SCREEN and STAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24448, 6 November 1940, Page 10

SCREEN and STAGE

By Harlequin

Record in Cost Frank Lloyd had the distinction of producing a picture on a 20,000,000dollar set; the most, costly in the history of movies. The picture is “The Howards of Virginia,” based cn Elizabeth Page’s best-seller novel and costarring Cary. Grant and Martha Scott, and released- by Columbia Pictures, The set was the town of Williamsburg,. Virginia, the actual story locale, where the Rockefeller Foundation spent,'the aforementioned sum' on the restoration of-the village to its prerevolutionary war condition. Lloyd, notified .that the multi-million dollar rebuilding project had been completed, transported his entire production unit to Williamsburg and for one month filmed scenes on “The Howards of Virginia.” Thanks to the efforts of

the foundation, he was able to' film the town • exactly ‘as it - appeared 150 years ago, the period of his story, without allocating a single cent, of cost to set construction or rental. • -• Strand Theatre ’ , • - : 'A comedy; star wh6r rose to : stardom like a rocket is seen in “She Couldn’t Say No! ’’wljich will be shown at the Strand Theatre on Friday. He ih Tommy, Trinder. His rise in; the last year or two was sudden, but; his early years contain the usual stage, story of hard work and small .returns.’ First-in a music hall as, a . boy: vocalist, he per-, formed later in' working-men’s clubs at 7s 6d a night wheri'^hig'voice broke; At 19 -a, good "break, becoming' principal ■ eomedian :V/ith 'Arch'ie Pitt at £ls weekly. At 21, he toured South Africa; then' came five years of seaside concert party work. ,A Brighton engagement brought him to r the notice of Jack Hylton. In- April; 1939, radio first heard; hitn a? ;.a last-minute deputy in “Music Hall.” and the rest of his career is a familiar story. Topliner in radio, star turn, Of exclusive West ;End cabarets, star of the Palladium’s famous shows; and now a film star, a brilliant record fof the youngest star'comic in Britain. ■ - -V’ ‘

Bringing to the screen for the first i time the popular song sensation, ‘ - Oh, ; Johnny, How You Csn Love,” Uni- j versal’s musical comedy-drama of that j title, will be the associate feature, with Tom Brown and Peggy Moran in fea- I tured romantic roles. Said to offer a I pleasing combination of music,, com- ] edy, romance, and thrills, it has in its j supporting cast such favourites as Allen j Jenkins, Juanita Quigley, Donald Meek, ; Isabel Jewell and Horace McMahon. | “Rio” Basil Rathbone and Victor MacLaglen will be co-starred at the Mayfair j Theatre for the next three nights in J “ Rio.” It is a story of love and adven- I ture that moves from the boulevards of I, Paris to : the treacherous swamps of ! Brazil. A strong cast includes Sigria j : Gurie, one cf the screen’s, most in- !■' triguing actresses, and Basil Rathbone/ • ; who gives an admirable portrayal of a j ■financial genius whose wizardry some-1 , ihow goes stray. Leo Carrillo. Robert; Armstrong,' and Robert Cummings . have important roles in the picture. ; ■ The second attraction is an hilarious ’ : Will Hay vehicle; “Ask a Policeman.” ; ! probably the funniest and best of his i j films.; • .. ; , . I

From GREEN ROOM and STUDIO

“ The Earl of Chicago ” A very powerful drama, built round a story that is totally unlike anything the screen has hitherto offered, is furnished in “The Earl of Chicago,” the main attraction at the Regent Theatre next Friday, when Robert Montgomery will demonstrate again his genius for character portrayal. Based on the original story by Brock Williams, " The Earl of Chicago ” traces the life of “Silky” Kilmount (Robert Montgomery), an illiterate and ignorant gangster who eventually acquires a legitimate distillery, but cannot refrain from introducing his former racketeer methods into his new business. As manager, he has engaged Doc. Ramsey (Edward Arnold), an ex-lawyer, who nurses a sore grievance against his principal for a base betrayal, and

