ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 46, 18 November 1929, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATRE. Starring Eddie Dowling and Marion Nixon supported by Frankie Darro and Sam llardv,< “Tin; Rainbow Man,” a Paramount ail-talking production, is the current feature at Llie De Luxe Theatre. ‘'The Rainbow Mau” denis with the struggles ot a young minstrel trouper to rise to fame. Be meets the girl while stopping at her father's hotel in the provinces. They fall in love, but he is ejected from the hotel, and from the show when lie is found making love to the girl, after her father hud forbidden her the company of actors Later, lie is allowed to join his own troupe, and it is while they are playing in a small city near the girl's town a year later that he sees her in the audience 'while he is singing his song ''Sleepy Valley.” lie breaks the song and pleads with her for n return ot her love, as the audience gazes, thinking it part ot the show. But it is very real to Eddie and Marion and the audience does not realise that it is genuine love-making until Sam Hardy, the producer ot the minstrel show, steps forward and tells them the truth as the curtain fails about lite romantic pair. The supports Include the 1929 Melbourne Cap. songs by Dale Smith. "Songs of Italy," Gazette, and Bathe lieview. An added at- - traction is the playing of the orchestra under Mr. L. D, Austin. "THE DIVINE LADY.” There, have been many ’’all-star” easts heralded, by motion pictures, but "The Divine Lady.” Ute First National picture coming to the De Luxe Theatre next Friday, conies as near meriting that phrase as any production of the season. The real star ot the picture is Corinne Griffith, who lias her greatest, screen role as Lady Hamilton in this pieturisatlon of E. Barrington’s moving historical novel. More than a dozen players of great prominence in addition to character players who appear in microscopic bits surround Miss Griffith. Victor Varconi, who hits made such rapid progress in American films tn a comparatively short space of time, plays the role of the heroic Lord Nelson. 11. B. Warner, whose greatest achievement on the screen was "The King of Kings," lias a role ot almost equal prominence as Lord Hamilton. Who doos not know Mario Drqssler, veteran comedienne, who. more than twelve years ago, ■ eclipsed even the great Chaplin in the first feature-length comcd’v, "Tillie’s Punctured Romance,” lan Keith, handsome player, prominent on both stage anil screen, lends his striking personality to the role of Greville. whose affair witli Lady Hamilton in iter youth started iter on Iter illustrious career. Dorothy Cummings, Michael Vaviteb, Montagu Love. Helen .Jerome Eddy, William Conklin, George I’eriolat, Mary Merslt, Byd Crossley, Hugh Ford. Gustave Bartos and many others in small parts and "bits” are in the cast. ’BROADWAY.” The management of the De Luxe Theatre announces the showing of "Broadway,” the all-dialogue Universal suiterproduction of the sensationally successful New York play, which will open at tins theatre on Friday, November 29, with Glenn Tryon, Evelyn Brent, Myrna Kenneth’ and others. Here is shown the Great White Way in all its gaiety, complete with its every emotional sensation. The story of “Broadway” contrasts the romance ot a boy and a girl, entertainers in the pulsating rhythm of New Yorks crescendo pleasure whirl, the staccato drama of the underworld. Tito love of Roy Lane and Billie Moore, played by Glenn' Tryon and Myrna Kennedy, is threatened by the sinister shadow of Stoye Crandall, the "liquor king,”, played by Robert Ellis, and they find themselves ■tlrawn into the vortex of gangster warfare because of Crandall’s desire for the beautiful revue girl. How Bettrl, the “belle of Broadway,” avenges the murder of .her ganggter sweetheart, and how Dan MeCorn, the “white” cop of the night club belt, plays straight, forms a thrilling climax. Pearl’s powerful role is enacted by Evelyn Brent, and Thomas Jackson aiid Paul Porcasi play the detective and the night-club proprietor respectively, as ill theatrical play. Besides the leading players already enumerated, tlie cast of “Broadway” includes Otis Harlan. Leslie Fenton, Betty Francisco, and the “Broadway Revue,” perhaps the' most beauliliil chorus ever assembled even in Hollywood. The music was furnished for all the dazzling revue numbers by G<is Arnlteim and his n:iti6nally famous Cocoanut Grove Orchestra.

