ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 34, 3 November 1928, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATREIn “Sunrise,” the brilliant William Fox production, which headed the new programme introduced at De. Luxe Theatre last night, the motldli-picUjre comes into its own as a great form c»f story-telling, without help from the printed sub-title or the mechanically presented situations ol the. stage. "Sunrise,” tlirojilgh the genius of that great director, F. W. Murnau, tells a simple story, with a man, his wife, ami a temptress from the citj)- as the only characters. The audience iis swept away In the turmoil of conflicting emotions that rush through a simple soung farmer s head, when, after being templed by the girl from the city, he taken. his wife out for a boat ride, determined, to drown her. This little ride in a leaky old cratt supplies ten minutes of .the areatest pantomime the screen has ever affered. When it comes to i the crucial moment the man finds that he has not the heart to harm bls fragile wife, and rows furiously back to shore. But the young wife has sensed his evil intentions, and flech from him to the city. The couple be.M>me reconciled, bitt on returning across tAie lake a real storm smites their little* craft, and ii tragedy is only . averted ,by a mlrac.e. Every thought, every deeding breath, is caught on the screen; evary moment is poignant and tense. It is. a nightmarish, tale, fantastic, and yet disturbingly real. It moves from grim tragedy to delirious farce, and back again, with the utmost ease. The major parts are played llv George O’Brien and Janet Gaynor with great delicacy and understanding. It is the finest work that either pf_ these young actors has ever done, arul Miss Gaynor especially more than Justifies her right to be classed as ■ a great actjress. The big picture was preceded by a beautiful stage presentation of . breaking . dawn, during which the popular manage#- of the theatre, Mr Herbert F. Wood, delighted the crowded audience with his interpretation of the dainty song, "Sunrise and You which was do enjoyed that the. talented tenor had to. repeat it. ' The supporting films on the new programme were all cordially received, and the. musical portion of the entertainment came in for much favourable comment. Tim orchestra was heard in Suppe’s majestfie composition. “Poet apd Peasant,” wbffle Mr. Emanuel Aarons played Beethovenfs “Mignonette on the. Wurlitzer organ .There will be a matinee screening at —3o' this afternoon;

“THE FOREIGN LEGION.” With two of the most famous male stars in motion pictures, Lewis, Stone and Norman Kerry, and two certafinly most attractive feminine stars, co-starring in Lnlversal’s powerful drama of Frances polyglot armv, “The Foreign Lcglliu.&j patrons of thebe Luxe Theatre are promised exceptional entertainment when the picture comes to that theatre on November 10. The colourful Algerian alesert and the drawing rooms of Londdn comprise the. principal locales of the story. The story was written by the well-known English novelist. I. A. K. Wylie, and published ns "The Red Mirage.” The utmost care was taken to retain its original ideas, and critics, acquainted with the original story, are unanimous in tlieir liraise of .the picture as an entertainment and of the taithful manner in which it, portfays Miss Wylie’s novel. GRAND OPERA. The New Zealand, tou* of the FullerGonsalez Italian Grand Ojpera Company is of Special interest td teacfhers and all who have the education and direction of the growing generation dlrecttly or indirectly tn their care. As an important adjunct to education genefally--porticularly to musical education—and tn the acquirement Of general culture and the formation of good taste, it is undeniable that the opportunity to see graild opera, produced by world-famed-artists, is mot only an opportunity of seeing high-class entertainment;, but is also an educational! factor of great importance in the lives of young people : Most theatrical shows ate only entertain--ments and nothing more, designed to pass away a few hours and be, forgotten, but the same cannot be said of grand opera. Grand opera lives in the memory and is something that ctlh be revived over find over again with greater relftdi. Grand opera as well as being thoroughly entertaining, provides an exhibition ol vocal art, choral singing, orchestral playipig, and,, in addition, a full stage production usually of h thrilling story, it provides food fo.r thought, and is a grant aid to mental culture. If encouraged see opera, young people will carry away with them memories of beautiful scenes, and music which will never be forgotten, and which Will. be a pleasure to them throughout their lives. The Wellington season will commence on Tuesday night with Donizetti’s ■ “Lucia di Lauamermoor” from Scott's “Bride of Lumtneriuoor.” Special arrangements are being' made for pupils of schools hud colleges. ’J7." KING’S THEATRE.

