ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 12, 9 October 1928, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATRE. “Heart of a Nation,” featuring George .Sidney, is the current picture at the De Luxe Theatre. He portrays his role in “Heart of a Nation” with rare discrimination; he never overacts, and proves himself capable of rare emotional depth. Three families emigrate to Now York, from Russia, Germany, and Italy. The parents retain all they loved of the ■ old countries, making no effort to become Americanised; while the children grow up to be typical young Americans, incapable off understanding their parents, who m turn are incapable of understanding their children. But the war conies along for a brief moment and their children enlist. To go further would spoil enjoyment. The ending is of rare beauty and happiness. Especial credit goes to Sidney, Beryl Mercer, Eddie Phillips, Albert Gran, and Daisy Belmore. A gazette and comedy are also screened, and the usual excellent musical programme is supplied. “THE BIG CITY.” One of New York's most famous night clubs was reproduced on an elaborate scale at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios as a setting for “The Big City,” Lon Chaney’s, new picture, which was be presented next Friday at the De Luxe Theatre. The club is practically a replica of the famous tavern of Texas Guinan, actress and nightclub hostess, who startled the metropolis with her daring Innovations. The club, with spectacular ballet and other features, was used as the scene for a 'thrilling holdup in the new picture, in which Chaney plays a gangster leader. The story is a mystery romance of the New York underworld, with Chaney as Its tsar, and Marceline Day as the heroine, a shop girl enmeshed in one of his plots. Jdmes Murray plays her sweetheart, a young gangster, and the cast includes Betty Compson, Virginia Pearson, John George, Mathew Betz, and others of note. The story hinges on a love between the young gangster, his Sweetheart, and the gangster chief, with the holdup, a sensational police battle, and a gangster war as incidentals. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Johnny Hines, popular First National comedian, has one of his best roles to date in the “Chinatown Charlie,” the current feature at the Paramount Theatre. The story concerns a. young man who, while employed on a sightseeing bus, makes the acquaintance of a beautiful girl, who is wearing a peculiar ring. In an endeavour to find out'more about this ring he takes the girl into a Port Shanghai cafe, where Charlie questions a Chinaman about the ring. The latter becomes very excited and deciares that the ring once belonged to the Emperor of China and. has great power. Supporting Hihes are Louise Lorraine, Anna May Wong, Sojih, Eddie Gribbon, George Kuwa, and Fred 'Katler. In support are a Gazette, scenic, and comedy, with excellent musical numbers by the orchestra. “THE . ADOpABLE OUTCAST.” The . Adorable, Outcast,” Australasian Films successor to “For the Term of His Natural Life,” will open on Friday at the Paramount Theatre. Edith Roberts, Ed.mund Burns, Walter Long, and a large cast of Australian players appear in this £50,000 attraction, which is a screen adaptation of Beatrice,Grimshaw’s novel, ‘.‘Conn of the Coral Seas.” The original story has been changed a little for screen purposes, but all the big moments of the book have been realistically transferred, it is reported. Some of the scenes include an enormous living room, built in the Javanese style of architecture; a huge ceremonial hut made of bamboos and palms, which represents an exact replica of a ceremonial hut in New Guinea; a notorious saloon which is the waterfront meeting-place of pearlers, crooks, and other members of the rougher element; the interior of an island mission station, and various trading posts and pearlers' rendezvous. Five hundred war canoes and. outriggers .are seen in action, while another scene depicts 