1930-08-22 — Page 11

FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 1930.

MUSIC DRAMA · FILMS

•

THE CHINA

END OF GLITTERING| CHARLIE CHAPLIN TO MR. SHERRIFF AND

CAREER.

Covent Garden Ballet Mistress' Pension.

One time ballet mistress at Covent Garden, Alda Sidonia,

at the age of 7G has just been awarded an old age pension in

the State of Milwaukee. She tells the story of herdite in the world of opera, her marriage and disillusionment, to a North American News- paper-Alliance-correspondent

below.

GROW A BEARD.

Talk of Disguise on Visit

to London,*

HOLLYWOOD.

Invitation to Work on Talk-Film.

MAIL.

ROUND THE CINEMAS stock. The theatro cost £200,000

A MAGAZINE COVER

GIRL.

to build and, since it was open- ed in the spring of 1928, its pro grammes alternated between must- cal comedy and talkles. It is at present lot as a cinema, but the tenancy finishes this week and the Directors state there is no im-

→ EMBARRASSING MOMENTS." mediate prospect of finding a tenant. The theatre, the con- straction of which was due to the Greta Granstedt, who has an initiative of Mr. Edward Lauril important part in Universal's highly lard, has seating capacity for amusing comedy, "Embarrassing 1,400 and among its novel fea Moments," showing at the Queen's tures are a ventilation system Theatre from Sunday was an artists which admits air at the roof and model and stage actress before she extrudes it from floor level and embraced a motion picture career. an installation beneath every sout in the stalls which draws off the smoke from tobacco.

A prophetic commentary on the theatre's struggle against the talkies is perhaps provided in the particulars of two wills publish- ed simultaneously this week. A cinema proprietor of Nottingham left £111,312 and a theatrical man- ager of the same city died worth £554,

Hollywood, June 20, Mr. R. C. Sherriff. the author Temporarily abandoning Alm of "Journey's End" and "Badger's work, Charles Chaplin will leave Green,"he is coaching a King for London in September to en-ston crew at Henley, discussed Reginald Donny is starred in the joy a rest and holiday amid the his plans with the Morning Post, picture, the cast of which includes scenes of his boyhoot and to re-. He stated that he had receiv-Merna Kennedy, Otis Harlan, Vir new associations with prominent ed an invitation to go to Holly-ginia Sale, and Mary Foy, William British friends,

wood to work on a theme for a James Craft diracted from a story In un exclusive interview at his talk-film, but that he had not yet by Earle Shell. -Beverly Hills home to-day-Mr.-come-to-a declsion. ---

It is a talking picture. Chaplin confided to me that he is extremely anxious to avoid the crowds which acclaimed him dur

Milwaukee, June 14. "Yes, there were rich men who were in love with me," said Mrsing his last visit to London in

sort Alice Phasey, with a

of 1921 (writes Daily News and

Chronicle correspondent).

gentle arrogance. "If I'd married one of then I might not be on the pension list now.

"AS

I

He is even considering disgula ing himself "Perhaps a full beard, would hide my identity," he said, adding, "hut, there, I am sure, the newspapers would discover mo and make fun of me."

W09

"It seems," said the little Dresden china lady, whose masses of white hair are piled high on her proud head, who even at 10 a.m. appears with a band of black

When Mr. Alister MacDonald, velvet

her at.

twhite throat the Premier's elder son, visited couldn't though it

have Hollywood recently wearing an been me at all. Sitting here in { "Imperial" Charlie Chaplin this place I can talk to you about reported to have assisted a party Aida Sidonix-that was my fancy of merrymakers In shaving it off. name when I danced in Covent It appears that the film comedian Garden before the Prince of may afford Mr. MacDonald an op- Wales and all the different kings portunity of returning the com- of Europe but it seems As pliment. though I'm talking about some- body else that had all these things happen to her."

A few days ago Mrs. Phasey appeared before Judge Michael Sheridan and was granted an old age pension of $25 a month. The

of brown hair Kolden

Aida Sidonia has, faded to white; the

Mr. Chaplin will attend the first night of the silent film, "City Lights," his latest picture, at New York, and then sall for England, accompanied by his secretary and valet.

Boyhood Scenes.

He said that he is keenly anti applause that Aida Sidonin knew cipating visiting the back-stage at the Duke of York's Theatra, where in 1905, "when I was just a lad. I played a pageboy part in the production of 'Sherlock

is stilled and the salaries Aida Sidonia commanded are not for a frail little 76-year-old woman whose last work was as a cham-stage bermaid in the Republican hotel. What remains, to Mrs. Phasey

of the glamorous dancer are her

heart and her courageous memories of Patti singing Lucia, und herself a little ballet. girl pressing into the wings against the manager's orders to hear her; memories of Del Puente, "the great man" who created the role of the toreador in London many who was years ago; of Melba, "nice when she was young, but never the electrifying artist that

Paft was."

Holmes.'

