ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 259, 2 August 1928, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATRE. “The Smart Set,” a polo story, starring William Haines, is tlie current feature at the De Luxe Tlieatre. As played by Haines, polo is a cross between a free-for-all puny and man light, and an outstanding social event primarily for the benefit of hero-worshipping girls. From tlie time tile whistle blows until the last thrilling goal, tlie game is calculated to keep spectators in excitement. But "Tlie Smart Set” is not all polo. Keen struggle, romance, and an exceptionally appealing love tlieiuo blend into tlie colourful and exciting fabric of sport and fashion. Alice Day, Jack Holt, and Hobart Bosworth figure prominently. Good supports and the usual excellent music complete the programme. “PRINCE OF ADVENTURERS.” Commencing at the De Luxe Theatre tomorrow is tlie great film, “Prince of Adventurers.” The film is in natural colour. That is an undoubted asset, but when such colouring as that used in “Prince of Adventurers'’ is employed in the midst of such surroundings, among so many exquisite creations of tlie costumier’s art. and on such beautiful seenie effects, tlie result should lie something akin to a series of tlie finest pictures ever painted by tlie master hand of genius. Tlie life of Roberto Ferrara, taken from actual fact. Ivan Mosjoukine is the Farrarn. tlie Ivan Mosjou.kino of “Michael Strogoff, Courier of the Czar.” Surely no actor of recent years lias been more fitted to till tlie role of Ferrara than tliis Mosjoukine. His personality is incomparable: his dare-devilry is unique; his action of tlie fastest, while till tlie time his smile cloaks all. Through tlie “Prince of Adventurers” Ferrara’s amorous fancy flits from one beautiful woman to another, from beauteous maid to beauteous matron, women are tlie life of tlie romantic Ferrara. He risks imprisonment and death for the woman lie loves. Enamoured of the fascinating dancer Corlicelli, he" bids her good-bye to keep a tryst with tlie beautiful Baroness Stormont. Witli a farewell to her, he Hits away to meet tlie charming Blanca, while, banished from Venice, lie meets and falls in love with the pretty young Carlotta. Even at this lie does not stop. No one could but admire his effrontery when lie comes before the Empress of all Russia and compels her love. Yet withall, lie flits back with a chivalrous grace from one to another, from Bianca to Carlotta, to whonl in escaping from persuing police, ho protests his love. Even ns lie rushes to tlie quay-side with tlie police on his track, he sees a pretty little lisher-maid by (lie boat. Roberto, romantic Roberto, stops to give- her a tender word and a kiss, then sails away to more conquests. Witii Mosjoukine, Diana Knrennc as Bianca, Rina do Liguroro as Corticelli, Jenny Jugo as Carlotta, Suzanne Bianchetti as Empress Catherine, and Olga Day as the Baroness .Stormont, head the exceptional cast. The box plans nre at the Bristol and at Aitken’s Book Arcade. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Starring John Gilbert, "Monte Cristo,” Fox Films’ screen version of the great story by Alexandre Dumas, is the current feature at tlie Paramount Theatre. The story tells of Edmond Dantes, a young sailor who is thrown into prison by a rival in love. How Dantes escapes from prison and revenges himself is told in dramatic fashion. Supporting the star nre Estelle Taylor. Renee Ailoree, George Seigniann, Gaston Glass, William V. Mong, and Virginia Brown Faire. A gazette and comedy are screened in support, and appropriate music supplied by the orchestra, under Mr. R. R. Caulton. “THE SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS.” “Tlie Shepherd of the Hills” will be screened at the Paramount Theatre tomorrow night. This is a celluloid version of the famous novel by Harold Bell ■Wright. It is filled with picturesque and colourful characters, from the least important to tlie principals. Alec B. Francis, Molly O’Day. John Boles, Matthew Betz, Romaine Fielding. Otis Harlan, Joseph Bennett, Maurice Murphy and other colourful film personalities enS“t tlie principal roles. “The Shepherd of the Hills,” being a very human and realistic story of Ozark Mountain folk, affords opportunity for a great deal of striking characterisation and many character types. Its costuming should be equally colourful. “Tlie Shepherd of tlie Hills” is stated to be an excellent motion picture offering, regardless of its historical significance and local colour. But it is as a moving, truly living document that will immortalise the most picturesque, primitive and interesting phases of Ozark life, that it should be remembered and treasured. The box plan is now open at tlie Bristol and the Utility Stationery Shop (next to the theatre). QUEEN’S xaEATRE. “The Wagon Show,” Ken Maynard’s latest starring vehicle, now playing at tlie Queen’s Tlieatre, is