ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20075, 12 October 1928, Page 18

ENTERTAINMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE. Bright comedy is the principal featuro of "Tho Magnificent Flirt," Florcnco Vidor's new picture, which will bo pro seated for the first time at tho Regent Theatre this ovening. Paris is tho setting of this clever film, which should be enthusiastically received. Miss Vidor plays tho role of a wealthy flirt who, with much difficulty, attracts the attention of Count D'Estranges, the undo of her daughter's lover. The youth asks Mme. Laverno for her daughter's hand and 011 her consent he cannot refrain from embracing her. Unfortunately tho count sees this embrace and, ignorant of' the man's identity, forbids his nephew's marriage as a result. Tho difficulty is finally cleared away in a series of amusing scenes. Tho cast includes Albert Conti, who played in "Mockery" and "I ho Legion of the Condemned," and Loretla Young, who has the role of Denisc Laverne, the daughter of Mme. I' lorenco Laverne. This actress is a sister of Sallv Blane, well-known for her superb work in "Fools for Luck." The supporting programme includes a grand stage band presentation, in which the Regent Orchestra will take up a position on the stage, with Mr. Maurice Guttridge at the organ. An interesting performance may be expected from the two whirlwind dancers, Sammy Porter and Lucillo Carno, and from tho eccentric dancers, Adam and Alf. Mario, who will appear with tho Regent Corps de Ballet. The pictorial programme includes a cartoon and a comedy.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. The mysteries of the lamas of Thibet form thi theme of "The Devil Dancer," the principal feature to be screened at the Majestic ' Theatre this evening. Starring Gilda Giay, the cleverest dancer of the films, this extraordinary production is said to have successfully caught the exotic atmosphere invariably associated with the East. The story concerns an English girl who was born within the temple of the Black Lamas, and who has been held sacred by these mysterious monks as the vestal virgin of the gods. The arrival of a young British explorer brings a quick series rf exciting events, which result in the escape of the priests' ward. The bright colour of an Indian background is said to show tho acting and dancing of tho versatile Miss Gray at its very best. Tho supporting programme includes a wellarranged musical prologue, with stage effects, featuring the well-known "Kashmiri Song, ' a comedy, with the popular Charles Chase, the hero of "The Fight Pest," in the leading role, and a scenic depicting many of Auckland's beauty spots. GRAND THEATRE. "Diamond Handcuffs,"' the extraordinary production heading the new programme at the Grand Theatre to-day, contains a tale of Eastern fatalism woven into a background of Western life. Consisting of three distinct episodes, the central figure of each being a glittering diamond of fabulous value but sinister reputation, the film is as unusual as it is interesting. A strong cast includes two favourites, Eleanor Boardman and Conrad Nagel, and a comparative newcomer to the screen, Lena Malone, who appears successively as a Kaffir half-caste in the African diamond fields, a ladies', maid in the whirl of London society, and a cabaret dancer in the underworld of New York. In each of these widely-divergent roles, Miss Malone gives a thoroughly convincing portrayal. The story, which holds intense interest- throughout, follows the track of ruin and disaster left by a priceless jewel. Stolen from the mine by a covetous Kaffir, the diamond! claims the thief as its first victom, following each successive owner with deadly persistency and bringing tragedy to all connected with it. In the final episode the jewel is crushed to powder, its fatal influence destroyed and happiness re-established. The supporting programme includes one of tho popular "Our Gang" serifs of comedies, a type of film that never fails t-o amuse. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Hie film version oli "Uncle Tom's Cabin" is tho principal feature at Everybody's Theatre to-day. The strong cast includes Margarita Fischer, Arthur Edmond Carew, George Siegmann, Lucien Littlefield, John Roche, Gertrude Astor, Nelson McDowell, James B. Lowe and many others. The picture is said to adhere closely to the original, although certain alterations have been made to suit tho requirements of tho screen. The story concerns the varied career of Uncle Tom, a trusted slave, who is bought by an unscrupulous planter on the brcaking-up of his old master's estate. Tom is cruelly whipped, and after a particularly severe thrashing, dies from the terrible injuries he has_ received. Legree, mad with rago and drink, fancies lie sees the ghost of the dead slave, which lie follows. Tho apparition lures him toward an open window, through which he falls, to be killed on the pavement below. Tho love story of two other negroes, Eliza and George, is said to provide nn appealing background for this epic of the screen. LYRIC AND EMBASSY. A comedy-drama of the underworld, "Partners in Crime," which is to commence at the Lyric and Embassy Theatres to-day, features two comedians who have appeared in a number of tho most notable screen comedies. They are Wallace Beery and Raymond Hatton, who will probably bo best remembered for their laughable efforts in "We're 111 tho Navy Now." This time they are in the underworld, where a feud is in progress between tho two principal gangs, owing to the encroachment of one upon the territory of the other. As a blundering but well-meaning detective and a sharp-witted reporter, Beery and Hatton have a feud of their own over a cafe cigaretto girl, but both are left lamenting when they rescue a third suitor from a gang of crooks, mistaking him for a relative of the girl. With such a supporting cast as Mary Brian, William Powell, Jack Luden and other talented players, "Partners in Crime" appears to have everything in its favour. "The second attraction is "When Fleet Meets Fleet," a dramatic story of tho sea, featuring Henry Stuart, Bernard Goetzher and Agnes Estcrhazz. One of the scenes of this remarkable production is said to portray vividly the naval battle of Jutland. TUDOR THEATRE. Tho exciting adventures of a news gazette cameraman form the basis of "The News Parade," an unusual film nowshowing at the Tudor Theatre, Remuera. The second attraction also deals with adventure. "The Lady Raffles," with Estello Taylor in the leading role, is also very unusual and interesting. There is a strong supporting programme. " DELIVERANCE." Tho final Auckland screening of the Prohibition film, "Deliverance," will take place this evening in tho Oddfellows' Hall, corner of Hobson and Victoria Streets. The film will bo screened in the Foresters' Theatre, Birkenhead, on Monday evening and in other suburban theatres on following evenings There is an excellent supporting programme. KOWHAI HIGH SCHOOL. A very successful concert was presented by tho pupils of the Kowhai Junior High School last evening before a crowded house. Tho pupils, trained by tho teachers, gavo exhibitions of dancing, drill and boxing. Vocal items were also rendered. A play was presented by the pupils. Tho proceeds, of the concert, which will go toward the grounds improvement fund, will amount to over £4O. which will bo increased by the Government subsidy.

