Film and the Stage.

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 60, 4 December 1926, Page 23

Film and the Stage.

Among the motion pictures to be released early in 1927 none is more prominent than the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer special Lon Chaney production, “The Blackbird.” In this baffling mystery of the London underworld the famous star has a vei7 remarkable dual role. He attains the ultimate in fantastic and enthralling screen entertainment, and adds the greatest to his amazing list of characterisations.

Commencing at the King’s Theatre on Friday next will be shown the authentic and official film of the Dempsey-Tun-ney fight, presented by Tex Rickards, the well-known fight promoter This is the best fight film ever screened, and contains every incident before and the whole of the ten rounds of this famous combat. This film also contains about 800 feet slow motion, which gives a scientific analysis of the fight.

Since the same colour registers differently in sunlight and under artificial light, it was necessary to have two complete sets of costumes for “The Black Pirate,” one for interiors and one for exteriors, as this latest production of Douglas Fairbanks is done entirely in colour. “The Black Pirate” is the big Christmas attraction at both Wellington and Auckland.

Fox Films have made a picture of beauty and interest in “The Country Beyond,” adapted from the novel of the same name by James Oliver Curwood. The action of the picture was filmed in the beauties of the Canadian mountains and lakes, where fitting subject matter for pictorial gems is obtainable in abundance. Olive Borden plays the role of the Canadian wildflower, Valencia, of Spanish ancestry, ■who falls in love with the handsome young stranger, played by Ralph Graves, only to find that he.is a “wanted man,” a fugitive from justice with a price on his head. Cassidy of the Royal Mounted is a human type of lawkeeper, who does his best to help Valencia and her lover to escape the long arm of the law. This role is played by that inimitable actor, J. Farrell Macdonald, who gives another of the roles wWrh he made famous in “Tlv Tmn Horse.”

Madge Bellamy, charming young Fox artist, who made such a hit here some little time ago in “Sandy,” and more recently in "Black Paradise,” has been cast for the leading feminine role in “Bertha the Sewing-machine Girl,” the film versions of the old stage hit of that name Miss Bellamy has just finished work in “ Summer Bachelors,” a worthy successor to ''Sandy.”

From midnight until 4 o’clock in the morning was the unique period chosen for one working day in the making of “Her Big Night,” a Universal Jewel, starring Laura La Plante. The scenes were made in order to avoid bothersome traffic and curious crowds. Tully Marshall, Einar Hansen, Zazu Pitts, Mack Swain, Lee Moran, John Roche,, Nat Carr, and others are in the cast.

“Long Horn” cattle in a “short horn” cattle country aroused the suspicions of the sheriff who was on the trail of drug smugglers. The sheriff being a good cattle man, found much to surprise him. Jack Hoxie is the sheriff in the latest Universal Western attraction “The Border Sheriff.” The supporting cast ,is good, the feminine lead being. Olive Hasbrouck, who is rapidly rising to screen popularity.

The Regent, aptly named the “Theatre Beautiful,” is scheduled to open on Friday next, December 10, and something distinctive is promised the public of this city in the way of an entertainment For some months past work has been carried on night and day at the Regent, and now the good news comes that it is to have a grand opening with Paramount’s “Beau Geste” as an extended season attraction Possibly no better subject could have been chosen for this grand theatre event, than P. C. Wren’s great story of the French Foreign Legion.

The latest episode but one—the fourteenth—of the highly thrilling serial, “Hurricane Hutch,” will be shown at the Artcraft matinee this afternoon, together with the great racing picture, • TP,, nivi,. Handicnn "

“Brown of Harvard” will strike a new note in pictures of school life and sport. Its star is William Haines, who is supported bv Mary Brian, Jack Pickford and Francis X. Bushman, jun The famous University of Harvard is its locale, and the picture’s romantic interest is heightened by thrilling sporting events, filmed in an astonishingly convincing manner.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer announces that three important pictures are nearly completed—“ The Red Mill,” an adaptation of the famous musical comedy, starring Marion Davies; "The Fire Brigade,’ featuring Charles Ray, May McAvoy', H. B. Warner, and Lionel Barrymore, and made in cooperation with the fire brigades of . Canada and the United States; and Mae Murray in “Altars of Desire,” directed by Christy Cabanne.

