Stage & Screen

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12163, 13 June 1925, Page 13

Stage & Screen

Theatrical Pars and Movie Notes

MOSCOVITCH HIS INTERPRETATION OF SHYLOCK AN APPEAL TO THE INTELLECT Always there has been a measure of nitving sympathy for Shakespeare's Shylock. But never has anyone thrown out the proud challenge of Moscovitch's interpretation (says a well-known London

cntic). It. is the understanding, the defence of race. Almost we could be persuaded that Shakespeare wrote “The Merchant of to shame the English gentry out of baiting Jewish usurers. Moscovitch's Shylock is a figure of intellect, dignity and a rab-‘ ble of shallow-pates. He is “the man of brain obsessed by a lust to uphold intellect in a thoughtless world/' The one great error, the one indignity he commits, is to stoop to revenge. In the trial scene, Moscovitch makes us feel that the real tragedy of Shylock is not that he has been robbed by a quibble of his 'Pound of flesh, but that 'he should ever Slave put his racial pride at the mercy of those who “on such a day they spit upon him, another spurned him, and for these courtesies request he’ll lend them so much monies/'

Moscovitch's appeal is to the intellect. There is pleasure in his technique, in his gesture, in his voice, in the sense of. his personality on the stage. But all ‘.hese

are consciously being used, as any great and sincere artist uses* the technique of his art, to make clear his thought and his reason, his vivid, penetrating analysis of a character into which Shakespeare with the uncanniness of genius, yrote so much more than 'he could possibly have been conscious of. It must be admitted that the presence of one great actor in a caste is apt to make us easily dissatisfied with what is. only poor by contrast. But even in these circumstances, when Moscovitch presented so high a standard by which to judge his fellow actors, there was much pleasure to be got out of the sound acting of the company. The charm and elocutionary abilities of Jean Robertson made a most attractive Portia, with whom Eileen Sparks, as Nerissa, played in pretty sympathy. I Beno, the amazing acrobat, is one of * the best-known performers in America, jis a native of Oregon (United States). Beno literally lived with a circus during I'his earlv life, and, aside from being a ; slack wire artist and trapeze performer, he is a juggler, sleight-of-hand performer, bareback rider, and does many other things common in a circus. His name is Ben Hudson, but he is known all over the world as Beno, a name hei pdnnted when he first went into the profession.

STAGE JOTTINGS Sir Harry Lauder’s highly successful Wellington season closed! last Saturday, and he is now touring the North Island on his way to Auckland. The Thurston Hall Comedy Company's season in Auckland closed on Monday. “So This Is London" was played for the early part of the season, and “The Broken Wing" for the conclusion. Mr Maurice Moscovitch's New Zealand tour was successfully inaugurated in Wellington on Tuesday evening with “The Outsider/' which was an instantaneous success. , On Monday next, at His Majesty's, All Vaudeville will be replaced by Vaudeville and Revue, the change being brought about by the first appearance of the Gayle Wyer Band Box Revue Company. This combination has had most successful seasons throughout the New Zealand and Australian centres, and should prove acceptable to Wellington audiences. Mr Walter Fuller was in reminiscent mood on Wednesday at the farewell function tendered by the picture and theatrical profession to him and. Mr Scott, of the N.Z. Picture Supplies, both of whom are leaving—one for America and London, the ether direct for London. Mr Fuller, who has lived!* 12 years in Wellington, said he and his brpthers and family owed, a deep debt of gratitude to Wellington, as it was to this city that they owed the foundations of their fortune. They knew the vicissitudes of country touring, and .they were touring the North Island. It was race time at Palmerston North, and they were told they would do'good business there. They went, and took «£9, which about paid the hotel bill. They went on. to give a bush show, and a fire near by. lost them all they had. . On reaching Wellington they saw -that Julius Knight was to appear in ''The Sign of the Cross," and as they had some Eastern scenery they gave a performance and called it “The Land of the Cross/' That was in the theatre now known as the Tivoli, and they took the handsome sum of .£BO. From that time they never looked back, and on that account they had a very warm spot in their hearts for Wellington city.

