ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 56, 30 November 1926, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATRE. One of the most popular stars anil one of the most famous novels are combined in Marion Davies latest Metro GoldwyuMaver feature,' "Beverley ol Graustaia." She is a favourite, and the book after some years is still a favourite romance. The new production, now at the De Luxe Theatre, is a colourful story of a court intrigue and romance in modern Europe, filmed on a gorgeous scale. Antonio Moreno plays the leading male role opposite Miss Davies, and the others >n the cast include Roy D’Arcy, Paulette Duval. Creighton Hale. Max Barwyu. Albert Gran, and Charles Clary. Elaborate settings and spectacular ensembles form the background, against which a dramatic and human story is revealed. A scenic, screen snapshots, and comedy are in support. with excellent music by the orchestra. "A TRIP TO CHINATOWN.” A chop suey oi laughs, a Chinese puzzle of screaming situations, are terms used to describe ‘ A Trip to Chinatown, ’ which will commence screening at the De Luxe Theatre on Friday night, with a matinee on Saturday at 2.30. The screen version of the world famous comedy. from the pen of Charles Hoyt, is said’ to be among the most laughable farces ever screened. The ctory is of a frisky grandpa, a merry widow and a millionaire, getting mixed up in a Chinese affair The cast includes J. Farrell MacDonald, Margaret Livingston, Earl Foxe. Anna May Wong. Marie Astaire, and hundreds cf Chinese and American beauties. The picture was produced in a very elaborate fashion and was screened under the personal supervision of George E. Marshall. "The interiors are gorgeous in the extreme, and the Chinatown exteriors are the best photographic reproductions ever attempted. ‘A Trip to Chinatown’ should not be missed by anyone.” said one critic. The supporting programme will include a Fox News, and review. The box plans are now at the Bristol. Aitken's Book Arcade, or seats may be reserved at the theatre, telephone 23 - 080.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.! Humour -was the dominant note sounded in tbe new programme introduced at Bis Majesty s Theatre last night. The Hector St. Clair revue company presented a new offering, under the title "HallMarked,” which bad the audience in tbe gayest of moods. Hector St. Clair was seen in a wide variety cf roles, which served to display hie versatility as a comedian. As Mrs. Prithington, a voluble lady of uncertain age, ne had the audience in roars of laughter, being well supported by Lillian Grey and Victor Roberts in the sketch, which was labeUed “The Proposal." Another I umorous absurdity, “The Goods," showed Mr. St. Clair in the guise of a husband who attempts to show his wife how to engage a competent domestic. Maylin Maguill, Lillian Grey. Netta Rodney, and Victor Roberts all did bright work in this extravaganza, which was highly, amusing. Another hilarious sketch, "Found Out,” saw the comedian in the guise of a butler. Leslie Pearce was in capital voice, and made popular hits with bis numbers. "Just Around the Corner." and "Youth." Hylton Osborne s songs also pleased, and hie duets with Maylin Maguill were keenly relished. The Three Rodney Girls sang and danced with their usual vivacity, ami were well received in their numbers "After I Say I’m Sorry” and "Let’s Talk about My Sweetie.” Bay McLean aud Dot CressweU brought the house down with their rpirited sailor’s hornpipe. In the vaudeville section of the entertainment, Clyde and Yvette delighted everyone with their finished dancing, and Clyde received an ovation for his wonderfully clever imitation of a steel guitar. The English comedians, the Carthy Brothers, were in merry vein, and had the house in high good humour with their racy songs, patter, and eccentric dancing. The Lorna. Lance Company. the clever hand of Australian juveniles, captivated everyone with their clever singing and instrumental work. It is a very dainty performance these talented youngsters present. An interesting news reel also figured on the programme. which was rounded off by acceptable incidental music by the orchestra. This bright bill will run for the remainder of the week. KING’S THEATRE. "The Sky Haider," which is the main attraction at the King’s Theatre this neck, tells a story that centres round an air mail robbe.ry, and it includes pictures of some remarkable air stunts. The location of tbe early scenes are in France, the Western Front, where a young American soldier, under an assumed name, is serving the Allies in the capacity of a nilot.. There is in his squadron Captain Nungesser, a French flying ace ’ Tbe leading feminine character is taken by Jacauelinc Logan, who gives fa dainty •interpretation. The other feature of the programme is "Don’t,” featuring Sally O’Neil. Miss O’Neil ns a college, girl provides plenty of fun. and the picture contains many laughs. She is supported by Bert Roflch. There are choice musical selections played by tbe orchestra. EMPRESS THEATRE. Taken from Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick." “The Sea Beast,” now showing at the Empress Theatre, is a powerful story of the old whaling days.. Tbe story tells of Ahab Cecly and bis love for Esther Harper. While on a whaling cruise, through the treachery of his brother, be loses a leg. and on returning to land imagines that Esther’s love has turned to pitv. This is helped by a shadow on a window blind. Ahab turns once more to the sea. wherein lies “Moby Dick," the monster responsible for his lost Jove. Afte- years of wandering and search, finally he finds and kills the whale. A gazette and a cartoon are also shown, while at the da.v sessions only is shown "It’s the Old Army Game." an hilariously funny- comedy starring W. C. Fields and Louise Brooks. PARAMOUNT TIIEATRF.

