Stage & Screen

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11933, 13 September 1924, Page 15

Stage & Screen

Theatrical Pars and Movie Motes.

AN ARTISTIC TRIUMPH VANBRUGH BOUOCAULT SEASON The last three nights of the splendid reason of the Vanbrugh-Boucicault seaoon at the Grand Opera House are announced. It has been a wonderful success, the audiences being both large and enthusiastic. Irene Vanbrugh and Dion Boucicault are finished artists, and it has been unalloyed pleasure to witness their presentations in which they hare been so ably supported by i.heir brilliant London company. For the final production ‘‘Aren’t We All?” is being staged, and this sparkl- , mg and delightful comedy is considered j by many to be the most enjoyable of ! the extensive repertoire. There will be a special matinee this afternoon, and the season will close on Tuesday evening. FULLERS’ CELEBRITIES SOME NOTABLE ACTS. At His Majesty’s (the redoubtable house of Fullers) Jim Gerald and bis clever company of artists pursue their victorious way, and packed houses have followed each other with gratifying regularity. The last revue has been ‘For the Duration,” the final performances of which will be given at the matinee this afternoon and in the evening. The genial comedian and his merry men and maidens will present another revuesical tit-bit on Monday. The vaudeville section of the programme is also strong, favourites being Reno’s Marimba band, James Stewart, the tramp on the piano; the Fredo Bros, in a startling act, and the Astleys. A welcome newcomer is Alex. Regan, the celebrated English light comedian, who has an extensive repertoire. Last, but not by any means least, Frank Crowther and the members of his efficient orchestra adds to the enjoyment of patrons, with a selected programme of sparkling musical gems. Alec Regan, the young London musical comedy actor now at His Majesty’s, is a versatile young actor and vocalist. He played juvenile lead opposite Evelyn Laye in the original production of “Mary” at the Queen’s Theatre. He also ha 4 & similar position in the cast of “Hullo, America.” at the Palace Theatre, London. At the Hippodrome he created Hie role of Phineas Fogg in the Hippodrome success “Round in 60.” Educated at Kelly College, Devon, Alec Regan is an enthusiast in all forms of sport, and during the war served with a cavalry corps in France. He has a pleasing baritone voice, and bright personality, and he *is accompanied at the piano by Mr Ronald Stafford. ,A n unusual acrdbatic act which has just been engaged by Sir Benjamin Fuller and Mr John Fuller for a tour of their vaudeville circuit is that of Eileen and Marjorie. Although still in their ’teens, these two bright youngsters have earned the praises of the vaude vill world in America and England. Marjorie i 3 like a rubber ball witb the jim-jams. She’s hounding and bouncing all the time she’s on the stage, and lands as oheerfully on her curly thatched thinking-box ae on her feet. Tj sing ‘her head as a pivot, she revolves like a human teetotum, turning side springs and somersaults with wonderful dexterity and ease. WILLIAMSON'S ENTERTAINERS A WONDERFUL COMBINATION. The premiere of J. O. Williamson’s Entertainers at Auckland created quite a furore. His Majesty’s was packed for the matinee (the opening) performance, and in the evening the auditorium was hut a sea of faces. The combination is a remarkably strong one. Mr Bransby Williams, the famous Eng lish character impersonator, was recalled again and again. His performance was one of the most remarkable ever presented to a New Zealand audienoe. The Seven Hadje Arabs are true whirlwind sons of the desert. Their wonderful whirling gyrations are amazing, and they thrill tile audience with their recklessness. It is a sensational turn. In addition, the programme contains some 'decidedly original features given by the following:—Spencer Ward and Giertrude Long, a singing. act that ie different; jMlle. Solange Landry and M. Jules, Parisienne dancers with a difference; W. V. R. Robinson, the Canadias entertainer; Anna and Louis, Continental musical eccentriques; George Castles and Torzillo, the voice and the harp; Arthur Lucan, the English .dame comedian, and Kitty McShane, m “Come Over.” Mr Harry Jacobs Cast here as musical director with “Aladdin”) conducts an efficient chestraThe New Zealand tour of the J. C. Williamson Entertainers is being _ personally oonducted by Mr A. It. Shepard. Mr Walter Monk is touring manager, Mr Irvine Elston, treasurer; Mr