SCREEN AND STAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21909, 22 March 1933, Page 3

SCREEN AND STAGE

*+* FROM GREEN ROOM AND- STUDIO

BY HARLEQUIN

A PRIZE ESSAY “FILMS AND CHARACTER” The following article on “ Filins and Character,” by Mr Allan Green, has been awarded the annual Daily Mirror £SO prize, as the best work of a student of the London School of Journalism: — Is your daughter’s most fervent desire in life to dress like Norma Shearer? Take comfort. She might have modelled herself upon the girl next door. And Norma Shearer has decidedly the better taste. Does your youngster play “gangsters and police ” and “ hold-ups ” to' an extent which causes you to shiver at the grip of the sensational film on his young mind ? His father played “ Deadwood Dick ” and “ highwaymen ” with the same exuberance. The games are identical, only the names differ. Juvenile first offenders answer for misdeeds in which the influence of the screen is traced. Magistrates make suitable comment, parsons point the moral, old ladies raise their hands in horror. Yet. were the stimulation of the kinema absent, the girlish vanity, the boyish emulation' of deadly desperadoes, the youthful viciousness would inevitably find vent. Youth will express itself, and has never lacked inspiration. Grimly earnest people assert that we older folk are growing light-minded and pleasure-loving. They tell us that a passion for films is luring us from serious issues.

But the Jeremiahs have ever raised their voices in similar remonstrance, and their cvy probably never reached such a trumpet-blast as in the solemn and filmless days of Oliver Cromwell and Queen Victoria. The kinema bears much obloquy as an inspirer of crime. But crime still has its roots either in want or natural vice, and hard times bring the increase. Criminals were never at a loss for methods of carrying on business. And the moral havoc of sex appeal: shrewd publicity this. How anything calculated to corrupt everybody’s morals but our own unfailingly draws us! But if subtle and secret licentious promptings could be curbed as readily as film morals how simple this vexed question would become.

If, in these matters, the films are merely the scapegoat for impulses more deeply rooted, in what is their appeal potent enough to pierce so deeply into our natures as to affect our character? The screen idol is responsible for the particular arrangement of millions of locks of hair, for the cut of millions of frocks, the title of millions of hats. Tricks of speech of thb kinema are reproduced in common talk. But each of these is transitory, the films themselves must constantly provide something new lest interest perish.

Famous Roles Repeated Often a famous book or play is filmed twice, but not so often with the same star in the title role. Both the George Arliss films, “ Disraeli ” and “ The Green Goddess,” were filmed as silent.s eight, years before the successful talkies anpeared. In both instances Arliss repeated his original performances of 1922 and 1923 respectively. In 1926 John Barrymore played Ahab Ceeley in “ The Sea Beast,” from Herman Melville’s famous book, “ Moby Dick.” The story was refilmed as a talkie in 1931 as “ Moby Dick.” with John Barrymore as Ahab Ceeley for the second time in his career. “Hinclle Houghton’s famous Lancashire mill story, was a British silent film in 1927. and John Stuart played Alan JelTcote opposite Estelle Brody’s Fanny Hawthorn. The play was refihned last year, with John Stuart repeating his performance as Alan Jcffeotc, opposite Belle Ghrystall's Fanny Hawthorn this tiitfe, Henry Edwards played “ The Flag Lieutenant. ” in the British silent of this name in 1927. He plays the same part in, the newly-made talkie. In the 1931 talkie, “ Seven Keys to Baldpate,” with Richard Dix.' Cranford Kent played the same role that he played, in the silent version five years before. Ivor Novello. of course., recently appeared in “ Tire Lodger,” playing the some role ho played in the silent film of the same name made some years ago. Matheson Lang re-enacted his famous role or Silvio Steno in the talkie version of “ Carnival,” which was a silent, and starred Matheson Lang some years ago. In 1924 that epic. “The Covered Wagon.” appeared with Ernest Torrence as Bill Jackson and Tully Marshall as Jim Bridgcr. In 1931 “ Fighting Caravans ” appeared with Ernest Torrence and Marshall again playing their former roles of Jackson and Bridger, pioireer scouts of the American plains. George* Arliss and A. P. Herbert A dramatic masterpiece, a picture of beauty and happiness that every human being yearns for, a gem of real pictorial artistry—that is “ The Mart who Played God,” starrhw George Arliss, which will play a return season at the Octagon Theatre, commencing on Friday. Never before, it is said, has Arliss had a vehicle that gives him such latitude in the expression of human emotions, such a widespread sweep in the portrayal of life itself. He plays with the inspiration 9! genius, reaching new, lofty heights in dramatic art, in a picture that is daring in its conception, and amazing in its execution. The theme is human and real. It is not obviously a moral lesson; it gives the facte and lets the facts explain themselves. The character is warm, human, real, so that it appeals to the public, to the audience, which will enjoy with him his prosperity, suffer with him in his suffering, and feel the joy and happiness that comes to him later. The