STRAND THEATRE. The British naval film, "The Rattles of the Coronel and Falkland Islands," will begin an extended season, at the Strand Theatres next Wednesday. The picture has met with great (success and has been shown by Royal Command before the King and Queen at Balmoral Castle. It has been well received in France, in America and even in Germany. Sir John Monash, who commanded the Australian forces.during the latter part of the Great War, has written of it as follows"Tho film, 'The Battles of tho Coronel and Falkland Islands,* is in many respects unique and memorable. No previous war picture, whether sea or hind, has been so realistic, so true in every detail, so educational and so inspiring. It reveals the story of a great naval drama, of which the world so far has known very little. The actors in this wbnderful reconstruct tion of great historic happenings included soven of His Majesty's ships of the Royal Navy and the whole of their crews, and i that alone when fully realised stirs tha imagination. But above all the nicturo leaves the spectator with a feeling of piofound admiration for and confidence in the quiet efficiency of tho great 'silent service* as an instrument for preserving \ the freedom of tho seals and the integrity of the British Empire."

REVUE AT ST. JAMES* The present season of revue at St. James' Theatre is proving exceptionally popular. " Stiffy and Mo," with their attendant comedians, singers and dancers, are fully maintaining both their own reputation and that of the theatre. The company includes the Charleston Symphonic Six, a novel jaz;: band, and the Radio Six, a troupe of dainty dancing girls. Others are Sadie Gale, focy Rene, Amy Rochelle, Jack Kelleway, Peter Brooks, Daisy Merrctt, Dan Weldon, Dan Dunbar and Sylvia Gardner.

SHURA CHERKASSKY. Shura Cherkassky, the astonishing young Russian pianist, who will give three recitals in Auckland next Thursday, and the following Saturday and Tuesday, isi stated to have repeated his Australian triumphs in Wellington. A critic wrote of his opening concert: —"S.'hura's playing iss as vital as electricity, clean, crisp, virile, and enormous in its strength, yet withal devoid of til® slightest suspicion of striving after meritorious effect or the imposition of any arbitrary, personal idiosyncracies. He is a:s dynamic as was Mark Hambourg twenty years ago, yet has the delicacy and innate refinement of Teresa Carreno. There is nothing played that is devoid of colour, rhythm, and a sense of accent that vitalises every department of his tonal art. And this in a boy who will not have achieved his seventeenth year next month. Yet; he speaks of going to Paris to study." Booking arrangements arc advertised. AMATEUR OPERETTA: The pupils of the Normal School will present a fairy play, "The Enchanted Cave," in the Scots, Hall this evening and to-morrow evening. The libretto, written by Mrs. M. Wilkinson, is full of humorous dialogue, and abounds in amusing situations. The music, specially composed by Mr. S. Green, of the Normal School staff, is of a high standard, and includes several very pretty solos, chornnes and part-songs, as well as some- delightfully dainty fairy music. _ There are i'our ballets, dances by fairies, elves, grasshoppers and butterflies. The music is under the direction of Mr. Green, with an efficient orchestra. Appropriate scenery has been lent by Mr. C. Smith, manager of the Majestic Theatre, an old boy of the school. A spot-light has also been obtained, and many beautiful costumes have been provided" by tho parents for the 250 performers. Proceeds will be devoted to school improvements.