Edward Bult, stage manager; and Mr Harry Jacobs, musical, director. Mr Harry P. Muller is J. C. Williamson’s personal representative, with Bransby Williams. All experts in their respective lines. The Wellington season (or one week only) of the present company will open next Saturday, September 30th. STAGE JOTTINGS PERSONAL AND GENERAL. At the Opera House, Auckland, Fullers’ vaudeville --ntertainers are presenting a varied and attractive bill of faro, ■ and despite strong counter-at-traction large audiences aid attending. The programme—a particularly strong and highly enjoyable one—contains many high-grade and popular performers, including Airmitago and Hine, Marcus and D’Arma, Eileen and Marjorie; Gufi T. Raglus, Miss Lillian and girls, George Edwards and Co., Ford and Aldous. Eert Harrow, Bert and Evelyn Dudley, ard Charles Lewis. Mr Beveridge, who is Auckland manager for the firm, attends closely to the interests of the house of Fuller, and is as popular as he is capable. Mr Scott Colville, who has been managing the Australian tour of Carter the Great, has returned to New Zeal,and. Miss Dorothy Brunton takes the title role in “The Rise of Rosie O’Reillv.” the new H. J. Ward comedy in Melbourne. The Humphrey Bishop Company, after a successful season at Auckland, started off on a provincial tour, and will play both islands. The season will last until the end of 0 etcher,

when the company proceeds to Australia, opening in Adelaide at the J. C. Williamson theatre. Stiffy and Mo and company met with a great reception at Fullers’ Theatre, at Sydney, on their reappearance aftei an absence of 18 months in New Zealand. In the vaudeville section are Ernie Adams, the gifted child vocalist; the Bohemian Three, Niblo and Given, and Steppon and Seea, eomedv jugglers and acrobats. So far as elocutionary and character ability arc concerned, Miss Mary Cooley has been tho “find” of the Wellington Competitions this year. We all knew she was clover, but few expected her to plumb the. depths of emotion as she has done. Miss A. Winkel, of Dunedin, is another valuable discovery and all her performances have been full of merit. As elocutionists Misses Cooley and Winked would be hard to heat. The poi dances at the competitions have proved most attractive, and the .singing and rhythmical movements of the performers have delighted the hugs audiences. It was a splendid idea of tho energetic committee to explore this avenue, and if they extend their operations in this connection thev should be richly rewarded. Richard Garner has sailed for Bombay by the Mongolia to arrange the farewell world tour of Harry Lauder, which commences in that city on November Ist. The Straits Settlement. China. Japan, Java, and the Philippines will follow, and subsequently New Zealand; where the Scottish knight will have a little trout fishing. He will open at Invercargill on May Ist. and reach Sydney early in July. Sir Harry sails from- England for Bombay on October 4th. Mr E. J. Carroll considers it improbable that he will appear in Australia or New Zealand, again. “East of Suez,” with Muriel Starr and Frank Harvey in the leading roles, is tho big draw in Melbourne. At the London Hippodrome Maude Fane and Vera Pearce are appearing on the same programme as that great comedian George Robey. A hit has been made by the sixteen Hoffman girls, who do some wonderful aerobatic and dancing turns. Gladys Moncrieff may also join up. Jenny Hartley .(“You’d Be Surprised”) is now- touting South Africa under engagement to African Theatres. Ltd At Fuller’s Majestic Theatre, Newtown, Sydney, George Wallace and his revue • company are staging clever musical farces. On the programme are several performers well-known in New Zealand, including Athos and Collins, the Jubilee Trio, Nat Hanley, Harry. North, and Rosie Rifle and Co. “'Little Nelly Kelly,” the Hugh J. Ward production at Sydney’s Grand Opera House, is described as a better and a bigger success than “The O'Brien Girl.” The dianedmg is a feature of the production. From Hazel Harris to Jane Roberts, from Mamie Watson to Robert Jackson, each member of the cast is an expert in the rpsichpre an art. Annette Kellerman'is now appearing in Australia in the film “‘Venue of the Southern Seas” which was recently made in New Zealand. It is said that she, and not her husband, wrote the scenario. Phil Smith’s Revue Ooanpany at Newcastle includes William Green, the wellknown Williamson artist; Peggy Peat, Ida Newton, Leslie Gordon, and John Robertson. Pauline