ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 81, 30 December 1929, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. “The Last of Mrs. Cheyney,” the big Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer “talkie” now screening at tlid Regent Theatre Is sure to prove a very popular film indeed. Mrs. Cheyney Is a fashionable society beauty, but so reserved and modest that she piques the curiosity of many, including Lord Dilling, who conceives a passion for the beautiful woman who is so conspicuously superior to those among whom she moves. He, not easily baulked in his desires, resolves to learn aomcthiug more lutimate about the woman who has intrigued his fancy that he accidentally finds a way of doing so, and becomes amazed at the disclosure. This is not less than that Mrs. Cheyney is a female Raffles, working society for what it is worth, and getting away with it because no one would dream of suspecting such an elegant creature who graces so many functions of the very first importance. Dilling exposes his knowledge, and states that he will make a complete revelation of her position if she raises an outcry. Her reply is to ring the alarm. A scene ot intense dramatic moment ensues; tor, though it is Mrs. Cheyney herself who proclaims the thief, she still has the whip hand of them all in the possession of a letter which silly old Lord Elton had written her- on the night of the detected crime. As this letter tells Mrs. Cheyney his private opinion of all the guests as well as the hostess, none of them wishes to see the affair made public. In a most provocative scene Lord Elton seeks to buy the letter back, and offers £lO,OOO for it. Mrs. Cheyney accepts the cheque and then empties the torn-up letter on to the table, and follows it up by destroying the cheque. Truth to tell she lias been conquered by these charming people,” and her break with Charles, and her acceptance of an offer or marriage from Lord Dilling, is the natural corollary to the last of Mrs. Cheyney. “THE UNHOLY NIGHT.” Next Friday night there will be screened at the Regent Theatre a thrilling mystery play, “The Unholy Night,” a Lionel Barrrymore triumph, just as his "Madame X’ was. Lord Montague, an officer m the Fourth Rutland Regiment, is attacked by a mysterious strangler in a London tog, and is brought to Scotland Yard, where it is said that he is the fourth officer of his regiment to be so attacked. The other three had been killed, bir James Rumsey, head of Scotland Yard, decides that some enemy is pursuing the regiment’s officers, so has them all gathered for a reunion at Lord Montague's home. Here also is Lady Vi, Lord Montague's sister, and her fiancee, Dr. Ballou, a psychartrist. Mallory, one of the former officers, an a sufferer from shell shock is found in the house apparently dead, and Efra Cavender, daughter of the Marquis of Cavender, who has been dismissed from tlie regiment in a scandal, appears with Abdoul, a Turkish' lawyer. Abdoul reads a will In which the Marquis divides a fortune-he made in Turkey between his daughter and the officers, naming them as the girl’s guardians. The will explains that he does this in the hope that monev and a beautiful woman will stir discord among them. Sir James sees a motive for the murders in the will—the fewer officers survive the larger will be the share of each. His explanation stirs up a bitter dispute, during which the body of Mallory vanishes. . The officers remain overnight in the house—and in the morning all but Lord Montague are reported strangled in their sleep. Sir James arranges with Li Hung, a Chinese medium, to hold a seance. From there the story develops to a most amazing ending. MAJESTIC THEATRE. ' Irrepressible Glenn Tryon, of “Broadway” fame, tries his hand at running a summer hotel in “Barnum Was Right, the big Universal talking farce-comedy, now screening at the Majestic Theatre. His efforts bring down upon his head not only a hilarious set of complications, but the hotel roof as well. Merna Kennedy is costarred with Tryon. She plays her part admirably. Parted from his girl on what was to be his wedding day, Tryon sets out to retrieve both his sweetheart and his shattered fortunes. To do this he baits his hotel with rumours of pirate treasure—and the “suckers" that nibble include crooks, detectives and frenzied treasure hunters. The excellent supporting, cast includes Otis Harlan iu a featured role, Basil Radford, Clarence Burton, Lew Kelly, Ikabelie Keith and Gertrude Sutton. Del Lord * directed with an unerring eye to action and humour. “Barnum Was Right” is one of. the most amusing comedies that has fallen to Tryon in Ins career as a fun-maker. It contains some ot the funniest sequences that have ever, been brought to the screen—and it works up to a hilarious climax that is entirely unexpected. There is an excellent supporting programme, which is well worm attending the theatre to see, apart from the star attraction.

