SCREENLAND JOTTINGS

Evening Star, Issue 22442, 12 September 1936, Page 5

SCREENLAND JOTTINGS

■•British' International Pictures have liought the screen rights of ‘ Aren-t Men Beasts?’ and are hoping to persuade Robertson Hare and Alfred Drayton to play their original roles in the film. ft - 8. ,ft » ■ Praise ■ for .the film. version ■of Shakespeare’s immortal production, ‘.A Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ has come from many sources, not the least of which is from Mr S. H. Bowden, president of the Shakespearean Society. ‘‘.The filming of this delightful Shakespearian fairy play by such an-inter-national 'master-producer as Maxßeinhardt, is an event, the dramatic im-, portano© of which can hardly he overestimated,” said Mr Bowden. “ That, too, both for its scope for an .opulent appeal to the eye, as well as its opportunity to .. give, in well-condensed perspective, the play’s lyrical 'beauty and the laughter-provocative attempts at acting of Nick Bottom and his motley associates.”-

Jane Withers; the child star who Jnado a success in ‘ Ginger,’ has just completed a new picture called ‘ Pepper. ■ * * * * Walter Reisch, one . of the bestknown European scenario- writers and directors, wifi write'and direct-a. London Film : Production to be called ! * Triangle.’ This film will star Vivian; Leigh, the lovely young ■ West . End. actress, who was signed, on a long term contract to-London -Films. Walter Reisch .is the author of two famous pictures, ‘Masquerade’ (‘Escapade.’), and' ‘ Fnfini&edtSymphony A, His last; production, ‘ Episode, which he wrote; and directed,; was the biggest 'bos office,; success on;the Continent last, year. He; has just arrived from Vienna, having* completed there a big ballet picture, * Silhouettes.’ It is interesting to note that 14 years'ago he was assistant to Alexander Korda when the _ latter was producing silent pictures in Vienna. Judging from the screen tests which have been made of Miss Vivian Leigh it may be confidently predicted that this young , actress will leap into the very foreground of; stardom after the showing of ■ ‘ Triangle,’ which will be; ■the first-of" several . pictures in which she will appear v for London Film ductions.

Bonita Granville, the child actress . who scored a triumph in ‘ These Three,’ has been added to the cast of ‘The Plough and the Stars.’ Barbara Stanwyck has the feminine lead. • • * • Robert Donat, who has refused more flattering offers from more producers than any of the recently exalted newcomers to the screen, explained his point of view recently. Here is how Donat defends his attitude on contract refusals: “ I have the reputation of being difficult to please. This is because T have sometimes refused to make pictures which have not satisfied me. It has always been my endeavour to make each succeeding film the best in winch I have yet appeared. My ideal picture is therefore always the one I am about to make. If it weren’t, I wouldnlt make it. Good pictures cannot fall into set standards. From my own point -of view there is no special : type- of picture that I particularly want to make. All I ask is that my,• films shall not he hackneyed. I try for something different every time. I think I have succeeded— ‘ The Count of Monte Cristo,’ ‘ The 39 Steps,’ ‘ The Ghost Goes West,’ and now ‘ Kmght Without Armour for Alexander Korda.”

Between scenes of his current picture, ‘ The; General /Died at Dawn,’ Gary Cooper spends ■ most' -of his spare time bicycling around the lot. He says it is the best exercise he knows. • • * • Marlene Dietrich is off for a longplanned European 1 trip, accompanied by her daughter Maria and hairdresser (Nellie Manley). She will return to Hollywood towards the end of the year for - picture work on a newly-sighed' Paramount contract. • .« « • Brian Abbott, handsome young juvenile; lead in Cinesound’s ‘ Orphan of the Wilderness,’ was born with an intense love. of . theisea. Deciding at an early age that he wanted to be a sailor, he realised his ambitions on leaving school. After several '• trips around the coast of Australia-and across to the Islands, he left his ship, Kanowna, and the following trip, it was wrecked off _ Wilson’s Promontory. His next experience was a trip on the ill-fated Christina' Fraser. He left this ship at Sydney, and after passing Sydney Heads it disappeared for, ever. As Brian didn’t believe in waiting; for the ,third time to prove it, he promptly . decided that there were other adventurous jobs to be, had-that didn’t carry the risk of- drowning.