The J. C. Williamson Musical Comedy Company played to very good houses at the Christchurch Theatre * Royal during the past week. After “Wildflower," .“The Cousin from Nowhere” was played' until Thursday, when the Christchurch season closed. The company played “Wildflower" in Timaru last night, and this (Saturday) evening will open a season in Dunedin at His Majesty's Theatre. The Maunganui on Tuesday brought over from Sydney the Phil Smith Revue Company, ’which makes its New Zealand debut at Fullers' Princess Theatre, Dunedin, to-night, June 13th. Arriving next week is still another revue company, the EU.oon and Morris Revue, which commences at Fullers' Opera House, Christchurch, on June 22nd. Mr Walter George, well and favourably known here as a most successful producer, has charge of the production end of the new combination.

Mr Charles Howard, a member of the cast of “Kid Boots" at Her Majesty's Theatre. Sydney, was found unconscious in his flat in Philip street, and was dead when taken, to a (hospital; Mr Howard had been with J. C. Williamson, Ltd/t companies for many years, and in “Sally" played the part of the Dutch innkeeper. He .was a competent character actor, and had a long experience of pantomime roles.

The inauguration of a season of “popular" drama at the Hippodrome, Sydney, has brought back to the Sydney stage a number of fa%ourite artists, including Nellie Fergusm, Beatrice Esmond, Sydney Knowles, and Victor Fitzberbert. The opening production was “The Million to One Chance."

By the Maunganui from Sydney on Tuesday a big bunch of fresh talent arrived for the Fuller circuit in Nqw Zealand. The Phil Smith Rovue Company, which includes a number of notable pert formers, caught Tuesday night's ferry on | tiheir way to Dunedin, where they open to-night (Saturday). Phil Smith and his company have played long seasons in the Australian cities, where their shows have met with more than ordinary" success. Another revue company to arrive next week, and to open at Christchurch on June 22nd, is that headed by Moon and Morris, who will be remembered as providing a very fine comedy act here more than a year ago. Moon and Morris are now heading their own revue company, which is being ©reduced by that capable producer, Mr Walter George. A play which fs having a great success in London is “The Tyrant," by Mr Rafael Sabatini. It is described as a wonderful picture of life during the Italian Renaissance.

The musical comedy, “The Honeymoon Girl," at the Grand Opera House, Sydney, is unusually attractive (says a Sydney writer).* Many hands have made light work of it, three writers being responsible for the music, two for the book, and one for the lyrics. The lioneymooii supplies its own honey. Some of the musical items are really musical, and there is abundance of fun of the unexpected kind that makes the grumpy old theatre-goer laugh in spite of himself. Miss Mamie Watson, Miss May Beatty, and Mr Mark Daly are largely responsible for the success achieved.

“Darwin is right," is the thought that conies into one's mind when watching Ben Beno, the trapeze artist, at Fullers'. Of course we mean nothing personal in connection with this gentleman's appearance, hut it gives rather a jolt (to reallise that human beings can do such things. Beno does everything but hang by the hair of his head, and if he could find some way to do that he would probablv take the risk. He leaps from the stalls to a trapeze hung from the crossgirders. But there is more to come. A kitchen chair is passed up, and, poised at heart-thumping angles, he and the

chair sway to and fro, to the consternation of the womenfolk. Not content with that, ho blindfolds himself, swings for a time, and then, trusting to his sense of distance, and perhaps Fate, turns a complete somersault, and ends up by hanging head downwards, holding the chair in his hands.

“Spring Cleaning/' with Miss Pauline Frederick as the star, has been delighting large audiences at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne. The final performance was announced for Friday of last week. The two musical comedies in Melbourne. “Little Jessie James," the Hugh J. Ward production at the Princess Theatre, and th© “Primrose," the J. C. Williamson production at His Majesty’s Theatre, are both enjoying successful runs. “The Ordeal," by Mr Dale Collins,, a Melbourne journalist, has been enthusi* atitcally received at the Strand Theatre, a cable message from London to Melbourne states. The critics unanimously praise “The Ordeal" ns an exciting. play and the acting as powerful. The Gayle Wyer Band Box Revue Company will have for its final production a novelty entitled “Review of Revues." This piece comprises the choicest b«ts from their repertoire, as well as some added specialties. Aiec Kellaway, a brilliant English musical comedy artist, who is known as “the singing rover," and Miss Estelle Rose, celebrated international impressionist, who is under special engagement to the Fullers, are now appearing at Fullers' Princess Theatre, Dunedin. Lady Patricia Blackwood, who made her stage debut in Australia, is in tbe “Grounds for Divorce" cast in London,

