ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 75, 22 December 1926, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

regent theatre. . Adapted by Paramount from Major I; C. Wren’s stirring story, Beau yeste is the feature now show.ng at the Regent Theatre. Battles, wild Arab ilders. and sudden death in the hot • ahara, with the heroism and self-sacrifice of the .three brothers, make t»is one of the best pictures screened here for some time. Lonaid Column plays the title lole, that of Michael, or "Bean - Oeste. the eldest of the three brothers, who eaenfics all tor one another Neil Ham Itou and Ralph Forbes are the other two I rothera. Alice Jovce and Mary Brian have the feminine leads. Noah Beery, as the brutal sergeant, Lejaune, lias what is one oi the finest character roles in the history or motion pictures, and proves himself to be one of the greatest acto-s of the screen. Norman Trevor, W illiani 1 dwell, George Regas, and Victor McLaglen are the other featured players. Zoe Delpbine and Co. present a daring "ire; walking act, entitled "In a tans Lafe, and Miss Hilda Nelson sings beautifully. Exceptionally fine (incidental music is played by the orcheir ra. i nder the baton of Mr. M. Dixon. This I rograminc Wil be shown for tbe last times to-day and to-morrow. The theatre is open continuously. "FIG LEAVES." "Fig Leaves.” one of the most colourful photoplays ever produced was also the most difficult subjeit to handle, according to Fox Films’ executives. Olive Borden and George O'Brien have the leading roles, and the Garden of Eden sequeimces are strikingly original, "rig Leaves” will be shown at the Regent Theatre next Friday. "In thes" scenes, said Howard Hawkes, author and; director of the production, "we were obliged to exercise the utmost discretion in the handling of this delicate subject matter. A story of tliis type must be authentic. in so far as this is possible, but we must remember that we of the modern age can only faintly coniicture what was , happening on earth thousands of years ago. That is. why the task was so very 'difficult.” One of the first problems confronting the workers was the accurate setting of the Garden of Eden. Old prints, original drawings, art conceptions of some of the greatest artists in the world, as well as outlines bv skilled studio workers, were assembled many weeks in advance of actual shooting In order that the physical background might be authentic in every essential. Professor Frederick Smith Webster agreed to lend every possible assistance "While we have taken some liberties with a, few of the animals which are supposed to have roamed the earth in those days.’ said Professor Webster, "I think we have struck close to tbe line when it conics to other matters which might • be called strictly technical. It must be remembered that we have to be entertaining as well as somewhat educational.” Some marvellous garden shots, said to eclipse anything of the kind ever attempted in America, were made in a specially constructed open stage. 3,0 by '5O feet, where the animals created by the genius of Roy Davidson and other members of Fox Films’ technical staff, "erformed. This garden, specially designed by William Cameron MenZie. was manv weeks in the making and represents the united efforts of scores of technical . experts. Here. Adam, as typified by the .magnificentlybronzed George O’Brien, had his thatched hut. where ho resided with Eve. as played by Olive Borden. n he modern love story which parallels the beautiful sequences of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Miss Borden .s gorgeously arrayed in innumerable , owns specially designed by Adrian. America’s foremost fashion dictator. Scores of shapely girls, gowned in Adrian creations, enhance the beauty of the modern sequences. Tbe cast, 'specially selected, •uclndea Andre do Berangcr. Phyllis Haver. 'Fulalie .Jensen. and Dorothv Dunbar. The adantion is by Hope Loring and Louis D. Lighten. The vaudeville attraction will be “The Big Four.” DE LUXE THEATRE. Starring Reginald Denny, • “Rolling Home” is the feature now showing at the De Luxe Theatre. “Rolling, Home” does the difficult trick of surpassing Denny’s other farces, such as 'Skinner’s Dress Suit.” "What Happened to Jones.” With an excellent farm plot, situation is piled on situation in a manner that is dazzling, and the laughs come more furiously as each new incident involves the herb in another embarrassing position. The story, in brief, is that of a young man, virtually penniless, who returns to his home town, where the villagers believe him to be a. millionaire, and tries to live up to his reputation as a plutocrat. Beautif.il Marion Nixon has the feminine lead, other featured placers bar Ben Hendricks. Jnr., E. .1. Ratcliffe. <d Margaret Seddon;r The supports are good, and the music up to its usual high standard. "THE BLACK PIRATE.” "The Black Pirate,” Douglas Fairbanks's latest production, is the feature which will commence at tbe De Luxe Theatre on Friday, with a daily and nightly

screening throughout next. vccs Doug las Fairbanks has long been voted for his lavish and ambitious picture productions. but in ’Tho Black Pirate reported as having outdone his own previous efforts. It is u thrilling story of 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 eierj wav it is the largest ; reduction that Fairbanks has ever attempted, and from end to end it is filled with the un que athletic feats that place a lan banks picture in a class by itself: in fact, in “Tbe Black Pirate” the star has thought np a number of new stunts, that arc declared to be as thrilling as they are uovei.

