Celebrities For New Zealand

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12453, 22 May 1926, Page 13

Celebrities For New Zealand

| E. J. CARROLL ANNOUNCES PLANS |

Since he started out from Australia # to study the theatrical, musical, and ’movie world abroad in 1926, Mr E. J. Carroll has spent some months in the United States, and London. From what he saw of the movie world, the studios and theatres in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York, Mr Carroll is firmly convinced that “climatic conditions in Australia are even better suited for the production of good pictures than those of California." “Many of the big movie stars in California expressed the same opinion to me," he related to a special correspondent of an Australian paper. “What we want is good stories, Australian in sentiment, and with these I am sure we will be able to compete with any other part of the world." “Of one thing I am sure," ha continirii]icaiiiiiiiiiincaiiimiiiiiicaiiiiiJiiiiivc3iiiimiiiiic3iiiniiiiii!C3[iifiiiiiiii

ists for Australia, and buy the best theatrical productions. Knowing how successful was the showing of his film, “The Sentimental Bloke," throughout Great Britain, be is following on during tthe next two months with two new pictures, “The Moth of Moonbi," and “Jewelled Nights,” done from scenarios by M. Forrest and Marie Petersen. KREISLER AGAIN “I have arrived here just in time ta*. see the embarking for Australia and New Zealand of the Don Cossack Cboiiy" he said he as talked over his plans, “lh * New York I talked with Kreisler. wKTT told me he was so delighted with thS" reception he had out there that he »-•** quite willing to go out.on.a second tour shortly." luuHimuiiainmuHiiniiimminaimmiijHnmimiußDwwJiniofi

uedj “the people in the. TJnited States are putting forth an honest endeavour to make better and more decent pictures. If this continues, movies will be a serious menace to other forms of entertainment. “Picture-houses are paying much higher salaries for artists than other managers, with the result that all the best artists are singing, playing, or acting in connection with the cinema. In one theatre I saw 200 people on the stage in a performance given as a preliminary to the showing of a picture. The same thing is happening in London, and I feel sure it will arrivo in Australia. BRITISH FILMS .“I was delighted to find when I arrived here that great interest, was being taken in British films. I feel sure they will, find a sympathetic market in Australia. All the same, I am sure the picture-loving public is not vitally interested as to whether Charlie Chaplin makes his films in Hollywood or on Hampstead Heath. Pictures must have high entertainment value. It is the survival of the fittest. “In Australia sane legislation and fair taxation may be needed, blit any extreme measures along the line of embargoes or confiscations will defeat their own object, and ultimately ruin the industry, as it did in Germany. After all, the amusement-going public cannot be brought into the thpatre by Acts of Parliament or the production of inferior pictures." Among Mr Carroll’s new schemes for the near future is the establishment of an office in London, from which he hopes to launch Australian pictures in Britain, engage world-famed art-

Among the other famous people who will probably go to Australia under Mr Carroll’s direction are Stephen Leacock, the famous author-lecturer, and Miss Rebecca West, the English novelist, who at present is in America, lecturing and supervising the production of her play, VT.he •Keturni of the Soldier." “I am out to get all the best and biggest things I can obtain for Australia and New Zealand," Mr Carroll concluded. And among the ones he has already secured are two plays, ‘"The Best People," and “Outward Bound," which both have had long runs in London and New York, and which he will produce in Australia and New Zealand at an early date.

.Mr H. F. Wood, manager of the De Luxe Theatre, Wellington, is now busy on liis publicity campaign for the next United Artists’ special, “The Eagle," which commences its spason at the He Luxe on Friday, the With a cast headed by Rudolph .Valentino and Vilma Banky, this picture should prove a sensational success. The following exhibitors were visitors to Wellington during the week: H. Hall, Tivoli Theatre* Carterton; Les Scptt, People’s Theatre, Levin; Eric Morse, Otaki Theutre, Otaki; W. X. Byre, Arcadia Theatre, Dannevirke. » * • • * The many friends; of Mr George Dagnall, manager of Fox Films Corp., will be pleased to hem* that Mrs Dagnall is rapidly recovering from her serious illness, and is expected to receive her discharge from the Lister Private Hospital on June Ist. * * • "His People,’’ a Universal attraction, opened at tile King’s Theatre, Wellington, last evening, to big. business. Those who were fortunate in seeing “Humoresque" and “Over the Hill,’’ have now the; opportunity of seeing a picture which should prove a greater success of either of the two pictures mentioned. *‘His People’’ is a picture of great heart appuii, and has been acclaimed a genuine dox office attraction by the leading critics in London, where it played for three months in one theatr*. - • % % • * “Stella Dallas," released by United Artists,* commenced its season at the Majestic Theatre, Auckland, on Friday last, and met with a very enthusiastic reception by a large and appreciative : audience.

auHmnnraittHmiinomiiiMUHCjmiuDiniDttuiimMiaßmnMgya tre. As usual in such cases, a woman is the reason, but the remarkable thing about it is that she does not know it. George Kibbe Turner has fashioned a powerful drama out of material which is decidedly different. Mary Brian is the girl and Neil Hamilton completes th« trio of players featured in tho leading roles of tho production.

• • • • Mr R.. Haddow, manager of the Empress Theatre, Wellington, has had a busy week controlling the big crowds who wished to see the Master picture, “Recompense." Despite the opposition from the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders’ Band, the seating capacity of the Empress was taxed to the utmost for the whole week.