THE PICTURES-NEW PROGRAMMES

Evening Star, Issue 20056, 22 December 1928, Page 6

THE PICTURES-NEW PROGRAMMES

CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME REGENT'S FIRE , SHOW The programme that was put forward by tho management of the Regent Theatre for tho first time yesterday should strongly appeal to the young members of our community, and, considering the time of the year, it was verv appropriate. . The programme opened with a picture of general "interest, depicting peach-growing at Leetou, tho centre of an extensive irrigation area in southwest Now South Wales. The picture is excellent, but it may be one of those things which gives intending migrants in the British Isles a false Idea of the country, because all the orchards are not in such a fine condition as the one shown.

Tho next item was a. comedy entitled ‘Sea Food,’ featuring Billy Dooley, who takes the ptCrfc of a scat-ter-brained sailor off a United States battleship. Tho chosen lady of the ruler of a South Sea Island falls in love with him, and the sailor’s adventures, when the ruler discovers what is going on, are many and various, but all ends happily for the sailor. The main attraction in the first half of the programme is the presentation of the well-known and popular pantomine, ‘ Dick Whittington and His Cat,’ whicn was specially condensed and produced by Ed. Warrington, who takes tho part of tho dame. This pantomine will be of particular appeal to children, and it.is very nicely staged, tho part of Dick Whittington being taken by Miss Connie Harris, who plays it cleverly. Miss Mildred Harris makes a captivating Alice Fitzwarron, with whom Dick falls in love, and the part of the cat Felix is taken by Miss Kitty Eckhoif. A feature of the pantomino is tho clever specialty dancing of Miss Ivy .Lowe and Freddy Hodges. In addition there is a charming ballet of five young ladies, and they are assisted by some of the tiny tots of the Otago School of Dancing. The members of he company are all young, but they are well trained and act very naturally. The second half of the programme is occupied with the Raramount production. ‘ The Big Killing.’ It is, on the whole, a comedy, but there are some very serious parts in it. The picture is based on an old-time fixed between two families, the Beagles and the Hicks, and the old man Beagle’s daughter and Jim Hicks have fallen in love. This is discovered by one of tho Beagles, who tells Ins father, and ho forthwith resolves that the remaining members of the Hicks family must bo wiped out. He, accordingly, with his six sons, marches to tho Hicks’s shack and orders them to leave by sundown. This they refuse to do, and George Hicks is sent to tho nearest town to replenish their stores of gunpowder and shot. There ho sees, at a fair, two so-called sharpshooters, and he is told by the sheriff that they are “ hicks.” Not undertaking the slang meaning of tho word he thinks they are members of bis family, and enlists their support in tho feud against the Beagles, but he does not fully explain tho nature of it. On ai'rival at tho Hicks’s shack they get the idea that the Beagles are dogs, and out they go in search of them, hut they find themselves confronted by seven big and rough looking members of tho Beagle family, and they are not so happy as when they set out. The remainder of tho picture is taken up with their adventures in dodging the Beagles, and they aro instrumental in bringing tho lovers together, and so ending tho family feud. Tho principal parts, those of toe “hicks” are taken by Wallace Beery and Raymond Hatton. ‘THE m CITY' ANOTHER CHAHEY MASTERPIECE Lou Chaney is undoubtedly one of the greatest character actors m tho film firmament, a fact that his recent performances have strikingly illustrated. Not only bv virtue of his uncanny ability as a "make-up artist, not alone for his remarkable histrionic powers, but as well for a'far wider reason—that his characterisations have an appeal for every class of theatregoer. One can always be sure of something distinctly above the average with a Chaney production, and ‘ The Big City, which opened at the Octagon .Lhcatro last evening, is no exception. It affords the celebrated star an opjiortunity of proving his undoubted worth in tho dramatic fields. A glimpse into the “invisible city” that apparently exists in every big American city, too strange manifestation of social file known as tho “underworld,” is provided in this graphic and enthralling production. Chaney again gives a masterful demonstration of his amazing versatility in playing the role of a rather unorthodox detective. The story, which has a charming romance in tho background, abounds with thrilling moments and mysterious happenings, and intrigued last evening’s audience vastly. Marceline Day, in the role of tho little shopgirl enmeshed ra an underworld of intrigue, gives a most appealing delineation. James Murray, as the young ganster who attains regeneration through her love, plays a difficult role with a well-bal-anced sense of artistry. Betty Compson, Matthew Betz, Virginia Pearson, and many other notable personalities are included in an exceptionally strong cast. Tod Browning, who was responsible for several of the star’s previous successes, directed the production from his own seript. The supporting programme is in pleasing variety. Two scenic and Nature films, both extremely instructive and educational, a hilarious Lupiuo Lane comedy, and a gazette in which recent important international events are shown, complete the entertainment. The polished placing of the orchestra, undeF the baton of M. Do Rose, was in itself a highly enjoyable feature of the programme. Kahn’s charming little ‘ Toyland Symphony * was an outstanding orchestral item. The drummer of the orchestra also contributed two pleasing xylophone solos, both of which were executed with great skill and precision. MARY PICKFORD IS HERE STRAND PROVIDES MARY CHUCKLES For once in a while it is pleasant to follow the romantic adventures of a girl called Maggie—especially so when this' particular Maggie has Mary Pickford to represent her and bring out for the' delectation of screen patrons all tho quaint little characteristics of an old-fashioned shop girl. In ‘My Best Girl,’ shown for the first time in Dunedin at 'the Strand last evening, Mary Pickford, who had the success of the picture in her keeping, not only earned an indefinite continuation of the popularity she now enjoys, but also shtf most probably enhanced it. As a versatile actress, she has, of course, made iter name, but it is doubtful if any of the films in which she has previously taken part have given her such an unlimited opportunity to reveal at one sitting, as it were, the many charming mannerisms incorporated in her acting. The sweet, homoloving . girl, tho vamp, toe" brokenhearted maiden, and the mischievous

