ACROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS

Taranaki Daily News, 27 May 1933, Page 8 (Supplement)

ACROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS

COMING EVENTS. NEW PLYMOUTH OPERA HOUSE. To-day, Monday and Tuesday; “Smilin’ Through” (Norma Shearer, Fredric March and Leslie Howard). May 31 to June 2: “Money Means Nothing” (John Loder, Gibb McLaughlin and Irene Richards), all-British. June 3, 5 and 6: “Lord Camber’s Ladies” (Sir Gerald Du Maurier and Gertrude Lawrence), all-British. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. To-day, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: “Harmony Row” (George Wallace, Phyllis Baker and Marshall Crosby), Australian production. June l\and 2: “Destination Unknown” (Ralph Bellamy, Pat O’Brien and Betty Compson). June 3 to 9: “A Successful Calamity” (George Arliss and Mary Astor). REGENT THEATRE. To-day, Monday and Tuesday: "The Love Race” (Stanley Lupino, Jack Hobbs, Dorothy Boyd and Dorothy Bartlam), British production. May 31 to June 2: “On Our Selection” (all star), Australian production. June 3 to 6: “Three Live Ghosts” (Claude Allister, Beryl Mercer, Charles McNaughton, Robert Montgomery and Joan Bennett). June 7 to 9: “He Learned About Women” (Alison Skipworth and Stuart Erwin); and “Wild Horse Mesa” (Randolph Scott and Sally Blane), Zana Grey production. * » ft • “SMILIN’ THROUGH.” "Smilin’ Through,” the famous stage play which played eleven solid weeks four times a day at the St. James Theatre, Sydney, and starring Norma Shearer, is to be screened to-night, Monday and Tuesday at the Opera House. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, which produced this beautiful drama, has boasted that it would reveal the finest array of acting talent the screen has yet seen. It is no idle boast The combination of Norma Shearer with Fredric March, Leslie Howard, O. P. Heggie and Ralph Forbes, presents as brilliant an assemblage of artists as could be wished for. Norma Shearer in this picture turns away from the sophistication of her past roles. In her dual characters of Moonyeen and Kathleen she attains an ethereal charm as the one and touches new dramatic heights as the other. Fredric March also has two roles. In both he is a suitor for Norma’s hand. His is a finely sensitive characterisation, and he proves again that he is one of the screen’s most versatile actors. Leslie Howard, too, carries a dramatic burden. O. P. Heggie, Ralph Forbes, Beryl Mercer, David Torrance, Margaret Seddon and Forrester Harvey have supporting roles. Conspicuous on the supporting programme is an item . by the "Flying Cadonas,” who toured New Zealand some time ago, depicting the most daring trapeze acts ever attempted. There are also interesting News reels. Patrons are strongly advised to pay an early visit to the booking office and secure their seats. • . • • • "MONEY MEANS NOTHING.* An outstanding cast of British players portray the leading roles in “Money Means Nothing,” the hilarious comedy which will be showing at the Opera House next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The plot of this splendid talking picture is based on the English worship of family tradition, the sort of tradition that keeps the old family valet, who has inherited £20,000,000, still faithful to "the young master.” The young master is John Loder, who takes the part of Egbert, 27th Earl of Massingham, penniless and useless, but still an elegant ornament of society. His valet, Faringay, is played by Gibb McLaughlin, who keeps up the role delightfully. When Faringay learns that he has inherited a fortune that makes him one of the wealthiest .men in the world, he refuses to resign his position. “A Faringay has attended the Massinghams for hundreds of years. It is a tradition. You cannot alter' a tradition with a pocketful of money,” he tells the pompous old lawyer, Sir Percival Puttock, who is one of the most delightful characters in the whole story. The penurious earl, who has been living on what Faringay could lend him, finds his valet able to advance all the pocket money he wants, Faringay telling him that it is the result of a successful “flutter” on the turf. The lawyer, however, strongly objects to the arrangement, and hatches a plot with Faringay to marry the earl to Faringay’s daughter. The two meet and fall in love, but the romance is nipped in the bud by the girl’s discovery of the fact that the earl is engaged to a chorus girl. But that is not the end of the story, for many startling and highly amusing complications .follow which must be seen to be appreciated. • “LORD CAMBER’S LADIES.” “Lord Camber’s Ladies,” the British International Pictures’ super attraction, will head the new “'bill of fare” at the Opera House, New Plymouth, next Saturday. This fascinating film is reported to introduce the best and most representative galaxy of English talent, both form the point of view of acting and production. Directed by the very distinguished playwright, Benn W. Levy, whose successes on the stage of recent years have been applauded by the critics, this powerful story from the pen of Horace Annesley Vachell provides excellent fare for the theatregoer. The cast, which is a