ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 289, 6 September 1928, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATKE. “Aiinie Laurie.” starring Lillian Gish, is the current feature at the De Luxe Theatre. The picture is based on the best-loved of all Scottish ballads, and the intcr-clan warfare that finally ended in the massacre of Glencoe adds historic interest to an unforgettable romance of the screen. Scottish warriors arc seen in battleineuted castles, in huge clan gatherings at Maxwelton Castle, and in the great struggles amid the crags and gullies ot Glencoe. Miss Gish as “Annie Laurie, daughter of Sir Robert Laurie and Mistress of Mnxwelton. has an effective part as the sweetheart of a rival clan warrior-inn MacDonald. The story ot the lote affair between these I wo—her unintentional humiliation of lan and his bitter hatred, then her splendid sacrifices for him, her impressive lighting of the beacon on the mountain top, signalling tor elan help. to save the man she lovcil steadfastly despite mls-undcrstandings—is indeed exceedingly sweet andiwell told. Norman Kerry gives a great performance as lan MacDonald while Hobart Bosworth, Creighton Hale, Russell Simpson, Frank Currier and I atricl’i Vvorj’, to mention only sonic ot inc supporting players, each deserve credit; lor line work. Preceding the him Mi. 11. 1. Wood sings “Annie Lauric, and special musical items arc supplied by the orchestra and on the organ. An added attiaction is the appearance of Princess Jo Plica’s Maori maids and warriors, whose act is a thoroughly entertaining one.

“THE PATSY.” Marion Davies, the popular comedienne, has been responsible for many clever comedicsv but it is said, that she has never been seen to better advantage than in “The Patsy,” the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production, that will commence screening at the De Luxe Treat re to-morrow, with matinees daily at 2.30 p.ni. Associated with Miss Davies is Orville Caldwell, Marie Dressier, and Lawrence Gray. Consldorcd one of the most, romantic and most eutertaining comedies of this-or any other year, “The Patsy” gives good wholesome fun and clean, clever humour. It is a tvpc of comedy that appeals to all, it is said. The second attraction is a further week’s appearance of Princess Te 1 uea s Maori maids and warriors in a complc-c change of programme. Every member is an artist, aud Wellington has taken them to tlieir 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 be played by the orchestra and Mr. Aarons at the M urlitzei organ. The box plans are now open at the Bristol and Aitken’s Book Arcade. KEGENT THEATRE. Forced to enter the den of a ferocious tiger to return a lady's glove, in order to prove his love for Hie woman, Adolphe Menjou becomes entangled in a series of thrilling situations in his latest I’arainouiit starring production, “His Lady,” which is now screening at the Regent Theatre. Menjou has been given a decidedly different role in this picture, an adaptation of Alfred Savoir’s play, "Super ot’ the Gaiety;” ■ The star is cast us a mci-e extra man of the Folios Hegere, who falls in love with a rich lady and wins her through an impersonation. In the garb of a maharajah, ho sots out .to have a gav time, resulting In his allair with the lady mid her ultimatum that unless he rescues her glove from a tiger’s don she will never see him again. Evelyn Brent, bus the lending feminine role opposite Menjou. A film of the HeeneyTunncv fight, gazette, Bray magazine, and comedy are also screened, and delightful music is supplied by the orchestra, under Mr. Ivan I’osello. The vaudeville turn is supplied by Mr. Arthur Aldridge, who sings “My Dreams,” “Come Into the Garden, Maud,” and "Love, Here is My Heart.” , , , “Hunting Tower,” from the novel by John Buebnn, and starring Sir Harry Lauder, is billed for screening to-morrow at the Regent Theatre. STRAND THEATRE. After an absence of seven years Argus the Prophet has returned to Wellington, and is now appearing dally at the Strand Theatre at 3.20 p.ni. and 8.20 p.ni. Argus, seated upon a throne and blindfolded, commences by naming an article held in someone’s hand. Mr. Copeland, the father of Argus, asks him to read the minds of persons whom he indicates, aud as the exhibition progresses, questions on many aud diverse subjects being answered. Argus will give a special matinee for women to-day. Peggy Hopkins Jovee is the star of “'rhe Skyrocket,” the principal film on the programme. "The Skyrocket." was written by Adela Rogers St. John mid appeared originally in serial form in the “Cosmopolitan Magazine." The story concerns the rise and fall of a motion picture star who could not stnnd sudden riches after a life of poverty and want. The picture is really an inside story of Hollywood, and is told with simplicity and realism. Sonic of ilic most interesting parts of the film are the sequences showing the actual making of motion pictures. Supporting the star arc Owen Moore. Earle Williams, Sammy Cohen. Gladys Iluletle, Paulette Duval, and Lilymi Tasliinnn. Appropriate musical items are supplied by the orchestra. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. That popular pair of comedians, Monte Murray and George Sidney, are now to be seen at- the Paramount Theatre in their latest production “Flying Romeos.” If George and Charlie can bo imagined inadvertently becoming aviators when they do not know any more about flying than they do about the fourth dimension, starting on an airplane flight to China, only to discover that their pilot knows less about it than they do, and is somewhat eccentric in addition, an idea of one only of the situations can be obtained. in support are a gazette, scenic, and comedy, with delightful music by the orchestra. “BEAU SABREUR.” “Beau Sabreur,” which will be screened at the Paramount Theatre to-morrow night, was adapted from Percival Christopher Wren’s sequel to "Beau Geste.” "When's story is laid in the quarter of the Foreign Legion at Algiers, then in the vast Sahara Desert, where treacherous tribal chleftaihs will