ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 54, 27 November 1928, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATRE. Who has not been charmed by the lilting music of “The Student Prince”— “Golden Days,” “Deep in My Heart,” and the rousing "Students’ Drinking Song"? Never has anything exceeded the wide and instantaneous success of the delightful musical play, with its haunting music, vivid glimpses of studeut life at Old Heidelberg, and its tender heart-stirring love story. Aletro-Goldwyn-Mayer's screen version of "Tile Studeut Prince” is the current feature at the De Luxe Theatre. Ramon Novarro and Norma Shearer are the stars. Laid in the old university town of Heidelberg, the picture reflects all the glamour, fascination, and romance of lift* among the students. The settings form an exquisite background for one of the most beautiful stories ever told. Ramon Novarro endows the role of the prince with a brilliance and charm that is peculiarly his own. Never has the star of "Ben Hur” appeared to better advantage. Norma Shearer plays the role of Kathie, and gives a performance that is outstanding. A Gazette, cartoon, and comedy are also screened and the usual excellent music is provided. CANADIAN COWBOY BAND. Engaged for the De Luxe Theatre to commence a one week season next Friday is Fred .Mayfield’s Canadian Cowboy Band, a vaudeville act extraordinary which is reported to have been acquired at a record figure. These artists are visiting New Zealand after having recently completed a triumphant tour of the biggest theatres throughout Canada and the United States. The Cowboy Band is composed of nine musicians, who play, in all, no fewer than 37 different instruments, including saxophones, guitars, trumpets, banjos, clarinets, celeste, oboe, trombone. mandolin, and piano. A conspicuous feature of the presentation is said to be the costuming and settings. The Cowboys affect the full “rig-out" characteristic of their native occupation, while the backgrounds portray their Western ranches. The pictorial section of the entertainment is represented by Universal’s comedy-drama. “How to Handle Women,” which stars Glenn Tryon and Marion Nixon, and is said to be one of the current season’s best offerings. STRAND THEATRE. “Drums of Love,” which is the current attraction at the Strand Theatre, is the story of two brothers, solemnly sworn to uphold each other's honour, who are brought to a grave crisis when they both fall in love with a girl held by them as rulers of a kingdom as a hostage. The theme is based ou the historical incident of Francesca da Rimini. As "Sorrell and Son” was a story of fatherly love, so "Drums of Love” is an outstanding work in the seldom-attempted field of brotherly love. It is universally held that the production is one of D. W. Griffith's greatest and the director himself compares it favourably with "Intolerance,” “Broken Blossoms” and “The Birth of a Nation.” No pains were spared in making tlie picture one of-the most lavish yet turned out by United Artists. .More than eight thousand extras were employed from time to time while the picture was being filmed. A battle scene alone shows a thousand horsemen and nearly as many foot soldiers. Great court sets occupying throe city blocks wore built on the studio lot and a crew of six cameramen, a director's staff of twenty-two and a technical crew of sixty-three electricians, carpenters and plasterers were constantly at work. In the cast are Mary Philbin, Lionel Barrymore, Don Alvarado, Tully Marshall, and Rosemary Cooper. The supports are wellvaried and appropriate music is supplied by the orchestra. REGENT THEATRE. That most remarkable performance, Schistle’s Wonderettos. continues to be a most unusually powerful attraction at the Regent Theatre. This is combined with an excellent film on the same programme. Although the vaudeville is a marionette show, it is something quite novel. Over 300 little folk do most amazingly human and lifelike things under control of a man and woman, but it would spoil the enjoyment of others to give any indication of what to expect. Motor-cycles, aeroplanes, sedan chairs, a magician, who provides an act in itself, and a rooster which lays an egg, all appear in an act which for originality could hardly be bettered. The act is splendidly staged. “Varsity,” the picture, has as a background Princeton University and deals with the temptations to drink which assail a young man while he is there. A father who has been ruined by drink secures a position as janitor at Princeton' University. His son, who is under the impression that his father is dead, comes to the University, and the old janitor hns af least, the satisfaction of steering his soil’s footsteps away from alcoholic paths. Charles Rogers does some fine acting as the old janitor, and Mary Brian and Chester Conklin are well placed opposite each other as heroine and hero. An Overseas News, a clever cartoon, and a rollicking comedy also figure on the programme. Most pleasing music is played by the orchestra. This bill is presented daily at 2.15 and 8 o’clock.