Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Thursday 14 June 1928, page 12


JOHN Hollinsked, the father of Maidie

Hope, who is appearing with Mar-garet Bannerman in '^Diplomacy" at the Comedy Theatre, Melbourne, was not only noted in the sphere of the stagehe built the Gaiety Theatre-but'was also the friend of many ..famous literary men. Amongst his closest friends was Charles Dickens, and the two of them frequently discussed the books and their characters that Charles Dickens had in contempla-tion. Through bis intimate study of human nature on the stage and off, Mr. Holbngshed could give many valuable hints and character studies to the famous novelist. Miss Maidie Hope has in her possession several mementos of Dickens, including letters written by him.

GRAND OPF.RA IN MELBOURNE :

Apollo Granforte as he. appears in "The Barber of Seville,"

at Hit Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne. _. ¡

JACK Holt is returning to Paramount.

News of the star's return was uanounced recently hy- Jesse L. Lasky at the Paramounts Hollywood studio in a statement that the popular player had signed a contract to appear in Zane Grey s productions. It was more than a year ago that Holt terminated his arrangement with Paramount- Holt's first picture will be "The Vanishing Pioneer." John Walters will be the director. Holt's return means that Paramount now has two Western stars. The other is Fred Thomson, whose new picture, "The Sunset Legion," is now being filmed at Hollywood. Jack Holt be-gan his career in the movies as a horse-man in Western pictures, and soon drifted as a "heavy" into other films. He achiev-ed his greatest popularity, however, in the Paramount series ,of. Zane Grey pictures. Holt is the son of an Episcopal clergyman, and was bom in Virginia. After coiniplet

ing n course in engineering at the Virginia j Military College, he took a position as a

civil engineer with a railroad. This job I took him into the_ ranching section of the j

north-west. Horses and cattle punching, ; however, proved more attractive than his | technical work, and he soon was riding the range. From these he made, his entrance iuto pictures. But between his first pic-ture effort and his stardom there occurred many other experiences in Jack Holt's ca-reer. He had explored for copper in Alaska, awaiting a boom which never mà- i terialised. Holt later appeared in stock companies and in vaudeville, and thus gain- ! ed additional acting experience which prov-ed of tremendous value towards his success in screen work.

NTONIO Fugazzola, of- the William-, ? sou-Mclba Grand Opera Company, . shares with Gaetano Bavagnoli' the arduous

duties of Maestro, and conducts the finest orchestra ever heard in Melbourne-in conjunction with grand opera. There are GO expert performers, upon whom thc baton of Fugázzola plays, as a pianist do¿s upon his keyboard. A distinguished look-ing man, of fair colouring, possessing the historic Roman no*c, and suggesting scholarly and ascetic tastes. And such he proves to be, for he is a great reader, and is on more than passing acquaintance with all the classic writers. Russian literature has appealed to him very much, also. Yet he is not "superior" in his quests between book covers, for he has read a great deal of Jack London. Asked if lie did not find his duties as conductor of an exhausting nature, the maestro replied: "The respon-sibility is great, of course, for everything

^depends in grand opera upon the musical . 'foundation laid hy thc orchestra. But 1

have learnt to be What you call 'tran- j

quillo,' is it not? So I allow no fears to i iiiterupt me." I

"pOLA Negri is the only screen star j

whose bauds are specially lighted. Be- ! cause of the unusual expressive and beau-

tiful language of her hands. Pola Negri | received this unusual distinction in the j

filming of her new picture for Paramounv "Three Sinners." Without overdoing the gestures, MLs Negri makes uncommonly effective use of pantomime with lier hands, it is a theory of hers that the hands next to the face are. the most expressive in-strument for conveying emotional effects.

.yHOSE who demand life in the drama

?*- will find plenty of it in "Anna Chris-tie," Eugene O'Neill's famous play, in which the Gregan McMahon company will be seen at the King's Theatre. Melbourne, following "Dear Brutus." O'Neill invari-ably seeks his characters in the under-world, and this play forms, no exception to the rule. Its leading figures are Anna Christie, a girl who has been driven to a life of shame; "Old. Chris.," her shiftless father, master of the coal barge; aud Mat Burke, an arrogant, .bombastic stoker, who brings with him on to the stage the language of the stokehold. "Anna Christie" has beeu described as "a play with < no Trills, no concessions, and no sentimentalities." It is certain to cause unusual interest.

