SCREEN and STAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24400, 11 September 1940, Page 10

SCREEN and STAGE

By Harlequin

Ben Turpin’s Death Ben Turpin, famous cross-eyed slapstick comedian of the silent films, .who starred with Chaplin, died in Holly-r wood recently. He was 65. It was about 34 years ago that Ben Turpin started his film career with the old Essanay Company. He was in turn actor, property man, wardrobe master, and general helper. Those eyes and thaf set expression soon caught on. Ben became one of Enasshay’s leading comedians. He was starred in many short comedies, including the popular “ Snakeville series. _ „ nn At one time he was earning £6OO *■ week. His first wife died in 1927. after a long illness. Ben left the screen to nurse her. He later married again.

“Fifth Avenue Girl” Said to be even funnier than her recent “Bachelor Mother,” Ginger Roger’s new R.K.O. Radio starring vehicle, “ Filth Avenue Girl," comes to ithe State Theatre on, Friday with the famous comedienne in the role of an’unemployed girl who takes the job of bringing a rich and careless family to its collective senses. ;The job is forced on her by the nominal head of the family, a millionaire manufacturer who is getting fed up'with, the selfishness and indifference of his * wife and children. He brings the sidewalk Cinderella to stay as a guest; in his palatial but morgue-like Fifth avenue mansion,'letting his horrified relatives lieve he intends to marry the girl .as. soon as his wife has secured .the divorce she is secretly planning. The mother does her best to. drive the intruder away; the “ deb ” daughter is-.m love with the social-conscious fairtily chauffeur, seeks the girl’s ,'aid ’and advice';- the son, believing her to be an outright gold-digger,. endeavours to break.- up the fancied affair between hen and ,his .father. And the father, delighted . with', the outcome . of his. scheme, 'finds' he is once more being

looked upon as; a man instead of as . a bank account' How the plan works' out, with its expected and unexpected results makes ’ fof the gay ending to the picture. Miss Rogers, of course, plays the role of the . “ fixer-upper,” and Walter Connolly that of the harassed’; millionaire. Tim Holt and Kathryn Adams .are. seen as the son and daughter, respectively, of „the family, James . Ellison as the • chauffeur and Verree Teasdale as the' wife, while Franklin ■ Pangborn, Ferike Boros, Theodore Von Eltz arid Louis Calherri supporting roles. Gregory- La . Cava, who , directed the star in "Stage Door,” both producedand directed this offering. The screen play was written by .Allan Scott and the ' film. Which ,is Miss Rogers’s first “ sold” vehicle in four years, also presents- a- neW; candidate for screen honr ours in, Miss-Adarns, a Mmnespta school girl. : discovered : in the “Gateway to Hollywood.”' talent quest. Grand Theatre “ piiarlie 'Chau in Panama,” the latest ,of ' the/ Twentieth Century-Fox series, featuring Sidney Toler as the matchless Earl Derr Biggers sleuth, comes to the Grand Theatre to-day. Jean Rogers heads an imposing supporting cast in this thrilling story, which sees Chan fighting to save the

From GREEN ROOM and STUDIO

Panama canal from a vicious plot to destroy “America’s lifeline ” and trap the fleet. Others' featured in the film are Lionel Atwill, Mary' Nash. Sen Yung, Kane Richmond, Chris Pm Martin, Lionel Royce, Helen Ericson and Jack La Rue; ... The Jones Family are down on their luck in “On Their Own,” the Twentieth i; Century-Fox picture which comes; to-day to the Grand Theatre. They' take over a ramshackle bungalow court in California, and them the hilarity begins. Ma forgets her worries when she finds her tenants include eight little bambinos, a troupe of trained dogs and a professor who invents things. Among the Joneses present are Spring Byington, Ken Howell, George Ernest, June Carlson, Florence Roberts and Billy Mahan. They

make the bungalow court a real home for their tenants —and . how well they succeed in spite of a law suit makes a highly entertaining picture. Also featured in the cast are Marguerite Chapman, John Qualen, Charles Judels, .Chick Chandler, Forrester. Harvey and Isobel Randolph.

