STAGE AND SCREEN ...

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12423, 17 April 1926, Page 13

STAGE AND SCREEN ...

Personal and General Jottings

WORLD'S MIDGET WONDERS One of the biggest bookings that has even been made by Sir Benjamin and Mr John Fuller will come to New Zealand as soon as the Australian season has ended. It is the world's wonder in the name of Irving's Imperial Midgets. There are 25 in the troupe, both male and female, and in their act they introduce a programme of musical comedy, boxing, wrestling, dancing, singing—even .a circus is offered.

Harry B. Burcher, the J C. Williamson producer, who is responsible for the •delightful musical play "Primrose," was brought from London in 1914 as produce!* lor the New Musical . Comedy Company, and he has acted in that ,capacity ever since that combination, was organised. -Mr Burcher was responsible for successes in London and New York before coming to Australia. He was stages manager of the Gaiety Theatre, London, for six months, and during one period of the term also understudied George Grossmith in« "Our Miss Gibbs” at that theatre, and Joseph Coyne in "The Dollar Princess" at Daly'si He took the Gaiety Company to New York, and there produced a dozen musical comedies for leading managements, b . • •* * • PAVLOVA, THE WONDERFUL

The phenomenal success of Pavlova at ►His Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, has eclipsed the record of the recent sfeason of the Williamson-Melba Grand Opera Company. So many people have had to be turned away from every performance that an extension of the season bad.to be arranged. . The final performance was to be given on Wednesday night, April I4th. For the last nights there were varied changes of programme, introducing some of the most r> notable features in the* great dancer's repertoire. •• ■ < Cecil Kellawayv is writing the lyrics and music for /an Australian musical comedy.. Steel? Rudd is writing the book. Cecil is now in "Katja, the Dancer" in Sydney. "Give and Take" will be opening In New Zealand early in May. Roy Rene, known to Fuller folk as "Mo," will play the comedy lead. James Eccles is \ playing with Irene Vanbrugh in "All 'the King's Horses" at the London Globe. She was through New Zealand with theVahbrugh-Bouci-cault Company. • • * *i # "Primrose" is described as 'tbe twentieth century "high-pressure i musical comedy/' It is said that "laughter is the keynote of happiness, and mirth the essence of enjoyment." If this is true, then "Primrose” should prove a specific cure for the megrims. To see Athol Tier shave Jack Cannot in the barber's shop scene »is calculated to be well worth the admission money. It is a wonderful show of beauty, brains, and brightness..

* • • • THE' BOUCICAULT* COMPANY The' season of the Boucicault Company, which is appearing under the J. C. VVilliamson, Ltd., management in "Quality Street," will be characterised by short runs and quick changes. Following "Quality Street” will be given a grand production of "The Admirable Crichton," which will he uresented on an elaborate scale. The last occasion oh which Barrie's play was staged in Melbourne, the title role was enacted by Cuyler Hastings. In Mr Boucicault's production the part will be played by the tall and handsome English actor, Brian Aherne. # # «... *

* Pavlova is' making a collection of Australian birds to'tako-with her when, at the conclusion of her tour of the Commonwealth and New Zealand, she will return to England. So far she has?not started to collect kangaroos, though at least five have been offered to her as mascots or souvenirs, • • • •

Mr Arthur Davis, managing director of Exhibitors Alliance, returned to Wellington on Wednesday after a tour of the country. *

*•• • . Mr A. F. Brennan, of Opunake, hts disposed of his picture interests to Mr A. Whiting. /

Mr T. O'Brien, of Auckland, recently secured control of the Rialto Theatre, Newmarket, Auckland, one of the finest suburban theatres in the Dominion. Mr O'Brien now controls the Empire, Duneejirt-; Everybody's, Tivoli and Princess, Auckland; Rialto, Newmarket, and Regent, Epsom. * • • *