but she has changed her name to Carne. Before that she was Pamela Dartrey. Maurice Mo’scovitch finished his / Australian season at the Criterion in “The Merchant of Venice," and left for New Zealand on a twelve-weeks' tour. The company has been rehearsing “The Great Lover," and this will be one of the attractions in New Zealand, and on his return to Australia he will produce it. i The result of M. Paderewski's recitals in England has been to add J 25500 to Lord Haig's British Legion Fund. Miss Nellie Kolle is touring Australia bv car with her own vaudeville show. The jubilee of “Trial by Jury," the first of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, has just been celebrated. People are inclined nowadays to take the greatest » nd most fortunate collaboration in theatrical history very much for granted. It was Teally written for “Fun," but when staged was an enormous success. Bob Greig and his wife, Beatrice Holloway, are in London, but their plans are not known Robert Roberts and Louise Meadows, members of the Humphrev Bishop Company, are now with Colin Crane's “Topics of 1925" in Brisbane. Mr Reginald Wykeham, who was with

the Boucicault-Vanbrugli Company, intends going into vaudeville, playing comedy sketches with Miss Pressy Preston and Mr E. Pirie Busn.

Marie Tempest, as actress-manager, has lately produced “The Torch Bearers" in London. The play is by an American, George Kelly, though the scene i& set in an English country town. Mr Wm. Burton, who has been appointed general manager in New Zealand for John Fuller and Sons, Lid., has taken up his new duties in Wellingtou in succession to Mr Walter Fuller. Mr John Farrell is managing tbe “Wildflower" Musical Comedy Company in its Dominion tour.

The Harris family—father, son, >nd two sisters —whose services have recently been secured by the Fullers for a tour of their vaudeville circuit, constitute a brilliant and talented combination. There appears to be no limit to the instruments they can play, and, in addition, there is some good dancing and singing.

An English musical comedy company will soon be working in Austraia under the Hugh J. Ward management. Among who will arrive in the rt «ar future hr© Elsie Prince, a vivacious youu£ ©tar. Madge "White, who is credited with the possession of a fine soprano voice and a gift of comedy, will be here on the same date.

Lilian Denville, the sparkling young London soubretl© who is to appear at His Mniesty’s shortly, is twenty-tHree years old, and has been on the stage since she was ten. Her first engagement was in a rhild part in a London pantomime, and practically ever since she 1 as nnnuallv appeared in pantomime In t.ondon and elsewhere, her role ranging # »*nm principal hoy to principal girl. Miss Denville has nl«o made many successes in musical, comedy, revue, and vnttdeviUo. and toured South Africa in 1922. She was in Johannesburg during the fighting which fallowed the industrial upheaval. RecenDv M\ss Denviße has been Hpnearin" in ''Cinderella” rt the Melbourne Pripepsc Tho**tre. She is fund of swimming end and is a painter of charming landscapes.

HENRI FRENCH RETURNS FIVE YEARS IN JHE EAST THE PARISIAN DRUNK ON THE WHEEL Theatregoers will be glad to hear of the return of Henri French, the original “Parisian Drunk on the Wheel." Mr French was last seen here about five years ago, presenting his remarkable act in Fuller vaudeville. Since then he has travelled extensively, his peregrinations taking him to China, Japan,. Mauritius, South Africa, Belgian Congo, India, Ceylon, and many strange lands. “The showman’s life is all ups and downs," Mr French remarked on his return. In the Eftst the monsoon is not conducive to good theatrical business. Streets are flooded, and people will not venture out unless absolutely necessary. “Saigon (Hindu China) and Shanghai I found the best show towns. The, former city is very wealthy; the country level, ana automobiles thick as bees in a hive." Mr French's company included a South African jazz band, the first of its kind to tour the East. “The natives," he says were particularly impressed with “Yes, We Have No Bananas." From the East Mr French journeyed to Madagascar, and later on visited Teneriffe. In Mauritius he played in the Municipal Theatre and on the sugar

