ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 139, 8 March 1929, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE REGENT. “Excess Baggage,” the principal feature of the new programme which will commence at the Regent to-day, is a romance of the vaudeville stage, portraying the tribulations of a screen star's husband and revealing a new William Haynes. The picture is based on the famous stage play by John McGowan, and takes the spectator through the vaudeville world in small-time towns right up to the “Big Town” of New York. Then the movie world breaks Into Corm, a glittering background for this beautiful back-stage romance which Director Janies Cruze has brought to the screen. From the optimism of youth deeply in love to the sharpest dramatic crisis, the story of "Excess Baggage” runs the whole gamut of human emotion, it is stated. The shifting scenes range from small town theatres to the glittering stages of New York, clubs, and the lavish home and entertainments of a “movie queen”; and the story, strong in itself, thrills again and again with Haines in new stunts, especially his spectacular “death-defying slide” from the dome of a theatre to the stage below. Viewed from any angle, "Excess Baggage" is a great picture, a picture for the people. To adventure-loving movie-goers everywhere, Tim McCoy is the cmliodiment of artistic sincerity. He gives his legion of admirers' a wide range of colourful stories based on actual history. With "I’he Bushranger,” also corning to the Regent on Friday, be achieves bis crowning triumph, as lie has caught the adventurous spirit of early Australian busliranglng days with amazing fidelity which will convince all that McCoy pictures are, without exception, highly individualised productions. “The Bushranger” amply justifies his policy of story selection, it is said, proving without the shadow of a doubt that in tlie outdoor romance lie stands alone—and deserves to. McCoy handles the starring role with his customary facility, showing marked adroitness witli boomerang, horse and gun. The “amospherc” of early Australia is so astonishingly real, local production could not have improved it one iota. Reg. (“Snowy”) Baker and other well-known Australians acted as technical advisors, and did not overlook tlie appearance of a spirited kangaroo besides getting tlie scenic and costume details correct. Marion Douglas, formerly known as Edna Gregory, of Manly. New South Wales, and Dale Austen (“Miss New Zealand. 1927”) are also in the cast. J lie highly successful season of Gautiers “Dog Bricklayers” has been extended until next Tuesday, with matinees to-morrow (Saturday) and on Monday and Tuesday.

DE LUXE THEATRE. To be presented to-night at 8 o clock, with full orchestral matinee, on Saturday at 2.30, is British Dominions Films’ brilliant sequel to “The Fla# Lieutenant,” a production that experienced a most successful season in Wellington last year. With many pleasant recollecions of the good entertainment contained in the former film, picture-goers may expect the latest sea thriller, which Is entitled “The Further Adventures of the Flag Lieutenant, to prove equally diverting. A prominent British newspaper offers the following on the picture? “China! Land of mystery, international Intrigue, where nations endeavour by plot and counterplot to prove to the simple native that the other’s rule Is corrupt. China! Where England sends her cleverest sailors to outwit—and, if necessary, out-fight—those who would besmirch the ‘Flag that braved a thousand years the battle and the breeze.’ China To whence sailed the ‘Flag Lieutenant’ to pit his wits against the power of an anarchist—tb prove to the simple native that England was still Mistress of Sea and Land. And to China came the Admiral’s daughter, to conquer the only pregnable defence of the Flag Lieutenant—his heart. Here is the most delightful romance ever told. Set in its background of mystery, intrigue, and revolt, it reaches the peak of entertainment values. Henry Edwards and Isabel Jeans are again co-starred with a powerful east of British players—and—it's a British Dominions film.” A special atmospheric introductory prologue will be presented by Miss Eileen Wilson’s talented pupils. Mr. Emnnuel Aarons has compiled nn especially noteworthy musical setting for the \prodiictlon, which should prove a great embellishment, as is general, to the prin.cipal feature, as well ns the sitpporting attractions. The management announces that the excellent “New Greater Collegians series will be a feature of future De- Luxe entertainments, tile first to be presented at th De Luxe Theatre to-night being No. 8 of the series, entitled on Horseback.” George Lewis and Dorothy Gulliver head tile all-star collegiate cast. The excellence of these subjects has resulted in their being secured for this popular house—an addition to the programme that should meet with general approval. A fun supporting programme will be shown. The overture by the orchestra is a grand selection from “The Bohemian Girl” (Balfe), and