ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 184, 2 May 1929, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATRE. The ever-popular Reginald Denny brings back one of his old inimical farce comedies in “Clear the Decks," the Universal production now being screened at the De Luxe Theatre. Those who remember such laugh-provoking pictures as “California Straight Ahead," “What Happened to Jones," and “Skinner's Dress Suit,” will be interested to learn that in “Clear the Decks” Denny has once more reverted to ills old style and favourite comedy roles in a picture that is chock full of humorous situations, action, and titles. Denny is supported by an exceptional east, all without exception talented in comedy portrayals. Tlie girl in tlie case is Olive Hasbrouck, who makes a delightful “object of affection" for Denny. Lucien Littlefield and Otis Harlan provide plenty of comedy peculiar to their particular characterisations. Others in the cast are Colette Merton, Brooks Benedict, Robert Anderson, and Elinor Leslie. Good supports are also screened, and the usual excellent musical programme is supplied. “THE LEGION OF THE CONDEMNED.” The critical eye of the average picture audience is forcing absolute accuracy of detail in tlie filming of productions today, according to William Wellman, Paramount director. And, for that reason, tlie man who directed “Wings,” which is now hailed as a great motion picture, surrounded himself with the best of technical advisers as he starte.d work on the companion picture to “Wings,” “The Legion of the Condemned,” which will commence its season at the De Luxe Theatre to-morrow. In spite of the fact that the young director lived the life of a flyer at the front during tlie war as a member of the Lafayette Squadron, he insisted upon four other aviation experts being assigned to bls unit because, as lie believes, “everything must be correct if the production is to meet favour witii audiences" Wellman called upon Captain Sterling C. Campbell, one of the foremost British aces during the war, for his assistance. In addition to helping with the technical details, Campbell plays a part in the story which deals with a flying squadron of death. Ted Parsons, who won honours at the French front as a pilot, likewise assisted in carrying out the details. Parsons, with Campbell, also plays a part in the photoplay. Both were members of the staff and cast in “Wings.” The story of “The Legion of the Condemned” was written by John Monk Saunders, author of “Wings,” himself an instructor in aeronautics for the Air Corps of the United States. REGENT THEATRE. Starring Lon Chaney,’ supported by Lionel Barrymore, Mary Nolan and Warner Baxter, “West of Zanzibar,” is the current feature at the Regent Theatre. Set in a surrounding of stark terror, its dr:t malic story of a terrible revenge that d<» vours its creator, “West of Zanzibar” has elements never before seen on the screen. Weird and fantastic rites of voodoo devilworshippers in the heart of an African jungle; the strange spell of a sinister, paralyser “white voodoo” who, with tricks and illusions, rules tribes of superstitious and savage natives, a grim chase through tlie Dark Continent on a relentless mission of revenge, are the dramatic highlights against which a wonderful love story is told. Chaney plays “Dead Legs Flint,” former stage magician, who, paralysed in a tight with the man who stole the love of his wife, sets out to trail him through the wilds where his quarry has taken refuge as an ivory trader. Lionel Barrymore plays Crane, the enemy in the story, and Mary Nolan, who will be remembered as the heroine of “Sorrel and Son,” appears as /he heroine, daughter of tlie revenge-crazed magician. Good supports are also screened and excellent music is supplied by the orchestra. “THE COP.” "The Cop” will be seen at the Regent Theatre commencing to-morrow. It features William Boyd, the popular young actor, who takes the part of a policeman in the underworld of New York. A Donald Crisp production, "The Cop” features in Mr. Boyd's support such sterling screen players as Jacqueline Logan, Alan Hale, and Robert Armstrong. The story, which it is reported, is a most, fascinating one, tells of the sinister operations of a baud of crooks, culminating In murder and of “The Cop’s” untiring efforts to run the criminals to earth. It is stated that never has there been assembled a more fascinating group of screen characters than the artists who appear in “Tho Cop." The members of the crook gang, each an Interesting individual, led by the sinister Marcas, lialfllkeablc, half-despicable, arc Mather, quiet, easy-going, vigilant; lovable old Sergeant Coglil'ui; Mary Monks, a thoroughbred running with the wrong kind; and Smlthle, the cop who appeals to the audience from the very start, a great friend, but a bad enemy. The story of “Tho Cop” is filled with drama and thrills. On tho same programme is a beautiful picture of mother love, “Mumsle," which tells a story of France during the dark days of the Great War. “Mumsie” is the elderly wife of a French bookseller settled in Normandy, devoted to her home and family, but making an idol of her eldest son. Noel. 'When her husband has a chance of making a deal which will place his family in comfort, be finds that Noel lias lost the money at the roulette table. When the war breaks out, all the family do their share with the exception of Noel, who shirks every duty with the excuse of a weak heart. During an air raid, in which the old bookseller dies ot heart failure, the terrible truth is brought home to “Mumsie” that the attack is the direct result of information sold to the enemy by her idolised son. The story is told by an all-star cast that includes Pauline Frederick (Mumsie).

