DE LUXE THEATRE

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12323, 18 December 1925, Page 9

DE LUXE THEATRE

“PETER PAN” AND “ARE PARENTS PEOPLE?”

The De Luxe Tleatre is screening a double programme this week. In the afternoons there is “Peter Pan,” for the children, and at night “Are Parents People ?” forth® grown-ups. Both pictures are excellent. Patrons should take note of the screening times. “Peter Pan,” 2.30 p.m.; “Are Parents People?” f p.m.. In “Peter Pan,” Betty Bronson, selected by Barrie himself to portray the title role, heads a strong cast of featured players which includes Ernest Torrence, Cyril Chadwick, Virginia Brown Faire and Anna May Wong. No need to go into the story here. Willis Goldbeck wrote the screen play, which tells of a little boy who always wanted to remain young and have fun., He flies through the nursery window of a modern-day home, teaches the three children he finds there how to fly, and carries them off to his underground, home and the Little Lost Bovs in Never-Never. Land. The picture shows, as ..the stage production never could, their adventures with the Indians and pirates. Every word picture the author painted in the story has been visualised on the screen—even to th 9 children flying over the house-tops. “Are Parents People P” is noteworthy for many things. The cast is excep-, tionally strong and the players well cast. The story is a delightful comedy of modern matrimony, of a couple suffering f -Jim incompatibility . and whose daughter tries to find a solution to their troubles. She does, in providing them with a mutual worry in the'form of her own romance. The action of the play is pleasingly smooth, the continuity good and the interest is not permitted to flag for one moment. ’Hie love affair of the parents is, of course,, the chief note, but there is also the charming, romance of , the daughter with the young physician. Betty Bronson, tbe Sir James_ M. Barrie choice for “Peter Pah,” which startled the film world, again proves her ability and charm as tbe daughter. To the roles of the parents have heen cast Adolohe Menjou and Florence Vidor. The two artists of exceptional merit play very human people, and in a manner which will delight everyone. Larry Gray, a newcomer to the screen, is the young doctor, while also deserving of mention in the oast is the young Australian; Andre de Beranger. “Are Parents People?” with its snappy title and story, its exceptional east and direction will prove one of the season’s rare entertainments and box-office pictures. The story is adapted from the story by Alice Duer Miller, and appeared in the “Saturday Evening .Post.’’ The production has been fiqplv handled by Malcolm St.' Clair, who has brought out at every opportunity comedy touches that wilt appeal to everyone. There is an excellent supporting bill, and the famous orchestra, under Mr L, D. Austin is a feature of the evenm?ii addition will be. screened ' the marvellous Stereoscopiks, considered the screen’s greatest novelty. Coloured glasses will be given to each, patron t fj view this wonderful film. A big supporting programme has also been arranged. The management .states that a gigantic programme will be screened on Christmas Night. The box plans are open at The Bristol, Aitken s Book or ring the theatre. KING’S THEATRE '; ■ _ a wonderfuiTprqduction.

One of the most powerful novels of recent years—Samuef Popkins Adame® has been transferred to the screen with, an ability that is nothing short of genius. It is a superJewel production and has been acclaimed by the foremost critics as being “well forward among the. year s most appealing dramas,” Mary Alden, hiugene O’Brien, Virginia Valli and Marc MacDermott head a fine range of talent in the cast of players. It is the dramatic picture of a young girl wife who had a strong desire for life, for the pleasures that youth demands, and who was shackled by the conventions of _ her husband’s moss-backed, priffi. relatives. Every wife, every girl Who will he married, must at tome time face this struggle with her husband’s family. One will' want to know how' to over., come this obstacle to one’s happiness. The answer is here, in' a timely picturisation of Samuel Hopkins Adams sensational novel. So vibrant, so sincere, and appealing are the varied characterisations that one’s sympathies and antipathies follow closely to the final compelling climax.

An excellent supporting programme together with a well varied and pleasing musical programme, considerably enhance the fine evening’s entertainment. Box plans are available at the Bristol until 5 p.m. daily,' and after at the theatre, ’phone 22—-212.