ACROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS

Taranaki Daily News, 20 July 1929, Page 7

ACROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS

COMING EVENTS. NEW PLYMOUTH OPERA HOUSE. To-night.—“ Flesh and the Devil” (John Gilbert-Greta Garbo), M.G.M., Special Production. July 26 and 27. —“Annie Laurie” (Lillian Gish-Norman Kerry), M.G.M. Special. July 31.—“ The Kentucky Jubilee Singers” (J.C. Williamson Ltd.) August 2 and 3. —“Anna Karenina” (John Gilbert-Great Garbo), M.G.M. Special. August 17. —Taranaki Boxing Association (Donovan v. Griffits). August 10 and 12. —John Fuller and Son’s “Rio Rita” Company (pencilled). August 13 and 14. —William Heughan. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. New Plymouth. July 22 to 24. —“The Patsy” ,(Marion Davis-Conrad Nagel), M.G.M. and “It Can be Done (Glenn Tryon), Universal. July 25 to 27. —“The Physician” (Miles Mander-Elga Brink), British Dominion Films, and “Adoration” (Billie Dove-Antonio Moreno), First National; and a Music Master Series (“Songs of Italy.”) Julv 29 to 31.—“ Masks of the Devil” ‘(John Gilbert), M.G.M., and “Eyes of the Underworld” (all star), Universal. August 1 to 3.—“ The Last Command” (Emil Jannings), Paramount Special, and a Music Master Series .(“Mary’s Little Lamb.”) THE PEOPLE’S. New Plymouth. To-night and Monday night.—“ Bare Knees” (Virginia Lee Corbin), Fox Films; and “Tarzan the Mighty,” No. 9. Julv 23 and 24.—“ Sioux Blood” (Tim ’McCoy), M.G.M. July 25 and 26.—“ When Duty Calls” (all star), Cinema Art Films. July 27 and 29.—“ The Sin Sister” (Sue Carol-Larry Kent), Fox Films, and “Tarzan the Mighty,” No. 10. July 30 and 31—“ Telling the World” ‘ (William Haines), M.G.M. August 1 and 2 —“ The White Sheik” (Jamieson Thomas-Lillian HallDavis), Cinema Art Films; and “A Woman Redeemed” (Brian Ahcrne), British Dominion Films. ©«■*=>

“WHEN DUTY CALLS.” “When Duty Calls,” is a U.F.A. production released by Cinema Art Films. The theme deals with a man who is discharged from the fire brigade, because of his old age. Through the pleadings of his daughter to the superintendant, he is given a theory test whereby he. may return to his old job. How he fails in the test, but proves himself in a big theatre fire will hold one entranced, throughout the film. The cast is: filled by several popular players, including Henry Stuart, Helga Thomas, and Rudolf Rittner. # # « “THE SIN SISTER.” “The ■ Sin Sister” is a gripping drama of the frozen north which deals with six ill-assorted companions who are marooned in a deserted trading post, and their reaction to terrible conditions of hardship. The tense story is leavened with deft comedy touches. Woven into it is an absorbing love theme. Few romances in screen history have been more subtly and effectively told than that which develops between Pearl (Nancy Carroll), a poor, untutored. small-time vaudeville dancer, and Peter (Lawrence Gray), scion of an aristocratic old family, partners in adversity. These two persons, from widely separated strut.. of society, alone of the deserted travels!’ rise above their surroundings and emerge a real woman and a real man. Facing a situation that makes the conventional prejudices of our social structure seem petty and mean, they find a bond of sympathy and love in an elemental environment. 4? # * “THE PATSY.” The screen’s premiere comedienne Marion Davies, plays the title role in “The Patsy,” the principal feature at Everybody’s Theatre next week. This comedy-drama of a middle-class family of two daughters and their parents is just such a story as might happen any where. But Marion Davies invests it with so much humour and romance that “The Patsy” positively shines. In a' perfectly wonderful manner Miss Davies burlesques three ladies who take themselves very seriously, the two Princesses Mdivani (Pola Negri and Mae Murray), and Miss Lilian Gish. The mimicry is perfect. The story is perfect. jane Winton, ag the spoiled and vamping elder daughter, is perfect. Lawrence Gray keeps well up with Patsy and her people. # # “IT CAN BE DONE.” The correct manner in which to beard the lion in his den, even though you are clad only in a racoon coat, is screamingly portrayed by Glenn Tryon in his latest Universal starring picture, “It Can be Done.” Glenn corners his boss in his hotel lair and proceeds to foist hits cherished manuscript upon him. Sue Carol appears as the girl of his heart and Tom O'Brien, Richard Carle, Richard Carlyle and Jack Egan have prominent roles. Fred Newmeyer did the directing. # # « ii “BARE KNEES.” Virginia Lee Corbin has the.most opportunities and her characterisation of the “flapper” in “Bare Knees” is the most sane and sensible portrayal of this type we have ever seen. While she thinks everything in life is grounds of fun and while she is daring in her styles of clothes and actions, still, underneath, she is just- the kind of girl one would like for a wife or sister. * «= # y “FLESH AND THE DEVIL." Greta Garbo, famous Swedish screen' beauty, hag her greatest emotional' role as the unfaithful wife in “Flesh and the Devil,” a Metro-Goldwyn Mayor special production. As John Gilbert’ plays opposite "Greta Garbo, and Lars Hanson is the “other man” of the triangle, picture-goers can imagine what mighty drama this unusual picture holds in store for them. It is a powerful •

story of European life prior to the World War, and depicts the overwhelming love storm that involved a beautiful woman and two young men. The vagaries of ' human nature have never been so graphically portrayed on the screen before. The picture has been wonderfully directed by Clarence Brown, and includes many well-known featured players. ■ # “SIOUX BLOOD.”

