SCREEN AND STAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23218, 16 June 1937, Page 4

SCREEN AND STAGE

BV HARLEQUIN

• Tarzan Escapes ” Again "the great white ape ” of the African jungle comes to the screen in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s production “Tarzan Escapes.” Any doubt of the; popular appeal of such pictures is soon dispelled by noting the tense interest with which the sequences Of this full'-' length " thriller ” are followed by the average kinema audience’(says a northern critic). In “.Tarzan” Escapes.” the hero dives into a swollen; river to tyage- battle with a/,, huge "crocodile which is swimming towards a young gazelle that has leapt frantically, into, the water in pursuit of its mother drifting helplessly’ into the current' on a log dislodged from the bank. If is a tremendously " exciting scene,'’ wellphotographed and accepted with relish. The story of “ Tarzan Escapes ” is typi-

■cal of all robust adventure stories. In this instance the villain has no scruples about trading the two white women of his party to hostile natives for the privilege of not being molested by them. Neither has he any hesitation about shooting his white servant. There are the usual episodes (done much better in this picture than in the average thriller) where the friendly animals of Tarzan’s domain answer the “white ape’s" yodelling call. One in particular Is prefaced by two elephants bending with their trunks the stout bars of Tarzan’s cage so that he can escape from captivity -to wreak vengeance on the man who captured him and sold his mate, Jean, to the’dreaded Ganelonis. The scene where Tarzan leads his rescued companions through a great swamp is one of the highlights in a picture as full of beautiful scenic effects as it is of thrilling episode and amusing comedy provided by Herbert Mundin as Rawlins and Tarzan’s pet ape. Cheeta. An ideal film with which to'forget office worries and remember one’s youth again—and the prohibited “ Deadwood Dick ” hidden under one’s pillow. Included in the cast are Johnny Weissmuller, Maureen O’SuHivqh, John Buckler,-Benita Hume, E. E, ‘Clive Darby Jones, and Herbert Mundin. “Tarzan Escapes” comes to the St; James Theatre on Friday. “Winterset” Noel Coward, the ( ;famojns British playwright, has-from time to time paid generous tribute to other dramatists. Writing to the New York Times he says, “I would like to add my humble and sincere congratulations to the New York Critics’ Circle for their discrimination in awarding the gold medal' to Maxwell Anderson for his masterly and thrilling drama ‘Winterset.’ I consider the play to be a masterpiece of kinematic entertainment. We who

thrive in histrionic surroundings are apt to become blase and pathetically languid in matters appertaining to the kinema, but I assure you ‘ Winterset' aroused me with a jolt. Great is a little word when applied to ‘WinterBet.’ It is a showman’s triumph and should attract the masses and the intelligentsia. Rare in its excellence when considered from the viewpoint of clever direction, splendid in its moving and highly thrilling story, charming in its romance and acted by a perfect cast, ‘Winterset’ in spite of its poor title Should play good seasons everywhere. If I am not right in this, then I will never be right in anything.” The cast of this unforgettable picture, which comes on Friday to the State Theatre, is headed by Margo, remembered in the film “ Crime Without Passion,” Burgess Meredith (a sensation on the New York stage), and Maurice Moscovitch, well known through his tours in New Zealand when he played leading parts in " The Ringer.” ,r Lombardi, Ltd.,” and other plays. The story is one of mob hysteria which sends an innocent man to the electric chair, and its dramatic aftermath, when his son tries to clear his father s name In the working out of the plot thrill mounts upon thrill until the audience if in a fever of excitement. WHHamson Company’s Tour After experiencing a most successful season in Auckland, the J. C, Williamson Comic Opera Company starring Gladys Moncrieff is undertaking a Dominion tour. The company? repertoire is “Merry Widow, soulnern, Maid,” and “ Maid of the Mountains.” All are terrific hits with audiences. “ Merry Widow ” is ever young, and Gladys Moncrieffs Sonia unquestionably a lady of great artistry. In “ Southern. Maid ” she is a tempestuous Dolores, object of a vendetta, and beloved of an English plantation owner; in “Maid of the Mountains” she is an attractive Teresa. Each performance by the talented Williamson

