ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 92, 12 January 1929, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. A crowded house was well-pleased with ilie quality of the fare served up by the way of the weekly change of programme ai the Regent Theatre last -week. The star film was a Metro-Goldwyn-Ma.ver comedy-romance, entitled “Beau Broadway," which bad its action amongst NewYork’s cabarets and night clubs. The storv, which is from the pen of Mat St. Clair, telis how Gunner O'Brien, an oldtime pugilist, asks Jim Lambert, a* fight promoter, to take care of Ills daughter when lie dies. Lambert agrees, and fixes up a nursery in his bachelor home only to find that his ward is a healthy young maiden of sweet eighteen. Trying to protect the girl against the worldliness of his own life and to keep her in ignorance of his own business, Lambert changes his mode of living. “Killer” Gordon, a pugilist, pays court to Mona, Lambert's ward, to the dismay of the light promoter, who discovers that he is in lore witli the girl himself. Yvonne, a pretty damsel, with whom Lambert had been treading the primrose path of dalliance for a time, makes complications, but in the end all works out satisfactorily. Y’vonne marries Gordon, and Mona admits that she has loved her guardian from the day she crossed under his rooftree. Lew Cody and Aileen Pringle, do some fine acting in the leading roles, and are_ well supported by Hugh Trevor as “Killer" Gordon, Sue Carol. Heinie Conklin, J. J. Jeffries (former world’s heavy-weight boxing champion), Kit Guard, and Jack Kerrick. The second feature subject was another well-constructed comedy entitled “The Skyscraper,” which opens with some practical jokes at Hie top of one of NewYork’s tallest buildings. “Blondy” and “Swede” Hansen, two steelworkers, are great pals, who are always playing jokes upon each other. One day they save a pretty girl, Sally, from being crushed by a girder, and. of course, both fall in love with her. She prefers Blondy, but the latter is badly injured in an accident. In order to make his friend fight to get well. Swede tells Blondy that he is going out with Sally. The injured man thereupon determines to recover, and does so to such effect that lie falls upon Swede and almost blots him off the face of the universe. Sally and Blondy are delighted, and a rattling good comedy ends to the peal of wedding bells. William Boyd and Allan Hale make an excellent character comedy team, and pretty Sue Carol is lively and vivacious as Sally. A capital film on the new programme was “London After Dark,” which took the audience for a delightful ramble round the theatres and cabarets of the world’s metropolis, and afforded glimpses of several of. the latest London successes. A Metro News was also chockful of topical happenings abroad. , ... The new stage band entertainment, “Round the World,” which was originally created by Mr. Beaumont Smith, created a perfect furore. With Mr. Maurice Guttridge as conductor, the band kept the night palpitating with inspiring strains, and the Sydney Regent Ballet, in gayer frocks than ever, were seen in some enchanting movements.” That prince of dancers, Mr. Fred Hodges, amazed the big house with his fantastic steps in Russian and Spanish dances, and Miss Ivy Lowe also did some sprightly dancing. In fact, dancing was a , feature of the gay revels. , Out of a huge sphere of the globe issued dancer after dancer, and all were of the front rank. Miss Stella Lamont made a great hit with her pot pourri of negro melodies, and also led the ballet in the “Goldfish Glide,” which was an animated performance. Such full measure was given in the new programme that the performance had to be started at 7.45, but so acceptable was the fare that the evening passed all too quickly. This big list of attractions will be shown at 2.15 and 7.45 to-day, and throughout the whole of next week.

“THE CROWD.” “The Crowd,” featuripg Eleanor Boardman and James Murray, the big Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture, which comes to the Regqnt on Friday, was. filmed against backgrounds extending from California to New York, and has scenes on the beaches of both the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans. It takes in backgrounds from the amusement piers of’Venice, California, to Coney Island, includes a honeymoon sequence at Niagara Falls, street . scenes from one end of New’ York City to the other, steamer excursions up the Hudson River, and dramatic action shot against the backgrounds of the great steel mills of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the big Kodak factories of Rochester, the Loop district of Chicago and the great automobile manufacturing plants of Detroit, Michigan. The story begins with the life of an ambitious young clerk, employee of an institution which has hundreds more exactly like him. He becomes enamoured with a sjiop girl and the two romantically marry without thought of the future, spend a honeymoon at Niagara Falls, return to New York and fall into the rut occupied by so many.young married couples who fail ’to emerge from it despite all their puny efforts against the circumstances which life throws about them.- The featured roles are played by Eleanor Boardman, long a popular screen player, and James Murray, an extra man and “protege” of the director of this great picture. On the stage, “Dick Whittington nnd his Cat,” the famous London pantomime, will be staged under the direction of Ed. Warrington, with the by'*ney Regent Ballet and a great cast.

