ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 184, 7 May 1928, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE.

“Now We’re In the Air,” Wallace Beery and Raymond Hatton’s latest comedy, now starring at the Regent Theatre, is perhaps even more humorous than any of their preceding ones. Beery and Hatton become aviators after their clothes have been blown off, when they get in front of a battery of aeroplane propellers on the testing blocks at a flying field. They fall in love with twin sisters, one of whom has been raised a German, and the other a French girl. Many of the men’s difficulties arise over their Inability to tell their sweethearts apurt, which is not surprising, when it is considered that the same Louise Brooks plays both parts capably and charmingly. In support are "The Elegy,” a new and entertaining novelty film, a cartoon, and a gazette, while excellent musical items are supplied by the orchestra.

“THE MERRY WIDOW.”

When Erich von Stroheim filmed the Ambassadors’ Ball episode of his production of “The Merry Widow,” the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture coming to the Regent Theatre on Friday next, he staged scenes that are reproductions of incidents out of his former life. When von Stroheim was an officer In a Continental army he was present at many court functions in his own country, and then when he became a military attache in other nations he was present at many such affairs as he has reproduced for the modernised version of the famous stage play by Victor Leon, Leo Stein, and Franz Lehar, produced in the play by Henry W. Savage. In the scenes he staged were five hundred extra people. Among them were the foreign representatives of every nation of the globe, in full regalia. These with the uniforms of the officers, royalty, and nobility of the country that serves as tlie background of “The Merry Widow,” in which Mae Murray plays the title role with John Gilbert opposite her, presented a scene tremendous in pictorial effect. The ■women at the ball were costumed in modern styles, in the very height of present day fashion. The regalia worn by George Fawcett, as the King, seated on his throne at one end of the ballroom, the uniforms of John Gilbert as Prince Danile, and Roy d'Arcy as the Crown Prince were especially resplendent. Mae Murray, in the title role, wears a gown that is extreme and typifies the character she portrays. The great picture will be presented with the original musical score. Chief among the supports will be "Miss New Zealand in Movieland,” the first and exclusive film of Dale Austen in Hollywood, meeting the stars, going through her test, etc. Already very heavy booking has been recorded for the season, and the management advise intending patrons to book without delay at the theatre ('phone 44—144) or the Bristol.

DE LUXE THEATRE.

Charlie Chaplin’s latest, and perhaps most humorous, comedy, “The Circus,” is the feature now screening at the De Luxe Theatre. Charlie Chaplin, finding himself out of work, joins a circus as handy man, but his clumsiness soon causes him to lose his job. Fortunately for him, however, the circus employees go on strike, and the comedian once more finds himself in a job. His ability to do almost anything results in his being pressed into service as a wire walker, and his stunts on the wire compare favourably with any other incident ever screened for mirthmaking. Meanwhile Chaplin has fallen in love with the circus owner’s daughter, but she has “fallen for” a handsome young man -who has joined the circus, and the pair are married. When the circus moves on the comical hero remains behind in recollection of what might have been. Throughout the whole picture there is scarcely a dull moment,, one laugh following closely on the heels of the forerunner. Good supports are also shown, and the usual excellent musical programme is also supplied.

“FLESH AND THE DEVIL.” George Fawcett, one of the pioneers of the screen, and previously an actor on the legitimate stage, was known throughout the world for his work in Shakespearean drama. He has a powerful role in the dramatic picture, “Flesh and the Devil,” which will commence screening at the De Luxe Theatre on Friday. As Pastor Voss he preaches a sermon overwhelmingly dramatic and forceful in an attempt to avert a scandal that is developing under his very eyes. John Gilbert—“ Jim Apperson” of “The Big Parade”—Greta Garbo, the most talked-of screen artist of to-day, and Lars Hanson, the “Swedish John Barrymore,” have the principal roles in this great drama, and they are supported by several favoured featured players.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

