STAGE AND SCREEN

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12394, 13 March 1926, Page 13

STAGE AND SCREEN

Personal and General Jottings

7 PAT HANNA’S “DIGGERS” COM«NG ;; . I t They {had to Pat Hannahs Digger® out of their lives in Brisbane at point s blank range after their eighteen months' q siege of that fair oity. Naw they are 9 advancing on Wellington. Only one . • or tWo of'the'old company are left now, b but they have all flossed themselves out F in modern confections, and have taken unto, themselves a sparkling classical bal- ■ -let. v. ' , ' r These days they -refer to the big adventure in one Or two' short sketches that I, aye getting so well-known throughout ", Australasia? but they . are just faint quaint happy echoes of the bigger noise. % ■ .V •' • Rosette Powell, the-charming little leader of. the baljet in “Pat; "Hanna's Diggers/' at one time studied assiduously to’be a ladv dentist,, but her twinkling feet would not keep still, and she now invents and produces all the ballets .with this company. • *. • . ,■ Jim Fora n, the operatic tenor with / Pat Hanna's DiggerSj has. a longing to • smoke a clay pipe, hut his friends- won't allow his Irish feelings such laxity. 'Tis whispered the Scotchmen of t the company; Joe Volli and Jock Thomson, 'tup: going to share the expense and present him with one on their'opening night in Wellington. • MINSTRELS AT HIS MAJESTY’S 4 The announcement that Sir Benjamin Fuller and MV John Fuller are to present an oljJ-fTme Minstrel show hero at an early date will bo welcomed net only by the older generation of theatregoers, but by those- who have yet to see an old-time fun 6how presented . in black face. One of the, most famous hand of /Minstrels ever formed was known as Christy's ' Minstrels. These were organised in 1842;' buf'they* did not. ; commence their vcareer ' until 184 fl. The i contemporaries of 'this famous tion were manv and various. The’ air was full tjf their music, and dozens of New York halls echoed the patter of their clog solos for years. How. much of the wonderful success achieved by the . Nigger Minstrels was dne to the minI strel himself, how much to the negro ] melody ho introduced; and how much to i the characteristic bones, banjo, and tarn- *■ bourino which supplied the accompani- » irent, is an open question. The ''giants" V .of past years are too numerous to men- £ tioir. Old-timers will recall many of J them, ,but a detailed history of each one * is not practicable nor ,possible. Nigger : Minstrels have packed. ; theatres the world for. nearly a /hundred years. I and to-day their hold on the public is as great as ever. « }

Bert; Elliott, London's: brilliant juggler, now at. Fullers? vaudeville, does the most incredible things with top hats. All.’juggling is beautiful; though different performers belong to different orders in delight. Bert Elliott throws his topsy-turvy toppers into the. air, catching each one on hi& head in turn so that it executes between forehead and cranium a little dance like* that of a spun coin returning'to a state of-rest. It is said that/he "puts our old bonnets to their proper nse—the juggler* head. Mr Elliottfe technical mastery is of the same order a* Mr Mark Ham. bonrg's—none coujd play these variations; on a theme of top nats more’accurately or with a more surpassing swiftness.’?; ,/••*. . . v ■ FULLER ENTERPRISE .

Friday* March 26th, will be a : redletter day inAustralian'theatriqal history, for that date will see the opening of St. James’s Theatre, Sydney. An; army of craftsmen in various, trades isfeverishly at, work day and night' bringing.' the sumptuous' pile into ' readiness' for the premiere of "No. No,: Nanette” in Sydney. While conducting a, party of Sydney journalists over' the structure; recently, Sir Benjamin Fuller said that the ’ approximate cofit of . the St. James’s buildings—including St.' James’s Theatre, St. James’s Hoof / Garden Theatre, a basement restaurant and cabaret, and spacious office accommodation- was ,£500,000, and v that 00 per cent. M the materials used ip construction and equipment are of Australian manufacture; The remaining 10 per cent.'was purchased abroad only after exhaustive inquiry had failed to find the supplies needed in the Commonwealth. The great St. James’s Theatre scheme is not only an -impressive monument -to ,/the. enterprise, and puibliospirftedne6s of Sir Benjamin ana Mr John Fuller, who conceived and financed it, but it is also, a matter for deep civic pride. The palatial. edifice that is now nearing completion will architecturally grace Sydney >as well as adorn and elevate the stage in Australia; for it will be in this magnificent setting that the attractions planned by Mr Hugh J. Ward for by the -firm which bears his name will be ■staged* ■-+ . . rn ■ ■ A MOMENT FOR LAUGHTER

"Your audiences' got the English atmosphere straight away," said Mr Townsena Whitlingf; chatting to a reporter on "The Farmer's Wife/’ “They were keenly * appreciative- and* never missed a. laugh. Strictly a Devonshire comedy, it

is shorn of its dialect to make it understandable by all the public. Even in London the pure vernacular would not bo understood; *ag audiences there are cosmopolitan, and so the dialogue is modified, juet keeping the west country burr enough to suggest the nature of the play*