DE LUXE THEATRE. Crowded houses are still the order at the De Luxe Theatre, where “The Trail of ’9B” has commenced its second weeks screening. Dolores del Rio, the fascinating beauty, and Ralph Forbes arc the principal players, and they are supported by an outstanding east. From the very commencement the attention of the audience is held as scenes are flashed on the screen in quick succession showing unparalleled scenes of men gone mad with the lure of gold, and rushing to the Klondyke by every means of conveyance and from every quarter of the land. The hem is one of these, and although penniless, he succeeds in getting aboard a sln l> where he is almost captured except for the protection of a girl who is going to the goldfields also. Then conies Jom.’ long trek through the snow, throu„li which the gold-seekers must go for b ? n ’ dreds of miles, their task heightened immeasurably by the necessity to carry ™ b them their tons of provismns Never in history has there been a journey so ter rible Drifts of snow, icy rivers and mouAtains have to be crossed, and those whose strcngtli fails them die by the wa>_, wliile the others push on. T nificence of the scenery makes a spectacu lar background for moving dmma «£ thousands of lives. The ray., reckless life of the Klondykc takes its ton or heart soul and life itself. How it batters the lives ot the two young people who have been drawn into the great game s IHllinelv told. “Ben Hur” is more than surpassed in flits P ict \‘ rc . EX’ S' 1 filing be fl nmde l of° r t y he rSrinJ of the New York musical score by the Ds Luxe orchestra. The new song theme which runs TP rv° r effective intmber. Bookings for T «il of ’9B” may be made at the Bristol, Beg o s, Aitken's. x

“FOUR SONS.” The rules of make-up as applied to mreen actin"- hold no interest for Margaret M ann > who depicts the role of Mother Bernie in I Irn william Fox masterpiece, o ’JL?°ns, • min-’ to the De Luxe Theatre next Fri- -- v Januarv IS. During the earlier sequences of tills picture Miss Mann used a little powder on her face, and in the final scenes refrained from using any make-Tn at all. This charming actress. eJio C in P “Four Sons” achieves a feature nart after ten years as an extra, nas never used lip-stick either on or off the set She is a true apostle of naturalness, which quality, no doubt, is .Ts?™* sibie for her screen success. Four bom will be preceded by an atmospheric sta.e presentation, when tlie theme song “Little Mother” will be sung.

STRAND THEATRE. “Hiudlc Wakes,” the star attraction on the fine double-feature programme, sercenin” at the Strand Theatre this week, is a we"l-presciited tale of the Lancashire cottonniUis It is produced by a British J'ompany with settings taken from the industrial districts of the Old Country. Fanny Hawthorne, worker in Nathaniel Jeffco'te’s cotton mill, goes with a girl pal to Blackpool during the ‘ wakes holiday week. Here she meets Allan, handsome son of the millowner, who takes her wt.h him "to Llandudno. Fanny arranges that her pal shall post a card to her parents froni Blackpool as a blind, but her friend Marv is tragically drowned and the subterfuge is discovered. Returning home, tlie girl is tormented by her avaricious mother into admitting her companion’s name, and the woman forces her husband to visit tne millowner and demand the immediate marriage of the children. Allan has been previously engaged lo the daughter of tne Mayor, but his father, in fairness to Fanny, decides that the boy must marry , her. Then Fanny herself acts. The film is an adaptation of Stanley Houghton’s famous play, and several well-known English actors are included in the cast, such as Norman McKennel, Irene Rook, and Arthur Chesnev. Lili Danista is starred in tlie second filb, “The Golden Butterfly, which is also a Kinenia Art Film’s release, based on the novel by I*. G. Wodehouse. Both productions arc well worth seeing, and an interesting Gazette adds tlie finishing touch to a really excellent programinc. Very acceptable music is provided by the orchestra.

