ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 73, 19 December 1928, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. Amazing contrast incorporated in a logical story that grips, with outstanding performances by a great aggregation of players, makes Paramount’s "Forgotten Faces,” which is the current feature at the Regent Theatre, an exceptional motion picture. The production is billed as an all-star special, and it is. Clive Brook, Mary I.’riau, Baclanova, William Powell, Fred Kohler, and Jack Luden head the imposing list of talent in the cast. The story interest, unusual sets, vivid contrasts, and dramatic value of the production. entitle it to the rating of a special in the most complimentary sense of that term. Imagine a picture that starts out with a night hold-up of a fashionable gambling house perpetrated by two crooks in evening clothes, carries on to the grim interior of a penitentiary, shows an attempted prison break, gives intimate glimpses of social life in a home of wealth and culture, and then depicts the .terrified reactions of a woman being slowly driven mad by fear. In support are n gazette, comedy, and cartoon, while acceptable music is supplied by the orchestra, under Mr. Arthur Frost. "Dancing Days.” a unique vaudeville turn, is an added attraction. The company includes a jazz band of twelve performers. two Continental dancers, a bright ballet of seven, and a singer of dainty songs.

“SPEEDY." Special Christmas attractions are promised by the management of the Regent during the festive season. On Friday next Harold Lloyd will appear in what is said to be his biggest comedy, “Speedy," while on the same bill the Regent Theatre’s second presentation, “Fads and Fashions.” will be the stage attraction. In the afternoons special pantomimes are being presented specially for the children. The first of these is “Little Red Riding Hood," which is to be produced under the direction of the English dame, Lester Sinclair. The artists assisting have all been brought from Australia, and special scenery, dresses, and now musical successes will be introduced. That in “Speedy” Harold Lloyd has produced his best comedy to date is the popular verdict wherever “Speedy” has been screened. Harold Lloyd to-day is universally popular. In Japan they are selling horned rimmed glasses on the streets, it is reported. In Germany they Just refer to him as “He,” “ ’Er.” In Mexico he is affectionately known as "Skinny.” In France as "Lui.” In England they used to know him as Winkle, because of the rims. His pictures are said to have the biggest world market of any star in pictures. Tbe plans for Christmas and the holidays are now open at both the theatre and the Bristol, and already tbe bookings are big. The attractions to be presented appear to be quite out of the ordinary. DE LUXE THEATRE. “Home James,” popular Laura La Plante’s latest feature comedy, is the current feature at the De Luxe Theatre. Miss La Plante has an unusually good vehicle in "Home James,” better even than most of her past successes. The blonde star is able to show her genius for comedy throughout the picture. There are many scenes that are outstanding, notably that in which she pantomimes her boss behind the frosted glass door of tbe office. Another is that in the rain when Charles Delaney, as the supposed chauffeur, performs a good service for her. “Home James" is tbe story of a department store clerk, played by Miss La Plante, who goes to a city to be an artist. Instead she sells art goods behind the counter of a large establishment in which she is merely a cog in Ihe wheel. Laura becomes the main cog, however, when she meets the boss's son while the . old man is away. Thinking him a chauffeur she permits herself to fall in love with him. The truth conies out after about five reels of fnn. Charles Delaney has an opportunity for a clever performance as th» son. George Pearce is the father. The supports are wellvaried and the usual excellent musical programme is also supplied. “UNCLE TOM'S CABIN.” The most picturesque figure in motion pictures to-day is Harry Pollard, worldfamed director of tbe world-famed "Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” the stupendous Universal production which will commence screening at the De Luxe Theatre on Friday, December 28. Twenty years ago Pollard was a struggling stage actor whose experience would fill volumes. Many of these occurrences are most laughable in retrospect but were deadly serious then. "In Missouri during the days of a veritable epidemic of ‘Tom’ shows.’’ narrated Pollard, "my troupe was booked into a small town for a one-night stand. Business bad been bad and the whole company looked forward to this engagement, as the town was usually a most receptive one. Here was one place where the players hoped to ‘Get out of the red.’ We disembarked from the rickety train and our jaws fell in -disappointment and chagrin. The whole neighbourhood was literally covered with billboards advertising a rival ‘Uncle Tom’ to play the same night. A hurried consultation was held. The managers of the two companies conferred and soon we were smiling. That night the town was regaled with one of the most astonishing performances of ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ ever given. There were two Evas, two Topsys, twin Elizas crossed- the Ice and a duplex whipping was administered by a pair of burly Simon Degrees to a couple of pitiful Uncle Toms, one of which was I.”

“RED HOT SPEED” AND PANTOMIME.

