THE DEADHEAD'S DIARY

NZ Truth, Issue 692, 21 September 1918, Page 2

THE DEADHEAD'S DIARY

Some forthcoming Goldwyn pictures based on Rex Beach's famous stories, will include "Laughing Bill Hyde," "The Crimson Gardenia," "Going Some," "The Net" and "The Silver Hoard." A picture of great power which has been creating unusual interest over m Australia is "The Kaiser, the Boast of Berlin." It is a Jewel production and will be released m the Dominion by the New Zealand Picture Supplies, Ltd. Grace Dermond, the girl of wonderful beauty, and Earl Williams are playing opposite- each other' for Vitagraph, and have lately completed "The Seal of Silence," and "The Girl m His House." It would be difficult to find a more handsome pair m the world. There is red blood m the story of "One Shot Ross," m which Roy Stuart adds further to his reputation as a realistic portrayer of Western characters. It is a drama of action, with a liberal supply of thrills. In the end he retires from the shooting game and tries marriage for a change. Mr. Brinsley Shaw, the noted American star actor, was specially engaged, by the Williamson firm for the part Of Tim Donohue m the production of the sensational mystery drama, "The Thirteenth Chair." This brilliant young actor is said to give a fine, compelling study of the man of law 'and iron. • She had to keep on dancing and pretending to be as joyous as the rest m order to deceive the detective who was watching her, and thus enable her lover to make good his escape. This creates a telling dramatic situation, as can *be well understood. Pauline. Starke gets full value out of it In the Triangle drama "Shoes That Danced." :: : : :: That dainty and charming young actress, Miss Lizette Parkes, who will be remembered by New Zealand theatregoers a few years ago by her wonderful creation of "Peter Pan," and who was leading lady with the Plimmer-Denniston and Julius Knight companies, is one of the leading members of J. C. Williamson's "Thirteenth Chair" Company. This fascinating young lady m her character of Helen O'Neill is said to have achieved a triumph m this production. The plot of "The Thirteenth Chair" revolves round the question: "Who killed Spencer Leigh?" Nobody unacquainted with the story is likely to guess rightly until towards the end of the last act, and those who have been duly informed are requested by the management to keep the secret, for "The Thirteenth Chair" is an O. Henry story dealing with magical spells, and the- less knowledge one has concerning what is about to happen the more will one appreciate what does happen. "The Thirteenth Chair" offers, like "Within the Law," a double consideration. As a drama of crime and mystery, it has been planned and written with all the technical skill and intimate stage-craft which has distinguished tho best of Bayard Veiller's plays. In the true manner of mystery it moves through many confusions and exciting situations to a climax as extraordinary as it is unexpected, and it is said that on these material lines alone it is clever and fascinating enough to hold the interest of any audience. f The serial seems to have • become a permanent institution m the movies. Pathe's are probably the most prominent and successful producers and their latest to be released m the Dominion reaches the high-water mark for sustained interest and excitement. It is "The Fatal Ring," with the , established favorite Pearl White m the lead. Vitagraph has a.lso produced a memorable serial entitled "The Scarlet Runner" which has lately heen released m New Zealand. ' It has Ejyle Williams as star, and the "Scarlet Runner" is a motor car which has an adventurous career. Sir James Barrie has been taken to task m a long letter m an English journal signed simply "Cantab." The writer refers to the playlet "Der Tag," which, ln his opinion, as presented, is nothing but an apology for the German Emperor, who is represented as being dragged unwillingly into war against his better judgment. "Cantab" submits that the play is a farrago of mischievous nonsense, that every part of it is untrue, and that it is an outrage on good sense and feeling that such Insidious compliments should be showered upon the head of the maker, leader, and inspirer of Great Britain's chief enemy. Big Mitch Lewis, made a permanent namft for himself m "The Barrier." His is indeed a remarkable personality, rugged, great-hearted and lovable. All those aualities have ample scone m his latest nicture "The Sign Invisible," a First National release, which is now being screened m the Dominion. Practically the same company of- actors apDears m both of these great stories of the wild Nor'west. "The Sign Invisible" is a tale of a doctor who lost his faith owing to a tragic mischance, and literally went to the. dogs. • How he regained it through "The Sign r r 'vlslble" makes a dramatic picture. There are some Homeric fights and a double love story, one of rare charm. Hod da Nova, Mabel .Tullne Scott, Victor Sutherland and Edward Roseman have notable parts. It is a great drama. Rarely have New Zealand theatregoers had an opportunity of witnessing a drama so novel m conception or so weird and mystifying as "The Thirteenth Chair," which, is now being played throughout the Dominion by a talented dramatic company, headed by the famous American star actress, Miss Margaret l Wvcherly. ■ Nothing quite like this clever oroduction from the pen of Bayard Velller has been seen on the modern stage, and iuaging by. the sensation it has created It bids fair to rival "Within the Law" tn Its power to fascinate audiences. An atmosphere of mystery and excitement ts sustained throughout, and the climax is unexpected. Spiritualism plays a large part Jn the story, and it is m the roip of Rosalie La Grange, a queer old medium, that Miss Wycherly achieves her greatest triumph. There was nearly a riot ' m Nelson among the people who could not gain admittance to "Peg o' My Heart" a few nights ago. Only one night could be spent m Nelson, and the whole of the seats were booked up: consequently, there were many hundreds of people disappointed. The management was besieged with applications for another performance, so a matinee was hastily arranged for -the. following afternoon— probably for the first time m the theatrical history -of the town— and that, too, was crowded. That ,same evening . a performance was given- in Motueka, which, is only an hour and- -a half's steam from Nelson. The motor-car trip, which the company thoroughly enjoyed, extended from Greymouth to Blenheim, taking m Havelock and Picton. The company Is now touring the smalls of the North Island. -. TI V?. forthcoming tour of New Zealand of J. C. Williamson's Dramatic Company m the great mystery drama, "The Thirteenth Chair," will be notable for the .fact, that it will introduce to local playgoers one of the most talented actresses ever seen on the Australasian stage, m the person of Miss Margaret Wycherly, who, m private life, is Mrs -Bayard Veiller, the authoress of. "The Thirteenth Chair" and also "Within the Law. It will also serve to renew acquaintanceship with a host of old favorites, who have successfully toured New Zealand at various times. Included m the list are Miss Lizette Parkes, Ethel Morrison, Nancy Stewart, Gaston Merva.e, Leslie Victor, Sydney Stirling, Thomas Sydney, and lan Maclaren. Mr Brinsley Shaw, the brilliant young American actor, will make his first appearance in 'New Zealand as leading man with this company. •- .-. "Peg o' My Heart" has been establishing new records down the West Coast, the company made the tour of the entire district, via the Otira and Buller Gorges m a twelve-seater Cadillac char- - a-banc m delightful weather, which enabled the members of the company to enjoy to the full the magnificent scenery which is so little enjoyed, comparatively speaking, by stay-at-home New Zealard*ers. "I have heard of the wonders of the scenery of . the West Coast,-" said Mr. Maurice Ralph, the manager of the company, "but I and the members of the Tate Company, never dreamed that New Zealand had scenery that reached such heights of stupendous grandeur as that which can be seen by a trip through the Gorges. The marvel of our trip was that, whilst the rest of New Zealand was suffering from wretchedly cold and wet weather, we were sailing along m gorgeous spring sunshine, which gave back all the rich and beautiful coloring that one misses when the- weather is dull or wet. We all hope to return to the Coast some . day, li it is only to drink our fill of that form of natural scenery which neither the stage nor the screen can give any adequate idea of.