ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 72, 18 December 1928, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. With an all-star east and one of the most thrilling stories ever brought to the motion picture screen, Paramount's "For--otteii Faces” is the big feature now screening at the Regent Theatre. There is nothing mysterious about this picture’s tremendous drawing power. It has ail oi the elements w'deh attract and not the least of them Is the cast with Clive Brook, Mary Brian, Budanova, William Powell. Fred Kohler and Jack Luden. An elegant crook returns to bis home and is maddened to murder by what lie finds. Penitentiary walls dose about him for lite. Before he gives himself up to the law, however, he leaves his infant daughter on the doorstep of a wealthy couple. By a clever use of "dissolves” in the film, a time lapse ot 15 years is indicated without any slowing up in tempo. Then comes a desperate game with the happiness of the convict’s daughter nt stake. There are some splendidly realistic penitentiary scenes, including an attempted prison break. A gazette, comedy and cartoon are screened in support, and attractive music is supplied by the orchestra under Mr. Arthur Frost. An added attraction on this splendid programme is the vaudeville turn, "Dancing Days.” The company includes a jazz band of twelve performers, two continental dancers a bright ballet of seven, and a singer of dainty songs. The whole turn is full of colour, is the very essence of modern jazz, and the whole company, band, ballet, and soloists enter into the performance with heart and soul. “SPEEDY.” A Christmas feast of entertainment is promised patrons of the Regent Theatre during the festive season commencing on Friday next. Harold Lloyd will make a welcome reappearance In his latest comedy "Speedy,” in conjunction with another regal stage presentation, "Fads and Fashions," while during the afternoon a Christmas festival pantomime. "Little Red Hiding Hood," with a special cast beaded byLester Sinclair as the Dame and Little Nat, the four-year-old child wonder in his wonderful impersonations. Figuring mainly in Harold Lloyd’s comedy is an old horse-drawn street, ear. the type which passed from use many years ago. As the locale of the new comedy Is laid in New York, Lloyd resurrected one of the old ears in a New York ear liaru while he was on location with the company in New York, and had it shipped to California. There the railway was built on the set. and it was one of the largest ever constructed for any film company. Hence Lloyd became the owner of the only private street car tn the country. The bespectacled comedian spent IS months in preparing "Speedy” for his numerous fans, and it is said to have eclipsed all other pictures made by him. lie introduces to the film Miss Ann Christy as bis newleading lady, and a bright future lias been predicted for her. Booking at the theatre and Bristol already is reported to foreshadow full houses during the holiday season. DE LUXE THEATRE. “Home James,” Laura La Plume's latest comedy tor Universal, is the current feature at the De Luxe Theatre. All the pretty, young girls who want to leave home for a city to study art, should know what happens to the blonde star of this film. She does get to study art, but in the art section of a department store where she sells pictures. "Home James" is one of the blonde, dimpled star's most entertaining pictures. There are many moments in it in which she displays a genius for projecting her comedy upon the screen. The pantomime scenes and those in the house when she learns the Identity of the man she loves arc the height of comedy. The story, too. is very clever. As Laura Elliott she goes to the big city. The son of her new employer saves her from a "masher,'' but because he is sitting in the driver’s seat of the boss's ear she thinks lilin the chauffeur. She falls in love with him and he wilb her. There are many funny incidents until the truth is disclosed to her. The boss likes Laura because she has been the first to make his son work hard. They are married Immediately. The son is played by Charles Delaney. Alleen Manning is the stepmother and George Pearce the boss. Others in the eflst., which was unusually good, are Joan Standing, Arthur Hoyt and Sidney Bracy. Good supports are also screened and the usual excellent musical programme Is supplied. "UNCLE TOM’S CABIN.” In 1913 Universal made a giant production of “Uncle Tom's Cabin,” in three reels. This radical departure was viewed breathlessly bv tile entire industry as a rash move. Who would sit through three whole reels of motion