minx mo all strikingly portrayed. Chuckles predominate, however, and the story ends in a furore of excitement and happiness. The film version of this fine romantic comedy arises out of a novel by Katherine Morris, one c: the leading women writers cf America, This is how the story goes; Maggie Johnson is an insignificant stock girl, who toils daily in a back room of a largo five and ten cent store.' Hors is the Sot of a Cinderella, but nevertheless she must find time to cook for her parents and older sister at homo. Joo Merrill, .the eon and heir of the proprietor of the store, is engaged to the usual type of society girl, but his businesslike and democratic sire decrees that before,the engagement is actually announced he shall start at the bottom of the firm’s staff and earn promotion. Under the name of Joe Grant lie finds himself associated with Maggie in the stock room — a happy position indeed. The chances of Millicent, the girl to whom ho is to be married, fade rapidly, and when Joe misses a birthday dinner to bo with Maggie there is quite- a flutter in the Merrill mansion. In the meantime Liz, Maggie’s sister, finds herself included in a charge of theft through _ the influence of a slippery male friend, ft is in moments of stress sucli as this that Maggie has to carry the family on her back. A weird and wonderful American court scone follows. Maggie triumphs. However, since she now knows who Joe really is she is suffering all the mental and spiritual complications arising from the position of being a poor girl in love with a wealthy man's son. Although the plot is a well-worn one, it does not detract anything from the interest power of the picture. The acting is too good to allow that, and laughter is too easily stimulated. The part of Joo Grant is attractively played by Charles Rogers, and Hobart Bosworth is a complete success as an American father. Luoiene Littlefield, Maggie’s father, can bo described as a “ character a species of Rairnsfather’s Old Bill. He contributes a goodly share of the comedy. The first picture on the programme is an excellent topical budget, describing events which, for the most part, have a distinctive tang of the sea. It is followed by a rollicking comedy that chronicles the adventures of a henpecked pair of husbands; their efforts to mako good in (lie eyes of their wives are most amusing. An item of distinct musical interest is a violin solo, ‘ C'anzonotta,’ played by Miss Mario Ravel. Miss Ravel’s performance last night was full of merit, her interpretation, expression, and tone leaving nothing to bo desired. The Strand Syniphony Orchestra, under Air L. D. Austin, played appropriate selections from its repertoire. EMPIRE THEATRE ATTRACTIVE CHRISTMAS BILL The Empire Theatre lias entered upon Christmas week with a .splendid holiday programme, which had its initial presentation yesterday before large audiences. Tenso drama and entertaining comedy drama are admirably blended, while there are not a few picturegoers who will welcome the news that Charlie Chaplin is to bo seen in a new' issue of one of_ his oldtime famous comedies. Charlie Chaplin’s earlier comedies provided something new in tho way of mirth-provok-ing films, and ‘ The Pawnshop ’ is no exception to the rule. Charlie is inimitable as a comedian, his droll antics being almost indescribably funny. There have been those who have tried to imitate him, but none has bettered him.

