ACROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS

Taranaki Daily News, 9 August 1930, Page 10 (Supplement)

ACROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS

COMING EVENTS. THE REGENT. New Plymouth. (Formerly The People’s). August 0 to 15.— “ Three Live Ghoate” (all etar), United Artists super all talking, all laughing special. August 10 to 19.— “ The Night Ride” (Joseph Schildkraut), Universal all talking production; August 20 to 22.—“ A Song of Kentucky” (Lois Moran), Fox Movietone, all-talking production. August 23 to 20.—“ Crazy that Way” (Joan Bennett), Fox Movietone production; and “Parade of the West” (Ken Maynard), Universal talking production. August 27 to 29. —‘’Cameo Kirby” (J. Harold Murray-Norma Terris), Fox Movietone production with songs. EVERYBODY’S. ’ New Plymouth. August 9to 12.—“50 This is College” (all star),-Metro-Gold wyn all talkihg production/' . August 13 to. 15.—“ South Sea Rose”. / /(Leno’re Ulric), Fox Movietone production. ’ {August HF to 22.—“ Paris” (Irone Bor- ’ dini), 'First National musical production." ’ August 23 to 28—“ Splinters” (all star), ’ ' British special all-talking, singing / production. Augusti 27 to. 29— “The Careless Age” (ali'Stai), R.K.O. production/ /' ■ OPERA HOUSE.' ' • • ' A-New Plymouth. PTo-uight— “Beggars’ of Life” (Wallace Beery),' Paramount production. {August.. from . Moscow” (Pola Negrij,, Paramount produc- ■;; tion.’ a; /’ .' -'/ /■■- r Sunday, August “Messiah,” ' Music Week choir and orchestra. August’l9/4-Music-'Week. High \ Schools’ entertainment. ■ ■ •. [Thursday, August .’2l.—Music Week, primary schools’ entertainment. • ’’ ’ EMPIRE THEATRE...- . \ ' • / ./, Music Week.’- .- . > '{Monday 18,' Wednesday 20, Friday. 22 \ anil final-concert Saturday, .August ..23.' ... i ‘ .• : • .. : “BEGGARS OF-LIFE,” r - ■ Beeryi for more .than a .‘year [continuously in comedies, returns to dramatic characterisatioii in “Beggars, pf Life, of hpbp.life which Paramount made, from Jim Tully’s per-. ‘ Bohal. iiarratjvo of ,the same iiame. It lias, an .'all-star cast, including . Richard Arlen and Louise Brooks. Jim Tully •worked with Benjamin Glazer on the adaptation, of the book for the screen. “Beggars of Life” heads the programme Ft the Opera House to-night. / *■* * * •'SOUTH SEA. ROSE.” ?

That 'sparkling star, Lenbre Ulric, inay be seen and heard in .“Spilth Sea. Rose,”, her second starring . Fox MovieHone production. Adapted from ..the ", stage play “La Grlnga” and directed .by. . Allan Dwan, “South Sea Rose’; reveals. - Miss Ulric in the role of, a hiadcap jnaiden of the. tropics plying, her mischief bn a crew of seamen and; bringing; / terror upon tho smug , villagers. : Her- • reckless romancing, her- shocking daring- •_ and her unrestrained passions, give, the; comedy an abundance bf stirring .action.' - Charles Bickford enacts the. chief male l role,' and the .list. of. important players in support includes Kenneth Mac Kenna, Tom z T’atric6la,'Farre]l Macdonald, Eliza-" . teth-Patterson, Daphne Pollard, Roscoe . Ates; Ilka Chase; Ben Hal.L George.Maci Farlaim and Charlotte Walker. In ad- • dition to her- dramatic efforts in “South •- Bea Hose,”- Miss Ulric. also. sings ' and •’taiices. .•’ • ■ - - * -■• ' THREE LIVE GHOSTS” • .

*, ‘.'Tiiree Live. Ghosts” is not a; mys-tery-story but a delightfully refreshing . 'bbinedy-drama, based on the play by . that name .which scored so.-heavily on < the ,New . York' and London stage. The story revolves .around throb British ■ soldiers who escape from ' a German. • prison camp and return to' their forrrier ' haunts in'London only to discover that : they are legally dead in the eyes of 1 the G’overriirient and their friends. Tho ’ '‘Three Live Ghosts?’ are Charles Mc- - Naughton, who "gives a realistic characterisation of “Jimmie Giibbins" a Cockney; Robery Montgomery, as ‘‘Wib •’ liaiii Foster,” an American, wanted by the police, 'and Claud Allister, an Eiig1 lish /gentleman” who is known as “Spoofy” because he has lost his mental faculties due to shell-shock. Beryl •fiercer, as “Old Sweetheart,” stepmother of McNaughton, who, between drinks,’ .urges him to remain dead un- ‘ til after she has collected the .final in- ’ fitaliiient of his war insurance, and v ivlio, subsequently dazzled by the .re.qvard pffcred for the American, seeks ■’ !to bring about his arrest, unquestionably. gives one of . the finest perform- " ances ever' seen on the screen. This is Miss. Mercer’s, first screen appear- ' iince. She Inis for many years been ' acclaimed the', stage’s foremost character actress. Outstanding performances are registered by Hilda Vaughan, ’/Joan Bennett, Shayle Gardner and Harry Stubbs, while the minor roles are excellently handled by Jack Cooper, ' Jocelyn Lee, Nancy Price and Tencn Holtz. This United Artists’ production commences a season of six matinees, and ’ six nights at The Regent to-day at 2 . pud 7.45 p-n>. 9 #, * * “SO THIS IS COLLEGE.”