"It is. essentially a comedy of types, without any strong leads. So each character must be distinctive, and it is in that distinctlvenesa that .its whole success lies. Every character .is givep its moment for laughter.” Which is worth thinking over in this sad old world! • • • •

Mr, Philip Lytton, the well-known theatrical manager, who has been touring New Zealand with "Cappy Picks.” left fßr America by. tho Tahiti, en route, to London, where in conjunction with Mr E. J. Carrol), of Sydney, he proposes to produce Ricks/’

“THE WHITE MONKEY/' AT PARAMOUNT Flora Le Breton and Henry Victor, who play w prominent roles .in • -“TheWhite Monkey,First, National's latest offering at the Paramount Theatre this week, .new and charming personalities making- their" screen . debuts in America. Both hail from. England and impersonate - English characters vin the picture. Miss Le Breton, who plays the appealing role of Victoririe, 'has rare blonde beauty that ‘is in- delightful -contrast: to the" brunette love-

liness of Barbara La Marr. , who plays 'the leading role of "Fleur/ Although 20 years nf age, she is extremely popular in London; where she /appeared in An_dre Chariot's revues for several years. *‘The White Monkey" is a picturisation of John Galsworthy’s celebrated novel. Another comedy artist has : deserted the custard pie field for the more serious drama. - "Teddy;" i the .famous dog

of Mack Sennett comodies, was* loaned for a part in'.King Vidor's "Wild Oranges// the Ftfrst National -picture showing at the Tivoli Theatre this week.

e • Of all film locales, Egypt is probably the most fascinating. Its latest apSearance is in "Infatuation," starring orinne Griffith, and scheduled for . early release by ..First National Pictures. ■■■■

Pitched against gorgeous .glowing, canvases, such as 1 would do credit'to any salon, "We Moderns/’ a new First Nationali /offering, starrring the vivacious Colleen Moore, proves one of the most colourful and’ intriguing varits ever told. Idondon furnishes the, background for the action—a constant, awe-inspiring panorama: of historic piles and plaisan. -Cfig, •'

“THE NARROW STREET,” AT , EMPRESS When a timid young man, whose lips have been touched- by only two old spinster aunts, discovers one morning that a young and beautiful girl has spent the night asleep in his house, complications are bound to happen. And when the aforesaid girl convinces the young man 1 not;to turn her out of doors,'but let her hide a while in his house, funny situations are sure to arise, from such a pact. • • And they do arise. , William .Beaudine deserves, a raise of-salary for his excellent direction of “The Narrow Street, — a -Master Picture . now at the Empress. Natt Moore's; performance as Simon'Haldane stamps him.as one of the best character , actors of the screen. He will bear watching. Dorothy Devore as Doris is and plays her role enthusiastically. The- whole cast is very good. This Is a picture that will .not-be easily forgotten.

V. * ' * :* * How would you like to be* going about 75 miles an hour on a,narrow mountain road,, racing up to the very s edge, and then stop within a. few feet, having your front wheels .'looking into a valley hundreds of feet below? That’s what Fred Thomson does in his latest Master Picture;: ''The Fighting Sap/"-* now at the Strand, and that's'only one of a hundred daring things'he does in this picture. "v • ■ *. •#•-••■*

"Recompense/’ a Master Picture, is a stirring drama, involving one of ' the greatest life puzzles ever devised—the mating of two hungry souls wrung with anguish in war-torn France, when all the world ‘seemed wrong. Just a few short;hours of happiness—then long, bitter years of recompense to still a complaining conscience. The love-story of a decade, with Monte -Blue and Marie Prevost in the leading roles. !•. • ' -*.• .* '

Moet/folks know John Habberton’s famous story of "Helen’s .Babies/’ and how. a bachelor who wrote wonderful articles on the bringing up of babies broke down lamentably .when face to face with the real problem. ;In tbis fine screen play Baby Peggy ‘ achieves one of the successes of her young life. Lovable, vivacious, droll and clever, Baby Ifeggy at once snuggles close to the hearts of any audience in this Master Picture. • ■ . . , • • ■ # #

In '*Hot Water,” a Master Picture, Harpld . Lloyd plays k the part of a 1 boy who says he will never marry. But he soon falls for a pair of soft boiled eyes, and. then the fun begins. Pretty Jobyna .Ralston plays the part "of the, girl with the soft boiled eyes.

"Just Suppose,” Bichard Barthelmess’s latest starring vehicle, and shortly to be released by First National Pictures, is /based upon a stage play of the same name by A. E. Thomas, the eminent English playwright.

Far-flung sites form the background cf the new First National release, "Tho Lady Who' Lied/’ soon to be seen locally. The action of this play, which is based on the Hichcftis novel, "Snake Bite,” alternates pmong Algiers. Paris, Venice, with Sahara: Desert, and Venetian carnival scones to augmenltheir pibturesqueness, ' 'v#/'- ' • ■■ • • Mr 'Alex. E. Wilson, who is resident manager at the Palace Theatre,- Sydney, has come over with ."The- Farmers Wife” ns' business manager on the Dominion tour..

