ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 88, 12 January 1928, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATRE. To, -clay’s two screenings mark the end of the “Ben-Hur” season in Wellington. After establishing a wonderful record which the management considers will stand tor many years to come, and while lhe drawing power of the great film is still attracting enormous attendances, “Ben-Hur” has to be withdrawn in order to overlake its heavy bookings elsewhere. “Ben-Hur” is a production so outstanding tliat it is calculated to do benefit to the whole picture industry, for it raises the art of motion-picture production to an altogether higher plane.’ It is safe to say that hundreds who, previously have never visited a picture theatre, have been attracted by “BenHur,” and their inexperience will now be enlightened us to the potency of a motion picture, when the story, the acting. and the direction proceed along the right lines. Box plans are al pristol and' at Aitken’s. “MOCKERY.” In the past, picture-goers have seen Lon Chaney in a large number of Metro-Goldwvn-Maycr productions, including “He Who Gets Slapped,” “The Unholy Three,” “The Road to Mandalay.” “Tell it to the -Marines,’’-and “Mr. Wu.” In these pictures he appeared respectively, as a circus clown, a ventriloquist, an inn-i keeper, a marine sergeant, and a Chinese mandarin. Now he appears in something still different—a typical Russian peasant. This new picture. “Mockery,” which will commence screening at the De Luxe Theatre to-morrow, is a story based on the days of the Red Terror in Russia. His peasant role is portrayed with striking realism and many vicissitudes overtake him when he aids a young Countess, whom he learns to love, before a dramatic termination is reached. Ricardo Cortez has the role of Dimitri, a young White Russian officer, which he plays with outstanding merit, while Barbara Bedford appears as the beautiful young Countess for whose love both the peasant, Sergei, and the officer, Dimitri, fight a strange and grim battle. Others appearing la tho cast are Emily Fitz.roy. Mack Swain, and Charles Puffy. Benjamin Christensen ably directed “Mockery.”

REGENT THEATRE. Starring Henry Edwards and Dorothy Seacombe. “The Flag Lieutenant, the great British production, heads the programme now at the Regent Theatre. Dick Lascelles, flag lieutenant. R.N., is in love with Sybil Wynne, daughter ol Ins admiral. 'His friend. Major Thesiger. Royal Marines is enamoured ol a Mrs. Cameron. a wealthy widow, but is too shy to declare his affection. Both men are detailed to the assistance of a military outpost which has been suddenly attacked The fort is finally saved through the heroism of Lascelles, who. unknown to anyone, carries out a echeme of Thesiger's who is wounded in the attempt, losing hia memory. It is thus possible for Dick to reap the honour and glory, but he avoids it at much danger to his honour. Pupils of Miss Kathleen O Tlricn form a lively hornpipe ballet, and good supports and niusio are also provided.

TWO FEATURES FOR REGENT THEATRE. , An unprecedented screen event will take place at the Regent Theatre tomorrow, when two of tho most popular stars on the screen to-day will appear on the one programme in a double feature bill comprising two notable productions. Bebe Daniels. more vivacious and charming thani ever, will bo seen in “Swim, Girl. Swim.” and Thomas lleighan in M e re All Gamblers.” "Swim. Girl Swim is described as an hilarious comedy-drama, with a screamingly humorous cross Channel” attempt as its high-hght Ihere is laughter in every foot of the hlm. which is also notable through the fact that featured with Miss Baniels is Gertrude Ederle. famous as the first woman to swim the English Channel. Wiliam Austin, the comedian whose silly id ot roles are so well known, has a typical part Tho picture was produced on some of the inort interesting beach resorts of America The other attraction. re All Gamblers.” takes Thomas Meighan back to the style of role that first established him as a. universal favourite Pho storv is that of a man who fights tor honour against the mightiest odds—and wins through. The film has been ha i ed as one of the star’s greatest efforts. This programme should thus afford excellent fare. The plan is available at the theatie (telephone 44 —144) and the Bristol. I > A R A M OUNT THEA TRE. How Faust was tempted by Satan, but how, through a great love, ho won back h>s soul, ,R vividly depicted in “Faust,” tho U.F.A. screen version of Goethe's great drama, now showing at the Paramount Theatre. Tho fanciful nature of Iho story makes possible an artistic treatment not always possible in a modern production. Fmil .Tannines. Gast a Ekrnann and Camilla Horn, the featured players, act splendidly. Colin

Crane, assisted by Mrs. Harris and E. W..Robbins, presents a special prologue. Good supports are shown, and the music is provided by the orchestra. t “THE TENDER HOUR.” Absolute accuracy in settings, •costumes. and detail of every sort is promised in “The Tender Hour,” George x'itzmiiurice’s production, which will be screened at the Param’ount Theatre tomorrow. A staff of research workers, headed by Harriet Morris, directoi ot research for the Studio, . worked for more than a month to ensure accuracy to the slightest detail. Because of the setting ot the picturg, most of which takes place in Russia before the world war, a great deal of work was necessitated. Although'Billy Dove and Ben Lyon (featured players in the production, wear their customary garb, Montagu Love, who plays the role of a Russian nobleman, is seen in a variety of ornate uniforms. Roman soldiers, Egyptian dancing girls, Nubian slaves, a cruel centurion, a captive princess, and a dashing hero all take part in the spectacular scenes filmed as the climax of “The Tender Hour.” The pageant is a highlight of a brilliant social event. A further feature of the programme will be a stage offering by Colin Crane in the form of a sketch entitled “Tho Divi (er).” In ‘his he is assisted bv Miss Maude Farrant. Mr H Gladstone Hill has some excellent incidental music Io offer as an accompaniment to a programme ot exceptional diversity. Box plan at? the theatre daily from 10 a.m.

