ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 149, 23 March 1928, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. "City Gone Wild." said to be one of the most mystifying and appealing stories 01 the secrets of the underworld yet pioduced, will open at the Regent Theatie this afternoon. That popular , 6tal h Thomas Neiglian,. is shown in the role ot u. brilliant criminal lawyer delender ot the underworld, who, by his original methods, is able not only to save man after man from prison—even the chair — but to make the gangs obey him to the letter. Strangely enough, the lawyer s greatest friend ’s the Crown Prosecutor, who expresses his intention of cleaning up "The City Gone Wild by aibitiaiy methods. Both men. love the same girl, and she, although inclined towards ttie underworld’s defender, admires the attitude and position of the prosecutor. Ihe real climax comes when the latter is mysteriously murdered while in a box at tlio theatre. Thereafter Meighan reverses his position, becomes prosecutor, and sohes the mystery in uitnguinff t the same programme is a picture jnat every woman will want to see. This is "The Woman on Trial.’’ a stirring .drama, Rfarrintr Pola Negri, who. it is saia, rises to%reater heights than she did even n “HoteY Imperial? and the more recent "Barbed Wire.’’ The latest news of the world will bo presented in the Regent weekly news. Arthur G. Frost, musica director, has arranged another splendid musical programme, including tll6 entr’acte. “Lo, Hear the Gentle Lark, with flute and clarionet duet. The box plan is at the theatre (telephone 44—144) and the Bristol.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. The thousands ot theatre-goers who have come to expect something out of the ordinary in a Harry Langdon fea ture comedy will not be when thev see “Three’s a Crowd, the sad-eyed funster’s newest tenture, which comes to the Paramount Theatre todav. In the characterisation of his heroine. Gladys McConnell, he has introduced a surprise which even outclasses his introduction of a blind hero ine ln late "The Strong Man.’ There is other incident, one occurring on Christmas Eve, which is said to be _ without parallel in film comedy. Langdon s Item"® for cornedv-building w’as never better than in “Three’s a Crowd." spent by the star in obtaining the_ new effects and new • story angles which are shown for the first time on the screen. Since his advent into feature-length productions a few years ago, Langdon has made phenomenal strides in picture-mak-Ing and In public popularity. Good supports will also be shown. a nc 11 t i-e us'ial delightful incidental music will be sup plied by the orchestra. . The supporting programme includes a Gazette, Comedy, and the new Collegians” scries of college life. The F“ra mount Orchestra will render the Gondoliers” as an overture.

“ARCHIE.” . . Naturally, the advent of Sir Benjamin and John Fuller's London Musical Comedy Company's season at His Majestj s Theatre has occasioned a good deal or interest, for it means something In the nature of a transformation scene at, what has been almost solely a jevue and vaudeville house. Being the finest and most thoroughly up-to-date theatre in the city, and withal—the largest seating capacity, it is eminently suited for big productions, and patrons who have so long and almost continuously enjoyed revue and vaudeville presentations, now have an opportunity of seenig the very host in musical comedy under the most favourable conditions. Another big lealure of interest is. that it not only means the presentation of three of London and America’s biggest musical comedy successes, but also the long hoped for return of Elsie Prince, .Timmy Godden, anti those artists who achieved such a striking success in "No, No. Nanette and "Lady Be Good” in the Dominion last year The combination is considered one of the highest all-round musical comedy companies that has ever been brought to this side, and Elsie Prince and Jimmy Godden have earned well merited fame throughout England ana Australia and New Zealand. ’Archie will be the first production to be, presented, to be followed by “Sunny and "Mercenary Mary.” Box plans tor "Archie’ are now open.

’ EMPRESS THEATRE. "My Best Girl," starring Mary Picklord, supported by Charles Kogers, Carmelite Geragiity, Lucien Littlefield, end Hobart Bosworth, will commence the second week’s run at the Empress Theatre to-day, alter a highly successful week s run. Hie theme is a pleasing variation ot the everpopular "Cinderella” type, with Miss Picklord us the role of a shopgirl in a huge store, and the leading man, Charles Bogers, us the son of the millionaire owner. The second big feature. "Dearie, a Warner Master Picture, starring Irene Rich is the jazzy up-to-tlie-niinute story of a’eollege boy and his gang, and of the mother who sang in a Broadway cabaret to nay his way. In support of Irene Rich in this modern story of mother love are William Collier. jun„ as the son, Edna Murphy as his sweetheart. Douglas Gerrard. Anders Randolph. William Demarest. Riehied Tucker, Arthur Rankin. and David Mir.

DE LUXE THEATRE. White lies have caused lots of grief in actual life but. they cause lots of joy in Universal's new Reginald Denny comedy, "That's My Daddy.” which will commence screeening at the De Luxe Theatre today. This very gay comedy of situations starts with a white lie told by a little live-year-old girl. Denny tells another lie to save her from a spanking and has to plunge himself into an inextricable maze of prevarication to cover up his original innocent iil> This creates many laughable situations, and one of the secrets of comedy is to have the hero bring about the situations in which he finds himself through his own misguided actions. "That’s Mv Daddy” was directed by Fred Newnteyer witli a supporting cast including Barbara Kent. Lillian Rich, Toni O'Brien, Jane laiM’erne, Mathilde Brundage, Wilson Benge, Armand Kaliz,

Charles Coleman and Art Currier. Denny wrote tlie story himself. Good supports will also be shown, and the usual excellent musical programme will be supplied by Mr. Aarons at the IV urlitze. organ and by the orchestra.

