ACROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS

Taranaki Daily News, 28 September 1929, Page 26 (Supplement)

ACROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS

COMING EVENTS. ■ 1 OPERA HOUSE. Naw Plymouth. (finally to-night'. —“Miss Hook of Holland*’ (New Plymouth Amateur \ Operatic' Society.) October 3 to s.—“ Garden of Allah” (Alice Terry), M.G.M. Special Production; and “Children of the Ritz” (Jack ' Mulhall-Dorothy Mackaill), First National .production. October 0,. 10 and 11.—“ Love and the Devil” (Milton Sills), First National production; and “Tosha” (Jamie- ’ son Thomas), British Spcc’ial Production. October 12.—Taranaki Boxing Association (Donovan v. Griffiths). October 17 to 19—“ The Ringer” (all “ star), Edgar Wallace British pro--1- 'duction; and “Why be Good” (Colleen Moore), First National Pro- > Auction. ‘ October 23 and 2-I.—William Heughan. EVERYBODY’S. New. Plymouth. “TALKIE” ATTRACTIONS. September 28 to October 1- —“The ’ Cohens and Kellys in Atlantic City” (George Sidney and Mack ; Swain); Universal talking comedy drama; also Movietone News; “Doing His Duty” (a De Forest Phonolllm “talkie” comedy); Clapham and Dwyer (comedians),’ and “Squire Octette.” ■' October 2 to 4. —“The Ghost Talks”, (all ’ " star), Fox talking Mystery Drama. October 5,7, arid 8—“ In -Old Arizona” . (Edmund Lowe-Warner Baxter); Fox all talking drama. THE PEOPLE’S. New Plymouth. • To-night and Monday night.—“Protec- •' tion” (all star), Fox; and “The Mystery Rider,” Chapter 4. October 1 and 2.—“ A Man’s Man” (William ' Haines), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. October 3 and 4.—“ Mademoiselle Parley Vous” (Estelle Brody), British Do- , minion Films; and “Songs of central Europe’(amusical novelty). October 5 and 6. —“The Far Call" (Charles Morton-Leila Hyams), Fox; and “The Mystery Rider,” Chapter 5. October 8 and 9—“ China Bound” (Geo. K. Arthur-Karl Dane), M.G.M.; and “Girl Overboard” (Mary Philbiu), Universal. k: October 12. —“Troublesome Wives'" ■< (Mabel Poulton), British Dominion Films; and “The Mystery Rider,” Chapter 6. October 10 and 11.—“ Girl Shy. Cowboy” (Rex Bell), Fox; and “Songs of British Isles”( a musical novelty). # * # “A MAN’S MAN.” Josephine Dunn/ who played the heroine with William Haines in “Excess Baggage,” plays opposite him again iri his latest Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer hit, “A Man’s Man.” Directed by James Cruze, it is a comedy drama of Hollywood life, showing the “inside” of the ecreen colony. Mae Busch; Sam Hardy arid other noted players appear. . •.. * * * * “MADEMOISELLE PARLEY VOUS.” “Mademoiselle Parley Vous,” is a story of the post-war adventures of the popular “Mademoiselle . from Armcn- ■ tiers.” Mamzelle now returns as the . manger of a revue company-which does ’ not meet with very great success. Matters become complicated when a • valuable ruby is stolen during one of the performances, and is followed by a ' murder. The climax, which leads to the discovery of the murderer and recovery of ’ the jewel is ingenious. < ’ ■ « ■;? * * “THE FAR CALL.” Y'-' “The Far Call” is a thrilling tale of fur-seal piracy at the lonely isle of St. Paul, in the Bering Sea. Paul Loring (Charles Morton), a reckless and daring '. adventurer, plans to raid the little naval . station on St. Paul, disable the radio station, capture the handful of white men, and then plunder the herds of seal before the Government can interfere. • Their arrival, however, is complicated by. the presence of Hilda Larsen, the • daughter of the commandant, with whom ■ Loring falls in love. Despite his reluctance, Loring goes ahead with his . plans, but an unexpected revelation causes him to make a futile effort to . halt the raid. The invaders land on the island, and the capture of Loring by his own men, his escape and the spirited battle against the raiders make a thrilling episode. This is perhaps one of the most absorbing sea pictures seen for some time. Charles Morton and Leila Hyams have the principal roles in the film. “CHILDREN OF THE RITZ.” “Children of the Ritz” is the intriguing title chosen for the latest First National success of that charming pair of screen lovers Jack Mulhall and Dorothy Mackaill. A fine little tale of modern married life, the charming love story is given added zest by the refreshing personality of this entertaining duo and the wittiness of the sub-titles. # * * * “THE GARDEN OF ALLAH.” Alice Terry playa the starring role in Rex Ingram’s production of Robert J-liehcns’s sensational novel, “The Garr den of Allah,” shortly to be presented in New Plymouth. The story, act in the picturesque and romantic places of the East, tells the old, old story, but with a difference. The story of a monk who forgot his vows when he came face .to 'face with the woman in the story, and of their battle against the world, and of his final conquest of self, and ’ her just deserts. It is a moving and beautiful story, superbly acted. # # * “CHINA BOUND.” The' following criticism of “China Bound” appeared in The Motion Picture News: “'China Bound’ —a ship-load ot laughs. With a succession of wallops which keep the audience holding itself . round the waist-line.' Dane and Arthur ■ # core another giggle kayo in 'China Bound.’ However, it is . Polly Moran, back from the nowhere, who snags the ■ decision on laughs. Her costumes and • acting are a refreshing memory of those when a custard pie turned an audience into hysterics. Most of this . picture, however, is that way. A packed Shouse rolled out, of itii seats at some of ■kibe <'a<?s. J-t' is a ’ snbrter-that huidi-

