ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 297, 14 September 1927, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

"THE GHOST TRAIN.” The weird mystery play, "The Ghost | Train.'’ tlcxi'.ribetl as one of the most j thrilling product ions ever staged, will be I presented in New Zealand by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., in conjunction witli'E. J. Carroll, the first performance being at the Grand Opera House to-night. This cpmedy-drama gives thrills aplenty, but with the dramatic situations many amusing episodes are introduced, so that the tension is relieved. Strange are the happenings at the lonely wayside .railway station, tho climax being rellehed when with glare of light,' hiss of escaping steam, and thunderous rattle, the ghost train rushes past. It is a play of laughter as well as thrills. The east is.headed by the noted stage and screen star, Miss Betty Ross-Clarke (from Loudon and New York). The producer is Mr. Hugh Wright (London), who also plays the stationmaster who creates the atmosphere for the strange happenings that follow. There are other well-known London artists appearing in important roles, including Miss Laura Smithson, who plays the comedy part of an elderly spinster who travels with her parrot, and Mr. Basil Radford, “the silly ass who stopped the express to pick up his hat.” Hr. Mayne Lynton. an actor of high repute, appears as Richard Winth'rop. and Miss Mary Rigby as his wife Elsie. Others in the cast are Hiss Joan Bailey (Peggy Murdoch. the newly-wedded wife), Leslie Palmer (Herbert Price, brother of the mystery woman). Reginald Roberts (Jack son), and Edgar Warwick (John Stirling). ’l’iie season is for ten nights only, and there will be a special matinee on Saturday afternoon. REGENT THEATRE. Starring John Barrymore, "The Beloved Rogue,” a United Artists’ production, is the feature now screening at the Regent Theatre. As Francois Villon, the im’mortal French beggar-poet, Barrymore plays pranks on the King and the Duke of Burgundy, leads his beggar band in routs and jousts, composes undying roundels in hovels while carousing inhabitants of the strange Court ot Miracles jostle each other; he loves and loses Charlotte de Vauxcelles, and wins her at the end. Barrymore as Villon, ..the heart-and-gaol-breaking idol of the underworld of Paris, the crackling personality that inspired the pens of Swinburne and Robert Louis Stevenson. A gazette, scenic, and comedy are in support, with a splendid score Of incidental music. Mr. Colin Crane, Australia’s character baritone, supplies the vaudeville turn. “SORROWS OF SATAN.” The story of the love of a woman, loyal nnd persistent, that burns through the lures and enticements that beset man in this world, eventually drawing him back to tlie real values of life, is told in "Sorrows of Satan," the Paramount attraction which will commence screening at the Regent Theatre ou Friday. Transferring Marie Corelli’S novel to the screen called for a decided departure from old methods. Again, it is stated, D. W. Griffith has brought to the art which owes him so much a technique that marks another milestone in the advancement o£ photography. Adolphe Alenjou, suave nnd sophisticated, is the star. He is supported by such well-known players as Ricardo Cortez, Carol Dempster, and Lya de I’utti. DE LUXE THEATRE. "Mr. Wu,” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s version of Louise Jordon Miln’s famous story, starring Lon Chaney, supported by Louise Dresser, Renee Adoree, and Ralph Forbes, is the feature now at tbo De Luxe Theatre. “Thus have I kept our ancient law. Now will I follow yours: An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,” and Wu, the mandarin with- the power of life- and death in his hands, planned vengeance. Here are mystery, adventure, thrills, and the lure of the Orient. Lou Chaney,, the genius of the screeu, makes this gripping tale of Eastern lives and loves memorable and boundlessly entertaining. Ih support are a Pa-tho gazette, comedy, ' and the usual splendid musical programme. “TOO MANY CROOKS.” Laughter will commence at the De Luxe Theatre on Friday, with a matinee on Saturday at 2.30, when the comedy entitled "Too Many Crooks" will be screened. Featuring Mildred Davis. Lloyd Hughes nnd George Bancroft, this farce comedy is indeed in capable hands. The .story deals with what happens’when too many crooks mistake a society debutante for an accomplice. As a pure farce or cure for any suffering from moodiness, or the blues, this picture is recommended, and laugns are promised by the .hundred. A. splendid supporting programme has been arranged. It comprises gazette, additionay comedy, educational film, and a cartoon. Mr. Aarons at the Wurlitzer organ, and the orchestra wlil be heard in fresh numbers. Tlie Box Plans are now open at the Bristol, 'Aitken’s Book Arcade, or ring theatre ’Phone 23—680. KING'S THEATRE. . All the ingredients that go to make up a rib-craeking farce comedy, plentifully interlarded with action, thrills, suspense, and au appealing love -theme, are embodied in "Fast and Furious,”- Reginald Denny’s latest Universal-Jewel, picture, which is the current feature at the King’s Theatre. “Fast and Furious” is the screen version of an original short story by tho star himself. The action is fast, and the fun is furious. Tlie irrepressible Denny comes to gripswith a situation that calls for an exhibii uni or nerves, iinesse, and adroitness, and he conies out on top with his customary coolness. “The Fighting Spirit,” No. 6of “The Collegians,” the entertaining college life series, is screened, and good supports shown. Music is supplied by tiro orchestra.

