ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 220, 13 June 1930, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. “Splinters," the long-heralded all-talk-ing. singing British Army concert revue, opens to-day at the Paramount Theatre. “Splinters” Is the first talking picture to be produced at the new Imperial Studios, at Elstree by British and Dominions in alliance with His Master’s Voice. The merit of "Splinters" lies in its having captured the heart ot the singing soldier. Tue humour and sentiment and drama contained in the picture are proof positive and joyous that, in reality as well as by repute. olu soldiers never die, and that the insinuation about their fading away Is a libel. There Is sheer Joy In every toot ot its length. One ot the chief Joys is Sydney Howard. Although rich in comedy, a very great part ot the virtue of this picture is the singing of the men In chorus. That Is rousing and inspiring. The men of "Splinters ’ are soldiers and not actors in costume. The spirit of "Splinters” is that of the men who created the first Army Concert Party, and that of the men, from the trenches, who made the finest audiences that ever sat In a theatre. In the production of ''Splinters" there are both romance and reality. In the cast are Hol Jones, the original Splinter Number One, Keg Stone, who was a member of the concert party in France, and Lew Lake. to whose greatness ot heart as well as excelence of judgment, "Splinters” owes is continuous existence in England. Musically the best episode is the "Gretua Green” lyric sung by Wilfred Temple. His looks, his tine figure, and fils magnificent voice make him the romantic talking picture discovery of the year. Then Nelson Keys makes a marvellous companion in comedy to Sydney Howard. Finally, great credit is due to Jack Raymond for his exceptionally sympathetic direction, and to Herbert Wilcox, to whose flair for story selection this picture is due. "Splinters will be released throughout Australia and New Zealand by Greater Australasian Films. Box plans are available at the Bristol and theatre. REGENT THEATRE. So great has been the success of “The Vagabond King,” which has been attracting capacity houses to the Regent Theatre nightly, that tile management has decided to prolong its Beason for another week. The picture is a masterpiece of colour, acting, speaking and singing. One of literary history’s most glamorous rogues is seen in this talking super extravaganza. The personage is none other than that romantic, poetic rowdy, Francois Villon—the vagabond who consorted with the thleyes and ruffians of his beloved Paris in the fifteenth century and who wrote tween crimes, some of the most beautiful poetry of all time. From the opening scene in the tavern of the ’arisian vagabonds to the final scene at the gallows, when King Louis XI pardons' the man who saved Paris from the army ot the Duke of Burgundy, there is Just one riot of colour and beauty after another. And above all, there la Dennis King, the famous English actor, who portrays Francois Villon, the king of the vagabonds, who, for one week, is allowed to rule as king of France. There is also the beautiful, golden-voiced, JCanette MaoDonald, who is cast as Katherine de Vaucelles, niece of the weak Louis XI, and the woman who saves Villon from the gallows. Both are accomplished artists, and both possess remarkable voices. To hear Dennis King sing the well-known “Song of the Vagabonds" is an event, as also to hear him, transformed from vagabond to courtier, sing with Miss MacDonald the lilting melody. "Only a Rose." “It 1 were King” is another of Mr. King s solos. With Miss MacDonald,. he is heard in “Love Me To-night. Mere words fall to describe such a superproduction, and it surely must be conceded that “The Vagabond King” is the greatest of all musical and historical plays that have yet been produced. Together with an excellent supporting ’ programme, The Vagabond King” will be presented’ thrice dally. GRAND OPERA HOUSE. A talking picture filmed in mid-Paclflc is something new in screen history, and it is coming to the Grand Opera House this afternoon. "The Ship from Shanghai/* which is an adaptation of Dale Collins's novel, “Ordeal,” concerns itself with the psychological change experienced by. the persons of a yachting patty, as a result of a mutiny, typhoon and an ominous water shortage. Charles Brabin has directed the production with a keen insight, showing by succeeding stages the .slow but inevitable breakdown of each of the passengers which finally is precipitated to a hysteria as a result of the terror inspired by a half-mad steward who has gained control of the ship's water supply and uses his power to coerce the others. “The role of the steward is played by Louis Wolheim, whp gives it a remarkable touch of horror and nausea combined with that half-hidden slyness characteristic of insane persons. Carmel Myers gives an outstanding performance as the selflsn wife of the yacht owner who before the calamity has appeared as an aristocratic type, but whose true weak character Is revealed at the climax of the story. Others whose parts are effectively handled include Holmes Herbert as the yacht owner, Conrad Nagel and Kay Johnson, as a ro--mantle pair, Zettle Tilbury as Lady Daley, who goes about her business In complete indifference to the situations; Ivan Llnow as the Swedish cook, and Pat Moriarity and Pat Harmon as members of the crew. What will interest moviegoers chiefly In this production outside of the novelty of the plot are its remarkable ocean scenes, apparently filmed beyond sight of land. At times one has a view of the sea in a tranquil calm, while at the climax of the story a hurricane is shown and the ship lurches in the grip of the huge waves. The photography In these scenes Is splendid, attempting at times what has never before been done on the screen. It will be shown every afternoon and evening, and there will be a second picture entitled “Song of Love.”