A decidedly human story, giving an insight into the life of the American girl of average circumstances, is “American Beauty,” Billie Dove’s latest starring production for First National, which is the current feature at the Paramount Theatre. As a typically American girl, with the not unusual ambition to marry a millionaire, but at the same time with a troubling affection for a youth in her own circumstances, the character played by Miss Dove is a very real one, and gives her what is possibly her best opportunity for an outstanding screen portrayal. Lloyd Hughes plays opposite the star, and others in the cast are Walter McGrail, Margaret Livingston, Lucien Prival, Al St. John, Alice White, and Yola D'Avril In support are a comedy and a gazette, with delightful music by the orchestra.

“THE GORILLA.”

“The Gorilla,” to be screened at the Paramount Theatre next Friday, a stage play written by Ralph Spence, scored a sensational hit on Broadway. It offered a new and distinct method of entertainment. It combined both the blood thrilling mystery element and roars of laughter. The photography is eerie. It is dim and spooky, and yet reveals clearly every “gag” intended. It is one of those stories in which every member of the cast is under suspicion. It has been worked out in such a way that the real villain is not found until the last hundred feet. However, “The Gorilla” is not all chilly thrills. It abounds in laughter, elicited by the actions of those two famous detectives, Mulligan, and Garrity, played bv Charlie Murray and Fred Kelsey. Box Plan at the Blstol Plano Co. and Utility Stationary Shop (next to the theatre). STRAND THEATRE. Powerful in theme, spectacular in action, and with one of the few truly allstar casts ever assembled for a motion picture, “Sorrell and Son,” which is now in its fourth week’s screening at the Strand Theatre, bids fair to go down in screen history as a rare combination _of popular entertainment and artistry. “Sorrell and Son,” which is taken from Warwick Deeplng’s best selling novel of the same title, is a Herbert Breuon production for United Artists, and is undoubtedly an unusually fine production. H. B. Warner heads the cast, and is ably supported bv Nils Asther. Anna G. Nilsson, Alice Joyce, Carmel Myers, and Micky Mcßan. The picture shows the effects of the great love that Stephen Sorrell had for his son Kit. Sorrell finds himself almost penniless after the war, and his selfish wife deserts him, leaving their son to his care. Sorrell finally becomes a porter at a small hotel, saving all he earns to educate his son as a gentleman. When his son grows up, he realises his father’s anticipation by gaining honour in his profession. Sorrell’s wife appears then, and tries to induce the boy to leave his father, but without avail. As Sorrell grows older, his love for Kit and his pride in him grow too, and are fully justified, for Kit rewards him in the best wav he can. H. B. Warner gives a wonderful portrayal as Captain Stephen Sorrell. Good supports are also shown, and appropriate music Is played by the orchestra.

“THE RINGER” AND “THE TERROR.” The appearance In Wellington of Maurice Moscovitch ami the specially selected J. C. Williamson Company iu Edgar Wallace’s great drama, “The Ringer” on Saturday evening next, is eagerly awaited by a large section of the community. Moscovitch has already established a splendid reputation in New Zealand. “The Ringer” is one of Edgar Wallace’s most gripping and successful dramatic works. “The Ringer” is a mysterious character who seeks to extract his terrible toll from the unfortunate one who has roused his passion and his vindictiveness. He is a strange personality, this Meister of Moscovitch —solicitor by day and burglar by night; loving his sister with the passion of a fanatic willing to rob, perhaps to murder, for her sake, a man of dual individuality with good and evil alternating in most perplexing manner. Moscovitch has made a splendid study of this most difficult part. In one scene, where Meister is terror-stricken by the presence of “The Ringer,” where his craven fear makes him anticipate the fearful death he thinks is coming to him with the stealthy footsteps overhead indicating that bls enemy is ever on the watch ready to strike, Moscovltch holds his audience spellbound. The -company supporting Moscovltch Is a particularly strong one, including Nat Madison, who has made a special study of the character of the exconvict; Ashton Jnrry (Central DetectiveInspector Bliss); Bertha Riccardo (Mary Lenlcv); Mary MacGregor (Cora Ann Milton); Reginald Newson (Divisional Detec-tive-Inspector Wembury, D. 5.0.). of Scotland Yard); Jack Dunne (John Lcnley); George Blunt (Station-Sergeant Carter); and a Loudon actor of repute, Patrie Curwen, who will make his first appearance In New Zealand in his now famous characterisation of Dr. Lomond, Divisional Police, divisional surgeon, as played b.v him in the English production. Also playing Important roles are Richard Webster, Klore King (a New Zealander who has made rapid strides in the profession she has chosen), Hal Percy and Leslie

