STAGE AND SCREEN

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12283, 31 October 1925, Page 13

STAGE AND SCREEN

Personal and General Jottings

"“LISSOME AND LIVELY*' Madge Elliott lias a part in "'Bubbly/* the latest Andre Chariot revue at the Duke of York's Theatre, London. "Lissome and lovely Madge Elliott, the Australian dancing beauty/' is how one English paper describes her. * * * * Leyland Hodgson, in Wellington under the Fuller banner with ''The O'Brien Girl," will be returning to New Zealand shortly. He is at present playing in "Primrose" in Sydney, but he will come over with that company, which will open in Wellington in November. * • * • Miss Ella Shields, the famous English male impersonator, has been re-booked by the Sydney Tivoli management, and will leave London almost immediately to play another Australian tour. On her previous visit Ella Shields was a great favourite with the theatre-goer on and off the stage, and her number, "Burlington Bertie, was sung by everybody. M * 4 » Mr Shayle Gardner (Aubkland) has left London for Spain to take the part of the sheik in one of, Stoll's pictures, "Sahara Love." He has recently been playing Mack Anthony in the operetta "Cleopatra." ••• • • After an illness of several months, Jules Jordan, who visited this country recently, parsed away lately at his home in Toledo, U.S.A., at the age of 55. In Australia and New Zealand he starred in "Welcome {Stranger," playing the part originated by George Sydney. Jordan also appeared in vaudeville in sketches and as a single. • ♦ * • Annette Kellerman, the Sydney water witch, recently concluded a starring engagement of two weeks at the New York Hippodrome, in a special production in vaudeville. * * * * LORNA POUNDS FOR PALLADIUM Lorna Pounds, sister of Toots, is at present on a flying visit to her homeland, but is hurrying back, to London in a few days, having accepted an engagement to appear at the London Palladium on January 26th in a new revue. She will play leading lady opposite to Billy Merson, the famous English comedian. who has scored a success in the ‘ London production of "Bose Marie." Apart 1 from a ten years* contract with

the Palladium directorate at a big figure with her Toots, Lorna has an agreement with the Palladium director-ate-signed, sealed and duly inscribed on thoroughly legal- parchment—that carries her on till the close of 1929. dates all booked without intermission, at a salary of £2OO per week.

T. E. Foster, the stage manager of “A Royal Divorce" at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne, recalls the production with which he was associated as stage, manager to Julius Knight when it was produced 38 years ago in Melbourne. “Recently," said Mr Foster, “I met a man in the street who, as a child, played the little King of Rome. He is now married, with five children, and is a policeman V\

Mr W. Templar Powell, a well-known actor, who ie a son of Mr W. H. Oheesotnan, of Christchurch, expects to be in New Zealand from November 10th to November 24th. Ho is coming to Australia by the Oronsay, and after his visit to New Zealand he will go to Los Angeles and New York. • e • • Last Saturday night “Primrose** gave way to “Leave it to Jane" at the Sydney His Majesty's. Maude Fane and Athol Tier play the leading parte.

Maurice Moscovitch and company are at present playing a season at the Sydney Criterion with “The Great Lover."

