ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 110, 3 February 1930, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

regent theatre. In a dramatically forceful story, and in a role that once again enables her to wear the beautiful clothes for which she has become i’anious on the screen, Gloria Swanson is the stat at the Regent Theatre this week in “The Trespasser.” her first all-dialogue United Artists picture, written nnd directed by Edmund Gouldlng. While the star's gorgeous wardrobe recalls the days of her first klnema triumphs, it is a new Gloria .Swanson that the talking screen reveals in the present picture. The rich tonal qualities ot Miss Swanson’s voice give fitting oral expression to her abilities as a dramatie actress. With a glory that is singularly compelling, “The Trespasser” is said to usher in a new era in the audrole kineinii. It is notable that although the story is laid in Chicago, it has nothing whatever to do with racketeers, gunmen, or other figures of crime—a refreshing departure from the succession of Chicago underworld themes. With the upper social strata ot’ the great city for its background, the film deals with the most pressing problems ot modern life, and is regarded as the most forceful drama yet to come from the pen of Edmund Gouldlng. who has attained outstanding success as playwright, novelist, scenarist, and director. In writing it he has worked out a new technique in .talking pictures. He tells bis tale simply and naturally, but packs it full of drama at every turn, with the result that the entire east follow Miss Swanson's example in giving noteworthy portrayals. An entertaining supporting programme is also screened. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. “The Desert Song,” Warner Brothers’ special screen operetta, which met with such great success at the Paramount Theatre last week, is to continue showing throughout the present one. The story is that of a Frenchman who becomes a sort of Robin Hood of the desert, find who avenges injustices to the natives. Disguised as the Red Shallow, he leads a band of desert tribesmen. His father, commander of the French garrison, seeks to capture him. He loves Margot, his father’s ward, and makes love to her in his own person and' as the Red .Shadow, In the latter character, he kidnaps her and, refusing to fight a duel with his own father for her possession, is deposed by the tribesmen and sent out in the desert to perish. He returns as the heroic vanquisher ,of the Red Shadow and Margot discovers that her two lovers are tlie same person. The settings are lavish, the chorus and bdllet are In full strength, and the orchestral music is beautifully played by the Vltaphbpe Symphony .Orchestra. John Boles makes a great hit with both his singing and acting as the Red Shadow, and Carlotta King, as Margot, also sings her way Into favour. Johnny Arthur and Louise Fazenda, as Benny and Susan, suply plentv of comedy, while’ Myrna Loy makes an alluring Azuri. The management have secured a fiue list of supporting features. MAJESTIC THEATRE. The management ot the Majestic Theatre have found it necessary to extend the season of "Welcome Danger," Harold Lloyd's first all-talking comedy, for a further week. Night after night, large audiences have been kept in long-drawn-out bursts of uncontrollable laughter, and the film may be well pronounced as the best thing Lloyd has dope. The famous comedian has always put a wealth of action into his work, but the cameraman must have’been going at. top to record such speed as this. His very appearance provokes a smile, which soon broadens Into a grin, and then hearty laughter. Not only is Harold Lloyd the lightest of comedians, but he has a really fine speaking voice, and is supported by a cast which includes Barbara Kent as tlie heroine, Billie Lee, and Noah Young as the sturdy and useful policeman. Lloyd is portrayed as the meek son of an illustrious father, whose very name put fear into the hearts of the underworld’s worst criminals. Finally forced to follow in his father's footsteps, Lloyd clashes with underground Chinatown, nnd tlie result is a series of the most thrilling and laughable moments .in Mie history of the screen. The young man was originally a botanist, and when ho starts in to clean un a few tong wars, he shakes hands with danger so many times that it becomes funnier and funnier from minute to minute. The picture is a long one, and can confidently bo recommended as the best entertainment' that has been offered for some tipic. There is an attractive list of supports. i KING’S THEATRE. At',the King's Theatre tills week (lie. baffling. gripping episodes of