SCREEN AND STAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22631, 24 July 1935, Page 5

SCREEN AND STAGE

FROM GREEN ROOM AND STUDIO

A Popular Team A film farce written by Ben Travers in his best vein, interpreted by Ralph Lynn, Gordon Marker, and Robertson Hare in a kind of triple-lead, and directed by Tcm Walls, is a screen combination hard to beat. With those appetising ingredients _ Gaumoat-British produced “ Dirty Work,” which will be shown on Friday at the State Theatre. The “ dirty work ” concerns the plan of Ralph- Lynn, salesman, to trap thieves who ■ have long been looting the show stock of the Sterling Jewel Company. Robertson Hare, assistant salesman, gnd Gordon Marker, commisionaire, lend unwilling aid. The scheme involves the disguising of Hare as a burglar and Lynn as a policeman, the planting of the loot on the real criminals, and their subsequent arrest by the real police. The scheme suits the criminals down to the ground and they nearly get away with it. For the rest. Gordon James presents a devastatingly lugubrious night-watch-man, Lilian Bond makes effective play of her beauty in a clever study of a shopgirl, the pert and most a'ttractve but ill-used Evie; Louis Bradfield, Margaretta Scott, and Basil Sydney are a smooth

team of society criminals;- Peter Gawthorne is effective as a police sergeant, and Cecil Parker has a part as the shop manager that fits him well.

Stories of Everyday Life There was a time when screen stones of modern life fell into two extreme types. To put it rather crudely, their heroines were either poor Cinderellas or poor little rich girls. There was no real attempt to show the homeliness ..of life as it is loved by the majority of tilmgoers themselves. ' One might regard 1924 as the turning point, for that year saw the production of “ Penrod and Sam,” a typical American story about a typical American middle-class boy. Following that, each succeeding year had something of the sort to offer. “So Big ” was 1925’s contribution, and “Stella Dall.as” appeared in J 926. “Sorrel and Son” (1928) was perhaps the first attempt to film the unemployment problem as it affects the middlerdass man of good birth and education? ■

The following year was marked by the making■ of “The Crowd.” : King Vidor, who always does something different, mainly because he only films themes which sincerely him, created a great impression with this presentation of the joys and sorrows of an ordinary young, married couple., The coming of sound seemed to give new impetus to the movement. One of the earliest “ talkies,” “ The Home Towners,” was' of this type, -and each succeeding year has seen an increase in the number of stories of middle-class people. ... The Will Rogers series, “ They Had to See Paris ” and “ So This Is London,” helped to keep the ball rolling, but these stories of a new-rich American family “doing" Europe, were perhaps too American in outlook to havethat charm which is universal in appeal. • “Seed” was better, though marred by a rather impossible story. “After To-mor-row” was a pathetically true-to-life study of a ypung couple prevented by family ties from getting married. This unpretentious little film would no doubt have attracted the attention it deserved if Janet Gaynor, and not Marian Nixon, had played opposite Charles Farrell. Then came those small-town tragicomedies. “Politics,” “Reducing,” and “ Prosperity,” which gave such splendid opportunities for the display of Marie Dressler’s wonderful gift' of moving us equally to laughter and tears. Recently, the trend in films dealing with the middle classes has been mainly in the direction of stories of the farming communities, the homely humour of Will. Rogers and those half-farcical families, the leading lights of which are always portrayed by Guy Kibbe e and Aline MacMahon.

The country side cycle has produced some really fine pictures, “ The Stranger’s Return,” “As the Earth Turns,” “ Golden Harvest,” and, in lighter vein, “ Hide-Out ” are all memorable. The British screen has so far contributed less of importance to this great series. “Little Friend,” for example, would have been far less limited in its appeal if the characters had been ordinary middle-class people. The child’s dilemma would have held infinitely more pathos had it been shown up, by contrast. against everyday surroundings. Perhaps British film-makers argue, with an old fallacy as the basis of their contention, that kinema ahdienceg want to be entertained, and that entertainment is synonymous with escape. But there is a special joy in the familiar. When the screen finds humour and charm in what we thought was merely humdrum, our lives take on a more vivid aspect. “ Wings in the Dark ” V Cast in the role of a daredevil aviatrix who risks life and limb for the sake of the man she loves. Myrna Loy heads the cast of Paramount’s “Wings in the Dark,” which comes on Friday to the Empire Theatre.