perfection. Williams, as the half-caste officer, has the hardest characterisation to portray, but his work in both light and serious mood is excellent. John Gielgud, as Henry, the Governor, plays a weak part well, while Sam Livcsay, as Dubious, a bigoted major of the Legion, gives an excellent characterisation. Sydney Fairbrother and Hal Gordon are responsible for most of the comedy, while others lending valuable support arc Edward Norfolk, Abraham Soi'acr, and Dinh Gilly. “ The Sign of the Cross ” Paramount Pictures have chosen a timely season to release their epic film, “The Sign of the Cross.” The production will screen for Auckland and \\ ellingtou audiences at Eastertime, and will he released, in Christchurch and Dunedin shortly after. The film depicts the story of the suppression of the Christians in Nero’s time, and the ultimate conversion of Marcus Suporbns through his love of the Christian maiden.. Mercia. Many iff the spectacular scenes included in the picture, more particularly those taken of the arena and the Roman sports conducted therein, are breath-taking in their splendour and horror respectively, and many months of research by the director. Cecil 13. do Millc. and his staff were required to bring realism to tbe screen. Ihe cast-is headed bv Eredric March as Marcus. Elissa La ml i as Mercia. Claudette Colbert ns Popaea. and Charles Laughton as the Emperor. Nero. Screen Writer’s Opinions Writing is the most lonely business in the world, according to Austin Parker, one of America’s leading short story authors, who now is working on the adaptation of “No Man of Her Own. The loneliness of writing keeps many a promising author from developing into a leading figure, and also brings about the decline of many a literary notable, Parker holds. , “’The writer shuts himself away from the world with paper, pencils and a typewriter.” Parker says. “At first lie doesn’t mind. But soon the lack of contact with people begins to wear him down. Ho sends his stories to a literary agent by mail. Perhaps he will get back a cheque and a short note. After weeks and •months and years of seclusion he either becomes a hermit whose lack of human contact prevents him from absorbing any new idea's, or loneliness forces him back into the world, in which case he also stops writing. Although I had sold more than 100 stories to the lending magazines 1 was ready to return to newspaper reporting just for a chance to meet people and to be ‘ bawled out,' by a city editor rather than by myself. But I was given an opportunity to write for pictures, and I like it so well I haven’t written a short story for two years. In a motion picture studio' I constantly meet people. A writer always works with the director and studio officials. There is nothing lonely about the screen writer’s life. Futhermore, I consider the field broader than magazine writing. lam in Hollywood to stay.” “ Behind the Mask ” Said to contain excitement and thrills in a particularly generous degree is “ Behind the Mask,” which .will bo the next attraction at the Strand Theatre. The plot deals with the sensational methods employed by the Secret Service to break np a gang of smugglers who had been terrorising the waterfront for years. That very popular and manly star. Jack Holt, plays the role of the chief Secret Service agent, who, after many dangerous adventures, succeeds in bringing the miscreants to book. Holt will be remembered as the hero of such outstandingly successful

