SCREEN AND STAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22751, 11 December 1935, Page 13

SCREEN AND STAGE

BY HARLEQUIN

Sonnie Hale Starred . Films that provide the audience with the chance of a good laugh are always appreciated; but perhaps the most popular type of comedy with theatre-goers is that containing an Aldwych Theatre cast. The successful seasons that productions such as "Thark," "A Cuckoo in the Nest," "Rookery Nook" and "Are You a Mason? " have enjoyed are sufficient testimony of their real worth as entertainment. And this fact, it is said, is again borne out by the excellent reception of " Marry the Girl," which opens to-day at the Grand Theatre. This film retains all the finer points which helped towards the success of its predecessors—clever acting, laughable situations, and good photography—but it also proves that Sonnie Hale is one of the great c6medians of the present day either on the stage or screen. He is the perfect fool. Each sentence spoken by Hale seems to demand a fresh outburst of mirth, and the film moves at such a rate that often, a fresh witticism is lost in the laughter of the audience. He has perhaps more opportunities than in his former film, "Are You a Mason?"' and he shows how well he is capable of using them. But he is . by no means the one and only laugh-maker. As his close friend Hugh Wakefield proyes that he can make

the most of the many opportunities for clever foolery given in the story. . The pl6t, true to the type provided for the former productions of the Aldwych cast, shows the complications which beset Sonnie Hale, an irresponsible, dissolute young man with a rather doubtful past, when he decides to assume the responsibilities of marriage. He finds that a "past" is a harder thing to bury than he had supposed, and that certain phases of His life, which he intends to forget will persist in cropping up. The plot works lip to a ..farcical climax in a ridiculous court scene, which culminates in a very satisfactory solution foY all. concerned.' '■'. Opposite' Hale is .the beautiful Winifred Shotter, who, although she is not ■ seen as much in the film as Hale, makes a very desirable heroine. Other members of the cast prominent in the production are Judy Kelly and Amy "Veness. .:■ .

" Mark of the Vampire " Of " Mark of the Vampire," which comes to the St. James Theatre on Friday, a northern critic writes:: —A.„ehurehyard, a witch, a cave, an old castle, and other places "set apart," as R. L. Stevenson would have said, "for murder," provide the sinister setting for "Mark of the Vampire," Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production. An original story by Guy Endore and Bernard Shubert, the picture tells of a ghastly crime, laid in the midst of a strange vampire cult. Weird '* undead" things that roam in the night and a detective who pits his wits against supernatural horrors, figure in the hairraising story.' Tod Browning, its producer, gave every role a " name" player. Lionel Barrymor-3, Bela Lugosi, Jean Herscholt, who scored in " Men in White"; Lionel. Atwill. of "Murders in the Wax - Museum"; Elizabeth Allan, of " David Copperfield "; Jessie Ralph, who played Peggotty in that production;

FROM GREEN ROOM AND STUDIO

Henry Stephenson. Leila Bennett, New York stage star; Ivan Simpson, Donald Meek, Michael Visaroff, and many others are among the principals. Opposite Lugosi is Carol Borland, the long-hunted "Vampire Woman," found in the person of a dramatic student at the University of California, and playing her first role.

The thrills include the mysterious murder blamed on vampires, the appearance of the vampire horde, the incarnation of the heroine's father as one of the " undead," a bat that turns into a woman, Lugosi's weird attacks upon Elizabelh Allan, and the denouement in which the detective in the case brings the weird criminals to the light of day. " Things to Come "

