ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 55, 28 November 1929, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

pK LUXE THEATRE. A reproduction of the Battle of Trafalgar is seen in "The Divine Lady," Corinne Griffith’s latest picture, which is now being screened at the De Luyc Theatre. •’The Divine Ladv” deals with the great love sinrv of Lady Hamilton and Lord Nelson. Four ships were used as "principals” in the sea episodes, and from eight to fourteen others for distant atmosphere, no nrtlnn being shown on the decks of the fatter In this way the whole English nn.i French Meets were reproduced. The supporting Miss Griffith in “The Divine Lady,” is a notable one, and inctiKlns Victor Vareonl as Lord Nelson, H. n Warner as Lord Hamilton, lan Keith, WontaJue Love, William Conklin, Marie nXsler Dorothy Cummings, Michael Vavitch ’and others. Frank Lloyd alwuyfc to be remembered for ills "Sea Hawk," directed. Good supports ate also screened, and some excellent music is supplied by the orchestra. "BROADWAY.” When Philip Dunning and George Abbott wrote their dramatic thunderbolt, “Broadway,” which held New York spellbound for almost two years, they little dreamed that even the sensational action of their pffiv could be broadened by the camera into the spectacular Universal supcr-filni which commences at the De Luxe Theatre to-morrow. The difference between the play, compellingly absorbing as it was, and the super-production by Carl Lacmmle, Jr., is simply the vast difference between the scope of tlie stage and that of the camera. No setting is too big to be photographed, and so Universal, for the production of "Broadway.” built the Paradise Club as the biggest ever constructed even in the motion picture industry and photographed both in teclinlcolour and sound. No expense was too prodigal for such n picture, and so Tryon, Miss Brent and Mis Kennedy were cast in the leading roles, supported by such players as Thomas Jackson and I’qul I’orcasi) both of whom played their parts throughout the New York run of the play, Robert Ellis Otis Harlan and a host of other popular favourites. Gus Arnhelm and his famous Coconut Grove Orchestra play the revue hits, sung and danced by the beauty chorus. The inherent drama of the stage production was left intact, the dialogue used being Identical. But where, in, the play, Hoy Lane, Billie Moore, Pearl and the other girls go offstage into an unscon Paradise Cliib, in the picture the camera follows them Into the actual setting. "Broadway” was directed by Dr. Paul Fcjos, the young Hungarian. The photography, the sequence in colour being considered the most beautiful ever Seen upon a screen, was by Hal Mohr. The musical programme of the original De Luxe Orchestra under the direction of Mr. L D. Austin will include the overture. "Beautiful Galathen.” by Suppc, and entra’cte. “Slavonic Rhapsody,” by Friedman. Box plans are available at the Bristol Piano Co. and Aitken's Book Arcade (Courtenav Place). Reservations may also be obtained by application to theatre (’phone 23—050). REGENT THEATRE. A elever comedy cleverly acted, is “Nothing But the Truth,” the all-talking Paramount production, starring Richard Dix, which is now being screened at the Regent Theatre. The storj’ concerns n young business man who enters into a wager that he can tell the truth for 24. hours. His stake, is money placed in his charge by his financee. for whom he is supposed to make an investment. Three other men are parties to the best, one of them being Richard's employer. From the start ho nearly ruins his employer’s business by telling the truth, and he is placed in embarrassing situations because of his refusal to tell oven a white He. Events follow each other perfectly naturally, and in no part of the story is the audience impressed with any artificiality. Well varied supports arc also screened. “FAST COMPANY.” Commencing on Saturday there will be screened at the Regent Theatre a Picture full of baseball thrills, and full also of Uproarious comedy and bright romance. It is the all-talkie “Fast Company. The dialogue is described as. being remarkably clear, so that nothing of what is said, ‘is lost, and the rich humour is brought out to the full. J' ai ! t naiiy.” in which Evelyn Brent. Jack Oakie, and Richard Gallngher arc the stars, Is based upon a storj' of baseball players written by the great American humorist, Ring Larner. The hero, played by Jack Oaklc, Is a