ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 302, 21 September 1928, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGEXT theatre. I'ar.'i mount's story of the air, "Whigs, •’ will commence its second weeks screening ■il the Regent Theatre to-day. The whirr of wings lo a lad in “Wings" was once a Hight of fancy, but is now a stern reality and a duty. The breathless adventure that had tilled’ his thoughts for years is now the real thing. AL lust he is setting out nn Hip Dawn Patrol, that hazardous duty o" war pilots. But as the thrill palls with the frequency 01. Ihe patrol, there creops info his heart something else. A. thought Hint he has wronged his friend and the girl he loved, then out he goes to do aerial battle with the enemy. He discovers a lone 'plane, and wins a lone ti-lil ' and then he finds his pal was the nmn’whom he has shot. down. Filmed a-aiust a battleground of the sky, the pieturo is entwined with the romance of the love of two rials for one girl. There have been many great film productions ot recent rears, but of them all "Wings" is perhaps rhe greatest; certainly there ha.-; been no greater. The effect of the film is eniiiiiiced bv the realistic synchronised sound effects employed. Briefly tills innovalion in motion picture presentation is Hie reproduction for the audience of Hie. exact sound effects of I lie action of Hie lilm, and this is most effectively done, especially tin: droning of the engines and the railin of machiiie-guii lire. In addi lion lo "Wings” a lilm showing the landing of Ihe Southern Cross at Christchurch, “Knights of the Air,” which sketches the evolution of aviation, and a lilm giving glimpses of the great Eucharistic Congress in Sydney are also screened. A special musical score is also supplied by the orchestra, under Mr. Ivan Fosello. STRAND THEATRE. At. the last minute the management of the .Strand Theatre were able to secure the right of extending the season of Buster Keaton's big picture. "College,” for a further week and, as "The Blood Ship” was already booked for Hie same date, these two will give what is Indeed a rare opportunity for Wellington picture-goers. Readers of this column have already read about "College." In "The Blood Ship," one of San Francisco’s most noted ami colourful waterfront characters of the early eighties lives again as the Knitting Swede. The original of the Knitting Swede was a mate who went by the blunt but graphic name of Dog-faee'd Fitz, and who kept a sailors’ boardinghouse on East Street in San Francisco in the clipper ship days. Every man who ever joined a ship- knew him ‘in those days. They told of him in Loudon, in Callao, and Singapore, and in everv foc'sle afloat. He sat in bis liarroom, in East Street, placidly knitting socks with four steel needles, and ns placidly ignoring every law of God and man. He ruled the 'Frisco waterfront, and made his power felt to the very ends of Hie sea. He was a tall great, paunehed man who bulked gigantic as he perched on a high stool at Hie end of the bar, a half-knitted grey sock in bis bands and an air about him of cow-like contentment. He possessed a mop of straw-coloured hair, and a pair of little, mild, blue eyes that regarded one with innocence while lie was planning his nefarious deeds. Every member of the cast was chosen with an eye to ills ability to bring tn the screen Hie vivid ami picturesque characters of the "hell ship.” Hobart Bosworth, of “Sea Wolf" fame, plays Hie shanghaied sitilor who revenges a life-long wrong. Richard Arlen, ot “Wings” fame, plays the juvenile character opposite Jacqueline Logan. KING'S THEATRE. Thousands of sturdy Scots armed witji claymores, dirks mid bucklers mingle in drama to the blood-tingling echo of bagpipes in the mist enshrouded Highlands in the Metro-Goldw.vn-Mayer production. "Annie Laurie,” which is to be screened to-night at the King’s Theatre. Lillian Gish has the title role. The picture is based on the best-beloved of all Scottish ballads, and the inter-elan warfare that finally ended in the massacre of Glencoe adds’ historic interest to an unforgettable romance of the screen. Scottish warriors are seen in batt lemen tert castles, in huge clan gatherings at Alaxwelton Castle, and ill Hie titanic struggles amid the crags and gullies of Glencoe. Miss Gish as "Annie Laurie," daughter of Sir Robert Laurie and .Mistress of Maxwelton, has an effective part as the sweetheart of a rival clan warrior, lan MacDonald. The story of the love affairs between these two, her unintentional humiliation of lan and his bitter hatred, I lien her splendid sacrifices for him, her impressive lighting of the beacon on the mountain top, signalling for the clan to help to save the man she loved steadfastly despite misunderstandings is indeed exceedingly sweet and well told. Norman Kerry gives a groat performance as lan MacDonald, while Hobart Bosworth, Creighton Hale, Russell Simpson, Frank Currier and Patricia Avery, to mention only some of Hie supporting players, each deserve credit for line work. Jehu S. Robertson directed "Annie Laurie." A special programme of incidental iiinsle accompanies the presentation of “Annie Laurie.'' and is to be played by the King's Orchestra. The box plan is at the Bristol. PARA MO ONT THEATRE. "Hof. Heels,'' the gay photoplay which is to be screened at the Paramount Theatre to-night, with Glonn 'Tryon starring, might lie termed a doubly entertaining lilm. ft merits, it is said, classification as either a sparkling, effervescent comedy of youth, or as a thrilling, stirring drama of back-stage and the race track. Under either classification it is outstanding; under both classifications il. is a rare achievement in Hie