AMUSEMENTS AND MEETINGS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20181, 25 June 1928, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS AND MEETINGS

THE GRAND The two pictures “Hard-boiled Heggarty," featuring Milton Sills and Molly O'Day and; “The Blue Danube," a romance based on the famous waltz by Johann Strauss, now showing at tne New Grand Theatre are two productions that combine to give immense satisfaction to the most critical of picture-goers, and their initial screening on Saturday night was followed with absorbing interest by a crowded house. “Hard-Boiled Beggarly," produced by Wid Gunning for f irst National, depicts Sills in an unusually powerful and romantic role, he being an air service hero who finds love behind the firing lino. Molly O ’Day plays the part of a half Irish and half French girl answering to the name of Germaine. A cabaret dancer of the story is played by Lola d’ Avril as French as Molloy *s Irish. Arthur Stone, Mitchell Lewis and George Fawcett are included in the supporting cast. “ Hand-Boiled Heggarty" is not the usual type of war story, depicting the agonies of suffering men. It is simply the story of a misconception of a superior officer, which leads to the court martialling of Lieutenant Heggarty, his greatest friend;, there being of course a happy climax which smooths out the path of their distorted relations. The second offering “The Blue Danube," which will be shown prior to “Hard-Boiled Heggarty” today, is as joyous as the gay melody that inspired it. Frederick Zelnick, the producer, has caught the spirit of light-hearted gaiety associated with pre-war Vienna. Throughout the film there abounds a spirit of intrancing happiness. The story —told in leisurely and unhurried manner—is a simple tale of the love affairs of a Count and a cabaret girl, and Lya Mara, in the role of Mizzi, certainly proves that she is an actress of no mean ability. The supporting cast is also excellent, special praise being due to Ernest V erodes, as the flirtatious young lieutenant, and to Harry Liedtke as the Count. Based upon the world famous waltz by John Strauss, the picture is indeed one which the great composer might well be proud. It admirably conveys the spirit of love life, and laughter, which the master violinist helped to create. An excellent musical accompaniment to the film is provided, the score including some fine old Viennese folk song such as “Yip-i--dee," and “Let’s go where Fun and Frolic Reign.” MUNICIPAL PICTURES Automobiles, aeroplanes, motor-boats and even bicycles have furnished the background' for motion picture drama, but until Richard Dix began '‘Man Power” for Paramount, the lumbering caterpillar tractor had never been “glorified” in films. Only an imaginative scenario writer who had been through the war could see possibilities in them. The results will be on view at the Opera House to-morrow night, i “Man Power" is not a war picture, although there is a flash of the bat-tle-front to indicate that Richard Dix had been an officer before reaching the lowly state of a wanderer hope- , fully looking for a job. Glimpses of Mary Brian, beautiful daughter of the president of the Stoddaivi Manufacturing Company, start him on a career as a mechanic. What he does with a tractor after that is startling. To save the inhabitants of a valley from the menace of a broken dam, Dix pulls supplies through a rain storm over a slippery road, over ditches, up mountain sides, across a plateau and into a gulch. Whether Bebe Daniels got the idea during her recent illness with influenza is speculation, but it is singular to note that the title of her newest starring comedy for Paramount is “Feel My Pulse," which will be the second feature of to-morrow night’s double bill programme. The story concerns the activities of a girl who is a near invalid in her own mind. Certain situations, however, help her “regain" her health. Production on “Feel My Pulse" was headed by Gregory La Cava, and with Richard Arlen opposite Miss Daniels. Other members of the cast are George Irving, Melbourne MacDowcll, Charales Sellon, Heinie Conklin and William Powell, who does some great work as a bootlegger chief. Also will be showing “The Collegians” and a gazette. THE DUCHESS THEATRE, ARAMOHO. “Orchids and Ermine,” featuring Colleen Moore, will be the First National production screened at the Duchess Theatre to-morrow (Tuesday) night. A good supporting programme will also be show’n.