ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 131, 27 February 1929, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

4 REGENT theatre. Lou Clianey turus comedian for the first time in his screen career during an interesting episode in his latest Aletro-Goldwya-Mayer starring vehicle, "Laugh, Clown, Laugh,” now playing at the Regent Theatre. As the tragic clown made famous on the stage by Lionel Barymore, ho does a complete comedy vaudeville act, which is contrasted iu later scenes with the poignant tragedy of his sacrifice tor tlie woman he loves. Herbert Brenon directed the spectacular new production. Breuon’s new production is a vivid drama of lite behind the scenes of the theatre, based on the famous stage play, with Chaney as the tragic down, making his great sacrifice on the altar .of his sweetheart’s happiness. The picture . was gorgeously staged, with a huge replica of a Roman theatre and other elaborate detail. Loretta Young plays the heroine and Nils Asthcr the. male juvenile lead, and Bernard Seigel, Gwen Lee, Cissy FitzGerald and others of note are In the cast. Thrills such as the mad slide over the heads of a theatre audience, and tense dramatic situations are blended with comedy in the theatre scenes iu an elaborate melange of entertainment. Good supports arc also screened and excellent music is supplied by the orchestra under Mr. Arthur G. Frost. GAUTIER’S DOG BRICKLAYERS. Many animal acts have been seen in Wellington since vaudeville first became a popular amusement, but nothing to surpass a turn commencing at the Regent on Friday has been seen. Speaking of Gautier’s Dog Bricklayers, a Sydney contemporary says: “The act is known as the bricklayers, and the house rang with laughter at. the antics of the workmen as they climbed ladders in the performance of their day’s building operations, or walked with bags of cement on their backs across the stage; One ne’er-do-well who was loafing under the scaffold was struck on the head by falling bricks and cement and feigned death. Tlie foreman, who was held responsible for the trouble, hastened to inform the widow, and the audience enjoyed the spectacle of a woman in black rushing to the body and apparently sobbing her heart out. Little Mary followed, and the pathetic scene ended by the ambulance removing the body. Clever leaping in mid-air closed a remarkable turn. Seldom has Rod La Rocque been seen in a more colourful picture than In his latest De Mille studio production, “Stand and Deliver.” It Is a dramatic story of war and banditry in Greece and it affords Mr. La Rocque as star and Lupe Velex, leading woman, and Warner Oland exceptionally powerful roles, of « which each makes the most. Mr. La Rocque unquestionably is one of the most popular, male stars in the screen. He was a sensation in “Resurrection,” and in ‘The Fighting Eagle,” his work won the plaudits of theatre-goers everywhere. Not only is he a splendid actor, but also he is extremely popular. / One of the most important finds of the past year was Lupe Vpldx, a y.pung Mexican girl of beauty, magnetism, charm and a personality- all her own. * She triumphed In Douglas Fairbanks’ picture, “The Gaucho,” and she does equally well in “Stand and Deliver.’’ She is one of the most-talked-of personalities of the screen. “Stand and Deliver’ will be screened at the Regent Theatre on Friday next. DE LUXE THEATRE'

Veidt**‘‘*iUic Mau Who Laughs,” a Universal screen version of the Victor, Hugo classic, is the current feature at the De Luxe Theatre. In its early sequences “The Man Who Laughs” strikes a tragic note which it carries through this morbid tale, but the story is ably handled by the director/ Paul Lent, and impressively realistic even in its most repulsive scenes. This is no picture for those who want amusement or pleasant entertainment from the motion picture. Veldt, who is also an importation from Germany, gets into his,character a sympathetic appeal for this gruesome being of noble blood whose face was distorted by comprachicos in his childhood and whose disfigurement was his livelihood in a travelling circus. He is a* line aetor who will repeat .his German success here if he gets more opportunities like “The Man Who Laughs.” Mary Philbin was the blind Dea of the book, beautiful as ever, with her activities eonlined merely to looking that way. The entire cast was an excellent one, with Stuart Holmes ns the insipid Lord DirryMoire and Olga Baclanova making an enticing Duchess Josiana. Brandon Hurst, who"'has* been seen before to advantage, does another villainous role as Barkllphedro in excellent manner, while Cesaare Gravina deserves a good share pt' honours for his' work ns Ursus. the wandering philosopher. Mr. H. F. Wood sings "When <Love Comes Stealing.” A gazette and scenic are also screened, and the jiisual excellent music is supplied. '“FREEDOM OF THE PRESS.” Ono of the greatest stories of newspaper life ever shown on the screen will be seen here when "Freedom of the Press,” Universal’s excellent motion picture of the