KING’S THEATRE. In "Do Your Duty,” which was shown for the first time at the King’s Theatre last night, Charlie Murray outdoes his historic success in “McFadden’s Flats.” That was a scream, but “Do Your Duty” goes one better. The same mixture of homely pathos, humour and adventure run through the story. Sergeant Tim Maloney, of the New York police, is entrapped by members of the underworld, and doped to facilitate the thieves carrying out a “job.” He is disrated, therefore, just as he is about to be promoted to a lieutenancy. However, Andy Macintosh, the tight Scotch tailor of amazing loyalties and generosities, overhears another crime being planned, which being taken In hand by Tim results In his being reinstated. His daughter's wedding at the station to another, policeman ends the fun and the film. Doris Dawson, who plays the part of the policeman’s daughter, and Danny Kechau’s bride, is a newcomer to the screen, who will be remembered by those who saw her work in “The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come,” while Chas. Delaney, who carries the role of Danny Sheehan, Jnr., has appeared in such films as “The Cohens and the Kellys in Paris” and the “Show Girl.” Lucien Littlefield's character effort as Andy needs no comment. He is always funny. The orchestra’s high class programme is greatly appreciated, as are also the supporting item of the programme. WELLINGTON SCREEN COMEDY.

Arrangements have been completed by a number of well-known film identities of New Zealand for the production, in the principal towns and cities, of feature comedies, relevant in theme to the particular centre wherein production takes place. Considerable preparation Is taking place for the capital city's effort in this direction, and arrangements are now well in hand for the making of a pretentious film comedy. It has been decided that the stars and players will be selected by theatre audiences in order to ensure the right “audience appeal” on tho part of the participants. Two prominent film producers associated with this picture are Mr. J. S. Vinson, who has travelled the world making pictures, and Mr. Lee M. Hill, who has been prominently identified with the Commonwealth Film Laboratories of New South Wales. The latter was cameraman on the excellent New Zealand production, “The Bush Cinderella,” which starred Dale Austen (“Miss New Zealand”). Mr, Hill has over twenty film productions to his credit and his association with the feature pending is a most favourable omen as regards quality of production. The screen tests for the Wellington film will be “shot” at the King’s Theatre during the week which commences on Friday, February 1. They will be enacted on the stage with full technical equipment, ineluding “Kleig lights” and proper backgrounds. The following week the test film will be screened and the audiences will vote for the players of their choice. Production will commence immediately on the selection of the players —a leading lady, juvenile lead, “heavy” (villain), comedienne and comedian, being required for the stellar roles. Intending applicants for.the screen tests are requested to apply to the manager of the King's Theatre (Phone 22-212) and notify their entries. It is emphasised that these screen tests are not an “exploitation stunt,” but a genuine production enterprise, the film to be made in and around Wellington and to be definitely exhibited in this city.

“THE MIDNIGHT FROLICS.” The “Midnight Frolics,” Gleqi Dawe and the Frolics Jazz Band of 12, together with a company of singers, dancers, comedians, musicians, and sketch artists, will open a short season this afternoon at the Grand Opera House with a matinee. They are under the direction of J. C. Williamson Limited. Clem Dawe, the well-known edians with the company. His drolleries peared in the Dominion under the auspices of J. C. Williamson, and who subsequently went info vaudeville, heads the list of comedians with the comapny. His drolleries and original methods of fun-making are too well and favourably known to be forgotten. A Brisbane “Courier” critic says: “Clem Dawe holds the laugh and encore record for Australia, for he provides the real champagne of wit. The Frolics do not stand or fall by one personality, as the company is full of talented artists. The production is full of amazing vitality and the comedians have brilliant and original material to work on. Some of the music provided by the Frolics Jazz Band of 12 is distinctive and the syncopation is marvellous. All the play, ers are musicians of a high standard. Their interpretation of operatic music on jazz instruments provides an outstanding turn.” The comedians supporting Clem Dawe include Eric Edgley, Les and Dorothy White and Gertie Cremer. Singers are William Ferryman, Oscar Beck aqd Lillian Crisp. The speciality dancer is Phyllis Ainery, and there are special musical numbers by Gregory Ivanoff and the Frolics Jazz Band. The company’s programmes include genuinely original and humorous sketches, rich musical numbers, haunting melodies and operatic items, clever dancing and all the ingredients of popular revue. Box plans are now at the Bristol. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. With R. H,Mottram’s stories, “The Spanish Farm” and “Sixty-four, Ninety-four,” as a basis, the film “Roses of Picardy,” now screening at the Paramount Theatre, strikes a new note in war melodrama. The story centres around the experiences of a young Englishman, Lieutenant Shine, and the people he meets at Hindelbecq at the time of the great defence of 1918. There are not many fighting episodes, but those

