ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 191, 15 May 1928, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

DH LUXE THEATRE. “Flesh and the Devil,” starring John Gilbert, Greta Garbo, and Lars Hansen, is the current feature at the Do Luxe Theatre. This powerful story is taken from tiic novel, “The Undying Past," by Herman Sudermann. It deals with the social conditions of an aristocratic circle, in Europe in the restless days preceding the Great War. The intensity of the drama in the story, especially toward the end. when Leo belatedly discovers the soullessness of Felicitas beneath the mask of her amazing beauty, has rarely been seen before in motion pictures. Amongst a strong cast of supporting players, George Fawcett is worthy of more than passing mention. He has a powerful role as Pastor Voss. Good supports are shown and the usual excellent musical programme is supplied. “A HERO FOR A NIGHT.” Glenn Tryon's latest comedy, “A Hero for a Night,” which will commence screening at the De Luxe Theatre on Friday, deals with tlic efforts of a correspondence school aviator to fly across the Atlantic. He docs so eventually, but not when ho intends to, and not before he has enough thrilling experiences to keep him awake for months. For those who like comedy nt its height, with thrills thrown in, this comedy is recommended. It starts with a laugh and Ims ended with the audience hysterical. Glenn Tryon, who plays the lead will be remembered in "Painting tlie Town.” which was voted one of the best comedies shown at the De Luxe. In “A Hero for a Night,” however, he excels himself. He is supported by Patsy Ruth Miller, who is also seen to great advantage. The supporting programme will include a Topical Budget and special music by the orchestra, .and Mr. Aarons at the Wnrlltzer organ. A special matinee will lie held on Saturday at 2.30. The box plans are at the Bristol and Aitken's Book Arcade, or seats may be booked by ringing telephone 23—050. STRAND THEATRE. “Sorrell and Son,” United Artists' screen version of the Warwick Deeping story, is now in its'-lifth and final week at the Strand Theatre. The acting of H. B. Warner, Anna <}. Nilsson, Alice Joyce, Nils Asther, and Carmel Myers, and others makes the story of father and son devotion a living thing. From tlie moment that Captain Sorrell, a war hero, returns to civil life to find his wife unfaithful to him and the task of rearing and educating his son all on his shoulders, to the daring climax, the story holds the audience’s interest as few pictures do. Good supports are also shown, and appropriate music is supplied by the orchestra. KING'S THEATRE. Charlie Chaplin's latest comedy, “Tlie Circus,” which has completed a highly successful week’s screening at tlie De Luxe Theatre, is now the current feature at tlie King's Theatre. Chaplin, when down and out, is offered a job at a circus as a comedian, but in trying to be funny intentionally he fails miserably, but is later tlie hit of the show, quite unintenlonally. The circus .naturally gives the famous comedian ample scope for creating amusing situations, and lie makes the most of them. Merna Kennedy is Chaplin’s leading lady. Good supports are also screened, and delightful music Is supplied by the orchestra.