KING'S THEATRE. "Thoroughbreds,” a Universal production, heads the double-feature programme now screening at the King’s Theatre. “Thoroughbreds” is the story of a young jockey who is induced to “throw” an important race he is expected to win, through the influence of a beautiful adventuress. He is found out and disgraced. but through the unfailing efforts of his former sweetheart, whom he has deserted, he is given another chance. He makes good by winning a big race and is restored to the favour of the racing public and his first sweetheart. Marian Nixon, who plays her first starring role in “Thoroughbreds,” and Richard Walling carry the love interest. Mary Nolan lias the role of the glittering accomplice and Otis Harlan scores in a comedy role. Jean Hershalt, Sally O’Neill, and Malcolm McGregor have the featured roles in “The Girl on the Barge.” the second feature. Appropriate music is also supplied by the orchestra. “SEVEN FOOTPRINTS TO SATAN.” Those who visit the King’s Theatre, where “Seven Footprints to Satan” will be presented next Friday, will do well to prepare for thrills. For this new First National picture has more than the ordinary amount of creepiness, it is stated. It was directed by the past master of mystery films. Benjamin Christensen, and embodies a story that Is at once original and tremendously exciting. It is the story (by A. Merritt) of a young couple who are kidnapped and taken to a strange mansion inhabited by a queer character known as "Satin.” He is surrounded by a number of weird and grotesque figures such as the Spider, a dwarf, a witcli and what not. and the things that occur in this place startle picturegoers. Thelma Todd and Creighton Hale have the leads, with Sheldon Lewis. William V. Mong, Sojln and others in heavy roles. QUEEN’S THEATRE. Victor MeLnglen is the-star of “Captain Lash." the Fox Films' production now screening at the Queen’s Theatre. McLaglen, in the name part, is called Captain Lash because be drives his men in the stokehold of an ocean liner like a human, whip. Off duty he is a gay Romeo or a fighter as tiie mood seizes him. As usual, a girl (Claire Windsor) gets him in her power, and thus into a series of exciting situations from which he finds it hard to extricate himself. Comedy moments are many when Cocky (Clyde Cook) nnd bis concertina combine to save Lash from trouble. The supporting cast, includes such well known and popular players as Jane Winton. Arthur Stone. Albert Conti. Jean Laverty, and Boris Cliarsky. Included in the supporting programme is a further instalment of the serial. “Tarzan the Mighty,(” while appropriate music is supplied by the orchestra. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Frank O'Brian and his Revellers continue to entertain patrons of His Majesty's Theatre with bright music, song, and dance. “Khaki” is an amusing sketch in which Frank O'Brian, as a little city-bred weed, joins up and becomes the chief butt for the sergcatn’s wrath. Janice Hart sings "My Blackbirds are Bluebirds Now” nnd “An Old Guitar." Marie Ward sings “Mine, All Mine,” and Iris Grumbley “Tinker. Tailor, Soldier, Sailor," and with Gordon Neville sings the love duet “A Kiss Before the Dawn." The 'Varsity- Boys’ jazz band provides bright music, which includes a fantasia of Irish airs, while the sprightly ballot, forms a bright background to many of the numbers. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. To-night at 8 o’clock, a refreshing outdoor programme will be screened for tiie last lime at the Kilbirnie Kinenia. headed by James Murray in "The Shakedown,” a story of underhand dealings in the prize ring. The second feature, "None But the Bravo." is a farcical comedy, starring Charles Morton and Sally I’hipps. An interesting Gazelle and excellent music supplied bv Hie orchestra are supports on the programme. Reserves arc obtainable at theatre (’phone 14—202).

