ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 61, 5 December 1928, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATRE. “How to Handle Women," Glenn Tryon’s latest feature comedy for Universal, is the current feature at the De Luxe Theatre. Len Higgins Is a small-town cartoonist with a liking for peanuts, and goes to New York to get a job and make good. He falls in love with. Beatrice Fairbanks, who conducts a column of advice in the “New York Planet” for romantic men and women. Higgins fails to get a job, and when Prince Hendryx of Volgaria, who has just arrived, refuses to talk to any reporters, the cartoonist cleverly gets iuto his apartment to “beat” the ’ other newspaper people. He learns that the Prince is unsuccessfully endeavouring to raise a national loan. Higgins Induces the Prince to change places with him for a week. The cartoonist with clever salesmanship and drawings, is-then able to sell the huge peanut crop of Volgaria, which would otherwise have gone to waste, to the American bankers. But, of greatest importance, he sells himself to Beatrice and wins, first, her interest, and then her devotion. Marlon Nixon and Raymond Keane support the star. A gazette and cartoon are also screened, and the usual excellent music is supplied. A further feature is the appearance of Fred Mayfield's Cowboy Jazz Band, of nine performers, who, in the garb of the cowboys of the West, play some smart jazz music.

“BATTLES OF CORONEL AND FALKLAND ISLANDS.” British film* production has recently made great strides, and the films the British studios are now turning out are a vast improvement on those of a few years ago. An example of the present-day quality of production will be found In British Dominions Films’ naval film, "The Battles of the Coronel and Falkland Islands," It is said. By Royal Command it was shown before the King and Queen at Balmoral Castle, and they expressed delight and appreciation. It is one of the tew British productions that have been received with enthusiasm by the Americans when shown on Broadway, and also at Boston. Its success on the Boulevards of Paris, where it was the first British film ever exhibited, was pronounced. Even Berlin has also recognised its merit. At Sydney and at Melbourne reports of its outstanding triumphs are available. Sir John Monash, who commanded the Australian forces during the latter part of the Great War, has written of it as follows“ The film. Hie Battles of the Coronel and Falkland Islands,’ is in many respects unique and memorable. No previous war Pictuire, whether seas or land, has been so realistic, so true in every detail, so educational, and so inspiring. It reveals the story of a great naval drama of which the world so far has known very little. The actors in this wonderful reconstruction of great historic happenings included seven of His Majesty’s ships of tho Royal Navy and the whole of their crews, and that alone when fully realised stirs the imagination. But above all the picture leaves the spectator with a feeling of profound admiration for and confidence in the quiet efficiency of the great ‘silent service’ as an instrument for preserving the freedom of the seas and the integrity of the British Empire.” ‘ The Battles of the Coronel and Falkland Islands” will commence its Wellington season next Friday at the De Luxe Theatre. An atmospheric prologue and a special music score will be noteworthy features of Its presentation. Box plans are available at the Bristol, Begg’s, and Aitkens Book Arcade.

STRAND THEATRE. Creeping unseen into the lives of three persons, aided by the hands of a clown who has the natural distaste for his master of all mannequins, plays- the principal part in D. W. Griffith s Drums of Love.” which is now in its second week at the Strand Theatre. The picture transplants the audience bodily into the South America of a hundred years ago, when the nobility of Europe tried to set up a new aristocracy in the new world as the “id fell at the close of the French revolutionDon Cathos. the hunchback duke played by Lionel Barrymore; Don Leonardo, his brother. Don Alvarado, and Emanuella, plaved by Mary Philbin. are remarkably good characterisations. Good are also screened, and appropriate music is supplied by the orchestra.

“STEAMBOAT BILL JNR.” An unscheduled steamboat collision, an accident that cost Buster Keaton a broken nose, and other mishaps failed to interfere with the filming of the “frozen-faced star’s new United Artists’ feature, Steamboat Bill Jnr.”. which will be screened at the Strand Theatre shortly. The company spent two months at a made-to-order river town near Sacramento, the California State capital, and then worked for several weeks in Hollywood. filming Interior scenes in the rollicking screen story of river steamboat life. Keaton, whose motion picture career has been marked by broken bones ever since he played minor roles in two-reelers, ran true to form during the filming of “Steamboat Bill Jnr.” when his nose came in contact with a baseball hurled by a member of a Sacramento team. Keaton's own nine, which he always takes with him on location, was playing another amateur organisation when the accident occurred. Buster Keaton could not appear before the camera in close-ups for several days. Two of the steamboats chartered by the Keaton company crashed without doing serious damage. Keaton, Ernest Torrence, who has a straight comedy role, and Marton Byron, who has the leading feminine part in “Steamboat Bill Jnr.’. were acting a scene when the craft came together. Charles “Chuck” Reisner, director, and Harry Brand, general manager the Keaton company, averted an incipient panic among hundreds of extras. “Steamboat Bill Jnr.”, an original story by Keaton's scenario staff, of which Carl Harbaugh is the head, is the comedy star’s third United Artists feature, the others being “The General” and “College.”

