ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 41, 12 November 1926, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATRE. Commencing to-night at the De Luxe Theatre is “The Bat,” a Roland West production, adapted from fho .famous sta>’e play of tlie same name. "Tlie Bat” is so mystifying that tlie audience suspects almost everybody and early in the action at that. The story of “The Bat” must not lie told, and the audience is requested not to tell it. for that would spoil it for everyone who is later to see the picture. But the story begins after an exciting skyscrap er robbery and safe-cracking at a bank, achieved by the hidden criminal called “The Bat?’ The action then moves to the Lona Island home of a wealthy spinster where the loot is supposed to be hidden At the beginning she is l-.irne with her prettv niece Dale Ot’ don and Lizzie, an eccentric servant, and a "spooky” Jap butler Soon she receives mysterious and baleful warnings and many odd and apparently scheming visitors “The Rat” makes himself manifest -onnd the mansion in such startling but indirect means that it is easy to suspect every inmate of doubling as "Tlie Rat" in a terror!,“ inc campaign. Detectives ioin the miscellaneous throng in the place, and encounters happen so fast that suspicion darts from one person Io another wifi) incredible swiftness, like the erratic fluttering of a hat itself, until the .-eal excitement commences. Charles Herzinger Emily Fitz.roy. Louise Fazenda. Arthur Houseman. Jewel Carmen. Jack Pickford. Tallin Carminnti. Robert McKini. Bee Shumway, Eddie Gribhon and Soiin nrc featured in the powerful cast which acts this most mysterious of mystery dratnaa. “THE MIDNIGHT SUN.” A dancing girl, by the charm of tier beauty and the influence of two of Russia’s most powerful men. has raised herself to the position of premiere ba! lerina in the imperial Russian Ballet. Her sponsors, a Grand Duke, and Kusmin, a banker, seek to obtain her for themselves, but the girl gives her heart to a young officer in the duke’s household. Out of this situation, and those that follow, comes the story of “The Midnight Sun,” the Universal production, which will commence screening at the De Luxe Theatre next Friday. This picture story of life in Russia in 1913 was directed by Dimitri Bmhowetzki, a Russian himself. Headed by Laura la Plante, the cast has been given a splendid quartet of featured players. Miss La Plante plays the dancing girl, and is an actress of the highest dramatic ability, although picture audiences are accustomed to see her as a comedienne. Pat O’Malley is the Grand Duke, and Raymond Keene, newcomer to the screen, is the hero. George Siegmann is the villain, playing the part of Kusmin, the banker. Tlie remainder of, the cast is equally well balanced. Ar-' thur Hoyt contributes the comedy. Earl Metcalfe appears as a student-nihilist. Costly and beautiful settings feature this production, while no greater dance sequence has ever been filmed, it is stated, than that showing the “Ballet of the Jewels” as once produced by the Imperial Russian Ballet. The costumes are brilliant, colour beinjj added to them by the resplendent uniforms of the Russian army, navy and nobility. ENGLISH COMEDY COMPANY. “Just priceless" is said to be the common expression which sums up “The Unfair Sex,” Eric Hudson’s three-act farce-comedy, to be produced for a brief season at the Grand Opera House on Tuesday next with ©one of Loudon’s big star actresses. Miss Zillah Bateman, in a favourite -part, supported by a distinguished company, who have carried all before them in Sydney. “The Unfair Sex” was one of the few big London successes of 1924 and 1925 It put up a record by being produce. l twice daily at the Savoy Theatre, London, with two separate companies, for just on two years, and in Australia it was immediately proclaimed as the best farce conedy of recent years, aud that is why il- - selected as the premiere for New Zealand, despite the fact this v com-, patiy has “Eliza Conies to Stay,” "The Sport of Kings,” and “Outward Bound (now causing something of a sensation in America) in its repertoire. “The Unfair Sex” is claimed to be .an assurer oticccss, and a splendid vehicle to show off the supreme art of Miss Zillah Bateman and her brilliant supporting company. Briefly the plot is as follows: In an unguarded moment, Geoffrey Trevor, a married man, kisses his wife’s guest, Joan Delisse, and on the same morning his uncle catches Trevor's wife Diana in the arms of Harvey Fane, a younn writer of romantic fiction. The meddlesome unele hints at the incident, and the husband leaps to the conclusion that his own delinquency is being referred to, whereupon l,e gives himself away. Ihe undo tlien contrives that husband and wife shall both think their lapse known to each other, aud the game of crosspurpose thus set in motion leads to some laughable situations. “The Unfair Sex" gives scope for a fine display of frocks from London'and Paris. The box plans are at the Bristol.

