ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 49, 21 November 1928, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATRE. "The Foreign Legion,” Universal’s screen version of I. A. K. Wylie’s novel, “The Red Mirage,” is the current feature -it the I>o Luxe Theatre. Norman Kerry and Lewis Stone are starred, supported bv Mary Nolan and June Marlowe. The story concerns a Brltsh society man and Army officer who becomes infatuated with an unscrupulous woman, a blonde of indescribable beauty. Her spell disaster Bis fate is to be cashiered from the Array and to drop out of sight. He turns up in the French Foreign Legion, as -i private under the command of his own father, who bad similarly dropped out of sight before him. The dangerous blonde turns up in Algiers. With her Is the hero's real sweetheart, her sister. How father and son, their identities unknown to eaclt other, lock horns over the adventuress, the unusual military results that ensue,’and the final working out of the romance, makes a gripping drama. Good supports are also screened, and the usual excellent programme i.s supplied.

“THE STUDENT PRINCE.” The fame attained by “The Student Prince” as a musical stage success is only equalled by that achieved by “Rose Marie.” Its poignant romance and haunting melodies are known and loved far and wide. It is now to be brought to the screen while it is still fresh in public memory. This Metro-Goldwyn production will commence on Friday at the De Luxe Theatre. Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer went the limit in producing the outstanding musical stage lilt of recent years as a photoplay. Two great stars, Ramon Novarro and Norma Shearer, a clever director and a magnificent supporting cast were backed by the vast resources of the greatest producing organisation in the world. In addition, the exteriors were filmed in Heidelberg, and the original music score was secured so that the picture might be presented with the melodies that are known in every household. There are few love stories more delightful than that of the prince who lost his heart to a mountain maid—of a youth bound to duty. It is a story that is gay and riotous with student life, sobered bv the shadow of a throne, lifted to the heights by hopeless, tumultous love. Box plans are available at the Bristol, Begg’s, and Aitken's Book Arcade. REGENT THEATRE. “The Street of Sin” and “The .Mating Call” are the two features now being screened at the Regent Theatre. “The Street of Sin" concerns the regeneration of a giant “bruiser,” “Sledgehammer Bill.” Bill is the terror of a London slmi district. which lie rules with his fists, when Elizabeth, a Salvation Army lassie appears on the scene. Bill falls in love with Elizabeth, but it takes a remarkable event to make him realise the gulf between them and choose a suitable wife. Emil .Tannings is starred, supported by Fay Wray and Olga Baklanova. Thomas Meighan, Evelyn Brent and Renee Adoree are the stars of the second feature, “The Mating Call," a Paramount screen version of the Rex Beach story. A gazette is also screened and appropriate music supplied by the orchestra tinder Mr, Ivan Fosello. SHISTL’S WONDERETTES. “King George's favourite show” is a phrase that has been used In connection with Shistl’s Wonderette entertainment. "These remarkable little folk, numbering 350, have appeared no less than five times j by royal command before the King and at i each appearance His Majesty was convulsed with laughter,” said the London “Times.” Shistl’s Wonderettes are to appear twice daily at the Regent Theatre, commencing on Friday next at the matinee, and it is predicted will delight both old and young with their performances, which have been the means of drawing record attendances at the principal theatres on the Continent, in London and in New York. On the screen Charles Rogers, Chester Conklin and Mary Brian appear in.the big comedy-drama, “Varsity.” The New York “Herald,” in its critique, says: “It is safe to say that no moving picture in the past has succeeded in portraying American college life with such fidelity as ‘Varsity.’ The change from the usual slapstick variety of college picture to this lovely and dignified story with a college background, in which Charles (Buddy' Rogers proves his right to the starring honours, with which Paramount has presented him in this film, is u welcome surprise. It is a talc of the love of a father for his son. The father, Chester Conklin, is the janitor of one of the buildings at Princeton University and a campus character. The son. who is unaware of his parentage, is a student at the university. The son is beset by dangers from which the father, with heroic self-effacement, rescues him. The son completes his college course with honours, and a lovely, girl, played by Mary Brian, for his wife. ‘Varsity’ is truly a soul-stirring picture. The story is built on the vital human emotions, - the love of a father for his son. The background is one of beauty and dignity, the scenes having been taken on the campus of Princeton University.” The box plans for the season nre now on view at the theatre and the Bristol. STRAND THEATRE. Starring Dale Austen (“Miss New Zealand”), "The Bush Cinderella,” Rudall Hayward’s latest New Zealand-made production, is now in its second week at the .Strand Theatre. The story, an entertaining melodrama, deals with the anything but smooth love affair of Mary Cameron and Lieutenant Harrison, and includes some beautiful views of the Waitakere Ranges, Titiraugi Reserve, and Auckland, both city and harbour. Good supports are also screened, and appropriate music is supplied by the orchestra. An added attraction at the night sessions is the appearance of Mr. Alf Lawrence and Miss Nell Crane, who present a number of Mr. Lawrence’s compositions, including his latest, "The Bush Cinderella.” , "DRUMS OF LOVE.” “Drums of Love,” D, W. Griffith’s latest production, is the feature to commence screening at the Strand Theatre on Friday. Adapted from the historical incident of Francesca da Rimini, Griffith’s new independently produced film is heralded by those who hare already seen it jis his greatest achievement since “The Birth of a Nation.” Mary Philbin, the adorable heroine of “Merry-Go-Round” and “The Phantom of the Opera,” makes her debut as a Griffith player, as do Don Alvarado and William Austin. Alvarado has already tasted success through appearances with Dolores Del Rio in “Loves of Carmen.” Austin has contributed notable farce characterisations in “It” and “Honeymoon Hate.” As for Lionel Barrymore, his most recent screen role was enacted in Gloria Swanson’s “Sadie Thompson.” Tully Marshall, who also has a large part, was the scout in “The Covered Wagon.” In “Drums of Love” the great director takes the audience to a mythical kingdom in which two brothers hold complete sway. Don Cnthos, the fighter, Is a mail of iron will, but an ugly, misshapen giant. Leonardo, the younger, is handsome and gentle, the object of all women’s eyes. It is only when Catlios receives the beautiful Emanuella for a bride as a token of homage from a neighbouring nobleman, and Leonardo falls in love with his brother’s wife, that complications enter into the plot. Griffith, the maker of “Broken Blossoms” and “Hearts of the World,” is said to have made this tale of brotherly love a thing of masterly perfection. Eugenie Besserer, Charles Hill Mailes, Rosemary Cooper and Joyce Coad head the supporting company of more than a thousand players. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Starring Johnny Hines, “The Wright Idea” is the current feature at the Paramount Theatre. The hilarious situations arise as Johnny Hines, in the role of the young happy-go-lucky Inventor, tries to get to the inner offices of the big bosses with his luminous ink that does not need a blotter. A romance develops between the man and a pretty stenographer, played by Louise Lorraine. The girl suspects him of stealing some bonds from her, but hesitates to accuse him because she likes him. Although his actions make her suspicious, especially when lie invites her to a party aboard a yacht, she does not voice her doubts. Much excitement, thrills and laughs are offered in the scenes aboard the yacht. Good supports are also screened anti delightful music supplied by the orchestra. “PHYLLIS OF THE FOLLIES.” The Universal Jewel production, “Phyllis of the Follies,” which will be screened at the Paramount Theatre on Friday, Is an excellent object lesson to those people who take a delight in Interfering In other people’s romances, and it is portrayed in a delightful manner, It Is stated. It is replete with complications, and such that are bound to provoke ripples of merriment. The story is so well told that the audience wonders what the eventual outcome will be and how some almost Impossible situations are going to be explained. With a background of wealthy homos and hotels of New York, It provides a feast for the eye. and also tells a satisfying story. Alice Day and Matt Moore piny the prominent roles, while they nre a’blv supported by Lilyan Tashmail and Edmund Burns. Duane Thompson has a small part, that of one who commences the last “breach of promise" suit that decides the wealthy innn-about-town to swear off single girls, and to endeavour to be understood by the more sophisticated married woman. Box plans are available at. the Bristol and Utility (next theatre).