In the seclusion of the extensive grounds of London Films' new studios at Denham, one of the most astounding sets- for the great H. G. Wells's picture, "Things to Come," has been built. It is interesting for its novelty of design and conception, for its size and for the brilliant way in which London Films' art department and designers have translated Wells' imaginative scene sequence into reality. " It is the " Space Gun," and shows the firing of two people, a man and a woman, in a giant projectile to the moon in the year 2054 A.d. The two people are played

by Pearl Argyle and Kenneth Villiers The inhabitants of " Everytown" objecl to the rapid progress of science and invention, and determine to stop the firing of the giant gun. The " Space Gun " .will be seen built on the sea shore. An idea of the size as it will appear on the screen, can be judged from the fact that it is 1500 ft high, or 250 ft higher than the Empire' State Building, New York, the loftiest building in the world. The 1 great gun, reaching high into the clouds, will form a wonderful spectacle, but in spite of the awe-inspiring size of this and other sets, the thrilling and vital story which is told in " Things to Come " is never lost. A Social Satire At first sight social snobbery and its exposure as a theme for a film would seem to be outdated, but its treatment in-, the hands of Alice Brady is fresh and novel. In "Lady Tubbs, the Universal Films attraction which opens at the Regent Theatre on Friday, she uses her personality to give a new twist to the_ old story. • "Ma" Tubbs toils as cook in a railway construction camp so that her niece Wynne may go through college and get a chance in life, and when she hears that Wynne is prevented from marrying the man she loves through the social snobbery of his parents she determines her course of action. Eer inheritance of a fortune of half a million dollars at this juncture enables her to carry this through to its logical conclusion'.. when, posing as Lady Tubbs and lionised by New York society, she effectually turns the tables on the very people who made her niece so unhappy. Alice Brady sets the story rollicking along from the moment she appears as the brusque but kindly " Ma" Tubbs in the railway camp. She rules the men without their knowing it just as she later imposes her indomitable will on railway magnates, but her best scenes occur when she returns to America after touring Europe in search of " culture and background and all that," as she expresses it. Her reception in America is a clever piece of satire, and she contrives very creditably to carry off her spurious title and her supposedly English origin. The predicaments she finds herself in give her ample scope for her naive and spontaneous good humour. ' Her performance is said to be outstanding, but mention must also be made of Alan Mowbray in the part of the English lawyer who brings her news of the legacy and who remains with her/as mentor and self-appointed publicity agent until her goal is reached. This part is played with presumably English stolidity intermingled with touches of rare sympathy and good humour. The roles of the romantic young lovers, Wynne and Phil, are pleasantly and capably .filled by Anita Louise and Douglas Montgomery. A Child " Veteran "

Because of her outstanding work in " She Married Her Boss," Columbia recently retained the services of nine-year-old Edith Fellows under a long-term contract. She plays the part of a spoiled voungster in this picture, starring Claudette Colbert, with Melvyn Douglas and Michael Bartlett as leading men and Gregory La Cava director. " Little Miss Fellows is the veteran of a hundred films. She is of a theatrical family, and made her debut in amateur

shows in Charlotte, N.C., almost as soon as she could walk. Her grandmother and legal guardian, Elizabeth Lamb Fellows, believed so thoroughly in the child's talents that she brought Edith to Hollywood at the age of three. In 1929. the little girl got her first part in Ruth Chatterton's "Madame X." Since then she has made over a dozen pictures a year, has toured in vaudeville, sung over the radio, and played on the legitimate sta<re in revivals of old-time shows, like '•'Uncle Tom's Cabin" and "The Drunkard." She first attracted attention as Richard Dix's daughter in " His Greatest Gamble." Among her most important pictures has been "Daddy Long Legs," " Cavalcade," " Cimarron," " Jane Eyre," "Mrs Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch," "The Keeper of the Bees," and for Columbia, "The Devil Commands" and " Carnival."

Double-feature Programme How the wife of an ardent golfer cures her husband of his favourite recreation is shown in the mirth packed comedy "Leave It to Blanche," which opens on Friday at the Strand Theatre. Henry Kendall, the great screen and stage favourite, appears as the golfer. His wife is induced by a girl friend named Blanche to teacii her husband a lesson, and many riotously amusing situations arise when the scheme lands both into unexpected complications. Kendall stages a "'mock murder" to get out of his troubles, only to find himself the victim of his own subtle plottings. The All-British comedy cast includes Olive Blakeney, Mild Hood. Griffiths Jones. Hamilton Keene and Rex Harrison.