stealthily awaits his chance for rerevenge. Into this pregnant situation -is projected the astonishing.announcement that Montgomery has been proved heir to an earldom and vast estates in England. Eventually it is triumphantly .disclosed by Arnold that he has been the means of ruining Montgomery’s business in Chicago, and that Montgomery .cannot sell, his English estate. Knowing the man to have, a terror of firearms, and believing him to be a coward, Arnold taunts him with what he has done, even daring him to shoot him; Montgomery .takes the dare, killing the lawyer on the spot. ~.He is arrested, tried by his peers, and sentenced to be hanged. The spectator will be entirely regretful at this tragic termination because ho finds that -Montgomery, tutored by Edmund Gwenn,.the old family butler, is beginning;to have some glimmerings of, what a peer should feel and how a gentleman should act. . , „ Montgomery has already "convincingly proved his dramatic ability and subtlety of interpretation, and his masterly control of the role be now essays is no surprise. As a comedian, he has always been entertaining in the Montgomery manner, but in “Night

i Must Fall ” he became an actor, and he • is again an actor in “The Earl of j Chicago.” Edward Arnold also is | superb in his role, and portrays his diabolical and deep-rooted resentment I in a revenge that is all the more ter- | rible because it takes time and patience I to accomplish. Edmund Gwenn stands out as the butler who strives to instil into Montgomery the instincts and ways of the British aristocracy, and who, to the last, implores him not to betray his blood by showing cowardice at the death scene. Through the unswerving'devotion of his butler, the condemned man suddenly finds a glimmering of lordly England, and goes to his end like a hero. The cast is preponderately English, with Edmund Gwenn, Reginald Owen, E. E. Clive, Ronald Sinclair (the Dunedin lad), and Halliwell Hobbs and Billy Bevan. European Cartoonist Reaping the windfall of European film talent now emigrated to the United States, Paramount has signed George Pal, the dominant figure in Europe’s animated cartoon field, to produce six one-reel shorts during 1941. Celebrated abroad as "Puppettoons.” the features will be released

by Paramount as “Merry Models.” Pal’s famed originality lies in his, use of plastic figures instead of drawings, three-dimensional characters who perform against a background of actual sets, to the accompaniment of synchronised music, songs and special effects. To eliminate the jerky effect of past puppet films, Pal eliminated all strings from his figures and creates a complete stationary puppet for each phase of a movement. St. James Theatre Featuring the popular swing tune, “Scatterbrain,” the comedy of that name heads the double-feature programme that will be shown at the St. James Theatre on, Friday. Judy Canova. an attractive comedienne, is in the starring role of “ Scatterbrain.” Judy is a “hill-billy” girl brought to Hollywood through error. But in her own windsomely stupid way she-proves to her employers that she is a gold mine in disguise. Eddy Foy, jun„ plays opposite Miss Canova, enacting the fasttalking press agent who gets himself in and out of trouble with lightning rapidity. Joe Cawthorne contributes a good performance as Nicolas Raptist, who is a thinly-disguised prototype of Sam Goldwyn. Alan Mowbray is suave and urbane as J. R. Russell, producerdirector, who finds a “hill-billy” on his hands instead of a motion picture

