ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 35, 5 November 1928, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATRE. “Sunrise,” the Fox Films Ulin starring Janet Gaynor anti George O’Brien and directed by F. W. Murnau, Is the current feature at the De Luxe Theatre. Ipto n farmhouse where the head of the family is happy in the possession of an adoring wife anil baby, is dropped a city girl who brings tragedy with her. Margaret Livingston has the difficult part of breaking up tills happy home, planting in the man’s mind the conviction that lie should drown his wife and go with her to the city. The wife, knowing nothing of this evil plot, accompanies her husband in his boat, but the criminal thought is not as strong as his conscience, and lie fails to kill her. He takes her to shore and she is pursued by him on a trolley to the city, where a fashionable wedding- party awakens romance in this crude pair. They have a happy honeymoon of a few hours, and in this part of the picture some of Murnau's best work shows itself. On the return trip home a storm arises and as the husband tries to save the wife their boat turns over and she is swept away. Thinking she is dead, the man resolves to kill his temptress. This time his conscience does not Interfere with his intentions, but he Is interrupted by word that his wife has been found, still living. In renewed happiness the pair again face the sunrise. Mr. 11. F. Wood sings "Sunrise and You' and special music is supplied. REGENT THEATRE.

Starring Wallace Beery and Raymond Hatton, "The Big Killing” heads the double feature programme now screening at the Regent Theatre. % The story deals with a family feud among the moonshinemaking mountaineers in the backwoods. This type of individual still exists in the United States in large numbers but, being remote from towns and his activities being largely contined to his own virgin territory, little is heard or known of him. Occasionally, when a revenue officer is hurt in an attempt to stop an illicit still in these mountain regions, the backwoods mountaineer breaks into the newspaper for a brief period, but usually he goes his way unworried about (he conventions of civilisation. When the two moving picture comedy men enter this environment, there is a complete barrier of laughter thrown np around the serious aspects of this littleknown life, but all the unusual customs and the peculiar activities of the characters are utilised, to provide exquisite moments of fun. Esther Ralston, beautiful blonde actress of Paramount pictures, appears in her new picture, “The Sawdust Paradise," as a street carnival "ballyhoo" girl. This is the second big feature 011 the programme. As a “ballyhoo” girl, with a cheap travelling street carnival, Miss Ralston plays a part that ranges between the light and broad comedy which has featured her previous starring roles, and real drama. The serious moments of “The Sawdust Paradise” brings forth vividly Miss Ralston’s strength as a dramatic actress. Supporting the star are Reed Howes, Hobart Bosworth, Mary Alden and Alan Roscoe. A gazette is also screened aud delightful music is supplied by the orchestra under Mr. Ivan Fosello.

FULLER-GONSALEZ GRAND OPERA. “Lucia di Lainmermoor" is the opera chosen for the opening performance of the Fuller-Gonsalez Italian Grand Opera Company at His Majesty’s Theatre to-morrow night, and it is very worthy of the honour of ushering in the return season of this celebrated grand opera company. The story, from Scott’s tragic “Bride of Lammermoor," has a poignant appeal and the changing emotions are expressed in glorious melody, world-known for its rich beauty. The characters are well-allotted, Signorina Poletti giving a portrayal of tlie unfortunate Lucia, Signor Rota, as Edgardo, and Signor Scamuzzi as the domineering brother, Henry. In the other roles, Signorlna Pfrimmer, and Signors Gislon, Alfieri and Gilari will be heard. “Lucia di Lainmermoor” contains an irresistible appeal for all—wonderful Rowing melodies for the lovers of pure music, clever instrumentation for the musician, and a pulsing dramatic story told by descriptive song and telling action that makes the whole play clearly understood and appreciated by all. For those who know the music of the opera thoroughly, it is like a visit to a familiar spot beautiful with old and new-discovered wonders, while those who have not. heard before the excerpts from opera And themselves transported to a new and glorious world filled with the peoples and Immortal songs of opera. In "Lucia di Lammermoor” the sextet Is alone worth going to hear. This immortal work has been popularised through the gramophone, but to hear it from the stage gives one a thrill that Is not easily forgotten. On Wednesday night “La Travlata” is to be presented. For the grand opera season special concessions are being arranged for pupils of schools and colleges.