; “So this is College.” is the, title of the jnain attraction commencing at Every- , (body’s talkies to-day at 2 and 7.45 p.m. JTliis big collegiate feature is another ’ MctroXloldwyn-Mayer 100 per .. cent. : talking, singing and dancing picture and ■ easily o takes, the place at the head of ’ its class in audience entertainment ' value. Elliott Nugent and Robert Moiitgomcry, Broadway, stage . stars whom ~ everyone will like a whole lot, JhaK® their talkie debuts in the new ML.G.M. production,,ami . Sally,, Starr, -the. leading lady, also makes her first screen,-ap-pearahce. '« ■

“THE NIGHT RIDE.” “Night Ride” stars Joseph Schildkraut in his first straight role in a smashing story of gangland and the newspaper game, a top-notch picture moving with high-gear speed and filled to the last inch of film with drama and suspense, Schildkraut, as a “dude” star reporter, is marked for death on the night of his. wedding by a gunman played by Edward G. Robinson, well known New York actor, who was imported from Broadway for the role. Schildkraut is “taken for a ride”—gangland’s' -way of disposing of its enemies —and the picture works rapidly to a thrilling and unexpected climax. Winsome Barbara Kent is seen as Schildkraut’s bride and adds a romantic, feminine touch to this highly dramatic picture. Others who turn in splendid performances are Harry Stubbs, as Schild-' kraut’s reporter pal, and De Witt Jennings, as a police captain. Those who like thrills and a fast moving story should not miss “Night Ride.” It is different from other pictures of its type and is doubly impressive because of its accuracy of character and setting. # # 9 * “PARIS.” Irene Bordoni, famous French comedienne, and Jack .Buchanan, England’s handsome musical comedy star, will shortly appear together in a First National and Vitaphone production, “Paris,” which’is partly filmed in technicolour. Snappy comedy, lavish spectacle, glorious' costumes and harmonious hues in soft reds, blues, greens, purples and in silver and gold, sheens, are a fitting background for Miss Bordoni’s radiant personality. Her French accent, and Jack Buchanan’s English accent, mingle charmingly, while Zasu Pitts, in her inimitable comic style, supplies part of the rich humour with which “Paris” abounds. •«9’ 9 - . “A SONG OF KENTUCKY.” Youth, beauty,- melody and thrills, not forgetting, sparkling dialogue,make “A /-Song of /Kentucky,”. Fox Movietone alEtalking. and singing ro-, mantle comedy'drama, one of the most fascinating plays yet. to . reach the screen.. It . will begin'an engagement at the Regent Theatre shortly. Joe Wagstaff, one of New York’s favourite musical, comedy stars, is cb-fedtured with Lois. Moran,- beautiful .and talented screen star, and Dorothy Burgess,' who created, little, short of a’ sensation in. “Oldl Arizona,” is prominently cast. Ap : pearing in support are such favourites as 'Douglas' Gilmore, Hedila Hoppei, Herman Biiig, .Edvvards .Davis and Bert Woodruff. The story, which lias a race track background, concerns an . aristocratic society'girl who' falls in love •with a rising young musical genius. Their romance is beset ,by concerted intrigue, planned arid carried, out by a jealous' .woman, a mendacious suitor and a scligming aunt Y-which leads to an amazing denouement. The actual running' of the 1929 Kentucky Derby, in which Miss Moran has an entry, is one of the exciting high spots of the. production. / VAUDEVILLE IN ENGLAND. . .’ ; ROYAL' SUPPORT GIVEN. Vaudeville' is / reported to be ■eom-iim-back' into public '.favour,.in London, where a quickening interest. in variety performances had- been, noticed in’ the - increased attendances in .the, metropolis and the provinces , at. variety shows. -The ' Royal '.Variety Performers recently broadcast ■ a vaudeville -.- .pro? erramine, and', listeners began to realite what they had been missing. - ■ /.-The- London -Daily, Mail .comments, that it is now being recognised that flesh-aud-l}!ood;.performances by, artists . possessing talent,, and > personality to as great i degree as many oi tlic f famous starsof? bygone days are no ldri° r er to be wasted. Now the tion of 'the King and Queen lias .led the way forward an,.a 11-round % revival .of variety.. Prices are a 3 reasonable as, and. in many cases, more so than, those charged for’imported film productions. Their Majesties attended the London' Palladium whe.rt ' a variety, entertainment was presented, the sum .of £3’ooo being realised for the Variety Artists’ Benevolent . Fund. .George Clarke, with his comical motor sketch; Gillie Potter, patter comedian; and Will Hay in u schoolmaster, sketch, particularly appealed to tins .regal patrons, while the delightful- work of the palladium Girls, in perfect unison; the antics of the india-rubber-legged Mae Wall; the . thrilling .aerobatic • dancing of Howell, Harger and . Naldi ; and _ the ■ burlesque acrobatics of Neryo and Knox kept- a crowded audience amused to tt<e end. The. entire company,, in costume, sang the National Anthem on- the stage. ALLAN WILKIE’S SEARCH. PLAY BY AUSTRALIAN ’ Allan. Wilkie is sf-jll searching tor plavs • bv Australian and New Zealand authors. He has found one on which he pins a certain amount of faith and is ’ producing it in Sydney. Doris Egerton Jones’ play, which Mr. Wilkie will produce in Sydney, was originally called “Old Discipline. He and his wife and the author have been thinking hard to find a new title with more, “pep” to it. ■ e - The play is based on the times ot Governor Bligh, which part will be taken by Allan Wilkie himself, while Mrs. Wilkie will play a gay French widow. ■ Miss Egerton Jones &a.ys, Bligh had a wife and half a dozen or .so chi}' dren back in Cornwall, but he warm t very concerned about them, and let them stay there. The .hero is a young lieutenant of the New. South Wales Corps, .and the heroine is Nancy I/islie, a ward of the Governors. The period is 1808-9. John Macaithur figures largely in it.” When Miss Egerton Jones’ first play, “The Flaw,” was done at the Criterion about five years ago, the fact that Emelie Polini’s name was quoted as part authoress .rather overshadowed her share of the glory, but the main part of.lt waa -liers. It was a good dramatic play/and,-gave, Frank Harvey the opportunity' for* a ; fine piece of character .acting, ; ....

