ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 288, 5 September 1928, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATRE. ‘■Annlo Laurie,” a Metro-Goldwyn-Major special, with Lillian Glsb lu the title role, Is tlio current feature at the De Luxe Theatre. As "the Scottish Joan of Arc,” daughter of Sir Robert Lauric, and mistress of Maxwelton Castle, as a woman braving the anger of her own clan to reach that of a rival elan, to warn the man she loves of impending danger, as the heroine who lights tlie beacon on the mountain top when all seems lost for the redoubtable MacDonalds, she is indeed extraordinarily enchanting and talented. Huge replicas ol’ famous old Scottish castles, including that of historic MaxWeiton, mighty armies of rugged Scots In kilts and tartaus, breath-taking battles in the Highlands, and any amount more aweinspiring spectacles, raise the. entertainment standard of "Annie Laurie” to the verv highest peak. Norman Kerry as lan MacDonald gives a sterling performance, and others in the cast of favourite supporting players include Hobart Bosworth. Creighton Hale, Russell Simpson. Frank Currier, and Patricia Avery. As a prelude to the film, Mr. 11. F. Wood slugs “Annie Laurie,” while special musical items arcsupplied by the orchestra. The appearance of J>riiic.'SS Te Pnen’s Maori maids and warriors is an added attraction. "THE PATSY.” Commencing on Friday at the matinee, and showing at matinees daily for another week, the screen's clever comedienne, Marion Davies, will be seen in a comedy taken from the successful stage hit by Barry Connors, entitled "The Patsy.” Associated with Miss Davies is Orville Caldwell. Marie Dressier, and Lawrence Gray. Considered one of the most romantic and most entertaining comedies of this or any other year, "The Patsy” gives good wholesome fun and clean,-clever humour. It is a type of comedy that will appeal to all, it is said. The seeoud attraction is a further week's appearance of Princess Te, Puea’s Maori maids and warriors in a ■ complete change of programme. Every member is an artist, and Wellington Ims taken them to their hearts. The wild enthusiasm and unrestrained applause of crowded audiences this week induced the management to arrange for a second engagement. but it will be an absolutely final week. Special music in keeping will lie played by the orchestra and Mr. Aarons at the Wurlitzer organ.- The box plans arc now open at tho Bristol and Aitken's Book Arcade. KING’S THEATRE. In the role of a wandering oil driller, George Bancroft is the star of "Tlio Showdown,” now screening at the King's Theatre. Into his life come two men who have followed him from one field after another, because they know he has a sixth sense which tells him where oil can be found. As the struggle between Bancroft and his rivals settles into grim and deadly earnest, a girl suddenly arrives,- fresh from the refinements of New York. The situations which develop from the presence of a gently nurtured girl iu this wild spot form a drama from which Banqroft’s genius as an actor shines with even greater lustre than in “Underworld, “The Rough Riders,” or “Old Ironsides.” Well-varied supports are also screened, and delightful music is supplied by the orchestra. A TWO-STAR PROGRAMME. A photoplay as gripping as its title and' as soul-searing as life is promised in “The Grip of tlie Yukon,” the first attraction on tlie two-star programme which will commence next Friday at tlie King's Theatre. Francis X. Bushman, in the leading dramatic role, gives a portrayal that brings a catch in the throat and tears to the eyes. In Hie tragic role of a Yukon miner, who is tlie only survivor of an icy catastrophe which carries away the only people lie loves, Bushman is said to give a powerful and deep delineation. Neil .Hamilton and June Marlowe inject a powerful romantic theme into the picture. The story itself is unusual and spectacular. It can be safely said to be the first time sueli a radical idea has boon put on the screen. The other attraction is the Universal comedy-drama. “Stop That Man.” It is a production that well deserves tlie name of comedy, it is stated, as it is tilled with laughs of all kinds—long ones, short ones, and medium ones. There is also a clever story of youth in the picture and toward the end the suspense holds tlie audience until tlie exciting finish. Arthur Lake has appeared to advantage in numerous pictures, and is seen again in “Stop That Man.” His quality of youthfulness, which is one of his greatest assets, makes him an extremely popular player. Tlie cast includes Barbara Kent, George Siegmann, Warner Richmond, Eddie Gribbon, Walter MeGruil, and Joe Girard. SHURA CHERKASSKY. Shura Cherkassky, the marvellous young Russian sixtcen-year-old boy pianist, who will give three concerts at the Town Hall, on September 18, 20, and 22, has been mystifying Hie Australian critics. They all agree that the programmes that Shura gives would fax the power of virtuosi three times the age of •'the