ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 20792, 5 June 1929, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE REGENT.

STRONG COMEDY PROGRAMME.

Three features comprise the present programme at the Regent each excellent in its own particular line and Baby Cyclone, costarring Lew Cody and Aileen Pringle is a story of the trials and tribulations of a little Pekinese dog named “Cyclone," brought into the lives of two couples in different social worlds. Joseph Meadows, pillar of New York commerce, and engaged to the beautiful Lydia Webster, has “Cyclone" delivered to his office. He gives it to Jessie, a stenographer in another office. Her husband, Gene Hurley, a clerk, resents the entrance of the dog into the family circle. He takes “Cyclone" for a walk and ( meets Lydia, who falls in love with the dog. Gene gets a good idea and sells the dog to her for five dollars, later telling Jessie he had lost the little animal. He and Jessie have a fine row over it, and Mr Meadows, on his way to see his fiancee, tries to interfere and gets his eye blackened for his pains. Gene, in the events that follow, tells his tale of woe. Mr Meadows proceeds to visit his fiancee, and nearly collapses when he finds that she has the dog after all- However, Jessie meets “Cyclone"! while Lydia is giving him a walk, and appropriates him. This distresses Lydia, who sends Meadows to demand the return of her pet; when he is unsuccessful she kidnaps him herself. Then Jessie sets the police on her as a dog thief, and the police line-up the whole delegation at home. Then the two women get together. Lydia is adjudged owner of the dog, so Jessie leaves her husband and becomes a uniformed nurse for her pet. Lydia, angry because Meadows does not like “Cyclone,” breaks their engagement. Thus a fine mix-up is born, and amid various complications it works to a clever dramatic twist that solves the problem and leaves everybody happy, including the audience. “The Bushranger,” starring Tim McCoy, is a colourful story of a young Englishman who suffered for 'his brother’s crime, . being transporter! to Van Dieman’s Land, and afterwards escaping t<? become the most notorious bushranger on the highways of Ballarat. The stirring drama, thrills, romance and love arc set amidst the scented gum trees of Australia with creditable fidelity. Dale Austen, “Miss New Zealand, 1927,” and Prank Baker, also appear in the cast of this unique and entertaining film. “Two Tars,” although only a two reel comedy is justly entitled to be called a feature for it is one of the funniest comedies ever shown. The Regent Orchestra played a number of popular selections and was as usual quite a feature of the show. CIVIC PICTURESEMIL JANNINGS, BELLE BENNETT AND PHYLLIS HAVER IN “THE WAY OP ALL FLESH," ADOLPHE MENJOU IN “MARQUIS PREFERRED.” “The Way of All Flesh,” one of Paramount’s best productions, which is to be shown at the Civic to-night, is undoubtedly one of the most, if not the most powerful and human picture of its kind ever seen in Invercargill. Emil Jannings, the international screen idol, has a magnificent part, which only such an actor as Jannings could portray. So realistic is his presentation of poor unfortunate August Schilling, the main character in the story, that audiences full of pity are enthralled from beginning to end. As a picture, “The Way of All Flesh” is a “classic,” and the Civic management may well be proud to offer such a strong emotional film, which has been a tremendous success all over the country. Different in every way from the ordinary film, “The Way of All Flesh” tells the sad story of the cashier of the Germania Bank in Milwaukee. A devoted husband and a loving father of four bonny little children, Schilling suddenly finds himself plunged into a great adventure by being sent from his home to Chicago to sell valuable bonds for the bank. On the train he sits opposite a pretty blonde (Phyllis Haver) who treats him with silent contempt until she finds out he has the valuable bonds in his possession as a result of him foolishly pulling them out of his pocket when searching for his ticket to Chicago. The woman then gradually weaves her spell around him, and they drink champagne together. The next thing poor Schilling knows is that his bonds and the woman have disappeared. He manages to find her, pleads with her for the return of them and endeavours to intimidate her Schilling . decides to take his own life, but he sees in a paper where he himself has been killed. The crook, mutilated, has been mistaken for him. In the passing years he becomes a different man. He gets wrinkled and ages very quickly. Attracted by a sign outside a theatre, he goes and hears his own son, now a famous violinist, give a recital- Fie is moved to tears, when, for an encore, the son plays a piece which he tells the audience his father taught him. The old man follows the boy home, and sees his own family in a happy circle at Christinas. There he learns of his two sons who were killed in the war, and the respect in which his own memory is held. A policeman catches him looking through the windows, and when he is about to be arrested the son pleads for his father’s release. Saying he is happy, the poor broken-hearted old man wanders away in the snow. Besides this very powerful picture, which is full of interest, from beginning to end, there is an Adolphe Menjou picture, “Marquis Preferred,” a comedy of an unusual type, inasmuch as it. is entirely free from any farcical element, although the plot, and the situations arising from it, are novel, and fraught with a quiet humour. Adolphe Menjou is seen as the Marquis D’Armenville, a prodigal young scion of nobility, whose creditors consider it time that they should at least see the colour of his money once in a while. His suggestion that he might marry an heiress meets with their ■whole-hearted approval, so much so that three of them form themselves into a company called "Marquis Preferred,” and agree to keep him afloat on the financial sea until such time as a suitable heiress appears. Eventually one does, and their fears are allayed when they learn that his courtship has been successful. Complications' ensue, however, when the heiress’s companion comes into the picture and wins the affection of the count, but eventually all these are smoothed away when | the marquis marries his heiress, their debts I are settled, and a subsequent divorce clears g the way to a happy reunion with the girl 6 he loves. Usual prices only will be | charged for this remarkable programme. Seats may be reserved at the Bristol until noon later at Mrs Gawn’s or by ringing No. 380. VAUDEVILLE AND PICTURES.

