AMUSEMENTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 106, 6 May 1929, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS

THE REGENT. [ A remarkable programme—outstanding even among the many outstanding ones screened at the Regent showed for the second night of a three-night season on Saturday evening before a crowded house. It is screen entertainment well above the ordinary and docs not suffer in comparison to any thing yet shown in Wanganui. Such may be written of “The Foreign Legion.’’ In conception, in locale, in story, in plot and thrilling drama, the picture held the large audience at the Regent spell-bound at its second showing and it is safe to predict a “crowded house” for this evening. It is a gripping romance with Norman Kerry and Lewis Stone co-starring, supported by Mary Nolan, the screen’s most beautiful blonde, and I June Marlowe. “The Foreign Legion” topped Broadway receipts at the Roxy theatre where it had its New York premiere. It topped the previous week’s receipts at the Roxy by nearly twenty thousand dollars! If there is one single thing in a picture that attracts pictiye patrons in any kind of weather—in any size house—in every village, town or hamlet it’s the romance of dashing and colourful soldiers in a fight for the women they love. And “Th 0 Foreign Legion” has it all and more. It has for background the burning sands of bleak Morocco and the army posts of the Foreign Legion—most famous military organisation in the world—where passions seethe and hate burns like a white hot brand—whore love lasts through trials and perils that try men’s souls; —where iron-handed discipline rules and the penalty for a nreacn of rules is sometimes worse than death. Yet here in “The Foreign Legion” a private in the ranks battles for love and against autocratic superior officers in the face tremendous odds. Commencing To-morrow Karl Dane and George K. Arthur are lore ver foremost in th e minds of the fans always* This being the natural outcome of the wholesome, sidesplitting comedy with which they have rucked the world since their first cost irring comedy, ‘ ‘ Rookies. ’ ’ Big audiences haded them in “Baby Aline,” “Circus Rookies” and “Detectives,” and notv comes “Brotherly Love,” another laughter knock-out, which commences a three night season to-morruw. Gales of laughter are wrapped up in this picture with Karl Dane as the bullying warder, who gives Geo. K. Arthur, as a prisoner, a dogs life to keep him away from the gaol governor's daughter, whom he himself loves. A football match between harclended criminals and those imprisoned in another gaol under the “honour system” provides one of the funniest screen sequences ever made. This picture is just kind of vehicle out of which these inimitable comedians make an absolute masterpiece of fun, and th-* kind picture patrons clamour for. THE NEW GRAND I A riot of mirth with an undercurrent 'of genuine pathos is present in i“The Man in Hobbles.” suggested by a Peter B. Kyne story with John Harron and Lila Lee excellent as the young couple whose happiness is threatened by the intrusion of the bride's good-for-nothing family. That family is a classic, eliciting laughs every time one of its members appears upon the scone. Lucien Littlefield and Sunshine Hart are Pa and Ma, both of whom you would like to drown if they weren’t so comic and real. Eddie Nugent is the elder brother, a typical small town tough, and Betty Egan and Bill Anderson arc the twins who put the finishing touches on most of the devilment. Then there is gorgeous Vivian Oakland, who becomes, unconsciously, the means of deliverance.

George Archainbaud, always clever in his direction, has done some of his best work on “The Alan in Hobbles.” There isn’t a slow or irrelevant minute in the whole picture. It’s one of those pictures about people you’ve all known, even if some of them were in slightly different social strata than “The Alan in Hobbles” reveals them. Supporting this picture is another big comedy feature, starring George O’Hara in “Is That Nice?” Paramount Cartoon and Gazette, and Chapter Five of “Tarzan the Mighty,” complete a very attractive programme which will be repeated again to-day at the matine c and to-night at 7-45 p.m. intending patrols are advised tu book early. OPERA HOUSE Amazing sequences of thrills are said ” be pruvidcu in the U.F.A. production ‘The Spy,” which will commence a season in Wanganui at the Opera j House on Monday. The picture was , directed by Fritz Lang, who will be j remembered as the producer of .'“-Metropolis,” The story is of an underground spy organisation, which. ! seeking power, pits its energies against ■ the {Secret {Service. In one ol the I world s greatest cities, events were 1 happening with nerve-shattering ; rapidity throwing the Government , and its Secret Service into a state of j chaotic helplessness, important docu- ' meats, entrusted to responsible Ministers, were either stolen or copied. Secret Service agents mysteriously disappeared ami there was evidence that I some were murdered. Crimes of all j kinds executed with daring and masterly cunning, were committed frequently and when the were discovered and arrested they went to punishment, sometimes to death, in .ulence. rather than betray the master main at the head of the organisation lor which they worked. It is with the suppression of this organisation that lie picture is concerned. The principal members of the cast arc Rudolph Klien-Rogge, Gerda Maurus, Willy !• ritsch and Lein Dyes. London critics have been unstinted in their praise, with such comment as: “There are enough c xciting scenes in this film to fulfil all possible demands for thrills. Fritz Lang, who directed ”Metropolis.” has never created such an exciting and at the same time, artistic fiPn as “The Spy.” Another clitic says:

“The story is produced with imagination. movement and fine photography.”

