ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 141, 14 March 1928, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

“TIP TOES." , . Great interest is being taken in tbe J. C. Williamson, Ltd., musuyil comedy season, to commence at the Grand Opera Bouse this (Wednesday) evening,, when "Tin Toes," the present attraction m New York and Loudon, will be staged- lb® company lias just terminated a record season iu Melbourne and Sydney, ana most successful seasons at Auckland ami the principal provincial towns ol tne North Island. The company, which numbers over 70 people, includes a numcer or London aud Continental artists, and pthbrs whose reappearance will be welcomed by playgoers throughout New Zealand, ror the first time in the history of the New Zealand stage, playgoers will have an opportunity to enjoy the dancing of three artists from the Folies Bergeree. Pans. These are Josephine Head, Albert Hugo, and Mdlle. Ramona. No more popular comedians than Cecil Kellaway and K. Barret t-Lennard have ever appeared in this Dominion, and they will doubtless receive a great reception when they appear to-night. Those two delightful comediennes. Miss Thelma Burness.and Miss Beryl Walkeley, have on previous occasions delighted in a number of characterisatious, and so has Leyland Hodgson, the popular young baritone. The opening night will signalise the first appearance here of Roy Russell, aud if Queen High," the first appearance .since her successful visit to London with the Lee White-Olav Smith Co., of Miss Billie Lockwood. There are 50 trained aud beautiful ballet ladies in the company. George Gershwin has composed some beautiiul melodies for “Tip Toes.” and the writers of this play have supplied the comedians with some fine material, of which, it is stated, they have made the best use. The box plans arc at- the Bristol. There will be a special matinee ou Saturday.

DE LUXE THEATRE. . . "The. Thirteenth Hour.” an original mvsterx’ drama by Chester M- .Franklin and Douglas Furber. and a thrilling detective story, is the current feature at the De Luxe Theatre. With innumerable weird scenes, strange electrical effects, mysteries characters, etc., it is one of the most thrilling mystery dramas ever filmed. With Lionel Barrymore in the leading role as Neville Leroy, an aged professor, interested in occult science and carrying on his practice in' a haunted house, the supporting c n, 6 L , includes Charles Delaney, Jacquehn Gadsdon. Fred Kelsey. Polly Moran. Malcolm Denny, Bert Starkey, Rose Tapley. Bex Foster. Paul Palmer. Napoleon (the German police dog), and others of note. Good supports are also shown, and. the usual excellent musical programme is supplied. "MOTHER MAGHREB." One of the outstanding characterisations of "Mother Machree.” Fox FUms' epic of mother love, is given by Ted McNamara, the comedian who has created such a novel style of acting. McNamara appears as the 'Harpist of Wexford, and uses a real Irish harp from the old country, from which his strumming fingers call forth the melodies. The Irish harp is.pt two types; one type being strung, with gut and played with the fleshy tips of the fingers, and those. strung with brass and played with a pick or the fingernails. McNamara, in the role of the harpist, helps to cheer Mother Machree on her way, when she is leaving the shores of Erin for Amtnca, and it is the . harpists humorous countenance which brings smiles to Mother Machree and Brian, when they are alone and friendless tn the big city. "Mother Machree" is an Irish story, full of humour, pathos, romance, and motherlove. and is dedicated to all the mothers of the world who have sacrificed themselves for their children. Belle Bennett plays the title role with Neil Haniilton, VietcA- McLaglen, and Phillippe. de Lacey in support. During the screening of the film at the De Luxe Theatre. Mr. Herbert F. Wood will sing “Mother Machree. the ballad which has been made famous by John McCormack. Mr. Aarons, on the mighty Wurlitzer organ, will render a special selection of Irish melodies.