art of entertaiunient. Delicious comedy, suspense, and the amazing steeplechase which, for sheer splendour of treatment, gives other directors a mark at which to aim, are offered. To William Craft goes the credit for the story and the direction, while Glenn Tryon makes a more decided hid for the comedy crown than ever. There is no better foil for Ills comedy than Patsy Itutli Miller, who plays Opposite him for Hie third successive rime. She is exceptionally pretty in this, and demonstrates her talent at every opportunity. The horse used in the picture is a marvellous steed. Gretel Yoltz appears as the smart chorus girl, and Lloyd Whitlock makes a dastardly villain. T. Sloan and James Bradbury, senior, are capable troupers. Al. Wilson, considered filmdoin’s greatest aerinl, aerobat. is the featured player in “The Cloud Dodger,” which will be shown in conjunction with “Hot Heels.” Good supporting items are also included, and the Orchestra Paramount, under the direction of Mr. Robert Coultou, will play incidental music. The box plan is at the Bristol, and the Utility stationery shop (next to the theatre). DE LUXE THEATRE. It seems incredible that brothers who have sworn never to speak to each other should be partners in an act that is fraught with danger, each holds the life of the other in his hands nightly. The act in question is Hie tight and slack wire performance by the Flamingo Brothers in “Lite's Circus," the First National Continental production, which will commence screening at the De Luxe Theatre to-night. The younger brother performs some of Hie most difficult feats of balance on the tight wire to open the act, feats that call for a considerable amount of nerve, for the wire, is stretched across the arena far above the beads of tlie audience. Then to add to Hie thrill Hie elder brother, who has been sitting in the audience all the time feigning drunkenness, stands up and with realistic acting lie sways about among the people scoffing his brother's attempts, and intimating lie eau do the tricks himself. He enters the arena and mounts the wire. Hero be performs n number of thrilling stunts which, under ordinary conditions, are dangerous, but by acting drunk the risk is doubled. He (hen falls from the bight wire on to a lower one. and after a few feats on that wire is gradually slacked by his brother, the performer meanwhile standing up and swinging backwards and forwards In a breath-taking act. The supports will also bo screened, and the usual excellent musical programme supplied by Mr. Aarons at the Wurlitzer organ and by the orchestra. QUEEN’S THEATRE. An excellent two-star programme is promised to-night at the Queen's Theatre. The first attraction is "The Coming of Amos.” The story, a melodramatic comedy adapted from the famous novel by William J. Locke, ranges in locale from Australia to the guy Riviera, and Rod La Rocque in his leading role has a line opportunity to extend himself to the limits of ins ability in portraying this character. Featured in the supporting east are Jetta Goudal, as a Russian princess, with whom La Rocque falls madly in love, mid Noah Beery in the rold of the sleek and polished villain who also strives for tile lim d of the princess. Combining all the colour, romance, and intrigue of the early west with the daring stunts and riding tricks of one of Hie cowboy star. "The Canyon of Adventure.” starring Ken Maynard, is the second attraction. A good supporting prognnnnie is «ilso shown. /The Quccu s Orchestra should be heard to advantage in a speciallv arranged music score. The box plan is at Bristol, or ring theatre telephone •J2 -331 for reservations. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. The change of programme to-day at the New Princess Theatre brings rhe Chinese Parrot,” in which Marian Nixon, Edmund Burns, and Hobart Bosworth head a large cast. The picture is an adaptntion of H Story of the same [mine by Em-1 Biggers, which was published m the Saturday Evening Post.” It is an enthralling narrative of Hawaii and Death Valiev in California. The cast includes Florence Turner and Anna May Belie Daniels is the star ot fhi. rntjFiiiv Girl", which is also on the progrmnme. .'lll'l wliieli " nl;ll0w " ,' n Wrlliuglon. having had one most successH,I soum.ii already, .lames Hull supports lli“ t’amous star in the comedy. A gold mine figures in the plot, and the hero

lias to light to save I lie mine and lhe girl. A strong supporting programme lias been prepared. lIIS MAJESTY’S THEATRIC. Tin- Sliffy and AIo Company are now in their fifth week at: Jtis .Majesty’s Theatre. This week’s prograinme consists ot a vaudeville first luilf, with n revue entitled “Oh, Eddie” tilling the second. .Ho is seen nt his best this week in "Ob. Eddie,” which has no particular objective apart from being a medium tor tils ludicrous sallies. Stilly appears as tils follow orderly, and is amusing as the one who will butt in between lhe officers and their lady ITiimds. Amy Ki.iclielle figures as Eddie, unit sings several tuneful ditties, while Sadie Gale scores heavily with "Hollo. Cutie." The Charleston Jazz. Band is again a feature of I lie pi ogi'iiniine, and the ballet, of six help. KIEBIKNIE KINEMA. “Fouls for Luck" and "The Kojuvcna--1 ion of Aunt Alary” are lhe two features to be screened at (In* Kilbirnie Kinema to-night ami to-morrow night. W. C. Fields and Chester Conklin are the stars of "Fools for Luck.” which is uno ot tin? best comedies Illis well-known pair have yet produced. "The Rejuvenation ot Aunt. Alary” is also nn hilarious eomeily. with May' Hobson, Phyllis Haver, and Uarrisiin Ford in tlie featured roles. Approprbiie musical items will be supplied by I lie orchost nt.