STRAND THEATRE. “The Butter-and-Egg Man,” starring popular Jack Mulhall, heads the doublefeature programme now screening at the Strand Theatre. Opposite him Greta Nissen.' Swedish beauty, scores with fiery blonde charm and real histrionic ability. Gertrude Astor, Sam Hardy, and William Demarest appear in the three other principal roles, and give notable performances. Richard Wallace's skill as director of the picture and the excellent photography of George Folsey also are factors in the film’s success. In its kinetna garb, “The Butter-and-Egg Man” differs . only slightly from the basic plot of the stage production. The screen’s superior mechanical facilities, however, enable one to peer into dressing-rooms, to follow the characters into -by-ways of New York theatrical life, and to get glimpses of the play that the hero purchases. Therein, probably, lies part of the film’s marked superiority over even its highly successful stage original as human, hilarious entertainment. "Dress Parade,” the second feature, deals with the. life of a military cadet at West Point. William Bovd is starred, supported by Bessie Love, Hugh Allan, and Walter Tennyson. •“••OUR BETTERS.” That consummate artist, Miss Margaret Bannerman, delighted another audience that crowded the Grand Opera House on Saturday night as Lady George Grayson in Somerset Maugham’s daring comedy, “Our Betters.” The story deals with a flashy set of American women who have sold themselves to a position “in the swim” in London society, and who stop at nothing to remain there. Chief of these is Lady George Grayson, a brilliant, scheming, tactful, beautiful butterfly of fashion, who twists wealthy men round her little finger. Her success, ns she explains, lies in her ability to give Englishmen what they like. “Do you imagine,” she tells her innocent young American sister, who is shocked at the goings on in England, “that the English like us. They regard us as barbarians and Red Indians, and we have to buy every ounce of success we gain. Do yon think I could carry on in the style I do' on a paltry £BOOO a year?” Lady George Grayson has as her companions a formidable Middle West duchess, who is separated from her French husband, and who has a penchant for very young men; another American lady who is an Austrian pleress; two American “Sexes and Sevens.” which will be preCompany. starring Margaret Bannerman, on Wednesday and Thursday at the Grand Opera House, under the direction of ,T. C. Williamson Company, Ltd., is a comedy adapted by Arthur Wimperis from the French of Alfred Savoir. It is said to be a typically French play, the characters In which are described as being frequently unpleasantly frank In the discussion of their amorous pursuits. The principal figure is a beautiful and wealthy girl with big business interests and of independent character, who refuses to consider marriage because it would mean surrendering her independence, but who, being human, “subsidises” a handsome young man, whose physical qualities appeal to her. though she regards him as mentally greatly her inferior. Australian critics were as highly enthusiastic over Miss Bannerman’s acting in “Sexes and Sevens” as thev were over her acting in other plays. Throughout the play also she wears some pretty frocks. A tribute was paid to Miss Bannerman and her company for the remarkable manner in which the most risque situations were dealt with. They were made free from all trace of vulgarity by a fine understanding of the requirements Box plans arc open nt the Bristol, sented by the Anthony Prinsep London male renegades, in a millionaire storekeeper and a blase lounge-lizard: and an impecunious English lord. Into this unsavoury atmosphere comes Elizabeth Saunders. Lady George Grayson’s sister, and Fleming Harvey, two clean-minded voung Americans. “Our Betters” is Somerset Maugham nt his best. Miss Bannerman was again absolutely brilliant as the butterfly of fashion, who is so irresistible and yet so hypocritical and inmoral. If Lady George Gravson was as beautiful, alluring, and accomplished as Miss Margaret Bannorman painted her on Saturday night, no wonder nil London fell at her feet. Miss Dorothy Dunckley again scored heavily ns the terrible Duchess de Surennes, with the “pork and beans” accent. Miss Kelly Kelly wns natural and charming as the cleanmlnded American girl, and had a good foil in Mr. Ellis Irving as the young American, who was shocked at the code of manners and morals lie found in London. Clever work was also done by Mr. Louis Goodrich as Arthur Fenwick, the millionaire grocer, and Mr. G. K. Souper as Hornton Clay, the blnse lounge-lizard. Beautiful scenery, elaborate Crocking, and unique mounting mark the play, which will be repeated to-night and to-morrow night. A special matinee of “Diplomacy” will be given on Saturday afternoon. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. “The Big Noise.” a satire both on sensational journalism and politics, replete witli humour, pathos, and gripping drama, is the feature now screening at the Paramount Theatre. Chester Conklin is in the featured leading role, as a “dumb” subway who is picked up and exploited

as a hero by a New York tabloid newspaper in order to further the cause of its mayoralty candidate. A pleasing love story runs through the picture, with Alice White and Jack Egan doing some very good work as the juveniles. Conklin s performance is filled not only with the comedy for which he Is famotis, but also with a tremendous amount of pathos. The man who has been made a hero through sheer newspaper exploitation, and has almost come to believe it, finds himself after election day completely dropped from the headlines in favour of a new champion “flagpole sitter.” ‘ Bodil Rosing, the maid in “Sunrise,” plays a r.ole as Conklin’s wife. Good supports are also screened and delightful music is supplied Uy the orchestra.

KING’S THEATRE. In “A Certain Young Man,” his newest starring vehicle for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, which is now showing at the Kings Theatre. Ramon Novarro forgets such splendid characterisations as "Ben Hur, and portrays an ultra-modern young lish nobleman with the' true artist s talent. The story is a sparkling ■ romance with Novarro the centre of a swirl ot lashionable admirers, nnd when he meets the riglit girl complications ensue which provide a touch of real drama, thrills without end, and an unexpected ending. The picture should win more admirers than ever for Novarro. Marceline Day appears opposite the star as leading lady, and acquits herself with, the highest honours. Renee Adoree nnd Carmel Myers are two more favourites who appear in the same cast. In support nre a gazette, Now Zealand topical, giving views of Kingsford Smith nnd the Southern Cross, and a hilarious comedy, while excellent musical numbers are supplied by the orchestra.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. “Over the Hill,” the reissued William Fox feature photoplay that swept NewYork oir its feet for a run of a year on Broadway, is the current feature at the Oueen’s Theatre. A large audience was on hand to greet the picture nnd give it a hearty and richly deserved welcome to Wellington; paying the tribute of spontaneous laughter to its many delightful comedy scenes, and of tears to its pathetic episode, qnd there was no smaller an audience Un Saturday night. The story, which w* taken from Will Carleton’s poems, recounts the joys and sorrows of a typical mother, who raises a large family of children, only to have them, in her old age allow her to drift from them, to live on charity. The “blaek sheep” son. however, when he discovers this condition, conics to his aged mother's rescue, and nil ends happily. Good supports are also screened and appropriate music is supplied by the orchestra.