STAGE AND SCREEN

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 23 June 1928, Page 20

STAGE AND SCREEN

PICTURES, PL AYS AND PEOPLE

OPERA HOUSE. To-night — “Spoilers of the West” and “The W iza rd; ” Ti m M(Coy (iM ot ro- , Goldwyn-. Mayer), Edmund Lowe j (Universal Films). i June 25- — , “A Hero for a Night;’’ Glen Tvron 1 (Universal Films). ; June 28 — | “Open Range;’’ Lane . Chandler | (Paramount Films). June 2D — i “In Old Kentucky;’’ (Metro-Gold-: wyn-Mayer).

GRAND THEATRE. To-night— * “iSpoilers of the West;” Tim McI C’oy (lAlotro-Goldwyn-M’ayer), i June 2(l— - Hero for a Night;” Glen Tvron , (Universal Films). ‘June 27 — ; “Open Range;” Lane Chandler | (Paramount Films). |Juno 30 — | j “In -Old Kentucky” and “The Trail ; of the Tiger.”

COMING ATTRACTIONS.

Wednesday— . Musical Comedy Company in | “Archie.’’ 1 July 4-5 | “The Rough .Riders’’ and “The I Collegians. ’ ’ Julv 12-13 “Kings'ford-Sniith Flight Film’’ 1

July 9-10-11 “On Your Toes” (Reg. Denny). Julv 13-14 — ‘ : Mr. Wu” (Lon Chaney). July 18-19 ‘ ‘ Barbed Wire ” (Pola Negri). July 25-2(5-27 — “The Patent Leather Kid.”

“The “incomparable screen cast” is due at the Opera House „ shortly, when “The Rough Riders’’ ojiens. Critics sav it is the finest- combination O'f popular young film players and favourites ever assembled in one production. Oil the side of youth there are Mary Astor, leading woman, and Charles Farrell and Charles Emmett Mack, leading men. The so-called veterans are Noah Beery, George Bancroft. and Fred Kohler, who have great followings. Frank Hopper, double of Theodore Roosevelt, has a superb role.

Over four thousand extras were used in one of Los Angeles’ large prize fight arenas during the shooting of ’ ‘On Your Toes,” the Reginald Denny Universal Production, which opens its Ilawera season Monday, July 9. The film depicts Denny in the role of a boxer who fights his way to the heavyweight championship of the world. It is the most, successful picture' the star lias appeared in since entering the screen world Supporting him in the picture are Barbara Worth as the leading lady. Hayden Stevenson, Frank Hagney,* Mary Carr, Gertrude Howard, and George West.

“The Trail of the Tiger,” showing at the Grand Theatre to-night, is one of those fast moving thrillers that come in two reel episodes, each -of them enthralling the audience from start to finish. In that last episode, eagerly awaited justice receives its reward and villainy pays clearly for its crimes. This serial play is set in a large circus travelling the -Western part of the United States and combines all the thrills of the circus, fires , wind, ’storms, lions and tigers wandering loose, dynamite explosions, with the gun play, the lights, and the dark plotting that characterised the old West. In the twenty reels of this serial there is not a dull moment according to Henry Alacßae, noted thrill coneocter and a leading director, who is responsible largely for the fast action which features “The Trail of the Tiger. ’ ’

Vibrating with the joys of student life and high pressure fun, “The Collegians” will be seen in further adventures beginning shortly at the Opera House. George Lewis, who plays the- featured lead and Dorothy Gulliver in the feminine lead, have built up an ardent following through their appealing performances in past .numbers of this exhilarating- series, which was written for the screen by Carl Laemmle, Jr. Excitement and hilarity of an unusual sort are promised in the coming picture.

Yvonne .Banvard, delightful comedienne of “Rose Marie,” is going into vaudeville with her own act very shortly. .Sydney and Melbourne Tivoli dates have not yet 'been fixed, .but the act is being prepared. She is Yvonne, the Versatile.

