The Deadhead's Diary

NZ Truth, Issue 612, 10 March 1917, Page 2

The Deadhead's Diary

It is more than probable that one of Wellington's newest picture theatres, will be shortly converted into a home for stock-melodrama. "Deadhead" understands that Brandon-Cremer < has made all arrangements. :: : : :: Barrie Marschell is returned from the far south of the Dominion and will be located m Wellington, with perhaps a. roving commission, at least that k is what the rumor bird is rumoring. The The old war-horse /is looking m the pink. Picture show manager • . to "Deadhead." Are you here to-night m your official capacity? Poor Pressman: Heavens, man, you don't think I've come here for amusement. Florence Rockwell, the' new J. C. Williamson dramatic star, is to tour New Zealand shortly at the head of a 'capable company. The (repertoire will include "The House of Glass," "Common Clay," and "The Law of the Land." Associated with 'Florence will be Mr. Frank Harvey, 'who made such a good impression here as "The Man jWho Stayed at Home." - .'...'si j: Js ■ The Biograph Operators' Union is now an established fact. The managers decided that the question of wages would be left to the Arbitration Court, but at the nth hour It was thought wiser to come to an amicable arrangement privately. Some rude person suggested that one of the"picture firms would have to show the books and so disclose the profits! Gam, there ain't none!

The picture show flea, whence conieth he? The little jumping gents which make many New Zealand picture goers so uncomfortable m the hot season are having a rare innings these days! The floors of theatres are washed with disinfectant, but the flea, he careth not, for he lieth snug m the deep dug-outs of the upholstered seats, "and when- hunger assails him, and oftimes for pure cussedness, he sallies forth to the fray, and great is the execution thereof. ..,-•'■

Mr. W. Joliffe, the New Zealand Government Censor of films, has been telling the "daylies" that he has examined 1,842,070 feet of film during his five months' career as censor. Well, wha.t of it ? He's paid for doing it, isn't he, so what does

he want to squeal about it for? He ought to think of the countless millions who have to pay to see what he sees for "nl!x." He ought to thank his lucky stars that he is not compelled to wait his turn of admission to Everybody's on a busy night. v

:: :1 :s A new film exchange, which will handle the Mutual films, will be m full swing m New Zealand m a few weeks. Mr. Reginald Wills, who came over to the Dominion with a power of attorney far the Progressive Film Company of Australasia, signed a contract with Harold Cair (ho of the smile) for the sole agency of tho Mutual output m New Zealand. Edna Goodrich, Marjorio Rambeau, Mary Miles Mlnte-r, Richard Bennot, Kolb and Dill, and Magarlta Fischer are some of the many star performers who are playing under tho Mutual banner. .*

Paul Rubens, the composer of "The Blue Moon" nnd "The Dairymaids" and other musical-comedies, recently died m London. "Deadhead" is wondering if he' died of love, for a. London paper tells vs s that Ills matrimonial engagement to Miss Phylis Dare had been terminated abruptly. Phylis and Paul had been engaged for some time and were about to be married. They were looking for a house when Paul caught cold and became so seriously ill that tho specialists advised there must be no marriage for a long time to come. Then Phylis, who had boen looking forwaTd to her retirement from the stage on her marriage, declared the engagement oft for all time.

That ' distinguished actress, Lady Forbes- Robertson (Gertrude Elliot) waß "given the bird" at the Coliseum, London; recently. Tho actress tried to reclto a most beautiful fairy tale called "The Happy Prince," written by Oscar Wilde. It is considered one of his choicest gems and has been recited by Lady Tree, Miss Constance Collier, and Lady Forboß-Robertson herself on previous occasions. However, the Coliseum gnllery simply rocked witih laughter, and the actress had to retire crashed^ Spooking of the matter afterwards she aald that "getting tho bird" was so painful that fttie did not like talking about it, but ns she had changed her turn to two character songs, "The Rose of the Ghetto" and "My Cousin Caruso," and the gods had cheered her, she tried to forget all about tho Wilde event.

