ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 50, 22 November 1928, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. “The Street o£ Sin,” the powerful Paramount production which heads the double feature programme now screening at the Regent Theatre, is a thrilling drama of East Limehouse, London’s rapidly disappearing slum. The story concerns the regeneration of a giant “bruiser,” “Sledgehammer Bill,” who rules the district with his fists. Into this unsavoury district comes Elizabeth, a pretty Salvation Army lass. Bill falls in love with her aud decides to join the Army. This he does, but after a strange event he realises the gap between them and is persuaded to marry Annie, a woman who is in love with him. Emil Jannings is the star. Thomas Meighan is starred, supported by Renee Adoree and Evelyn Breut in “The Mating Call,” a Paramount screen version of the Rex Beach story. A Gazette is also screened and excellent musical items are supplied by the orchestra, under Mr. Ivan Fosello. SHISTL’S WONDERETTES. Everyone loves a marionette show, for one is never too old to marvel at the skill of those who, by manipulating the controls, cause the little figures to perform all kinds of life-like evolutions. But a marionette show in which the dancing figures are suddenly transformed into something different is quite new. Such an act will be seen in Shistl’s comical Wonderettes. Mr. Shistl, the originator of the act, has been manipulating marionettes for many years, but his present act is of comparatively recent origin. The Wonderett.es are due to open at the Regent Theatre to-morrow at the matinee in conjunction with Charles (“Buddy”) Rogers, in the comedy “Varsity.” Since his introduction to the public in his first picture, “Fascinating Youth,” which be made upon his graduation from the Paramount Motion Picture School, Charles Rogers has won a leading place in the hearts of motion picture lovers. That his popularity is no passing phase of public fancy has been fully tested as each of his succeeding pictures lias strengthened his hold upon the public heart. No moving picture in the past has succeeded in portraying American college life with any such fidelity as “Varsity,” it is stated. The change from the usual slapstick variety of college picture to this lovely and dignified story with a college background, in which Charles Rogers proves his right to the starring honours, with which Paramount has presented him in this film, is a welcome surprise. The box plans will open at the theatre and Bristol this morning. DE LUXE THEATRE. Thrilling adventure, exotic romance, picturesque scenes and characters, and a stirring story of love and revolt are all found in Universal’s gripping production, “The Foreign Legion,” which is the feature now being screened at the De Luxe Theatre. Norman Kerry and Lewis Stone, two of the best. known actors on the screen, undoubtedly do the finest work of their long and successful careers in the starring roles. Kerry as Richard, the unfortunate victim of circumstances, and St.one as his unknown father, Colonel Destinn, have opportunities for acting, that rarely come in other pictures. Needless to say, both of these skillful players make the most of them. The supporting cast is also good. Mary Nolan as the unprincipled blonde and June Marlowe as the girl-sweetheart, appear to great advantage. The supporting programme is well-varied and the usual excellent musical programme is supplied by Mr. Aarons at the Wurlitzer organ and by the orchestra. “THE STUDENT PRINCE." One of the world’s simplest, and most appealing love stories base required one of the most elaborate settings ever built to transfer it to the screen. This is the paradox of “The Student Prince,” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s film, based on the famous musical comedy, which will open its Wellington season to-morrow at the De Luxe Theatre. With the love of the Prince aud Kathie (played by Ramon Novarro and Norma Shearer respectively) as the central theme, a cast of thirty-five famous players and several thousand extras were necessary to reproduce the famous romance. Whole towns were built; great castles in Germany reproduced, and the University of Heidelberg recreated in wood and plaster for the huge production. In one scene, showing the welcome of the townspeople to the young prince, played by Novarro, two thousand villagers, guardsmen, police, and other characters appear in a gigantic setting depicting a public square and covering ten acres. The coronation ceremonies required hundreds of soldiers in the brilliant uniforms of the imperial guard, diplomats, and nobles; five hundred gaily-attired students revelled in the Heidelberg garden scenes, the majestic Heidelberg Castle was recreated, inside and out, and other huge construction tasks marked the filming of the new picture. The cast includes many famous names: Jean Hersholt, in the role of Dr. Juttner, the tutor; Edward Connelly, as the Prime Minister: Bobby Mack as Kellerman: Otis Harlan as the inn-keeper; Gustav Von Seyffertitz, Edythe Chapman, George K. Arthur, Lionel Belmore, Kent Freiberg. Edgar Norton, D'Arcy Corrigan, and James Mack. The delightful “Student Prince” music will be presented. Box plans are available at the Bristol, Aitken’s Book Arcade, and Beggs’ (Manners Street). “A TALE OF OLD JAPAN.” As a big contrast to its second concert of the season (Berlioz’s “Damnation of Faust”), the Royal Wellington Choral Union, under Mr. John Bishop’s directorship, will present as its final subscription concert of the season “A Tale ot Old Japan,” at the Town Hall on Saturday night. The work contains several exquisite moments such as the chorus. “Peonies, Peonies Crowned the May,” the quartet, “He Strode Past Her Tree and Flower,’ ’“The Ebbing Sea Wave Sighed,” and the chorus, “Moon and Flower and Butterfly.” In addition to “A Tale of Old Japan,” the orchestra will play Dvorak's “New World Symphony,” four movements, and Wagner's overture from “The Meistersinger.” The final rehearsal will take place at the Town Hall at 7.31) to-morrow night. The soloists engaged are: Soprano. Miss Naomi Whalley; contralto. Mrs. Wilfred Andrews: tenor, Mr. Roy Hill; baritone, Mr. Len Barnes. The box plan cau be inspected at the Bristol.. ■STRAND THEATRE. D. W. Griffiths has produced some wonderful pictures, including “The Birth of a Nation” and “Broken Blossoms,” but he has made no finer picture than “Drums of Love." his latest, which opened at the Strand Theatre yesterday. Lovely as is tiie composition and photography, the tragic story that motivates the film is perhaps its chief point of greatness. The story is based on the historical Incident of Paolo and Francesca, and follows that beautiful romance, except In a few excusable instances. The theme is one of a great brother love fused by family tradition and respect into a seemingly indissoluble tie. A girl (Mary Philbin), the daughter of a rival feudal baron, marries the elder of the brothers, Don Cathos (Lionel Barrymore), who is a grotesque, misshapen giant. While her husband Is away quelling a distant mutiny, circumstances force tiie young wife itno the arms of the younger brother (Don Alvarado). One of the most dramatic scenes occurs when Barrymore, acquainted with his wife’s and his brother’s dishonour, confronts them in his chamber and begs his brother to lie and tell him there is nothing wrong. Griffith, had he not already achieved screen immortality, would certainly have attained that honour with “Drums of Love.” The acting of Mary Philbin and Lionel Barrymore is remarkably tine. Barrymore, as the powerful, crippled leader of his people, deeply in love with the daughter of his enemy, gives a splendid portrayal that is unexcelled for its moments of touching sympathy, anger, and sorrow. Mary Philbin excels herself, one moment utterly innocent and the next seductive-eyed and passionate. Forcible characterisations are also given by Don Alvarado as the younger brother. Tully Marshall, ns the malicious clown, and William Austin, ns the comedian. The supporting programme is a well-varied one. and an appropriate musical score is well played by the Strand Orchestra. KING’S THEATRE. High melodrama of the most thrilling sort combines with the delicious comedy that only 11'011306 Beery and Raymond Hatton can provide and an absorbing love theme, in “Partners in Crime,” Paramount's new type of melodramatic comedy, which is the current feature at the King's Theatre. “Partners in Crime” is a step from the beaten path. Whereas such comedies in the past have been little more than a collection of loosely joined incidents designed solely to create laughs, this picture tells a thrilling story. Incidents of the story provide richly for laughter, but the laughs are subordinate to the absorbing plot interest. The theme of “Partners in Crime” is the everthrilling one of the law’s battle against crooks of the underworld. Good supports are also screened and delightful music supplied by the orchestra. ‘THE BARKER.” Such a picture as “The Barker.” which will open to-morrow night at the King’s Theatre, is a George Fitzmaurice special production for First National, and has Milton Sills in the title role as the spieler in the little third-rate carnival troupe. Sills has never given better work to a role, it is stated. It is shaded so finely, real rained where needed and flamboyant where the characterisation demanded expressiveness. Dorothy Mackall] is co-starred us tiie girl Lou. She plays tiie part with just tiie proper degree of abandonment, the pathetic desire for a clean atmosphere and a real love is expressed with delicacy and comprehension. States one critic. Betty Compson is admiralile ns the Barker’s sweetheart, and Douglas Fairbanks, jtinr.. is excellent as the son of the same hardened individual. whose only soft spot is his love for

