THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28, · 1935.
ENTERTAINMENT
PORTS MOUTH'S LOSS, OUR GAIN.
Fillip For The Philharmonic THE Hongkong Philharmonic Society have been busy, in a quiet, sort of way, preparing for the forthcoming production of "The Country Girl." Visitors are not en- couraged at the rehearsals at the Queen's Theatre, but I managed to sneak in the other day. What follows is the result of chats with some of the people I encountered, and of personal observation.
Cinema Chat '
THE STAR YOU VOTED NUMBER 1 IS COMING TO HONGKONG
FIRST thing, you're going to like this une much better than past efforts. GOOD news for film fans, and, especially for
Hongkong's Philharmonic has been unhappy in recent years through lack of money, not-too-good choice of plays, and paucity of good actors and actrussen. When, less than six months ago, it lost two of its best players. Mrs. Bowes Smith and Mrs, Snowden Jones-both coincidentally enough, de parted for Home following deaths of their husbands-outlook for 1998 looked even blacker.
BUT
a change has come over the scene, and far from being a paucity of talent, there seems to be a surplus. As a result, there is much more vigaur at rehearsals. Even at this early stage, things are going' with a swing. New brooms are sweeping clean. ·
admirers of Ginger Rogers:
Popular RKO-Radio' star has intimated, in letter to Shanghai office, that her oft-delayed trip to Far East is likely to mature in the neur future.
If nothing happens to mar present plans, she will leave Hollywood for Honolulu, Shanghai and Hongkong late March, arriving here early May.
She is keen to meet the hundreds of Hongkong admirers who, carlier this year, voted for the most popular serven
star.
Hubby Lew Ayren will accompany her, and Hongkong will be chief port of call, stay-over, if any, being made here.
[REATEST good fortune has been nequlskion of Anne Wister (Mrs. Bernard Marsh) comparatively new arrival in Colony, who possesses a
remarkable soprano voice. She is taking the role of the Princess.
Since readers of morning contem- Hongkong people who caine porary voted Ginger their No. 1 fa from Portsmouth will know hervourite by overwhelming majority in As an old favourite, in amateur February this year, she has become stage circles. She played leading two outstanding Alms "Gay Divorcee" even more popular with local fans, roles in several Portsmouth Play-and "Roberta" considerably enhancing ers' productions. Coincidence No. her reputation.
Anne Winter as "Sophia" in "Tom Jones", a role the triumphantly filled
with the Portsmouth Playera:"
2: Her last leading role was in
Now we are about to see. film that "Merrie England," produced in is sald to top all previous work by Portsmouth by LA. Cdr. Bedell It Astaire-Rogers, combination. was Cdr. Bedell who produced this popular pla for Hongkong Phil- harmonic during his stay in Colony
Good business tactics by Mr. C. given the Alhambra theatre this scoop Rosselet, Managing Director, haa
for the mainland, and, as result, the two principal Island theatres are going A going to help the Philharmonie
Chinese New to find it difficult to fin: a rival pic- NOTHER acquisition that is ture of equal pulling power for the
tremendously is that of Winnie Year. Lawson, who plays the title role. The picture is "Top Hat." It will Third stellar debut of consequence be released at the Alhambra on
in that being made by Bobbie Blake, Chinese New Year's Eve January 25. who is no stranger to amateur drn- matles and philharmonics, coming here with excellent English reputa-
+
tion which, judging from personal Now and again the Alhambra do big observation, will
things like this and as a result, I
last year. Takes rolu of Sophie In "Country Girl.”
co 'ainly be US-
Bay
the
STAR OF THE WEEK NO. 1. Appearing in film "Alice Adama" at King's to-morrow in Katherine Hepburn, one of the acreen's real actresses,
She has never given a better performance, and by sheer force of personality, rises "way above the story and balance of cast,
An cetrtas who can make us wiggle uncomfortably in our seats when she portrays a girl's indiscretions has something that not too many of the screen's idola posRCES, 'Little Women" was her last
SUCCESS.
How You
Can Celebrate
On Tuesday
PLENTY OF GAIETY FOR N.Y. EVE
tained after her initial appearance in tending role. Actually, Miss Blake is can see considerable rivalry develop-REFORE you go first-footing no stranger to Philharmonte activities, as she was in the "Haiwathu" chorus ink between the two sides of the har on Tuesday night, there are
bour. Lots of people Alhambra ia before its time, but a dozen and one places where you watch how the people will flock to can get that mellow feeling so "Top Hat." "Lives of a Bengal Lan- necessary in these modern times certan bad its premiere nt this theatre and the result was capacity to suitably greet a New Year. holges for every performance.
