ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 189, 12 May 1928, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

MOSCOVITCH IN - “THE RINGER.” To-night the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., man-, agement will present Mr. Maurice Moscovlteh and a brilliant company in the first New Zealand production of Edgar WaiInce's successful mystery ' drama, "The Ringer,” which created a sensation in London, and which has broken records in Sydney and Melbourne. "The Ringer” is said to be a classic 'when compared with 1 other dramas staged during the past twenty years. The play- opens with the problem as.? to the identity Of “The Ringer.” Nobody knows who or exactly .what he Is. But certain it is that Scotland Yard- would like to, know where-he is. ’With the attention of the audience engaged Immediately the curtain rises the plot soon unfolds itself, and before' the iirst act has closed people in the audience arc invariably clinging to their seats like grim death. The story-deals .with, the Intriguing Identity of “The Ringer,” who .vowed he would .Lili the man who murdered his sister. Nd matter how hard one may guess during the peformance, the identity of-tlie Ringer is not revealed until a- thrilling climax to act IV. Mr. Moscovitch has presented Zealanders with a number of brilliant characterisations; but in,Australia critics and public alike agreed that as Maurice Meister he displays his dramatie genius in its highest form. Mr. Patrie CurwCn, a noted English actor, will make his-first appearance in New Zealand as Dr. Lomond. , a character ho created in the London production, and in which be appeared with success in Sydney and Melbourne. The part of Samuel Ilaekitt might have been specially written for 'Nat Madison. Miss Mary MacGregor, it is said, makes a perfectly delightful Cora Ann,. and Miss Bertha Riccardo an excellent Mary Linley. Others in the cast are Ashton Jarry, Reginald Newson. George Blunt. Guy Hastings, Jack Dunne, Hal Percy, Leslie Donaghey. Herbert Leigh, Richard Webster, Richard Fair, Carleton Stuart, and Miss Kiore King. Box plans are at the Bristol till 12 o'clock to-day, then at tlie Grand Opera House confectionery. DE LUNE THEATRE. The powerful Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer drama, “Flesh and the Devil,” was introduced to the Wellington public at the De Luxe Theatre last uight. and more than fulfilled the complimentary notices which had heralded it. Adopted from Hetman Sudermann's original story, "The Undying Past,” “Flesh and the Devil” is a tensely dramatic story, based ou the, sociological conditions of Europe immediately before the Great Wat. The story describes bow Leo Van Harden and Ulrich Von Eltz grow up as warm friends from childhood. On their return from a military academy, I.eo falls in love with a bcautful countess, and in’a duel which follows kills the count. For this he is condemned by order of the .-military court, to five years’ service in Africa. Before he leaves, ho commits the, woman he loves to the protection of bis friend Ulrich. Felecltns Von Eltz. is an .extremely , beautiful woman whose lire is bought without love, nnd it is not long before slife marries Ulrich. On his return, she again wins the love of her husband s pledged frleild. and some dramatic scenes are enacted before Ulrich discovers tin) peffiflv of Leo. The closing scones arc thrilling, and brilliant acting contributes to an outstanding success. John Gilbert plays the lover with incomparable dash, and beautiful Greta G:lrbo, the Swedish actress, portrays Fellcitas. Lars Hanson, the Swedish »ctof. gives a fine performance as Ulrich Von Eltz. The supporting films include n highly-interesting Metro News, nnd a elftver "Felix the Cat’’ cartoon. The orchestra was heard in ' “Cavallerla Rusticana” (Mascagni), played as an overture, nnd Mr. Emnnuel Anrons tit tho Wnrlitzer organ ertntribitted “The Song Is Ended” (Berlin), nnd “Who” (Jerome .K ( ‘rn).. There will lie a matinee screening of this attractive programme at 2.30 this afternoon.

“A HERO FOR A -NIGHT.” “A Hero for a Night.” which Coip;ut>nces at the Do- Luxe on Friday night next, starring Glenn Tyron. has been acclaimed one of the most laughable comedies of the year, and deals with the effofts of n correspondence school aviator to* fly across the Atlantic (Wap. . TIC. .does so 'eventually, but ' not when he intends to. and not before he has enough thrilling expaxieuca ’. Alm awake Mr

months. Those' who like comedy with . thrills thrown.. In’ will doubtless appreciate, this picture. Glenn Tyron, who plays the lead, Will be remembered in “Painting the Town," whieh was voted one o£ the best comedies shown at the De Luxe. In “A Hero for a Night,” however, he is said to excel himself. He is supported by Patsy Ruth Miller. , The supporting programme will include topical budget and special music by the Orchestra De--Ruxe, and' -Mr. - Aarons- at the Wurlitzer. A special matinee will-be held on Saturday at 2.30. . PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

