ACROSS the FOOTLIGHTS

Taranaki Daily News, 19 May 1928, Page 8

ACROSS the FOOTLIGHTS

COMING EVENTS. ; OPERA HOUSE. To-night.—“ Whispering Smith” (IL B. Warner), First National. May 21.—Dawn Assheton (soprano), Laszlo Schwartz (Hungarian com-poser-violinist) . May 26. —“Tell It to Sweeney” (Cheater Conklin), Paramount. June 2. —-J. C. Williamson Ltd. (Moiseivitch recital). June 9.—“ The Crystal Cup” (Dorothy MacKaill—Jack Mulhall), First National. June 16 and 18. —Sunbeams Revue Coy, June 23 and 25.—John Fuller and Sons Ltd., “Archie,” “Sunny,” “Mercenary Mary.” EVERYBODY’S. To-night.—“ Smile, Brother, Smile” (Jack Mulhall and Dorothy MacKaill), First National, and “Come to My House” 8 (Olive Borden—Antonio Moreno), Fox. May 21 to 23.—“ Manpower” (Richard Dix), Paramount, and "The Collegians” No, 1, Universal. May 24 to 26.—“ Drop Kick” (Richard Barthehness), First National, and Delroy and Delaney (Vaudeville Artists). May 28 to 30.—“ The Chinese * Parrot* (Marion Universal, and “The Collegians” No. 2. Map 31 to June 2.—“ She’s a Sheik” (Bebe Daniele), Paramount, and “Irish Hearts” (May McAvoy), A’eian Films. PEOPLE’S. Tonight and May 21.—“ Nevada” (Gary Cooper), Paramount, “Whispering Smith Rides” (Wallace MacDonald). May 22 and 23.—“ The Red Mill” (Marion Davies), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and “Won in the Clouds” (Al Wilson), Universal. May 24 and 25.—“ Monte Carlo” (Betty Balfour), Master Pictures. May 26 and 28.—“ Ladies Must Dress” (Virginia Valli), Fox Films, “Blake of Scotland Yard” No. 1, (Hayden Stevenson), Universal. “LADIES MUST DRESS.” “Ladies Must Dress,” a Fox Filins production featuring Virginia Valli and Lawrence Gray, comes to the People’s shortly. It is a sparkling comedy-drama, based upon modern life and centring about the love affair cf a quiet little workinf girl who disappoints her sweetheart because of the severity of her dresses. Tho east includes Earle Foxe, Nancy Carrol and Hallam Cooley. • » * » “MONTE CARLO.” “Monte Carlo,” a British production, released by Master Pictures, features Betty Balfour, Carlyle Blackwell, Louis Allibert, and Robert Lane. The story written by E. Phillips Oppenheim, was taken in Monte Carlo, and penetrates the Casino, the Sporting Club, The most mostly villas in and around Monte Carlo, and some scenes were taken in the Prince of Monaco’s Palace. * “NEVADA.” * One of the few writers whose fiction stories can be easily and almost literally translated to the screen is Zane Grey, famous for his Western romances, according to .Director John Waters. The latest Zane Grey story to be filmed for Paramount at the People’s to-night is “Nevada,” which has quick changes in situation and a plot of thrilling adventure that develops rapidly. Its locale is the cattle country in the days of turbulence and gun play. Gary Cooper is the hero, Thelma Todd supplies the love interest, and the villainy is contributed by William Powell. # * » * “THE RED MILL.” “Tho Red Mill.” a delightful musical comedy of evergreen popularity, lias been adapted to the screen as a starring picture for Marion Davies. It is a new Marion Davies that this play has given to the screen—a lightsome, colourful creature of charming little ways —with a whimsical sense of humour and an amazing capability for poignant dramatic acting—and looking very charming in a quaint Dutch costume, with wooden shoes and blonde pigtails. The story is a romance of Holland—at rimes verging on the tragic, with a number of thrills and an eerie adventure in a haunted mill. But throughout it teems with comedy—uproarious situations between Miss Davies and her Irish iover, player by Owen Moore, “The Red Mill” is showing at the People’s with “The Phanton Flyer.” * * » # ■THE PHANTOM FLYER.” Al Wilson’s latest Western air film, affords an excellent opportunity for this great flying ace to demonstrate ‘ his undaunted bravery and skill with an airplane. With a carefully selected supporting cast headed by Lillian Gilmore, noted stage player, the picture unreels like a well written elassie. • • • • “BLAKE OF SCOTLAND YARD.

“Blake of Scotland Yard,” a real mystery story,' is declared to be the most gripping cliapterplay ever filmed. It contains pretentious production value and its many weird touches in lighting and characterisation, bizarro and impressive, prove Hill to be one of the screen’s outstanding directors. When Carl Laemmle, president of Universal Pictures Corporation, viewed the series after its completion he was so enthusiastic that he designated "Blake of Scotland Yard” the “lead-off” chapterplay of the new program, a high compliment, indeed. “Blake of Scotland Yard” consists of twelve episodes of two reels each, every one of them containing the thrills that would ordinarily be contained in a full length melodrama. Hayden Stevenson of “The Collegiams” fame is starred, while the supporting east includes Gloria Grey in the feminine lead, Herbert Priox - , Monte Montague, Wilbur Mack, Albert Hart and Grace Cutar.d. . i.. , .