boastful but lovable youth who home-run-h!ts his way to the foreground, helping his team, the Yankees, to win the league pennant. He falls into the fast company of smart city folks. Including a show girl and some crafty gamblers, and he almost ruins his own and his teams chances for victory on the day of the final game of the world’s series when something happens to change the whole aspect o£ the plot. The night before the deciding game Oakie and Gallagher, attend a partj’ In New York which Evelyn and her actress-partner, Gwen Lee, are giving. Oakie tells Evelyn how much the ■letters meant to him. She realises Gallagher’s strategy and also realises that Oakie is daft about her. Just before the game, crooked gamblers pull one over on Oakie, and get his signature on a faked receipt for 5000 dollars. The game starts and Oakie, sulking over Evelyn’s indifference, hits a slump. Gallagher wants to see the Yanks win, and he makes an Investigation. He finds .out the gamblers’ plot, tells Evelyn and urges her to talk to Oakie. She sees the homo-run king between innings, tells him she loves him, and Oakie. now that the skies are clear, goes into the game and bangs out the home-run that wins the world's series. Oakie is a new type of comedian on the screen, and he Is expected to win thousands of admirers with bis swaggering “big league” comedj- capers. Evelyn Brent appears as the girl who spurns hlpi but later warms to his native charm. Richard “Skects” Gallagher, another young actor who has risen rapidly in comed.v roles, gives a remarkable performance as the slang-talk manager of Oakie. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Starring Richard Barthelmess "Drag,” An all-talking First National production is the current picture at the Majestic Theatre. "Drag” presents the star in a dramatic narrative concerning a young, ambitious newspaperman who goes to a small town to edit the local wecklj- paper. While there he falls in love with a girl and after marrying her finds himself supporting a whole familj’ of parasitic "inlaws." He composes a musical show called “The .Love Prince" for the local Women’s Guild: its success encourages him to go to New York, sell his play, and find that happiness which so eluded him in the small town. The story of “Drag” is based on the novel b.v William Dudlej’ Pelley, and was directed by Frank Lloyd, who also made “Weary River.” The supporting cast Is headed |>j' Lila Lee. Alice Day, Katherine Ward; Margaret Fielding. Lucicu Littlefield, and Tom Dugan. Good supports are also screened. “WORDS AND MUSIC.” The big feature to commence screening at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow is “Words and Music,” a big all-talking, singing and dancing production described as the talking screen’s first musical comedy. There are eight song hits — the kind that injunt one and Bet the feet to patting, it is stated. There are more than 100 beautiful girls in tiic chorus and ballet, all of them charming singers and dancers. “Words and Music” is a show within a show. One is introduced at the outset to a crowd of cheerful students vicing with each other in the production of what is evidently the American equivalent of a capping concert. A prize Of £3OO is offered for the best ensemble number. Interest centres on two rival “producers"—the college bully and the son of the local music store owner; There is rich comedy in the student capers thatprecede the opening of the competition scenes, but the character of the storj’ remains unaltered until the moment comes for the presentation of the rival numbers. Then “Words and Music” becomes a musical comedy indeed —with tuneful melodics, gorgeous frocking, excellent dancing, and perfect ensembles of several kinds. Lois Moran is indeed A versatile artist. A year ago she was seen in tile cream of silent pictures; when talkies opened, she made one minor appearance In a short comedy. Now she Is a perfect musical comedj' star. Her previous stage training, both as regards singin- and dancing, lias stood her well. She daSiccs with the grace of Pavlova, and reveals a delightful soprano voice. Miss Moran sings two little numbers—" Beauty” and "Yours Sincerely.” David Percy, the magnificent baritone who delighted everyone with his singing in “The Black Watch,” plays opposite Miss Moran, and siiigs. The remainder of the enst includes a number of excellent eotiiedians and dancers, together with a clever and beautiful ballet.

