The Deadhead's Diary

NZ Truth, 15 March 1924, Page 15

The Deadhead's Diary

No one who saw Josie Melville dance m "The Peep Show" could be surprised at her success m "Sally" (writes an Australian critic). There are many dancers perfect In technique, there are many who are dainty and graceful, but of how many may we truly say they dance with their hearts? This is the secret of Josie Melville's success. She is so earnest and Sincere that emotions which play on her childish countenance m rapid succession tell only too clearly the story she wishes to convey with her little feet. Josie Melville is Australian born and lives m Bondi, Sydney. i: :: :: Sam Marsh, the proprietor of a large hunting . and training stable m England, may now regard himself as a full-blown film actor, for he plays the part of the jockey hero, Jim Straker, m: the Stoll racing picture, "Long Odds." Besides this he provided all the horses ln the splendid racing scenes, and found the necessary jockeys to ride them "over the sticks." j: jH .... x: .• i

At last we are to have "Sally." This intrigueing young: person, In the shape of Josie Melville, will be seen here presently with all the glittering panoply connected with this extraordinarily successful musical play. "Sally" has broken all Australian theatrical records. Nine months m Sydney is equal to about six years m London on a population basis. It is now well over Its 200 th night ln Melbourne and going as strongly as ever, jln Sydney, "Sally" had to be withdrawn at the height of its popularity to make way for other important waiting attractions. The same procedure will be adopted ln Melbourne. And the reason of this unprecedented success? Josie Melville mainly, assisted by exceptionally good music by Jerome Kerr, and a truly magnificent production, which cost the J. C. Williamson firm £ 16,000 before the curtain went up on the first night. t: :: :: Oscar Asche's production of "Othello" Is the handsomest ever seen In Melbourne. The famous actor-pro-ducer's genius for detail has never been more wonderfully revealed. Each scene is a triumph of lighting and stage management, with color effects that present a feast of beauty to the eye. Mr. Asche points out that by discarding the conventional scenic settings he has cast away a great many superfluities. "The principal thing m stago productions," he said, "la to throw ap ln 'broad relief each of the characters and tho action of the story, and to concentrate the eye on what is taking place. The frame must not be mado to -dwarf the picture. So it is with my stage wettings. There is far too much 'scenery' m modern productions." :: :: :s It was generally admitted that Josie Melville m ''Sally" at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne, was a remarkable example of concentration on the work In hand. As soon aa 8 o'clock arrives each evening she forgets everything but her part, and for tho next three hours is entirely absorbed m making Sally the delightful little figure of girlish charm that has enraptured Australian audiences for over a year. Miss Melville admits naively that she never sees her audiences nnd the auditorium to her is always a dim, vague blur. Mr. Oscar Asche can.do other things than act, produce, and write plays. He has Invented a cooker, n wonderful invention which is expected to prove a boon to motorists and flat dwellers, and others who want to cook their meals ln a minimum of space, and with a maximum of efficiency. This cooker is a portable affair, and can be operuted on the running board of a motor car, In the open air, or on the floor of a room At the races m Sydney recently, Mr Asche cooked a fflvccourse meal for six people with this ingenious contrivance. He has already disposed of the Australian rights, any has received offers for the rights for the rest of the world, at a very lar*o sum. Mr. Asche confidently expects tc make a fortune out of this cooker r "More money than I havo ever made out of acting or producing plays," h<.< said. !! : i li To nil appearance thc J.C.W. firm have let thomselvea go m "Sally" both In tho matter of production and cast. It is doubtful If ever before no many Important artists havo been featured In ono attraction. This includes Josie Melville. Thelma Burne«H, Pixie Herbert. George Gee. Dan Agar, Hugh Htoyne. Charles Howard, Reginald Roberts and Jack Dunno.

Tho psychologist to the London Education Board has admitted m print that the evil effects of the cinetna have been grossly exaggerated, and that the real cause of childhood's offences and crimes has its roots m lack of parental control. A production such as "Froggy's Little Brother," from Brenda's story of London alum life, can only have a good effect upon children, and quicken their sympathies, ahd hold up a high standard of honor. «« :: :: During the making of one of tho scenes on "The King's Highway" m Dick Turpin's Ride to York." the "Bow Street Runners"' were complaining loudly of their mounts. They certainly were heavy-looking beasts, as they ambled along with their riders, quite oblivious to the various epithets hurled ( at them, such as "Featherheads.'' Suddenly, Maurice Elvey, the director, shouted through bis megaphone, and a second later the "Featherheads" had all disappeared over the horizon. is j j j4_

The J. C. Williamson, Ltd., firm can always be relied upon to send to New Zealand their best and brightest musical attractions. This time it ls "Sally," which has smashed all existing records ln both Sydney and Melbourne.. It is estimated that over 600,000 people saw the play m Sydney. Miss Josie Melville, who plays the title role m "Sally," has made one of the biggest hits of any musical comedy artist introduced to Australia In recent years. "Sally" 1b said to be the embodiment of exquisite youth. Its music ls delightful, and the comedy is of the type that makes it an ideal everiing's entertainment. The whole company, Including Josie Melville, George Qee, Dan Agar, Herbert Browne. Jack Dunne, Pixie Herbert, Thelma Burnesß, Eileen Barton, together with complete chorus and ballet of 76, will appear here. No musical play of recent years has enjoyed the popularity of "Sally." It is ln Its second year m London and New York. In Australia the Williamson firm has found It the most attractive production that they have staged m 48 years of management. After Its phenomlnal Sydney season — 9 months and 2 weeks — it was completely redressed and caparisoned, at a cost of £3000. :: :: s: "To the Last Man" is a Zane Grey story by Paramount with Richard Dix and Lois Wilson, the latter star being famous for hor work m "The Covered Wagon" which is now being received with great enthusiasm m New Zealand centres. "To tho Last Man" bears tho author's personal endorsement and his signature has been photographed and is shown m the actual titling of tho picture. This above statement is absolutely true no matter what else may havo been said to. /the contrary. This picture is recommended by the censor more especially for adult audiences. :: :: :> On the completion of the run of "Othello" at Melbourne King's Theatre Mr. McMaster, who Is at present r.^ ..paring as Tago. will leave for Europe. He is under contract to play m the picture "Old Heidelberg." which is to be filmed m the old Rhine town Itself. Mr. McMaster will bo Karl Helnrlch, tho student prince, who had to rive up his sweetheart. Kathio, to become a king. Hia performance ns lago has won widespread commendation. Sir Oswald Stoil, the eminent British film producer, has promised to read a paper on "Cinema and Education" at a meeting of the Cambiidgo Undergraduates' Cinema Club. Coming events cast their shadows before them, and the film industry may yet have its chair and professor at the ' Varsities)! The next Stoll productions to be shown In New Zealand are "Dick Turpin'B Ride to York." "Long Odds," and "The Wandering Jew."