one of the strangest crimes ever conceived nre unravelled by Philo Vance—the famous detective of the Van Dine mystery stories—in “The Greene Murder Case,” by far the greatest thriller ever portrayed on tlie speaking screen. The film scenario from which the picture was made is based on a book that broke the circulation figures of a well-known American magazine When it was published in serial form, and as an all-talking motion picture of the very highest quality it is in an even more thrilling form than Van Dinc's popular murder mystery. It is portrayed by a cast of seventeen actors, each of them iu the front rank of screcndom. Heading tlie cast are William Fowell, as Philo Vance, Eugene Pallette, as Sergeant Heath, nnd E. H. Calvert as the district attorney. These stars will bo remembered for their fine work in “The Canary Murder Case,” but in the present picture. competent critics say that their combined efforts have reached an even higher standard than before. The action of the plot moves very fast from the first to tlie last, and is in reality a matter of just one hairraising thrill after another. This is a picture which should not be missed. The supporting short subjects are excellent. ALEXANDER WATSON RECITALS. Mr. Alexander Watson, tlie famous English elocutionist, is among the most popular platform entertainers tliAt have visited New Zealand, and his return to tlie Dominion for his sixth tour is an out, standing event amongst lovers of the art of the spoken word and good literature. When one man sets out to hold au audience for over two hours he needs something more than presence and a voice. The charm exerted by Mr. Watson gives the lie to the gasping, hand-waving murderer of good lines and sets the art in th.i ■ place it should occupy in the public esteem. For his first recital on-Satur-day, February 8. Mr. Watson, has chosen selections from Sir J. M. Barrie's famous story, “The Little’-Minister,” followed liy “Thg Listeners,” Walter de la Mare, “The World’s Workers,” Harry Graham, “Laughing Ann,” A. P. Herbert, and new selections from A. A. Milne’s “Now We Are Six” and "When Wo Wore Very Young.” At the second recital lie will give John Masefield's "Everlasting Mercy.” The box plans for the first six flights open this morning at the Bristol Piano Co.

DE LUXE THEATRE. A rollicking comedy depicting a young couple’s efforts to get on In the world is "Skinner Steps Out,” an all-talking comedy feature showing this week at the De Luxe Theatre. Glenn Tryon is . costarred by Universal in this sparkling productiou, with beautiful titian-liaired Merna Kennedy again playing opposite him. The role of Skinner, a young man who is a hero at home and the butt of the jest of his office, is admirably suited to Tryon s unique talents. Tryon makes his part a gale of humour, admirably relieved at intervals bv flashes of poignant pathos. Miss Kennedy has never played to better advantage. She plays the part of the young wife, who, through unquestioning belief in her husband’s ability, finally makes a social and business success of him, Tryon and Miss Kennedy are supported by an exceptionally capable cast, including E. J. Ratcliffe, Burr Mclntosh, Lloyd Whitlock, William Welsh, Ratherinc Kerrigan, Frederick Lee, Jack Lipson and Edna Marian. William J. Craft, who wielded the megaphone in many of Tryon's pictures, directed the present picture also. It is based on one of the famous Skinner stories by Henry Irving Dodge. The supports on the present programme arc excellent. “THEY HAD TO SEE PARIS.” Fox Movietone’s latest and most outstanding all-dialogue comedy-drama, "They Had to See Paris,” opens next Friday at the De Luxe Theatre. Frequently it has been asserted that Will Rogers is the best known personality .in the United States. Scarcely less widely known is Frank Borzage, who directed They Had to See Paris,” in which Rogers portrays the leading role. Borzage is, perhaps, the foremost director of motion pictures in America. Twice he has won the ’Photoplay Magazine” award for the best picture of the year. The productions were "Seventh Heaven” and “Humoresque.’ He also directed "Street Angel” and “Lucky Star” in addition to other successes for Fox Films. Owen Davis, Senr., who made the screen version of “They Had to. See Parts,” is the dean of American playwrights and Bernard Steele, who staged the production, has been compared Lavourablv with David Belasco by New York critics. Rogers enacts the role of Pike Peters, the happy and contented owner of a garage In Clearwater, Oklahoma, until his oil well comes in and he is .made rich. His real troubles begin when his wife insists on going abroad. Father, mother, son and daughter make the trip in grand style and, once in the foreign atmosphere, the ambitious Mrs. Peters is determined to marry’ her daughter, Opal, to a title. Mrs, Peters buys her way into society, but encounters no end of trouble In educating Pike to her grand ideas. The limit is reached when Marquis de Coudray attempts to tap Pike for half a million dollars as compensation for marrying Opal. Then the fur flics. And so docs the fun. Irene Rich portrays the role of Mrs. Peters. Marguerite Churchill enacts the role of Opal, Owen Davis, junr.. appears as the son, Ivan Lebedeff is cast as the Marquis, FifLDorsay is seen as a Ireneh adventuress and Rex Bell plays the part of Pike’s mechanic who is in love with Opal. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. All the colours of the ra / i I Dbo '''’ v , , :? ule n t 1 ® the aid of Vitaphone in On V Ith the Show” the film chosen to usher in tlie new talkie era at His Majesty s Theatre on Saturday. This amazing picluie is a riot of glorious hues and melodies. Uanclii"’.feet and up-to-the-minute songs. The intensely human story of a company of stranded players is set io the Sffimour of it fantasy thev are playing, while thou own intimate life-tale unfolds behind the scenes Magnificent scenes from the sta„e play arc shown; extravagant spectacles and huge dancing ensembles, musical comedy scenes where the actors play tlitlr parts, the comedian cracking his merry quips, while the juvenile lead dances and sings with the beautiful lead ng lad), contrasted with the flashes back-sta„e, where the fear of failure tugs at the heart of every player and the poverty is glimpsed beneath the tinsel. Particuiar attention has been given throughout to tlie entire filming of."On With the Show to colour effects. All costumes were espui.tny designed for this picture, as stock costumes even for minor characters which would have been suitable were the picture being filmed In black and white could not pass muster because colour film was "Ciui, used. Extreme cqro was exercised in the harmonising of the shades, and the new process of colour photography reproducer every hue in its true value, giving a natural and wonderfully life-like appearance. Ibccast ot “On With tlie Show reveals a muster of lirst-clas artists seldom cou a ’ lp d in one picture, and taking leading r o '?® are Bettv Compson. William Bakewell, Sallv O'Neill, Joe Brown. Arthur Lake, Louise Fazenda, and the Fairbanks twlnu. A special attraction is Ethol Y aters. the most famous of all crooners of negro melodic;?, and she makes her numbers a great feature of the film. One hundred chorus beauties provide a background ot dazzling loveliness, and they prove their worth in the many fast-stepping ballet, numbers interspersed throughout the show. Box plans for this unusual attraction open at the Bristol on Ycdnesdaj. QUEEN’S THEATRE. "The Power of Silene,” a film which deals with the deepest human emotions, is tlie principal feature at the Queens Theatre this week. It is a stirring (ale of the courageous self-sacrifice of a. mother who saves tlie beloved wife of her son from the highest penalty of the law—death. Belle Bennett takes the leading role, and the romantic element is in capable hands. A prominent society man is murdered in ins apartment, a woman being discovered a few moments after with a gun in her baud. She is arrested and tried for murder, but her counsel obtains an ucqulttal. Her son fakes her to his home determined upon her future happiness, but his wife objects to another breaking up her home as she regards it, and in the quarrel that follows the whole truth of the murder is revealed. Tlie fatal shot was fired by the son’s wife and the mother had voluntarily faced the charge to save another. Supporting films of a high quality round off a good evening’s entertainment. KII.DfKNtE KI.NB.MA. In “Dangerous Curves,” the attraction at the Kilblrnie Kinema. Miss Bow is in love with Richard Arlen, a tight-rope performer. She decides to learn tight-rope walking herMf (betw.een performances as n bare-back artist), so that she can got on the circus programme near to tier beloicd. She finally learns tlie wire-bahneing art. liut finds that Arleu spurns her for Kay Francis, female menace in the piece, in spite ot his repeated irrespousiveness. Clara continues to ' demonstrate her lore for Arlen, and finally manages, by a desperate move, to save him from disgrace, bringing ]iim to a realisation of love for her. A. splendid background of ejrcus atmosphere has been brought to the picture. It is a great picture. In addition a full set of short, features will be. screened. Reserves nt theatre, telephone 14 —202.