The first of a number of special Christmas season programmes will commence at the De Luxe Theatre on Friday, a month of special matinees starting on that day. The programme for the week opening next Friday is a noteworthy one and well calculated to appeal to every type of picture goer. The pictorial section will be represented by Reginald Denny’s latest comedy, ‘•Red Hot Speed.” In addition there will be an elaborately-staged tabloid pantomime, which will be presented at both matinee and. night sessions, excluding Christmas Day only, for one week. A burlesque version of "Babes in the Wood" 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, tor the writing and production of this, and the performers, numbering over forty accomplished children, are from the Eileen Wilson School of Dancing. A series of hilariously disconcerting situations, a thoroughly capable and well-chosen cast and brigt and witty titling combine to make the Universal attraction “Red Hot Speed" a picture of outstanding entertainment value, it is stated. It also brings once again to the screen the most popular star, Reginald Denny, in what is said to be one of the best comedies he has appeared in for some considerable time. Denny, during his film career has portrayed many callings, and in his latest picture he is called upon to play the part of a dignified and relentless district attorney who seems doomed to spend his life softening an impatient Judge in the interests of speeding motorists. A diversion cbmes in the form of a delightful miss who is introduced to him in a motor collision, he and the girl being the central figures in the event, which marks the start of the comedydrama. In “Red Hot Speed” Denny is seen in his old Inimitable style. 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. It is reported that the demand for seats is exceptional. Box plans available at the Bristol, Begg’s, and Aitken’s (Courtenay Place), PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

“Lost in the Arctic,” now at the Paramount Theatre, is a surprise. It is an amazing mixture of tragedy, of fights with wild animals and scenic grandeur. It even has its comic moments. It is in no sense a travelogue. It begins moving with thrills while the motor schooner Herman is battling through heavy seas northward. It contains an amazing pictorial record of a fight with a school of whales. This reaches a dramatic climtHt when one whale tries to protect another. Drama is built up naturally when the expedition comes upon the dead members of the Stefansson expedition whose fate had been a,mystery for ten years. Mute souvenirs are uncovered one by one. bones are collected. It. is elemental and gripping and overwhelms the audience with a feeling of the vast silent, menace of the Arctic regions. “Win That Girl,” starring Sue Carol and David Rollins, is the second feature, while bright music is supplied by the orchestra. “OH, KAY!” First National's superb adaptation of the stage play that ran for over a year in New York to record-breaking attendances, “Ob, Kay!" will commence next Friday at the Paramount Theatre, at the head of a specially selected Christmas week programme. In “Oh, Ka.v!” a leading star and the screen's youngest director, are brought together. The star is Colleen Moore and the director is Mervyn Le Roy. “Oh, Kay!” was sccnarised by Carey Wilson from the famous musical comedy success by Guy Bolton, P. G. Wodehouse. George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin. In “Oh Ka.v!” Miss Moore is said to have one of the finest comedy roles of her film career. Mervyn Le Roy has made a record for successful direction after three years as a comedy constructor for Miss Moore’s films. John McCormick produced “Oh. Kay!” for First National Pictures. Lawrence Gray is Miss Moore’s lending man. Others in the support are Alan Hale, Ford Sterling, Claude Glllingwater. Julnnne Johnston, and Edgar. Norton. . Box plans are available at the Bristol. Begg's, and Aitken's Book Arcade-

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Each succeeding week secs Milte Connors and Queeuie Paul with their “League of Notions" Revue Company more firmly ensconced in the favour of patrons of His Majesty’s Theatre, and they fully deserve their success, for each and every programme they have yet presented has been a thoroughly entertaining one. Syd. Beck is in merry vein this week, and is popular in the many clever sketches, which include “A New Indoor Sport,” “Short Stories from Life,” "Getting Annie's Garter,” "In the Navy,” and “The Invisible Tonic." The popular duets by Queenie Paul and Mike Connors include "Back in Your Own Backyard.” Linn "inith and his Melody Boys provide the latest in jazz music, and the remainder of tbe company give good support to tbe principals. KING’S THEATRE. There is laughter, beauty and romance to be had at the King's Theatre, where “None But the Brave," Fox Films’ delightful comedy-drama, is the current attraction. It is the story of a college hero, played by Charles Morton, who finds that the athletic trophies won in college are of no use in the business world. But he has to cat and so he dons the raiment of a life guard' which carries him through many tight situations to the feet, of Sally Philips, who portrays a young business woman in search of her man. 11l advised, Sally enters a bathing beauty contest and loses by a small margin. The winner, n dazzling brunette, thanks Charlie for helping her win flic contest. Mary is broken-hearted and no explaining on Charlie’s part will suffice. In losing the contest Mary has financially embarrassed herself. Charlie helps her by winning an obstacle race and bringing harmony once more into troubled lives. The supports are well-varied and delightful musie is supplied by the orchestra. “THE RIVER PIRATE.” As a soldier and as a pirate Victor McLagleu is believed to have contributed his two best screen roles to date. Some months ago as the inimitable "Captain Flagg” in Raoul Walsh’s "What Price Glory.” McLaglen gave the outstanding portrayal of the year and won the acclaim of millions. Just recently McLaglen has completed another equally colourful role ns "Sailor Frink" in the Fox Films’ version of Charles Francis Coe’s story, “The River Pirate.” This super production, which will be seen at the King's Theatre on Friday, is expected to be classed as one of the ton leading pictures of 1928. Lois Moran plays the loading feminine role, with Nick Stuart, handsome young juvenile, as McLagien's partner In crime. “The River Pirate” Is the first of a pretentious group of Christmas pictures secured for the King's Theatre. Matinees will commence on Tuesday at 2.30. STRAND THEATRE. With a reputation based largely on romantic stories, told witli his characteristic flair for visual brilliance, Samuel Goldwyn adds still another element, mystery and adventure, in his latest and fast co-starring vehicle for Ronald Colman and Yllma Banky. "Two Lovers.” In which Goldwyn's famous team of stars make their final’appearance, is now screening at the Strand Theatre, and is an adaptation by Alice D. G. Miller of flic celebrated Bareness Orezy novel, “Leatherface.” It is directed by Fred Nlbln. creator of “Ben Hur," “Camille.” “Tire Enemy.” and other notable successes. Ghent in the sixteenth century furnishes the background for the story of Donna Lenora of Spain and Mark Van Rycke of Flanders. Completing the series of which “The Dark Angel.” “The Winning of Barbara Worth," “The Night of Love," and “The Magic Flame," were former contributions, Goldwyn has lavished on "Two Lovers" t.he most ambitious production of bis career. Briefly, its story concerns the restoration of William, Prince of Orange, to the throne of the Dutch lowlands. The Spaniards, under tbe tyrannous Duke of Azar, are frustrated In their attempts to' stifle Flemish liberty and to capture the renegade prince by the efforts of the mysterious masked figure. Leatherface. Even the marriage of Lenora. "The Flower of Spain.” to the lordly Mark, fails. Two thousand players, turreted castles, giant drawbridges, wild night rides, bloody battle in the swamps, are among the things seen in the story of .their fight for freedom and of Mark's battle to win the love of his bride, by a marriage of state. An Imposing cast, headed by Noah Beery. Nigel de Brulier, Virginia Bradford, Helen Jerome Eddy, Paul Lukas, and Eugenie Besserer, supports the stars. Good supports are also screened, and appropriate music is supplied by the orchestra. “THE GIRL FRIEND.” “The Girl Friend.” London's latest musical comedy success, in two acts and six acenes, will open at the Grand Opera House with the matinee on Boxing Day,, and inf reduces to Dominion theatre-goers Annie Croft, who Ist supported by a company of new and old favourites. The newcomers are Reginald Shorland, leading man from principal London theatresand Leo Franklyn, another London favourite, who plays the part in which George Gee scored a big English hit. Other popular people in the company are Gus Bluett, May Beatty; Billy Lockwood, Les. Donnghy, Winnie Tate. Katie Towers, and, .together with a fascinating chorus and ballet, they are said to make a combination that is sure of a hearty welcome. Of Annie Croft a Sydney critic writes: "London loved Annie Croft: so does Sydney already. She's a personality girl who sings and dances her way into your heart with no apparent effort. She’s awfully good to look at, and she makes music whether she sings or talks." A big feature of the production is the scenery, t.he first being a railway siding of the Canadian-Pacific Railway, then the garden of the Hotel Wendell, the interior of the dining car. and the lounge, blue bridal .suite. Hotel Wendell. The company’s second production. is a naval musical comedy with a tang of the sea, “Hit. the Deck." It is something unusual in musical plays, for most of the action of the story' takes place on the deck of H.M.S. Inscrutable. Other scenes are in a seaport in China, and provide some wouderful and brilliant cf-

fects. Box plans will open on Friday morning at tbe Bristol. QUEEN’S THEATRE. “Metropolis” aud "The Adventurer" are the two big features now being screened at the Queen’s Theatre. "Metropolis," a U.F.A. production, is a marvellous film. It looks into the future when machinemade men rule the earth. The sets are astounding: huge buildings rise miles into the air. with streets on all levels, and huge aeroplanes circle round the buildings. Tim McCoy and Dorothy Sebastian are the stars of "The Adventurer.” The story deals with a South American State in revolution, with McCoy having all sorts of adventures. Appropriate music is also supplied by the orchestra. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. A flint of the Paris slums, "The Apache,” will be shown for the first time in Wellington at the Kilbirnie Kinema tonight. Advlqui Millar has the role of a French outcast who seeks refuge in La Villette, the notorious apache quarter of Paris. Motia Marris has the leading feminine role and is assisted by Doris Mansell and Jerrold Robertshaw, with an all-star cast. Tbe supporting attraction, “The Branded Soinlirrro." starring Buck Jones, the popular Western star, is stated to be the thrilling story of a desperate light between a gaug of crooks aud a young cowboy. The box plan is available at the confectionery next to the theatre or reservations may be made by ■phone (14—202).