ST. JAMES THEATRE. Politics and Romance are combined in “Disraeli," the great drama at St. James Theatre, together fvith all the whisperings, hidden meanings, intrigues, and secret servicemen which comprise the world of diplomacy, -The story deals with One- of the most exciting and melodramatic episodes of Disraeli’s career. This great statesman had the eyes of. the world on him when he succeeded in acquiring the Suez Canal for England, and it Is around this particular bit of political sagacity that the story of the.picture "Disraeli” is woven. Benjamin Disraeli was the first Jew.to achieve the honour of becoming Prime Minister of England. This was in 1808, just thirtyone years after he made his first speech in the House of Commons. The young Disraeli, fantastically garbed, melancholy of mien, and with a mass of curls on his tine head, delivered that maiden speech with extravagant gestures and was greeted with derision. Between that disastrous speech, and the signal honour paid him in giving him the post of 'Prime Minister, lay three decades of strenuously practical politicals life. He wandered up and down Londou, a kind of unsolved riddle. There was a pose of mystery behind him. He was fascinating, without a peer in the art of repartee, a contradiction of everything the traditional Englishman expected as a leader of politics. And he still remains one of England’s greatest statesmen. George Arliss's portrayal of Disraeli runh the gamut of characterisation. It is a thing of ever-changing moods, and therefore fascinating In its unexpectedness. .1 ne Future is shown each morning, afternoon and night. KING’S THEATRE. A Cohen is always a Sidney, but a Kelly is several people. This condition was revealed when “The Cohens and Kellys in Scotland,” rollicking Irish-Jewlsh comedy coming to the King’s Theatre to-day, with matinees daily, 2.30. went into production at Universal City. For the fourth time George Sidney was Cohen and Vera Gordon was Mrs. Cohen. And for the fourth time Kate Price was Mrs. Kelly. But she found herself married again to her first husband in the “Cohens and Kellys” series, having been wedded to two other Kellys In the Interim. For Charlie Murray, the Kelly of “The Cohens and Kellys,” the first of the famous series, again appeared in the role of Kelly. In the second picture, “The Cohens and Kellys in Paris,” Miss Price had J. Farrell MacDonald for spouse. In “The Cohens and Kellys in Atlantic City,’ Mack Swain played the role. In addition, the cast includes such well-known players as E. J. Ratcliffe, William Colvin, and Lloyd Whitlock. There Is an excellent supporting sound programme. Box plans are available at the Bristol. THE QUEEN’S THEATRE. “They Had to See Paris.” Will Rogers’s first all-talking picture, will be the attraction at the Queen’s Theatre to-night. The story deals with the sudden rise to wealth of an Oklahoma family and their desire to see Paris. Once In Paris, Mrs. Peters is determined to marry her daughter to a title. She plunges Itno society, and the events that follow are as laughable as they are costly, and keep the family In a sjate of constant excitement. The role of Pike Peters, who becomes a millionaire overnight, Is enacted by Will Rogers. Irene Rich portrays his wife, while the son and daughter are played by Owen Davis, Jnn., and Marguerite Churchill. Others in the cast are Flfl Borsay, Ivan Lebedeff, and Rex Bell. There are excellent supports. R.M.S. TAINUI DANCE. The Victualling Department, Social, and Athletic Club of the R.M.S. Talnul will hold a dance this evening in the Jewish Women a Club Hall. The subscription is: Ladles V«i gentlemen. V-i double ticket, X/S