the entr’acte, an operatic Wurlitzer organ solo, “Gems from Various Operas,” is both arranged and played by Mr. Emanuel Aarons. The box plans arc available at the Bristol and Aitken’s. STRAND THEATRE. “Tile Heart, of a Follies’ Girl,” to he screened at tlie Strand Theatre to-night, shows the beautiful Billie Dove in her latest role. In addition to the always appealing and colourful atmosphere of the Follies, and intimate probing into the lives of the famous eliorus girls, however, the picture is reported to have a really powerful dramatic plot. Adapted from Adcla Rogers St. John’s magazine story of the sumo title, the story deals with the uncontrollable love of a Follies girl for the private secretary of a wealthy admirer, and subsequent sacrifices she makes for the impoverished and not quite worthy hero. Her nobility of conduct eventually brings out the real .man in her lover, and a logical happy ending results. Larry Kent is the private secretary and Lowell Sherman the wealthy admirer. Mildred Harris, Clarissa Selwynne and other well-known screen artists head a cast that also includes fifty beautiful dancing girls. The second feature, “For Alimony Only.” features Leatrice Joy in a picture with an unusual plot. Narcissa Williams, an “allmoniac," divorces her husband and secretly marries another man. whom she supports upon the money which the court orders .her first husbnnd to pay her. The latter marries again, but falls into arrears with his payments, and he is threatened with imprisonment. His wife, Mary (played by Leatriee Joy), goes to work to assist him, but sees >her husband In the arms of the other woman. Too unhappy to care about, anything, she. runs away to a notorious]' roadhouse with Narcissa's second husband. The tangle Is finally straightened out when the police raid the place. It is disclosed that the “alimoniac” has married again anil the maintenance is then cut off. Clive Brook takes the part of the hero in this amusing farce. “THE VAGABOND KING.” This morning at 9 o"clock the box plans will be opened for the approaching brief season of the musical play “The Vagabond King,” which is to lie staged at the Grand Opera House next Tuesday, nnd for a season of nine nights and two matinees. Francois Villon, the dissolute poet whom tradition has endowed with a romantic interest. Is the central figure of “The Vagabond King,” tlic picturesque musical play which, in its beautiful and spectacular settings, its brisk traffic of the crowded stage, anil its impressive choral music, lias captured audiences the world over. Francois Villon, a scholar who squandered ills talents and became the associate of the rabble, was about *3O years of age when Louis, coming to the throne In 1461, saved him from the gallows by proclaiming an amnesty in honour of his accession. The action travels to the court of the monarch with Villon installed by the crafty king, from motives of revenge upon Katherine, as Grand Marshall of France, and given the authority of the sovereign for the day, only to be ruthlessly sentenced to die upon the gallows next morning. From this fate he is rescued by Katherine, who declares her love for him as lie stands with the rope round his neck In the last scene. The heart of Katherine, great lady of France, is won finally by Villon’s bravery in leading an army of ills vagabond followers against the Burgundian invaders and repulsing them. Mr. James Ltddy is said to lie tine as Francois, and Miss Strella Wilson Is at. her best as Katherine. Mr. Arthur Stlgant and Mr. Cecil Kellaway both have excellent comedy roles to portray. The full operatic orchestra and chorus arc features of (lie production. QUEEN’S THEATRE. No picture play lias come to Wellington recently preceded by such laudatory comments ns “Romance of the Underworld," a Fox Film directed by Irving Cummings, which will have Its first screening locall.y to-niglit at the Queen’s Theatre. Cummings is the director who rode to phenomenal success with “Dressed to Kill.” “Romance of the Underworld” Is said Io exceed that production in tensity, thrills, and direction as well as acting. Mary Astor, Robert Elliott and Ben Burd are the featured players in tills story of the underworld, willi Oscar Apfel and Helen Lynch In other prominent roles. Radically different In theme from Cummings’s former play. It is nevertheless a story of underworld characters. The story is of a girl who is forced to make her living as an entertainer In a "speakeasy," who tires of it all. tries to redeem herself in a new environment, meets nnd marries a good man, but who is ever in fear of a former acquaintance. "Derby Dan.” a philanderer, thief and blackmailer. “Romance of the Underworld” Is said to bo a great picture. The second feature is "Wild West Romance,” :i colourful romance of the West, witli thrills and excitement. A tine cast of well-known players support the star, Rex Bell, including Caryl Lincoln, In the feminine lead. Many beautiful scenes of mountain, plain and desert serve as backgrounds to Lhe action of Uin a lorn.

