ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 135, 4 March 1929, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

PE LUXE THEATRE. “Freedom of the Press,” a Universal screen version of a Peter I>. Kj no story, is the current feature al the De Luxe Theatre A battle between the cruel forces of tiic sword and the mighty power ot the pen is the dramatic theme upon which the picture is based. The underworld of a big city is the sword and the columns of a large daily paper is the pen. Lewis Stone appears in the starring role of the power behind the underworld. It is the greatest characterisation tin's veteran actor has ever given, and one of the iinest portrayals of the year. An all-star company of supporting players appears in “Freedom of the Press.’ Marceline Day lias the feminine lead. Malcolm McGregor is tlie son ot the newspaper publisher and Henry B. Walthall is the father. Included in Ihe cast are Robert Emmett O'Connor, Thomas Ricketts, Hayden Stevenson, Robert Ellis. Boris Baronoff, Morgan Thorpe, and Wilson Benge. Good supports are also screened, and the usual excellent musical programme is supplied.

“FURTHER ADVENTURES OF THE FLAG LIEUTENANT. Henry Edwards, whose line performance as "The Flag Lieutenant” is still fresh in the memory ot Wellington picture-goers, once again portrays t|ie bright and breezy naval officer. Dicky Lascelles, in the new British Dominions film, “The Further Adventures of the Flag Lieutenant,” to be screened at the De Luxe Theatre next Friday night. Edwards has plenty ot scope to display both ills acting and atll- - abilities, for in his clashes with tiic Chinese rebels lie has some exciting moments, and many hand-to-hand lights with the International conspirators. In writing the sequel to “The Flag Lieutenant,” Colonel Drury has skilfully guarded against the difficulties of capturing in the film studio (lie correct atmosphere ot the senior service, by frankly reverting to the methods of stage melodrama. He has written a stirring story of the theft and recovery of mysterious papers which are purloined through a Chinese laundryman, by a gang of foreign political crooks, cut away from tiic coat tails of a sinister villain.' concealed in the sunshade of a beautiful “vamp” (excellently portrayed by that tine British film actress Isabel Jeans), rescued from a blazing junk, to be stolen away again and finally produced from a porcelain vase just at the moment most fitting to conclude proceedings with a naval wedding. There is plenty of spirited action, excellent acting, and lavish and effective settings. A specially-arranged atmospheric prologue (arranged by Miss Eileen Wilson) will he presented on stage nightly. De Luxe Musical Units, under the direction of Emanuel Aarons, will be nr. Important feature of the entertainment. Box plans arc available at Bristol and Aitkens (Courtenay 'Place). REGENT THEATRE. Scintillating with action and brimming with romance, “Stand and Deliver.” starring Rod La Rocque and Lupe Velez, is die current feature at the Regent Theatre. A dashing, colourful screen story of modern Greece, it reveals in fascinating style the experiences of an adventuresome young Englishman, who, after the war, missing the excitement of the battle-front, enlists In the Greek cavalry in quest of the thrills attendant to tile stamping out of banditry in that country. La Rocque, as Roger Norman, has brought to the screeu another delightful swashbuckling hero. Roger Norman, a Greek cavalry officer, in an attempt to save a Greek peasant girl from the evil advances of his commanding officer, maims his superior. He becomes a fugtive and escapes with the girl, the latter admirably portrayed by Lupe Velez. The two are captured by outlaws, and the former is given his choice of death or of becoming a bandit. He accepts die latter alternative. Then the excitement starts, and Norman experiences thrills a-plenty, all of which he shares with his audience. Another big attraction is the appearance ot Gautier's “Bricklayers.” The actors arc twelve dogs, who go through their parts with amazing ability. Thev appear as bricklayers engaged on a building, and the manner in which they perform is remarkable. A gazette, scenic, and comedy are also screened, and excellent music is supplied by die orchestra. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Now in their sixteenth week at His Majesty's Theatre, Mike Connors and Queenio Paul's “League of Notions" Revue Company continue to be as popular as ever anil their current programme is ns bright and breezy as„cver. Syd. Beck is as usual well to the fore and scores heavily in die many amusing sketches, some of the best ot which are "Small Gifts.” “After Hours,”, “Twentieth Century Child,’ “There's One Born Every Minute,” “The Innocent Wife” and “Keep to the Right.” “Forty-seven Ginger-headed Sailors, "Lily of Lagune,” “Old Man Sunshine” and “Oil, Johnny Callaghan” are this week’s popular duels by Queenie Paul and Mike Connors. Bright music is supplied bv die orchestra, and the remaining members of the company give good support to their principals.

