ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 225, 19 June 1929, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. The long-awaited presentation by Warner Bros, of “The Jazz Singer, starring Al Jolson, continues to draw packed houses at the Regent Theatre where it is now being screened. This picturlsation of Samson Raphaelson’s c °“ ed y. k ’! made doubly important in that it marks the screen debut of Al Jolson, the most famous entertainer in the world. Ihe pro duction which Warner Bros, assembled for tlie projection of Al Jolson as the son of the cantor who ran away from home and became a famous.jazz singer was given so much eare, thought, and lavish attention it is considered the supreme achievement of the list of fine pictures made by this able firm of producers. Alan Cros land directed. The great cast surrounding Jolson in “The Jazz Singer, with dainty May McAvoy in the part of Dale, Warner Oland as the cantor, and Eugenie Bcsserer as the mother, includes also Otto Lederer, Bobby Gordon, Nat Carr, and Richard Tucker. „ The supporting sound films include a clever vaudeville turn anted cl by Daphne Pollard, the famous Eng sb comedienne, operatic numbersbyAllen Prior, the famous tenor; Edward Horton and Lois Wilson are a scream in the comedy “Miss Information ; Reb. Spikes and his coloured entertainers provide an amusing turn, and a gazette is also screened.

“ALIAS JIMMY VALENTINE." “Picture-goers who feared that the introduction of talkies might shatter tneir fondness for many of the screen Idols, have no -cause for alarm, on one account, at least,” says the Sydney “Sunday Times. “William Haines, the star of 'Allas Jimmy Valentine,” possesses an excellent speaking voice, appealing and expressive. Many of the scenes of this Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture, in which Haines appears with his fellow crooks, Tully Marshall and Earl Dane, are screamingly funny. Lionel Barrymore is also a great talkie star, his great stage experience being evident in his polished work.” “Alias Jimmy Valentine will be seen at the Regent Theatre very shortly.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. The popularity of the talking film is increasing every day, and the current programme at the Paramount Theatre is particularly strong. The big feature is ’4be Bit of the Show,” with Gertrude Olmstead, Joe E. Brown, Gertrude Astor, and Daphne Poliand, and other stars. “Twisty,” a stage comedian and character actor, has spent some of the best years of his life in trying to reach the lights of Broadway, placing his faith, in bis one pal, a little ivory elephant charm. One day he meets a young woman apparently in trouble, falls in love with her, and takes her to bis boardinghouse, the landlady taking her on trust. During a party, “Twisty" catches the eye of a stage manager, who gets him a part -in’ the show he is putting on. "Twisty” in turn, secures a part for the girl, Kathlyn, who makes such a hit that her share Is enlarged at the expense of “Twisty’s.” He is pleased at her success. Meanwhile there is rivalry from the leading man in gaining Kathlyn's affection, a fight occurs in the > dressing-room, the leading man is knocked out, and "Twisty" dons Ills costume and make-up and fills the role, and makes a great hit. Meanwhile Kathlyn’s old lover reappears on the scene, and there is a happy reunion. “Twisty” suffers from heart trouble, and gradually fades away, but he Is allowed to retain to the last his belief that he has won Kathlyn. The supports, which include “The British Fleet at Sea,” a Fox movietone comedy, “Furnace Trouble,” Richard Bonelli, an operatic star, performing exclusively for Fox movietone, and Ruby Hector, a specialty dancer, make a programme of considerable merit. All are talking pictures. The music is excellent. The box plans are at the Bristol, or seats may be reserved at'the theatre, ’phone 21— 842. F • DE LUXE THEATRE.

“The Cohens and the Kellys,” a Universal screen version of the play, “Two Blocks Away,” is the current feature nt the De Luxe Theatre. '“The Cohens apd Kellys” is life jammed with wholesome human touches of pathos and comedy of the relations between the Irishman and the Jew. The Irish policeman who opens his heart to the Jewish family is played by Charlie Murray, whose most recent roles have been as a character comedian. Teamed with him in furnishing much of the comedy is Kate Price, a real Irish lady from Ireland, while on the other end of the balance are Vera Gordon, the famous hit of “Humoresque” and George Sidney, a stage actor of 32 years experience. These two Jewish players contribute their quota of laughs. Playing a rather wistful part devoid of comedy, Olive Hasbrouck gives a performance of dramatic depth. Jason Robards does well with his role and Nat Carr is a new find for a villain. A Gazette, Pathe Review, cartoon and comedy are also screened and the usual excellent niusical programme is supplied.

