PORTRAYS HER OWN MOTHER

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23372, 1 December 1945, Page 8

PORTRAYS HER OWN MOTHER

Marie Lloyd On The Screen That talent for the stage and screen does run in families is amply and remarkably illustrated by Marie Lloyd Jnr. In “Variety Jubilee,” Marie Lloyd Jnr. portrays her famous mother, Marie Lloyd, at the height of her career, and displays the verve and ability that made her mother one of the most outstanding personalities ever to appear on the stage. Marie Lloyd first gained recognition in the East End of London in the “naughty nineties,” but soon advanced to the famous old Oxford. Music Hall and appeared in pantomime at Drury Lane. She became the embodiment of Cockney humour, and gained a place as one of the greatest artists ever to appear on the English vaudeville stage. She died in 1922. and to recreate this great star, Butchers successfully engaged her own daughter, who, in “Variety Jubilee,” portrays her mother in her most popular songs. Not only have Butchers recreated the great stars of yesteryear, but they have actually presented in person such stars as George Robey. Charles Coburn, Nat D. Ayer, as well as many of the outstanding stars of the stage and screen of to-day.

Nat D. Ayer, in spite of his age. is still one of England's greatest song writers. His songs have swept not only Britain, but also the United States. His first success was the ever popular “Oh. You Beautiful Doll.” and this was followed by “You're My Baby” and “Moving Day in Jungle Town,” about which Mr Ayer says that though it’s forgotten to-day, it meant marmalade on his toast in its day! These he followed with the unforgettable “Another Little Drink Won’t Do Us Any Harm.”

The First World War brought him to the pinnacle of his fame, and he gave Britain two songs that will never be forgotten—“ Let The Great Big World Keep Turning” <as popular today as when he wrote it. and recently put over at a Royal Command perforanmec!) and “If You Were the Only Girl in the World.” featured by George Robey and Violet Lorraine in “The Bing Boys.”

Lew Ayres’ Story A Hollywood producer is reported to be interested in a film version of the life of Lew Ayres, “Young Dr Kildaire ” Ayres, it will be remembered, caused a minor sensation by appealing as a conscientious objector when drafted for service with the United States Army; he later entered the Army as a chaplain's assistant and served in the Pacific campaign. His friends believe that his objection to war and killing dates back to his playing the hero in “All Quiet On The Western Front.” After his divorce from Ginger Rogers Ayres had the reputation of being a very moody, despondent fellow—all good material for a screen story, but Lew Ayres’ opinion has not yet been voiced. Red Hair For Success Only five per cent of women have red hair—but far more than that proportion of Hollywood's successful women are red-haired. Rita Hayworth is a red-head who began in dancing films like “Cover Girl.” Mary Astor, who has been on the screen for many years, has beautiful titian hair—and a temperament to match. Famous dramatic film actress Marlene Dietrich has red-gold hair. So have Lucille Ball, Barbara Stanwyck and Jeanette MacDonald. Ginger Rogers started her career' as a red-head, but has changed the colour of her hair many times. Other well-known red-headed stars are Susan Hayward, Ann Sheridan. Nancy Coleman, Maureen O’Hara and singer Dinah Shore. “Dese Boids” Banned "Brooklynese” was banned from use in “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. To the popular illusion, partially fostered by past films, that all Brooklynites habitually say “oily” when they mean “early,” and “erly” when they mean “oily,” and call a bird a "boid.” and are addicted to the use of “dese,” “dem” and “dose,” among other quaint variations of the English language, the director, Elia Kazan, turned a deaf ear. He reasoned that since the characters in Betty Smith's book, who are very real, didn’t speak “Brooklynese,” the characters in the screen version shouldn’t speak it either. Consequently. they talk as people anywhere might talk. Then, too, the great appeal of the story lies in the fact that it might have taken place almost anywhere, in any crowded city. What happens to the characters is in the realm of universal experience. Vaudeville Dead? The movies, it is generally conceded, killed vaudeville, and yet the studios are keeping the tradition of vaudeville alive. Any picturegoer with a retentive memory can recognise in to-day's screen headliners the same routines that graced the stages not so long ago. Jack Benny and Fred Allen acts are admittedly old stuff brought up to date. The Crosbys and Sinatras of to-day are the .fellows who yesterday stood just outside in the wings and dished out the torrid love songs. Abbott and Costello would be the first to admit their routine wore whiskers in vaudeville’s prime. There are plenty of others: Edgar Bergen trouped with the wooden McCarthy for years, Eddie Cantor was a master of songs and patter, Leon Errol’s knees buckled for audiences all over the U.S.. Vaudeville may be dead and Hollywood its murderer, but the criminal is atoning in grand fashion for his sin. Versatile Benchley Robert Benchley, who was described in the New York cable message announcing his death last week as . writer and humorist, was possibly one of the most versatile actors in Hollywood. He was educated at Harvard University, taking the American A.B. degree, and during the Great War was Secretary to the Aircraft Board in Washington. He was a widely experienced journalist; one of his varied positions being that of dramatic editor of the “New Yorker.” In 1929 he made six short films for Fox and another series for M.G.M. in 1937 and he was also the author of several humourous books, including “The Early Worm,” “Pluck and Luck” and “After 1903 — What?” He was 56. George Robey, C.B.E. George Robey, England’s “Prime Minister of Mirth.” was awarded the C.B.E. for his magnificent work in raising funds for war charities. The comedian with the famous eyebrows has been one of the most patriotic stars that stage and screen have ever produced, both in this war and the last. Robey will next be seen in Butcher Empire’s spectacular cavalcade of England through 50 years, “Variety Jubilee." Lesley Brook Again Encouraged by the world-wide success of ‘‘l’ll Walk Beside You,” Butcher Empire Films have spent a quarter of a million pounds in producing “For You Alone," the title of which is taken from the song of that name by H. E. Geehl and P. J. O’Reilly—“God fashioned it for you—For You Alone.” Starred in the film is Lesley Brook, already a firm favourite as a result of her work in “I’ll Walk Beside You.” Miss Brook is supported once again by the London Symphony Orchestra, and the cast includes Jimmy Hanley, Dinah Sheridan. Robert Griffith and G. H. Mulcaster. Musical highlights are provided by Heddle Nash, England’s greatest tenor, singing the title song, and Cadman’s “At Dawning." Albert Sandler and his Orchestra with soprano Helen Hill in Strauss’ lovely “Tales from the Vienna i Woods." and many other musical treats. “For You Alone’’ called for very exceptional accoustic values on its spacious and elaborate sets, and the recording sets a new standard in British reproduction-