The Deadhead's Diary

NZ Truth, Issue 998, 10 January 1925, Page 15

The Deadhead's Diary

The next big presentation m J. C. Williamson Super-Vaudeville includes Bert Ralton's famous Havana Band from the Savoy Hotel, London. Bert Errol will present Modes and Fancies of 1924 with his dancing partner, RajHartley. Mr. Hymack presents "At Bogey Villa," a laughing mystery. Cardini deals a full hand of mystifying card manipulations. Marie Kendall, whose name is as dear to the English public as was that of Marie Lloyd, is a versatile comedienne. Hal Scott and Connie Graham present "The Adventures of Sam and Liz," and Bolde and Alexis are Russian whirlwind dancers from the Coliseum, London.

The group of pictures, known as "Faramount's Famous Forty" will be released m 1925, and will be screened m all the leading theatres m New Zealand. Concerned m the production' of some of these pictures are such men as Zane Grey ("Wanderer of the Wasteland," "The Border Legion," etc.) James M. Barrie has chosen Paramount as the medium for the filming- of his play "Peter Pan," now m the course of filming. "Monsieur Beaucaire," featuring Rudolph Valentino, is. being produced by Paramount from Booth Tarkirigton's story. "The Side Show of Life" is from William J. Locke's story "The Mountebank." The story "Argentine Love," adapted from "Vicente Blasco Ibane's "North of 36," was written by Emerson Hough,

author of "The Covered Wagon." In regard to stars and producers, the talent of such people as Cecil B. De Mille, Bebe Daniels, Richard Dix, Pola Negri and Rudolph Valentino is a guarantee of merit.

Baby Peggy just runs away with the honors m her newest Master picture, "Captain January," adapted' from Laura E. Richards's story. For the first time she has been given the' right environment for her ability. This big little star slips into this wellloved story of the old lighthouse keeper and his adopted daughter, and stays within bounds from start to finish.

At present Rin-tin-tin, the star m "Find Tour Man," is on tour, making personal appearances. One of his greatest tricks is jumping a twelvefoot fence.

In "How to Educate a Wife," Elinor Glyn's story, "the characters are just everyday people whose problems are our problems, and . the author's witty ideas on the intriguing subject of married life provide merry, mirthful entertainment."

It is quite a jump from ex-diving beauty to one of the most noted characters m fiction, but Marie Prevost is about to make that leap. She has been chosen to play Camille m the Warner Brothers' "Lover of Camille."

An argumentative subject is given a visual hearing m "This Freedom," and it. is described as a first rate picture. Critics say •it carries out -its author's theories to the dot. A. S. M. Hutchinson has. not written ■ another "If Winter Comes." In the first place, it doesn't present any such idealistic figure as Mark Sabre. However, once its characters are all introduced, . it swings into its main argument and finishes with a stirririg climax.

Says a critic: Undoubtedly the great charm and appeal of "Babbitt" is m its brilliantly achieved domestic scenes, and m the inspired naturalism of Willard Louis's portrayal of the title role. > The romantic entanglements share the honors,; however, and we get fascinating glimpses of Carmel Myers as Tanis . Judiaue luring Babbitt from his wife with* beautiful clothes and eyes and deceptions, and the gay love affair of Theodore and Eunice. .. ''„■.■'. ■

"Triumph," Cecil B. De Mille's first since "The Ten Commandments," contains practically -. the same cast. Leatrice Joy, Rod La ,Rocque, and Charles Ogle, all prominent players m "The Ten Commandments," have the lead m "Triumph."

The film version of the play "Captain Applejack," entitled "Strangers of the Night," is being screened m New Zealand at present. 11l bringing this play to the screen, Fred Niblo, the producer, has made a fine adaption. The cast' includes Enid Bennett, Barbara La Marr, Matt Moore, 'and Robert McKim.

