SCREEN AND STAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22269, 23 May 1934, Page 3

SCREEN AND STAGE

FROM GREEN ROOM AND STUDIO

Colin Tapley’s First Mention Although Colin Tapley, a New Zealand representative in Paramount's “ The Search for Beauty,” has appeared in minor roles in “Come on Marines’’and “Murder at the Vanities,” he has now received recognition in the official cast list for the Paramount picture, “ Double Door.” The honour thus conferred on the young actor is a result of his good work at the studios. It is all the more meritorious when it is realised that few actors or actresses feature in the official cast of the picture until they have had some years of experience.

Tapley has also been awarded minor roles in “The Scarlet Empress.” Marlene Dietrich’s now picture, and “ You’re Tolling Me,” a W. C. Fields comedy. In the latter production, in addition to Colin Tapley, the other five contract winners selected from “The Search for Beauty” are also in the east. Those assigned are Eldred Tidbury (South Africa), Gwenllian Gill (Scotland), Alfred Delcambre. and Clara Lou Sheridan (Dallas), and Julian Maddison (Minneapolis). Too Much Schooling

“ If you think you have talent, develop it yourself and don’t destroy your individuality by too much schooling in that particular line,” is the surprising advice of one enterprising young man who has gained real recognition in two forms of creative art —witnno study. He is Henry Wilcoxon, the talented young English actor “ discovered ” by Cecil B. De Mille from among thousands of prospects for the role of Marc Antony in Paramount’s “ Cleopatra.” His opinion might not carry so much weight, were it not for the fact that he has become distinguished as an actor on both the English stage and screen, and has‘won acclaim at the exhibitions of his sketches and oil paintings—and really has had no schooling in either line of endeavour. “1 don’t mean,” Wilcoxon explains, “that drama or art schools are_ without value. But I do think that entirely too much importance is attached to their results, and that budding talent too often is moulded into stereotyped forms by schools following set traditions. The quality that adds more than anything else to stage or screen characterisations is personality—the varying personalities of the various players, which give a variety of interpretations to so-called ‘standard’ roles; If all actors and actresses stifled their own personalities in learning roles by text book rules there wouldn’t be sufficient variety in interpretation to hold the public’s interest.”

“ Hold That Girl ” “Hold that Girl,” which conics _to the Grand Theatre on Friday, is an hilarious comedy, which makes the pace a fast and merry one and allows James Dunne and Claire Trevor many opportunities for smart repartee. It is a natural success because the characters in it are so human

that they ride to success on a wave of popularity. James Dunne is well known for his many screen triumphs, and his partner, the beautiful Claire Trevor, helps him considerably in adding zest to a picture which is full of action 'and laughter.

BY HARLEQUIN,

“ Gold Diggers of 1933 ” Warner Bros.’ new musical spectacle, “Gold Diggers of 1933,” is said to eclipse anything they have yet attempted. The originality of the story, the huge stage sets, the tuneful musical numbers, the hilarious comedy, and dramatic plot make it one of the attractions of the year. Five song numbers, which include “ The Shadow Waltz,” Remember My Forgotten Man,” “We’re In the Money,” “I’ve Got to Sing a Torch Song,” and “ Petting in the Park ” all receive novel presentation, in which impressive spectacle and gorgeous ballets play no mean part. A large cast includes such wellknown stars as Warren William, Joan Blondell, Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell, Ginger Rogers, Guy Kibbee, Ned Sparks, and is supported by 200 of Hollywood’s most beautiful chorus girls. In the “ Shadow Waltz ” 200 girls dance on a stairway, and during this number 54 Neon illuminated violins are used. They wind around the stairway and whirl around a glistening pool, and the effect is said to be a triumph of rhythm, colour, and beauty. For the “ Petting in the Park ” scene an entire park, with benches, mounds, trees of spun glass and silk were constructed, and cellophane is the material that is used in the dressing of the girls. This

is a fast-moving number, and is given many novel twists, and a number of laughable situations are worked into this catcliy fox trot.

“ Gold Diggers of 1033 ” will commence its Dunedin season at the Empire Theatre on Friday next.

Sydney Howard Featured A complete re-creation of the promenade deck of the s.s. Orford was built in the studios for “ Trouble,” and scenes were made of the landing of passengers at Tangiers. George Curzon, playing the part of Vansittart, a diamond thief, has also given a conjuring show, complete with disappearing eggs, vanishing canaries, kittens, rabbits, and cards. His “ assistant ” in this performance is none other than Sydney Howard, and the resultant scene may well be imagined. Features of the film include scenes of Sydney Howard and Muriel Aked in a few minutes with a lifebelt. Sydney Howard and Wally Patch in some hectic verbal exchanges, and Sydney Howard in every conceivable kind of misadventure and mistake open to a ship’s steward. Jack Marks is once more responsible for the humorous situations and dialogue—a capacity he has filled in all Sydney Howard’s pictures. “ Trouble,” a British Dominions release, will be screened at the St. James Theatre on Friday. Operatic Society’s “ Sally ”

