ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19731, 2 September 1927, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE, Gilda Gray, the famous dancer of the American stage, who won thousands of admirers in her first picture, "Aloma of the South Seas," has the leading role in "Cabaret," the Paramount feature which will be presented at the Regent Theatre to-day. '"Cabaret" is an unusual tale of the night-life of New York. Gilda, the leading dancer of a midnight show, is loved by a detective and hounded by a gang leader who has a mysterious influence over her young brother. The picture reaches its climax when the boy shoots the gang leador in self-deience and Gilda half dances, half carries the wounded youth through a crowd of revellers. Tom Moore, hero of "The Song and Dance Man" and "A Kiss for Cinderella," plays the role of the detective, while important roles are also held by Chester Conklin and Mona Palma. The story of the picture was written by the American playwright, Owen Davis. Tilton and West, who have earned the title of "The Joy Boys" iby their original and enjoyable act, will present an entertaining selection on the stage. Mr. Maurice Guttridge and the new Regent Operatic Orchestra, specially augmented by the Regent Ballroom Band and other talented soloists, will perform on the stage in a selection of popular items, specially suited for "Joy and Jszz Week." These will include, "Me, Too," "I'd Climb the Highest Mountain," "The Storm" and others. An equally appropriate programme will be presented by Eddie Horton on the great Wurlitzer organ. TIVOLI AND EVERYBODY'S. Directed by Herbert Brenon, whose production of "Beau Geiste" enhanced an already notable reputation, "God Gave Me Twenty Cents," now showing at the Tivoli and Everybody's Theatres., was specially chosen for the opening season of the famous Paramount Theatre in New York. The elaborate setting of the picturesque celebration of the Mardi Graa celebrations at New Orleans, with which the story opens, is said t-o be worthy in every way of the greiat director. Amid these scenes of revelry, a sailor, Steve Doran H from the ship Almagro, meets a pretty waitress, whose simple name of Mary typifies her sweat and innocent character. They are soon married, but their happiness is shattered all too soon by the intrusion of Cassie Lang, a former sweetheart of Doran's, who is in every way the opposite of Mary. By means of an old gambler's trick, performed with the coins that give their name to the story, Cassie tricks Steve into deserting Mary and going away with her. Steve, very reluctantly, leaves with her for his ship, which is on the point of departure. When the news reaches Mary she is broken-hearted. She makes her way to the docks, intending to drown herself, but in the nick of time an unexpected factor intervenes, again connected with the coins, and she is saved. "The Sensation Seekers," also showing, is a story of reckless youth. MAJESTIC THEATRE. An exciting story of love and adventure in the forest regions of California is told in "The Understanding Heart," which will be shown for the first time at the Majestic Theatre to-day. The picture is adapted from the novel by Peter B. Kyne. Joan Crawford, Rockliffe Fellowes and Francis X. Bushman, jun., appear in the principal roles. In the story, Monica Dale lives alone in a house on Bogus Peak, from which she keeps a constant look-out for outbreaks of fire in the surrounding forests. Bob Mason, s forest ranger, is sentenced to imprisonment for life , for shooting a man—although in selfdefence—but he escapes and seeks shelter in Monica's cabin. Tony Garland, a new recruit to the service, is sent to the lookout station to recapture the escaped man. To fool him, Monica permits him to make love to her. A tremendous, fire sweeps the forest and it is seeii that Bogus Peak will be swept by the flames. Tony dashes to warn Monica. Bob refuses to hide behind Monica any longer and shows himself. AH parties make a dash for safety but are forced hack to the peak. They are saved by a sudden downpour of rain. Bob's innocence is established, and the way is left open for him to marry Monica, "The Campbell Boys" will appear on the stage for a return season with their famous concertinas in a new programme of humour and harmony. A complete supporting programme of comedy and news items will also be screened RIALTO AND EPSOM REGENT. An excellent double-feature programme will be presented at the Rialto and Epsom Regent Theatres to-day. "London," an adaptation of a story by Thomas Burke, tne well-known author of * "Limehouse Nights," is one of the films. Dorothy Gish, the heroine of "Nell Gwyn," enacts the leading role and is supported by a full cast, including Adelqui Millar and the well-known English actor, John Manners. "London" is the second production of the British National Company and was filmed entirely in England. Wonderful scenes of London—the Tower Bridge, Petticoat Lane, Limehouse Reach, Chinatown, the Thames—form a background to the film. Mayfair, too, is shown in all its gaiety. One spectacular scene was filmed in the Kit-Kat Clnb, the hub of London's night-life. Many of the city's most famous buildings are shown, notably the Houses of Parliament, St. Paul's Cathedral and Buckingham Palace, with the changing of the Guard, a ceremony which daily attracts considerable interest. The second picture will be "The Potters," a bright and amusing comedy, featuring W. C. Fields. The film deals with Mr. Potter's unfortunate early ventures in the risky field of oil speculation, which result in terrible recriminations from the rest of his family. The usual supporting pictures, including the latest topical budgets, will be shown. GRAND THEATRE. A gripping romance of modern Spain describes "Lovers ?" the