SCREEN AND STAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22607, 26 June 1935, Page 3

SCREEN AND STAGE

FROM GREEN ROOM AND STUDIO

BY HARLEQUIN

" Evelyn Prentice " William Powell and Myriia Loy, who, teamed together in films of the mystery type, have won immense popularity in varied forms of this drama, are united in "Evelyn Prentice," a vivid production coming to.the St. James Theatre on Friday. This time, as in "The Thin Man," they again play husband and wife, but this time both are enmeshed in a problem worked out in a dramatic courtroom scene.

Powell plays the clever criminal attorney whose feats before a jury and whose brilliant coups make him a legal sensation. Miss Loy plays the society wife who, through a misstep, liuds herself linked with a murder case in which her husband is defending another woman. Suspense runs high, and the denouement solves the mystery with a surprise to the

audience, as a twist of evidence gives the case an entirely new aspect. Comedy is aided by Edward Brophy, as Delany, the comical special investigator. Harvey Stephens, as Kennard, the Greenwich Village playboy, provides a new type of genteel "heavy." Roeiland Russell plays an effective " vamp," and the tragic, beleaguered blonde defendant in the murder trial is played by Isabel Jewell, who lays aside comedy roles to prove herself an accomplished actress in a tragic portrayal. Little Cora Sue Collins, as the child of Powell and Miss Loy, adds to laurels already won in "Queen Christina." '

Britain Conquers the Film World

The press and public of England are jubilant over the success now being achieved by British films in foreign, as well as British markets. Alexander Korda showed the way with "The Private Life of Henry VIII," which he followed up with " Catherine the Great." The London Daily. Mail recently devoted an article in praise of the British industry. Here is what the Daily Mail said:— "The dazzling success of 'The Scarlet Pimpernel,' the film adapted from Baroness Orczy's famous novel, the first presentation of which is still continuing in London, is a fresh triumph for British enterprise. It shows that in film production—one of the most important industries in the world—Britain is to-day right in front.

" British :energy has in the past overcome, great obstacles and won its way to victory. But never were the obstacles greater or success apparently more hopeless than in the case of the film industry after the war. The United States held the field. British films had almost ceased to exist. The huge American industry had well nigh wiped them out. "In 192?, however, the Kinematograph Films Act was passed, giving the British industry a measure of protection, despite bitter resistance on the part of the Socialists. They declared that nothing could resurrect the British film, and that the Act would be a certain failure. But despite their criticisms and de'spite certain defects in the Act, the British industry has gone ahead. Jn this country, where 90 per cent, of the films shown used to be American, it is making tremendous strides. In Australia, such has been the appeal oi its productions that in all cities of ovei 100,000 there is at least one kinema showing British films only.

" The British industry has already broken into the United States by the spectacular success of such films as 'The Private Life of Henry VIII,' 'Rome Express,' and ' I Was a Spy.' The presentation of ' The Scarlet Pimpernel' will immensely strengthen the appeal of the British picture to the film patrons of the world. It combines acting of the highest standard with exquisite setting and has a technical perfection which equals or surpasses anything Hollywood can show." A Fox Hunting Story

"D'ye Ken John Peel? '•' the British Dominions release which opens at the Grand Theatre to-day, will be distinguished by a strong all-British cftst. This will be headed by John Garrick, the leading man of " Lily of Killamey " and " The Broken Melody," and Winifred Shotter, the heroine of 60 many Aldwych farces. John Stuart, the popular British actor. who will be remembered in " The House of Trent," " The Four Masked Men," and " Bella Donna," will play the important role of Captain Moonlight, an attractive highwayman who saves the hero's life, but relieves a number of rich people of their jewels and money. The remainder of the cest consists of Morris Harvey, Mary Lawson, Pat Noonan, Charles Carson, Wilfred Caithness, and Stanley Holloway. " D'ye Ken John Peel ? " is a fox-hunt-ing story of the olden days, inspired by the well-known ballad. For the purposes of authenticity, first-hand scenes of hunting with celebrated packs were used in the filming of this picture. The script

for "D'ye Ken John Peel?" which is a Julius Hagen production, was written by H. Fowler Mear, who wlis responsible for the adaptation of " Bella Donna."