METRO-GOLDWYN FEATURES The famous Metrb-G'oldwyn-Mayer motion pictures, the coming of which to New Zealand has beexTiooked forward to by picture-lovers foi* some time, will begin operations in Christchrrch on November 6th, when that wonderful picture, "The Whit© Sister," which was seen here a while back at a trade showing, and which won the admiration of all who were privileged to view it, will have its premiere tne Liberty Theatre. The season at that house will be for one week, after which it will transfer to the Grand Theatre, Christchurch, for an unlimited run. "The White Sister" will be seen in Wellington at the l>e Luxe Theatre, beginning on New Year’s nicht. The . first Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production to be screened in this city will be "The Silent Accuser." This picture will begin at the King's Theatre > under Mr W. R. Kemball's direction on Christmas night. There are many stars in the cast, but the outstanding one of all is Peter the Great—a dog of astounding intelligence, who “has amazed the critics m America." ••■ • * LON CHANEY IN “THE MOCKING BIRD" Lon Chaney's next starring vehicle for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer will be "The Mocking Bird," an original story by Tod Browning, who will direct the film. Waldemar Young, who adapted "The Unholy Three" and "The Mystic," Director's Browning's two most recent successes, is at. work on the screen adaptation. Chaney is featured with ' Mae Busch in l>'The Unholy. Three," which is based on a story by Tod Robbins. • • » • "The Mocking Bird" has for its locale the Limehouse district of Igradon, and has an underworld plot with a strong love theme. It offers Chaney immense opportunities for character acting of the most difficult and impressive sort, and will enlist the services of a large and 1 distinguished cast. • • • • Latest to be given parts in Malcolm St. Clair's forthcoming Paramount picture, "The Grand Duchess and the Waiter," 1 Andrew de Beranger and Lawrence Grant, according to an announcement made recently by Jesse L. Laeky, first vice-president of Famous. Players-Lasky Corporation, in charge of production.. * * • * The Nellie Bvamley Company opened their Melbourne season at the King's Theatre with "Fair and Warmer."

FIRST NATIONAL FEATURES "Loves of All Nations ” is what Directtor George Fitzmauriee termed the bevy of beauties who decorate the harem sequence which reproduced in full natural colour serves as. the opening chapter for the First National picture, "His Supreme Moment," which is showing at the Paramount Theatre this week. Proceeding on the knowledge that Oriental potentates who went in for harem collections picked, representative beauties of every race and clime, Fitzmaurice combed Hollywood for the perfect beauty from every general subdivision of the human family. He succeeded in assembling;, a group of a dozen girls whom he believes are perfect types of the Latin, Slav, Norse, Teutonic, Anglo-Saxon, Celtic, Mongolian and other racial groups. By photographing in natural colour the episode in which these beauties appear; he has been able to present fair haired, blue eyed daughters of the North, auburn haired colleens, raven tressed and sloe eyed Latin beauties, and olive skinned Mongolian girls in characteristic postures, made more beautiful by the use of colour, which distinguishes tneir various races. The harem episode is a 6tage play which serves as an introduction for Blanche Sweet, who is featured with Ronald Colman in this picture, which First National is releasing.

From New York's east side, cradle of refugee races, hails Nita Naldi, creature of mystery off the screen, as well as-upon it. Miss Naldi, whose latest screen creation is that of the Black Orchid in First National's new release, “The Lady Who. Lied," was born in the* .shadow of the ?rim elevated structures. She is of Italian parentage. Her education was derived at the Sacred Heart Academy in Hoboken, N.J. Her eyes are green and her hair is black, and in disposition she is said to be volcanic, stressing the unctuous note of whatever mood she is in. Truly a woman made for the roles she essays.

••• • • | Little Gertrude Short has Worn red, bleached, Blonde; and brunette wigs in three recent pictures, and now in her role of the thirteen year-old* flapper in Sam Boric's' production of the “Talker," she wears a child's golden flosß bob. “The Talker" is a First National picture shortly to be released in New Zealand.

Earl Hudson, who produced First National's adaptation of the Conan Doyle novel, “The Lost World," which New York critics say is the greatest. screen thriller of the age, is also the producer of the “Necessary Evil," a coming First National attraction. • • • • •

Countess Felicia Drenova, noted Polish aristocrat, who is featured with Milton Sills in his first starring vehicle, “The Making of O’Malley," also has an important role in that star's second starring vehicle, “The Knockout," the virile story o 7 prize ring and lumber camp, which First National pictures will shortly release.

*'• * , • Milton Sills was an honoured guest of the Canadian Parliament when he went to Canada recently to film thrillers for liis new picture, “The Knockout." Government officials met the film star at the station in Ottawa and escorted him with ceremony about the highest spots of the city.

