Stage & Screen

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11655, 20 October 1923, Page 13

Stage & Screen

Theatrical Pars and Movie Notes.

ENTERTAINMENTS

OP-ERA HOUSE. October 20th Miss Carwell-Cooke’s Pupils. October 2-1 th—Wellington Girls* College Kntertuinmeut. October 27th—Kathleen O'Brien's PupiU Ocioliev 3oth-Xoveiubcr 13tlv New Comic Opera Company. in “The Cabaret Girl” and “Kissing Time/' November I9th-29th—“Tf Winter Comes" -nd “Cat and tho Canary." November 3at h —Wellington College Old BoyC .\Nsociation. December Lt-Sth —“Tho Boyar’s Opera." December 2bth. January I'nh—Gertrude Kl!mtt ' Lady Forbei-KobortsmD. January iflth-L'ebruary 3’d < pencilled";— Humphrey Bishop Co-tume Comedy Company. HIS MAJESTY’S. This afternoon and to-night—Fullers’ Vaudeville and Revue. • Every Monday—Change of Programme. Special Features—George Wallace Revue Company and Marie St. George Company. TOWN HALL. To-night—DerryV Military Band. Concert Chamber, To-night Estelle Bee re and Helen Oard’ner. Sundav Evening—Organ Recital Page'PICTURE THEATRES. Empress, Willis street U 0 a.m.) —''Daddy” plackie Coogan.i, “Pest of the Storm Country” Queen’s, Cuba street <2.30 p.m.)—“Kick In" <Bettv Compton, Bert Lytell, May McAvoy, Gaieth Hughes). "The Social Buccaneer." “The Imperfect Lover. ,J King’s, Courtenay Place (3 p.m.)— “Camille" (Xaziniova and Rodolpb Valentino). Special Matinee 2.30 today. Princess, Manners street —“Three Word Brand" (W. S. Hart) and “Among Those Present" i.HaroM Lloyd). THE STAGE Fullers are lucky! Stiffy and Me put up a great performance at His Majesty’s. and tho thousands of patrons expressed the opinion that the managemeat would find it impossible to find a revuo company of quality enough to adequately replace them. Enter immediately the George Wallace Company—and what a reception! The audience cheered and cheered again, and principals to chorus walked right into the hearts cf His Majesty’*; patrons. It was a great artistic triumph for the young producer, and he will go a long way m his profession. AUo Fullers’ are to be congratulated on having in the Dominion at the same time two cf :he best, revue companies whose performances it has been the good fortune 3f the theatre-going public to enjoy. The ever-vouthful Charles Berkeley :ame across in the Ulimaroa to prepare the way for the coming of the J. C. Williamson comic opera company in "The Cabaret Girl.” It is many moons lince C.M.B. and the writer forgathered in Dunedin, and while the ?aseage of time seems to hit up other >eop!e, it leaves the genial one nnouched—younger and with more "pep” •hnn ever. It is said that while on a ecent visit to Paris Charles surreptiiously took advantage of the rejuveniting treatment, but there "sla Mie Rosette w is an old-timer, but it was revived with success at Mel- , tonrne. Gladys Monorieff scored a signal success as Rosette, and Claude Fleming also made a hit. Frank Kigos’ grand opera season, which is to extend to New Zealand, will commence at Melbourne on December 22nd. Harry Roberts says (in the "Theatre Magazine") it takes a man years of experience to find out whether he is going to be an or not. W. S. Percy, one of the Dominion’s most popular comedians, will probably appear in pantomime at one of the principal London theatres. He has secured some lovely voices, quite equal to his former Australian company. Operas to be staged include "Mignon,” "The Barber of Seville,” "Martha." "Faust." "Maritana,” Rigoletto," and “The Daughter of tho Regiment." Mr George Highland, the famous producer is contributing tho story of his life to the "Triad." Ho has boon a prodigious worker. He started work at six years of age and drew 2s per week. He corned it. Now he get*.; a much larger salary, but he earns it. His life is one of pathos and humour. "Little Nelly Kelly," described as "a song and dance show," is said to be letter than the average musical oom-t-dv. Tho Fuller revue companies in the Dominion are having a change all round, ".stiffy and Mo" are in Dunedin. having been substituted here by the George Wallace fompnnv; the Hurlc-Ki ans finished in Auckland on the dTth and move on to Christchurch, transferring with Con. Moreni’s Coni|;nnr. Mrs Frederic Shipman, in writing to friends in Australia, states that she has settled down in T.oh Angeles with her father, while her husband, Air Shipman, is touring in Canada. Mr M.ivno [.inton is leading man with Miss Gertrude Elliot, in “Blne-la-ard's Eiehth Wife.” Mr W. f'roninWiU'.n, who came emt from London in the position, had to return owing to teriooa throat trouble. [on r Tack Sam has made a sensa-ti-'eii Lit at the Titoli, Sydney TTi.s ~"•,-,‘,•l* h-. juggling. dancing and n.-.e/if turns have made him famous in f.oudot' and America. He and his party ;.r f . the onlv company in the world intreducing Chinese gymnastics on the -tune. After a. short season with the Tivoli Theatres. hong Tack Sam will rentinee his trip to China, where he is -oiitg for a holiday. The coloured man is achieving inrrrasing significance en the American -tngo. f'p to 10 years ago he was alii ost solely represented ill the Harriet TJcc'-her Stow classic of Uncle Tom. hat now the American theatre is '..arming with dramas in which the negro is something more than a hotel l.'itfons or a I’nil’iian-cat attendant. In I’ngene (['.Will's plav, “Tho Emperor .lopes.•• he looms up as a r-trungo mol mighty gambler in lost causes ami cakr-s an absorbing picture. So, too, hi the wonderful Tilav of Lauumcc t-’vre. “Mis’ Nell o’ New Orleans.” v hi-h astounded a great house at MelI ,'ii-he we hate the appearance ol t-coii'e of colour adi cpiatcl.v repref-ent-«d ml expre.-ing their thoughts in the .-.trance and rhvthmir.il Southern dialect. Mias Irene Vanbrugh appears !'- a striking woman of tin South -one „> ihi.s,. Ivors that onlv an lfordi-h----no an of pin laler.t would endeavour to pertrav Mats Vanbrugh j.iwnlH the’ role with rare distincrion and adds