estates, where special stages were erected. Vaudeville in the East is found very popular. “There wad," he adds, “no income tax, amusement tax, or red tape associated with any performance." During his travels he had the distinction of taking one vaudeville show to Belgian Congo, and found the experiment very successful, although the climate was most unhealthy. Mr French has been engaged for a new tour of the Fuller vaudeville theatres.

Plausibility and sincerity are vital necessities in the making of successful comedies, according to Harold Lloyd, whose latest sensation, “Girl Shy," a Master picture, will be seen shortly in the Dominion. Once that sympathy foY the hero has been established, laughs are easy to produce, the famous comedian believes. And sincerity is the keynote he has striven to attain, “Girl Shy," which, is the story of a small town boy, bashful to a painful degree when in the presence of girls. As a result, “Girl Shy' is said to be more productive of honest-to-goodness laughter than any picture the spectacled funmaker has hitherto made.

COWBOY FILM ACTOR TOM MIX VISITS LONDON. Tom Mix, the American cowboy .film actor, paid a visit to the Lord Mayor of London in April, a cro.wd of children cheering lustily when he arrived at the Mansion House, bir Allied Bower, the Lord Mayor, accorded the visitor a very cordial greeting. J?or some time ihey conversed on a variety ol topics, and then Tom Mix was marched off to the adjoining Police Court, where he watched the proceedings for a few minutes. Subsequently the film star chatted with Lady Bower and her daughter, rnd was then shown the wonders of the Lord' Mayor's residence. One of the things that interested him most, lie told a Press representative, was the magnificent fireplace in the Lord Mayor’s study. He expressed the opinion that the English fireplace was responsible for the continuance of the English family circle. In America central heating had done much to break it up. The visit did not terminate until well over an hour had passed, and the American showed liis appreciation of his kindly reception by presenting l the Lord Mayor with a sombrero and the Lady Mayoress with a Mexican blanket.

Tom Mix surprised his hosts at a faanr,hf?| at the Savoy Hotel by riding on horseback into the banqueting hall. Rc'•ing to the toast of his health, he said ho tried to keep anything out of his pic* tures that would adversely affect the younger generation. One of the greatest wishes of his life had been to visit England, because his wife was English,

Raymond Griffin is not only one of tbe greatest laughmnkers in Hollywood, he is one of ihe mast avid bookworms. 'Tis iu* there's no question about anything, anywhere, and no matter what time in history' it took place, that you can puzzle him about. But to see him the Paramount feature comedy-dramas Miss Plitubenrd" and '‘Forty Winks/’ to he released shortly, you’d never believe

THE FILM WORLD "Success,” a photoplay based on a popular stage success after a successful New York triumph is now showing at the Queen's Theatre. This is a story of the theatre, but unlike many of the type, this is said to have been written by persons familiar with the intimate details of life behind' the footlights, showing how an actor wins back his lost fame by substituting for another. The cast includes Mary Astor, Brandon Tynan, Naomi Childers ana Billy Qirk. Ri/hard Dix is becoming more and more popular with each succeeding role. Since his wonderful part in "The Ten Commandments,” he has played in "Man, hattan,” "Sinners in Heaven,” and now his latest role will be in "A Man Must Live,” now showing at the King's theatre. This is adapted from "Jungle Law, from the story by I. A. R. Wylie. After "Manhattan, there wasn't 'the slightest doubt that Dix was heading along the sure path to big things, and his newest picture will establish him firmly in the foremost ranks of screen popularity. % There was certainly some very fine double exposure work in Paramount's "Changing Husbands,” with Leatrice Joy playing two separate roles. But that sas been outdone, surpassed, beaten all the way by the work of James Kirkwood, in "The Top of the World,” a Paramount production to be released shortly. Here is a mighty near approach to the miraculous, for Kirkwood '—in the roles of two cousins, one a gentleman, arid the other a dissolute wreck. The brilliant- cast includes Anna Q. Nillson, Raymond Hatton and Sheldon Lewi’s.