young Russian; they all agree that Shura is a wonderful interpreter of Bach; they all agree tliat his reading of Beethoven's "Apassionata” sonata differs from the interpretations of other great virtuosi, but (and this is a great concession for them to make) they admit that they find new beauties in tlio famous concerto when listening to Cherkassky interpretation of it. All the critics are also unauimuos on' the point that Cherkassky plays Chopin's music exquisitely. Indeed, Cherkassky received Ills first Australian cheers after his performance of Chopin’s “Scherzo in B Minor.” at his opening concert in the Sydney Town Hall. The Sydney “Morning Herald,” in referring to Cherkassky's Chopin group, says. “It was in the. Scherzo that Cherkassky gained his chief success with Chopin, in a performance worthy of ranking witii his Bach and Beethoven. His chord playing was excellent, and the lyrical intermezzo was superb. After the Scherzo there was great i'heering, tlie lad returning at length and playing for the encore tlio 'Fantasia Impromptu.’ ’’ The box plans will open at the Bristol on September 14. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Thrills aud comedy form the intriguing combination to lie found in “Flying Romeos,” the First National comedy I'eaturii g George Sidney and Charlie Murray, which is tlie attraction now offering at the Paramount Theatre. This production commences with the two popular comedians conducting a barber shop and winds up with them making a transoceanic flight, largely because they cannot get out of it. This swift-moving and original comedy was directed by Mervyn Le Roy. Fritzl Ridgway, James Bradbury, Jun., and Duke Martin head the supporting cast. A gazette, scenic, and amusing comedy are also screened, while excellent musical items are supplied by the orchestra, under Mr. R. R. Caulton. ‘•BEAU SABREUR.” There are only two feminine principals in “Beau Sabreur,” Paramount’s spectacular sequel to “Beau Gestc,” which is to be presented at the Paramount. Theatre next Friday. These roles are played by Evelyn Brent, as Mary Vanbrugh, an American girl who becomes a pivot in a great Sahara Desert tribal rebellion, aud Joan Standing, cast as the Cockney maid, Maudic. This condition existed in “Beau Gestc.” There were but two women iu that story, which was also from the pen of P. C. Wren. They were Alice, Joyce and Mary Brian, but their characterisations were more or less/subordinated by the great theme of brotherly love. In “Beau Sabreur," directed by John Waters, the love is an equally strong one, but it is divided between a girl and the hero's country. Gary Cooper plays Henri Beaujolais, o'f the Foreign Legiou, who is transferred to secret service duty on Hie vast Sahara. In-addition to “Beau Sabreur” tlie programme will include a romance of college life, “The Plastic Age,” featuring Clara Bow. The box plan is now open at Hie Bristol, and the Utility Stationery shop (next to the theatre). "CUCKOO IN THE NEST.” The J. C. .Williamson All-English Comedy Company caused the walls of tlie Grand Opera House to resound again witii hearty, laughter last night with their delightful presentation of Ben Travers’ clever comedy, “The Cuckoo in the Nest.” The story describes how Peter, a young married man, happens to meet a married lady friend, and they go to a country hotel. They are getting on famously when the landlady, who possesses a Puritanical conscience, begins to make inquiries. As there is only one room available, the pair are forced to represent themselves as married. Complications ensue when Peter’s father-in-law and mother-in-law arrive on Hie scene, and the working out of the tangled skein is ludicrously funny. The plav is in the best Travers stylo, witii clever dialogue and startling surprises almost at every turn. That finished English actor, Mr. Hastings Lynn, adds fresh laurels to his large crown by his clever portrayal of the character of the harassed Peter, and another line characterisation was the Bev. Sloloy-Jones of. Mr. Leslie Victor. In striking contrast, Miss Nellie Morlyne made Mrs. Bono a most domineering character, wiio scented scandal in every closed door. Mr. Cyril Vernon helped to keep the fun going as Major Bone, and was ably supported by Miss Minnie Rayner as the landlady of the Stag and Hunt Inn. Others who were happily east in tho sparkling comedy were Misses Helene Simon, Jane Comfort, Beth Mackey, and Donalds Warne, and Messrs. Basil Radford and Victor Fitzherbert. The “Cuckoo in tlie Nest” will lie. given to-night for tlio last. time.

Tlie tinnl production. Io lie presented to-morrow (Thursday), Friday, and Saturday evenings, by the .1. C. Williamson, Ltd. New English Comedy Company, will be “Thark,” the mystery-farce comedy, which is said tn lie the best effort of the famous writer, Ben Travers “Thark" proved a groat attraction for playgoers of London for over twelve months, and it enjoyed record runs in Sydney and Melbourne, Mr. Hastings Lynn has achieved his best sue-.