KING'S THEATRE. “Ouinneys',” Horace Annesley Vachell’s story, world famous as a novel and as a plav (in which Henry Ainle.v made a great hit), is an essentially British character study of a quaint but shrewd art dealer whose , fortunes are followed through twenty years coloured by whimsical humour and pathos. ‘Lord Melchester,” one of tlie characters, says that experience teaches us there are two kinds of people—those who care only for things, and those whose care is always for other people.” This is Mr. Vachell’s theme, now faithfully translated in moving picture terms, for a fine British film has been made from an adaption of both novel and stage nlav. It is now screening at the I-Ang’s Timati. “Dear Old Calford,” the latest of the popular “Collegians” series, and a gazette and comedy are also screened, while appropriate music is supplied by the orchestra.

“MR. PIM PASSES BY.” The final production (commencing Wednesday) of the Irene Vanbrugh-Dion Bouclcault talented English company season at the Grand Opera House under J. C. Williamson, Ltd., management, will be A. A. Milne's plav, “Mr. Pirn Passes By.” When last in Wellington Mr. Boucicault’s acting in this remarkable piece -of humour entitled him to be classed among the worlds greatest actors. Indeed he was the original player of the most original part of Mr. Pirn The snowy-headed, little, old man, with umbrella In one hand and crumpled panama in the other, eccentric, shortsighted and absent-minded, has appealed most strongly to Dion Boucicault, and- his characterisation of the part is among the most impressive things on the stage. Little does tire old man realise what concern lie causes other people when, througli his forgetfulness and inability to complete a thought he merely succeeds in raising suspicion and fear In those he has really sought to befriend and make happy. Always apologetic, excessively courteous and unaware of the error in discretion, ho takes his wav in agitation. Miss Vanbrugh, too. as Olivia who bursts into laughter in the. midst of the most serious talks with her husband, has a delightful part to play, and she makes the most of it. Miss Rowena Ronald and Mr. Ronald Ward also have interesting parts. Box plan at the Bristol.

“THE VAGABOND KING.” ■ Unquestionably the most important theatrical event which has happened in Wellington for many years past will be the representation here on Tuesday, March 1“ and for n short season, by the J. C. Williamson, Ltd. management, of the stupendous spectacular musical play. The Vagabond King.” which is regarded as.the world's supreme musical play, and which recently terminated the most successful season of any comic opera ever staged in Sydney. The music of “The Vagabond King" is by Rudolph Friml, composer of “Rose Marie." and the lyrics are by Brian Hooker. “The Vagabond King” belongs to the category of romantic, musical drama, and is taken from “If I Were King." Justin McCarthy's story of Francois Villon and King Louis XI of France. “Nover." wrote a Sydney critic, "in the history of the Sydney'stage has there been such a riot of gorgeous colour, such -i scries of thrills. so much lively fun. sucli imposing grandeur, as that which happened on Saturday niglit during the unravelling of. the story of Ihe Vagabond King.' and never Im.s there been so much enthusiasm displayed at the close of a performance as that winch was displayed bv an audience which tilled every hole iiiid corner of Ills Majesty’s Theatre. r l li‘‘ I C Williamson, Ltd. management Ims not spared expense or effort tn make this brilliant musical play Hie best mid most "■orgeous that Ims ever been presented to nt-iv-oers of Sydney, and tlicir enterprise deserves e'-erv'success.” The character .ot Francois Villon will be portrayed by Mr. lames Llddv, who achieved an outstand; inc trlumnii in "The Student Prince, and Miss STrella Wilson, the charming soprano will appear as Katherine. The cast ™> inedudcs Arthur Stigant Cecil KellcArthur Greenaway. Lou Vernon, Arthur Mayes. Russell Scott. George Con-yn-ham and the chorus numbers bl) peonte” There will be a full operatic orehes-r-i and the production itself, it is said, will surpass “Rose Marie.” "Tim Maid of the Mountains.” and similar productions. ' nlv a limited number of performances be staged of “The Vagabond King.’ ns it Is due to be staged in Melbourne during Easter Week. The box plans will be opened at the Bristol ou Friday next.

