SCREEN AND STAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21997, 5 July 1933, Page 3

SCREEN AND STAGE

BY HARLEQUIN,

" Diamond Cut Diamond " lu "Diamond Cut Diamond," which will be the next attraction at the St. James Theatre, Claude Allister, the wellknown English comedian with the monocle, who appeared in '' The Trial of Mary Dugan," " Three Live Ghosts," " Bulldog Drummond," and "The Gay Nineties," has a new part which is said to be better than anything he has done previously. He is east as Joe Fragson, a super-crook. Benita Hume, one of the most talented of England's screen stars, has the role of a. girl crook, who makes her fellow law-breakers of the male sex look like amateurs. Kenneth Kove, who will be remembered for his comedy work in "Mischief," is also included in the cast. The remainder of the cast is adequately filled bv Desmond Jeans, G. B. Meuetta. Phillip Strange, Toni Bruce, and Adolphe Menjou. The story deals with two crooks who, stranded in

the South Seas without a penny, are "' forced " to steal a valuable pearl from a native to get their passage money to England. On arrival in London, they continue their life of crime, and have several hilarious and exciting moments escaping from the arm of the law. During one of their escapades, they are forced to hide a diamond necklace in a young woman's handbag—and later discover; that the young lady, is also of their profession. She hoodwinks them, and in a very funny climax she has them arrested and sent to gaol, while she takes a well-earned holiday in another country with the spoils of her own work and those of the two men.

" The House Opposite " "The House Opposite," a British International picture starring Henry Kendall, which will be the next feature at the Grand Theatre, is a thrilling drama of a detective and his lady assistant who foil a gang-of scoundrelly blackmailers led by a sinister Egyptian and a mysterious occupant of a London house. Henry Kendall, as Hobart, the detective, plays in his usual debonair and attractive style; Celia Glyn is an attractive lady detective; Wallace Geoffrey is an outstanding figure as the blackmailer, whilst the comedy is in the hands of the extremely capable Frank Stanmore. who plays the tramp. " The House Opposite" was written by that master of mystery fiction, Jefferson Farjeon, author of " No. 17," and was directed by Walter Summers, one of the ablest of the British directors. Thrills, humour, and romance abound in this story, which culminates in the thrilling rescue on the roof of a blazing house, set on fire by a madman, whilst a charming romance between Henry Kendall and Celia Glyn is a welcome contrast to their dramatic adventures. An entire street, was erected in the studios for the exterior scenes, and especially in the thrilling fire scene in which Celia Glyn makes a spectacular jump for safety into the outspread net of the London Fire Brigade. ■ The house where Frank Stanmore is the caretaker was another typical feat of technical studio engineering, as the impression had to be given that the house had not been occupied for many years.

New Zealander in London Mr Kenneth Grading (Dunedin) has a small part in John Galsworthy's play, " Strife," which has been revived at the Little Theatre. He is also understudy to a more important part. ..

Screen Star Competition Arrangements have been completed with the Roosevelt Hotel, in Hollywood, for accommodations for the international winners in Paramount's " Search for Beauty" contest, two of whom are to be from -New Zealand. Each winner will occupy a separate room in this luxurious hostelry, which is conveniently ,ocated on Hollywood boulevard not far from the Paramount Studios, and directly across from Grauman's Chinese theatre, scene of many celebrated " world premieres." The Roosevelt Hotel, with its exclusive appointments, is the Hollywood rendezvous of the motion picture elite. Paramount's contest winners will have an opportunity to dine and dance in the renowned Blossom Room to the music of famous orchestras and mingle with the stars and celebrities of the movie kingdom. Paramount offers a free trip to Hollywood, a contract to appear in " The Search for Beauty," and a chance to win £2OO for excellent performance in the picture to two New Zealanders—one man and one woman, selected in the " Search' for Beauty" contest, to go to Hollywood.

" Cavalcade " Noel Coward, in " Cavalcade." produced by Fox Film Corporation, has woven three charming romances into the pattern of his tapestry record of the march of the generation. The first romance is one between husband and wife, a rather unique departure in these days when marital infidelities supply the theme for so many dramas, it is this romance of the Marryots enduring through the trials and vicissitudes of the last 30 years of the world's history, which adds much power and strength to "Cavalcade." The second romance starts with a bov and girl affair between the older Marryot son and Edith, the daughter of Mrs Marryot's friend, culminating later in their happy honeymoon fated to reach a tragic termination when the Titanic, on which they are passengers, goes down in mid-Atlantic. The third is a modern-day sort of affair between young Joe Marryot, proud and handsome in his world-war "officer's uniform, and F'inny Bridges, a dancer who is the toast of London, but whose parents formerly were servants of the Marryots. Their affair persists throughout the war years, Fanny steadfastly refusing to marry Joe or discuss the matter until peace is declared. Despite his protests, she is sceptical of the attitude of his family toward their marriage. The question is tragically settled, however, on the day the war ends, when

