DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL

Free Lance, Volume XVIII, Issue 948, 12 September 1918, Page 10

DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL

By Footliglst.

TT ATEST advices" from America indicate the expansion of the famous Paramount and Artcraft Motion Picture Corporation. The plans for 1919 reveal a series of pictures in number and quality that will whet the appetites of 'movie patrons. Mr. Alee Lorimore, managing director in Australasia for Paramount Pictures, supplies the Free X*ance with particu- • lars of his firm's big drive for the coming year. They plan to spool eleven special productions, 280 big features 52 two-reel comedies, 104 short reel subjects, comprising 23,000' mileis of film.

In addition to this, 15 world-famous artists have recently signed up to appear in Paramount and Artcraft pictures. They are: Dorothy Grish, Enrico Caruso, Bryant Washburn, Ethel Clayton, Xiila Lee, Fred Stone, Henry B. Walthall, Mary Anderson, Marion Sais, Lilian Grish, Robert Harron, Rosemary Theby, Doris Pawn, Caroline White, Shirley Mason.

Cecil ,B. Demille will produce six new Artcraft special super-features. Three of them are . ' 'The Whispering Chorus/ 5 "Old "Wives for New," "We Can't Have Everything." . David Mark Griffith will produce six Artcraft special super-features, the first of which will he "The Great Love," presenting Lilian Gish, Robert Harron, Henry B. Walhall, and Queen Alexandra, together with several members of the English, aristocracy. Thos H. Ince will produce the following stars in Paramount and Artcraft photoplays: William S. Haxt, Enid Bennett, Dorothy. Dalton, Charles Ray and other favourites. In addition, Mr. Ince will produce several special super-features, tne first of which, will be "False Face," starring Henry B. Walthall. There will be The Mack Sennett Paramount Comedies, and Mary Pickford, Linai Cavalieri, Charles Ray, Pauline Frederick, Elsie Ferguson, Billie Burke, Dorothy Dalton, Douglas Fairbanks, and all the favourites, who have helped to make Paramount famous, will continue to appear under this banner. Fatty Arbuokle will be starred in a number of Paramount Axbuekle Comedies, and there will be the usual supply of Gazettes and Burton Holmes Travelogues'. .. In addition, the new James Montgomery Flagg-Paramount Comedies will be released, together with "The Eagle's Eye" serial and the new Jester Comedies.

An irresistible three-bairrelled bill is announced for the usual weekly change at the Paramount Theatre and the Artcraft Theatre (late Crown Theatre) this week-end. It will consist of Enid Bennett in "The Keys of the Righteous," Jack Pickford in "Huck and Tom" and Fatty Arbuckle in "A Country Hero." This popular trio appearing on the screen in the one programme but in three distinct pictures should pack both theatres to the doors day and night. In "The Keys of the Forest," charming Enid Bennett appears as Mary Mantling, a little girl of the rough Canadian north country. This is claimed to be the most dramatic picture of the year. "Huck and Tom" are the further adventures of ' 'Tom Sawyer." It is produced on the actual site of Mark Twain's story. Jack Pickford has already been seen to advantage as Tom Sawyer. As for Fatty Arbuckle in "A Country Hero" it is a scream from first to last flicker. The first screening of this big programme happens simultaneously at both Paramount and Artcraft Theatres, commencing on Saturday and running throughout next week up to and including Friday evening.

"The Way Out," the latest World drama, which will head Saturday's new programme at the Empress, has a remarkably fine> daste. The star part is taken by the ever-popular June Elvidge, and Carlyle Blackwell plays opposite to her. In addition there are Muriel Ostriche, John Bowers, and Jack Drumier. The story tells of two lovers who are parted through a. misunderstanding. The result is that she marries another man and only discovers the wrong she had done her real lorver when it is too late. He in the meantime had followed her to Paris, and here occur some very dramatic

situations which result in a duel. June Elvidge displays that lavish variety of dress for which she is so noted. The climax is finely arranged and thrilling.

A fine Goldwyn film., "Fields of Honour," next Saturday's new feature item at the King's, is taken from the celebrated story by Irvin S. Cobb, the well-known novelist. The central character is played by Mae Marsh with all her rare charm and wistful tenderness. Marguerite Marsh, a sister of Mae, has a prominent role, while Vernon. Steel takes the hero-part most convincingly. The drama tells of two French girls who emigrate to America, and on the way across encounter a young artist, who starts to sketch Marie. The two fall in love with each other, but all sorts of misfortunes overtake little Marie and culminate when her sister dies and she is arrested and wrongly charged. The story works up to an exciting finish and is produced in first-class style.