that are screened are depicted with vivid realism and fornr a grim background for the romance which forms the greater part of the picture. Beautiful Lillian HallDavis acts as Madeleine, the young girl of Hindelbecq. Others of the principal players are John Stuart, Humbertson, Wright, Marie Ault, Jameson Thomas, and Bromley Davenport. The supporting programme Includes a Gaumont Graphic, a cartoon, and comedy. Suitable music is played by the Orchestra Paramount, under (he direction of Mr. R. R. Caulton, and among the selections are the "Beautiful Galatea" and “Roses of Picardy” (Wood).

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. For sheer fun and folly and good entertainment value the programme submitted by the popular Mike Connors and Queenie Paul “League of Notions” revue company at His Majesty’s Theatre last night, would be very diflicult to improve upon indeed. As a matter of fact the performance was far better than any that has been staged at His Majesty’s Theatre for some time, although tlie company has put on some splendid bills since its return season here. Syd Beck (better known as “’Orrie”) played in a number of amusing sketches, in all of which he was the fool, as usual, and rocked the large audience with laughter.

As “The Lad from Tory Street” he was a scream, bursting into rhyme and all sorts of Chinese lingo, that was ridiculously comical. He also did good work in “The Street Singers,” “The Burglar and the Lady,” "Sweethearts' Parade,” “The Burglars’ Union,” “Moulin Rouge Cafe,” and “The Four O’clock Train,” all of which were clever little playlets. As “Eros, the Great,” 'Orrie shows his skill with the revolver, while he also does some amazing sleight of hand work until he is found out to be a deep-dyed trickster. Mike Connors and Queenle Paul, as usual, scored heavily with their duets which included “I Hate to Lose You,” “Broken-Hearted,” and “Ob, Johnnie Callaghan-” Jllss Paul also sang “Jeannine,” a great favourite, and “Chi? quita,” another number which made an irresistible appeal. An added attraction to the company was the “League of No? tions” symphonists, incorporating the Linn Smith Jazz Band. Eleven performers iu a very pretty setting are heard in classical works, up-to-date jazz and melody. “Nothin’,” a haunting jazz number, and “Golden Gate,” were the lighter tunes played. Good selections from Wagner’s opera, “Tannhauser” also were played. A tune to appeal was “Waters of Minnetonka,” which was played exceptionally well. William Beresford, a great favourite, won loud applause by his “Tramp, Tramp, Tramp,” which suited his fine voice admirably. Leila Andrews and Bert Rayne pleased with an Apache dance (somewhat rough for the girl), while Phyllis Baker and Gerald Connolly, aided by the Exquisite Six, did “She’s Just What the Doctor Ordered" in the most “jazzy” of styles. The Paulasto Brothers danced and did a bright patter number, while Gladys Shaw sang and whistled “Katinka.” The ballet supplied some novel and refreshing dancing. The whole is splendidly mounted.