REGENT THEATRE. John Gilbert and Mae Murray are 'the stars of "The Merry Widow,” now screening at tlie Regent Theatre. “Tlie Merry Widow.” a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production, tells tlie story of a Prince who loves a chorus girl, but who is forbidden to marry because of the social barrier. Later she inherits a fortune and to punish the Prince in her own way for the manner in which lie treated her, she humiliates him in publie and precipitates a duel between him and his brother. Realising then, that she lias only been deceiving herself, and that she still loves. the gay Prince Danilo, “Tlie Merry Widow” tries to undo the mischief she has already done, with alarming results. The supports include a film showing Dale Austen in Hollywood, while the original "Merry Widow” musical score is played by the orchestra. PARAMOUNT THEATRE.-' For tlirills and a thousand laughs "The Gorilla,” the mystery comedy melodrama, now showing at the Paramount Theatre, with Charlie Murray and Fred Kelsey featured as tlie two demon sleuths, Mulligan and Garrity, is hard to beat. “The Gorilla.” written by Ralph Spence as a stage play, in its screen version is one of tlie fastest thrillers to be seen for some' lime. "Tlie Gorilla” himself is a weird, menacing-looking ape. and every time he appears the audience shrieks as if he were right in the audience. Included in tlie cast are Alice Day, Tully .Marshall, Claude Gilllngwater, and Walter Pldgeon. The supports include a topical budget, scenic, and comedy; with splendid music by- the orchestra. MAURICE MOSCOVITCH. That finished actor, Maurice Moseovilcli, scored Another complete dramatic success at tlie Grand Opera House last night in Edgar Wallace's enthralling mystery play, “The Ringer,” which tells the story of a master criminal, who is so clever at disguises that he completely baffles the sleuths of Scotland Yard. London breathes freely when it is reported that ho lias been drowned in Sydney harbour, but consternation reigns when lie suddenly reappears tb resume his daring feats of criminality. The story is worked up witli an air of mystery, and fulminates when the arch fiend of the'piece is'stabbed to tlie heart: in a crowded room. Mr. Maurice Moscovitch is at his best in portraying the many-sided character of Maurice Meister, tlie shifty lawyer, who is in turn art critic, dope fiend, accomplished pianist, receiver of stolen goods, and betrayer of women. The eminent actor is supported by a very sound cast. Mr. Patrie Curwen makes a line study of the old Scotch doctor, with his cackling laughter and humorous moralising. Mr. Nat Maddison lilt off tlie Cockney thief, Hackitt, to tlie life, and Messrs. Asliton .Tarry and Reginald Newson were convincing in detective roles. An outstanding performance was that of Miss Kiore King, who depicts a wastrel of .the streets witli wonderful realism. Miss Alary MacGregor and Miss Bertha Riccardo also acted well as Cora Anu Milton and Marv Linley. Tlie minor roles are all faithfully filled. Tlie play is mounted in the best Williamson style, and was well received by a big house last night. “Tlie Ringer” will be presented for the rest of the week. Box plans for “Tlie fl’error” will open, at the Bristol to-morrow evening.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. The Fullers’ Tollies Company last night presented a comoosite programme, dividing the evening between vaudeville ami revue. In the first part little Iris, a elever little girl, sang in male evening dress. "Wonderful Girl" and "Follow Me to Peru.” making up for her weakness in articulation by her neat and nimble dancing. She also appeared in a double turn with Stud Foley, “When Henry Ford Apologised to Me”—a 192(1 model song, the better’ part, of which was the comic simultaneous dance that, followed. Mr. Nat Henlev once more blew out the footlights, and spanked the grand piano .to some purpose, using Mendelssohn's “Spring Song.” Air. William Beresford sling a couple of ballads, and joined witli Miss Winnie Edgerton in tlie duet, “Dream Kisses.” Eddie and Deciina McLean danced and whirled in familiar fashion to tlie lilt of “Twilight Dreams,” a now waltz by Eric Masters, who sang the opening refrain. Miss Edgerton sang "Rosie O'Ryan.” to which tlie Dainty Five added an Irish jig. and Harry Gould, Bulla Fanning, anil Nat Hanley were amusing in tile sketch, "Their First Client.” “A Alaf(l ot the South” was the title of the musical comedy that provided the second half. It is a fantasy in Spanish dressing, in which Francesco, the actual ruler, disputes the ownership ot the island ot Sandego with Lord Willoughby. Eric Masters is brusque and forcible as the island dictator: Sir. Gould is ridiculously funny as .the idiotic Lord Willoughby, and Mr. Foley is comical as his man, Blinks, who when danger threatens is induced to impersonate his master. Mr. Nat Hanley is a CoekneySpanlsli innkeeper, who is as terrified of Francesco as the English tourists, and escapes as a sailor as soon as opportunity serves. Mr. Hanley is clever enough to lie funny*without being vulgar, but is not always aware of the fact. The vocal numbers include "Carlitn.” “A Lane in Spain." “Did You do That?” “Kiss. Kiss," “Sailor Song.” "Spanish Moon.” "1 Need Somebody’s Love." and "We're Four Espnniadoes.”