The Deadhead's Diary

NZ Truth, Issue 568, 6 May 1916, Page 2

The Deadhead's Diary

Young Bert Lockerby, orchestral stalls usher at the 'King's Theatre, went into camp this week. On Saturday* evening Manager Latham, on behalf of the staff presented Bert with a dandy wristlet watch, and said a lot of nice things about him, everyone of which were merited. Bert's next job will be m handing pass-out checks to Huns. s: ?: :: Sir Charles Wyndham. whoso former wife died on January 12 of this year, got married again on March 21 to Mary Moore, his leading lady. Sir Charles is no chicken; his age is variously estimated, but it is .undoubtedly m the neighborhood- of 80. The old saying, "There's many a good tune left m an old fiddle" evidently applies m his case. The company was playing the small towns and doing smaller business. So bod did things get that at the fourth town the manager-cum-advance-agent-cum-biU-sticker : and everything else, was unable to pay the bills at the "pubbery." He suggested to "mine host" that the only hope of getting paid was to come, along to the next town, with a view to receiving the amount owing from the cash that would roll into the, .box-office- there. The publican went. \ Before .the tour abruptly ended six weeks later, there were eight hotel-keepers touring with the company. Bert X«vy, the Australian black and white artist, who has made an international reputation with his vaudeville lightning sketching act, latterly has been doing comic drawings for the American papers. Ho has made a great hit with a series called "Samuel and Sylen**" But now he has voluntarily surrendered a salary of £2400 a year and paid £440 down to be released from his contract, rather than continue the series which he found was offensive to his fellow Jews, Levy, unlike certain other Ylds we know, never sought to hide that he was one of the Chosen People, ■ instead he glories m the fact, ■■■, .■•■■'■ •■:: . t:- '■'." '. " : .-if.;'y y ' Mr. Jack Cannot,' who is popular as ever m Australia, returns to New Zealand shortly with the Tivolt Follies, is tired of people asking him why he took a name like that. He patiently explains that' Cannot Is the name of his family. He is French," of a. sound old Huguenot stock. The Cannbts, Oarnots, arid Kernots are m their origins all one family. "Queer thing is," says Jack, "every Cannot, Carnot and Kernot seems to be doing something. If there is a poor relation m ray family, I'm it. All my relatives m France are — oh, very 'ooftish.' I believe that the Italian branch, transplanted long ago', is not by any means m want. Even I am able to afford an occasional cigar and buy the dear baby a bear. I'm m the profession because I like it, and because I think it's a very good profession to be In I have stuck to my own name." ' »S Jl I! "Jim the Penman" is to be the title of the big picture at the King's Theatre, next week. It is a nlmisation by the Famous Players Co. of Sir Charles L. Young's dramatic success. John Mason is the bright particular star m the play. The story concerns the machinations of one James Ralston, who, known to the world as a philanthropist and coming parliamentarian, yet all the tfrn© is re»Uy the notorious "Jim the Penman," whose daring forgeries are alarming the business centres of two continents. This ploture is one of the best melodramas ever sent to market, and the excitement grips one right to the surprls-, ing ending. The ladles will delight m a golden thread of love interest skilfully woven into the fabric of the plot. :: j: " r ■■-, -it.-.;" - ■_" "Tillies Punctured Romance," the six-reel Keystone, In which Marie Dressier starred, and m which a young and then new film comedian named Charlie Chaplin played opposite her, has been revived m New York. When this j>icture was' released, Marie Dressier was. featured m the billing, and Chaplin, then unknown, was not mentioned on the paper at all. In the revival Chaplin's name is all over the place, while big anfl buxum Marie's monnicker is "lower-cased/ 1 When the film people (the Metro. Co.) decided to revive this big production, they discovered that they had seven worn out prints on their hands and were unable to get a new one, because the negative was destroyed. The Metro, conoern accomplished the Tesurreotion by cutting up these seven