STRAND THEATRE. Wives Who feel that their busbands are mtoning awav from them should certainly nav a visit to the Strand Theatre to see 11,0 new bill which commenced on Saturday The star film is "The Wise Wife," a inmint eomedy of married life—and the other womau. The story tolls ol the hnshand Of a quiet-living wife and of the flapper friend ot the wife. A well-man-oeuvred fainting lit on the golf links gives nmnle opportunity to the girl friend, a gd the tot ivatec. to tell into the

arms of the husband. After five minutes love making they discover that they love each other “nobly, beautifully and hopelessly.” .Unfortunately tlie wife saw them, and so did tlie ladies of the golf club, who promptly tell tlie poor wife. She pretends that it is not true and sends them away. She finds out that her husband and the girl friend are really in love, so bits ou a novel plan to win her busband back. She tells them that unless they agree. to a plan, she will sue for divorce, naming Jenny, the friend, as co-respondent. The plan is that Jenny shall remain on in tlie house and perform all tlie duties of a wife, while the real wife takes a back seat. The plan works splendidly, and after a while the husband begins to realise that about the only tiling Jenny is any good for is to look beautiful and to chatter incessantly? Carter, the fiance, pours out his love to tlie wife and is overheard by Jenny, who, in jealousy brings the husband on 'tlie scene. There are more complications, and then things are straightened out. Tlie husband realises that ins wife—especially since she lias turned into so beautiful a woman—is too good to lose, and Jenny thinks that a single fiance is much better than one that Is not even divorced yet. The story ends with the couples happily reunited. Phyllis Haver strikes out iu a new line in the role of a domesticated wife, and is really When she “goes gay” in the latter part or the film, she is wonderful. Jacqueline Logan makes a flirt for whom any husband would want to lose his wife and ipm Moore as the husband is an easy mark for anything with pretty clothes and roving eves. There is a splendid supporting bill, including two hilarious comedies and a new gazette. The orchestral music is both appropriate and tuneful.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. A regular cocktail of laughter is “Naughty Baby,” which is now being screened at the Paramount Theatre. With Alice White as the principal ingredient in the cocktail, this lively story moves along with a laugh a -minute, due to the able direction of Mervyn Le Roy, who was responsible for “Harold Teen,” the, sensational success in which Miss White also appeared. Jack Mulhall is featured with Miss White, who has the role of a cheek girl at the Ritzy Hotel, and who is herself more ritzy than the establishment. Alice has no idea of staying poor long, and when Jack comes into view with the intention of gilding the Great White Hay with a broad brush, she has a great yearning to help in his noble work. Jack plays the role of the heir to millions who is trying to spend a good part of it in advance. Supporting the stars are Thelma Todd. Doris Dawson, Frances Hamilton, and Natalie Jovce. “Dear Old Calford,” the latest of the popular "Collegians” series, is another attraction. Two interesting Gazettes and an amusing comedy are also screened, while delightful music is supplied by the orchestra.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. “The Ring,” a British production, dealing with the eternal triangle—the love of two men for one woman—is the current feature at the Queen’s Theatre. One, a boxer, with a travelling show, lighting to win the girl he loved; the other, heavyweight champion of Australia. The story tells how “One-round” Jack Sander fights his way to the realms of society, where his wife is fascinated by the gay lights, and the company of the Australian champion. Jealousy of the champion leads Jack to take on fight after fight in order that he may meet him in the ring. How, at the beginning of the story, the young wife hopes for her husband’s defeat, and how later she urges him to win, makes a gripping climax. A Gazette and comedy are also screened, and appropriate music is supplied by the orchestra. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. Wallace Beery and Raymond Hatton appear in their best co-star comedy, “We’re in the Navy Now,” which screens at the Kilbirnie Kinema to-night. Portrayed by an unusual cast, the laughable side of the Navy has been played to the limit under Edward Sutherland’s direction. The story deals with the adventures of a pugilist, Beery, and his manager Hatton. “The Last Edition.” which is a compelling melodrama. revolving around a newspaper office, brings together again the brilliant acting of Emory Johnson, and makes a superb supporting attraction. The box plau is at the theatre confectionery, or reservations may be had by telephoning the theatre, 14 —202. ORGAN RECITAL. At the Town Hall last evening. Mr. Bernard F. Page (city organist), gave his weekly organ recital. The programme comprised :—Overture to “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” by Mendelssohn; Choral from “Suite” (Op. 14). by D. de Maliengreau: Serenade (No. 5). by Gouvy-lagc; Prelude. Fugue, and Variation (Op. 18). ny Cesar Franck; Three Preludes. Op. 11. 4. 2. and 5, by Scriabina; Prelude (Act I), “Tristan and Isolde.” by Wagner (this item was by request). LECTURE RECITAL.

Arthur Hirst is a man with a comprehensive knowledge of music as well as a lecturer with a simple and original method of exposition, which makes his subject intensely .interesting to all. even the socalled unmusical. In addition he is an instrumentalist of extraordinary and soulful expression in rendering cai illustrations. He is giving a lecture recital tn the Concert Chamber on n eauesday, March 6.