ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 130, 26 February 1929, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. Intimate glimpses into the life of a clown behind the scenes are blended into vivid and gripping drama in Lon Chaney s latest starring vehicle for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, “Laugh, Clown, Laugh,’* which is now being screened at the Regent Theatre. The story deals with the life of the clown and that of the little foundling girl he rears to womanhood. He falls in love with this girl, but she gives her heart to a young nobleman, only to sacrifice her own happiness when she learns of the love of her guardian. From this juncture the theme develops rather rapidly into a stirring sequence of dramatic events and a very satisfying conclusion. Filmed amidst the fascinating variety of a travelling player’s life, from slumbering countryside, where children gather round clapping hands for joy, to provincial towns, and, finally, the great throbbing capitals of Europe. Supporting the start are Loretta Young, Nils Arthur, and Gwen Lee. A Gazette and comedy are afso screened, and an excellent musical score is supplied by the orchestra under Mr. Arthur G. Frost. Stella Lamond, the charming little singing soubrette and idol of Sydney audiences, will appear from tonight for a brief season, singing up-to-the-minute songs in her own inimitable style.

“STAND AND DELIVER.”

Creating a mood through studied design of the setting is a favourite artifice of Fllmdom’s most talented directors. For instance, if a happy-go-lucky, care-free atmosphere Is desired, the background must be bright—in the spirit of the thing. Likewise If a dull, listless atmosphere ’s in order, the setting must be spiritless, without life. In “Stand and Deliver,” Rod La Rocque’s new De Mille star vehicle, which comes to the Regent Theatre on Friday next, Donald Crisp, the director, splendidly utilises a dull setting to create a dull mood. La Rocque, as Roger Norman, an adventuresome young Englishman, who loves excitement, is bored by the ■futility and dullness of his London club. Crisp's setting accentuates this mood. It is a fashionable men’s club. There is a sense of solidity, conventionality, stodginess, about the room. A servant walks slowly and softly through the place—a precious silence which must not be disturbed. . La Rocque stands in the centre and looks about. Nearby an old gentle man is asleep. Two decadent men are engrossed in a game of checkers. The whole feeling of the club is futile, stagnant. After sensing the dullness of this club, according to Crisp, it will be easy for a motion picture audience to understand why Roger Norman decides to join the army of Greece in quest of the thrills attendant to the quelling of banditry in that country. The London club setting is. merely an introductory one which establishes the character of Norman. Lupe Velez plays the feminine lead in “Stand and Deliver,” with Warner Gland, Louis Natheaux and Clarence Burton also prominent in the cast. The big stage attraction for the week commencing on Friday next, will be Gautier’s Dog Bricklayers, the world-famous Continental canine act, directed by Mons. Emile Gautier. Imported by. J. C. Williamson, Ltd., at enormous expense, and infinite trouble, due to their huge popularity abroad, these remarkably trained dogs will be seen here for the first time at popular prices.

DE LUXE THEATRE.

"The Man Who Laughs,” Universal’s screen version of the Victor Hugo story, is the current feature at the De Luxe Theatre. It is the story of England in the eighteenth century, when England was overrrun with Comprachicos—gipsies^—who bought, sold, and disfigured children. They capture Gwynplalne, heir to a peerage, and so distort his face that he appears ever laughing, his smile gruesome and leering. He becomes the most famous of clowns, and falls in love with a blind girl, Dea, whom he has befriended since childhood. Machinations of the court, bring him to his rightful heritage, and Queen Anne commands him to marry the Duchess Josianna, who has usurped his heritage. Conrad Veidt as Gwynplaine gives one of the most inspired performances we have ever been privileged to see. His distorted face, with its horrible eternal grin, yet tender and sweet, is a triumph. It is a characterisation of horror that is beautiful; truly a paradox. Alary Philbin is the blind girl, and is exquisite. The love scenes .of - the. two creatures of Fate own a heart-gripping beauty. Especially the moment when Gwynplaine lets her feel his distorted mouth, that she may know his. disfigurement. Ceasare Gravina gives a moving performance as Ursus, befriender of the couple since their childhood, and proprietor of a travelling shpw featuring “the man who laughs.” Olga Baclanova is the dizzy Duchess who goes to the fair Instead of Anne's royal court, and . falls in love with the frightful clown. Crowell certainly has resurrected her; it is a living portrait. A gazette and scenic are also screened, and Mr. H. F. Wood sings “When Love Comes Stealing.” ’ The usual excellent music is also screened. "FREEDOM OF THE PRESS.”