FROM.... GREEN ROOM AND STUDIO

company is a new and brilliant triumph for Miss Moncrieff and her colleagues, who include Cecil Kelleway, the noted . comedian who Is shortly going to • j Hollywood and who has been dividing his time between the stage and films in Australia; Eric Bush, the handsome romantic lead; Don Nicol. who is not only an actor of exceptional ability, but also a caricaturist of note: Lois Green, ' petite, blonde, and charming; Carmen Mascagny, a fine singer and actress; Arthur Clark,-, handsome Australian, over six feet-tall, who plays the romantic lead in “Southern Maid"; John ■i Fraser. Cecil Pawley, Gerald Connelly, j Lesley Crane ,(the Auckland girl who was “ discovered ” by Cyril Ritchard). j Geoffrey Colledge (formerly of WelI lington and Auckland), full chorus and | ballet. ...

The Negro Heaven Warner Bros.’ much-discussed picturisation of “The Green Pastures" is to be screened in Dunedin soon. The film is noted for its treatment of an unusual theme. It was assumed in the play that the audience had a knowledge of the negro conception of biblical history, heaven, and God, and. for ttiis reason the picture requires to be looked at from the negro and not from the European point of view. In all there are 111 speaking parts in the production, which has been produced on the same lavish scale as Warner Bros.’ “Anthony Adverse” and “The Charge of the Light Brigade.” The world-famous Hall-Johnson Choir of 60 voices sings, at various stages in the story. 25 inspiring choruses, the like of which probably have never been equalled on the screen. \ “ Rose Marie " The gifted quartet who piloted “ Naughty Marietta ’’ to unprecedented success—Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, Director W. S. Van Dyke and Producer Hunt Stromberg—have again turned their talents to a giant enterprise, thfr-production for MetroGold wyn-Mayer..of v die classic, -light opera-“ Rose Marie,” which will be the next change at . the Empire Theatre. One of the most successful theatrical properties extant, “ Rose Marie ” is known: the world over. Now “Rose Marie” has been ixfade .into a talking picture, claimed to;.!be, one of; themutstanding : productions . of - the year. Furthermore, it was filmed almost entirely out of doors,. in ' the gorgeous mountain-lake settings of the Sierra Nevadas.- Such. world-famed songs as “The.lndian Love Call,” “Rose Marie, I Love You," “«Song of the Mounties,” " Pardon Me, Madame,” ; and others are sung by the romantic team.

The Totem Pole number is said to set a new standard in photographic beauty and screen entertainment. Briefly, “ Rose Marie ” is the story of an opera star who, travelling incognito through the North Woods in search of her brother, an outlaw, falls in love with the North-west “Mountie” whose inflexible job it is to capture the criminal. The climax of the story is as dramatic as the finish is romantic. Supporting the co-stars

is a fine cast' of seasoned players. James Stewart plays the role of Miss MacDonald’s brother. Reginald Owen is cast as the singing star’s harried manager. Allan Jones has the part of Romeo in a musical sequence from “ Romeo and Juliet.” George Regan plays the half-breed. Boniface, who is Rose Marie’s guide. Other prominent players include Robert Greig, Una O’Connor, Lucien Littlefield, Allan Mowbray, David Nivens, Herman Bing, and the sensational Gilda Gray, of Ziegfeld Follies fame. Adrian, the designer, has outdone himself in costumes for the star and for the featured dancers in the Totem Pole sequence. Herbert Stothart, who, with Rudolf Friml, wrote the score, has written several new numbers for the screen production. He personally conducted the symphony orchestra in the recordings.

“ Beloved Enemy ” It is uncommon to see a film that makes no false concession to sentiment. “ Beloved Enemy,” next Friday’s change at the Regent Theatre, has a , love story which is important to the development of the plot, but the circumstances are such that, to bring this romance to a conventional conclusion would be to rob the picture of reality. The story is based on the Irish rebellion after the Great War, a grim episode in English history in which romance had little place. The picture, it is said, should appeal to even the most critical. The story opens in Dublin in 1921, when the city was under martial law, and there was guerrilla warfare between the supporters of the Sirin Fein movement and the British troops. It does not pretend to be historically accurate, but it conveys forcibly the misery and the unrest of the times. Few pictures, it is claimed, have had such an effective opening, with the British troops x'aiding the headquarters of the Irish, and few have sketched the situation in broad outline so clearly and so strikingly. The development of the story is said to be excellently handled, suspense and mystery alternating with touches of romance and peculiarly Irish humour | and it moves steadily to a gripping climax. Brian Aherne and Merle Oberon are admirably suited to take the leading roles, and excellence of characterisation is equally obvious in the minor roles. Aherne is cast as Dennis Riordan, the leader of the rebels, and Miss Oberon as the daughter of a British diplomat who is called on to investigate the unrest, and recommend measures for bringing about peace. The ideals of the two are strongly in conflict, but a romance

