ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 53, 26 November 1928, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATRE. The haunting loveliness of an old song, the fragrance, of a tender romance, a love story of a Prince and a peasant girl caught in the grip of royal traditions, is “The Student Prince,” the new Metro-Gohlwyn-Mayer picture now showing at tlie De Luxe Theatre. As a musical comedy "The Student Prince” captured the heart of the world, and now its screen version comes as a co-starring vehicle for Hamon Novarro and Xorma Shearer, a glamorous story of youthful love and devotion. Ramon Novarro, the star of "Ben Hur,” reaches the very pinnacle of histrionic expression as the unhappy scion of a royal house who finds the human companionship he craves among the students of Heidelberg University, but, after one short year, is forced back to the pomp and ceremony of court routine: Norma Shearer, whom picture-goers remember for her work in numerotus excellent films, makes an adorable Kathie, and stirs the very depths of human emotions as the peasant girl, who has one brief glimpse of romance. Jean Hersholt. as Dr. Juttner, the kindly tutor, plays a character role worthy of special mention. A gazette, cartoon, and comedy are also screened, and the usual excellent musical programme is supplied by Mr. Aarons at the Wurlitzer organ and by the orchestra. FRED MAYFIELD’S COWBOY BAND. Fred Mayfield’s Cowboy Band, which has been secured by the De Luxe Theatre under an exclusive arrangement at what is said to be the highest remuneration ever paid to a musical combination in New Zealand, will be presented for the first time next Friday. The CowboyBand is composed of nine musicians, who play, in all. no fewer than 37 different instruments, including saxophones, steel guitars, trumpets, banjos, clarinets, violins, and sousaphone, xylophone, celeste, oboe, trombone, mandolin and piano. Box plans are now available at the Bristol, at Begg’s (Manners Street) and Aitken's Book Arcade (Courtenay Place). A Universal special Comedy is to be presented in addition to the band. This is entitled “How to Handle Women.” and stars Glenn Tryon and Marion Nixon. STRAND THEATRE. Romantic realism and realistic romance seems to have been achieved by D. W. Griffith In “Drums of Love,” the feature attraction with Mary Philbin, Lionel Barrymore. Don Alvarado, and Tully Marshall, which is now screening at the Strand Theatre. Although the story is essentially a romance of a great and tragic love, Griffith, by his splendid Insight into the emotions, is said to have made it a realistic drama with none of the sordidness or drabness generally associated with realism. Instead, "Drums of Love” is one of the most colourful and entertaining pageantries ever made by Griffith. It has all the beauty of “Broken Blossoms,” all its poignancy and moods, with the addition of dash and verve. In making the picture Griffith desired most of all to emphasise the great love theme of Francesca da Rimini, upon which the photoplay is based, and also to Interject into the screen version enough colour to make Its appeal universal, In other words, he wanted romantie realism. Griffith has patterned his present photoplay on the successful formula which made “The. Birth of a Nation" the great picture it was. “Drums of Love” has the same ingredients of spectacular splashes of action, with the addition of emotional passages that will probably- be named among the finest examples of acting on the screen. The dramatic work of Mary Philbin, Lionel Barrymore, Don Alvarado, and Tully Marshall is outstanding. Good supports are also screened and approprite music is supplied by the orchestra. REGENT THEATRE. Scliistl's Wonderettes, the amazing performance of little folk invented by an ingenious Swiss are the principal attraction on the current programme at the Regent Theatre. In a regal setting the Wonderettes, who number 350, prance on to the stage In fantastic fashion. A Yorkshire farmer in a loud check suit is suddenly transformed into a crinolined lady of the Victorian period, who makes frantic efforts to keep a dog which appears suddenly from nowhere, at bay, and huge dragons vomiting fire, and evil spirits, frighten the wits out of Santa Claus. A sedan chair comes sedately on to the stage, but before one’s very eyes the bearers develop into huge giants, and desert their fair charge, but the lady is entirely self-reliant, and after roundly upbraiding her recreant bearers, In the twinkling of an eye converts the sedan chair into a modern motor-car and sails off the stage under her own power. The principal picture on the programme is ” ’Varsity.” featuring Charles Rogers, Chester Conklin, and Mary Brian. A gazette, cartoon, and comedy are also screened, and excellent music is supplied by the orchestra, under Mr. Ivan Fosello. