ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20256, 16 May 1929, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. A splendid cast has been assembled for "Trent's Last Case," the Fox Films mystery picture, which will be shown at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow. The story is from the novel by E. C. Bentlcy. and it is' claimed that none of the suspense for which tho original is noted has been lost in the screen interpretation. Donald Crisp is the central figure of the production, playing tho role of a cripple, and Raymond Griffith and Raymond Hatton, both of whom have prominent parts, are said to forsake their usual comedy roles for tho most part, although comedy scenes have been skilfully introduced, relieving and intensifying the contrasts. Marcelinc Day, in the leading feminine role, Lawrence Gray and Nicholas Soussanin are prominent members of the supporting cast. The story is that of a fiendish husband who, misconstruing his wife's affection for his secretary, plans to have the man accused of attempted murder. When his plans go astray and he himself is found dead, a series of swift complications are said to arise, which maintain excitement at a pitch until the mystery is revealed in an unusual climax. 'lhe film is said to represent the latest advances in tho technique of mystery presentations on tho screen. The supporting programme will include a Max Davidson comedy, "What a Night," a U.F. A. production, a Majestic Magazine, an Eve's Review, and the Majestic Quartette in "Fireside Memories." Their numbers include "Timimctoo," "Grandfather's Clock," 'and the "Soldiers' Chorus" from "Faust." LYRIC AND GRAND. An attractive programme, comprising "True Heaven" and "The Battle of the Sexes," will be presented at the Lyric and Grand Theatres to-morrow. " True Heaven" is a dramatic story,' which has ! an incident of the 'war for its themo. | There is no fighting and there are no actual battle scenes, but the plot is said to be full of action. The story is that j of a man and a woman who meet under strange circumstances. They fall in love, but an amazing climax is reached when > the man, on a secret mission in an enemy uniform, is trapped by the girl, an enemy spy. Tho final scenes deal with her desire to save him and the feeling that it is her duty to surrender him to be shot as a spy. The leading roles are played by George O'Brien and Lois Moran. Jean Hersholt, one of the most celebrated character actors of the screen, has the principal role in the supporting attraction, "Thp Battle of the Sexes." Other' prominent members of the cast are 'Phyllis Haver, who is said to be at her best as a mercenary young New York girl, Belle Bennett, Don Alvarado, Sally O'Neil, William Blakewell and John Batten. The.story concerns J. C. Judson, a successful business man, and Marie Skinner, a money-seeking girl, who relies on her beauty to ensnare susceptible and rich men. While at a night club with her son and daughter Mrs. Judson sees her husband with Mario and is amazed at his conduct, and many complications ensue. The film, however, is brought to an unexpected climax and the end of the picture shows the Judson family happily united. TIVOLI AND EVERYBODY'S. A First National mystery film" 1 , " Seven Footprints to Satan," will be presented at the Tivoli and Everybody's Theatres to-day. Satan's palace, his library, the torture chamber and the " Spider'js " room provide the backgrounds for thrilling action. The story tells how two young people, Eve and Jim, are kidnapped and taken to the mysterious house of Satan. The adventures that befall them there are unusually weird and exciting,' and culminate in an unexpected and dramatic climax. The leading roles arc played by Thelma Todd, Creighton Hale, Sheldon Lewis and Sojin. A drama of newspaper life is unfolded in the second attraction, " Freedom of the Press." The picture has been taken from tho original story by Peter B. Ivyne. A battle between the force of the sword and the power of the pen provides the theme of the story. . \An influenzal newspaper supports the law in its battle against an underworld gang, and incurs tho deadly vengeance of the organisation. Romance is blended into (lie story by the love of Bill Ballard, a reporter, for June Weseott, the ward of the power behind the underworld. How the law finally triumphs, and how Bill and June are united arc told in a series of exciting adventures. The leading players are Lewis Stone, Marccline Day r.nd Malcolm McGregor. ' RIALTO