another triumphant portrait to her gal' K r.v.

Dion Boucicault, who gives a delightful impersonation of the old priest, Be re Clement, in the production of "Mis’ Noll o’ New Orleans,”-is a great admirer of "Peter Pan” which made a sensation when it was first staged here with Tittell Prune in the name pavt Mr Boucicault had much to do with tho initial production, in which Pauline Chase starred, and he often chuckles over an historic meeting between his employer, the late Charles Frohman, and the late Beerbohn Tree. The latter was on friendly terms with Frohman. as who could not fail to be, and h* one day burst in on the American with what he considered was very fresh nows. “I say, Frohman," he b&id in an excited tone, "Poor Barrie has gone mad." "Mad?” queried the other blandly. "Yes, quite mad. He’s gene ‘woozy’ on a play that has iso beginning, middle, or end. It’s full of pirates, wild Indians, and fairies.” "Yes. I know." answered Frohman, •Tve bought it.-” It was "Peter Pan." which is one of the most successful plays that has ever been writion. Henry Latimer, of the BoucicaultYnnbru<.di Co., h?. n very versatile actor, In the first successful production of the company, to wit. "His House in Order," lie played the rlderlv and conventional head of the Ridgeley family with a «toop and long flowing heard that rcemed to give additional reality to the character. In "The TweUe Pound Look.” which preceded "Air Pim Passes By,” ho was the more ornate Sir Henry Sims, and lie seemed to get the utmost realitv out of Barrie’s clever study of a title-hunter. Now Air Latimer has wade another ohnnnjo. He is heavily disguised as Vnc* Boa, an old no-pro in “‘Mis’ Nell o’ New Orleans,” which is now exciting attention at the same theatre, and he is doing very well indeed. Much has been said of the extraordinary range of Miss Stella Power’s voice. She recently created quite -a sensation in Melbourne bv finishing the "Air Am Mysoli” from David’s opera "La Perl© du Bread” .on the G in altissimo. It is said to be a record in top notes in Australia. It must be borne in mind that Miss Power invariably sings with the piano tuned up to tlm highest pitch, C o4Q, and that her G would be higher than many an A fiat in the lower pitches. In most of the big operatic arias in "the Little Melba’s' repertoire there are innumerable E’s and F’s, which the soprano negotiates with the utmost ease. Those who have heard her many delightful gramophone records will appreciate oarticularlv this quality of case iu singing high notes. Air William James, the pianist with Miss Stella Power, is widely known as a composer of successful songs, but has attempted more ambitious flights. These include a ballet for orchestra, performed by Sir Thomas Beecham’s Symphony Orchestra, and an orchestral suite performed by the Queen’s Hall Orchestra under the baton of Sir Henry Wood. Mr James has also made gramophone records for one of *he big companies.

