ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 21, 22 December 1928, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

THEATRE DE LUXE. LAURA LA PLANTE COMEDY. It is difficult to conccivo how ono small young lady can got into so many mix-ups as demonstrated by Laura La Pianto in hor latest screen comedy, “Home, James,” which comes to the Theatro do Luxe this evening. Tho mix-ups are all funny, too. In fact, tho entire picturo is riotous with laughter. Imagine a young and ambitious girl who thinks she is an artist and who loaves her stop-mother and step-sistor to go to tho big city and study art. That is all right, but picturo her having to come down to a sales job behind the art knick-knacks countor of a department storo. Of course she’s selling paintings, but not her own. Complicate this with a handsome chauffeur who later turns out to bo somebody else. Also imagine step-mother and step-sistor coming to town to visit their successful artist-relative. And don’t forget the demon floor-walker. It is a comedy, therefore, it comes out happy in the end, but what a lot of grief for the girl and what a lot of hilariously comical situations in tho meantime. Those 'who thought Miss La Plante was funnv in any of her other Universal comedies should go to sco “Homo James” and watch a real comedienne at tho peak of hor fun-making career. As an added attraction, Miss Ngaira Goughian, of Palmerston North and Miss Reta Beck, of Dunedin, two extremely elevor dancers, have been specially engaged for this evening and will appear in _ a simultaneous novelty dance number .entitled “Pitter-Patter.” This item will delight all lovers of good stage dancing. Tho excellence of the programme will assure patrons of the Theatre do Luxe a most enjoyable evening’s entertainment. The box plan will be at Berryman’s.

KOSY THEATRE. JACK HOLT IN A ZANE GREY STORY Zane Grey, tho greatest of all western writers, has been further honoured by Paramount Pictures, in producing his latest picture “The Vanishing Pioneer.” All classes of people lovo to read Zane Grey’s books and this one, which has been adapted to tho screen, is tho best book ho has written. The story shows tho early pioneers of America fighting their way across tho burning sands with a blazing sun above. Half tho men and women are crazy with thirst, and tako up tho sand and try and drink it. The leader of tho expedition has a son — Holt as a boy—and just as the pioneers are about to turn back he wonders what 'is over the brow of somo hills. His curiosity finds water and a fertile valley. The settlers mako money, but a big city rises near-by and needs water. Tho mayor sends a representative to buy tho water rights of the settlers. He is “yellow,” and tries to filch them of their rights. Holt is implicated in a murder chargo, is innocent, and forces a confession from the villian just as there is a pitched battle between the gang, which is trying to steal the water rights, and the owners. The Mayor of tho city and his colleagues arrive on tho scone, and an honourable agreement is arranged. Also showing is a delightful college film with a great cast which includes Bobby _ Agnew, and Pauline Garon. Ben Turpin is there to supply tho comedy part. Tho film is “Playing Straight,” a story of mad pranks on tho campus, when upper classmen meet freshmen and givo them lessons in how to act in collogo.

AT THE PALACE. “LADY BE GOOD” TO-NIGHT. The lifting strains of “Lady Bo Good,” the musical comoy, aro known everywhere. Now come 3 tho First National picturo version of the famous stage play featuring Dorothy Mackaill and Jack Mulhall. Adapted from the. musical comedy, the picture has all tho music and ten times tho comedy, plus the inimitable acting of the screen’s most beloved lovers. Mulhall is seen as a magician, with Dorothy Mackaill as his winsome lady assistant. Tho two are engaged, and plan to marry tho day they aro booked to play in New York’s Palaco Theatre — the goal of every vaudevilo actor, but instead of an engagement thoro comes a period of unemployment. Both aro broko, and Jack’s rival engages Dorothy to play in his circuit; Jack becomes very jealous, and breaks his engagement with hor, and later gets an engagement which forces him to hire another assistant, who proves to be very “dumb” and unwilling to learn. Tho act goes over very badly with hi 3 now assistant. Meanwhile Mary (Dorothy) has an argument with her employer and immediately leaves him, and later, hearing that Jack’s magic act was playing the next town, she goes there. She manages to intimidate the magician’s new assistant, and that night when Jack starts his act ho is dumfounded when Mary, instead of his new assistant, appears bedecked in her usual costume, and he takes her into an embrace. “Lady Be Good” will bo shown at tho Palace Theatro to-night. The supporting cast includes John Miljan, Nita Martan, Dot Farley, John Finlayson, Aggio Herring, Jay Eaton, Eddie Clayton and Yola d’Avril.