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Mike Connors and Quecnle Paul are once more entertaining patrons of His Majesty's Theatre, and their opening programme, now being presented, is a thoroughly entertaining one. Syd. Beck, the comj.any's principal comedian, is at the *.

ton of his form, and is seen to advantage In many amusing sketches, some of the best ” which are “Globes of Truth,” "The Eavesdropper,” “You Can’t Get Away with That” “The New Butler,” and “School Davs” Oueeiiio Paul and Mike Connors introduce ‘the pretty number “Without You Sweetheart," and revive the numbers so popular during their-last visit to Wellington "Dewy Day” and “Breeze. Linn Smith and his Jazz band provide the jazz music so necessary to a revue company these days, and the remainder of the company give good support to the principals. KING’S (THEATRE. A city is steeped in crime and two underworld gangs engage in deadly warfare because one band has encroached unon the other’s territory, and Wallace Beery and Raymond Hatton are on the trail of the crooks In “Partners In Crime,’ the Paramount melodramatic comedy, which is the current feature at the King’s Theatre For the first time since they have been starred together, Beery and Hatton are provided in "Partners In Crime with a straight melodramatic story. It is a story teeming in thrills, abounding in humorous situations, and with an Interesting love theme woven through it. Beery takes the part of a dud detective and Hatton plays dual roles, those of a wisecracking newspaper reporter, and of a savage gang leader. The stars do not clown The story furnishes plenty ot laughs through legitimate situations. A “azette a comedy, and a cartoon are also screened, and delightful music is supplied by the orchestra. QUEEN’S THEATRE. The "Blue Danube,” a film of pre-war Vienna, heads the double-feature programme now screening at the Queen’s Theatre. The story is a simple tale of the love” affairs of a count and a cabaret girl, and Lya Mara, in the role of Mizzi, certainly proves that she is an actress of no mean ability. The supporting cast is also excellent, special praise being due to Ernest Veredes, as the flirtatious young lieutenant, and to Harry Liedtke, as the Count. Based upon the world-famous waltz, It admirably conveys the spirit of love life, and laughter, which Strauss helped to create. “Wickedness Preferred,” a comedy romance starring Lew Cody and Alleen Pringle, is the second feature. A gazette is also screened, and appropriate music is supplied by the orchestra. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. “The Mystery Club,” the Universal Jewel film to be shown at the Kilblrnie Kinema to-night, is a comedy-drama with a most unusual plot, having to do with an organslation of millionaires known as the Mystery Club the members of which believe tliat they can commit all sorts of depredations without being discovered by the police, whose methods they decry. Matt Moore has the role of Dlek Bernard, leader of the organisation; Edith Roberts appears as Nancy Darrell, a eharming adventuress; and Charles Puffy appears as Alonzo, the nervous servant. Others in the cast are Mildren Harris, Charles Lane. Warner Orland, and Alphonse Martell, Lois Moran, and Lawrence Carey, head an excellent cast in the second attraction, “Lore Hungry,” a Fox Films comedy of high merit. The box plan is at the confectionery shop next to the theatre, or reservations may bo had through ’phone 14—202. VIOLIN RECITAL. The annual recital of the students of Mr. Erie Meier will be given at the Concert Chamber to-night. Invitations may be obtained at Andrew Williams’s, Begg’s, and the Bristol, and the box plan Is open at the Bristol. Miss Elsa Walter (pianist) and Miss Greta Jesperson (’cellist) will be the assisting artists.