ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19879, 24 February 1928, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE

AMUSEMENT PARK. All sections of the community continue to patronise Luna lark, where the host of attractions holds a never-ending appeal for young and old. The river caves, with their many wonders, are as popular as the day they were introduced, while every visitor patronises the "dodgems" and scenic railway some time during the evening In every part of the park there is something to entertain and amuse, and each night there is an orchestra providing the latest dance music. This evening the park will open at 7.30. "QUEEN HIGH." The season of "Queen High" at His Majesty's Theatre will conclude on Saturday night. There will be a special matinee the same afternoon. This musical comedy* which is bright and sparkling, shows unmistakably the master hand of the producer, Mr. Charles A. Wenman.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Produced in tho cai.se of fire prevention, "Eire," the .Metro Goldwyn-Mayer Ipictur® which wiil be shown to-day for tho first time at the Majestic Theatre, .was made with the. active co-operation pf the International Association of Fire £hiefs and carries official endorsement as to its story and authenticity. After seeing Jhis production a noted critic wrpte: — "Out of spectacular fires, racing engines jnd thrilling rescues, William . Nigh has made a picture that does much more j shan entertain. Under this director's guidance "Fire" becomes a vivid example pf how a motion picture can bo a potent influence for the good of mankind by teaching a grave warning against the gangers of trifiling with fire. It shows ' -with wonderful realism all the thrills of gk iireman's life and i 3 filled with suspense, pathos and the warm glow of a mother's love." In the roles of three Bremen Tom O'Brien, Charles ,Ray and jWarner Richmond are said to give won- | flerful performances, while Eugenie Besserer is the mother of the boys. May McAvoy, who was seen as Esther in »'Ben Hur," De Witt Jennings. Holmes Herbert and Bert Woodruff are other fav- j purite players in a well-selected cast. The Majestic Orchestra will play "Pique pamo" (Suppe) as an overture, while a musical novelty, "Hello Aloha," in which Miss Doreen O'Leary is the principal dancer, will also be presented. The supporting programme includes a New Zealand scenic film, the Majestic Magazine and a comedy, "Love 'Em and Feed *Em." STRAND THEATRE. Indomitable courage and an intense appreciation of the beauty gf life are the main themes of "Seventh Heaven," which will shortly close its most successful season at the Strand Theatre. Playing in the principal roles are Charles 'Farrell and Janet Gaynor, whose acting has proved a revelation in its direct .simplicity and freedom from studio technique. Of Miss Gaynor'!! portrayal a noted critic has said: •''The flower-like charm of this young actress is something new, appealingly refreshing, and spiritually beautiful. Words cannot describe the winsomeness of her toar-dimmed smile, her happy laugh, or the manner in which she shows her spiritual growth from a cringing street waif to a woman fearless in the face of appalling danger, and who meets the worst that life threatens to offer unflinchingly. Charles Farrell, who also rises to stardom with his performance in the role of Chico, that "remarkable fellow,' is equally appealing with his stalwart manhood, and his care-free way of leading Diane frcm the gutter up the long winding flights cf stairs to his heaven in a garret beneath the stars." All the fog-bound romantic atmosphere of Parisian Montmartre, where the story is laid, has been retained through expert lighting and photography in the picture, and all of the intimate and beautiful thoughts which made the play so great have been kept through dii-ection and interpretation. A special prologue precedes each screening of "Seventh Heaven." which is accompanied by a skil-fully-arranged musical score.

GRAND THEATRE. Lew Cody and Aileen Pringle, two of Ihe most successful players in light comedy roles, will be seen together for the first time in the latest Metro-Goldwyn farce, "Adam and Evil," which will be shown at the Grand Theatre to-day. The story of "Adam and Evil" revolves round the "return from Brazil of Alfred Trevelyan, whose striking resemblance to his married twin brother Adam causes a series of adventures which arc probably the most originally humorous ever seen on the screen. Tho sophisticated and whimsical Lew Cody fills the dual roles of the two brothers, his performance being hailed by critics as the greatest of his successful career. Aileen Pringlo, who is one of the best'dressed'women on the screen, fills the leading feminine role, and proves herself a most accomplishad comedienne. In addition there will be screened "Tbe Unborn." a drama which deals with social questions of to-day. This picture has teen described as "a page from a woman s soul." and has created a stir wherever it has been shown. Tbe great problem of birth-control is dealt with, while the story itself is said to be tensely dramatic throughout. The picture was produced by William Christie Cabanne, and the cast includes, among a number of well-known plavers, Alec.B. Francis, Casson Ferguson end Ruth Renwick.

PRINCESS AND TIVOLI. Reginald Denny's latest comedy, "Out lAII Night," is the first attraction on an excellent programme which was shown for the first time last evening at the Princess and Tivoli Theatres. Jhe stoiy concerns a newly-married young man who is forced to pose as a ship's doctor on jus honeymoon because his wife, a wellknown actress, is forbidden by the terms of "her contract to marry. The trip across the Atlantic provides a series of hilarious ;,i situations, embarrassing complications folJt' lowing one another in quick succession. This series of ludicrous . misadventures gives Denny ideal opportunities for his unique type of comedy characterisation and he gives a wonderfully clever performance. The capable supporting cast includes Marian Nixon, Ben Hendricks, Dorothy Earle and Dan Mason. The second feature is "Man Crazy," a First National picture featuring; the popular comedy pair, Jack Mulhall and Dorothy MackaiH, who have proved themselves among the most successful light comedians on the screen. Included on the supporting programme is another of the popular "Collopans" series, "Samson at Calford." George Lewis is the leading player in a strong cast of well-known juveniles.

A departure from the usual policy of the Regent Theatre is announced for the Week commencing to-day, when an allpicture programme will be screened. The first attraction will be "Hula," a romance laid in the society life of Honolulu. leading role is taken by Clara Bow, wnd has come to be known after her successes in "It," "Mantrap" and "Rough House Rnsie," as "the madcap of the screen." "Hula" is said to give hor an ideal opliortunity for the best charaterisation -of ler career in & perfect setting. Clive Brook is the leading man, other favourite players in the supporting cast being Arietta Marchal, Arnojd Kent and Albert Gran. The second feature will be "Stark Love," a true story laid in the rugged fastnesses, of Northern Carolina, The theme of this picture is described as most unusual, while there is no cast of actors. All the roles are filled by the fierce and ignorant mountaineers, wh,o arc said to give most realistic portrayals, Another of the popular "Music Masters" series, showing the life of Verdi, will be screened to the combined accompaniment of orchestra and organ, while Leslie Harvey will also give a new series of numbers at the organ. A comedy, a cartoon and "Black Magic," a film of great local interest, showing the New Zealand coalmining industry, complete the programme.

NATIONAL AND LYRIC. An excellent double-feature programme how showing at the National and Lyric Theatres is headed by "In Old Kentucky," a great racing drama of a strikingly unusual type. Directed for MetroGoldwyn by John M. fc'tahl, this picture is based on a new and different theme and is full of tense, dramatic situations, which cuminate in the most thrilling horse race ever screened. James Murray, Vv-ho has the leading role, gives a great performance as a racehorse owner who returns from the war suffering from the effects of drink and nerve strain, and gambles his wealth away, but who retrieves his position when it seems as if all is lost. Helena Costello, Wesley Barrv and Dorothy Gumming all give fine characterisations in support of Murray. A second feature is the latest. Warner Brothers' production, "The Shamrock and the Rose, an appealing story based on the popular stage plaj; by Owen Davis*