Josephine Dunn is the heroine of this picture which will shortly be released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. “Protection” is nothing if not exciting, and will be screened at the People's to-night. This Fox Films, a newspaper melodrama, makes even some of the Chicago front page gang feuds look mild and sugary. From beginning to end one frenzied struggle between the power of the Press, and that of the underworld, “Protection” sweeps on to a tremendous climax, which includes the bombing of the newspaper plant and a surprise denouement. It's simply swell. Robert Elliott, a newcomer to the screen, but one of Broadway’s favourites, gives a splendid performance as a hard-boiled managing editor. Dorothy Burgess, cast as the ruin king's sweetie, adds still more laurels to her fast growing reputation, while Paul Page, the last of the featured trio, retains his admirable naturalness that distinguished him in “Speak-easy.” which, incidentally, was also directed by Benjamin Stoloff, maker of “Protection.” # # * * • “IN OLD ARIZONA.” “In Old Arizona, a Fox all talking production, .is a story of the romantic south-west in the late ’9o's, the period before standardisation had erased its glamour and colour. Its incidents revolve around Cisco Kid, a notorious bandit with a price on his head; his

love affair with Tonia Maria, a passionate half-caste girl, and Sergeant Mickey Dunn, of the United Statves cavalry, ordered to capture the bandit. Tom Barry, author- of “In Old Arizona,” visualised' Sergeant Mickey as' a handsome Irish-American from Brooklyn; a boy with plenty of “it,” a heart-breaker, yet of undaunted courage. A he-man in every serise of the word and a soldier first, last and all the time. That 'is flic role Edmund Lowe plays. Dating back twenty-years from the period in which he played a marine in “What Price Glory,” ( it has even more colour, more picturesqueness. Warner Baxter plays the Cisco Kid, Dorothy Burgess Tonia Maria and a score of the leading film stars and featured players are in the supporting cast. Raoul Walsh and Irving Cummings collaborated in the direction. Arthur Edeson was chief cameraman and E. H, Hansen chief soundman. :X< $ # -3S “THE GHOST TALKS.” In “The Ghost Talks,” Helen Twelvetrees and Charles Eaton, two artists from the legitimate, make their film and talkie debut in this picture, and Carnel Myers and Earle Foxe also have important roles. The story concerns two se ts of crooks who want to rob a haunted house, some hidden bonds,

the rightful owner, an amateur detective charmingly played by Charles Eaton, and the bewildered little owner of the bonds, who is Miss Twelvetrees. The story is always most amusing, exciting and eerie, and the dialogue, and the ghostly sounds, are excellently done. Every spoken word comes through perfectly, and so do the uncanny chwkmgts and moanings of the ghost who talk-. 3* " * ° 3i° * “THE COHENS & KELLYS LN ATLANTIC CITY.” Bv having a comedy team of four ' persons, or twice as many as usual, t Universal Pictures Corporation was, mathematically speaking, able to get i twice as much fun into “The Cohens and Kellys in Atlantic City,” the first ' of thg. series to be presented in talkie form. And when the team is made up of such- comedians and comediennes as George Sidney, Vera Gordon, Mack Swain and Kate Price the figures just naturally go blooey and the per cent, of comedy ‘rises to the nth degree. _ “The Cohens and Kellys in Atlantic. City- is reported to be even more- •riotously funny than its two predecessors,i “The /Cohens : and’ Kellys” and “Tfie Driheris

