ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 84, 3 January 1929, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT 'THEATRE. One of the most successful pictures screened in Wellington for some time is “Rose Marie,” the film version of the famous musical comedy, now showing to crowded houses at the Regeut Theatre. In addition to telling the enchanting story all over again—with all the realism the screen makes possible—the fragrant romance of Rose Marie, the relentless hatred of the outlaws, the stirring deeds of the North-West Mounted, and the mental and physical conflicts of tlie hunted Jim Kenyon—the entire production is set against a background of Nature s supreme loveliness that has. never before been equalled on the screen. Joan Crawford plays the role of Rose Marie. This beautiful and talented young actress assumes the personality and naive tomboyishness of the daughter of the Canadian woods with wonderful artistry. Opposite her, James Murray gives a most convincing performance in the role of Jim Kenyon. The incidental music, played by the orchestra, under the direction of Mr. A. Frost, synchronised with the picture well. The Stage Baud, under Lester Sinclair, is more popular than ever, The Song of the Prune,” sung by Lester Sinclair, being their most popular number. Two newcomers in this portion of the programme are Zenda and Mack, who please with an Apache dance. Miss Zenda later does a really fine classical acrobatic dance, which is very successful indeed. The ballet also provides a whirlwind acrobatic turn, which is loudly applauded. “Sonny Boy,” "Timbuctoo. and “Gimme Aly Hat, I’m Going Home are the still popular Stella Lamont numbers. In the afternoons an entirely new matinee, “Jack and Jill,” is being staged. Lester Sinclair essays his original part of the Dame, as played by him at the Pavillion Theatre, London. Stella Lamont introduces her successful “Sonny Boy” song seena, while the Eleven Rascals do a new series of whirlwind acrobatics and tumblings. New scenery and dresses have been specially obtained for this entertaining production, which will be staged at the matinees onlj’ in conjunction with the captivating “Rose Marie.” Excellent music is provided by the splendid Regent orchestra at both sessions. “THE ENEMY.” To-morrow is to mark another step in the remarkable series of outstanding entertainments presented at the Regent Theatre. Ever seeking the new and original, ever progressing from one big show to something still bigger, the management announce that, with the co-operation of Maurice Diamond, the well-known American producer, who was responsible for the ballets in "Sunny” and “The Student Prince,” they have organised a unit that will surpass anything hitherto seen in any picture theatre in the Dominion. A beauty ballet of eight has been specially imported from Sydney, and will be seen in conjunction with Freddie Hodges and Ivy Towe, acrobatic and character dancers. The work of this duo is a revelation in the terpslchorean art for speed, grace, and posing, it is stated. The male member is one of the best solo dancers ever brought to this country. Staged as only the Regent Theatre can stage such productions. “A Jazz Holiday,” which is the title of the new presentation, is Intended to prove an even greater attraction than the recent stage band presentation. One of the greatest successes of the modern stage is the new vehicle for Lillian Gish in “The Enemy,” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s sumptuous fllmlsation of Channing Pollock’s famous New York drama, and which will be the screen attraction. The play, which opened to a sensational triumph at the Times Square Theatre in New York not long ago. with Fay Bainter as the star, is one of the most talked-of pieces of dramatic construction in years. Miss Gish plays the tragic Austrian heroine, Pauli, in the toils of warfare. The story deals with the psychological havoc of war rather than its physical damage. It shows an Austrian family in a series of hatreds and troubles brought about by propaganda, hysteria and other breeders of hate that follow in the wake of warfare. It is held one of the drama’s greatest contributions to the cause of peace. Fred Niblo directed the stage version, which was given a lavish production at the Mctro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. Ralph Forbes, hero of “Beau Geste” and “The Trail of ’98,” plays the leading male role. Ralph Emerson, George Fawcett, Frank Currier, Karl Dane, Polly Moran, Fritzl Ridgeway, John Peters, Billy Kent Schaefer and others of note are in the cast. The story was scenarlsed from the original play and set in elaborate replicas of Austrian cities constructed at the studios. The plans are open at both the theatre and Bristol from this morning. STRAND THEATRE. "Two Lovers,” the star attraction which has been screening for three weeks at the Strand Theatre, will be show# for the last time to-day. Those two popular favourites, Ronald Colman and Vilma Banky, who- are playing together for the last time, have the leads in the picture. "Leatherface,” by Baroness Orczy, one of the most popular novels of this generation, furnished the story of "Two Lovers.” Its tale is that of the triumph of love over adversity. Laid against the everstirring background of war, "Two Lovers” tells the story of Mark Van Rycke, 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 of Flanders to freedom from the oppressing hands of the Spaniards. Wild night rides, hair-rais-ing duels (of wit as well as of sword), reveal Ronald Colman, as “Leatherface,” in a role more colourful and varied than any other he has ever attempted. Vilma Banky is Lenora, “The FloweF 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 comes to respect him—for he refuses his marriage privileges. Just when she begins to love him, Lenora makes a discovery about Mark that causes her to hate him. 