The Girl on the Film
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Filmzauber, literally 'Film Magic', is a farcical operetta composed by Walter Kollo, Willy Bredschneider and Albert Szirmai with a libretto by Rudolf Bernauer & Rudolf Schanzer. It was written in 1912.
An English adaptation was made by James T. Tanner with lyrics by Adrian Ross and given the title The Girl on the Film. It was produced by George Edwardes and opened at the Gaiety Theatre in London on 5 April 1913, running for 232 performances. This production starred Emmy Wehlen as Winifred and George Grossmith, Jr. as Max Daly.
A production at the 44th Street Theatre in New York City in December 1913 ran for 64 performances also with Grossmith.
[edit] Critical reception
The Playgoer and Society Illustrated wrote in May 1913:
- A cinema actor and producer, Max Daly is much sought after by the ladies, and Winifred, the daughter of General Fitzgibbon in order to be near him, dresses as a boy [Freddy] and obtains a part in a play for a film. But the Signora Maria Gesticulata [Gwendoline Brogden] has come from Italy to play a part in the same play, and Max falls in love with her. He cannot speak Italian, and she cannot speak English, so Winifred acts as interpreter.
- In translating a love-letter from Max to the Signora, Winifred words it so as to offend the lady, who resigns her part at once. Winifred, still supposed to be a boy, then plays the Signora's part, and Max does not discover the fact that she is a girl until after the film has been shown at an Army League soiree!
- ...Though a good deal of the fun in the play is of a decidedly cheap nature, Mr. Grossmith managed to be genuinely amusing. Miss Connie Ediss, too, in her own particular style, was irresistibly funny. Miss Emmy Wehlen used a distinctly pleasant voice to advantage, and the other characters seemed to fall into line.
- The music is bright and catchy, and should do a good deal for the production, but no doubt Mr. George Edwardes will make many alterations before he is satisfied with the show. The song that offended a section of the audience on the opening night has been cut out, and if a little more real humour is instilled the piece should go well.
[edit] Reference
The Playgoer and Society Illustrated, vol.VIII (New Series), no.44, May 1913, p.50b