ENGLISHMEN'S ALLIANCE. FILM CONTRACT BY WIRELESS. The greatest contract yet made . for the production of talking pictures In England.' was completed recently in a telephone conversation between London and' Hollywood. Mr. Frederick Lonsdale spoke to London from Hollywood; at the London end were representatives of the Aldwych Theatre Company, Ltd., and the British and Dominions Film Corporation, Ltd. The agreement provides for an alliance between the British and Dominions Company, Mr. Tom Walls, Miss Yvonne Arnaud, Miss Mary Brough, and the other members of the successful Aldwych Company, and Mr. Lonsdale. The Aldwych Company made “Rookery Nook.” This is easily the most important step which has yet been taken in connection with English talking pictures. The first picture which the new alliance will make will be “On Approval/’ tin stage play by Mr. Lonsdale, which ran for nearly 5000 performances at a London Theatre two years ago. “Shooting” in this -picture "has now begun at the Imperial Studios of the British and Dominions Company at Elstree. Mr. Edmond Breon, who played the part of Richard Halton in the original flfiMniJKimunmimiiJimKn’nnHmiHHM'MniHmHnfMHni

(production, will have the same parrin the film; Mr. Breon went to Hie United States at the -conclusion of the run of “On Approval.” To secure his services the producers of the film have had to guarantee him not only a firsuclass passage to Europe, but also a salary of- £2OO a week. Major Charles Steel, the business manager of. . the Aldwych Company, said recently: “I have always believed that tlie English talking voice was the best in the world. With an alliance like this we can beat .the world.” The present agreement is valid for three; years. . . . - - Mr. Lonsdale aft author, Mr. Tom Walls as producer, . Mifls Mary Brough Miss Winifred' Shotter, ■ arid Mr. Edmond Breon as actors will" undoubtedly compose the strongest comedy talking picture “team” in the-world... ...•. ■/'/-" /. BEST. ■TEN' PLAYS-OF THE YEAR.. ' Burns Mantle, .one of New York’s best theatrical critics,- has compiled a list of’the ten Beat'plays of the season presented in America.. His selection, which is printed-below,; contains three 'British' plays—“ Michael ' and Mary,” “The First'Mrs. Fraser” and Square.” .... /.,/ '/. . Mr." Mantle’s/list is as. follows : — , - i‘Gieen Pastures,” a ’ huinah comedy built from a . foundation of Roark Bradford’s stories, of the. Old .Testa--incut as’.interpreted by the negroes of the deep South, by Marc “The' Criminal' Code,” a drama eprison life bY Martin Flavin. “Berkeley Square,” a fantasy by John Balderston, -based on a story by Henry. Jajnes. , • -■ ■ ~ L “Strictly: Dishonourable,” . a • Lgm. cornedv liy Preston Sturges. ■ “The; Last Mile,” a tragedy .of the death house, in .an American penlteii-. tiary, by John:- Wex-ley. ..-.•/ “jmie‘;.Moon ” a light - comedy by Ring Lardner- and George S.. Kaufman. . ■ . ? . '■: ’■-•/-' • “Michael., and. ’Mary, a domestic comedy: by .A. A. Milne.. “Death. Takes a Holiday.” a' fantasy by Walter. Ferris', based on the Halim original of. Alberto Casella- . “Rebound,” a domestic comedy ■by Donald Ogden Stewart. In a general sense this has been a bad season, says the critic. Bad in a business way. Bad in a financial way. Bad in the ’ fact that but few of the most promising of native playwrights have scored a Success in keeping' with their promise. Eugene O’Neill, lattening. on the profits of “Strange Interlude”' and hurtby the failure of “Dynamo,” takes himself to Europe and remains more or I les - in hiding with Carlotta Monterey, , who is tho now Mrs. O'Neill.