Each age has had its affectations; but we have taken little harm from them. Bewigged exquisites shot their ruffles and set the fashion at one period; their posturings now seem amusing. The prudery, propriety, and tall collars of Victorian times were not in the least amusing; but we have emerged from those exacting days very much our natural selves. And where real character is concerned, are we not meeting the films with similar resistance? Films disseminate knowledge, and in doing so they play their allotted part for good or ill in modern advancement. They .‘lll an hour’s leisure, stir the emotions, stimulate us to laughter, distract the mind from immediate cares. . .j. But they are not changing our character That part of us is-impervious to them, just as it has been to every other innovation. It lies deeply buried. Our interest in it is generally unconscious; seldom are its depths plumbed. But when we had occasion to make a serious call upon it in 1914 it proved identical with the one produced against the Spanish Armada, or against the French at Waterloo. We are just as venturesome as ever. Our motoriste and flying men, for instance, display an appetite for risks almost amounting to gluttony. Wherever progress and personal danger go hand in hand we are well represented. When the 1931 financial crisis arose we made yet another call upon our character, and it is carrying us through with a phlegm which has marked us since our beginnings. When the real teste have come we of this generation have proved typically British. In the things that matter we have not changed. If we ever do it will need influences a thousand times more potent than that of the films to move us. “ The Common Law ” Constance Bennett, daughter of Richard Bennett, famous stage star, was not “ discovered ” until Samuel Goldwyn saw her at an Equity ball which she attended with her father. For some reason Mr and Mrs Bennett did not consider a stage career for their eldest daughter. In fact, Mrs Bennett rather hoped she would definitely choose not to go on the stage. They sent her to exclusive schools in New York and Mamaroneck, and later to Mme. Balsan’s finishing school in Paris. At the age of 17 Miss Bennett was formally presented in Baltimore and Washington society. Her beauty and charm immediately made her an outstanding figure amomr the' debutantes. At one of the Equity balls'which she attended with her father, Samuel Goldwyn saw her and suggested that she have a screen test made. She took his advice and accepted his offer to feature her in “ Cytherea,” the film version of Joseph Hergesheimer’s story. It was her first role, but critics were unanimous in her praise. She was soon recognised ns one of the most talented of the younger players. She appeared in “ Into the Net.” “ The Goose Hangs High,” “My Son,” “ The Goose Woman,” and “ Sally, Irene, and Mary,” She gave up her screen work for a while after her marriage to the young millionaire, Philip Plant, because he objected to it, and spent most of her time in her home in Paris, her villas in Biarritz, and on the Riviera. Miss Bennett is now under contract with RKO Pathe. for whom she recently made “ The Common Law,” which commences its season at the Regent Theatre on Friday next. Joel M'Crea plays her leading man. Others in the cast aTe Lew Cody, Robert Williams, Hedda Hopper, Marion Shilling, and Paul jSIIis, Paul Stein directed,

screen version of A. P. Herbert’s delightful novel, “The Water Gypsies,” completes the bill. This was directed by Maurice Elvey and produced by Basil Dean. This combination is particularly happy, for all three are accepted as being at their best when holding the mirror up to middle and lower class English life. “ The Water Gipsies” of the story are the bargees who drift their placid way up and down England, on the canals. On one particular barge the two daughters have reached an age when they yearn for something more from life than barge cabins, locks, and canal banks. , Jane is loved by a humble bargee, but believes herself in love with a young artist for whom she works. The other sister, Lily, takes an easier road to luxury and goes off with a young fellow whose chief source of income appears to be “ the dogs.” Still pursuing her ideal, Jane cajoles Bryan (the artist) to invite her to one of his fashionable parties, but from this, realisation that she is out of her class and that she is one of the “ water gipsies,” causes her to accept the longstanding, but hitherto despised, offer of marriage by Fred, the waterman. The picture ends with the two drifting happily along the picturesque canal on their barge —their home. Ann Todd and Sari Maritza are admirably contrasted as the two sisters, while Peter Hannen and lan Hunter fill the principal male roles with distinction. A Popular “ Team ” Following their rise to popularity as a starring team in such successes as “ Over the Hill ” and “ Dance Team,” James Dunn and Sally Eilera have been cast together again in “ Sailor’s Luck,” now in production at Fox Film Studios. The picture, directed by Raoul Walsh, telle the story of a sailor with the Atlantic Fleet (James Dunn), who becomes entangled in a love affair with Sally Ellers. The two get along famously until Dunn, thinking she has been untrue to him quarrels with her and sails away with the fleet. He learns later that it was all a mistake, and he returns to patch things up, only to learn that she is not so willing to come back. The film, which was formerly tilled “ Bad Boy,” carries Dunn through every imaginable sort of excitement, through comedy scones in a public swimming pool, over to a gang light in the street, and a grand finale in a dance marathon, with the navy, winning the honours. Drama of the Foreign Legion The continuity of the scenes of a film either make or mar it, and “Insult, which opens at the St. James Theatre next Friday, can be considered a model in that respect. Adapted from the play by the Dutch playwright, Jan Fabricius, “ Insult ” is a Paramount British production, and was directed by Harry Lachmann at Elstree. A strong cast of British pleyers. headed bv Elizabeth Allen and Hugh Williams, gives a faithful portrayal of this story, which has for its background all tlie glamour, fascination, and romance of life at a French outpost in Northern Africa. Love, laughter, and hatred are skilfully interwoven in this drama of the devotion and self-sacrifice of a half-caste captain in the French Foreign Legion, who, sentenced to death for striking a superior officer, found a way out other than the firing squad of solving his difficulty, and, at the same time, brought happiness, tinged with regret. to the woman he loved. The life led by the Legionnaires, when mixing and drinking with the natives in the bazaars, and the more serious business of skirmishes with unruly Arab bands are strikingly depicted in this film. Elizabeth Allen plays the part of wife lo the Governor of the outpost, and the unwitting subject of the half-caste's affection, to

