The Deadhead's Diary

NZ Truth, Issue 641, 29 September 1917, Page 2

The Deadhead's Diary

It is thought that the "shicks" o'clock closing: will be a boon to the theatres, but the .managers of shows are doubtful, and say that reports from Australia are that early, closing has had a detrimental effect on theatrical business. That most charming Australian actress, Miss Lizette Parkes, will visit New Zealand next month as a member of J. and N. Tait's new "Turn to the Right" company. The play gives Miss Parkes a line opportunity for the display of those emotional qualities which have always stood her in such good stead. The new brand of photo-plays that were presented at the Queen's Theatre on Monday, made a big hit, and will add to the prestige of the Queen's if the quality keeps up. The first production is a Red Feather. The Bluebird productions have bigger reputations, and if they are superior to the Red Feather brand well, the picture goers of this fair city will have some real pleasure awaiting them every week. Mr. A. L. Pearce who was stage manager with the "Peg o' My Heart", company, and played the role of Brent for some time in New Zealand, has gone to America with Mr. J. N. Tait, for th© purpose of selecting new plays for the firm's companies who are to operate next year. Mr. Pearce is a very admirable stage manager, and one would say, a good judge of what the people of these parts want in the way of plays. -At last we have some new faces amongst the film comedies. We of the Dominion were beginning to cuddle the idea that all the fun in the picture world was. made 'by Ham . and Bud, Charlie Chaplin, Billie Ritchie, and Hank Mann. The new comedians shown at the Queen's on Monday prove that "there are others," and what is more, these new comedians can be funny in evening dress clothes. -"A consummation to be devoutly thankful for" as the Bard of Avon puts it or ought to. The name of Hayward has, for years past, in New Zealand at least, been part and parcel of the film world and it is pleasing to know that everything augers well for the old name to be flown on the signboards for a long time to come. Recently, Phil Hayward, only son of the "old dad," was shoved back a class in the Second Division when Mrs. H. presented him with a little heir. To mark the event, a number of the heads got together and made a presentation to the proud young dad. The duty of handing over the presentation fell to our old friend and good fellow, Rud Petersen, and Rud had some very nice things to say about the firm and the little chap whom they hoped to see carry on the name of Hay wood in the picture biz. Playgoers should note the itinerary of the new J. and N. Tait Company playing "Turn to the Right" and "The New Henrietta" has been changed owing to circumstances over which no one in particular has control. An effort will," of course be made to open on the original date at Wellington (October 8) but thereafter, there will be changes. The tour as it at present stands is as follows : — Wellington, October 8 to 19 ; Palmerston North, October 20 and 22 ; Hastings, October 23 ; Napier, October 24 and 25 ; Auckland, October 27, to November 6 ; Hamilton, November 7 ; Wanganui, November 9 and 10 ; Oamaru,. November 13 ; and Dunedin, November 14 to 20, with Christchurch to finish up with. The company will play besides "Turn to the Right," Winchell Smith's newest comedy "The New Henrietta" a comedy with a history, in ( which is proved the truth of the adage that "there's no fool like an old fool." Violet Merserau, the inspiring and piquant fairy of the camera story, will make her appeal to Wellington playgoers on Monday. Some ten years ago, Violet was a child wonder actress in a road show in America. She now tells with gusto of the numerous times, that she had to crawl under the seat of the carriage when the guard came along to collect the tickets. She can afford to tell those stories, now that she is among the most affluent in the Motion Picture circle. The best story she tells is when she was wrapped up in a shawl waiting for the train to come along, she was being passed off as a baby of two years. The train was four hours late, and Violet sat cuddled in the shawl without food, and the early morning was bitterly cold. The train man took pity on the child and went along home and brought a bottle of heated milk. When he arrived back he caught Violet struggling with a porter house steak. He had been an actor himself once, so "The Baby" got her ride free just the same. "Turn to the Right" 'which is to be produced through New Zealand next month (D.V. and the strikers permitting), is one of those rare products in plays that hit the public where they live. There are those who believe that its sentiment savors of molasses and its comedy of cream puffs, but see those people when the curtain is up, and carefully note the effect on them of the sentiment they affect to deride. As a matter of fact, Winchell Smith always believes in. a strong vein of sympathy in his plays, but it is never false sympathy in the sort that finds an echo in every heart. It was as in the "Fortune-Hunter" and, it is as in ! "Turn to the Right," the play that is still running to enormous business in America, where half a dozen companies are touring with it, all to record business. The new comedy-drama has been a great success in Australia, and that it will succeed in New Zealand there cannot be the slightest doubt. Mary Pickford's Artcraft picture, "A Poor Little Rich Girl" was shown by Rev. George Savery of the North Congregational Church, Haverhill, Mass., in serial form and proved a most fitting subject for such presentation. In a letter to Walter 15. Greene, President of the Artcraft Picture Corporation, the minister said : "Full pews with many standing, greeted 'A poor Little Rich Girl, 1 shown as a serial in the North Congregational Church of Haverhill." "Always, timely is the presentation of the eternal truth that love crowns the home. Neglect of children and homo for the claims of business, or the demands of society is an evil of the first magnitude ; but no sermon could emphasize this J'olly so effectively as does Mary Plckford in her inimitable screen portrayal of the rich little girl suffering 1 from poverty of love. The story unfolds with absorbing interest to a strung- and. stirring- climax. It is a pulpit theme of vitnl moment and this film is a welcome addition to the all too small list of subjects teaching a great truth in a worthy way. The churches very properly insist on a wholesome lesson as the only justification for exhibition' in a place of worship. We. earnestly suggest the production of more films of this character, Signed, George Savery."