prints and making one aerylcable copy from them. This is now renting for a fancy figure. : : i : 1 1 A good many vaudeville artists (though not all, be it said), cling to the mistaken Idea that m order to be successful they must embody something "on the edge," or blue and "outre" into their acts. As a matter of fact, m New Zealand and Australia, vaudeville audiences are against anything ♦Tlirtc©" being put over. It doesn't amuse people, but only makes them (eel uncomfortable. "Deadhead" notIced at the Easter Monday matinee at His Majesty's that there were* several things put over, whloh. though they were not glaringjy suggestive, might have given offence tv at least some amongst the bis: audience. Writer also noticed on Monday evening that these items had boon deleted, and an Immaculate performance was given. There Is nobody *o down on "blue stuff" as Walter Fuller, and no body gets to know it quicker than the artist who put* this sort of stuff over m Walter's hearing. :: :» a While oi\ this subject let It bo also mentioned that vaudeville audiences hi New Zealand, or members of them, tiro Just a wee bit too squeamish on this acort\ uiul this also applies to the sapient scribes who report on the shows for the day-lies. But when it comes to a Williamson Bhow the same press and public will seemingly accept anything that is offered. Take "High Jinks" for instance. It was ana long spasm of suggestion, and the preaa of certain parts of Australia discovered a batch of new adjt*etlve« to property acclaim Its "on-the-edge* ness." Yet If half the "hot stuff* In "High Jinks" was embodied In an net at Fullers, the press would bo full of the need for disinfectants and the sumo pooplo who hud jflouted over "High Jinks" would be Knitting like they had a cold In their heads.

After having: said she wouldn't, and negotiating elsewhere, Mabel Normand has affixed her signature to a new contract with the New York Motion Picture Corporation, and for the present wi\\ continue as a. member of the Keystone Company. Darling Mabel's screw is stated on paper to be £200 per week. :s •! :: Millions are m the air m American film circles at present. It is stated that the gigantic American tobacco trust, having £20,000,000 surplus cash on hand has settled on the motion picture industry as worthy of attention. The Vitagraph plant, stock and all ia reported to have been offered for half a million sterling. :: ii s; , The biggest dramatic production we have had for years, "Under Fire," will open at the Wellington Grand Opera House on Tuesday next. It -will be given with a strong cast, and some fine spectacular effects. Julius Knight and Lizette Parkes will appear m the leading, roles. "Under Fire" has no rawer than fifty-two speaking parts, which must be a record for drama. :: :: :t Val and Lottie Newman, the Aus-, tralian comedy team, are terminating their present engagement with the Fuller firm, and expect to leave for America per the Niagara on May 13. They nave created a record around the Melbourne suburbs, where they played under the direction of George Smith. The original contract signed by these people called for sixteen weeks. This has been extended to sixty-five! t: :: :: Whilst Cariton Max, the ventriloquist, was putting over his act at His Majesty's one evening last week, he received a lively interruption. The voice thrower was carry m gon ah Imaginary conversation through the telephone when a stentorian voice m the audience advised him to "go to hell,". No, dear reader, the interruption did not come from the old top shelf. The gods are Justly famed for their brilliant native wit; but this time the gem of repartee came from amongst the elite and elect of the orchestral stalls, the haunt of the gilded youth. ■ .'.- ■ :: ':.■• ■'. • :s .. .. "'. -1*... .;. : Ben Fuller hag acquired another, recruit from the 'legitimate stage,, and Miss Nan Taylor forsakes acting to sing Scottish ballads m, vaudeville. And who should know the best Scot songs better than Miss Taylor, who waa so long as^pctftted with Graham Moffat. Miss Taylor was Aunt Susie of "Bunty Pulls the Strings," and those who saw her m that fine comedy will remember the handsome entertainer who ao tellingly sang real old Scots ballads. Miss Taylor made her appearance at the Dunedin House on Monday and made a big impression on the Soots down m that dour spot. . -.: . tl :: . " ji '■. ■ .