In the history of the motion picture in Australia, it is a noteworthy fact that the only pictures * which have had seasons of weeks that have stepped into two figures have been Paramount pictures. As instance the following record:—"The Covered Wagon,” Auditorium, Melbourne, 12 weeks; "The Cheik,” Globe, Sydney, 24 weeks'; and now Paramount's wonderful production, "The Ten Commandments,” Capitol, Melbourne, 19 weeks, and Prince' Edward, Sydney, 26 weeks, and is still continuing its seasons in both Sydney and Melbourne. The screen of to-day, knows no more popular author than Zane Grey. His novels were read by millions—before Paramount commeQcea screening them—but now .the screen versions .of those novels are being enjoyed by tens of millions. Paramount has filmed seven stories, the newest being '"The Thundering Herd.” The other six are: "To the Last Man,” "The Call of the Canyon,” "The Heritage of the Desert,” Wanderer of the Wasteland,” "The Border Legion,” and. "The Code of the West.” An . eighth in process of being filmed is "The Light of Western Stars,” and the directorial wizard who made "The Thundering Herd” as the greatest outdoor picture ever made, William K. Howard, is producing it. ‘"The Ten Commandments,” Paramount's 1925 epic of the screen, is now in its twenty-sixth week at the King Edward Theatre in Sydney, and still running. In every town and city in New Zealand and Australia where this picture has been screened it has broken records. It is being recalled for second runs from all quarters, and new prints are being rushed from America for use in Australia and New Zealand. Gloria Swanson received a wonderful welcome at the studios recently, when she returned from France. Accompanied by her husband, the Marquis Henri . Do la Falaise, with Adolph Zukor and Jessie L. Laaky, she arrived at the studio to find almost the whole of filmdom massed around the entrance to the studio. Miss Swanson was so genuinely affected at her reception that she wept for several minutes, while the crowd, including the Paramount stars and directors, called for a speech. "Madame Sans Gene,” for which Miss Swanson went to Paris, had its premiere in New York, and its reception was tremendous. There is an earnest race on among the producers for the comedy championship of the world, and Paramount has three of the most promising contenders. They are Harold Lloyd, Douglas MacLaren and Raymond Griffin, The first-mentioned of these-three is, of course, well known, the second is said to "Be the coming screen comedian .in America, and Raymond Griffin is doing some great work. . Jojm E. Kennebeck, director of Paramount's publicity in Australia and New Zealand, at present in America, writes from the studio:. "Greatest of all my experiences goes probably to the tremendous set where Raoul Walsh is filming "The Wanderer,” which is the story of the return of the prodigal son. This will undoubtedly be the greatest picture of the industry.”Marian Nixon is Buck Jones's leading woman in his new William Fox picture, "Durand of the Bad Lands,” just started under tlhe direction of Lynn Reynolds.

Victor Schertzinger, the well-known mo-tion-picture director, who is makfng "The Wheel” at the William Fox West Coast Studios, m a noted composer. "Marcheta;” whicn ne composed, is considered one of she most popular 6ongs ever written.

One of the strongest casts ever assembled for a motipn-picture will be seen in the screen version of the ever-popular stage success, ".Bast Lynne,” . work on which has just been started et the William Fox West Coast Studios under the direction of Emmett Flynn. This cast is headed by Alma. Rubens, exclusive Fox star, by reason of a contract recently signed, who has the leading feminine role, and Edmund Lowe*, who is making Ihis return to special productions in this picture. For the villain role Mr Fox selected that stellar performer and 6tar in his own right, Lou Tellegen. For the character parts, many of which almost equal in importance the leading roles, the very best talent available was secured. The list reads like a "Who's Who” of Filmland, and includes such well-known actors as Frank Keenan, Marjorie Daw, Leslie Fenton, Belle Bennett, Paul Panzer, Lydia Knott, Harry Sey mour, Martha Mattox, Virginia Marshall, and Richard Hendrick. There is something tempting about a hangman's noose. Robert Cain, who plays the villain with Tom Mix in "The Everlasting Whisper,” just completed at tho William Fox West Coast Studios, saw a similar contrivance suspended from a set during the making of the picture. "Look!” the actor called to Alice Calhoun, the leading lady; "a nice place to hang yourself!” Then, as if to illustrate, he put his head in the noose Just then a "grip” decided to pull the rope. Much gurgling and scrambling on the part of Mr Cain followed, until , fel-low-actors came to his rescue and released him. "That's os near as I want to come to hanging,” was Cain's observation.