star. Isabel Jewell puts fire arid colour into the role of Esther, and Hollywood columnist Jimmy Starr plays a true-to-life, role in the production. The associate feature, “Tundra,” is an outstanding film of the Alaskan wilderness telling of a “ flying ” doctor who makes a forced landing and lives an exciting few days among the savage animals. Prominent in the cast are two bear cubs with whom he makes friends, and scenes with other animals are, attractively filmed. Grand Theatre Cesar Romero, again playing O. Henry’s lovable outlaw in " Viva Cisco Kid,” the 20th Century-Fox film, which comes to the Grand Theatre to-day on the first specially selected programme to mark the eighth anniversary under the direction of Amalgamated Theatres, Ltd., can ride a horse with the best df them. But Romero, who escapes a hanging, a mine cave-in. and several smitten, senoritas in the picture, had a narrow escape when his horse took a turn at too fast a flip. The horse, slipping in the loose dirt underfoot, brought Cisco down heavily. Lovely Jean Rogers, is Cisco’s dream girl in "Viva Cisco Kid.” ChrisrPin Martin, Minor Watson and Stanley Fields are also prominent in the cast of the film. With “The Mind of Mr Reeder,” Will Fyffe brought to the screen a detective created by the master of detective writers, Edgar Wallace. ,So, completely appealing was this pawky' Scots humorist {

as Mr Reeder that it was obvious that a second picture starring this vfrellknown detective would be wanted. This second picture is “The Missing People,” which again presents Will Fyffe as “Mr Reeder.” Will Fyffe has again been surrounded by a strong cast, which includes Lyn Harding, Kay Walsh, Ronald Shiner, Patricia Roc. Anthony Holies, Reginald Purdell and O. B. Clarence. “ Swanee River ” Lilting melpdies recapturing the happy spirit of the golden age in the history of America are a feature of “ Swanee River,” which will commence a season at the Octagon Theatre on Friday. Don Ameche heads a strong cast in the role of Stephen Foster, composer of such well-known tunes as “ My Old Kentucky Home,” “De Camptown Races,” “O! Susanna!” and “Old Black Joe.” A 1 Jolson makes a welcome return to the screen in another leading part, with Andrea Leeds also prominently cast. The picture is photographed entirely in brilliant technicolor. As his songs were the main part of his life so Stephen Foster’s melodies comprise the most important part of the film. They form the background to the whole picture, and many of the haunting tunes which are known so well are beautifully sung. “ Swanee River” is in colour, and many of the

scenes, both out of doors and interiors, with their old-fashioned settings and costumes, are memorable. The actors really get into the spirit of the period, so that the film is like a page from American history brought to vivid life.

New Zealanders at Home Two New Zealand students—Mr Colin Horsley (Wanganui) and Mr Donald Munro (Dunedin)—gave a successful recital at the Royal College of Music, at which they are students, this week (writes our correspondent on October 4). War conditions resulted in a small audience, but in no wav affected the high standard of the New Zealanders’ performance. Mr Horsley played with sparkle and vitality. This was particularly in evidence in the 12 Chopin Etudes (Op. 10). with their varied "colour” scheme and brilliant chromatic passages. His rendering of the Bach-Busoni organ Toccata and Fugue in D minor had a fitting dignity and breadth of treatment. This pianist’s restraint and reserve of force are noticeable, and unusual in a young performer. Mr Munro’s baritone voice is one of considerable power. He uses it with skill and sympathy. Beauty of tone and a fine and clear enunciation were displayed to advantage in a group of Brahms’s Lieder. and later some exquisitely-set lyrics by Vaughan Williams. Elgar, and others were exceedingly well received. Mr Horsley was to have taken part in the Promenade Concert on October 2. Owing to the air raids, the concerts have been

cancelled, so that lie will have to wait another year for this honour. Both he and Mr Munro hope to continue their studies. Talented Sisters Three Auckland girls, sisters, are studying at the Sydney Conservatqrium;—Wynne, Claire, and Lois Simpson. Wynne, the eldest, is 18, and is a brilliant pianist; Claire is 15 and a talented violinist; while Lois, aged 13, is a remarkable ’cellist. Their mother was a well-known pianist in Auckland before going to Sydney with her husband and family last year. Both elder girls have won scholarships at the Conservatorium. Wynne being awarded the Layman Martin Harrison scholarship for piano, and Claire the Walter and_ Eliza Hall scholarship for violin. Claire studied from the age of six, and has appeared in solo work in Auckland and with the Laurian So-

ciely of stringed instrumentalists in Christchurch: she has given a number of broadcast recitals in Sydney. Wynne has been playing since she was five, and was a bronze and silver medallist as early as eight. When only 13 she won the New Zealand Piano Championship, open to players under 21. She is studying under Professor Alexander Sverjenskv. Lois the youngest, studies under Mr H. Beck, in Christchurch, and under Professor Gladstone Bell in Sydney.