"The Woman in Red," which will be shown on the same programme, is a romance based on Wallace Irwin's popular novel, "North Shore," and features the beautiful screen star, Barbara Stanwyck. The story deals with the romance of a young aristocratic Kentucky girl, portrayed by Miss Stanwyck, who through family financial reverses becomes a professional rider at society horse shows. She meets Gene Raymond in the role of an heir of a blue-blooded Long Island family, also impoverished. It is love at first sight with both of them. But Miss Stanwyck's employer, a part played by Genevieve Tobin, is herself madly in love with Raymond, and vows to break up the match between Miss Staii-

wyck and Raymond. How their romance is saved from wreckage forms the basis of a very interesting story.

Film Career Refused Rosa Tarautmo, of Baltimore, U.S.A., recently declined an offer of a film test on the ground that she preferred to remain at her work as a waitress in the dining room of an hotel. It happened while Alexander Hall, director, and about 100 players and technicians, were making Paramount s "Gentlemen of the Navy," a dramatic naval story featuring Sir Guy Standing. Richard Cromwell, Rosalind Keith, and Tom Brown. The members of the unit were working at the United States N'lyal Academy at Annapolis, and were living at an hotel in Baltimore, where it fell to the lot of Rosa Tarantino to wait on the film men at breakfast and dinenr each flay. „ , The girl is nearly perfect sfs a screen type. She weighs a little more than 981 b is a trifle above five feet in height, has wavy brown hair and eyes, a pretty face and figure and a splendid speaking voice. After watching the girl for a few days the film men asked her if she would like to take a test, following which she could probably work in a role in "Gentlemen of the Navy-" Rosa listened to the plan attentively and then said seriously: "No, I appreciate the offer and you probably think that any waitress would be crazy to reject such a chance, but I regard my work as a waitress as a career. I earn all the money I need, I like the work, and each cay f meet and talk to new and interesting people. They come here from all parts of the world, and I get to know them iust like my friends." " David Copperfield "

" David Copperfield," which comes to the Mayfair Theatre to-day, is the picture which introduces to the screen little Freddie Bartholomew, the 10-year-old boy vho is hailed as the greatest screen "find" since Jackie Coojjan. Freddie plays the juvenile " David." It is an adaptation of a, novel which has entertained millions, and was called by its author, Charles Dickens, " my favourite child." , , Sixty-five stars and featured players are in the" cast. Among the stars are W. C. Fields. Lionel Barrymore. Madge Evans, Maureen O'Sullivan. Edna May Oliver, Lewis Stone, Frank Lawton, Freddie Bartholomew. Elizabeth Allen, Roland Young. Basil Kathbone. Hugh Williams, Herbert Mundin. The picture was more than a year in preparation and production.

Shaw Plays Under Consideration

Two new Shaw films may be made in Great Britain, if negotiations now in progress are satisfactorily concluded. Alexander Korda said recently that " Caesar and Cleopatra" was " under consideration," and that he had already had several talks with. Mr Shaw about it. It if probable that if the film is put into production the part of Cffisar will be played by Sir Cedric Hardwicke.

, " Saint Joan," with Elisabeth Bergner. the Austrian actress, in the name part, has been projected by Fox-20th Century organisation, but is not likely to be made for some months. Miss Bergner's next film is to be a screen version of "As You Like It."