For shear sweep find power, “Freedom of the Press,” the Universal production which opens next Friday at the De Luxe Theatre, has few equals. From the very beginning when you see Lewis Stone as the crooked political boss fighting his boyhood chum, now the editor of the Free Press, played by. Henry B. Walthall,, who is conducting a fierce campaign to bring out the identity of the members of the vice ring, you know you are in for a thrilling hour or more of entertainment.. One is as ruthless in his pursuit of good as the other is of evil. Both men give remarkably powerful characterisations meriting praise as- the finest performances of tlie month on the local screen. The love story is moving in its pathos, but finally emerg'es triumphant. Marceline Day and Malcolm McGregor furnish the juventile interest with sincerity. The story itself is revealing. Accurate In its newspaper detail, it also discloses the heart of a newspaper in a way which many other pictures have failed to accomplish. From a newspaper man’s viewpoint tlie story is without a flaw. It all could happen just as it does. In fact, it would seem that the story by Peter B. Kyne, from which this was taken, was actually based on the murder of Don Mellett, the courageous Canton, Ohio, editor. George Melford deserves the highest praise for maintaining the spirit of the story and the suspense from beginning to end.

The supporting cast is well chosen. Hayden Stevenson is good as the star reporter. Tom Ricketts, as the city editor, represents a member of the fine old school of journalism. Robert Emmett O’Connor, Robert Ellis, and Boris Baronoffi are menacing as underworld lieutenants. If you /are at all interested in the newspaper that you read dally—and who isn’t?—don’t fail to see “Freedom of the Press.”

GRAND OPERA HOUSE. , “On Approval,” Frederick Lonsdale s brilliant comedy, was repeated to a crowded house at the Grand Opera House last night by the Vanburgh-Bouclcault Company. “On Approval" has but four characters, but so adroit is the dramatist that they are sufficient, and the audience never misses the crowd. The Duke of Bristol, a middle-aged bore and bounder; Mrs. Wlslack, a wealthy widow on the shady side of forty; Helen Hayle, the wealthy daughter of a pickle manufacturer, and Richard Halton, the friend everyone (on A! 300 a year), are the four characters. Richard imagines himself in love with Mrs. Wlslack, but when he sees what a petty, selfish woman she is, soon conics to his senses, and finds his fate in Helen, who in the meanwhile has turned down the Duke. Miss Irene Vanbrugh oucc more demonstrates her talent for comedy roles, and Mr. Dion Bouclcault keeps his audience in a gurgle of laughter. Miss llawena Ronald is splendid as Helen, and Mr. J. B. Raine makes an admirable Richard Halton. 'On Approval will be repeated again to-night.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Never has Corinne Griffith appeared to greater advantage than in the role of Miriam a girl of easy virtue but with a heart of gold and a soul above her sordid surroundings, who not only rises to great heights herself, but also uplifts the man she loves lu “Outcast,’ her second I irst National starring picture under her new contract with that organisation. lb» widely-heralded picture, dir eeted b Y Af/, liam A Setter, is now screening at tin. Paramount Theatre. The stellar role made famous on the stage by Elsie Ferguson over a decade ago, when the celebrated Hubert Henry Davies play bad its Broadwav opening in New York and afterwards toured 1 several important cities, calls toi real character delineation, and gives Miss Griffith an opportunity for tr e“endous emotional depths contrasted with lighter moments, which bring into play Her keen comedy sense. “Fighting tor Victory, the sixth of the latest Collegians series, Is another attraction. The Life Work of Handel,” another of the Musical Masters" series, is also screened and delightful music is supplied by the orchestra.

STRAND THEATRE. o ... . “The Romance of Hiuemoa,” a British film, made in New Zealand, and acted entirely by Maoris, is the current offering at tlie Strand Theatre. The film is an outstanding success, the blending ot story, acting, scenery, and Maori customs, making perfect screen fare. Hlnemoa, daughter of Umukarai, chief of the Arawa tribe, is wooed by Tutanekai, the son of the chief of the Ngati. Tai, a jealous rival, makes it appear that Tutanekai has stolen the chief s sweet potatoes, an outrage punishable by death. As an alternative he is forced to go through a fire-swept volcanic valley, from which he emerges alive and returns to Ins people. Later he sends word to Hlnemoa to come to him, and she slips away and swims the lake, reaching her lover in an exhausted condition. “The Fate of a Flirt,” a comedy, starring Dorothy Revier, is the second feature, and Maori melodies are supplied by the orchestra.

