Stage & Screen

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12075, 28 February 1925, Page 7

Stage & Screen

Theatrical Pars and Movie Notes

HUGH J. WARD THEATRES SOME COMING FEATURES. Sir Benjamin Puller and) Mr Hugh Ward are bringing a number of new at* tractions for their theatres. One notable comedy they have secured is "The Nervous Wreck," which, with a valetudinarian as its central figure, has had a long and prosperous run in New York. In that city also they acquired "Abie's Irish Bose. The history of "Abie's Irish Bose" shows how easily experts may be confounded in their attempts to gauge public tasto in the theatre. This domestio comedy, amusing in ita way, was rejected by various managers, and when at last it was produced the critics scoffed at it, one at least of them bodly predicting that it would not run a month. These predictions have been completely falsified. The piece has keut upon its hilarious career for more than two years, coining a fortune for its author, and is still running at the Republic Theatre. "The Storm," in which a Canadian snow blizza’rd and forest fire accentuate the climaxes of an exciting story, written by L&ngdon McCormick, is a new drama purchased by Mr Ward, in addition to "The Cobra," previously annonnced. The list of new comedies secured for the Hugh J. Ward theatres include also "SixCylinder Love," ‘‘The Hottentot," and "Stop .Flirting,". and there is a budget ,of musical comedies, among which * are "Archie," "Little Jessie Jamgs," "The Last Waltz," "Gabriel,” "The Music-box Revue," "No, No, Nanette," and "Betty Lee." BEHIND THE FOOTLIGHTS After 19 months abroad, Sir Benjamin Fuller is returning to Sydney by the Aorangi. He is accompanied by Lady and the Misses Fuller. The result of his trip (reports our Auckland correspondent) will shortly bo realised in many cew and high-class theatrical attractions. A total of 46 vaudeville artists have been engaged, and they have the reputation of being first-class entertainers both on the Continent and in England. “Mr Hugh J. Ward is still in London, and I have just received cabled advice from him to the effect that he has bought Geveral new musical comedies and plays," stated Sir Benjamin. "He should be back in Sydney some lime in March." During nis trip Sir Benjamin and his family motored~some 4009 miles in England and Scotland, and about 3000 miles on the Continent. ’ Their Continental tour embraced Switzerland and Italy. Seymour Hicks and Ellaline Terriss and their talented company greatly pleased Auckland audiences with their famous plays. "Broadway Jones" is now being played,and on Monday "The Man in Dress Clothes” will be presented. Many theatregoers, as well as a large circle of friends, will regret to learn of the death of Mrs Oughton, the popular, wardrobe mistress at the Grand Opera House. The lady was one -of .the firm’s most trusted employees, and those associated with the management felt her loss very keenly. The fifth company of international vaudeville artists, which will open its New Zealand! season at Auckland on Wednesday next, is headed by "The Versatile Three" (A. Hasten, saxophonist and singer; A. Tuch, mandolin, and C. Mills, pianist and entertainer), who

appear in a whirl of harmony and jazz, direct from their London successes. The others in this strong combination are:--* From the Continent, The Daros, astonishing equilibrists on the dizzy ladder, an ace-high sensation; direct from London, Ethel Newman, presenting miniature musical comedy, "The Widow”; one of the biggest sensations the Dominion has ever witnessed it supplied by Eelovis, the uncanny juggling marvel; a delightful act, Haydon and Nevard, in ' old songs and new; late principal dancers with J. C. Williamson Comic Opera Company, Jack Hooker and Dorothy Seaward, novelty dance scenas; Violet Lester, dual voice vocalist; the worlds latest novelty sensation, The Four _Ortons, unique comedy team 'with their marvellous trained geese comedians. Mr A. G. Frost is musical director, and Mr W. Monk is touring representative. The J. C. Williamson Dramatic Company, with Miss Muriel Starr and Mr Frank Harvey as the principles, concluded a successful season at His Majesty's Theatre, Auckland, the final P, 1 ’ 0 ’ duction being "Bought and Pair For. The Hugh J. Ward! Musical Comedy Company has .been drawing big houses in its southern tour. The Boyal Comic Opera is one of the most popular organisations that tour New Zealand, and as was to be expected, the Christchurch season has been marked by the greatest success. Miss Ada Reeve, on her first appearance in London at the Holborn Efcnpire, after her Australian, tour, was warmly welcomed. Responding to the demands for a speech, she said: —"When I left sunny Australia I expected to find London’s streets cold. They are, but Londoners' hearts are as warm as the Australians.' "