The arrival from Sydney of a large part of the wardrobe and the completion of the other costumes gave fresh interest to the rehearsals of the Dunedin Operatic and Dramatic Society over the week-end. Every detail of “ Sally,” the Kern musical comedy which the societv will present on June 2, has been perfected and, with all properties, costumes, • and settings to hand, the piecing together of the many sections of the play is now being pushed ahead. The settings are being painted by Mr John Brock, and Mr Vince Tapp is associated with the stage manager (Mr Angus Gorrie) in producing some new illuminations. The artistic side of “ Sally ” is not likely to be spoiled on the score of frugality. Mr J. Clarke’s Orchestra has been rehearsing steadily, and the musical director has given the producer (Mr Stan Lawson) thoroughly trained and well-balanced choruses to dovetail into the general scheme. The principals are fully conversant with their parts, and the society’s members were delighted at the first concerted rehearsal with the quality of their work. “ Sally ” is a play providing many opportunities for vocal and spectacular effects. Mr Lawson has been the ballot master, and he has arranged a number of entirely new ensembles.

“ Man of the Forest ” One of the Strand Theatre’s forthcoming attractions, “Man of the Forest,” starts a “new” note in Westerns. It gets away from the modern conversational

Western drama, and brings back the whirlwind action of the old-fashioned frontier thriller. Randolph Scott portrays a strong, silent hero, of the forests, and the story tells of his efforts to avenge the death of a friend. The story speeds through thrilling gun battles before it drives on to a fiery conclusion. Scott, Harry Carey, and Noah Beery are the kind of Western characters that made this type of action thriller so famous in the old days. Verna Hillie, one of Paramount’s newcomers, seen before in “Under the Tonto Rim,” is lovely as the girl for whose rights Scott battles, and Guinn Williams, Vince Barnett, and the “ Wrestling Donkey ” provide the comedy in this fast-moving action story of the old West, the twenty-ninth of the Zane Grey novels to reach the screen.

Russian Actress Starred A new face and a talent that is fresh to the screen is the promise of Anna Sten in “ Nana ” shortly to be seen in this country. Miss Sten is a young actress who came out of Moscow a few years ago, the first graduate of a school of training that was exclusive in Soviet State stage and screen institutions. She made several pictures in Berlin, of which “ The Brothers Karamazov ” won her acclaim. Then Samuel Goldwyn brought her to Hollywood and put her through 18 months ot training and tests while he prepared story and production for her American film debut. “Nana” is the story. Willard Mack made a free adaptation of the Emile Zola novel. Goldwyn has given Miss Sten the company of a group of distinguished players. Among them are Richard Ben-

nett, Lional Atwill, Mae Clarke, Phillips Holmes, and Muriel Kirkland. The music hall and theatre sequences of the picture entail the use of lavish song numbers, including an authentic re-creation of the “can-can,” the dance with which Paris shocked the Puritans of that day, and a hauntingly plaintive - lament, “ That’s Love,” sung by Miss Sten and written specially for her by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. Dorothy Arzncr directed the picture.

George Arliss for English Films Mr George Arliss, having completed all his Hollywood engagements, is at liberty to embark upon the enterprise which he lias long had in mind. He was to arrive ,in England this month to begin making English films with English companies.

“ Morning Glory ” It was not surprising that recent cables indicated that Katharine Hepburn bad been successful in securing the imicbcoveted Academy of Motion Pictures gold medal for the- finest acting of the year in her picture, "Morning Glory.”_ The whole of the picture-going public ot was galvanised into enthusiasm 1/ Katharine Hepburn’s acting as the stage-struck girl who fights her way to success.

The title “ Morning Glory ’’ has its roots in the fact that many actresses flash into prominence like the “ morning glory ” and as swiftly fade into obscurity

I Katharine Hepburn is seen as girl who fights long and gallantly to win recogni- . tion on the Broadway stage. She meets ; with heart-breaking disappointments and numerous reverses—then comes the dazzling triumph. The picture depends mainly on the dynamic acting of Miss Hepburn, and it is said to place her on the highest 1 pinnacle as “ the first lady of t|ie screen.” Tlie picture will commence its season at | the ‘State Theatre on Friday.