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. "Fazil,” starring Charles Farrell and Greta Nissen, is now iu its second week at the Paramount Theatre . Fazil, an Arab tribal prince, is sent to Venice on a diplomatic mission and falls madly in love with Fabieuue, a French g!. - '. He sweeps her oft her feet with his ardent lovemaking. Their happy honeymoon is spent in Paris, but before long his inborn prejudice leads him to object to her freedom with other men and when she refuses to yield to his beliefs he leaves her and returns to the desert. Fabieuue follows aud enters the harem, which he has maintained iu deference to custom, lie dismisses the harem girls aud he and Fabienne arc united again. But there are further clashes between the two represnetatives of East and West, and Fabienne arranges with her friends tc help her to escape from the palace, which leads to a tremendous climax iu which Fazil is wounded. The ending has an unexpected twist and is highly dramatic. Tlie synchronised music is supplied by tlie Roxy Theatre orchestra and the male choir from the same theatre sings the theme song "Neapolitan Nights.” The latest Fox Movietone News and a talking comedy are also screened. Richard Bonelli is heard in "Largo Al Factotum” from “Tlie Barber of Seville,” and Randolph's Royal Hawailaus are heard in songs of the South Seas. "MOTHER KNOWS BEST.” Admirers of pretty Madge Bellamy are going to have a surprise and a pleasing one, it is said, when they see her in her production for Fox Films, “Mother Knows Best,” a pictnrisation of tho internationally famous story by Edna Ferber. Love or a career—which takes precedence? That question is answered iu a most dramatic way in the Fox movietone special entitled "Mother Knows Best,” which heads the fifth movietone programme of the talking, singing, and sound pictures to be seen aud heard at the Paramount Theatre next Friday. In "Mother Knows Best” all tlie stars, Madge Bellamy, Barry Norton, Louise Dresser, and others, all speak, the dialogue sequences being of exceptionally high quality, it is stated. Madge Bellamy, possessed of a charming voice, sings “Mammy” and other song successes. This popular star is also seeu and heard in remarkably clever impersonations of famous stage and screen celebrities, among these being .Sir Harry Lauder, Al Jolson, and Anna Held, Madge Bellamy duplicating the personality aud eccentricities ot each. Barry Norton sings at the piano tlie delightful theme song of the picture. "Sally of My Dreams.” The famous Boxy Theatre Orchestra of 110 pieces plavs a synchronised programme. “Sally of ‘ My Dreams” is reported to have had greater sales, in both sheet music and gramophone record form, in Sydney, than anv other melody used as a theme for a movie'tone production. Of ail the productions yet presented in Sydney since the advent ol the “talkies,” “Mother Knows Best” has proved the most successful, ev»n doubling the previous record run (four a , l J he ? u » e Regent Theatre, of The Red Dance’—this house’s usual policy being one week per programme. “Mother Knows Best” is based on tho widely read and internationally discussed story by Edna Ferber, said to be based on the actual lives of a famous stage star and her mother, but actually just a similarity t° the score of mothers and daughters dating back to Corinne and her mother Jennie Kimball, a half-century ago. The reveals the transition of a stage child to a Broadway star with a theatre named after her. Through it all the daughter is merely a puppet with mother pulling .the strings until the daughter comes in contact with romance and awakening in the girl tliat there is something more in life than just the footlights. The battle is one with a surprise denouement. “Mother Knows Best” brings to the screen as Sally the girl, a new Madge Bellamy, it is stated, likewise a more brilliant than clover actress in Louise Dresser as the mother. The Fox movietone “shorts" are reported to be the finest yet presented—flawlessly recorded and perfectly reproduced. The comedy “Happy Birthday" is'hailed as the greatest two-reel “talkie” achievement to STRAND THEATRE. Rod La Rocque is the star of “Gigolo,” winch heads the double feature programme now screening at the Strand Theatre. La Rocque, in the starring role of "Gid,” a wealthy American youth, after joining the Lafayette Escardrilie in France, is injured in action during the war and his face mutilated. He has it remade by plastic surgery, and later in Paris at the Cafe Marmgys, where ho reigns as king of the "gigolos," the name given to professional dancing partners, he dances with ills boyhood sweetheart, who is touring Europe with her parents. At first she" fails to recognise him, owing to his changed appearance, and it is only his personality, which be cannot conceal, that serves to reveal his identity to her. Then follows n series of thrilling events. Fay Compton, Stewart Rome, and Dorothy Boyd are the stars of “Somehow Good,” the British production which is the second feature. Appropriate music is also supplied by the orchestra.

