ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 210, 1 June 1929, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. The first “talkie” programme to be presented at the Regent Theatre entered upon its second week yesterday, when .large audiences were recorded at all three sessions. “The Bellamy Trial,” adapted from the sensational pagazine serial story by Frances Noyes Hart, is a mystery drama that holds: the audience in the deepest suspense from, the beginning to the unexpected climax. With Beatrice Joy in the leading role as the beautiful murder defendant, the drama is. played by a cast tliat contains no fewer than seventeen film stars, and in the huge court scenes several hundred characters appear. As the woman on trial, Miss Joy gives an impressively sincere character delineation. George Barraud also acts splendidly as the husband who stands loyally by his wife In the face of terrible accusations. The court scene is a powerful and moving one. With the preponderance of evidence against them, the defendants listen to the pubFe prosecutor demanding their lives to expiate the crime of which they are accused. An eleventh-hour development saves them from conviction, but the murder remains unsolved until the sensational climax. The court scene gives a close Insight into justice as it is administered in the United States. Counsel wrangle violently,"and insult one another time and again, and hurl charges at the unfortunate witnesses. The characters speak clearly and distinctly, and the audience soon get the impression that they are actually spectators at a murder trial. The figures on the screen appear to come to life, and every word spoken Is greedily absorbed. Touches of delightful comedy are provided by Betty Bronson and Eddie Nugent as two junior reporters who discover during the trial that they are affinities. The sound pictures on the programme also include solos by the jazz pianist, Victor Lopez, with occasional help from his fair partner in talk and song. Miss Ella Shields, the renowned male impersonator, sings, in faultless evening dress and top hat, “Just a Little Kiss.” and gives clever character impersonations in “If You Knew Susie.”. How faithfully the new sound-producer records the human voice was proved by the clarity with which the'songs of Mr. James Regan, the gifted Irish tenor, came across. A feature of the new sound programme is the excellence of the mechanised orchestra, which is remarkably full and true in tone. A Pathe Sound News and a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Sound Gazette give interesting glimpses' of topical happenings abroad, including a most graphic view of the crash which killed the motorist who Was attempting to break the world’s speed record put up by Major Segrave in his Golden Arrow car. This unique film is all the more interesting by reason of the fact that it' was taken by the intrepid Fraud, a cameraman, who'was killed in the crash. “The Bellamy Trial” will be screened thrice daily—at 11 a.m., 2.15 p.m., and 8 p.m.—to-day and throughout the whole of next week.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. The' popularity of the Fox Movietone programmes at the Paramount Theatre, is well maintained in the sixth of the series of programmes which last night entered on Its second week owing to the" demands of the public. From the .start these programmes have appealed by their near approach to staging the real plays, for the voices and music, are wonderfully clear and pure. The Fox Movietone Symphonic Orchestration is wonderfully good, and it» does not require a big stretch of imagination to make one feel that a first-class orchestra still occupies the pit below the screen, playing “Maritana,” or some other popular works in a manner that affords musical people real pleasure. “Four Devils” is at the top of the programme now in its second week. Janet Gaynor, Nancy Drexel, Charles Morton, Barry Norton, and J. Farrell McDonald are stars in this drama of the sawdust ring. Two brothers and two sisters are being trained by a circus proprietor, and their lot is anything but a happy one. When the brothers join the circus they stand as champions to the two little girls. All four are later saved, from their master by the circus clown, who brings, them up with love and kindness. Charles, the leader of the troupe, and Marion, the star acrobat, fall in love, blit'the course of true love Is not allowed to run smoothly. On their opening night in Paris a wealthy siren makes love to Charles, and he falls a complete victim to her charms. He neglects his work, and through being out of practice nearly meets with . disaster in his famous “death dive.” Realising his folly, he decides to break away from the siren, but the woman does not let him go easily. The Roxy Theatre Orchestra provides the synchronised musical score,. including the theme song, The supporting features include a very interesting feature. “Voices of Italy,” in. which Mussolini and the American Ambassador to Italy are heard speaking; the latest Fox movietone news, a film in. which Winnie Lightner, the American comedienne, is seen '"and heard; and “The First Lesson,”, an amusing'talking comedy. This programme will be presented at 2.30 p.m. and 8 p.m. each day until and including Thursday. The box plans are at the Bristol, or ring the theatre.