What is claimed to be the most remarkable box office record ever established in any single theatre in the entire world was that made by Charlie •Chaplin in the opening week of ‘“The Circus” at the .Salle Marivaus on the Boulevard in Paris, France. At this theatre normal “grosses” for feature pictures range between 40,000 and 70,000 francs per week. Air. Chaplin’s .production on its opening day “grossed” a total of 76.000 francs', and for the entire week it did a gross business of 451,700 francs. Crowds stood in line each day from ten in the morning until eleven o’clock at night, and it- was necessary for the police to patrol the theatre each day to keep the crowds orderly. * if if *

A 1 Wilson’s latest Western air film, "The Phantom Flyer,” the Universal feature attraction affords an excellent opportunity for this flying man to demonstrate his skill with an aeroplane. Putting a wheel on the landing-gear of a plane that is thousands of feet in the nir, so that it, might land in safety, is , one of the thrills.

‘l‘Woman Wise,” screened in Hawora shortly, is one of the largest features to be completed at the Fox (Studios. The story ’deals with 'the adventures of a ne’er-do-well, .who lias .lovely charming young ladies all round the world, and who finds himself in Persia, plunged into a series of intrigues in which he is endeavouring to get the better of the pasha. To the Consulate comes a charming young woman as assistant consul, and here the ne’er-do-well discovers he has at last fallen in love. However, the_girl is more interested in the consul, who feigns indifference until she is about to leave. William Russel is well cast as the adventurer, with June -Coliver playing the heroine and Walter Pidgeon as the consul.

iS'ince December, 192,6, when fire .destroyed the Opera House, Auckland, the firm of John Fuller and Sons, Ltd.. have been without a theatre in which jto house their productions. It is- true that vaudeville Was carried an for some time at The Prince Edward Theatre, in Karangaliape Road, blit this was no't very ' successful —the accommodation was limited and the “clientele” of the Opera House found it hard to adjust themselves to the change of positions. Queen Street and in close proximity to same is looked upon as the theatrical centre and people could not accustom themselves to going elsewhere for their amusement. Hence the closing of -The Prince Edward Theatre after some six months or so of vaudeville. Very shortly now, (Sir Benjamin and John Fuller will bein business again in Auckland and the completion of the finest- theartica! house in Australasia is almost at hand. On July 5. St. James’ Theatre, as 'thi> new house will be known by, opens its doors —not to vaudeville certainly. but i oSir Benjamin and Air. John Fuller’s London Musical Comedy Company and tin* people of Auckland. Tt is a magnificient structure topped’ bv a tower over which predominates a huge blue light in the shape of a globe,-which will form a feature of the. city’s skyline from almost any angle. Of the company having the honour to open this theatre of beauty and luxury, little need be said. They are alvc'adv known throughout the length and j breadth of New Zealand, having first made a reputation for themselves in “No, No. Nanette” and “Lady, Be Good.” Sin Benjamin and Air. .John Fuller’s two musical 'comedies which toured through here last year, ami now repeating that wonderful success with i “Archie.” “Sunny” and “Moreen- | Alary.” musical comedies which have" eclipsed even the reputable records of the two former pieces. “Archie”, (witli Jimmy GocTden in the title role and Elsie Prince as his wife) will be persontod at the Opera House on Wed- 1 nesday night.

For the first time in her career on the screen, Pola Negri plays a mother role. The vnmpish Pola of former days is missing in her latest Paramount jiic Mi re, “The Woman on Trial.” In stead she portrays a wistful and sympathetic character. “The Woman on Trial” shows her as a' woman fc-ho lives only for her child, never dreaming tliat happiness with the man Hie really loves is to be hers some day. The picture is based on <a famous stage success by Ernest Vajada, Hungarian dramatist. ' The romance at James Afurrav’s rise to instantaneous favour in King Vidor’s “The Crowd” (vet to be released) will be well understood when you see this amazing youngster in “In Old Kentucky”!—He .lias good looks, perfect physique, an appealing personality, and a whole wealth of historic talent. In addition to introducing a star of the future. “In Old Kentucky” brings back a familiar one —Wesley .Barry. Wes. lias lost his million freckles, also his awkward youth; but the .once marvellous child actor looks like retaining all his admirers as -an adult performer. Others in the-cast include lovely Helene Costello and Australian Dorothy Cummings, who has recently been featured in a number of M.G.M. .Productions. This fine picture will bo screened at the Opera House Friday and Saturday next.