ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 104, 2 April 1929, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

KOSY THEATRE. “VAMPING VENUS” AND “RED HEELS.” T|iese two excellent 'features will bo screened . finally to-night. Tho scenes are most spectacular and impressive in Fjrst National’s great special comedy, “Vamping Venus. .Impressive sets were made and hundreds of extras used for the ancient Greece sequences in this picture, a story of a New York politician of to-day who takes an imaginary trip to Athens in the height of its glory. While tho picture is intended primarily for laughing purposes, and serves those purposes well, it is also an artistic triumph for First National with scenes that fairly dazzle the eye. Charlie Murray demonstrates that ho is one of the funniest comedians on the screen in his latest vehicle. With Miss Fazenda’s aid he keeps the audience in an uproar. The second feature is “Red Heels” starring tho famous Continental star, Lila Damita. To take a theatrical star at the height of her career to a honeymoon in Brittany, where the husband fishes the live-long day, is to invite trouble. Yet this is just what Miles did when he married Celiinene, the “darling of Paris.” WEDNESDAY’S PROGRAMME.

Another great programme is billed for screening to-inorriw, headed by William Haines in “Excess Baggage.” Tho notable cast is led by a brilliant and beautiful actress in Miss Dunn. The direction is by James Cruze, this being his first picture f9r M-G-M under the contract he recently signed with this company. In addition “Prep and Pep,” starring David Rollins and Nancy Drexel, will bo shown. This is ono of the best filmed stories of a military school and the transition of a timid boy to the highest honour student in the school. The greater part of tho picture was filmed at Culver Military Academy in Indiana. Nancy Drexel plays the feminine load and others in the cast are E. H. Calvert and Frank Albertson. THEATRE DE LUXE. “STREET ANGEL.” Following directly on its outstanding Wellington success, “btreet Angei,” a powenul story with an ausorbing human love theme, maue unuer the direction of Frank Borzuge tor Fox F’ilms, comes to tho Theatre JJe huxe to-morrow for a season ot throe nights and two matinees (tomorrow ana Thursday at 2 p.m.). Janet Uaynor and Charles Farrell, wtio rose to tame overnight as the “Diane” and "Chico,” ot "7th Heaven,” appear together at the head of an exceptional cast. The story is laid against me colourful background ot Naples and the beautiful, sectioned photographic treatment of the many picturesque scenes is a conspicuous contriDution to tho art of the motion picture. Miss Gaynor is a little wait of the Neapolitan waterfronts, and Farrell is a vagabond artist who meets and falls in love with her. They handle their roles with superb skill and their many love scenes together hoid one enraptured. As a prologue to the film, Miss E. Gooding, tho well-known vocalist, will sing the charming theme song, “My Angel.” The box plan is now open at tho Central Booking Office, Majestic Buildings, Broadway, 'pnone 7178. AN ATTRACTIVE PROGRAMME.

“A Woman Redeemed,” a stirring story of the Secret Service, heads tho very entertaining bill, tho final presentation of which will take place at the Theatre de Luxe this evening. An all-British picture with an all-British cast, it tolls of the adventures of an inventor who has perfected the plans for a wireless-controlled' aeroplane. A secret society which aims at world revolution hears of the invention and makes arrangements to steal the plans by the aid of their most successful decoy, a beautiful woman. Gaining the confidence and friendship of the inventor, sho gets possession of the plans. The scenes thereafter are full of interest, for the British Secret Service takes a hand in tho game and joins issue with the secret society and its agents. Joan Lockton and Brian Ahcarne are the stars, and there is a strong supporting cast. Also on the programme is episode seven of the series of “New Greater Collegians,” entitled “Dear Old Calford.’ Interesting supporting films and bright music by the Premier Quintette contribute to a fine entertainment. Tho box plan is available at the Central Booking Office, Majestic Buildings, Broadway, ’phone 7178.

f AT THE PALACE. REG. DENNY IN BIG COMEDY. New York’s gayest party, the annual Beaux Arts ball at iVebster Hall, is featured in Reginald Denny’s new Universal starring vehicle, “The Night Bird,” which is the star attraction at present at the Palace Theatre. The galaxy of femin-ine-pulchritude , appearing as dancers in elude tho pick of Hollywood screen players and the Los Angeles stage. Denny, with Corliss Palmer playing the role of a socalled love bandit, puts on ono of the funniest dancing acts ever screened. Thousands of toy balloons, miles of paper dreamers and hundreds of pounds of confetti were consumed during the week scent fi!n ing this sequence. A large oichcstra and talented entertainers completed the atmosphere. Denny appears in the role of a prize fighter whoso promoter believes that appearing in the city’s night life will increase the box office at his fights. So ho forces the woman-shy fighter to attend the Beaux Arts Ball among other hilarious episodes. “The Night Bird” is tho screen version of the popular story, “The Man Disturber,” by Frederick and Fanny Hatton. The screen adaptation was done by Nick Barrows and Earle Snell while Snell did the continuity. Bet6y Lee, a new discovery who played the leading role last year in the Arthur Lake comedies, has her first big featured role in “The Night Bird” playing ’ the role of the little “Alan Disturber.”