Galli-Curci has gained the appellation "The nightingale of the gramophone,” from thousands of admirers in Britain, and it was stated that during her recent *ix weeks’ tour of the Old Country she received .£20,000 (says a London paper). She is also credited with getting 410,000 for a single gramophone record. For four years Signor Caruso sang under Mr Conrad’s management for a nightly fee of .£220, but Madame Galli-Curci, it is said, received .£2OOO *or a song. This, however, must have been exceptional, rs was the 4409 fee a certain millionaire 1 raid to Paderewski for twenty-five minutes at the piano. When singing in opera in the United States Adelina Patti actually received oyer 4)1000 a night, and during a single year she netted 470,000, and received for a single concert as much as ,£I2OO For a time Melba was undoubtedly the best paid singer in tie world, yet she seldom received more than 500crs for one night's singing. Kubelik and Paderewski have probably been the "Tea test fee earners on their respective Instruments, but it is improbable that the former ever commanded more than 4100 a concert; whilst, the latter, during a six months’ tour of the United States, netted 440,000 after all expenses had been paid. One of Kubelik's most remunerative pre-war engagements was at Vienna, when, for plaving a piece which took exactly twelve minutes, he was oaid 4120. PaMi. on a *rre»»t occasion at New Orleans. calculated to be .during at n ol 460 a minute to the management.

THE ART OF DYING , TRIALS OF OPERATIC STARS. Aspirants for operatic fame sometimes suppose that a voice is all that is needed, but opera has a school of acting all its own, which requires a great deal of study. A little book of study on this subject, by George E. Shea, contains the following on the art of falling down when shot, stabbed, strangled or otherwise operatically slaughtered. Incidentally, for brevity, wit and information boiled down to essentials, we have rarely seen the equal of this text-book, firm which ouote only such excerpts as space permits:— "For an operatic singer, it is imperative to know how to fall. Ridicule must be avoided (and also broken bones and scrapped noses). Sometimes a conveniently posted male relative or lover stands ready to catch, sustain, and lower to tho ground the expiring prima donna. . . . But Valentine falls unaided when pierced by Catholic bullets: Carmen crashes to the ground under Jose’s navaja: and Gioconda is stricken by her own hand. . . . "It will not do to fall straight upstage. with feet to footlights, so that

from the orchestra stall 9 one sees two boot-soles against the horizon of a comfortable waist-line. Nor is it wise to keel over on the back, like a toy soldier, stiff as a poker—'all at once and nothing first.” This is unreal —a circus trick.

"One may sink or fall on a bench; and thence collapse to the ground; one may wilt at the top of a flight of stairs ana then roll down them; though this 1; st i* of doubtful availability for a woman. The writer has seen Nedda use it at the end of ‘Pagliacci,' and the sight of her revolving calves certainly diminished the tragic effect of the situation. ". . . Cavaradossi ('Tosea') must crumble forward on his face, when annihilated by the firing-squad. But fhe forearms and hands swung out (to start the fall and because it is the physical truth! in front of the face, strike the floor a fraction of a second sooner than the rest of the body, and thus the face cushions against them instead of hitting the floor.

"The slope of the stage makes it easier to fall up-stage; ‘it's not such a long way to the ground'; the head and body ought to start more or less toward the side-wings. However, generally the more effective fall is with the head downstage, at an angle to the footlights; at what angle will depend upon the requirements of vour fellow-actors.”