PRINCESS THEATRE. “The Grand Duchess and the Waiter will be included in the new programme at the Princess Theatre to-dav. The plot, in short, tolls of a. wealthy clubman who falls in love with the Grand Duchess Zenia. All attempts to procure an introduction fail, and so he changes places with a waiter to be near her. He is a poor waiter, so the duchess appoints him to another position, in which lie has toearry out many menial duties. Eventually lie tells who lie is and proclaims his love. Adolph Menjou, an actor whose personality has enhanced many a good picture, and Florence Vidor, a stately and charming actress, are leading players. The second feature will be “Gold Heels,” a story of the turf, telling how a jockey who insisted on winning if possible is discharged by his employer. He pur. chases a horse for a small sum and it proves to have remarkable speed He enters it for a race, but there is a villain, and in the contest he has to contend with, other things besides the speed of tlie rest of the field The supports are Stan. Laurel in a two-reel comedy, No. I group of competitors in the children’s beauty contest, a gazette, and Screen Snapshots.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. . An American girl in Russia, love affairs with graud dukes and dashing young officers, thrilling adventures amidst a background of unexpected and romantic happenings are things seen in “The Duchess of Buffalo,” the First National comedv-drama, starring Constance Talmadge, which will commence to-daj at tlie Paramount Theatre. This rollicking romance of a beautiful American dancer who becomes the toasted favourite of the Russian ruling class gives the vivacious star the kind of vehicle in which she is always seen at her best. Fulton Carminati, who has the leading masculine role, is new to American pictures. Others in tlie cast are Edward Martindel, Rose Dione, Chester Conklin, Lawrence Grant, Martha L'ranklin, and Jean de Briac. The supporting features include the second series of Amundsen’s flight to the North Pole, a gazette, and “Felix the Cat” cartoon, with a capital score of incidental music.

KING’S THEATRE. “Lovey Mary,” a Metro-Goldwyn special, will commence a week’s season with to-night’s showing at the King’s Theatre: The story of this picture is based upon the liook of that name bv Alice lloguil Rice, author of “Mrs. \Vi"gs of the Cabbage Patch.” Essentially a comedy, there is an undercurrent'of pathos and drama that affords (ho principal players remarkable opportunities. Miss Love appears as ft lonely orphan girl, who lavished all her pentup affections unou a baby waif. Appealing iu its humanness, her role is one that should win the sympathy of cverv audience. Also, no one is more capable than this player of gaining the most from the humorous possibilities of n picture. William Haines, in the leaning male role, is cast as a milk carter. His romance with Mary is oue of the bright spots of Die picture. Others in "th" east are Eileen Percy Mary Alden Vivia Ogden. Martha Mattox and Russell Simpson. A gazette. Screen Snap'hots a New Zealand scenic entitled “Still Waters.” and a comedy com-ph-te the bill. The King’s orchestra will also be heard.