between them develops against their will. »The development of the story from this point provides even stronger drama, but never is there a sign of unreality in acting or direction. A fine piece of character acting is given by Henry Stephenson, as the English lord in the diplomatic service; and no less talented are the performances of Karen Morley, Jerome Cowan, and Claude King. Of particular interest is the performance of Ra Hould, the Dunedin boy who went to Hollywood a year or so ago.

Queen Victoria’s Reign RKO Radio pictures has contracted with Herbert Wilcox, British producer, for the world-wide distribution of “Victoria the Great,’’ based on the life of England’s Empire-building queen. The deal closed by Ned E. Depinet, vice-president in charge of RKO distribution. r Production of the picture will bring the career of Queen Victoria to the screen for the first time, the British Government having only recently lifted its ban on such stories, Wilcox started production in April, with Anna Neagle playing the title role and Anton Walbrook appearing as Albert. H. B. Warner and Nigel Bruce are also prominently cast. The script was prepared by Miles Malleson. author of “ Nell Gwynn ” and “Nine Days a Queen.”

University Dramatic Society The English translation of the famous Chinese play by S. I. Hsiung will be presented by the Otago University Dramatic Society in Allen Hall on June 25 and 26. This interesting and picturesque work has a large cast, which includes some of the most talented actors in the University, the leading parts being taken by Doris Craig and Henry Williams. The producer is Mrs O. C. Stephens, and the success of other plays which she has produced should guarantee the success of this presentation.

Strand Changes “The Luckiest Girl in the World,” Universal's comedy featuring Jane Wyatt and Louis Hayward, opens on Friday at the Strand Theatre. The

story, by Anne Jordan, first came to public attention in the Ladies’ Home Journal under the title “ Kitchen Privileges.” The story begins with a young society girl waking her wealthy father at 4 in the morning, to tell him she is in love and wants to get married. When papa learns that the luckless chap who has the courage to worship his daughter does not have the cash to support her, he sends her to New York to prove she can live for a month on an amount equal to the limited income of her swain. Jane Wyatt, in the title role, makes the noble experiment in economics, romantically abetted by a second fellow, who has a way with him. Jane finds it pleasant to travel the same way. The gay cavalier is portrayed by Louis Hayward, brilliant young capable actor of stage and screen. She thinks she loves them both, and how she makes up her mind

helps to create the fun throughout the film. The supporting cast includes Nat Pendleton, Eugene Pallette, Catherine Doucet, Philip Reed, and Viola Callahan. Sheer melodrama is “The Secret of Stamboul,” but it maintains the interest by the cleverness of the characterisation and cast. Frank Vosper, whose tragic death occurred recently, here gives full evidence of the fine actor he was, playing the part of the sinister eunuch of Stamboul. The settings are picturesque, and the story is taken from the well-known Denis Wheatley novel of romance and intrigue in Turkey. Valarie Hobson, an attractive actress, is the heroine, while others playing important roles are Peter Haddon and James Mason. This picture will be screened at the Strand Theatre next Friday.