do to death anyone who interferes with their plots. Gary Cooper is in the title role, that of Major Henri de Beaujolais, the beautiful swordsman, a dashing,, virile, and handsome officer iu the French army, stationed in Arabia so that. Franco may some, day make an empire of the desert wastes. The girl, Mary Vanbrugh, an American visiting her military uncle in Zaguig, in the Sahara, is played by Evelyn Brent. On three occasions. Cooper saves lhe life of the girl, then she is given the opportunity to reciprocate, saving him from a certain death. The girl and boy go through n series of spectacular adventures, including battles with fierce Touaregs aud combats with desperate tribe leaders Although he tries hard not to love her (he has sworn to devote Ins life to France only), the boy is finally conquered, anil the devotion for Franco and his devotion for the girl go hand in hand until the closing scene. A close-up glimpse of the side of college life that has nothing to do with studies, but a'lot to do with the general education offered in an institution of higher learning, is shown in "The Plastic Age,” featuring Clara feature to "Beau Sabreur.” The box plan is now open at: the Bristol, and the Utility Stationery Shop (next to the theatre). BEN TRAVERS COMEDIES. The final performance of “A Cuckoo in the Nest” was given by the ,1. C. Williamson English Comedy Company at the Grand Opera House last night It would be difficult indeed to find a play to follow “Rookery Nook” and “A Cuckoo in the Nest” successfully, but this has been achieved by the production of ‘Thark,’’ another delightful Ben Travers Comedy which will be staged at the Grand Opera House to-nigh Lady Alice Eergusson (with a party from Government House) has signified tier intention of being present. “Thark,” which will be presented for tlie first time in Wellington, is the latest, aud, in the opinion of many, by far tlie finest of the comedies by Ben Travers. The locale of this comedy is a haunted house, and tlie climax comes with file discovery of Mr. Basting's Lynn and Mr. Cyril Vernon together in a double-bed in a haunted room because neither would sleep there alone. This is said to he the funniest bedroom scene ever devised. Although “Thark” is a mystery play, the mystery is almost submerged in a sea of humour. “Nothing half so funny,” wrote a critic recently, "Ihan tlie bedroom scene in the last act, has been witnessed on tlie stage." The very bright first act gets under way early when Sir Hector Benbow, Bart., takes advantage of liis wife's absence Io take out a shop- girl. His wife reluming unexpectedly. Sir Heetor persuades his nephew, Ronald Gamble, to pretend that the girl is really his guest, but matters become very complicated when Ronald’s fiancee also inconsiderately makes an unexpected appearance. Mr. Hastings Lynn appears as Ronald Gamble, and Mr Cyril Vernon as Sir Hector Benbow, and Minnie Ravner and Willie Clifton are seen as Mrs. Erush and Whittle. Only three, performances can bo given of “Tliark,” as tlie company will leave for the soiflh on Saturday night. KING'S THEATRE. Starring George Bancroft, “The Showdown” is’the current feature at the King’s Theatre. Into the swampy jungles of the back country of the Tampico oilfields comes a gently nurtured girl front Aew S’ork. Through a series of events, she finds herself nlone in the back country. Then begins a tense driuna wliicli builds to a totally unexpected finish. Heading Dio cast which supports Bancroft are JJvelyn Bicjitf Kail Hamilton, Fred Kohler, Arnold

Kent, and Leslie Fenton. Well-varied supports ' are also screened, and delightful musical* numbers are supplied by the orchestra. "The Grip of the Yukon,” a stirring drama of the frozen north, heads the double-featured programme, to commence screening at the King's Theatre to-mor-row. Francis X. Bushman has the tragic role of a Yukon miner, who is the only survivor of an* icy catastrophe which carries away tlie only people he loves. Neil Hamilton and •June Marlowe aid a powerful romantic theme in the picture. The story itself is unusual and spectacular. The other attraction is the Universal com-edy-drama, “Stop That Man.” It is a production that well deserves the name of comedy, it is stated, as it is filled 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 the audience until the exciting finish. Arthur Lake has appeared to advantage in numerous pictures. and is seen again in “Stop That Man.” QUEEN'S THEATRE. Mvsterv and comedy are well combined iu "A Thief in the Dark,” now showing at the Queen’s Theatre, witli George Meeker, Doris Hili, Marjorie. Becko, Michael Vavitch, and Gwen Lee in the featured roles. The action of the picture mingles the sawdust atmosphere of a wagon show with the rich settings in and around a pretentious mansion house of mystery. Well-varied supports arc also screened and appropriate music is supplied by the orchestra. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Now in their third week al His Majesty’s Theatre, the Stiffv and Mo revue company are at the height of their popularity, and their current programme is, it anything, even more enjoyable than its forerunners. Tlie popular pair of Australian comedians continue to delight His Majesty’s Theatre patrons with their own peculiar brand of humour, to which are added I heir absurd but extremely c over eccentric dances. I’rctty little Sadie Gale, the company's soubrette, scores heavilv again this week, and Amy Roehello is successful with “Your Voice is Lalling .Me.” The other members of the company give able support to their principals, while Ilio sprightly ballot of six adds interest Io the show. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. “Wolf Fangs” and “Love Me and (he World is Mine" will be screened again tonight at. the Kilbirnie Kinema. "Thunder,” an unusually clever dog star. is featured in “Wolf Fangs." while Norman Kerry and Mary I’hilldn are tlie stars ot Hie second feature, which is a story of love and laughter in the gay Vienna of pre-war days. Appropriate music is supplied by the orchestra.