distinguished one, is headed by Sir Gerald du Maurier and Gertrude Lawrence. Sir Gerald, the idol of the British public, gives an excellent performance as the stem and relentless Dr. Napier, a role in which he shows that histrionic ability and superb artistry that have made him famous. He is ably supported by Gertrude Lawrence, who gives an especially meritorious performance, first as the high-spirited Shirley Neville, the musical-comedy start and favourite of the public, and then as the unhappy Lady Camber, forced to watch her husband’s philanderings from her death-bed. Of the supporting artists the performances of Benita Hume, the lovely brunette heroine, and Nigel Bruce, the perfect roue peer, are especially deserving of mention. This intensely vivid drama, relieved by flashes of humour, keeps one in suspense to the very end. It must be classed among the best films that have been turned out by the Elstree studios. * # * # “THREE LIVE GHOSTS.” New Plymouth patrons should be thrilled to hear that “Three Live Ghosts,” the famous comedy drama featuring Claude Allister, Beryl Mercer, Charles McNaughton, Robert Montgomery and Joan Bennett, will play a return season at the Regent Theatre on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday (Jui.e 3 to 6). As many will remember “Three Live Ghosts” deals with the adventures of three soldiers who return to London and find themselves listed as dead, and the merry chase they lead detectives as one and then another of the three steps on the toes of the law. * * * « "HARMONY ROW.” In "Harmony Row,” his latest talking picture for Efltee Films Productions,

George Wallace, the Australian comedian, reveals himself once more as a master of burlesque comedy. “Harmony Row” was written by the versatile George himself, and provides the comedian with all the opportunities for laugh-raising that he could possibly desire. As a diminutive policeman rejoicing in the very inappropriate name of “Dreadnought,” George goes through many hilarious experiences, and suffers some hard knocks and tumbles in the course of his police duties in a far from savoury neighbourhood. It is only when he finds himself deprived of his uniform, and forced to don the gaol clothes of an escaped convict that George finally seeks to be transferred to a more salubrious suburb, only to find fresh adventures of an even more terrifying kind. Finally, he is compelled to prove his mettle in the prize ring, by fighting one “Slogger Lee,” a towering giant beside him. At first the fight goes badly for him but when he catches sight of his sweetheart Molly at the ringside, he takes fresh heart, and in one of the most hil-ariously-funny scenes ever seen on the screen he finally gives his big opponent the knock-out, then proceeds to account for the seconds, referee and spectators as well. “Harmony Row” begins and ends in the liveliest comedy, and there is never a dull moment from start to finish. “Harmony Row” will be screened at Everybody’s Theatre to-day, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. • # * « LUPINO IN “THE LOVE RACE.” Never write letters to women if you can avoid it, and if you must, see that they go in the right envelopes. Stanley Lupino, who plays the part of Reggie Powley in "The Love Race,” makes this mistake and it costs him dear. Bernice Dawn, a spinster of uncertain age, whom he has been avoiding for years, and who pursues him with the assiduity of a factory hand bicycling to his dinner, received a letter meant for his fiancee, Ida Mostyn, and coming down post haste to the Mostyn family seat, will not let Reggie alone. At last, to relieve himself of her presence, P.eggie offers her a drugged cocktail, but before succumbing to its effects she turns the tables literally on him and his friend, Bobby Mostyn, by unobstrusively pushing round the revolving table at which they are drinking so that first one and then the other gets the doctored drink, and when they should be racing for the Schroder Cup they are sitting by the roadside in a two-seater and profound slumber. "The Love Race” will be screened at the Regent to-day, Monday and Tuesday. The cast includes Jack Hobbs, Dorothy Bartlam and Dorothy Boyd. « # * • “DESTINATION UNKNOWN." Every conceivable part of a rum-run-ning ship is seen as the background for various scenes in “Destination Unknown,” the Universal sea drama which screens at Everybody’s on Thursday and Friday next, with Pat O’Brien and Ralph Bellamy in the leading roles: Every scene in this unusual picture takes place aboard the storm-tossed “Prince Rupert,” where 13 men take part in a desperate intrigue to gain possession of the scant 10 gallons of drinking water locked up in a barrel on deck—while a beautiful girl hides below in the stateroom of the dead captain. There are scenes on every part of the decks of the lumbering craft; in the cramped quarters of the fo’castle; in the galley presided over by the slovenly cook; in the hold, where 5000 cases of contraband whisky are stored; in the captain’s 'cabin, where the girl cowers in fear of her life; at the foot of the only remaining mast, where a dilapidated sail hangs useless in the dead calm of a sweltering tropic sea; at the pumps, where exhausted