BY HARLEQUIN

Cary Grant is coupled with Miss Loy in the romantic leads of the picture as an airman who is a scientist and adven-

turer. His life is devoted to making flight safe through the perfection of instruments for blind flying. On the eye of his trans-Atlantic flight which will prove the complete success of his experiments, he is blinded by an accident. Despairing of ever recovering his sight, and disdaining charity, he to a cabin in the woods to brood. But Miss Loy, who loves him, persuades him to return to his work. Just as his experiments are nearing completion the aeroplane is recovered by the company from whom he bought it.* > Then Miss Loy, in a final desperate effort to help him, undertakes a flight from Moscow to New York tor an enormous purse. Jn a gripping climax Cary Grant goes aloft to bring Miss Loy down when she is fog-bound above the landing field at the end of thg flight. An accident restores his sight, and the two lovers arc happily united. Success for “ Henry VIII ” Stars Alexander Korda's flair for picking talent is supported in a remarkable way just now by the judgment of Hollywood. All five of the' seen in “ The Private Life of Menry VIII ” are, or lately have been, appearing as principals in

American pictures with the exception of Catherine of Aragon, who was dropped with a cynical note to the effect that as a virtuous woman she 'was uninteresting. Merle Oberon (Ann Boleyn) played opposite Maurice Chevalier in The Man from the Folies Bergere,” and has started work in “ The Dark Angel,” Opposite Herbert Marshall.

Binnie Barnes (Catherine Howard) has done two’ American pictures—“ There S Always To-morrow,” and “One Exciting Adventure,” and is making a third, “Diamond Jim Brady,” in which Edward Arnold plays the Broadway celebrity of that name.

Elsa Lanchester. who made such an amusing Anne of Cleves.. hfid. supporting roles in “ David Copperfield ” and “Naughty Marietta.” and is now playing the title role in “The Bride of Frankenstein,” a seauel to the horrific “Frankenstein.” Wendy Barrie (Jane Seymour) is being starred in “ It’s a Small World,” and Everley Grege (the prim Katharine Papr of “Henry VIII ”) plays opposite Noe! Coward in “The Scoundrel,” the Long Island production by the makers of “Crime Without Passidn,” in which the actor-dramatist makes his film debut. A Dashing Trio

The combination of Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, and Robert Montgomery acting together in the same film for the first time, plus the discerning direction of W. S. Van Dyke, makes “ Forsaking All Others,” which opens on Friday at the St. James Theatre, a premising film. The triumvirate of Crawford-Gable-Montgomery is cast in the new comedy which has been adapted from the stage success of the same name without loss of a singlfe bright line of dialogue. Tlge locale is Park avenue, which has given the art directors an opportunity to create some of the most beautiful settings ever seen on the motion picture screen. As a light comedienne, left standing at the altar one minute and pursued by two handsome men the next, Joan Crawford is at her best. This is the first time Joan has attempted pure comedy,, and it is said that she makes a brilliant job. Gable and Montgomery vie to outdo one afiother with the many hilarious situations of the story. The supporting cast is excellent throughout. Billie Burke appears as a society matron, looking as beautiful as ever. Charles Butterworth is at his most awkward best as Gable’s friend, virtually his shadow, Prances Drake gives another of those dark-haired siren interpretations which in a single year she has made famous.

Clem Dawe Revue Company Those who enjoyed the vaudeville performances presented in Dunedin some months ago by the Clem Dawe Revue Company will be interested to learn that the company has just finished its New Zealand tour after a run of 15 months. The members left the Dominion yesterday for Sydney, and will commence a short season in Newcastle before making final arrangements for a trip to is possible that while there Messrs Edgley and Dawe will find new talent and material for another four of the Dominion.

