ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12356, 28 January 1926, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

SPEAKING PICTURE PHONOFILMS AT PARAMOUNT THEATRE. The photographing of moving figures (the basis of the moving picture business) has at last been followed by the photographing and actual recording of* sound. For years have picture patrons! had the silent drama. Now through the enterprise of the management of the Paramount Theatre, Wellington, moviegoers will be privileged to be presented with the first public opportunity in the

Dominion of enjoying the fruits of this remarkable achievement. At the Paramount Theatre, commencing on Friday evening, will be screened for the initial showing “De Forest’s Phonofilms” —the perfected talking picture. A critic writing in the “New York Tribune” pays the following glowing tribute to this remarkable invention:— “I sat in the dinj New York studio of Leo De Forest, inventor, to-day and heard music on the silver sheet. As I watched the movie of an orchestra performing I heard the music it made.. Piano, flute, clarionet, ’cello—l could distinguish the notes, from the several instruments. The classic played came from out of the nowhere, from the direction of the screen. Measure by mea-, sure harmonised exactly with the'movements of the shadow players. For before my wondering eyes and ears was being demonstrated for the first time the phonofilm, latest addition to the world-of inventive genius and brain child of De Forest. It was jhe talking motion picture perfected .at last.” Phonofilms offer endless seope in the world of comedy and drama, and also from an educational, scenic and musi--cal viewpoint. Again, the spoken word and the legitimate actor wilb get a renewal of vigorous life. Through this wonderful speaking picture the great moments in the lives of great men shall not be forever lost. .Picture for a moment wbat the phonofilm will mean in perpetuating our really great men for future generations. : Indeed, what a truly remarkable field does Dr.' De Forest’s wonderful invention covert As all Wellington will undoubtedly be desirous of witnessing and listening to these phonofilms, patrons are advised to book seats without delay. The box plan is at the Utility Stationery Shop (next to theatre), or telephone 21-838. OPERA-HOUSE LAST NIGHT OF “LEAVE IT TO . JANE.” " The firm of J. C. Williamson is again demonstrating its-ability to send to New Zealand first-class companies. “Leave it to Jane,” the delightful comedy by P. G. Wodehouse, is one of the best on record. The 'music is hy Jerome Kern, who was responsible' for such successes as “Sally,” “Good. Morning, Dearie,” and “The CabaretfGirl.” Misses Mona Barlee, Dorothy Lena, Elma Gibbs. Ethel Walker, and other ladies of the company, with Messrs Athol Tier. Oecil Scott, Jack Cannot, Percy le Fre, Harry Wotton, and Leyland Hodgson, provided plenty of fun, with charming frocks afid picturesque scenery, while the musical‘ part went with a lilt and swing which was most enjoyable. The story of the rival colleges and the football enthusiasts was more consecutive than most of the plots of such comedies, and could be followed with interest, and should certainly appeal to the games section of the community, while the frocking will interest the feminine part. ‘'Leave it to Jane” will be repeated to-night, the season ending with this performance.

HIS MAJESTY’S

“SNAPSHOTS” AND BRIGHT VARIETY. Still playing to crowded houses at His Majesty’s is “Snapshots,” -tho bright and breezy. Moon and Morris ■Revue, which is opened with a pro. logue by Syd. Burchall. A very pretty and unusual sketch was “A Dainty old English Morsel,’! .in which Ena Gordon and Vera Sewell, do a . novel danoe. Syd. Burchnll’s excellent ' baritone ’ voice was Heard to advantage in a number of, items. “A Screen Novelty,” by William Beresford and the compnny, some novel silhouette features are introduced, some very comic effects being achieved. A domestic sketch, “All For Tony,” featuring Nell Fleming as the wife, Syd. Burcliall as the husband, anil Durham Marcel, the lover, was one of the best sketches in the show. Of the many ballet features “Kentucky” waß perhaps the most effective, the charming simplicity of the setting and Nell Fleming’s spirited rendering of the song making a strong appeal. Moon and Morris in some comedy and dancing must not be overlooked. Their dancing is to a large section of the audience the main attraction of the evening. In the first part of the programme “Tho Four Little Kellys” still maintain themselves as firm favourites. The Romano Bros, appear fn a beautifulljr effective series of representations of famous statuary poses. Sam Stern, the English character comedian, needs no introduction to Wellington audiences. He was particularly good in his representation of a young Itnlian on his wedding morn. Slavin and Thompson, in song and comedy numbers, and the Janetski trio, in Marimba musical specialties. co"'nlpt" >i first-class hill.

Mr Frank Cimvtlier’s orchestra provides excellent musio throughout the bill*

v (THEATRE DE LUXE

LAST NIGHT OF “THE GOLD RUSH.”

Those who have not-seen “The-Gold Rush” at the Theatre De Luxe are reminded that the final screening takes plpco to-night. of the days of tho Klondike gold rush; the lone prospector; miners big and little and old and young; dance-halls and dance-hall girls and hangerson; mining camp types of all sorts; assayers; ships’ officers and crews; incoming and outgoing passengers; newspaper correspondents and photographers—this is. the locale and theso are the people pictured in Charlie Chaplin’s new motion picture comedy, “The Gold Ril6h,” heralded by critics and experts as the greatest of nil Chaplin comedies.

“The Gold Rush” is a United Artists’ Corporation release. The film, is claimed to be the funniest tjjat Chaplin has ever made. The picture is in nine reels, and photoplay experts declare that the ninth has more laughs in it than the first, and that the first is better than any previous Chaplin luughproducer. Chaplin portravs the lone prospector, and others in tbe cast are Maok Swain, Tom Murray, Georgia Hale, who has the leading feminine rale, Malcolm Waite, and Henry Bergman.

There is a special musical programme which is played by tho De Luxe Orchestra, under the efficient leadership of Mr L. D. Austin.

QUEEN’S THEATRE - “SPOOK RANCH.” When the bandit chief in “Spook Ranch,” a Universal-Jewel production, which finishes its run at the Queen’s Theatre to-night, attempted to doublecross liis henchmen, he was plunged into irpns by his mutinous gangsters who resented his effort to steal for himself alone a valuable mine which they were seeking. The mine was'the property of a rich rancher, whose daughter the bandit chief tried to fofee into marriage. Hoot Gibson, as the hero, broke up the plot, and married the girl after many thrilling adventures. Edward Lsemmle directed the picture, which includes in its cast Helen Ferguson, Tote DucroW. Robert McKim, Frank Rice, and Ed. Cowles. The supporting programme includes a further instalment of the popular sfiial, “Samson of the Circus.” A specially selected musirnl programme is rendered by Miss Eileen Denneliy and her orchestra.

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