ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19736, 8 September 1927, Page 17

ENTERTAINMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE. . The arrival of spring will be heralded at the Regent Theatre to-morrow by the commencement of a special "Spring Week" programme of appropriate music and stage effects. Marie Lawton, who recently charmed .audiences of the J. C. Williamson Celebrity Vaudeville Company, will present her delightful musical act. Miss Lawton sings to tlie accompaniment of her harp, and. as well as being a talented performer on the strings, has a charming voice. She will be heard in "Blue Skies" and songs typical of spring. Eddie Horton will piay "The Storm" on the Wurlitzer organ, accompanied by the orchestra. A delightful "Spring Ballet," full of colour and arlistic arrangement, will he presented by Miss Cecil Hall and her ballet. Appropriate music, including Mendelssohn's "Spring Song." will be presented by the new Resent Operatic Orchestra, under the baton of Mr. Maurice Guttridge A most amusing comedv-drama will he presented in "Let It Rain." featuring Douglas MacLean and Shirley Mason. The title refers to the nickname of a young marine. "Let-it-rain" Riley, who is roused from the lethargic indifference that has won him his name and reputation by a chance meeting with a girl. Life changes quite suddenly for him after this event, and he is soon embarked on a career of adventure, both exciting and ludicrous. An interesting supporting programme will also be screened. GRAND THEATRE. Romance and adventure in the forests of California form the theme of " The Understanding Heart," which will head the new programme at the Grand Theatre to-morrow. 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. To her cabin come a forest ranger, wanted by the police on a murder charge, and his pursuer. The situation thus created is worked out in a sequence of romantic and dramatic events, culminating in a forest fire. "The Auctioneer," an appealing story adapted from the stage play, will be the second attraction. Interpreted by a talented cast, the screen adaptation has kept the spirit of the original, adding only the necessary touches to bring the story up to date and to make it more intimate and appealing. The plot revolves round Simon Levi, who, comincr to America from Russia, makes a small fortune with his store on the East Side of New York. NATIONAL THEATRE. "Counsel for the Defence," starring Betty Compson, will be shown at the National Theatre for a week commencing to-day. Miss Compson appears as a young woman just out of college who is confronted by one of life's most tragic situations just a few days after she has received her diploma. Her father, an esteemed resident of a small town, is being victimised by political rogues who would rob him of his invention. The daughter is confronted with the problem of not only saving him from financial ruin but preventing his reputation from being ruthlessly shattered. She is not an experienced attorney and yet she must defend her father on hard legal technicalities because of the cunningness of the scoundrels and their success in intimidating every lawyer in town against accepting a retainer from the olef man. How she does this and saves her father provides excellent screen entertainment. The story of an inexperienced boy and his dog, who had a keener instinct that his master, is told in "North Star," which will be shown as a supporting picture. The production was adapted from the novel by Rufus King by Associated Exhibitors, Ltd. The dog actor, Strongheart, is featured, while Virginia Lee Corbin, Ken Maynard and Stuart Holmes have leading parts. STRAND THEATRE. Australasian's Films' production, "For the Term of His Natral Life," adapted from the widely-read book by Marcus Clarke, will be the chief feature on the programme to commence a week's season at the Strand Theatre to-morrow. The film was produced entirely in Australia, many ot the scenes being obtained at the old penal settlement at Port Arthur, Tasmania. Eva Novak, the noted American actress, plays the leading feminine role, that of Sylvia Vickers, and is said to attain one of her greatest successes. Another prominent role is enacted by Marian Marcus Clarke, a daughter of the author. As Lady Devine she has an excellent opportunity of showing the high standard of her artistic talent. Although she has done much literary work, she is not new to the theatrical profession, having played on the stage in America for six years, where one of her best roles was the missionary's wife in "Rain," which she played for 40 weeks. She also played in "Seventh HeaveYi," staged in Sydney under the J. C. Williamson management. Rufus Dawes, the convict, is portrayed by George Fisher. Other leading characters are played by Jessica Harcourt, Dunstan Webb, Katherine Dawn and Mayne Lynton. " THE KID BROTHER." Harold Lloyd is surrounded by his usual capable complement of supporting players in his third Paramount release, "Kid Brother," which will commence showing at the Princess, Tivoli and Everybody's Theatres to-day. Again heading his support will be Jobyna Ralston, who probably terminates her career as Lloyd's leading lady with this production, after appearing in all his pictures for the last thiee years. - Miss Ralston will be introduced as the girl with the medicine show, which offers a concentrated source of laughter and drama in the picture. Appearing as Harold's father is Walter James, who for years appeared on the legitimate stage, and soon after entering motion pictures played Mary Pickford's father in "Little Annie Rooney," Olin Francis and Leo Willis, portraying Lloyd's older brothers, have been featured in numerous pictures. Francis' most lecent work was as the second mate with John Barrymore in "The Sea Beast." Willis was in many of "Bill" Hart's pictures and is a familar figure in Hal Roach comedies. A comedy-drama, "See You in Gaol," will be shown in support at the Princess Theatre. The cast includes Jack Mulhall, Alice Day and Mack Swain. A dramatic story of the sea is told in "Shipwrecked,"- the second picture at Everybody's Theatre. "The Desperate Game" will be seen at the Tivoli Theatre. MAJESTIC THEATRE. John Gilbert, who has appeared with success in many recent productions, notably in the leading role of "The Big Parade," is stated to achieve a further triumph in the title role of "Bardelys the Magnificent," which will commence a short season at the Majestic Theatre tomorrow. The picture is an adaptation of a novel by Rafael Sabatini, the noted author of "Scaramonche" and "The Sea Hawk." The story is a delightful romance of France during the most colourful vears of her history. The supporting cast is stated to be except ionallv well Eleanor Boardman appears as Roxalane de Lavedan. the proudest , most beautiful and most unapproachable member of the nobility of France. Rov D'Arcv is seen as Chatelleranlt. Bardolvs' rival and fellow adventurer, while other characters are portraved by Arthur Lubin, Lionel Belmore. Emilv Fitzroy and Karl Dane. MUNICIPAL CHOIR. A varied programme of standard and popular worlcs has been arranged for the Municipal Choir concert in the Town Hall on Satudav evening. The choral numbers will include madrigals by Palestrina and Byrd, Gardiner's " Cargoes " and the north country old hunting song " John Peel." Miss Isobel Langlnnds, violinist, and Mr. Birrell O'Malley will be the assisting artists, and the city organist., Mr. J. Maughan Barnett, will play a number of organ solos.

BENEFIT CONCERT. There was a small audience at the Town Hall last evening when a concert was given under the auspices of the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association in aid of partially disabled soldiers. A weilarranged programme was opened with a march "Palmer House," and a selection from "No, No, Nanette," played by the Auckland Artillery Band. Songs were contributed by Mr, Frank Sutherland, Mr. Jean l)ellore, Mr. Birrell O'Malley, Miss S. R. Stacpoole, Miss Ina Thompson, and the Lyric Quartette. Mr. Cyril Towsey and Miss Margaret Stoddart contributed a violin and piano duo, and Miss Mavis Grevatt played a harp solo. Modern dances were demonstrated by Mesdames M. Woollcott Paul and C. Uroves, and Messrs. Baird, Paul and Phimer, and humorous items were given by Mr. A. McElwain and Mr. Dan Flood. Master Neil Arrow and Miss Joan McAlnme appeared in a juvenile dance, and ->n acrobatic dance was performed bv Misses Thora Campbell and Hazel Millev. A 'cello sc-o was played by Mr. Francis Bate.