GREENROOM GOSSIP

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1363, 8 June 1916, Page 34

GREENROOM GOSSIP

Maggie Moore, Pearl Ladd and Villiers Arnold, all well-known and popular artists, are shortly to commence a New Zealand circuit.

Herbert Brookes, the “Steel Trunk Mystery” man, is on his last tour through New Zealand prior to his departure for America.

The news that Hugh D. Mclntosh has bought both the Sydney “Referee” and “Sunday Times” is further evidence of the capacity of this outstanding citizen of Australia to do big things without making a fuss about it. Mr. Mclntosh was originally known as a caterer in a fair way of business; then, deserting the floury way, he blossomed out as a manager of prize 'fights, and managed to get such good attractions that all Sydney dropped quietly into the habit of patronising his show. Then he built the big Stadium in Rushcutters’ Bay, and offered the biggest purse ever known in the history of the world for tattle between Tommy Burns and Jack Johnson, which Mclntosh not only managed but refereed, owing to trouble at the eleventh hour over the man for the job. Then when Harry Rickards went the way of all flesh Mr. Mclntosh bought into the firm, and soon became its guiding spirit—and still is. Now he strikes new ground, gnd becomes the managing director of two of the most successful weekly papers in Australia, as well as the “Globe” and Saturday ‘ Releree,” two smaller emanations f n om me same office.

The highest-paid producer in the world is Mr. D. W. Griffiths, who produced “The Birth of a Nation.” Mr. Griffiths receives a salary of £20,000 per year, and out of “The Birth of a Nation” l.e is said to have cleared over £lOO,OOO as his share. The colossal nature of his work in making this world-famous picture may oe estimated from the fact that close upon 138,000 feet of film were actually taken, from which a selection was made, the whole being rigorously “sub-edxted” and recompiled, bringing the him down to a length of 12,000 feet in its nnished state for exhibition. Whole armies were engaged in the making of this film, and m the battle scenes IS,OOO people and 3000 horses were used. There are 5000 scenes. “The Birth of a Nation” will first be shown m Sydney, a Melbourne season following at the Theatre Royal.

“Twin Beds,” at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne, has proved something oi a bone ot contention amongst the married. The w.ie who vants to entertain, the iiusuand who prefers to stay peacefully and quieny by Ins own fireside, as personified uy Haie Hamilton ana Myrtie Tannehill, are a topical couple, and the humorous side of tlie comparison mat tne mari,ej font m me audience mane is that the husoanas identity Blanche nawkms as the counterpart of their .wises and the latter compare Harry nawic.ns with meir iiusuands. Tins is a typical letter —one of many—that Mr. G. H. Smith, the business manager at the Theatre Royal, has received in the course of the run of the delightful comedy: “I saw ‘Twin Beds’ last night, aim was so impressed with it that 1 am telling all my married girl friends to go and see it. ,It shows up xii ihe most practical way how selfish husbands are. I have often tried to make my husband understand how selfish and unsociable he is, but last night’s performance will prove it to him.” But the husbands find in the play a similar forceful argument against their wives. Meanwhile, both single and married are flocking to see the comedy.