Films dealing with tlio Canadian North-west Mounted Polico always appeal to tho public, and ‘Code of the Scarlet ’ is one that all will enjoy, Ken Maynard, famous athletic star, having the leading role. Ken Maynard has tho part of a mounted trooper stationed in the Far North, where his unit is making a desperate effort to restore law and order to a region long accustomed to lawlessness and crime. Tho trooper makes an effort to clear tho brother of the girl he loves, but in doing so falls foul of the real criminal, who manages to sheet home an unfair charge of attempted murder on the police trooper. Some highlyexciting situation arise before the trooper manages to bring tho guilty man to boob, but throughout, the high ideal of the North-west Mounted Police is foremost before tho mind, this picture being quite ono of tho best of its kind that has been seen this way for a while. There is nothing new about the plot—in fact, it is tho usual tbomo of misplaced guilt, the problem gradually being unravelled by tho hero —but, tho picture is well presented, and tho story is dramatically told. There is plenty/if action in it—altogether an entertaining production. There are some stars in typically Western pictures who depend almost solely on their amazing stunts to win approbation, but Ken Maynard is no more stunt artist, for apart from some great riding and the usual fistic embellishments when the hero strikes trouble be gives a splendid characterisation of the Mounted trooper, and he has a good supporting cast. Johnny Hines has a stellar role in ‘ Chinatown Charlie,’ a comedy-melo-drama that is well up to the standard of the previous productions in which this versatile comedian has appeared. Johnny Hines is a guide on a sightseeing bus which couducts a tour of New York’s Chinatown, tho Bowery, and such places which adventurous hut otherwise highly respectable people occasionally like to visit. In the course of his duties, Johnny is drawn into the vortex of an intriguing plot, and his efforts to outwit a gang or Chinese smugglers are thrilling and diverting to the utmost degree. Tho girl he loves is kidnapped through the •agency of the leader of this gang, and Johnny’s efforts to rescue her certainly land him in some most dangerous and unforeseen places. Eventually, ho is successful in finding the girl, and incidentally in enabling the police to catch the gang red-handed. Johnny, disguised as an aged Celestial, in liis endeavours to outwit the wily Orientals, provides some hilarious interludes, and he has the support of a strong cast. The story is quite a good one, albeit a little disconnected at times, but Johnny Hines is sufficient to atone for any shortcoming in this respect, and the general opinion of those who Witness it should bo that it is a first-class production, full of laughs and hair-raising thrills. The management has been successful in securing tho services of Manuel Hyman, tho dancing violinist, for another week, and this popular artist received another great ovation last night. Manuel Hyman earned much fame for himself during the Exhibition period, and he has been heartily welcomed back here by all who remembered Ms delightful playing at tho Exhibition cabaret. Such popular numbers as ‘ I Love the Moon,’ ‘ Just Another Day Wasted Away,’ ‘ Deep in My Heart,’ ‘ Just Like a Melody Out of the Sky,’ and ‘ Jeannio ’ are included in' his repertoire, and the rhythm of his twinkling toes while lie is playing some tuneful number is something to wonder at. The Empire Symphonic Orchestra, _ under the conductorship of the musical director, Air Charles Aves, adds greatly to the enjoyment of a first rate entertainment. HOSLYH Buck Jones has always been a favourite with Roslyn Theatre patrons, and his reappearance will be welcomed to-night, when he will be seen in ‘ Hills of Peril,’ which is described as an “audience picture” from every angle, and. one of the best pictures that Jones has yet made. It contains every element that makes a great Western. Against a backpiound and’ amid tho beauty spots of California is enacted a

drama of absorbing interest, packed with thrills, sparkling with laughter, and with a love story of unusual charm. Not only Buck and his famed white horse, but every member of the 4 cash gives a performance that is promised will keep patrons’ interest at a high pitch throughout the showing. The supporting items will be news reel, scenic, comedy, and ‘ .WlQgMtfV ■