i’ PARAMOUNT THEATRE. “Tito Terror,” Warner Bros.’ ail-talking screen production of tlie famous success of Edgar Wallace, is tlie current feature at the Paramount Theatre and is-the cleverest film of its kind ever presented itere. a curious' combination of mystery and humour. The story is that of the search for loot hidden in an..ancient English manor house, which has been converted into a socalled rest home. Here come a collection of addle-brained, fad-hunting freaks, policemen, crooks, and, most horrible ol all, a cloaked and cowled liend of darkness, whose object seems to be to inveigle victims Into his torture chamber— by whisking them up flues, down trap-doors, and through sliding panels. The strong cast includes May McAvoy, Louise lazenda. Edward Everett Horton, Alee L. Francis, Mathew Betz, Holmes Herbert. Otto .llofTinaii. Joseph W. Girard, John Aliljan and Frank Austin. The supporting films include a Fox News. Under the Sea” which includes' some splendid inc. numbers by Gus Arnlicitn’s Ambassador Orchestra, and “Elmer Frcstey goes to Hollywood," a clever comedy.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Starring popular little Alice White, “Broadway Babies,” a First National all-talking production is the current feature at the Majestic Theatre. Miss White, one of the youngest stars on t-lic screen to-day, has, in this story of backstage life a vehicle ideally fitted for her talents. She is seen as the idol of a musical show on Broadway, and while her stage mana"er wants to marry her, she falls m love with a Canadian "importer” who proves to be a big gang leader. A gay background of theatrical boarding houses, musical reviews, night clubs and other haunts of the stage people is provided, and the story, which is fast moving and interesting throughout, is enacted by a company of skilled actors and actresses of the silver sheet.'Charles Delaney plays opposite the star as he did in "Show Girl,” and proves convincing as the stage manager, Fred Kohler is the gangster, and Sally Eders, Marion Byron, Tom Dugan, Bodd Losing, Louis Autheuux,’ Jocelyn Lee and others are splendid in their various roles. Scenes in a poor theatrical boarding house where Alice and her two chorine pals who form the “Broadway Babies’’ live, are done with a deep feeling and understanding ot the characters. The supports include the 1029 Melbourne Cup, Fox Movietone News and a Mctro-Goldwyn-Maycr revue.

“JOL’RNEY’S END.” • ■ ‘‘Journey’s Bud,” the. English-staging of which was appreciated by King George V, who a few days ago paid a surprise visit to the London theatre in which it is running, provides' the liuest study of the tisvchology of the British soldier during the Great War from 1914 until 1918 that has ever been staged. Ou Saturday night at the Grand Opera House the specially assembled J. C. Williamson English company drew a crowded house. The scene is laid in a dug-out opposite St. Quentin, and the story covers six days-in March, 1918 The central figure is Captain Stanhope who has been in the front-line trenches for three years,“and who has been compelled to brace liis shattered tiers es with liberal doses of alcohol. Though frequently’fighting drunk, lie is one of the bravest and most capable company commanders in the British Army. Into the hell of war comes Lieutenant Raleigh, a bov straight from an English public school. .Stanhope is in love with Kaleigh s sister, and’ lie is afraid that the youth will write home and tell his sister what a drink-sodden wreck lie has become, llie lad however, worships Stanhope, and is loyal to the very core. One of the most lovable characters in the company of oi lccrs is Lieutenant Osborne, an elderly schoolmaster, who lias a heart of gold. lie has a good word to say lor everybody, and will now allow even Stanhope to disparage himself. It is stark, brutal war one sees in this dug-out on the Western front. Lieutenant Osborne "goes W esl in a raid; gallnut young Raleigh gets a splinter of shell in the spine and passes nwav in Stanhope s arms, When tin. bb German push is imminent, Stanhope is told that the front-line must be held nt all costs, and Im grimly orders both his it inks to be wired right up to the support trench. The Huus press forward in hordes, and as the dug-out crumbles to cces under shell-lire Stanhope marches strap-lit to meet the oncoming Boehe army corps'. The acting is on a very high plane throughout, and the dialogue is brilliant. No better constructed or arresting play has come this way for years. The play is excellently staged, the Verey lights, burstin.