“ Virginia City ” Somewhere west of the ghost town of Virginia City, Nevada, United States of America, five million dollars in gold is waiting to be found. The story of this treasure and of the men who fought for it is one of those half-for-gotten epics of American . adventure. The producers and star of " 00..« e City” have made a picture about this historic cache—” Virginia City,” which commences on Friday at the Empire Theatre. Errol Flynn, Miriam Hopkins, and Randolph Scott are the stars. Ii m i la'i'iMiiwiiPii ■■■im u i V mi n i hiihiihh •• 'in'ibi l llh i, ' i mum

In 1884, stormiest days ,of the struggle between the North and the South, Virginia City was the biggest boom town of the day. ; It was there that the Comstock Lode'was yielding fabulous sums in gold and silver. Badly in need of money, the Confederates laid the daring plan of freighting five million dollars in gold, donated by Southern sympathisers in Virginia City, to Richmond. Randolph Scott plays the role of the Confederate officer in charge of the convoy, while Flynn is a Union intelligence officer assigned to prevent shipment. Miss Hopkins is a secret agent, who poses as a dance-hall hostess in Virginia City’s famed Sazerac Cafe. Last season’s “ Dodge City ” dealt with a hitherto unfilmed phase of the rowdy, adventurous growth of the West. “Virginia City” deals with an even more colourful phase of American history. State Theatre “Anne of Windy Poplars,” which is the title of the film that begins at the State Theatre on Friday, is L. M. Montgomery’s delightful heroine, Anne of Green Gabies, grown up and teaching school until her sweetheart, an interne, can marry her. Again Anne is portrayed by Anne Shirley, who took the name of Miss Montgomery’s character for her own when she played “Anne of Green Gables ” six years ago. “Anne of Windy Poplars ” is the latest of six books in the series, and presents the problems Anne encounters when she

goes to Pringleton to take over her new position as vice-principal of a school. To her amazement she finds the town populated mostly with Pringles, aligned against her because the leader of the clan, the despotic Hester Pringle, wants Anne’s job for her niece, Catherine. In overcoming her own troubles, Anne also succeeds in bringing about a happy conclusion for Catherine’s romance, finding a happy home for a neglected orphan, and straightening out other tangled lives, to say nothing of discovering that, freed from Hester’s tyranny, various Pringles are really delightful human beings. James Ellison heads the featured cast, which includes Henry Travers, Patric Knowles, and Slim Summerville. Buster Keaton Returns How many remember Buster Keaton, the comedian who was so proficient in throwing custard pieg and 10 years ago was the funniest man in films? When sound came Keaton dropped out of pictures to direct, but now those who have such pleasar.it memories of the unperturbable comedian will be seeing him again in R.K.O. Radio’s “The Villain Still Pursued Her.” This picture mark', a novel departure in motion picture comedy technique, for audiences will be invited to hiss the villain and applaud the hero, but they will be cued, aided, and abetted by the picture itself. Sibiliant hisses on the sound track of the film will point out for the edification of the funsters the exact spots where the villain appears to get in his dirty work. When “ The Villain Still Pursued Her ” was first presented as a play in 1844 it was a stirring drama and part of the temperance crusade in America at that time. Critics of that period tell us that the play moved women to tears and shudders. But what was serious then is to-day hilariously funny, and that is why such funsters as Buster Keaton, Billy (Sneezing) Gilbert, Hugh Herbert, Alan Mowbray, and Franklyn Pangborn are included in the cast, which also lists Anita Louise and Joyce Compton as the feminine interests of “ The Villain Still Pursues Her.”