“ Abdul the Damned ” A film that is to be released very shortly by British Empire Films is “Abdul the Damned,” which is said to be one of the most lavish pictures that British International Pictures has ever made. It telle of Abdul Hamid . H> Sultan of Turkey, one of the most vicious and cunning men who ever lived. He had men exiled or the-slight-est pretext, until the “ Young Turks ” rebelled, and finally Abdul himself was banished. Fritz Kortner, who will bo remembered for his performance as the robber chief in “ Chu Chin Chow,” plays the title role, a part which gives this great actor the opportunity to display his forceful acting, an opportunity of which he takes full advantage. Nils Asther, who has played opposite such well-known actresses as loan Craw-

ford and Greta Garbo, takes the part of Kadar Pasha, chief of police in Constantinople—schemer, plotter, and murderer. Adrienne Ameh, one of Hollywood’s loveliest and best-dressed stars, is Therese, an Austrian dancer and singer. As the lovely white girl who, to save her lover, enters the harem of the world's most sinister monarch, she achieves the most dramatic role of her career.

Rudy Vailee’s Latest Film Rudy Vallee, the world-famous radio singer, comes to the Regent Theatre on Friday in “Sweet Music,” when he will be heard in half a dozen catchy songs written especially for the production. Ann Dvorak also sings and dances in spectacular numbers. Still another outstanding player is included in the cast in the person of Helen Morgan, the famong “ Torch Singer ” who made such a success in “ The Show Boat” and more recently in “ Marie Galante." Rudy Yallee’s Connecticut Yankees appear in the picture, together with Frank and Milt Britton's Band. The picture, which carries a definite plot, combines romance, drama, and hilarious comedy. It is the story of a college student who organises a band and makes good as a crooner and orchestra leader in the big night clubs and over the radio. He falls in love with a beautiful dancing girl, and helps her up the ladder to success, although she thinks he is jealous of her and ia trying to ruin her career. The supporting cast includes Ned Sparks, Robert Armstrong, Allen Jenkins, Alice White, Joseph Cawthorn. A 1 Shean, Philip sßeed, and William Davidson. Scores of beautiful girls are seen in the dance numbers and spectacular ensembles, which are directed by Bobby Connolly.

The Playbill We have received a copy of the Playbill, an Australian magazine the columns of which are devoted to matters affecting the ‘drama and the theatre generally. The aims of the magazine are stated to be the publication of Australian one-act plays, the inauguration of the Playbill library, and the stimulation of interest in the amateur dramatic movement as the lifeblood of the Australian theatre. The articles in the July number cover a field which includes the performances of Yehudi Menuhin in Australia, the Melbourne season of Gilbert and Sullivan light operas and screen topics, in addition to extensive notices of amateur productions both in Australia and Now Zealand. Among the latter are references to a number of Dunedin shows which have been staged recently.

Double Feature Programme - Babv Le Roy is teamed again with W. C. Fields, Paramount’s comedian in the latter’s new picture, “ The OUbFashioned Way,” which opens on Friday at the Strand Theatre. “ The Old-Fashioned Way ” presents Fields as the manager and leading man of a hungry troupe of stage performers. Dodging the sheriff and the irate hotel keeper in one town, they flee to the next, where it is Fields’s fortune to encounter the town’s wealthiest widow, a fatuous lady with dramatic ambitions. Her baby, son, played by Baby Le Roy, takes a liking to Fields, . and the widow finances the troupe on Fields’s promise that she be permitted to act with them. So, torn between love of money and his duty to his company, Fields manages to find a happy solution for his troubles, and even a happy , ending for the romance of his daughter, played by Judith Allen. The other picture on the programme is “ Rumba,” in which Carole Lombard and George Raft are the principals in a drama which carries its people from Havana to New York through dancing, gaiety and

Warner Baxter’s Versatility

what at times seems like inevitable heartbreak. A series of carefully planned minor climaxes brings the picture to its major climax when Raft dances on the stage with Carole Lombard in defiance of gangsters’ threats and guns. Sacrifice for Art

“ Evensong,” starring Evelyn Laye and Fritz Kortner, opens to-day at the Grand Theatre. The theme of this thoughtful story shows how a gifted singer must sacrifice, for the sake of her art, moat of the things contributing to the _ fullness and enjoyment of life. The principal role is enacted by Evelyn Laye, who gives a convincing cameo of Irela, the worldfamous singer, who does, in fact, sacrifice everything, even human love, for the career which in her declining years has become an obsession. In the climax the one real love of Ircla’s life returns to comfort her, but she refuses to marry him in the winter of both their lives, when, for all her triumphs, she counts herself a failure; and the final fade-out sees the passing of the once-great prima donna, a pitiably broken figure, lonely to the end.