PERSONNEL We understand that Mr. Gillespie is joining forces with Exhibitors’ Alliance Pictures. Mr. Kirby, manager for Paramount Pictures in Auckland, was in Wellington at the beginning of the week. He returned to Auckland on luesoay. With him went Mr. Kennebeck, director of exploitation for Paramount Famous Lasky Pictures. Mr. Cecil Mason, assistant general manager for First National in Australia and New Zealand is expected to return from Sydney next week. Mr. W. W. Duff, general manager, Paramount Pictures, has gone south for a few days. Mr. Walter Kritsch, of the Paramount Picture sales force, is on a business trip to the Wairarapa.

Mr. A. B. Nielsen, First National’s South Island representative, is touring the West Coast, and reports some exciting incidents, due to the aftermath of the flood situation.

United Artists introduce Mr. Grant Borman as their new director of publicity and exploitation, and he is doing excellent work for them already.

Mr. Wheeler, Paramount representative, is in the South Island doing exploitation in connection with “The Vanishing Race.” Mr. John Hicks, general manager Famous Lasky Pictures for Australia and .New Zealand, is sailing for America from Auckland. Mr. Henry Hayward was in Wellington last week, and he attended a private screening on Saturday morning of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture, “The Big Parade.”

Witli the news that Douglas Fairbanks’ latest screen offering, “The Black Pirate,” will be the feature attraction at the De Luxe Theatre soon, comes the added word that this picture is entirely in colour and ranks as one of the most elaborate kinema spectacles of the vear. Fairbanks is as usual the romantic adventurer achieving no end of thrills through his hazardous, always inimitable, and frequently amusing “stunts.” His ingenuity and athletic prowess are big factors in his struggle to win a captured damsel from a shipload of blood-thirstv pirates. This situation forms the drama of the play as well as the backbone of the story. The east supporting Fairbanks as usual is a notable one. The leading lady is the lovely Billie Dove. Hundreds and hundreds of blood-thirsty pirates appear during the action, arpj the leaders are supported bv such actors as Donald Crisp, Sam 'de Grasse', Anders Randolf, Charles Stevens, E. J. Ratcliffe, Charles Belcher, Roy Coulson, and John Wailace.

A.ppearini? at His Majesty’s Theatre next Monday is Miss Amy Rochelle, who will be remembered as the “Girl with the golden voice.” It is a long time since Miss Rochelle was in New Zealand, but her voice still retains its golden quality, and her appearance here will be a decided attraction for vaudeville goers. She is a distinct success in straight songs, and her child impersonations are a very fine achievement, containing some splendid humour. Some very good child stories are also credited to Miss Rochelle’s repertoire. Her renewal of acquaintanceship with Wellington audiences will be a distinct -leasure.

Anna May Wong, Hollywood’s most beautiful Chinese girl, has been prominently cast in the Fox Films feature comedv, “A Trip to Chinatown/’ now at the’ De Luxe Theatre. “A Trip to Chinatown” is one of the biggest comedy productions ever produced by I' ox Films and has a cast headed by Margaret Livingston, Earle Foxc, supported bv J. Farrell MacDonald, Harry Woods, Marie Astaire. Gladys McConnell, Charles Farrell, Hazel Howell, Wilson Benge, and. George Kuwa. in addition to Miss Wong.

The internationally famous race track at Latonia, Kentucky, is the scene of the big and exciting climax of a swiftmoving story which is being shown at the Artcraft Theatre to-day, and finally on Monday, entitled “The Dixie Handicap.” It is the story of a brokendown judge who has kept his daughter in ignorance of. his misfortunes. H> s hopes are centred upon a colt, Dixie, but before they are fulfilled much happens to retard the event Frank Keenan plays the judge admirably, and he is ably backed up by. Claire Windsor as the daughter, Virginia, and Lloyd Hughes at the head of a fine cast which includes John Sainpolis, Otis Harlan, and Ruth King. Considerable interest will be taken in the big race scenes which conclude the picture. They were specially filmed for the production by Metro-doldwyn cameramen during the classic race in which the French champion, Epinard, was defeated by an American horse.

