ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 260, 30 July 1929, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATRE. Now being screwed at* the De Luxe Theatre is “Show Boat,” Universal’s tremendous screen version of Edna Perkin's novel. It is an enthralling picture from start to finish and brings the novel to the screen with a faithfulness which gives the finished product all the charm and verve of the book, only Instead of reading the book one 1 sees It acted in a vivid way by a powerful cast amid settings of great beauty. Most of the action takes place, on a show boat, one of those floating theatres which ply the various landings along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. These full-sized theatres built on boats still actually play the small river towns. This is the first time they have ever been brought to the screen. The evoif-chang-in?; panorama of the Mississippi as .the boat floats down It, tue beautiful moonlit nights, the negro melodies wafted from the shore, the entrancing life on board the show boat —al!are captured and presented with amazing beauty on ,the screen. In the star ring role as Magnolia Hawks, Laura La Plante gives a performance of great dramatic depth. As the little star of the Show Boat, protected from life and the influence of the troupers by her mother, Parthy Ann Hawks, played by Emilv Fitzroy. Magnolia elopes with her leading man, the river-gambler, Gaylord Ravenal, played by Joseph Schildkraut. The musical score is Impressive. Some excellent music Is also supplied by the orchestra. REGENT THEATRE. Four popular film players are the principal characters in • the Paramount alltalking picture "Interference,” which is now In its second week at the Regent Theatre. They are Evelyn Brent, Clive Brook, william Powell, and Doris Kenyon. The talking version of “Interference” was directed by Roy J. Pomeroy, pioneer director of sound films for Paramount. Ernest Pascal prepared the dialogue. The film is based oh the Lothar Mendes production. All of the four players mentioned are favourably known to picturegoers. It is their first experience in talking pictures, and, according to critics who have viewed the film elsewhere, the production Is a decided success. William Powell, while portraying the role of a suave villain, steps up a notch with this picture in that he wins the sympathy of the audience before the film is half through. Clive Brook essays the role of a prominent English surgeon, end, being English himself, easily convinces the audience with his portrayal. Evelyn Brent has the role of Deborah Kane, a young lady who nearly wrecks the life of two people through her jealous nfachinations. Doris Kenyon has a delightful part as the wife of Sir John Marlay, played by Brook. The sound supports Include a Pathe news, songs by the Glersdorf Sisters, a comedy, a, novel cartoon and sketch by Eddie Cantor

"THE DOCTOR’S SECRET.” '-“The Doctor’s '• Secret,” .the Paramount all-talking production, which will be presented by the management of the Regent Theatre on Friday next, will certainly prove that the all-dialogue picture is a success, it is said. In The Doctor’s Secret" the fine stage-trained voices of the cast are said to be.heard with extraordinary clearness. The variety of the scenes and their smooth, though at times, rapid, succession, heighten the dra-. matlc intensity of an already dramatic plot, keeping the audience thrilled. The story is taken from the famous play Half an Hour," by Sir James M. Barry, one of the most famous playwrights England has ever produced.' The cast of “The Doctors Secret” was chosen with the utmost care. The voices are said to be never harsh, but clear and distinct. H. B. Warner, famous both on stage and screen, plays one.of the leading mate roles.' He has been seen In many screen masterpieces, notably “The King of Kings.” in which he appeared as Christ. John Loder, another featured player, has appeared on the London, stage, and also in many film productions. Ethel Wallis and Robert Edeson are also prominent Broadway and screen players. The story is an intensely dramatic love melodrama, portraying a beautiful young wife’s Infatuation for another man. Her shrewd but frantic battle to save her reputation is this great climax. The supporting programme, which is said to be the cream of the world’s entertainers, should make the programme one of a very high standard. '

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. “The Ghost Talks,” a Fox all-dialogue feature-comedy, with Charles Eaton and Helen Twelvetrees in the starring roles, is the current attraction at the Paramount Theatre. Speedy in its action, with one laugh-provoking situation racing on the heels of another, the picture proves that every subtlety which can be captured by the ‘ camera for a silent drama can be caught also for a spoken one. The story centres around the ludicrous antics of Frauklyn Green, a slxteen-year-old youth, who believes he Is a detective because he holds a diploma from, the Correspondence School or Scientific Detection of Dubuque. lowa. However;' Franklyn’s real vocation is room clerk and official greeter at a suburban hotel. All guests, therefore, are subject to suspicion and "scientific analysis.” There comes to the hotel one night an attractive young woman, Miriam Holt, asking accommodation. Questioned by Green, she confides that her uncle had taken part in the robbery of a post ofllce truck and, before he could make away with the loot, died. The uncle had left her a paper describing where the money could be found—in an old haunted house. Although almost everything Green does is ridiculous while ho is doing it, he eventually finds a solution to the case. The sound supports are also well-varied.