action films as “ Dirigible,” “ Submarine,” and “ Flight..” His role in “ Behind the Mask ” gives him great scope for the display of his virile personality and will undoubtedly greatly enhance his already tremendous popularity. Boris Karloff, who is now considered to be one of the most versatile and capable screen players, is cast as the evil genius guiding the destinies of the gang of smugglers, and plays the part with realism and distinction. The beautiful Constance Cummings, leading lady to Harold Lloyd in “ Movie Crazy,” and George Raft in “Night After Night,” supplies the romantic feminine interest. Other members of the fine cast include Edward Van Sloan, Bertha Mann, Claude King, and Willard Robertson. Filming in the Arctic With the first snows and freezing weather after the brief Arctic summer, preparations are under way at Teller to “freeze in’.’ the schooner Nanuk, bearing the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer polar expedition filming “ Eskimo ” in _ the frozen north. Details of the plan arrived via wireless from Colonel W. S. Van Dyke, the director, who reported the first early storms, which precede the freezing solid of the cakes of ice through which the ship ploughs. The “ Eskimo ” expedition pitched summer camp at Teller, in latitude north 66, for the brief “midnight sun ” season, which, though extremely cold, is the summer there. It is at. this period that ships can crush through the ice cakas, which freeze solid in the winter, holding the ship immovable. In this condition it will bo carried wherever the currents carry the great crust of ice. Evelyn Laye in “ Waltz Time ” Britain’s leading musical comedy star. Miss Evelyn Laye, recently became Britain’s most highly paid talking picture actress as the result of an exclusive contract with the Gaumont-British studios at Shepherd’s Bush. Miss Laye has just com plated the leading part in the famous operetta “ Die Fiedermaus.” This talking picture will be one of the most important films to come from the Shepherd’s Bush studios this year, and will be presented under the title “Waltz Time,” which the operetta has been renamed on the London stage. It was ns a result of her brilliant work in “Waltz Time” that Miss Laye was offered an exclusive contract under which she will appear in two films a year at the Shepherd’s Bush studios. Miss Laye will receive £f)000 per picture, which is the highest salary paid to any actress starring in films on long contract in England. Miss Laye, who will be consulted in the choice of subjects, hopes to find comedies in which music is only incidental. With Miss Evelyn Laye, Miss Madeleine Carrol, Miss Jessie Matthews, Mr Sonnic hale, Mr A. W. Baskcomb, and Mr Albert Burdon, the Shepherd’s Bush studios have collected a remarkable company of British talking picture stars. The Western Picture Western pictures will never die because they embrace the beloved Prince Charm-ing-and-Cinderella plot, together with fastmoving action and the hire of the outdoors, according to Fred Allen, the director of Zane Grey’s adventure story, “ The Mysterious Rider.” “The consistent popularity of Westerns since motion pictures were in their infancy is due to the fact that they satisfy the inherent love of handsome heroes, beautiful heroines, colour and action instilled in us by fairy stories and classical literature since time immemorial,” Allen gays, “ (Originally Resigned te jatrigus

