ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 287, 4 September 1928, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

STRAND THETRE. The wonder boy, Argus, whose mysterious telepathic and clairvoyant powers puzzled audiences iu all parts ol' Australia and New Zealand, opened a season at the Strand Theatre last Friday, at the matinee. intense interest was manifested by tlie large audiences in his feats. lie answered witli lightning-like rapidity qtiestious on all kinds of subjects, winch, left the audience spellbound. Questions dealing with law, business, matrimony, missing friends, health, etc., were all answered in detail, to the satisfaction ot the questioner. On Saturday night Argus gave a demonstration iu which he described articles, disclosed the contents, or nurses, cigarette cases, parcels, etc., without their being opened, and in many cases told their owner what lie or she was thinking about. Attempts to confuse him were unavailing, and in every instance his answers wore surprisingly accurate. Argus provides a remarkably interesting entertainment. Matinees will be held each day and also a special matinee lor ladies only will be licit! on Thursday afternoon. In ‘addition to Argus, a full supporting picture programme is also screened. Jno main picture is “The Skyrocket,’ starring Peggy Hopkins Joyce, in a startling and vivid story of life in Hollywood. REGENT THEATRE. Evelyn Brent, beautiful brunette actress of Paramount pictures, appears in the chief supporting role to Adolphe Menjou in tlie star's latest production, entitled "His Tiger Lady,” now showing at the Regent Theatre. Miss Brent, portrays the role of a lady of wealth- who is wooed » nd won by an “extra” actor ot the holies Bergere, this role being portrayed by Mr. Menjou. She is ardently admired- by three of the most prominent characters in Paris, but when she asks them to enter a tiger’s cage in order to prove their love they lind it too difficult to muster the courage. Menjou, too, is asked to perform this deed, and the outcome or this episode forms one of the most en’tertaining pictures the star has yet done. The excellent supporting programme includes a gazette, Bray magazine, a splendid Him of the Heeney-Tunney tight at New York, and ah hilarious comedy. Lhe vaudeville turn is supplied by Mr. Arthur Aldridge, the possessor of a ringing tenor voice. His numbers include “My Dreams, “Come Into the. Garden, Maud,’ and Love, Here is My Heart.” Splendid musical items are supplied by the orchestra, under Mix Ivan Posello. . GRAND ; OPE&A HOUSE. “A Cuckoo in .the Nest,” one of the most scintillating- of Beu Travers s farcical comedies, - continues.'.to .attract large. auui- ; cnees to the Granit' Opera House. lhe embarrassment of Pdter at the and Hunt with a married woman friend accumulate rapidly. As there is only one room available and the landlady has a strict conscience on the subject of young disunited people wandering about the country, they arc forced by circumstances to represent themselves as married. J-hen Major and Mrs. Bone, his. father mid mother-in-law, having tracked Peter down, burst into the room,, and accuse The pair of all sorts of things, and there is a general disturbance that is screamingly, funny. At length the truth conies out, and allround innocence smiles once more. As the misused Peter, Mr. Hastings Lynn proves himself a brilliant actor. Another, able delineation is Mr. Cyril . Vernon s Major Bone. Miss Helen Simon makes a charming Margaret Hiekett, Miss Leth Markov is adequate as Miss Wykcham, Miss Nellie Morty.no gives a iorccful representation of Hie domineering Sirs. Bone, and -Miss Minnie Rayner leaves nothing to be desired as the hostess ol the inn Mr. Leslie Victor gets full value out of the role of the timid Rev. Sloley-Jones.' Other character-parts are well played by Miss June Comfort, and Messrs. Alee Alves, Basil Radford, Willie Clifton, and Victor Fitzgerald. DE LUXE THEATRE. "Annie Laurie,” starring Lillian Gish, is (lie current feature at the De Luxe Theatre. Tlie picture is a presentation ot Highland drama and sweetest love story in Scottisli history. Thousands of “extras" appear in the blood-stirring clansmen scenes and in the fanions "massacre of Glencoe’’ sequences. All tlie romantic spirit of old Scotland, all the stirring pageantry of the days when the Campbells and the .MacDonalds were sworn foes, and raids and forays were of daily—and nights ly—occurrence, and the claymore was used as often as the spade—all the glamour of departed history—they have all been brought to life again in litis great screen version of "Annie Lauric.” Norman Kerry lias tlie chief supporting role to Miss Gish, and Hobart Bosworth, Creighton Hale, Frank Currier, Russell Simpson, and Patricia Avery also appear in tlie cast. As a prelude to the screening Mr. 11. F. Wood sings “Annie