Stage & Screen

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11661, 27 October 1923, Page 15

Stage & Screen

Theatrical Pars and Movie Motes.

ENTERTAINMENTS OPERA HOUSE. To-night, at 8 o'clock—Miss Kathleen O'Brien and pupiU. in the dance play, “A reibiau Romance," and ballots. Oct- 31st to Nov. 13th—.T. C. Williamson Musical Comedy Company, in ‘‘The Cabaret Oirl. >> “Kissing Time * and “A Night Out." November I9th-29th —“If Winter Comes" and “Cat und the Canary/’ November 3utli—Wellington College Old Hoys’ Association. December Ist-Sth—“The BeCßarV* Opera. ' December 2*>tb. January loth —Gertrude Elliott (Lady Forbes-Robertson). January lDth-February 3rd Humphroy Bishop Costume Comedy Company. HIS MAJESTY'S. This afternoon and to-night—Fullers* Vaudeville and Revue. Every Monday—Change of Programme. Special Features—George Wallace Bevue Company and Marie St. George Company. TOWN HAI.L. To-night —Stella Power. “The Little Melba/’ <E. J. Giavestock). Sunday—Organ Recital by Bernard Page. Monday—Stella l’m\ t*r’- Farewell Concert. Tuesday—Boxing: Claude Blackburn v. Eugene Volaire. PICTURE THEATRES. Empress, Willis street (11 a.m.).— dou’s “Theodora," produced by D. A\ . Griffith. The King's, Courtenay Place (8 p.m., and special Matinee Saturday)—“Trifling Women," produced by Rex Ingram. Queen’s, Cuba street 02.30 p.ui.)—“'lhe Tiger’s Claw" (Jack Holt), produced by .;Jesso L. Lasky, “The Social Buccaneer." ?rince>s. Manners street (12 noonl —Sir : Hall Caine’ s ? “The Christian." “North of the Rio Grande" (.Tack Holt and Bebe Daniels), “The Rubberneck" (Lee Moran). Everybody's. Manners street (11 a.ra.V—“Breaking Home Ties" (star cast), “The Superior Sex" (Milton Sills), “The Timber Queen" (Ruth Roland). THE BTACE Oetober'3lst will see the return of the J. C. Williamson New Comic Opera Company, with Alfred Frith as principal mirth-maker. The opening play will be the big London musical comedv success, “The Cabaret Girl,” of which the critic of the ‘‘Daily Mail" writes: “The Winter Garden Theatre is within a stone's throw of the Gaiety, and the traditions of the Gaiety had not far to travel for a new home when the Gaiety lost the Edwardes- ‘touch/ One feek the presence of the old Gaiety 3pirit immediately the curtain rises at ihe Winter Garden, and one never loses 't, even when the curtain drops on the •final scene, for it accompanies us to supper, and homeward®. ‘The Cabaret Girl’ is in the direct line of descent to those wonderful girls who maintained for so many years the prestige of the popular Strand house, and among her predecessor’s whose success she recalls we-may mention ‘The Shop Girl* and ‘The Circus Girl,’ and it was in the former that Mr George Grossmith made his first appearance at the Gaiety Theatre." At His Majesty’s Fuller vaudeville and vaudeville combination have been attracting large houses, despite the unfavourable and, truth to tell, they ’ have deserved it, for a more varied and entertaining bill of fare it would be difficult to discover. George Wallace and his merry company have been appearing in “The Dancing Delirium, 55 which is described as a scream from start to finish, while the Six Rascals—oh, boye ! Tuneful music, catchy songs, dainty dancing—plenty of it—smart Crocking, and many novel ballets, with a high-claes vaudeville programme as well, should satisfy the most exacting patrons. Marie St. George, in her. exhibitions of living statuary,*provide* aperies of beautiful scene®, and-the dramatic modern version oL “Pygraaliofc and Galatea" ie exceedingly well conceived. Claude de Car (the acrobatic waiter). Leo Alartin (the jazz specialist), and th% Jubilee Trio are outstanding items on a high-grade vaudeville programme.