Maxwell. Anderson succumbs to the Jure of the talkies and spends the year practically in Hollywood. .Elriier Rice, who wrote last season’s Pulitzer prize winner in “Street Scene,” takes a flyer with a light comedy . called “See Naples and Die” and when It fails goes back to his studio and refuses to answer the bell. ;

Philip. Barry spends- his - • working season in Cannes, as usual, and brings back “Hotel Universe,” another, intercstinir study in fantastic drama with a metaphysical background which ■■ is still resting on the knees of the theatre guild’s subscription list. ° George Kelly offers “Maggie the Magnificent,”, and .when that fails goes a little moodily into the silences, declaring the present day theatre is not for him. O.wen Davin is gathering the thousands while he may continue writing talkies, and-Bayard Veiller has been content to play around on his Connecticut farm. Sidney Howard suffered ft failure with “Half Goda” and . tro tted’right - back to the cinema lots.

MAURICE CHEVALIER, STORY OF HIS LIFE. The Hollywood star Maurice Chevalier states in an interview that he commenced his career as a street corner entertainer. “My first appearance in public,” he says, “was in a Paris schoolroom, where, during a temporary absence of my teacher, I mounted my desk and sang with appropriate gestures a song I had heard in the Palais du Travail 0 the Sunday night before. For this I was. expelled from school, for the teacher failed to be favourably impressed when he unexpectedly returned to the room. Then followed a period of apprenticeship to many trades and a withdrawal from each as rapidly, for songs were in my heart and they had to be sung. It was during this time that my brother Paul and I decided to become acrobats. After work each day we hastened to the Gymnase Arras for work on the trapeze and the rings. One day I fell and broke my ankle. My mother forbade me to enter gymnasium,- again. This made me decide that I would become a singer. My debut was an amateur night at the Trois Lioiig just before my twelfth birthday. Apparent failure only whetted my determination. A few weeks later a miracle happened.' The manager of the

Casino des Touelles gave me a part in a little re.veue at 10s weekly, - four performances a Excitement iso 'filled my heart on the night of my employment that I did not sleep. “Then came several months of Inactivity, for my engagement at the Casino was of "short duration. Not many, shows needed youngsters for .long., During all of this period I shadowed stage doors, accosting the players and the managers ae they came to and from per-, fbrmancfft. I struck up acquaintanceship arid later friendship with Boucot, a comedian of the - times. It was through Boucot that I was' finally signed by the director of the Fourriii, who was aiftb the director of the Parisiftna, on. tlie -bohievardft/ The 'first house led to the better one. At the Parisiana I began ro .make a small name for’ myself.