“Everything Happens at Night” Story value and acting performances are counted on in “Everything Happens at Night ” more than in any of Sonja Henie’s previous five productions, it is claimed; A completely different type of story for the famous skating star and queen of the ice, the screen play by Art Arthur and Robert Harari, is filled with love and laughter and mysterious- danger, too. Ray Milland and Robert Cummings are featured as Sonja’s leading men m the film, which will be the next-attrac-tion at the Octagon'Theatre. Signed by Twentieth • Century-Fox. originally just for her skating genius, the studio asked no rdal acting talent from Sonja Henie in'-her first few pictures where they .were content just to have her perform on the ice. But it was soon apparent that a real dramatic talent

was possessed .by - , the ice Never, however, has Sonja had a part as demanding upon her new-found ability as in “Everything Happens at Night.” . Shirley Temple’s Discoverer ;; For 15 years an Australian 'woman has guided the destinies of Hollywood’s most famous child stars, including Shirley Temple, Jackie .Cooper, Edith Fellowes and .Susanna Foster, the latest singing sensation, of 1 the scrden-,(writes a correspondent, of'the Sydney Morris ing Sun). She is Miss Rachel Smith, school. superintendent at Paramount studios, who receives 275 dollars a week—the highest-paid school teacher in the world. Miss Smith, who hails from Perth, W.A., used to be Paramount’s casting director fdr all children’s roles as well as school superintendent, and during that time she discovered many juveniles who later became, world-famous screen personalities. It was Miss Smith who gave Shirley Temple her first real chance on the screen and set her tiny feet on the ladder that has taken her to the dizziest heights of Hollywood fame. In 1933 Paramount was making Zane Grey’s “To the Last Man,” and one scene required the services of a little girl. Miss Smith had suggested a very clever little tot to the studio, but the .asking-price was too much for the budget of the filth.

Miss Smith was told to find a less expensive child. Jack White, a producer of two-reelers, had a lot of children under contract, and he sent them all over to Miss Smith. The children filed by in pairs, led by a bright, cheerful four-year-old whom Miss Smith grabbed in her arms and cried: “Here’s the child I want for the role. That child as Shirley, who, up to then, was unknown, and had worked only in a low-budget two-reeler. Shirley got , the-job at 75 dollars a week, bufher career seemed likely to be cut short in the very first scene she appeared in for Miss Smith because she had no idea of showing emotion, but subterfuge was employed and the result was “ a perfect take.” It was Miss: Sputh who got Shirley her role in “ Baby Take, a Bow ” with Jimmie Dunn. Following her first appearance in “To the Last Man ” Miss Smith had urged Paramount to sign

the child to a long contract, but nothing was done, and Fox;took her. Besides watching their screen careers Miss Smith has taught most of the children the fundamentals of social behaviour. Many of the children came from poor homes, and Miss Smith has had to teach them table manners and general etiquette so that they could appear in public without damaging their own and Hollywood's reputation. She has protected the children when parents have battled over , their earnings, and has fought for them in the studio itself. . Miss Smith, who came to America for a vacation, and stayed to become famous, but little publicised, turned down several offers of stardom for hers°lf one from Mary Pickford, who urged the lovely girl to take up a screen career. St. James Theatre

Just what this country needs to-day is a good hearty laugh, and that is just what Sandy Powell brings in his latest screen comedy, Home irom Home,” which comes to the St. Janies Theatre on Friday. Like Gracie Fields and George Formby, Sandy Powell was first • introduced in this country over the radio. “Home From Home is Sandy’s third screen comedy; his previous two, “ It’s a Grand Old World and “I’ve Got a Horse,” winning him further popularity. In his latest film. Sandy is seen as a convict, hale, hearty and happy with his lot, because home was never, like ..this.”" The peace of the cell, with its regular meals, warm bed and happy companionship, he ps Sandy to forget the nagging of ms wife at home. Nevertheless, Sandy is hard put to keep in, and when he is released in spite of his protestations and sent out into the hard, cruel .world, he sets to work , to get back into his “home from home.” v Made for laughing only,- the; ..entertainment value is farther enhanced by the-inclu-sion of two dr three catchy and tuneful song hits. Bene Ray. Roy Emerton and Kathleen, Harrison head the supporting cast... ' . . . Armida. the: taven-haired Spanish dancer and'-singer who made The Peanut Vendor” a national song rage a few years ago, sings and dances ts* tat Gucaracha ” in Universal sal farce, “La Conga; Nights”, Described as a comedy with music and dancing,. the picture comes on. Friday to the St. James Theatre, with Hugh

