FAMOUS FILM LOVER.

Otago Witness, Issue 4029, 2 June 1931, Page 64

FAMOUS FILM LOVER.

VISIT TO LONDON. Charles Farrell and Virginia Valli, the film stars who were married in New York on February 14, epent a week of their honeymoon in London. A London writer said: When I eaw them at their hotel Charles Farrell gave a sample of the famous smile which has helped to make him one of the most popular heroes in pictures. “ I’ve ordered seven new suits,” he said, and volunteered the information that a dress, suit in Hollywood costs £47 ss. “In Hollywood,” he continued, “ I wear a sweater and flannels, but here everybody dresses. I went to see Jack Buchanan at the Hippodrome in “ Stand Up and Sing,” and I felt like crawling away and crying. I was in a soft shirt, and in the royal box, mark you! And I searched the whole house for just one more soft shirt. And there wasn’t one. “When Jack Buchanan introduced me to the audience I was so nervous that I could only stammer, ‘ I am so excited, I can't say anything but thank you very much.’ ” I complimented him on his freedom from an American accent. He laughed and replied: “ I hope to learn a little English during the ten days I am in London.” And how infectious that laugh is! He is due back in Hollywood to play opposite Janet Gaynor in a talking picture of Zangwill’s play, “Merely Mary Ann.” He and Miss Valli are delighted at the prospect of the renewal of this famous partnership. Both are great admirers of Miss Gaynor. Miss Valli is particularly enthusiastic. She thinks Miss Gaynor and her husband the ideal screen lovers. All sorts of people are striving to mdke appointments with the screen stare for the last few days of this honeymoon, but to them all Mr Farrell replies: “All right, but I must consult my tailors.” His wife says: “Yes, and I must go with Charles, because I choose the cloth and the colours.” Mr and Mrs Farrell had tea one day with the Countess Landi, the mother of Elissa Landi, with whom Mr Farrell played in “ Body and Soul.”

FAMOUS COMEDIAN DEAD. Mr Will Evans, the comedian, died in London on April 4. He had been ill at his home at Brixton Hill for some time with paralysis of the brain. His death removes one of the fast-diminishing band of music-hall artists whose names were known practically all over the world. Mr Evans won fame for his famous burlesque sketches, “ Building a Chicken House ” and “ Whitewashing the Ceiling,” and for 10 years he was a leading comedian in the Drury Lane pantomimes. Owin'- to ill-health, accentuated by the strain of his performances, he abandoned the music-hall stage for musical comedy. He had toured in the principal halls of Eurone, the United States, and Australia. Besides being a clever comedian, Mr Evans wrote many of the sketches and songs which helped him to fame, and he was part-author of “ Tons of Money ” and “ The Other Mr Gibbs.” Mrs Evans said that she and her husband had intended going to the United States. They had considered a contract, and the strain of the rehearsals, she feared, was partly responsible for his illness. “HAPPY GO LUCKY O’FLYNN.” On Saturday, June 13, at His Majesty’s Theatre Mr Ronald Riley, an English light comedian of note, now touring the Dominion with his company, will present Barry’ Cdbners’ great comedy success “ Happy’ Go Lucky O’Flynn," with which he is now in the third year of a British Empire tour that has taken him through Africa, India, and the Far East. “ Happy Go Lucky O’Flynn,” by the author of “ The Patsy,” has for its central figure Larry O’Flynn, a young man. who would sooner be happy than rich, and wants everyone else to follow his example. Mr Riley has played the character several hundred times to audiences of all complexions. He will be supported by a compact company headed by Doreen Scott, a charming young comedienne, and including amongst others Joseph Lanpheir, one of the late Tom Pollard’s juveniles, now making his reappearance in New Zealand after many y’ears abroad. Several of the supporting members are also appearing in New Zealand for the first time. CHARLIE CHAPLIN’S ADVENTURE. Owing to his car breaking down, Mr Charles Chaplin, who was staying in the south of France at Easter, figured in a real’ life comedy. He was on his wayto a luncheon at Antibes, being recognised by a passing motorist, was given a lift. But as Mr Chaplin speaks no French and the motorist knew no English, there was a misunderstanding when it came to explaining where Mr Chaplin wanted to go. Thus it happened that after a lengthy drive he found himself back at Nice, whence he had started. The famous comedian then hired a taxi cab to get to his destination, but arrived an hour late.