Heading tbe current programme at the Paramount. Theatre is “Tbe Greater Glory." a stupendous film drama of postwar Vienna, once the gayest city in Austria. The picture is an adaptation of Edith O’Shaughnessy’s famous novel, "Viennese Medley.” The poignant story traces tbe fortunes of a rypical well-to-do Viennese family. It follows them from prosperity to poverty to the beginning of a rehabilitation. The central figure in the drama is a kindly maiden aunt, aristocratic, unworlily. and intensely sympathetic to all the ills about her. Anna Q. Nilsson and Oonway Tearle are starred, qther featured players being May Allison. Lucy Beaumont, lan Keith, and Jean Hersholt. The supports are good, while a special score of incidental music is used by the Paramount orchestra.

"THE GIRL BEHIND THE COUNTER.” A feature of the musical comedy, “The Girl Behind the Counter” will be the work of the bxßit and the speciality dances The ballet have been together for some considerable time, their work being similar to that of the famous Tiller girls. Ten clever girls comprise

the balletr-Beryl Hunter, Margaret Heyworth Gtea fodder. Alice Walker. Florence Walker, Joyce Bawlieiis. Naucy Williams, Homa Bitossi. and Leah Beadnsll Alice Harris and Norman Byrne are’entrusted with the leading singing narts the comedy element oeing in the capable bands of Joseph Hunt (a cockney errand boy), Robert Charlton, Jack Oannon. Janies Mcßryde, Leslie Anderson, Harold Abbott. Mollie Plimmer, Kathryn Mione. Lillian Grey, and Mabel itebertBon Len Barnes is musical director, and a splendid orchestra has been engjged with Andrew Wilhans as leader. The Scoullar Company are supplying furnishings, and Messrs. Kirkealdie and Stains are arranging a showroom disnlav in Act I. Holders of 6s. tickets mav reserve their seats at the Bristol. The proceeds will be given to St. Mary s Home, Karori.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. Thrills, action and speed are composites of "The Gentle Cyclone, lox Films absorbing narrative of the West starring Rurk Jones, celebrated cowboy actor, now showing at the Queen s Theatre The title of the picture accurately fits the manoeuvres of the agile star. Silver. Jones’s intelligent horse and companion thrill maker, contributes new feats of skill and daring under the guiding rein of his master. Rose Blossom plays opposite Buck Jones. In the suporting cast are Marion Harlan and Kathleen Myers. A gazette, scenic and comedy are in Aiport. with capital music by the orchestra.

ARTCRAFT THEATRE. If laughter is healthy, as the doctors contend, then “The Bandit’s Baby, Fred Thompson’s latest starring production, which will commence a three nights season at the Artcraft Theatre to-night, is the most wholesome and healthy picture of recent memory “The Bandit’s Baby is described as a screamingly funny production. with thrills galore, a western rodeo, and half a dozen other attributes to prove its entertaining qualities. It is a combination of rollicking humour, burlesque situations, pathos and thrills. Four excellent and varied supporting pictures are included, all to first-rate music bv James Ilaydock. It is a programme that should appeal to young and old alike.

CONVENT STUDENTS’ CONCERT. A concert in aid of the nursing sisters at the leper station on Makogai Island will be held by students of St. Mary’s Convent in the Concert Chamber tonight at 8 o’clock. The box plan for this performance which, besides being for a good cause, should be very enjoyable. considering the talent at the convent’s disposal, is at tbe Bristol. ARTILLERY QUEEN CONCERT. Considerable enterprise is being shown bv the committee supporting tbe artillery nominee (Miss Eileen Norwood' in the coming oneen carnival. On Friday next an entertainment arranged by Miss Helen Gard'ner will be held in the Concert Chamber. Items of modem comedy and of English and Greek tragedy will be •’ -t t. Assisting Miss Gard’ner will be Misses Bessie Thomson (Dunedin). May MeDo-rald. Thvra Baldwin Edna Pnrdie. Efiie Brice. Eileen Norwood (tbe artillery oneen), Mr. J. Elliott, end others. Miss Gard’ner has just returned from abroad, and a fine entertainment is promised. ROWE-BENNETT PIANO RECITAL. A dual pianoforte recital is to lie given in the Art Gallery by Miss Phyllis Rowe and Miss Eileen Bennett to-morrow evening at 8 o’clock. Both are Wellington students, and both are pupils of Miss Valerie Corliss.