For the last six nights of the Melbourne season of the J. C. AVilliamRon Royal Comic Opera Company at Her Majesty*®, “The Merry Widow," the comic opera the popularity of which has never waned, nns revived. The include Gladys Monorieff as Sonia, A. -Howeit-Worster as Prince Danilo, Herbert Browne as Vicomto de Jolidon, Arthur Sfcigant as Baron Popoff. Reginald Purdell as Nisch, Adole Crane as ' Oltta, Clarion Hardwieke as Frou Frou, Cecil Bradleys as Natalie. Mr Walter .Fuller is enjoying his trip to Australia. He is now in Sydney, after a pleasant tour of sightseeing in Melbourne arfd Adelaide. Mr Fuller was very much impressed with tUi; high standard of all the successful productions, and goes into raptures over the excellence of the Ward-Fuller productions. “The O’Brien Girl," he says, is one of 4he greatest musical comedies ever seervrin Australasia, and has created a sensation wherever it has been produced. .Mr Fuller expects to complete his business and pleasure trip soon, and to hr* back in Wellington in about a month'* time.

■Writes a Sydney critic of Madge Elliott who will he seen here presently ns “The Cabaret Girl" in the J. C’. Williamson musical comedy production of that name—“ This is a glad time for voting actresses aspiring to become leading ladies. Chances arc being given—and taken —which were unheard of some years ago. George Highland hrought out “.Sally* and Beryl Walke • ly. and now ‘The Firm’ has said u .M:s* Made*: Elliot. ‘Come out and lx: a leading lady/ .She duly came out rnd wag immediately successful. Mias Klhott urinc.H to the pert of Maiylinn '“lhe Cabaret Girl’) life, spark, anti }*«'.*onaiity. Alfred Frith of course will he the funrnaker, and Sydney play g<ei.s ><vin a.; eager to him u\ ho i ■•rt/v r to get hack upon an Australian • " A pleasing mature <>t the fp!endi< 'audevjllc and revue entertainment irovnh l by ihc Fuller management a Hi*. Mu K\*l vri. and nn important facto toivv rd-i tie- Micros aehiev,.;!, i N the rv Cel i i• n' <■ ok the orchestra, under ilia: experienced conductor, M r Fra j:!. Oowther. It is a remarkably uci! balanced combination, and nightly u ceive* (and deserve®; a hearty round o» applause. Sir Bert Hoyle outlines sonu* fine .J Williamson attractions for the near ruiuie 'l he. e include Mad amo L.vpkovsha, a beautiful Russian singer win ha:, eauted a .sensation in Australia

with her picturesque mode of present ing songs. Slio is due in Auckland at His Majesty's from November 3rd to 17th, appearing overv other night. Gertrude Elliott (Lady Forbes Robertson) will probably open her new Zealand season at Wellington, and now we are to have the Royal Comics in “The Cabaret Girl,” “Kissing Time," and some revivals.

Mr Scott Colville is making a gooo recovery to health after his long illness, and it is hoped to see him hack in harness soon.

“I have never soon a ghcet, but—that), doesn't prove there aren’t any." Garry Marsh tries hard to be cheerful in “The Cat and the Canary.” < Mr Robert Geddes, well known previously in Auckland amateur circles, has made good in following up his stage predilection in Australia, his work in “The Cat and the Canary" demonstrating a sound knowledge in character drawing, identified."

“The Cabaret Girl" is described as the most successful musical play that London has had since the

“Merry Widow." It will be presented by the' J. C. Williamson New Musical Comedy Company, headed by that inimitable comedian, Alfred Frith. During the coming visit threo plays are promised;—“The Cr.baret Girl" and “Kissing lime," both new here, and a revival of the uproarious musical play, “A Night Out," with Frith as Ringlet.

“Harmony Row" is the next of the George Wallace revues to be produced at His Majesty’s on Monday. It is described as a “hurricane * comedy,’ J and the fun travels as fast as an express train. It is* said to be one or the best revues of the lot, and contains some strange and startling oddities. The great fight ocen© is described by oue who saw it in the South as “a regular scream, patrons must enjoy this absurdity, for George Wallace is m one of his great parts and simply compels you to laugh. The dancing is superb."

AXcTvor and Scott (to use their stage names), a dancing couple who were to j appear at His Majesty’s on Monday, received a terrible shock on Wednesday when a cable was received from Sydney that their daughter, a winsome lassie, had -been killed by being struck by a motor-car. It was the sad task of Mr W. Burton (manager of His Majestey’s) to break the terrible news to the parents, and the effect of the dreadful occurrence can well be imagined. General sympathy is extended to the bereaved couple, who left Wellington on Thursday for Auckland and sailed by the Manuka yesterday. Some <>t the artists appearing at Fuller’s Opera House, Auckland: Miss Dcra Lindsay, Scotch comedienne; Bertram and Raymond, in bits of everything; Will Hastings, English musical comedian: and Pinto, the “Injarirbber man."