Octagon Change Programme That ever-popular Irish film star, Pat O’Brien, has the title role in “The Great O’Malley,” a melodrama of life in New York’s East Side, which opens at the Octagon Theatre on Friday. Pat is a policeman this time. He is Officer O’Malley, a hard-boiled copper who cannot see beyond his rule book until a little crippled girl and a lovely school teacher humanise him. Sharing stellar honours with him. Humphrey Bogart, who scored so greatly as the killer in “The Petrified Forest,” again runs foul of the law. Ann Sheridan, another recent discovery, plays the school teacher. The little crippled child is played by Sybil Jason, the seven-year-old South African child actress. Frieda Inescort, who is a fairly new recruit to the screen, although a veteran stage actress, puts real pathos into the role of Sybil’s mother. Others with important parts are Donald Crisp, Henry O’Neill, Mary Gordon, and Hobart Cavanaugh. A screen team that promises a new peak in hilarity comes to the Octagon Theatre on Friday, when Charlie Ruggles and Alice Brady make their fir§t appearance together in Paramount’s “Mind Your Own Business.” Ruggles is already 'established as one of America’s greatest comedians, and the screen’s favourite depicter of a brow-beaten husband. He soared to stardom in these roles opposite Mary Boland, with whom he last appeared in “ Wives Never Know.” Miss Brady, daughter of a famous theatrical couple, has been a Broadway stage favourite and film star for many years. She enacts the role of a well-meaning wife in “Mind Your Own Business.” who takes it upon herself to do her husband’s job with results that are said to make of this film one of the outstanding laugh hits of the year. Others in the cast are Lyle Talbot. Jack La Rue, Bennie Baker, Frankie Darro. and many others.

Mayfair Theatre To-day If Pal O’Brien had his way motion picture studios would throw their gates open to all visitors. The star of the Warner Bros, picture “ I Married a Doctor,” showing to-day at the Mayfair Theatre, believes that instead of making the actors nervous, it would make them feel more at ease after they were accustomed to it. He advocates having grandstands built in certain stages which are adjacent to gates and outside walls. A sound proof glass between the visitors and the actors woul 3 eliminate any hazards from coughs and sneezes. It would be of benefit h? actors by giving them the opportunity to play before a living responsible audience instead of the impersonal camera and blase crew. “I Married' a Doctor ” is a powerful drama adapted from a best selling novel by Sinclair Lewis. Besides O’Brien, the cast includes Josephine Hutchinson, Ross I

Alexander, Guy Kibbie, Louise Fazenda, Olin Howland, Margaret Irving, Alma Lloyd and Grace Stafford. If you can sit through “ In the Soup,” also at the Mayfair Theatre, without yawning, you will be very strongminded—and not because the film is boring! (writes one publicity agent). In the scene where Judy Gunn puts a sleeping draught in the soup of the diners so that she and Ralph Lynn can escape while they are asleep, an epidemic of yawning spreads round the cast. Bertha Belmore and Morton Selten are quickly affected, and pass on the disease to Olive Melville and Ralph Lynn. During production of this scene only the first scene had to be forced—the rest following involuntarily, and even the technicians and onlookers gave way and joined in.

Little Theatre Society The Little Theatre Society has been silent for some months according to the outside public, but the inner circle has been working at high pressure. The society has realised that the Little Theatre in King street was not the success its foundation members thought it would be, and has wisely decided to engage His Majesty’s Theatre for its future major productions and the Concert Chamber, Town Hall, for all social activities and one-act plays. The first major production to be staged in His Majesty’s Theatre shortly will be “ Boy. Meets Girl ” (for adult audiences only), which is a clever satire on Hollywood film production. The by-word throughout the English-speak-ing world to-day is “Boy Meets Girl.” This is not surprising as this popular play has run for long seasons in America and England and has created such interest with its snappy and satirical comedy that all theatre-going public will look forward to it. Miss Madge Vates, who has scored so many honours for productions, including "The White Chateau,” is the society’s producer and has the play well in hand, and the well-chosen cast should be capable of giving a performance not far short of a professional standard. /

The society will have its opening social for the year in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall on June 22, when three one-act plays of a high standard will be staged, with a dancing programme and supper to follow. Owing to many requests the Little Theatre Society’s Board of Management has decided to send that very successful production “ Youth at the Helm ” to Ranfurly at an early date with the original cast. The new Board of Management has certainly been eager to recapture that popularity of being in the forefront of Dunedin’s major productions and has made an amazing effort, considering the enormous amount of organising

work done to date. The office-bearers recently elected are:—President, Mr C. K. Allan: vice-presidents, Mrs Little and Mr Natusche; committee —Mr A. Bidgood (chairman), Mr A. Glue, Mr P. Jaques, Mr G. H. Claridge, Mr E, Miller, Mr J. Smith, Mr G. Whitta; treasurer, Mr L. Frude; secretary. Mr F. S. Salinger.