“MIDNIGHT FROLICS,” TO-NIGHT The “Midnight Frolics” will commence their Wanganui season at the Opera House to-night under the J. C. Williamson banner. Consistent record breaking runs have characterised this company ever since its inauguration in Australia some time ago, and its phenomenal success continues in New Zealand. In Auckland, ‘Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, enthusiasm has been unbounded, and very few revue companies can boast of such appreciable support as has been accorded in these cities. Eric Edgley and Clem Dawe, the principal comedians, first made the acquaintance of New Zealanders through the medium of pantomime but have since formed their own revue company, which is now easily the best company of vaudeville revue artists that has appeared in any re- i vue for a decade. Clem Dawe says, “The next best thing tq, no wife is a good wife,” and it might be said that the next best thing to a funny come-, dian is a funnier one, for of all comedians who have ever appeared on the vaudeville and legitimate stage, Clem Dawe ranks as one of the highest in the profession. He has a worthy partner in Eric Edgley, and between them, it is said they veritably make the audience rock with laughter. The revue, however, is far from being all comedy. Musically it boasts some stars of unusual magnitude. Oscar Beck is a tenor with a voice of great clarity; Gregory Ivanoff, a Russian violinist of undoubted proficiency and unerring touch; William Perryman possesses a fine voice and a breezy personality; Gertie Crewe and John Robertson are. pleasing artists; Phyllis Amery is the premiere danseuse of the company; Dorothy White, a musical and dramatic performer of excellent z’Tity; and last, but not least, is the Frolics’ wonderful jazz band of 12 performers. The revue is mounted on an unusually attractive scale, the lighting and scenic effects generally being right out of the ordinary. Some gorgeous -wardrobes add to the brilliance of the show which occupies the entire evening. Complete changes of programme will be given each night. Bookings for the opening performance to-night are unusually big and patrons arc advised to reserve their seats without delay. The “Midnight Frolics” have an extensive repertoire of revue specialists which -will be presented during the two nights’ season in Wanganui. Mona Magnet, of “Peep Show” fame, is a popular member of the company, her contributions being a prominent feature of the programme, DUCHESS THEATRE. “For Heaven’s Sake!” is the name) of the latest Paramount release of Harold Lloyd, which will be the big | attraction at the Duchess Theatre for to-night. In Harold as a young man . of much wealth and of great ambitions. I He tries to reform the underworld, or ' a certain portion of it, and the results ! provide some of the greatest laughs I that you have ever had. “For Heav- j en’s Sake!” is the latest Harold Lloyd ; release for Paramount, and he is again supported by the fair Jobyna Ralston, j

NATIONAL DAIRY SHOW j The attention of readers is drawn to ' the National Dairy Show to be held | at Palmerston North from June 18 to 22, next. It is a well-known fact that ' everything will be of the best and this year is no exception to that rule. Features of fke National Dairy Show this year are sheep-dog trials, football matches, ring competitions and a round of evening entertainments winch will satisfy the most fastidious taste. Held in conjunction with the show is the j annual championship exhibition of the Manawatu Poultry Association, this in itself being a show on its own and well worth the price of admission This latter will open on June 20, and will continue until the last day of the National Dairy Show, that is, the 22nd J ne. Schedules are now ready for both events and a letter to the secretary will bring either schedule per return mail. Th c Railway Department is working in conjunction with the show authorities there will be excursion fares on the railways. Entries for all events close on June 4, and intending exhibitors ar e reminded that there will be no extension of time for late en- 1 tries- This rule will be strictly adhered to. Any further information may bo obtained from the secretary, Air W. T Penny, P.O. Box 85, Palmerston North. THE MAJESTIC Considerable interest centred on thc screening ot the big British Production “Roses of Picardy” at thc Majestic on {Saturday. Technically the work throughout the whole production has been handled in a masterly manner. The episodes of the actual fighting in the film—the night attack with creeping barrage—the big German push of 1918, when Earl Haig sent forth his famous “Bucks to th e Wall message to the British troops—are high lights of this big British production. Thc story has been interwoven in a manner which loses none of its charm and psychology and is not cast in the conventional mould of American war dramas. The film has on e of the most impressive finales yet seen in the motion pictures.

In the supporting feature “Homesick.” Sammy Cohen, the consistent fun-maker, is the star. Briefly told, thc story concerns in its chief essentials, Sammy, a New York boy; Harry Sweet, a caretaker in a pool room also in New York, and Marjorie Beebe, a maid in the home of a wealthy family in California. Marjorie *ecls t’-e urge to get married and she causes an advertisement to b o inserted in a New York paper. Sammy and Harry read thc ad., think a wife and a home in California listen good, but. taking in ventory they find that Sammy possesses exactly one dollar and the sole possession of Harry is a 1 icyclc of negligible value. Sammy decides to gamble his all and enters a long distance poker game—two days and two nights of continuous playing—and winds up with a hank roll and Harry’s bicycle. He enters a transcontinental [ bicycle race for which there is a prize of 25,000 dollars. Harry also enters. | partly as a contestant and almost

wholly to get revenge on Sammy. At every 400 miles of the 3,000 mile race they meet and fight. The same programme will be screened to-night.