ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20243, 1 May 1929, Page 19

ENTERTAINMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE. Thero have been few pictures which have met with such an enthusiastic reception by Auckland audiences as "The Bellamy Trial," a film combining dialogue and sound synchronisation, which is being presented for an extended season at the Regent Theatre. The sensational nature of the theme is intensified by the characters speaking from the screen. The plot of "The Bellamy Trial" is dramatically unravelled in a courtroom, where a man and a woman are on trial, accused of the murder of tlio man's wife. Abounding in dramatic and unexpected developments, the picture lends itself admirably to "talkie" presentation. The dialogue is faithfully and realistically recorded, and accurately portrays the emotions of the actors. Leatrice Joy portrays the leading role, while the strong supporting cast includes Margaret Livingstone, George Barraud and Betty Bronson. An excellent supporting programme includes numbers by the world-famous male impersonator, Ella Shields, Joseph Regan, the famous Irish tenor, and Vincent Lopez, the versatile international jazz band leader. The next change at the theatre will be "White Shadows of the South Seas," a sound synchronised picture in which there is also a certain amount of talking. It has been hailed by the critics as having set the motion picture industry on a definite pinnacle of perfection. The absorbing topic of the invasion of the white man into the life of the natives forms the theme of the film. The story opens in. Hikuero, and shows the enslavement of the natives by the white traders who have established a pearling centre on the island. The picture is from the book by Frederick O'Brien, directed by W. S. Van Dyke, and features Monte Blue and Raquel Torres. .One of the most historic spots in the South Seas was selected for the enactment of this tropical romance and adventure, the village being located near the native settlement of Arue, on the island of Tahiti. Three hundred natives of pure stock, the finest types to be found in the islands, were selected to inhabit this motion picture village. TIVOLI AND EVERYBODY'S. (Vith his suave and sophisticated performances Adolph Menjou has built a popular character for the screen. His latest production is "Marquis Preferred," which will be presented for the first time at the Tivoli and Everybody's Theatres tomorrow. The story concerns a bankrupt nobleman who agrees to let his tailor, his valet and his chef find him a wealthy wife. Just a3 they have accomplished this feat, the marquis falls in love with a penniless girl, and his efforts to reconcile his love with his promise form an amusing theme. Dazed by the collapse of his romance, the marquis agrees to go through with the marriage to the wealthy girl, but he is careful to inform them that it is a matter of business only. Immediately after the wedding, prior to which the marquis has had his debts paid by the girl's father, he leaves his wife, telling her she can get a divorce on the grounds of desertion. A year later ho is a clerk in a bookshop, happily married to his former love. Nora Lane and Chester Conk.liu are prominent members of the cast. A further attraction is "Eileen of the Trees," a romantic drama by the wellknown writer, 11. de Vere Stacpoole. A young girl is the slave of two crude characters of- London. A young aristocrat meets her and quixotically carries out a plan to take the girl to the country estates of his family and leave her at one of the farms. William Freshman appears in the leading male role, and the cast includes Handle Ayrton, Dora Barton and Gibb McLaughlin. PLAZA THEATRE. "The Singing Fool," which is claimed to bo one of the greatest "talkie" successes, will be presented at the Plaza Theatre on Friday evening. A 1 Jolson, who is the principal figure, is first seen as a waiter in a New York cafe, in love with a beautiful entertainer. He later becomes the owner of a pretentious night club and husband of the artist, who casts him into the depths of despair by deserting him and their little boy for a stranger. For the sake of the child he goes on, urged and aided by a pretty cigarette girl ho had known in his less successful days. Then comes the news that the boy is dangerously ill, and later that ho is dead. The scene between the father and son are said to be among the most moving ever seen on stage or screen. Jolson is recognised as America's foremost entertainer, and in "The Singing Fool" he is stated to have been provided with unique opportunities. A splendid programme of shorter "talkie" subjects has been arranged. Solos from the popular opera, "II Pagliacci" and from Verdi's favourite opera "Aida," will be heard by Giovanni Martinelli, the leading dramatic tenor of the Metropolitan Opera Company, and a number of well-known songs by popular artists will be provided by "In a Monastery Cell," which depicts the recreation of the monk after his day's labour. A comedy and singing number of the sidewalk as they emerge from the opera, "Between the Acts of the Opera," will present the famous Howard Brothers, who will give imitations of the opera artists they have just seen and heard. Another great attraction will be the appearance of Mischa Elman, the famous violinist, who will be heard in "Humoresque" and the Gossec "Gavotte." An overture, "Tannhauser," will be played by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra of 80 players. STRAND THEATRE. The roar of large crowds, the blare of trumpets and the rumble of drums as men march