Donaglcv, Herbert Leigh, Guy Hastings, and Carleton Stuart—one of the strongest dramatic combinations that has ever visited New Zealand. The box plans will open at the Bristol on Thursday morning next.

DAWN ASSHETON AND LASZLO SCHWARTZ.

A musical programme unlike any will be presented at the Concert Chamber on Tuesday and Wednesday by Dawn Assheton, England's Coloratura soprano, ami Las'zlo Schwartz, Hungarian violinistcomposer, who are now on their second world tour. The programme offers compositions from almost every musical land, rxd is also enriched by the comments of Laszlo Schwartz. While the aria from “Traviata” is well known to music-lovers, such cannot be the case with the Hungarian, Polish, Bohemian, and Russian art and folk-songs to be introduced by Miss Assheton in her Hungarian peasant dress —a costume which is described by one critic as “a riotous rhapsody in colours.” Most of these quaint songs are traditional airs which exist only in manuscript form with the English lyrics written by Laszlo Schwartz. The negro spirituals, too, have been carefully chosen to present little-known examples of the musical heirlooms of the coloured race. As to the Oriental group, there are songs from India, Java, and Burma—songs that rareIv, it ever, find their way to concert programmes. There are also classics ami folk-songs of Scotland, Ireland, Spain, Japan, China, etc. The accompaniments of this novel programme have been entrusted to Eric Bell. The box plan is at the Bristol, and day sales at Grand Opera House Confectionery. Concessions are being given to students.

KING'S THEATRE.

A mystery story, tensely dramatic in its climax, is told in “The Chinese Parrot,” screened at the King’s Theatre before a crowded house on Saturday night. The prologue tells of the finding of a huge perfect pearl, and the first of the long list of the tragedies its possession entails. These are merely hinted at, and the next appearance of the pearl is as the pendant of a wonderful necklace given as a wedding present by a New Mexican banker to his daughter, Sally, who has despaired of the return of Madden, a former secretary of the rich man. jfadden appears just as the ceremony is over and, embittered by what he considers Sally’s lack of constancy, plans revenge. Twenty years slip by, and Paula, Sally’s daughter, is a beautiful woman when the last of, a series of mysterious strokes of illfortune falls. The plot tells of this event in detail. Hobart Bosworth and Marian Nixon have the leading parts, but the whole story centres in Chan, whose disguises and facial expressions are wonderful. Written by the author of “The Cat and the Canary,” “The Chinese Parrot” is an absorbing, intriguing success. A review, a baseball episode of "The Collegians,” and a first-rate comedy complete the programme. The King’s Orchestra, under Mr. A. H. Jerome, supplies the music.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

Like good wine, Fullers’ Follies, now in season at His Majesty's, Improve with age. The new programme for presentation to-night contains a number of items that should appeal to lovers of good, wholesome laughter. Worthy of special mention is a new sketch, entitled, “In the Future,” which gives the producer’s idea of how our homes will be conducted in the year 2028. About that period our daily routine will be very much different from what it is to-day. Another very humorous item should be “The Musical Breach of Promise Case,” in which all the evidence is given in the words and tunes of popular songs. New comedy at the piano by Nat Hanley, and song items by Lulla Fanning and Nat Hanley will be features of the new programme. Harry Gould is to present one of his clever specialities with Winnie Edgerton, entitled, “A Woman of Very Few Words.” Stud Foley and Little Iris are to be seen in another of their bright comedy numbers, followed by a clever simultaneous dance. Altogether, to-night’s new show should find favour with His Majesty’s patrons.