"But first I plan to look up Mr. H. G. Wells, for whom I have the fondest respect and whom I ad-

"Talkie technique is at a most! interesting stage," he continued, "for, in my opinion, the mechani cal resources at the disposal of the producer have gone far ahead of his technical and artistic ex pertence.

"ILLUSION."

трины

When the debutantes of Park Avenue society rub elbows with the denizens of Broadway's

stage, SNAKES IN CINEMA.

"O one thing. however. I am aparks are sure to fly and hearts are certain-I am not going to settle sure to break in one or both of the dowa to the regular life of rival camps. dramatist.

Play-writing cannot That is the working formula of be forced, and there is too much Mr. Arthur Train's novel 'Illusion' tendiericy in the modern theatre and it is also the recipe for Para- to expect authors to turn out mount's all-talking picturisation of

the train plays at regular Intervals.

opus which features "Play-writing consista of the Charles (Buddy) Rogers and Nancy gradual development of a theme. Carroll and which is now showing At present I ha about half-a-at the Central Theatre. dozen themes in head."

an Antarctic

.1

THROWN BY DISCHARGED EMPLOYEE.

While a picture was being screen- ed at Shikishima Cinema Club, Sennichmae, Osaka recently a man suddenly threw two snakes on to the Beddy is a successful magician. stage, one of them crawling towards An Antarctle Theme.

Nancy, is the partner in his act. the gallery on the first floor, which was packed with people, and the Asked whether, as has been Both are circus-reared. Both are commonly reported, he was con- troupers. But Buddy is society: other disappearing towards the rear templating writing a play about conscious, and he begins to get him- of the hall.

When the spectators were in con- -expedition, Mr. self liked by the idle rich who are Sherriff aaid: "That is possible, unaware of his far-from-elite back fusion, the anake-thrower cried out but all depends, on whether the ground. He pays court to a young "Fire fire," causing a stampede theme takes shape. Probably 11 heiress, who likes him very much among 1,800 spectators who surged shall go to Poland this summer until she learns that, he is only an out of the hall.

The polica hurried their man to there of old circus the production

man's son. Then she

the cinema hall where things ware holiday either this or 'Journey's End, and during my jilts him.

another

In the meantime. Nancy, who restored to normal about half an theme may derclep

Into a full was Buddy's first love, is discon-hour later,

It is said that at the beginning of solate. She goes right on with her success of "Journey's End," Mr her heart is not in the stage any

Discussing the reasons for the magic act, using a new partner, but the month, the head office of the Tao Cinema Co., Kyoto, discharged Sherriff said: "I chanced to h

to see

length play."

on the idea of putting the War more. At this point in the story some twenty men, thereby creating an amazing and thrilling antian agitation. Some of the dis to the natural medium of the climax la introduced. It would not charged appealed for help to pro dug-out. The dug-out is, I am

be fair to reveal this bit of action prietors of the Shikishima Club, and others, complaining at the same sure, the beat means of express. mire as one of the world's greating the War as a dramatic unity. here.

The story is fast-moving through-time of the unreasonableness of the est authors and playwrights.

Hand-bills bearing the threat, also want to visit Sir. Philip produced at the tight time, when out. Each characterisation is clear measure taken by the company.

cut and vivid. The musical inter-Snakes will be thrown into your Sassoon whom I met in, London in

ludes which form logical intermis-

hall", Word distributed in the 1921,

klopa for the fast and snappy

Shikishima Hall. diologue, are exceptionally pleasing

I

"I'li niso have some hearty chats, with Thomas Burke and Sir James Barrie.

away

with one of the dancing girls in our troupe," she said. Just Had to Meet.

"Oh, I thought I should never There was

the day when Sir. look at another man again, and I hated the Augustus Harris, "the high and Indeed I haven't. den, "Sir" after Kaiser Wilhelm to get there I was, a woman of mighty" manager of Covent Gar-stage even but I had my way had knighted him for his splen- 48 by that time-and I had to go did entertainment, called Aida on.

I

I

I was also fortunate in' having it

critics and public alike ready for a War play.

were

Since then there has been glut of War plays and novels; and now either the public taste, has become jnded or else the standard has fallen off. That ac the present slump in

B

to the ear.

"THE FOUR FEATHERS.”

counts for War literature..

A war in which the casualties "The novel of 'Journey's End' suffered in

the slump, as did were almost as large as those of the a thrilling world conflict forms. background for Paramount's "The mendous interest. But I am sure Four Feathers, current venture of Suspense,' which I read with tre- that this slump is temporary, and Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. that the popular taste for War Schoedaack, soldier-of-adventure literature comes and goes In cycles,

War Literature,

producers.

"Late statistics place the loss or "I think that the War has pro-life in the World War at 8,543,515," duced ane or two outstanding asserts Schoedaack," while the Der- vish Rebellion against the British in works of literature. I consider Blunden's Undertones of War the African Soudan in 1881 cost the finest War book I have read, more than 6,000,030 lives. and after that Robert Grave's

Good-bye to All That."