The Drama Festival • The second week in July will see great activity in the amateur acting world, when something in the neighbourhood of 120 amateur players will be appearing in the Drama League's four-night festival. The contest has gained added interest from the fact that the winning team, which will have the right to enter the South Island elimination festival, also to be held in Dunedin, at the end of September, may if fortunate enough to win that, qualify'for a trip to Hawke's Bay for the New Zealand final. The colourful clothes of 1650 will jostle the utilitarian costume of modern indus-

trialism, and, indeed, the 19 senior playe run the gamut of dramatic expression. The junior festival on Saturday afternoon, a new departure, will reveal the surprisingly high standard of dramatic talent among modern school children, and those who have seen these talented young players at rehearsal have .no fears for the future of amateur acting in Dunedin. Spectacular Settings

"The Private Life of Don Juan," the London Films production which will commence at the Regent Theatre on Friday, was produced in London by Alexander Korda, who made two of the outstanding triumphs of screen history, " The Private Life of Henry VIII" and " Catherine the Great." It is said that " Don Juan" is the most pretentious offering of this director. Lavishly mounted and produced' with infinite care, the film is a feast of beauty and colour.

"The Private Life of Don Juan" is Douglas Fairbanks's first picture in two years, and offers him one of his typical swashbuckling, daredevil roles, and is re-

plete with vigorous swordplay and breathtaking stunts. Merle Oberon, who is described as one of the most interesting personalities on the screen to-day, is cast as the glamorous Spanish dancer, and heads a large cast of supporting players, including beautiful Benita Hume, as Don Juan's wife, Binnie Barnes, who played the role of Kathryn Howard in "The Private Life of Henry VIII," and Patricia Hilliard. Frederick Lonsdale and Lajoo Biro are responsible for the story from which this most spectacular effort of London Films to date is evolved. The supporting programme includes a Medbury travelogue, an organlogue, and cartoon.

Shaw's " St. Joan " Mr C B. Cochran. Sir James Barrie, Mr Bernard Shaw, and Miss Elisabeth Bergner are planning a great dramatic

" Jubilee Double," which may make theatre and film history. After a battle in which fortunes have been offered by Hollywood for the right to film Shaw's " St. Joan," with Elisabeth Bergner as the maid, English film-makere baye won the victory, and the production will now be made, under the direction of Dr Paul Czinner, by British and Dominions, with Bergner playing the title role. Miss Bergner, accordingly, will remain in Britain for this production, and will also appear in the principal part in the first play which Sir James Barrie has written for seven years. It is understood that, on this occasion, Sir Jame« has received inspiration from the youngest member of the Royal Family, Princess Margaret Rose, who will be five years old in August. Miss Bergner will make St. Joan next month. Then she will probablv take a rest in August, and it is possible that the Barrie play will be produced in the West End in September.

"Hide Out" " Hide Out," which will open to-day at the Mayfair Theatre, is the story of a jovial racketeer who believes he has everything youth could desire —plenty of money without earning it, pleasure and romance. But it is not until he is driven into the sheltering bosom of a simple farmers family that he really discovers life and love. « Robert Montgomery as " Lucky Wilson, runs foul of the law in New York, forced by his gang brothers to "hide out" for a few. weeks. The manner in which "Lucky" adapts himself to the farm environment and the climax of the story add the finishing touches to an amusing picture. As Pauline, the country girl, Maureen O'Sullivan gives one of her best performances.

In the Film's Early Days Trene Vanbrugh, the famous English actress who plays Lady M'Clean in the forthcoming British and Dominions superproduction "Escape Me Never," starring Elisabeth Bergner, made her first film as long ago as 1917. She received not a penny salary for it. Nor, for that matter, did any of the cast, which included such celebrated figures as ForbesRobertson. Pollie Emery, and Gladya Cooper. The film, called "Masks and Faces/ was made in order to help the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art through a difficult period, and everyone gave his or her services free. The result was a film which created a stir at the time, and baa helped to put the academy on its present footing as the training ground of many of England's brilliant young etars. Miss Vanbrugh, it will be remembered, also appeared with Miss Bergner in "Catherine the Great," in the role of her mother, and theatre-goers who saw this gifted and distinguished actress in the many big roles she played on the stage in this country, will welcome the opportunity of seeing her on the screen in a part which gives her more scope than any of her former film roles. "Fog Over 'Frisco"