A Shirley Temple Picture Shirley Temple, who has, in the words of Irvin S. Cobb, " made more people happy and made more children laugh than any child your age in the history of the world," is the star of the new Fox Film picture "Our Little Girl," which will be the Christmas attraction at the State Theatre. This is said to be Shirley S most touching picture. She plunges into an emotional adventure that sings in the heart as she bravely meets a bewildering crisis while those who are nearest and clearest to her grope in the shadows of misunderstanding. Shirley's smile revives a waning love when she pleads for her mother to return and runs away from home to reunite her parents. In addition to acting, the child sings. Again she is said to prove herself a star second to none. And at no time does she stop being a real- child dear to the hearts of millions. Shirley plays almost every scene in this picture. "Our Little Girl" is said to have appeal for young and old. For the young in heart as well as in years, there is a thrilling circus sequence. The producer, Edward Butcher, spared no expense in bringing a complete circus, big tent, wild animals, elephants, and all. "Poodles Hanneford, clown and rider, has an exciting act, clowning, riding, falling, thrilling. Other circus celebrities seen here are "The Clarkonians" in a swinging act, and the clowns Hambone, Dumbell, Smiling Sambo. , , A fitting cast has been assembled around the screen sensation. Rosemary Ames plays the mother and Joel M'Crea the

father. Others are Lyle Talbot as " the other man," Erin O'Brien-Moore, Jack Donohue, " Poodles " Hanneford, Gus Van* Margaret Armstrong, Eita Owin, Leonard Carey, J. Farrell Macdonald, and Jack Baxley. " The Ghost Goes West " Rene Clair's first British picture. " The Ghost Goes West," which he ha s been directing at Worton Hall Studios for London Films, is now completed. Jean Parker, for probably the first time, has had a real opportunity to show that she is capable and fully qualified to play lead opposite a fjreat star such a 6 Robert Donat, in a difficult role. The ghost of Glourie is unlike any other screen ghost ever photographed, and he presented a difficult problem to the special effects department, and great cart had to be taken with him, as much of the story of " The Ghost Goes West" revolves around Murdoch Glourie. Robert Donat, in addition to playing the modern young Donald .Glourie, also plays Murdoch the ghost. Although a ghost, he has to have sufficient substance for Jean Parker to mistake him for the presentday Donald; but at the same time the script calls the ghost to walk through walls, closed doors, and solid blocks of stone of the dismantled castle. How this was done, and the realism of these amusing scenes, is known only to Ned Maun, the chief of the special effects department of London Film Productions. " West Point of the Air " With the shrill scream of zooming aeroplanes as a blood-stirring background, "West Point of the Air," starring Wallace Beery, which will begin a season at •the Empire Theatre on Friday, is claimed to be one of the most thrilling aviation films ever produced. Beery, in his role as " Big Mike," gives a dramatic portrayal. His pathetic love for a son whose conceit almost brings disgrace to the air corps forms the foun-_ elation for a most interesting screen' climax. Heading the supporting cast as the young feminine lead is Maureen O'Sullivaii. whose work in " David Copperfield " won her great praise from critics and thentre-goers. She gives a freshness and vitality to her performance that will win many admirers.

Robert Young, as " Little Mike, Beery's sou, gives a notable performance as a young man whose selfishness knows no bounds until the love of his father helps him to consider others. The polish and military bearing of Lewis .Stone add much to his role as General Carter, officer in charge of the aviation training centre. Hilarious comedy is added by Jimmy Gleason, as Joe Bags, an aviation me-

chanic, who is content to sit on the ground. Russell Hardie, who will be remembered for his performance in " Sequoia," plays the role of Carter's son, who is injured in an aeroplane crash.

" White Horse Inn " Coming With the excellent presentations of i: Roberta," "High Jinks," and "Our Miss Ciibbs" still fresh in the memory of theatregoers, Messrs J. C. Williamson and J. and N. Tait are following up these remarkable successes with yet another production —" White Horse Inn." This will be presented shortly, when theatregoers will be amazed at, and intrigued with, the stagecraft that has made such a production possible in New Zealand theatres, as well as delighted with the lovely singing, the huge ensembles, tlw dancing and ballet work, and the ludicrous fun of some of the incidents.