A large audience assembled at the Majestic Theatre, Auckland, last Sunday night to witness a private screening of the United latest big special, "Stella Dallas.V The picture was thoroughly enjoyed and approcated by everybody, especially the ladies. According to the critics present at the screening, this picture is going to cause a big sensation, and will be one of the outstanding pictures of the year. During the evening delightful music was rendered by the Majestic Orchestra. "Stella Dallas" has now been fixed to open in Auckland at the Majestic Theatre on May 14th. ' "The Eagle," in which Rudolph Valen.tino appears with Vilma Banky as, his leading lady, opens its season in Christchurch on Monday, April 26th. United Artists have scored another triumph at the Majestic Theatre, Auckland. Thi6 time with Rudolph • Valentino's latest production, "The Eagle," .which op end its season to enormous business, and judging by tbe following extract from Mr Hayward's letter, he is more than pleased with the results. Mr Hayward says: "Unfortunately, we turned quite a couple of thousand people away on Saturday night, and we hare never had bigger queues outside the theatre since it opened. I only hope that these people will come back, ana I fully believe they will. The whole programme met with the same enthusiastic recep tion as it did on Friday, and we are looking forward to big figures*'-

A JOY STORM AT DE LUXE "The Navigator,” a-Buster Keaton feature at the handsome De Luxe Theatre, is the comedy hit cf the year." It is a Metro-Goldwyn comedy, ana certainly ranks with the best. The principal actors are Buster Keaton; a girl, Kathryn McGuire, and the "Navigator," a bi& ocean-going liner. The three get together out at sea, when Buster and the girl, the'only people on the drifting vessel, out of necessity try their hand at navigation and sundry other duties of the sea. The results can be imagined dimly, but by no means completely, for the frozen-facea*: comedian brings to bear on the situation the most original bunch of gags ever thought out. Each one is carved exquisitely out «of a rippling laugh. * : •*. .. ' * The picture early showed .its great entertaining power* It was jn the very first week, when screened. T at the Capitol Theatre, New York, that it decisively smashed the world's record for theatre admissions. For a picture to thus rank itself above the many big special productions that have been seen recently is conclusive proof of its greatness. ♦ • * * FILM PEOPLE WE KNOW Mr W. R. Kemball, managing director of the De Luxe, King's, and Queen's Theatres, Wellington,, returned from Sydney by the s.s. Maunganui on Tuesday last. N ••. • * Mr C. F. Eskell, general manager of Universal, returned to Wellington by the Maunganui after 4 a holiday in Sydney. ' ‘ • V * • ; .• Mr Edwin Geach,* of the Union Theatres, Ltd. 4 , Sydney,, is, at present on a holiday visit to New Zealand. •‘< * : * All existing records foi? Auckland were broken by the big' Universal attraction, “The Phantom of. the ‘'Opera," which, was screened in four theatres simultaneously during' Easter week. ' • , • • •• Mr Hrrol Fuller, manager for Selznick Pictures, Ltd., is at present touring the East Coast district. ?*.->• ’ • * - • The sympathy of the whole film industry is extended to Mr H. Bardsjey, manager of Alliance Fijms, and Mrs Bardsley in the death of their little daughter after a short illness. • Mr H. Hayward, director of the N.Z. P.S.,,Ltdr, and Auckland Theatres, Ltd., was a visitor to Wellington during the ■week.

Mr Alan McGowan, manager of. Australasian Films, Ltd., returned to Wellington on Monday after an extensive tour of the North Islaiid. ' '* * , * . . * . The Australasian Films release, "Hot Water,” featuring Harold Lloyd, played to capacity business at the Empress Theatre, Wellington, last week, and to enable the many disappointed patrons who were unable to obtain admission, arrangements have been made to transfer tho picture to the Strand Theatre for a further season. ~ —- : •• u ■ * * Mr Harry Alpe, of the staff of \the Tivoli Theatre, Wellington, joined the ranks of* the benedicts on Friday, April 9th. The ceremonyj. which took place at St. Andrew's Church, was attended by friends of the happy couple. Mr Alpe was greatly esteemed by. his

employers and members of the Tivoli staff, and was the recipient of a cheque from J. C. Williamson, Ltd., a cheque ifrom Mr M. Ralph, of Pinnacle Pictures and manager of tho Tivoli,\and a handsome afternoon tea service from .the Tivoli staff, c j

