ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 121, 20 February 1928, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. What the dashing couim*.diene does to men who deign to give her the "cold shoulder" is the foundation for one of the best photoplays Miss Bebe Daniels has ever made. “Bhe’s a Sheik" is the title of the him, and it is to be seen at the Regent Theatre. The setting of ‘‘She’s a Sheik" is in Algeria, home of the Foreign Legion and intrigue, and the popular star squeezes every possible bit of romance and colour out of these picturesque surroundings by taking the offensive in the game of love. Richard Arlen is the object of this offensive, /aid is perfectly cast as the handsome captain of the Foreign Legion, who finally succumbs to Miss Daniels’ tactics and charm. Max, Moritz, and Akka, the performing monkeys, will be seen for the last time to-morrow night. Their well-learnt tricks and unrehearsed antics are more than popular with audiences. They perform every imaginable kind of trick, but one of the best is in their bicycleriding act. The supporting programme is well up to the standard of the rest of the bill, while the music of Mr. Arthur Frost’s Orchestra is of a very high order. KWONG SING WAH6. Hailed. as the greatest mystics and thrillers China has ever produced, the Kwong Sing Wah troupe of ten magicians, jugglers and acrobats, will commence a short season at the matinee at the Regent Theatre on Wednesday. On their first visit to New Zealand, the Kwong Sing Wahs are regarded as the most brilliant Oriental wonder-workers ever to visit the Dominion. For thirty minutes these Oriental magicians, acrobats. jugglers, and comedians present a whirlwind act that keeps one gasping from beginning to end, it is reported. Their tricks are performed with an originality and neatness that evades discovery of the deception. Producing bowls of water, flowers and rabbits is, however, only a small part of their act. Marvellous feats of strength and balance are given by members of the troupe, assisted in no small manner by two little boys. The juggling with plates, with bowls of water, and with balls ot fire, and the mystifying illusion tricks are capped by a daring dive through two frames of steel knives, and another frame of flame. Booking has commenced at the theatre and the Bristol. KING’S THEATRE. At the King’s Theatre is being screened "The Lone Eagle,” a story of airmen. The picture deals with a young American, who joins a British air squadron operating in the vicinity of fierce fighting. The American finds himself an untried man among veterans, and the ways of the Air Force seem strange. He undergoes fire for the first time when he accompanies a party of 'planes which endeavours to photograph the enemy s lines. Enemy ’planes are met with, and in the ensuing fight one of the enemy machines is brought down. The brother of the man who crashed flics over the squadron’s headquarters and drops a challenge to the man who killed his brother. It falls to the lot of the American to fight the duel. In this fight there are many breathless scenes, and the enemy ’plane triumphs. Later, there is an enemy bombing attack, and this time the makes sure of his man. Raymond Keane takes the leading male part, and is supported by a strong cast. The programme includes a news and a comedy. The King’s Orchestra supplies appropriate music. "BEN HUR." So great was the success of Metro-Goldwvn-Mayer’s "Ben Hur" when shown at Luxe Theatre early in January, that Mr. W. R. Kemball has secured the famous production for an extended season, which will begin at the King’s Theatre at the matinee on Friday next at 2.30. To overtake the unusual volume of business which follows the picture everywhere, daily matinees will be given in addition to the evening perform mces. The Dunedin season, which extended over two weeks (the picture was shown in the two leading theatres simultaneously), closed on Thursday last. The management stated that over 30,000 people paid for admission. The "Otago Daily Times ’ said of the picture —"Magnificent"—"Superb”—“Splendid”—"The greatest picture ever screened”—were but a few of the expressions to be heard at the completion of last night’s programme. "Ben Hur" will be preceded by the introductory prologue. “The Star of Bethlehem," with Mr. William Goudie as soloist. Seats may be reserved at tlie Bristol. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Based on an original story by John Moroso, “For the Love of Mike," the star feature at the Paramount Theatre, tells the story of a boy who is found as a baby by three old men on their landing in an East Side tenement house. The old men, one a Jew, played by George Sidney, the second a German, a part taken by Ford Sterling, and the third an Irishman, plaj-ed by Hugh Cameron, bring the child up and when ,he finishes high school send him to Yale, wfliere he becomes the captain and stroke of the crew. The story, from the entrance of the boy into college and his romance with two New York women, one a Park Avenue blonde and the other a First Avenue brunette, give Ben Lyon. Claudette Colbert and Mabel Swor material for good acting. Actual pictures of the Yale-Harvard regatta at New London are included. The supports are good. There is also a stage prologue, with beautiful scenic effects, featuring the “Barcarolle" (HoffmaiD, presented by Mr. Colin Crane and Miss I S. Kimbell. Mr. L. D. Austin’s Orchestra is heard at its best.