“A period-at this theatre opened ..the way’ for me to go on/tour through the provinces, and I spent several years; in . a variety' of cities. When I returned dp Taris.it was to appear, at the -Eldorado; one of tlie bCfci-kriown halls of tlie day. Then came my real -'triumph. The -Fdlies Bei'gere offered Ime its/s thge, brie of -the most famous boards in' the world; Not only. that. .1 became dancing partner "with - one- of the in'ost"famous stage women of the age, Mistingueiti J;he immortal. I had arrived.' “In - 1913 - I and Mistinguetti- wereparted, for I was-called'for .my period of military - training. In ■ 1914 I went, to war. I. was . among .the .first to go :to tlie front. I foughtdong 7 months,-.was' wounded' by - shrapnel to the pointy of death., awakened in : a German hospital at the prison camp of s Alton .Grabow. There I rcriiaiiiod for 26 .months. It . was .at Aiten Grnbow that I met the' man’who gave in'e the opportunity , for a broadened cajeei’. He was an English officer, a fellow prisoner, from whom I learned to speak English - with- an ease and fluency. “I formed another friendship at the Gerpian prison caiiip. It was with Joe Bridge, also' an entertainer from Paris. We organised an act for our owri amusement and-for that of pur fellow prisoners. ,- So. well did we get along together that one night Bridge and I’ made our permanent eifit from-tlie.cainp t stage and from the camp itself. -We escaped .and eventually, made T our way to . the French lines.. After the war I returned immediately to Paris, but iny severe and long imprisonment had robbed me of my old self-CQnfid'enee. I made my new debut not at Folies buti at the Casino Montparnasse. It seemed| to me a failure. Gradually my old .pei - - sonality asserted itself, built ..up in ft series "of appearances’ at. outlyhig theatres, and soon I returned .to Mifttinguetti a,nd the Folies Bergere, and later to tlie Casino de Paris" where 'Jesse .Lask vteaw ni-e arid signed irie for : film’ work in Hollywood.” ’• ' RUDOLPH ’ VALENTINO. - ' ' MEMORIAL-IN HOLLYWOOD. A memorial statue te Rudolpli Valentino has been unveiled; in.-De-Longpre Park, Hollywood, Dolores Del Rio .acting for th? ' industry ii't> drawing the veil. The spiei-li of dedication was' uiado .by Miss De! Rio in Spanish; French nd English. Tlie Italian 'S r ico-Consul ) - Alberto Mellini Ponce de Leon, was present; as.was -Fred- Beet-son,-,secretary to Will Hays, reports a Los Angeles cor-, respondent; ‘ ' "• -■ •" ' '■’'’' '/ ' It seen a a sad thing that with the passage of nearly four years fliiiec his death, 1 ' no tomb has- been erected to shelter the remains of 'Valentino. lie first was interred in'the tomb of June Mathis, and on her death his-body was moved to a space in the Hollywood Cemetery mausoleum, where it rests, today. . / '

The. priginal plans for an elaborate toinb of 'Carrara- marble 'produced ft. lawsuit when ■ the marble proved unsatisfactory to George Ullman,in charge, of the memorial ' association. / There seems no immediate plan to erect the tomb.

TALKIE OF “GRUMPY. w . CYRIL MAUDE STARRED, Following almost half a century’s experience on the stage in important parts, Cyril Maude in to make his debut as a screen star is “Grumpy,” a role which he has portrayed approximately 1300 times, Maude was born in London, England, on April 24, 1862. He was educated at the Charterhouse School, and had begun his stage career when his health failed him, and his parents sent him to Australia for a trip. Upon his return he went to Canada to live on a farm, and from there went to New York for a stage engagement. After one season he returned to England, and has . been starred in ; more than 100 plays since then. Maude made his first appearance in “Grumpy” in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1913, NEW COLMAN PICTURE. PREMIERE IN LONDON. The first print of. “Raffles,” Ronald Colman’s latest starring' picture, has been completed, according to an announcement made last month from the United Artists’ New,'York studio. Arrangements are being made to show the film for the first time in London, where Colman’s last vehicle, “Bulldog Drummond,’/ ran for 26 weeks- last season. The: first American print- of the ney i picture was completed and shown for the first time at either the Rivoli or Rialto Theatres in-New-York a few weeks ago. Colihan is at - pres,ent travelling abroad. “I ADORE SOUND.” _ • ; BEVERLEY NICHOLS TALKS. •. When I sit back in the stalls of a movie theatre,' and listen to. a' dollar lady, in a'. thousand-dollar frock repeating a ten-cent sentence, I feel, a little sad. . I say to myself; Scientists have sweated and pined in order to perfect the remarkable apparatus which brings the speaking likeness of this lady before me. Chemists have sat up •til night,/engineers have-sat down all day, capitalists have reclined, in positions of considerable discomfort for -weeks, in order/that . ; . " ■ What? That I may hear . a broad, accent bellow into’ spacer “Freddy, I'm not like that. -.Honest, I’m not. If y : Qu think women are like that, Freddy,' you’re a btinr.” Or words of similar import. . This,. I. canonly repeat, .m accents ' low and soft',' makes, me shake myhead in a graceful - but . melancholy fashion. I feel as though I had entered ' a -magnificent picture gallery, desighed by Lutyens, and-decorated by Brangwyn,"to find that its main hall was. filled' 0 ' with postcards of the Brighton. Pavilion by moonlight.' Now, I adore sound',. I am. not being vague or “blah.” Almost - all sound, being a subtle sign ■ of the' world’s pulsing life, interests ! me. : I love the sound’of trams rounding corners on the Embankment, the swirl of rain on grey slate roofs, the weird, barbaric hum of the telephone. I am not even averse to the Longfellow patter 'of little fe.ct And 'therefore if I were a large, rich man with u talkie apparatus . and u board- of . pale,-subservient directors, I would take my machine out into the world and I would record speh things as this: /■

