AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 45, 22 February 1929, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE

Lon Chaney has taken many no'-iblc parts during his successful career M a film actor, but in none has he displayed more ability to interpret the part than in "Laugh, Clown, Laugh."' which commenced a season at the Regent Theatre last evening. There was a crowded house as the picture had caused a great deal of attention owing to the reports ot its successful run in the Commonwealth. Intimate glimpses into the life of a clown behind the scenes are blended into vivid and gripping drama. This is one of Chaney's greatest pictures, and is reminiscent of "He Who (Jets Slapped." "Laugh, Clown. Laugh" is, however, far more comprehensive in story, treatment and settings. The star passes through life from youth to old age, from obscure country entertainments to glittering European fame as a clown, while the spectator follows his pathetic and exceedingly human story, and that of the little foundling girl he rears to womanhood. The clown falls in love with this girl, but she gives her heart to a young nobleman, only to sacrifice her own happiness when she learns of the love of her guardian. The theme then develops rapidly into a stirring sequence of dramatic events to a satisfactory conclusion, Tito, the clown, sacrificing himself that his ward may be happy. A notable cast surrounds the great character actor, including Loretta Young, who is reputed to be "the screen's newest and mast adorable find": Nils Asther. who played the son in "Sorrell and Son": Owen Lee, Bernard Seigel and Cissy Fitzgerald. The specially selected programme of music played by the orchestra under the baton of Mr. Maurice Guttridge delighted the large audience. Throughout was the haunting melody associated with the song "Laugh, Clown. Laugh." Mr. Alec Regan pleased with his singing of the latest song successes. The supporting film programme was unusually good, the comedy being of an unusual character, and causing much merriment. The wanderings of a gorilla are interwoven with a "spook" evening to frighten an intending purchaser from buying a house. An item which was much appreciated was "In a Monastery Garden." played on the Wurlitzer organ by Mr. Guttridge.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Bebe Daniels, in her latest Paramount picture, "Take -Me Home," commencing at the Majestic Theatre to-day, spent many weary hours practising the various routines of high-kicking, movements which "every chorus girl knows." during the filming of the picture. The star -was directed in this work by Fatichon. of .the famous team of dance creators, Fanchon and Marco. Bebe portrays the role of Peggy Lane, a chorine. Back-stage life in a big theatre is authentically transplanted to the screen. Many stage stars appear in the supporting east. Heading this list is Joe K. Brown, one of vaudeville's "big timers" for many years and also a musical comedy star. Brown is cast as the stage manager in the film and he does his bit. in a typical and effective manner. Lilyan Tashman, for many seasons a headliner in musical comedy, is also a featured member of the cast. Miss Tashman Ims won a large screen following since embarking on a screen career. .Xot the least of these players who boast stage experience is Neil Hamilton, who worked in stock companies for many season* until 'he was singled out by the great director, D. W. Griffith, who gave him his first role in a motion picture. There is a first-class supporting programme, including the Majestic Magazine, a cartoon, a two-reel comedy and Eve's Review. Mr. A. Yorke Gray, in a stage presentation of "Sonny Boy," will be assisted by Mr. Hartley Warburton and Master Desmond Casey in vocal items. A specially selected programme of music will be played.

LYRIC THEATRE. "What Price Glory?" the successful film that caused such a rush in Auckland on its previous appeara-nce. is to commence a season at the Lyric Theutre this evening. Victor MeLaglen, Edmund Lowe and Dolores Del Rio are the featured players, with an exceptionally strong cast assisting. This picture made a record at the Roxv Theatre. New York. It is a merry war film—a screen play without a villain. Another novel feature is that the audience can use their own discretion in picking the hero. The fiery Charmaine. played by Dolores Del Rio, is a more than adequate heroine, while Private Kiper and Lipinsky supply all the comedy necessary. Who is the hero? Is it Captain Flagg. the hard-boiled marine who uses profanity by preference, gets gloriously inebriated at Bar-lc-Dnc and leads his men into battle as light heartedly as though he were going on a picnic? Or is it Sergeant Quirt the rough and blustering leather-neck, who knows all the card tricks in the deck, steals his superior officer's sweethearts when he gets a chance, and takes his war as a matter of course? Victor AleLaglen plays the first, and it is said by critics to be his best performance. Edmund Lowe is '"the shifty baby" of the second part. This story has been termed an epic of love, laughter and dare-devils. It is worth seeing a second time, and those who did not see the film when it first came to Auckland have the unusual opportunity of now making the acquaintance of screen characters that are out of the ordinary.

STRAND THEATRE. The setting for the New York night club sequence in D. W. Griffith's "The Battle ot the Sexes." to be screened today at the Strand Theatre, was one of the largest ever constructed on the United Arti.sU; lot. I lie locale was patterned after a famous New York night club, even to the' extent ot a large stage, two bands, separate dance floors and tables and chairs to accommodate two hundred persons. 1 his sequence is one of the most important in the picture and one of the most difficult he has ever handled. Griffith says, because of the diversity of elements he had to control. 1 he scene called for strong drama in a. setting ot gaiety. .lean Hersholt. Phyllis Haver. Belle Bennett. Don Alvarado and Sally 0 Neil are co-featured in the picture, which is a modern storv of home lite. Griffith produced a picture similar in theme in 1013. It was a sensation. It lias been his intention to make a picture similarly motivated ever since. William Bakeweil and John Batten play supporting roles. A prologue fitting the picture, entitled "Love Triumphs."' will be staged. This will fca.ture .Mr. W. Brough and Miss Gwen !M<jN"aughton. All the supports are said to be ot the regular high order.