‘■BULLDOG DRUMMOND.” Ronald Colman has satisbed a lifelong ambition through his appearance in h s latest starring .vehicle, Bulldog Diunimond,” which comes to the Majestic theatre on Friday. Already made a star in ins own right, he still had another goal post to reach— namely, playing a comedy role in pictures. “Bulldog Drummond tie famous stage melodrama afforded ample opportunity for his comedy urge with its account of the adventures of a carefree young army officer who, bored with the humdrum of peace-time existence, advertises for excitement and gets it anlentv. Every actor of serious parts always feels this urge to startle audiences by appearing in a farce. Colman s wish to play comedy was all the more intense since, on the stage, before coming to America to go into pictures, he’ had been noted in England as a prominent young comedy juvenile. Particularly in .1 lie Little Brother,” with Gladys Cooper and as Lena Ashweirs leading man ou the English vaudeville stage, he had got both success and experience in comedy. I lie fan who thinks back over his past pictures can see how little opportunity he has had to exercise his talent along this line. “Bulldog Drummond” is said to be one of the most thrilling and at the same time one of the most humorous talkies to date. Its recording is good, and the English accents of the leading actors are most refreshing. There is no doubt about the popularity which this picture is going to enjoy in Wellington, for it Ims broken record's already both in Auckland and Christchurch, and local inquiries have been more than usually heavy and eager. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.* “House Full” was the sign which greeted a large number of people who arrived shortly after 8 o’clock on Saturday night at His Majesty’s Theatre in the hope of seeing “Lido Lady,” the delightful musical comedy which is proving so successful at Fullers. "Lido Lady,” which is being played by the Freddie Forbes Comedy Company, is full of humour, catchy songs, snappy dialogue, beautiful scenery and beautiful girls. The tun consists for the most part of Harry Bassett’s attempt to butt in on the privacy of the Blakes (who have a villa on the Lido), because he is frightfully in love with Fay Blake. He is ordered off the premises every ten minutes by Blake pere, but in the end Harry not only beats a bogus tennis champion at tenuis, but also finds the lost formula to a new synthetic rubber tennis ball that is going to add a few stray millions to the Blake fortune. Being an American, Blake cannot resist such commercial prowess, nnd with many a lively song and dance. Harry is accepted. There are various other characters to add zest to the story. One who is greatly in evidence is Peggy Bassett (Harry’s cousin), who arrives at the Lido expecting to be received in a manner usually accorded to a film star, but finds that no one has ever heard of her existence save Spencer Weldon (the inventor of the new tennis ball), and another double event is traced through the piece, bv these two bright people, who are admirably played by Miss Catherine Stewart and *Mr. Charles Perrin. Miss Betty Lambert makes a petite and charming Fay Blake. “My Heart Stood Still, “Imagination,” “Love. Wonderful Love,” and “My Heart is Sheba Bound,” are. some of the musical numbers to please. “The Big Four,” who harmonise a number of songs, are very popular; Another to receive loud applause in “Lido Lady” is Miss Verna Bain, a most beautiful dan- . souse, who does all the solo dancing. Miss Bain, who is an exceedingly pretty blonde, is a finished artiste. A capable orchestra is under the baton of Mr. .Julian Carden. This production, which will be played until Thursday, will be followed by a series of other mttscal comedies, such as “Lady Be Good,” “Mercenary Mary.” “Sunny,” “Tangerine,” and “Archie.” KILBIRNIE KINEMA. Tn “The Racket," a story of his own selection, screening to-night at the Kinoma. Meiglmn gives probably his best performance before the camera. He portrays the role of Captain McQitigg. who is en gaged in a bitter feud with Nick Scarsi. a beer running king, which role is enacted by Louis Wolheim. Marie Prevost is also In Hie supporting cast. "The Racket" is a colourful ami powerful melodrama produced bv the Caddo Company. In addition a full supporting programme will be screened, and excellent music will be supplied by the Kilbirnie Orchestral Trio. Reserves at theatre, ’phone 14 —202. ISLAND BAY CARNIVAL. In spite of the weather there were fairly good attendances at the Island Bay earnival Oil Saturday, at the new site on the Parade, which is more sheltered than the previous one. The takings were good. On New Year’s Eve the carnival will be open until after midnight, music being provided. It will be open for the whole of New Year's Day. and there will be it day for mothers and children on Friday .laniinrv 3. when there will be a treasure limit on the beach and lucky baby competition, with, races for the children-....

