-THE SHOW'S THE THING

NZ Truth, Issue 1230, 27 June 1929, Page 19

-THE SHOW'S THE THING-

TO John Relnhardt, son of the famous Viennese composer, Henrich Reinhardt, has been assigned the hero role of Pietro m "The Climax." Young Reinhardt-, who was twice wounded m the World War, will play opposite Kathryn Crawford. "The Climax" is by Edward Locke and was adapted to the screen by . Julian-Johnson. It will be directed by Benaud Hoffman. Others m the cast are Jean Hersholt and Henry Armatta. # * * THE cast of "The Awakening," Vllma Banky's first individual United Artists starring picture is cosmopolitan enough to surprise

exact number of foreigners m pictures. Miss Banky Samuel Goldwyn's mainstays for the last three years, is Mr. Goldwyn^s new French as she sounds. Carl von Hartmann and Ferdinand Schumann-

Heink, the non of the great singer, are obviously German. • • * "fIELL'S ANGELS," which has broken **all records m expenditure of time and money, is now' approaching the three million dollar mark m production cost. Exceeding even the most ambitious plans of its creator. Howard H. Hughes, who is personally directing the picture, "Hell's Angels" has now been m production more than two years. The director of filmdom's most extravagant screen play is searching for a pilot who will execute a daring tail-spin with the giant Gotha, which plays a prominent part m the overhead action of "Hell's Angels." It is the last and most difficult stunt of a long series of thrilling manoeuvres' m the air which "Hell's Angels" cameras have been recording for the past two years. • * * "f|N WITH THE SHOW," an elaborate v musical comedy, now under release by Warner Bros., has an all-star cast including Sally O'Neill, Betty Compson, Louise Fazenda, Arthur Lake and others. This production marks Warner Bros.' first attempt at all sound pictures. # # *■ MORE than the usual amount of interest is being manifested m New Zealand m "Young Woodley," which opened at the Wellington Opera House on Thursday. The principal reasons for this are first, that the play was banned by the London censor, and was afterwards accepted by him when he had seen the actual stage production; and secondly, because the members comprising the company include a number of the youngest actors ever seen m this part of the world. Lewis Shaw, the handsome, fair-haired young English actor, who. plays the name part, is described as one of the most remarkable stage prodigies ever seen. He gives a remarkable representation of the college youth, romantically inclined, with peculiar ideas of love itself, who falls m love with the beautiful wife of the somewhat repellent housemaster. *, # * THAT talking pictures permit a "speeding up" of certain types of drama seems particularly well demonstrated m "The Voice of the City," recently completed by Willard Mack, the eminent playright, for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Mr. Mack not only wrote and directed this fast-moving melodrama, but he also plays the principal character role. "The Voice of the City" will be seen at the Wellington Regent Theatre shortly.

IT is a long time since Wellington has seen such a -wonderful show as "Rio Rita," which concludes a successful two weeks' at His Majesty's Theatre this week. The company moves on its way to further successes m Christchurch, at the end of this week, and Wellington will be the poorer. Fresh from her great successes m London, Gladys Moncrieff adds still further to her laurels of fame gathered m New Zealand by her sterling work m "The Maid of the Mountains" and other productions. Miss Moncrieff seems to be m better singing form than ever, and the cast which supports her is one of the finest that has ever visited this country. Next m support of Miss Moncrieff -is Miss Janette Gilmore, an Amercan commedienne, who, if she could please Americans can certainly convulse New Zealand audiences with her attractive personality and highly original ideas of entertainment. Another artist who is seen for the first time is Dave Mallen, an American who dispenses the fun of the play m conjunction with Charles Norman, the pair combining to create the amusement of the production. One of the features of the show is the balleta. This clever combination of young ladies is one of the best that has ever visited New Zealand and the ensembles are worthy of note. The scenery and frocking are different from the usual stereotyped style and the whole show is one that is well worth seeing. * * * BILLIE DOVE is being hailed as a new and greater screen star by virtue of her work m "Careers," the First National Vitaphone feature now m production. "Careers" is being made as a hundred per cent, all-dialogue Vitaphone feature; and m it, for the first time, Billie Dove's voice will be heard m singing and talking sequences. « » * MOST stage stars who have achieved any success at all claim to have won to their position entirely through their own talent and efforts, but dainty Janette Gilmore, irresistible comedienne and dancer with "Rio Rita," is proud to lay the credit of her success at the feet of her invalid sister, Elsie. It was this sister who first taught her to dance, learning the steps from the different books, and proving a most assiduous and exacting teacher. That her efforts have been rewarded is shown by a criticism m "The News of the World," little more than a year ago, when a theatrical critic wrote: ''Janette Gilmore is the best dancer m London!"

'"THE RESCUE," Conrad's, masterpiece * of the sea with its steaithy, baffling cross-currents of emotions and misunderstanding, is stated to adhere to the original penned by the famous PoleJoseph Conrad — who knew the sea as few writers have known it. Herbert Brenon has directed its translation from the famous novel which has been read by millions. Brenon has again displayed that distinctive skill and ' imagination that got the whole of "Sorrell and Son" and ''Beau Geste" on the screen. • . "The Rescue" is a thrilling adventure story. It is a picture that is bound to - attract" wide inter-

est on the part of the public. There is hot a slow mo-, ment during its entire length, and the action begins with the opening flash. Ronald Colman fills the role of Capt. Tom Lingard admirably. He has unlimited opportunity of which he makes the most, and there are many critics who declare it is his finest , contribution to the screen. He seems to understand perfectly

that clear mixture of moroseness and quixotic honor which makes a Conrad hero. Lily Damita is Colman's new partner. She is said to give a vivid characterisation of Lady Travers and the glamorous personality of- Miss Damita makes an irresistible appeal. It is the thrilling events leading ,to the rescue of. Lady Travers's husband from the natives that gives the picture its title. The story concerns an" Englishman named .Captain Tom Lingard, who has taken to gun-running m the Java Seas* to satisfy his craving for adventure. Among the highly-exciting scenes is the explosion of the magazine on boara the vessel, with its entire crew. There are battles with natives and piratical raids. Few films have ever surpassed the magnificence of the natural settings or the photography throughout. The premiere screening ,of the film is to take place at the Majestic Theatre, Auckland, on Friday. • • » . WITH all the spectacular thrills of a big naval engagement, "The Divine Lady," First National's super-special production starring Corinne Griffith,, has an equally striking story of tempestuous love and conquest. Leading up to the historic events on the seas of the Mediterranean, is' the life loves of Lady Hamilton, exquisite beauty of the early nineteenth century, who gave up a career of conquest at its very height to bring back to her country's service the one admiral who could bring the sea campaign to a triumphant close. *# ■ * APEKIN street has been re-constructed at the Paramount Hollywood studios, depicting the Boxer Rebellion m China. The scenes are being .filmed for the Paramount all-talking picture, "The Insidious Dr. Fu Manchu," m which Warner Oland plays the title role. Others m the cast include ' Jean Arthur,- Nell Hamilton and O. P. Heggie. '#-'#■ # LOVE'S young dream m the lilac-scented bowers of France — a passionate devotion that blossoms amid the ravages of war-rsuch is First National's aerial epic production, "Love Never Dies." Colleen Moore, who is "cast m the starring role, enacts the character of Jeannine with supreme artistry, while Gary Cooper gives a magnificent performance as Captain Blythe, of the Royal Flying Corps.