FROM GREEN ROOM AND STUDIO

word comes that Joe has been killed in action. Diana Wynyard and Clivo Brook, heading the cast, have the roles of Jane and Robert Marryot. John Warburton and Margaret Lindsay are Edward and Edith, the ill-fated Titanic hoiieymooners, and Frank Lawton and Ursula Jeans are the young war-time sweethearts. Frank Lloyd has directed the romantic seines with a delicacy of touch characteristic of this director. A New Norma Shearer After an unusually long interval between pictures, Norma Shearer is said to be on the point of registering a remarkable double triumph in two outstanding new films. A year ago her future was hanging in the balance. She had been recognised as a clever and beautiful player, with a talent for reflecting the charm and poise of the modern woman. But that was all. She had ap-

peared in too many rather erotic melodramas about expensively-kept ladies of very uncertain virtue. The highly sophisticated studies in which she specialised were rapidly going out. of fashion. To continue in the same vein any longer would have been fatal, and no one realised that better than Norma herself. During her visit to London last year she said she had made up her mind to try something entirely. different from the parts she had been playing in pictures like "A Free Soul " and " Strangers May Kiss." She has kept her promise. In "Sniilin' Through," which will be released in Dunedin shortly, and in "Strange Interval" (Eugene O'Neill's "Strange Interlude"), which will be here very soon, you will" find a new Norma Shearer —an actress who has added versatility, sureness of technique, and real depth of feeling to her other charms and accomplishments. George Arliss Again

One of the many chuckling human incidents _in " The Working Man," George Arliss's latest starring vehicle for Warner

Bros. First National, has to do with a deal in cigars, between the star, who is a wealthy shoe-manufacturer, on a fishing trip in Maine, and his miserly but genial fishing crony who knows the way of streams, where trout leap higher and bite harder than anywhere else in the universe. Just to show what a good fellow he is, the grizzled fisherman from down in Maine, who keeps the country store, brings out a box of rare cigars— Arliss's favourite brand —charging more than the market price. Arliss tries to smoke one of them, and finds it so dry it almost chokes him. He then discovers that the cigars, his crony has sold to him were the same box of cigars ho had presented to his crony the previous summer.

" Grand Hotel " Soon Based on the Vicki Baum novel, " Grand Hotel " brings to the screen the most remarkable galaxy of stars and players ever seen in a motion picture. The story, which takes place entirely within the confines of a fashionable Berlin hotel, entwines the lives of a varied group of persons, including an exotic Russian

dancer whose romantic interlude with a reckless baron saves her from suicide but results in her lover's murder. Involved in the drama are a scheming business man, a seductive stenographer, a consumptive clerk spending his savings on one last (ling in life, a shell-shocked doctor, and the hotel's head porter. How these people are_ all brought together and how their various intrigues and adventures change the course of their entire lives forms the theme of the plot. "Grand Hotel" will be shown in Dunedin wilhiu'the next few weeks. " Evenings for Sale " "Evenings for Sale," which will be the next attraction at the Regent Theatre, is a Viennese romance, set to the melodies of Strauss. Only Vienna of "The Merry Widow" could make romance sparkle, laughter bubble, and love live with such abandon. Herbert Marshall, London stage favourite, who secured a phenomenal success in that great Ernst Lubitseh production, "Trouble in Paradise," is cast as Count von Degcnthal, the impoverished Viennese nobleman in ''Evenings for Sale." There is a strong supporting cast headed by Sari Maritzu (exotic English beauty), Charlie Rugglos, and Mary Boland. "Evenings for Sale," which was written for the screen by Miss I. A. R. Wylie, is presented with music by Johanri Strauss, the younger, famed Viennese composer. It is worked out in the clever, impertinent style of " Love Me To-night" and other recent musical films, the story being told not alone by words, but by music and tricky camera effects. It deals with the love affairs

of a penniless Viennese nobleman and the daughter of a nouveau-riche middleclass family, complicated by the presence on the scene of an American widow whose bank-roll is exceeded only by her naivete. The Modem Bath • The latest thing in film stars is a pale, green porcelain bath. This plays an important part in Thomas Behtley's " The Love Nest." Quite the latest thing in baths, it was groomed for stardom with all the newest chromium plated fittings and the last word in loofahs. A charming bathroom with hand-painted walls on which dolphins optimistically gambol was the setting for the scenes. The studio engineers even laid on hot and cold water to the taps for the bath's great moment. It was called upon to overflow with steaming water, and so important was its role that two cameras recorded its action. So well did the bath fulfil the director's expectations that he. gave it as much film footage as any star could expect in a close-up. When filmgoers see "The Love Nest" they must commit the bath to memory for its outstanding screen per- i formances in 1933.