DELROY AND DELANEY. Delr >y anil Delaney, billed as a Versatile vaudeville duo, ere to appear at Everybody’s Theatre next Thursday, Friday and Saturday in conjunction with the picture programme. These clever artists specialise in song, stories and dances, and their entertainment is bright and pleasing. Delroy and Delaney have just completed a successful tour of the South Island, where their act proved popular with audiences. They had the privilege of playing in all the big South African theatres during their voyage from London to Australia. DAWN ASSHETON’S THREE OCTAVES. Dawn Assheton, world-famed English coloratura soprano, who will be heard with Laszio Schwartz, the eminent Hungarian violinist-composer, at the Opera House, New Plymouth, on Thursday, May 24, has won universal fame, not only as England's most brilliant operatic coloratura soprano, but also as one of the most fascinating folk and character song singing actresses of the day. Dawn Assheton began her vocal studies in London as a contralto and gained many splendid comments from the leading music critics. One day she flabbergasted her old master by informing him that she was certain she could achieve an infinitely greater measure of success as a soprano. The master warned the ambitious songster not to ruin her glorious organ. However, Dawn Assheton knew what she wanted, and for months the young artist religiously avoided meeting him. One day she dropped in and casually informed the incrdeulous Italian gentleman that she was now convinced that she could sing any of the most difficult coloratura arias, if only he took the trouble to coach her. “What makes you think so?” he asked. “Because,” answered, the artist, “I have extended my range to three octaves.” The master laughed heartily and informed his ex-pupil that he never surmised she was such a talented “fibber.” Next moment she sat at the piano and striking a chord on “G,” sang the three complete octaves, until she reached “G” above the high “C.” The nonplussed signor gasped and stuttered. “Do it again,” he commanded. She did —five times in succession. That settled the long-standing argument, and he placed a volume of coloratura arias on the piano and whispered: “Well, I suppose you are a coloratura soprano.” Indeed, Dawn Assheton proved to be one of the world’s greatest. Wherever Dawn Assheton lias appeared in New Zealand she has fascinated and thrilled her audiences. She is acclaimed by the Press and the public as the greatest singing actress England has ever sent forth and is becoming one of the most widely discussed singers to visit these shores.

» # • » “MAN POWER.”

Mary Brian, the little Paramount player who first came to the forefront of motion picture acting with her role in “Peter Pan,” is again the leading lady for Richard Dix. She appears with him in his latest Paramount Picture “Man Power,” at Everybody’s-Thea-tre on Monday next. Richard Dix is one of the most popular stars on the screen in the world to-day. In Mel bourne, in a contest conducted by the Sun News-Pictorial, one of the leading daily newspapers, Dix topped the poll, being the only male star to register sixfigures in hie rotes. • » # • “IRISH HEARTS.” Mark Twain said, “Little tilings simp) our destinies.” It is upon this premise that “Irish Hearts,” May McAvoy’e latest starring production for Warner Brothers, was made. Such a tiny incident as the loss of a cheap little goodluck brooch changes the whole course of life for Patsy, the little Irish immigrant. Byron ’ Haskin directed, and Jason Robards, Warner Richmond, Walter Perry, Kathleen Key. and Walter Rodgers are seen in supporting roles. * * * * “DROP KICK.” First National’s, college picture, “The Drop Kick,” starring Richard Barthclmess, will be shown next Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. “The Drop Kick” is a story typical of college life to-day, with its joys and tragedies, its thrills and its romance. It is true to life in every way, and the football scenes are thrilling and realistic, as they were made by experienced player from the University of Southern California and Stanford. Having mastered the boxing game for “The Patent Leather Kid,” which he recently made, Barthelmess now turns his attention to football for this picture, and again proves an adept at this branch of sport. Playing opposite the etar is pretty Barbara Kent. # a # • “SHE’S A SHEIK.” Prized possessions that once belonged to Rudolph Valentino are used by Bebe Daniels in the Paramount stars latest comedy, “She’s a Sheik.” Three, brace of Arabian.pistols and a valuable dagger are carried by Mise Daniele at various times in the production. The Paramount star obtained the treasured possessions at an auction sale which disposed of the popular motion picture actor's effects shortly after his death. She now owns more than half of hie famous collection of arms. Supporting the dashing comedienne in “She’s a Sheik.” are Richard Arlen, Josephine Dunn, William Powell, Paul McAllister, James Bradbury, Jr., Billy Franey, and Al Fremont. 17 # * * * “THE MAGICIAN.”

Alice Terry, who plays the leading role in "The Magician,” Rex Ingrams new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production, is the only member of the cast who is not European. Miss Terry was born m Vincennes, Indiana. Her first screen work was with the old Thomas J 1" organisation. She achieved recognition in “The Spy,” later won fame in “The Four Horsemen,” “Scaramouche,”. “Mare Nostrum,” and other notable pictures. She is usually directed by Ingrain, who made the present picture in Europe.

Life on shore, afloat, on a lonely Pacific island, and in the midst of China a yellow peri), is vividly depicted in ’leli It to the Marines,” a new Lon Chaney picture, coming to Everybody’s Theatre. The famous star of “The HunehbacK,

“The Phantom of the Opera” and “The Road to Mandalay” adds another to hie brilliant list of triumphs, with his characterisation of the stern Sergeant: O'Hara. • « • •

Beauty as well as comedy adorns the railway story, “Tell It to Sweeney,” which will be at the Opera House soon. Chester Conklin and George Bancroft make their debut as a Paramount comedy team in this highly enlivening ■vehicle. Doris Hill has the leading feminine role,* while the handsome Jack Luden, who is one of Paramount’s new western stars, is the clever juvenile. Doris and Jack carry the romantic theme, while Conklin and Bancroft supply the comedy, of which there is no end.