the most pretentious and the most thrilling picture this popular player has appeared in to date. The story presents an unusual angle in the wav of western pictures. The main theme is built around a small, one ring circus travelling through Montana and Wyoming in tlie early days. _ The plot is dramatic and is blended with a sweet lore interest and the most spectacular and daring stunts that Maynard has yet performed “The Rejuvenation of Aunt Mary,” an hilarious comedy, featuring May Robson, Phyllis Haver and Harrison Ford, is tlie second feature while appropriate music is supplied by tlie orchestra. “LOVE MS AND THE WORLD IS MINE.” Vienna, one of the gayest and most colourful cities in the world, the life of the spectacular court of Emperor Franz Josef, the military pageantry of a great European monarchy before the war, and the kaleidoscopic, topsy-turvy amusement park of this fascinating city, are features of "Love Me and the World is Mine,” the great production which wilt be seen at the Queen’s Theatre to-morrow night. Norman Kerry and Mary Philbin, the romantic lovers of “Tlie Phantom of tlie Opera,” are together again in this great picture, E. A. Dupont, director of “Variety” and similar productions, travelled to America from Berlin especially to direct the picture. Betty Compson, Henry B. Walthall, George Siegmaun, Albert Conti and two thousand extras arc in the supporting cast. “SCANDAL.” Hundreds of happy people, more than satisfied witii the entertainment provided for them, left the Grand Opera House last night after they had seen tlie talented J. C. 'Williamson company in Cosmo-Hamil-ton’s clever play, “Scandal.” A well-bred society girl, Beatrix Vanderdyke, grows tired 'of tlie cloistered life with its monotony and steals off to an artist’s studio where she hopes she will be able to sample all Its Bohemian joys, of which she has heard so much. While she is revelling and enjoying herself in the studio the girl's family arrive and a tense situation is relieved bv Beatrix announeng that she is tlie wife of Pelham Franklin. Pelham is tlie man to whom the family has endeavoured to match Beatrix, but lie is amazed at tlie announcement that he is the girl’s husband. Tlie tangle and the ensuing incidents that follow in rapid succession provide a delightful comedy with tlie best of acting on the part of all he performers. Miss May Collins plays the part of Beatrix and she portrays the charactor witii rare art, while (lie acting of Leon Gordon, in tlie role of Pelham franklin, stamps him as tlie finished artist. Mr. Campbell Coplin takes the part of the philandering artist,’a part lie acts to advantage, and Mr. Leyland Hodgson, who is a friend of Pelham, makes a likeable cliaincter Miss Henrietta Cavendish took the part of Aunt Honoria, and in Uns role she irave a dignified and impressive pertoimanee Tlie part of Major Thatcher was taken bv Mr. Frank Bradley in his usual inimitable manner and Miss Noe acted that of tlie smartly attired I ilth Avenue flapper true to life Iht Ml .1 roles were taken by Miss Nancj Atkin& as Helene, and Miss Daphne bairn as Mrs. Brown. “Scandal” will be performed again to-night.

KING'S TIHSATRB. Starring popular George Lewis ano petite Marion Nixon, "Tlie Fourflushcr heads Hie double feature programme now screening at Hie King’s Theatre. 1 lie storv concerns a young shoe clerk whose rivai for Hie hand of the girl is tlie son of his employer. These ar Lewis, Miss Nixon and Eddie Phillips, the voting man has a stroke of fortune when tlie iown banker accidentally loans him 10,1)00 dollars. But that is not Hie end. it is onlv the beginning, and the plctute carries this out to a surprising ami thrilling denouement. Wesley Boggles has directed a splendid picture and mention is deserved by members of Hie supporting cast. Churchill Boss. .Timmy Aye. Burr McIntosh. Otto Hoffman. Wilfred North, Har - den Stevenson, Miriam an ! Patricia Caron. "Tlie Shield of Honour, an interesting police melodrama, is Hu* sec-, mid feature. Neil Hamilton is starred, supported by Dorothy Gulliver and Ralph Lewis. A Gazette is also screened mid appropriate music supplied by the orchestra.

ENGLISH OPERA. “Tlie Rebel Maid.” a comic opera written bv Montague Phillips. Hie eminent composer, will lie snag by Tlie Orpheus Musical Society on Saturday night next at the Concert Chamber, under Mr. Lon Barnes, with Miss Hazel Rowe as accompanist. ’Pliis work, which is written in the composer's best vein, is full of happiness. A splendid plot runs through the story, and it loses nothing In the concert version. The society has never foiled to please Its patrons, mid ir this concert the society promises to < reel all previous efforts. There is a splendid choir ol sixtv voices, and mi excellent, cast of soloists li.'is liceti selected, including Mrs. \liec Harris. Mrs. Fred Press, and Messrs. Will Hancock, Ray Kemp, and John Pearlion. Thq plan is at the Bristol.