ALLAN WILKIE SHAKESPEAREAN COMPANY. On Saturday evening, January 26, the Allan Wilkie Shakespearean Company will commence a season at the Grand Opera House, the plays to be staged including “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Corio? lanus,” “The. Taming of the Shrew,” “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” “Henry the Fifth," “Othello,” “King Lear,” and “All’s Well that Ends Well.” Mr. Allan Wilkie will ag_aln be supported by Miss Hunter? Watts, his leading lady, who so distinguished hergelf on the occasion of previous visits as Queen Katharine, Juliet,t Cleopatra, Lady Macbeth, Portia, Rosalind, Hermione, etc. The company, which comprises over thirty performers, has lately been reinforced by a number of new artists, headed by Mr. Alexander Marsh, an experienced English actor, who was for a considerable time master of his own Shakespearean organisation at Home. Miss Lorna Forbes, whose dignified portrayals of leading female characters were enthusiastically commended during previous New Zealand tours of the company, will again appear in prominent female roles. Another leading performer whose finished acting will be remembered by Wellington patrons, Mr. Dennis Barry is still with the company, Shakespearean enthusiasts will recall his delightful impersonation of Puck in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Prominent among new members of the company are Mr. Russell Chapman, who comes from Melbourne, and Miss Hilda Seiirr, late of Dunedin. Since last in New Zealand, Mr. Wilkie has added new effects anti scenery. It will be noted that Mr. Wilkie will stage his first presentation in New Zealand of “Coriolanus” at Wellington, and in the title role he is reported to give his most brilliant, interpretation to date.

SHORTT’S THEATRE. Convincingly natural acting and a wellconstructed story account for the success of a new Australian film, “Odds On,” which is now being shown at Shortt’s Theatre, The film is said to be the best production ever made in Australia. “Odds On,” is a story of the Australian turf, and in it are shown all the giants of the Australian turf, Limerick, Winalot, and others, and all the famous Australian and New Zealand jockeys. The leading lady in “Odds On” is Miss Phyllis Gibbs. She has a charming personality, besides a pretty face; and moves to and fro before the camera with an attractive lack of self-consciousness. The leading male role is taken by Arthur Tauchert, the hard-dialled comedian, wellknown for his work in another Australian film, “The Sentimental Bloke.” The producer has presented the climatic racing scenes with much vigour. Agnes Ayres appears in “Her Market Value,” a screen version of the successful London play. The intricate situations are skilfully worked out. There is a good supporting programme, and appropriate music is provided by the orchestra. .

QUEEN’S THEATRE. Two comedies are the main features on the current week’s programme for the Queen’s Theatre. “Plastered in Paris ” with Sammy Cohen as the head of caste, is the star attraction, and is supported by The Farmer’s Daughter,” in which Majorie Beebe has the title role. “Plastered in Paris" is a hilarious Fox film, starting with a trench scene during 1014-18 in which Sammy, the hook-nosed comedian, is gassed. The doctors declare that he will always remain a kleptomaniac. After the war he is taken to France again to try the treatment of a physician who has just discovered a cure for the disorder. His complaint, however, beats the doctor and lands both himself and his friend into the Foreign Legion, nnd they are ordered to Morocco to fight the Riffs. Here they become entangled in an amusing mix-up in a harem and keep the audience in constant laughter. The caste is an attractive one, and the latest find, Ivan Linow, a huge Russo-American actor, acquits himself with credit. The second feature, “The Farmer’s Daughter,” is equally as good as the first film. It is the first featured role of Majory Beebe, the red-haired and greep-eyed comedienne, and it was especially written for her. The story, which is'.a very entertaining one, tells how a country girl tricks a successful city confidence man. A Gazette completes the programme, and the Queen’s Quality Orchestra, under the baton of Mr. Paul T. Cullen, the musical director, plays an acceptable and appropriate accompaniment. Seats may bo reserved by ringing the Bristol. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. Dedicated to the life of one of America’s famous frontier scouts in the Indian uprising of '53, “Kit Carson,” Paramount’s latest picturisation of the early West, depicts clearly the savage natiiro of the North American Indian. The picture, which was shown at the Kilbirnie Kineina last evening, attracted a large audience. In the broad sweep of the narrative has been woven the threads of two love stories, which figured in the life of the famous trapper and scout—that of an Indian girl for Kit Carson and that of the scout’s love for a beautiful Spaniard. Fred Thompson appears as Kit Carson, Dorothy Janis plays the role of the Indian girl, Nora Lane portrays the Spanish noblewoman, while Silver King, the wonder horse, supplies the comedy relief. Chester Conklin lias the leading role of a subway guard, who falls In front of a subway train and wakes to find himself a hero in the First National production, "The Big Noise,” which was shown as a supporting attraction. The Kilbirnie Orchestra, under’ the condi|ctprship of Mrs. Flora Peylon, rendered selections from Dvorak's Symphony.