A melodramatic murder mystery comes to the Strand Theatre on Friday under the title of "Fog Over 'Frisco," with Bette Davis, Donald Woods. MargaretLindsay. Hugh Herbert, and Lyle Talbot in the featured roles. This First National picture, based on the.story by George Dyer, is an exciting tale of adventure, revealing the operations of a band of international bond swindlers, who do not hesitate at murder in carrying out their gigantic operations. The story centres about San Francisco, in the homes of the fashionable society folk, and along the water front. on the Embarcadero, which is the scene of a thrilling chase after kidnappers, and a lively battle with a band of criminals. Exterior scenes were made by the companv on location at the Golden Gate city. The supporting picture will be "What Happened to Harkuess," featuring Robert Hale. Story from Prussian History

The most remarkable film made in Germany under the Nazi regime is now being screened in England. This is The Old and the Young King," with Emil Janmngs, too long eclipsed, making a return to popularity in the role of the tyrannical old Frederick William I of Prussia. "The Old and the Young King" i s a! T most entirely authentic, but could not have been more highly flavoured with Hitlerite propaganda if it had been pure fiction. . ' We meet the old King—narrow, brusque, uncultured, rather stupid, reviewing his army and slaving at the machinery of State with the passion of a small boy playing with mechanical toys, playing practical jokes, boisterously enjoying himself with his regiment of seven-footers (one in the film is actually Bft 7in), and drilling his family like his Grenadiers.

His son, Frederick, loves books, music, and the arts, habitually speaks French, detests the army and the dull routine of government. Humiliated by his father—who ig represented in the film as gruffly affectionate, but actually hated his son, if contemporary observers are to be trusted —Frederick plans to run away to England. A gallant, young officer friend, Lieutenant Katte, helps him. The King learns of the plot and proposes to execute his son as a traitor. Instead, he has the boy's best friend, Katte, beheaded before his eyes, by way of teaching him to appreciate the pleasures and duties of statecraft.

It is a matter of history that this improbable plan worked. Frederick submitted and, taking the, lesson to heart; throws himself into the brilliant career that wins him the title of " the Great." It is a powerful, flawlessly-acted story, made doubly interesting and significant by its glorification of iron military discipline and Prussian ruthlessness.

Juvenile Operatic Society The Dunedin Juvenile Operatic Society will present its seventh production—a charming Dutch opera in three acts — "■ Windmill Land" in the Town Hall Concert Chamber on July 4. 5, and G. with a matinee on Saturday. Over 60 children are taking part. Miss Muriel

Eagar is the producer. Many novelties will be introduced, including Littie Wooden Shoon," and "Revels of the Tulip Fairies," while the antics of the Black Quadruplets will be highly diverting. The wardrobe is an exact replica of that for the Australian production. Artistic and spectacular ballets have been arranged by Miss Gwen Webster. A Murder Mystery

A mystery thriller comes to the Empire Theatre on Friday under the title of the White Cockatoo;" The new Warner Bros, drama unlike most mystery plays, accentuates'the romance angle very strongly. The attempts of two bands of criminals to steal a young American girl s fortune, lead to three murders, the kidnapping ot the heiress, and an attempt on the. lives of several others. An American engineer, aided by a cockatoo, finally solves .the killings 'and other mysterious happenings in the spooky French hotel Jean Muir has the role of the heiress whose past is wrapped in mystery, and who has a habit of appearing in two places at the same time, a coincidence which is not explained until the end of the story. Ricardo Cortez plays the part of the engineer lover. Aversion to Hollywood,

That British actors and. actresses are afraid of going to Hollywood is the conclusion reached by Miss Lillie Messinger, whose task is to seek promising players for RKO. In every other country everybody wants to go to, Hollywood, she says. In America the aspirant community ,ex* tends to all walks of life. A lawyer of international reputation is among those who- besought Miss Messinger in New York to give him a test. But this is not so in Great Britain.. Miss Messinger goes to every theatre first night, and sees every picture shown here. Anyone who appears to her to have screen possibilities is interviewed, and the most likely of these given a test. Noi does she neglect the unknown. She takes no chances and interminable trouble. But the players in whom she recognises most promise and —from Hollywood's point of view—lenst risk are reluctant. Miss Messinger saw Dorothy Hyson in "Touch Wood" at the Haymarket. for instance, and decided that she showed outstanding talent. But Miss Hyson said she would rather "consolidate her position" for a couple of years, and then think nbout Hollywood. Asked to what she attributed thia aversion from California, she said stories oi two kinds —the failure stories that are repeated by those returned from Hollywood who have had no luck; and, in another professional sphere, a desire to " approve the story" of the picture in which a player is to appear. Hollywood feels that they should bow to the judgment of experts.