Miss nell o’ new Orleans. It cannot be too strongly emphasised that this is the last occasion that the New Zealand public will have the opportunity of seeing the two distinguished ornaments of the ' English stage, Miss 'lrene Vanbrugh and Dion Boucicault. This is positively their farewell tour of the Dominion. That New Zealanders may be able to remember them as they are at their very best, they, with their talented company, and under the direction of J. C. Williamson Limited are staging at the Grand Opera House some of the best of the modern light comedies; To-morrow night they will present Lawrence Eyre’s comedy of “moonshine, madness, and make-believe,” “Miss Nell o’ New Orleans,” For the strange happenings in the old-fashioned garden of a New Orleans home, bright flowers, black servants, assist in creating the requisite background. Two romances are interwoven into the comedy, one old and one new. How the old one.lives again and the fracture In the new one is healed is well told. Nelly Daventry (Miss Nell) provides Irene Vanbrugh with one of those parts In which she seems to revel. One of her moves is to put the clock back 20 years and appear as site was on her engagement night. In this escapade and the others which it involves Miss Vanbrugh is at her best, and presents a captivating picture of a charming woman making full use of her wits. Dion Boucicault gives an excellent character study of Pore Clement, a little French priest with broken English .and a fussy excitable temperament. This kindly old chatterbox endears himself to the audience and shares with Miss Vanbrugh the honours of the play. The cast includes Rowena Ronald, Beatrice Fischer, Pressy Preston, Eileen Morris, .1. B. Rowe, Ronald Ward, and Reginald Wykeham. This play will be followed by “Belinda.” and “Air. Pirn.” Box plan at the- Bristol.

.KING’S THEATRE. Featuring John Darrow, Nancy Drexel,' and David Rollins, “Prep and Pep” heads the exceptional programme now Screen; Ing at the King’s Theatre. The story of this highly entertaining picture is about the transition of a bashful boy to the ath‘ ietic pride of Calvert Military Academy; Where he fights to duplicate the fame that was once held by his father, who was the great star of the school in his day. The big climax to the picture comes when the bov proves his mettle and rescues the commandant’s daughter from a burning prairie. “The Rush Hour,” a clever comedy, featuring Marie Prevost and Harrison Ford, is the second feature. The story deals with a young couple engaged to wed, but the bride-to-be, seized with a sudden desire to see Europe, hides in a stateroom of nn outgoing liner, and then the fun begins. Before the finale is readied there are situations packed with thrills and laughs, that leave a profound impress upon the audience. "Fighting for Victory.” the latest of the popular ‘‘Collegians series, is also screened, and appropriate music is supplied by the orchestra.

QUEEN’S THEATRE.

“Honeymoon Flats,” starring George Lewis and Dorothy Gulliver, beads'the double feature programme now screening at-the Queen’s Theatre. The picture is revealing and -interesting, especially to all people who still' consider, marriage a..romance and even to those who don’t, but did at least during the first sear. “Honeymoon Flats" permits them to peep behind the boudoir curtains into the life of a young couple, who are more or less baffled and bewildered by their-new status. .Their quarrels are humorous, and the “in-laws, butting in on everything, add much to the hllaritv of this- intensely human comedy of affairs. “The Law of the Range, which is the second feature, is a stirring story of red-blooded pioneer days with McCoy in the' role of a Texas ranger. Thrill's, adventure,, stark drama, romance and love are finely blended, and .the picture has been produced on a most lavish scale. Appropriate music is also supplied by the orchestra.

HIS MAJESTY’S'THEATRE.

Now in their fifteenth week at His Majesty’s Theatre, Mike Connors and Queenie Paul's “League of Notions” Revue Company continue to provide exceptionally entertaining programmes. Queenie Paul and Mike Connors slug “Old Man Sunshine and "Little Boy Bluebird,” and other popular numbers from their extensive repertoire. Syd. Beck is as amusing as ever, and is seen to advantage in the many clever sketches, some of the best of which are “The Lost Collar-stud,f “Never Judge by Appearances,’’ “In Any Park,” “Taken by Surprise,” and “Just Down From the Bush.” The jazz band supplies bright music, and the remainder of the company give good support to their principals.

VIOLIN-’CELLO RECITAL. A violin-’dello recital is to be given by Claude Tanner at the Concert Chamber, Town Hall, to-morrow, at 8.15 p.m. The programme has been carefully selected and includes the old Seventeenth Century Sonata bv Henry Eccles. The wonderful “Variations” of Tschaikowsky, a work rarelv heard on account of its extreme difficulty, should create a profound impression. A charming piece, “Chant of Triste.” of Arensky, is also included in the programme and Czardas, consisting of many well-known Hungarian melodies, should find favour among all music-lovers. A feature of the programme will be the playing by Claude Tanner and John Bishop of the Sonata for ’Cello and Piano of Richard Strauss. This rigorous work, almost military in its style, is a great favourite in England and the Continent, but will be new to Wellington audiences. This recital will mark the first appearance of Claude Tanner since he left for England five years ago. The box plan is now open at the Bristol.