Herbert starred in seven different comedy characterisations, including five feminine roles. ‘ Constance Moore and Dennis O’Keefe appear in,romantic assignments. Armida also introduces a new rhumba routine in ■ La Conga Nights.” Armida was discovered by GUy Edwards, for..-whom she danced in : the countrys’ leading theatres before she wss 16 years old. Mayfair Theatre Something remarkable in the realm of the talking screen will be. presented for the next, three nights at the Mayfair Theatre, in Warner Bros.’ “ Four Daughters,” a picture destined to luifil every promise the motion picture has ever made to the public. " Four Daughters” sprang from the brain ot Fannie Hurst, whose “ Humoresque. (> “Back Street,” and “Imitatiqn ol Life stand among screenland’s milestones. To this novel the" screen has given vivid stature that cold type could never capture, a thrilling sincerity seldom experienced. “ Four Dauguhters brings to the screen, in addition to a cast cf seasoned excellence, three young players—Priscilla Lane, John Garfield, and Jeffrey Lynn~Eor each of whom it marks the beginning of a. career. Miss Lane’s rise has been quick; her brilliance in this picture is unquestionable. John Garfield already successful on the stage, wins rank with Hollywood’s topmost stars by virtue of his performance. The personality and romantic glamour of Jeffry Lynn ensures for him a future equally bright. Boasting a daring, timely, provocative story;, and a great cast headed by four of the screen’s most, sensational performers—Akim Ta.miroff, Lloyd Nolan, Mary Boland, and Patricia Morrison—Paramount’s explosive new drama, “The Magnificent Fraud,” will be the associate feature.

“ Disputed Passage ” With so much in its associations to commend it. the new feature film at Regent Theatre next Friday, “ Disputed Passage,’ ’is said to rank high in merit in its own right. From the pen that inspired “Magnificent Obsession” and “ Green Light,” Lloyd C. Douglas’s “Disputed Passage” has, like its predecessors. enjoyed best-selling popularity as a novel. Again following the line of its successful companions, it now.appears on the screen under' the sponsorship of Paramount’s studios in a version that preserves the justification for its creation —a delineation of deep human motives and emotions. Based oh the dramatic conflicts concealed behind. the stern and sterile features' of men of medicine. “Disputed Passage ” is a picture in the tradition of such hit s as “ Pasteur, ’ “Men in White.” and “The Citadel.’

dealing more with a doctor’s. attitude towards his practice than the practice itself. Akim .Tamiroff, Dorothy Lamour, and John Howard are the cast leaders in this splendid story, brought to life on the screen under the guidance of Frank Borzage. . Dorothy Lamour is seen as an American girl who has been reared in China by native foster parents. Her work has brought her to America, where she meets and falls in love with Howard, brilliant young doctor. Akim Tamiroff, portraying a world-famous surgeon who worships science as a god, has been largely responsible for the young doctor’s' success, and firmly believes that a wife will destroy his protege’s career. The older man intercedes to tell Miss Lamour that Howard has the makings of a great physician, and if she . loves him she, must not see him again But Tamiroff is proven to have guessed wrongly. Miss Lamour’s departure leaves Howard ah uninspired worker. One day the young doctor learns the true cause of his loved one’s departure, and leaves immediately to find her. His travels across turbulent, war-torn China, his brush with death, and romantic sequences that follow make the story. In the dramatic climax the author proves his thesis—that science can go only part of the way; the soul must do the rest.

Audience Reaction .. There is a director’s axiom that “ You never can tell how the public will react to any one scene.” Many times the effects of scenes on the public are a great surprise to directors. Take the case of George Stevens, producerdirector of R.K.O. Radio’s “ Vigil in the Night” on the occasion of a “sneak” preview at a small theatre in Westwood, California.* before the film company released:’;,-the picture to. the general public^;.,There came a scene Whin Bnan AKerne, playing the .part of a surgeon, is examining the victim of a bus accident for a possible cerebral : haemorrhage. As part of the standard form -of examination for this type' of injury the doctor looks in the pupils of the eyes and tests the redeyes by tapping, the legs just under knee-caps. A very . dramatic iridment. ■ To Stevens’s horror, as Ahirne started to tap the legs of the injured person, the' audience broke out into hysterical laughter. The result

was to cut that;part of the examination out of the picture to keep the dramatic qualities of the scene in tact. • “invisible Stripes” Starring George Raft, Jane Bryan, and William Holden, “Invisible Stripes” will . open' at the Empire Theatre on Friday. The story is of a man just released from Sing Sing who is determined to lead an honest life, but the obstacles he encounters as a parolee make it next to impossible. George Raft, who renegged on his announcement ;that.he would never play a gangster again, plays the title role, but explained his action by saying,