Gladys Swartout is going to build a home in Hollywood. This she revealed on her return to the film capitol to appear in Paramount’s ‘ Champagne Waltz.’- * * * * 'Ann Harding has chosen the picture she will appear in for Capitol Films. It will bo air adaptation of ‘ Love from a Stranger,’ the play now running in the West End. Rowland V, Lee will direct the film, which is duo to go into production within three weeks. < « » * » American men are the most henpecked in the world, the English are just so so, but the French, ooh, la, la, they are the “ tough guys,” according to Tilly Losch, the famous dancer, who is at present in Hollywood, where she is playing an important role in David O. Selznick’s technicolour production, ‘ The Garden of Allah,’ starring Marlene Dietrich and Charles Boyer. “ In France,” she explains, “ the relationship between the sexes is shown by the way they walk down the aisle in the theatre—the man always goes first. In England they go side by side, but in America the man follows the woman like a puppy ”•

Two of the most drama-packed situations which can enter any woman’s life engulf Madeleine Carroll, sensational English actress, in the title role of Paramount’s ‘ The Case Against Mrs Ames,’ her first Hollywood picture, which is due for early release throughout the' Dominion. Mrs Ames is first charged with the murder of her husband, then faced with the loss of her only child through a court action. Miss Carroll appears as the - beautiful wife of a California millionaire socialite, who is found fatally shot under circumstances which damn her as the murderess. She is brought to trial, defended by Alan Mowbray, a prominent ‘ attorney retained for her by one of her most bitter enemies—the wealthy and powerful mother of her slain husband. From the moment of the story’s opening, during the sensational court trial, things happen with terrific rapidity. Suddenly realising that her own attorney is seemingly pulling his punches in her defence, Miss Carroll dramatically asks the court to permit her to tell her own story. The trial over, Miss Carroll still stands accused of the murder in the eyes of the nation. Her first ordeal is followed immediately by the second, a court fight by her mother-in-law for custody of her child, who stands to inherit the Ames fortune. Even more bitter and packed with drama than the murder trial, the contest for the son brings startling results. George Brent, costarred with Miss Carroll, has been her most fiery opponent. He vows that he will “ bust the Ames case wide open ” and produce new evidence cf Miss Carroll’s guilt. He tries—and the case is broken wide open in another fashion. An excellent cast of featured players supports the stars in Miss Carroll’s first American film. Listed are such names as Arthur Treacher, Alan Mowbray, Alan Baxter, Beulah Bondi, Brenda Fowler, Esther Dale, Edward Brophy, Richard Carle, and Scotty Bcktt. * v « * Speed, action, and romance are the high points of ‘ After Office Hours,’ new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production commencing on Friday at the Octagon. A fast-moving story of adventurous romance, it deals with a society murder mystery against a background of mod-ern-day newspaper life. Two famous stars, never teamed before, share honours. They are Clark Gable and Constance Bennett, who are slated to go a long way as a team. Indications are that they will follow in the footsteps of the famous Crawford-Gable and Shearer-Gable combinations, so popular with fans. In this film, Gable plays a hard-boiled newspaper editor who is determined to get his story even though it requires the tactics of the North-west Mounted. Constance Bennett plays his beautiful society reporter—and romantic Nemesis. When the editor, out to “ break ” a threatening scandal, runs into a cold-bloodod murder, excitement begins. Unlike most murder mysteries, tho audience knows who is the murderer, then enjoys watching the mystery unravelled by a trained newspaper investigator. Tho co-stars enjoy the support of a brilliant featured cast, which includes Stuart Erwin as Gable’s uncomprehending photographer, Billie Burke as Miss Bennett’s socialite mother, who cannot differentiate between a “ scroop ” and a scoop, Harvey Stephens as the handsome “ other man,” Katharine Alexander as a neurotic dowager, Charles Riclnnan as the publisher, ami Halo Hamilton as the man falsely accused.