Auckland .Church. Society have pro. duced “Hymn of Praise," while the Albert Sympathy Orchestra, assisted by the British Isles Club Concert Phrty, appeared at the Town Hall. The “Sticy" and “Mo" season in Dunedin is proving a great boom, and record business is reported. The combination had to follow George Wallace and his revue company, but they made gcod and now the Princess Theatre is packed nightly. “>lo" is cheered to the echo at each performance, while the glad hand of welcome is extended to •all the members of the jolly combination..

At; Auckland Poddy Hurle (HurleEvans revue company) still holds sway and patrons declare he becomes funnier as the season advances, ami changes are made. This i 3 the last week of this popular combination, which has filled Fuller’s Opera House in Auckland, as it packed the firm’s theatres elsewhere. The company will have a well earned rest for a few days and open at Christchurch on Monday week. *

Joe Brennan, who has been amusing Fuller audiences in New Zealand for some > time past, will leave vaudeville and join the Fuller-Ward shows.

According to Mr Ernest Newman, the noted English musical critic, “The Rosary" ie the world’s worst song. Leading singers rank “Down the Yale" “Queen of the Earth," and “Daddy" in the same category. Despite these opinions at least two of these songs have had a prodigious sale throughout the world.

In his book of reminiscences, “Shouts and Murmurs," Alexander Woolcott, the distinguished American dramatic critic, says that the play, “Alias Jimmy Valentine," which was based on 0. Henry’s story, “A Retrieved Reformation." yielded tHe man who dramatised the story, Paul Armstrong, £20,000. O. Henry got £IOO. The beauty and ability of the Australian chorus and ballet girls is a never-failing source of wonder to visiting theatricals, whether they come from London or New York. Mr Louis Bennison expressed the opinion shortly after his arrival in Sydney that a chorus and ballet such as ia common to musical productions here would be a “riot" on Broadway. Ada Reeve regarded her girls as ahead of anything seen on the London stage. This week members of “The O’Brien Girl" company joined in the paean of praise. “They are wonderful," said Miss Ena Dale, referring to Mr Hugh J. Ward’s chorus and ballet, which add so much grace and beauty to “The G\Brien Girl/ 5 “The New York stage girl," she went on, “regards work as the last thing she ought to do. She is more concerned about her limousine and supper parties than anything else."

A New Zealander, an old admirer of May Beatty’s, writes in indignation to i Sydney paper at Miss Beatty being hilled as an Englishwoman. He says:— “We New Zealanders know better! She wa<s the idol of our country long belorc «ho made good in Australia or Wnglnnd. Born in Christchurch, she and her sister Maude joined up with riv> Pollard Opera Company, and rccivf'fl their training from Tom Pol'd May remaining with him until 1 -no over to Australia, and made n aautnncouft hit in ‘A Chinese moon/ To show her -wonderful utility, in one season in Wellington '* ’• Zealand) ®he played with success v, ‘ Grey in ‘The Bello of New Topsy in ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ -•duced as a musical comedy), and name part in ‘Maritnna/ The /••’ require no imported label/’ He

•woug in stating that “Uncle TomV ' in” was produced as a. musical • ■ dv. It was produced in the origi

••<■»! lorm, with the added novelty of n diving bridge" to aid the escape of George Harris. “Uncle Tom’s Cabin" w:i>; produced by Mr Tom Pollard, aw a last resource when he was near “breaking point." Well do some remember the rehearsals for that pro-

