THE DEADHEAD'S DIARY

NZ Truth, Issue 881, 14 October 1922, Page 15

THE DEADHEAD'S DIARY

The whole world is full of post-war problems, and is also very weary of them, and it will turn to almost any diversion to escape from the vortex writes the critic iof the "Australaasian." It is this psychological fact that has contributed, to a great ex- ; tent to the success of "The Bat," the great mystery play that has broken all theatrical records m England and America. Not only has "The £at" run for one entire year m London", but it is still going on, playing to capacity houses levery .night. In New York, too, "The Bat" set a new record for that city by playing for one solid year. It is a super-mys-tery play. But it is something else as well. Running through it is one of* the funniest and most delightfully humorous characters ever depicted on the stage. Thanks to this element m "The Bat," while it. will thrill you through and through, it will, at the same time, keep you m constant laughter. The story of "The Bat" — that ' is a secret. It is the request of the authors and the management that no one tell the secret of "The Bat," and there is yet to be a critic or a theatregoer, so far as is known, who has broken faith. "The Bat" will bo presented m Wellington by J. C. Williamson, . Ltd., on Thursday, . Octo.ber 12. It will be interpreted by the New Dramatic Company, which includes such capable artists .as Messrs Sidney Stirling, Frank Hawthorne, Kenneth Brampton, Carlton Stuart, Roland Hogue. Three' newcomers will make first appearances m "The Bat." Mr, W. Mayrre Lynton, Mr. Rupert Lumley, and Miss Elizabeth Dunne. Others well-known who are cast prominently are Mrs. Emma* Temple and Elsie Parkes. Maurice Tourneur has just completed the last reels of "Lorna Doone." Frank Keenan, the great character actor, plays 'the role of Sir Ensor Dophe. & it II AH .

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Mr Cecil Humphries, the Stoll Film artist who has arrived m Australia with the Oscar Asche Company now presenting. "Cairo," has been seen here m "The Four Just Men," "Elusive Pimpernel," and "The Swindler," recently released by the British and Continental Film Co., Ltd. He also appears with Matheson Lang -m "Dick Turpin's Ride to York," a Stoll production to be released shortly. . "East is West," the famous stage play, has just been completed m its picturised form, with Constance Talmadge m the leading role. There is m London at present (and presumably it will" reach Australia m due course) a most interesting film showing the witch of the tennis court m full action. Excellent use is made of the slow motion camera, and If coaching goes for anything it should' prove valuable.- One may give a short description of the film as it is shown m London. There were no unnecessary preliminaries. Mdlle. Lenglen 'was soon seen m action against an opponent, and after a set or two is seen making various services and strokes wherein is demonstrated her grace and quickness of movement. Most of the strokes shown first were volleys, and her backhand volley firmly hit was most impressive. But to the tennis player the slow movement pictures were the most interesting. The first pose of the service was graceful as anything m a game can well be, and the whole of her ( movements m the service are most artistic. All of us are familiar with the 1 "stills ' which the illustrated papers are fond of publishing^ showing the extraordinary agility of the lady champion, but these slow motion pictures prove that the snaps are not carefully selected to catch her m the extreme actions on the court. For instance, m these slow movement pictures when she was fully aware that she was, so to speak, posing for photographic purposes, the height that the left leg came up from the ground during the service was surprising. The demonstrations of the backhand stroke, which she has brought to such perfection, and especially of the 'footwork that was such an essential part of her , game, were all most educational, if pne can ÜBe that word m description of a sport. • Mabel Normaha re+urned recently from the Continent, and has started work on a special feature provided by Mack Sennett. v it. II One of Rudolph Vall'entino's most exciting experiences happened along while the Metro Company was located amongst the icebergs of the Far North producing "Uncharted Seas." This popular star is kept about between floating ice, and narrowly escapes being crushed to death, by the top of an iceberg which falls on the hatch of the ship just as ' Rudolph emerges from between decks. It makes one shiver! "Orphans of the Storm," D- W. Griffiths' latest and . greatest picture, has- arrived m New. Zealand. At a private screening iri "Wellington, . at which' there were several of the -sever-, est critics present, the opinion was general that the pictuie will eclipse all previous productions of the master producer. It is a story of the French Revolution, a subject which is handled m true Grifflthian sty'.e. ' : it :: 11 The loves, ambitions, and squabbles, and jealousies of an Operatic Company are truthfully depicted In "The Great Lover," now running at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne. . Louis Bennison has the star role;' that of an eminent singer and brightest star of the Gotham Opera House, New -York. Many and varied are his love affairs, for he encounters many beautiful women who solicit his influence m aiding their climb to fame. There is an artistic blending of romance and comedy ia "The Great Lover," which climbs to a surprising climax. . Mr Oscar Asche has surpassed himself, m the production m Australia of that gorgeous musical tale of the East, "Cairo." Picture an old Egyptian palace m the desert. .. A gloomy vista of sky, soaring columns, an avenue of winged dragons, gods and graven images, reaching out into a night of stars a fit abode for bats and lizards arid the ghosts of dead, forgotton Pharaohs. "Cairo" has a good plot followed logically to its conclusion. There is a Sultan whom his enemies wish to murder. He falls inwove with 'afld marries; a singing girl, whose father is, by means of lies, induced to join the plotters 'against him. He is pardoned on condition that he makes thp pilgrlmmage to Mecca, and the plotters meet their Just deserts one by one.

