entertainments

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 58, 2 December 1926, Page 6

entertainments

DE LUXE THEATRE. Marion Davies, heroine of many romantic roles, plays one unlike any other in her career in "Beverly cf Graustark, the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production now showing at the De Luxe Theatre. Miss Davies plays the heroine, a cousin to the crown prince ot □ European kingdom. Who to aid her royal relative, engages in a daring masquerade in which in his uniform and with her hair clipped short, she impersonates him to foil the plot of a pretender to the throne. A notable cast surrounds the star, with Antonio Moreno in the leading ’nale role, hoy D’Arcy, Creighton Hale, Paulette Duval, Albert Gran. Max Barw.vn, and Charles Clarv. The supports are excellent, and the incidental music up to its usual high standard.

"A TRIP TO CHINATOWN.” "A Trip to Chinatown,” Fox Films’ version of Charles A. Hoyt's uproarious comedy, featuring Margaret Livingston, Earle Foxe, and J. Farrell MacDonald, will open at the De Luxe Theatre tomorrow night, with a matinse at 2.30 p.m. on Saturday. The Hoyt farce, which convulsed theatre-goers in all sections of the world, is said to’ be fairly packed with humour. Not .satisfied with this however, the director has incorporated new situations calculated to cause the spectators to scream with laughter. The story centres around a very droll young man who cannot convince his physician that he is ill. He finally hits upon the idea that he has an explosive lung-and then he meets tn attractive widow. This situation, with such artists and Miss Livingston and Messrs. Foxe and MacDonald to carry the burden of mirth, should afford : tuple opportunity for side-splitting comedy. The actual trip through San Francisco’s romantic Chipatown is said to be one of the funniest pilgrimages ever registered by the camera. Miss Livingston wears thirty-six different gowns. The cast includes Anna May Wong. George Kuwa. Wilson Benge, Hairy Woods. Marie Astaire, Gladys McConnell. Charles Farrell, and Hazel Howell. Tlie 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—00.1. ’ THE REGENT THEATRE. December 10 will indeed be a joyful night in Wellington, when Williamsons uew theatre. The Regent, will be opened to the public. It will be found to contain many new am) arresting features, in seating, lighting. furnishing, and decoration. By arrangement with McKenna’s. of Lambton Quay, antique furnishings and oil paintings valued at over £lOOO will augment the ordinary furnishings in foyer,- smoke lounge, and vestibule. An exceptionally strong vaudeville and picture programme will inaugurate the policy of the management. In addition to Paramount’s masterpiece “Beau Geste." two. of the greatest of the famous Williamson vaudeville acts that have scored such phenomenal success nt tlie Tivoli Theatres in Melboi rne and Sydney, will be presented. Miss Hilda Nelson, the brilliant English soprano, will be heard in selections from her repertoire, and Zoe Delphine and her partners, who have just created great popularity in Sydney with their sensational and novel wire art will be seen for the first time in New Zetland. Besides two sessions of vaudeville and pictures at 2.15 p.m. and 7.45 p.m daily, intermediate screenings “’ill be presented from 11 a.m. each day at popular prices. Box plans for the opening season will ■be available at the theatre, telephone 44-144, and at the Bristol, next Monday at 10 a.m. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. To what extent Viennese society had become- addicted to rtrange. fads and foibles following the war ia illustrated by Anna Q. Nilsson, who plays the leading role in “The Greater Glory.” June Mathis' great screen epic now showing at the Paramount Theatre. The production is a First National adaptation of the celebrated novel. "Viennese Medley." by Edith O'Shaughnessy. Other principals in the cast are Conway Tearle. May Allison, lan Keith. lean Hersholt, and Lucy Beaumont. The supports are good, aud special .incidental music is plnved by the orchestra. For the first time in the history of motion pictures, so far as is known, the character created by a great novelist may be seen in the flesh just as she was when her personality inspired Gene Stratton-Porter to write her into a novel. Or, rather, iho may be seen on the screen—not in the flesh For Gene Stratton Monroe, eleven-year-old granddaughter of the famous author, is appearing in “Tho Keeper of the Bees." in the part which the late Mrs. Porter wrote around her—the "Little Scout.” It was the hoydenish. tom-boy. lovable personality of little Miss Monroe which originally caused ’’The Keeper of the Bees” to be written; and those who hare read the novel will be Interested *o see just what the "Little Scout" looked like and compare her with the mental pictures they have drawn cf her. The film will be presented at the Paramount Theatre next change It is appropriately cast, and directed by Leo Meehan. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. "Hall-Marked” is the revue now being presented at His Majesty’s Theatre by the Heater St Clair revue company. It is not long before Hector St. Clair has the house in roars of laughter, esporue'ly in “The Proposal.” in which he plays the part o.f a voluble lady cf uncertain age. He is supported by Lillian Grey and Viclor Roberts in this sketch. In another humorous piece. entitled “The Goods.” the comedian is seen in the guise of a hueband. who attempts to show, his wife how to engage a servant. His other playettes are "Found Out.’ "The tlnkiseed Man." and "Roads Up.’ all of which are highly amusing and entertaining In the vaudeville section of the entertainment. Clyde and Yvette delight everyone with their finished dancing. The English comedians ’the Carthy Brothers, keep the hone’ in pood humour with their racy songs, pdttcr. and eccentric dancing. The Lorna. Lance Company, the clever band of Australian juveniles, captivate everyone with their clever singing and instrumental work. KING’S THEATRE “The Sky Raider," which is the main attraction nt the King’s Theatre this week and will be shown for the last time to-night, tells a story that centres round an air mail robbery, and it includes pictures of some remarkable air stunts. The location of the early -scenes is in France, on the Western Front, where a young American soldier, under an assumed name, is serving the Allies in the capacity of a pilot. There is m bis squadron Captain Nungesser, a French flying ace. The leading feminine character is taken by Jacqueline Logan, who gives a dainty interpretation The other feature of the programme is "Don’t.’’ starring Pally O NeilMiss O’Neil, as a. college girl, provides Plenty of fun. and the picture contains many laughs She is supported by Bert Roach, and an excellent cast of many popular players. A crossword is coupled with delightful incidental music in support.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. Buck Jones, the hard-riding cowboy of Fox Films productions, ha- a new typo of role in “The Gentle Cyclone, now showing at the Queen's Theatre. Ho is a lighting pacifist, aud his twolisted attempts to restore peace bring about many most amusing situations. Jones, as Absalom I'. Wales, is called upon to act as arbiter in a cl ronie dispute between two ranchers He is successful in bringing about a reconciliation. only, however, after ho has knocked unconsicous most of those concerned in the whirlwind fights which occur. Rose Blossom, Marian Harlan Kathleen Myers, Will Walling, Reed Homes, mid Stanton Heck are included in 'he cast. A gazette sceuic and comedy -re : n support, with capital music.