MANY of those who have seen Emil

Jaunings in some of the German films "in which he appeared, will go to see ^The Way of All Flesh," his first American pic-

ture, fearing that he may have been sub- ; merged in a sentimental story on the j American model. The story told in the , new film is a dismal thing (says a re- i viewer), but Jannings never fails to make

if convincing. His new producers (the j Paramount Company) determined appa-rently to make the most of Jaunings s

powers as an emotional actor. He does , not fail them. Lusty and massive, but sen-sitive to finer distinctions, he touches notes rangiug from very broad comedy to

poignant tragedy. In introductory scenes ¡ in a conscientiously reproduced German ¡ home in Milwaukee, Jannings's August Schilling recalls his "Boss" Huller in "Va-riety"; He is a good fellow.-at the skittle alleys, a kindly, tyrant in the bank in which be is cashier, á lenient father of a I large family. The placid routine of 20

yearsi is violently interrupted when Schil-ling, is sent on a mission to Chicago "bear-ing; valuable bonds. Misadventures not uncommon in moving pictures befall himHe is robbed, disgraced, believed to be dead. -Tho trusted cashier becomes, an aimless, tattered vagrant. The curtain rises again to show him, years later, suf-fering when he attends a theatre in which his_ son, ¿now a brilliant violinist, is ac-claimed l?y an admiring audience. Tearproducing devices are plentifully intro-duced by the director of-the film, but Jan-nings' performance is never undignified. The producers of the film hare usurped a title already borrowed ïroni7 the Bible by Samuel Bittier, who\wrote a novel entitled "The Way of All Flesh.'.' " This was not a grave offence; but, in addition, the pro-ducers, -without explaining that the sjtory told in the film owes nothing to Samuel Butler, have prefaced- the picture with a quotation from .thé novel.

fPHE trickle of, players from Hollywood A to Britain Continues. Partly," this is due to the affifiafion of some British com-panies with American companies; but some independent producing organisations arc I engaging actresses who haye been working [ in California^ ^Blanche 43weet will be "The

Woman in White," an adaptation of Wil! kio Collins's tale, which will be directed

by Herbert Wilcox, ?naker of "Dawn." Maria Corda, an Austrian actress, who was Helen in "The Private Life of Helen of

Troy," will appear with Jameson Thoma? ¡ in a film to be made at Elstree (England). ]

Lars Hanson is now in Berlin with the

Ufa organisation. Pola . Negri, it is re- j ported, has completed her contract with i the Paramount-Company, and holies to. ap- I pear in a European film. Both these play- j cr« had won reputations in. Europe before

they went to Hollywood. j

/SIGNOR Angelo Minghetti, the lvric

[KJ tenor of the Willinnison-Mclba Grand ! : Opera Company, says he can sing up to 1

the demands made in any vocal score for , the tenor voice, but prefers to obtain ; j his successes in less wide settings. Min- I

ghetti's speaking voice is equally aHuriu?. and, joy of joys to Melbourne hosts and hostesses, he is familiar with the English

tongue. In fact, his enunciation, pronun- ' rintion and vocabulary are probably superior to that of the average .AngloAustralian.

AS soon as it became certain that Miss "r Rosie Dolly after her marriage would not go back to the_ stage her sister began to search for a new partner, with whom

Min Jenny Dolly.

she could carry on thc tradition of the "Dolly Sisters." Jenny Dolly believes she has now secured what she needs-a girl who dances cle-verly and is the same height and build as herself. The pair are working steadily at some new steps and figures, with which the reconstituted firm of . sisters will shortly take the floor "în Paris. Rosie Dolly was married . in

March, last year to Mr. Mortimer Davis, a stepson bf the late Sir Mortimer Davis, the Canadian business man and sports-man. The news'of the marriage was with-held until she had severed her connection with the stage. Her intention is to de-vote herself to home and husband.

/WE of^ the reasons why American |

moving pictures are so popular is that the characters about which they tell us move in the simpler walks of life. Often they are firemen, typists, policemen, shop-girls or waiters. British and European

films, though they are generally finer from ¡ -an -'artistic point of view, tell stories of people in fine bouses, or actresses, or sol-diers, or other picturesque but unfamiliar

people. These "storybook"* people are. j made to behave in a manner which is. difficult for some people to understand. In American films the characters in a film story almost invariably do what the entire audience expects tbem to do; the audi-

ence knows the exact moment at which it is safe to reach for its hat. When

British or European films are being shown i it is as likely as not that the end will find the audience either still sitting in

its seat or else standing in the passage- j ways still watching a film that should have ended long before. Probably until there are more British films in which the chief characters are everyday people, be-

having in a likable way, Britain will -not j usurp America's place in film production.

Mary Pickford, who should, and probably, does, know more about winning' tile hearts of spectators than anyone else in

the world- of films, knows that picture-'1 I goers in the main like.to .watch likeable

people inspired by nice feelings. She be-gan as a trustful young innocent with long curls; she makes her last appearance as a spirited but likeable shopgirl. "Al-ways she has been what the -feminine half of the attendance would like to be.

TEMSW Australian actresses have revealed

such versatility as has Daphne Deane. Besides being one of the leading expon-ents of classical dancing, witb several fine ballets to her credit, .and a fine- pianist, she has supported visiting 'stars in plays ranging from historical, drama to broad, farce. In "Anna Christie" she has a role that will enabale ber to show her mettle.