KING’S THEATRE. How a timid soul, bullied by wife and employer, is converted into an aggressive forceful personality, while under a hypnotic spell, is amusingly told in RUDnin<’ Wild,” the hilarious Paramount comedy heading I lie big programme> now at the King’s Theatre W C. Frnlds and May Brian ate the .stars The second feature, "Moana,’ is a. delightful idyll of Samoan life. A picture ot Samoan people, of their towns and lives, it is as unusual as it is interesting, and has. besides, all the glamour and seductive charm of the South Seas. A Paramount gazette is also shown, and bright music is supplied by the orchestra.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. “Singed." starring Blanche Sweet as Dolly Wall, and Warner Baxter as Royce Willgate, is the current feature at the Queen’s Theatre. The two meet on a by-path of life, and Doi y climbs out of a pit for his sake-for love s sake. The drama tells her story after she lias found “her man” and forsaken the gay and sordid path on which they met. It is a story that carries the audience from an Oklahoma oil-boom town to a wlid-cat gusher in California, ou to the fashionable night and social life of San Francisco, and through many adventures to the climax in Dolly’s apartment. Good supports and music complete the programme.

"ROSE MARIE.” , One of the great features °f . I;. o*® 0 *® Marie,” which will open at Wellington on January 27, is the wonderful totem dance towards the end of the first act, which contains some striking and appealing scenery. The locale is the Totem Pole lodge, where the Indian girls, under Wanda (Mies Stephanie Deale), perform some of the most intricate and ’aried movements, dancing and marching, in this scene Miss Desfe is said to score one of the most marked successes ever credited to an individual artist, while the totem ballet girls have been cheered and cheered again for their concerted work. Tlie cast of characters is a particularly strong one. and seldom indeed lias such an aggregation of artists of world-wide repute been gathered together for one musical comedy. Miss Harriet Bennett, wiio plays the part of. Rose Marie, the beautiful and passionate Freneh-Canadian gi,-. is hailed as one of the most accomplished stars ever brought to New Zealand. Other high-grade performers are Mr. Reginald Dandy (who plays tae ide of Jim Kenyon, the lover, so convincingly), Frederick Bentley (the diminutive comedian, who appears as Hard-Boiled Herman). Yvonne Banvard (Lady Jane), George Bryant (Black Eagle), James Hughes (Sergeant Malone). Ethel Lambeth (Ethel Brander). Lou Vernon (Ernie La Fiaiume). and Noel Allan (Edward Hawley). An augmented orchestra is under the conductorship of Mr. N. Ravel. Box plans are now open at the Bristol.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Growing more popular with every week’s change of programme Gayle Wyer and Ids Bandbox Revue Company eontinue to' entertain natrons of His Maj* cstv’B Theatre “The Wrong Flat. an old-timer is served up in excellent sty». being given an amusing ■ prologue by Charles Norman as a comic inebriate, m the song "I’m Tired.” Lively songs, clever sketches, liberally mixed with dar.ee and dialogue, make the first half go with a swing. The second half is

filled bv “Love. Honour and Obey." vrb'P’], is presented to the accompaniment of gales of laughter.

x WIRTHS’ CIRCUS. The sawdust ring, with i ts P, opul^... a i ?j peal for both young and old awaits natrons of Wirths Circus in M ebb Street, tnd Continues to attract large crowds nightly From the spectacular parade ot animals until the last act there is a suction of thrills for the audience. Horses, lions, elephants, dogs, .and Beats all do their share of entertaining, and tiw lions directed by Captain Smith, perform marvellous acts, while Mademoiselle Hover dances in the lions dens. The six elephants, guided by Miss Eileen May, are almost human in their intelligence, and Panneberg’s bears skate, ride cycles, and scooters, and do other equally wonderful tricks. Miss Gladys and her wh o Arab steeds are excellent, while Miss Doris and her four white horses present another popular tur . Miss Madeline and Mr. Alfred CLuke do some clever acrobatic work on baiebacK horns. while Miss Doris does a uniquo statue act on her steed. Chester Dieck, an Indian trick cyclist, performs unusual balancing feats on wheels. Mr. Hilary Long, a head-balancer, Chico and Grace, acrobats, and the Clarkes, trapeze artists, are all versatile perl ormers, and Kedam performs amazing feats of strength. Hie juggling of the Zanettoa is very clever, while the clowns are a feature of the show. Another performance will bo given to-night. The zoo section is open irom A p.in. to 5 p.m. daily. EMPRESS THEATRE. Starring Ronald Colman and Vilnia Banky. ’’The Magic Flame, -a story ot clowns and counts, circus and court, love and laughter, heads the current programme at the Empress Theatre. Ronald Colman plays two roles m 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 snuggle 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, a whole circus filmed in its colourful details, and directorial acumen. "Our Prince," a review of scenes in the life of the Prince of Wales "The Nickel Hopper,” starring Mabel Normand, ry gazette, and further Parisian cabarets film complete the excellent programme. Commencing at the Empress Theatre tomorrow. that popular comedian. Syd. Chaplin, will be seen tn The Missing Link,” which is claimed to bo even more humorous than “The Man on the .Box. “Charley’s Aunt, and Oh! What a Nurse.” i Mr Alec Wilson will control tho tour of the "Rose Marie” company from Wanganui on Monday next, until the close of the Wellington season. The Auckland season has been au umjualiflud »u* cess.