“WILD HORSE MESA,” FOR DE LUXE "Wild Horse Mesa," one of Zane greatest and best known stories, will be screened at the I)o Luxe Theatre, commencing March 26th next. ■' ’ • • « « \ Zane Grey and the far West are synonymous-* in the minds of millions of readers of fiction. In "Wild Horse Mesa * he has peopled the practically un-i known region of the'American .wilderness with a number of extraordinary characters, and evolved a plot around the great hordes of wild horses that is tense, gripping and unusual. am• m m

• Mr Grey recently signified his intention of being present in person at the screening of "Wild Horse Mesa" at the Do Luxe Theatre.

When can two people be sure they have, entered the sacred temple of love? See the Master picture "Recompense," adapted from the Robert Keable's hovel. Romantic episodes enacted in Paris, London and the veldts of Africa; Marie Prevost as the gay, unconventional Julie —■the greatest performance of her brilliant career, and Monte Blue as Peter Graham, the chaplain who turned man for love' of the carefree Julie. • • • •

UNITED ARTISTS' ATTRACTION , FOR WELLINGTON r

Mr W. R. Kemball, who controls the De Luxe and King's Theatres in thiß city, has made arrangements with United Artists' Company for the screwing of several of their forthcoming releases, the next of which will--he the big D. W. Griffith's circus story—‘'Sally of the Sawdust?' —which has, as featured players, Carol Hempsffer and W. C. Fields, who, by the way, is the present star of the famous Ziegfield Follies in New York. s '

■ Mr Kemball has also made arrangements to screen the next Griffith's production, "Isn't Life' Wonderful?" and Rudolph Valentino's new vehicle—" The Eagle.' This story is laid in Russia, and Valentino's work. as the dashing Cossack is highly spoken of in England, where the film is iiow screening. Following these will come, in quick succession, "The 'Miracle of . the Wolves," a massive French production (which was financed by the /French Government); Norma Shearer and a big cast, in "Waking- Up the Town," and Wm. Hart in ‘his first independent picture..." Tumbleweeds." / * • • • BARRIE'S PLAYS Interest in the forthcoming season of Barrie’s plays, at the King's Theatre, ■ Melbourne, is increasing as the opening date draws , nearer. Mr Dion Boucicault and members of the company he engaged in London have reached Melbourne, and the season will open at the King's Theatre on the 20th, the initial production' being "Quality Street." An interesting feature of the east will- be the inclusion of Miss Mary Jerrold as Susan, , the role she played in the recent London revival. Regarding- herperformance, the ’'Daily News" said* "The nost notable feature of f he acting was the fragile humour and finthos of Miss Mary Jerrold's Susan It was as beautiful; as an old mezzotint."

‘■‘my- . <• ' « ■ 'V- • V.v X C.' Williamson attractions in Sydney comprise "The -Farmer's Wife," at' the Palace Theatre;. "Give and Take," at the Criterion; "The Pelican," at the Theatre Royal; and "Katja," at Her Majesty's A varied bill? of theatrical fare to please all tastes. 7 7.; V •. :

FOR NEW ZEALAND "The Seventh Heaven," an American drama< with the scene set in the humber quarter of Pans, will-bn of the attractions of the ' near future for New Zealand* George Highland bought the niece a year ago, but ho raid at the time that the characters would need very .careful casting. The principals arrived from New York during the week, and Remy Carpen,, who is to play the lead, has'already done so in America for some months. She is a French girl and a protegee of'the late Madame Sarah Rernßardt, who was a friend of her. family. Frank Harvey. -yi lead. •• • -. • . •: .. ; ..# I. Mr Ecf. Warrington is calling for applicants for the ballet and Bagdad parade in his production of "Mecca" by the Moon and Morris compa”~ at .Auckland. • • # #

On last New Day Wirth's Circus (now at' entered upon the 46th year of its eM^tice. • • •

Miss Gwen Burroughs and Miss Marion Marcus Clark© have returned to Australia from America to piny in "The Seventh Heaven." • • • •

Zena Dare, wife of Lieut.-Colonel the Hon. Maurice Brott, second*-eon of Lord Esher, Jiub decided to Return to the stager after away from the footlights for

fourteen rears. Miss Dar« will go on tour in "The Last of Mrs Cheyney."

Motheson Lang will shortly, commence his English provincial tour with the Borgia play, "Tlie Tyraut." During this tour fo© proposes to try out a new play, "The Chinese Bungalow," in which he will ultimately appear in a London theatre. • • • • G. 11. Chesterton has been complaining thnt bis novel "The Man Who Was Thursday" lias been turned' into a Boh shevik drama, which has been staged in Vienna. An "authorised" play from the ,svns book is to be given in England,