ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 262, 1 August 1929, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE.

For the first time in his film career. William Powell receives a kiss that he does not have to tight for. Powell essays a role in “Interference” that shows hint being ardently pursued by Evelyn Brent. Powell, veteran of many villainous screen characterisations, has one of the fourlending roles in the latest Paramount picture which was adapted to the screen from the stage play of (he same name. “Interference," which is now in its second week at the Regent Theatre, has four central characters in the plot. They are acted by William Powell, Doris Kenyon, Clive Brook, and Evelyn Brent. Each artist has a role of equal importance. Powell essays the role of Philip Voaze, a roue. Miss Kenyon that of the wife of two husbands. Miss Brent is the loving and evil one, and Clive Brook plays Sir John Marlay, famous English surgeon. How Powell stives the reputation as well as the happiness of his wife, and ends the evil machinations of the revenging lover, serves to present one of the most interesting and unusual stories ever set to the screen, 'fhe sound supports include a Pathe News, sketch by riddle Cantor, comedy, and novelty cartoon.

"THE DOCTOR'S SECRET.” Commencing to-mororw at the Regent Theatre a Paramount all-talking picture, "The Doctor's Secret.” will be presented. The cast is an extraordinarily brilliant one, including as it does Ruth Chatterton (as Lillian Carson), H. B. Warner (Richard Garson), John Loder (Hugh Paton). Robert Edeson (Dr. Brodie), Wilfred Noy (Mr. Redding). Ethel Wales (Mrs. Redding) ,Nanci Price (Susie). Frank FinchSmiles (Wethers). Richard Garson (H. B. Warner), a wealthy, self-made man. resents his wife's aristocracy. Lillian Garson (Ruth Chatterton), the wife, has stood enough from her bitter, ruthless husband. She telephones Hugh Paton (John Loder), her lover, and tells him she will go to Egypt with him that night. He is overjoyed at Lillian’s decision, and hastens to finish packing. They are ecstatically happy. They also realise that Lillian has brought no clothes. Paton goes out to get her some. Paton is brought back to the apartment house dead, by Dr. Brpdle (Robert Edeson). a doctor who saw a bus strike and kill him. Lillian, distraught. intimates that she was not Paton's wife. Lillian returns to her husband's house. She tries to get her note back but fails. Slip starts dressing for dinner. Garson finds the jewels, but not the note. He closes but does not lock the drawer. Dinner guests, including the doctor, begin to arrive. He and Lillian recognise each other. Lillian Is terrified, but the doctor does not reveal their secret. Lillian discovers her jewels and fears that Garson has found the note. All the while the conversation goes on about the dead man’s mistress, and the turn it takes makes Garson suspicions of his own wife. He remember the jewels. Lillian is forced to take a desperate chance-—she stands with her back to the drawer, and Is able to get the note out of the drawer as Garson’s doubts reach a climax. He jerks open the drawer and looks for a note. Lillian is cleared and Garson is forced to apologise for his suspicions. Thrills followin quick succession to the end. There are admirable supports. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Now being screened at the Paramount Theatre is “The Ghost Talks," an alldialogue comedy. The story has not a serious moment to offer. The Witty, sparkling dialogue mouthed by dumb detectives and blustering hotelkeepers; together with the unhappy whines and blue songs of a pair of negro honeymooners, who are no loss witty, evokes a response unmistakably ■■■'■ll' -. There's production skill -. tllll . The weird, blustery -exteriors of the haunted house, for Instance, are masterpieces of their kind. The members of the unusually large cast were selected .for their vocal abilities as presence. Charles ...o-i xie.en Twelvetrees head the cast. They were induced to desert the New York stage for this special assignment. Others include Earle Fbxe, Carmel Myers. Joe Brown, Henry Sedley, Clifford Dempsey. Stepln Fetchit (negroi. Baby Mack (negro), Arnold Lucy, Bess Flowers, Dorothy McGowin and Mickey Bennett. The sound supports are well-varied. COHENS AND KELLYS IN ATLANTIC CITY Atlantic City, with its beaches, hotels and bathing beauties was the spot where most of Universal's “The Cohens and KellyS In Atlantic City,” the