Commencing next Friday, a splendid triple feature bill promises patrons a delightful evening. Arthur Homers Roche’s entertaining magazine ; story, . “Rich .But llouest” heads the programme. . Nancy Nash, Clifford Holland. Charles Morton, Marjorie Beebe antl Ted McNamara are the youthful players. J.. Farrell Macdonald, who became famous with his interpretation of the role of Sergeant Casey in "The Iron Horse” and as the horse rustler in "3 Bad Men,” again.scores with his line characterisation of a Broadwayproducer. “Daughters Who Pay” is a dramatic story of tho. Secret Service and a Bolshevik plot, featuring beautiful Marguerite de la .Motte as "Sonia,” a Russian dancer. The Collegians .will be seen in an episode "The Relay.”

“DAMAGED GOODS." - ‘‘Damaged Goods,” tho film version of Eugene nrieux’s famous play, is the feature which is to commence .screening at the Britannia Theatre on Friday. Tho picture, according to the restrictions imposed by the censor,, may be shown only to audiences composed exclusively of either men or women. Tho story, it is stated, teaches a lesson in its candid revelation of the effects that "red plague” has m community, and how also by -'“ ru “i>cy,. and the conspiracy of silence ou-dy ignorant people can encourage I tirj 'dread disease. The author carries

I message to a very high point, but tiie delicate situations ate said to be so weaved into the dramatic story that the intelligent mind is not distressed but rather is refreshed. Although there are many extraordinary incidents, the sensationalism is merely the sincerity of the moral lesson aimed at. The box plan for the opening screenings is available at the theatre, telephone 40—618. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Clem Dawo and his Midnight Frolics company continue to provide the entertainment for patrons of His Majesty's Theatre and do it right royally. The popular comedian keeps his audience in, a state of continual laughter with his merry and absurd antics, and is ’at his best in the sketches, some of the best of which are “Too Many Wives,” "Cook,” "Too Late,” and "Seventh Day." Besides •supplying her usual delightful dances, dainty Phyllis Amery sings "Sunday.” The Musical Trio (Clem Dawe. Alec Regan, and Ronald Stafford), are again one of the big hits of the performance. Oscar Beck pleases with "Up the Bill and Over." as does Alee Regan with "To-night’s My Night witli Baby.” and the remainder of tlto company help io make.' the show bright and breezy. QUEEN'S THEATRE. Wallace Beery, in his first starring feature. "Casey at tho Bat.” is the feature which heads the big programme now showing at the Queen's Theatre. The picture follows the career of one Casey, the big hitter of n small-town baseball team, whose mighty hits make him the Idol of New York. Ford .Sterling, Zasu Pitts, anil ".Spec” O'Donnell support the star. “The Traffic Cop.” starring "Lefty” Flynn, in one of that star's exciting comed.v-rtramns, is the second feature, while "The • Fighting Spirit.” No. U of the entertaining “collegians” scries, completes an excellent programme. | _' PARAMOUNT THEATRE. j

"Camille," most famous of all the sirens of the demi-monde in the nineteenth century, has been brought to the screen as the toast of modern Paris. The celebrated "Lady of the Camellias.” revealed as the most fashionable beauty of the hour, retracing the threads of her pathetic romance with a modern “Armand.” is the feature which is now showing at the Paramount Theatre, with Norma Talmiulge in the starring role Heading Hie supporting cast is Gilbert Roland, her new leading man. who appears as “Armand." the pathetic young lover. Others are Lilyan Tasliman. Rose Dione. Harvey Clark. Alec Francis. Helen Jerome-Eddy. Albert Conti. Michael Viscroff. Evelyn Selbie, and Etta Lee. The supports arc a topical budget and comedy, with splendid music by the orchestra.