The women of a theatrical company are not the only ones who must guard against putting on flesh. A plump leading man lacks romance in the eyes of the audience, and nobody would believe that a fat villain could be anything but good-natured. According to Cecil Kellaway, who is playing m “Katja” at Melbourne His Majesty s, a comedian can afford sup'rfl'on- ’• “I refuse to starve,” he confessed, “and no amount of dancing or other | exercise seems to take off a single : t>ound. So I don’t struggle against the inevitable If I began to worry 1 would get thin, and niv dav as a comedian would be over I can afford to smile at those who write to Marie Burke to ask her the secret of how she kept her | dim figure I”

Irene Rich, the Warner Bros’, star, again plays the role of a faithless wife in “The Man Without a Conscience,” the Master picture shortly to be seen in New Zealand. This role is so opposite to the ones that have made Miss Rich famous that she at times found the characterisation difficult, but artist that she is she mastered the role, and as the wife of the unscrupulous wretch wljo ruined all his friends she proves that a real actress must not necessarily specialise in any particular role. Willard Louis has the title role.

Gene Stratton Monro, granddaughter of the famous Gene Stratton Porter, is one of the heroines of “lhe Keeper of the Bees,” which is now playing at the Paramount Theatre. Little Miss Monroe, who is just eleven years old, is the youngster who inspired the late novelist to write what is generally acclaimed her greatest work. “The Keeper of the Bees” appeared serially in McCall’s Magazine, where it was read bv several times the two million subscribers to that magazine. And anyone who wants to know just how the “Little Scout” looks in real life can find out bv watching Miss Monroe A splendid cast has been directed with finesse and distinction by James Leo Meehan, son-in-law of the noted writer, and his wife, Jeannette Porter Meehan, assisted him in retaining all the colour and flavour of the original story. This is an F. 8.0. production, and is released by First National.

Margaret Livingston, Earle box and I Farrell Macdonald play the leads in the Fox comedy special, “A Trip to Chinatown.” The amazing adventures of a young man who thinks he is about to die, and who goes to live with a frisky uncle, form one of Hie funniest farces box Films have ever made. The frisky relative introduces him to one of his friends, a prettv young widow, with whom he promptly falls in love. She decides that there is nothing wrong with him. ami all he needs is a little excitement Io take bis mind off bis imaginary lomplamt So she takes him on a trip through the notorious Chinatown, and he gets enough thrills, shocks and hatr-rais-i ing occurrences to cure him of any [ ills he may have.

Maurice Moscovitch, who is appearing in Sydney in “They Knew What They Wanted,” confesses that his pastimes go to two extremes. He likes to be left with a book in peace or to lose himself when listening to music. In another mood, however, he likes to have plenty of people around him. “Then I enjoy talking and being talked to,” he explained. “An argument is my pleasure.”

The storv of “Men of the Dawn,” adapted by Carey Wilson from the European success by Lajos Biro, entitled “The Legionnaire,” is described as a thrilling one, dealing with the skirmishes between the Foreign Legion units stationed on the edge of the Sahara and the marauding Riff tribesmen, who constantly harry European travellers and residents in those sections.

Motoring enthusiasts will have the opportunity of watching Johnny Hines speed to victory in one of the most famous and fastest of racing cars in the States when thev see his new First National picture, “The Brown Derby, which will be shortly showing in Wellington. 'lt was while Hines was filming scenes in Miami that Pete de Paola and Harry Hardy, two famous drivers, won the speed races at the meeting there, and Johnny Hines not only filmed scenes from the actual race for his picture, but drives one of the cars to victory. This is nothing new to the celebrated comedian, as before he entered the movies he drove manv a car to victory on the famous Indianapolis track.

When a clilld, Renee Kelly wrote a play, and .though only the family could be 'persuaded to see it presented, she was not discouraged. The theatre germ had found a lodging then, and there was always a little girl in the gallery whenever she could find enough money to take her there. But persistency had its reward. Renee Kelly’s ambition and ability, combined with grim determination, got her a footing on the stage and she declares that none of the vicissitudes that usually fall to the lot of the beginner in the profession, held her back. She found success from the start.

Probablv no other pursuit has the fascination to outsiders of the business of railroading. AH the romance and thrills of the life of an engineer are incorporated in a skilful portrayal o the adventures of a lovable trainman, ir. “The Runaway Express,” a Umversallewel picture.' 1 The cast is headed by two popular players, Jack Daugherty and Blanche Mehaffey Supporting artists include Harry Todd, Madge Hunt, Charles K. French, William Steele, Tom O’Brien, and others.