An actual performance, of a revue as heard by a member of tlie stalls--i.e., a tornado of striking matches, .hacking ycoqghs,- banging seats, patentlea the ° shoes being rubbed together; • rustling chocolate •' foils, ‘ w-hispers of “She’s°npt nearly .as : youiig/as that,”. i sniffs, more' whispers, of .-“The man in front’s got-such an enormous head .that rattling 'of bangles’, / postprandial sighs, and-, through' it all; the distant - voice bf the’ singer— : bli, sb faint!’ crooning, “Therd’s ■ a song .in my heart;” .’ Which is about th? only place it will ever be. Y-/;.-. • . There are a tfiovsand annual -noises that might" be ' romantically treated, by magnification. I saw'/'a film of pbiid life in', which tiny ' organisms were/magnified to the size of dragons. ■ '■Think how‘•almost-./ inibearably* exciting ' that' film' would have been' if the 1 sounds made .by those minute creatures had also., been / reproduced! I should like to hear, for example, . the : tramp, tramp of an. arniy of ants on the march—the hurrying lisp of their tiny - feet oyer the saiiiis must be deafening,..in its. proper proportion. .1-should like' to. hear the- noise an oyster really makes.' It must make .some noise, liecaiise I defy an. oyster to produce , the sort of peari which the lady on my left was wearing without at/le.ast a murmur, of discontent, I-. should like to hear tlie drone of bees, in a hive, like an immeiiise chorus - of some strange religious order, the ftweet,--silken hiss, of the spider, as it ■spins its fairy web, the . sad tapping of the death beetle in some • ancient .chest. . . , Indeed, the scope is unlimited. You

would catch more of the :humour of England by placing a machine on the counter of a bar in the/ Waterloo Road, toward closing time, than in the moat , elaborate', scenario /imaginable'. More of ite heroism-by■ recording. the most-ordinary con versa tiqrisi .at a mid 1 .night " coffee . stall.. ...HowtSyer, . such things would 1 ' need -thought, iniagina--tiori; and .trouble, so we may -rest assured that we-shall-never'hear them.

CRICKET MASCOT. THELMA BURNESS ADOPTED. An Australian actress, now making a name for herself on the English stage, has been adopted as mascot, temporarily, at any rate, by the Australian cricket team. She is Thelma Burness, of Balmain, who played with Josie Melville, iii-the- Sydney stage presentation of “Sally.” Miss Burness was later connected with the “Katja” company, m which Marie Burke and Warde Morgan were the stars. She was with his company when Mr. Morgan was badly injured, on the way to Brisbane in the Aberdeen train smash. Miss Burness was staying at the same hotel as the cricketers, and was appearing at one of Bradford’s besttheatres in a leading role. She last appeared in New Zealand in “Tip Toes.” RADIO TALKIES. , ■ A BERLIN INVENTION. A way of sending talkies in colours over the wireless has been invented by a Berlin engineer, Albert Alexander Ahronheim, according to his own announcement made before fellow-technic-ians. His invention will, in the not too distant future, allow the householder to sit at home in his own armchair, and hot ' only listen to distinguished speakers and clever entertainers, -but also see them in their , natural colours, down to the exact shade of their hair. Herr Ahronheim declared his invention differs' from television methods hitherto ' discovered, the - latter.?:'being based bii the 'principle 'of dividing the picture into tiny' sections.'; . Heavy and light shades are transmitted by, means of stronger or weaker ctirre’ ' The' new invention is ' based .on .e. ifact that, each colour has d different wave-length. Ahrbnheim's invention -.transmits .the picture ' with .. varying, wave-lengths. The -person receiving the picture may employ as limited or wide ranges of wave-lengths. as he desires, thus seeing ofiiy .the .main-, colours or receiving .the- whole gamut down to delicate .shades..... .:/ ? -. ■' Herr. Ahronheim-also- asserts- that; he has solved the problem' of-placing the moving/ -picture before the’ receiver full-size. He - says . his method-will allow projecting the picture'-oa a. small or large, screen as desired. ''added' that the cost ' of the'.’new. contrivarieel t will be about that of a loud-speaker.' ■ a '' ' - : ~ "// / ,■■' -' « A REAL REVU£ ' ■ ’ ’ f - ' ■-•- SKIT ON NEW YORK. . - Curiously enough, : “The Belle of, NewYork,” now playing to wonderful houses in ' the ' Melbourne. revival, is really ;ft revue—in the true sense'of -being a skit' on personalities and topics o'f. remb’te time, 1897. It . was’intended that-tlie-original audibiice/ when it saw. .ichabbd Bronson,'should■'rem'bmb'erTthat' JbltS ' D'. ; Rockefeller; had'/bden'/'engaged' in/'pla'n's : of moral reform/thbugli/' bf -course,''thb j -incidents of the. play were.’/merely' wild travesty in tire-case -,of Brbnsbh jif? the’ others.' ; ‘ -