DE LUXE TH3ATRE. “Lonesome,” the star attraction which -commenced in the presence of a large audience at the De Luxe Theatre last night, is a Carl Laemarle special, featuring Glen Tryon and Barbara Kent in the leading roles. No picture seen in Wellington for many years approaches the novelty of .’‘Lonesome.” It is the story of a girl and a boy who are both alone among the many workers in New York. Like millions of people who live and move among the teeming crowds of that great city, they are lonesome for real friendship ana love. On one Saturday afternoon they journey to a seaside resort, where Jim sees Mary and falls half in love with her at first sight. In a slight accident on the scenic railway they become separated, with the result that each goes home alone, wondering where the other liv?s. Both Jim and Mary have a photograph of each other, and after a lot of difficulties have been encountered -they eventually meet again under rather surprising circumstances. Glen Tryon, a noted comedy star, departs from bis usual line in “Lonesome” and enacts the leading role in an excellent manner. Barbara Kent, always a popular favourite, plays the part of the girl Mary to perfection. “Lonesome”was written bv Mann Page, and was made under the personal supervision of Carl Laemmle, jun. Besides the players mentioned, others to do good work in the cast are Fav Holderness, Gustave Partes, and Eddie Phillips. “Lonesome,” which was well received by the large audience, is a most unusual romance, the villain in the piece being loveliness itself. There are some excellent supports on the programme, which Include a British News, an International News, an up-to-date Pathe Gazette. and a refreshing comedy. At the mighty Wurlitzer organ Mr. Emanuel Aarons supplies excellent music. There will be a. matinee this afternoon.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. “The Silent House,” which commenced screening at the Majestic Theatre yesterday, is undoubtedly a triumph in British film production—the photography, technique and lighting are superb, and the leading characters have been chosen with great discrimination. The film emanates from the studios of Archibald Nettlefold Productions, and as a play “The Silent House” ran for twelve months in London, successfully toured the British Isles, and also ran on Broadway for 47 weeks. New Zealand theatregoers will remember the performance of Maurice Moscovitch as Dr. Chan Fu in “The Silent House” a few months ago, and in the same role in the film Gibb McLaughlin does not disappoint. Playing opposite Gibb McLaughlin is Mabel Poulton as T’Mala. The story begins in China, where Richard Wlnsford robs Dr. Chan Fu’s joss of its jewellery. Chan Fu follows him to London, and finally kills him. In his hypnotic power he has Winsford’s partner’s daughter, whom he calls T’Mala. Before Winsford’s death he left a half-written note for his heir and nephew, George, which tells that some of the jewels have been turned into bonds, and that both the' latter and the priceless "star” are hidden, but it does not say; where. Chan Fu pretends to bo the young Winsford’s friend, and the law informs them that the bonds must be found and redeemed within twenty-four hours. Then follows a series of thrilling and hectic incidents, where Chan Fu tortures his victims, but Is later killed, and Wlnsford collects both T’Mala and the bonds as his prize. The story ends happily. Arthur Pusey. a newcomer to the films, gives great promise, as is witnessed by his portrayal of young. Winsferd. Splendid supporting films are' screened. The “Majestic Magazine" depicts world events in picture, some particularly fine Beenes being shown of the funeral of Marshal Foch in Paris. “Jewels of Venus was a film of marine life and fauna on the ocean bed. “Songs of Scotland” is a short film explaining the origin of some of the famous Highland songs. There are many scenes of magnificent Scottish seenery. the film being supported by special music and vocal accompaniments. There is also a screaming comedy, “Hectic Days, in which Lupino Lane is the chief laughmaker. Sandwiched between the film programme is au entertaining dance playlet. An appropriate musical programme is provided by the Majestic orchestra. ADELPHI CABARET. The usual Saturday gala night win be held -at the Adelphi Cabaret to-night. On Monday next a special tea dance will be run from 3 p.m. till 5 p.m., and at night the Aero Club ball will take Place. The committee have arranged that ordinary cabaret patrons may book tables la toe usual way. As this is the first . Aero Club ball held In Wellington; it should be • very cheery evening.