•duction. How many piano wires were used ami broken in perfecting “the ]iv. ing bridge,” done by the O’Connor ■brothers? It seemed doomed to failure, 1 when that wise old bead of the Pol- | ' lardian destinies, the late Fred. Duval, I went out and bought two tenpenm I clothes-lines, and asked ill- Pollard to J try them. They were a success. An I other item of interest is that Mr Bland Holt was scoring big in Melbourne with the sensational drama, “The Span of 1 Life,” and on hearing of the “living { bridge” stunt in “Uncle Tom,” got the I lawyers to work, as he contemplated

a descent on New Zealand with his I ay. Mr Pollard interviewed the best egal authority “in New Zealand, with the result that he copyrighted his ver eion of “Uncle Tom,” with the added feature of the “living bridge.” And when Bland Holt came along he had to get permission from Mr Pollard to introduce the big feature in “The Span of Life,” that play not being copyrighted in New Zealand. The first night was one to remember. Miss Maude Beatty was playing George ; Harris, and was wearing a pair of (shoes with wooden heels. Being a hit j “nervy,” she slipped, and in doing so ■ one of the heels caught Jack O’Connor’s ear, the result being several | stitches. Being game, he never missed a performance, bnt Maude never wore , siloes afterwards whilst crossing the ravine. And “Uncle Tom” was one of : the biggest money-winners Mr Pollard ever had. In the cast was May Beatty as Topsy, Cissie Samuels as Cassie, the. late Alf. Stephens as Simon Legree, “Billy” Percy as “Uncle Torn.” The Pollards'have been known to give seven different performances in one week. Can they get a company in Australasia to do that at the present time? In the coming J. C. Williamson' «r« duction of the newest musical play “The Cabaret Girl” to make first Dominion appearances are Miss Mabel Burton and Mr Harold Pearce, both distinguished English musical comedy artists. The season is limited to t-t nights, during which will be presented besides “The Cabaret Girl”—“Kissing Time”—a further big London musical coined}- success, and probably a revival of “A"Night Out,” with the inimitable Alfred Frith as “Pinglct.” Harold Pearce, the Engly.li baritone, who will be seen as James Paradene lrj the coming J. C. Williamson musical comedy production “The Cabaret Girl,” explains liis trip to Australia rnd New Zealand as follows: “I ran into Alfred Frith, in Shaftesbury Avenue, London, a couple of months ago. ‘Why don’t you come to Australia, old man’, said Frith. ‘Oh, for half a chance,’ said I, and owing to Frith I was singing to Mr E. J. ’Fait almost before you could say knife, and very soon after that we had ‘cut tlia cackle and come to the ’osses’—otherwise signed a contract—and have been happy ever since.” Harry Plimmer, who has just concluded a season at New York in Ethel Barrymore’s “The Laughing Lady,” has now gone on the Keith circuit with Miss Barrymore in Barrie’s oneact play, “The Twelve Pound Look.” There are only three characters, and the third, the typist, is played l by Mrs Plimmer, formerly Miss Ena Shanaghan, of Brisbane. Prior to returning to New Zealand ’ next month, the Westminster Glee Singers are booked to give a further seven concerts in the Sydney Town Hall, and success is again assured. They commenced their Queensland 1 tour at Brisbane, where they had a wonderful season, and later played the E. J. Carroll chain of theatres in the northern part of the State. Dorothy Brunton, tile jiretty Australian comedienne, who is now a London star, and' Mr Charles Heslop, the handsome and clever young London farceur, are on their way to Melbourne to appear under the auspices of Mr Hugh. J. Ward in “Tons of Money,” the funniest comedy produced for many years. Miss Brunton recently spent a long holiday with her brothel* Jack, who is now controlling the big Miami Moving Picture Studio, Florida. “Tons of Money” ia to be elaborately staged by Mr Hugh J. Ward. Lorna Pounds gives a delightful char acter study as Peggy (in “Pretty Peggy”), a London flower girl whose winsome appeal and' courageous selfreliance win the sympathy of the audience on the instant. Miss Pounds is singularly adept in creating types from mean streets, and her Peggy is a go in of artless acting. ■Wills, chills, and thrills are some of the ingredients of “The Cat and the Canary” with plenty of good comedy mixed with the sensations. “The amusement tax and the dancehalls are to blame for the theatrical slump in London,” says Miss Ada Reeve, who has just returned to Australia. “Conservative hotels that would not have thought of such a thing ten years ago are opening ballrooms, and dance-halls are springing up like mushrooms all over the country. Some of the leading hotels feature Sunday night dances.”