* «■ -sfr In the Triangle film, "The Patriot" (starting at Everybody's on Saturday;, the central figure, is played by William S. Hart. There are some very poignant passages and needless to say a cumulating interest until the last breathless scene. In every way William S. Hart lives up to his high reputation as a consummate artist. The picture shows him a. passionately loyal American. But unscrupulous agents rob him of his mining claim, and while he is away unsuccessfully trying to right the wrong his little son dies. Embittered he goes to Mexico where he joins an insurgent band. How he eventually saves an American Army makes an exciting story. The picture is filled with those qualities which make the: name of William S. Hart so deservedly popular.

A new Pathe serial is to commence at Everybody's Theatre on Saturday. The title is "The Fatal Ring," and Pearl White has the star role. The plot is very mysterious and grips the imagination, while the play moves at top-speed from episode to episode with thrills at every turn.

* * * * The rhyming couplet competition, conducted by Mr. C at His Majesty's last "week, ran to an interesting finish. The judges finally handed out the biscuit to the author of the couplet which said: "If you adopted Mr. Massey's pose, dear, and put your finger to your nose, dear, I would still love you." This week's programme .gurgles merrily on. New stars shining thereon include Nellie Kolle (a confirmed favourite), Victor Elvin, and Bryant and Bryant.; Next week's startling announcement is that Tom Haverley and Co. will stage "The Kaiwarra Cup."

Lovers of wholesome Irish comedydrama, as administered by Allen Doone, are taking it in big doses nightly at the Grand Opera House. Allen Doone undoubtedly "has a way wid him," and, besides, he is a very popular favourite and can always depend upon a. warm welcome. His season opened last week with "Lucky O'Shea," which easily stood the test of a five-night's' run. The role of Larry O'Shea, a warm-hearted young Irish soldier, fitted Allen Doone like a glove. He was capably supported by Miss Edna Keeley, as Rose McMichael, the belle of Dublin. The staging was quite a feature of the performance. 1 ■ * ■* •* *• On Tuesday night the first change of programme took place, when "Tom Moore" (which was such a trump card when Allen Doone was last here) was reproduced with fine effect. It drew a bumper house, and Mr. Doone and Miss Keeley received quite an ovation. It is safe to run its full term to rattling business. "The Parish Priest" is announced for* Monday next. See advt. elsewhere for full bill for next week. * ■* A very enjoyable Students 5 Concert was given in the Town Hall Concert Chamber on Friday evening last," the performers being Mrs. E. H. Queree's singing pupils. The invited guests filled the Chamber and their applause gave emphatic expression to their satisfaction with the manner in. which the students acquitted themselves. Some were shy and nervous, some were handicapped by slight hoarseness, but the majority gave an excellent account of themselves and reflected the utmost credit on their accomplished teacher. » * ■* * Special mention must be made of Misses Frances Barry, Blanche Godier, May Chatwm, Ruby Scott, Joy Sutherland, Parkinson, and Marie Petersen, Messrs. Frank Charlton, Rupert Meates, Will Goudie, Theo. Queree, and D. A. Murdock. Miss Petersen and Mr. Queree sang very effectively the duet "Sink, Sink Red Sun" (Del Riego); the Misses Godier, Petersen and Parkinson joined sweetly and harmonously in the "Flower Greeting' 7 trio, and a song-cycle by Leoni, "Fairy Dreams," with . pretty words and charming melodies, was very tastefully

and expressively given by Misses Chatwin and Barry, Messrs- Charlton and Goudie. Mrs. Queree played all the pianoforte accompaniments', and during an interval was presented with some lovely baskets of flowers.

Harold A. Bowden, the popular little J. and N. Tait manager, has hit the trail for America. Harold lias put in some solid graft for the Tait brotherhood and has managed most of that firm's more recent- companies visiting this Dominion. Latterly he lias managing the King's Theatre, Melbourne for them. In America he joins one of the Taits in a. search for fresh attractions.