through the streets of New York provide the introduction to the "talkie"' programme being presented at I the Strand Theatre. A comprehensive programme of "talkie" subjects is provided in addition to the sound synchronised picture "The Street* Angel," which is the principal attraction. In an entertaining comedy, "The Star Witness," "Chic" Sale has the greater part of the talking, which consists of dialogue of a more or less subtle nature. An address by the King at the opening of the New-castle-on-Tyne Bridge is perfectly recorded, every emphasis and inflection of the voice being clearly heard. Gertrude Lawrence, the famous English comedienne, is charming in her rendering of the song "I Don't Know," and Mr. George Bernard Shaw delights the audience with a humorous speech. The story of "The Street Angel" is laid in Naples, and tells of the vicissitudes of an artist and a girl haunted by the shadow of past event's. A feature of the production is its remarkable photography, the scenes on the Naples waterfront being exceptionally fine. A splendid accompaniment is provided by the famous Roxy Orchestra of New York. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. The famous Klondike gold rush forms the theme of " The Trail of '98," which will be presented at the Crystal Palace Theatre this evening. The principal players are Dolores Del Rio. Ralph Forbes. George Cooper. Tenen Holtz, Harry Carey, Emily Fitzroy, Polly Moran Russell Simson and Cesare Gravina. Beside these artists there are 24 players in minor roles and 15,000 extras. The scenic effects are n feature of the production. An avalanche of snow destroying a horde of goldseekers, the treachery of the rapids, and the lawlessness of the camp,cities are vividly presented. MOULIN ROUGE THEATRE. " Paradise," starring Betty Balfour, is the principal feature to bo presented at the Moulin Rouge Theatre this evening. The film deals with fashionable life on the Riviera, and is said to abound in adventure. Election results will also bo screened. Dancing will be held at the conclusion of the film programme.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. The United Artists production, "Revengo," which is being shown at the Majestic Theatre, is a memorable screen achievement, both for admirable, work by Dolores Del Rio in the leading feminine role and the magnificence of its tion. It tells of the life of an untamed, wild-spirited gipsy girl, the daughter of a Rumanian bear-tamer. In "Resurrection" and "Ramona" Dolores Del Rio played a tragic role, but in "Revenge" she is the essence of charm and fire, and even in the most dramatic moments accentuates her performance with delightful humorous touches. The director, Edwin Carewe, has handled the photography >n a masterly manner, and has caught the romantic spirit of gipsy life, investing his picture with atmospheric charm ami dramatic sincerity. > Lerov Mason appears in the leading male role. A British picture, "Show Life," featuring Anna May Wong and Henry George, will bo presented on Friday. The story concerns a pretty little Chinese waif; befriended by a broken-down actor, who takes her with him in a knifethrowing act. The story shows the girl's devotion for her benefactor and how ho does not find out until the eleventh hour, when she is fatally injured through falling on an upturned knife while doing, her famous sword-dance. The picture is said to give many intimate scenes of cabaret and theatrical life, and the theme lends itself to one of the most gripping dramas ever screened. HIPPODROME AND EMPRESS. A dramatic story of the famous Klondike gold rush is revealed in " The Trail of '98," starring Dolores Del Rio, the principal feature now showing at the Hippodrome and Empress Theatres. The news of the " Strike" is announced in San Francisco by Jack Locasto and other miners. Soon hundreds of people of every class embark by every available boat' bound for Alaska. Among them is Larry, a young man who hopefully stows away on the City of Topeka. On board he meets a beautiful girl, Berna, who is accompanying her aged grandfather and her relatives, Mr. and Mrs. Bulkey, who plan to open a store on arrival at Dawson City. On the trip out, Berna's grandfather dies, and although this event quickens the attachment of Berna and Larry, Jack Locasto lakes the opportunity to sympathise with the Bulkeys, and promises them help on arrival at Dawson City. The rivalry of the two men for the love of Berna and the lure of the hidden gold cause a series of thrilling situations, which are brought to a climax when the whole city is burned fo the ground, leaving Larry and Berna to rebuild their lives together. The film is also being screened at the Crystal Palace Theatre. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. , A very attractive programme of revue, the second portion of which, an amusing sketch, is entitled, " The Sparklers," is being presented at the St. James' Theatre this week. The popular principal of the company, Mr. George Wallace, has a congenial role, in which ho proves disconcerting to the two plotters, attracted by the diamonds of a millionaire artist. Marshall Crosby, Miss Marie Nyman and Si Meredith have important parts in the revue. The Rascals and the Flaming Youths Jazz Band, in addition to the other members of the company, provide excellent entertainment. MUNICIPAL BAND. The Municipal Band will present jui extensive programme in the Town Hall on Saturday evening. Items will be given by the band, the New Zealand Four, Messrs. Bowes and McLennan. Mr. L. Whittaker will bo the accompanist. Booking arrangements are advertised.