Miss Madeline Knight, a popul.n New Zealand contralto, is on a visit to relatives in the -Dominion. Miss Knight is still with Huxliam's Screnaders, who are at present playing a season in Brisbane,

Miss Jane Saville, who plays Susan in “The Cat and the Canary,” owes her first acting knowledge to the Beerbohm Tree school, and at her first pub lio appearance did so well that sho soon got important parts. Later on in her career sho understudied Miss Gladys Cooper in “A Pair of Silk Stockings,” and just before leaving England was understudying that actress in “The Second Mrs Tanqueray,” Henry E. White (well-known in Wellington), in conjunction with E. J and Dan Carroll, is going to build picture theatres and dance halls combined within the next few months at Ipswich, Alary borough, 'Townsville, Rockhampton and Bundaberg. The scheme will provide houses of entertainment suitable alike for theatrical companies, picture managers, and the local dance promoters, and for social gatherings. Mr Charles liackett, tlio Irish-Ame-rican tenor, is to tour Australia, and New Zealand next year, under Air E. J. Gravestock’s direction. Music lovers will have the opportunity of hearing this fine singer at the zenith of his career. Mr Hackett is guest tenor at the forthcoming season at the Chicago Opera House, and next year sings in London, Paris, Mo-nte Carlo, and Stockholm, cn route to Australia, Supporting Mr JELckett, Air Gravestock lias engaged the brilliant yelling Serbian violinist Yovanovitch Bratza., who is already becoming well known in Australia and New Zealand by his gramophone records.

A substantial sum was realised at the Japanese relief matinee organised by Mr Hugh J. Ward in association with All- Harry Musgrovo, of Harry Afusgrovo Theatres, Ltd., and Sir Benjamin and Mr John Fuller, at the New Palace Theatre, ALcl'bournc.

The death occurred on September 12th of Miss Florence Harcourt (Mrs IC. B. Manning), who was a membci of the original Brougb-Boucicault com pany Subsequently Miss Harcourt had good parts with tho J. C. Williamson, Charles Arnold. Grattan Riggs, J. F. Sheridan and McMahon Brothers’ companies.

FILM COSBIP Air Cecil Afarks has been In Auok- ! land assisting the exploitation of the I successful United Artists’ film, “Souls for Sale.” j Mr Laurie Quin, formerly travelling | representative for United Artists’ films, ; baa been appointed New Zealand mana- , ger for that firm, in place of Mr Cecil Marks, who is returning to Sydney. Cesare Gravina has been added to the cast of “Edit-ha’s Burglar,” tho Frances Hodgson Burnett story which Augustus Thomas made into his first play. Baby Peggy is the star. Charlie Chaplin has settled the question which lias been agitating the public mind. He is not going to retire. After he finishes the cutting of “Public Opinion,” the dark and tragic play which ho lias been directing, lie will take a vacation ; then begin work on a five-reel comedy. To outdo in spectacular effect much master productions as “The Queen of Sheba” is to accomplish the unexpected. Press and public have agreed that “Nero” lias set a new record for mammoth and artistic photoplays. The mobs used in the burning of Rome and other sensational scenes far outnumber any previous attempts of this nature. “Nero” is said to be the most ambitious picture ever attempted by Fox or any other film organisation, and employed more players than were ever before assembled in range of a motion picture camera.

