STAGE AND SCREEN

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 120, 17 November 1932, Page 16

STAGE AND SCREEN

fThorndika Season Next.Month. Dame Sybil Thorndike, who is to tour New Zealand, under the Williamson ban»er,"' commencing at Wellington on Boxlie Day/26th December, is bringing her full company ~of English people with her for.the performance of a fine repertoire, including- such notable productions as Shaw's plays, Shakespeare, Ibsen, and Sidney Howard. The latter is represented by "The Silver Cord." - Dame Sybil is not; only an actress—she is a musician and a: historian as well, so that it is-no wonder that-her productions are authentic in every way. During her stay, of several months in Australia, she has endeared iierself to the youth of that country, by reason of her willingness to listen to compositions, poems, and plays written by young people. Her. - encouragement has been ,a fine inspiration to budding composers, girl pianists, amateur actors and actresses, and has gained for.-her the Jove and /respect of all. Her dress-ing-room has been a centre.,of activity at every performance, and it says a lot for Dame Sybil's patience that she has been willing to accord interviews to ambitious youth. As a, re-' jsiilt of a performance in her honour of Constant Nymph" by Doris Fitton's ■Independent Theatre Players in Sydney, Arthur Lane, a Lancashire lad with a, talent for character parts, has'been engaged by Mr. Lewis Casson, Dame Sybil's actor-producer husband, and has joined the .'Thorndike Company. His work as Peverill 'Leyburn, the absurd young man ,an the production, impressed the Cassons ;»—a lucky incident for the Lancashire lad. ■**Jm-Ho-Te'p." Three. additions to the cast of' "Irii-Ho-" ■fTep,"-the story of a revived Egyptian; Jrnummy, which gives.Boris Karloff his most »nusual\make-up, have been made! Arthur Byron, Bramwell. Fletcher, and : Noble - tJqhpsoh .were-given. the password to admit them to the closely guarded, settings ion the 'Universal City lot to play roles.'' Zita. Johann is leading, lady., •"Make-up:" '■'..:...' More than .'so' photographs of the Czar i>f..- Russia were used to■: determine the: proper make-up for Ralph Morgan in hia sole .as . the . monarch in '"Rasputin," Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture, in which John,. Ethel, and Lionel- Barrymore are starred. ."•'■■ ''Rain." : '"'■■' "■■:■' , Applause, followed-by; appreciative, comments. r from ■a , first-night . audience that included '.practically every screen celebrity in ■ Hollywood, greeted the world pre--miere of "Rain," at Grauman's Chinese . Theatre in L"6s Angeles recently. Joan Crawford- plays -the leading' role, andXewis . Milestone's direction is. .said to ba-highly ingenious.- -This picture will' be released by United Artists. prand"Opera'for South. * -;■■••■-■ After .Wellington,, the. Williamson- Im--perial Grand, Opera Company goes South.jThe, Christehurch season opens on Satur-. day, and will occupy the Theatre Royal Tintil Ist December. .' Timaru will be played on Friday, -2nd- December; Dunediri, from I Saturday, 3rd December, to Monday, 32th December; after. which Invercargill, 33th 'and' 14th December, will be visited. ' >Gp!die."- ■'. Eight new players .have been added to *he cast of ."Goldie Gets Along," being produced' by; J. G.; Bachman for R.K.O. Radio. release. Those-signed are Charles Morion, Sain Hardy, Don Alvarado, Lu--fcien' Littlefield, Nat Pendleton, . Arthur - Hoyt, Henry; Fink, and Bradly Page. This. brings the 'total number of-players up to jurie-j—Lily Damita having previously been signed for. the lead in this sprightly story •wMch exposes the bathing beauty •racket."-- . ■ ■ ■ Beryl Mercer. / Thje cast,selected for "Six Hours To Live," which. Wilhelm Dieterle is directing "for : Fox Bilms, has •. been . further strengthened by the addition of Beryl Mercer and .Irene Ware. .Miss Mercer has the role -of the war mother who. haunts the,environs.,of,the International Peace Palace at Geneva, where a Disarmament Conference-is- in-progress, -and has several poignant 6cenes with Warner1 Baxter, who,:as a delegate to the.conference, opposes disarmament on the ground that it will destroy his country. . . . ' Firsts ' : : '■': """ ' ' -." : After twenty-five, years on :'screen and etage,. Hugh Herbert was called upon to play' his' -first love-scene. -It waß in "Tinffoil,"; for \Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. He ,received . his1 initiation from the hands, or ' : rather lips,-of' Tallulah Bankhead. ENa Shields-George Wallace. Another of the Christmas attractions for New Zealand theatregoers will be provided- by the firm of J. 0. Williamson, Ltd. , This will- be the appearance in the Dominion,for the first time of the highly-success-ful revue' company;, headed by the one ;and i only. Ella, Shields and the favourite 'comedian George Wallace. This is a really ; splendid combination, and it. will be sup-. ported_ by an all-star company, providing a quick-fire" programme of revue specialty'acts that are sure to appeal to New ;Zea]and' audiences. • According .to ' cable' received by Mr. Harry Stringer, New.Zealand representative of the firm, the company-will commence the Dominion ,tour by..providing, the Christmas and New • year holidays attraction for Auckland.