“SCARAMOUCHE 99 The glory of old Versailles, the pomp of the Court of Louis XVI.. the horror of the French Revolution, all are vividr ly portrayed in the film version of Rafael Sabatini's great story which will be released in New Zealand at an early date. “Scaramouche" whs directed by Rex Ingram, the man who made “The Four Horsenien of the Apocalypse," and once again the hand of the master producer is in evidence. The cast is one of the biggest ever assembled for any motion-picture/ It includes Ramon Novarro, Lewis Stone, Alice Terry, Jiilia Swayne Gordon, and Lloyd Ingraham.

“Madame Sans Gene," written by the great Victor Sardon, which has now been turned into a screen play by Paramount, with Gloria Swanson in the leading role, will be released in New Zealand •as one of the big pictures, for the Coming year.

A ZANE GREY THRILLER “The Thundering Herd," a thrilling Zane Grey stoTy, from the Paramount studios, is now screening in New Zealand centres. The story is woven around the slaughter of the vast herds'of buffalo that once roamed the prairies of America, and the director has made the most of. the excellent material provided by the author. The picture in some respects resembles previous Western productions of a not unsimilar type, out the introduction of the vast herds of buffalo lends it quite a new atmosphere. The excitement is, however, hot entirely due to the buffalo. There is, of course, the villain, and there are also bands of desperate Indians, who are responsible for quite a number of stirring incidents. The adventures of a typical party of buffalo-hunters form tho groundwork of the story. Lois Wilson is the heroine, and Noah Beery and Raymond Hatton are other featured players. Short supporting films and delightful orchestral music complete the entertainment. **• . * “MADAME SANS GENE" AND GLORIA SWANSON All the picture-going world t is intensely anxious to catch a movie glimpse of the Marquis de la Falaise de la Condraye, who was married to Gloria Swanson immediately after the star completed work in France on her memorable production, “Madame Sans Gene." Paramount is now going to make this possible. When Gloria and her husband arrived in Hollywood from France, a special film was made of them. One print of this film, adequately titled, has been made up for each point of “Madam© Sans Gene," and will be utilised as a special introduction to the picture. So that those who see “Madame Sang Gene" will be 1 accorded the added treat of seeing a specially-filmed glimpse of Miss Swanson and her husband. Next month will witness the Austra*lian premiere of “Madame Sans Gene" at the Capitol Theatre. So Melbourne will gain the first screen glimpse of Le Marquis and La Marquise de la Falaise de la Coudraye. “Madame Sans Gene" , will be released in New Zealand shortly as one of Paramount's big attractions for the current year.

* * * * THE NEW “OUO VADIS” AT THE DE LUXE

- It wotfld he difficult to concieve of anything more truly spectacular and more intensely thrilling than tho gladiatorial shows of ancient Rome, presented in “Quo Vadis?" the First National feature 'film now being shown at the De Luxe Theatre. * Not many years ago the successful reproduction to-day of such vast and tremendous scenes would have been looked on as quite impossible, but 60 rapid has been the progress of cinematography and its allied industries that now no, human spectacle can be regarded as beyond their compass. To depict the huge arena of the Roman Cotlosseum with a gladitorial display in progress, and to show the imperial city in flames are tasks about as difficult as could he set, but the public knows now wliat wonders picture producers can. achieve and expects them to be under or red’by any obstacle. The memory of the great pictire, “Quo Vadis?" which, was shown here some years ago, is still fresh even with those who see pictures every week, and the announcement that “Quo Vadis?" is to t>e shown again immediately created much interest, which is all the keener when it became known that tho picture is not simply a return visit' of the old one. but an entirely new 1925 production of Sienkiewicz’e famous novel. The picture. of course, enjoys the great, advantage of having a masterly story behindi it, dealing with one of the most momentous •pochs in history, when the magnificent Roman Empire was crumbling to decay, rotten with its own brutal vices. Manager Wood has provided a wonderful prologue, which adds to the general success. • • • * BUSTER KEATON’S SUCCESS