“THE GIRL BEHIND THE COUNTER." "The Giri Behind the I ounter,” the musical comedy which Mr. David Devitt is producing at the Grand Opera House in aid of St. Mary s Homes. Karori, will be performed in public for the first time in New Zealand to-night. The name part will be played by Alice Harris as Winifred Willoughby, who falls in love with Charlie Chetwynd just returned from West Africa.. Norman Byrne is Chetwynd. The comedy is <n the capable hands of Lillian Grey, Mollie Pliiunior, Kathlyn Murie. Mabel Robertson Robert Charlton, Jack Cameron, Joseph Hunt, Harold Abbot, James Mcßryde. and Leslie Anderson. In addition to Florence Heyworth and Phillip Low. the speciality dancers include Joan Carter, Muriel Wll- - Gladys Smyth, Irene Wilson. Ins Low, Zeentt Holden, and Dot Wheeler. Mr. Len Barnes has charge of the music. The box plan is at the Bristol.

ARTCRAFT THEATRE. A baby show in a western town, where the proud fathers each expect their respective offspring to win and are willing to see that they do even if it takes gun plav to select the prize-winner, is one Of tlie outstanding bits of comedy in "The Bandit’s Babv,” Fred Thomsons latest picture, showing for the last tiroo at the Artcraft Theatre to-night. Several thrilling rides, a match race at a rodeo, and the rescue of a baby by Thomson right from under wheels of an express train are seen. Four excellent supporting pictures complete, the bill, all to music by James Haydock. Commencing to-morrow is the famous racing picture. "The Dixie Handicap, starring the favourites, Claire Windsor, Frank Keenan, and Lloyd Hughes.

DRAMATIC RECITAL. . At Mr. Culford Bell’s pupils recital on Saturday night, two excellent • children s plays will be presented. These, always popular turns, are this year "Princess Tenderheart” and "Parisomia. and give the little ones scope for delightful acting and pretty dressing. A strong onoact play. "The Joke.” is an offering in which the seniors will take part. Dickens’ character sketches and other attractive selections will also be given.

ARTILLERY QUEEN CONCERT. Much interest is being taken in Miss Helen Gard’ner’s Artillery queen concert to be held in tho Concert Chamber to-morrow evening. Items of modern comedy, English and Greek tragedy, will he given. Assisting artists will be Misses, Bessie Thomson (Dunedin), Eileen Norwood (the artillery queen). May McDonald, Thyra Baldwin, Edna Purdie, Effie Brice, Mr. J. Elliott, and others.