“COI|ENS AND KELLYS.” Announced fog presentation at the Paramount Theatre, commencing on Friday is a further' production of the famous “Cohens and Kellys” series, although- the first one in, "'talkie'* form. This latest and most outstanding of these well-liked and universally successful comedies is entitled "The Cohens and Kells In Atlantic City.” The clever sparkling dialogue' with which this production abounds, is said to make it one of the greatest comedy successes of recent years. As the title suggests, the new production was filmed mostly in Atlantic City. The director took full advantage of the locale to show the American watering-place. “The Cohens and Kellys in Atlantic City” is a story of two business partners who cannot get along with each 1 other or without each other. ' This time they are in the knit goods business. George Sidney, Vera Gordon, and Kate Price portray the same roles they did In the earlier versions. Mack Swain is the new addition as the Irishman. The four are said to suit theirgaits to perfection. Nora Lane, a new Hollywood favourite, and Cornelius Keefe, provide the romance. Virginia Sale and Tom Kennedy, a capable pair of comedians, are also in the cast. Craft’s strong comedy sense, already shown by his success in directing a number of Glenn' Tryon pictures, has added to the humour of the story; HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Bright and breezy as ever, Pat Hanna’s Diggers scored yet another success in their new programme at His Majesty’s Theatre last night. This little company puts on programmes that suit everybody and are never dull- In fact, the performers seem to enjoy the show just as much as do the audience. There la a good orchestra, under the leadership of 'Mena Raymond, and It. goes a long way .towards making the show so successful. Then, there is the band of principals, all of whom are firm favourites With the Wellington public. Last but not least, there is "the ballet, who dance their way through the various numbers to the complete satisfaction of. everyone- present. The newest of rhe -“Diggers’ ” programmes contains some, clever sketches, which are really novel and humorous. Chief among these are “Catching the''Male,” In which Micky ‘Phillips and Stan. Lawson exchange amusing confidences on marriage; “A South Sea Bubble,” a humorous Hawaiian sketch, concerning beachcombers and money making; “L.L.,” -the story of ■ a matrimonial tangle; and “History Repeats,” In which the company enact a three hundred year old tragedy among the ruins of a chateau in France during the Great War. Pat Hanna, Joo Valli, and Stan. Lawson take the. modern parts, and Chris. Kilner, Jock Thomson, Iza Crossley, Norman French, and Norman Scurr,’ the vision cast. Ths vocal'efforts of Jock Thomson are a great hit, as are also the tenor solos of the popular Ernest Kopke, Adele Taylor is- heard in several tunefulsoprano numbers, and Iza Crossley makes a charming soubrette, whose songs are most popular. One of the hits of the show -Is the novelty number by Hilda and Jessie Meadows and Roy Brinsden, in which the electric vibraphone, a musical novelty, was successfully introduced. Pat Hanna’s humorous recitation about what he did in the Great War was a scream, and Mickey Phillips scored a great hit in "Has Anybody Seen a Little Yellow Dog?” In the Hawaiian scene, Norman Scurr plays a steel guitar with; great success. The dancing of Stan. Lawson and Thelma Plttard was loudly applauded, as was also the operatic trio by Jock Thomson, Adele Taylor, and Ernest Kopke. The programme will be repeated during the week. CLEMENT MAY’S STUDENTS’ RECITAL All those who delight in the works of Dickens, Shakespeare and the modern authors of humour and pathos, should avail themselves of enjoying what promises to be a fine night’s entertainment at the Concert Chamber to-morrow, when Mr. Clement May, the well-known teacher of elocution and dramatic art, will present one of his recitals in conjunction with the students from his school. All the characters are to be presented beautifully costumed and in effective stage settings. The box plan is at the Bristol. GRAMOPHONE RECITAL. Messrs. Chas. Begg and Co. invite those Interested to a gramophone recital at their rooms at 3 o'clock to-morrow afternoon. The recital will be held on the first floor.'