VAUDEVILLE AT GRAND OPERA

HOUSE. The Wellington Theatrical Employees’ Sick and Benefit Society should have Its funds well augmented as the result of the large attendance at the Grand Opera House on Saturday night, when variety entertainment of a high order was provided by local talent. The sound organisation, without which the performance eould not have been the success it undoubtedly was, was a tribute to the secretary, Mr. J. F. Leary, who received assistauce from Messrs. F. Andrews and L. Cundy (stage managers), and A. Williams (musical director). Jazz music was provided by Dave Meredeth and his melody five, while Margaret O’Connor and partner danced with grace the "Yale Blues and latest dances. The audience was loth to let go, and then only after several encores. The Petone Maori Variety Entertainers and Love Instrumental Trio. Among the individual performers those outstanding were Car “the great, who, besides lifting weights totalling 50blb. and bending steel bars and six-inch nails with his hands, displayed great muscular development and remarkable control over all his muscles; Frank Andrews, who "brought down the house” with his versatile burlesquing at the piano; Liardet, -whose conjuring tricks will bear favourable comparison with the best seen in Wellington, Norah Greene, whose really fine contralto voice was heard to its best advantage in a selection of popular songs; William Renshaw, equally outstanding with Norah Greene, as a tenor; Ismay Mcllroy (aged 8 years) in a scene from “David Copperfield,” and Jackie Harris, dancer of the sailor’s hornpipe. Comedy of an original character was indulged in by Koworth, who also gave a remarkable musical performance in the manipulation of two spoons. Of this latter the audience could well have been treated to more. 1 ermont showed himself a versatile Imitator of birds and farmyard animals. Others on the programme were Billy Hart (songs at the piano), Feeney (siffleur). Nellie Doulle (speeialtv dancer), Doug. Stark (Scotch comedian), Sander (weird violinist, and Tom Wood (ballad singer).

BLUE TRIANGLE THEATRE. The waters of North-West Australia abound with all manner of weird varieties, though perhaps the one most commonly met with is the ferocious tiger shark. These have been found as large as eighteen feet long, while their stomachs have been known to contain a complete turtle, five feet long. In the "Wonderland of North-West Australia,” which will open its New Zealand season at the Blue inangle Cinema, Boulcott Avenue, on Wednesday next, picture-goers will I,av ® opportunity of viewing possibij the moist unidiie sight in the history of motion picture photography. A. huge whale is seen attacked by literally hundreds of these ferocious tiger sharks. Scenes depicting native life, as well as the wonders of marine life in tropic seas, are also shown. Scats may be booked at the Bristol.

ADELPHI CABARET. The opening bull of the season at . Adelphi Cabaret is set down for May IG. The cabaret is open eieiv day from J n m for the afternoon tea session, as as at night Dave Meredeth’s musicians providing the music. a< ?‘.'l?. ’ dancing will be from 8.30 until mldni c hc

QUEEN’S THEATRE. “The Rainmaker” and “Time l are the two features now screening at Queen’s 0 Theatre. Ernest 'lorreiice tar plied.

The Bernard "page fei ty 0r programme comprised. (1 FrescoByrd, (bj Caprice , ‘p anllr jg U ; Fantasia baldi; (c) J . lUR « tt ,‘'’ fnO r bv Bach-(a) Becit n^, Sons). (>». du Pecheur (The 1 _ Falla; Priere, Pantomime, by Mannei ue I’oeme Op. 37 (No. 3), by'caesfriranck (this latter item was by request). -