" Smoke Lightning " A romance of the modern "West." where, it is claimed, as much adventure as the "bad old days" had to offer can still be found, is " Smoke Lightning," with George O'Brien in the starring role, which will bo shown at the Strand Theatre on Friday. The action and excitement that distinguish the western star's offerings are amply supplied in this up-to-date tale of an adventurous cowpuilcher who attempts to protect an orphan girl's heritage from a band .of outlaws. His efforts involve him in plenty of adventures, including a thrilling battle along the top of a racing express train, and the director has woven much delightful comedy into the film. Some of the locales are surprisingly beautiful and included with the dramatic quality, the pictorial aspects make this picture exceptional. A distinctive note of novelty is added in the person of nine-year-old Betsy King Ross, a daring little rodeo queen from Texas, whose feats of horse- i manship make her work in the role of | the orphan girl memorable as well as absorbing. 'Nell O'Day as the charming

heroine, Frank Atkinson as O'Brien's humorous pal, and Morgan Wallace as the crooked sheriff, all play their parts excellently. The story is an adaptation of Zane Grey's novel, : " Canyon Walls." Destination Unknown

Slightly paraphrasing the old sailors' chanty, there were 13 men on a derelict's deck, and the cargo in the hold consisted of 5000 cases of rum. This is the tense situation aboard the sailing vessel Prince Rupert, drifting rum-runner on which transpires all the action of " Destination Unknown," the Universal sea drama which will be screened at the Octagon Theatre on Friday. With their ship desperately crippled in an terrific storm, the 13 men on. board engage in a ruthless battle of intrigue for possession of the stricken vessel and the 10 gallons of drinking water which remain on board. The whisky in the hold cannot take the place of water, and the scant store on board becomes the focal point of the plotting of a group of desperate and unprincipled men. Pat O'Brien and Ralph Bellamy head the cast of " Destination Unknown," which also includes Tom Brown, Russell Hopton. Alan Hale, Betty Compson, and Rollo Lloyd. Tay Garnett directed. The supporting picture will be " The Sport of a Nation," a football picture of unusual interest. '.

" Bill, M.P." The popular and versatile comedian, [Leslie Fuller, after a short holiday well earned on the completion of "The Pride of the Force," in which he played a very strenuous part, has returned to the studio for the immediate production of a new film. "Bill, M.P." will present Fuller in yet another amusing guise, that of a sweep. This is a simple, lovable character with a homely touch, but the unfortunate and unwilling Bill is caught up in a political vortex and becomes a parliamentary candidate. As a public figure, Fuller has great opportunities for his comedy genius, and through the adventures of his son has scope for showing clever characterisation in domestic scenes. A talented cast is in support, and two players of particular interest are John Mills, the clever young actor in the stage play " Cavalcade." in the part of the son, and 11. F. Maltby, the well-known playwright and actor, who makes his film debut as Fuller's election opponent. Such important players as Marion Dawson, Moofe Marriott, Daphne Courtney, Wylie Watson, Doris Rogers, and Hal Gordon also have leading parts.

"Silly Symphony" The following are excerpts from a report, in the New York Herald-Tribune, which was entirely devoted to " Father Noah's Ark": —"The best picture in town —and I haven't forgotten that ' Cavalcade,' upon which I lavished a superlative or two, is still on display here —is a screen short that runs for probably 10 minutes. It is, to keep you in suspense no longer, a Walt Disney ' Silly Symphony,' done in colour; it is called * Father Noah's Ark.' It might be a good idea to start by saying something about the subject matter of this ' Father Noah's Ark.' It is difficult enough for me to describe plots in any case, let alone in such a specialised one as that of a Walt Disney fable, but anyway in this instance the story is that of the Biblical tale of the deluge, with variations. For example, the film tells things about the part plaved by the animals in the building of the ark that have so far escaped the annals of the period. There are implied details, too, of the sex life of the rabbits aboard that have not hitherto been recorded. Will you permit nie to say that ' Father Noah's Ark ' is a-master-piece of wit and imagination, and let it go at that? "

Another George Arliss Film If genius is an infinite capacity for taking pains, then the success of George Arliss pictures can be credited to an infinite capacity for watching details. Arliss himself is the greatest stickler for details in'Hollywood. He spends a great deal of time and thought on items that seem of comparatively little importance, yet which prove to be distinct contributions to the whole effect, once the picture is complete. An example of tlrig painstaking care with which he makes every decision, is his advice to Fortunio Bonanova, who plays an important supporting role in the latest Arliss Warner Bros.' production, '' A Successful Calamity," coming to the Empire Theatre on Friday. Several days before he was scheduled to do his first work, but following the customary two weeks of rehearsals, Bonanova appeared on the Arliss set in makeup and costume to show himself to Mr Arliss for approval. At first glance both thought he appeared exactly right. Mr Arliss. however, studied the actor for some little time. "Who tied your tic?" he asked.. Bonanova said he hail tied it, but: could do it differently. " Not differently, perhaps, but better," Arliss suggested. He would be very particular. 'And your hair —it should be more —more —" "More ruffled up?" "Exactly. The tie neater. The hair less neat. And you'll not need the hat," concluded Arliss. "Otherwise it's perfect."