EMPRESS THEATRE. “'Pho Untamed I adv.” starring Gloria Swanson, is the principal feature on the nronramnm which will commence to-day •it the Empress Theatre. As an cnor-

niously rich society debutante, whose terrible temper gets her into all sorts of scrapes, Gloria has a role that gives her a splendid opportunity .to . display her rare flair for comedy, it is said. It is probably the most versatile part she lias bad for a long time, and she is said to give a performance, that is perfection itself. The plot hinges on the determined attempt on the part of the girl’s fiance to tame her. and develops a host of humorous and thrilling incidents. Lawrence Gray, remembered for his fine work opposite Miss Swanson in “Stage Struck,” is again her leading man. The second feature is “How Baxter Butted In,” featuring Matt Moore and Dorothy Devore. Comedy and drama are well mixed in this story -of a shy young man who suddenly blossoms forth into the most daredevil of heroes. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. “Contrasts,” this week's contribution to liis Majesty’s Theatre programme bj the Hector St. Clair Company, is a riot of merriment from beginning to cub. Hector St. Clair >s seen at his best in the sketches, “The Nervous Wreck,” “The Will that Wasn’t,” "Solitary Confinement,” “House to Let,” and “A Dream of 1914.” The Three Rodney Girls are seen in new dances and Kay McLean and Dot Cressweli score heavily in a realistic Apache dauce. Paul Du Bur, the “Paper King,” amazes his audience with the facility with which lie manufactures the most delicate and intricate patterns by tearing pieces out of ordinary newspaper. Ida Holbein is as popular as ever with her comic songs at the piano. The Cartliy Brothers, light confedians and dancers, make a welcome reappearance and keep the audience in right good humour. Beatrice and Byrne, violinist and pianist, put on a musical turn of distinctive merit.

NATTONAL REPERTORY THEATRE. Acceding to numerous requests National Repertory Theatre Society, for its third presentation of the year, is making a happy and interesting departure from its previous policy of staging serious plays. It has decided to present one of Milne’s latest and cleverest comedies in three acts, namely, “Ariadne, or Business First,” which met with such success in London last year with Miss Fay Compton as Ariadne. This play will be preceded at 7.55 p.m. by the late Oliphant Down’s delightful Pierrot Fantasy in one act, entitled “The Maker of Dreams.” Mrs. E. J. Fawcett, Miss Louise I-'itzherbert, Miss K. Stocker, Miss Constance Morice, Miss Thyra Baldwin, and Messrs. Vivian Ithind, P. B. Broad, W. S. AVauchop, Norman Byrne, and E. S. Baldwin will be includeil in the two specially selected casts. Mr. Leun de Mauny is arranging the entr’acte music. The box plans for the three nights’ season are now available at the Bristol. The society’s director, Mr. Leo du Chateau will be in charge of the productions. Queen’s theatre. “Black Paradise," a Fox Films production, will commence a week’s season with to-night’s screening at the Queen s Theatre. Romance, thrills, comedy, and mystery are all incorporated in this extraordinary photoplay. It was adapted from ah original story by L. C. Rigby, and R. William Neill, the director, tells the story of the love affair between a girl aud a crook, who tries to go straight. The crook fails iu this effort. however, and walks into a trap while stealing a diamond necklace. The girl stands by him and tries to help him to escape, when detectives follow him to her apartment. Then begins an exciting chase, which introduces the best part of the plot. Edmund Lowe plays the part of tlie detective, Leslie Fenton that of the boy, and Madge Bellamy is the girl in the case. There are many thrilling adventures and a beautiful love story is developed amid the most sordid surroundings. A tropical island peopled onlj by exiles from all the lauds of the earti; figures in the picture. Excellent supporting items aud music are promised.

AR TUR AFT THEATRE. House Peters is at his best in ‘.’Combat,” tlie Universal-Jewel which is the current attraction at the Artcralt Theatre. The rugged star of outdoor dramas has in this another of the rodes that has made hi mpopular. Peters gives an unusuaDv strong interpretation of the rowdy lumber-jack. Action starts in the opening reel and grows more and more intense until the climax, winch is the trapping of the principals in a forest fire. This picture will He shown again to-morrow afternoon and night, and finally on Monday evening. Excellent supporting pictures to pleasing music by James Haydock compete a very fine bill.