ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 134, 7 May 1928, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

PA LA 3 E THEATRE. “HARD BOILED HAGGERTY.” Women laugh more easily than men, but, paradoxical as it may scorn, men favour comedies more than women. Consequently, the director of humorous pictures lias a problem on his hands. First, ho must have a titlo for liis film that will appeal to women and then lie must figure on situations that wil lnot appear ridiculous to masculine fans. Charles Braliin, director of “Hard-Boiled Haggerty,” which is showing at the Palace Theatre to-night, is responsible for tile statement and fortifies his theory with the explanation that women are the bearers of the race and consequently have been forced to take life more seriously through the generations than the men. “But the average woman is not analytical when it comes to entertainment. Things that some comedians do are cute or during to them, while to a man in an audience tho fun is too silly to bo funny to him. “Men like logic in their comedy. Women are not so particular, but do not think they are fooled by straight dramatic pictures when the continuity is not good. They are extremely critical.” In “Hard-Boiled Haggerty” tho title role is played by Alilton Sills. Molly O’Day has the leading feminine role, while Arthur Stone, the comedian, plays the clown. The theme deals with Haggerty, an aviator, and Stone, his mechanic, in a carousal in Paris following the _ hero’s downing his fifth German plane during the world war.

THEATRE DE LUXE. “CHEATING CHEATERS.” A situation in which some of New York’s cleverest crooks break down the barriers of society invade tho realms of tho upper class is part of the plot that is interwoven for flic basis of “Cheating Cheaters,” ihe greatest comedy-drama production of the season, which opened at the Theatre do Luxe on Saturday before a packed house. With Eddie Gribbon and Erwin Connelly, an unbeatable comedy team, playing supporting roles to the intriguing blonde beauty, Betty Compson, is is no wonder that the house fairly shook with laughter; and in the next insiant to be thrust into a spirit iof depression as tho handsome Kenneth Harlan has his lofty ideals of love shattered on the rocks of reality. All tends to hold the interest of the most critical audience. And i tho mirth-provoking climax surpasses all the fantastic fancies of imagination. Others in the supporting cast are Sylvia Ashton, enacting one of her favourite mother roles, Lucien Littlefield and Cesare Gravina. This is Edward Laemmlo’s second consecutive “crook ’ picture for Universal and according to enthusiastic audiences is one of the finest crook pictures ever filmed. The supports include an International News, British Gazette, “Tho Greater Collegians,” and a comedy. A feature of the programme" is the delightful music by the orchestra do Luxe. Patrons are advised to make early reservations. The plan is at Berryman’s or theatre ’phone 5050. “THE WAY OF ALL FLESH.” On Wednesday next “Tho Way of All Flesh” will bo the attraction at the Theatre de Luxe, commencing at tho matinee at 2 p.ni. It is the first American-made picture of Emil Jannings. Jminings is tho actor whoso Boss Mueller in ‘‘Variety” was agreed by all critics and exhibitors to be tho outstanding film performance of 1926. Tho best professional talent available was assembled around the facile star, and the most efficient tchnical staff procurable in the film capital brought it to the screen. Belle Bennett, famous for her “Stella Dallas” portrayal, plays Jannings’s wife with a sympathetic understanding. Phyllis Haver js tho other woman. Donald Keith and the three “Beau Gestc” children are also featured. “The Way of All Flesh” was directed by Victor Fleming who has made many remarkable successes. A special musical score has been arranged for the orchestra dc Luxe. Patrons are advised to make early rservations; tho plan is at Berryman’s.

KOSY THEATRE. TERRORS IN “FINGER PRINTS.” Seldom have the walk of the Ivosy Theatre rung with such honest laughter as that which greeted the beloved 'comedienne, Louise Fazenda, in her first starring vehicle, “Finger Prints,” shown to a capacity house on Saturday night. She plays the part of small, sharp-nosed, spying JUora Traynor, servant in a house of mystery, which hides a gang of desperate robbers. What Lora does to foil them ! What shivering, hair-raising terrors she encounters! What varying degrees of fright she simulates, from ear-prickling attention to wide-mouthed shrieking frenzy. The role has given Miss Fazenda her biggest opportunity, and she has seized it with the zest of a true comedienne. Plyaing opposite her is John T. Murray, the musical comedy recruit io pictures who scored a big hit in “Bardelvs the Magnificent.” Ilolene Costello is also featured in the role of a bandit’s sister, who carries around with her in a locket a paper that tells the hiding place of 5,000,000 dollars in loot. The additional feature is “Nevada with Gary Cooper and Thelma Todd from the story written by Zano Grey, the most popular author of western tales. A talc of the west, when a man’s best friends were his horse and six-shooter; when women wore heroines; when cattle rustlers and bad men roved in ferocious bands; when the wide plains oflered thrilling adventure, and life depended on the quickness of a man’s draw. It was the era in which the old west was just beginning to fade, and the lawful element was serving notice that outlawry would no longer bo tolerated. The supoprting short subjects are of a high order.