ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 85, 9 January 1928, Page 16

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATRE. The management of the l>e Theatre states that, much as it nilsHt wish to continue the season of Ben-xlur, owing to its enormous success, such a course is impossible, as the him must leave Wellington on Friday nights steamer to connect w.ith its bookings -in the South Island. Therefore, only four more opportunities to see the great picture remains, as the season must definitely close with next Thursday bight s screening. All who have not seen BenHur” should make a point of doing for it is a picture apart. Saturday night's crowded house received the production with enthusiasm. Th,e atmospheric prologue was greatly ciated, tlie singing of “The Star of Bethlehem” by Mr. William Goudie being rewarded with prolonged applause.

LON CHANEY IN “MOCKERY. At the De Luxe Theatre, commencing on Friday next with a matinee on Saturday at 2.30, will be screened Lon Chaney's attraction, “Mockery.” “Mockery” is a powerful story of contrasts, a role Chaney glories in, and it should be a most entertaintain picture, not even €»xcepting “Mr. Wu” aud “Tell It To the Marines.” Chaney plays the part of a strange herinit-like-peasant, who, through a strange trick of fate, is plunged into the midst of a struggle of revolutionists against the aristocrats. Uncouth, enslaved, hounded, and tortured, he lived for his one supreme emotion, an impossible love for a Russian princess, so great in Its depth and magnitude that it transcended all bodily pain and mocked at his efforts of expression. Chaney s makeup in this picture is said to be areyelation. Ricardo Cortez and Barbara Bedford are also in the cast. Special music has been arranged by Mr. Aarons for the Wurlitzer organ and for the orchestra, .t he box plans are at the Bristol and Aitken s Book Arcade.