The performer hiding his identity under the initials "F. 0.8." at present on the Puller circuit, was for twelve months with J. C. Williamson's Comic Opera. Co., understudying Derek Hudson, Reginald Roberts and Jack Ralston. With Mevnell and Guim's production of "The Gay Gordons" lie was second lead. «5f & Eleanore de Cisneros, .the large and shapely mezzo-soprano (didn't she call ierself a Peruvian or Chilean Countess?) who toured New Zealand some years ago with the Melba. Grand OperaCompany, and subsequently with her own concert party, has been singing the Allied anthems from the steps of the New York Public Library and other central places to thousands of people. A male ballet, danced by policemen stnd led by Barrie L-upino, is a feature in "Hani So:it," which went on at Melbourne Tivoli on Saturday last. ■» * * * Gladys Moncrieiff, whose dainty little £gure was attractive! feature of the stage in the last visit to New Zealand of the Williamson Royal Comics, has -just become engaged. The man who popped the question and persuaded Gladys to murmur "Yes" is a . young ■Gippsland engineer named -kins M. Davies. * * * .# J C. Williamson, Ltd., appears to have shattered the old illusion that 13 is unlucky. "The 13th. Chair' 7 lias proved one of the biggest dramatic successes the firm has ever handled, -and when "Katinka" has finished its run at Her Majesty's, Melbourne, it will have completed its thirteenth week. * * * * J. C. Williamson, Ltd., has secured "the Australian and New Zealand rights of D. W. Griffith's film masterpiece, "Hearts of the World." Mr. George Tallis, managing director of the firm, ■writing from New York by the last mail, said that "Hearts of the World' was drawing capacity business in New York" and had broken even the record •of "The Birth of a Nation." "It is powerful, thrilling, and with a story that appeals to the heart," wrote Mr. 'Tallis, "and is altogether a wonderful picture." „ * * * * A little knot-tying ceremony happened at Melbourne a few days ago, the two principals in the * happy event being well-known to theatre on this side of the duck-pond. The bridegroom was Mr. Laurie Kennedy, the talented young 'cellist, and the bride Miss Dorothy Mcßride, which is a- very -appropriate name indeed for such an •occasion. It will be remembered that the youthful couple, with Laurie's "brother, thei flautist, toured New Zealand recently on the Fuller circuit, under the stage-title of The Trio Cla-ss-ique. Miss Mcßride was the quaint little pianist® of the trio, who. wore her liair trimmed ala Americaine. It was common gossip then amongst regular vaudeville patrons that it was musicianly Laurie who had placed the little ring on Miss Dorothy's finger, .and said patrons will wish that wedded life to them may be as harmonious and joyful as their music has proved to be to their auditors.

"Business Before Pleasure,*' with Messrs. Adams and Waters, the original Potash, and Perlirvutter, in the leading roles, is the trump card just now at the Criterion Theatre, Sydney.

Recently there left for France the largest "consignment of film ever shipped by America —750,000 feet of ;film was exported. Among the productions were Charlie Chaplin's "A Dog s Life," "The Whip," "The Bar Sinister," "The Cold Deck," "The Submarine Eye," "The Barrier," and the latest Metro, Paralta. and King-Bee 13illv West comedies.

N-aokij Douglas .valet, describes hie part in the American Liberty Loan tour in this manner: "Of the •country, I see nothing. Mr._ Fairbanks, he change his clothes ten times a day, and all I have seen is the inside or taxi-cabs a.nd hotels. X have, I think, much pride when I say I have carried twenty-one bags from coast to coast in the interest of the _ Liberty Loan; 1 have pressed 326 suits; X have shined 140 pairs of shoes, found the colifu Tratton 96 times, and have been taken -for Sessue Hayakawa 18 times."

AN IMPORTANT THEATRICAL ASSERTION. Mr. Edward Branscombe, the wellknown Theatrical and Musical Entrepreneur, to. whom Australia and New Zealand are indebted for the visits of the Westminster Glee Singers, Sousa's Band, and the famous Russian Instrumentalists, the Cherniavskys.

He was also the originator and producer of The Scarlet Troubadours, the first Costume Comedy Company to visit this country, as well as the numerous companies of Dandies which have been performing in Australasia for the past seven years, writes in praise of Clements Tonic. His opinion, published below, is worth reading.

The Garden Theatre, Bayswater-road, Sydney. TO CLEMENTS TONIC, LTD. "As a consistent user of Clements Tonic for the past nine years, I testify, through my own personal experiences, to its undoubted efficacy. "The mental and nervous strain associated with all theatrical and musical touring work is an ever present source of trouble to those so engaged, and 1 have been no exception to this rule. "Particularly was this the case during the tours of Sousa's Band and The Westminster Glee Singers, the latter alone extending over an uninterrupted period of two years, and involving a constant demand on the nervous system. "This demand was always unfailingly met by a course of Clements Tonic, and there is no gainsaying the practical benefits I have derived from its use. "If further testimony were needed 1 could add that my opinion is strongly substantiated by similar experiences on the part of the many friends to whom I have recommended this excellent remedy. "(Signed) EDWARD BRANSCOMBE."