Doubts as to Wisdom of Selection; Only Moderate 0.5. Success of Royal Roles The choice of a picture in which to introduce Anna Neagle, England's most important feminine film star, to America has been a difficult problem Óor Herbert. Wilcox, her producer and director. Even now that the matter, {5 settled, " there remain doubts. ag.to the. wisdom. of selecting "Norse Ca" fór'the purpose—this was written by Thomas Brady from Hollywood to the New York "Times" before hostilities began.
Miss Neagles. first brush with transatlantic audiences, little as it is now remembered, happened in 1934. She appeared in the title role of the British-made film, "Nell Gwyn," Luise which was a failure in the United States. The Hays office told Wilcox the picture would be perfectly acceptable of only Charles LI married his famous mistress in the last reel.
When the producer, appalled, rejected the suggestion, the censors made 33 excisions, and the hopelessly mutilated picture played to empty houses. Three years later Miss Neagle played Queen Victoria. in "Victoria the Great" and in its sequel, "Sixty Glorious Years." Both were tremendous successes in Eng-Jund, but "Victoria. the Great" attracted only moderate attention here, and when "Sixty Glorious Years" [played at the Radio City Music Hall, with Miss Neagle making personal appearances, the receipts were so bad that the picture was withdrawn from the American market. (It is now planned to re-issue it as "Queen of Destiny" following "Nurse Edith The British: film public makes peculiar distinctions, ang that royal patronage, even by a ing who never did a wise thing, is more important than discreet modesty in establishing respectability. Nobody objected to having Miss Neagle play Queen Victoria after she had played Nell Gwyn; but the protests against letting the recreator of Her Late Majesty portray a music hall entertainer were tremendous. Miss Neagle admits that she is thoroughly puzzled by the new divinity that hedges her.
"Dramatic not Romantic The protests were effective enough, though, to make Mr. Wilcox shelve the Marie Lloyd project. Instead he decided to revive a subject he had filmed twelve years ago under the tile "Dawn" with Dame Sybil Thorndyke. The picture was a life of Edith Cavell, the English nurse who was shot as a spy in Belgium by the German army of occupation in.1915. The story is dramatic but not romantic, because Miss Cavell's life and- character were virtually those of a religieuse.
In 1927 the picture was viewd with a good deal of alarm by the London Town Council as an influence toward Before and After the Theatre and Cinema It is to be noted that the Gaiety now offer dinner. and. entertainment both before and after the theatre which, should be much to thevpalate of those who care for Russian and foreign cuisine. The managing director, Serge Guy, takes upon. himself lo supervise the kitchen, in charge of which is a foreign -chet.
Bob and his five bandsters provide classical and dance music for the respective interims, while, specially after the cinema, charming hostesses are available as dancers, Family trade is welcomed.
A.D.C. Programme A very attractive programme has been arranged for the first Club Evening of the season to be held at the Lyceum Theatre on Saturday at 915 pin. The entertainment will consist of short plays and sketches with some musical interludes and concluding with Noel Cowards skit on the old fashioned Music Hall entitled "Red Peppers." The} programme is definitely one that should not be missed. Tickets are available for members and their guests at Messrs, Moutrie's and at the theatre box-office.
"wiaughter in Court"
Due at the Lyceum Theatre on October, 1? the rehearsals for "Laughter in Court" are now well in hand. An exceptionally well-chosen cast has been assembled by thei producer Mr. E. G, Smith-Wright including Mrs. A. Ricketts in the leading role; she is supported by Messrs. E. C. Baker, Sir Victor Sassoon, Dr. J. D. Riddell, Messrs. C. M. Abott, J.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.