EXTENDED SEASON OF SAM STERN VAUDEVILLE ACT. Owing to the tremendous success achieved by the Sam Stern, Sadie Pepper vaudeville act at the Majestic Theatre, the management has wisely decided to extend their season for three more nights. An amazing picture with an amazing theme ,and Miles Mander at his best, the British Dominions film, “The Physician,” to be screened at the ■ Majestic Theatre to-night is one of the finest British films to reach Australasian shores. The story deals with dipsomaniac, a physician and a beautiful girl. The dipsomaniac, excellently portrayed by Miles Mander, in his better moments preach® the evils of drink. He loves the girl, who in turn is deeply loved by the physician. The physician, on finding out the truth about the girl’s fiance is torn between desire and honour to disclose everything to the girl; how he finds a way out provides material for many dramatic sequences. Elga Brink is a lovely heroine, and lan Hunter gives a fine portrayal as the physician. The picture is a film version of Henry Arthur Jones’ famous play. In “Who Is The Man?” also screening at this theatre tonight, three people try to answer the momentous questions of life that arise through marriage. Their solution according to their circumstances are sincere enough, but would

you have done the same? A wife left too much to herself by a busy husband finds at first pleasure and finally love in the arms of another man. And then the husband’s brother, to shield the woman, to give her happiness because unknown to her he loves her, makes a sacrifice that calls for the supreme gift, that of life. Would you have done the same for a fickle woman’s happiness? These are the questions that are answered in the British picture, in which Isobel Elsom, Lewis Dayton and Langhorne Burton are the players. Plans are at The Bristol, or ring 738 for reservations. SIR HARRY LAUDER. WITH COMPANY OF INTERNATIONAL STARS. • That Mr E. J. Carroll is directing the tour of Sir Harry Lauder and his new company of international stars is guarantee that an

entertainment de luxe will be presented at the Municipal Theatre in Invercargill on Monday and Tuesday next. Many difficulties had to be overcome before this tour could be arranged, but all is now complete in every detail and Sir Harry has been hard at work putting the finishing touches on many new song numbers and character sketches which will be presented for the first time during the Dininion tour; in addition to these new items so many requests are being received for some of the old favourites that every effort will be made to include in all Sir Harry’s programmes such as are judged highest in popular favour. Sir Harry is due back in England very shortly and this tour must of necessity be brief and many towns which were looking forward to a visit have, by this management, regretfully had to be deleted from the itinerary. With a desire to afford. Sir Harry suitable and adequate support Mr Carroll has spared neither trouble nor expense in the selection of a coterie of inter-

national artists who will present acts new and of diversified nature, including a novel act presented by ‘Tiki” Carpenter, who comes direct from a London season; songs which are ever popular with audiences; Rupert Hazel and Elsie Day are a harmony and laughter duo; the Fredo Bros, present an unusual and thrilling comedy acrobatic act in the course of which their violin playing is a feature; a cartoonist and lightning sketch artist from the leading European variety theatres, Don Julian presents a most novel and entertaining interlude. The musical conductor is Haydn Beck, with a specially selected orchestra. The Box Plane open at The Bristol on Friday morning and patrons are advised to book without delay. Applications for seats from country patrons will be dealt with strictly in order received.