PARAMOUNT FEATURE AT , PARAMOUNT Earl Hudson stopped at nothing to get realism and genuine thrills into his picture, "The Knockout," which is showing at the Paramount Theatre this week. In order to obtain the correct atmosphere for the outdoor scenes of this picture of the Canadian woods, he sent liis /entire company into the wilds of Northern Ontario ana Quebec. The location of the picture was in the vicinity of the Ottawa . River, the centre of the largest lumbering activities in the Eastern section of the country. "The Knockout” is a film filled with stirring? action of the , sort - for which Sills has become famous. He is a prize fighter who goes to the logging camps of the north wpods when he finds diis right' arm has gone back on him. There he meets, opposition and action that makes his ring efforts' seem soft. .#• * * LILLIAN GISH IN “ROMQLA” "The mantle of Bernahrdt and Duse has fallen upon the frail shoulders of Lillian Gish, the greatest actress that our generation has known —the one supreme genius # of the screen.” This is not the blurb of a Press agent, but a digest of the opinion of the leading artists and critics of the day. It backs up the opinion of those picture-goers who have followed Lillian Gish's career from the day that she played in "The .Birth of a Nation,” through her apjiearance in /'Hearts of the World," "Broken Blossoms," "Orphans of the Storm,” "Way Down East,” "The White Sister,” and now, in her latest triumph, "Romola,” the screen version of George Eliot’s novel,, which Metro-Goldwyn. will release in New Zealand shortly. After a eulogy of the famous screen actress,, one writer concludes" Hen characterisations are built up of a hun-' dred little things, in themselves largely unidentifiable. And when, at the end, we have in its composite form the character * picture she would give, we find we ; have no'idea at all, but just the idea and meniory of a picture. We have been 'made to feel the character without ever having been privileged to behold it. That is the girl's legerdemain.” * *• *'.* • ( The Tivoli Theatre, Wellington, was closed last Saturday, .and work was immediately /commenced tearing down the old structure to enable the Regeht to be built. Mr Beaumont Smith, general manager of J. C. tVillianison Films," who returned , from Auckland during the week, reports that the work of getting the site of the Regent, Auckland, ready for . building is well under way.

Mr ; T. Valois, sales manager for Exhibitors Alliance Films, Ltd., lias resigned in order to accept a position as director of publicity for Mr T. O’Brien'schain of theatres in Auckland. Mr Valois has been a member of the film business for a> considerable period, having held several important executive positions, and he leaves for Auckland today with the best wishes of. his many friends in the business. The directors of (he New Zealand Picture Supplies recently offered a handsome gold watch for competition 1 among the various theatre managers for best all v round results ■ shown ovqr a period of three months. The competition was very keenly contested, and the winner was R. Haddow, manager of the Empress Theatre,, Wellington, who, by his -management and showmanship, easily showed the best all round results.

Mr Laurie Quinn, New Zealand manager for United Artists, is at present on a tour of the North Auckland towns, and having such a big line-up of specials, ho is a very welcome visitor whcrcever he goes.

MASTER FILM AT EMPRESS Rin-Tin-Tin in "Tracked in the Snow Country*" a Master Picture, is announced as the attraction now screeneing at the Empress Theatre. Rin-Tin-Tin is the celebrated "Wonder Dog" of the screen who has i been appearing in "Warner Brothers* photoplays for the past ye&r or more. He is a German shepherd dog, with an acting prowess whibh seems almost uncanny. "Tracked in the Snow Country" sets forth a sequence of intensely dramatic events which transpire in the Par North. It is the story of