“The unusual aspects of such a role convinced me that this was just not another gangster part, but one in which there is justification.” The suave actor, who won fame years ago in “ Scarface,” has come a long way since that auspicious film debut. Born n New York’s famed Hell’s Kitchen, Raft stepped rapidly through such careers as electrician’s helper, boxer, professional baseball player, and dancer. , It' was as a dancer that Raft found fame; When the Charleston gave him the reputation as “ the kid with the fastest feet in New York ’’ he was off on his career, which soon brought him tothe attention of Hollywood. A few minor roles, and then came the part as the killer in “ Scarface.” Since that role George Raft has been one of Hollywood’s top ” menaces.” Recently he rebelled., and refused to play any more gangsters, but retracted his intention to play in “ Invisible Stripes ” because of the nature of the role. Strand Theatre Upholding the honour and prestige of the famed G-men, is the task assigned to Robert Armstrong in Universal’s timely drama of . spy activity in United States aircraft factories, “ Enemy Agent,” which comes on Friday to ' the Strand Theatre. During the swift action of “.Enemy Agent” it is Armstrong who leads his colleagues in a relentless war to wipe put foreign spies around airplane

plants. He tries to bring an end to their acts of sabotage and prevent them from securing secret warplane designs and blue prints of the, famed airplane “bomb sight,” one of The World’s most closely guarded Military secrets. He is aided by Helen Vinson as a pretty girl who lures .spies into the G-man’s trap, and by Richard Cromwell, who portrays a young, airdraft draughtsman unjustly with. being a traitor. Others in the cast include Jack La Rue, Jack Arnold. Jack Carson, Marjorie Reynolds and Philip Dorn, the spy chief. Before going to Hollywood Armstrong was a well-known Broadway personality. The associate feature, “ Gangs of Chicago.” is a first-rate gangster drama, packed with thrills. The leading players are Lloyd Nolan, Ray Middleton, Nola Lane and Barton Mac Lane. A Fitting Job It was reported recently that Lance, Fairfax, the well-known English baritone, was ,in Egypt, organising entertainments on behalf of the British fighting forces. Mr Fairfax, who will be remembered for his singing and, acting in the, Williamson spectacle “ Desert Song,” in which he enacted the role of the Red Shadow With complete success, is one of London’s most popular artists, and is also a radio and concert star. He served .with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force m the last war and attained the , rank of major, also winning the M.G. .we-, fore going to England he was living in Australia, though he paid periodic visits to his home country. Few. will forget his delightful singing, of . One Alone.” His knowledge of the musical temperaments of the average Not Zealander and Australian should stand him in good stead when .arranging concerts for troops; while his. military' experience further fits him for deciding what men of the British Army want to hear and see, in leisure moments. British Stars Grouped , Recently when Herbert Wilcox was in New York to arrange the world premiere of “ Irene,” starring Anna Neagle, the producer made a. trip to Washington ,to call at the British Embassy to ascertain the latest instructions from London in the matter, ofthose British subjects, „in the film capital. He was advised that they should remain in Holly wood,, and continue with their jobs. It was immediately after the return of Wilcox to Hollywood that the announcement was made that every star, producer, director and' writer of either British or French origin would

contribute their services to the making of a super production for the benefit of the American Community Chest and Allied war charities abroad. The film will have the largest cast of stars since films began. , , * • There will be Brian Ahern'e, Ronald Colman, Cary; Grant, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Ray. Milland, Charles/Laughton. Charles Chaplin, Errol Flynn, Herbert Marshall i and Lsurence Oliver, and Madeleine Carroll, Claudette Colbert, Vivien Leigh and Anna Neagle are four of the famous feminine, stars, who will add lustre to a great production-to-be. ■ Producers and . .directors include Alfred Hitchcock, Frank Lloyd, Robert Stevenson and Herbert Wilcox,; Each of these .is'', an . internationally; famous screen, personality.,, . 7;• David Niven rushed home to England directly after completing. “Bachelor Mother ” "with Ginger .Rogers- after the outbreak of the war. It, was six months before he was accepted for the «rmy. ' 7 , ww-CA . “The British Ambassador ‘again confirmed "what we were advised last September,” Herbert Wilcox said to a correspondent. “ England has all the men and women she needs at present for ell the services. 'The wartime future of British films is uncertain. We can all of us do far more,, good remaining in Hollywood and contributing to the making of films; all of which will help entertain people at Home." •