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Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 280, 25 November 1937, Page 3

Joseph Calleia. He started out to be a Scotch comedian and became one of the most famous “menaces” in filmdom. Such is the paradoxical career of Joseph Calleia, who made his debut on the talking screen in “Public Hero.” Now under contract to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, he appears with William Powell and Myrna Loy in “After the Thin Man.” Calleia was born on the Isle of Malta and was destined for a business career. But somehow the idea irked him. He organised a harmonica band that proved a success and studied singing. He went to Europe to make a concert tour. Then, in England, he saw Sir Harry Lauder and turned to Scottish comedy. In 1918, young Spurin-Calleia as he then called himself, went to America. He tried his Scotch act, with no success. For a time he worked in car barns. Finally he got a place in Henry W. Savage’s “Have a Heart” road company, which took him on tour. This led to his role in *Pietro” with Otis Skinner. Because of his Latin type he was then given a role in “The Broken Wing.” For a time he was in musical comedy and then became a “menace” in “The Front Page.” This was followed by his sinister roles in “The Last Mile,” “Grand Hotel,” “Clear All Wires,” and, finally, his starring role in “Small Miracle,” which led to his Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer contract.

Satirical Play. In his comedy “Climbing,” at the London Embassy Theatre, Marten Cumberland satirises the brand of record-breaker who pushes a peanut up a mountain with his nose, or sits on a pole for days. He makes Will’-c Baker, son of a poor suburban family in financial straits, climb a tree in the garden and stay there for days, thus establishing a world recr/l. The papers make a news story of this feat and Willie is besieged witn all sorts of offers. Willie is what couiiry peo[le call a “natural” —a man with a mental age of about six, exhibiting kll the sudden rages, the pride of possession, the childish dreams, and the odd tenacity of the under-developed. By sticking out calmly for more money, more money, more money, he is able to establsh the family on a firm financial rock, and is signed up foe .i'ms at a fabulous salary. Skelton Knaggs played Willie on lines that will bring him notice. Katie Johnson, Andrew Leigh, and Molly Clifford were all well cast.

Drama on Poe. The newest of the biographical dramas that Britain and America express a liking for is one concerned with the 40 tempestuous years of Edgar Allan Poe’s life. Sophie Treadwell wrote it, and called it “Plumes in the Dust.” While not seeking to justify Poe, Miss Jreadwell explains him and writes with compassion and understand of genius with physical and spiritual handicaps. She represents Poe as a sensitive neurotic buffeted by fate and harassed by circumstances from which he tries to flee —during his flight alcohol claimed him. She introduces him as a boy .of 17 coming home to his adoptive parents, the John Allans of Richmond, after having run himself into _debt. His foster father, a crabbed Scot, will have none of him and his foster mother’s sympathies are overborne. “Eddie” is shown the door. The play takes audiences to Poe’s experiences with the Clemms in Baltimore_, with whom he lived; his marriage to 13-year-old Virginia Clemm and his affection for his child-wife; her de<\u his meeting with the affected celebrities of his time; his castigation of them; on to his final disillusionment as to the sainted Elmira’s appreciation of a true poet (Elmira was his first love, now married); and to the unfortunate lapse in 1849 after he left Richmond and started for New \ork. He was found finally in a Baltimore hospital, where he died.

Fay Compton as Victoria. A masterpiece of make-up will be seen when Fay Compton appears in “Victoria Regina,” with which the Australian tour of the famous English actress will open at the King’s Theatre, Melbourne, on October 23. As the slim, young Queen Victoria in 1839, before she married the future Prince Consort, Fay Compton presents a figure of girlish charm. Later, we see her as the elderly Queen, with full figure, plump cheeks, and grey hair—an amazing transition which is effected partly by filling out the cheeks with wax pads and other make-up accessories. One of the features of “Victoria Regina” will be the furnishings of the period, which will include real antiques which Miss Compton is ringing from London, as they play an important part in producing the requisite “atmosphere” in the play. The famous actress and her company of nine artists were on board the Oronsay, which arrived in Melbourne on October 4. Various public receptions are being arranged for them.