TIVOLI AND EVERYBODY'S. Transferred from the Plaza. "The Man Who Laughs opened a (season tit, tile I ivoli and Everybody s Theatre** yesterday. 1 his A ictor Hugo classic is magnificently picturised. the acting, photography and Bettings all being of the highest order. Conrad Veidt. Europe's great screen actor, plays the title role, while Mary J'hilbin has the part of the blind girl Dea. Big scenes are featured, among them being the Southu at k 1* air, London s great Conev l6lan<l of two centuries ago. There is also a remarkable scene in the House of Lords London street scenes, royal castles, baronial halls, exotic boudoirs and striking coastal and dock scenes are all shown, giving the picture much added interest on account ot the historical associations of the } ears gone by in British history The hlming was sponsored by Carl Laemmlc "fought tf> tlle screel> Victor Hugo's •Ihe Hunchback of Notre Dame" The same producer presented the French made .Les Miserables. Both photo-dramas have became scteen classics. Lt has been said that li v ictor Hugo were alive to-day he would be employed at a fabulous salary as a scenario writer. His stories lend themselves admirably to screen adaptation. DANCING.

The Boston Jazz Band are again in ■charge of the musical programme tor the usual Friday day at the Orange Hall.

NATIONAL THEATRE. "The Luck of the Navy," heralded as Princess Mary's favourite melodrama, will commence a season at the National Theatre to-day. Although the action of the original play took place in some twenty-tour hour*, a period of several hundred yKirs it used in the lihn version. This (somewhat extraordinary nut is due to the inclusion of seem*; shewimr v.niou.historieal occasions on w!i:rh the Navy has saved the country from mvjMo.i. A brief episode of the Armada is. tor instance. included, whilst Xe.son s del.at Napoleon's i»roject of invasion is also to he seen. The screen version is said lo he likely to prove even more popular than its stage original, for i.t is giaced \v:lii the charming personality of England s premier and most beautiful actress. Eveiyi Lave. Terrific hand-to-hand fiirhts. .1 dazzling ballroom scene, the mobilisation of the Fleet, action, thrills, romance, spectacular effects, humour —all are included in this production. The supports are well selected and special attention has been pakl to the orchestral niusi.-.

PLAZA THEATRE. Two excellent film features were screened at the Plaza Theatre yesterday, when the weekly change of programme took place. The main picture. "The Crash, ' with Milton Sills in the main role is a sensational railway story, of the type that cannot, fail to appeal. There is plenty of thrill, and that is the kind of attraction so much needed to-day. Marriage is the foundation rock of civilisation, and it is the focal point around which "The Crash" is built. 111 adapting Frank L. Packard's story to the screen, the director kept in mind the problems that confront active young professional women who suddenly find themselves lifted from their sphere into the domestic circle. Thclm.t Todd, the beautiful blonde actress, in this case discovers the .twinkle of the footlights to be more seductive than the average bungalow, except that upon meditation the human equation enters it. Milton Sills has made a great record for virile, husky, hard-bitten roles, and he excels himself in his latest picture. In this thrilling story he is boss of a crew that goes out to clear up train wrecks. The filming of a head-on collision an 1 then a record-breaking rush to the ruins are not the least interesting and dramatic incidents of the story. This is good entertainment, the interest being held through, out. The second attraction is "Phyllis of the Follies." This is a bright sophisticated chorus-girl comedy revealing the girl's private life —not when she is in the theatre dancing or in her dressing roombut when she has left the theatre behind to live her own private life. The picture is unusual and clever. The lovely gowns worn by members of the cast were specially designed, and are an attractive feature of the film. Alice Day and Matt Moore have the stella roles. Edmund Burns, Lilyan Tashman and Duane Thompson comprise the remainder of the cast. The programme is well balanced and should have a good .season.

CRYSTAL PALACE. A special programme is announced for to-night and to-morrow at the Crystal Palace Theatre, Blount Eden Koa<l. There will be a double feature bill, the first attraction being "The Merry Widow," a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer super picture, played by Mae Murray in the title role, and John Gilbert as itlie dashing, irresistible lianilo. The picture ha.-; much in it to ohariu and appeal, and the haunting music of the famous waltz will be played «s an added attraction. The second feature, "The Crowd," is King Vidor's great story of life, starring Eleanor Boardman and -Tames Murray. The most successful of all «tories are those that get down to earth an;l deal with the familiar things of lite. "Tjie Crowd" is a romance on these lines, -With triumphs, tragedy and comedy. .It has heart interest and cannot tail to ajipeal. LUNA PARK. Luna Park is the Mccca 01 the seekers after merriment these hot evenings. There is everything at the Park to interest and amuse. The side-shows and novelties are all the latest, and there are many ways of getting a thrill. It is not difficult to reach the gates of this entertainment ground, as a penny bus leaves the wharf gates at regular intervals. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. The place ior a good laugh is St. James' 1 heat re, where George Wallace continues to hold his audiences with his fun and Irolic. A complete change of programme is announced lor to-night, when a new revue be staged, entitled "Some Xight." All te best in comedy, singing and dancing is promised. There will be a matinee to-morrow afternoon. GARDEN FAIR. At the People's Palace, Upper Queen Street, to-morrow afternoon a garden fair will be held in aid of the Newton Salvation Army Silver Band. A splendid programme of music has been arranged, and there will be many stalk with attractive display. Ihe liev. .1. Ivemp will perforin the opening ceremony.