"The First World War" "For the very young who want their chance in the trenches and for the very old who may lead us into the second woi-ld war, this photographic history should be required reading." said an American newspaper commenting editorially on Laurence Stallihg's book, " The First World War." Now "The First World War "—in all its truth and all ite thrilling drama—has become a motion picture. Its producers, Fox Film Corporation, in association with Simon and Schuster, publishers of the book, have expressed the hope that the picture, like the book, will serve to reveal the real meaning of war to every man, woman, and child who sees it. With editorial comment by Laurence Stallings, the picture will be 6hown at the State Theatre on Friday. "The First World War" reveals humanity in the midst of desolation—fighting against life for the sake'of life

—wresting empty glories on thundering fields—and each of its episodes is claimed to be authentic, drawn from the secret archives of the world's great nations. Memorising Parts Actors are supposed to be so gifted that they can often memorise an entire part in a single night. The facts, however, prove that belief to be. nothing .more than a supposition. They show that school children absorb the printed line more quickly than some of the outstanding stars of the screen to-day. , ■ . Many of the better-known stanzas or literature are committed to memory by high school boys and girla in one 7 tenth the time an experienced actress or actor required to memorise the same verse. This may seem improbable at first, but it can be explained to the logical satisfaction ot all Take such a well-known classic as Abraham Lincoln's " Gettysburg Address - a s an illustration. It requires the average school lad about two weeks, figuring conservatively, to get his mmd primed to the point where he can stand up m the assembly hall and recite: "Four score and twenty years ago. .. . But it toon Charles Laughton an even five months before he could memorise the Lincoln speech, which comes into the dialogue in his latest picture for Paramount, Ruggle 3 of Red Gap." The great English star, himself, gives the best reason for the time _he. required to assimilate the address. "It is one of the most beautiful literary compositions ever written," says Laughton, " and the long study was absolutely necessary before I was able to recite it perfectly. While it appears at first to be a simple little speech one realises that it is a complex and superbly written essay, and should be approached as that." New Type of Film

Although the plot of Paramount a "Crime Without Passion," which will be presented at the Octagon Theatre on Friday, revolves about an attempted murder, the entire cast reads its lines in subdued and restrained tones. There is not a single scream or hoarse shout in the entire production, which, because ot

emotional restraint, seta a new fashion in films of the type. Claude Rains, Margo, Whitney, Bourne and the other players even went so far as to rehearse their dialogue in whispers and raised their voices only a trifle when the actual camera work began. " The Reason for this restraint," explained Ben Hecht, who, with Charles MacArthur, wrote, directed and produced the picture, "is that intense emotions do not have to be stressed. An actress may-tear her heart out over the death of her pet dog. She may have to, in order to convey her feeling to a hard? boiled audience. But, when her love* dies, a whisper of agony is all that ill necessary to put her mood across. "Crime Without Passion" is the nrst of four pictures that this writing and producing team is making for Paramount. With Gary Cooper,. Fay Wray, and Neil Hamilton in the leading roles the supporting feature, "One Sunday Afternoon," is a fascinatingly sweet story ol love and romance interspersed with humcur and song.

" Clive of India " In Ronald Colman's latest picture, "Clive of India," Colin Clive plays the enemy of his own forebear, the heroio Bobert Clive. Colin Clive, who is a direct descendant of Robert Clive, na« been a prominent figure on the London stage for over 11 years, appearing in " Rose Marie," " Show Boat," and others. However, it was not until he was cast in the role of Captain Stanhope in " Journey's End" that Colin Clive really echieved fame. , Clive might have been addressed a» Captain Clive, but for a slight accident. Most of his ancestors had been army men. Clive was born at St. Malo, France. His father was a colonel of English infantry. As a youth, he was sent to Sandhurst, the Royal Military College of England. One day, while riding during the military man«uvres. he fell and broke one of his knees. Although the injury did not incapacitate him for ordinary life, it was sufficient to disqualify him as an officer. Ronald Colman plays the title role in " Clive of India."