TURNING now to the old hands, we have Nina Valentine, who will be remembered chiefly for her characterisation of Phoebe in Yeoman of the Guards, played in 1929. Mrs. F. T. Portallion is also one of the "big shots" of that pick of the Philharmonic productions.
Now for the men.
Best acquisition undoubtedly is Jack Gronham, well known in local theatricals, but making his debut with the Philharmonic, He is going to be, in my opinion, the mainstay of the males. Plays comedy lend and, with Walter Gill, also excellent, supplies most of the humour, much of which has been localised. C. W. E. Ilishop, who takes chief male role, is also a good acquisition with pleasing voice, while another new hand, L. A. Jordan, is outstanding in role of "Rajah of Bhong."
Worthy of mention among the men are II, M. Cockle, C. Dudley Bartlett, and-11. d. Best-batter in ako Secretary of the Philharmonie, a task that is keeping him fully occupied apart from his stage rehearsals these days.
·
your
More money, is being spent in galety. In Hongkong this season than for Speaking of Fred Astaire, An some time past, so everyone who American dance band advertises that caters for your entertainment is it playn "melodies that bring out the making a supreme bid for
patronage. Astaire in you"..
Elsewhere on this page you'll rend Switchback to Ginger Rogers. To of a fairly imposing line-up of inte all you admirers, a tip. Not to be for the more sober-minded. missed, even for a second viewing, in "Star of Midnight," scheduled at the the largest crowds. Real Carnival in Dancing, however, is going to draw Star Theatre to-morrow.
Ginger you'll remember if you saw it at the in the air on this eve of the New Year. King's a month or so. back, plays op-}- -Old-friends,-Cowan-and-Dailey-and pasite Willin Powell. They are as Ted and Evelyn (not forgetting Ident a combination as were Powell Mistress of Ceremonies Estelle and Myrna Loy in "Thin Man." Make Davies) are waiting to greet you at WORD for the people who are doing all the work off-stage. Production this your No. 1 choice for Sunday. both the Hongkong and Peninsuin A
is in the hands of the Rev. Cyril Brown, whose task is a heavy one,
Hotels, which advertise Dinner Dance fortunately rendered somewhat light by the trained material in his hands. The Shirley Temple cycle hasn't Carnivals until am, on January 1. ile is also making n debut with the Philharmonic. A. B. Yule, Bandmaster ended yet. Yet another of them is
Out. at Repulse Bay, where the of the 2nd East Lanes, Regiment, will wield the orchestral baton, scenery booked to make Hongkong premiere crowd won't be a noisy, and bolster (always good, but much better than in previous years, is in hands of T. V. at the Alhambra to-morrow. The ous, Albert Houdi, of the Magiciana' Harmon, and lighting in hands of It. C. Butler,
Bittle Big Shot in Sybil Jason, who Chub in London, is billed ns hafls from Capetown. If you like in attraction between dances. Temple, you'll like In Jnson, because. she's a brunette edition of her famous blonde contemporary.
THIRD coincidence-interesting one, this. "Country Girl" was written by Adrian Ross. But that is only a pseudonym. The composer's rent name was Adrian Ross Ropes. A son, Lt. John Ropes, of the Royal Artillery, is now in Hongkong, aitached to local station. Unfortunately he will not he here to see local production (January, 15, 16, 18 and 2.10 p.m. matinee on January 18), ns he leaves for Home first week ly January,
Elissa Landi
Loses Her
"Dearest Friend"
Countess Zanardi Landi, the 53- year-old mother of Miss Ellesa Landi, the British flm actress, has died suddenly in Hollywood.
Miss Landi was in England
at the time.
She went to London to act oppo. sito Douglas Fairbanks juntor in
•
•
Burns and Allen "gag”. Burns: Oh, hold your mouth. Grace Allen: What, and get bitten?
THESE KIDDIES STOLE THE GLORY
Five of the Kiddles who outshone the adult Stars in this year's Y.M.C.A. Pantomime in the West Lourige last week.
-D'Asts Studio.
Dialling Daventry
the
The Gloucester Hotel, always sure of its quots of patrons, relies upon an excellent Chef is the chief attraction for its Carnival Dinner Dance, also billed to Inst until the sma' wee hours.