Recently Josie Melville, who js appeaTinff in "Good Morningv Dearie,” at Melbourne, His Majesty’s, completed her 780th performance in two years and one month. During this period she has appeared in only two plays—" Sally” and "Good Mornin, Dearie”—a record that has not been equalled by any other artist on the Australian stage. There are two"*”members of the ' Good Morning, Dearie” Company who aie "known by the other members of the company as "the optimists.” They are Emmie Ensor and Jean Melville, who are Josie Melville’s understudies. They have never had the chance yet'to play Josie Melville’s parts, but are still waiting to get the or»nortunity. Misquette. tiiuT Maxley, the _ French speciality dancers, cause something of a sensation by their remarkable performance in "Good Morning, Dearie.” The maJe danrer swings his partner around by the hair, and at times throws her to the stage with a bang that would cause permanent injury to any ordinary person. And the lady treats her partner similarly, so the performance is quite exciting. Guy Bates Post, the great dramatic actor, in "The Green Goddess,” was a&ked recently to what ‘he attributed his success in the world of the theatre. “To trying to live the part,” Mr Post answered. "I have never done what is called 'flashy* work. Too many actors to-day play in. the showy way to startle the audience and arrest its attention at any cost. Although that gains some praise. it is not what is termed fine acting. To me, the actor who mellows eveTy performance, whose every act and .movement, coupled with the music, lighting, and stage effects, help to create the right atmosphere and bring the audience slowly into the spirit rather than rushing them, is accomplishing the results.” SCREEN JOTTINGS FROM FAR AND NEAR. "The Ten Commandments,” Paramount's great production, is now screening at the Grand Theatre, Christchurch. Its reception in that town has been none the less enthusiastic than in Wellington and Auckland. A long season is anticipated. ‘‘Monsieur Beaucaire,” which brings Bodolph Valnetino back to the screen after ah absence of two years, ihas at last been released in this country. Those of 'his many admirers who have anxiously been awaiting his return to the silent sheet, will certainly hail with delight his portrayal of the famous Booth Tarkington character, “Monsieur Beaucaire.” Those women }vho fell in love with him in ‘‘The Sheik,” will fall in love v ith him again as the swaggering, dashing, hero of the courts_of King Louis. Valentino is supported - in this picture by a cast including Lois Wilson and Bebe Daniels. “Scaramouche,” a Metro Paramount release from the story by Rafael iiiabatini. will be released in New Zealand shortly. This picture brings to the screen a great star in the person of Ramon Novarro. ‘‘Scaramouche” v as produced by the man who made ‘‘The Four Horsemen,” and in this 6tory of the chaotic days of the French Revolutin, the hand of the master producer is again evident. ‘‘Scaramouche” is an epio story of that period of history - blood-red—that will nover die. “Peter Pan” has been released in America. This picture will be shown in New Zealand shortly, and will he screened under the Paramount banner. The screen version of James M. Barrie’s story is said, to he very fine. It has ben unanimously praised by the critics. Zane Grey’s "Wanderer of the Wasteland” will be the starring attraction at the De Luxe Theatre this week. This picture is without doubt the finest thing of its kind that has ever come to the screen. It is the intention of Zane Grey to visit New Zealand shortly, and tl.is will give an added interest to the picture. The film has been executed in colour, and it is reminiscent of the wonderful photograpy of “The Ten Com mandments." Gloria Swanson, gorpeously gowned Mid more wonderful than ever, oSers as 'her latest picture through Paramount, Her Love Story,” which will be the starring attraction on the bill at the Queen's this week. This is a sumptuous production, and Gloria wears some of the most expensive up-to-date frocks of New York Parisian styles. Mr R. P. Davidson, manager of publicity and exploitation for Paramount pictures, left last week in connection with presentation of "Ten Commandments,” which is, now showing to packed 'houses in Christchurch. “The Ten Commandments” is scheduled for a return season at the De Luxe Theatre at an early date. “Broadway After Dark," the brilliant spectacular drama at the Elmpress this week, is a story of real New York night life, not as it is often imagined, but as Jt really is Both aides of Broadway ufe aro. shown, tile glittering showy bright light angle and also the shadowy substrata of the side streets, where poverty rubs shoulders with riches, Adolphe Menjou, Carmel Myers, Anna Q. Nilsson, and Norma Shearer head the cast. There is a treat for mystery story lovers this week at tho Strand* Theatre with the screening of "The Leavenworth Case,” which is a powerful mystery story that, on the screen, retains all of the vividness and baffling details which made the book the most widely read detective story ever published. Tlje film, maintaining throughout the high interest, first swings from the two nieces of the murdered man to a stranger in the night, and another man close io the family. Tho denouement is one of tho strangest ever reoorded. A mysterious marriage, without a license, and a queer love figure prominently in the story. Also screen-