The society has b£en fortunate in securing the rehearsal rooms recently held by the sister society and rooms and props are at the disposal of the members. The Marcus Show An agreeable surprise is provided in “Broadway Vanities,” the second programme presented by the Marcus Show (says the Christchurch Star-Sun), “La Vie Paree ” was spectacular in the extreme; but the company by no means exhausted its repertoire in presenting it. “ Broadway Vanities ” offers a new and entertaining series of acts and sketches. To enumerate the items offered by the individual performers would not give an adequate idea of the show as a whole. First among them might be mentioned, perhaps, because she made her first appearance on Tuesday, the dramatic soprano, Dorothy Oliver. With a very fine voice she has also an excellent turn for burlesque, and she provides a very good and obviously popular act. Lean Miller, whose tap-dancing reaches the highest standard of virtuosity in the fascinating art. is also a comedian with a most original turn of humour. Harold Boyd and his jigsaws, offering some delightful clowning and acrobatics, provide another popular act. Sharon de Vries, with her amazing contortionist dancing, which she can make a serious or a burlesque art, is another outstanding attraction. But the range of the show covers the widest possible field, and there are many other performers equally worthy of mention. An act which deservedly attracted particular attention was “Kiss of Death,” presented by the Clymas. This is a striking indication that the revue can provide a sombre dramatic spectacle with complete success. Coronation in Technicolour The special Twentieth Century-Fox Technicolour film of the Coronation will shortly be released throughout New Zealand, The theme, treatment, and the colour-photography is said to transcend anything that has ever come to the screen in the history of talking pictures. An advance description states: — “It is a little over 1000 feet in length, in the most glorious Technicolour to

have yet been projected, which focuses 1500 years of British traditions and symbolism into the short space of time occupied by the Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. These historic pictures show, as no black and white print could, all the pageantry, the glorious pomp, and withal the dignity of the crowning of a King of England. It would be impossible to conceive any greater impression of the tranquil peace and dominant poWer of the British Empire L i.ii is conveyed in this Technicolour reel.” Grand Attractions Hardships and perils of early settlers in America, the courage and determination they displayed, are all brought to life on the screen in “ Daniel Boone,” which opens to-day at the Grand Theatre. Starring George O’Brien as Boone, and featuring Heather Angel as the young aristocrat who follows her family into the wilderness and eventually gives her heart to: Boone, the story dramatises one of the most heroic accomplishments of one of the most intriguing epochs in American history.. It depicts the migration of the 30 families of Yadkin. North Carolina, who set out to carve a new home out of the wilderness which lay beyond the Cumberland Mountains. Led by Boone, they began their epic

journey, transporting live stock, house possessions, and farm implements through forests, over rushing rivers, and into the untracked bad lands. After the new settlement of Boonesborough is erected it is subjected to a nine-day attack by Indians, and when this battle has been won the settlers learn that they have been swindled out of their new holdings by unscrupulous politicians. Episodes in the life of Boone, as well as the costuming and geographical settings of the period at the close of the eighteenth century, are said to be reproduced in striking and romantic detail. Included in the cast are John .Carradine, Dickie Jones, George Regas, Ralph Forbes, Clarence Muse, and Crauford Kent, David Howard directed this Hirliman production made for RKO-Radio Pictures. The solution of a perfectly-planned murder by the all-seeing eye of the camera is the story behind the Paramount mystery drama, “Murder With Pictures,” starring Lew Ayres and Gail Patrick, which opens at the Grand Theatre to-day. Ernest Cossart, a crooked lawyer, is killed in a room crowded with people. Suspicion points to everyone present, including beautiful Miss Patrick. Paul Kelly, a reporter, gets hold of a plate taken by Benny Baker, a cub reporter, which he knows will reveal the identity of the slayer. When he begins to develop a print he, too, is murdered, but

Baker, in a distant city, also has a print of the plate revealing the slayer in the very act of murdering the lawyer.

New British Combine Immediate release of new films following their West End presentations has been brought appreciably nearer by a deal which will bring some 250 up-to-date kinemas in England under one control.