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Devoted to songs, dances and sketches which seem to be all the rage in vaudeville houses just now. this week’s show. “Keep tSiniling," which was presented by “New Zealand’s own comedian,” Joe Brennan, at Ifis Majesty's Theatre on Saturday, should be. a great success. As the dame who sings “I’m Out.” but who finally finds herself going “In" (to gaol again). Mr. Brennan is very humorous indeed, while, as the parson who has "a few remarks to make” he is also very amusing. "All Aboard,” a lively sketch, gives him plenty of scope to dispense sailor fun, which he does from the moment he steps on the deck as an able seaman. An altogether different person Is lie a few moments later, when he does a realistic character cameo by portraying the part of an old and- feeble man who. when be starts to t.alk about the battles he has fought, tells the audience he is ever ready to answer the “Last call,” which is sounding nearer for him every day. For this effort, the comedian was given a splendid reception. Dell Barnes and Peggy Sharpe, two pretty girls, once again provided the best turn in the show by jazzing and singing together. They were so loudly encored that they had to repeat the “Black-bottom” of the previous week, which went better than ever. These bright performers were so popular that the audience was still applauding for them, while another turn was in progress, after they had left the stage. George Corelli, an operatic tenor, sang "Because" and "When Autumn Leaves are Falling." Both numbers went well. Gus Dawson, a delightful dancer, supplied a singing and novelty dancing turn with the assistance of Miss Dell Barnes, which more than pleased. Linda Dale, late of the Jim Gerald Revue Company, sang several pretty songs, and also led the charming ballet known as the "six kittens.’’ Miss Dale is a valuable asset to the company. G. W. Desmond acted the fool as a policeman, and introduced another of his popular eccentric dances. Ida Newton played in some of the sketches, while Ira Vanda sang "Moonbeam Kiss Her For Me" and other songs. Maisie and heitha Sommerville. two beautiful dancers, did the sailors’ hornpipe, which was much appreciated, while Cyril Northcote also helped to liven up the show. The clever ballet wore some very smart frocks and did such good work as to prove a big feature of the entertainment. .Miss Muriel Wilton, the clever Wellington dancing girl, again contributed a special novelty number, this time winning much favour with a Spanish presentation. "The Inaudible Actors," "The Woman Over the Rond.” “The Huggins Give a Musical Evening, and “Joe s Wedding" comprised the sketches. The latter was a real scream. It shows the feelings of a simnle-minded man who. just married, is talking about his lovely bride "coming all fresh from the country and her mother’s side," when he finds out sho has been married on uo less than three occasions. Joe Brennan is a one hundred per cent, funny fellow in this sketch of a husband's awakening. "Keep Smiling" will be presented every night this week. There will be a change of programme at the matinee on Saturday next. QUEEN’S THEATRE. Popular Tim McCoy has a dashing part bi "Spoilers of the West. ’ a. gripping drama of American frontier days, which heads the bill at the Queen's Theatre. As Lieutenant Lang, a young American cavalry officer, deputed by General Sherman to drive illicit traders out of the Indian reservation. McCoy plays one of those parts which have made him famous. He captures the leader of the outlaws, only to discover that she i» a pretty girl, who eludes him by a ruse and gallops away on his horse. Two days before the Indian warriors have threatened to go on the warpath. Lang conics across the runaway prisoner and her brother, and a thrilling fight ensues. There is a gripping climax Marjorie Daw is an appealing heroine The sup ports are good, and the music is especially attractive. "EAST SIDE. WEST SIDE."

Said to be a worthy succerr in magnitude and appeal to 'What Price Glory’ and "Seventh Heaven.” Fox Filins’ .latest production, “East Side, West Side, will commence its first New Zealand screen inp next Friday at the Queen s Theatre, and will continue for a limited season It is reported that a huge and talented cast of plavers, headed by George O Brien and J. Farrell McDonald, is involved. Fox Films quote this attraction as one of their best for the current year. it.

is understood that prices will remain as usual “Paid Valli and George O’Brien, is the mam attraction at the De Luxe Theatre this week. ? occasion is that of San Sebastian, the ruling Prince of which is much more in tC t r im tC weifkre’ O of r the K torn between factions. It is so financially embarrased that the leading statesmen do not know which way to turn to keep the country out of the toils pi an adjoining nation, and they decide "a’'wife. to 'rK U task Pr fal?s to the lot of a delightful brunette from Paris, who uses till the lures that woman is capable of and eventually all emis well. The settings are excellent. The supporting films include two really itifile musical'numbers are a feature. EMPRESS THEATRE. "Private Izzv Murphy.” starring Genrge Jessel. Patsy Huth Miller and Vera Gordon, is now at the Empress Hieatrc. A Jewish lad who takes on an Irish name, purely for business reasons, loves a charming colleen, and the secret oi his origin rests like a burden as bis love affair progresses. The war comes, and in the ranks is Private Izzy Murphy, ot the New York Irish Regiment. For a brave action he attains r anu. but is reported dead. Later the girl learns of the deception of her lover, who is Jewish, not Irish, but the conclusion proves that hearts may be made one by circumstances mightier than disputes and preiudices. The second offering is “White Flannels.” in which Louise Dresser has the leading part in a tale that depicts mother love that sacrifices all for a. son. There are good supports and tuneful musical items.