"Sally," at the Theatre Royal, .Melbourne, makes a strong appeal to child ren of from seven to seventy. The story in itself, strongly reminiscent of "Cinderella," is one that stirs the imagination of children, especiallv as the heroine is a child herself. The youngsters are therefore crowding to see "Sally,” and the Theatre Royal, particularly .at the matinee#, is thronged with children, so that one might imagine it were pantomime time. The show, too, is clean all through. Tn connection with tho revival of "Katinka” by the J. C. Williamson Royal Comic Opera Company at Melbourne Her Majesty’s, it is an interesting fact that this comic opera was produced in Australia bv the firm long before it was staged in London. "Katinka” has just recently been presented for the first time in London at the Shaftesbury Theatre, and the cast includes some interesting names. Hubert Eisdell. well-known on the concert platform. who was in Australia some time ago on a concert tour, appears as Ivan; Joseph Coyne fill*? the role of Thaddeus T. .Hopper, which Phil Smith played in the Australian* production. The play is produced by Tom Reynolds. who wag in Australia with tho H. B. Irving company Following the twelve nights’ revival of "Katinka” at Melbourne Her Majesty’s, "The Merry Widow” will he staged for the last six nights of the season. Lehar’s opera has ever been a great favourite, and its revival should b<* ns successful as the previous productions. Gladys Moncrieff will, of course, play her old part of Sonia. Enielic Polini has now been over five years in Australia, and, with the exception of a lew months, she has been continuously on the stage, giving of her best in a comparatively small repertoire. "Dc Luxe Annie,” in which she opened in Sydney in 1918, is still one of her popular attractions, and it is probable that this piece will be revived during the forthcoming reason in Melbourne, which will he characterised by the first production in Melbourne of "The Flaw” and "French Leave." An impressive characterisation in "Sally” at Melbourne Theatre Royal is given by Gaston Mervalc as Richard Farquhan, the society millionaire, which shows how dramatic experience counts oven in musical comedy. Mr Mcrvale first came to Australia in 1897 to play Black Michael in the Willinm-son-Alusgrovo production of "The Prisoner of Zen-da.” It is remarkable how varied were the opinions regarding "The Beggar’s Opera" when it was first staged in London over 200 years ago. Swift commended it for the excellence of it« morality, as a piece that "hy a turn of humour entirely now, placed all kinds of vice in tho strongest and most odious light.” On tho other hand, Dr Herring, afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury, censured it as giving encouragement not only to vice, but to crimes, bv making a highwayman the hero, and dismissing him at Jnst unrntnished. From v/'nrb it. will ho Unit oven in those days critics, like doctors, were prom* to disagree. The opening date of "The Beggar’s Opera” at Melbourne Her Majesty’s has now dofinitolv bo«n fixed hr J. C. AVilHam‘•oii. TJd., for to-dav (Satnrdav), October 20 th. The J. (*. Wininmnon New Ccmio Opera Company will he here shortly. Tlk'M bring two plays. "The Cabaret. Girl" and "Kissing Time.” and will mohablv revive that rollicking piece of frivol. "A Niidit Out.” Alfred Frith, than whom th*'r<‘ is no mure popular • •nnK’fiian, returns with this idwiiyewelcouic organisation. Also Drominent