Frank Neil’s company of comedians, who have scored such a striking success in a repertoire of comedies, including “Charlev's Aunt,” “Are Vou a Mason?” in theatres controlled by Sir Beniamin Fuller and Mr John Fuller has been apnearing at the Palace’ Theatre, Melbourne. Their present production, “What Happened to lones,” will be succeeded at an earlv date bv “The Hottentot,” a striking American comedv success, in which a portion of the film of the same name is used. This company have manv other big American successes in their ‘repertoire, including “The Nervous Wreck,” which was played in Melbourne last. .year.

Doreen May, who stepped into the cast of "Betty Lee” at the St. James Theatre. Sydney, is a voting Adelaide girl making her first appearance in musical comedy. Miss May was for some time associated with the managerial staff of the Majestic Theatre, Adelaide, until it was discovered she had a voice and stage ability. -he was given her chance in revue in that city, and did so well that bigger opportunities are coming her way.

Beatrice Lillie, famous English and European stage figure, who is one of the best-known comediennes in the world, has signed a long contract to. appear exclusively in Metro-Goldwyn-Mavcr pictures. Her first for this company will be “Exit Smiling,” a story written specially for her by Marc Connelly.

Eugene O’Brien, who numbers thousands of motion picture fans among his admirers, will shortly be seen in the Master picture “Souls for Sables,” which is shortly to be released in New Zealand. Mr. O’Brien has appeared as the leading man for Norina Talmadge in her various successful, screen presentations. Previous to this his work as a star was of the very highest. It is said that the part Mr. O’Brien portrays in “Souls for Sables” is one of his best characterisations.

Definite announcement is now made of the fact that Paramount’s Red Indians will come to New Zealand to appear in connection with Zane Grey’s- “ The Vanishing Race.” Cable advice to this effect was received by John W. Hicks, jun., managing director of Paramount, who was in New Zealand last week. An invitation has been accepted from the Maori chiefs ~at Rotorua, and consequently the Red 'Men will be given an opportunity of visiting New Zealand’s wonderland before they return to America. These are the first American Red Indians to come to New Zealand, and no doubt they will be received with the same enthusiasm here as is being evidenced in Australia, where they are now appearing.

The Douglas Fairbanks picture "Black Pirate,” released by United Artists’ Corporation, has been chosen bv the management of New Zealand s two largest theatres, the Majestic, Auckland, and the De Luxe, .Wellington, as their Christmas attraction. This big’ production will, therefore, open simultaneously at Wellington and Auckland.

Pola Negri’s latest offering for Paramount n “Good and Naughty,” in which Tom Moore and Ford Sterling also appear. Pola Negri plays the role of a girl who in. the beginning neglects personal appearance and is almost unnoticed by her employer, Tom Moore, with whom she. is secretly in love. But when he becomes embroiled in a situation with another man’s wife Pola Negri uses hard measures to rescue him from the snare and win his love for herself.

Eric Von Stroheim is a man of many parts, and formerly he served in the Emperor Franz Joseph’s Life Guard Mounted. In “The Wedding March,” which he is now making for Paramount and in which he is also appearing, he plays the role of a member cf the selfsame guard. Consequently he feels quite at home in the part, and doubtless it was not necessary for him to rehearse it to any great extent.

It is a long time since there has been such an interesting theatrical association between two noted sisters who are appearing in the same city simultaneously. Next week Emma 'Temple will be appearing at Melbourne Theatre Roval with Renee Kelly in “Brown Sugar,” and at the King’s Theatre her brilliant sister, Mrs. Robert Brough, will be in the cast of the Boucicault production of “Aren’t We All?”

June Marlowe, who is now playioaf the leading feminine role in “The Clash of. the Wolves,” a Master picture starring Rin-Tin-Tin, which is shortly to be seen in New Zealand, first won fame as “the girl with the soulful eyes.” After winning a beauty contest, she started in pictures in the Harry Langdon' and Lloyd Hamilton comedies. She was signed by the Warner Bros, to a long-term contract, and has appeared prominently in the casts of “A Lost Ladv,” “The Man Without a Conscience,” “The Wife Who Wasn’t Wanted,” and “The Pleasure Buyers.” “The Clash of the Wolves” is the fourth picture in which Miss Marlowe has plaved the leading woman in a Rin-Tin-Tin' picture, the others being “Tracked in the Snow Country” and “Find Your Man” and “Below the Line.”

A splendid series of Charlie Chaplin . 2-reel comedies—not old films, but brand new re-issues—will commence very shortly at the Artcraft Theatre, and one each week will be included in the week-end programmes. Further particulars will be made known in subsequent issues They will, it is stated, include all the finest pictures Charlie ever made.