Thomas Meighan, who was lured from his Long Island retirement to play a leading adult role in ‘Pecks Bad Boy,’ screening at the Mayfair to-day, has recently answered a question. The question was: “Does this engagement mean a return to the screen or just a little 1 flier ’ P The answer was both “Yes” and rso. As soon as the Fox Film engagement was over he returned to Great Neck, where his estate lies between that of Joseph Sehneck and Walter Chrysler, on what he called his “ first earned vacation in two years.” But soon he will return to Hollywood, he says, to renew his screen career. As one of the most successful stars of the silent screen, Meighan is also one of the few who has employed his head in business while his heart was in his work. He made money, which he says is easy; he saved money, which, as anyone will agree these days, is harder. The depression did not take him down the line. It hit him, but not below the money belt. Economically speaking, Meighan could retire, and that was his intention. But after two idle years on Long Island he made no resistance of any kind when Sol Lesser offered him his present role. He set put at once for Hollywood with Mrs Meighan, and says that his first day’s work with Jackie Cooper, under direction of “ Eddie ” Cline, was the happiest day he had spent in two long years.

Ginger Rogers fans are handed a treat in R.K.O. Radio’s musical 1 Follow the Fleet,’ the next change at the State. The vivacious titian-haired star dances four times and sings two of Irving Berlin’s haunting melodies. Three of Ginger’s dance numbers are done with her bewildering partner, Fred Astaire. They perform a sizzling hot collegiate ballroom routine to the tune ‘ Let Yourself Go.’ Later, they do a screamingly humorous eccentric pantomime dance to ‘ All My Eggs In One Basket,’ and they also join in a vocal rendition of this number. For the finale, Miss Rogers and Astaire perform a different interpretative dance to ‘ Let’s Face the Music and Dance.’ Dressed in rehearsal shorts,' Ginger establishes the fact that she has no peer as a tap dancer as she goes through her solo routine to the strains of ‘ Let Yourself Go.’ Ginger’s aliening song number, ‘ Let Yourself Go,’ is sung in a San Francisco dance hall, and in the second chorus she is backed by a girl trio. Miss Rogers and Astaire are supported by, a “ tophole ” cast, including Harriet Hilliard, Randolph Scott, and Astrid Allwyn. Mark Sandrich directed. • » * • Harry M. Goetz, who has been busy for the’ last few weeks producing ‘ The Last of the Mohicans,’ with Randolph Scott starring, has decided to bring more of the James Fennimdre Cooper stories to the screen. The next will be ‘ The Spy." * * * » Three acres of ground in the Paramount Studios, at present covered by sets representing London streets, New York docks, and Panama dives, are being levelled to provide Wild West backgrounds for Cecil B. de Mille’s Buffalo Bill picture, now called ‘ The Plainsman.’.