EMPRESS THEATRE. The beautiful Vilma Banky, and Ronald Colman, two of screenland s most popular stars, are being featured this week at the Empress Theatre in ‘The Magic Flame," a United Artists film. Ronald Colman plays two roles in the film that of a clown and that of a count. It. is Vilma Banky, an aerial artist, whom Colman’s two characters love and struggle for. Into the warp and woof of that conflict Henry King has injected romance, surprising situations, humour, satire, physical struggle, a pair of murders, a balloon ascension and parachute jump, end a whole circus filmed in its colourful A: tails. The action of the story occurs in a Mediterranean country, Baretti s circus furnishing tho background against Vhich Vilma Banky and Bonald Colman make love. It is when Colman, the clown, has triumphed over Colman, the count, that the locale is switched to the royal court, with the clown. accepted on all hands as King of Illyria. When Vilma Banky arrives at the court to avenge the murder of her lover, the clown, she does not suspect the true identity of the monarch. It is with the disentanglement of this tense situation that the plot thereafter is concerned. Gustave von Seyffertitz, who will be remembered as the Grimes of Mary Pickford's “Sparrows,” appears in the court sequences as the chancellor. Mabel Normand and Theodore von Eltz are starred in an hilarious comedy, "The Nickel Hopper," the tale of a dance-hall girl and a wealthy man. and another film of moment shows the. Montmartre cabarets. “Our Prince,", giving incidents in the life of the Prince of Wales, is also on the bill. There are special orchestral items. REGENT THEATRE. One has heard much talk about the British and their production methods, of the many efforts they have made to capture a world market, but it has remained for the producers of “The Flag Lieutenant,” now at the Regent Theatre, to show the way. This is without doubt a great picture. With the active co-operation of ihe Admiralty, the makers have been able to build into the story much impressive grandeur and spectacle. Around the well-written play, a picture of excellent calibre has been made with a wellchosen and carefully-selected cast. “The Flag Lieutenant,” as produced by Astra National, is being handled throughout the world by Paramount. It is a production of reM and distinctive merit. Above all is the naval aspect of the film. This will appeal to the hearts of the British public, for deep rooted in them is the thrill that jumps at the mention of the Navy. This romance of the Navy tells of the friendship of a young reckless naval officer and a major of Marines. The major, after 23 years of service, finally get his chance for promotion, and the lieutenant, who really performs the deed, keeps silence so that his friend may benefit. Henry Edwards and Dorothy .Seacomb head the cast. In addition, there is a film depicting incidents in the lite of the Prince of "Wales, a particularly well-acted contribution to the programme by pupils of Miss Kathleen O'Brien. To-night’s performance will be attended by His Excellency the GovernorGeneral. TWO FEATURES FOR REGENT THEATRE . The biggest double feature yet presented will be featured at the Regent Theatre on Friday next, when popular Bebe Daniels will appear in her latest, “Swim, Girl, Swim,” and Thomas Meighan, favourite hero, will bo seen in the drama, “We’re all Gamblers.” “Swim, Girl. Swim” is a modern story in which an attempt to swim the Channel plays a big part, and the picture is made doubly interesting by the inclusion in the cast of Gertrude Ederle. famous as the first woman to swim the English Channel. In “We're All Gamblers," Thomas Meighan has the kind of role that suits him perfectly. Dramatic scenes of a man’s fight for honour, leading up Ja a great climax, mark this attraction. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. . The newest interpretation of Mephisto, Satan, or the devil, is that given by Emil Jannings, distinguished character actor in the UFA production, “Faust,” which is now at the Paramount Theatre Jannings makes of the evil one a being almost human in his every, move, yet with a swiftness, a sleekness, a devilishness that is not in any creature of this earth. Supporting Emil Jannings in the production. which Cinema Art Films, Ltd., is releasing, are Camilla Horn, a screen “find" of the director, F. W. Murnau. Challenged by Gabriel, Mephistopheles tries to induce the philosopher, Faust, to renounce his part in heaven, for the power and glory of the earth. In a city racked by pestilence, and tom with pity for the helploss, Fault consents to one day of power, at the end of which, with .youth again his own, and the most beautiful woman in Italy in his arms, he seals the bond which ho has signed with bis own blood. Satiated with pleasure, he wishes to return to his nat’vo place, and there meets Marguerite, to her undoing. But he cleanses his sin in tho pyre which is built about her for the murder of her baby, and the two enter heaven through love. Tho musical score played by Mr. Gladstone Hill and his orchestra .has been spec!. llv arranged. In addition, there is a colourful prologue arranged by Mr. Colin Crane, and featuring Mr. Crane (Mephisto). Mrs. Alice Harris (Marguerite), and Mr. E. W. Robbins (Faust). There are three scenes, and many fanjiliar numbers from Gounod’s opera are introduced. Good supporting items complete tho bill. “ROSE MARIE." Considerable interest has been manifested in the announcement that the great J. C. Williamson success, “Rose Marie." is coming to Wellington, and that the opening performance will be at the Grand Opera House on Friday. There are many exquisite scenes in this musical play—it is more than a musical comedy, though there' are some side-splitting incidents in tho various acts. There is the scene of the Canadian Rockies, in the first act, and this in itself, it is stated, is unforgetable. It is one of the most beautiful pictures ever presented on the stage. Then in addition there is the grand ballroom scene in the second act, while the Totem pole lodge is also impressive, and the dance one of the great features of the performance. As for the play itself, there is much more than the usual semblance of a plot. It is described as a musical play, but it is quite different from the light musical productions to which the public become accustomed. The company is a remarkably strong one, and includes such artists as Harriet Bennet, who has scored such a remarkable success as Rose Marie, the beautiful French-Canadian girl; Stephanie Deste. as Wanda, the Indian halfbreed girl, who is the slave of passion; Reginald Dandy (Jim Kenyon, the lover). Frederick Bentlev (Hard-boiled Herman), George Brvant (Black Eagle), Yvonne Banvartl (Lady Jane), Doris Johnstone (Ethel Brander). James Hughes (Sergeant Malone), Lou Vernon (Emile La Flamme), Noel Allan (Edward Hawley). This spectacular play is produced by Mr. George A. Highland, while the ballets and dances have been arranged by Miss Minnie Hooper. The scenery (one of the many features of the production) has been specially nainted by Leslie Board. W. Little. George Dixon, and assistants. The box plans for the season will open at the Bristol on Wednesday morning next, for special reservations. Country -orders accompanied by remittances will be dealt with in the order of their receipt.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. „ Mr. Gayle Wyer and his Band-box Revue Company. continue .to make merry moments at His Majesty s Theatre, the interior of which house has been made new by the art of the decorator. This week's programme increases one s respect for Mr. Wyer .as a producer, as there, are few companies of the kind which infuse such spirit and enact the comediettas with such conviction as do. these players, showing the presence of authority at rehearsal. "The Wrong Hat," an oldtimer, was served up in excellent style, being given an amusing prologue by Mr. Charles Norman as a comic inebriate, in the eone "I'm Tired.” The end of the song still leaves him fumbling at the street door. The curtain ascends, and it

