PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18874, 18 February 1933, Page 16 (Supplement)

PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

February 20.—Sybil Thorndike Company, “ Madame Plays Nap.”

Amateur Society for Morrlnsvllle. A decision to form a Morrlnsvllle Amateur Theatrical Society was made this week at a -meeting of those Interested In amateur theatricals. The society intends to commence rehearsing almost immediately with a view to producing a musical comedy in a few months’ time. The following officials were appointed:—Joint secretaries, Miss M. Splnley and 'Mr T. Bodman; musical director, Mr D. Noffke; ballet mistress, Miss R. Johnstone. Several residents with experience of producing theatricals have offered assistance.

Play to Stop. “Business With America,” the comedy in which 'Miss Madge Titheradge returned to the stage after a retirement of several years, has been withdrawn from the Haymarket Theatre in a few weeks. It was produced there on December 6. Miss Titheradge explained at the time that the principal reason for her return to the stage was the considerable financial losses suffered by her husband, Mr Edgar Park, a one-time wealthy American. She told me yesterday that she and her husband hope to remain in London, and 'she Is now reading numer ous manuscripts to find a suitable new play. “Double Harness,” by Mr Edward Poor Montgomery, in which Mr Owen N&res and Miss Mteiry Ellis will play the leading parts is being staged at the Haymarket la London. Heir* of El Dorado.

Metno-Ooldwyn return a profit of juet under 3,000,000 dollars for the year ended August last—about half the profit made in the 1931 period. The dividend distribution for 1932 Is equivalent to 18.78 dollars on the preferred stock, whioh was quoted on Deoember 17 at 17i dollars. Four Metro-Ooldwyn offlolals —Irving Thalberg, Louis B. 'Mayer, J. R. Rubin, and David Bernstein—have been given “.personal service contracts," which Entitle them to purchase 250,000 shares in Loews, Inc., the theatre oompany, on the following terms: — 27i per cent, after the first two years of servloe, at 30 dollars a share; 271 per cent, after the next two years, at 85 dollars a share, and 45 per cent, after the next two yeans, at 40 dollars a shore. Thalberg has the right to buy 100,000 shares, and Mayer, Rubin, and Bernstein 50,000 shares each. The stock is quoted «ut about 21 dollars.

Cash bonuses amounting to 922,000 dollars in 1982, and 1,749,000 dollars In 1931, were .paid to the Mayer Corporation, which consists of Mayer, Thalberg, and Rubin. Opinion on the New York Stock Exchange is that the existence .of “personal service oontracts,” involving large options on shares, will prevent an advance in the prices of the stook. On the face of things it would appear that Messrs Maye;, Thalberg, and Rubin have been* receiving well over £200,000 a year apiece, and stand to make huge fortunes if and when they are able to exercise their stock options.

Mr Chari®* Laughton.

Mr Charles Laughton Is to ®tar in a British talking picture for London Film Productions, under the direction of iMr Alexander Korda. Mr Laughton, who spent the .greater part of last year in Hollywood, made the hit of the year in United States talking pictures. His performance in “Devil and the Deep’’ was described in The Daily Mali as the finest piece of acting in 1932. He is due to return to Hollywood in June. “I have agreed to make this film fat England," he said yesterday, "because I have the greatest admiration for Mr Korda as a director. Hits ‘Service for Ladies’ made a tremendous Impression in Hollywood. A story will be selected within the .next few days. We shall take plenty of time to ensure as far as possible the making of a really good Him."