riotous talkie comedy which will open at the Paramount Theatre to-morrow was filmed. It is the policy of Carl Laemmle, president of Universal Pictures Corporation, to shoot pictures in the actual place where the story' occurs. He has done this wherever practicable. A company of sixty people headed by Director William Craft wdre sent to Atlantic City to film this comedy, which continues the adventures of the two families started two years ago in "The Cohens and Kellys.” This tune the partners are in the knit goods business. A new kind of bathing beauty contest, called a "Summer Girl Contest.” is one of the big features. In the cast are George Sidney, In the starring rble, Vein Gordon. Mack Swain, Kate Price. Cornelius Keefe. Nora Lane, Virginia Sale and Tom Kennedy. A number of excellent Movietone Featurettes constitute a fine supporting programme. The alltalking comedy, “Nap,” features the inimitable Ernie Lotinga (of ‘‘Raw Recruit" fame) and is said to be one of the most outstanding dialogue comedies yet presented. The famous “Squire Octette” are also seen and heard in some fine orchestral numbers. Two issues of the Fox Movietone News Reels are further additions. KING'S THEATRE. Heading the double feature programme at the King's Theatre is “You Know What Sailors Are.” The story deals with the rollicking crews of two cargo steamers, one British, the other Spanish. The treatment of "The Gallant Hussar," the second feature, as received at the hands of George Bolvary, stamps It at once as a highly artistic—lndeed beautiful—production. Ivor Novello, who plays the part of a sympathetic and good-looking rake, is excellently supported by a east which includes Evelyn Holt as the heroine, and Paul Otto as a stern but understanding colonel. A gazette is also screened and appropriate music supplied by the orchestra.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. "Modern Marriage,” featuring Betty Bronson, Richard Walling, Alec B. Francis, and Hedda Hopper, heads the double feature programme at the Queen's Theatre. The story concerns Sally Williams, whose view of matrimonial life of her drudge of a mother, exhausted by her child bearing and household slavery, and of her shiftless, drunken father who deserts his family. She loves Donald Moore, and he wants to marrv her. but she gently puts him off: she is afraid of marriage. However, they finally find each other necessary. “Widecombo Fair,” a British production, is tlie second feature.

THE ALLAN WILKIE COMPANY. A change in the programme originally announced for the opening production of the Allan Wilkie season at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday next is the substitution of Sheridan’s brilliant masterpiece “Tlie School for Scandal” for Goldsmith’s contedv “She Stoops .to Conquer,” which will lie played later in the season. The evening performance of the former on Saturday night. August 3. will lie under tlie patronage and in tlie presence of Her Excellency Lady Alice Fergusson. Tlie Prime Minister. Str Joseph Ward, has also signified his intention of being present with a partv. “The School for Scandal,” on its production at His Majesty’s Theatre. Auckland, last Wednesday, was an unoquivocal success. The magnificence of the costuming contributed not a little to the success of the production, and Press ahd public alike greeted the play with enthusiasm. Whatever the circumstances in which it was written, it remains the outstanding masterpiece of "the comedy of manners.” In it Sheridan shows a most wonderful instinct for a striking situation, and that evolved in the famous screen scene has never been surpassed on the stage or indeed in fiction. This sense of the theatre evinces itself with equal effect in another famous scene, that in which Charles sells the fanjily portraits. Added to this supreme gift of stagecraft Sheridan endows his characters with a flow of picturesque epigram, the studied felicity of which surpasses all other dialogues. There will he a matinee on Saturday. August 8. at 2.30. Box plAns for both “School” and “She Sloops to Conquer” at the Bristol Piano Company. • KILBIRNIE KINEMA. “It Can Bo Done." starring popular Glenn Tryon, heads the double feature programme to lie repeated at the Kilbirnic Kinerna to-night. The story concerns the mishap of a .Voting man with an inferiority complex’. The second feature. “Homesick,” is a riotous comedy starring Sammy Cohen and Marjorie Beebe. Appropriate music is also supplied by the orchestra.