A Minute
£66 For The
-Quins
A Cheque for £10,000 has been paid into the bank acount of the Dionne Quintuplets at Callander, Ontario.
It is payment for their services in the Alm of their life which Twen- ticth Century Films are to make
GRETA GARDO'S nalary is reputed
to be £100,000 a year.
Most people finish up their celebra- tions over Kowloon side, where they can be lured to either K.C.C. or China Light and Power Club, both holding Plain and Fancy Carnivals. Former usually finishes 3 a.m-ish, latter when you want to. Most people go to one, į 200,000 « your. finish at other.
Startlingly large number of Hong- kong people prove that they are not entirely irreligious by slipping into Church just about midnight, and you usually And packed congregations in | hybrid dress-ranging from dianer incket to ridiculous --depending on whether you're in fancy or not.
Ok, yes, and then there's "First Footings." An old Scottish custom. If you're a brunette, they'll welcome you with open arins, because dark people are lucky. Scottish gentlemen don't prefer blondes-until a brunette has crossed the threshold. Olden days It was customary to hold a Jump.of coal and potato in your hand as you crossed the threshold-idea being that
"The Amateur Gentleman" and EMPIRE STATION WILL BRING you'd bring heat and food for the rest
completed her part in the Elstree production the day before her, mother died.
A newspaper representative spoke to Miss Landi at her London hotel:
"I have lost my dearest friend." she said.
IN THE NEW YEAR
On New Year's Eve Daventry will convey messages of good-
will from all parts of the British Isles to those overseas, The birth of the year Is a timu twelve montlin. On Wednesday how- for memories, so an effort will be over, a new experiment will be nt- Some years ago the Countess made to try to revive memories of tempted when a programme entitled published a book entitled "The people and places long since for- "Chimes at Midnight" will be broad- Secret of an Empress." In it slugotten.
40
cant. It will be directed mainly to the "stay-at-home" listener who pre- fers the quiet of his fireside or a corner of the verandah to the boister- ous merry-making of his fellows..
claimed to be the youngest child Songs and laughter, music and of the Empress Elizabeth, consort pealing bells will form the back of Francis Joseph of Austria, but ground of a programme which the explained that because of the wish B.B.C. producers have called "A
The programme will start at 7 a.m. of the Empress to keep one of her Good New Year to One and All". Thursday. II.XT. with selections of children to herself, her birth was This programme may be heard at prose, poetry, and music, suitable for kept secret, and she was brought the following times on New Year's the last hour of the year. These will be followed by a Watchnight, Service up away from the Court.
Transmission i at 4.30 p.m. H.K.T.; from St. Paul's Cathedral, London. Transmission 3 at 10.30 am. H.K.T.; (8 s.m. H.K.T.) the programme will When Big Bon has sounded midnight, Transmission 6 at 11 a.m. H.K.T.
Lurn to actuality shots of New Year past it has been usual on Now, Years be for the B.B.C. to scenes in London, Berwick-on-Tweed, brondenst a retrospect of the previous and Edinburgh.
Her book was published during the Great War, and on this account
did not attract so much attention as It otherwise might have done,
Day:
For
of the year. In these modern times It's more customary to take a bottle of whisky, idea being, apparently, that you get the same effects.
GINGER ROGERS rakes in about
THE QUINS are to do 150 minutes' "work" for their £10,000, which means £08 13s. 4d a minute.
For those 160 minutes they will be the highest paid film artists in the world. Work it out.
King Peter Sends for Sam
SAM
KIN
ING PETER, the twelve-year-old sovereign of Yugo-Slavin, ling pent to London for "Sam," the hero of the recently complcted British coloured flm car- toon, "Sam and Ills. Musket.".
The "command" came straight from tho Royal Palaco at Belgrade, and this producers, Anglia Films Ltd., immediately dispatched a topy of the film,
It will form part of a programme of the best In films which his Majesty.secs once a week.
This is merely one of the facts which provo that British colour film cartoons have made enormous strides towards perfection, and that they promise to beome rivals to Walt Disney.
MAKE-UP HINTS
By
MAX FACTOR
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"And don't forget, that perfumes stir the Imagination. Try nitue MAX FACTOR'S EAU DE COLOGNE on the palm of your hand-then smooth hubby's forehead. It's a safe bet he won't go out that night.". Make a good Now Year's Resolution by using Best Cosmotics.
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