Irene Castle is five feet seven, and has auburn hair and grey eyes. Julanne Johnston is the heroine of Doug. Fairbanks’s next release “Tile Thief of Bagdad.” Lenore Ulric, Broadway stage star, has fallen in love with Hollywood, and will return there from New. York next season to film “Kiki.” She is nowmaking “Tiger Rose.” Gladys Walton has started the production of Frank R, Adams’s delightful story, “The Near Lady,” under the direction of Herbert Blache at Universal City. At Auckland the other day a luncheon w-as held in the Pacific Club, when picture men attended in full force to welcome Air William Scott, the late general manager of Australasian Films, Ltd., who has been appointed the new general manager - f tho New Zealand Picture Supplies, Ltd,, with headquarters at AVellington. Mr Henry H. Hayward, chairman of directors presided, and there were also piesent: Alessrs Phil. B, Hayward (director), _ -E. J. Righton (managing director of the Picture Supplies), F. W. Aliohaels (Princess Theatre), iB. Atkinson .Queen’s Theatre), C. R. Smith (assistant manager, Strand Theafre), Phil Murdoch (Lyric Theatre), L. H. (lip) Wilson. (Hippodrome), W. Frazer (Eveiybody’s Theatre). Rud Peterson (Princess Theatre), Maurice Ralph (Exhibitors), L. L. Speedy (Picturedrome), Y. Jeune (Fox Films), \V. Alartin (Onebunga), D. Cook (Picture Supplies, Ltd.), F. Mills (Victoria Theatre), and J. Jones (.Palace Theat’/)- 'The chairman and Messrs R. T. Michaels, Atkinson, Ralfe and E. J. Righton spoke in eulogistic terms of JMj* Scott’s capabilities, and assured Inin of a pleasant stay in New Zealand. They also referred to liis long experience in the world of moving pictures, and ex-I-'I eased the opinion that lie would do a great deal towards building up tho industry in the Dominion. In responding, Mr Scctt, after thanking all lor the cheery welcome extended, stated that lie first started out in the picture business away back in 1897, in London, who:i he was connected with the first moving picture taken of the Cambridge-Oxford boat race. Since 1909 he had been in Australia, engaged in the industry all of that time. Alj Scott then chatted on matters affecting the exchanges and the exhibitor, anil said that in. hie new- position he wou-id do all in his power to give exhibitors a chance to make money. . S -^'! lia Breamer, playing the title role m Edwin Carewe’s production of “The • r i. Golden West," wa® horn in Sydney, Australia. She began her stage career before she readied ten -years of age, and ihae played with all the leading stock companies in the Antipodes. Sho has also assumed leading roles in stage productions in New York and Boston. J'or nearly five yeors jVJis3 Dreamer has been ill pictures, and has always been in featured leads. Her hobby is dancing. Because of its having paid a tremendous figure for the anonymously written and tremendously isuccessful novel, “Damned/ 5 Universal is in a position to know who wrote it. Since the production plans are now well formulated, the company has -decided to reveal the. secret. “Damned" was written by Ethel Smith-Dorrance, author of twenty or thirty popular works/ The authoress was recently married, and went on a honeymoon trip to Europe AirsHickey, as she now ie, is expected to be back in time for the opening of “Damned" in New York.

Constance Tahnadige is taking a brief rest. following the completion of “Dulcy." Her next picture is to be “The Dangerous Alaia," an adaptation of Elizabeth Ellis’s “Barbara Winslow, Rebel. 5 ’

The importance and magnitude of “The Covered Wagon, 55 a Paramount production, may be gathered from the fact that the governors of nearly every State that it lias been shown in have requested special screenings. Recently it was shown to representatives of the New South Wales and: Victoria Parliarments.

In Charlie Chaplin’s; latest picture, “The Pilgrim." the comedian is seen ae an escaped convict, who steals the clothes of a clergyman, and even goes so far as to preach a sermon. But the scenes are so remote from life, the characters eo removed from real people, that even the most sensitive could not find in the picture anything objectionable.

Percy Alarmont, star of the William Fox production, “If AVinter Comes," wants to return to the scene of many of his earlier successes, Australia. A short time ago, while discussing hie start hi motion pictures and of his ambitions, Alarmont let drop tho infor niation that he holds a soft spot in his heart for tho Antipodes. “I made my first picture in Australia," he said. “It was called ‘The Alonk and tho Woman/ and I was the monk. I made the picture for an independent concern, and it was a great success. It made mo realise tho future there was in pictures, and I came to America where 1 made my second production. “Air Alarmont is wellknown to Australian audiences, and needs little introduction. In 1917, after a suocessfu I tour in South Africa, in the J. C. Williamson theatres, lie came to Australia, under the same management, visiting successively Alelbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Sydney “Tho Fall of Babylon" is the title of the new D. AV. Griffith production tlvai again brings this dramatic, genius to the fore as the peer of ail producers of mammoth spectacles. Those who have been privileged, to see Mr Griffith’s “The Birth of a Nation" and “Hearts of the World," will **'©looolo tho announcement that “The Fall of Babylon" will bo shown in Auckland ia due eouise. One of the largest and rr-ost notable companies ever assembled by Mr Griffith will enact tho principal parts, the foremost players including OcuKtanco Tahnadge, Tully Alairshall, (Jcorgo Fawcett, Aliidred Harris, Paulino Stark, Seena Owen, Alma Rubens, Kato Bruce, Alfred Paget, Kbno Li;; coin, and Ruth Darling. Aloro than 125,000 men and women appear in tho spectacle.