In France... ■ Sidney Fox has arrived in.. Paris^.and . ; gone direct to Nice to make. "Don Quixote" for-a French; firm." Cervantes':hero ■is Fedor Chaliapin. It will be the first-time that Sidney Fox has had, an opportunity to'sing in a'picture: In the meantime, at Universal City, -three-pic-tures will be made ready for,her:."Mara-. .thon Dancer," by: Harry Sauder;' an original by Preston Sturgess; and "Next Doorto Heaven," by Edward Luddy. Auckland. Choir. , , .'..'' . The Royal Auckland Choir '• is ■ to:night giving a concert at Auckland,, at which an -orchestra of 24 instruments will,, accompany • the choir iin three numbers— GernsHeim's' Triumph Song, , "Salamis," Schubert's "Great is Jehovah," and Dud- . ley^Buck's "Bugle Song," from Tennyson's "Princess." Miss May Mitchell and Mr. Robert Simmers are soloists, and Mr.'Vincent Aspey is to play violin.obligates. "Tho-Masqueradcr."; ' Elissa Landi will play opposite' Ronald Colman in Samuel Goldwyn's picturisation of.the famous dual personality thriller, "The Masquerader." This picture wiirbe: .released- by United- Artists; • .'• ; . .. "Rasputin." ; .-..-. _ - -The, roles .of .the four little, grand .duchesses, daughters of the late Tsar,' were 'filled at'the Metro-Gold\yyn-Mayer studios by four young actresses in their teens, for ■ "Rasputin," •in which John, < Ethel, and Lionel. Barrymore are co-starred. ' Jane Parker, who recently played the: juvenile "■ heroine in "Divorce in the Family" with Jackie :Cooper,' Dawn O'Day, ■ noted child actres^, Mabel Marden, and Helen Robinson will play the roles.' Joseph Post's Career. ' . When, the New .'South Wales " State Orchestra toured New Zealand a few years ago under the direction of Henri yerbrugghen, its. ranks included a youthful LAvs- ■ tralian, who -was-not more than 1-s—Joseph Post.' Mr. Post, now in his twenty-sixth .year, is-revisiting New; Zealand, this'time as assistant' conductor with the .William son Imperial Grand Opera Company that concludes its Wellington season- at the Opera House to-night. , Mr. Post is Aus-tralian-born and educated,' andhis musical attainments are out of the ordinary. He ls-attached to the staff of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music as professor- of-piano - and oboe, surely an achievement in one so young.- He secured a scholarship in; piano : and oboe at an early age, and had-shown signs at the'age of six, when he made his . first public appearance, that he was destined to go far in the musical profession. . Mr. Post is on twelvemonths' leave from the Conservatorium, granted in order that' he might join the opera ' company, . having been chosen from several applicants for the position of assistant' conductor.. During the Sydney season' of the Williamson Imperial Company, he had the opportunity of conducting "Aida,"' and has also'deputised for Maestro Rossi in other performances, notably in "Carmen," "Eigoletto," and "La Boheme." To the Italian maestro he. pays a sincere tribute 'for the' helpful kindnesses shown to a' student by a great conductor.. Mr.^Pbsfcbrings news of Alfred.Hill, the New Zealander, many of whose •; compositions are woven around the Maori legends of his native land. Mr. Hill's little-known opera, . 'Teora," was first produced in Sydney by Mr. P.ost, who liked the music and story so much that he asked permission to present it, and. did, successfully,-with a,cast ' that included May; Craven, Rupert Swallow, Wilfred Thomas, and Harold Tolly- ' .marsh, with,assistance from a number of students from the Conservatdriiim. Mr. ■ Hill' also- composed a Mass in 'E :F]at, ■• which was sung for the first, time by the choir bf.St: Bridgid's, Coogee, Sj'dney, and .dedicated it to Mr. Post.The careerof the ■ young. Australian will .be watched with interejt' by- the friends and admirers "who* have appreciated his work with the. grand opera company in New Zealand. .