majestic theatre. Adventure, suspense, laughter, beautiful clothes and settings are the features of “Slightly Scarlet,” the Evelyn Brent-Clive Brook picture, which will show at the Majestic Theatre for six days, starting to day. Evelyn Brent and Clive Brook have both risen rapidly in the ranks of motion picture stars; Brook on account of his suave, polished English manner. Miss Brook: because of her reserve and culture Slightly Scarlet" brings Miss Brent and Brook together in Paris. Each admires the other secretly, but they cannot arrange a meeting. Miss Brent is a member of an international band of jewel thieves, held to crime against her will by the sophisticated menace character. Paul Lukas. Brook Is apparently a suave English gentleman. Miss Brent Is assigned the task of robbing Eugene Pallette, a newly-rich, of a valuable necklace. She takes a house in Nice, next door to the Pallette family. Then she discovers that Brook has taken the house on the other side of the Pallettes. At last they meet and fall In love. After this dramatic meeting, one of the strangest plot twists seen on the screen provides a great surprise thrill. The author and directors of “Slightly Scarlet” work their plot carefully, making use of its tremendous suspense possibilities and twisting its surprise elements into greatt entertainment values. In addition to Miss Brent, Brook, Paul Lukas, and Pallette, the cast Includes Claude Allister (another Englishman), well known for his work in “Three Live Ghosts,” and “Bulldog Drummond,” Helen Ware, Morgan Farley, and Henry Wadsworth. There will be the usual late shoppers’ session this evening, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., as well as ■ the regular three sessions at 11 a.m., 2.15 p.m. and 8 p.m. Box plans are at the Bristol and in the theatre main foyer. PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRAL CONCERT. On Saturday, June 21, in the Town Hall, music lovers will have an opportunity of hearing eighty instrumentalists in an especially interesting programme, under the baton of Mr. John Bishop. The orchestral items Include selections from Mendelssohn, Tschaikowsky, Wagner, Moussorgsky, and Schubert. The Grieg Concerto in A Minor will also be given, with Mr. Ernest Jenner at the piano. Miss Alma Clegg, soprano, will be heard in the scena and aria “Ah, Pexfidio,” from the opera “Fldelio," by Beethoven. The box plan opens to-day at the Bristol. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. At the Kilblrnle Theatre Marlon Davies reappears in “Marianne,” her first alltalking feature. “Marianne" Is a story about a French peasant girl who tried her hardest to keep Allied soldiers at arms’ length at the end of the wab, but finished up bv marrying one of them. Marianne’s destinv is first Influenced by the billeting of a company of soldiers In her barnyard, and she rescues the man she loves from the guardroom cells on a serious charge. The usual sound features are also screened. Reserve at Theatre Confectionery, 'phone 14—202, and Bristol Plano Co.

DE LUXE THEATRE. Entertainment is the keynote of any party, so it’s not surprising that it should be a feature of “’The Big Party," the Fox Movietone laugh feast that opens to-day at the De Luxe Theatre, screening twice dally. Often hilarious and always funny, "The Big Party" is classed by many as oue of the most amusing talking pictures. The theme of a shop girl's romance has been given a new twist by the director, John G. Blystone. Il Is presented in a kaleidoscopic setting that ranges from the rusty to the ritzy, decorated with breath taking scenes of elaborate Fifth Avenue shops with a number of irresistible new tunes interpolated. Miss Carol enacts the role of a piano player In a llve-and-ten store, where she jazzes out the (atest melodies for the customers. This is claimed to be the first film role In which her musical talents are taken advantage of. “The Big Party" is a story of New York life with the romance of a little shop girl as its theme aud a glittering background of metropolitan scenes as its setting. Besides Miss Carol, the co-featured players inelude Walter Catlett and Dixie Lee, while such favourites as “Whispering” Jack Smith, Frank Albertson, and Richard Keene top the supporting cast. A notable feature ot the supporting programme is the Inclusion of Fox Movietone's second sound film record of Miss Amy Johnson's Australian triumphs, this latter one depicting her arrival In Sydney and the tumultuous reception accorded her there. Miss Johnson also replies to the many addresses of welcome. Box plans are available at Bristol and Aitken’s.