Laurie” and appropriate musical items are supplied by the orchcs-. trit. An added attraction is the appearance of Princess Te'Plica's Maori maids and warriors, whose act is a thoroughly entrancing one. HIS MAJESTIES THEATRE. The “Stiffy” .and “Mo" Revue Company is improving I lie quality of its programmes. That was made quite clear last night, when the two Australian comedians were in good form, especially “Mo,” who figured in a priceless suit of sttelt an exaggerated American cut that it would stagger them on Market Street, San Francisco. In their skit on old jokes in their duet, “The- Irish and Hie Jew” (witli dance), and witli Sliffy as the conductor and Mo as the trap drummer of tlie jazz bund, laughter was effervescent. The inseparable pair were also very comical in their stuiits, on confidence trick lines, and also as tlie two tired waiters in the final revue their by-play was very amusing. .Miss Sadie Gale lias a quiet, effective artistry all her own, which was capitally exploited in that very unusual song “As Long as lie Loves Me.” a number of musical merit which has been orchestrated by someone who knows his business. Another very charming number. “I Should Worry" (written by “Stiffy"), which is melodious enough to be sung without “Mo’s” buffoonery as a distraction, was also nicely sung by Miss Gale. Miss Amy Rochelle, a singer of a different type,'sang "Your Voice is Culling Me,” which brought forward her stunning top notes. She also gave a number of child impressions that were extremely- clever.. The Charleston Jazz .Sextette continue Ito improve with every programme. Their numbers included Rubiusteiu’s “.Melody in F” (banjo solo), "Ramona?’ a cleverly played ocarina solo by Frank Wilson, itnd some lively ensembles with “.Mo” at the drue.s,' which delighted the audience. They also played Hie music to a special ballet of a rather striking character. There was also a throw-back to the legitimate in rfM-cry good little sketch entitled "Baby Mjine,” admirably done by Misses Sadie Gale anil Daisy Merritt, and Mr. Dan Weldon. Miss Heather Bain is not very coherent in her snugs, but as a dancer and a "looker” site is making strides toward recognition, and her "Black Shuffle',' dance was quite good. Mr. Peter Brook’s made a,success in his Scottish mixture’ “Scotch Highball” song, and Messrs. Dan Dunbar and Dan Weldon were valuable in various-sketches in lighter vein. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. “Flying Romeos.” the latest George Sid-ney-Charlie Murray comedy, is tlie current feature .at tlie Paramount Theatre. 'Die picture tells a niile-a-ininntc tale of two barbers who unwittingly become involved in an airplane flight across the ocean because a financier thinks they arc. expert flyers. E. M. Asher, maker of many successful comedies, produced this story for First National Pictures, and Mervyn T.o Roy directed. The supporting cast includes Fritzi Ridgway. Duke Martin. James Bradbury, juu.. and others. In support ar<- a Gazette s<-r-ni<- and <-<.mo<l.v, witli delightful music by flic orchestra, under Mr. R. R. C.iujton. KING’S THEATRE. Backed by the excitement of a new oilfield, where the gushers may be. expected to come in at any second, “Tlie. Showdown.” now screening at tlie King's Tlicatre, presents a love story of fi-cinctid-oits poignancy and power. Selected as George Bancroft’s first starring picture for Paramount, following his appearance in “Underworld.” “The Showdown" is the storv ot four men-—and one woman—brought face to face witli primitive conditions in a desperate struggle Io find “tlie Mowing gold.” Into Hie swampy jungles of the luick country of tlie Tampico oilfields comes a .gently nurtured girl from Now York. Ignorant of Hie conditions she must. face, she brintrs a trunk full of evening clothes and gold-mounted toilet articles. As tlie result of a series ol events, sin- finds herself alone in tlie back country. Then begins a tense drama which surpasses even file suspense of “Underworld.” and builds to a totally unexpected finish. Well-varied supports are also screened and appropriate music, is supplied by Hie orchestra. QUEEN’S THEAATRE. Jewel thieves, “gliosis,” secret stairways, swishing panels, and spiritualistic materialisations, eouplcd with hilarious eoniodv situations all go to make up "A Thief ‘in the Dark.” Fox Films mystery circus picture, which is now at tlio Qiicen’s Theatre. 'Die story is from (lie pens of Albert Ray, who directed the film, and Kenneth Hawks. Fox supervisor, and they paint a vivid picture of a gang of sideshow crooks which attempts to steal a fortune in jewels from an eccentric old reeluse anti his pretty granddaughter. Featured roles are played by George Mei-ker, Doris Hill. Marjorie Iteelie. (.wen Loe. and Michael Vavitch. Good supports are also screened and appropriate music supplied by the orchestra.