pictures'.' it: was asked. It had never been done before, hence it was foredoomed to failure. But the critics were wrong. The production was a success and marked the forerunner of the present-day super-picture. And what a cast comprised that old classic! It was directed by Otis Turner, dean of megaphone wielders, whose name is now traditional. Harry Pollard was Uncle Tom; Margarita Fischer was Topsy; Eddie Lyons was Marks: Robert Z. Leonard was Simon Legrce; Jack McDonald was Haley; Harry Tenbrook was Harris; Iva Shepherd was Cassie: Edna Mason was Eliza and Gertrude Short was Little Eva. Things have changed since then. Now Universal has produced a £400,000 version of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel, a picture destined to make screen history and which will have its first Wellington showing at the De Luxe Theatre on December 28 with daily matinees. It was directed by Harry Pollard, who played Uncle Tom in the old version. Margarita Fischer, erstwhile Topsy and now Mrs. Harry Pollard, portrays the role of Eliza. The supporting east contains names prominent in the klnema, such as Arthur Edmund Carew, Lucien Littlefield, John Roche, Gertrude Astor, Eulalie Jensen, George Siegmann, Jack Mower, Vivien Oakland and dozens of others. It is a far cry from the old-time "Uncle Tom” to that of the spectacular production to be shown at the De Luxe Theatre. In the old days, a location trip to Sacramento was considered a terrific journey In search of atmosphere. For the new “Uncle Tom’s Cabin," several jaunts across the continent to New York, a nineweeks' stay on the Mississippi and innumerable side-trips were taken as a matter of course.

“RED HOT SPEED” AND TABLOID PANTOMIME.

At the De Luxe Theatre special Christmas programmes will commence on Friday. Matinees will be held for four weeks starting ou Friday with two noteworthy attractions, on the first week’s bill. The pictorial section will bo represented by Reginald Denny's latest comedy, “Red Hot Speed." In addition there 'will be an elaboratelj’ staged tabloid pantomime, which will be presented at both matinee and night - sessions (including Christmas Day and night) for one week only. Burlesque versions of “Babes in the Wood.” "Little Red Riding Hood," and other popular juvenile pantomime offerings are to be presented with special music and lighting effects in addition to elaborate dressings and background. Emanuel Aarons is responsible for the writing and production of this, and the performers, numbering over forty accomplished children, are from tile Eileen Wilsou School of Dancing. A series of hilariously disconcerting situations, a thoroughly capable and well chosen cast, and bright and witty titling combine to make “Red Hot Speed” a picture of outstanding value, it is said. It also brings once again to the screen the most popular star. Reginald Denny, in what is declared to be one of the best comedies he has appeared in for some considerable time. He is supported by Alice Day, while others in the cast Include Thomas Ricketts. Charles Byer. De Witt Jennings. Fritzi Ridgway, and Hector V. Sarno. Box plans are available at the Bristol, Begg’s, and Aitken's Book Arcade. STRAND THEATRE. Vivid, unforgetable scenes of martial history, joined with alove story of poignant tenderness make “Two Lovers," which stars Ronald Colman and Vilma Banky, and which is now screening at the Strand Theatre, an entertaining film. "Two Lovers" is an adaptation by Alice D. G Miller from the famous Baroness Orczy novel. "Leatherface." Though this novel has been read by many and holds countless enthusiasts in advance, as many—and more—can now thrill to the visual representation of the mysterious leather-masked man who always turned up suddenly to save his lord liege, the Prince of Orange, from being captured by the enemy and

letting Flanders go into the bands of the Invading Spaniards. Miss Banky appears here appropriately as "the Hower or Spain." As niece of the barbaric, scheming Duke of Azar, she is forced into marriage with Mark Van Rucke. son of the high bailiff of Ghent. Tills marriage seems intended to pacify relations between the opposing countries, hut its real aim is to provide Lenora (Miss Hanky) facilities for spying. Her forced marriage is made doubly unhappy, soon after, when she learns that her real sweetheart lias been murdered by the unknown Leatherface. Her embittered spying yields a list of the names of the conspirators who are plotting to oust the loathed Iberians from their beloved Flanders. How she discovers the identity of Lentherface, how she eventually comes to love her husband. Mark (Ronald Colman), and how her hands are painfulv blistered in the desperate and successful effort to give the Flemish their freedom from the Spanish whom she represented. is told in a series of swift-moving and charming passages. Good supports are also screened and appropriate music is supplied by the orchestra. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. One sees and hears bird life of the Arctic in “Lost, in the Arctic,” Fox motion picture, which was taken on the 11. A. aud Sidney Show expedition to determine what became of four men lost from the Vilhjalntur Stcfansson exploration expedition of 1913, which heads the double-fea-ture programme now being screened at the Paramount Theatre. The bones, scientific instruments, and a sled of the unfortunate four were found at bleak Herald Island by the Snows. On the way to the island the Snow party came upon millions of birds—gulls, murre, cormorants, and tufted puffin. Through the marvel of Fox Movietone synchronisation of sight and sound, an astounding medley of rasping shrieks, wails of the wind, and pounding of the seas was effected, giving the screen spectator the impression he Is actually there. Sue Carol and David Rollins are the ,stars of "Win That Girl,” the second feature. This story, written for tlie “Saturday Evening Post” by Janies Hopper, was sccnarised by John Stone and directed bv David Butler. It centres about a football rivalry affecting three generations and the comedy situations are very amusing. Both Rollins and Miss Carol give pleasing performances. Butler has directed them witli good taste and a flue appreciation of alt that Is clean and captivating in comedy. Appropriate music is supplied by the orchestra. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Now in their sixth week at His Majesty's Theatre. Mike Connors's and Queenle Paul's "League of Notions" Revue Company are in reusing in popularity as the weeks go by. and they deserve it for the unfailing standard of their programmes. This week's duets by Queenle Paul and Mike Connors includes “Baek In Your Own Backyard." while the audience cannot get enough of this popular pair. Syd Beck is his best this week, and scores heavily in the clever sketches. “Short Stories from Life,” “A New Indoor Sport," “Getting Annie’s Garter," "In the Navy,” “The Invisible Tonic," and "The Man Who Looks Like Me." Linn Smith and his Melody Hoys provide the latest jazz music and the sprightly ballet of six form a bright background to many of the numbers. KING'S THEATRE. Fresh, delightful comedy drama that hits the high spots of beauty and romance is being shown at the King's Theatre this week. The picture is Fox Films’ “None But the Brave," a colourful beach and college story with Charlie Morton and Sally Phipps. The story concerns a boy, a hero at college, who brings his school world to his feet with a series of splendid athletic feats. However, when he graduates he finds the business world has no time to pay homage to an ex-athlete, and he is forced to eke out an existence as a life guard at a beach. His lifft Is brightened with the entrance of Miss Phipps, who sells hot dogs on the beach. The two strike up a friendship that bolsters his courage and helps him win a race that ends with rice anil wedding bells. Others in the cast are Farrell Macdonald nnd Sharon Lynn. Good supports are also screened, and appropriate music is supplied by the orchestra. QUEEN'S THEATRE. “Metropolis.” the great U.F.A. production which gives one theory of what mankind will have come to with the passing of the years, heads the big double-feature programme now screening at the Queen’s Theatre. A huge city Is pictured with mighty buildings towering high Into the sky. The city is ruled by one man, and the average man has sunk Into the deepest and bitterest slavery. It is a wonderful film, whether or not its prognostication be correct. Tim McCoy and Dorothy Sebastian are the stars of “The Adventurer." the second feature. Bright music is supplied by the orchestra. HATAITAI SCHOOL CONCERT. The Hataitai School annual concert will be repeated at the Concert Chamber at 7.30 to-night. Mr. A. A. Kirk will be farewelled also. Special trams will leave Hataitai before the concert. KILBIHNIE KINEMA. Clara Bow and Richard Arlen are the stars of “Ladies of the Mob.” which beads the double-feature programme to be repeated nt the Kllbirnle Klnema to-night. The film is a drama of the underworld. “Smilin’ at Trouble,” a dramatic story of a great engineering fent. starring Lefty Flynn, is the second feature. The box plan is at the confectioners nest to the theatre or at the theatre (phone 14-202).