2000 native warriors dancing in full war dress with clubs and spears. Arthur MeLaglen, who played Matt Gabbett in “For the Tenn of His Natural Life,” has another - important role .in “The ' Ador-, able ■ Outcast” as “Iron Devil,” the cannibal chief. Picture-goers hardly recognise the wonderful transformation in his appearance. • Other Australians who appeared in “For the Term of His Natural Life,” and are also appearing in this second picture, are Jessica Harcourt, Arthur Tauchert, Fred Twitchin, and Comptqii ■Goutts. . ; ■,. • . REGENT THEATRE. Popular Esther Ralston is seen at her best in her latest starring vehicle. for Paramount,- “Half a Bride,”' which is the current feature at the Regent Theatre. The .film is;a timely discussion of marriage and ■ the irresponsible, .flights Sf • the. .. modern wealthy American youth. The story deals with a girl who at 21 has tasted all the ‘thrills that life can hold. Finally she plans a marriage with a companion of an evening inspired by a mad impulse and a lecture on marriage. Her father breaks up the ill-advised union by kidnapping her and taking her . on a long sea voyage aboard his yacht. She escapes from the yacht in a 1 launch, but the young captain 'of tho yacht, jumps overboard after, her. A. storm arises, and they are cast ashore on a degerted island, where the girl learns to work and to lovi?. Gary Cooper plays opposite Miss Ralston.. A gazette, comedy, and cartoon are also screened, and excellent music is supplied by the orchestra, under Mr. Ivan Fosello. ' An added attraction is Tom Katz and his saxophone band, a elever combinatiomof six expert players. The leader is a particularly able performer. ‘‘THE LAST COMMAND.” I The greatest motion, picture favourites of America and Europe have been assembled for the cast, of “The Last Command,” the Paramount picture which will be screened at the Regent Theatre on Friday, with Emil Jannlngs as the star. Heading the European representation is the star; himself, Jannings, whose two American-made pictures, “The Way of All Flesh” and “Variety,” . have given him in this country the ;same pre-eminence he enjoyed abroad. “THE LAUGHING OPTIMIST.” Mr. Perry Hutchison and his allEnglish company appeared a second time in the American comedy, “The Laughing Optimist,” at the Grand Opera House last night. Full of humour, the play is handled ably by the capable company. The title role is played by Hutchison himself, the name of the character being Jerry Howard. Jerry preaches that, people lose happiness by having empty .fears and practises what he preaches, to the annoyance of the mother of .his lady-love! The father is a novel-making machine, but he breaks down when Jerry is in the middle of his wooing and the latter, steps into the breach-, caused by the. domestic crisis, to get.nothing for his,pains except to have the girl turn from him under the misunderstanding that he is .'responsible for the poor condition of the', family finances and threatens to marry his rival. However, the old father comes back into the picture once more to adjust matters and set the proper two on. the way to the. altar. .Miss Stella Francis is the. girl, Miss Frances Dillon takes the part :of her mother, Mr. R. Steuart West that of-the broken-down old novelist, and Mr. .E. Rayson-Cousens that of Jerry’s .rival. Misses Mary Brackley and Joan Rogers .and Messrs. Victor Watts Weston, Townsend Whitling and Leslie Laurier all carry out their allotted parts with credit. ' “The Laughing Optimist” will be staged for three more nights, and on Friday night will give place'to “Mr. ;What’s-His-Name ? an amusing comedy .adapted from the French by Seymour Hicks. It Is the story of a man who Ipses his memory in a railway accident, and forgetting wife and family, becomes a fashionable ladles hairdresser. .He marries again, and the consequent fun: (together with sparkling dialogue) makes the. play one of the most laughable comedies of recent years, it is said. , ’ ’.. ;