This new and powerful entity will come into being as a result of the acquisition by Odeon Theatres, Ltd., of a controlling interest in Entertainments and General Investments Corporation, Ltd., the company which, among others,

runs two Important kinema circuits, County Cinemas and Associated Theatres. The total value of the theatres concerned is £15,000,000. Mr Oscar Deutsch, chairman and managing director of Odeon Theatres, Ltd., has joined the boards of directors of Entertainments and General Investments Corporation and County Cinemas, whilst Mr C. J. Donada continues as managing director of the County Cinemas group under a long term agreement. Mr Ralph S. Bromhead has been elected to the Board of Entertainments and General Investments Corporation, Ltd., and County Cinemas, of which he will continue to act as general manager, likewise under a long term contract agreement. This brings together under one banner three of the astutest and most prominent leaders of the industry.

Under the direction of Mr Deutsch and Mr Donada, and with the active co-operation of United Artists Corporation, Ltd., the international distributing organisation, the combined groups aim to secure the release of films booked to their theatres immediately after the West End showing. The first important move in this direction, which is of vital interest to filmgoers everywhere, will take place in the early autumn when the forthcoming Marlene Dietrich-Robert Donat film. “Knight Without Armour,” makes its

West End debut at the new Odeon Theatre in Leicester Square. Mr Alexander Korda, who produced “Knight Without Armour,” and who. together with Mr Deutsch, was the first to advocate the immediate release policy, concluded between them the arrangement whereby Marlene Dietrich and Robert Donat will be the first stars whose picture will be presented at what will be luxurious kinema. Of the 250 theatres of the combined Odeon-County-Assoclated groups many occupy key positions in the big cities and towns, and the vast majority are modern .super kinemas built within the last two or three years and with a huge aggregate seating capacity. Further additions to the new circuit will be made when the new Odeon Theatres now under construction are completed, and others will be added regularly to cope with the growing demand for high-class screen entertainment in comfortable, modern environment. It is estimated that the policy of immediate release throughout the provinces will have the effect of increasing average weekly attendances in this country by several millions. In this connection it is pointed out that whilst in 'the United States weekly attendances average 80,000,000 out of a total population of 110,000,000, attendances in Great Britain average only 18,500,000 out of a population of 45,000,000.

The Villain Pays As he was walking down the street peacefully and contentedly in Hollywood the other day. Porter Hall suddenly realised that he was being followed by a number of children. When he turned Ground one of them pointed to him and said, “ Yes, that’s the man. You killed Gary Cooper.” They had seen,.“The Plainsman,” in which Porter Hall is the despicable character who shoots Gary in the back. The children were not going to tolerate a man who would shoot their hero in the back, and Porter was practically mobbed until he made them realise that he was really quite a nice person after all.

The strange thing about it is that Porter was well known on the New York stage for his light comedy roles. He was brought to Hollywood to play the murderer in “ The Thin Man,” and has played disagreeable and murderous parts ever since. In “ The General Died at Dawn” he was Madeleine’s weak and disgusting father. He is likely to awaken any morning to find that he is to play most anything —bad. He does not mind having a good villainous role, but admits that he would like to play a little comedy for a change or have a chance to redeem himself so that audiences will not think he is as bad as he seems on the screen. Porter recently signed a term contract with Paramount. Film Topics Lester Stoeffen, American tennis ace, is following the lead of Fred Perry and Alice Marble and going into films. He has been given a contract by Hal Roach. “ Kangaroo,” a New York stage play, has been bought for Wheeler and Woolsey by Radio. They will make it after “Easy Going,” on which they have just started work. Dashiell Hammett, S. S. Van Dine. Sax Rohmer and the late G. K. Chesterton are all characters in the “ Smiling Corpse,” which Warners are to produce. Robert Benchley has just completed two more shorts for M.G.M. They are “ The Romance of Indigestion ” and “How to Pay Your Income Tax.” Universal are trying to borrow Fredric March and Pat O’Brien for the leading roles in their musical “ Hippodrome,”

Warners have bought thev rights of “The Trespasser” and will star Bette Davis in it. Gloria Swanson scored a great success in an earlier version.