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Heading tho big programmes now being screened at the Majestic Theatre is “Piccadilly,” from the pen of Arnold Bennett. G!lda y Grav, Anna May Wong, Jameson Thomas arid Cyril Richards have the featured roles The story opens in the I’iceadiUy Club; run by Valentine Wilmot, who IS In love with Mabel (of tho dancing pair, Mabel and Victor). Victor is also in love with her and tries to get her to go to Africa with him. When Wilmot discovers this he dismisses Victor. This affair breaks up the dancing team, and to replace them Wilmot tries out a little Chinese kitchen maid, Shasko, who is a great success. Wilmot then falls in love with Shasko, which maddens Mabel, who follows the couple to Shaska's flat, where thev ouarrel. Next morning Shasko Is found murdered. Then a dying Chinese boy confesses to having killed Shaska, whom he loved, because she would not give ud Wilmot. “The Lady of Victories, tells in technicolour the story of Napoleon and Josephine. A gazette and cartoon are also screened. “The Lotus Shrine, is a beautiful little stage presentation, and excellent music is supplied by the orchestra under Mr. George Ellwood.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. Are the girls of to-day sacrificed upon the matrimonial altar? That is the query propounded in “Modern Marriage, the First National picture which is now showing at the Queen’s Theatre. The story pictures two marriages which turned out disastrously, giving to the children a fear of marriage, a dislike of surrendering their Independence. The young people are deeply in love with one another, but are afraid to marry in case matrimony should crush their happiness as it had their parents. But one of the children makes a bold plunge into the troubled matrimonial waters—and sinks. Betty ’ Bronson, Alec B. Francis, /Richard Walling and Hedda Hopper have featured roles. ‘ Widgcombe Fair," starring Marguerite Allen and William Freshman, in a screen version of the Eden Philpotts story, is the second feature. Appropriate music is supplied by the orchestra.

KING’S THEATRE. “You Know What Sailors Are” heads the double picture programme now being screened at the King’s Theatre. The story deals with the rollicking crews of two cargo steamerg, one British, upon which the captain’s substantial wife holds the ropes, the other Spanish, upon which the captain's daughter holds court. Rivalry grows between the crews when both boats leave port in a race. Ivor Novello is the star of “The Gallant Hussar,” which is the second feature. The star’s excesses have so upset Mb commanding officer's sense of decency that the young lieutenant is placed on probation of a sort. If he does not improve in his conduct, he must retire from his regiment. Just as the unpleasant ulti-. matum is delivered, he falls in love. How his plans for future happiness satisfactorily work out an entertaining filin reveals. A Gazette is also screened, and appropriate music supplied by the orchestra.

THE ALLAN WILKIE COMPANY. The famous old English comedies, “She Stoops to Conquer,” “The School for Scandal" and “The Rivals," will bo played by Mr. Allan Wlikio and Ms company, at His Majesty's Theatre, the screeniiji; commenting next Saturday. Perhaps tue secret of these ageless comedies Is that they are in the best tradition of, tho English theatre. Goldsmith’s comedy neither teaches nor preaches; the two heroes behave like men who are men; the heroines are sweet and twenty and do not pretend to be anything else; the love-making is done without maudlin sentiment or elaborate excursions' into sex problems. Goldsmith and Sheridan knew more of human nature than all the writers on adolesce < psychology who seem to have forgotten the essential factors which govern the lives of men and women. But how many comedies of to-day will be applauded by audiences 150 years hence? The easy gaiety of the 18th century and the sprlghtllness of Goldsmith’s and Sheridan's wit will survive so long as there are producers to give them to the public.

; CHAUTAUQUA AT HATAITAI. The Chautauqua season at Hataital will be continued to-morrow with a musical evening. This programme, which is the third of the season, is under the direction of Madame Florry Roscoe. Madame Roscoe, who is a pupil of Sir Chas. Sant-, ley, will be heard in general numbers. Shd will also deliver a lecturette on New Zealand composers and their works. The lecturer has a personal knowledge of some of the composers and the lecture will be illustrated by extracts from their works. In the demonstrations she will be assisted by leading artists. The evening promises to be one of tlie best of the series. Mr. T. Forsyth will take the chair. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. “The Red Dance,” showing Dolores del Rio and Charles Farrell, is the big feature to be repeated at the Kilblrnle Kinema to-night. The story tells of the rise -from a straw-roofed hovel to fame on the stage of the Moscow TJieatre and to power in the councils of . revolutionary leaders, of a girl of the people. Good supports are also screened and excellent music supplied by the orchestra.