in a long cast are: Miewcs Madge Elliott, Floic Alien, Nellie Payne, Alillie Engter, Beryl Ferguson, and Messrs Field' Fisher, Cecil Kellaway, Harry YVotioiij and Cyril Ritchard. Two of the "Boys of the Old Brigade," in Johnnie Farrell and Charlie Berkeley, will captain and engineer the good eliip "Alusical Comedy” during the coming tour or the J.CAY. New Comic Opera Company, with "I he Cabaret Girl" and "Kissing Time/ and;possibly "A Night Out.’ The Dominion tour starts on Wednesday week, with "The Cabaret Girl,” a musical play that has taken London by storm, and it is at present playing in Sydney to capacity houses. Of "The Cabaret Girl/’ the new J. C. Williamson Musical Comedy, to be 6een here presently, interpreted by the "Now Comics,” tho critic of the Sydney "Sunday Times” writes: " ‘The" Cabaret Girl/ from the Winter Garden Theatre, London, is all it is intended to be—and a generous bit over •—a brilliant entertainment, full of melody, wit, and pretty girls. A highly interesting play, with a cheerful love story running through it, presenting a series of romantic and humorous incidents, in a direct, straightforward fashion, with much bright fooling by Alfred Frith and a deal of especially tuneful music.” Josie Melville has scored another triumph in "Sally," which is now at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne. Vera Pearce, who went to Africa fionio time ago, has had her contract extended by the South African Thea« tres, Ltd. Allan Wilkie has the Christmas and New Year dates pencilled for Hobart, but so far it is not known if he is definitely going on with his Tasmanian tour. Allan Wilkie recently opened a Shakespearean season, with "King Lear,” at the Playhouse, Melbourne. The Lieutenant-Governor, Sir William Irvine, and staff, attended. The organ in the Wellington Town Hall has 57 stops, 276 notes, and 3189 pipes, 13 couplers, 18 combination pistons, 14 composition pedals, two tremulants, .and two combination stops. Madame Lydia Lipkovska, the mous Russian soprano, is to tour New Zealand shortly, under the direction of Messrs J. and N. Tait. She ie due in Auckland about the beginning of November. The Croydon Grand Theatre, London, has launched a new scheme for the convenience of its patrons, in the form of a motor park, capable of accommodating 120 cars. It is claimed that it is the only one of its kind in England. A sale of 366 lots of wardrobe, including the complete costumes of wellknown stage successes, such as "The Girl from Kays,” "Floradora,” and the "Vicar of Bray,” was recently held by J C. Williamson, Ltd., at the Theatre Royal, Sydney. Miss Stella Power, the Australian lyric soprano, will commence a tour of New Zealand at Wellington on October 23rd, under the direction of Air I£. J. Gravestock. She will be supported by Mr William James, pianist, and Air Lionel Lawson, violinist. Four concerts will he given in the Auckland Town Hall, commencing on Novcmbor 25th. A talented producer and comedian, Mi KSdward Elliott, who was last in Auckland with the "Smart Set" in 1913, arrived from Australia this,week in connection with the forthcoming lour of the Humphrey-Bishop Company. Air Elliott is also a very clever author, whose topical work when the "Smart Set” were here was an outstanding feature of the show. Sensation has been caused in thee tricai circles in Bordeaux by the tragic end of a business quarrel between AL Tahen, proprietor of the Tianon Theatre, and hie manager, AI. Bonel. The two men had an interview in the theatre ; and it appears M. Bonel, in a fit of anger, took a revolver from a drawer and fihot his employer seven times in the stomach. At. Tahen staggered into the street, and fell dead, while M. Bonel gave himself up to tho police. Something new in theatrical fare is promised Auckland theatregoers in the near future, when the HumphreyBishop Company will piny a brief season at His Theatre. They are a novel combination of English artists, and their world-tour has included South and East Africa, Rhodesia, India, Ceylon, Mesopotamia, Malay States, China and Manchuria, Japan, the Philippines, and Sumatra. They landed in Australia in 1920, and have been so successful that they have remained there ever since. The performances of the company range from gems from grand opera to burlesques upon the latest plays and doings of the day. The dressing and staging are said to be most elaborate.