' Buster Keaton's latest and greatest comedy triumph, “Three Ages," was a great success at the popular Queen’s. Buster Keaton is one of the Teally great opmedians at present making pictures of feature length. We nil remember his first laughter special, “Our Hospitality"; and this picture was even greater. Buster Keaton is unique among comedians. The frozen-faced l mirthmnker in “Three Ages” give* us one of the greatest comedies. Not only is this picture of outstanding merit os n comedy with a great star, but Buster Keaton hns picked a cast of exceptional players to fill the other roles His leading lady, Margaret Leahy, was selected in a beauty contest in England by Norma from 80,000 English girls. The villnin is Wallace Bcerv. And then the seta, the investiture, the action and plot of the picture all help to make it a 100 per cent, comedy. • • • • Allnn Wilkie, with a Shokcsnearinn renertoire, opens a season in Hobart on Boxing Night.

BRITISH FILM INDUSTRY "SWAMPED BY~AMERICAN PRODUCTS." The British film industry is doomed and the British Empire soon will be completely Americanised, due to the British ideals being wiped off the screen, Sir Uswaur Stoll declared at a meeting -of the Stoll Picture Corporation in London. A net loss of more than 250,000 dollars, os shown on the corporation’s accounts, assuming that the money now tied up in films will be lost, inspired Sir Oswald’s pessimism. The producer denied that American technique is superior to the British, but asserted that British pictures, which are a mere drop in the bucket compared with the number of American pictures flowing into England with all their costs covered m the home market, could not compete financially with this invasion. He suggested that the license duty should be applied toward the maintenance of highgrade British films. * • • • JOSEPH CONRAD’S “LORD JlM’* “lord-Jim," Jovseph Conrad's famous classic of the sea, was started in the Paramount studio with a cast chosen from the ranks of the foremost players in the film capital. Victor Tleming, whose position as one of the most, successful directors of outdoor pictures was established with the filming of Jack London’s “Adventure," and Harold Bell Wright’s “A Son of his Father," is in charge of the production. The cast is headed; by Percy Marmont, who plays the title role, Noah Beery and Raymond Hatton. The feminine lead and four other important parts remain to be cast. Percy Marmont recently completed a featured role in “The Street of Forgotten Men" in the Paramount Long Isstudio. He will be remembered particularly for his work in “If Winter Comes." Noah Beery, one oi the best known character actors on the screen, recently gave outstanding performances in Zane Grey’s “The Thundering Herd," and in “The Light of Western Stars." He has* just completed a featured part in Zane; Grey’s “The Vanishing American." Raymond Hatton has given splendid characterisations in many recent pictures, notably in “The Thundering Herd," “Adventure," and “A Son of his Father." The story of “Lord Jim" was adapted by John Russell. George Hull wrote the continuity.

“FLOWER OF NIGHT” A Russian Prince, Youcca Troubetskoy, has been chosen as Pola Negri's leading man in her next Paramount starring picture, "Flower of Night."" . Prina© Troubetskoy is the eon of Prince and Princess Nicolai Troubetskoy and a nephew of the famous sculptor, Paul Troubetskoy. . By odd coincidence, the new leading man was born in Los Angeles some twenty years ago, while his parents were making a trip around the worlds He was educated at the Russian Court and when the Red uprising occurred, fled with his family to Nice. He has played the hero role in several French cinema productions, including "The Hawk/' a French Paramount production. H© is said to be of fine ap-

pearance and to givo promise of exceptional dramatic ability.

Miss Negri’s new story is a colourful dramatic tale of Mexico City, penned especially for her by Joseph Hergesheimer. It will be directed by Paul Bern, who will have the aid' of the author. Several of Hollywood’s best known character actors will bo announced later as members of the supporting cast.

“Seven Keys to Baldpate," the most successful of the stage hits in Australia by Fred Niblo and Enid Bennett several years ago, will maik the return of Dougins McLean to the Paramount fold. Douglas McLean has made great* strides since going to Paramount, and some of the greatest comedies of the year may be expected from him in the future.