his boy. The trials and tribulations of the troupe, the internal dissension as a result of the Barker's son falling in love with the carnival girl, Lou, whom he eventually weds, the father’s repudiation and final reconciliation, all enter into the romantic, whimsical and at times humorous picture. QUEEN’S THEATRE. The story of an elder brother who was sent to break off an “affair” between a young lieutenant and a cabaret girl and who fell in love with the girl himself is delightfully told In “The Blue Danube,” a new Cinema Art picture, now screening at the Queen’s Theatre. Lya Mara plays the role of the fascinating cabaret star, while Ernest Veredes gets considerable fun from the part of the young Viennese officer. “Wickedness Preferred” is the second feature, and is a comedy-drama, starring Lew Cody and Aileen Pringle, supported by George K. Arthur, Bert Roach, and Mary McAllister. A Gazette is also screened and appropriate music supplied by the orchestra, “ROAD HOUSE.” “Road House” will open to-morrow night at the Queen’s Theatre. This Fox Films production is filled with excitement from tiie first reel to the last, and is excellently handled under the direction of Richard Rosson, it is stated. Characterisations in the picture are exceptionally well done bby Maria Alba and Warren Burke, two new screen personalities, and Lionel Barrymore, who has the part of the father of the prodigal son. Miss Alba in the role of Sally Carroll, the girl who lures the boy into a life of dissipation, is one of the most fascinating of the younger players to be seen on the screen in recent months, and one who possesses splendid dramatic ability. The other new face is Warreu Burke, as Larry Grayson, who has the “black sheep” role. An excellent cast is seen in support. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Johnny Hines is seen as the Inventor of blotterless and luminous ink in “The Wright Idea," which is now at the Paramount Theatre. He is busy trying to put his ink on the market when complications result from his meeting a girl. The girl suspects Johnny of stealing some bonds, and yet she loves him. She has him shadowed by a blundering detective through a maze of sequences which are eloquently amusing. Another humorous complication is Johnny’s encounter with a “nut-like” gentleman -who lavishly presents him with a motor-car and a yacht which he does not own himself. The comedian puts a laugh on each of these merry obstacles. A gazette, comedy and New Zealand scenic, are also screened .and delightful music is supplied by the orchestra. , “PHYLLIS OF THE FOLLIES.” An unusual series of laughable complications form the theme of “Phyllis of the Follies.” which will be screened at the Paramount Theatre to-morrow. It concerns the love affairs of a wealthy man-about-town of New York, who has an unhappy knack of interesting himself in chorus girls. This happens so often that his lawyer persuades him to philander with married women, but was quite unprepared for the turn of events which made his own wife the first intended victim. However, the lawyer’s wife has her own ideas, and believes in the proverb “Three's company,” the third person proving to be an old pal, and as fate would have it, a chorus girl. The latter Impersonates the wife, but neither the wealthy man nor his lawyer are in the joke. Alice Day is the chorus girl pal, while Matt Moore plays the role of the lawver, with Lylian Tashman as his wife. Edmund Burns is the character who finds love making an expensive pastime. Box plans are available at the Bristol and the Utility (next to theatre). HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Mike Connors and Queenie Paul with their “League of Notions” Revue Company are once more entertaining patrons of His Majesty’s Theatre. Queenie Paul and Mike Connors Introduce a pretty number in "Without You, Sweetheart,” and repeat the numbers so popular during their last visit to Wellington, “Dewy Day” and “Breeze.” Syd. Beck, the company’s principal comedian, is a whole show in himself. and is most amusing throughout, showing up well in the many clever sketches presented. Linn Smith's Jazz Band are again to the fore, and play among other pieces, “Mine. All Mine" and “In a Persian Garden.” The Paulasto Brothers provide a patter and dance turn. William Beresford sings, “The Floral Dance” and “Adoree.” Phyllis Baker and Gerald Connelly score with “That Certain Feeling” and the sprightly ballet of six form a bright background to many of the numbers. “THE ADMIRABLE CRICHTON.” “The Admirable Crichton,” which is to be staged by Miss Constance Theel at the Concert Chamber to-night, and the two following nights, should draw crowded houses, as it abounds In humorous situations and thrilling episodes, and will be interpreted by an exceptionally strong combination of local amateurs. Some of the principals will be remembered for their splendid work in Miss Theel’s production of "Dear Brutus” last year, Miss Doris I. Hussey. Ida Gustafsom, and Mr. Vernon Oswin. Other members of the cast are Mr. F. H. Hayward (the Crichton), .Misses Mary Hart, Valerie Robertson, Olga Neilsen, Messrs. Eric North, Fred Gaines, Cedric Gardner. Mr. Hector Liardet, who toured the Dominion with the professional company when Cuyler Hastings took the part of the Crichton, will be stage manager. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. “Love Hungry” will be screened again to-night at the Kilblrnle Klnema. “The Mystery Club” film has been accidentally burnt and the management has been forced to delete it from the bill. Lois Moran and Lawrence Gray are the stars of “Love Hungry.” The box plan is at the confectioner’s next to the theatre ('phone 14—202). ■