Metro-Goldwyn film which will be screened at the Grand Theatre to-day. The film shows 'the tragic effect of scandal on domestic happiness. Ramon Novarro has the part of a young playwright wh* innocently involved through gossip, which he is unable to trace or combat, in a scandal with the wife of his best friend. Novarro's characterisation is remarkable. As the young artist coping agaiust the enormous odds of ihe unseen enemy, he rises to the heights of dramatic expression. The duel scene, which is the only physical clash in this remarkable story, is superbly done. Novarro is a magnificent swordsman, as is John Miljan, his opponent, and the scene will long rank as among the greatest duels of the screen. Alice Terry is seen in the leading feminine role. Her beauty is secondary only to a wonderful gift of acting, and the difficult part of the slandered wife is a new triumph for the heroine of "Mare Nostrum" and "The Magician," Supporting roles are enacted by Roy D'Arcy, George K. Arthur, Edward Connelly, John Miljan and Edward Martindel. There will be a strong supporting programme. STRAND THEATRE. An adaptation from the great American stage success of the same name, "The Auctioneer," a Fox Films picture, will be a feature of the new programme which will commence at the Strand Theatre today. When "The Auctioneer" appeared on the stage, David Warfield was given an opportunity to prove his ability as an actor and to show that he could portray pathos as well as comedy and that his place was on the dramatic stage. The screen adaptation has kept the spirit of the original, adding only the necessary touches to bring the story up to date and to snake it more intimate and appealing. The plot revolves around Simon Levi, who, coming to America from Russia, makes a small fortune with his store on the East Side of New York. The second picture will be, "The. Little Irish Girl," a thrilling mystery-drama with Dolores Costello in the leading role. The story deals with a gang of "confidence" tricksters, who are outwitted by the cleverness of a' girl.

NATKKMt, THEATBB. The tragedy of ignorance and the im* perative necessity for wider and mora . ■ frank knowledge on the vital questions ol[ life form the theme of "Married Love,'' s, British film, whose production was supervised by Dr. Marie Stopes, now showing ' k at the National Theatre. The film is a pictorial expression- oi; Dr. Stopes' views upon vital matters, cleverly wrought into an interesting and convincing story. So gripping ia the action of the plot that the educative intention of the film never becomes obtrusive, Lilian Hall-Davis, the noted British actress, plays the part of a girl brought np in one of the worst quarters of London as the eldest of a family of fourteen. She lives a dreary life among the most squalid surroundings. The married life of her parents is shown to her as an unutterably sordid thing.. Her work as a waitress brings her- into contact wit h morbid and unpieasing manifestations o£ emotions ignorantly directed and misunderstood. Then she meets a young fireman, an honest fellow and with a true lovo for her. She returns his love, but refuses to marry him, as she ha 3 no conception of marriage as other than what has sickened her all her life, and she fears to face it. Miss Hall-Davis gives a most convincing interpretation, of the girl Maisie's clash of emotions in these scenes. She is overheard giving this explanation by her father, who bursts into the room, full of rage at her remarks about himself, and demands an explanation. The pentup disgust of years finds vent in her passionate speech, and he drives her from the house. Walking the streets of London, she finds everywhere the morbidity she has come to bate, and finally casts herself into th© Thames. She is rescued by Mr. ; Sterling, and Mr. and Mrs. Sterling take her into their home. There she learns what married life can be and how ignorance may be avoided and in an exciting climax she comes back, her eyes opened* to her lover. The accompanying picture ia "Headlines," an entertaining comedydrama. PRINCESS THEATRE. Ken Maynard's latest production, "The Land Beyond the Law," is the principal attraction on the current programme at the Princess Theatre. The story concerns the entry oi New Mexico into the United States of America, with the attendant disputes with cattle ranchmen and troubles with bandits, who were very powerful in the early days. The picture is an adaptation of a story by Marion Jackson, based on historical events, and is claimed to be one of the best "Western" films yet screened. Maynard, as a deputy appointed to help to reintroduce law and order into the State, gives one of his best performances and once again demonstrates his prowess as a horseman. Supporting roles are enacted by Dorothy Dwan, Noah Young and Gibson Gowland. A comedy-drama, "California or Bust," is the second feature. Th 3 leading roles are played by Helen Foster and George O'Hara. The usual supporting films complete the programme. PRINCE EDWARD. Adapted from the celebrated novel by A. S. M. Hutchinson, "The Happy Warrior," to be shown at the Prince Edward Theatre to-day, is the story of a young Englishman of noble birth. ; He is brought up by his aunt unaware of his claim to the title of Lord Burden, of whose son he meanwhile becomes a firm friend. He joins a travelling circus as an exhibition boxer, and passes through many exciting adventures. "The Magician," also to be screened to-day, is an uncanny story of a mad hypnotist, and of his baneful influence on the life of a young girl sculptor. A succ°.jJsion of mysterious events leads up to a terrible struggle at night in the sorcerer's tower and a satisfacory ending. The juvenile pantomime, "Prince Charming," will be presented again this evening by special request.