VICTORIA COLLEGE EXTRAVAGANZA. The stage at tho Town Hall has been specially enlarged for the Victoria University College extravaganza, “G.G.,” which will open on Saturday night next, and will be continued on Monday and Tuesday nights. Clever dialogue and catchy choruses form the background for tlie funinaking by the big cast of students. Nothing has been left to chance by tlie producers. The ballets have been trained by Miss Dorothy Buck along original anil humorous lines, and the three “Escapades," as the acts have been called, are a riot from start to finish. Current topics unturned topsy-turvy. Among the features will be the “11)29 Committee.” “The Saniboan Melon," “The Red Army." “Tlie Strike of the Hula-Hula Girls, i'lie Hold-up by Zaue Grapejuice iu Rum Row,” and the songs "Fifty Thousand Farmers Can’t Be Wrong.” “Forty-three New Zealand Politicans,” and “Plot! Plot! Set the Thing on Fire." Many of D. ,T. Donald’s Gilbertian verses have been set to specially composed airs by Mr. W. 11. Stainton. The producers are Mr. Vryn Evans and Miss Mary Cooley, who have had long experience ou the amateur stage. Several well-known amateurs are taking part ip the production, including Misses Edna Purdy, Sinclair Breen, and Rona Munro, aud Messrs. A. D. Priestley, W. .1. Mountjoy, A. H. Fear, W. P. Rolling. G. R. Powles, A. E. Hurley, and M. O. Guthrie. The box plan is at the Bristol. WELLINGTON COLLEGE DRAMATIC CONCERT. Eustace Hargrave’s "The Island of Sea Dreams” and Tristan Bernard's “French as He is Spoke" are the two plays forming the main features of the dramatic concert to bo given at the Concert Chamber of tlie Town Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. The members of the Wellington College Dramatic Club have worked hard during the term to ensure the success of these two pleasing and humorous dramatic pieces. A display of physical drill under Lieutenant Thomson will also figure largely in the programme. In addition, the nupils have got ready orchestral selections, including a quintet and a quartet, while the Glee Club is contributing some most pleasing numbers. All these attractive items, in addition to songs and recitations, provide a programme well worthy of tlie best traditions of the college. The total proceeds are to go to the ground improvement fund, whieh merits the support of all well-wishers of the college. The box plan will open at the Bristol to-morrow morning.

"THE PATSY.” At the Grand Opera House, commencing to-morrow night, J. C. Williamson, Ltd., ■will present Miss Irene Homer, the young American actress, in the first production here of the comedy-drama, “The Patsy,” which has proved the most successful play which has been staged during recent years: “The Patsy," with its sweetness and simplicity, is, wrote a Sydney critic, “really refreshing change from sex plays, mystery plays and other which have enjoyed a sectional vogue. ‘The Patsy’ enjoys the distinction of being a show which appeals to all. There is nothing whatever which may possibly offend the most fastidious taste. ‘The Patsy’ is well constructed, contains a lot ot the irony of life, brings into prominence all those small details of everyday existence in the average home which like microscopic objects have to be placed beneath the magnifying glass before their real importance is discovered. and holds the interest from the rise to the final fall of the curtain.” Miss Homer, it is said, has achieved her wonderful triumphs in the role of Patricia because she is a born humorist and because her drollery comes natural to her.” As the genial grocery traveller and father of the squabbling family, Mr. A. S. Byron, a noted New York actor, is like a fresh breeze on a sultry day. The part might' 1 have been specially created for this talented actor so well does he portray it.” Mr. Brandon Peters, a leading American juvenile actor, has materially assisted in the wonderful success of "The Patsy” by his brilliant acting in the character of Tony Anderson. Mr. Sam Wren is another well-known American artist who will make ids' first appearance here in “The Patsy.” Miss Eileen Sparks is well known to New Zealand playgoers and she has also scored a triumph in “The Patsy.” The box plans for eight performances are open at the Bristol.