ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 59, 3 December 1926, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. The Regent lueutre, wuicli has been built on the site ol the Tivoli Theatre t>y the J. U. hilliamsou urgauisation, aud which will tfc opened to the public next Friday, will ue found to contain many new uun arresuug leaturob iu seating, lighting, turuisbrng, and decoration. by an augment with Aletvenuas, oi Lambiou Quay. antique furuisuings aud oil paintings valued at ovei jtl'UlM) will augment Hie ordinary furnishmgs iu foyer, smoke lounge, aud vestibule An exceptionally stronge vaudeville aud picture progranine will iu augurate the policy ot the management. In addition to I'ara uouul s masierpiece Beau Geste,’ two of the greatest of the famous Williamson vaudeville acts that have scored such phenomenal success at the Tivoli Theatres in Melbo 1 rue and Sydney, will be presented. Miss Hilda Nelson, the brilliant English soprano will be heard in selections from hei repertoire, and Zoe Delphine and hei partners, who have just .-reated great nopuluritv iu Sydney with their sensational and novel wire act will be teen for the first time in New Zealand. Besides two sessions of vaudeville and pic tures at 2.15 p.tn. and 7.45 p.m daily intermediate screenings will <e presented from 11 a.m. each day at popular prices. Box plans t'O! the opening sea son will be available at the theatre, telephone 44—144, and nt the Bristol, next Monday at to a.m.

STRAND THEATRE. Both John Barrymore and bis brother Lionel will be -.een in' different pictures at the Strand Theatre in the programme commencing to-day. John will be seen in The cea Beast," and Lionel is the star of The Bells." Sir Henry Irving's masterpiece. The Sea Beast" is a spectacular Warner picture, and ranks among the ew truly great photoplays ever filmed. John Barrymore gives an almost perfect and powerfully moving performance iu the ole ot Ahab Ceeley, a harpooner of the days of 1840. when the whaling industry 'applied adventure and romance for young men who followed the sea. his picture is based on “Moby Dick." written by Herman Melville and adapted to the -erven by Bese Meredyth Dolores Costello gives a finelyfinished performance as the girl whom both brothers love, and George O'Hara as the younger brother, whose jealousy almost ruins the life of Ahab, is vividly convincing. "The Bells" which provided the immortal Sir Henry irving with his greatest role, was adapted for the screen and directed by James Young. It was produced by Chadwick Pictures Corporation sponsors of several ' f Barrymore's finest photodramas. The role of Mathiae. the Irving masterpiece, is a part that cannot be interpreted by anyone but a rare histrionic geuliis. In Barrymore, the Chadwick organisation has such an artist, and. so. it is not amiss to predict that this production will ■ e an out standing photo-dramatic achievement "The- Bells will be shown during the day sessions only. ■ DE LUXE THEATRE. "A Trip to Chinatown" is the feature which will commence to-night at the De Luxe Theatre. According to critics, few comedies produceu in recent years are as pretentious as tins, in which Margaret Livingston appears. This beautiful actress. called the most vivid person in pictures. is seen opposite Earle Foxe. the inimitable Van Bibber hero, and the work of. both artiste has been called marvellous by Geurge Marshall, who supervised the Fox euper-feature. J. Farrell MacDonald, the unforgettable Casey ot "The Iron Horse.” is cast os S»-tt Strong, sly old uncle who has designs upon the charming widow. The cast, chosen after a long and careful search, includes Anna May Wong.' George Kuwa, Harry Woods, Wilson Benge, Marie Astaire. Gladys McConnell Charles Farrell and Hazel Howell. San Francisco’s Chinatown is reproduced with the utmost fidelity, and much of the comedy is staged there. A Fox news and review are included in the supporting programme. and a special score of incidental musio will be played by 'he orchestra. EMPRESS THEATRE. The programme commencing at the Empress Theatre to-day should prove suitable to all tastes. Bebe Daniels and Lawrence Gray will t-e seen iu "The Palm Beach Girl,” aud Bin Tin Tin is the star of "The Clash of Wolves," in wiiich June Marlowe and Charles Conklin have important roles. ' The Palm Beach Girl” is a sparkling comedy laid in the atmosphere of Palm Beach and other Florida beauty spots, and depending for its thrills on motor-boat racing. Bebe Daniels is seen as a gawky country girl suddenly thrust into society, and trying to Icaru the manners and mannerisms of the syiart set, she falls in love with a handsome millionaire, has adventures with bootleggers, and runs wild in a sixty-mile-an-hour speed I oat 'The Clash of Wolves" is laid in the south-west cattle country. and the ,-wift action moves against a background of burning beauty. There are gorgeous views of the Painted Desert a thrilling spectacle in the sight of a forest fire in the high Sierras. This fire gives a start to the story. The latest Patlie gazette will also be shown, this including -cenes of Cobham's homecoming after his historical flight to Australia and back.