Splendour is there in every one of the dazzling scenes —15 of them —necessary to the telling of the story of Josepha, the pretty innkeeper, and her interrupted romance with Leopold—her head waiter. Many of the songs of "White Horse Inn" run like a melody through the memory of all who see and hear this remarkable musical play with itg fascinating Alpine atmosphere. The lilt of the "White Horse Inn" waltz-refrain haunts one, while the "Good-bye" number i s another song that rings in the ears long after. A first-rate company will be sent to the Dominion to interpret this highly spectacular and near-operatic musical play. It is an adaptation by Hans Mueller, of the B'lumenthal-Kadelburg comedy; Harry Graham is responsible for the English book and lyrics; and music is by Benatzky and Stolz. Television Demonstration The Baird Company in England hopes to give the. first public demonstration of big-screen television in a London kinema before Christmas. It is understood that

a full-sized screen, 24 feet wide, will be used. As the British Broadcasting Corporation has a monopoly of the right to broadcast television, the permission of the Postmaster-general must be sought for this experiment. The Baird Company proposes to broadcast from the Crystal Palace. The present intention of the British Government is-that the only regular television broadcasts shall be those from British Broadcasting Corporation stations. Private companies will, however, have the right to carry on experimental broadcasts. Big-screen television could not, at the present stage of development, be comparable with kinema film reproduction, but. progress is being made in the laboratories. Hollywood as It I«

You have, no doubt, read that " Modern Times,” starring Charles Chaplin, is to be seen for the first time in London at the Tivoli (writes Seton Margrave, in the Daily Mail). Every kinema in London wanted this film, but the Tivoli got it because Arthur Jarratt went to Hollywood to see Charles Chaplin about it personally. You should know that Arthur Jarratt controls the programmes of the 400 kinemas owned by the Gaumont-British Corporation and has more first-hand experience of the .tastes of British filmgoers than anybody else. His mission to America had as its main enterprise the right to stage the premiere of “ Modern Times ” in this country, but Hollywood made him pay for peeping, and he found himself called upon to face a keener cross-examination about British filmgoers than he has ever had to stand from a British film producer. The chief topic in Hollywood to-day is the success of British films. m l 4—~ ~- - .. 4 /~i A—. i. r __v . MA

Films made by Gaumont-British are now regularly shown in 3200 kinemas throughout the United States. And as if to make up for it, American films are in many cases earning more money in Britain than in the United States. These two factors —the increasing popularity of British pictures in America and the importance of the British market to American films—have made Hollywood's films producers intensely interested in the British kinema public. The regular patrons of British kinemas are the most important people in the film world to-day. Arthur Jarratt was asked to look at many pictures just completed in Hollywood, and was begged to point out any details which would not be acceptable in Britain. In all cases where he suggested changes they were made. Hollywood is desparately anxious to please you, hence the eagerness of so many American directors to work in London. Not so many years ago you could be certain that if any American film director came to work in London it was because he was finished in Hollywood. To-day a knowledge of British film tastes is one of the most valuable assets any film director in Hollywood can possess. But while all this is so, it does not mean that all British films are welcome in the United States. Arthur Jarratt tells me that the chief difference between the British and the American filmgoer is that in Britain we are intensely loyal to the stars, while our American counterparts regard any star just as good or as bad as his or her last picture. Jarratt finds in America an absence of that affection which is a distinguishing mark of British audiences. The result is that in the United States films are judged much more rigidly on their quality than in Britain. In America they do not care if a film is American, British, or Chinese so long as it is good enough. This should be the best reason possible why London should send only its best films to the United States, and it explains at the same time why Hollywood is striving so constantly to improve the quality of its products. Hollywood has now in preparation 42 new films, each one of which will cost

f 150,000. Perhaps more. In the Warner studios Arthur Jarratt found that two great ships had been built for the filming of "Captain Blood," and mounted on enormous rollers, so that they could be manoeuvred to represent a battle at sea. He had never seen, he solemnly declared, anything so' tremendous in a film studio, but Warners are so dissatisfied with their present studios that they are building 10 still more gigantic stages to provide tor the even greater films they intend to produce during 1936. Differing from people who have said that Hollvwood is like a larger edition of the Wembley Exhibition, Arthur Jarratt declares it to be the most beautiful garden city he .has ever seen. M y fret impressions," he said, "were of brilliant sunshine, of lovely homes, of a background of magnificent mountains and ?i dreamlike beaches. Nobody walks m Hollywood. Families have two or more cars.