Trends of Fashion Probably the most radical fashion forecast emanating from Hollywood to-day comes from Edith Head, Paramount’s top rank designer and the only woman style creator who has managed to survive in any major studio in Hollywood as head fashion designer. Holding her own with complete ease. Edith Head ranks with Orry-Kelly, Travis Banton, Edward Stevenson and Robert Kalloch, style arbiters in the largest studios in Hollywood. “At the risk of standing alone in this feeling,” said Miss Head, “ I believe that style trend will be completely lacking in the military note. None of us can forget war, and none of us wish to flaunt it in our clothes, now that the grim reality of it is upon us. I feel that it is the duty of every woman to dress as gaily as she can and still preserve good taste,” continued Miss Head. “By this I mean that clothes must be chic, cheerful, subtly conservative, but at no time sombre or military.” This designer predicts the return of capes,

reversible with plaid and plain fabrics combined for daytime, and with fur and plain fabric for evening. Capes are intensely feminine, she reminds us. Edith Head will cling to the lumber jackets she launched into high fashion trends last season, and is using one smart example of this style in fur for Mary Martin in Paramount’s “ Love Thy Neighbour.” Slim skirts will be worn with these jackets, emphasising a fragile silhouette. For evening, Miss Head likes a "covered-up look,” as she calls it, and expects to use voluminous scarves for drapery and head coverings. Evening gowns will be especially formal in her collections, and dinner dresses will follow her favourite shirtmaker line, but will be glittering, like one she has created for Mary Martin in “Love Thy Neighbour,” with an all-over beaded design. Going radical again, Edith . Head announces that she intends to use prints straight the winter season. They are, she points out, excellent relief for furs, and she has included a Paisley print wool challis in Mary Martin's wardrobe for “Rhythm on the River,” with a top coat of rusty brown wool over it. In Madeleine Carroll’s wardrobe for “ Virginia ” the designer is creating an_ evening gown of plain fabric and using bead embroidery to give the .effect of a printed material. Miss Head predicts that tunics will be back. She is planning one for Dorothy Lamour, and expects to use long, looped fringe to accentuate the lines of the

tunic. Sashes, too, will be important for autumn, some of them fringed, some with tassel ends. As far as colour is concerned, Edith Head is strongly in favour of South American and Mexican colours, such as t6rra cotta, dark green, black, yellow, poster colours, and bold Pan-American shades. The designer plans to use metal in abundance for chains, buttons and buckles.

Film Topics The Warner studio is the latest to go in for big-scale Westerns. As a start Randolph Scott has been signed up for three_ “outdoor specials," as they are technically known. Jackie Coogan, at a Hollywood restaurant the other night, was showing the watch given him as a birthday gift in 1919, and engraved, “To Jackie, my partner, from Charlie Chaplin.” He sent the watch over to Chaplin with a note: “The watch is still working. I wish I were. .. .” Balloons painted a bright orange will float above studios working in .Hollywood soon. Reason given is that aeroplanes seriously interfere, with making of sound sequences. New prints of the New Zealand talking film, “Rewi’s Last. Stand,” will be shown in Australia when they are completed. The stock used is British special coloured base film, which is expected to enhance the beauty of the river and bush scenery. James Stewart and Rosalind Russell will have the principal roles in the S. N. Behrman play, “No Time for Comedy.” Miss Russell will play the role created on the stage by Katherine Cornell, while Stewart will play the original Laurence Olivier role. Mary Pickford, whose last picture.

" Secrets.” produced in 1932, barely paid its cost, is determined to make an acting comeback. To assure success, she’s negotiating for five of Hollywood’s best name players to appear m her support. Mary is also expected to finance her husband. Buddy Rogers, in another screen venture this autumn. “He has everything a movie hero should have,” says Mary, “including thousands of fans who want to sec him back.”