Repertory in Opera House. _-The.- Wellington 'Repertory; Theatre - Society, is breaking fresh ground by taking the' Opera House for" its forthcoming season of '-'-Milestones.'* ■ The -play opens on Wednesday next, 23rd November, for three nights. The experiment is a bold one, and ••the1 society is-sparing- no .expense or care .in..an:. endeavour..: to make, this; the pinnacle of its production- efforts. .The cast- is : one: of the.':! best, ever assembled from Wellington amateurs 'and 'the Costumes: promise: to :be ;a!revelation. The society has. contributed such .a-volume of valuable"' cultural achievement for Wellington citizens; that it is. hoped that the public response will be adequate. The playitself is a brilliant piece of dramatic literature-and was the. work of. Arnold Bennett- and 'Edward Knoblpck in-collabo-ration: ■ The dialogue-is brilliant and'incisive and. was all written by Arnold Bennett.rwhile the plot construction and .the dramatic-technique, are. .the, work of. the skilful Knoblock. The direction is in the hands -of - Mr. .Wy S. Wauchop, ;who .has been responsible-for a long line of ■ successes,:andi the Wellington; Society is to be congratulated on. taking :this-bold step in. the .interests of' the repertory movement •One -interesting feature of the perforraancewill.be.,that f there will be a-:very large number of cheap seats,'it being the society'sr hope that they win* reach a wider audience than ever before. Mickey's Money. Mickey. Mouse, announces a budget of 643,000 dollars for the- coming twelve months. ;The sum ■ represents' the cost of producing and -making prints of thirtyone .Mickey Mouse and Silly Symphony sound'cartoons for United Artists' release. Growth: and progress;of-the Walt. Disney studios is.reflected' by the. fact'that four yearsago the! studio "employed only .twenty individuals in contrast' to,the; .110 'to-day. The first Mickey Mouse was made in a garage -:Miekey to-day boasts a half-mil-lion dollar film plant in Hollywood. Ayres. • ■-.■'...' '.''■'.'..'' . Lew Ayres:has. completed his latest Uni-versal-starring, vehicle, "The Penalty of Fame," under the' direction of' Tay Garnett. • In his new film Ayres plays the role of.;a courageous newspaper columnist and radio broadcaster who solves a kidnapping ■mystery.-''The Penalty of Fame" pays, a tribute-to the loyalty' of-newspaper writ,ers.' Maureen' O'Sullivan, Walter Catlett, and Magaret: Lindsay are in the casti Municipal Opera House. San Francisco's new War Memorial Opera- House •is ■ the first- municipallyowhed opera house in the United' States. .It cost i.six million; dollars to build, and' seats- 4000.. It ■ is. built •in . monumentalclassic style, and is one of the twin buildings that form part of the Civic Centre; It was built by funds contributed by the public'and derived from a municipal bond issue,1 and the war memorial is administered.by a board of trustees appointed by the Mayor." .'.The' San Francisco Opera Company, of which' Gaetano Merola, conductor, is-artistic director, is a private institution, • although iit is organised' on a community basis. Completion.of.the Opera House realises .thfe'aspirations of a 'generation of -San.Eranciscans, .but..years of delay'were deemed worth while on the brilliant opening night,' wien "La "Tbsca," was performed. J7he opera . season, originally planned for nine performances, was: sold put-so quickly that three;more operas were - added^ and almost sold put too, though a double price scale, with ten dollars top, had been;established.: : \ ■; : I .< "'70,000 Witnesses." i . Phillips-Holmes, ..Dorothy Jordan, and Charlie Ruggles play the featured i-cles ■ in- "Seventy Thousand-Witnesses,"- first,of the eight features which Charles R. Kogers • will produce.for Paramount. In securing three such-popular, players for the film, -Rogers offers "some indication of the' casts he-will, use for his new group of; pictures..,.:.,.. .. ._ _ ' "Leap Year." ; "'"LeapVye'ar."'.^^ T6rh"WiiUs cpinedy is .completed, and fulfils .all the pi-edi'-tions that' the;movie critics' have made for it. Without his famous; partner' in coiiieuv, ■RarpbLynn, it is demonstrated that Walls loses none of. his grip upon the comedy of the situation and sequence. Anne Grey, Wilis Jeffreys, and-Eamundßreon occupy stellar'roleVjand -keep .the fun 'moving: "Once In a Lifetime." \Russell Hopton, who has just been sign•ed to a, new contract ;by:Carl Laetnmle, jun.,' has appeared 'in , nine; pictures in the last.'six-months, and-at the moment is featuring-in two at the same time. One isr"Airmail," an air epic directed by John Ford,.; with.' an .'all-star, cast, including Ralph Bellamy and Gloria Stuart; the other'is "Once in: a Lifetime," in which he, re-creates for Universal the i-ple he originated ■ in^ .the stage play. There are farty:iiine featured players: in "Once in a Lifetime,"-headed-by Jack:-Oakie, Sidney Fox, Zasu Pitts, Louise Fazenda, and AlineMcMahon. "Washington Merry-go-roiirid." A-Columbia picture featuring: Constance Curiimings as lending-lady is "Washington Meny-gp-rpund."' Recently, Constance re,.turhed.,ta. New."York, .after ,two .years in the .talkies, ..and. enjoyed ..that .wonderful sensation, of leaving, a islace a nobody and returning to? it :a ..somebody..;. When, she . set ..out:.to....the- picture 'colony she was 'just'1 a chorus girl ("ex.")-with a future.