REGENT THEATRE. Starring popular and vivacious Dorothy Gish “Tip Toes” is tlie current feature at tlie Regent Theatre. "Tip Toes,” a worthy successor to Miss Gish's "Nell Gwyn ’ and "London,” is the story of an American vaudeville dancer stranded with her two partners in England. How she finally solves their difficulty to tlie satisfaction of all concerned, makes a story as thrilling as it is highly amusing. Will Rogers and Nelson Keys are featured. “Tip Toes’ was directed by Herbert Wilcox, from the Broadway stage Hit of tlie same name. Good supports are also .screened, and appropriate music supplied by the orchestra, under Mr. Ivan Fosello. "BEAU SABREUR.” The French Foreign Legion—bandits and thieves most of them, but adventurous heroes all of them, are depleted in Major P. J. Wren's colourful drama of the Sahara, "Beau Sabreur,” the answer to “Beau Geste.” This sweeping story will commence its Wellington premiere at tlie Regent Tlieatre to-morrow at tlie matinee. The booking at the tlieatre and tlie Bristol box oliiecs foreshadows a iiiglilv successful season. Gary Cooper tops tlie list of favourites playing tlie title role in this production, which was directed by Jolin Waters and supervised by Milton E. Hoffman. Cooper has the role of Major Henri de Beaujolais, dashing young French officer who becomes embroiled in a series of adventures with a beautiful American girl. He becomes infatuated with her, despite his sacred vow Hint he would give everything for France, and never again look at another woman. Evelyn Brent, lor many years a star in her own name, plays the girl, Mary Vanbrugh. Tlie role of the treacherous Beeque. master mind of the Sahara desert tribes, is in the capable hands of William Powell, whose characterisation of Boldini in "Beau Geste” won him fame. Mitchell Lewis is Suleiman th? Strong, a renegade of the desert, and Arnold Kent plays Raoul de Redon, a friend of Henri. There are three outstanding comedy parts, and they are essayed by Noah Beery, as tlie genial bluffer, the Sheikh El Hamel, much-feared tribe leader; Roscoe Karns as Buddy, his grand vizier, and Joan Standing as the maid, Maudie. STRAND THEATRE. “The Devil Dancer,” Gilda Gray's first United Artists’ production, is now in its second and final week at the Strand Theatre. The plot of the story, brlelly, relates that an English girl, taken by the Black Lamas of Tibet when a baby, is raised in the cloistered halls of a temple. Suddenly a man comes into her life, an Englishman, and lie carries her away from tlie temple. Then follows the dramatic unfolding of her temperament against the colourful background of India and an Anglo-Indian settlement.' Good supports aud appropriate music completes the programme. “RAMONA.” An entirely new departure in titles on tlie screen, will be one of the many novel features attendant to the showing of tlie Inspiration Pictures-Edwin Carewe production of “Ramona,” starring Dolores Del Rio, which will open at the Strand Theatre to-morrow. Edwin Carewe, who directed "Ramona.” lias devised an entirely new idea way of titling the film. Heretofore, all pictures have been shown with white titles against a black background. Tlie titles in “Ramona” will be black against a white background—entirely reversing the usual appearance. “It is so simple.” says Carewe. “I wonder that someone else has not thought of it before. So far as I can remember, I know of no picture that has been released with black titles on white backgrounds. And it is the natural way to have them,” continues the producerdirector. “A book contains black letters. Imagine reading your daily paper if it were printed in white letters on black paper. Imagine playing a piece of music on the piano and reading from white notes.” Carewe also states that white titles are glaring on the eyes and that tlie eve will receive much relief with natural dark titles on tlie natural white back‘■■rounds. This is but one of many features that go with this interesting story of early history and romance with Dolores Del Rio in the star and title role. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. Popular Madge Bellamy is the star of “Very Confidential.” tlie delightful comedydrama which heads the double feature programme to be screened at the Kilbirnie Kinema to-night. The second feature is “Y Man’s Past,” starring Conrad Veldt. Appropriate musical numbers are played by the orchestra. AMBULANCE JOY NIGHT Under the auspices of the Wellington Snorting bodies a monster joy night plain and Fancy Dress Ball is to be held at the Town Hall on Friday, August 10, the whole of the proceeds to be devoted to til funds Of the Wellington Free Ambulance. The ambulance slogan is Help us to help you.” Since its inauguration on November 9 help has been rendered to 3600 cases, and tlie cars have travelled 40,339 miles. The tickets for the joy night are now on sale. An excellent orchestra has been engaged, and dancing will be continuous. An ugly man competition will be hold, and prizes given for the most original costumes. Arrangements have been made for late trams. Ring 21—500 to secure tickets.