Metro-Goldwyn will release early in the New Year pictures which are said to be even bigger and better than those released by this company during 19'26. The first of these pictures is “The Barrier,” a powerful Rex Beach story, which is to be the Nevy Year’s attraction at the Regent. This picture will be followed by “The Blackbird,” with Lon Chaney, and “Brown of Harvard,” a strong picture of college days. Norma Shearer and Conrad Nagel in “The Waning Sex," Buster Keaton in “Battling Butler," are also scheduled for early presentation. This company will also release the following super-productions, which have already set a new standard in motionpicture production:—“Mare Nostrum" (Our Sea), with Alice Terry and Antonio Moreno, directed by Rex Ingram; “The Big Parade,” with John Gilbert and Renee Adoree; Lillian Gish in “The Scarlet Letter"; later on, “The Merry Widow,” with John Gilbert and Mae Murray, “and “Ben Hur.”

Douglas Fairbanks has long been noted for his lavish and ambitious picture productions, but in “The Black Pirate” he is reported as fairly having outdone his own previous efforts. It is a faithful, thrilling epic o. the golden days of buccaneering near the end of the eighteenth century, and depicts vividly and colourfully the hectic life of the dare-devil roamers of the Spanish Main during that era. In every way it is the most stupendous production that Doug has ever attempted, and from end to end it is tilled with the unique athletic feats that place a Fairbanks picture in a class by itself; in fact, in “The Black Pirate” the star has thought up a number of new stunts that are as thrilling as they are novel. The entire picture has been filmed in a remarkable new colour process known as Technicolor, that reproduces with exactitude every tint, shade and hue of Mature itself. Unlike many other colour attempts, Technicolor is entirely natural, minus all exaggeration, and restful to the eyes. The cast supporting Fairbanks as usual is a notable on? The leading lady is the lovely Billie Dove. Hundreds and hundreds of bloodthirsty pirates appear during the action, and the leaders are supported by such actors as Donald Crisp, Sam de Grasse, Anders Randolf, Charles Stevens, E. J. Ratcliffe, Charles Belcher, Roy Coulson, and John Wallace. “The Black Pirate” was directed Oy Albert Parker, who has severed in a similar capacity with several other Fairbanks pictures. Dwight Franklin, the noted artist, whose specialty is the depicting of pirate life, acted as consultant during the filming of the production. The "Black Pirate” will screen at the De Luxe Theatre during Christmas week.

One of the most recent announcements made by Fox Film Corporation is to the effect that the fine dramatic actress, Blanche Sweet, has been signed to play the lead in “Love o’ Women,” which Fox is making for their new release list. In this production she will be directed by John Griffith Wray, the director who piloted her through “Anna Christie,” her finest dramatic work to date. With the combination of Wray’s directorial genius and Miss Sweet’s magnificent emotional ability, this picture should be one of the features of the season and one which will be looked for with a great amount of interest.

In “The Foolish Virgin,” a Master picture which is shortly to be seen in New Zealand, “Spec” O’Donnell, one of the most versatile child actors on the

screen, makes his appearance in an interesting character portrayal. “Spec” is very clever, full of vitality, and screens wonderfully. A number of years ago he had the honour of being picked among the most promising children on the screen. Many an actor stars young, "Spec” figures, so you can’t tell where a feller will land when he grows up. His best friends have heard him say that his ambition is to become America’s leading actor.

In addition to the two royal sessions consisting of vaudeville and pictures, commencing at 2.15 and 7.45 p.m., the management of the new and beautiful Regent Theatre announce that their policy will include intermediate and continuous screenings of the picture programme commencing at 11. a.m. daily. Popular prices for day and evening sessions will prevail, whilst excellent box office facilities will enable seats to be booked at . the theatre (’phone 44—144) throughout the day and also at the Bristol. Owing to the

abnormal heavy advance booking for the two opening nights the management regret that they will be unable to accept any ’phone bookings for the first two nights, although subsequently reservations may be made by ’phone.