ts :: m Alec Lorlmore, who is something big m the picture world and represents American millionaire Interests, threatens to swoop down on New Zealand any old day now and to attempt it revolution In picture matters generally In this "part of tho British Empire. Lorlmore, who objects to bolnpr called "Mister," is the big thing of the Australian Feature Films concern, winch is tho Australian ofT-shoot of tho Paramount, Lnaky. Artcraft, and oilier big picture concerns In tho United Stales, and m Sydney recently he threatened to let loose about two mllllop dollars to further plcturo acting and production In Australia. If the Jaw find labor conditions made it posalblp. One thing seems certain, the Lorimore man Is given to deeds and not words, and lie promises to make good In Australia, and no doubt will do big things In Now Zealand If the law. the war. labor, wowperlsm and other considerable trifles do not. get In his way. His advent to New Zealand will bo Interesting, bemuse it promises to makfc quite a lot of people get v move on. Paramount and tho Ladky Pictures seem to bp going grent licks, anil tho latest to millut under the hanner Is "Fntty" Arbucklf. Incidentally. Mary Plckford lmu been floated Into a company, and Lcrimore controls Uic InUTOHtB of tho company In Au;iUnlla. Things proml«c to happen when Lorlmoro lands here. In the meantime, local, pressmen arc going on a prolonged fast m anticipation of tho "sprcad'V which Lorlmoro la going to lay beforo-.them.

Wally Monk is m Auckland showing the sensational "Divinity of Motherhood" film, and good business is repdrted. It was given out some time ago that the "Combine" had acquired the rights of the film, but it seems as if the deal did not eventuate. :: :: :: At the end of the New Zealand tour, what happens when they reach Invertegville, the "Damaged Goods" Company will be disbanded. Some of the company remaining m New Zealand to Join Florence Rockwell, the rest journeying homo by the Melbourne boat. What a difference is there between real life and "reel" life, as portrayed by the American movie manufacturer. Take "Gloria's Romance," fr'in's't'ns. Credulity is stretched to nothing by the longest arm of co-incidence that never was (pardon the mixed metaphor), but the result is a huge box ofllce success, \so what's the use of worrying? Early and Laight, the heavyweight sketch artists now appearing at Wellington His Majesty's, are assisted by their daughter, Glen Echo. This young lady has adopted an apt stage appelation for her name, as her singing voice is an echo— a very dim one. N.B. — This joke has probably been made before, for it belongs to the "obvious" order of alleged humor.

Charlie Ohaplin is still the same canny, careful child with a keen eye on the main chance. His next picture to be shown m New Zealand is eh-

titled "The Rink," wherein Charles does some wild and woolly stunts on skates. He practiced these antics at a large Los Angeles rink, and, besides his own little screw of £130,000 a year or so, the management of the rink were only too glad to pay him handsomely for tho advertisement that he gave thorn. Thousands paid admission to see Chaplin In the flesh, engaged m tho prosaic task of earning his living. By the way, Chaplin's contract with the Mutual Company expires soon, and It will bo Interesting to see what salary ho will then be offered. The bigsalary bubble, has now been pricked In tho motion picture game. Still Chaplin ought to have enough by now to ensure him three scjuaro meals per diem and a packet of fago occasionally . t: t j :: One of the settings for a particular scene m D. W. Griffith's colossal picture spectacle, "Intolerance," which Messrs. J. C. Williamson will present In Now Zealand m due course, occupied forty acres of ground. There was a high fonco built nil round it, and every foot of it was covered with tho words. "D. W. Orlfllth'H Mother end the Law," for by micii was It known at tlMit time. This was to prevent photographers stfjlfr.g pictures of the sets. Hardly anyone, except those actually at work on tho picture, was admitted through the gr.tes. Indeed, very few of tho actual directors were allowed to see tht* :?cttinx.<*. Some? of Crlfflth's friends motored out to see him on one oocnnlon. They ;:nt to tho enclosure, and an thjy '.vt»ro going rtloitK the road they heard his voice, but nowhere wan he. In .sight. "Look up," nnld their Rrulde. Pcnh»d m tlu» basket of an observation balloon was Orinith. megaphonei to his mouth, issuing InßtrurtionH to n few thousand people working on a iu^jh- below. I'nleas suspended from v h<«U:hi, It wouUI have been Jjr: possible for CSriMth to have seen at th<« one time the whole of his field of operation*. 'The balloon was, therefore brought into use with admlrablo results.