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Comedy-dramas of a domestic type are bv no means new, but the complicated situations that arise in Universal s Jewel production, “Phyllis of the Follies, starring Alice Day and Matt Moore, provide some novel incidents in the everlasting issue between husband and wife and the other fellow, particularly when a member of the notorious "Follies Girl” troupe is dragged in. Much to the delight of the ladies of the audience, the men folk in this hilarious comedy-drama are the “goats,” one losing a veritable fortune through his love affairs and the other a number of good nights’ sleep on account of the suspicious behaviour of his wife. The picture is the current attraction at the Paramount Theatre. Alice Day is the Innocent "fourth party” in the drama of a young lawyer trying to protect his wife from the attentions of his own client, whom he has particularly recommended to try making love to married women. When she is asked to impersonate the lawyer’s wife for the purpose of confounding the other man, she finds upon meeting the man face to face, that he is much too nice to be made to look a fool. In support are a Gazette, Cartoon and comedy, with delightful musical numbers by the orchestra.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Now in their second week at His Majesty’s Theatre, Mike Connors, and Queenie Paul’s “League of Notions Revue Company and fully as popular as they were during their last visit to Wellington. Svd. Beck, the company’s principal comedian, Is in merry vein this -week, and scores heavily in the many amusing sketches, some of the best of which are "Waiting at the Church,” "Mexican Madness,” “Two’s Company,” “There’s One Born Everv Minute,” and “Lucy s Birthday.” Queenie Paul and Mike Connors Introduce “Get Out and Get Under the Moon,” and “Broken Hearted,” and revive these numbers so popular during their last visit. “Bridget O'Flynn” and “Harvest Moon.” Linn Smith and his Jazz Band provide the latest jazz melodies,, and the remainder of the company give good support to their principals. KING’S THEATRE. "The Barker,” which is now screening 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. Dorothy Mackaill is costarred as the girl Lou. She plays the part with just the proper degree of abandonment. The pathetic desire, for a clean atmosphere and a real love is expressed with delicacy and comprehension. Betty Compson is admirable as the Barkers sweetheart, and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., is excellent. 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 are detailed. Good supports are also screened and delightful music is supplied by the orchestra.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. Exciting and daring escapades of modern youth are shown in Fox Films’ "Road House.” which is now screening at the Queen’s Theatre. In the featured roles are Maria Alba and Warren Burke, two new screen personalities. In the other featured role is Lionel Barrymore, who gives one of his finest and most sympathetic performances of the father of the prodigal son. The story deals with Larry Grayson. who through parental misunderstandings and an Infatuation for Sally Carroll, leaves his home and becomes associated with a gang of thieves, of which Sally is a member. Nick Stuart and Sally Phipps are tlie featured players tn “The News Parade.” the second feature. Appropriate music is supplied by the orchestra. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. "The Showdown” and “High and Handsome” will be repeated at the Kilblrnie Kinema to-night. George Bancroft _is starred, supported bv Evelyn Brent, Neil Hamilton. Fred Kohler, and Arnold Kent, in “The Showdown.” The film, a powerful drama, tells the tale of four men and one woman in the fever-infested oil camps at Tampico, in the sweltering jungle. . Lefty Flynn is starred tn “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 ('phone 14—202). ADELPHI CABARET. The return of Manuel Hyman, the dancing violinist, to the Adelphi Cabaret, is proving very popular. A crowded cabaret on Saturday night expressed its approval of flits versatile entertainer, while the afternoon sessions, at which Manuel Hyman appears, aro partisularlg imnulac. Jcua

final Manuel Hyman gala night takes place at the cabaret on Wednesday night, when the celebrations will be earned c® HoXU ft Ijk fcb-Q ttUJXnIIU?-