In “ Mystery Woman,” the other picture on the programme, Mona Barrie plays an unusual role—that of a woman, young and beautiful, who is dangerous to men, dishonest with the world —yet true to love above all else. For a purpose kept secret from everyone, she sets out on a career of intrigue which leads her along devious and, dangerous paths. At last she is triumphant, but only at the cost of many perils and the death of a man whom she has come to honour and respect. In addition to the exotic Miss Barrie, the cast of “ Mystery Woman ’ includes Gilbert Roland, John Halliday. Rod La-Rocque, Mischa Auer, William Faversham, and others.

A Charlie Chan Picture Charlie Chan, created by the novelist, Eai-1 Derr Biglers, has become a popular fiction character. Now he appears in “ Charlie Chan’s Courage,” coming to the Mayfair Theatre to-day. One of the most successful of Biggers’s novels, “ The Chinese Parrot,” will bo recognised by readers in this latest screen episode in the career of Charlie Chan. This author wrote all the novels from which the Chan pictures were adapted, in addition to a number of other best sellers. An interesting addition to __ the programme is a short subject, “ Ivrakatoa/ which shows the actual eruption of a submarine volcano.

“ Les Miserable* ” Fredric March and Charles Laughton, the famous adversaries of “ The Barretts of Wimpole Street,” are opposing each other again in Darryl Zanuck’s 20th Century production of “ Les Miscrables.” But whereas in “ The Barretts ” the feud was of a psychological order, with Laughton as the domineering father opposing March’s courtship of Norma Shearer, in W. P. .Lipscomb's screen adaptation of the Victor Hugo classic the enmity is of a more open and pronounced nature. March is seen in “Lee Miserables ” as Jean Valjean, who spends five years on a French prison ship for stealing a loaf of bread and then becomes a fugitive from justice by violating his parole; while Laughton is east as Javort, the fanatical detective, who dogs his trail, although he leads an honest and increasingly nrosperous life.

Films for Children

“ The Romance of Beethoven ” A romantic subject, entitled “ The Romance of Beethoven ” will shortly go into production at Twickenham under the direction of Bernard Vorhaus. This film, which will be produced on a lavish scale, will be founded on actual facts and romantic interests in the life of the great composer. Negotiates are now in

progress with two famous British stars for the leading roles. Beethoven’s music will lie introduced into the story in a natural way.

Warner Baxter proves his versatility when he plays the role of Cesar the gaucho in Fox Film’s “ Under the Pampas Moon,” which was produced by 11. d. DeSylva and directed by James Tinling. Baxter sings, dances, plays the guitar, throws the bolas, and rides a horse, in addition to playing a number of romantic scenes.

Four Thousand Letters a Week Shirley Temple receives 4000 “ fan ” letters a, week —a Hollywood record. She cannot read them, because they are mostly from children whose writing is about as good as Shirley’s reading. Her parents have engaged a secretary to reply to those letters that are decipherable. In one week invitations to 800 birthday parties from Florida to Seattle had to be refused. A year ago Mrs Temple was able to carry her daughter’s mail in her purse. Now it is delivered in hand-carts.

Fritz Kortner’» New Film Fritz Kortner’s next appearance in a British picture will be as “ The Man With the Club Foot,” the villainous central character of Valentine Williams’s spy thrillers. Kortner, the celebrated Austrian-born dramatic actor, came to England last year to play in “ Chu Chin Chow.” He has since made a name for/himself among British filmgoere with his performances in “ Evensong ” and “Abdul the Damned.” Wynne Gibson, who has' just finished her first British picture, will play opposit Kortner. The film will go into production within the next few weeks

New Shirley Temple Picture “ Curly Top.” the latest Shirley Temple starring film, is now in production ut Fox Film studio, with Irving Cummings directing. The supporting cast is headed by John Boles, Rochelle Hudson, Jane Harwell, Esther Dale, Maurice Murphy, and others. Jack Donohue, dance director, has completed a new routine tor Shirley that is said to surpass her work with Bill Robinson in “The Little Colonel.”

Should producers make, and exhibitors show, more films suitable for children. Mr S. W. Harris, of the Home Office, thinks they should (states the film correspondent of the Daily Telegraph). Ho lias been investigating, with the aid of the League of Nations, and has made a report to the League’s Child Welfare Committee. This shows that 9 per _ cent, of London children go to the cinema twice a week, 30 per cent, once a week, and 48 per cent, at irregular intervals. Only 13 per cent, do not go at all. In the provinces the proportions are higher. In Dundee 80 per cent, go at least once a week. In the United States 11,000,000 children go every week, and the filmgoing habit is as firmly established in the British dominions. Mr Harris is not one of those who believe that every childish misdemeanour is inspired by wicked films. “Actually millions of children attend the kinema every week apparently without disaster (he says), and in spite of much that may

be undesirable there can be no doubt that on balance the social effect has been for good rather than evil.” He points out, however, that sometimes children do see undesirable films, and suffer nightmares and other unpleasant consequences. The remedy, he thinks, would be the production of more pictures made specially for children, or pictures that could be enjoyed by the whole family. “ But that is precisely what we are already trying to do,” Mr Michael Baieou, production chief of the GaumontBritish Corporation told me. “We realise, as' all sane producers do, that we must please children here and now in order to safeguard and enlarge our market in the future. ‘ Les Miserables,’ ‘ The Iron Duke,’ the Hulbert and Courtneidge comedies, and Disney’s Mickey Mouse cartoons and , Silly Symphonies—surely such things are ideal for children, as well as entertainment for grown-ups. In addition, one branch of our firm —GaumontBritish Instructional—is kept busy making nothing else but educational and interest pictures, and the market is growing steadily.” Producers in general say they would be delighted to make more children’s films if there were sufficient demand. Here and there a juvenile story, like “Emil and the Detectives,” succeeds, but always because it appeals to adults as well. A great many children dislike juvenile entertainment, and insist on seeing the same stars as their elders: and it must be borne in mind that children constitute not only a small section of tlie public, but also a section that pays very little. Mr Arthur Jarratt. manager of the great Gaumont-British chain of 400 theatres, summarised the views of the trade when he pointed out that the support given by children to special programmes at the small Tatler Kinema is sufficient to keep them going only during the school holidays. Film Topics Gaumont-British have been succegsful in signing np Walter Huston to play in a British picture. The film is to be based on the life of the great Empire builder, Cecil Rhodes. Huston is now on bis way to England, where his son, John, is also under contract to Gaumont-British. writing scenarios. British Dominions Films, Ltd., have received advice that David Wark Griffith, the veteran screen director, is to direct, for the Twickenham Studios, a talking picture version of his famous “silent” success,' “Broken Blossoms.” D. W. Griffith is known as the man who made stars overnight. The original silent film Broken Blossoths” made both Lilian Gish and Richard Barthelemess famous in a night, and for the sound version of this powerful subject Griffith will comb Britain to find new stars. He will thus bring with him a great opportunity for British film artists. Jane Withers, recently seen with Shirley Temple in “Bright Eyes,” is to be featured with Jackie Searle in “Ginger,with O; P. Heggie, Walter King, Katherine Alexander, and other players. Tom Walls is directing his next picture, " Get Out Of It,” in which he plays opposite Yverne Arnaud, with a supporting cast including Robertson Hare, Ralph Lynn, Veronica Rose, Stella Moya, Andrews Engleman, and many others. Stanley S. Crick, Fox Australasian managing director, now conferring with home office executives in New York, has advised that Twentieth Century Pictures, recently merged with Fox Film Corporation, would commence immediate produc-

tion of three super-specials in England. Two of these will star Elisabeth Bergnor, the famous Viennese stage and screen star, regarded as Europe’s greatest living actress. C. B. Cochran, the world-famous entrepeneur, recently said: “ I introduced all three of these great artists (Bernhardt, Duse, and Bergner) to the Eng-lish-speaking stage, but the greatest of them all is Bergner.”