Hobart Bo3worth, that virile star of "The Sea Wolf" fame, will be seen with Madge Bellamy m "Blind Hearts." This is a story of the days when the Yukon was a land of conquest, when men sought to pry the gold nuggets from the sno w- covered land.

No recent news has been of more interest to the Australian musical public than the recent announcement that J. and N. Tait have secured the brilliant Australian violinist, Daisy Kennedy, for another tour of the Com* monwealth next year. Miss Kennedy, who is well-known as the wife of the celebrated Russian pianist, Benno Moiseiwitsch, who is also due down under m 1923, is very well-known m London for her fine musicianship and her charming 1 social qualities. She is a woman of singular and arresting beauty of face, 6ut no one , could be less aware of ■"" than she is. She was rather amused bs r , though she probably secretly treasures the dictum of a well-known iiJnglish critic, whd said: •'Miss Kennedy is a refutation of the saying that 'beauty is only skin deep.' Her beauty goes to the soul and is reflected m her wonderful music." :i :,: :i

Admirers of Wesley Barry will find , "School Days" a most delightful and appealing picture. To .every man who remembers the pranks of his boyhood, with their attendant joys and sorrows, the picture wil conjure up tendar memories.

The Kitchener film which was discussed recently m the press, has been released under bond for exhibition m America. The distributor is required to show a title at the opening reels of the picture explaining that it is not founded on historical facts. :: :: ::

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Since Rodolph "Valentino has made suqh a pronounced success on the screen, he has been simply inundated with love epistles. It looks as if an extra secretary will be > necessary to open the numerous letters which he receives every day since his success m "Blood ' and Sand," the Spanish toreador picture. In crossing the Straits from Wellington to Picton one would hardly realise that a most exciting industry is carried on around Tory Channel during the winter months. The whal., ers m this vicinity .think nothing or despatching monsters of the deep •which could smash their frail launches m two with one flip of the fin. The film showing all the phases N of the industry, with its • attendant adventures, will shortly be released m this country. , :: :: 18

Bazil King's famous story, "The Street Called Straight," comes to the screen shortly. As a book it gripped the interest of 'millions' of readers; as a picture it is even more fascinating and pulsating. The cast includes Naomi Childers and Milton Sills.