REGENT THEATRE. The human background provided by a thousand men is used for tho love story in “The Rough Riders,” Paramount s great drama, which is now screening at the Regent Theatre. With Charles Farrell and Charles Emmett Mack, both competing for Mary Astor, there is constantly behind them in shifting scenes, the rollicking, heroic bodv of men who have come down in history to fame for their spirit, gallantry and picturesque qualities during the Spanish-American War. Tiie use of this regiment as a background for a romantic love story is something new, made effective through Victor Fleming’s splendid direction. Always in the tender moments of the lovers, one senses the pulse of a mightv armed unit in motion, the trampling of horses’ hoofs, the thud of sabre against saddle, and tho joyous resonance of the voices of men bound for war. Noah Decry and George Bancroft are also featured. Good supports are shown, and excellent incidental music is supplied.

“HULA.” “Hawaiian Week” will be ushered in at the Regent Theatre on Friday next, when the chief attraction will be Clara Bow in her record-breaking success, “Hula,” a comedy-drama of the tropics, in which she has the support of that popular English actor, Clive Brook. “Hula.” according to those who have seen the latest presentation of Miss Bow. is one of the very best pictures offered the motion picture public this year. As the title suggests, it is a tale of the Hawaiian Islands, with the upper stratum of society in the limelight. The story itself is an adaptation of a modern novel, which carries the same title and which comes from the pen of Armine Von Tempski This cross-section of society life in the shadow of Waikiki, tells the adventures of an American girl, Hawaiianborn. who loves an English engineer. An alluring prologue will he presented by Miss Kathleen O’Brien’s "Hula Ballet," and special Hawaiian selections will be featured bv the orchestra, under the baton of Mr. Arthur G. Frost. The phiu for the season is available at the theatre,, ’phone 44—144, and Bristol.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Starring Marie Prevost and Charles Ra.v, "Getting Gertie’s Garter,” a. First National production, is now showing at the Paramount Theatre. The plot concerns a garter, which one of Gertie s lovers has given her. Unfortunately, the garter has on it a portrait of the lover, whose fickle heart has been captured by another alluring beauty. When Gertie refuses to part with her gift, the fun becomes fast and furious. The. supporting programme includes a gazette and comedy. while delightful incidental mrsic is supplied by the orchestra, under Mr. R. R. Caulton. ' "WHITE WINGS.” If a ghost of some sailorman who lived before the time when clipper ships ruled the seas, enters the Paramount Theatre on Friday next, where the fine picture production, “White W.ngs. will be presented, it doubtless will find highly congenial company among the ventu-e--some sailors making up the crews of the sailing vessels. One sees them fighting typhoons, reefing sails, pulling ropes, skylarking in the forecastle, drinking grog, suffering terrible hardships smilingly, aud growing fiercely menacing in a mutinyIn fact, they visualise graphically a romantic era that has long since passed.

and will never return again except on tho screen. William Boyd. Elinor lair, Junior Ooghlan; and Walter Long play the featured roles. “White Wings is the story of a historic race of two clipper ships for a great prize, in which the British ship is the victor. The love element is strong. The box plan is now open at the Bristol Pffino Company.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Joe Brennan and his popular revue company are nearing the end of their run at llis Majesty’s Theatre. This ,week b presentation, “Leagues of Laughs, wr up to its name, and sparkles with comedy from curtain to curtain. The programme is rich in comedy sketch ju, which include 'The End pt ..the Elopement,” ‘'Tiie Break-do.vn. The peacemaker.” “The Invitation, and AutoSuggestion.” Vocal nuinners are ™PPl l ® < > bv Ira Wanda and Geovge Corelli, and sorgs of a lighter strain are ottered by Ida Newton iuid Flora McDona.d. Dell Barnes and Peggy Sharpe other of their clover dance specialities. “Dismal” Desmond provides many (aligns with his sermon on the happmess that lies in real misery, concluding with Lets All Have-a Good Cry. ’ while the pretty ehorus of six. help to make things go with a swing.