Press and the underworld opens at the De Luxe Theatre ou Friday with Lewis Stone In the leading role. There have been •many newspaper films, but never before has there been one that depicted life as it actually existed on a great metropolitan daily. The hurrying, feverish atmosphere for which newspaper men will give up greater success in other occupations in order to remain at their typewriters in the city room, has been brought before the screen public iu a dramatic and interesting manner. The battle between the forces of the underworld and the triithtclliug columns of a daily is the theme of the story. George Melford, the director, was himself a former editorial writer in New York, find he has treated the story with intelligence and skill. "Freedom of the Press” is adapted from an original screen story by Peter B. Kyne. J. Grubb Alexander wrote the adaptation and the continuity. A group of stellar players is assembled in the cast. Marceline Day appears in the leading faminine role as the ward of the underworld king, the part assumed by. Lewis Stone. Malcolm McGregor is a newspaper reporter and Henry B. Walthall enacts the tragic role, of that young man's father, the publisher of the "Free Press.” Included in the company are Robert Emmett O'Connor, Thomas Ricketts, Hayden Stevenson, Robert Ellis, Boris Baronoff, Morgan Thorpe and Wilson Benge. “MISS NELL O’ NEW ORLEANS.” The Grand Opera House again attracted a large audience last night, and the last performance of “On Approval” by the Vanbrugh-Boucicault Company met with unstinted applause. To-night at the Grand Opera House Miss Vanbrugh and Mr. Boucicault will be seen in that delightful comedy of moonshine, madness, and make-believe, “Miss Nell o’ New Orleans." A delicious atmosphere of romance is said to pervade the theatre when, as “Miss Nell," Irene Vanbrugh is seen in a new, charming, and most exhilarating character, which on her last visit was vdted a gem of comedy. As to the dramatic content of the piece, there is aptness in the author’s description, "moonshine, madness, and make-believe.” One Australian critic says: “A light comedy, full of colour and contrast, with a part tliat might have been specially written for Miss Vanbrugh, is ‘Miss Nell o’ New Orleans.’ « For most of the audience it had the charm of novelty. The New Orleans

setting gives opportunities for the introduction of picturesque types, such ns negro servants and planters of mixed race and language. The middle-aged but still attractive heroine, has spent twenty years in Paris. Returning to her girlhood home, she plays a coquettish game or hearts with the young and old suitors that tall victims to her charms. The comedy vein is usually uppermost, but there is a fragrance of romantic comedy as well. Miss Vanbrugh plays the chief part with ease and grace, making the most of every ehaugeable mood. The artistry of Mr. Boucicault is shown in his handling of the part of a French padre; he makes it a sincere portrait.” The caste includes Rowena Ronald, Beatrice Fisher, Pressy Preston, Eileen Morris, J. B. Rowe, Ronald Ward, and Reginald Wykeham. This production will be followed by ‘Belinda and “Mr. Pym.” Box plans arc open at the Bristol. STRAND THEATRE. “The Romance of Hinemoa," a film version of the beautiful Maori legend taken at Rotorua, and acted entirely by Maoris, is the big attraction at the Strand Theatre this week. The story tells how a young chief, who. loves a neighbouring chief’s daughter, is, wrongfully accused ot theft. He is sentenced to trial by ordeal, having to pass through the terrible Valley of Fire, a crater in the active volcano, Wliakaari, where the air is filled with sulphur fumes and the earth is a network of pools of lava and boiling mud. He survives the ordeal. Later, the girl decides to leave her tribe to be with her lover, and swims across Lake Rotorua. It Ith the exposure of the actual thief all ends happily for the lovers. There are wonderful scenic “shots," both on Lake Rotorua and in the crater of the volcano, Whakaari. Many Interesting tribal customs and dances are shown. . “The Romance of Hinemoa” is a film which is something entirely new and novel for picturegoers—romantic, dramatic, and Immensely fascinating in actual scene and circumstance. * The Fate of a Flirt,” a comedy starring Dorothy Revier, is the second feature, and appropriate Maori melodies are rendered by the orchestra. KING’S' THEATRE. Scintillating youth with the background of a prep, school is -the theme of a Fox Films comedy-drama, ‘-‘Prep and I J ep,” which heads the big programme now being screened at the King's Theatre. This picture was filmed at Culver Military Academy in Indiana. Cast in the featured roles of this production, directed by David Butler, are David Rollins and Nancy Drexel, supported by a cast including John Darrow, E. H. Calvert, and Frank Albertson. The story of “Prep and Pep” is the transition of a mother's boy to the athletic pride of Calvert Military Academy, where he fights to duplicate the fame once held by his father, who was the great star of the school In bygone days. “The Rush Hour,” a comedy dealing with a romantic girl, and starring Marie Prevost and Harrison Ford, is the second feature. “Fighting for Victory,” the latest of the popular Collegians, is also screened, and appropriate music is supplied by the orchestra. ,PARAMOUNT THEATRE. “The Outcast,” featuring Corinne Griffith, Edmund Lowe and Louise Fazenda, is the current feature at the Paramount Theatre. The story of “Outcast” revolves around Miriam, a young girl of the streets ejected from her boarding house, who has just money enough left to purchase a new hat. As she wanders along aimlessly wondering what is to become of her, the hat is suddenly deluged with seltzer water from the window of an apartment above,