Among the latest recruits to Warner Bros/ army of film stars and experts are Mae Alarsh, J. Harron (brother of the well-known Bofiroie Harron), and Charles Rosher (one of Alary Piekford’s ohief cameramen). They are all at work on the new production of “Babbit/ 5 from Sinclair Lewis’s novel.

The eternal trianglo is given a new twist in “Temptation," featuring Bryant Washburn, Eva Novak, and June Elvidge. The story deals with a young married woman’s desire for wealth, and all that goes with it. The desire is gratified, bringing with it the realisation that money alone does not make for happiness. The final scenes of “Squibs, AI.P./ J have been shot, and George Pearson ie busy with the assembling and editing stages of the latest Betty Balfour picture

A correspondent wants to know if we don’t think that Buster Keaton is a greater artist than Chaplin or Lloyd? “Yes, we have no bananas."

Pauline Starke was recently selected as one of the six most beautiful screen actresses.

Work on “Maytime" has been started at Sohulberg’s studio. Air Schulberg has just announced that Ethel Shannon and Clara B<Tw will be the leading woman players, and Harrison Ford the hero. Perhaps one of the most thrilling everyday sights is a racing fire-engine. It suggest© tragedy and courage. A film entitled “The Third of Alarm" is alleged to be the epic of the fireman. Certainly it provides some thrilling fire scenes, and deeds of bravery are not lacking. This film was shown at the headquarters of the Sydney Aletropolitan Fire Brigade, and was used as part of the propaganda for fire prevention week.

Mildred Harris Chaplin, thefctar in “The Inferior Sex," tells girls now to win the men o*f their choice, and how to hold, love after they are married, and she ©ays that the same plan will work in real life, for the play is based on facts and/conditions of to-day. This picture is being shown at Everj ; body 5 s Theatre this week.

It lias been said that the history of the world is written in its love stories. Certainly, the history of tho ancient Roman Empire was affected by the love affairs of Theodora, the girl who started life as a circus dancer, and afterwards became the wifo of the Emperor Justinian. A further love affair with a handsome rebel Greek led to an act of unparallelled audacity. To save her lover, Theodora loosed a horde of lions into tho arena filled with 25,000 people. “Theodora," tho film now showing at tho Empress, was made in Italy at a cost of £600,000. To obtain accurate scenes for the mine episodes in “The Little Church Around tho Corner," AVarnor Bros. (*cnt thcii cameramen to tho famous Argonaut mine in California. As a result, tho studio mine was faithful to the original, and included the mouth of the shaft, with “skips" or elevators, real cars and tracks, mino buildings, and half a mile of ninderg,round workings. It was built at a cost of £SOOO. The mine disaster, the trapped men, the relief party, the final rescue, are some of tho most stirring and realistic scenes ever screened. This feature film will be shown at the Empress next week. “The Foolish Ago," starring Doris Afay, ia based upon an idea, that lends itFelf admirably to rapid-fire comedy. Charlie Chaplin has a rcmaxkabl©

knack of getting in and out of complicated situations in a most original fashion. In “The Pilgrim” he stepe right into them in the very first foot of the film, and ho does not wholly escape until the final fade-out. > It is isaid that Pola Negri has forsaken Charlie Chaplin to roll those devastating eyes of hers at Bill Tilden, the tennis champion. Who was it who remarked that tennis is a love game that keens the players in the courts most of the time‘s Rupert Hughes wrote “From the Ground tip” to suit Tom Moore's screen work. It is a typical Irish story, and Tom Moore is the gay, irresponsible Irishman to perfection. One of the funniest scene,is where he learns to ride a- hor&e. He wonders when he will be able to “joomp the joomps,” but tho horse soon settles that! All who saw “The Miracle Man” will remember Betty Compeon and Lon Chaney. These two players appear together f gain in “For Those We Love,” to be seen at Everybody's next week. Chaney, with his usual remarkable make-up, makes a sinister roughie, not without a streak of goodness, and Betty Compeon strikes a fine attitude in her endeavour to prove a loyal daugntov and aister when circumstances ere decidedely unfavourable. A picture after the typo of “Humoresque” is “Breaking Homo Ties,” now screening at Everybody’s. Based upon ‘‘Eli, Eli,” a traditional Hebiew melody, it deals with the intimate homelif© of a. Hebrew The players are well cast, with Bee ICohlmaT and Rebecca Weintraub. as father and mother, and Richard Farrell as thenson David ‘ . _ Tho world’s leading Assyriologist writes from the British Museum of “The Fall of Babylon’’“These Babylon scenes are magnificent and true to facts. I do not think anything comparable to it has ever been staged before.” The story is based on the account found in the recently excavated cylinders of Nabonidus and Cyrus, and tolls of Babylon’s tragic betrayal by the priest* of Bel. “Thorns and Orange Blossoms due for release in Wellington shortly, is tho screen version of Bertha Clay a popular novel. The story opens in the beautiful gardens, shady patios, and picturesque buildings of Maond, which serve as an effective background for Estelle Taylor, who plays Rosita, the fascinating Spanish nrima donna, m gorgeous embroidered shawls, laco mantiUas. high combs, and flirtacious fans. Edith Roberts, an opposite type, proves a formidable rival in the eanture of Kenneth Harlan the hero of the story.