gangsters are eventually forced to sweat and labour in an effort to keep the stricken ship afloat. And over all hangs the desolate half-light of foggy days, or the impenetrable darkness of starless nights, while heat lightning adds an eerie aspect to the scene. "Destination Unknown” was directed by Tay Garnett, and the cast includes, in addition to O’Brien and Bellamy, such favourite screen players as Betty Compson, Tom Brown, Russell Hopton, Alan Hale, Rollo Lloyd and Stanly Fields. * « * * GEORGE ARLISS AGAIN. In "A Successful Calamity,” the most recent George Arliss vehicle, which will commence at Everybody’s on Saturday, June 3, patrons will see how a master mind made a great coup financially and domestically when he followed a hint dropped by his butler to the effect that “poor people don’t go anywhere.” Using that as the key to the situation, Arliss is able to follow through in his desire to draw his family back to a pleasant and happy home life. An accidental meeting between his son and his own greatest enemy in Wall Street results in a financial stroke that enhanced the family fortune by millions while he was telling them how poor he was. The situation is productive of much drama and comedy and is made doubly interesting by the work of the supporting cast. Mary Astor appears in “A Successful Calamity” as the beautiful and charming wife who is so busy that she has no time for her husband. Evelyn Knapp and William Janney appear as their children, who are too busy to devote much time to domestic life. Grant Mitchell is the faithful butler who gives his millionaire employer the valuable hint about keeping his family together and also “loans” him 3000 dollars. Others in the large cast are Hardie Albright, in an enjoyable comedy role, David Torrence, Fortunio Bonanova, Hale Hamilton, Oscar Apfel, and Randolph Scott. # ft ■ # « “ON OUR SELECTION.” “On Our Selection,” the intensely human film version of the delightfully humorous story by Steele Rudd, will play a return season at the Regent on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday next. With it the Australian film industry has achieved a masterpiece which proved without doubt that the Commonwealth is capable of producing films of a standard equal to anything that has come from English or American studios. Familiar to many readers, all the characters from the entrancing book by Steele Rudd seem to come to life on the screen, with hilarious results. The film deals with the rugged life of a typical family of Australian pioneers in the “out-back,” tracing their troubles and triumphs with unaffected sincerity and humour. Bert Bailey is superbly cast as “Dad,” the part he took for many years in the stage play. “On Our Selection” will also be screened at Hawera this week-end. OPERA HOUSE, HAWERA. May 31 and June 1: “Red Dust” (Jean Harlow and Clark Cable.) June 2 and 3: “Smilin’ Through” .(Norma Shearer.) GRAND THEATRE, HAWERA. June 3 and 5: “On Our Selection” (return season.) * >» * >» NORMA SHEARER’S NEW FILM. Norma Shearer was bom in Montreal, Canada, 1904. Her parents were wealthy and she had many opportunities for a life of leisure but she wanted to be an actress. However, she had uo stage experience and started on her

career as a movie extra in a New York studio in 1921. In 1922 she was signed to her first contract. Then followed a series of pictures, each one better than its predecessor, and so on until Norma Shearer became one of the screen’s greatest stars. Her first talking picture was “The Last of Mrs. Cheyney,” followed by “The Trial of Mary Dugan,” “The Divorcee,” “Let Us Be Gay,” “Strangers May Kiss,” “Free Soul,” “Private Lives” —and now she is coming to Hawera in “Smilin’ Through,” next week. Norma’s hobby is swimming, though she prefers to act (it is her ambition to be a great dramatic actress). # # # # CHINESE HOUSEHOLD WORRIES. The spot on the globe where housewives have the most trouble to keep order was discovered near Cochin, China, which serves as a locale for “Red Dust,” the production in which Clark Gable and Jean Harlow are co-starred, to be shown next week in Hawera. For one item it was found that moths in the closets of rubber plantations of the region grow to be bigger than butterflies 1 Another terrible trial for housewives would be the fierce storms that blow almost daily. Layers of dirt almost an inch thick are left after the terrible winds. Other choice household companions were found to be lizards, tarantulas, spider monkeys, black spiders, and a choice collection of enakes. All of these items • of authentic plantation “atmosphere” are included in sets of the picture through which the cast go warily through their action. School for Amateur Producers. The first school for amateur producers in Wellington has just been most successfully held in the studio of the Repertory Theatre Society and the Pioneer Club. This is the second} school of the kind to be held in New Zealand, the first being in Christchurch at the Little Theatre at Canterbury College at Easter. The Wellington School, only a weekend one, provided a balanced programme of the practical and theoretical sides of stage work. Rehearsal classes were given by Miss Helen Gard’ner and