DE LUXE THEATRE.

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 110, 5 November 1926, Page 11

DE LUXE THEATRE.

Some o£ the largest and most gorgeous sets ever used in a motion picture were constructed for "The Love Thief," which commences its screening at the Do Luxe Theatre this evening, with a matinee to-morrow at 2.30. The featured players are Norman Kerry and Greta Nissen, whilst in the cast are such favourites as Marc M'Dermott, Cissy Fitzgerald, and Oscar Beregi. Love and intrigue in the court #>l a mythical kingdom is the theme, and were is presented the amours and I political intrigue of two unfriendly nations. There is rapid action, a sweet love story, and some very clever comedy to relieve the dramatic moments. Through it all suspense is kept at a high pitch by tile intrigues of grasping foreign powers, whose representatives arc in the court. Duels, fights, disgrace, escape, and final happiness, occur in rapid succession to the impressive background of lively court scenes, beautiful sets, and attractively uniformed men. Norman Kerry rises to dramatic heights in this picture of greater sincerity than anything he has' done previously. A supporting programme of merit will also be screened, while the De Luxe Orchestra will render appropriate music. The box plans are open at The Bristol, Aitken's Book Arcade, or ring the theatre. "The Bat" commences a week's season at the De Luxe Theatre on Friday of next week, with a matinee on the- Saturday at 2.30. Taken from the stage play by Mary Roberts Rinehart and Avery Hopwood, it is easily the greatest thriller ever produced. "The Bat" is one sensation after another, with no solution bubbling up until the moment the story giijes its secret up. The actors and actresses were required to take an oath not, to' reveal any details of the production, no visitors were allowed on the sets, and during the filming of certain sequences nobody but the director, camera men, and "participating actors were present. Rolaud West's goal was to baffle and entertain the hundreds of thousands, who saw the play and picture. The box plans are open at The Bristol and Aitken's Book Arcade. War graves films. At the De Luxe Theatre, to-morrow afternoon, at 2 o'clock sharp will be shown a fine selection of films of the war graves of Gallopili and France. These films were prepared under the direction of Padm Mullineux, founder o£ the St. Barnabas Pilgrimage to the war graves, and placed at the disposal of the Australian RedCross Society. After being shown throughout the Comomnwealth, where they caused much interest, they were forwarded to the New Zealand Red Cross Society. The latter has arranged an itinerary for them throughout the Dominion for the benefit of the next-of-kin and the genI eral public. The itinerary commences at the De Luxe Theatre. Seventeen hundred of Wellington's manhood made the supreme sacrifice, and the showing of the film here should be widely attended. EMPRKSS THEATRE. The programme which commenced at the Empress Theatre to-day makes splendid entertainment. "Sea Horses" is the main feature, and those who choose their film fare on the basis of dramatic strength and pictorial beauty should make a point of seeing it. Allan Dwan, producer of many of Gloria Swanson's greatest successes, directed the picture, and showed good directorial judgment by choosing Jack Holt, Florence Vidor, George Bancroft, and William Powell for the principal roles. The plot unfolds the dramatic experiences and exciting adventures that befall a beautiful English girl who is the lone passenger on board an ocean freighter bound for an isolated port on the coast of East Africa. The development of her romance with the virile sea captain and the complications that result when she discovers her missing husband are vividly depicted. "The Crimson Runner," the second feature, starring Priscilla Dean, is a daring, vital story of a young Apache girl whom poverty and oppression turned into a female Robin Hood. There is also a. very fine range of supporting pictures with the two features. KING'S THEATRE. 'The Son of the Sheik," the United Artists' special, opens a week's engagement at the King's Theatre thiß evening, following on a wonderfully successful week at the De Luxe Theatre. The late Rudolph Valfentino, supported by Vilma Banky, the Hungarian beauty, is in the type of role that won him fame. Never (since "The Sheik" has Rudolph .Valentino had the dramatic opportunities offered him by the power and sweep of "The Son of the Sheik,' as the dashing young son of the Englishman who lives in the desert. A spec-ially-selected programme of incidental music will accompany the screening of the famous United Artists' production. The •upporting subjects are to be a further noteworthy feature of the programme. Intending patrons are advised to secure early reservations, the box plan being at The Bristol until 5.30 daily (noon on Saturday). The theatre telephone is also available for bookings. There will be a matinee performance to-morrow afternoon, commencing at 2.30. w SHORTTS THEATRE. The chwge of programme at Shortt's Theatre to-day includes two chief attractions. The first, "Beau Brummell," with John Barrymore in the lead, is -a picture of great historical and interest value, while the otlier, "Find Your Man," is one of the greatest animal studies screened', with Rin-Tin-Tin in the leading role. Other pictures are "Big Business," a Pathe. "Our Gang" comedy, and a fine collection of topical news by way of gazettes. ARTCRAFT THEATRE. Rare entertainment is promised at the Artcraft Theatre this evening, where will be shown,' "Dick Turpin," a picturisation of the thrilling life of the celebrated English highway robber hero with Tom Mis in the title role. Ancient prize fight booths, old taverns and inns, and other historic structures in London wherein the coach robber Dick Turpin was a familiar figure 175 years ago, have been reproduced. This picture will be shown again at the matinee to-morrow afternoon, at night, and finally on Monday evening. A Fox news, a Sunshine comedy, and good music by James Haydock, complete the lull. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. 'The Arizona. Sweepstakes," a UniversalJewel production, to be screened to-night at Our Theatre, with Hoot Gibson as the star, is a thrilling story of a cowboy's adventures in San Francisco, and on his own particular stamping ground—the Arizona ranges. The supporting and musical programmes 'are excellent. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. "Transcontinental, Ltd." will be screened for the last time to-nizht at the Empire Theatre. It is a drama of roaring rails, having a fine cast, headed by Johnnie Walker, Eugenia Gilbert, and Alec B. Francis. A News.and two comedies complete an excellent programme. QUALITY THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. Rex Beach's famous story, "Recoil," will be the main attraction to-night at the Quality Theatre. Betty Blythe, Mahlon Hamilton, and a cast including Europe's ten m6st beautiful women, are a feature. Xhcxe ace *™»iWwt. supports.