Something New. , ■■-."; ■ Something new in motion pictures will be ,seen in "Hat Check Girl," a'comedydramaof New York'night life, which has Sally Eile'rs in- the title role. ■ Director Sidney Lanfield and- Gordon Wiles, the art 'director, got together and worked out a scries of settings that are almost all .white. ,I'he result, is a .pleasing,brightness and sparkle entirely;. in keeping , with • the spirit,of ,the story. .The more difficult photography problems caused ' by; such backgrounds, were solved by' Cameraman Glen. Mac Williams. ' • • ■•' "The New Yorker."' , : , : Al Jol'son will present something new in musical technique in his melodious comedy, "The New Yorker." It is. called "photographic -music}", meaning that: every song and .lyric will,be an essential part, of the story, and not just dragged in ,to. give Jolson a chance to , sing. ' The 'famous Broadway composers, lyricist, team of Richard Rodgers and 'Lorenz - Hart, who wrote the song numbers for the picture, are credited with originating a-new idea. This 'picture' will' be released by -United ■Artists.1 ; •. ••,' ' •.-'■; ' ■ .- Australian' Jottings .... Clem Dawe and his brother, Erie Edgely, are appearing at -Brisbane Winter Garden irra:revue entitled "Here's How/'. . Messrs.? J.- G. Williamson have released from her contract Nancy Browne, the talented Australian who was to.have played Countess Olga in-the firm's production of the fascinating operetta,, "Waltzes :from Vienna.'' : In - her . place • will • be • Miriam Sabbage, a fine;singer- and. actress/ who will-play -the-part made fambuß in London by^-Marie Burke-, of the"Wildfiower" and 'Katjai". companies. ■ Shkley Dale,. Ivy Kh-by, also from the London version, are. to; play in Australia with John. Moore, Aubrey, Mallalieu, and. others. The Australian premiere .is .announced for -24th December at Melbourne. . New Zealand ■will see; this delightful musical play in due course.' ' • ! The 'presentation of "Autumn Crocus" ■'in- Melbourne has been attended: by success: : The 'Williamson production, featuring. Theo. Shall, Viennese star,-and Dorothy. Peters, : is a play to be seen to be appreciated, for it boasts some of,the most realistic mountain scenery ever seen "on the stage.. .'' .. ' ' ■ : Ivan' Menzies is to forsake'G'. arid S roles for the part of! a detective in the revival of the • Williamson musical play "Lilac Time." Arthur Stigant plays Veit, .the. .Court, glassmaker,, and Mr. Menziea plgys Novotny. ' ' - ''" ■ ■ ' "Treasure-Island" will'be'a Christmas attraction at Melbourne:- !Ifc will be -played by: an Australian cast; headed by Vernon -Eorteßcue ;as. Long Tom Silver This dramatisation of • Robert Louis Stevensons -tale of .pirates', and buried treasure should .appeal to playgoers of all '.ages. ; ' , ' - Thriltor. <.-' . : : ' ' . Herbert Bunston, character ■ actor has been added to the cast of "The Mask'of • Fu. Manchu,'.' the Metrb-Goldwyn-Mayer ■mystery; thriller,: featuring Boris Karloff. He;will.-p]ay,"Dr. Nichojson,"; a museum curator, ,who : appears jn.the weird laboratory s.cenes at the.opening of the picture. His, most, recent screen' part, was as 'a priest in "Smilin' Through" with Norma bhearer. Charles Brabin is.. directing the cast, including Gertrude Michael, Karen' Morley, Charles Starrett, Myrna Loy, .•'eAn.Hersholt, Lawrence Grant, and David Torrencc. Marx Brothers. None- of- the three character' members of the Four Marx Brothers has had ■ a wardrobe change for stage or screen purposes.; since ."Animal Crackers" was' presented on the stage same six;years ago Urouchp, , Harpo, • and Chico have used the same outfits all that time, although they-have bought new shoes, and- shirts as action destroyed.these;articles. Zeppo, the straight" member, goes to the opposite- extreme-and• has a large :and resplendent, wardrobe.. To-day • the -three comedians wear their ragged outfits,agaiu in Paramount^ "Horse Feathers." "Marry Me." ' The Gainsborough talkie production, in which Renate Muller, the "Happine« Girl" of "Sunshine Susie"-makes her next appearance for the British producers is having' praise lavished upon' it. Possessing a cast of stage and screen favourites, of which George Robey and Harry Green, two. of the most famous comedians in the world are members, this'production presents .hilarity. It.concerns a:matrimonial bureau, conducted by Harry Green, whose favourite .method: of placing wives and husbands is to have a talkie made of them. Amateur Counsel.