A brisk pace, breezy dialogue, inspired situations, flawless acting, and lavish production combine to lift the Paramount film ‘ Desire ’ far above the ordinary run of romantic comedies. You will see it. at the Regent on Friday next. Exhilarating is the only word that properly describes the story, the acting of Marlene Dietrich and Gary Cooper, and the work of Ernst Lubitsch, who personally supervised the production. Once again the impish Lubitsch “ touch ” is discernible in this subtly sophisticated entertainment. Call it charm, good taste, intelligence, or a blend of all three, the famous “ Lubitsch touch ” continues to be an intangible quality as difficult to describe as a shrug of the shoulder or a lift of the eyebrow. And so it is that ‘ Desire ’ stands as Miss Dietrich’s best Hollywood film to date. While retaining all her pristine glamour, she reveals a hitherto unsuspected sense of humour. And ‘ Desire ’ also shows Gary Cooper to be an actor with as great a flair for light comedy as he has for drama—a subtle and sure player who knows the value of' restraint and when to employ it. “We have seldom seen better acting,” comments the British ‘ Film Weekly.’ “ Technically it is flawless. Yet, like all really good acting, it is so good that it does not for a moment remind you of acting. Cooper is superb.” The lovely Miss Dietrich, costumed in a series of wonderful gowns, plays an adventuress who steals a pearl necklace in Paris and races off with it to her accomplice, John Halliday, across the border. Driving the same way, holiday bent, is Gary Cooper, as an engineer from Detroit. To escape detection from Customs officials at the border, the beautiful bandit; slips the necklace into the young man’s pocket, -with the intention of'getting it back later. The way she gets;it back, the daring romance which follows between the two, and the manner in which the heroine finally decides that life in Detroit is preferable to crime on the Continent go to make up one of the most exhilarating stories of this or any other season.

.■.'..Something entirely new in love stories is said to be brought to the screen, by William Powell and Ginger .Rogers in ‘ Star of Midnight,” current RKO-Radio picture woven around New -York’s „ society and night .life, which opened to-day at the Mayfair. _ Romance in this modern, sophisticated drama follows no charted course. The red-headed Ginger, in the role of a young society beauty, takes the aggressive: and it’s hard to tell whether Powell is a willing victim or an apprehensive dinger to the standard, of bachelorhood. In other words, ifs ’the man in the case who keeps the girl and the audience guessing. A sinister mystery adds thrills of suspense to romance and subtle comedy, with Powell and Miss Rogers joining forces to track down the clues to a strange disappearance and a • weird murder. Stephen Roberts directed * Star of Midnight,’ which is based on a story by the late Arthur Somers Roche, master of mystery fiction. In the supporting cast are such well-known players as Ralph Morgan, Paul Kelly, Leslie Fenton, Vivian Oakland, Gene Lockhart, Russell Hopton, and J. Farrell MacDonald.

On September 28, 1928, one Mickey Mouse made his first public appearance in a cartoon comedy called 1 Steamboat Willie.’ The film unreeled at the Colony Theatre in New York, and at the first shot—a shot destined to be heard around the world—of the new pen-and-ink hero, the paying customers, the movie critics, and the ushers burst into howls of delight as they watched screen history in the making. This year, to do a bit of mental arithmetic, that supreme artist, Mickey Mouse, celebrates his eighth birthday. Honours have been heaped upon him. Eulogies have been penned about him. Box-office receipts have soared because of him; but he still wears the same size hat (or would if he wore a hat). He has never murmured to interviewers that he wants “to get away from it all.” And he has never hesitated to share close-ups with his supporting cast—the coquettish Minnie Mouse, the devoted Pluto the pup, the pert Clara Cluck, the aggressive Donald Duck—all of whom have risen to fame in his reflected glory. Officially Mickey is eight on September 28, but United Artists have set aside Saturday, September 26, to signal the anniversary of the remarkable rodent who has become an international celebrity. Birthday parties will be the order of the day wherever motion pictures are screened throughout the world. There is not a country on the face of the globe that can boast at least one projection machine and one screen where Mickey Mouse is not shown. There js hardly an individual, of any ago and in all geography, who does not know him. The horoscope for September 28, 1928, is recorded in a newspaper of that day as “a dangerous day.” Yet it goes on: “ A child born to-day will be attractive, magnetic, artistic, creative, entertaining. He should be taught to mingle with others whether he wishes to or not.” The horoscope, it seems, didn’t know the half of it.

An eagerly awaited film, ‘ Page Miss Glory,’ will open a season at the St. James on Friday. Marion Davies, the recognised queen of screen fun, heads a stronger team of stars than has been seen together in one film for many years. Unflagging action, with a leavening of drama, romance, and even pathos, makes the picture excellent entertainment, and one that should have a universal appeal. A plot to win a nation-wide beauty contest is the theme of the story. Hatched by a photographer and promoter, it is a well-contrived piece of chicanery, which gives every opportunity for mirth. Marion Davies is well cast, and 1 scores a big success. Dick Powell plays opposite her, and although he sings only one song, ‘ Page Miss Glory,’ his talents are not wasted. Ho has the part of a dare-devil young aviator. Others prominent in the first-rate cast are Pat O’Brien, as a get-rich-quick promoter, and Frank M‘Hugh, as a photographer burning to collect some cash. Patsy Kelly, as a chambermaid in a big hotel, finds much scope for her rather sharp tongue, while Allen Jenkins aids' in the mirth-making. Lyle Talbot, as a reporter, and Mary Astor complete the list of stars. Beautiful gowns are a feature of tbe production. « * * * ‘ The Champ,’ ‘ The Bowery,’ ‘ Viva Villa ’—over the past few years Wallace Beery has pushed himself into the forefront of Hollywood’s stars by his sheer acting ability. Now at the climax of his career he has won the most magnificent of all his acting roles in Darryl 1 F. Zannck’s ‘ A Message to Garcia,’ coming on Wednesday to the Grand. In one role the producers of this new historic drama have managed to catch all the qualities of Beery that have endeared him to millions. _ He is a rogue; he is a buffoon; he is a glutton, a lover, a timorous coward; and finally ho is a hero, exalted and vindicated by his willingness to risk his life for those of the people he loves. The story of the film is sheer drama and audacious adventure. John Boles, who with Barbara Stanwyck shares the starring honours,' is the carrier of the message, and his companion in the adventure is Wallace Beery. Together with Miss Stanwyck they fight their way through the threatening jungle to Garcia. Hardship, the of treacherous guides and jungle nights teach Boles and Miss Stanwyck to love each other, but when she is shot he presses on, leaving her to Beery’s care. Because Beery knows that Boles will never bo able to fight his way through alone he rejoins him and tells him that Miss Stanwyck has died of her wound. Then Boles reaches Garcia’s fortress. Too late Beery realises that he has delivered his friend into the hands of the enemy, Alan Hale. A stirring charge, led by Beery and Garcia’s men, rescues Boles in the nick of time and affords the opportunity for a happy slimax, as he and Miss Stanwyck are reunited. * * ♦ • ‘ Fire Over England,’ the Elizabethan picture which William K. Howard will direct at Denham for Pommer_ Productions, is due to go into production early next month. Flora Robson, Laurence Olivier, and Morton Scltcn are included in the cast. * » * * Lawrence Tibbett has decided not to appear in a musical version of Douglas Fairbanks’s Famous film, ‘ Tbe Mark of Zorro.’ Instead, his next picture will be ‘ Love Flight.’ Arthur Treacher and Slim Summerville have been cast in support.

Twenty years ago Lewis Stone faced his first motion picture camera when Bessie Barriscale lured him from the old Belasco Theatre to be her leading man at the Inceville studios. At the time Stone was the matinee idol of the West in many of the famous plays that made stage history. Since then he has appeared constantly in pictures, with more than a thousand roles , to his credit. As a tribute to his 20 years as a featured film-player, Mayer has given Stone a new contract. Under its terms Stone has set a definite goal for ■ himself, He will continue as a screen actor for three more years, and will then retire from active life and spend his time in travelling and cruises to other countries in his schooner, the Serena. ‘Woman Wanted,’ in which he starts his new contract, commencing at the Octagon on Friday, is a thrill-packed drama of a girl convicted of murder who, aided by,a young attorney, dodges the police to find the, real murderer,' The cast includes Louis Calhern, Edgar Kennedy, and Adrienne Aines; George Seitz was the director*