Miss Norma Talmadge, accompani'^ ed by Mrs. Taimade and Mr. Shenck'i is on a tour of Francs, Austria, Germany, and E&ypt. In the latter country, locations will b<* considered with a possible subsequent filming of "The Garden of Allah," with Norma as the star, : : : : : ': Speaking of the opening concert of the Sistine Choir Soloists m Auckland, the Herald says: — "The enthusiasm at times rose to fever heat, even phlegmatic pulses being, stirred at the emin-r ently satisfying and deeply appealing renderings of some particular masterpiece. Bach well-trained singer possesses very definite qualifications for the combination, and apart from the fact that every v,oice is of almost supreme excellence as regards timbre and range, there is just that human touch m the renderings which' adroitly brings put the significance of the music. The general bearing and 1 deportment of the vocalists inspires confidence and places the audience m a happy frame of mind as each one stands forth to sing his particular number. So many were the insistent demands -.last evening that the programme was trebled m length, while at the close, after the inimitable rendering of "Funiculi, Funlcula" (Denza) there was a fresh demonstration of delight from the audience, with the result that this item was repeated. The concerted items were given with great verve and richness of tone, the result m many of the climaxes being thrilling. iFrom the point of view of volume alone, the nine singers m the "Soldiers' Chorus," from Gounod's "Faust," would put to shame many a male voice society of 50 or 60 voices. At last! Charlie Chaplin will be seen m Wellington this week m his latest and biggest laugh maker, "The Idle j Class." In this picture the king of all comedians is seen m a dual role, those of a tramp and a gentleman of leisure; who. appears on the golf links m the familiar attire- -the elongated boots and the funny bpwler hat. Connie Talmadge's latest picture, "The Primitive Lover," will bje screened m Auckland next week. ' In . this picture the star plays the role of a young girl who is confronted with yielding to cstve-man taptics or returning to the supposedly inane methods of modern courtship. :s :: :: Is woman as resourceful as man m the case of an emergency is a problem that has been discussed for ages. Madge Kennedy gives the advertising world a very v original idea m exploiting fape cream. She reveals this secret m a film entitled "The Blooming Angel," to be screened here hortly. "Honest Hutch," wUn Will Rogers, ;is billed for screenins m Auckland next week. This is the story of a lajsy, shiftless, "no. account" living on the banks of the Father of Waters, who went to work because he found fifty thousand dollars when all his life without a cent m his .pocket he had loafed and fished whi' > his wife had earned a 'livine for the family. . The picture is ' announced as a distinct novelty and a wholesome change. , No attraction during the past two years has enlisted more widespread attention that the Musical 1 Comedy sensation "Mary," which will be heard m Australia and New Zealand soon by J. C. Williamson's New Comic Opera Company. "Mary" is one of the most beautiful and attractive of productions, and stands as an example of this class of entertainment. In song hits is "Mary" particularly rich, every number possessing individual attractiveness. Out of the score of number' "The Love Nest" looms up as one o. the season's greatest song hits; it? charming strains will be heard wherever popular music is discoursed. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Schehck (Norma Talmadge) are at present m Europe; When Miss Talmadge returns she will begin work upon her latest / sereenisation, "Within the Law." Benno Moiseiwitsch, the ) famouRussian pianist, who, with his cleve; wife, Daisy Kennedy, is tb return it. ! Australia -under the J. and N. Tan management, is one of the few musicians who* is on intimate terms.- witi. the great Fritz Kreisler. Kreisler is j; reserved, rather shy personality, who. is quite, unaffected by his celebrity,' and it gives him the greatest pleasure to visit the Moiseiwitsch's beautiful home near Lqndon, where he is treated like one of I '' the family. Another ; thins ! tliat commends • them to him is thai they never a.sk him to "play! something," . He loves to converse m his quiet, reflective way, and there are few things that he cannot talk on when the spirit moves him. He, oncetold an interviewer quite solemnly that his favorite book was the, Encyclopedia Britannica. • • . Hobart Bosworth, ths sterling actor, well remembered for his realistic perj formances i/r "Tales of the Sea," is to have -an important! rolo m "Strangers Banquet," which Marshall Neilan will • produce for Goldwyn. s: :: v v