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Stiffy and' Mo, having departed for the north, their place at His Ma jest ys Theatre was taken last night by the Whirl of Mirth” Revue Company headed by Mr. George Ward (who perhaps is better known as Hermie Schultz), and Charles Sherman. The former is a little round comedian who does not trouble about reducing exercises, nor is he fussy about diet. He is just a' happy-go-lucky little balloon of a Dutchman, who butts in comically whenever there is a chance, ana mixes it with anyone who gainsays ins incoherent loquacity. “Hermie’ exposed nothing now last night. His principal stunt—that of being introduced to a so, cietv lady—has borne the battle and the breeze for some years; still the fat little fellow with the jig-saw language is nature allv funny without being vulgar, which is something. Mr. Sherman figures now as tlie dapper evening*dressed light comedian, smart, verbose and debonnair in contradistinction to Hermie. and has a Rre“t deal to sav and says it well. In additioii he plays the pianoforte with easy nonchalance. and sings a gay song about Mr Jazz,” whilst yearning for the return ol the old-time melodies. Another comedian new to these parts is Al. Maurice, another little Tich without his dancing capacity. Mr. Maurice is a burlesque comedian ol the Victorian school, with an. amusing per.-

sonality, and clothes which earn many a good laugh. He is useful in sketches, and was quite good as the husband in “The Pianoforte Tuner’s Legacy.” Mr. Maurice also contributed a burlesque ballad sketch, with the strenuous assistance of Miss Valdon. Mr. Gus Dawson, an old favourite, dances as neatly as ever, and his turn with Jean Keith was most acceptable. Dave Mered th and his Melody Boys is a jazz band, without which no revue company seems to be complete. The band baa some clever performers, .but such is the desire to distort and mince the music that one scarcely gets the hang of the leit motif. The best example of blue music given was “The Russian Lullaby,” but even in that the continual tinkering with tone colour per medium of an extensive variety of mutes robs the number of its natural appeal. The idea of embracing a tableau for certain numbers, as, for example, the Indian girls in “The Waters of Minnetonka,” is a new variation of jazz band titlvation now practised a good, deal at Home and in America. Miss Alma Valdon was responsible for a Dutch song and clog dance, and Jean Keith was quite good in “Sing me a Baby Song.” Miss Colleen Hope, the balladist, has a light soprano voice of much sweetness, and the Ussher girls made a distinct hit in their acrobatic dance. The snapshot girls (a ballet of six) were an animated decoration to half-a-dozen songs.. Mrs. Ward not only conducted the orchestra, but also appeared with Mr. Sherman in a two-piano djiet. STRAND THEATRE. “Sadie Thompson,” starring Gloria Swanson, directed by Raoul Walsh and based on the powerful story by W. Somerset Maugham, is the current feature at the Strand Theatre. “Sadie Thompson” is the narrative! of an intolerant individual’s insistent projection of his dominant personalily’ into the pitifully weak and feminine existence of an outcast girl who is trying to “live and let live.” Maugham’s classic is a drama of tolerance, a colourful, romantic, throbbing story of human souls in conflict. Greatest of all Maugham’s literary creations is “Miss Thompson,” the gaudily dressed lady who flaunts a parasol and tilts a high-hat feather at a marine as readily as she flares into stinging resentment at self-appointed intruders into lives of others. Gloria Swanson has said that she likes Sadie Thompson better than any other one of her screen characterisations; that she was happiest in acting the part, and it is certainly the greatest acting she has yet given the screen. Good supports and music complete the pro-' gramme.

“TEMPEST.” “Tempest,” the new John Barrymore picture which will be the next big attraction at the Strand Theatre, is a stary of contrasts, depicting as it does all the luxury of Czarist Russia and the subsequent chaos of the 1917 revolution which transformed private soldiers into generals and generals into fugitives. In tho early part of the picture, “Tempest” shows the pomp and gaiety of life among the ruling classes, when entertainments rivaling the fetes of the ancient Romans were staged in the castles of the rich. With the overthrow of tlie empire, the soldiers seize control, and it is as a young peasant officer who loves a princess tliat Barrymore gives a characterisation which is said to surpass any role of screen or stage in his career. “Tempest” was directed by Sam Tavlor. Supporting Barrymore in this United Artists production are Camilla Horn, Louis Walheim. Boris de Fas. George Fawcett, Ullrich Haupt and Michael Vlsaroff.

CONCERT IN AID OF NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL.

The action of the Wellington Technical College students in promptly organising a concert for the swelling of the National War Memorial funds is indeed praiseworthy and deserving of tlie support of tlie public. The students have prepared for to-night’s programme plays, dances, songs and choruses, and an enjoyable evening should result fi'om their efforts. The lead given by the students may well be followed by others who desire the memorial funds to reach the required amount. c KING’S THEATRE. The inclusion of three complete casts of film celebrities in a single picture Is tho astonishing departure from the usual run of screen drama in “Diamond Handcuffs,” (lie Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer attraction now showing at the King's Theatre. Similarly the story is divffied into three portions, with the adventures of a priceless diamond

the centre of events In each instance. In the first episode, the great gem is shown being discovered and stolen by a Kaffir in ji Kimberley mine, who, however, m makIng “gift of it to his half-caste sweetheart, gives up his life as well.' The second sequence traces the diamond throughout a domestic tragedy in glittering societv, in which the half-caste girl is a maid. In the third episode the sinister gem is at last . obliterated. Eleanor Boardman, Lawrence Gary, Conrad Nagel and Gwen lee have featured roles. The supports are a Gazette New Zealand scenic and comedy, while delightful music is supplied by the orchestra.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. Splendid direction and some excellent characterisations are among the outstanding features of -The Escape,” Fox Films production featuring Virginia Valli, which is the current feature at the Queen’s Theatre New York is the locale of this modern ' version of Paul Armstrong’s great stage hit and few directors have succeeded in catching the true spirit of the Metropolis Us has Richard Rosson in handling the tenements and the night club scenes. William Russell, playing opposite Miss Valli gives one of the best performances of bls career. “Dame Chance.” a drama featuring Robert Fraser and Gertrude Astor, isithe second feature, while capital music is supplied by the orchestra.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA. “Red Hair,” starring that popular and vivacious little star, Clara Bow, wih be repeated at the Kilbirnie Kinema again tonight This film has had successful runs elsewhere and is undoubtedly one of the star’s best. Lefty Flynn in “Speed Wild, a fast-moving story, is the second feature. Appropriate! music is supplied by the orchestra. The box plan is at the confectioner’s, next, to the theatre (’phone J 4—202). -