Tlie inhabitants of Elstree,' accustomed as they are to strange sights, received a shock recently when they saw a squadron of cavalry, wearing the brilliant uniforms of a “ crack ” Russian regiment, _ resting by the wayside. But on recognising Henry Wilcoxon as the officer in command, they realised that it was merely a scene from ‘ A Woman Alone,’ and not a foreign invasion. The vision of a beautiful girl, wearing a gaily coloured dress—unmistakably that of a Russian peasant—driving a herd of cattle along a lane ! was another unusual sight. The peasant was Anna Sten, the beautiful Russion star, who is making her English screen debut in - this -film. These opening scenes in ‘ A Woman Alone ’ depict the manoeuvres of the Russian* army in pre-war days. Illinsky is' leading his squadron down a country lane, when his progress is impeded by the herd of cattle which the little peasant ’ girl is driving. On being ordered to get them out of the way : so that they may proceed, she cheekily. rebuffs him, and says that they will continue in “ Cow’s time.” this meeting was fhe beginning of an unusual and poignant romance between Anna Sten and Henry Wilcoxon, which- is . vividly portrayed in this latest attraction from Elstree. « : * * - *.-■ Sidney Fox. has just been added to the cast of ‘ The Good Earth ’ after two years’ absence from the screen. She will be Lotus, Paul Muni’s second wife in the film.

Five times a week millions of radio “ listen-inners,” as Walter Winohell calls them, carefully tune in their radio sets to the nearest Columbia - network station, and listen to the adventures of Myrt and Marge. Starting nest Friday, local filmgoers can tone in on these radio stars at the Strand, where this famous radio team will make their screen debut in ‘ Laughter in the Air,t a Bryan Foy-Universal production. Myrt and Marge are conceded to be the most popular radio skit'oh the air,and have won popularity contests over -‘ Amos ’n Andy ’ and ‘ The Rise of the Goldbergsl’ The entire series is written by Myrt (Myrtle Vail), who shares the acting honours with IVlafge , (Donna Damerell), her daughter in real -life.Another member of the radio", cast of Myrt and Madge appears'in the film* He is Ray Hedge, who plays Clarence* Jn ‘ Laughter in the Air ’ he has a similar role. A 1 Boasberg, the famous comedy director, handled the produo- • tibn, which has 'special' musicalcbmposition and -dance ensembles*

Stirring drama, such as-one has corn® to . expect from a Zane Grey story* characterises ‘ Drift Fence,’' the new Paramount action picture which comes on Friday to the Strand. It unfolds a colourful story of the days when desperadoes ruled the Arizona cattle lands, and refused to allow big ranchers to confine their herds within fences. No one is more adept than Zane. Grey in presenting primitive struggles of the vanished frontier days of Arizona* , ‘ Drift Fence ’ is one of the most en* grossing stories ever to oome from the pen of this wizard of Western tales.Adventure, romance, and humour are skilfully blended, in this thrilling melodrama. Leading roles are:.enacted by “ Buster ” Crabbe, Katherine de Mille, Tom: Keene, and Benny Baker. A “ drift fence,’’ peculiar to-the frontier days, was an enclosure used to thwart rustlers’by preventing cattle from falling. into wrong hands. . ■ Tom Keene plays -the,; part -of a Texas-Ranger. who takes the ’place; of an Eastern lad come to learn ranching, and starts to build a drift -fence, knowing the rustlers will do all they can to prevent it. Following the Freddie Bartholomew case, '- Edith >Fellowes. has now become the centre :of ,a' lawsuit. Her mother is suing to regain guardianship of Edith, who is at present in the charge of her grandmother,: The Laurel, and Hardy comedy, .* The Bohemian': Girl,’ has been banned in Germany. No reason has been give* for this. , :

The Otago University Dramatic Society will give a performance of Oscar Wilde’s scintillating comedy, ‘The Importance of Being Karnest/ at .the Allen Hall on Friday evening next. A good cast, under the direction of Mr Hassell-Wood, should give the play a lively interpretation. The principal players will be Lydia Henderson, Joyce Messent, Ernest Holler, and Dr E. G. Moloney, and others in the cast are Una Ferry, Joyce Hamer, Bruce Hay, R, Oharteris, and Don Meredith. The stage management will be in the hands of Russell R'eid.

‘ Paolo and Francesca,’ Stephen Phillip’s classic drama, will be staged by Mr Russell-Wood at the Play box Theatre on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 22 and 23. The play otters great scope for emotional' acting, and m the hands of a capable cast should be deeply impressive. Doreen Rhodes and Leslie Pithie will appear in. the name parts, and they will be strongly supported by Violet Livingstone, who will appear as Lucrezia, and Charles Tobin, who will play- Giovanni. Other parts will be taken by Treena Speight, Leila' (Treenail, Helen Earle Johnson, Ethel Thomas, Paumea Elston, Linda Bain, G. C. Abbott, Kenneth Donaldson, Leo Manning, and Bruce, Hay.

The activities of the Hundred Thousand .Club in the way of brightening Dunedin .over,,the. Christmas holiday period are already bearing fruit, and it was announced! at this week’s meeting of the executive that among the attractions it’ was hoped would be arranged was a visit from Fuller’s Musical Comedy Company, If present plans come to'fruition Sir Benjamin Fuller will open the New Zealand tour at Dunedin on Boxing Night, it being considered that this will be. one of the big attractions being arranged by the Hundred Thousand Club for its fortnight of effort.

Sutton Vane’s • great British play, ‘ Outward Bound,’ will be presented in the Little Theatre by the Dunedin Little Theatre Safety for a season of four nights, beginning Wednesday, September f 23. Mr Ernest Griffen, who produced ‘The Forest of Happy Dreams,’ which gained second l place in the finals of the British Drama League festival this year (it being the first time a Dunedin society has obtained a place in the finals), is the producer j of ‘ Outward Bound.’ The play possesses many unusual features,, not the . least of which, is the frocking, which is certain' to please those who witness the production. The cast is a particularly strong one and has reached what may be termed a profeseionalamateur standard.

The programmes of Richard Crooks, tTait celebrity, artist, who commences his eagerly anticipated New - Zealand tour at Wellington, on September r 29, are gems of discrimination. Concertgoers will find all they desire in his operatic contributions, while'Hovers, of German lieder, Russian folk songs, French ballads,;. English 1 classics, and modern conceptions . will, be entirely satisfied. It takes an exceptional voice and an exceptional personality to include on the same programme a Handel group, or a Brahms series with such modern ballads as ‘Do You Recall that Night of June,’ ‘AhI Sweet Mystery of Life,’ ‘Tell Me To-night,’ etc. He confesses he has found Australian a udiencep, most with., a • appreciation" of good music and a very happy enthusiasm. He is keenly ticipating his forthcoming New Zealand tour, to which he has looked forward for many years. .

This month marks an outstanding musical event in the annals of New Zealand musical history. There have been many Tait celebrities in New Zealand at different times, but none perhaps of the same personable charm as the handsome Richard Crooks, the American tenor who not only towers over other men in height,' but also towers over most in musical art. Thousands of people in Australia have been confirming the . wise judgment of Messrs Tait in, bringing such an artist to these parte. Completely lacking in temperamental bombast, this Richard Crooks is a well_ set-up, immensely likeable fellow. His beautiful voice sways audiences, so that listening to his felicitous tones is an emotional delight. His voice has been described as “ noble ” ; what Australian audiences have appreciated is the fact that the popular American’ has ho mannerisms, no affectations, no exaggerated interpretative ardours. Where thrilling brilliance of tone is required his voice rises with effortless dynamic splendour, but “ explosive ” top notes have ho part in bus scheme of nuance and punctuation. Lieder, oratorio, operatic arias, and drawing room ballads are on • his programmes. New Zealanders will revel in them. Wellington will hear the great man on September 29 and October 1; Christchurch, October 3-7; Dunedin, October 5; Auckland, October 10, 13, 15.