ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 290, 7 September 1928, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXfe THEATRE. Starring Marion Davies, supported by Marie Dressier, Lawrence Gray, Juiie Minton, Dil Henderson and Orvilio Caldwell, "The Patsy” is the big feature to commence screening at the De Luxe Theatre to-day. The story-is replete .with natural comedy directed by King Vidor with the same originality as he used in handling the gum-chewing and tobacco-spittlßg episodes of "The Big Parade,” it is said. “The Patsy” opens witli a comic introduction ot* Patricia Harrington, "Tile Patsy” of the Harrington family. Pat, despite her troubles, and they are many, persists in seeing humour in everything. No matter whether she is treading on the loot of the man she loves while dancing with him, knocking him over witli an oar while helping him into a rowboat, or quoting half-baked epigrams stolen from a book on "personality,” she laughs—and everyone who sees the picture laughs.with her. Having to look funny while a three-foot stalk of celery dropped into her dress, was one of the comic situations forced on Marie Dressier who plays Ma Harrington. Another’ one was to have to stand still tor thirty minutes while her husband . (for screen purposes only) powdered her buck. Jane Winton had to look funny while Marion Davies shaved her legs for her (and accidentally cut her a couple of times) Miss Davies’ take-oils on famous movie stars also furnish a great deal ot fun as they were drawn from life ns al! the persons site caricatured have been her friends for years. One of the best scenes of tile picture is that in which Pop Harrington, the henpecked husband, turns on his domineering wife and in a tremendous scene vents the spleen of twenty years of silent married life and finally asserts his supremacy as head of the household. Princess Te Puea’s Maori Maids and Warriors will present a complete change of programme, and special musical numbers will be supplied by" the orchestra and by Mr. Aarons at the Wurlitzer organ. There will be matinees daily at 2.30 p.m. STRAND THEATRE. Argus again mystified a large audience at the Strand last night by deseribiug various articles and answering intriguing questions. This youthful prodigy is a remarkable phenomenon, and his oracular announcements and solutions have never failed to make aif impression, lie answers with rapidity any question put to him on any subject, and convincing indeed are the scores of testimonies to the accuracy ot his answers to questions which have long puzzled the publie or individual mind. He is also reputed to have cleared up mysterious crimes, and to have located lost, and stolen goods, while apparently it is impossible for him to go wrong in tiie matter of naming hidden articles, stating dates on coins, nominating what is carried in a person's pocket, etc. Business problems are also no bar to this amazing boy’s powers. Wellington is therefore being provided witli a decidedly interesting and uncommon entertainment by Argus, supported by a full picture programme. Next Monday night Argus will give ills opinion on the next war, involving Hie reasons why lie thinks Hie Peace Ract will not be a success, when tiie next war will take place, the countries who will participate, the conditions responsible for the upheaval and the result. It. should be more tiian interest ing to hear Argus's version on this subject of world-wide importance. The management has decided to have another special laides’ matinee next Thursday afternoon at 3.30 A complete change of picture programme commences to-night, tiie. feature, “The Big Show,” ijeing a circus' picture in which some most unusual and entertaining circus “turns” arc introduced —a picture which will delight all circus enthusiasts and animal lovers. The famous Miller Brothers, 101 Ranch Wild West Show furnishes the very colourful background for a melodrama of life behind tiie scenes of a travelling circus. .John Lowell and Evangeline Russell hold the stellar roles, with Jane Thomas, I l ’. Serrano Keating, and others in tiie supporting cast. George Terwilliger directed. Appropritc music will be supplied by tiie orchestra.

c . REGENT THEATRE. Sir Harry Lander—how often have audiences almost cried with laughter at his antics and songs on tiie stage; how often have they hummed and whistled. “I Love a Lassie” and that other favourite of his, ::Stop Your Ticklin’, Jock"; how often have they linked his name with canny .Scotch stories, not because wo know he’s canny, but because lie’s the most famous Scotchman in the world. Sir Harry Lauder is a name that means to every Britisher eomedy and laughter that is Inimitable. For years this magic personality has driven away cares and worries from across the footlights, and now be has at last been' claimed by the silver sheet. His first screen appearance is in “Huntingtower," a Paramount-British release, to be shown to-day at the Regent Theatre, and in this fine picture ho is said to be just as enjoyable as even. . As Angus McCullum, the Glasgow grocer, he plays a part which only Sir Harry Lauder could play. The story from tiie famous pen of John Buchan tells how Sir Harry goes to the rescue of a Princess held in captivity in the castle of Huntingtower by revolutionists. It's a modern story, set amid' the heather of bonny Scotland. Miss Vera Voronina, the famous Russian beauty, captivates many hearts in the role of the captive Princess. Arthur Aldridge, the.eminent tenor, will appear in an exotic vocal fantasy, “Bygone Melodies,” in which he will, introduce the famous aria from Pagiiacci, "On With the Motley.” Quite an innovation is the introduction of a novel stage setting of Arcadia with the shepherdesses, reminiscent of the opera, "Patience.” The Regent Corps de Ballot and the incidental dances are under the direction of Miss Kathleen O'Brien. The Heeney-Tunney tight picture will bo screened until further notice. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Intrigue, love and adventures on the vast Sahara desert promise something spectacularly and refreshingly attractive in tiie lino of motion pictures at the Paramount Theatre to-night, where Paramount’s new production, "Beau Sabreur,” is to be shown. With a east of sterling quality, unusual direction and more unusual photography, “Beau Sabreur” comes as a companion of even greater magnitude to “Beau Geste.” Both were from the pen of Percival Christopher Wren, whose stories of the desert and the Foreign Legion have proved best sellers everywhere. Gary Cooper plays the role of Major Henri de Beaujolais, the dashing virile young Frenchman who vows lie will never look at a woman—and then meets one. Cooper is ideal in the part, and gives a fine performance of the handsome soldier-sheik ot' the burning sands. Evelyn Brent is the girl, Mary Vanbrugh, who becomes mixed up in a scries of thrilling adventures with Cooper. Noah Beery, William Powell and Mitchell Lewis are other members of the strong cast. The battle scenes, in which a horde of Touaregs, the desert wolves, sweep down on a little oasis and meet several dynamite mines planted in tiie sands, present some of the most amazing sequences ever put on a screen. “Beau Sabreur” has everything that goes to make a great production. It has thrills and romance that is hard to equal, and a cleverly entwined thread of comedy. 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 “Tiie Plastic Ago." The Orchestra Paramount, under the direction of Mr. Robt. Coulton, will play an appropriate musical programme. The box plan is at the Bristol, and the Utility Stationery Shop (next to the theatre). KING’S THEATRE. The first of Universal’s “new greater two-star programmes” opens to-night at the King’s Theatre, witli full orchestral matinee to-morrow at 2.30. There is a touch of romance and a thrill in “Grip of the Yukon,” the first attraction. It is described as one of the most vivid screen versions of the great snow wastes of Alaska that patrons have seen for many a day. The direction has been perfectly mastered by Ernst Laemmle. His knowledge of dramatic scenes and carefully worked out camera effects have made the picture one of the most outstanding photographic studies on the screen. One is said to almost feel the intense cold of the great glaciers and ice fields which form the background for practically the entire action of the story. Into the cast have been placed some of the foremost men and women players of the screen. June Marlowe has feminine lead. Francis X. Bushman, once Broadway’s idol, portrays a real he-man role as the comrades of Neil Hamilton and with the support of Theodore Lorch, Otis Harlan, and James Fai*ley makes one of tiie best screen appearances of his career. Arthur Lake and Barbara Kent, Universal’s two popular junior stars, will be seen together for the' first time in the farcical comedy, “Stop That Man,” the second attraction on tiie programme. This is a story of youth's desire to grow up in order io accomplish something in the world. Nat Ross, the famous director of “Tiie Collegians,” was responsible for this produel ion. Never has a better comedy of adolescent love been filmed. The supporting cast Is excellent. It includes such players as Eddie Gribbon. Warner Richmond. AVTilter MeGrail, George Sicguiann, and Joe Girard. An excellent programme of music will be submitted bv (lie King’s Select Orchestra.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. “Bachelor Brides.” a mystery drama, interspersed with hilarious humour, is Rod La Roomie'S new starring vehicle under flic Cecil B. de Wille banner, which heads the new two-star programme, to be shown nt the Queen’s Theatre to-night. “Bachelor Brides” gives La Rocque a distinctly different type of role from any in wliieli lie has appeared in recent pictures. Ills part be'ng that of a nervous lirido-grootn-elect. who figures prominently in :i series of thrilling mysterious events Elinor Pair and Julia Faye are featured members of an tiiiusitiilly line supporting cast. The story of "Bachelor Brides”

deals with a young aristocratic Englishman who is the fiance of n wealthy American girl and who wins her after a series of happenings as amazing as they are thrilling. It is a delightful story, full of thrills, it is said. The second attraction is the First National production, “Three Ring Marriage,” with Mary Astor and Lloyd Hughes in the featured roles. While the picture deals with love and intrigue that might happen in almost any other walk of life, intimate backgrounds of circus life form the entire atmosphere of “Three Ring Marriage.” The picture was adapted from Dixie Willson s "Help Yourself to Hay.” Lawford Davidson, Alice White, Yola d’Avril, Rudolph Cameron, Jay Eaton are in the supporting east. Tho Queen’s orchestra will be heard in well-chosen incidental music. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Stiffy and Mo can usually be relied upon to serve up something that suits His Majesty’s Theatre audiences, and their presentation this week is no exception. The eccentric Australian comedians are at work tiie whole time varying their absurd foolery, with clever eccentric dancing and snappy dialogue. Sadie Gale, the company’s piquant soubrette, again scores a great success, this week with “As Long as, He Loves Me.” Amy Rochelle, a singer of a different type, gives “Your Voice is Calling Me” and a number of clover child impressions. ' The Charleston Jazz Sextet continue and tjie sprightly ballet of six are well to the fore. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. "The Country Doctor,” in which Gladys Brockwell has a prominent part, is one of the two principal attractions prepared for patrons of die Kilbirnio Kinema to-night. The other film is "Tip Toes,” in which Dorothv Gish Is scon. A Tom Mix picture, “The Lust Trail,” by Zane Grey, lias been secured for screening at to-morrow’s matinee. Tiie box plan is at the confection’s shop- next to tiie theatre, or seats mav lie reserved by ringing telephone 14—202.