• Pat 0 Bnen a Columbia star and soon to.be seen-m "Gold' Fever;" likes to have his •friends, ask, his advice instead-.of consulting a lawyer.; -He studied for the Bar in college, and giving free legal advice on any subject is a hobby with • him. : "The Kid from Spain."

.Sidney Franklin the only American .in hfll°St° becT, farao"S' a? a professional bull-fighter, An 1 have an important role in,the new Eddie Cantor screen musical comedy, "The Kid from Spain." He is also, acting as general technical advisor which ensures accuracy and authenticity for the production., This picture will be released by United Artists.

New Savoyards. ■ -Dorothy Gill, of Gilbert and -Sullivan fame,- has returned to England from Australia and -New Zealand to fulfil engagements ' with :. the • D'Oyly. Carte Company, and at a .recent iperformance- of . '.'The Pirates : of Penzauce," at .London Savoy, contributed a performance as the piratical maidrof-all-work that whs-a'fitting suc^ cessor to the work" of the1 late; Bertha Lewis. Miss Gill's style'and spirit' were impressive. • The performance introduced also Sir Henry Lytton's successor, Martyn Green, a comparative newcomer; who was the Major-General .to the life.: Mr. Green gave-a splendid reproduction of Sir Henry, and. had a big success. Savoy connoisseurs gave the young man a rousing', reception, which- Sir Henry himself ,]ed.- Another newcomer was a soprano from Edinburgh, who had sung;the part of: Mabel •in the country, but, was making her-first'London appearance. She- was 'Miss"-'•Muriel: Dickson, and she captivated' the vast audience with >her interpretation.' ../<• . ■ • ; "The Rebel." -. . . ... . . . ■ 5 : Vilma-.Banky ..will make :her. return to the screen sin. a Universal' production, which'will be made abroad, in "the Alps. The .picture,* "The Rebel," will be' directed by Luis Trenker, together'with .Kurt Bernhard. , Trenker; who-achieved-an butStanding success Ijn '"The -Doomed Bat- ■ talion,' 'will • again have the ' principal role'in "Thelßeliel," !witli Victor Varconi also prominent iv' the'cast. The picture will be made in three languages—English, French,; and ; . German. ■', ,'-.... " . "Faithless." ■'■■:■::.[ . - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 'announces :that '•Faithless" is the finaltitle for the production formerly titled" "Tinfoil." Costarring Tallulah .Barikhead: and ; Robert Montgomery, the new picture is-from an original st.ory; by Mildred Cram. . "Faithless" was; directed by Harry, Beaumont, and the, supporting cast includes Hugh Herbert, Maurice -Murphy,, Louise . Closser Hale,' and' Lawrence Grant. ; Adrienno Ames. .' ' : Adrienne :Ames: has been selected: for one of the leading roles in Paramount's com-edy-drama, ."He .Learned About "Women," joining a cast, headed by Stuart Erwin and Alison Skipworth. Miss Anies is regarded as one of the most promising candidates for stardom at the Paramount studio, having 'recently appearedwith Edmund Lowe, Victor McLaglen, and Richard-Arlcu iv "Guilty as Charged." ' "The Marquesa.of Queerisberry." Demon Runyon^ special'fea'ture wViter of the Hearst 'newspaper organisation, has been added to,the writing staff of Colum-bia-Pictures to author a special story.of the'prize ring, to be called: "The Marquesa of Queensberry." The story revolves, abbut a woman who manages, a fighferfs training camp, and .who is .the '"Mariiuesa" of- the picture's title.' '■ ■ : . ) '• ' John Batten Married.' ''■■'• ;

To New York ; Herbert Wileox, director, of productions to British and Dominions, announces that as soon as. he has completed the editing of TTes, Mr: Brown," .his second 'British and- Dominions 'picture,-• Jack Buchanan will leave at onceifor. New York in order to. confer, with Mr.- Joseph ,M.. Scbenck, chairman and',president of United Artists Corporation, oil production 'details "of "That's a Good- Girl," the: first British and Dominions1 picture starring Jack Buchanan to be taken by United Artists for .distribution in .the. United Kingdom and in many countries, throughout .the world. "No More Orchids."; ~ : .; Jameson- Thomas, 'noted ' English stage and screen actor, will ' have a.prominent role in Columbia's "No " More • Orchids," and-Lyle Talbot, plays the hero.- Others in,the cast are Louise Closser. Hale,. Allen Vincent, and; Ruthehna Stevens; "■ '' '-':

Courage. , . • . . ' , • J ,Onf T s £ the. highlights' of the sojourn'of the _ Wild Girl* .unit-in the Sequoia big we t ountrvi according.to;Director,Eaoul Walsh, was the courage shown' by, Joair Bennett during the filming, of- scenes in which she appears ' with- a number of bears. The coaxing "of the animals into the right spot :a't.the 'right time": took work. -Trails of strained honey were-made' to converge '■ in the ■ clearing where the cameras-were set. up,': and the bears came m droves. • Charles ; Farrell ' and . 'Ralph Bellamy also .had' some exciting experiences with..the woof : woo£s: >