a battle for tremendous wealth os represented by a rich gold mine. Jane Harlowe, admittedly one of the most beautiful girls now appearing before the caniera, has the leading feminine role, playing opposite David Butler. Mitchell Lewis celebrated for his parts of this particular class, is the deep-dyed villain. see* Lloyd Hughes and Florence Vidor are the stars of the Master Picture "Welcome Stranger/* now screening at ths Strand Theatre. scs • • After her big hit in the Master Picture, "The Sea Beast," the Warner ses epic that opened in New York, Dolores Costello, daughter of Maurice Costello, the fi>et screen matinee idol, received a' telegram from a friend on the part she plays opposite John Barrymore, which read as follows: —"New York newspapers say y6u are a great screen artist.” To which Dolores, the new star, sent the following prompt reply; "So's my old man—bless him!" • • * » To all intents and purpose, Kenneth. Harlan is now "The Sap” to all and sundry at the Warner studio, that being the ijame of the Master Picture he is working in now. • * "Sh—h —h!" whispered Dorothy Devore as she stalked a suspected murderer in her latest Master Picture, "The Man Upstairs," which is a fascinating combination of mystery and huipour. • * # '■ * . "The Door Mat" has been chosen Ernst Lubitsch, the famous director, as his next Master Picture for Warner Bros. • • • * There are more reasons than a cat could shake a stick at "Why Girls Go Back Home/* but James Flood, the director, is going to tell as many as he can in this Master Picture. • • ** * "What's yours, is mine; but what*s mine is my own/* announced Marie PreYost as she and Monte Blue began their long-distance argument in "Other Women*® Husbands/* a Master Pictu&. • • * * Don Alvarado, the Warner player, is certainly going to the dogs, according to the report that he is playing a major role in "Hero of the Big Snows/* Rin-Tin-Tin*s latest Master Picture. « • • • The popular team, Irene Rich and >Huntly Gordon, will be seen together again very soon in the .Master Picture "Silken Shackles/* a sophisticated come-dy-drama. • • • • "Catch it, boys, when it passes/* •advised William Beaudine as he marshalled his company together for "The Honeyihodn Express/* the Master Picture he is directing for Warner Bros. From a New England belle in "The 1 Sea Beast/* the sea epic Which John Barrymore plays the lead, .Dolores Costello jumped to the role of a naughty, pug-nosed little miss in the new Master Picture "The LittJ© Iri£h Girl." • • .; # * UNIVERSAL FILM ATTRACTIONS Diike R. Lee, who is one of the famous "bad men** of the screen, does Some . splendid work in "The Call of Courage/* a< Universal Western starring Art Acovd. Lee has had almost interesting career, : his professional life covering a i>eriod of 36 years. * During that time he passed safely through six train wrecks and three circus fifes. Cliff Smith, who has been responsible Jor many excellent western pictures, has directed this particular ! attraction. * Five top notcher racehorses, all prize winner®, were imported to Universal City from the track at Tiajuana, Lower California, for the racing scenes in "Sporting Life/* which Maurico Tourneur directed for Universal. A track was built at the studio, the atmosphere of England's smart race track, Epsom Downs* was reproduced, and the entire racing sequence of th© unusual picture was filmed within the walls of the gigantio film plant. >

There is enough thrilling action in the Universal picture,“"Wreckage," to supply two or three average pictures. And yet, the wealth of movement does not crowd out the plot, or overshadow the beauty of really artistic photography. The great scene presents the Fncific in anger, with a vessel going down. This shot is one of the finest ever caught by a camera. In order to make it, Ben iVerschleifier, the producer, and Scott Dunlat, the director, took the entire cast into the Pacific on a small yacht fitted out to represent a liner. They sailed -in tho teeth of an ugly gale. • «. • *

Tho body of another woman is worn by Mary Philbin in her newest starring vehicle, "Stella. Maris/* UniversaFs filmisation of William J. Locke's famous novel. Jn the dual role of "Unity Blake” Miss Philbin • makes up for a woman much larger than herself. A woman of the weight required was enlisted, a plaster cast taken of her body, and this was reproduced in jointed celluloid. The result was a perfect illusion. Miss Philbin applies a remarkable facial makeup, which makes her literally another person.

Universal ranch riders, who have become famous for thoir wild riding jyid daredevil horsemanship in Universal pictures, hnvo a prominent part in "Two Fisted Jones,” the picture starring .TnoV Hoyie. In flic supporting cast are William Steele. Knthrvu McGuire, Harry Todd, William Welsh. Frank Rice, Byron Dougla®, and Frederick Cole.