ruth Chatterton and Walter Huston in leading parts.

Joseph Schildkraut returns to the screen after an absence of two years. He will have a part in “Garden of Allah.” ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ “Why Don’t You Marry The Girl?” has been purchased as Claudette Colbert’s next vehicle. ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ Buster Crabbe has been given a part in the screen version of Zane. Grey’s novel, “Raiders of thp Spanish' Peaks.”