“THE LAST WARNING.” The picture at the head of the bill for the next change of programme at the De Luxe Theatre is “The Last Warning, a mystery picture. To those who remember the thrills of that outstanding success, “The Cat and the Canary,” “The Last Warning” surpasses anything screened for thrills, and mystery, it is stated. The story takes place in a haunted theatre, the eerie things begin to happen when a producer rents a theatre .which has beenvacant for five years. The management defies anyone to solve the mystery until the very end of the picture. Secret passageways, ghostly’ warnings, 1 breathless silence, ghost warnings, baffling shadows, etc., contribute to the creation of the atmosphere. A special cast Is engaged and Includes Laura La Plante, Montague Love, Margaret Livingstone, Bert Roach, Roy D'Arcy, and Mack Swain. The Orchestra De Luxe, under the baton of Mr. Emanuel Aarons, will play appropriate music. .The box plans are now open at the Bristol and Aitken’s Book Arcade. KING’S THEATRE. Jack Buchanan, the star of the comedymelodrama entitled “Toni,” which heads the double feature programme now being screened at the King’s Theatre, is an Englishman. An exceptionally fine athlete, his prowess has been used to the full, as the story is full of fast-moving incidents from start to finish. He is also a brilliant comedian and provides innumerable laughs and thrills as an indolent young man who assumes the identity of a famous detective. In support of this most versatile actor are su<?h popular players as Forrester Harvey, Moore Marriott, and Dorothy; Boyd. Mabel Poulton is the star of "Troublesome Wives,” the second feature. The story concerns two' young aviators who neglect their wives, and the two wives with plenty of time on their hands and nothing to do, get Into mischief. Appropriate music is also supplied by the orchestra. ; QUEEN’S THEATRE. Six persons, of widely varying circumstances and temperaments, marooned in a primitive shack in the wilds of the Far North, provide the dramatic situation in "The Sin Sister,” Fox Film, which Leads the double-feature programme now screening at the Queen's Theatre. With the food supply exhausted and rescue apparently impossible, the reactions of the six central figures of this stirring drama comprise a plot that is most gripping. Nancy Carrol! has the role of Pearl, small-time vaudeville dancer, who rises above her environment and ultimately rescues her companions from death. Other principals are Lawrence Gray, Josephine Dunn, Myrtle Stedman, Anders Randolf, and David Callis. “Bare Knees,” the second feature, presents the modern girl of to-day as she really is, cosmetics, galoshes, cigarettes, bobbed hair, and bare knees and all. The exponent of the modern girl in this picture is Virginia Lee Corbin. She not only looks the part, but she is the flapper to the life. Appropriate music Is also supplied by the orchestra. WELLINGTON COMPETITIONS. Entries for the forthcoming festival close on July 2, Many entries for all sections have already been received. The ehurch choir section is assured of support if the inquiries being made can be taken as a guide. One choir has suggested increasing the maximum number of voices, but the executive has decided that the conditions as laid down in the syllabus must be adhered to. Mr. Brunton Gibb, of Sydney, the elocutionary adjudicator at last year’s festival, lias written congratulating the executive on the high standard set to the selection of this year’s elocutionary numbers, and wishing the society every success. Another interesting letter from an old competitor, Mr. Lionel Inch, informs the society that he was playing in “The Ringer” at Copley Theatre. Boston. Additional trophies and prizes have been received —the Winthrop Rogers song medal, which has been allocated to the girls’ song (14 to 1G years), and an anonymous donation of a silver cup to be awarded In the dancing section (9 to 12 years). KILBIRNIE KINEMA. “Lonesome,” Universal’s drama with unusual photographic, colour and other effects, commences screening to-night at 8 p.m. at the Kilblrnle Kineraa. The story is tliat of an every-day boy and girl, workers in a big city, who are gripped by lonesomeness in spite of the crowds of people among whom they live. At a beach resort they encounter romance and adventure. Gleun Tryon and Barbara Kent appear in the leading roles. There is a regular fight in "Riley, the Cop,” the second feature, starring Farrell Macdonald. Macdonald. cast as a burly New York patrolman. gets in Hie thick of a brawl in a Munich beer garden. Phone theatre 14-202 for reserves.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Popular Clara Bow is the star of ‘Three Week-Ends,” the current feature at the Majestic Theatre. The story concerns Gladys O’Brien, who dances by night in a cabaret chorus. Her parents are poor and she swears that when she marries it will be for money. Then she meets James Gordon, an insurance agent, who is trying to sell a big policy to Turner, a wealthy idler. Gordon poses as a wealthy man and he and Gladys fall in love with each other. Turner sees Gladys at the night club and invites her to his country home for the week-end, but she brings all the chorus with her. 11 Gordon also turns up. and when Turner gets fresh with Gladys he knocks him out. On their way home Gordon tells Gladys that he is poor and shows her the flat he has leased for them—right under the one she lives in. But by the next week-end she knows that sho loves Gordon, but has lost trace of him as he has been dismissed for striking Turner. However, after a few more trials and tribulation? all-ends well. The stage presentation this week is “The Heart of a Flower.” In support also are a gazette. New Zealand topical, cartoon and comedy, while excellent music is supplied by the orchestra under Mr. G.* Ellwood. “RIO RITA.” Musical comedy of the highest order is assured patrons of “Rio Rita,” which was repeated at His Majesty’s Theatre last night to a large audience. It is seldom that Wellington is favoured with such an excellent production of its kind, and the audience last night was not slow in its appreciation Miss Gladys Moncrleff is the scintillating centre of a maze of song, dance and colour, contained in two acts of generous proportion. The setting is Mexican, providing opportunity for beautiful effects in characteristic frocking, which all through is on a scale both lavish and tasteful. Indeed, the frocking is one of the triumphs of the production, the scenery and lighting lending further effect. With her singing and acting Miss Moncrieff leaves little to be desired. She is well supported by Mr. Leslie Pearce, who is also in fine voice. Great popularity Is enjoyed by Janette Gilmore, a dancer of no small merit, whose abandon and acrobatic eccentricities are delightful and refreshing. With her in an Admirable team providing the comic element are Dave Mailen, Charles Norman and Phyllis Du Barry lan Tredaie makes the villain of the piece a convincing personality. The ballets are elegant and accomplished and make frequent appearances, always with new and enchanting creations, and with some new steps. The whole production goes with a swing. It departs in no way from regular musical comedy, but gives of the best, and in no small measure. “Rio Rita will be repeated to-night.

BECK BENEFIT ENTERTAINMENT. Good support is being accorded the efforts of those in charge of the benefit entertainment being tendered to Mr. W. Beck, the well-known scenic artist. Tickets are selling freely and there is every indication of a large audience at the Grand Opera House next Saturday evening. It is not often that a benefit performance is presented entirely devoid of expense, but such is the case In the present instance. There will be an excellent programme for the occasion, Wellington’s leading artists being responsible for the items. The plan is at the Bristol.