- ; A- name resembling Kiksy .Fi.tz'garter was that of Cissie-Fitzgerald,,a popular soubrette and dancer'.'• Binky '-Bill- McGuirk, the “mixed ale’ pugilist,” flourished at the same time as. tlie American boxer -Kid-McCoy. Lillian Russell' wis the Queen of Comic OpCra on the New York stage—a-position occupied by Cora Angelique in-the play. Anna Held was. singing with a dainty accent ' songs similar to these offered by Fifi Frjcpt. Others were pointed as having suggested various characters, and apparently the results were ; good-humouredly accepted by -most of’the models, as they were not -folk of l the type to avoid/publicity. ' Gradually this origin of the play was/’-forgott'e'n,- and it was accepted as quaint musical '■ comedy, full of enjoyable entertainment. In the new production it is &ti!l flo. ■ “The Belle. of New York” made for-, tubes for all concerned in its production, and' caused Edna May. to become., fiamous. This, actaess Jiad. only, been oh the stage',a few months when George W. Lederer engaged/ hej,/ then a girl of 'l9/for. a sriiall ' part'in' “Tlie .'Whirl bf ’the Tofifii’//at : /tiie-.Nbw-/Yor6; Casino. Four- /nionths -. later site; was selected “ to play the/ part of Violet •Gray 'in “Tlte 'Belle/'of.'Now'-York,” whidi was first staged at ■ that'.theatre in September; . 1897-./, •' ?.’ T";./.-- ‘ < ■_. ...The late. George;.Musgrove say -.the 1 musical comedy- in ''-Philadelphia',' and arranged with -Mr. Lederer j and--his; stage manager, Gera/d 'Coventry, (under whose direction/ “The'.//Belle /' of New York” was produced in; Australia) .to take.the company, to London. Edna May and practically all the . principals went to , London, together with the chorus:’ This was the first tirite. tnat a full American chorus had been transplanted from America to''England'. “The,Belte”, was give 697 - performances 'at the Shaftesbury.’ - . .< Mr. Musgrove, was, reputed to have made' nearly .£69,0.00' in. twp years .out. of the English venture. He tried ,to get financial help to stage the piece.

but his theatrical friends recalled the failure of a number'of American productions in • London, arid declined a share in the enterprise. When it proved, a success- they wished to •'join in, but were told that they were . too

. “The Belle” has been a great 4 moneymaker in Australia. When it originally presented this .musical comedy the firm was known as Williauison and Musgrove, ’ . / " ~ ■ ’