“A Certain Young l[lan,” a sparkling cL-ektall fit modern t-oihAncb, starring popular liainon Navarro, iWuueueed screening at the King's Theatre last night. The story .deals with Lord <serald Brinsley, a youfik .English nobleman, who is famous in London as the gayest, nwst hahtlsonte, and wealthy o£ eligible males, whose valet spends most of his tlizm answering the door aiid telephone to villa master’s many lady friends. The story is a romance with Novarro the centre of a swirl of fashionable admirers, and when he meets the right girl complications onsttii Ivhlch provide a* touch of real drama, qnd an unexpected ending. Marceline appears opposite the star as leading lady, and usually acquits herself witli the htjgliest honours. AH Lord Gerald Brinsley, Novarro gives a really tine characterisation and receives good support from a strong east, headed by Marceline 'Day, B'ettee Adoree, Carmel Myets, afid Bert Itoacli. A Well-Varied supporting programme includes a Gazette, comedy, and Into Testing New Zealand topical, which shows shots of Kingsford Smith’s depfirttire, while a delightful score of music is well tendered by the orchestra Under Mr. A. Hj. Jerome. rAtIAMOUNT THEATBE.

“The Big Noise,” the star attraction which commenced for |he.first time at the Paramount Theatre la»it night, is a delightful comedy, with that great laughihaker, Chester Cohklin, In tile leading role. The film is full vf interest from, begining to end. It is a First National production, being a satire.on selisationill journalisra and metropolitan polities, replete with humour,’ pathos and gripping drama. The story, which is from the pen of Ben Hfecht, noted novelist, and former Chicago llinvspapefinan, shows Chester Conkliil in the part of tv I'dunib”/subway guard, who is picked up and exploited as a hero by a New York paper In I order to further the cause of its maybraldy candidate, who is campaignlug against filie traction eompahy. A pleasing love story runs through thp picture with Alice IVliite and Jack Egan doing good work as thn juveniles. In “Tiip Big Noise," Chester Conklin gives, one of the finest performances of his career. Il is filled not ouly with the comedy for which he is famous, but also. with .« tremendotis uilioiiht ctf pathos. The power of the Pres? . over the public mtiid is strikingly pictured In this scintillating film, which is well worth seeing. Besides Chester Conklin arid the players mentioned, others to do excellent work In “Ths Big Noise” are Hath Hardy), Ned Sparks, David Torrance, Bodie Rosing and Fred O'Beck. Embracing as it does one of the largest and most complete fleatured casts of the year. “The Big Nolsf|” ean be highly recommended for those' In search of good entertainment. A comedy, an up-to-date news gazette, and the .Orchestra Paramount under the direction ’’of Mr. It. R. Canlton, adds further ingefest to the entertainment. QUEEN’S triIEAtRE. “Over the Hill,” the Fox production screening at the Queen’s Theatre fo-nlglit, Is described aS the wonder picture of (lie age. It does not depend, as so many stories dq, upon the theme of the eternal triangle for its sustained Interest, and Hie theme is sweet and wholesome. Taken from one of Will Carteton's most celebrated poems, the picture tel,ls of the joyu a (id Sorrows of a typical mother who raises n large family of children, only to find that In her old age she Is allowed t<> drift, from them and exist on charity. It is left to the “black sheep” sob, wliqn lie discovers the way things are jjolnir,-to come to Hie rescue of Ills aged mother and al) ends happily. Tho little mother, lifter the world-wldo fashion at every true mother, Is only too willing to forgive and forget, Mary Carr brings out. all the pathos In tin’ role of Jin Benton und tho remainder of the characters are ailnilrnbly cast. Good supports accompany Uhls production. INNVITATItXN RECITAL.

The annual InvltUlon fecltal by Ihe students of Jir. Eric IJleler will take plnee at the Concert Chamber on Wednesday; November 21, at 8 p.m. 'Cello students of Mr. George Ellwood age assisting In the ensetuble class, and Alias Greta Jeferseii Is playing two solos. Miss Elsa Walter will be the solo pianist, mid, together with Air. Dudley Pilcltcf, will provide the accompaniments.

ORGAN RECITAL. Mr. Bernard F. Pafte (city organist) will give lilm weekly organ recital at the Town Hull to-morrow evening and the programme has been arranged uh under;--Minuet in I) Major, by Mozdrt- I’age I Suite Ancdeniio, by Holloway: Meditation (No. o) in C Sharp Minor, by Bopartz; Air and Variations (Upon a theme of Handel’K), by Karg-Elert; Reverie, by pe< biissy i.inid Wagner's Prelude (to Act ill, "Tristan and Isolde”),