-■- ■ . The first, and probably the only time, that .Charlie Chaplin, appeared In a serious part was m a play written by H. A, Saintsbury, The play was called Jim, and was produced by its author at the County Theatre, Kinga-ton-on-Thames, m 1902: and 1 m it "the idol with the feet of splay" sustained the part of a news-boy "with a heart of gold," Previously oheerful Charlie had played "Billy" the pageboy m Sherlock Holmes, to Saintsbury'B deteotlve, this having been the former's first play. Later, f'CharUe" Joined Fred Kar no's forces, and while acting the part of the "shikker" m "The Mumming Birds" caught the eye of an American picture magnate. Then he became famous. •■'■■: II :« II The opening of the Crown Theatre last > Saturday night,' brings the number of picture shows now m full swing m Wellington up to nine, and another cinema theatre is m course of erection m Marl on- street, with an entrance from Cuba-street. Tne Crown Theatre has a broad, lofty auditorium, giving the circle plenty of head room. The seating is comfortable, with ample knee room for 800 patrons, and the freshness and sweetness of the place satisfies one's fastldloslty. An artistic and subdued system of lighting has been installed, and the furnishings throughout are elegant but not gaudy. The walls and dome have been left white. • A fine bioscope gives a remarkably clear projection of pictures, almost flickerless, The pictorial programme on the opening night introduced new film makers to New Zealand, notably a "Red Feather" production entitled "Mrs. Plum's Pudding," which featured Marie Tempest, a celebrated actress of the Old Country. Good pictures and good music ore the principal planks of the Crown's policy, and situated at the north end of the city, m close proximity to the National Talking shop, and bandy to the railway stations, the prospects for the new theatre are bright and rosy. »». s* ■ . n Walter Fuller got a, pleasant aurprise one evening last w«ek, when a typical elderly wowser and two ancient females of the aamo species wandered into the orchestra stalls at His Majesty's. After rubbing his eyes to see if he was really awake, Walter buxxed m after them to make sure that they got Axed up nice and comfy. "Ha! ha! quoth he. the wowsers come to sec vaudeville and there is some hope for the race after all." When, the WQWBftr and his wawserlnes had disposed themselves to their satisfaction a usher handed them a pro* gramme. Ho might just as well have thrown a bombshell, for that programme had a similar effect on them. They dropped the "menu" u« if it hud been red hot, and made tracks for the streot. "You're going out 'early, sir," ventured Walter KuUe.r to the male wowser. "Oh! .shuddered the prim and proper three." "We thought this was the King's Pictures." Tints throe more souls have boon lost. What, ..must be the condition of a human lining who can sets noting hut hell and damnation m a vaudeville programme? Verily the mind of the wowser paasoth mun's understanding. it t i t> Mr. Walter Wcems. quaintest of quaint comedians, Ik scoring hnavlly with tho Tlvoll Follies, and with them coming to New Kealund tihorlly, Btvyfl thnt what he like* about Australian cities ia the quiol. "Alongr her*." ho says, "you aeom to to to bed about ten or eleven, tho witching hour at which it scorns to the New York vlvaur that it must be Just about geltlng-up time. These simple ways take m« back to Rdon and keep mo good ami shy. Ilor* is a city without a cabaret; U «««*ma incredible, und sometimes I wonder when I'm goln' to wake up from thin bcuuUful dream. They tell ni« that thera are no cdrafocts In N«w /.eulund <*lth«r. U looks as If I'm coin* to pursue thin rest cun* good and hard. But when you people .ire up and about I like, your pleoaln' V*a.v«. I went out fishing with a parly of folks last week, anil when n nsh lugged ut ft line and rou»<Hl *omoboUy right up He would b© tv» pleunoU and happy n» v li«l«> child. Thing* happen, but they happen softly. To mo It always feoln a» If It must b« Sunday afternoon and I'm full of good, plain food. But I nun ft ow Zoalantler laat week, and he' bucked me up some. Ho paid. 'You wait till you «c« Muoriluml! I That's tho country to wbixx!' So Via waldng."