LITERARY GENIUS. THE -SCENARIO WRITER. (Exclusive to Daily News by - HariJ' Spaulding.) To the student of Hollywood, delving into the making of motion pictures, it would appear that the entire industry was composed of geniuses. There are the actors, who are geniuses of dramatic art; the directors, whose deft, subtle touches bear the stamp of genius; the set designers, whose spectacular creations of colour are a delight to> the eye, and last, but not least, the scenarist, who builds the foundation upon which the other masters of entertainment construct their individual works. . . .r The motion picture .scenario writer is more than •an author. To those whose insight into the industry enables them to appreciate the work he is a literary genitrs, no less. He ia an author who, bounded by the limitations of screen and camera angle, yet manages to put across to the audience the message of the novelist. Action on the screen is less limited than on the stage, but still' lacks' the complete, freedom of. print. A novel has no form. An. author can do anything he wishes; he is limited only by his own limitations. In a picture or play there must be more form. The situations must be more and the 'characters set up more- quickly. There is no time or space for lapses ■of description. There is less time and space for, irrelevant details. The hero <or heroine' ordinarily must have the sympathey of the audience, and it is the scenarist’s duty to' see that, this is done quickly and sustained throughout the picture. 7 • Scenario writers,, like? other- studio technicians, differ greatly in their methods of working. * 'During the " days, of silent motion pictures adaptations and subtitles were generally pounded ' but on a typewriter, but -jyith the advent of talking films dictation of 'the dia- . logue has become the accepted mode of screen' writing. ' The great influx of - playwrights into the/ranks of t Ilollywood’s filhl authors/ who have learned . that written dialogue never attains the . naturalness of "that which is ’dictated,' has been responsible for the change in • . methods. s . /'/ ■ ' 'Many; of Hollywood’s scenarists, now ;go ;to tiic' extreme of “talking-out” the whole. storyAactioii; ' dialogue ...and des-’ •cription. / Lloyd;- Corrigan' and Vyalter.. Weems employed this method . iii .preparing Mbraii ,and Mack’s latest ;-Parai'fiibunt ’ all-talking ' picture, “Anybody’s War,” for the screen. ' They “talkedout”:'the plots and situations ’for the story long before touching a typewriter. ,Tife transcription to paper/was regard- . .ed/as a minor phase. of tneir creation.' ...When assigned to /do thb story 71 t'hcy . spent • several .'.days disciisstng the/char- ; /act'ers,- f-the plot,- arid inci/ ' dents/ During that time they did. nb/'. /wntiiig; When ' the story .- was/really / formulated, they began writilig. it idoWn. iasluon.-...Corrigan wbi/ked as./ tlie; reporter, turtilng. out tire, “copy,” /with/Wcems acting-; as editor/- /./; ’. //’ : /■ /Completing the. preparation of “Any-'.-War,” Corrigan .was .-assigned to. assist Lawrence-; Schyyab .in/the./adapca- /• tion of Schwab’s and Mandel’s./New York 'musical , coipedy.; ■ hit, r'■ “Follbw ■Through,” for the screen. -Corrigan introduced the new method 'of . scenario// writing-to. Schwab,/and sb - well- did the combination /work- that the two writers / -were later assigned to direct, the picture • in which Nancy Carroll and 'Charles '.. .(■Buddy). Rogers are co-starred. George. . Alarion, Junr? and /Percy Heath,- who are known as Paramount's best comedy writing.team/ w'ork :simil- ?- arly. . “Let’s Go. Natiye,” a screen; farce ■ with music, starring Jack Oakie • niql Jeanette ' MacDonald, was their; . first joifit production.-/ They- worked out the plqt , and'/. leading situations. through . many hours’ of oral discussion/ : Then . Heath-iwrote the story in action; form , while Marion' concentrated upon , the humorous dialogue,;fof which he is; not: cd. Most of his/beist dines, come to Iflin .while he is /taking . one of his ..daily-. four-to/six inite .walks. He writes,/thenL’, ' down when he’/gets/home. /With dialogue and action /Combined. in ','tfie/-first' rough draft, the'' two worked ‘jointly' -in the, editing and■ improving .which resulted .in/ the completed - stbry/-. They 'have followed, the saine/general pro-' •cedure. in - their ' most recent /story for ~ Parajnbunt, ‘’Safety/.iii .Numbers,” -'a', musical /film starring/Charles" (Buddv) Kogers., . .• Yet ahothei:- method- is. introduced by Zoe Akin's, notect'New York playwright now; under contract to Paramount;. Miss • ’Akins’ initial screen/work' was the ad- . aptalion 'of Ruth. Chatterton’s newest dramatic/success, “Sarah and Son.” She •employed three stenographers, to ;which she dictated, 'in relay’s, the dialogue. ’All’ of/the. action and description for . the screen "play was" written".'by, Mio Akins .' herself, '. working generally throughout the ’night,’ when . extreme quiet' and. peacefulness"'"seemed,;' more , conducive to this . type of writing. ■■■/; . Regardless of the nature of; the/ story. .which the scenarist must, prepare in, - screen 'form, or 'the method in {which'. ■ he goes about his work; the point remains' that scenario writing is one ,of the most important and highly, specialised branches of motion picture pro- - ductiori. That every film story issuing ■from the Paramount studios represents the work of a genius inay. be gathered from the list of. prominent names on Paramount’s . writing staff. Included are George Abbott, Edmund Colliding, Guy Bolton; Denison Clift, Bartlett Cor- ■ mack, Patrick Kearney, Vincent -Law- - rence, Edward Paramore, Junr.,: John V. A. Weaver/Lajos. Ziiahy,{.F.redijck ’ Lonsdale,'Salisbury. Fields and WilliamH. Post, v all of them, internationally famous as playwrights, or novelists ‘pri- • cr to becoming • Paramount contract writers. ■ ■ .. • . ‘’ ' " ' \ ‘ t •

'• The day liao passed when the .ambitious young writer could Step off the train in, Hollywood complete, with handbag and a liewly created - film story, , and sell his brain child at a fabulous, price to the picture industry. The.seen/, arist of to-day must have a vast, am- ■ ount of’ “human” knowledge,/that' can - • be gained.'only. through years' of exper- , ience. He must b.e a student of human-, nature, understanding and appreciating' all types of usual. and unusual charac-i • ters, knowing just how. such characters ■ would'speak and act. He must have, ■ an infinite knowledge of literature and: a straightforward' journalistic, style,enabling him to transcribe - the works of the world’s’ greatest'novelists with-’ out losing, that which the author’of the " story het.out to create. -If is alio im-i, ' perative .that. he., be /fully ■.cognisant of : . the - value- of camera - angle '‘’arid- the movabiiity of -the.'microphone.’ln short,.- • •to be a .good* scenario Ay ri ter,-that'in-'-dividual can. be ;ho less than a’ litci'ary genius, combining all the qualities that’ ■ > make for success .in ’'joaViialisitc effort.