KING'S THEATRE. Richard Barthelmess, as an adventurer on the. high seas, will be presented tonight at the King’s Theatre In “Scarlet Seas,” a First National special. The picture teems with action. Several years ago Barthelmess was seen in another sea story called "Fury,” and it has been a happy thought that gave him another story with such a background at tills time. An exceptional cast supports Richard Barthelmess. For the first time Betty Compson is seen playing opposite the star, with Loretta Young in the featured ingenue role. Tlie villainy of "Scarlet. Seas” is perpetrated by Jack Curtis. The "pious old hypocrite” role of Johnson in "Scarlet Seas” is enacted by James Bradbury, seur., a character man of popularity both on stage and screen. . Apia's intriguing atmosphere is the background against whiclt First National Pictures has set “Scarlet Seas.” The village of Apia was especially built on the Isthmus at Catalina Island for "Scarlet Seas.” Many technicians assisted in obtaining the right effects. and the result is said to be a feature Him of extraordinary pieturesqueness and dramatic values. "Scarlet Seas” offers Barthelmess an unusual part, and one that only Barthelmess can essay in the finest traditions of kinematograph acting. John Francis Dillon directed, with a cast of superlative quality, headed by Betty Compson, with Loretta Young in the featured role. "Scarlet Seas” is a thrilling tale of the open sea. teeming with tlie vivid colour of the South Seas, trading, in smuggled goods, rough-and tumble fights, and many other spectacular sequences and thrills, it is stated. No. 8 featurette of the “New Greater Collegians,” entitled “Calford on Horseback,” is a further at tractive entertainment, 'with selected sup porting programme in addition. Box plans are available at the Bristol. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Revue-goers need no introduction to Mike Connors’ and Queenie Paul's company, which is well known to be one of the most popular revue companies ever at Ills Majesty's Theatre, and after sixteen weeks in the city they are more popular than ever, and it Is said that the programme to be presented this week will certainly eclipse nil previous productions. This week Syd Beck, who is the chief laughraiser, will be seen in limitless roles and bis natural easy wit will make a strong appeal to ills Further song selections will be given by Mike Connors and Queenie Paul and other vocal numbers will be given by William Beresford, Hie popular "League of Notions” baritone. The dainty sonbrette, Audrey Lewis, will also be' heard to advantage in several bright and snappy numbers, it is stated. One of the chief attractions of the show will be Linn Smith's Jazz Band, which, besides contributing jazz specialities and blending popular harmonies, will accompany several of the singers. Eccentric dances will be supplied by tlie very popular Paulastos Brothers, and an original and novel number will lie presented by Phyllis Baker and Gerald Connelly. No fewer than twelve fast-moving, bright and witty sketches will be introduced into this week’s programme. Tlie Exquisite Six is one of tlie most talented ballets seen on His Majesty's stage and several ensembles are features of the new programme. The production is beautfully froeked and staged, and the whole presentation should prove to be a very diverting one. The box plans are on view at the Bristol. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. t'Tile Crowd.” n Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer special production, will bead the bill at the Kllbirnie Klnema to night. 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 shop girl and the two romantically marry without thought of the future. Tlie featured roles are played by Eleanor Boardman, long a popular screen player, and James Murray, a “protege” of the director of tills picture. The second picture. "The Hoad Man." featuring Charlie Murray, is described as a laugh-a-mlnute comedy. Excellent music will support this double star programme, and reservations may be had at the theatre confectionery, or by telephoning the theatre, 14—202. ' CONSTANCE REILLY. Miss Constance Reilly is to give a vocal recital nt the Concert Chamber next Thursday. with tlie assistance of Mr. Loon de Mniin.v (violinist), and Mr. Harold Whittle (accompanist). Miss Reilly lias recently returned from n course of study in Rome and London. While in London Miss Reilly had the advantage of study with Frederick King, the famous lonelier of voice production, and later with Maurice D'Olsly, well-known to New Zealand audiences through his concert tours with bls wife, Rosina Buckman. The Box plan will open on -Monday,