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. An unusual series of laughable complications form the theme of the Universal Jewel production, “Phyllis of the Follies,” which is now screening at the Paramount Theatre. It concerns the love affairs of a wealthy man-about-town of New York, who ha’s an unhappy knack of interesting himself in chorus girls of the “gold-digger” breed, who, with the help of the wealthy man's own lawyer, Invariably bleed him for “breach of promise” money. 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. But the lawyer’s wife has her own ideas and believes that “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, and unending complications, serious for the participants, but laughable for the audiences, ensue. Alice Day is the chorus girl nal, while Matt Moore plays the role of the lawyer, with Lllyan Tashman as his wife. Edmund Burns is the character who finds lovemaking an expensive pastime. Two gazettes, a cartoon and comedy are also screened and delightful music Is supplied by the orchestra. KING’S THEATRE. "The Barker,” a stage play of carnival- life originally, is now screening as a film at the King's Theatre. Milton Sills is In the title role, exhibiting a thorough understanding of the character. Dorothy Mackalll, co-starred as Lou, the carnival girl, is demurely attractive, and plays with fine discernment. She has as the boy she loves, the Barker’s son, that talented young artist, Douglas Fairbanks, jun. Betty Compson appears as the hula dancer and sweetheart of the Barker. The entire production is marked by Fitzmaurlce's infallible taste and brilliancy. The picture carries a whimsical story of a people who are so remote from the lives of ordinary people that they might well be dwellers in another planet, yet their motives and reactions are all human. The supports are well varied and appropriate music is supplied by the orchestra, QUEEN'S THEATRE. The Fox Films picture, “Road House,” which is now screening at the Queen’s Theatre, is a fast-moving, well told story of a prodigal son who strays from the straight and narrow path through parental misunderstandings into the arms of a fascinating girl who is the lure for a gang of thieves. Cast In the featured roles are Marla Alba, who possesses, by her distinct and vivacious personality, possibilities as a star. Warren Burke, a juvenile and Lionel' Barrymore in the dramatic characterisation of the boy’s father give splendid performances. The action of the story moves swiftly from the boy’s home to road houses and shady quarters of the city, finally leading to the climax in court where the boy is charged with murder. “The News Parade,” featuring Nick Stuart and Sally Phipps, is the second feature and appropriate music is supplied by the orchestra. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Mike 1 Connors and Queenie Paul with their “League of Notions” Revue Company are now in their second week at His Majesty’s Theatre. Queenie Paul and Mike Connors sing “Get Out. and Get Under the Moon” and “Broken Hearted.” and revive those numbers so popular during their last visit here. “Bridget O'Flynn” and “Harvest Moon.” Syd. Beck, the company’s principal comedian, is a whole . show in himself and scores heavily in the sketches, “Waiting at the Chinch, "Two’s Company,” “Mexican Madness.” “There's One Born Every Minute,” and "Lucy's Birthday." Valerie Rougal and Bert Rayne dance well, and William Beresford sings “Tulip Time." Linn Smith’s Jazz Band provides the latest music, and the ballet of six form a bright background to many of the numbers. , KILBIRNIE KINEMA. A double star programme is offered at the KUbirnle Klnema to-night again, tlie main attraction being George Bancroft in lhe paramount production, “The Showdown." The story Is set in the feverinfested oil camps of Tampico, and tells of the jealous hate of four men over one woman and of the supreme sacrifice of Carden (George Bancroft) to give the girl lie loved happiness. The supporting cast Includes Evelyn Brent, Nell Hamilton, Fred Kohler, and Arnold Kent. Maurice (“Lefty") Flynn has the leading role In the other attraction. “High and Handsome.” a story of a fighting policeman and a pretty girl. The box plan Is at the confectionery shop next to the theatre, or reservations may be made by 'phone 14—202. ADELPHI CABARET. At the Adelphi Cabaret this week Manuel Hyman, the popular jazz violinist, will take charge of the Adelphi Orchestra. On Wednesday next he will play at the night session. Every afternoon next week he will he playing and as well there will be another popular fashion parade on Wednesday afternoon. The display of frocks will include a bridal gown shown by Madame Cowan, Burlington Arcade.