“The Gorilla,” the mysterious, hilarious, nnd thrilling mystery play which rocked Broadway ; for a year, has been transferred to the screen by Fijst National, and opened at the Paramount., .Theatre. iUst night. The plot concerns the .mystery which surrounds several brutal murders, supposed, by the marks on the • victims, to have, been committed by a' gorilla. Then comes the murder of Cryus Townsend, father -of Alice,' who is mysteriously slain in his home; Suspicion centres on Arthur Marsden, his secretary, who is m love -with Alice. Alice. Marsden and others are gathered in the Townsend Home, when a note .warns - them to leave the - house before midnight. Just.befo.re twelve they are terrified by a loud knocking- at the door, but it turns out to be Mulligan and Garrity, two detectives, who announce that they, have been sent'.to ..solve the mystery. In the subsequent search for the killer, whom they are certain is one' of the persons present, the two detectives run into a serie? of-thrilling adventures. Persons vanish, floors open, and Shut, strange noises are heard, and the lights misbehave themselves?’ Mulligan is always looking- for Garrity, and Garrity for Mulligan,, -whilst the huge gorilla plays hide and seek with thorn both. Charles Murray and. Fred Kelsey are the two detectives who go through the most-amazing adventures, in which their' behaviour causes 'Fursts upon bursts of laughter;’turning the most eerie scenes into hilariously funny episodes. Others in the capable cast are Alice’ Day, Tully Marshall. Claude ■ Gilllngwater, Walter Pidgeon’and Gasten Glass. The supporting programme ’consists, of an .interesting topical budget, scenic and amusing comedy. Under the dircetidn of Mr. R. R. Caulton. the Paramount orchestra renders “Pique Dance” (Suppc) as an overture, and “Zyldphone Melody,” with Mr.. J. MbDon'af, is supplied as an entr’actq. - •

I. .' SORRELL 'AND SON; ' ’ “Sor.rejl- and. .Son,” : the filni- version of Warwick Deeping's novel of the .same title, is now into its fifth Week at the Strand Theatre, and. the fact that it has delighted and entertained the audiences for over a month is . sufficient to prove that the story has lost nothing in the 'film-, ing. The English scenery .is an Ing feature of the picture, many scenes being filmed in London and its environs. ’The original of the inn. where.. Sorrell, Sen., worked Is at Marlow, and, was employed in the 'making of the picture, whilst Kit's marriage was photographed in an old English Church. “Sorrell and Son” will be screened continuously during the coming week. A Bathe gazette, a scenic, and a comedy are also on the bill. Excellent musical numbers are contributed by the orchestra.

REGENT THEATRE. “The Merry Widow,” ' Franz Lchar's master light opera. Intensified and ornamented for the screen under the eye of Eric Von Stroheim, is far removed from the ordinary programme picture, as the big audience at the Regent Theatre last night soon realised. Not ouly has the ■storv been strengthened and artistically decorated', but the productions were packed with artistic touches, is made convincing bv Virtue of a very powerful cast, of a standard seldom seen in the one phTuj-c. Miks Mae ’ Murray, ’an exotic blossom in the “movie'' garden, is conspicuously alluring Jis the dainty, warninatured widow (Sally), whilst John Gilbert has probably never been seen to such advantage thau as the dashing deDonniiir PHnce Danilo. The story of the InsliAtnericaii chorus girl who becomes the nueen-of that picturesque little country, Mbnteblanco. after finally being fiercely wooed 'and won by Prince Danilo, is set in some of the most magnlflcem scenes the screen has ever reflected, and their glamour and glory are reflected in the dazzliner afrav of uniforms and supeib toilettes that marks the picture down as “super" in every respect, of course, in connection with the picture Uehar s mm c is used extensively. Special mention> sTiouLl be made of the famous "Merry Widow waltz, which is wonderfully danced by Miss Murray and Mr. Gilbert, and leads in to'one of the most dramatic bits in the storv The cast includes such fine performers as Roy D'Arcy (as the Crown Prince). George Fawcett as the Kin o , ant Tully Marshall as- Baron badoja. But even down to the smallest part, the actni- is sound The Regent Orchestra, under Mr A. G- ■ Frost, helped the picture immensely. There will bo a matinee peiforiuancc this afternoon.

' KING’S THEATRE. ui.'irlie Chaplin's latest picture has proved so popular that it is being si pwn for a second week and is now at the Kbag s Theatre This .comedy c “ a T l 2v.** i * fman iooking for work. He gets; a ob in a circus as handy-man. but is so aisK ward that the master '« st > s ”' lt f l ’.'. 01 him and be is dismissed. His luck is in, though for the circus-workers lUdaic a strike and he Is re-engaged. He works steadily, helped by the owners daughter, with \vh'om lie falls -in "’love, 'the girl, howevci- has lost her Heart to a handsome vouni actor •’ who . joins the company. Charlie is broken-hearted nt this, but hides his emotions, and works so well that lie becomes the hit of the show. The father abuses her'for taking such an Interest in Charlie, and when the latter tries to protect' the girl he- is again dismissed. Ha goes away, anil later meets the Pirl< vho has Yun away from’ her fathei;. She mar-

rles the man of her choice, and after- the wedding the three of them return to the eircus, where the father prevails upon them to stay. Shortly afterwards the caravan moves on to another town, and despite the offer of bigger wages, Charlie stays behind to uiuse on what might.have been.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. To-nlgljt is the last bight the public will have an opportunty of seeing the exceptionally amusing show presented by the Fullers’ Follies .at- His -Majesty’s TheatM. Stud Foley and Nat ’ Hanley keep their audience iu a bubble of mirth, which is - relieved by several really clever sketches. Lulla Fanning, an attractive soubrette, combines Well with Mat Hanley In popular songs. “A Musical Breach of Promise Case/’-all in song, is very entertaining.

... QUEEN’S THEATRE. “Shootin’ Irons,” now being screened at the Queen’s Theatre,-.consists of the usual wild west paraphernalia—stampeding houses,.revolvers, vast,.open spaces, and a hold-up, and,»of course, a pretty girl. Fortunately, it is raised above the ruck of the average Ifllm of tills description by a number of quite original touches. Furthermore,. the. hero, Jack Linden, re, ally rides quite well. All the actrfig“iil “Volcano,” this second feature, is good, particularly Bebe Daniels. She carries off a rather difficult' part with a labile ease that looks so simple. Moreover, a mother with a’ rather .. doubtful . daughter-in-law Impending, would • probably have been at considerable pains to pack her off to France from-Washington by the first boat. However, in that, case, you would have missed the volcano,. and naturally in the end everything turns, but’ all’ risht, after a- shattering series, of scintillations oh the part of the local .volcano, dormant for the last 1000 years; Bebe Daniels insists on doing- all the- weeping “shots . quick, in order to get’ therq over. This necessitated three days of intermittent crying—surely’ the’, world’s longest weep.- .However, .if - Is a. -really .entertaining picture. Good- supporting itcpis and fit st-class music’.found off a most entertaining Vrogramme. ' :

NEW PRINCESS THEATRE.. -“Spotlight.” -the principal attraction at the: New: Princess Theatre deals with life on'tbe stage—the life “behind the scoiies._ Esther, Ralston.. plays-.the- role Of Lizzie Stokes, a girl who rises trom obscurity to fame in a few months. Under the guidance of Daniell Hoffman, a New York manager, She soon learns ’to forget her American ways, and rapidly becomes, typically Russian,' both on.-nm] off the stage,.Not until she meets Norman Brooks her mistake. Thiuking’he only lot GS her IM her'foreign charm, she-fears to tell him her real identity. Circumstances decide otherwise, however, and Brookes comes to love the real Lizzie Stokes far belter than the. exotic Russian. The second feature. “The Small Batchelor ” is adapted froim a p G Wodehouse novel, and stars Barbara Kent, Lucien Littlefield, and Andre Beranger. It makes an entertaining picture. A further instalment of Ahe l-ire Brigade is shown, While good supports and pleasant musical entertainment complete the programme. . ■

AUSTRALIA’S WONDERLAND. Seldom has a film excited such interest as “The Wonderland of North YV eSt Australia.” which was again screened before an appreciative .audience at the Blue Triangle Cinema last night. The film is full of interest from start to finish, and in recordin'- the adventurous journey of the Dou-las'’Wylie expedition to the remote north west coast; it takes.the audience to a coast untouched by natives in their primitive state, all the wild life of this little-known coast of north west Australia; are e * Ce V €n !t y 4m 7>e and wonderfully photographed. It will be screened again this evening.