DE LUXE THEATRE. “Why Leave Home,” taken from that successful and much-talked-of play, "Cradle Snatchers,” is the star attraction this week at the De Luxe Theatre. There is not a dull moment in the delightful Fox "talkie" from start to finish, and as the plot becomes more complicated so does the fun increase, until one wonders just how much more can happen without the censor taking a hand in things. The dialogue is sparkling to a degree, and the voices of the leading players wonderfully clear. In fact, the only time that one missed a word was when the laughter of the audience was so loud that it drowned everything. “Why Leave Home” tells of three college students, who, compelled to break off an engagement with as many chorus girls for lack of funds, learn of three women who are willing to pay well for their services as escorts. With two of the'-boys bolstering up the fainting courage of the third, they arrive at the apartment of one of the women, narrowly escaping detection by the three husbands involved. The women have learned that their husbands are pretending to go on what the men describe as a "duck hunting trip" The wives have strong sus-pee-ions regarding the species of the alleged “ducks,” who turn out to be the three chorus girls. The wives are determined to teach the men a lesson. The boys initiate the women into the mysteries of "Boom Boom” steps. Meanwhile the husbands, with some trepidation, pick up the chorus girls, aud' arrive at a secluded mountain roadhouse—and then the fun begins. And there it ends, for all parties recognise each other, and there is a great deal of explaining to be done. Sue Carroll, Dixie Lee, Jean Barry, Nick Stuart, Walter Catlett, and David Rollins are all prominent in the picture. There is a firstrate supporting bill, including a Fox Movietone News, a Paths Review, and teehnieolour gem, “The Czarina's Secret,” with Olga Baelunova and an all-talking comedy, 'Medicine Men,” starring Clark and McCullough. The De Luxe Orchestra, conducted by Mr. L. D. Austin, is heard in the overture to “Zampa" (Herold), the march from “Tannhauser” (Wagner). Mr. P. Cullen entertaines at the Wurletzer organ. GRAND OPERA HOUSE. “The Street Girl,” the big star attraction now showing at the Grand Opera House, features Betty Compson, who, without doubt, is one of the finest actresses the screen possesses at the present day. The beautiful bloude appears as a girl of the streets, who is befriended by four struggling artists, who are ekeing out a precarious existence as a jazz band at a humble cabaret. The little starving street girl turns out to be a regular mascot for the young artists, as she herself happens to be a violinist much superior to ■ the fiddler of the quartet. Moreover, Frederica, as the little Vienese is named, happens to be a clever business woman. By her genius, her personal charm, and her cajolery, she lifts her benefactors out of poverty into affluence, and they soon own their own cabaret, which is the most popular in the city, owing to Frederica’s beauty, talent, and charm. It is one of the most striking all-talking, all-musical revels of the kind which has yet been produced. In one scene a gorgeous ballet of over a hundred beautiful girls appear, while amongst the many surprises are a male chorus of eighty voices. there is much delightful comedy in the play, and the leader of the revels is always Betty Compson, who proves that she is unquestionably in the very front rank of screen stars. The supports are exceptionally good. The Biltmore Trio, a band of vocalists and instrumentalists, provide some delightful harmony, while Craig Campbell, the famous operatic tenor, sings beautifully. LEO CARRILLO IN "LOMBARDI, LTD." What may with all truthfulness be described as the theatrical event of theceuturv will be the appearance at Wellington on January 8, tor the first lime in New Zealand, of the world-lauious star, Leo Carrillo, in his original creation of Tito Lombardi, iu r tlle . h !! an , o f u “., aud -A“j lor-inir coiueuy, ‘•Lumbadi, Ltd. . 