'Good supports are screened, and appropriate music supplied by the orchestra. DE LUXE THEATRE. "Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” the big feature now showing at the De Luxe Theatre, is a wonderful film with a wonderful all-star cast which cannot fall to grip the imagination of any audience. In the cast are such well-known favourites as Margarita Fischer, Mona Ray, Virginia Gray, and Gertrude Astor on the feminine side, and Arthur Carew, James Lowe and Francis Forde on the male side. The story of Uncle Tom and the slaves of America is 'by no means a new one, and almost everybody remembers Harriet Beecher Stowe's famous tale written for the purpose of exposing the evils which existed under a condition of slavery. The film faithfully follows the story from its opening chapter to the days of the great liberation. The scenes at the slave market, the escape of Eliza across the broken ice of the Mississippi, the following bloodhounds close behind her, and the death of Uncle Tom, and the passing of little Eva are faithfully represented according to the story told by Mrs! Stowe. The audience is carried back In fancy to the days of a past century, when black men were sold like chattels, when the wife was separated from her husband, the child from its parents, the girl from her lover, and when the body of the slave was the property of the purchaser to do with as he liked. The only other picture on the programme is a Gazette, containing many topical incidents. On the musical side of the programme the usual attention to detail is apparent, a feature being the negro melodies and spirituals, such well-known tunes as “Way Down Upon the Swannee River,” “Poor Old Joe,” and "The Old Folks at Home,” being played by the Orchestra De Luxe, and by Mr. Emanuel Aarons on the Wurlitzer organ. Two gramophone records "are also utilised to give “colour” to the story told by the film. The programme. which is an exceptionally fine one, is being repeated twice daily. “THE TRAIL OF ’08.” Dawson City will re-live some of the exciting days and nights it enjoyed during the famous Alaskan gold stampede, now that Director Clarence Brown has finished "The Trail of ’98.” which will commence screening at the De Luxe Theatre to-morrow. Grizzled old veterans of "the trail,” and some are still living today, will be able to retrace their steps, anil live again the memories of the glory and tragedy of those eventful days—so faithful lias the picturisatlon been. “The Trail of ’9B”—one of the most ambitiously conceived films in picture history—is an adaptation of Robert W. Service’s famous romance of the Klondike gold rush. Prominent in a carefully-chosen cast are Dolores Del Rio and Ralph Forbes, the two featured players, and important roles have been assigned to Karl Dane. Harry Carey, Johnnie Downs, Tully Marshall, Pollv Moran and other famous Mctro-Goldw’vn-Maver stars. Shortly after Brown arrived with his main company at the Great Dividing Range, Colorado, to make the exterior scenes for “The Trail of ’98," a terrific snow-slide carried an entire train, consisting of locomotive and fifteen trucks loaded with equipment, crashing down a mountain gorge. Fortunately, there were no casualties. After this, it was decided to systematically dynamite all drifts that looked dangerous. While the snow slid, however. Brown turned the cameras on it. Altogether 15 cameras were employed, operated by twenty-five expert cameramen, and two of these cameras obtained lilghly-dangcrous closeups by being placed under electrical control, and operated two miles away.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. “Love at Midnight,” the principal attraction at the Paramount Theatre, shows Billie Hove, the popular star, in one of the best roles of her career. The picture tells a simple but impressive story of

the sacrifice of a wife in order to shield her husband from an unjust accustation. There are some tense and dramatic scenes rmthe deck of a French battleship, the fate and future of one woman and three men are involved in the drama. Dm wile of the captain of the l-rench wa F® lxi J’ Lafayette is on board when the ship is ordered oft to sea, and through a misunderstanding, is taken to sea in the ves sei. Complications arise, ending in- a charge of murder. An eleventh-hour explanation removes the difficulties, and there is a cheerful ending. Others in “Love at Midnight” are Donald Reed, laul Lukas, Nicholas Sousanin, Gustave Portos, and Nicholas Bela. There is an excellent supporting programme. The orchestra, under Mr. R. Caulton, contributes fosselli’s "Serenata” and excellent incidental music. A tabloid pantomime, a version of “Babes in the Wood,” is given at the afternoon session.

