ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 20616, 15 October 1928, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

“WINGS.” BIG AVIATION SPECIAL NOW AT THE CIVIC. plenty of good room available for to-night, opened at the Civic Pictures on Saturday, drew two overflowing audiences. It was found necessary to close the box plans at an unusually early hour as every available seat had been booked. There is still plenty of good room available for to-night, but an early visit to the box office is advisable for there is no doubt that the big success achieved by this picture everywhere it has been shown will be repeated in Invercargill and seats will be at a premium throughout the whole season. Undoubtedly “Wings” must have cost a> considerable amount of money to produce and the risks incurred in the production must have been enormous, but the result on the screen is ample justification for it all. “Wings” is an epic and filled with momentous incident. The thrill of the ’plane battles is only equalled by the fact that you as passenger are taken right into the battle on one of the planes. The throb of the human story, and the many big and impressive scenes. Through the film runs a fine

romance of airmen and nurses at the front. Charles Rogers and Richard Arlen are seen as two daring pilots, and Clara Bow appears in the role of an intrepid war worker at the front, who is as full of fight as either of the “aces.” No more thrilling scene has ever been depicted than that which shows the two American airmen ascending at Mervale to drive off a mighty Gotha and two swift German battle planes, which have come to blow the little village off i the map. As Jack hurls himself at the : Gotha, David tackles the two battle planes, sending one crashing to earth, and the other scurrying home. Jack’s triumphant fight with the Gotha is watched by Mary, the nurse, who is thrilled by the heroism of ; her countrymen. There is chivalry amongst the knights of the air, as Count Von Kellerman, leader of the German “flying circus,” refrains from shooting down an Allied airman, whose machine gun jams. The hazards these airmen had to undergo during the Great War is shown when Jack shoots his pal down from the skies. The ; latter has crashed behind the German lines, and is mistaken for a German in making his way back in an enemy machine. “Wings” is no ordinary film, as can be understood when it is stated that it is now in its second year of continuous screening at the Criterion Theatre New York. The effect of this epic picture of war in the skies is greatly enhanced by the realistic

, synchronized sound effects employed. This is claimed to be the first “sound” picture screened in the Dominion. Briefly, this • innovation in motion picture presentation ; is the reproducing for the audience of the ; exact sound effects of the action of the film and this was most realistically done on : Saturday, especially the droning of the en- . gines and the rattle of machine-gun fire. . And the Civic orchestra is hear to splendid advantage in the special music score. And ; the feature on the programme is entitled “Knights of the Air” which sketches the ■ evolution of aviation from the crazy mach- ; ines of twenty-five years ago to the South- : ern Crosses of the present day. Close up views of all the famous airmen of recent years and their machines are given, from Bleriot, who first flew the English Channel in 1909, to Captain Kingsford Smith. The . evolution of aviation, as revealed in this i film, makes an amazing romance. You must see this programme—so book early. Plans are open at the Bristol. “TUNNEY-HEENEY FIGHT FILM,” ALSO WILLIAM HAINES IN “THE SMART SET” AND CHAPTER 5 OF “THE COLLEGIANS.” ENTERTAINMENT DE LUXE. Despite the inclement weather experienced the Majestic Theatre was again the scene

s of thronging crowds on Saturday night, a 3 great number being unable to obtain ads mission; when a remarkable programme of i pictures was screened. Pride of place must 3 be given to the “Tunney-Heeney Fight” i film which is all, and more than has ever i been said of it. Every move and blow - of the two combatants is seen just as clear- . ly as if the onlooker had a ring-side seat, 1 and the slow-motion photography of the 1 famous tenth round is little short of a 1 masterpiece. The whole of the fifty mins utes screening of this picture of a remark- - able and memorable battle is packed with - action and thrills v-hich, on Saturday night, ) was responsible for outbursts of applause t from the delighted audience. William i Haines, star of Met-ro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s 1 “Brown of Harvard,” “Spring Fever” and 3 “West Point,” scores another distinct tri--3 umph in “The Smart Set,” which also had t its initial screening at this theatre on Saturs day. The game of polo, hitherto brought to the screen for atmospheric “bits” only—its attendants, environment and devotees—- )• form a highly colourful background for a r» ripping comedy romance with a delectable touch of flashing drama. “The Smart Set” shows William Haines as Tommy Van Buren, scion of a wealthy family, who toils not, but who rides a pony with a mallet in his hand in particularly thrilling fashion. 1 and who at the same time is considered most s eligible by many lovely young ladies. The

attentions they pay Tommy lead to many highly entertaining incidents, while Haines himself adds amusement to this attempted conquest by his sophisticated reception of the charmers. However, he finally falls in love with a proud and beautiful girl, who holds herself aloof from him, until he disgraces himself when, with typical feminine variability, she takes pity on him. After sundry complications, and at the end of an exciting polo championship, she decides to reform Tommy for good. Another chapter of the deservedly popular Chapter play “The Collegians,” an out-of-the-ordinary comedy, entitled “Leave ’em Laughing,” which it undoubtedly does, an interesting gazette, and News Reel, and some exceptionally good music by the Majestic “De Luxe” Orchestra; make this programme one that should not be missed. Plans are at the Bristol, and prices are just as usual.