ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 263, 2 August 1929, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATRE. One of the most moving romances ever told on the screen, as well as one o£ the most spectacular productions ever “Show Boat,” Is the current picture at the De Luxe Theatre. This colourful story of the Mississippi Valley and of Ch cago in the- last generation, embodying the glam orous love story of Magnolia, the young show boat girl played by Laura La I and Ravenal. the romantic young gambler played by Joseph . Schildkraut, is upon the internationally famous novel of the same name by Edna F erber. Included In the presentation are the highlights in talking picture of the celebrated New York musical production, "Show Boat, stagi-d bv Florenz Ziegfeld with noted Broadway stars: This interpolation, which enables theatregoers' actually to see and hear the New York production in their bwn.theatre, was made possible only by special arrangement between Carl Laeinmle, president of Universal, and Mr. Ziegfeld. Helen Morgan and Jules Bledsoe are the outstanding Ziegfeld stars heard. In its music, "Show Boat” is a veritable anthology of America’s popular music, of the last half century. From the old-fashioned favourites of the ’Bo’s, rendered by a strident steam calliope and by melodious darky voices, down through the “coon-song” and ragtime” age to the present negro spiritual era, the music is well played or sung and gloriously reproduced. Some excellent music is also supplied by the orchestra. REGENT THEATRE. .“The Doctor’s Secret,” Paramount's second big talkie production, is the feature to commence screening at. the Regent Theatre to-day. The cast is an extraordinarily brilliant oiic, 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 Finch-Smiles (Wethers), and Richard Garson (H. B. - Warner). Lillian Garson (Ruth Chatterton), the wife, has stood enough from her bitter, ruthless husband. She telephones Hugh Paton (John Loder), her lover, and tolls him she will go to Egypt witli 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 aud-is brought back to the apartment house dead, by Dr. Brodie (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 and tries to get back a note she had written to him, but fails. She starts dressing for dinner. Garson finds the jewels, but not the note. He closes but does not lock the drawer. Dlnuer guests, including the doctor, begin to arrive. He and Lillian recognise each other. Lillian is terrfled, but the doctor does not reveal their secret. She 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 suspicious of Ills own wife. He remembers 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 follow in quick succession to the end. Admirable supports are promised.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Commencing this evening at 8 o clock (there being no matinee presentation this afternoon on account of Certain structural alterations) is Universal’s movietone special attraction, “The Cohens and the’Kcllys in Atlantic City,” the third of the famous series, but the first in “talkie” form. Abounding in clever, sparkling dialogue, this latest production Is said to be one of the most outstanding comedy successes of recent years.

The Cohens and Kellys on past performances have proved to be one of the funniest groups of motion pictures. As the title suggests, the new production was filmed mostly: in Atlantic City. Director William Craft took advantage of the locale to. organise one of the largest bathing beauty parades held there last summer. The parade, called a “Summer Girl Contest,” Is among the high lights of the picture. “The Cohens and Kellys in Atlantic City” is a story of two business partners who can't get along with each other or without each other. This time they are in the kbit goods business, and Craft took full advantage of this in showing bevies of blonde and brunette bathing beauties. 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. Nora Line, a new Hollywood favourite, afid Cornelius Keefe, provide the romance. Virginia Sale and Tom Kennedy, a capable funster duo,. arc also in the carf. A number of excellent Movietone Featurettes constitute a fine supporting programme. The all-talking cqmedy,-“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. Box plans are available at Bristol and Theatre. KING’S THEATRE. “Trent’s Last Case,” to be shown at the King’s Theatre, commencing to-day, is sajd to be a blood-curdling, spine-tingling, mystery melodrama with strong, sustained love interest upon which the entire storj - revolves. A fiendish husband, misconstruing his wjfe’s affection for his secretary, sets about to destroy both by planning a suicide which .will look like murder. Several surprising twists reveal the actual murderer in a series of tense, exciting developments and bring about a reunion of the lovers. Howard Hawk's name is one of the outstanding ones in the motion picture industry as, a directqr. E. C. Bentley has written some remarkable mystery stories, but “Trent's Last Case.” probably exceeds them all for its high tension suspense as well as for ingenuity of plot. The cast is outstanding. First of all there’s two of the finest comedians -r-Raymond Griffith, silk hatted farceur, star in his own right and nimble master of subtleties, and Raymond Hatton, of the famous Beery-Hatton team, and long distinguished as a character actor. Right in the same class with this pair is lovely Marceline Day, an ever-gyowing favourite, and Lawrence Gray, one of the most popular leading men in the films, two noted exponents of everything that’s youthful. Aud to the quartet such prominent names as Donald Crisp, Nicholas Soussanin, Anna Garvin, and Ed Kennedy are added. Supports Include comedy, Gazette, and a Technicolour film, “Lady of Victories.” King’s Select Orchestra will render appropriate music.

