LEON GORDON.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17916, 11 January 1930, Page 16 (Supplement)

LEON GORDON.

TO MAKE TALKIES. MORE PLAYS IN AUSTRALIA. When Leon Gordon finishes his Australian contract he will become a talking picture actor in America. His wife, Nancy Gordon, who is popular on the stage, may also appear on the screen. This announcement was made recently by Mr Gordon, who is now appearing in “Murder on the Second Floor” at the Comedy Theatre, Melbourne. Mr Gordon will be seen in only a few more plays before he leaves Australia. The actor-author said that he 1 had made a contract with the Fox Film Corporation, which was to produce an audible film version of “The Poppy God.” This play was written by Leon Gordon and Colin Le Roy Clemence, and produced by Mr Gordon in New York about five years ago. it is a Chinese story and is strongly dramatic. Mr Gordon added that he would like to convert his play “White Cargo”

into a talkie, and hoped the ban would be lifted. The American censor would not permit the presentation of “White Cargo” on the screen, though it had been staged in various parts of the world since 1923, and played by as many as 21 companies in the United States at one time. An English talkie version of “White Cargo" has been made.

It Is possible that “The Poppy. God” may be done in Australia.

Mr Gordon Intends to stage Somerset Maugham’s “The Land of Promise’'’ after the run of “Murder on the Second Floor,” while the production of two of Oscar Wilde’s plays are contemplated.

An Interesting Mystery Play.

“Murder on the Second Floor” has had a very successful run in London. Frank Vosper, the author, is an actor, one of the few actors who are playwrights. “While having no particular preference for mystery plays, I must say ‘Murder on the Second Floor’ presents this form of entertainment at a completely new and very interesting angle, and I can think of no better choice for a Christmas entertainment,” said Mr Gordon.

“ ‘Murder on the Second Floor’ calls for at least two of the actors to have acrobatic tendencies in the second act, which represents three floors of a house, and in which the mysterious happenings take place. Among these is the sudden collapse of the bannisters near which two of the characters are struggling. This necessitates both actors falling 12 feet.