AND EPSOM REGENT. The part of a Russian spy who falls in love with an enemy officer, whoso downfall she had plotted, is played by Gret Garbo in "The Mysterious Lady," j a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture, which is the principal feature of the programme to be shown at the Rialto and Epsom Regent Theatres to-day. Conrad Nagel is seen in the role of the young officer and imp6rtant parts are played by such notable actors as Fred Niblo, Albert I'ollet, Edward Connelly and Gusiav Von Seyffertitz. The adventures of -the two principal characters move to a thrilling and unusual climax after the man discovers that the woman is a spy and repudiates his love for her. -The settings are lavish, and elaborate, with vivid and unusual scenes of the days of imperialistic Russia. A further attraction is " Honeymoon Flats," a comedy-drama of domestic life, featuring George Lewis and Dorothy Gulliver, who will bo remembered as the leading figures in the popular " Collegians" series. The story deals with the lives of a young husband and wife, who quarrel over financial matters. PLAZA THEATRE. " The Singing Fool," a talking picture starring the popular entertainer, Al. Jolson, is the principal attraction now showing at, the Plaza Theatre. An outstanding feature of the production is its startling realism, which combines with clear talking effects to mako the film highly enjoyable. The story concerns a vaudeville" entertainer who marries a beautiful member of the same troupe, but finds her unfaithful shortly after tho. marriage. The discovery deprives him of all a mixtion, and he sinks to obscurity. The memory of his only son encourages him to succeed in his profession, and he returns 1 to the stage, soon becoming a favourite entertainer. At the height of | his fame be learns that the little boy is t very ill, and hastens to the hospital, only to have the child die in his arms. The leading feminine roles are playkl by Betty Bronson and Dorothy Burgess. The programmo includes a series of shorter talking features of exceptional interest. The films include items by Giovanni Martinelli, the celebrated Italian tenor, Mischa Elman, the violinist, and other' well-known artists. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. A mythical European kingdom forms the background for tho stirring atLion revealed in " Stand and Deliver," tho main attraction at tho Crystal Palace Theatre this evening. The story relates how a British airman, yearning for something to relievo the monotony of life, finds endless adventures in the kingdom of Olania. The principal roles are played by Rod La Rocqiie and Lupe Valez. The supporting picture is " Two Outlaws," featuring the wonder horse, Rex. MOULIN ROUGE THEATRE. An attractive double-feature programme will be presented at the Moulin Rouge Theatre this evening. An absorbing story is unfolded in the first attraction, " Rose Marie," which abounds iji exciting and romantic incidents. The supporting picture, " Tesha," is a powerful drama of tho sta'ge.

REGENT THEATRE. Tho invasion of tlio white man into native life is the absorbing topic which forms the themo of "White Shadows in tho South Seas," which will complete its season at tho Regent Theatre on Saturday. It is a sound-synchronised produc-; tion, taken from Frederick O'Brien's book" of the same name, and portrays graphically the effects of civilisation in tho:' South Seas. The story concerns a doctor, a dishevelled beach-comber, living precariously on a tropic island where - white traders drive tho natives remorselessly in quest of pearls, his romance, and his death in a desperate attempt to hold off the harsh measures of his fellow men. Monte Blue and Raquel Torres appear in tho leading roles. "The Shopworn Angel," a Paramount talking picture, will commence at the theatre on Monday. Gary Cooper and Nancy Carroll appear in' the principal roles. It is a story of a soldier who wins the heart of a Broadway Follies girl against a strugglo of tragedy. All the sound effects of rehearsals of a big musical comedy behind the scenes are included in the synchronisation, and tho musical score is given by an orchestra of 80 players. One entire reel of the picture is in dialogue, centred around the marriage scene. The minister arid the leading players, are heard speaking. Roscoe Karns, who has the role of tho stage manager in the picture, is said to be heard in some comedy, and Nancy Carroll sings "A Precious Little Thing Called Love." Music from a full military band is