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. Far behind the British lines, there lodged two German spies, mother and daughter. To their village came a British officer. The daughter is ordered to obtain information from him. She questions him, but an airraid causes them to take shelter. Their refuge is destroyed and the officer wounded. The nursing instinct arises in her, and she cauterises his wound, an act which saves his life. While he is in hospital, the two women are ordered back into a village under German occupation. He recovers and has to undertake the task —in which three have failed—of obtaininginformation of Vvfo agents in the,- Germans town, where the pair of spies work. The two, now .rival spies, meet. Love holds sway, and the woman invites the British officer to her home. Then, torn between her love for. her country and her love for her lover, she ends her dilemma by doing her duty. A few minutes before the Germans are due to arrive she repents, confesses what she has done, and lets him out by the side door. However, he is captured, found guilty, and sentenced to death. Her oommander now summonses her and congratulates her upon her distinguished service. She pleads with him for the life of her lover, as recompense for her services, but the general is adamant. As she urges her claims upon him, the pair see the condemned man pass with the firing squad. To escape her entreaties, the field officer leaves her and joins his brother officers* who are looking at a piece of paper. Then-' he goes out to the squad, about to fire. Motioning to them to desist, he walks to the prisoner, speaks to him, then goes back to his countrymen. Raising one arm above his shoulder, he utters one word. That is the climax. There is not much,more to tell. “True Heaven” is one of the greatest - stories which have been seen for some time. A gazette, scenic, comedy, and an ! instalment;* of “Tarzan” complete a fine programme. Box plans are at the Bristol, and seats may be reserved by ringing 22—334. x

KING’S THEATRE. Colleen Moore's latest picture, .“Why Be Good,” made its first appearance at tbe King's Theatre last evening. “Why Be Good” is the story of a beautiful salesgirl who is gay but good, and whose gaiety frequently leads to doubts as to her goodness . After a day in tbe department store the girl, Pert Kelly, visits a, popular ball, w-here she enjoys the reputation of being the “hottest” dancer. Here, a romance develops with the son of the store owner, whose subtle suggestions as to the sales-girl’s character are almost the cause of a quarrel between the young people. In the end Pert’s “goodness” is proved. Colleen Moore is as attractive as she was in "Flaming Youth.” She makes Pert Kelly a very fast-stepping sophisticated and lovable little person. The beautiful frocking is a feature of the film. Seldom has Colleen Moore appeared in a greater variety of beautiful danee frocks. With her are seen Neil Hamilton, who makes an admirable leading man, while Edward Martindel is very bland and mischief-making as the old-experienced father. The picture was directed by William Seiterand and produced by John McCormick. Interest is added by a comedy, a gazette, and a music master featurette (the life-work of Beethoven), while the King’s orchestra, conducted by Mr. A. H. Jerome, completes an enjoyable entertainment. |

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Frank O’Brian and his Revellers continue to afford excellent entertainment in the new programme submitted at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening. The cheerful little comedian with the red wig and snappy eyes, who heads this combination, works to rules of Els own. Last evening the show opened in the Pirates' lair, with all hands in piratical harness, and the crew singing “Tom Bowling” and “A Life on the Ocean Wave,” though the ship was a village inn on a castle in Spain. Seemingly trifles like this do not matter in revue, so long as the fun goes merrily, and there is laughter, lights, and plenty of pretty girls. Into this den of pirates ventures O’Brian and Co., who. being mistaken for spies, owe their lives by declaring that they are comics. They attempt to work all the jokes off on the Pirate King, but none of them raise a laugh, so they are condemned to walk the plank as the greatest perjurers on Fullers’ earth. The Pirate Ballet was firstrate, and the ragtime chorus they sing on the slightest provocation was the catchiest chorus sung since they came to town. Miss Janice Hart was the Pirate Chief and Joe Hudson was the grandson of Dick Deadeye, who has deserted the Union Jack for the skull and cross-bones. “Look in the Mirror” shifted the scene back 12,000 years, when the trouble caused by the discovery of the first mirror was graphically told by a company of prehistoric relics lent to Mr. O’Brian by the Museum. The brisk comedian also continued his serial “’Adam and Eve in the Garden of Wellington.” a saucy tale of the' dear dead long ago when Raining Street was the “posh” suburb of Wellington. “The Last Shot” changed the scene to a forlorn hope. "Somewhere in Arabia.” with Mr. O’Brian as the comic commander of the last of the regiment. “Cock-a-Doodle” is an epic ot the barnyard, and relates the pathetic experience ot the boss Chantlcler, with his fair but frail hen, who causes infinite pain and tribulation by adopting the manners and customs of the barnyard. lu this fowl sketch Mr. O’Brian is Chanticler, and Miss Hart his worse half. “Outside and Inside the Soup Kitehen,” and “The Toy Emporium” were also smart sketches well packed with big laughs. A pretty little song feature was “My Bungalow of Dreams,” sung by Miss Marie Ward, and reinforced with a novel ballet in silhouette. Tiny Douglas's Jazz band introduced several novelties. Including a pictorial setting of “Amy Woodford Finden's Love Lyrics.” with song and tableau effects. Miss Hart made her usual weekly hit in "Me and the Man in the

