ACROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS

Waikato Times, Volume 90, Issue 14024, 29 March 1919, Page 11

ACROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS

PLAYS AND PICTURES, (By "Fra Diavolo.”)

THEATRE IIOYAL. Nightly—Pictures. KING’S THEATRE. Nightly—Pictures. TOWN HALL. Nightly—Pictures. America and Now Zealand Compared. Mr. Earle Miller, in the course of his “ Impresions of New Zealand ” at the Ghatauqua tent last Saturday, said:— 11 New Zealanders like classical music more than the Americans do, and I find that there are more young people here, according to population, who play clasical music, than there are in the Stales, where, except under exceptional circumstances, we would not lilt a hall for a classical except with subscription tickets. Y'ou are also superior in your town bands. On the other hand, America is superior in orchestras. In most of the picture shows one can hear a really good orchestra, and I know of one where, for 7Jd admission, one can enjoy a llrst-class symphony orchestra of 35 players. Americans like popular music more—the sentimental, tuneful song which becomes the rage for a season and then disappears to make room for the next.” Ernest Drake’s Farewell, I understand that a ■ farewell concert is to be tendered in Dunedin to Mr. Ernest Drake, the well-known tenor singer, who intends to leave for America and England to continue his studies. There are many friends and admirers of Mr. Drake in Hamilton who will wish him well as he goes further afield. Dolores’ Advice to Singers. Mile. Dolores is always cautious about advising anyone to take up a musical career. “ This is indeed a land of fine voices,” she agrees; “but there are so many other things necessary in addition to the voice. There mdst be temperament, good health, and a capacity for unremitting hard work. And even then, after years of hard work, the student may reap only disappointment. If a girl has all the qualifications I mention, and is resolutely prepared to go on with her studies, then by all means -let her he encouraged to do so. But there arc many things that she must consider, for the life is one of sacrifice.” Harry Lauder. Of Harry Lauder, who returns to Australia at Easter, Mr. J. Tait writes from America:—“l have just returned from Boston, where I went to see our old friend, Harry Lauder. He is doing wonderful business, playing at the Boston Opera House (seating capacity 2750). I saw the matinee and evening performances. Just Imagine turning money away from a theatre that size 1 He is a wonderful favourite in this as in all countries. He’s raising money for the maimed Scottish and English sailors. At this date the fund totals £80,000.” “ My Ideal Man.” Pearl White: “ Courage—mental, moral, and physical—is to my mind the greatest attribute of manliness.” Anita Stewart: “He must have a ready smile, and must never pity himself. Nor would he be an idler.” Marguerite Clark: “Is there such a man in real life—a man who can laugh at just the right time, and make me laugh at the right time, too? Theda Bara: “If a man could be found who would be agreeable before breakfast, I think it would go without saying that ho had all other human virtues. ' I don’t care so much what he looks like so long as He doesn’t cafe what he looks like.” Mary Plckford: “I believe I am more attracted by a clever brain than anything else. I would prefer that he be good-looking; but not too goodlooking. He must he tall. I don’t care much about his manernisms, or his manners. Let me know his habits. Above all he must be a man whose intelligence I would respect.”

Jottings. Messrs J. and N. Tail are inquiring for a date in Hamilton for a concert by the popular Antonia Dolores. The pictures of the surrender of the German fleet have caused something of a sensation throughout New Zealand. When is Hamilton to sec them? The recent season of Williamson’s Musical Comedy Company in Auckland is said to have been one of the most successful that has ever taken place in the northern city. “ A Dog’s Life," to he screened at the Theatre Royal to-night, is said to be one of Charlie Chaplin’s funniest, and that is saying something! When one i aughs at his absurdities one hardly realises that as a pantomime artist he is something of a genius. “ Maytime,” Williamson’s latest offering, is said to be a sort of musical “ Milestones,” dealing with three generations. The screen version of the exciting spy .play, “ The Man who Stayed at Home” will lie shown in Hamilton shortly. “Desert Gold and Gloaming” is a sporting Him which should attract the multitude to the Town Hall to-night. Maurice Costello has returned to he screen, making his re-appearance in “The Captain’s Captain," with Alice Joyce.

A campaign for “cleaner posters” has been launched in America. The operations, with advantage, might be extended to New Zealand. “Influenza hit the Him business harder than four years of war,” remarked the president of one of the biggest film corporations in America tlu; other day. Douglas Fairbanks’ advice: “If you desire success do not lose sight of the necessity for working a whole lot more than you think you should.” Mabel Normand and John Bowers, two movie stars popular with Hamilton audiences, were, when the last mail left, recovering from a severe attack of “flu.”. .... , When the will of the late Harold Lockwood was filed .in New York, SftVfcral Interesting facts came to light. One, that his widow, Alma Lockwood, is not mentioned in the list of beneiicl.arias. Lockwood, although a film star who brought down a considerable salary, loft only 45,000 dollars, 20,000 of which was in life insurance policies jjf 10.000 dollars each; the remainder in _real and persona! property. The policies go lo Ills mother, who lives in New York, and his len-yoar-old son, who resides with the widow in Los Angeles. - The 25,000 dollars is to he equally divided among the mother, son, and Gladys W. Lyle, a friend of the actor, who also resides in Los Angeles. When it comes to real pugilism, Thomas Santschi- and William Farnuin form a good double —in fact, they both handed out real honest-to-goodness punches in their screen light in “The Spoilers," and there is doubt if there Will ever he another like it. They have Doth been in some mighty, gruesome scrummages, but never could secure an actor who was willing lo stand pimlsliinrnt since. As a result of their first combat, Santschi lost six, teeth, cracked a rib and had his shoulder thrown out of place.