7, • comeuy of comedies was written specially for Mr. Leo Carrillo by Vredenck and Fanny Hatton, aud has proved one ol the most successful plays ever presented. "Lombardi, Ltd.," has been b a ? "decidedly the gayest and . most ial » of all the eomeuies staged, and when o c remembers the high standard pl maiiy.ot tliein this is indeed high praise. fn his ati^es— gales^f^iaughter 11 which have> swept through the world-famous star will be particularly strong Lind specially solu-ted 1 WSTSi WSfe “» W 8 Dominion audiences are the Rowena| v °“ a „ ’ (li sl appearance), I’pP Ma“d“e Hope, Elma Gibbs, Beatrice Kendrick, Daphne Bairn, Jack White, and ten beautiful mannequins in an alluring fashion display.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. "Tlie Time, the Place aud the Uii'l, the star attraeliou at the I’arauiuuut 1 eatte. is a rollicking comedy-arauia lalldc whicli tells tiie story of wliat Happens -o a boastful college football .star w Uua J? 0 arrives looking for work in New York. A cliampioli half-back footballer, Jun crane portrayed by Grant Withers) and Mrs.' Ward (Betty Compson) are the stai.. iu this excellent Warner Vitaphone alltalking play. The'- Mory is good, wlio.esome, and bright, the uetnig is ol a hi„ i class, and provides a most enjoyable men ing’s entertainment. Tlie play is entitled "The Time, the Place, and. the Girl. Hie college football hero, although he neglects his studies, is made much ot, uuu thu climax is reached when he wins a idbtininute victory for his college iu the inter-college football match ot the ytai. A wealthy stock exchange investor otters fiiii a position in his otiice. «Imi accepts, 1, n is so unsuccessful that Ward decides to discharge him, when., at the last moment Jim makes a - big sale, and \\ aid sets him up in business, but giving him sumo wo thles shares U sell. He sells these shares to several wealthy lady admirers. On discovering, what he has done, Jim de eidos io buv back the shares, ahis lie accomplishes with the help of Mrs. Ward, and the shares are paid lor out ot Wauls monev. A dramatic scene occurs when a pretty secretary (Gertrude Uhusted) saves Jim and the reputation ot Mrs. Ward, lie enjoyment of the entertainment is enhanced by the presentation ol an act from "Carmen” by two opera stais. Also included in the supports is an u l’’ l "' ll! |k 0 Paramount Sound News ot the Woild. which is most interesting.

KING'S THEATRE. Besides telling a good story, lion,” now having a return season at the King's Theatre, is full of catchy songs and musical numbers, which are sineto please even the most sensitive of ears. "Syncopation,” which is a talking P"-" lure, is a hundred per cent, clear alltalkie. the main feature ol which is hied. Waring’s band, the Pennsylvanians, which is described as the worm s foremost band. The story concerns the Ute ol a comedy duo, who experience such a run of ill-luck Hint one decides lo leave the other. The girl is engaged to perform at. a iiigln cabaret, but she enjoys very little success, and It is not till they dance again as partners that their vaudeville life is a happy one. The Pennsylvanians are heard to advantage iu many numbers, chief among which are "I’ll Always Be m Love With You," "Jerieho,” and six oilier melody hits. There is a strong east, winch includes Morton Downey, who sings: Barbara Bennett, a dancer of note, Bobby Watson, a renowned comedian; Osgood Perkins, and others. The supporting programme includes a Paramount News, a comedy, and two singing pictures. The programme Is a most attractive one indeed.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. The programme at the Queen’s Theatre this week is well worth seeing, Hie star attraction being “The House of Fear,’ au exciting mystery drama. It is claimed that the picture is one of tile most gripping that has ever been shown in Wellington, and that such a claim is well Justified may lie realised after seeing the film. All of the ingredients of a lirst-class story are present, and they are handled in such a way as to sustain tin* interest of the audience throughout. To have a legacy left to one on one's honeymoon is a thrilling enough business in itself, but when I lie legacy turns nut lo bran old 1 sc with n reputation for being liauriti'd mutters become really interesting. The voting couple decide to live in the place,’ nnd then the thrills begin. Edith Roberts. Margaret Livingstone. Nonb Beery, and Ford Sterling, are the players. The ' second feature is “Ringing the Changes,” a romance of English life, with Henry Edwards the star.