"ARCHIE.” The presentation of “Archie" at Bis Majesty’s. Theatre on Monday, March 26, is synonymous with delightful recollection of "No. No. Nanette.” and Lady Be Goed." for the same company, headed by Elsie Prince. Jimmy Godden, and Charlton Morton, will be seen in Sir Benjamin and John Fuller’s three latest musical comedy successes during the “Archie ’ session. A world of charm and humour .-urrounds the name of Elsie Prince, and in Archie she has a part which she herself says provides a fund of opportunities. Jmimy Godden plays the title role. The silly ass” husband is reserved for Charlton Morton to impersonate, and no part could better poitray his brilliant artistry. Nellie Dean, a long-standing favourite with Wellington theatregoers, will be seen as Lady Violet, a most fascinating but disillusioned young widow. While expressing all the charm, youth, melody, and colour of "No. No. Nanette, and "Lady. Be Good.” "Archie” is in contrast to those phenomenal, successes by its c.istir.ctive atmosphere in story, setting, and score, its suave ••omedy. cleverly contrived surprise situations, captivating , orchestration. brilliantly colourful lighting., and rjch modern frocking. The frooking m particular is a most striking feature of the “Archie” production.

ST. PATRICK’S NIGHT CONCERT. This year St. Patrick’s Day will* be celebrated by the usual Irish concert, which will take place at the Town Hall on next Saturday evening. Miss Kathleen Jansen will make her first reappearance after a prolonged course of studies in. England and Italy. Miss Frances Morrison, who possesses a strong contralto voice, will also contribute. She also has had the benefit of special training abroad, and will be heard to advantage in the numbers which she has selected for her programme items. Miss Kate O Dwyer, a singer who has earned a reputation in the Marlborough district will make her first appearance before a Wellington audience. Messrs. Leon de Mauny and Harold Whittle, the well itnown musicians, will also contribute. These will bo ably supported bv Misses Norah Greene u.:.* Whelan, a'nd Messrs. Thomas C. Wood and William Renshaw. Misses O McKenzie and Agnes McDavitt, pupils of RevAlary Tlacidus, of St. Alary s Convent, will contribute concerted ite.*ns. ana tne pupils of Miss Phyllis McMillan will dance the Irish jig. The choral items will be rendered by the pupils of the Alarist Brothers’ schools, Thorndon and Tasman Street. Little Eileen Balter, of St. Anne s School, will give a speciality contoitwn disnlav and Mr. J. F. Skedden. organist of St/joseph’s, will render selections on the grand organ. The box plan opened at the Bristol this morning.

KING’S THEATRE. All the thrills, the . dra ma. and the heart-stirring emotion invariably associated with horsa racing, are to be found in "In Old Kentucky, a Metro-Gold lynMayer special attraction now saowina at the King’s Theatre, with James Murray a newcomer to the screen, in the leading role. This unusual Picture has for its theme the war’s effect through bad companionship on a J’ out h of Ken tucky, and the subsequent trouble and heart-breaks he occasions his family ana his sweetiieart. is very | I . un3 ? n J^ n p ° l H5r ed. Helene Costello is the leading lad', while Weslev Barry, Edward MartindeT, and Stepin Fetchit, famous negro comedian, also appear in the great cast. In support are a news. New Zealand scenic, and comedy, with delightful incidental music by the orchestra.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. , ‘The Kid Brother, Harold Lloyd s latest comedy, headfl the Owen’s nroeramine now screening '•Juclo s Theatre It relates the tale of the youngest son of a family of strong raea T, brothers. and fatlmr-who contro! .he mountain -town in which they hie. Dike •ill small brothers. Lloyd is subjected to the h l enities that befall the youngest of every family. He is .never taken into councils and has n< \oice in the direc Hon of his father’s affairs. In the end however the voungster shows his real mettle and wins the recognition be craves hv saving the fnmilv honour. The sec ; ond feature is "One Woman to Another, an entertaining comedv-dra-na starring Florence Vidor.’ Capital incidental music is also supplied.

ADELFHI CABARET. Cnnnl’vl UUCP IllChtS Will bC 1161(1 eie?v nVght at the No- Adelul; Cabaret Several added attractions will he included on the programme, win :h will include the new presentation wth bgl'tine effects of “B’eeze. by Dc,vc Meredeth and his Melody Five.