DE LUXE THEATRE. "Show Boat.” Universal's lavish production, is the current feature al the De Luxe Theatre. Included are many songs specially written for Ziegfeld s stage production. “Show Boat,” by Jerome Kern, and which are enjoying wide popularity at the present lime on records, over, radio and, m dancing places. "Show Boat” is a talking picture adaptation of Edna Ferber s best selling novel of the same name, and concerns the romance of Magnolia Hawks, the Show Boat star, and Gaylord Ravenal. the Mississippi River gambler who turns actor. These roles are played by Laura La Plante and Josepii Schildkraut. Both give very realistic portrayals. Otis Harlan, as Captain Andy Hawks, and Emily Fttzroy, as Parthenia Ann Hawks, give outstanding characterisations. Little Jane La terne, who plays Magnolia as a child, is an altogether charming little trouper. Alma Rubens as Julie, the actress who becomes the notorious Hetty Chilson, of Chicago underworld fame, Is splendid. There is a strong supporting programme. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Hailed by the English Press as the greatest picture that the British Motion Picture Studios have yet produced, “Piccadilly.” the British International Pictures produetion, heads the programme now being screened at the Majestic Theatre. The most famous producer in England, E. A., Dupont, has evolved truly a remarkable picture, which is being . released ,by Cinema Art Films. Gilda Gray, the "jazz queen” (who invented the “shimmy”) Jias created a new dance. “The Piccadilly Shiver," in which she is partnered byCyril Richards, the brilliant Australian dancer, who has made fame overseas. Other leading roles are played by Anna May Wong, as Shosho, Jameson Thomas. London's leading man. and King Ho Chang, the Chinese boy, who made himself famous in a night. "The Lady of Victories” tells In. teehnicolour 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. “HIS LUCKY DAY.” A new Reginald Denny comedy is to be presented at the Majestic Theatre tomorrow, and advance reports indicate that it is the most hilarious of that comedian’s long list of screen farce-comedies. It is entitled “His Lucky Day.” and was made for Universal under the direction of Eddie Cline. It is from an original story byJohn B. Clymer and Gladys Lehman, veteran photo-dramatists. Denny plays the role of a young land agent who tries to sell two adjoining mansions to his sweethearts father. The old man is to live in one of them. The other is for the two young people. Instead. Ute prospective father-in-law only rents .one of the houses. A gang of society crooks rent the other. Then the trouble begins, especially when the crooks single out their wealthy neighbour for their depredations. But the girl, played by pretty Loßayne DuVal, is worth fighting tor. so Denny pitches in, bringing the crooks to justice, saving the girl, and, by a clever twist, jockeying her father into the purchase of the twin homes. Loßayne DuVal. the heroine is playing her first important screen role in this eomedy. She is heralded as a great motion picture “find” because of her good looks and acting ability. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. To-night Pat Hantia's Digger Revue will be seen for the last time In Wellington at a gala performance, at His Majesty's Theatre. To-morrow night there will be no performance at the theatre, which will reopen at the matinee oh Saturday with the Allan Wilkie Company. Pat Hanna and hjs Diggers present a bright and breezy programme this week. Several bright sketches figure on the programme. some of the best of which are "Catching the Male,” “A South Sea Bubble," “L.L.,” and “History Repeats.” Jaek Thomson, Ernest Kopke, Adele Taylor, and Iza Crossley, are heard In many bright numbers. Pat Hanna brings down the house with his humorous recitation about what he did in the Great War, and Stan. Lawson and Thelma Pittard score in their dance numbers. SYMPHONY CONCERT. The influence of gramophones, radio and (he better class of theatre orchestra has fostered in an amazing manner a fastgrowing appreciation for orchestral music. This applies to New Zealand particularly, but even in London, where there have been always at least three permanent orchestras and often visiting players, this Increase in the popularity of symphonic music has been elearly shown in bigger and more understanding audiences. The man In the street lias eopie to realise that orchestral works by the great masters were not written for the musical intelligentsia. The man wffo even a few years ago considered that an evening at'the pictures was infinitely preferable to an evening of Beethoven.' Schubert. Mozart and the other giants of musical composition, now realises that if one listens to good music with an open mind and a real intent to enjoy, one actually does get enjoyment—and of a lasting nature, into the bargain. Some months ago when the Wellington Symphony Orchestra presented a Tchaikovsky concert, a splendid house listened to an almost unparalleled performance for it Wellington Institution. To-night a further magnificent programe will be given. Judging from a glimpse at the box plan, this second symphony concert should prove in no uncertain manner that Wellington Is rapidly nearing an enthusiastic revival of Interest in the finest forms of music. HARMONIC SOCIETY. The second subscription concert of the Wellington Harmonic Society for’the 1929 season is to be held at the Concert Chamber next Saturday night. The box plan is filling rapidly at The Bristol. Under the ei.nductorsliip of Mr. H. Temple White, the choir will render an attractive programme comprising part-songs, choruses, etc., and including a choral fantasia on “The Beggar's Opera,” arranged by Maurice Jacobson. The Society will have the assistance of Miss Christina Ormiston (soprano), who will sing “Mimi's Song" from “La Boheme” (Puccini), “The Lotus Flower" (Schumann), and “Last Sunday Morn" (Brahms). The 2YA Orchestra, under the baton of Mr. M. Dixon, will also assist, playing "If I Were King" (Adam) and a suite front. "Hiawatha” (ColeridgeTaylor) ; while Messrs. V. Brown and IL Langtry will play as a flute and clarionet duet Bishop's “Lol Here the Gentle Lark.” The concluding number will be the “Bridal Chorus” from Cowen's “Rose Maiden." by choir and orchestra combined. MRS. HECTOR'S PIANOFORTE RECITALS. Two pianoforte recitals will be given in the Dominion Farmers’ Conference Hall by Mrs. Hector on the Saturday afternoons. August 3 and 19. at 2.30. The programmes for those recitals arc drawn exclusively from tlie works set for tin's year's examinations by the Associated Board, and range from intermediate grade to L.A.B.