THE FILM WORLD

Of all stage plays that have ccmo and geno none perhaps has enjoyed t?uch iv permanent popularity as "Camille." In the screen version which i/s to be presented at the King’s Theatre this week, we are offered one of the finest adaptations that have come to the screen in a long time. No two better types than Rodolph Valentino and Alla Natimova could havo been found to portray the leading roles if the whole of filmland had been searched. "Kick In,” the starring attraction at tho Queen’s Theatre this week features Betty Compaon and Bert Lyttcl in one of the season’s most popular nieludramds. The stoiy is adapted from the stage success of the same name being a romance of the New York underworld. "Trifling Women," a coming attraction for the King’s Theatre, Is presented by Rex Ingram, the man who made Four Horse-men of the Apocalypse.” Tho story is concerned with the fascination of Zareda —a crystal gazer whose siren like attraction fascinates men into her net to do just what frhe wants. How she attains wealth and power with a wealthy Marquis, and then plans bis death make® one of the most graphic and dramatic stories. "Tlio Woman With Four Faces,” a Betty Compson offering by Paramount to be in New Zealand soon, is one of the most remarkable melodramas ever presented. The story deals with a young woman who is associated with crooks, and who is employed to commit .a state robbery. The most elimaxio scene shows tho rescue of a prisoner from the gaol yards hy aeroplane. Everybody is talking those days about the difference between the young folks of to-day and yesterday. "Tho Children of Jazz,” ono of Paramount’s latest offerings throws an entirely new angle on thi« discussion. The story deals with a mad set of young peoplo in New York who know only one craze —Jazz. They are all brought up with a round turn, however, in a manner that shows Ihc modem young girl that keener or later she will have to think of other thing? than daneo parties and dress. Theodore Ko:Joff, tho wellknown Russian dancer, plays a big part iu the cast. The story ie adapted by IV!amount from the novel hy Pomhyn Stunlaws. One of the most popular authors whose works have met with enthusiasm in screen form is Peter B. Kync. The- latest of In's stories to ho transferred to the .screen is ‘’The Go Getter.” This is ;i comedy drama with » nu*st iiiswiuntz; plot deuliilcr with *&

young American who gets what he gees out after. Seena Owen is the leading player. Jackie Coogan is a merry little soldier of misfortune in "Daddy,” nowshowing at- the Empress. With liis fiddle and hi« pig, Ins howl of spaghetti. and his too big trousers, his antics are fnnnicr than ever. Costly tapestries and hangings, old furniture, jewels, 6ilks, velvets, and other costly fabrics were needed for Ethel Clayton’s lavishly produced picture, "If I Were Queen,” now showing 'at Everybody’s. It is certainly 'the most gorgeous production in which Miss Clayton lias ever appeared, and tho 6tory is big with romance and adventure. All who enjoyed "The Prisoner of Zenda” will want to see "If I Were Queen.’ ’ Why the sinners and scoundrels of history and fiction should be so much more interesting than, the eaints is a problem which lias never been satisfactorily solved. Certain it is that the more picturesque and daring a rogue, the stronger has been his hold on the popular imagination. Such a figure is Dick Turpin, the daring, dashing highwayman. whose famous ride to York on Black Bess is too fascinating and dramatic a story to be forgotten. Innumerable novels and stories kept these memories alive during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and now comes an elaborate film production by the Stoll Picture Company to carry on the tradition. Who could suggest a more handsome dashing Turpin than Matlieson Lang, or a more beautiful "ladye- fay re” than Isobel Elsom —the two leading players in "Dick Turpin’s Ride to York.” The screen version of a world-famou6 opera is a unique feature in picture production, and calls for discriminating treatment aiid a cast of high order. England comes forward with "Tire Bohemian Girl,” a production which may be justly claimed a success. The settings are particularly fine, especially the woodland scenes for the gipsy incidents, the old feudal castle (a real castle, and not a "set”), and the F 1 icturisation of the vision, “I Dreamt Dwelt iu Alarble Halls.” The welli known songs in the opera are neatly [turned into titles, and the cast leaves : nothing to be desired, when such players as Gladys Cooper, Ivor Novello. i Ellen Terry. Constance Collier, and ! Aubrey Smith play the leading parts. ! "An appealing novelty” is tne cry of | the times. Thomas Ince recognised this jin his production, "The Soul of the | Beast.” Whoever heard of an elephant las the star of a motion picture? Well, [Oscar, the circus elephant, certainly | takes the leading part in all the adi ventures in this picture, and finally ! rescues the heroine from a nasty pre,dicament. Madge Bellamv is the heroine, and it is no wonder that even elephants fall for her. : AH New Zealanders who saw Louis (Bennison’s stage production of "Tho ; Great Lover” will recall with pleasure i the delightful story of the famous opiera singer, the blytlie and debonair *Jean Paurel, who was never out of ‘lov.e. Now comes the screen version, :with John Sainnoulia, one of the lead- ! ing actors on the New York stage, aa ;Jean Paurel, Claire Adams as Ethel, Paurel’s "swan song," and John Davidson as Sonino, his undeistudy, and rival in love.