MR. Anthony Asquith, son of Lord Ox-

ford, wrote the scenario of "Shooting Stars," a British film; which evoked very favourable criticism in London. He is now directing a film which will be called ? "LTridergrotmd," with the "tubes" and Sel-

fridge's emporium as a background. Brian Ailerue, known in Australia, will be the ; hero, a liftman.

j IN "THE GARDEN OF EDEN" :

Corinne Grlffi th In a scene from the film which will be screened

In Perth on Saturday,

TH EXE Homer, who ia to appear in tho

leading role of "The Patsy," to he staged at the King's" Theatre, Melbourne, on -lune' 10, is a young American star of remarkable versatility. Among the plays in which she has appeared in the leading volo mo. the following:-"Cat and the Canary,'" "The Gold Fish," "The Mer-chant of Venice," "BuddieB," "White Cargo." "The Bat," "Wedding Bells." "Whispering Wires," "Captain Apple-' jack." "Kenipy," "Outward Bound," "The Bad Man." aud "The Man Who Carne Back." This seems a remarkably lengthy list nf achievements for one so young, bu' «Miss Homer commenced her «tage carper early. She will have an appealing role is Patricia Harrington in "The Patsy"-a character of the type of "Peg o' Mr

Heart." I

FREDERICK W. Murnau, a Hollywood

director, bas devised a mental test for screen aspirants. Personal attractiveness, says Mumau, has not yet lost its value in the movies, but, given two candidates of equal attractiveness, the one who stands iigh in bis test is# the" one most apt to succeed in the movies. The ques-tions are not designed ..to show bow high-ly educated a person may be, but to.reveal native intelligence and imagination. They follow:- ' j.

Give two. synonyms for "emotion."

If .your face were hidden from the camera; how would you register fear, amusement and "anxiety with the rest of your body?

Is a monocle worn in the left or right eye? " -

What" is the last book you have read?

Describe a street costume for a vam-pire. . ? ~\.

What trick in makeup gives a clown a perpetual emile?

What do you consider your most im-portant asset for a career on the screen? What is the difference between person-ality and character?

What is the purpose of a close-up?

What character study ou the screen has impressed you most, and why?

WORK is almost completed on "The Far Paradise," the second film made by M.C.D. Productions, Ltd., an Austra-lian company, which produced "Those Who Love," which was shown last year. The company consists of Misses Isabel, Paulette, and Phyllis McDonagh. Miss Isabel McDonagh, who assumes the name Marje Lorraine, is the leading player; Miss Paulette McDonagh is the scenario writer, and Miss Phyllis McDonagh is the art director. Their first film, though less ambitious and probably less expensive than most Australian pictures, had many good qualities,. and marked its producers as the most promising of several groups that were making films at the time. Hoyts Theatres showed the film at their many theatres, and as a result, the sisters have been able to make use of their experience in the production of another film. In "The Far Paradise" the cast has been

considerably strengthened by the addition of several practised players, including Mr. Gaston Mervale, Mr. Arthur McLaglen (who was in "For the Term of His Na-tural Life"), and Mr. Paul Longuet. Most of the scenes were taken at Bondi and Drummoyne (Sydney). When a Holly-wood producer wants the Taj Mahal or the Strand as a setting, he makes a copy in the grounds of his studio. Less for-tunate, the members of the M.C.D. Com-pany travelled to Warburton (V.) to obtain a cottage setting suitable to their story, and to Melbourne to obtain a film of the Flinders-street railway station.

TTANGING in her dressingyroom at Me!A* boûrhsrThëàtré Royál is a card upon Wbicb-rAiime <3roft, the star of "The Girl Friend," 'has "inscribed a set of her own "ten commandments"-rules which she en-deavours to carry out for herself. Here they are:-Don't beat about the bush-be direct. Keep smiling. Don't gossip. Never make promises you can't keep.- Be nice to your enemies-ah. enemy often becomes your best friend. Always do a good turn when you can. Never give up-the one

who" gives up is lost. Play the game-it i costs nothing and is worth a lot. Make as many friends as you can. Good tem-per and a pleasant smile make happiness.

rPHE season of the musical comedy, ?*- "Lumber Love," the music of which was written by two Australians, Emmett and Berte Adams, came to an abrupt' close at the Princes of Wales Theatre, London, on June 9. The piece had been transferred to the Prince of Wales» from the Lyceum. While the audience was leaving the theatre last night, a notice was posted up by th? management announcing the termination

of the season. ]f herc had previously been

an exciting scene on the 6tagc and angry arguments. TÍie failure of the season is attributed to' the diad times that ¡¡.ive latterly been Experienced all round in West Knd then tretend. "Lumber Love." which has the Canadian backwoods as a settinu. contains a number of catchy songs and '?lionises.