KING’S THEATRE. "Sailor’s Don’t Care,” the star attraction at the King’s Theatre, a picture well worth seeing. It isl a British Ulin version of a story by Seamark, and though it deals with the more serious side of the British Navy’s part in the Great War, particularly in reference to Q-ship work, the more humorous and breezy side of the Navy’s life has not been overlooked. The leading part is taken by Estelle Brody, who acts as the housemaid, and the sweetheart of two jack tars. Sir William Graham, in whose service she is, rejoins the Navy as a sailor upon the Outbreak of war, and serves In the ship of which his son is second in command. Action in the picture begins to move fast when the sailors are detailed for special work in the Q-boats, and additional Interest is given to the picture through the operatious of enemy secret service agents. There is a graphic encounter between a U-boat and a Q-ship. The supporting programme is excellent. There is an enjoyable gazette, and an exceptionally interesting Nature picture. The King's Orchestra supplies appropriate music. QUEEN’S THEATRE. Two really excellent pictures are showing at the Queen’s Theatre this week, one being “The River Pirate," and the other “The Devil Horse.” Both are “thrillers” which cannot fail to entertain. "The River Pirate,” a dark tale of river life on the Manhattan, shows Victor McLaglen winning new honours as Sailor Prink, the pirate himself. Frink befriends a victim of injustice at the reformatory, one Sandy, and between young and old a strong bond of understanding develops. Sandy endeavours to escape, is befriended by Marjorie Caxton (Lois Moran), as well as by Sailor Frink. Marjorie is the detective’s daughter, and she helps Sandy to make good, and later marries him. Nick Stuart, Earle Fox, and Robert Perry are others in the cast, who help to make tlie picture so enthralling. Rex, the wonder horse, appears in “The Devil Horse,” with Buck Jones as the hnman star. It is a tale of high adventure in Indian days. Appropriate music is supplied by the Queen’s Orchestra. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. The Mike Conuors and Queenie Paul’s League of Notions Revue Company are presenting a bright and breezy show at His Majesty's Theatre tills week. Syd Beck, the popular comedian, is seen at his best in a number of sketches, while he also does good work on his own. Mike Connors and Queenie Payl score heavily with their duets, while Linn Smith’s Jazz Band also wins favour. The Paulasto Brothers, William Beresford, Gladys Shaw, Phyllis Baker, and Gerald Connolly all help to make the show a success. . "THE GIRL FRIEND.” The final performance of the very popular "Girl Friend” was given at the Grand Opera House last night in the presence of a large audience. At the close of tlie show Miss Annie Croft (“The Girl Friend”) and all the other principals were loudly applauded. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. Sammy Cohen and Ted McNamara, who scored as laugh-makers in “The Gay Retreat,” are again combined in the' comic featured roles of "Why Sailors Go Wrong,” the Fox Films comedy romance to be screened at the Kilbirnie Kinemu tonight. Sally Phipps and Nick Stuart make a charming couple in the featured roles, while Jack Pennick and Carl Milier are prominent in the supporting cast. Many spills are experienced in tlie supporting attraction, "Clearing the Trail,” starring Hoot Gibson, is a dramatic story of cattle-rustlers, on Sunset Range, gunplay and brotherly love. The box plan Is available at the confectionery next to tlie theatre, or reservations may be procured by ringing telephone 14 —202,