No one who saw Griffith’s £reat spectacles, "The Birth of a Nation,” and j "Intolerance,” can ever forget them. No subsequent production, however c-ostly and ambitious, has equalled these creations, with the exception of "The Fall of Babylon,” which, although considerably shorter, is of the same high standard. It tells of one of the most romantic periods in history, when Babylon, "the mighty cradle of Science and" Arts,” was at the height of ite ! power and ruled the world. A review on "Daughters of the | Rich,” a Preferred Picture, states: — i "People who expect "Daughters of the Rich” to be one of those wildly exciting jazz pictures are going to be [disappointed, for it isn’t. It’s a real story with unusual angles, melodramatic and pathetic, yet with something that relieves the jaded picturegoer. Here is an interesting story well developed, and introducing some firstrate situations.” The Warner Brothers' studio is now abuzz with excitement, according to reports from Jack Warner, production manager. Elaborate preparations are being made for the immediate production of three big feature pictures, "Lucretin Lombard,” "How to Educate a Wife/’ and "Daddies.” "Tho Romany,” WeUh-Pearson’s latest production, is just completed. Victor MacLaglen is the male star, and the company spent several weeks in Scotland, whore the exteriors were taken. The district in which this film was made was not one on which the Bun shone very often, and it required a good deal of patience and perseverance on the part of the director to secure all the exteriors required. Neverthesome very fine scenes were taken. For an entertainment combining thrills with laughs and a lSve story a« clean as a whistle, "Mold Em’ly” fills all these requirements. Betty Ba- ■ four, of "Squibs" fame, plays the part : of the little Cockney girl who butted her way from slavey to fame. "The ’ot breff of th’ villain down ,‘er spinel” Melodramatic dreams of the kind hinted in the quotation are not the sort to recommend a little Cockney servant to elderly maiden employers, and the result of such idle fancies was a brief and inglorious reign for “Mord Em’ly.” Alord, as we now know her, wasn’t really bad. She had a poor start in life, and for many years she and her mother were haunted by the young king, Belshazzar. To be his Princess Beloved, BalBhazzar had chosen "the dearest and rarest of his dancing girls, hi« Queen, his Pearl of Pearls,” who "dwelt in a room of scented cedar, plated with pure gold, harem of my Lord, the Prince." Stupendous, indeed, are the scenes of the siege of Babylon, fearful the weapons of war, the the great moving siege towers, tho mighty battering rams and burning oil. A cast in keeping with this tremendous production includes Constance Talmadge. Seena Owen, and Tuliy Marshall. The New Zealand public is only toe well-accustomed to Arabian films made in California, in which western cow ponies serve as Arabian horses, and Srickly cactus plants as palm trees. ow comes "The Sheik's Wife,” a film actually made in Arabia by a French company. Arabs mounted on native thoroughbreds, desert scenes taken in the Sahara, and tho native bazaars, all stamp this picture as "the genuine goods.” Nonna Talmadge will ho seen soon in her latest production, "The Vqice from the Minaret," from Robert Hickens novel. The action of the story is laid in London, Bombay, Damascus and the desert, while the story io romantic and moves swiftly. A brand now idea in screen villainy must be credited to Estelle Taylor, who has one of the principal roles in ‘'Thorns and Orange Blossoms.” It is only by delicate touches and subtle insinuations that she succeeds in transferring the sympathies of the audience to Edith Roberta, the real heroine of the story, Claire Windsor, tne radiant leading lady in "The Little Church Around the Corner” has won her success on the Fcrcen in two years. "Tho Little Church .Around the Corner” is a screen, adaptation of the stage play of the name name by Charles Blaney. Tho scenario was written hy Olga Printzliiu, who inis many photoplays to her credit. "The Girl of tho Golden West/’