Frederick and Pavlova, both world-famous artists -in their own sphere, will probably arrive early next year. Pavlova is contemplating a tour of the East, but in the meantime has to fulfil engagements' at Covent Garden before opening in New York for the winter season. Sydney has been “whirled into iiapS'nees,” and Albert Frith and Cecil ellaway are running eaoh close for the popularity stakes. Winnie Collins and Maggie Jarvis are in important parte. Harold Pearce plays the hero, and Cunningham and Clements (Americans) appear in whirlwind dances. In “Good Morning, Dearie,” tho J. C. Williamson Company have secured a production which promises to see ail box-office records eclipsed. Dancing is a strong feature. Josie Melville, Percy Ie Fie, George Crotty, and Doran and Rivkin take prominent parts in this connection. At Sydney’s Tivoli, Irene Franklin is now the headline. She has returned a finished artiste. Others are Du Oalson,. who does a remarkable act on the top of a tottering ladder: Donald, a Scottish comedian; the Lampinis, French comedy illusionists; John Wright, in a dramatic dance; Doran and Rivkin, Kiddy Kinig, and Victoria Carmen. Williamson Entertainers opened at Brisbane at His Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday last. Mr Jack Musgrove supervised the initial opening. The hill includes Alice Lloyd, Grace Christie, Joolt McKay, Burke and Klein, Beit Levy, and Maggie Foster. They will appear twice daily. • Harry Muller has arrived in New Zealand to thoroughly establish Williamson’s entertainers in Maoriland,

THE FILM WORLD COMING ATTRACTIONS. The starring attraction at the Queen's this week will be "Bluff," a Paramount picture, with Agnes JAyres in the leading •role. This is a story of the gay side of New York, and Agnes Ayres plays thie role of a girl who brings society to her feet through sheer bluff. The story has been filmed amidst the pleasure resorts of New Y<jrk, and gives an insight into the gay life of a big city. The story is taken from the novel of Rite. Weimen. "The Dawn of a To-morrow" is listed as the -big picture for the Queen's Theatre next week. This production is offered through Paramount by George Melford, the man who made "The Sheik" and "The Light That Failed." Jacqueline Logan is the girl, and the story is a luxurious melodrama, a story of regeneration, which gives the star the best opportunities she had to date. "The Dawn of a To-morrow" is adapted from the story by Frances Hodgson Burnett. "Fashion Row," with Mae Murray, a Metro feature released through Paramount, is the stirring attraction on the programme at the Paramount Theatre this week. Miss Murray has appeared in many fashion stories, but never has she been seen to 'better advantage than as the centre of interest in one of New York's most noted rendezvous— Fashion Row. This -picture also gives Miss Murray opportunities for the portrayal of a strong dramatic role; in fact, she is featured in a dual role, that of society woman of New York, and as Zeta, the little Russian waif. Members of the Paramount Convention in Sydney recently had the pleasure of reviewing '‘The. Ten Commandments" m the banquet hall of the Hotel Australis-. •Much has been said about this great* picture, and certainly it is the greatest effort an the modern art of the screen drama. "The Ten Commandments" was the outcome of a world-wide competition instituted by Cecil do Millo to get master for a big subject for tho screen. a do Mille could have handled such a massive subject, and in it we may to a -picture which sets a new standard of possibilities in screen art. Tommy Meighan's next offering through Paramount will bo "The Confidence Man." Meighan has always been a 'popular star, and he will also appear id several big pictures that are included in Paramount's Famous -Forty for «£©« Among other pictures he wall offer me Alaskan," from the story by James Oliver Ciirwood, also "Whispering Men, from the story by Booth Tarkmgton There is no finer actor on, the screen to-day than Percy Marmont, if a mastery of the elements that, make for real, artistic and graphic character delineation is a criterion. Mr Marmont has a bnlliant stage experience as a background for his screen success. In England he played with such noted actors as bir Herbert Tree, Sir George Alexander and Cyril Maude. In America he was under the management of David Belasco and Charles Frohman, appearing with Barrymore and Ann© Murdock. His greatest screen characterisations of recent year® are his wonderfully