ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 96, 18 January 1926, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATRE.

Reginald Denny has full scope for his undoubted ability as a fun-maker in “Where AVas Ir" the Universal-Jewel production, now showing at the De Luxe Theatre. The- hero is charged with having been married on a particular date, and his inability to explain his whereabouts at that limo causes a good deal of trouble with his beautiful fiancee. Denny’s frantic chase to locate tho onlj r man who can explain matters provides material for one of the most humorous sequences of events ever conjured up. Denny is in his element, and he is excellently supported by that clever actress, Marion Nixon, who is bewitching as tlio fiancee. Pauline Garon does finished work as a plotting woman, and the performances of Chester Conklin, Lee Moran, and Olis Harlan stand out as fine comedy. “AAhere A\ T as 1?’ is a picture whose purpose in providing humorous entertainment is fully realised, and there is no doubt that Denny scores in it one of tho biggest successes of his career. In addition to this highly diverting feature, there is an excellent supporting programme, while acceptable musical selections are contributed by tho De Luxe orchestra. “THE GOLD RUSH.” A symbolical autobiography by Charlie Chaplin is the definition bestowed on Chaplin's greatest comedy. “The Gold Rush,” which will commence its season at the De Luxe Theatre on Friday at Ihe matinee, thereafter daily and nightly. With that genius which is peculiarly his own, and against tho background of old Klondyke gold rush days, Fie has attempted to depict with subtle and delicate master strokes the struggles of man’s eternal Mint lor happiness; its heartbreaks and tears and its laughter and joy. And the worldly riches that become his in the course of tho story do not make up for the bitter loneliness of his In-art and soul, those who see the picture will laugh when they see him half-starved, hurling himself to tho ground in front of the prospector’s cabin, in a self-enforced faint, only to cans? the owner of the cabin to Jitt him up, a,nd carry him gently inside and revive him with hot couee. and a badly needed meal, and when they see how ho tears himself away from tli« mob of thousands of prospectors crossing the Chilkoot Pass, only to stubbornIv go bis own lonely way against a driving blizzard that tears his shabby clothes to pieces and blows him finally like a piece of paper into tho mountain cabin of a fugitive from justice. He is the wrong recipient of an endearing note of apology written to his rival by her whom ho adores, though he, tho disreputable Charlie, is scare-ly noticed by her—and this note that -was not meant for him at all, sends him into the seventh heaven. Laughtei is caused by a man .who has untold riohes, rushing wihßy in s^ of Chaplin who is paying attention to his dance hall 9 ueen n V n bh al ’d will therefore have nothing to do vith more gold when the. much more, iinpo lant affair of his h<-art is.at stake, a l when Charlie, much against his vill, becomes a millionaire and sails for home, wrapped in three heavy and cosllv fur coats, a passenger in the cabin de luxe of an ocean liner, but its uiihappisst passenger, In spite of bis milJiX because he thinks he has W tho queen of his heart. I atroi.s are urged to book seats without 1 ’,® bir plans arc at the Bristol. Aitken s Book Arcade, or s>ats maxbe booked at tho theatre, ’Phone 23-680. “LEAVE IT TO JANE.” The box plans for “Leave It to Jane will be opened at the Bristol this morning at 9 o'clock. This new J. C. U 1liamton musical play, .which is to make its Now Zealand premiere here on B ed neschiy at the Opera House, m as “better musical comedy. Jt mih introduce Athol Tier, a clever coined; ian. who will be seen as Harold Bub Hicks, the bucolic soil of an American Senator, who breaks from the farm into hectic college life. Also it will introduce' Dorothv Lena, a comet iani of standing from London, who will be seen as the athletic girl. Flora AAi.ggins. Of •‘leave It to Jane" the critic 01 the Sydney “Dailv Guardian J rlles q r “Dorothy Lena is a headline!. >- is in one of those tomboy, parts vhich suit her so admirably—this .tune |>® athletic girl, whose ambition is that t e college football .team shall beat the rival institution. Of course it does so. And if the audience doesn t actually see the football game it gets all the thrills from the barracking. Ihats one of the clever, things in the production, the way in which the actof tho match is brought to the andhence” Athol Tier comes into Ins oyn. Until Oxford bags arc. seen on tho long thin comedian their real biaut> has been missed. L p 'J anf j is in the cast as Stub Talmadgc. It said to be mm of the very best things the J. 0. AVillianison firm has done for many moons. A really fine cast includes Misses Mona Bar ee (.lane Witherspoon), Elma Grhbs (Bessie Tanner), Percv le Erb (Jimmy Hopnei), I-lenrv AVotton (Hiram Bolton), Fred McKav (Howard Talbot). Cecil B. Scod (Bettv Bo’ton). The company of over 100 people will arrive from Sydney tomorrow’. The season is hmited to eight nights. The play will be produced I’V Victor Tatnall. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