KILI’.UtNIE KINBMA. A thrilling end run by the Caldwell football star, complete with the frenzied excitement of the crowd, is brought to Hie screen in “College Love.” the feature collegiate picture screening to-night at the Kilbirnie Kinoina. The picture, completely new In story and treatment, features George Lewis. Dorothy Gulliver, am) Eddie Phillips. The second feature, "The Cavalier,” starring Richard Tnlmadge and Barbara Bedford, is the tale of a mysterious knight errant who is feArcd by the rich and loved by the oppressed in a land of adventure. Reserves are obtainable at theatre, phone 14—202.

APELPMI CABARET. The management Of the Adelphi Cabaret hare announced that a special balloon bdll will bo held to-morrow evening. It is a gala night which promises to be one of the best yet hold at the cabaret: Dancing will be held from !) p.m. till 2 a.m.

PA R A MOUNT TIIE ATIIE. Now in its second week's screening at the Paramount Theatre is "The Terror,” a Warner Bros, all-talking production. This masterpiece of the supernatural is a Harvey Gates adaptation of the celebrated Edgar Wallace pla.v which lias held the London stage for more than three years. Roj- Del Ruth direct'd and the all-star cast includes Maj' McAvoy, Louise Fazenda, Edward Everett Horton. Alec. B. Francis, Holmes Herbert, Mathew Betz, John Miljan. Otto Hoffman. Joseph W. Girard, and Frank Austin. The locale is a fantastic and dilapidated English manor house, fitted with mysterious sliding panels, subterranean passages, n torture chamber, and all-the paraphernalia of the uncanny. The horrible secret of the house Is the fact that it. Is haunted by n cloaked and gruesome figure known as “The Terror.” Good supports are also screened. “THE GREENE MURDER CASE.” William Powell, who plays the role of Philo Vance In Paramount's all-dialogue plcturisation of the gripping mystery story b.v 8. 8. Van Dine, “The Greene Murder Case.” was rocently elevated to stardom by Paramount. “The Greene Murder Case,” in which he continues the role he made famous In “The Canarj’ Murder Case.” will be presented at the .Paramount Theatre commencing to-morrow. “The Greene Murder Caso” was a great murder mystery story, but as a moving picture, it is said to be even more gripping, more exciting. The plot has to do with the straugo killings which occur in the Greene family’s household. An elder son, his younger brother. and then their mother succumb to the fiendish hand of an unknown murderer. William Powell, as Philo Vance, la called in on the case by his friend of a former murder mystery film (“The Canary Murder Case”), E. H. Calver, the district attorney. Working on the case with Powell is Eugene Pallette. the practlcal-niinded and blundering comedy detective who was also one of the figures in "The CanarjMurder Case.” After a series of uncanny and thrilling eventt. Powell solves the deep mystery with the suavity and superintelligence that S. S. Van Dine wrote Into this character in his novels. Powell s performance is flawless. Others conspicuous by their portrayals are Jean Arthur and Florence Eldridge. GRAND OPERA HOUSE. . Starring Charles Rogers, supported by Mary Brian, Wallacix B6ery and June Collyer, “The River or Romance,” an alltalking Paramount production, is the current feature at the Grand Opera House. Tom Rumford returned to his southern home after a long absence in Philadelphia and falls in love with his father's ward, pretty Elvira Jeffers. At the engagement party. Major Patterson, an old lover of Elvira’s, turns up to assert Ills claim to her hand, and challenges Toni to a duel, but the latter, not knowing the ways of the south, laughs it off as a joke, and, in consequence, is branded a coward. He leaves the place and goes to Natchey. where he falls in with a tough saloonkeeper, General Orland-Jackson, and assumes the name of Colonel Blake, to which Jackson prefixes “notorious.” Later, Jackson and Blake return to look for the man who has robbed Tom's father of his fortune, and in his new role he makes the fiery Patterson cat out of his hand. A well-varied supporting programme Is also screened.

"ABIE’S IRISH ROSE” COMES TO THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE.