RETURN OF MOSCOVITCH. . Commencing a season oi sixteen nights at the Grand Opera Mouse cn Monday evening next (Boxing Day). <ne popular Russian actor. Maurice Mosaovitch.. supported by a company of nternational dramatic artists, will return under the auspices of J. C. Williamson, Ltd. Mis opening play will be “The Fake, to be staged fo? six nights. This will be followed by revivals of “Trilby,” ”1 he Outsider.” and “They Knew What they Wanted." His opening production, Ihe Fake.” is referred to -by a critic of the "Telegraph” (Sydney) aa follows: — "Frederick Lonsdale, author of the new play staged at the Criterion on Saturday, is tlie dramatist of. the hour. In '"he Fake” he goes beyond his previous manner—the light-comedy manner oi Mrs. Cheyney’ and ‘Aren't We All? He provides a brilliant entertainment, and be teaches a lesson. This is the new Lonsdale. He ‘s much more in earnest than in his other plays. There is the same clear-cut .characterisation, the same crisp and arresting dialogue. But there is also and arresting dialogue. But there is what most playgoers find even more de- . sirable—a dramatic story with a strongly " dramatic climax. Ths play is admirably adapted to the Moscovitch company, and there was never any doubt of its success. It held the audience all the time, and the applause at the finish was tumultuous, with no dissentient note. There is a social problem, and a tremendously important one-the duty of a wife to a busband who is persistently degrading her—but the treatment ‘is refined, and the language is never ugly. The denouncement may startle some people, but. not many will deny that, in this play Lonsdale is on tlie side of the angels." The company supporting the star includes Ellen Pollock, the original Tondcleyo in “White Cargo.” in London and Paris. George Zuceo and Alexander garner, also Margaret Murray, were specially brought from Loudon .for “The Fake.” The box plans for tlie six nights of 'The Fake” will open this morning at the Bristol. TITS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. ”1 it-Bits.” the pick of the eight revues presented by the Hcct ir St. Clair company, is that company’s final offering at His • Majesty's Theatre ’his Week. Among the farcical sketches are The Nervous Wreck.” with Hector as tlie wreck. "Brown Eyes,” and ’The Diffcrenct;.” all of which are thoroughly good entertain; ment. Leslie Pearce sings "The Stoker" in good style, and Hilton Osborne "My Ships." Racy songs, with attractive dancing. are provided by the “Tiree Rodney Girls, while Ray McLean and Dot, Cresswell give a burlesque bailor's hornpipe in a snirited fashion In ‘he first half Miss Amy Rochelle ' sings with effect and her child mimicry is excellent. MacDonald and Payne are two excellent Scotch entertainers, while Reg. Thornton and Doris rrovide excellent fare "ith their original ditties and local hits. Grant and Bates are a, pair of coloured comedians, and Frank Rogers another of that ilk. This programme will be presented np till Friday evening. On Saturdn- there will b- no perfo’-mnncc. an<l on Monday' the Midnight Frolics will take, possession of His Majesty's Theatre stage. PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

“The Brown Derby.” Johnny Hines’s latest and best comedy, is the feature which, is now showing at .the Paramount Theatre. The whole pietire is one series of laughs, for it is by far the funniest ever produced by Johnny Hines, ..and he has been responsible ‘ for more than his fair share of laughs. Cast as a young plumber who inherits an old brown Derby possessed of wonderful properties of good luck to its wearer. Johnny Hines is mistaken by the girl of his heart for an .Australian uncle. The girl elopes with his rival, and a bewilderingly funny chase follows, until the two are finally married. A splendid east including Diana Kane, supports the star. The supports include a gazette, comedy, Patlie review, e.nd final series <f the Amundsen Polar flight, while incidental music is provided by the orchestra. KING’S THEATRE. Adapted ('rain Peter B. Kync’s great story, “More Pay-Less 'York” is tbe feature now showing at the King’s Theatre. Albert Grin, Mary Brian, E. J. Ratcliffe, and Charles Rogers are the featured players. “More Pay—Less Work”

is a story about a merger of Gappy s Blue Star and Dad's Banner Navigation Companies, which fails because the old rivals quarrel over whose name shall come first in the firm’s designation. Then Betty and Willie step in and start a romance that leads to tlie altar and tbe amalgamation of the two families. Kync has put more than his usual amount of humour into this story. Excellent supports inelude a Fox news, variety, and most amusing comedy, with a capital score of tuneful music by the orchestra.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. ■ V war between Royalists and rebels forms the colourful background of "The Beautiful Rebel." the current attraction at tho Queen’s Theatre. The story of the picture takes the form of a delightful romance of young lovers, one the daughter of a wealthy landowner, and the other a dashing soldier, of the opposite side. Stirring battle scenes lend excitement. srid the continuity is maintained until the entirely satisfactory conclusion. Marion Davies Harrison Ford. Holbrook Blinn. George Siegmann. and Tyrone Power are the featured nlayers. The Dempsey-Tunney battle for'the world’s championship i- an excellent supporting picture. ARTORAFT THEATRE. The melodramatic production by D. W. Griffiths, entitled "That Royle Girl." will bo shown again nt tlie Arte-aft Theatre this evening. Tlie cast includes Carol Dempster. W. C. Fields. James Kirkwood, and Tforriscn Ford. Tlie ctory treats of a vivid plm-e of ultra-modern jazz life and its selfings, whiih include several elaborate cabarets, arc >n harmony with the ail-pervading spirit -f jazz. This picture commences :'.t 7.50 p.m. sharp, owing to its length, being preceded by one other only, whilst the music by James Haydock is a special feature.