strand theatre. ' There was a double-feature bill at the Strand Theatre last night, which should be a good, attraction for to-day and the coming week.- “The Butter and Egg Man” is a very laughable drama, in which Jack-Mulhall and Greta Nissen take the slar turns. Broadway stage life is the background for the picture, in which the hero begins as an outsider feeling the lure of the footlights. Miss Nissen as the heroine is famous for her beauty and her dancing, and the pair make the comedy- go with a real swing. Others prominent in the cast. are Gertrude Astor, Sam Hardy, and William Demarest. The picture is a First National production. "Dress Parade”, is the other feature .story, in which William Boyd stars for the first time under the De Mille banner, lie does •it, too, with great success, for he displays an engaging personality and has a charm of adllfig all bls own. The storydeals With the life of a military cadet at W.est Point, and there. Is a real thrill when Haldane accidentally gets his foot Wedged between two boulders, and is left behind under if barrage of tire. There Is trouble with the authorities and the lover Is in danger of losing the girl to whom he is devoted. The outcome, however, is a happy ohe. thanks to the Intervention of the girl with the commanding oflleer. There Is also a news film, etc., and the musical items are appropriate and well played. . REGENT THEATRE. As is customary at the Regent Theatre, the programme submitted last night was excellent in every respect, and was as entertaining as It wits varied. Heading the bill was “The Bfg Killing,” the star performers in which are those two popular comedians, Wallaee Beery and Raymond Hatton, whose antics can always be relied upon to put eveu the most glum person in a happy- frame of milid. The two men, sharpshooters from a circus, find themselves mixed up With a feud between two families. They Imagine that they have fallen Into something worth while, but find that in nihe cases out of ten they are not. tjie shooters, but are the objects of. the shots that float around the countryside. They imagine that they have been, hired to shoot dogs, and are horrified When they find out the true state of- affairs. After many amusing adventures they escape and finally succeed In getting the rival families locked in a cellar, whOre, as one may well Imagine, things happen at an alarming rate. A boy and a girl Of the rival families love each other, this fact being the cause of the latest inter-family squabble. These two take the opportunity of their relations’ imprisonment to elope and get married. They use tho two sharpshooters as witnesses. The wedding ends the feud, but oiir two heroes, deeming discretion to be the better part of valour, make a quick getaway before landing themselves In any mope trouble. Mary Brien takes the part of the girl who starts the feud, and is Supported by a first : rate cast. The second feature Stars the beautiful blonde, Esther Ralston. It is “The Sawdust Paradise,” and Is a story of life in a travelling show, with its gaieties and Its heartaches. The plot Is rather unusual and deals with a girl who during her employment as a sideshow girl, helped by a travelling revivalist, does her best to help Ills cause, eVen though acting against her old show, mid In opposition to her lover. Relations are very sti-ained for a time, but the girl still continues to help her benefactor. A clash between her lover and another carnival owner bring matters to a head, the girl dashing to aid him when his carnival is destroyed. She tells him that he is not ruined, but is saved. The old revivalist, realising that the two were meant for each other, brings them together onee more, and they depart to face the future together. The supporting cast Includes Reed Howes and that Well-known actor Hobart Bosworth. There Is an especially interesting Paramount Gazette. 'The items rendered by the. Regent Orchestra, under the baton of Mr. Ivan Fosello, are most tuneful. the entr-aeto, “SI J’etais Rot” (Adam) being particularly well played; HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. George Ward and his merry men of the “Whirl of Mirth” Revue Company arc now In their fourth week at His Majesty's Theatre, where they are enjoying a highly successful -.season. As usual, the first half of the programme Is well-varied Vaudeville, In which every turn is worth its place, “‘The Hotel de Luxe” is the revuette which [ills the second half. In it, little Hermle takes the part of a simple little Dutthmah, who finds himself alone, in New York, surrounded by a bevy of beautiful girls. Throughout the whole show Hermle is a Hot qf laughter, aiid he receives able support from Charles Sherman and the other clever comedians of the company. PIANOFORTE RECITAL. A programme of unusual interest lias been arranged by the Misses Nora Gray and Lalla Vondersloot for their joint recital to be given In the Concert Chamber on Wednesday, evening next. In addition to representative solo numbers they will plfiy two piano duos by Chainliiade and ■ Cliabrler. Movements from Tscliaikowsky's Conperto In B flat minor and Liszt's Concerto in B flat will also be performed. The plan is at the Bristol Plano Co.

WELLINGTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA The proposal to establish a permanent symphony oteheStra in Wellington is arousing considerable interest In musical .circles. Those who were fortunate to hear the magnificent performance of the orchestra under the conductorship of Mr. Leon de Mauny on Wednesday night, showed their appreciation In no unmistakable manner, and already quite a number of enthusiasts have requested that their names be'placed on the list of subscribing members. For the purpose of testing public feeling on the propositi a provisional committee has been formed, and those willing to assist are invited in .an advertisement In this issue to send their names to Mr. E. Palliser, “Dominion” building, Mercer Street. ’ •