OPERA HOUSE, HAWERA, To-night.—“Do Your Duty,” Charlie Murray (F.N.); also Pathe News. Monday, September 30. —Radio Concert. October I.—“ Guardians of the Wild.” October 2, 3 and 4;—“West of Zanzibar,” Lon Chaney (M.G.M. special). October s—“ Zero,” Fay Compton (F.N.); also Pathe News. GRAND THEATRE, HAWERA. To-night.—"The,Big Hop,” Buck Jones (Fox); also “Tarzan the Mighty.” September 30. —“Guardians of the Wild” (Universal Films). , October 2 and 3. —“The Ringer" (B.D.F. Special). October 4 and s.—“ Protection,”, and “Tarzan the Mighty.” COMING ATTRACTIONS. October 16 and 17—“ Alias Jimmy Valentine” (M.G-M.). ' October 17.—Victor Prince Company.October 25.—William Heughan., 3? 3? ' * “THE BIG HOP.” This is a novel comedy tucked round a trans-ocean aerial flight. It features Buck Jones, who, for a marvel, finds himself out of place on a' ranch. After being spilled by a bronco, through shying at a ’plane, Buck realises that he wants to be an aviator. He agrees to accompany his pilot friend on a nonstop flight round the world. But there is trouble aloft and Buck is spilt .over-

board, but is rescued by a pretty girl with whom he falls in love. Her fiance objects, plots the hero’s death, and there is a chase, and an explosion.—Buck win.?. # #■ * # ■ SOUND PROOF STAGES. The need for silence on sound proof stages has made it a matter of great difficulty for directors to control the a'ctiou of a scene while “shooting” is in progress. Various methods are used, such as coloured lights, operated by buttons at the elbow. One of the most ingenious systems, however, is one which is being used at the Paramount studios at Long Island, where the all-talking pictures “Applause” and “The Gay Lady” arg in production. The players are given their entrance cues by means of black threads —black because it does not photograph. One end of the thread is held by the director and the other by the actor. At the proper moment the director pulls sharply on a thread and the player responds* by walking into the acene. The method is generally known as “stringing the actors.” . * * * * “DO YOUR DUTY." One of those good old-fashioned comedies about a good-natured cop and his failure, his trial and tribulations, found in “Do Your Duty,” First National's picture starring Charlie Murray, as Tim Maloney, gives a lovable characterisation, full of human nature, joviality and the milk of human kindness. “THE RINGER.” Thousands of people havb read and enjoyed the book version of “The Ringer,” and many thousands more have seen and enjoyed Maurice Moscovitch in the stage version, but for those who have already become acquainted with this play through these mediums, or for those who have not, the film version, which will soon be -shown in Hawera, will be just as entertaining, or even more so, on account of the acting by Leslie Faber as Dr. Lomond. Mr. Faber has been known in Englund for some years as one of the finest actors on the English stage. He has also appeared in many Broadway successes. *’# # ‘ * A JUNGLE DRAMA. “West of Zanzibar,” a Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer special production, with Lon Chaney as the sinister “Dead Legs Flint,” paralysed “white voodoo” of a__ savage African tribe, is the attraction shortly to be screened at the Opera House. This new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production is a grim drama of primitive emotions in a wild jungle, and shows Chaney in one of the most remarkable of his* roles, that of a former stage magician who, paralysed in a fight with the man who stole his wife, follows his enemy into the dark continent, using his magic to terrorise and rule savages and wreck a tonrible revenge. Lionel Barrymore plays the enemy . whom Chanev relentlessly pursues. * 3> 3S «< SURPRISING ANTICIPATION. A managing editor of a newspaper, dictating to tu reporter the story of the murder of- a racketeer, stating the exact moment of the murder and the incidents leading up to it, is one of the surprising sequences of ‘'Protection,” Fox Films’ production directed by Benjamin Stoloff. It is surprising because at the time the editor is dictating the story the murder has not actually occurred. Further explanation must wait until, the particular sequence is seen on the. jereen. and then the logic and consistency, of. it all will be plainly appar-