I A Lionel Barrymore Picture ! The spirit of courage and enthusiaasm ' finds dramatic expression in .Lionel Barrymore’s newest starring vehicle, “ Looking Forward,” which comes to the Regent Theatre on Friday as a new production from Metro-Gold wyn-Mayer-Cos-mopolitan. Dedicated to a hopeful attitude by the world, the film employs the same title as that used by President Roosevelt for his best-selling book, although the action of the modern picture is not based on the Roosevelt work. The picture, which deals with the lives of two business men, is unusual in respect to its handling of two stories in one. The life of a millionaire department store owner whose wife deserts him when he faces financial ruin is counterbalanced by the story of the humble employee who likewise is baffled by his inability to meet his payments and keep his home together, but whose family 'rove their loyalty when he most nee j it. The wide range of characters in “ Looking Forward ” provides an opportunity for a number of fin» acting Portrayals, and an outstanding group of players is seen in support of Barrymore. These in-

dude Lewis Stone, Benita Hume, Elizabeth Allan, Phillips Holmes, Colin Clive, Alec B. Francis, Doris ' Lloyd; Halliwell Hobbes, Douglas Walton, Viva Tattersall, Lawrence Giant, George K. Arthur, Charles Irwin, and Billy Bevan. Douglas Fairbanks on Stage Miss Gertrude Lawrence and Mr Douglas Fairbanks, jun., are to appear together in a play on the West End stage shortly. They signed a contract to this effect with Howard Wyndham-Moss Em-

pires organisation (says the Daily Mail) on the eve of Miss Lawrence's departure for a holiday in Majorca after her several months’ appearance in the Cochran show “ Nymph Errant.” There will be a month’s tour before the production in the West End. The play will have its first performance at the Opera House, Manchester, and will then visit Edinburgh and Glasgow. This, will bo Mr Fairbanks’s first stage appearance in this country. Film Topics

Four more players have been added to the cast of “Treasure Island” at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. _ They are Lewis Stone, Edmund lireese, Nigel Bruce, and Cora Sue Collins, the little girl who played Miss Garbo as a child in “ Queen Christina.” Vi d tor Fleming is directing this film version of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic with Wallace Beery, Jackie Cooper, Lionel Barrymore, Otto Kruger, Dorothy Peterson, and William V. Mong in important roles. Mr Conrad Veidt, the famous German actor, has signed up to play in GaumontBritish productions for the next year. He is to make three pictures in the year, but the nature of them, it is understood, has not yet been definitely decided. Mr Veidt is at present playing in “Bella

Donna,” at the Twickenham film studio (says thj Daily Telegraph), following which he will go on holiday before starting on the three new films. Albert Richardson is unknown in the film world, but nearly half a million of his records have been sold to date. He claims to be the possessor of the original words for .the old English song, “ There was an Old Farmer, He had an Old Sow.” Sound City brought him up from Burwash Parish to sing this number in “ Song of the Plough,” and to see and hear Richardson’s effort is said to be a sheer delight. The song has been handed down for countless years, and Richardson admits that he is doubtful as to the meaning of some of the words. Anno Grey, who plays Lady Castlcmaine in the Sound City production “ Colonel Blood,” is often described as a

typical English beauty, and yet there is nothing essentially English in her descent, it is a mixture of Scots, Irish, and Spanish. Anne Grey’s entry into the film world was entirely Unpremeditated, as she was studying at King’s College fo become a journalist. She met the castinor director of “ The Constant Numph ’ ami accepted a day’s work as an extra just for the fun of it. She has since played in seven British productions. She was educated in Switzerland, can speak French fluently and is greatjy interested in literatux-e and art.

Mr Stanley Lupino has just signed a film contract at £20,000 a year. He states that this agreement, made with a group of young men who “ know the film trade backwards,” is for the making of three big feature films in a year. There are options for the extension of this arrangement for two further years, making three years in all. “These will, of course, be .comedy films,” said Mr Lupino, “but not all of the same nature, as I want to do different types. I shall have a say in the matter of choosing the stories to be used.”

“ Carolina,”,a romance of the Southern States, offers Janet Gaynor another opportunity of showing her versatility. It has several musical numbers, and Lionel Barrymore, who plays the part of an old man, is featured in one song. Janet Gavnor is said to give a splendid characterisation of the spirited girl who reorganises her -family estate, which was falling into decay.

“ Happy Ever After ” boasts no fewer than four great English comedy stars— Jack Halbert, Cicely Courtneidge, Sonnie Hale, and Lilian Harvey. The picture was made in England before Lilian Harvey travelled to the Hollywood film capital to make “I Am Suzanne,” “My Lips Betray,” and other notable sex-een

productions. In “ Happy Ever After ” Jack Hulbert and Sonnie Hale appear as two window cleaners, and they are said to make the picture very bright with their humour. There arc four song numbers —“ Keep On the Bright Side.” “In a Year, In a Day,” “Poor Working Girls,” and “Truly Rural Gentlemen.” Authentic exteriors made in various European capital cities are a feature of a new series of British films known as the Windsor comedies, two of which, entitled “ Going Gay”” and “ For Love of You.” have already been completed. One of the pictorial highlights of “For Love of You ” was a moonlight carnival, for which every gondola in Venice was commandeered. Several hundred gondoliers and other extras took part in this scene, which is one of sheer beauty for both eye and ear. with the voices' of the singers floating across the waters, swelling and fading again as the torch-lit gondolas slowly approach and pass. The song “ For Love of You” is here introduced with beautiful effect. It is sung by Franco Foresta. a young Italian tenor, who makes his first screen appearance in this film.