ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20116, 29 November 1928, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE. " Just Married," said to be one of the most amusing farces that has come to the screen, heads the programmo to commence at the Regent Theatre to-day. Ruth Taylor will bo remembered for her admirablo performance in the leading role of " Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," a part which brought her into great prominence, and started her upon a career of outstanding pictures, of which " Just Married " is stated to bo the greatest. The story deals with the predicament, of a young man who, sailing to America with his fiancee is ruthlessly pursued by a former deserted lover, a French, girl. Most of tho action takes place on the steamer, and complications are said to be fast, and furious. The young man finds himself aboard the liner, partly dressed in his evening clothes, without any luggage, and a strange girl in his stateroom. His antics, as he races about tho deck clad in a steamer rug, are said to produce a succession of riotous situations. I.ila Lee, for several years a favourite on tho screen, is seen in the role of the hottempered French girl, while William Austin's portrayal of tlie hapless bridegroom is said to be highly amusing. Tho leading male role is taken by James Hall. Harrison Ford and Ivy Harris also appear on the cast. Mr. Maurice Diamond's popular ballet, will be seen in a stage presentation, " On the High Seas."' PLAZA AND TIYOLI. Two appealing romances in widely different settings combine to produce excellent entertainment at the Plaza and Tivoli Theatres to-day. The principal featuro is "Heart to Heart." a. comedyromance with Mary Astor, Lloyd Hughes and Louise Fazenda in the leading roles. Tho Supporting cast includes Lucien Littlefield, Thelma Todd, Raymond McKee, EileeD Manning and Virginia Gray. Tho story concerns a girl of a small American town who marries a wastrel Italian nobleman. The Italian dies, leaving his widow nothing but the ancestral castle. By dint of much ingenuity Princess Delatorre accumulates enough money to visit her birth-place, but, arriving by an early train and in pla.in clothes, she is mistaken for a seamstress, and is recognised only by Philip Lennox, a former lover and a disappointed inventor. In order not to disappoint tho family, who have arranged a ceremonious welcome, the Princess leaves and returns on the proper train, unrecognised as tho seamstress who has left a short time previously. A series of exciting events carry this fine production to a satisfactory conclusion. The second attraction is "Red Heels," a romance of the life of a Parisian dancer. Tho leading role is played by Lili Damita, while Eric Barclay is seen to advantage as Miles Seward, a matter-of-fact Britisher

GRAND THEATRE. " Hangman's House," the principal attraction to be shown at. the Grand Theatre to-morrow, is a colourful romance iset in a typical Irish castle. Victor McLaglen, the popular hero of " What Frice Glory" and " A Girl in Every Port," is seen to advantage in the leading role, while the strong cast includes Earle Fox, Hobart Bosworth, June Collyer and Larry KentOpening in Algiers, wne.ro " Citizen" Hogan is serving in the Foreign Legion to escape death in his own country, Ireland, the localo swiftly changes, to find him once more on his native-soil. Judge O'Brien, the dread master of " Hangman's House," is near to death, but, before dying, sees his da.ughter Conn married, happily, as he imagines, to John D'Arr-v, the'man whom Hogan has sworn to kill for deserting his sister, to whom he was married. Revenge is more difficult than Hogaa bad imagined. Since be is wanted by the police, ho is forced to assume various disguises' before commencing his search Informed by D'Arcy. the police capture Hogan, but he escapes from prison, and continues his remorseless tracking of the traitor. The climax is reached when Hogan, D'Arcy and McDermott., a neighbouring landowner, with whom Conn is in love, meet at " Hangman's House." There D'Arcy perishes in a blazing house, which he himself has set on fire, and the way is then clear for Hogan's return to Africa, arid the union of the two young lovers.

NATIONAL AND LYRIC. For fresh and genuinely amusing comedy it would be difficult to name a more capable artist than Marion Davies, who is to appear in "Tho Cardboard Lover." the main attraction on the programme to commence at tlie National and Lyric Theatres to-morrow. It is the story of a modern American schoolgirl who, visiting Monte Carlo, competes with a beautiful and seductive siren for the at-, tentions of a tennis champion. Perhaps it is because she is so unsophisticated, but whatever it is, she is successful. Before tho conclusion is 1 cached, however, all her resourcefulness is required, and in this Marion Davies' true powers are said to bo more apparent tliiiri ever before. She is stated to be seen in many varying moods of comedy and nioro emotional moments. An excellent supporting cast includes .Tetta Goudal, Nils Asthcr, Andres do Segurola and Tenen Holtz. Tho other attraction is a Ben Turpin comedy, "Playing Straight," a story of American college life and tho most intimate activities of the students. It, is said to be one of the brightest pictures of its kind ever produced, and with Ben Turpin heading the ca.st the assertion appears to be no idle on p. Other members of the cast include Bobby Agnew, Paulino Garon, Rex Lease and Joan Standing.