"Cameos,” a now revue to he presented to-night at His Majesty s Theatre by the Moon-Morris Company and originally produced by Mr. Ed. Warrington in London, contains no feu er than t welve scenes; each is a cameo ot real life, gay and interesting. A feature of the revue is the Thames Embankment scene, which is a cameo of London life, and a verv amusing scene is that representing an up-to-date shopping centre. In this, there is splendid scope for comedy. In fact it is expected to be the biggest no-

morons success in the company’s loire. Another highly amusing skit entitled “The Basic Wage,” is said to 1» ehock full of topical references. In all, the new production promises to bo one of the cleverest and most amusing yet presented hero by this talented com. pany. In the vaudeville preface there arc several outstanding acts which can be relied upon Io provide their share of the evening’s entertainment. Those'remarkable juvenile musicians, the Four Little Kellys, have already endeared themselves to Wellington theatregoers. To-night the}- will present an entirely new programme. Slavin and Thompsoh, whose singing and comedy patter have made them favourites on the Fullei circuit, arc newcomers. That artistic performer, Estelle Rose, promises a new budget of songs and stories, while Alex Kellaway, “The Singing Rover,” whose popularity is increasing weekly, will give on entire change of programme. Another act . that is. making its first appearance in AVcllington is that of the Janetzski trio, whoso playing on th« xylophones made a profound impression upon Auckland audiences recently. The programme is a particularly long one. KING’S THEATRE. Heading an excellent programme at the’King’s Theatre is the Fox photoplay, “The Lucky Horseshoe,” a roiranee which lias for its settings scenes in sunny Spain, the land of. romance. Tom Mix is given a role that is. entirely different from any of his previous portrayals, his characterisation being that of a Don Juan, whose chivalry and daring finally bring happiness tn most attractive form. Mix clearly demonstrates in this fascinating story Ill's, versatility for taking part successfully in any rol» that he is called upon to play. Charming Billy Dove excels in the part of the heroine. Included in the supporting programme arc another series of .Stereosconiks," Screen Snapshots, an interest picture of merit, an O. Henry comedy (the first of a new series), and the latest budget of nows. An excentionnl musical programme considerably enhances the evening's entertainment. Box plans arc available at the Bristol until 5.30, after at tho theatre. PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

The Futurists’ English Revue Company, now performing at th-i Paramount Theatre in conjunction with the usual picture programme, have received a wonderful reception from the AVelhngton public. Crowded and enthusiastic audiences have greeted this unique band of entertainers at every performance. It is hard to conceive a more generally popular type of sliow, nnd it vro'uld difficult for any theatre-goer to feel <libsatisfied with their fare which has in it so much that suits all tastes. Th* comedy is original and sparkling, and. as th t-re * are three comedians of entirely different types the fun-making is well diversified/ Their present week s programme is probably even briphter than, last ’week’s. They present all that is best in music, comedy, opera, dance, song, and topical burlesque, with brilliant ensembles and wonderful frocking. The Futurists’ entertainment is clean, clever, and refreshing, and every artist in this comnnirv has become a. iiopular favourite. “The Paco that Thrills is tho picture attraction being presented, nnd features Bon Lyon and Mary As ,nr - The Futurists are appearing at both ths afternoon md evening r.orfonmnecs. the box plan is at tho Utility Stationery, Shop, next io the theatre. QUEEN’S THEATRE. Two splendid Metro-Goldwyn pictures make up the remarkably fine programme which is now being screened at the Queen's Theatre. Tho first of these, is “bioken Barriers.’’ ihc cast of which includes such well-known favourites as Adolphe Menjou. George Fawcett. James Kirkwood. Norina Shearer, and Mae Busch. It tells of the mad pace of jazzcruzed youth of modern times pitted against the slow tread of iron-bound convention. Tho .ocond attraction, “Proud Flesh,’’ includes scenes of the devastating ‘San Francisco earthquake. Ffleanor'Boardman, Harrison Ford, and Pai- O'Malley head a brilliant east. The supporting programme includes another chapter of the chapter play Samson of the Circus.’’ a well-selected musical progi'amme adding suitable embelllsliment.

PRINCESS THEATRE. "Old Home AVeok,” the present loading feature at ihc new Princess Theatre, brings back to the town the men who hare gone out in the world_and made a fortune or become famous With them comes Tom Clarke (lliomas Meighan), mistaken as very famous because his card announces him as a president of the New York Oil Corporation It is found out that his position is not as lii" ns it would appear from the card, and his friends turn against him. lie. however, severs them from the schemes of two oil promoters, nnd returns to their favour. Larry Semon appears in “Tim AVizard of Oz,” a whirlwind of sensational comedy. A new ‘Leather Pusher” story is also being screened. "He Loons to Conouer.” starring Billy Sullivan. At the evening sessions a full orchestra renders an appropriate musical programme, the overture being Light Cavalry.” ARTCRAFT THEATRE.

Screening for the last time to-night is tho excellent picture. “The Uninvited. Guest,” at tho Artcraft Theatre. It is an adventure story of ’Frisco and the South Seas, and some marvellous undersea photography in beautiful natural colours is brought to the lt ;<• a thrilling and interesting plaved bv an all-star cast. iTho supports arc excellent, likewise the music bv flames Haydock, whose, entr-acte, -Highland Gems,” is getting a wonderful reception nightly. Commencing tomorrow, the Universal-Jewel feature, "love and Glory,” which is well up to the Artcraft standard, will bo shown.