featuring Warren Kerrigan and Sylvra. Breamer unfolds a stirring story of the pioneer days in California. There are no cowboys and Indians, nevertheless, the story bristles with adventures, and deals with the doings of miners, outlaws and other denizens of tho American backwoods. "I wouldn’t go through it again for Icve or money!” So said Ralph Lewis, who impersonated the veteran fireman in "The Third Alarm.” "If I did it once, I risked my hide a dozen times. For hours, while making the big scones, I had to duck flying dohrie. blazing timbers, hurtling bricks and what not. I hope the folks enjoy it when they see it on the screen.” So saying he felt a bruised patch on his forehead, and walked to his pretty bungalow a mile from the studios. An excellent double feature bill is to be seen at Everybody’s this week. Besides "If I Were Queen,” starring Ethel Clayton is "The Rood to London,” a strong dramatic offering, featuring Bryant Washburn. A "‘natural vision” motion picture film has boon invented which adds depth to tho two dimensions of width and height or ordinary pictures. The i three-dimension pictures have a field of 40 feet long and feet high, an area of three to 10 times as greatas that of the pictures now shown. Tho camera with which the new pictures are made is four times as large aa tho oidimry motion picture camera, id equipped with two lenses, employs the principle of superimposing one picture on another and uses film twice as wide as that now used. Fatty Arbuckle has been engaged to dance at the Marigold Gardens m Chicago. He gets £ooo weekly, and a percentage, but has to pay £IOO per week to tho Government on account of a back income tax liability for £OOOO. Ho. is practically penniless, and is more Hire a human skeleton than the rotund comedian tho world one© laughed at.

EDUCATIONAL PICTURES

CANTERBURY BOARD’S DECISION. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, October 19. A motion recommending that the attendances at the screenings of educational films should he confined to Standards IV, V and VI, and that the pictures should be screened in the afternoon only, was carried to-day’s meeting of tho Canterbury Education Board. A letter was received from the HeadMaaters’ Association expressing its appreciation of tla© efforts made, by the New Zealand Education Picture Company to give a scheme of visual education which was truly educational. It v;as considered that admission should be free and that the department should defray the cost.

NEW ZEALAND'S CAIN

MR W. SCOTT JOINS BIG THEATRICAL ENTERPRISE. Wo (“The Green Room”) regret having to announce that Mr William Scott, one of the pioneers of the film industry in Australasia, is leaving this country to control th© destinies of th© Now Zealand Picture Supplies (flayword and Fuller’s Circuit of Motion Picture Theatres) —ono of th© largest chain of theatres and film distributing

urbanisations in the Southern Hemisphere. Our loss, however, will be New Zealand’s gain, for J\lr Scott, who arrived here from England in November, Ifoo, lias ever since been connected with the motion picture business, and in 1921, when Australasian Films was formed, Mr Scott was one of their first executives. He is known personally to every exhibitor in Australia, .ill of whom" have the highest regard for his moral and business integrity. He was the founder of the Trade Mark Master Pictures, by which all the motion pictures owned, controlled or distributed by Australasian Films, Ltd., are known, and'it ie mainly owing to his organising ability and /.cal that the firm has just experienced one of its most successful years. The present Master Picture week was organised entirely by Mr Scott, and has proved to be an unqualified success. Mr Scott informs us that he regrets leaving Australia, and his many friends, and especially his staff or enthusiastic workers—regrets which arc- shared by those who have come in contact with him, and who have had business dealings with him. AVe wish him every success in his new sphere—success which he lias earned by fcheor merit and ability.