Mr. Hubert Carter, the New Zealand tenor, is (says the “British Australian and New Zealander,” London, of October 14, 1926), returning to his native country, via Australia, on October 19. He has already been booked to sing at several Christmas performances of the “Messiah,” and in March he will begin an extensive concert tour through New Zealand and Australia. Of all the New Zealand singers who have come to England since the war Hubert Carter can justly claim to have been the most successful. Before that time Mme. Rosina Buckman had, of course, won her laurels, which she still wears, as one of the great sopranos of the Empire. Arriving two years ago, he first wisely set about arriving at a sound opinion on what the English concert public wants and likes, and also on what other tenors who had made a name for themselves were doing nnd could do. Then he obtained an audition with Messrs. Ibbs and Tillett, the concert agents, and having ■n successful at this and his first three trial concerts, at once became very popular. He, therefore, abandoned his original intention of studying a year in Italy and a year in France. During the last 18 months Air. Hubert Carter was engaged to sing at no less than 160 concerts and oratorio performances. a record which very few concert singers can claim to have surpassed at the very outset of their career.

Christmas will be here soon, and with it is the announcement of Paramount’s “A Kiss for Cinderella ” which will be released by the above organisation as a special attraction during the festive season. Betty Bronson is said to totally eclipse her previou effort in "Peter Pan,” also a yule tide release last year. It is to be recalled that the same people—Herbert Brenon, the director, Betty Bronson, the star, and Janies M. Barrie, the author, who were the participants in the making of “A Kiss for Cinderella,” were also together responsible for “Peter Pan,” which was Paramount’s great Christmas attraction last year.

Mr. Maurice Ralph, who returned from a three weeks' tour of Australia last week, brought with him the official and authentic film of the DempseyTunney fight, as presented by Tex Rickard the promoter of this great fight. Speaking of a private screening in Auckland, the Auckland “Star” says: “A private screening at the Tivoli revealed the Dempsev-Tnnnev fight picture as a most remarkable one in every respect, and thoroughlv satisfactory in that it shows up everv incident and action of the ten rounds of high creed fighting. Of general interest is the preliminary picture of the training crimes and exercises, personalities of world-wide note in connection with the ring, and the wonderful stadium and

aunts and promptly falls into a wild turmoil of adventures that are provocative of swift, exciting action and tlirills galore. Speed boat racing, one of the most exciting of outdoor sports to be found anywhere, forms the background for many of the spectacular scenes.

Hoot Gibson, in the most entertaining of Western pictures, is gracing the screen at the Queen’s Theatre now. The picture is "The Man in the Saddle,” a Universal-Jewel production in which the popular star has ample opportunitv to exhibit his ability, not onlv as a Westerner and a dare-devil rider, but as a comedian as well. The picture has a delightful light comedy plot, with scores of screamingly funny situations. Gibson is a comedy cowboy who continually finds himself in embarrassing and untenable positions because of his love of heroics. The supporting cast is exceptionally good, and gives Gibson valuable aid in making the picture a presentation of unadulterated entertainment. Fay Wray, with her charming personality and her refreshing youth and vivacity, makes a lovely leading woman. Sally Long plays a second lead in a finished manner. Clark Comstock is a thoroughly personable villain, and Emmett King, Charles Hill Mailes, Yorke Sherwood, Duke R. Lee and others are well-chosen for their various roles.

Manv things have combined to prevent Sir Benjamin Fuller’s recent importation from America from making the journey across to New Zealand to do a round of the Fuller circuit, but now it is confidently expected that this coloured duo, Grant and Bates, will arrive this week per s.s. Tahiti, and make their first appearance in this country at His Majesty’s Theatre on Mondav night next. Much in demand in their own country, it is anticipated that these clever darky comedy singers and dancers will meet with like success wherever they appear in New Zealand.

The story of “The Silent Accuser,” a Metro-Goldwyn picture coming to tlie Artcraft Theatre on Friday, for three nights only, is to*ld practically in its entiretv by a dog. Chester M Franklin, who has made a number of pictures with dogs featured, introduces Peter the Great in this new picture, and fans will be glad to meet him. The dog has instinctive intelligence highly developed, and playing upon this, the director has been able to make the dog do just whatever was necessary. There is a fine cast in addition, headed by Eleanor Boardman and Raymond McKee, Jack Bovle is the author of the story.

The first few weeks of the new year will also see Buster Keaton in his greatest comedy, "Battling Butler.” This was adapted from the amusing musical comedy of the same title, and in screen form is an endless succession of convulsing laughs Salh O’Neil, “the screen find of 1926, is co-starred with Keaton, and together thev are responsible for an exceptional comedy.