THE QUEEN’S THEATRE. The first attraction on the new outstanding dou' i > feature programme at the Queen’s Tliea.ro Is “The Big Hop,” a thrilling and romantic aviation story, featuring Buck Jones. This film is said to present the "Ace of Adventure in his greatest picture.” It contains thrills on land, thrills in the air, and thrills on sea. The story deals with a rash young cow-puncher who gets air fever and wants to fly across the Pacific. A wealthy young woman finances the flight and then tries to get him to back out —because the venture is suicidal and she has suddenly discovered that sho loves him. This leads to important complications ending .up in a lover's quarrel. At the last minute before the big hop. she runs after the ’plane and tries to malic him understand that sho still loves him. Too late. The airplane is over the ocean. It is doomed to certain destruction. . Then comes the grandest of climaxes. The second attraction is “The Cavalier,” a thrilling adaptation of Max Brand’s famous novel, “The Black Rider.” Virile Richard.. Talmadge heads a perfect cast in an adventurous story, packed with action, intrigue, and romance. Queen’s quality music accompaniment provides a pleasing setting of incidental music. Box plans arc available at the Bristol. BOY SCOUTS’ RALLY. The monster birthday rally of Boy Scouts and GJrl Guides af the Kilbirnic Stadium on Saturday promises to bq something out of the ordinary. A comprehensive progra: -.me will bo staged from 2.15 p.m. onwards on the arrival of His Excellency the Governor-General until I p.pi., when the proceedings will finish. In addition to the numerous ordinary scout activities that will be staged will be-the erection of a tower and flagpole 60 feet iiigh by the Ist Wellington Rovers, a model camp with all the necessary gadgets will be shown, the building of a boat by the Sea Scout companies, Indian rescue scene by the Island Bay troops, the erection of a trestle bridge, containing 200 poles by the St. Augustine troop, I’etone, a human compass by two hundred scouts from the Wiilrnrapa, a physical drill display by Wellesley college, figure marching, country dancing, and display of work by the Girl Guide companies of the city. March of the League of Scouts will be presented by the Wellington South District Scouts, life saving with reel by Lyall Bay and Scatouu troops. The cup displays by the Masterton, Anglican Home, St. Augustine, Lower Hutt. St. Peter’s and Trinity packs will illustrate phases of work and jungle dances so necessary to the development of the boys of this age. Fire fighting displays by Kilbirnic and Brooklyn troops will be a feature. ‘(TALKIES” AT OPERA HOUSE. “The Innocents of Paris,” an all-talkie, starring Maurice Chevalier, will be the first talking' picture to be shown by J. C. Williamson. Ltd., at the Grand Opera House. This will be the fifth theatre wired for talkies iu .Wellington.

MAJ E STI C TH EATRE. “His Luekv Day,” the latest starring vehicle for Reginald Denny, will commence screening at the Majestic Theatre to-day. It is rated with his best pictures, such as “Clear the Decks," “The Night Bird,” “Skinner’s Dress Suit” and others. Charles Blayden is a young real estate dealer who wants to sell two adjoining mansions to ills sweetheart’s father. Weaver. The latter, who thinks himself a great reader of character, has decided that Blayden is a failure. In order to check the affair between Blayden and his daughter, he agrees to rent on<> of the houses but refuses to buy either until Blayden finds a tenant for the second who is socially equal to the Weavers In his efforts to make good. Blayden’ innocently installs a gang of crooks In the house adjoining Weavers. He discovers his mistake when be finds one of the crooks stealing valuable antiques from Weaver's collection. Weaver, however is convinced that his new neighbours arc ’in every way desirable and will not listen to Blayden when he tries to warn him against them. Kay Weaver, his sweetheart, also turns her attention to the youngest of the men in the crook gang and Blavden is consumed with fear for her as well as with jealousy. The ending is unexpected and filled with laughs. In the sunnorting’cast of this Universal picture, directed by Eddie Cline are Loltayne DuWil Otis Harlan. Eddie Phillips, Cissy riVze-nerild Harvey Clark and Tom O’Brien. John B. Clymer and Gladys Lehman arc the authors of story and continuity. A weir-varied supporting programme will also be screened, and music will be supplied by the orchestra under Mr. George EllwoOd.

MIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. ■nie yfniestv’s Theatre will be closed tonight, and will* reopen at the Allan Wilkie ffiatlnee at 2.30 p.m. to-morrow. THE ALLAN WILKIE COMPANY "The School for Scandal, the ©initial production of the Allan Wilkie Company at His Majesty’s Theatre to-morrow, is not onlv Sheridan s greatest work, but the acknowledged masterpiece of artificial comedy. It achieved an immediate and unequivocal success when it was first staged at Drurv Lane a hundred and fifty-two years ago and has held the stage ever sineik Its appeal is as fresh to-day ns it was a century and a half ago, and the famous screen scene has yet to be surpassed on the stage, or indeed in fiction. When Mr. Allan Wilkie revived the play in Auckland some ten days ago it met with a most enthusiastic reception from the public and the highest eulogy from the Press. Full advantage has been taken of the picturesqueness and splendour of 'the dresses of the time and under the supervision of an artist possessed of an expert knowledge of the age, the production is costumed .with a sumptuousness not surpassed on the Dominion stage. Mr. Allan Wilkie’s interpretation of Sir Peter Teazle is said to rival anything he has given hitherto, while as Lady. Teazle Miss Hunter-Watts was the recipient of the highest eulogies. Prominent in the cast are Mr. Alexander Marsh as Charles Surface, Mr John Cairns as Sir Oliver, and .Miss Lorna Forbes as Mrs. Candour. The season will open witli a matinee on Saturday, and the performance in the evening will be under the patronage, and. in the presence of Her Excellency Lady AHce Fergimson; Following on “The School for Scandal,” Goldsmith’s “She Stoops to Conquer” will be staged, beginning' with a matinee on Wednesday, August 7, and

later "The Rivals” will be produced’, the yeasoti concluding' with a Of Shakespearean revlvjils, particulars of which will be announced later. Box plans are al the Bristol Plano Co. KILBIRNIE KINPALV. In his new starring picture, “The Masks of the Devil," now playing at the Kllblrnie Kliieni*. John Gilbert is seen with two separate faces at the same time, .and changes from one to the other without apparent effort. In the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture he plays the role of a Viennese aristocrat who, when-lie looks in a mirror, sees reflected in bis face the likeness of the devil. “The Aiihtiopeer,” starring George Sidney, an excellent comedy drama, will also be screened. Reserves at theatre, ’phone 14—202.