MAY BEATTY

NEW ZEALAND FAVOURITE LONDON 1 AND AUSTRALIA. May Beatty and her sister Maud were groat favourites in New Zealand. From the days when they were with Pollard’s Liliputians to the present time they have been the idols of the musical loving public, and while Maud js on her ranch in South America—so Jack O’Sullivan said the last tune he was in Wellington—May (wife of Edward Laurie and mother of a beautiful girl “Bunny”) is playing one of tho principal characters in “The O’Brien Girl,” soon to be seen in New Zealand. A LADY OF MANY PARTS. May had a great reception in Sydney and was simply overcome at the demonstrations of delight. Subsequently interviewed hv a representative of the “Theatre Magazine” it was suggested that there must be a very Croat difference between coming back to Australia among friends, and going home to England among strangers. She replied : “Yes, it was very, very different. Still, I was very fortunate. In England, you know, they specialise* very much, and I had nei’er been a socialist. I had done pretty well everything. so much so that wlien I "\dd the different managers what parts J had ! played they didn’t believe me. “On my arrival my agent asked which I would like to play in pantomime—principal boy or principal girl? AVliich is the better paid?’ 1 inquired, and on being informed that tlw part of boy had that distinction I told him that was tho part for me. Besides, I had already played principal boy in ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ in Australia. I commenced by starring as principal boy at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin. X also starred in the same capacity at (Mn.sgow, Edinburgh, and Manchester. Perhaps my biggest hit was Dick in ‘Dick Whittington,' uhuh I pldyod for four years in London. I I did not confine myself t-o pantomime..

though, I played in musical comedy —with mv husband, Edward Lauri—-in George .Edward's company. I also dived into drama. There is, of course, a little drama in everything.” “Here let me say,” she went on, “the drama is having a rather rough time in England. I suppose it is largely due to the war. While many of the actors were away at the front ‘doing their bit,’ many outsiders drifted on to the stage. The result is that the profession has become overcrowded, and many fine actors arc having a hard time. This and the pictures have hit the regular theatrical profession. But musical comedv has been unaffected. It still draws the crowd. For it aims at making people happy, and happiness is what wc are all after. “I was really very successful in London,” Mis® Beatty remarked, “an is proved by tho fact that X left here intending to stay for a year, and only returned practically the other day.” “Do you intend to return to England?” we asked. There was a pause. She was evidently thinking. Pcrliaps the glamour of London and the love of Australia were struggling in her breast for supremacy. Presently she said: “It all depends. Perhaps yes, perhaps no.” “SYDNEY A YOUNG NEW YORK.” Asked to say what she thought of the Sydney she had returned to in comparison with the Sydney she had left, she said: “The change is simply marvellous Hie great, tall buildings that have sprung up arc like New York s skyscrapers. Sydney strikes me as a kind of younger New 'A ork. It is a city of progress, activity, happiness, life—it is one of the great cities of the world.” FAVOURITE PARTS. When wc asked her to tell her many Australian admirers what theatres she had playod in during her career in Lon(’)n, she said: “At Daly’s T played ‘Margot’ in ‘Sybil.’ For a year I played with Mamie Watson ‘ln the Shop Girl’ at the Gaiety. I played at the Comedv Theatre, and at the Prince of Wales *J was with Charles Cochrane in ‘Carmiuetta/ ” “What part did l like heat to piny? Well. it is not easy to t-ay. For comedy I think I would sinpcle out my part in ‘Tho Chinese Honeymoon,' for sinninar and beauty ‘The t.eislm and ‘The 15e!l<- of New York.’ “[ love my part in “The O’Brien Girl ’ ” she ‘continued, “and T enjoy the ixnnedy a« 11 whole. It is ddiphtful, and above all. it is clean and wholesome. The whole theme of ‘The O'Brien Girl’ hv ‘Learn to Smile.' and it is worth learning, l’erliape it is life s greatest accomplishment. To smile, and to make others smile, is a pretty, good motto to be going on with. That's why the play has been such an immense sncce'ss. It radiate** happiness. and, goodness knows, there has been so much misery in this world of into, that plays to make ns happy are a boon and a blessing to us all.”