RIALTO AND EPSOM REGENT. Amazing revelations at the conclusion make "Tho Leopard Lady," which is now showing at the Rialto Bnd Epsom Regent Theatres, one of the most engrossing mystery stories of tho year. Three players of prominence, Jacqueline Logan,, Alan Halo and Robert Armstrong, aru leatured, while the notablo supporting cast includes Hcdwig Deiclier, Sylvia Ash ton and James Bradbury. '1 lie story, which deals with circus life, is highly dramatic. Paul a, a actress, accepts tho offer of tho police to become a tamer of leopards in a circus, in order to discover tho perpetrator of mysterious murders which occur in each town the circus visits. She discovers that Caesar, ji Cossack rider, owns a pet ape which ha disguises as a woman and sends, forth on missions which end in murder. lho second picture is ''lhe Night Bride, in which Mario Provost and Harrison Ford liavo the loading roles. It is a most diverting comedy dealing with tho efforts of a girl to evade marrii-.ee with the mau chosen by her father Franklin Panghorn ami' Robert Edison appear in the supporting cast.

EVERYBODY'S TIIEATRE. Bebe Daniels has perhaps the most thrilling role of her career in ''Hot News," tho novel production heading the programme now showing at Everybody's Theatre. On leaving college the daughter of tho owner of a news reel agency announces her intention of becoming an expert cameraman. To humour his rather spoilt daughter, tho father suggests that tho best cameraman on the staff should teach her tho rudiments of tho business. Tho young man indignantly refuses, and, on being dismissed, is eagerly employed by a rival paper. Lurk helps tins young woman to beat her rival to a fresh news item, and many uniquo assignments follow this first success. An unexpected denouement arises when both aro abducted by a thief whom they have surprised, but the. villains are finally arrested, and tho rivals reconciled. Tho second picture is "Riding for Fanne," in which Jloof Gibson has the leading role. The story abounds in thrilling episodes and dramatic situations, and a new note in Hf>°t Gibson productions is struck by the addition of a great deal of comedy*

STRAND THEATRE. ClaimeiJ to be ono of tlie most amusing comedies of tho year, "Steamboat BiU, junr.," starring the inimitable Buster Keaton, lieads the fino programme to be shown at the Strand Theatre to-morrow. Tlie cast includes Ernest Torrence, Tom Lewis, Tom McGuive and Marion Byroii, and every player is said to give an excellent characterisation. Tho story con-, cerns the enmity of two rival river steamer proprietors and tho awkward situations arising when the son of one falls in love with the daughter of the other. "Steamboat Bill." who -has lor many years been the only steamboat owner in tho district', is faced w;Uh rain when King buHds a faster boat and proceeds to usurp his position. Consolation comes when ho learns that his son, who has been brought up in refinement in Boston, is coming to live at River Junction, but Bill's hopes are dashed to the ground when he finds his sort is small both in stature, and in mentality. The situation is further complicated when Bill, junr., falls in love with Mary King, daughter of the rival owner. A sudden tornado sweeps the little town, and all the boats, including King's new vessel, arc swept away. The entire population, terrified, seek refuge on Bill's ship, the old "Stonewall Jackson." Young Bill now appears in a better light, showing himself a capable organiser and a brave, man at heart. After many exciting adventures a happy conclusion is attained and the. rivals are reconciled. The supporting programme is particularly extensive, including several items of great interest. while the Strand Orchestra, under Miss Eve Bentley, plays many fine numbers. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Norma Shearer, the. star of " The Student ' Prince," has the leading role in " Trelawncy of the Wells." which heads the fine programme commencing at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow. The film, which has been adapted from Sir Arthur Pinero's well-known play of the same, name, is interpreted by a particularly strong cast., including Ralph Forbes, Owen Moore, 0. P. Heggie, Gwen. Lee, Lee Moran, Roy D'Arcy, Virginia Pearson. Cyril Cbadwick, Margaret Seddon and .Andrec Tourneur. Based on the traditional repugnance of tho nobility for marriage with stage people, " Trelawney of the Wells " is tho story of two young people representing both classes who fell in love, and the, subsequent happenings which pursued their ultimate fate. Tho picture is said to hold scenes of humour, drama and romance, which should appeal to all audiences. An attractive supporting programme will be shown.

TUDOR THEATRE. "Road House," the Fox production which heads the current, programme at the Tudor Theatre has been described as a picture of vivacious youth. Lionel Barrymore lias the leading .role, that of a young man wildly infatuated with the female member of a gang of thieves. Other prominent parts are played by Warren Burke and Maria Alba. The second feature is .Tack Holt in "The Vanishing Pioneer," from (ho story by Zane Grey.

ROYAL AUCKLAND CHOIR: .An aftractive programme will be presented by Ihe Royal Auckland Choir in the Town Hall this evening. Items will includo part-songs by the choir, new and varied quartettes, and contributions by Misses Mina Caldow. contralto, and Molly Wright, 'cellist. Booking arrangements are advertised. I.UNA PARK. Luna Park, Auckland's popular amusement. area, will reopen at 2.30 next Saturday afternoon. The various devices which have been so popular during past v. ill again bo open to the public, | and patrons are assured of an excellent entertainment.

STUDENTS' RECITAL; A song and pianoforte recital will be given by the students of Mr. Walter Im-pet-fc in the hall of Lewis Eady, Limited, next Thursday evening. The programme will include operatic excerpts, part-songs and ballads, pianoforte solos and vocal quartettes by the Minster singers. Booking arrangements are advertised.