Sidonia to his office and "I taught the girls for the one- asked her if she could take night stands. But the girls were charge of the ballet for all the different. They didn't know any- operas, to replice Mme. Kaite thing about me, and they didn't Lanner, the Viennese, "greatest know anything about opera. ballet mistress on earth." There never talked with them. I never *were brilliant nights in Lisbon had any friends. I taught... and in Cuba. There was the day, here, there, anywhere at all

"Native loases were many times those of the British. Unschooled In America, when 'Alfred Phasey, could find students." who played the euphonium in the

Couldn't Get Pupils.

in civilised warfare and inspired by "With regard to 'Badger's Covent Garden orchestra asked

When Mrs. Ben Mundt, a for- Green' I would like to say how their religious feelings the blacks her to marry him. She was just mer pupil of here in London, deeply grateful I am to

the proved absolutely fearless. Promin- 24 then, and it seemed to her "as wrote and asked her to come to critics for their attitude towards eat in these gery battles were the though we just had to meet." Milwaukee to live with her she it. After 'Journey's End I had Fuzzy Wuzzyswhom Kipling has

"The Phaseys are ♫ famous

was ready. She was ready even great difficulty in finding an on immortalised in song and poetry as family," she said. "All muslelans to take work as a chambermaid tirely new theme; and so I took first class fighting men." " and soldiers. The old gentleman when she could get no pupils, but the centr. idea of an old play Phasey played with the Crystal that crushed me, I thought I of mine. Palace orchestra in London for 40 years till his son replaced him. A famous family-but they were wanderers. It's a wandering life, you know," said Mrs. Phasey. "My family thought the stage was vulgar. My father was a clvil! engineer and they were horrified that I was a dancer.

And it was in the Fuzzy Wuzzy: country that, Cooper and Schoedsack

should die." Finally, application "It is incorrect to say that re-enacted battle scenes of the Der- for the pension which will give 'Badger's Green' is merely a doc vish Rebellion. Hundreds of Fuzzy her at least security.

tored version of this old play; and Wuzzys, who appeared in the film I doubt if the two plays have ten sequences of thle story by A. E. W. words in common.

Mason, are the sons of men who gans of "I wrote "Badger's Green' with actually fell before the a definite object. It was meant riflamen.

"Don't let them tell you," said Mra. Phasey, "that it's beautiful to get old. It's not beautiful. It's ugly and lonely and sad."

She raised both hands to her white temples, through which the "Ran Away With Dancer.

delicate blue veins can be seen. Alda Sidonia, Mrs. Alice Phasey Then she smiled suddenly. "But." after her marriage, was happy "In she said, and, this time it was London with

husband, Aida Sidonia, the ballet dancer "though, of course, I never look speaking, it's all experience ed at another man."

ber

to be a reaction from the War en Upon their return from the Dark vironment, with which I found Continent with 60,000 feet of ex- myself associated after Journey's posed film of battle scenes and End. That is why I chose a ligh: thrilling wild animal close-ups. Cooper and. Schoedaack-directed the plot sequences at the Paramount Hollywood studios, with Richard Arlen, Fay Wray, Clive Brook, WIL

theme."

They or even the one-night stands, getting MISS EVELYN LAYE Ham Powell Theodor von Eltz, ganised the Phasey dancers after up at 9 a.m., never sleeping twice.

Noah Beery and George Fawcett acting the principal roles,

you-it teaches you not to expect DECREE NISI AGAINST “SONNIE The plot deals with the regenera-

a while and took the troupes of in the same, bed, the hurry and young girls on tour all over the worry and poverty. It teaches United States from coast to coast. Still happy. Then, quite sudden, ly, the world seemed to and for Mrs. Phasey. "My husband ran

too much of life, and that I think may be the secret of contentment."

Singapore Free Press.

OFF WITH YOUR COAT AND INTO BED!

ILL SHOW YOU WHOSE BOSS!”

HALE"

London, July 11.

The actress, Evelyn Laye, ob tained a decree nisi to-day against Robert Monro, known as "Sonple Hale," on the grounds of his mis. conduct with Jessie Matthews, on -actress-k

Miss Laye's counsel said that Monro asked her to take him back. and she agreed, provided he would give up his asociation with Matthews, Hávaid no out ro mained with the petitioner for only a fortnights

The judge remarked that it was quite clear from the correspon dent that the hus

tion of a cowardly soldier who goes to Africa and braves the perils of nativa warfare and jungle wild fa to save his former comrades from death at the hands of the tribesmen.

The pichire has been rated as the best, spectacle-thriller of the year. It comes to the Central Theatre on Sunday next.

PICCADILLY

THEATRE IN

It is assumed that the thrower of the snakes must be one of those discharged by the company, and a sharp lookout is being conducted for the arrest of the man.

A Hint.

Tommy Jones (to neighbour who is always borrowing): Mr. Smith, Dad says he's buying some new re- cords, and could you go with him

'cos he wouldn't like to get any tunes you didn't likel

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