Moon,” and later in “I Love a Piano,’’ after which she joined with Al. Bachelor (at two pianofortes) in Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C Sharp Minor, a spasm of Verdi, and then jazz—and It was all quite good. Miss Mabelle Morgan sang and Mr. Bert Lees was helpful in sketches. There will be a matinee performance this afternoon. GRAND OPERA HOUSE. “The Wrecker” was presented- to another large audience at the Grand Opera House last evening, and judging from the interest with which the development of tha plot was followed, the production fulfilled all expectations of a thrilling entertainment. In point of fact, the drama is even, more eerie than the same author’s “Ghost Train.” A Carefully-selected cast, headed, by the two English stars, Josephine Wilson and Clayton Greene, present the play with conspicuous success. Miss Wilson makes a dashing lady detective, while Mr. Greene does outstanding work as the officer responsible for the sate running of the railways. The plot is cleverly worked up, and culminates in the final scene, where the hero and heroine successfully foil the efforts of the wrecker to hurl the Rainbowexpress to destruction. There is ample comedy to relieve the tensity of the many exciting moments. Those who have not yet seen “The Wrecker” will be well advised to take advantage of the two final days offering. This outstanding mystery drama will be staged to-night and Monday night. To cater for all the management is also staging a matinee this afternoon and a final one on Monday afternoon. THELMA WILLOUGHBY AND CRETE JESPERSEN. Two young gifted musicians will give a piano and ’cello recital in the Concert Chamber oij Monday, June 10. At the age of 15 Thelma Willoughby gained the coveted L.A.B. scholarsip for 1928, and will leave to take it up at the Royal Academy of Music, London, during the next weeks. She will play works of Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, and with Mr. - Gordon Short the Arensky Concerto. Grete Jespersen has appeared at a number of important concerts, and is engaged to play at the Wanganui Choral Union concert on June 12, I an unusually important engagement for a child of 12 years. She will play the great Boellmann variations and other works. . Mr. Gordon Short will be the accompanist. The plan is at the Bristol.

“OUR MISS GIBBS.” Reference to the cast of “Our Miss Gibbs” published in the advertising columns of this issue will show that an unusual number of well-known local amateurs are appearing in the-forthcoming production of the Wellington Amateur Theatrical Society. Miss Jovce Woodward will appear as Mary Gibbs, the winsome little lady from Yorkshire who makes a. big success of life in London, and graduates from the department store to high society, winning hearts all along the way. Miss Pauline Shotlander plays the part of Lady Betty, whose love affairs—with Mary's—form a large part of the plot. As the Hon. Hughie, amateur cracksman, Mr. R. E. Pope is well cast. Some good comedy can be expected from Mr. W. J. McKeon, who plays Timothy Gibbs. More laughs can be looked for from Mr. Doug, Stark as Slithers. A feature of the production will be the dancing of the ballet, coached by Mrs. Eileen Wilson, late of J. C. Williamson's Ltd. Attractive terpsichorean numbers are "Moon Fairies.” Irish Dance, and the Hat Ballet. In these the leading dancers are the Misses I. Liardet. Joyce Scott, Margaret Pearson, Pearl Hazelwood. Kathleen Black, and L. Greig. Mr. J. F. Woodward conducts a strong chorus of picked voices. Mr. Harison Cook is again producer. Special concessions are offered to schools and colleges, and principals are asked to communicate with the secretary.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA.. A big programme of outstanding _merit will be screened at two sessions, 2.15 p.m. and 8 p.m.. to-day, at the Kilbirnie Kinema. In the main feature, ’’Brotherly Love,” starring the greatest comedy pair on the screen, Karl Dane and George K. Arthur, the theme centres round a prison which is run on an honour system, the cells being luxuriously appointed with private baths, electric refrigerators, and radio installations. Dane is a prison guard who tries to make life miserable for Arthur, who gets in gaol so he can better woo the Governor's pretty daughter. The second star attraction, “East Side, West Side,” featuring George O’Brien and Virginia Valli, is a tensely thrilling drama ot the underworld. An interesting news and excellent music supplied by the Kilbirnie Symphony Orchestra, completes a splendid evening’s entertainment. Reserves at theatre, telephone 14—202. ORGAN RECITAL. Mr. Bernard F. Page (city organist) will give his weekly organ recital at the Town Hall to-morrow evening. The programme has been arranged as under: —Concert Overture in F, by Mendelssohn (by request) ; -Romance Op. 118 (No. 5), by Brahms; Second Movement from Symphony in D Minor, by Cesar Franck; Prelude and Fugue in D Major (Op. 93), by Glazounov; Third Movement from Suite (Op. 66) Forest Scenes. "The Phantom tells his tale of longing,” by Coleridge-Taylor (this item is by request); Rhapsodic (O filii et filiae), by Faulkcs.

PIANOFORTE RECITAL. A pianoforte recital will be given by Miss Judith Giesen in the Concert Chamber, Town Hall, on Wednesday, June 12. Miss Giesen possesses a touch and technique making it possible for her to obtain the maximum of effect from her instrument, while she displays delicacy when playing-sympathetic music. For a young nlaniste (she is not yet seventeen) her interpretation is considered distinctly good, and she is said to show great promise. Her programme will include works of loading composers old and new. The box plan will open at the Bristol on June 6.