regent theatre. “Just Married," a clever comedy, starring Ruth Taylor and James Hall, heads the double feature programme now Bcreenini, nt Ihe Regent Theatre. Just Married affords both of them a splendid opportunity. Miss Taylor plays the niece of a wealthy American couple who are visiting Paris. 3 Hall is a rich American in the French capital to attend his brothers wedding The entire atmosphere is one ot smartness and luxury. Miss Nichols play was a most laughable farce and the film version made by Paramount outdoes its footlight forerunner in humour and suspense; critics state. The principal action occurs aboard a trans-Atlantic liner which Miss Taylor and her aunt and uncle are on route to America. Hall is an unbidden passenger on the same ship, while Wllilam Austin, who also is aboard, is Ruth’s fiancee. Also Included in the supporting east are Lila Lee and Harrison Ford. The picture was directed by 1‘ rang Strayer, who has had many comedy successes to his credit. Jack Holt and Nancy Carroll are the stars of “The Water Hole, from the Zane Grey story, the second feature. “The Water Hole” differs from other Zane Grey productions in that it is not strictly a “western.” There are western scenes with magnificent backgrounds, but much of the action takes place In an eastern city. The plot is strictly modern. Extensive wardrobe and lavish sets feature the production. Some of the scenes are in technlcolour. Good supports are also screened and excellent music is supplied by the orchestra.

“LOVES OF AN ACTRESS." The life and loves of the great Rachel, celebrated actress of tlie last century, have been translated to the screen In Pola Negri's latest production, “Loves of an Actress,” which is to be shown at the Regent Theatre, commencing on Friday. The story is an authentic revelation of the romances of the famed tragedienne, and was Written by Ernest Vajda. Hangar an playwright, the adaptation and direction being credited to Rowland V. Lee. Rachel was often called the most romantic adventuress of the nineteenth century, and her own memoirs have revealed several sensational and notorious affairs with powerful leaders of the times. Society accepted her because of her fame as a dramatic actress. The world toasted her. But hidden behind all this is the background of passion. Then a young and unsophisticated man appeared and swept the actress off her feet, he being her first real love. One of the ardent suitors threatens ruination for bbth Rachel and new lover. leaving Rachel In a quandary. How she settles the problem forms one of the amazing and dramatic scenes in this picture. o f a n Actress" has been one of the greatest screen successes of the year in America, and its success is likely to be repea.ed here, judging by the bookings at the theatre and Bristol.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. “The League of Notions Revue Com pany, that clever «o m P a , n y ° f , artists, headed by Queeate Patil Connors, are now in their third vveea at His Majestv’s Theatre, where they are verv popular. Queenie Paul and M’ke Connors include "Girl of My among their duets this week, and revive those popular old numbers, t> Bri s ® a O’Flvnn” and “Harvest Moon. g. the company’s principal comedian, a host in himself, and scores heavily in the many amusing fetches in which th show abounds. Some ofl the be st o£the se are “The Waxworks, Meeting a. Laay, “The Band Rehearsal, and My Hus band ” Linn Smith and his Jazz Band provide the latest in jazz ballet of six is always well to the tore.

KING'S THEATRE. Popular Marion Davies is the star of “The Cardboard Lover,” her latest comedyromance for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. which is now screening at the King a Theatre. Supporting Miss Davies are Nils Astber, Jetta Goudal. Tenen Holtz, andl Andre ; de Sequrola. The story deals with Sally Baxter, an autograph hunter who chases Andre a tennis champion, for his auto graph—until she realises that she loves him. Then, to pique Simone La G<ws®> a voluptuous Frenchwoman, with whom Andre is violently in love, she proposes that she be his “cardboard lover. He agrees. The ruse awakens the jealousy of the unfaithful Simone, Sally finally defeat ing Simone in a battle of wits for Andre s heart. A gazette, comedy and scenic are also screened, and a delightful musical programme is -supplied by the orchestra under Mr. A. H. Jerome.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Beautiful Billie Dove and Clive Brook are the stars of “The Yellow Lily,” First National’s romance of Hungary, which Is the current feature at the Paramount Theatre. Miss Dove has the part of a girl who secretly loves Brook, who appears as a world-tired, somewhat notorious Archduke. He finishes an affair with an actress, meets the heroine and pursues her. She loves him despite his many unsuccessful attempts to secure her unworthily. In defending her honour and her brother against him, she wounds him, and is placed in.prison for It. From there on, the plot gets more and more exciting, and works up to a powerful climax. One of the striking features of “The Yellow Lily” Is the picturesque types of its supporting actors, and their fine performances. A New Zealand scenic, gazette, and comedy are also screened and excellent music is supplied by the orchestra under Mr. R. R. Caulton. OPEN-AIR BAND CONCERT. A concert will be given by the Tramways Band at the Oriental Bay band rotunda to-night at 8 p.m.