One often hears of the 'sacrifices which film and stage stars are supposed to make m the cause of their, art. There is, however, . no doubt that J. Warren Kerrigan, the star of "The Covered Waggon," arid now of the Rafael Sabatini production, "Captain Blood," went 'to the last extreme when h£ allowed every hair; of his head to be shaved off so that he could, weat properly the magnificent wig of long curls necessitated by the character to be portrayed. A friend jestingly pointed out to Kerrigan that the feminine picturegoer, at any ♦ rate, •is a fickle jade, and that the actor was m danger of losing his ' crown of popularity simultaneously with his crowning grlory; "No risk at all," answered Kerrigan, *'they won't know me m this part; anyhow, because they are going to see a new, Warren Kerrigan. 'Captain Blood' is the best picture and the best role of my career,". -• . ' '

Seymour Hicks, the distinguished London actor - manager, now m New Zealand under Hugh J. Ward's management, tells many good stories :r> his hew book, "Chestnuts Re-roast-ed." "The kindness of our American cousins to us when we visit their shore," he remarks, "and their continual solicitude for our comfort, sometimes make extremely difficult the arswering of questions and the necessity of commenting on facts that are repeated to impress and keep one's interest. Oscar Wflde was lionised on his first visit to the States m the early 'eighties, and was/ the reoipient cf great hospitality. . Among his hosts was a gentleman, who, although he gave Wilde the best time imaginable, whenever the guest expressed admiration at the sights he was being shown, always said, "Ah, but you should have seen it before the 'war." , Wilde was delighted enough with what he did see, and at last got so tired of the constant repetition of the phrase, that, standing on a balcony one evening after dinner, and having- his attention drawn to the beauty of the sky and the silver moon overhead, said, "Yes, the moon Is wonderful to-night, but I suppose I ought to have seen it before the war."

Rod La Rocque and Jacqueline Logan are the featured players m the Paramount picture "Code of the Sea." Miss Logan recently made a. big hit for stardom for her work m "The Light that Failed" and "The Dawn of a To-

morrow." La Rocque has the role of a seafaring lad, branded a miserable coward by his associates. Miss Logan is cast as the daughter of a hard old sea captain, which role, by the way, is played by George Fawcett. Maurice F.'ynn and Luke Cosgrove also havp important parts.

The Wellington success of "The Ten Commandments," Paramount's great picture, has been repeated and increased m Auckland, a fact that goes to show that the movie public is as enthusiastic as ever m regard to really good pictures. With the quality of the material that is promised for the coming year, with such, productions as "Monsieur Beaucaire," "Peter Pan," "Wanderer of the Wasteland," and "Scaramouche," it is anticipated that the desire for pictures will be greater than ' ever.

Shakespeare was responsible for Harvey Adams's decision to be an actor.: ' The .. Bard's works had appealed to him even as a small boy, and eventually he sought an engagement with the F. R. Benson Shakespeare companies m England. He was given a part, and after that he would consider no other career but a theatrical one. Since then, Harvey Adams's experiences as an actor have taken him. to South America, through the West Indies, bkek to London, and then to South Africa and Australia. He was the. French officer m "The Garden of Allah," with Muriel Starr. At present he is giving a most artistic performance as'^he eligible bachelor with John D. O'Hara m "Kempy."

A career which, for its romance and unexpectedness, might have been taken from a play or a novel, characterises the rise to fame and fortune of GalliCurci, the celebrated coloratura soprano, who is to visit Australia and New Zealand early m 1925, under the management of J. and N. Tait. Unable to win recognition, the young Italian singer sang m the streets, and saved enough money to obtain lessons on the piano. She had the idea of becoming a pianist, but one day an impressario heard her singing outside a cafe, and engaged her to sing twice a day at a theatre, where mixed entertainments were presented. She made an immediate sensation. Her struggles were over. To-day she almost commands her own fee.

Baby Peggy was asked if she would like to see Rin-tiri-tin, the famous dog. She inquired if it were a Henry Ford production.. Thousands of pounds worth of art treasures will be seen m "The' Man from Brodney's," including tapestries, famous paintings, and other works of art. One of the finest art .specimens is a priceless Gobelin tapestry which was made m the fifteenth century. Genuine paintings by Corot and Whistler and several beautiful statues are also m the film. Warren Kerrigan heads the cast, playing the title role, and is supported by Alice Calhoun, Miss Dv Pont, Wanda Hawley, Pat O'Malley, and .Kathleen Key.