ing is "The Eternal Flame,” reputed to bo Norma Talmadge's finest and most absorbing picture. ' "The Clean Heart” (Master pictures) marks a new departure in film plays. It is a soul story and said to he one of the most appealing studies of the years. A. S. M. Hutchinson, the author, makes it convey the same wistful humour and humanity as "If Winter Comes.” J. Stuart Blackton, the producer, has made the characters live. He has established little tender touches —and never once forgets the plot and its development. And where could you find a better Hutchinson exponent than Percy Marmont? His idealistic expressions fit the character perfectly. Cullen Landis, he of the Curly-Kid fame,' has just started his twenty-fifth feature role in the last two years. He is playing opposite Dorothy Devore t in "A Broadway Butterfly,” a forthcoming Master picture. Jennie Hasslequist, the lovely Swedish blonde, will be seen shortly in ‘‘Jealousy,” with Matheson Lang and Victor Seastrom. A genuine old relic of the sailing days of 1827 is used as a chart in the sequences of the of Rafael Sabatini's novel, "Captain Blood,” to be shown at the Empress shortly. "Captain. Blood” is a spectacular production of the days of 1685, with scenes in England and along the coast of the British West Indies. There are scones of revolt, attack on Bridgetown, a sea encounter between, the French fleet and Captain Blood's boat Arabella, with , explosion and the sinking of the Arabella. Into this atmosphere is woven a dainty love story. Willard Louis, Warner Bros.' star, who has attracted unusual attention during the past few months through his splendid performances as Prince of Wales in sup- 1 port of John Barrymore in "Beau Brummel," and later in the title role of Sinclair "Babbitt,” is soon to he seen in "How Baxter Butted In,” now under production. In Beaumont Smith's film "Joe,” to be shown shortly at the Empress, there is a girl called Connie Graham, who, once upon a time, played a low comedy act at Fullers' under the name of Scott and Graham. She always longed to play real parts, but never seemed to get a chance until this chance came for the movies. ’ She now plays Mary Brand, Joe's wife, opposite Arthur Tauchert, and it is remarkable to watch the fi’m and realise it is her first step from vaudeville. Just shows what colonial girls can do. Douglas McLean, on the screen as the unfortunate aviator in "Going Up,” i 9 as funny as Alfred Frith was in the stage version. Probably the soreen veision gives more chances for laugh purposes.

PARAMOUNT PICTURES GREATER MOVIE SEASON. Paramount's second greater movie season will be celebrated in Australia and New Zealand during the month of March Australia and New Zealand are tho first countries to carry out a movement of national extent for the benefit of the moving picture industry. . Paramount has been first in the field in this regard, and the first greater movie season, held in 1824 by Paramount, resulted in a phenomenal stimulus for the business in this country. The Famous Lasky Film Service distributors of Paramount pictures, with the object continually before them , of promoting the industry to a better standing, hit upon the idea of advertising thoir product nationally, in the interests of the exhibitor. The campaign for Paramount's second greater movie season this year will be backed by the biggest advertising campaign ever launched in tho interest of pictures. All tho leading newspapers will be supporting this movement and arrangements are being made whereby the individual exhibitor can, with the application of a little ingenuity, associate his theatre with a truly big event. The art of showmanship is to seize upon the right thing at the right time, and to maintain a continuous activity and to keep in line with

everything that is taking place m the big spheres of activity. The picture business has been build upon a foundation of brisk movement on the part of the producing organisations and the exhibitors of film product. The moving picture business lives or dies on the motto of "Activity." It is a fast moving business ana the men in it who are producing amusement for the masses must be alive and alert, individually, and in the mass. It is with this belief in view that Paramount has instigated what is now known nationally as the Paramount Greater Movie Season. It is only through this policy of continually striving for the betterment of the moving picture that such productions as "The Ten Commandments/’ "Scaramouche," "Feet of Clay,” “Monsieur Beaucairc,” "Wanderer of the Wasteland” were allowed to come into existence. It is only through the great co-operation between producer and exhibitor that the future success of the moving picture will be maintained. Paramount’s Greater Movie .Season offers the opportunity for exhibitors and distributors to get together in their : mutual interests. In regard to some of the big

pictures that are . being released by Paramount dgring the coming* year the following may be anticipated: "The Side Show of Life,” with Anna Q. Neilsson and Ernest Torrence, from the etory “The Mountebank,” by William J. Locke; "The Alaskan," with Thomas Meighan, from the story by James Oliver Curwood; "Forbidden Paradise,” with Pola Negri, Zane Grey’s "The Border Legion”; Vicent Blasco lbenaz’s "Argentine Love”; James M. Barrie’s "Peter Pan,” Cecil B. de Mille’s "The Golden Bed,” and many others. Stars who will play an important part in Paramount’s Famous Forty Pictures for 1925 will include such players as: Gloria Swanson, Richard Dix, Theodore Roberts, Pole Negri. Thomas Meighan, Bobe Daniels, Leatrice Joy, Rodolph Valentino, Agnes Ayers and others of equal note. Paramount’s Second Greater Movie Season will be celebrated in Wellington at the King’s and Be Luxe Theatres.