- shells, and terrifying detonations ben" most realistic. "Journey s End will be continued for a brief season, with a matinee to-morrow afternoon. T'T \NOFORTE RECITAL BY I'UITLS OF VALERIE CORLISS. Music lovers arc showing great interest in' the recital to Im given to-morrow evenin" hv pupils of Miss Valerie Corliss. Tlie nlavlii" of these students is of a high order, and the programme which they are presenting is most attractive in its variety balance, and choice of composers. There are fifteen pianists taking part in the recital Those who have attended previous recitals will lie glad to have another opportunity of hearing these talented players in a new and delightful programme. The recital commences at 7.45. Proceeds will be given to tho Residential Nursery, Women’s National Reserve,

REGENT THEATRE. That the technicolour process is destined to play a large part In future films is evidenced by its very successful use in “The Dance of Life,” now screening at the Regent Theatre. This production is one of those highly entertaining slices from the blaze of Broadway, with gorgeous dancing girls, spectacular scenes, and all the ingredients that go to make up an absorbing film play. It is by witnessing such colourful and sparkling entertainmet as "Tlie Dance of Life" that dull cares are forgotten and one is lost in an entrancing world that still charms one when tlie lights are gone and tlie theatre is in darkness. Hal Skelly, who appears on the screen in his stage role, is supported by the piquant Nancy Carroll. Skid is a clever but irresponsible comedian', who goes down tlie. ladder until he drops right out into the maw of the out-of-work. Then he meets Bonny, a struggling young dancer. Skid helps her to success in iter profession, and is in turn influenced by iter to apply himself seriously to his work. They marry—but that is only tlie start of tilings, and tlie adventures that befall them go to make up a story that is human and appealing. The setting- of “Tlie Dance of Life” is lavish, tlie frocking and lavish arrangement making a brillian spectacle. The teeltnicolour sequences, already mentioned, are particularly effective, and occupy about fifteen minutes in screening—although even that was not long enough for Saturday night's audience. Tlie picture is lengthy, but it cannot be said that it drags, because events are fast moving, and witli bright dialogue, singing, dancing and music, tlie audiencti is kept keenly appreciative to tlie end. The supports are of tlie Regent's usual good quality, and include an exciting record of tlie Schneider Cup race in sight and sound.

“THE RIVER OF ROMANCE.” Delightful entertainment is promised at tlie Regent Theatre in "River of Romance, (Buddy) Rogers's .starring vehicle whieli opens there on Friday. “River of Romance.'’ based upon the famous Bootli Tarkington play. "Magnolia,” lias everything (hat is desirable in a talking picture. It has a gripping plot, actors who can talk and wear period costumes, local atmosphere and a romantic theme that rolls softly through the colourful scenes of Southern life in tlie 18-i O’s like the languid “Father of Waters” itself. It is a new kind of role for Buddy Rogers, lie appears. as a soft-mannered youth who returns to his paternal home in a Mississippi plantation to be confronted witli tlie brusque and bewildering code of duels and feuds and “honnuh, sull.” Refusing to fight a duel lie is branded a coward. He comes back, though, in a startling fashion, eventually winning the girl who had loved him through it all. Mary Brian is bewitching as the demure, Southern girl who loves Buddy, and June.Colyer, as the coquette, is effective. Excellent character work is furnished by Wallace Beery, bred Kohler, Mrs. George Fawcett,’' Henry L. Walthall and Natalie Kingston. Rogers s voice is said to have a happy quality of yontlifnl freshness and vigour and Miss Brian intones her lines witli engaging intelligence. The sound background of river life and plantation days was pleasingly injected into the play by Richard Wallace, tlie capable director. It is a picture that veiling and old should enjoy. “America s Boy-Friend" in a new delightful role. Swaggering as tlie “Notorious Colonel Blake”! Terror of Southern gentlemen, delight of Southern ladles Making love. With .Marv . Brian, his sweetheart of “Someone to Love"! A romantic story ot the gallant South!, From Booth Jarkington's immortal novel, “Magnolia’. Hear Buddy's throbbing. Southern drawl. His greatest romantic role! Such is Luddj Rogers in the “River of Romance.