GRAND OPERA HOUSE. The bright musical play, “Tip Toes, continues to enjoy a most popular run at the Grand Opera House. Melodious numbers, sprightly dancing, and genuine comedy abound in this sparkling production. which has made three continents laugh. Miss Thelma Burness scored another triumph in the name part last, evening, and was excellently Biinported by those clever comedians K. Barret-Lemiard and Cceil Kellaway. Mr. Leyland Hodgson was also in excellent vein, .and shared in the honours cf the evening. Up Toes” will make its farewell appearance to-night. Commencing with a matinee performance to-morrow afternoon, tne whimsical musical play. Queen Hien. will bo staged for three nights. This captivating comedy had. a most successful run in London, New lock, and throughout Australia. The principal ,funmakers are Cecil Kellaway and R. BarretLennard, who fairly revel in the con ” genial parts they have to play. Three charming girls—Thelma Burness, Bevy Walkley, and Billie Lockwood—are also happily cast, the latter making her first appearance in Wellington in this Three dancers from the Folies Bergere, Paris—Josephine Head, Mdlle. Ramona, and Albert Hugo —do some delightful dancing, appearing in several speciality scenas and solo dances. The frocking is said to be gorgeous, the numbers captivating, and the comedy delightful. “Queen High’’ enjoyed a record run in Melbourne, and is certain to be equally popular here.

KING’S THEATRE. "Mother Machree,” Fox super attraction is to continue its eminently successful season tor another week in M ellington, commencing to-nighc at tne King’s Theatre A full orchestral matinee takes place to-morrow at 2.30., Beautiful Irish romance and a mother s inherent love for her only son gave Joan Ford some marvellous opportunities lor fine drama in “Mother Machree.” lord who gave the photoplay world The Iron Horse” and "Three Bad Men.” has made the most intelligent use of the Irish background, rich in screen values, and it is snid that Miss Bennett lias brought to her part a tenderness seldom seen tn motion picture endeavour. Surrounded by an all-star cast she eclipses her work id "Stella Dallas” and her recent performance ill “The Lily.” Cast with Miss Bennett are many of screenlands favourites. On the same pictorial programme is the film which depicts Hinkler’s triumphant arrival in Bundaberg and Brisbane. An interesting record ot the welcome accorded a great airman. A feature of the entertainment is in tne music programme which has been specially selected. Alany quaint and appealing Irish melodies are included, and are well rendered by the King’s Select Orchestra under the leadership of Mr. A. 11. Jerome. Mr. 11. F Wood, the popular tenor, sings "Mother Machree.” The Box Plan is available at the Bristol.

HIS -MAJESTY’S THEATRE. “Exit thniliug” is the current presentation at His Majesty’s Theatre by Joe Brennan aud his popular revue company, who are now in tuclr last week in n elliugtou. The programme is one of the company’s best and goes with a swing from beginning lo end. Joe Brennan is as usual well to the fore, and receives a large proportion of the laughter. Peggy Sharpe and Dell Barnes provide a elever dancing turn, and also supply their former success, the "Black Bottom George Corelli and Ira 1 anda supply pleasing vocal numbers, and Flora McDonald and Dalton Payne crack jokes sing and dance with marked success. Dell Barnes assists Gus Dawson in a clever dance specialty, and Peggy Sharpe supplies the number, "You Stayed Away 100 Long,” while the six pretty girls of the ballet are Seen iu several sparkling numbers, led by Gus Dawson.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. “The City,” a drama of human destinies and desires, adapted for Fox Filins from the melodrama by Clyde Finch, opens at tne Queen’s Theatre to-niglit. ) McGrail is seen at Lus best in the role made tanious by 'fully Marshall. Bobeit Frazer plays tne part ot the young attorney. whose ambitions take him to tlio city, but who is not able to cope with the conditions that surround turn tiieieNancv Nash, a new find ot Fox Films, plays* the ingenue lead May Allison has au important roie, and Lichard \\ ailing* is cast as the boy in the picture. K. William Meili directed the production. A further attraction is loin Mix s Western romance. "Silver Valley, reported to be an exceptionally tjtippiug action romance.

NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. Beauty as well as comedy, it is said, adorns tlie railway story, ‘ Tell It ’lo bweeney," which will read the cig programme to commence screening at tlie .sew Princess Theatre to-day. Chester Conklin and George Bancroft make tlieir debut as a Paramount comedy team iu this highly-enlivening vehicle. Doris Hill has the leading feminine role, while the liaudsome Jack Luden, who is one of Paramount's new Western stars, is the clever juvenile. Doris and Jack carry the romantic theme, while Conklin and Bancroft supply the comedy, of which there is no end. “Alias the Deacon," starring Jean Hershalt. sujipQi'teJ by June Marlowe and Ralph Graves, is the second big feature. It tells a simple .tory of a few human beings in a typical town and without huge sets, or great mobs or spectacular etTeels. it has managed to win the plaudits of critics and public wherever it has been shown. Good supports will also be shown.