Mr W. Mayne Lynton, who- appears as the detective m "The Bat," was educated m Scotland, was m a business house for a tihie at Carlisle, and then for over two years was with Sir Frank Benson's Shakespearian Company. In 1910 he toured America with the Ben Greet Pastoral Players m "As You Like It" and similar plays, and m classic drama with the famous Southern-Marlow combination. From that time onward he supported various stars m modern comedydrama. When war broke out Mr Lynton enlisted m London on August 5 m the Sportsmen's Battalion and had many adventures before joining: the "Aphrotlite" m America. Mr Rupert Lumley, the doctor m the famous "mystery play" under J. C. Williamson direction, '.'The Bat," began his i stage career m England m Sir Herbert Tree's companies, and, subse-' quently, appeared with Evelyn Millard m "Idols," and m Conan ; Doyle's "Speckled. Band," before playing at the London Comedy .Theatre m Pinero's "Preserving Mr Panmure." This I artist was engaged for New York m j "The Great Adventure," and on tour assumed the important role of yan Tuyt m "Romance*" During the war he returned to England, and. was employed by the-Admiralty, arid then joined the Royal Garrison Artillery. In 1919 he returned to New York to support Godfrey Toarlei.

-Catherine MaeDonald will be seen In "The Infidel," her latest starring attraction, soon. This is a charming story of the . South Sea Islands, m which the star has the role- of a young woman who poses as a castaway m. order to vent ncr spite on certain missionaries whom she is taught to believe are preying upon a certain idealist. But she falls* in -love .-with the very man who was f her intended victim, which brings, the story to an unexpected climax. Claude Flemming, who was out of the cast of "The Lie" at the King's Theatre, Melbourne, owing to illness, has now taken over the part of Gerald Forster, previously played by Arthur Greenaway. M ; r ifTemming, who is mostly known m Australia for fine work m musical comedy and revue, is no . stranger to the legitimate stage. He made his first appearance m Perth m 1903 as the Dauphin m "King Henry V," and on poing to America, he appeared, as : Robins m the farfamed "Sweet Nell of Old Drury." In London he was m the company of the late Sir Herbert T/ee, and did exceptionally well m numerous characters, including Taffy m "Trilby" and Mr Crisparkle m "The Mystery of Edwin Drood." This was (the stage adaption of the unfinished' story left behind by Charles Dickens, and for which numerpus writers since have tried to invent an ending consistent with the plot,,

Henry Arthur Jones, who was responsible for "The Lie," which is now scoring an impressive success m Australia, is probably the most prolific of English dramatists. Born m 1851, he started to -write plays m 1870, and since that time has produced an average of more than one a year, there being actually nearly sixty -plays that have come from his pen. Perhaps the most famous of his achievements was "The Silver King," written m collaboration with Henry Herman, but others that have aroused great attention, for their effective plot-making and 'keen characterisation are "The Hypocrites," "The Case of Rebellious Susan," "Mrs Dane's Defence," "Mary Goes First," and "The Liars." The last-named is not to be confused with the present triumph, which is a quite :ecentve_orf. "The Liars" was first •taged at the London Criterion m LS97. . tt :: tf Miss Elizabeth Dunne, who plays "Lizzie" m the J. O. Williamson production of "The Bat," hails from Boston. She started her career as a chorus girl with Raymond Hitchcock, >nd remained with him four, years, .-laying <:omedy and boy parts m Musi:al Comedy. Probably for this reason she was particularly well suited to r>lay "The Chorus Girl" m the successful musical play of that name -hroughout U.S.A., following the famous Rose Stahl m the part. As "Liz--;ie" m- "The Bat" Miss Dunne has ichieved a^pronoiuiced success. In the interest of the educational tncl cultural development of music m sew Zealand His Excellency Viscount 'ellieoe has notified Mr Leo Dv Chatau that he has been pleased to beaow the patroziage of himself and Vicountess "Jellicoe to the tour of .the Ustine Choir Soloists, which commenced at Auckland on September 27. Mme. Olga Petrova, whose screen ■;>roductions are pleasantly reniemberec!, sailed on the Homeric for Europe recently, accompanied by her husband, Or. John D. Stewart. . . , .