is a drawing-room, with a the lady m the c-ase to ny withhim! Enter the drunk, who pulls a* gun, “nd shoots both; then examining the remains, shrieks, the wrong fiat!" It is* someone else s wife and her lover that he has killed. In this manner the dramas of the Grand Guignol may he turned to laughter. Mr. Nonnan K S also associated with Mr. Ward and li. Bovis in "The Mormons, a tunny stunt, in which tho “Six Syncopated bteppeis do their parts admirably, indeed these young ladies are a distinct strength t the show, apart from expert and graceful dancing. In the Susiei sung by Miss Scott, at least one of them showed personality and a strong beat for character. Miss Vera Benson, who was suffering from a cold, essayed the thaim ing song “Blue Skies, which is such a, pronounced gramophone hit (as sung by the “Revellers"), but instead of the harmony of the four voices which makes the number, Miss Benson was g". en tne Six Steppers as a background. Miss Benson also sang "Charinaine and bay uAgain.” Miss Heather Jones, a clever Pickfordesque soubrette, burst upon the audience as a bare-legged dancer, and acquitted herself very well, but she is much preferable as a singer of smart songs, such as "My Sweetie Turned Me Down,” and classics of that sort, as the timbre of her voice always pleases, bbe was also prettily gay in 'lts a Wonpeiful World,” with Mr. Lear and the gir s. Miss Ena Gordon gang two nice ballads, being particularly sweet m Calling, the insistent applause for which stopped the action of the revue. . The Unwiittcn Law” sketch was admirably done by Messrs. Norman and Wyer, and finally a sketchy edition of the old comedy, Jane, entitled “Love, Honour and Obey, was presented, to the accompaniment of broadsides of laughter. The musical numbers include "Oh, Baby,” “What Does it Matter?” "Down by the River, arid The Bumher They Get.” . Mr. F. Crowther s skilful musical direction goes far to make the revue the success it is.

« WIRTH’S CIRCUS. There is a glamour about a circus that the stage can never hope to have, and that it is a glamour that attracts both adults and children is being proved by the attendances at Wirth’s Circus, which is stationed at Webb Street. The spectacular parade of the animals used in the various acts on the programme first grips the attention, and from then until the last act there is a succession of thrills for the audience. The clowns as usual appeal to the children, this time especially, for one of them is a giant and one a dwarf, while another is of ordinary proprotions. Among the acts is one in which Mademoiselle Hoyer dances in a cage full of lionesses which look none too tame. They arc first put through their.paces by Captain Smith, the trainer, who -has also trained a lion to ride on the back of an elephant. Another animal act is that of Panneberg’s bears, who ride bicycles and scooters, and do tumbling tricks. Tlie elephants controlled by Miss Eileen May prove their sagacity by answering various orders given to them, and even in a short play! Well-trained horses show their paces, and Mr. Arthur Clarke performs juggling feats on the back of one of them while it gallops round the ring. Another juggling act is that of the Feneltos. Chester Dieck, an Indian trick cyclist, does unusual balancing on wheels, and Mr. Hilary Long, a head-balancer, decs extraordinary things while standing on his head. Chico and Grace are acrobats of merit, and Redani performs amazing feats of strength. 'There is a skirt dancer who flies through the air, and a tin-hare race for dogs to end the programme. KING'S THEATRE. The star attraction at the King’s Theatre this week is "Running Wild, ’ featuring the well-known comedian, W. C. Fields, and Mary Brian. To see Mr. Fields as the "timid soul" who becomes a “roaring lion" under the influence of a hypnotist is to sec- something which cannot but fail to make one’s sides ache with laughter. The second feature of the programme is “Moana,” an outstanding production of distinct originality. The director and producer of this gem is Robert Flaherty, pl "Nanook of the North” fame. It is said that he spent nearly two years in Savan and British Samoa in the production of "Moana,” which reflects all the lure and charm of the South Sea Islands. A tale of love and adventure has as its background scenes of surpassing beauty, such as only the islands can provide, and one sees the natives with all their picturesjiue customs living unspoiled by civilisation. The orchestra is heard in numerous tuneful items.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. Blanche Sweet, who is appearing in the role of Dolly Wall, proprietor of an oilboom town social club, in ‘Singed, at the Queen’s Theatre, gives m this film probably the best performance of her entire career. It is a gripping tale of a woman who could not undo her past, no matter how indefatigably the beauty doctors and the modistes worked to transform her into a “lady.”. The man. however, for a time shoots like a meteor over the business horizon of San Francisco, and makes a deep impression in the ultrafashionable society circles. Warner Baxter has what is probably the greatest acting opportunity of his kinema career There is an expecially good programme ol supporting films, and a good musical programme..

"THE GONDOLIERS.” . The final performance in Wellington of J. 0. Williamson’s Gilbert and Suh van opera company was given on Saturday night in the Grand Opera House, when “The Gondoliers” was played.