where Geoffrey is in a stage of inebriation due to the fact that his former sweetheart is about to be married. Geoffrey offers to replace the ruined hat and thus a meeting comes about, which later develops into true love on Miriam's part. She sets about to reform and win the idol of her heart and is herself regenerated through her great love. But though she knows with a woman's intuition that Geoffrey also really cares for iter, her protector thinks that he is still mad about the other girl, and many complications ensue before Miriam, with the boldness and cleverness of her kind, shows up her rival and wins Geoffrey for her husband. "Fighting for Victory,” the latest of the popular Collegians series, and “Life Work of Handel,” another of the "Music Masters” series, are also screened and delightful music is also supplied uy the orchestra. QUEEN’S THEATRE. An intimate, sophisticated revelation of newly-married life is contained in Universal's clever comedy, "Honeymoon Flats,” which heads the double feature programme now screening at. the Queen’s Theatre with George Lewis and Dorothy Gulliver costarring. The story Is well-directed, 'smooth and progresses evenly under increasing suspense to the very last scene. It is all about the young Claytons, the girl a daughter of wealthy parents and the boy a struggling young college graduate who insists that he support his wife on his own 'salary despite his mother-in-law’s patronising attitude. It also concerns a friend who is married, both he and his wife having their private love affairs. These are worked into the story neatly. "The Law of the Range,” starring Tim McCoy, Is the second feature. Appropriate music is also supplied by the orchestra. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Another bright and breezy programme is being presented at His Majesty's Theatre this week by the Mike Connors and Queenie Paul “League of Notions' revue company, who are now in their fifteen tn week. Syd. Beck, the popular comedian, is seen to advantage in the many clever sketches with which the show abounds, and some ot the best of which are "Never Judge by Appearances,” “In Any lark. "Taken bv Surprise,” "What Every Moinan Wants to Know,” “Just Down from the Bush,” and “It’s Me. Queenie Paul and .Mike Connors sing Old Man bunShine" and "Little Bluebird,’ and bright music is supplied by the jazz band. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. “No Other Woman” is the title, of the main attraction screening at the Kllbirnie Kinema to-night. Dolores Del Rio plays the stellar role, surrounded by an excellent cast, including Don Alvarado, Ben Bard, Paulette Duval, and Rosita Marstlnl. Dolores Del Rio is seen as a wealthy South American belle, sojourning in the South of France with her reserved and dignified aunt. She is loved by Maurice (Don Alvarado), who fears to tell his love lest the girl thinks it is her wealth that attracts him. It is a powerful tale of primitive passions in fashionable society. Ihe second feature is “North Star,” featuring Ken Maynard and Virginia Lee Corbin, with Strongheart, a former police and Red Cross dog, acting the part-of North Star, a dashing hero, in a dramatic screen story of the North-West wilderness. Reservations may be had at the theatre confectionery or by telephoning the theatre 14—202. WELLINGTON PLAYERS. The programme to bo presented by the Wellington Players at the Y.W.C.A. Hall, Boulcott Street, to-morrow and on Friday, is a comedy one. There will be scenes from "The Merchant ot Venice,” and both tiie other short plays which complete the programme are definitely on the light side. “The Bear," by Tchekov, may be said to be farce, and "A Love Passage.” by W. W. Jacobs, is a typical Jacobs comedy. Hetty, the skipper's daughter, is forced to go to sea by her father to avoid an impecunious suitor whom she favours, only to fall a victim to the charms of the mate, whom her father had meant to use as a tool to further his own plans. Hetty and the mate together are too much for the poor skipper, and Hetty gets what she wants. VIOLONCELLO RECITAL. The first reappearance of Claude Tanner after five years’ absence abroad, takes place at the Concert Chamber to-night. A violoncello recital in Wellington is an interesting and unusual cvem, ana cue musical public will be pleased to renew acquaintance with this young New Zealand artist. An interesting programme will be presented, including the “Variations Sur un Theme Rococeo," of Tschalkowskv, a work rarely heard in New Zealand, but one which gives ample scope to show the possibilities and charm of the ’cello. An outstanding feature of the programme will be the playing of the Strauss " 'Cello and Piano Sonata,” by Claude Tanner and John Bishop. The box plan may be inspected at the Bristol. LECTURE-RECITAL. Mr. Arthur Hirst, a New Zealand pianist who has made a name for himself iu the world of British and Continental music, is to give a lecture-recital in the Concert Chamber op Wednesday next, March 0. Mr. Hirst has a message for the “man in the street” regarding the appreciation of great music, and has an original and stimulating manner of driving it home to the average man—even if he has very little musical education. The box plan opens ' at the Bristol on Saturday, March 2.