featured in the scenes showing Gary Cooper leaving for the war. Paul Lukas i 3 a member of the supporting cast. STRAND THEATRE." "In Old Arizona," which is being shown for an extended season at the Strand Theatre, represents a distinct step forward in the art of talking pictures. For the first time Fox Movietone brings to the screen, not only the realistic, but also the natural, sounds of the open, airThe voices heard are voices as they really sound in the open, and every part is a speaking part. Featured in the leading roles are two brilliant screen players and a fascinating stage favourite. Edmund Lowe appears as Sergeant Dunn, an irresistible cavalry man, Warner Baxter as the Cisco Kid, a dashing bandit, and, in her first appearance on the screen, Doro- j thy Burgess as Tonia Maria, a fickle Mexican girl, who pays the price of infidelity in a startling denouement. Based on 0. Henry s story " A Caballero's Way" it is a thrilling picture of an. intrepid bandit known as the Cisco Kid, and a cavalry sergeant, who fall to the wiles of a fascinating Mexican halfbreed. The picture has been produced on a brilliant scale, the photography is perfect, and the reproduction of voice and sound leaves very little for improvement. The balance of a novel programme is made up of all-talkie supporting subjects, including an amusing vaudcvil.o item by the unconventional English comedienne Beatrice Lille, whose singing is heard to advantage. The Royal Hawaiian singers are heard in Honolulu Melodies" and a Fox Movietone Isews of events of the day is full of novelties. SUBURBAN THEATRES. Entertainment of the usual high stand•atd is offered at various suburban theatres this evening. " The Spy" and ' Blue Skies" will be presented this afternoon and this evening at tho .Prince EdwardTheatre. The Capitol Theatre will screen "Drums of Love" and Scarlet Seas. The programme at the Empire Theatre comprises " Laugh, Clown. Laugh aiu* " The Danger Rider." " Ihe Crimson City" and " Laugh, Clown, Laugh" will be shown at the Edendale Theatre. " Naughty Baby" and " After the Storm" head the programme at the Grey Lynn Cinema 1 . The entertainment at the Parish Hall, Devonport, comprises " Red Hair" and " Homesick." PANTOMIME AT HIPPODROME. School children are specially catered for at the holiday matinee at the Hippodrome Theatre this afternoon. The popular fairy pantomime " Cinderella'" is the principal attraction. There ate 50 talented performers in this favourite production, which has been arranged by Miss Lillian O'Leary. Entertainment of a novel nature "is provided by Worth's performing dogs. Dancing, balancing and acrobatic tricks of an amusing description are performed by eight dogs. An excellent pictorial programme will also be screened. " THE KING OF KAWAU." A topical farce entitled "The King of Kawau" or "Seventy Millions" will be presented by students of tho Auckland University College at St; James' Theatre for a season of seven nights commencing to-morrow. The play, which was written by Dr. J. C. Andrew's and Mr. J. Nigel Wilson, is said to abound in witty dialogue and bright music. The theme deals with the financial difficulties of the State of Kawau, which is on the verge -of bankruptcy. Faced with the task of raising £70,000,000, the King is desperate, but the situation is saved by the ingenuity of Sir Joseph Hoard, the Chancellor of Kawau. The ballets, which are a feature ' of the production, have been designed and . arranged by Valeska. Mr. J. A. S. Coppard, who was largely responsible for . the success of a former university' play, "Tilly of Tamaki," is the producer. Booking arrangements are advertised. AUCKLAND CHORAL SOCIETY. The Auckland Choral Society will present Wallace's popular opera ■'Maritana" in the Town Hall this evening. "Maritana" is perhaps tho most charming' and melodious of Wallace's works. The full chorus and orchestra will be under tho baton of Mr. Colin Muston, L.R.A.M., while Miss Edith Whitelaw will act as leader of the orchestra. The soloists include:—Miss Kate Campion, soprano; Miss Madge Clague, contralto; Mr. Arthur Ripley, tenor; Mr. G. Colledge, baritone; and ilr. E. Thomas, bass. The booking , arrangements arc advertised. GRAND OPERA SOCIETY. Tho Ircno Ainsley Grand Opera Society has selected for production this year "11 Trovatore," by Verdi. A repetition of tho successful initial performance of Bizet's "Carmen" will also be given by request. The society was formed for tho purpose of furthering interest in grand opera in English.