Mr. W. S. Wauchop, and lectures on lighting, make up, and choice of play by Mr. V. Lloyd. The lecture, illustrated by living models in costume, was given by Mr. V. Lloyd. About thirty students • attended all the sessions, and others came to sojne only. It was noticed that very few Wellington people availed themselves of the chance, but students were present from twelve different towns in the North Island, including Hawera, Palmerston North, Dannevirke, and Levin. On Saturday evening a performance of the New Zealand play “Fear” was given, with Miss Blake and Mr. Hayes Townes in the leading parts, which was produced by Mr. Lloyd and criticised by Mr. Wauchop. This was specially designed to cause discussion, and it fully succeeded. On Sunday Canon James preached on drama, and in the afternoon an informal conference was held at the Pioneer Club, where tea and many questions to the lecturing staff filled the time. The school ended with a lecture recital oh mystery plays, more particularly Laurence Housman’s play, “Bethlehem,” by Miss Blake. This attracted people not otherwise attending the school. It was a full and most varied two and a half days. The students freely* expressed their sense of how much they had learnt and how greatly they had enjoyed it Other schools in different parts will follow.. Dante’s Magic. It is something for a European to attain, fame in the East, but more so for a magician, for the East is the home of magic. Dante, the magician, who is opening his New Zealand tour at Auckland on May 24, was once known as Jansen the Great. Now he is Dante the Wonder Man, a title given to him by audiences in all parts of the world. Australian audiences have been testifying to his entertainment powers. He lias a full company of assistants, many of them artists who can give individual turns of merit, and he is to bring with him to New Zealand the full paraphernalia that has helped him to mystify and amuse people of all nationalities. Dante has stage settings that are a show in themselves, and he is also a witty conversationist, so that his feats of magic are leavened by humour of a most original brand. He has numerous disguises, and his art as a magician is recognised to be supreme. Messrs. J. C. Williamson are directing the Dominion visit, and a comprehensive tour is now being mapped out. Musical. Included in the cast of “Forty-second Street,” Warner First National’s musical film, is Ruby Keeler, the wife of the famous Al Jolson. This is her first appearance in a feature-length film, and her performance is considered by the Warner Bros. First National officials to place her among the most promising screen discoveries of the season. She plays the role of a little understudy who becomes a star overnight when the star, played by Bebe Daniels, breaks an ankle. There are many catchy tunes in the picture, including “You’re Getting To Be a Habit With Me,” sung by Bebe Daniels; “Shuffle Off To Buffalo,” and "Young and Healthy.” Besides these two players the cast includes Warner Baxter, George Brent, Guy Kibbee, Ned Sparks, Dick Powell, Ginger Rogers, Lyle Talbot, Una Merkel, George E. Stone, Eddie Nugent, and Allen Jenkins. “Out All Night” Carl Laemmle, jun., has selected “Out All Night” as the title under which the new Slim Summerville-Zasu Pitts costarring comedy,, formerly known as “Niagara Falls,” will be released. Homer Croy, noted author of “West of the Water Tower” and other best sellers, wrote the screen play, and Sam Taylor directed. The cast supporting the droll comedians includes Shirley Grey, Alexander Carr, George Hackathome, Rollo Lloyd, Laura Hope Crewes, and Cora Sue Collins. “Out All Night” is the third feature comedy in which Miss Pitts and Summerville have been teamed. Shorts. Reunited, although their screen marital bonds are broken, Herbert Mundin and Una O’Connor, two of the comedy stars of “Cavalcade,” are currently appearing in Fox Films’ “Pleasure Cruise.” Mundin plays a barber, and Miss O’Connor a romantic campaigner who gets her man by direct method or strategy. In “Cavalcade,” Mundin and Miss O’Connor played the butler and his wife. They are featured in “Pleasure Cruise” with Genevieve Tobin, Roland Young, Ralph Forbes, Minna Gombell, Frank Atkinson, and Theodor von Eitz. Seeing “Faust.” It is said that everyone sees “Faust” once in his or her lifetime. It was not until Harry Hughes, who is directing “The Jewel Song” for 8.1. P., which incorporates a performance of the famous opera, mentioned to his cast that he had never seen Gounod’s masterpiece that he discovered that neither had they Jose Collins, who will play Marguerite in the film version; Dennis Hoey, the Mephistopheles, and Nancy Brown, the Siebel, are all familiar with the score and story but have never seen a performance. The “Silver Cord.” Irene Dunne will be given the biggest chance of her film career in one of her near-feature productions. Merian C. Cooper, RKO Radio’s production chief, announces that “The Silver Cord,” Sidney Howard’s successful play, has been purchased for a future starring vehicle. Miss Dunne will play the part of the young wife who fights against her mother-in-law’s bitter resentment of her son’s marriage. John Cromwell will direct.