youngsters, the Western has become just as popular with l adults. Then, too, there is an innate love of the outdoors in every man, woman, and child. People cooped np in offices are able to enjoy their outdoors vicariously through the Zone Grey type of motion picture. Many Westerns have become classics of the screen because of their depth of appeal. “ The Covered Wagon ”is a classic example. However, as far back as 1903 a classic entitled “ The Great Train Robbery ” was produced. It was probably the first motion picture with a well-knit plot, ,yet even to-day it might provide a thrill comparable with the finest talking screen productions.” “ The Kid from Spain ” Sidney Franklin, the New York lad who went to Spain several years ago and became one of the six great matadors of the world, has finished his work for “The Kid From Spain.” In this Eddie Cantor picture Franklin gave an exhibition of bull-figliting as a part of the climax to the big screen musical comedy. It was the last scene to be filmed, and marked the completion of the production. Not since Fremont descended on Monterey and banned the sport has California seen such an exhibition of courage, skill, anil grace as Franklin gave behind the barricaded gates of the big arena set. Charlie Chaplin, Harpo Marx, Douglas Fairbanks, jun., Robert Montgomery, and .James Cagney were among those to see the fight from the turret-like camera booth on the floor of the arena. British Companies Prosper A striking tribute is paid to tin? prosperity of the British film industry in the current issue of Variety, the chief organ of the American entertainment business. “ Only five important film companies in the world turned in a profit during tbe past year,” it is stated. “ ’Three of them were European companies, British International, Gaumont-British, and Ufa (Berlin). And in certain quarters GaumontBritish is mentioned as the strongest film company in tbe world at present; which is not quite so fantastic as it appears to be.” . The past year, it is pointed out, has been a bad one for the weaker European companies. “ But it’s been a great year for those that had solid foundations. Ufa and Gaumont-British came out of the year stronger than ever. Only Metro and Columbia in America did anywhere near as well as either of these European concerns, and Columbia hasn’t any theatres to worry about.” England, Variety says, stands out among America’s rivals. “ British films couldn’t get anywhere ip the United States. But they made plenty of headway everywhere else, especially in the British colonies. South Africa. Australia, and other countries are now using 'more British films than ever before —and liking them, preferring them, in a number of spots, to American products for the first time in film history.” Variety thinks that there are four explanations for the success of British films in 1932 —effective publicity, clever sales strategy, patriotism, and the rate of exchange. Yet another factor has been the success of British film theatres. In America the great kinema chains, such as ParamountPublix, have been millstones around the producers’ necks. Screen Players as Writers With the thought, perhaps, that the pen is mightier than greasepaint, a number of players are also writers. The group includes John Barrymore, John Gilbert, Marie Dressier, Will- Rogers, Elissa Landi, Mae West, Harold Lloyd, Ivor Novello, Dorothy Bartlam, Groucho Marx, Sidney Fox, Charley Grapewin, George M. Cohan, and Miriam Hopkins. ; John Barrymore began hie career as a journalist, and was on the staij; of two New York newspapers before making his stage debut in 1903. A few years ago he made a habit of carrying a loose-leaf book, in which at every available opportunity hq would write feverishly. Several months later the secret was out. “Confessions of an Actor,” by John Barrymore, was published both in England and America. Quite recently John Gilbert was seen in “ Downstairs,” a picture of which he was the author as well as the star. John has had experience as both a reporter and a scenario writer. He is also an enthusiastic author of short stories. In this, country we have not heard much about “ The Life Story of an Ugly Dnckland.” But ask any American who is the author of this book, and be will immediately tell you. Marie Dressier. Much to her disappointment, for she is al keen writer, Mane finds that the demand for her screen work nowadays occupies all her time. / The literary king among screen players may be, said to be Will Rogers. His works are known in many countries, and besides being a regular contributor to 200 newspapers in the United States, he has seven books to his credit. They are:—“ Will, Rogerigms,” “The Cowboy Philosopher on the Peace Conference,” “ The Cowboy Philosopher on Prohibition,” “ Rogerisms—What We Laugh 'At,” “The Illiterate Digest,” “Letters of a Self-made Diplomat—To His President,” and “ There’s Not a Bathing Suit in Russia.” Elissa Landi has just had her third novel, “ House for Sale,” .published in America. Her two previous novels, “ Neilson ” and “ The Helmars,” were written before she went to America and wei’e published in England. Mae West is, perhaps, the most prolific woman novel writer of the group, being the author of more than a dozen novels and plays. Miss West, who makes her screen debut in “ Night After Night;” devotes all her spare time at home and during her work in the studios to_ the preparation of a new novjfi entitled “Love For Sale,” which is to be published next year. Among her earlier writings are “ The Constant Singer ” and “ Diamond Lil,” her most famous work. Harold Lloyd has written his own life story in book form. Ivor Novello is well known as a composer and a dramatist. He composed that famous war song. “Keep the Home Fires Burning,” and has written the scores of numerous musical comedies. He was responsible for the dialogue of Johnny Weismuller’s picture, “ Tarzan, the Ape Man.” Dorothy Bartlam is the author of “ Contrary-wise,” which was published in February of 1931. “Green Jennifer” is to be the title of her next novel. The single excursion of Groucho Marx into the realm of literature revealed his flair for the same brand of humour that he and his brothers have made famous on the screen. Groucho’s epic is entitled “Reds.” and deals with the subject with typical Marxian wit. After leaving school, Sidney Fox set out to write for tbe newspapers. As a journalist she wrote advice to the lovelorn, and also contributed fashion notes. Even to-day, during her screen work, she contributes fashion notes to some of the leading American papers. George M. Cohan, who makes his screen debut in “ The Phantom President.” is the author of “Twenty Years on Broadway,” a volume rich with the reminiscences of a lifetime in the theatre.