ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 20885, 21 September 1929, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE REGENT.

MATINEE 2 P.M.—NIGHT 7.45.

FINAL SCREENINGS OF “SHOW ■PEOPLE” (MARION DAVIES AND WILLIAM HAINES). ,

With its settings amidst the studios of Hollywood “Show People,” the comedy production (at the Regent for the last time to-day) starring Marion Davies and William Haines, will give you a great deal of laughter and an unusual amount of interest, the first from the story, and the various incidents attending the unravelment of its theme, and the second from the number of well-known Hollywood stars, and others who pass in review upon the screen at some moment or other. For instance, we see Charlie Chaplin asking the “new” actress, Peggy Pepper or Patricia Pepoire, for her signature in his autograph book, while Lew Cody and Elinor Glyn flit across the film stopping for a few words with Billy Boone (Haines). Karl Dane and George K. Arthur sit side by side at a long table for their “eats” with a row of famous neighbours, as Doug Fairbanks, Bill Hart, etc. The picture is worth viewing for this alone, and. it certainly gives an insight—on comedy lines—into Hollywood workings immensely entertaining to the fans. The demands of the stellar roles are felicitously met by Marion Davies, recognized as one of America’s leading comedy artists of the film stage, and William Haines, a humorist of a contrasting calibre. Miss Davies’s attempt to maintain in the low comedy trials the hauteur and dignity of an embryo emotional actress, and her posturing and the curling of the lip which she deemed essential to her position when fame had been won, are highly diverting. As the irrepressible Jimmy, combining the mannerisms and tricks of the “slapstick” comedian with the sincere devotion of the homely, but genuine, lover, William Haines is altogether satisfying, and the final vindication of lies devotion, taking the extraordnary form of squirting his fiancee with seltzer water and ornamenting her intended husband's features with custard pie, was more entertaining than it perhaps sounds. The supporting cast of film directors, camera men, and film actors and actresses is entirely satisfying, and the setting of the piece in Hollywood affords opportunities for introducing many interesting scenes and amusing incidents. There is also a full supporting programme of talking and singing short subjects to complete the entertainment.

CIVIC PICTURES. MUNICIPAL THEATRE. MOTHER KNOWS BEST (FOX SPECIAL ATTRACTION), MADGE BELLAMY, BARRY NORTON, LOUISE DRESSER. Another big “Fox” Special Attraction (10,100 feet) is due for screening at the Civic to-day at 2 p.m. and to-night at 7.30. “Mother Knows Best” is splendid entertainment adapted from Edna Ferbe’s novel. A powerful story of mother-selfish-ness and mother-love. It is so well directed and so well acted by the three principals, Louise Dresser, Barry Norton and Madge Bellamy, and the story is so true to life, that one feels as if seeing a real life occurence. The closing scenes, which show the youngest heroine dying from a broken heart as a result of her mother’s continual refusal to let her marry the young man she loved are pathetic. The height of emotional appeal is reached when the mother is shown realizing how selfish she had been towards her daughter and what an injustice she had done to her, not to permit her to marry the man she loved, and receives the young hero with open arms, sending him into the room where her daughter lay dying. Tenderly pathetic are also the scenes where the heroine is shown regaining her will to live as a result of the return of the hero. All the way through Miss Desser is superb as the selfish mother, and Miss Bellamy a* the daughter who had sacrificed her own happiness for the happiness of her mother. Barry Norton is an excellent choice for the part of the young composer, who loved the heroine with all his heart. He is young, handsome, and a good actor. He has a future before him. He is the young man that took the- part of “mother’s boy” in "What Price Glory.” Madge Bellamy, as Sally Quail, sounds a new note in her

clever and intelligent imitations of Harry Lauder and Al Jolson. On the same programme is a screeningly funny comedy, “Isn’t Life Terrible,” featuring that Prince of Comedians, Charles Chase. The chapter play, Tarzan the Mighty, is getting more exciting each episode. Some interesting supports in a News Reel, comedy, etc. are also to be shown and this will complete one of the finest programmes it has been possible to secure. No one should miss it!

VAUDEVILLE AND PICTURES.

MAJESTIC.

ON THE STAGE, BABY JUNE, THE CHILD WONDER, AND ON THE SCREEN “A MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE,” “NAUGHTY BABY” AND “THE COLLEGIANS.”

Baby June again delighted a big audience at the Majestic last night, winning herself a place in the hearts of everyone by her captivating personality. Baby June’s voice has ail the sweetness of childhood but possesses in addition the expression usually associated with years. Her vocal numbers included: “Rainbow round my shoulder” and “All by yourself in the moonlight.” In addition, three sketches —extraordinarily well done—consisting of different versions of “Sing a song of sixpence.” Certainly, Baby June is a wonderful child. In “Naughty Baby,” a fast-moving, highstepping comedy-drama coming to the Majestic Theatre to-night, Miss White is paired with Jack Mulhall in love scenes as peppy as a prize fight and other athletics ad lib. There’s hair-tearing combats, too, and swimming and riding and acrobatic dancing of the most modern variety. The picture is laid, not in a gymnasium, but in a fashionable New York Hotel, and other typical big-town scenes. Thelma Todd, Doris Dawson, Frances Hamilton, James Ford, Benny Rubin, Fred Kelsey, Georgie Stone, Andy Devine, Rose Dione, Jay Eaton and eight other players in important roles head the unusually large supporting cast. Fifty-two bathing beauties add form and spice to beach scenes, and a host of others to glimpses of New York life. Mervyn Leßoy directed the picture. Mystery plays and pictures have enjoyed quite a vogue this season, but until you have seen Master Picture’s “A Midnight Adventure,” you are missing one of the most intriguing photoplays ever to reach the screen. Thrills there are in abundance, with just the proper amount of romance and comedy in luxurious settings. It is scheduled for showing at the Majestic to-day. There will also be screened “The Collegians.”