"If you go to a neighbour's house for dinner, 10 miles is a short distance In the main streets every other building seems to be a restaurant, and they seem to be crowded by 6.30. People go to parties because there is no night life such as one finds in a great city and because they can talk about pictures. Everybody talks about pictures all day and all night. I believe Hollywood talks about pictures in its sleep.

"It is curious to see beautiful houses in beautiful grounds having no wall or fence on the roadway or between the ground of the houses adjoining it. The gardens, which have to be constantly watered, are gorgeous and the main roads are all straight. Not the least astonishing thing I saw was a great highway with an oil well derrick right in the middie of it like an island in a London street. The oil "well—which was working—had been there first, but they wanted to build a road, and since all'roads must be straight the oil well was made into an island."

Talking shop again, Arthur Jarratt said that the most popular star in Hollywood to-day is Shirley Temple. When you see Shirley in films you see her as she is,' he told me. "There is nothing forced in lier work. She really does not have to be directed. Her director explains what is wanted and she does it and enjoys it. "Her 'work is play. She loves the studio and never wants to go home. She has a beautiful play-room at the studios, but her favourite pastime is acting. She is not really spoiled, and her mother, who never leaves her, treats her naturally and enforces an obedience which would be exceptional in any child." Harvest for Dance Bands British dance band musicians are reaping a golden harvest from British film studios. Most of the leading bands are being featured in new musical pictures. It is estimated that British studios are spending £IOO,OOO in salaries to conductors and instrumentalists. Jack. Payne and his band are at work on the film "Sunshine Ahead." Altogether they are being paid £ISOO a day for six davs. Henry Hall has just made his first "film at British International, Elstree. At the Twickenham studios Jack Hvlton and his baad are receiving £20,000 for their work in the film, ' She Shall Have Music " The British Lion Company has engaged Ambrose and his orchestra to star in a picture, and the services of Harry Roy, Geraldo, and others are being sought. , Seven years ago the talkies displaced hundreds of kinema musicians. lods:y, many of them are earning far more than ever before. It is not unusual for a player to make from £8 to £l2 in a day's work at a studio. A New Film Star The first performance in English of a new film star was seen in England recently. Her name is Luise Rainer. She is 23 vears old, and, like Elisabeth Bergr.er, Fritz Kortner, and many another favourite, she comes from Vienna. At 20 she had won fame on the stage by her work in "Measure for Measure, "Six Characters in Search of an Author," and other classics. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer offered her a contract, rightly decided that she needed no '■ grooming" in small parts, and threw her straight at the public in Paula Wessely's role in "Escapade," the American version of the brilliant Viennese comedy, " Masquerade." Admirers of Miss Wessely have been awaiting the American version with misgivings. So far as Miss Rainer is concerned these are wholly groundless. _ A vivid, lovely creature, who yet contrives to suggest a provincial mouse translated to the unfamiliar world of fashion, she has great charm, sincerity and humour, plus a complete technical equipment and a faint Viennese accent. Children As Critics There is a kinema manager at Leeds who once a week allows a committee of children to sit in judgment upon his policy. In order to' secure the best programmes and maintain, interest in his Saturday children's matinees he entertains 20 boys and girls at his office (says the Daily Telegraph). The weekly meetings are conducted with tremendous gravity by, the children. Programmes are criticised, future policy discussed, and recommendations made. Many of their suggestions are adopted. " The idea grew," a correspondent was told by the manager of the Gaumont British Northern circuit, " from the ' G.B. Kiddies' Clubs' run in the North of England, of which there are altogether about 10,000 members. The experiment at Leeds is proving so successful that we shall probably adopt it for all the clubs."