There was a man who thought ho wa« hound for other worlds, so lie married his nurse in order to save his money from scheming relatives. But he recovered, and there he was—a married man. when only a few weeks earlier he had been a rollicking young bachelor; and he scarcely knew tho pirl’n mime. That is what happened to “The Glorious Fool,” portrayed by Richard Dix. “Main Street,” the screen adaptation of Sinclair Lewis’s hook, is not only true to life, but it also possesses a rich vein of humour. Through tho story mnft a pretty romance in which Miss Florence Vidor and Monte Blue share the honours. The title. “Westbound Limited." suggests a train thundering along through the night, and coining to an upon bridge, either tumbles its doom ur is saved by the timely intervention

of the stationmaater’s daughter. Such speculations will not be wholly without foundation in this film featuring Johnny Harron and Ralph Lewis. We have met the pinto pony, the mustang, the mule, and the monkey, as stare in motion pictures, but Thomas H. Ince introduces us to a novelty when he presents an elephant, yclept Oscar, who does everything but talk, in “The Soul of the Beast.” This picture features a circus story with Madge Bellamy appearing as one of the sideshow attractions.

Mr George Pearson has once again produced a clever film, “Wee MacGregor’s Sweetheart.” He is ono of England’s best producers.

GARRY MARSH

“It’s merely a question of one's outlook on life,’’ said Mr Garry Marsh, icferring to Mark Sabre in. “If Winter Comes.” Mark thought a tliinjr was right, and lie absolutely stood nv it And ho had to pay the penalty for it. Rut he wasn’t unreal a hit. He was absolutely human. He was just misunderstood by those who didn't leally matter. And there are plenty ot Mark Sabres in the world. But just because thej’ are Mark Sabres, you don’t hear about them.” Comedy is Mr Marsh’s real metier, and one "gets a glimpse of his inherent humour (he's an Irishman) in “The Cat and the Canary,” in his handling of a totally diverse lole to Mark Sabre. Mr Marsh says he had good fortune on his eide when he entered on his stage career. He walked straight into a leading part, and lias never had to look back. Just a stroke of luck, he added modestly.

HARRY LAUDER ON DANCING

“DANCE AND BE HAPPY.”

In all my travels around the world (says Sir Harry Lauder in “Tho Dance Annual”), coining into contact with many black peoples, I noticed that tho fust and last thing that they do to entertain their visitors is to dance for thin. It. is an orderly occupation, rot express ourselves by dantitig even more than we already do. Dancing is irstructive, it teaches time ami rhythm. It is an orderly occupation,

and tho world is needing order to-day. If we can dance ourselves into order let us do it; wo will be helping tho world. “I have always been a believer m gaiety—it has been my career and philosophy. Clean gaiety, that is healthy gaiety. 'Hie sort ef gaiety that raises the spirits without lowering tho mind; and I think that of all forints of pleasure in which the individual cmi, indulge dancing is aiming the host. It is a curious thing that men ami .‘-omen in all ages and of all peoples, whenever they have- an impulse of happiness, U nd to express it hy bodily movement that is, by dancing. WTiy this rinniij N\ no one knows, but there it is - a nlain fact. Now, my view is that ii In ppimss makes you dance, donciug will help to make you happy—and to he happy is n oie important than to Lo wise, for a fool can learn wisdom, but only a. wise man knows the value <>f laughter."