AMUSEMENTS, MEETINGS, ETC.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19009, 9 May 1924, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS, MEETINGS, ETC.

THE GRAND. “IF WINTER COMES." COMMENCING MONDAY NEXT. When it was decided to present, a screen version of A. S. M. Hutchinson’s “If Winter Comes,” which will open nt the Grand Theatre next Monday for a five days' season, William Fox first carefully discussed the proposed scenes with the author and with his help spent the better part of a year in England faithfully staging those scenes. It may also be said that the fictional characters steppad. from between the cover* of the bcok o t to the moving picture screen. The characters were so real that it wasn’t difficult to find their counterpart in life and the villages were so clearly and faithfully pictured that juat. such ones were found. And as the picture grew in length the enthusiasm ot the author kept apace, while that of the English villagers was no less. Everybody seemed to wish success to the picture. Percy Marmont is the star. Beyond a question of a doubt Marmont is Mark Sabre. No actor that didn’t live and feel his part could possibly give such an accurate presentation as does Marmont. Hutchinson himselfhas said that the selection of this accomplished English actor was an inspiration. Harry Millarde, the director, told' Mr. Hutchinson that never before had he seen the siast of a picture so thoroughly absorb the spirit of a play. There were occasions where it was necessary for the director, possibly an hour after the shooting of a screen, to order certain members of the Cast to relapse—to forget their parts. Percy Marmont didn’t have to relapse. He was a Mark Sabre before the book was written. Most of the scenes seemed naturally to work out their own finish, so perfectly did the actors understand the characters in the book. “High” and “Low” Jinks, ths two maids of Mark Sabre, merely kept their eyes on Percy Marmont, adoring his every word and act, and went, through their scenes smoothly. They weren’t actresses, but typical English servants who thoroughly Understood and appreciated Marmont as the ideal English master. And so it was with the English countryfolk. Everybody entered into the spirit of the story. The scenes in the picture are not “stage sets.” but were filmed on English locations chosen by Mr. Hutchinson. One of the piaffes is the famous Chilham Castle, with its tower said to have been built by Caesar in 56 B. C. So keen was the interest throughout England in the filming of the picture that the War Department permitted the entire Royal West Kent Regiment, with its officers, to participate. The regiment, famous in English history, is known as “The Buffs.” Eight different English towns’ were photographed in the taking of “If Winter Comes.” Those who helped in making the picture are Ann Forrest as Lady Tybar; Arthur Metcalf as Hapgood; Sidney Herbert as Twyning. Walter Kolb as Harold Twyning; William Riley Hatch as the Rev. Sebastian' Fortune; Raymond Bloomer as Lord Tybar; Virginia Lee as Miss Winfield; Leslie King as “Humpo”; George Pelzer as Old Bright; James Ten Brook as the Coroner; Margaret Fielding as Mabel; Gladys Leslie as Effie; Dorothy Allen as High Jinks; Eleanor Daniels as Low Jinks; Eugenie Woodward as Mrs. Perch, and Russell Sedgwick as young Perch.

PHARUS AND A POLICEMAN. NOTABLE AUCKLAND CURE Policemen as a rule keep a wary eye on miracle men, quacks and witchdoctors, and are quick to force them into retreat if their curative methods are pretentious humbug and deception. It is seldom, indeed, that a policeman invades a newspaper office with proof of a remarkable cure by a healer. Such was the case during the successful demonstrations of Pharus the Egyptian, at the National Theatre, Auckland. The facts constitute a notable tribute tj the “stage physician.” The interesting case was that of Constable Barrett’s 12-year-old son Jack who, as the result of an accidental fall when an infant, had suf fered ever since from infantile paralysis and curvature of the spine. The hopelessly crippled lad for whom hundreds of pounds had beeu spent in medical treatment, was taken to Pharus at the theatre. While on the stage the boy was subjected to the Egyptian’s nerve pressure. His short leg was almost immediately lengthened by three-quarters of an inch. Since then the cure had been progressive under the same simple treatment. The boy's knees are now in alignment, and he can perform feats which formerly were beyond hi; I impaired strength It is in every sense a remarkable cure and yet only one of many. This miracle worker “Pharus,” will make his first appearance in Wanganui on Monday evening next at His Majesty’s Theatre. The season will be for six nights and matinees on Wednesday ! and Saturday May 14 and 17. A | fine picture programme consisting of ' the magnificent First National feature “The Huntress” a comedy ' and Gazette will occupy the early part of the evening. The box plans for the season are now on view at Upton’s and the usual prices of admission prevail.

Miss Lucy Takarangi A.T.C.L., L.T.C.L., announces that her second term commences on Monday next, 12th. inst. Miss Takarangi will be pleased to interview parents and students at the studio, Earle’s Buildings, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to-day (Friday).