KING’S THEATRE, STRATFORD. •- Matinee to-day, 1.30 p.m. —“The Upland Rider” (Ken Maynard). Episode 6 “The Haunted Island” serial. To-night only.—“ The Upland Rider” (Ken Maynard), and “The Sunset Legion” (Fred Thomson). Monday only. —“Homesick” (Sammy Cohen). Tuesday and Wednesday.—“ Give and Take” (Geo. Sidney—Jean Hersholt). Thursday and Friday.—“ Tenth Avenue” (Phyllis Haver). « * « * “HAUNTED ISLAND” SERIAL. When the fans staggered out of the King's Theatre last week after a hairraisinnr chapter of “The Haunted Island,” 0 the affairs of the beautiful heroine were in a more hopeless state than they have ever been, before. The most optimistic patrons held out little hope for the girl who had been tied in a sand cave that gave way when a blast of dynamite . shook . down hundreds of tons of sand and buried her alive. However, there is still a chance that the celebrated serial hero and his blushing leading lady. will in some way escape death' by suffocation in order that they may -take part ,in the-coming chapter which bears, the-promising title. “A Race With -Death.” - : *. • * #. *. . TWO WESTERN PICTURES. “The Upland Rider,” starring - Ken Maynard, is an original-story by Marion Jackson, written especially for Ken. Albert Rogell directed and he has finely drawn a thrilling picture, with-a delicate romance that places “The Upland Rider” far above the usual Western. Marion Douglas has the leading feminine role, while the balance of the supporting members round out a competent and natural cast. For the best in screen thrills don’t miss -this, picture. “The Sunset Legion.” starring Fred Thomson and Silver King, hits famous trick horse, is a snappy Western story with plenty of new thrills and fast ac-' tion. Edna Murphy has the leading feminine role.' • ' #•s - * “HOMESICK.” Just because a waitress ,in California inserted a matrimonial advertisement in a New York paper, a fun campaign started which will circle the world. In other words, that advertisement causes all the trouble and fun in “Homesick,” Fox Film featuring Sammy Cohen, which opens at the King's Theatre Monday only. Marjorie Beebe was the waitress and Sammy Cohen and Harry Sweet the two chaps who read it. There are thousands of laughs in this side-splitting comedy. # # & # “GIVE AND TAKE.”. There are chuckles and laughs for every inch of the Universal comedy special, “Give and Take,” which is at the King's Theatre next Tuesday and Wednesday. The very mention of George Sidney and Jean Hersholt is sufficient to arouse anticipations of a merry time. And in the case of “Give and Take” there is no disappointment. The film is an adaptation of the successful stage play of the same name by Aaron Hoffman. The cast, in addition to Sidney and Hersholt, who are co-starring, comprises George Lewis, Sharon Lynn, Sam Hardy, Charles Hill Mailes and Rhoda Cross in the supporting’ roles. # =:■:= * ■ s / “TENTH AVENUE.” They both loved her, but one was a murderer! Such is the position in which Phyllis Haver finds herself in “Tenth Avenue,”- a dramatic De Mille Studio production which comes to -the Kings Theatre on Thursday and Friday next. Compelled to discover which of her two sweethearts is the killer, Miss Haver resorts to startlingly unusual tactics in this colourful story of New York’s Hell’s Kitchen. Victor Varconi and Joseph Schildkraut portray the other principal characterisations in “Tenth Avenue,” as written for the screen by Douglas Doty from the stage play of the same name. Robert Edeson, Louis Natheaux. Ernie S. Adams, Casson Ferguson and Ethel Wales are in the supporting cast. ELTHAM MUNICIPAL PICTURES. “STOP THAT MAN,” TO-NIGHT. “Stop That Man.” screening at the Elthain Municipal theatre, is one big laugh. Arthur Lake has appeared to advantage in numerous pictures, but never have we seen him in such an excellent portrayal as in this bright, breezy picture.