ences with the woodwools:.-- .'■, ,•. . "Rain." ■ .;;;■.; -v " '•.-'■ : ' ■•■■ ■ Not a; single scene of" '-Rain,!' the drama of the tropics,'will be .photographed in a studio. The Catalina Islarid'.isthmus' has been transformed: into a South Sea .settlement, the story locale,, a- large... cast .of players, and' a, small 'army,-of technicians will remain isolated'until'-'the picture, is completed: Joan Crawford Jhas'' the ' leading role, and'the supporting players are Walter Huston; William;Gargan;'fr6mthe ■ New York stage; -Guy ' Kibbee, Beulah •Bondi, Walter Matt: Moore; Ben • Heridricks, Frederic Howard;'.and 'Kendall Lee, Glaenzer; another Tecruit' to pictures from Broadway.; . , '■','■'...::',.".-'.. Walter :Baker?s New: Role. • - ; '-.■-■ ■-, : . Walter .Baker, whose name qmong older. theatregoers -the /memory •of ■ a handsome actor, ;is.residing.in- Australia', .and as president" of 'the' Australian Actors'' ■ Association frequently plays-,ar public part, nearly as important as the .'.- histrionic studies that gained-fame for-him-when-he was ; a matinee idol. ; Mrr Baker-is an exceptionally v able speaker; - and ■ has" a fine presence, andhis forcefulriess, and; personality; when he appears in behalf of'his^association are always '.impressive.: ,:.v; Karen Morley.: ,;;:;:,:.f , , :^> . • Karen :: Morley . will-, play- the' : leading feminine, role in "Flesh," Wallace Bee'ry's ■ next starring 'picture 'for'Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.. Eicardo Cbrtez'.is'the: orily; other player so.far cast fqr> "Flesh," which will be directed by John'ford.; Miss Morley has just completed.a" role in "The Maskof I'u Manchu,-.' her' recent appearances being in "Are-You Listening?" and;"Washiujrton Masquerade." ■ - ... ■„.-.-.'. Marlone, Dietrich. !; ' . ; . Jules Furthnian, scenarist .'on "Shanghai Express" and "Morocco," was. borrowed • f rom "Columbiaby Paramount, to work: on'1 the screen play of the jiexf "Marian Dietrich starring picture, asJ yet' uh.title'd." Besides the two -Dietrich productions' mentioned, I'urthman'has worked-with'Director Josef yon Sterriberg- on -several productions, and while with Paramount several years ago the scenarist: adapted ■ "The • AVay,. of All Flesh," "Hotel Imperial," -and "Abie's Irish Rose."' ; . ■ : . Fast Work: ' ■ • ' . Favoured by good weather at: Bishop, in the California' Sierras', fast- progress is being made' in 'the- filming of• "Jubilo," Will .Rbgers's-favourite' story from: the peii of Ben Ames Williams.; Rogers comr plains' that Director John. G. Blystone. is keeping him so busy that he hasn't-time to get into .the character of the notoriously lazy .'fJubilo,"/■let-alone." take , advantage of the good'fishing-,in the-mountain streams-. ; - ■'■~ , , . , '-. ... / '.'Mr. Robinson Crusoe." '«' : . •.',.' Douglas Fairbariks's latest 'picture "My. Robinson Crusoe,". is not•a 'travelogue. It is said,to.be a fast-moving,, thrill-packed picture full of melodramatic action and . hilarious comedy.. It was filmed from an

Jolm'Batten; the young Aucklander who °"S»ial, story : .which-drew-upon certain in-has-appeared.with successM'n British films . ciaents.m. the tamous" classic by,Defoe!.lt madea flying visit to his relatives recently a(? e-? ui te: i:e'; sP. tly, on the Island-of in company with, his, wife,' the' trip beih" -i, I. ? nd ' , S!on°us ' Pictorial , value, in the nature of a rush honeymoon visit {"c picture has made a big hit. in Mr. Batten, i who'is the son of an Auck- Amenca-, land.dentist, was married'in- England to ,C.-Henry:Gprdon.'.'--*■ -■■..-_-■-.-. • Miss Madeleine. Murat, a young, novelist. Metrd-Goldwyn-Mayer' has ' signed ' C They:had only three days in, New Zealand, Heury Gordon to -a.long term contract as -arrmiig. by the .Tainui and leaving three a, result of his .work in "Mata Hari" and days later to, join the Esperance Bay in "Rasputin." ",■ • --'' • '■' •- ', ; .; ; Sydney on thpir return,' as Mr. Batten « sh e r i ock ' Holmw " • ' • was to resume his film' career at Elstree snerloCK "ol, mes- . .' , ... Studios 'in-"The -Wonderful Adventure." With Ivan-Simpson as "Doctor Watson" Mr. Batten -was in New' Zealand 'some' '" "Sherlock Holmes," now in production months ago on a' health-recruiting trip,: re- at the Fox Studio;-under the-direction of covering from an attack, of pneumonia William X. ' Howard^ the1 cast -has been caught when playing in a ; submarine pic- completed. Clive;BrOok. plays the stellar ture, : and visited Wellington on -that oc- role', arid the leading', feminine, part ris becasion. His most, notable-film, parts have ing enacted' by Miriam Jordan, tfresh from so .far, been ,in "Under the Greenwood the cast of f'Six :Hburs to -Live." .Ernest Tree, Men^Like These," '.'The .'Love Torrence, appears in., the role of "'"MoriWaltz, and Lloyd of. the C.1.D.": ' arty," arch enemy of the great "detective.: