ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 75, 21 December 1928, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATRE CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME. The De Luxe Theatre management announces an elaborate Christinas season entertainment, to commence this afternoon. It is reported that the festive season pro- * gramme reveals an array of attractions of unprecedented quality. These will be presented during consecutive weeks. Reginald Denny’s new comedy, “Red Hot Speed,” in connection with a stage pantomime, will be the first of the series, and will be followed by Universal’s £400,000 production, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” and then Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s successor in thrills and magnitude to “Ben Hur, Ihe Trail of ’98.” The last-named is set down for a two-weeks’ season. Matinees will be held for one month, commencing this afternoon, the evening sessions opening at 8 o’clock. On the first week’s bill the pictorial section will be represented in ‘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 (except the afternoon session of Christmas Day), for one week only. A burlesque of “Babes in the Wood,” and other popular juvenile pantomimes 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 the Eileen Wilson 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 considenible time. He is supported by Alice Day, while others in the cast include 1 nomas Rickets, Charles Byer, De Witt Jennings, Fritzl Ridgway, and Hectoi- Y, Sarno. Box plans at the Bristol, Begg s, and Aitken's Book Arcade, are said to be filling rapidly.

“UNCLE TOM’S CABIN.” Reported to be one of the greatest pictures ever produced, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin will open its Wellington season on December 28 at the De Luxe Theatre. Matinees will be held throughout; the week. For nearly two years the American Press has acelaimecj the screening of this picture, and its showing here is the fruition of the desires of innumerable motion- picture enthusiasts. Extensive trips by artisans and craftsmen were made throughout the entire South for eight months prior to commencement of filming in order that historical, atmospheric, ano physical details might be authentic. Later, the entire company visited the actual scene of the famous novel, filming sequences in the very surroundings immortalised by Mrs. Stowe. Kate Adams, noted Mississippi side-wheeler, was chartered for nine weeks, two weeks having been spent by technicians in its metamorphosis into La Belle Riviere, of the book. The pretentious sets were constructed at Universal City, exact replicas of actual homes in the South being made for the Shelby, St. Clare, and Legrce plantations, as well as many other interesting and unusual settings. The poignant.dove story of Eliza and George permeates the massive production, a beautiful contrast to the sweep of the powerful story. The east is a noted one, headed by sueh famous artists as Margaret Fischer, Arthui* Edmund Carew, George Siegmann, Lucien Littlefield, John Roche, Gertrude Astor, Nelson McDowell, and James B. Lowe. “THE TRAIL OF ’98.” Some idea of the immensity of "The Trail of ’98,” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s epic screen successor to that company’s ‘‘BenHur,” may be gauged from the fact, that a vast army of 15,000 extras take part in this tremendously realistic screen version of the novel by Robert IV.- Service, dealing with the great Klondike gold rush thirty years ago. This number exceeds bv 000 the huge host used in “Ben-Hur.” “The Trail of ’9B” will be screened at the De Luxe Theatre on Friday, January 4. For 3000 of the extras taking part, heavy furs, boots, caps, gloves, and blankets, besides pack-sacks consisting of cooking utensils, tinned foods, tools, and a small toilet kit, had to be assembled, such as were used by the Alaskan miners of the old days Other preparations at the studios Included the chartering of ’ hundreds of old boats which were actually used in the stampede to the frozen Yukon; the assembling of 1000 dogs with harness ; the packing of sufficient equipment for a field telephone service to operate over miles of mountain ranges, the purchase of many additional cameras, and trairsportation arrangements for the entire company to the far north to make ■ the unforgettable exterior scenes. - To make the memorable scenes in this great picture the company worked In an averaged wind of 50 miles per hour, with a blizzard every second day, and in a temperature which registered front 20 to 35 degrees below zero, with .the constant menace of snow-slides ever present. Early in production, a terrific slide carried an entire train, consisting of a locomotive and fifteen trucks loaded with equipment, crashing down, a mountain gorge. This catastrophe led to the systematic dynamiting of drifts every time they threatened the company. The lives of the cameramen who penetrated the Yukon region for unique shots of the annual thaw of the dreaded Copper River, were constantly endangered by roving packs of starving wolves, necessitating the employment of marksmen by day and huge bonfires at night. This stupendous production has a cast of no fewer than 35 well-known players, including Ralph Forbes, Dolores Del Rio, Karl Dane. George Cooper, Tully Marshall, Holtz and Harry Carey, and is undoubtedly the greatest of screen achievements, portraying as it does one of the most amazing adventures in the history of the human race with colossal and never-to-be-forgotten realism, drama, and romance. REGENT THEATRE. Commencing to-day at the matinee in conjunction with the pantomime ‘-‘Little Red Riding Hood, ’’ and to-night with the second Regal stage, presentation. “Fads and Fashions,” Hflrold Lloyd will be responsible for roars of laughter from patrons of the Regent Theatre, with his latest and biggest laugh-getter, “Speedy..” One of the chief secrets of Harold Lloyd's success, and there are many, has been his uncanny Intuition in the selection of popular themes for his great comedies. His stories have always possessed a wholesome general appeal, and his latest effort. “Speedy,” is no exception to the rule. “Speedy” is probably one of the most novel themes Mr. Lloyd has ever struck, for it deals with the now obsolete horsecar, with its story set in a section of New York that provides the comedian with more than ample field for unusual comedy situations. “Speedy” is a story that Lloyd had in mind for four years, but had never started because of the time needed for production on tlie actual locale. Lloyd and an entire company of 30 spent three months in New York, shooting every wellknown background of the big city, such as Coney Island, Yankee Stadium, Times Square, the Battery, Brooklyn Bridge, tho subway, and, in fact, all the high spots that the sight-seeing bus driver points out to New York’s visitors. The story is modern in every sense, dealing with the last of the horse-car lines. It is a story replete with dramatic and thrilling incidents, as well as high point comedy situation. Ann Christy, as leading lady for Lloyd in “Speedy,” fulfils every promise she gave as the ideal New York girl. On the stage, the’ second 'presentation. “Fads and Fashions,” will hold the boards, and it is said to easily eclipse its predecessor, "Dancing Days.” All the latest hits are included in this delightful revuette, including the lingerie ballet. “Dainty Miss.” the dainty numbers of Stella Lamond, “After M.v Laughter Come Tears.” "He Said and I Said,” and "I Wonder Who’s Her Daddy Now.” The Maori lullaby. specially written by Maurice Guttridge, and demonstrated by the Regent Syncopators, both as a poi dance and an old-fashioned waltz, will be given.. The whirlwind acrobatic finale, and the original Dixie stop, will be demonstrated by Porter and Carne. • The plans at the theatre and Bristol, give every indication of a highly successful season. “LITTLE RIDING HOOD.” There Is probably no other form of entertainment more enjoyable to children than pantomime, but it is only too seldom that the opportunity .is given of seeing one. At the Regent Theatre, commencing today, there will be presented for the Christmas holidays probably the most hilarious and -beautiful pantomime of “Little Red Riding Hood.” Special scenery has been painted for the six georgeous scenes, and with new dresses and brilliant lighting effects, tlie production will, it is said, eclipse anything of its kind yet presented. Taking part, there arc no less than GO performers. including the distinguished English artist, Mr- Lester Sinclair, who will appear as Dame Weddle, and Little Nat, tlie four-year-old boy wonder, who recently created a sensation in the Australian theatres. The Regent Orchestra will lend the necessary musical atmosphere to this great show, which wilt lie presented every afternoon in eoniiineiion with "Harold Lloyd” in “Speedy.” The Eleven Rascals are in the cast, also Sam Porter and the Regent Scintillating Seven. It is the intention of the management to produce a new pantomime weekly during the school holidays, an announcement which will no doubt be welcomed by young and old. STRAND THEATRE. "Two Lovers." witli Ronald Colman and Vilnni Banky as its leading players, will commence its second week's screening at tho Strand Theatre to-day. “Leatherface,” by Baroness Orczy, one of the most popular novels of this generation, furnished the story from which Alice D. G. Miller photo-dramatised the final eostnrring picture of Mr. Column ami Miss Banky.' Its tide is that of tlie triumph , of love over adversity. Laid against the

ever-stirring background of war, ‘ Two Lovers” tells the story of Mark Van Rveke son of the patrician burgomaster of Ghent, and of his secret adventures as “Leatherface,” mysterious and faithful aid to William, Prince of Orange, who seeks to lead the enslaved country ot Flanders to freedom' from the oppressing hands of the Spaniards. Wild night rides, hair-raising duels (of wit as well as of sword), reveal Ronald Colman, as Leatlierfacc,” In a role more colourful and varied than any he lias eVer attempted. Vilma Banky is Lenora. "The Hower of Spain,” niece of the Duke of Azar, oppressor of the Flemish and commandant of the Spanish. His royal kinsman weds her to Mark in a gorgeous ceremony, rich in the medieval ceremony of Flanders, a bride of state. Loathing him as her enemy and forced mate, she conies to respect him—for lie refuses his marriage privileges. Just when she begins to love hint, Lenora makes a discovery about Mark that causes her to hate him. H°w she betrays and delivers him into the hands of the Spaniards, and then, discovering her mistake, joins the heroic everts of Mark and his countrymen in their final battle through the swamps for freedom, ending in the assault on the impregnable Kasteel, are among the high spots of the picture. Good supports will also be screened, and appropriate music supplied by the orchestra.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE.*Th? adaptation of the stage play that ran for over a year in New York to recordbreaking attendances, “Oh, Kay! will commence to-night at the Paramount Theatre, at the head of a specially-selected Christmas week programme. In “Oh, Kay I a leading star and the screen’s youngest director, arc brought together. The star Is Colleen Moore and the director is Alervyn Le Roy. Vivacious Colleen heads the cast in the stellar role of “Kay,” her entertaining personality being ideally suited for tlie character of the independent young English girl she portrays, It is stated. Such laughable pictures as “Naughtv But Nice.” “Her Mild Oat “Ella Cinders,” “It Must Be Love,” ami “Orchids and Ermine” have established Miss Moore as the screen’s outstanding comedienne, and in “Oh, Kay!” she is said to attain new heights of humour. Oil, Kay I” was scenarised by Carey W llson from the famous musical comedy success by Guy Bolton, P. G. AVodehouse, George Gershwin, and Ira Gershwin. Mervyn Le Roy has made a record for successful direction after three years as a comedy constructor for Miss Moore's films. Lawrence Gray is Aliss Afoore’s leading man. Others in the support are Alan Hale. Ford Sterling, Claude Gillingwater, Julanne Johnston. and Edgar Norton. An excellent supporting programme includes the first of the. new music Alaster series, "The Life Work of Balfe.” Box plans are available at the Bristol, Beggs, and the Utility. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. The “League of Notions” Revue Company have left no stone unturned to make their Christmas week show the biggest and brightest that has been produced at His Mplestv’s Theatre for many a day. It is said from the opening chorus to the dosing scene the performance is bubbling over witli mirth aud frivolity. As leaders of this bright company, Queenie Paul anil Mike Connors are exceptionally brilliant, and their talent and versatility is imparted to their happy band of followers. Tlie comedian Syd Beck is sure to keep his audience in roars of laughter. One of the outstanding features of this programme is Linn Smith’s Jazz Band, which will be heard in several operatic and jazz numbers, including "The Anvil Chorus,” “Deed I Do,” “Because My Baby Don’t Say Maybe Now.” and other popular numbers. Queenie Paul and Mike Connors will doubtless score a great hit with their duets and jazz songs. Some very amusing aud pleasantly ridiculous sketches are on tho programme, such as “In the Army,” where Svd Beck and Mike Connors show how tlie army should be run. A rather attractive feature of the new bill will be the singing and staging of "A Maypole in an Oldfashioned Garden” by the boys and girls of the league. A novelty dance will be presented by Phyllis Baker and Gerald Connellv. and a clever eccentric dance by the Paulasto Brothers. William Beresford, who possesses a fine baritone voice, will sing “When Aly Day’s Over” and “In a Bamboo Garden.” The Exquisite Six vs ill help greatly to keep the show s'Winglng. Box. plans are now at the Bristol. KING’S THEATRE. Fox's latest dramatic thriller, "Tlie River Pirate," commences to-night at the King’s Theatre. As a soldier and as a pirate, A'ictor. MeLaglen is believed to have contributed bis two best screen roles to date. Sonic months ago as the Inimitable “Cnplaiii Flagg” in Raoul Walsh’s "What Price Glory,” MeLaglen gave the outstanding portrayal of tlie year and won the acclaim of millions. Just recently MeLaglen has completed another equally colourful role film as “Sailor Frink” in the film version of Charles Francis Coe’s story. "The River Pirate.” This super production is expected to be classed as one of the ten leading pictures of 1928. Louise Moran plays tho lending feminine role, with Nick Stuart, handsome young Juvenile, as AleLaglen's partner In crime. “Tim River Pirate” is the first of a pretentious group of Christmas pictures secured for the King’s Theatre. Ma*'noes will coninioece on Tuesday nt 2.31). An excr'lent supporting programme is in evldci)-?. Box plans nre nt the Bristol.

KILBIRXIE KIXEMA. Esther Ralston appears as a blonde Venus in spangles In her new picture. “Tlie Sawdust Paradise.” which will be screened to-night nt the Kllblrnle Kinema. Hobart Bosworth, tlie veteran of the screen, has the leading male role. in which ho takes the part of nn evangelist whose gospel mootings run In competition with a cheap street carnival. Olliers in the cast arc Reed Howes. Tom McGuire. George French, and Mary Alden. Tlie supporting attraction. "Confetti,” provides plenty of thrills and humorous touches. Tlie leading stars are .Tack Buchanan and Annette Benson, with nn all-star east. The box tilan is available nt tiie confectionery shop next to Ihe tliealro. or rcsi-rvnl ions reiv be made by ringing telephone M—--2U2.