SCREEN AND STAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21827, 14 December 1932, Page 3

SCREEN AND STAGE

BY HARLEQUIN

—-— 1 FROM GREEN ROOM AND STUDIO

Strand Theatre Attraction Carole Lombard, the blonde leading lady of “Xn One Man,” was signed to a new Paramount screen contract recently. Her good fortune was immediately followed by assignment to the leading feminine role in “ Sinners in the Sun,” which comes to the Strand Theatre on Friday. Co-featuring with Miss Lunhard is Chester Morris, the; former male star of “ Corsair ” and " Cock of the Air. - ’

Within the space of just two years, the former Mack Bennett player lias be-come-established as one of the leading ; dramatic actresses on the screen, i Already Paramount has arranged a ' series of stellar roles, the next of which | will he in “Through the Window,” in which she will appear with Morris and Regis Toomey. A year and a-half ago Miss Lombard, then a free-lance player, had one of the featured parts in “ Fast land Loose ” at the company’s New York | studios. The production brought conj tracts to both herself and Miriam Hop- ■ kins, with whom she is considered ! among the few most important dis- | covcrics of the past year. I j “ Bird of Paradise ” ! A remarkable film, rich in entcrj tainment, and particularly colourful, has been made by R.K.O. Radio Pictures •from that famous stage success, “Bird of Paradise.” This picture will have its opening' at the Regent Theatre on I'T'ij day next. AH the fascinating beauty I of "the Pacific Islands, their sharp conj trusts of gaiety, music, and laughter j switched into sudden tragedy by light- ! uiug strokes of savagery and natural disaster, are admirably mirrored in “ Bird of Paradise,” which both thrills and entertains. The story, made from the original play of the same name by Richard Walton Tally, is kept interestI'ing by the glorious island surroundings in Which it has-been made under the camera, and the very fine acting of Dolores Del Rio and Joel Mvßea is set against an exceptionally appealing roj mantle setting. The story deals witn i the experiences of a party cruising in ! the South Seas, following the rescue of I one of the younger male members of ! the party from drowning by a native i princess. The beauty of the island heroj inc intrigues the young man, and his j infatuation leads him to dangerous ■ places, where, after an interlude of pleas--1 ant romance, he has again to be rescued by his heroine, this time from an island populace enraged by violation of their sacred customs, which demand as the penalty human sacrifice by fire. Eventually the. hero is snatched j from death through the intervention of

his beloved, hut the romance ends on *a pathetic note in the renunciation by the girl of her lover. There is said to be a glorious musical accompaniment. Buster Keaton’s Latest Film Buster Keaton’s latest comedy, “ Speak Easily,” is to he the next attraction for the Empire Theatre, and will open a season there to-morrow. Huston Keaton and Jimmy “ Sclmozzle ” Durante continue their combination as the most hilarious of all screen comedy teams in “ Speak Easily.” The fun riot they started in the _ “Passionate .Plumber ” is carried on into this new laugh romance with added comedy embellishments. Together the pair arc said to provide the funniest situations that have been screened for some considerable time. “ Speak Easily ” concerns the adventures of an absentminded college professor, played by Keaton, who inherits nearly a million pounds and decides to go out and see life.” He makes the acquaintance of Jimmy, the piano player of a musical show * stranded in a small town, and

“ adopts ” tlio entire troup for a Broadway run. The many complications they eneounter in their theatrical career provide plenty of comic iijiroar. Success of “ Cavalcade ” With the closing of the run of “Cavalcade ” at the famous Drury Lane Theatre in London, prior to sending Noel Coward's drama on tour, some interesting' figures on the production, now being lllmed. at the Fox Filin Studio, have come to light. More than 1,000,000 persons saw the play at the theatre, paying considerably more than £400.000 for the privilege. More than £40,000 was paid by the theatre into the British Treasury lor amusement tax collected on admission. Mary Clare, who played “Jane Marryot,” the role to be enacted by Diana Wynyard in the film version, had 33 changes of costume. A pedometer, used at one 1 performance, proved that she ran a mile every day, dashing from 11,a; stage to her dressing room and back for quick changes. When it is considered that 403 performances were given during the year’s run, the physical strain on the leading lady becomes apparent.

It is estimated that at least another 1.000,000 people will see “Cavalcade” in England while the drama is on tour, and that the total number who will see the screen version will redcli between £OOO,OOO and 10,000,000. not counting the tremendous potential audience in Canada, United ‘States, Australia. New Zealand. South Africa, and the Scaits Settlements.

Una O'Connor, wlio re-enacts her sv:ge role in tlio Fox picture of ‘‘ Cavalcade,’ shared endurance honours with .Miss Clare at Drury Lane. Neither missed one performance throughout the run. Tins is remarkable when it is considered that both women were on the stage almost continuously for three hours every night. Dramatic British Film Strongly dramatic in its theme, “Frail Women,’’ 'the British Radio production which will he commenced at the St. James Theatre on Friday, must he regarded as another triumph for British film enterprise. Mary Newcomb and Owen Nares are the stars. Mary Newcomb, like many other stars, held the screen in contempt, and resolved that she would never associate with it, but like many of her contemporaries, she succumbed to the allurements of the kinenia. She brings with her a wealth of experience and success, which has been won not only on the London stage but on Broadway. American critics,

always sparing in tlicir praise for an English actress, hailed her with delight. “ Frail Women ” is Miss Newcomb’s first “ talkie,” and the picture has been highly praised at every appearance. That British films should have secured the talent of this tine actress is fortunate. As the woman forced by circumstances to lead a somewhat irregular life, she gives a performance in a tensely dramatic role that is most impressive. Opposite her is Owen Nares, already well known to the patrons of the theatre. He has a stage experience dating back to 1908, and lias always been associated with important roles. His screen debut was made in “ Loose Ends,” which was followed up by his lead in “ The Middle Watch,” in which lie scored a distinct personal success. Other pictures which he has made since have consolidated his position in the front rank of screen actors. An outstanding characterisation is that given by Edmund Gwen as the bookmaker. Hough and loud in appearance, but with a heart of gold, he wins sympathy and affection from not only tiie characters iu the story, but the audi-

once as well. Gwen, too, has a long and varied stage experience, which is reflected in his acting. The supporting east includes Margaret Vines, Frederick Peisley, and Jane Welsh. Film Topics Paramount Pictures have arranged for some outstanding productions to be screened in New Zealand theatres during the Christmas season. Amongst these are “ Horse Feathers” starring the Four Marx Brothers, “ Love Me To-night,” with Maurice Chevalier and Jeanette

MacDonald; “Lily Christine,” with Corinne Griffith, Colin Clive, and Margaret Baimerman; “The Misleading Lady,” featuring Claudette Colbert and Edmund Lowe; and “Strange Case oi Clara Deane,” starring Wynne Gibson. Also, for release early in the New Year, is Harold Lloyd’s Paramount release, Movie Crazy,” which has been acclaimed as the comedian’s most successful picture since “ The Freshman.” Douglas Fairbanks appears as a modern Robinson Crusoe in bis new staring vehicle, “Mr Robinson Crusoe;” This production deals with the experiences of an adventurous sportsman who isolates himself on a South Seas island to win a IWith nothing but a toothbrush and his faithful dog, he comes to grips with nature in the rough, encounters cannibals and a number of harrowing experiences, and finishes with a bamboo penthouse and a beautiful South Seas maiden on bis hands. The picture abounds in humour and rapid-lire action, and is framed in a gorgeous and novel tropical setting. In fact, its_ rhythm and movement is' reminiscent, in many instances, of “Robin Hood.”