NEW PRINCESS THEATRE; Heading the double feature programme ou the change at the New Princess Theatre to-day, is "The American Venus.” This is lhe photoplay that has the recent Atlantic City bathing beauty pageant for its background, and which includes in the personnel of its cast Fay Lanphier who was crowned ‘Miss America." several of the lea ling national beauty contestants, twenty of the pretti eet mannequins in America to say nothing of a brilliant grouo of fllui and stage favourites, headed by Esther Ralston. Lawrence Gray, and Ford Sterling. The second feature is "The Song and Dance Man.” starring Tom Moore. Bessie Love, and Bqrrison Ford. The picture tells the story of the life behind the stage curtain, and combines laughter with pathos and romance. No 7 group of the children's beauty contest competitors, a gazette, and a serial will also be shown. KING 8 THEATRE. A fast-uiunug, energetic comedy romance mat un audience in a stale oi uuUsiuut UHurily troui tne Hist scene to a,e uoui tune out, is •. -escriptiou apjLvd to "Money I'alKS," tne new MXro-uoluwyu-axuyer picture to be screened at tbe mug s Theatre to-night. In its cast are Uiuire. W musor, Owen Moore, pert Roach, and Ned sparks. Tins is Arcuic Mayos initial uu-ectorial effort lor Metro-Goluwyu-Mayer. and has brought mm instant recognition as the possessor ot a keen comedy mind. He is stated to nave handled every scene with exceptional good taste, piling farcical situations rupi by upon one anotuer, until the picture is brought to a deligntful climax. U.veu Moore essays a new type of role us a penniless speudthrili. who ts none the less liaeable for this tailing. Uiaire Windsor enacts her role with great charm, anji Bert Roach contributes inoic of bis great humorous work, it is slated. bcreen snapshots, a Aew Zealand gazette (Wellington topical, a I’atbc news, and a comedy comprise the balance of the pictorial fare. The Kings orchestra will proviuc tbe music. I-ARAMUUNT TH EAT iii “The Keeper of the Bees,”, adapted from Gene Stratton Porter's latest novel, will commerce screening at the Paramount Theatre to-day. Gene Stratton Monroe, tne little grand-daughter of tbe famous author is cast in the part of the “Little Scout." lhe character which Mrs. Porter wrote her mto when she began the ooiel. This delightful eleven-year-old overshadows a finely balancer) cast of talented players; perhaps because it is generally known that she was the original "Little Scout." and pcrliaps be cause she is so utterly nerself. In any case she would shine; and some say that in this partir-ular instance it is doubtful if a character was ever played more naturally before the camera. A gazette, scenic, Patlie review, and comedy will be shown in support, with music bv the orchestra. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Humour is the dominant ote sounded In the programme now nt Ills Majesty’s Theatre. lit "Hull-Marked," tbe current revue. Hector tit. Clair is at his best, and is seen in a wide variety of roles, all of which serve to show his versatility as a comedian. In "The Proposal" he has his audience in roars of laughter as Mrs. Prithington, a voluble lady of uncertain age. Other humorous sketches are 'The Goods" and "Found Out." The Tl-.ree Rodney Giris sing and dance with their usual vivacity, while Ray McLean and Dot Cresewell bring down the house with their spirited sailor's hon.i ipe. In the first half. Clyde and Yvette dclitrht all with their finished dancing. Tbe Carthy Brothers are In merry vein, and provide a very popular <urn Lorna. Lance” and Company present an accept--bio singing and instrumental torn and nn interesting news reel is shown.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. Another picture with that popular screen star Hoot Gibson in the featured role, is to be . presented at thi Queen’s Theatre to-night. Gibson again is cast in the type of role that fits nitn so well -that Of the comedy cowboy, and ‘The Stan in the Saddle’’ should make a thor oughlv diverting picture, without a dub moment from the opening scene to thi final fade-out It is almost eritirolt comedv of the light and whimsical nature with Gibsnn moving from adventure tr -rt venture. The supporting oast includes F*y Wrav who plays the feminine lead pposite the star, with Sally Long. Em-

melt King. Clark Comstock. Charles Hill Mailed Duke Lee, ayd Lloyd Whitlock, t lar"c supporting bill, with sparkling music, is expected to add materially to tho entertainment. AKTCRAFr theatre. Frank Kcenuu, Claire Windsor, and IJovd Hughes divide acting honours in •The Dixie Handicap. which will be -110WD at the Arte.ra.ft Theatre to-mght This picture, a screen version ol Gerald He-iutnonls story ot Southern romancu aii<l race tracks, is one < t the most thrilling blu |[ ‘ 6P< ’‘' a lo " E , "" e ' J storv tells now a young man, picked u;. on the verge of imprisonment, and the colt he has trained, brings an old judge hack to the affluence and position that were once his. The romance i» centred nn the love of the youth for the judges daughter. Four other pictures of a diversified nature, all to special musiby James Haydock complete the bill. DRAMATIC RECITAL To-morrow uight in the Concert Cham tier Town Hall Mr. Otllford Bell will ghe his annual dramatic recital, and pupils senior and junior) will be seen and heard in suitable and entertaning elo cutiouarv work. Several interesting short nlavs will be presented, ami a number of good character sketches from Dickens utd* other well known authors together with musical monologues and humorous anti dramatic prose aud -octry sclcc tious.