sympathetic portrayal of "Mark Sabre" in 'lf Winter Comes," and as Captain Harry Westmore in "The Midnight Alarm," screening at the Empress this week. Fourteen outtahding thrills are reported 'in "The Midnight Alarm," the special Master picture which will be shown at the Empress Theatre this week. These thrills are so interwoven with bits of romance and pathos and intrigue as to maintain the interest of the spectator at a high point throughout. A spectacular fire scene, a train crash, a near wreck of a train at a draw-bridge, and rescue of tho heroine from a vault in a burning building are just a few of the thrilling moments in this tremendous creen drama. * Tom Moore, with his gay smile and irresistible manner, is up to all sorts of mischief in "Marriage Morale," at the Strand Theatre this week. He is a rich young spendthrift who is full of good indentions, which,, unfortunately, get no further than being intentions. He seas a beautiful girl working in a beauty parlour,- and offers her marriage, ana promises to reform if she becomes his wife. Do you think Tom Moore could reform on such short notice and become a worthy and respected member of the community? See what happens in "Marriage Morale." Also screening is "The Grub Stake," the thrilling romance of a girl in the Alaskan gold rush who "took" I her "Igrub-stake" from the man who I would not "play partners, fair and square, i with a woman," battled with the wilderness, and won. "The Gold Diggers," a coming Master picture, tells of parties so wild they take the breath, away, and of admirers. so wealthy that they leave thousand dollar bills in their wake. And there is a fresh, unspoiled girl in the midst of a gold-diggine crew. This week's comedy at the Empress will be another of the "Our Gang" series, entitled "Dogs of War." Baby Peggy is a very fascinating personality. She does nothing according to precedent. She has ways of her own, and her ways are very delightful. Look out for her in "Captain January," a forthcoming Master picture. In "Poisoned Paradise," the screen adaptation of Robert W. Service's work entitled "Poisoned Paradise," acting honours belong to Clara Bow, who, in less than a year, has gained a name for herself that promises, to be big indeed before long. As the girl of Paris underworld she contributes a characterisation that is both truthful and alluring. Kenneth Harlan, Carmel Myers, and Rlay Griffith perform nicely. • W hen the name of Elinor Glyn is identified with a book, play or newspaper article, the public has learnt to expect that the subject is going to'be treated in a new, original and often startling manner. , This is exactly the case with Elinor Glyn's Story "How to Educate a Wife," the Master picture featuring Marie Prevost and Monte Blue. ' Johnny Hines, featured in "Sure Fire Flint." narrowly averted death during the filming of one of the big scenes of this Master picture, to be shown here next week, when his racing car crashed into a : fast moving Long Island train. According to the script of the scenario Hines was supposed to overtake the train 111 bio mad rush to get to the city in a . but the engineer apparently missed his cue to slow up the train in time to allow Hines to climb aboard while it was still in motion. Thomson, known as "the prince of athletes, cioes some thrilling Roman ridNorth of Nevada," an outstanding Master picture. ' Thomson's rescue of the girl from a blackboard runaway is one. of the most exciting and courageous bits of daring that any camera ever shot. As a household pet, an ostrich is some- * °* t a ,problem. A warm admirer .Y£ rm . e * Myer s, the son of a southern Californian ostrich farm owner, wired Carmel recently that he was sending her a prize six-month-old ostrich as a testimonial of his esteem. Even the prospect of having as. many ostrich plumes as she wants doesn't reconcile Carmel to having such a bird about the place. Carmel. Myers will be seen shortly in Poisoned Paradise" and "Beau Brum- » two splendid Master pictures. .■After a season of many delightful social activities, the Grand Movie Ball comes along as a splendid finale. It is to be held at the Town Hall on Wedneaday, October Ist, and into the # ‘we sma' hours of the. following morning. A small fortune is being offered in prizes for the best impersonation of well-known him stars and comedians. In many cases the stars themselves have authorised their New Zealand representatives to £i V ?i. prize i 8 * or - finest impersonations of themselves in well-known pictures.