KING’S THEATRE. “Black Waters,” featuring James Kirkwood, Mary Brain, and John Loder, and Hie first British talkie to be released here, is the current feature at the Kings Lheatre. Adapted frym the successful Broad-way-stage play, “Fog,” by John Milliard, author of "Tlie Cat and the. Canary, “Black Waters” is tlie story of an uncanny series of happenings aboard a mystery ship, which lies in a murky San hrancisco dock. To this ship, five oddly assorted characters have been summoned by strange letters. It is a mystery to the audience why they should obey their summons, though it is quite evident that nil have some unknown reason for wishing to see tlie ship's owner, Captain "Tiger” Larrabee. As midnight approaches, they one by one arrive at the dock, each astonished to SCO one another, but all quite determined to board the schooner, despite tlie feverish warnings of the wharf watchman, who declares tlie schooner to be a devil' ship, and the owner, “Tiger” Larrabee, the devil himself. The party assembles in the cabin of the "Cassia Anna” quite unaware of tlie fact that the watchman on the wharf has been killed by a mysterious hand, which has also severed tlie ropes holding the boat to tlie wharf. The ship drifts out to sea. There then ensues an amazing sequence of weird and thrilling adventures, and right till the very last scene of the lilni, tlie identity of the socalled "Tiger” Larrabee remains a secret. The climax is a masterpiece, and leaves the audience gasping under the thrills. Good supports are also screened. “INNOCENTS OF PARIS.” A return season of considerable interest will be effected next Friday witli- the screening at tlie King's Theatre of Paramount’s great dialogue, singing, and dancing production' "Tlie Innocents of Paris,” starring the famous Maurice Chevalier, who is new to the world in pictures, yet the idol of France on the stage. Chevalier lias the most pleasing aud greatest personality ot' any man on the screen to-day. George Fawcett, famous character man, and Sylvia Beecher, leading lady, are in tlie featured cast. Other well known players in prominent roles are Margaret Livingston, John Miljan, Russell Simpson, and David Durand. The story is one of Paris, of the rise of a street urchin to a brilliant stage star, but with a'throbbing human story that grips. 1 QUEEN’S THEATRE. Starring Edmund Lowe and Lois Moran, “Making tlie Grade” heads tlie doublefeature programme now screening at the Queen’s Theatre. Edmund Lowe, as a young millionaire dilettante, returns to his old home from Europe. Considering his former townspeople beneath his station, lie walks about in the clouds of a superior world of ills own—until lie chances to meet the girl (Lois Moran), who. sets as the price of her heart his complete reform. The ensuing situations of the young millionaire trying to overcome his snobbish proclivities bring on many laughs. The second feature “Looping the Loop,” is a story of the circus. lIIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Nat Phillips and his “Whirligigs” Revue Company is now in its third week at His .Majesty’s’ Theatre, and their current programme is thoroughly entertaining from beginning to end. "The Bellboys,” a farcical musical revue, occupies Hie whole of tlie second half, and is an hilariously uuiusing playlet. In the first half Hector St. Clair, Jack Kellaway and Al. Mack provide roars of laughter. Rene Blake sings well, as does Irene Shamrock, while Stella Lainond and Sylvia Gardner add considerably to Hie charm of the show. “Black and White Cargo," a clever skit on “White Cargo,” is one of the best of the many sketches with which the programme abounds.