“Sioux Blood,” the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer outdoor romance for Tim McCoy, has a special significance for Australasians on account of Marion Douglas, the Manly (N.S.W.) girl who plays the leading feminine role. She will be remembered for similar honours in “The Bushranger,” M.G.M.’s clever story of early Australian bushranging days. The new picture is distinctly above the average type of outdoor romances, the story being unusually dramatic and the settings and direction very ling“THE PHYSICIAN.” “The Physician” is a British Dominions film version of Henry Arthur Jones’s famous play. Excellent photography and the most powerful story seen on the screen for a long time are among the outstanding merits of this British production. The story is so intensely dramatic that the film has considerable power over the spectator. Acting honours undoubtedly go to Miles Mand'er as 'Walter Amphiel. Beautiful Elga Brink is his lovely fiancee, who in turn is loved by “the physician,” portrayed by lan Hunter. The supporting cast consists of such well-known artists as Humberton Wright, Mary Brough, Henry Vibart, Julie Sucdo, and that clever child actor, Johnny Ashby, last seen in “His House in Order.” No finer cast has been seen in any British picture. ft ft ft ft “ADORATION.” In her latest First National production, “Adoration,” Billie Dove appears as - gorgeously gowned as ever, the entrancing story being set against the scintillating luxury of pre-revolutionary Russia. Court life is presented in ail its glittering splendour, with the star as the highlight of it all. Miss Dove and Antonio Moreno* as the lovers who are separated by the Red Terror and meet again in the dives of Paris do splendid work,'and those sequences presenting the feminine star as a Parisian mannequin should appeal particularly to women, exhibiting a succession of bewilderingly gorgeous gowns. ft ft ft ft “ANNE LAURIE.”' "Annie Laurie,” booked for early release, is an excellent film version of the famous Scotch legend, which has been immortalised in song and poem. Lilian Gish plays the title role, supported by Norman Kerry as her braw lover. It is Kerry who walks off with the honours in this picture, by giving a most virile interpretation of his fighting, romantic role. The picture is beautifully got up, with some entrancing scenes of the Highlands, and plenty of action between the clans. 0

ft ft ft ft “MASKS OF THE DEVIL.”

In his new starring picture, “The Masks of the Devil,” John Gilbert appears in the strangest make-up ever filmed. He is seen with two separate faces at the same time, and will change from one to the other without apparent effort. In the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture Gilbert plays the role of a Viennese aristocrat who, when he looks in a mirror," sees reflected in his face the likeness of the devil.

KING’S THEATRE, STRATFORD. To-night only. —“Sunset Pass” (Jack Holt), and “A Light Woman” (Benita* Hume). Also episode 9 serial. Monday only.—“ The Farmer’s Daughter” (Marjorie Beebe), and all British talking pictures. Tuesday.—“ The Lariat Kid” (Hoot Gibson),, and all British talking pictures. Thursday and Friday.—“ Faust,” a British picture; also “Zono,” the Xylophone player. » * # e BIG PROGRAMME.

For the second time within two months Jack Holt and his director, Otto Brower went to Arizona to film scenes for a Zane Grey motion picture. The title of the latest Paramount film is “Sunset Pass,” and aside from starring Bolt, has Nova Lane, Chester Conklin, John Lod6r, Guy Oliver and others in the cast. “A Light Woman” is a delightfully fascinating story of modern Spain, and, in the role of Dolores, the gay little flapper, Benita Hume, has never been more suitably cast. This British Dominions film will be shown at the King’s Theatre to-night only. Episode 9 of “Trail of the "iger” serial will also be screened.

» ft ft ft “TALKIES” AND “THE FARMER’S DAUGHTER.”

The delightful rural comedy, “The Farmer’s Daughter,” in which Marjorie Beebe makes her debut as a featured player, is at the King’s Theatre on Monday only. This is the picture the story of which was written especially to fit the talents of Marjorie Beebe, latest Fox Films find. The producers claim, and her work in this production seems to bear it out, that Miss Beebe is the greatest comedy find i” years. Arthur Stone, Warren Burke and a strong cast is in support. The all-British talking pictures will also be seen and heard. • « * « “TALKIES” AND “THE LARIAT KID.” “The Lariat Kid,” Hoot Gibson’s most thrilling Universal picture with the romance of the old West for a background, has been secured by the King’s Theatre for showing Tuesday. The star is seen in that favourite role of a swash-buck-ling young caballero who points himsol? against an entire gang of brigands. He fills the picture with the typo of fast rid in and fighting for which he is noted. “rfe Lariat Kid” is replete with romance. The dainty and charming Ann Christy appears opposite Hoot as Mary Lou, a girl who is trying to escape a marriage with a rogue that her aunt is forcing upon her. The British talking pictures "will be screened. It is a fascinating programme of character sketches, vaudeville turns, comedies, instrumental solos, popular’ ballads, jazz bands ami music.

“FAUST” AND VAUDEVILLE. The newest interpretation, of Mephisto, Satan, or the Devil, is that rendered by Emil Jannings, distinguished actor in “Faust,” which comes to the King’s on Thursday and Friday. Jannings makes of the evil one a being almost human in his every move, yet with a swiftness, a sleekness, a devilishness that is not in any creature on this earth. Supporting JanTtings is Camilla Horn, the distinguished little German actress, Gosta Ekman, Sweden’s greatest actor, and Yvette Guilbert. Also on the same programme is a special vaudeville attraction introducing Zono, the master of the xylophone, in a novelty mile-a-minute musical treat. ELTHAM MUNICIPAL THEATRE. “The Spy,” screening at the Elthani Municipal Theatre, is a mighty production dealing with the activities of the .Secret Service —robbery, force, love —all used to learn and protect the spy’s secrets. “The Spy” is a thrilling, stupendous drama of the Secret Service.