~o ss |» -Ihurk.” and so has Mr. Cyril Vernon Miss Minnie Rayner is also soon nt’ her best in this ..omody, it is said. "Tlinrk" is full of thrills and surprises, ns well as many very humorous and original situations. Part of the action takes place in a house which is supposed to be haunted, and where a "ghost” walks. The characters In the play themselves involved iu all kinds of queer com plications, and the action of tho story, which has a delightful love interest, is usually punctuated bv screams of laughter. Misses Helene Simon, Beth Mackey. and Jane Comfort. Mr. Leslie Victor, and others are in congenial roles. STRAND THEATRE. “Argus the Prophet” has returned Io Wellington after an absence of seven years and is now appearing twice daily at 11.15 p.m. and at 8 p.m. at tho Strand Theatre. Argus, seated upon a throne, and blindfolded, commences his demonstration by naming an article held in someone's hand, while Mr. Copeland, liis father, moves among tlie audience, selecting Inis to Show his son’s ability, questions being answered on many and varied subjects. Starring Peggy Hopkins Joyce, supported bv Owen Moore, Earle Williams, -Gladys Hulette Paulette Duval and Lllyan Taskman, "The Skyrocket" heads tlie picture portion of the programme. The story concerns the rise and fall of a motion picture star who could not stand sudden riches after a life of poverty and want. Tlie picture is an inside story of Hollywood, and is told with simplicity and realism. Some of the most Interesting parts of the picture are those sequences showing the actual making of motion pictures. This is unusually interesting to those who <-n--iov seeing how pictures are made. ’lne Skyrocket” was written by Adela Rogers St Johns and appeared originally in serial form In tho "Cosmopolitan Magazine. Appropriate musical items are supplied by tlie orchestra.

REGENT THEATRE. The celebrated French author, Alfred Savior, has again given Adolphe Menjou an opportunity to rise to great histrionic heights. "Ills Tiger Lady,” now showing at the Regent Theatre, an adaptation from the author’s “Super of the Gaiety” is Mciijou’s starring vehicle this time, and it marks the second time that Menjou lias done a story by Savior, the first being "The Grand Duchess and the Waiter, which was such an outstanding success. Also Ernest V'ajda, equally celebrated Hungarian playwright, who has adapted several stories and supervised the production of Alenjou’s recent efforts, adapted this production and supervised it as well. An exceptional supporting cast has been built around Mcujou in this picture, which is headed by Evelyn Brent, whose rise in the klnema world has been very pronounced in the past six .months. She portrays tlie role of a wealthy woman who becomes attracted to Menjou, who portrays the humble role o£ au “extra’ actor. A film of the Hcene.v.-Tuuney fight, a gazette, Brav Magazine, and comedy, are shown in support, and excellent music is supplied bv the orchestra under Mr. Ivan FoseUo. Mr. Arthur Aldridge, tho possessor of a ringing tenor voice, supplies a popular vaudeville turn.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. “Stiffy and Mo,” the popular Australian comedians, are now in their third week nt His Majesty's Theatre, where their popularity is ever on the increase. Sadie Gale sings “As Long as He-Loves Me, ’ in the. manner entirely her own. Amy Rochelle is iieard in “Your Voice is Calling Me, and gives a number o£ extremely clever child impersonations. The Charleston Jazz Sextet continue to Improve their numbers this week, including Rubinstein's “Melodv in F” (banjo solo), and “Ramona."' They also play the music to a special ballet of a rather striking character. There are many clever sketches scattered through tlie programme, whicli enable Stiffy and Mo to create roars of laughter with their absurd antics, while the ballet of six is also well to the fore. QUEEN’S THEATRE. “A Thief in the Dark,” Fox Films mystery thriller, now screening at the Queen’s Theatre, has as its motif the regeneration of a handsome young circus crook, a strong love theme and the background of the circus side-show tents where a fake crystal-gazer “materialises" the “spirits* of his patrons’ departed relatives. The locale is in the sunny South of the United States of America, where the wagon showsets up its tents and a “mob” of circus grafters kills an eccentric jewel collector in efforts to find fortune in gems. Good supports arc also shown, and appropriate musical items supplied by the orchestra. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. Another double feature programme will be screened at the Kilbirnie Kiucnia tonight aud to-morrow night. -‘Thunder.” an amazingly clever dog. is starred in "Wolf Fangs, the first feature, while Norman Kerry and Mary Philbin head the powerful cast in “Love Mo and the florid is Mine,” a story of love and laughter in Hie gay Vienna of pre-war days. Appropriate music will be supplied by the orchestra. :