“Abie’s Irish Rose” will be presented in its film version at the Grand Opera House to-morrow night equipped with quality sound effects, . music score and talking. Tbe picture was produced bj’ Paramount from the famous stage success of Anne Nichols who also supervised the transplanting of her famous play from stage to tl)e screen at the Hollywood studios of Paramount. "Abie’s Irish Rose” is perhaps the best known plaj’ generally, to have ever been produced. The stage plaj’ ran for five and a halt years contlnuouslj' in New York City. The plcturisation lias been credited with a tremendous amount of favourable criticism wherever the filni has been exhibited, and bids fair to riyal the success of the stage play. Nalley Carroll, Paramount star and former musical comedy artist, sings two clever songs, comed.v artist, sings two clever Songs. Thej’ are " Roscmarj' ” and “Little Irish Rose,” the theme numbers to thpt picture. “Abie’s Irish Rose” is one of Paramount’s first sound synchronised pictures featuring a brilliant music score, some talking b.v Jean Hersholt. and two lilting song numbers by Xancy Carroll. The pla.v was written bv Anne Nichols, and on the stage in New York it rah for five and a, half years, a record. As a picture with sound. “Abie's Irish Rose" stands on its, own as superb entertainment. It tells of a romance between a Jewish youth and an Irish girl, and .their difficulties in winning the consent of their parents in getting married. It has a deep pathos as well as light humour and dramatic sequences. “Abie’s Irish Rose” is not a farce comedy, nor is it a heavy drama. Paramount is responsible for the translation of “Abie" from the stage to the silver sheet, as well as equipping it with quality sound. A beautiful musical score was written for the picture bj' J. S. Zamecnik, who has won world-wide fame as a composer. . Mr. Zamecnik's composition. entitled “Rosemary,” is the theme song of “Abie.” In four of the important sequences the picture is featured with its talking scenes. The unusual cast that was assembled for the various roles Includes Jean Hersholt. ns'Solomon Levy; Charles Rogers, of “Wings" fame, as Able, Ills son: Nancy Carroll as Bosemary: J. Farrell MacDonald, as the Irish father; Bernard Goreey and Ida Kramer as the Cohens: Camillus Pretal as the rabbi; Nick Cogley, as the Irish priest: and Rosa Rosanova as Sarah, the deaf housekeeper in the Levy home.

KING’S THEATRE. Now playing a return season to Wellington, "innocents of Paris,” Paramount’s alltalking production, starring the idol of Paris. Maurice Chevalier, is the current feature at the King’s Theatre. The story of “Innocents of Paris” is the romance of a second-hand dealer, who becomes a famous musical comedj' star. ■ Chevalier, the dealer In question rescues a little boy from drowning, and in delivering a letter left bv tbe boy’s .mother, meets Louise, and falls in love. Despite her father’s protests. Louise returns his love, and so the story follows their romance to his success in the theatre. Here his choice between love for Louise and his career brings the picture to a surprising climax. A member of. the east who has a great future before him is little David Durand, whose voice and acting as tse little orphan boj' could not be improved upon. Others in the east are Sylvia Beecher, George Fawcett, and Margaret Livingston. A well-varied supporting programme is also screened. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. . . Now in their fourth week at His Ma.icstv’s Theatre. Nat Phillips and his Whirligigs companj’ have grown very popular with Wellington audiences, and their current programme Is likely to.enhance their reputation for bright and breezj* entertainment. The first half is a pot-pourri of music, song anil daiice, while the second half of the programme takes the form of a revue entitled “Metet Mabel.” As usual, unlimited quantities of mirth arc supplied by Hector St. Clair. Jack Kellnway. Nat Phillips and Al Mack, while Bessie Blake, Irene Shamrock, Sylvia Gardner and Stella Lamond arc all that could be desired in the form of feminine grace, beautj' and charm. RECITAL-LECTURE. A recital-lecture of great interest is to bo given next week bj- Miss Valeric Corliss. A.R.A.M., L.R.A.M. Miss Corliss will give a talk upon “Russian Music"-r-its historj- and characteristics, etc. —and will illustrate her lecture at the pianoforte, Madame Merlin is to sing a group of fascinating Russian songs. Another feature of the programme will bo the electrical reproduction of gramophone- records by Mr. Keith 11. Thpw, The Bristol Piano Co. is kindlj- lending a selection of Russian orchestral and vocal recorded music. The following pianists, pupils of Miss Corliss. are also contributing to the programme:—Eileen Bonnett. Judith Giosen, Catherine Monqrleff. Gwendoline Thow, Nora Cotton. Marjorie Carey.