ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 60, 4 December 1926, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE REGENT THEATRE. The management of the new Regent Theatre regret that owing to abnormally heavy advance booking for the two first nights, they will bo unable to accept any telephone bookings for next Friday and Saturday nights. No seats not actually paid for can be retained on these two nights, but subsequently telephone reservation at the theatre (telephone 44—144) will receive courteous attention. The Regent is to open next Friday with a grand gala night, which, it is stated. wiU indeed be a joy night in Wellington. In addition to Paramount’s masterpiece "Beau Geste," which will be screened, a strong vaudeville programme will include Zoe Delphine and partners in a novel and sensational wire act that has been creating a furore in Sydney for the past four weeks; Miss Hilda Nelson, the brilliant English soprano, will be heard in -elections from her repertoire. The box plans open at the theatre box office and at the Bristol on Monday at 10 a.m. EMPRESS THEATRE. The Empress Theatre this week features a double programme. ‘The Palm Beach Girl.’' in which Bebe Daniels and Lawrence Gray fill the chief oles, is a comedy which is full of sparkle. It is laid in the pleasant surroundings of Palm Beach, and other beauty spots of Florida. It is on motor-boat racing that the more thrilling side of the story, is based. Bebe Daniels plays the part cf a country girl, lank and ungainly, who is suddenly thrust into the whirl <f society. There she does her best to discard her rustic habits for the manners and mannerisms of the smart set. So well does she do so, that she falls in love with a handsome millionaire, has adventures with, boot-leggers, and leads a life of excitement in one of the fastest speed boats to be found. “The Clash of Wolves” is a picture altogether different. It is laid in the open cattle country of the far-away south-west. It is a story of swift action, in which the wonder dog, Rin Tin Tin, is the chief actor, and "its background is found in the rugged beauty which belongs to ’he West, alone. There are gorgeous views of “The Painted Desert,” while excitement is provided by the spectacle of a forest fire high up in the Sierras. The .r.upportmg picture is a Pathe gazette, in which scenes of Cobham’s home-coming from his historical Australian flight are shown. Box plans are at the Bristol till 5 p.m., after which they may be seen at the theatre, telephone 45-963. PARAMOUNT THEATER "The Keeper of the Bees,” nbw showing at the Paramount Theatre, and based on a story by Gene Stratton Porter, is the story of a war-wrccked soldier who is given a year to live ‘ y the doctors. He is determined to get well, and leaves the Government hospital. Soon, he comes to a cottage where be is taken Care of by an old man. The bee master —who dies’and leaves half his small estate to the soldier, Janies MacFarlane. A little eleven-year-old girl (a granddaughter of the author), becomes his fast friend, and he is the means of saving the life of a girl who is about to drown herself because she is going to have a child. Jimmie marr.es her, and eventually finds that the girl he married and the one who has the child are not the same. The story ends with the reunion of the hero and his wife. rlie leading parts are taken by Robert Frazer, Joseph Swickard, Clara Bow. Alyce Mills, and Gene Stratton. The fourth series of "The Amundsen Po]ar Flight," a gazette, a Pathe review, and a comedy, are the supporting pictures.

NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. Because his father, a manufacturer of beauty creams and lotions, is on the verge of bankruptcy,, Mary Gray sets out to win first prize in the Atlantic Beauty Contest, so as to stimulate a demand for his products. A rival manufacturer schemes to keep her from winning by sending her a telegram asking her to return 'at once as her lather >s seriously hurt. ". On discovering the hoax, Mary and' faei' enterprising manager make a j-acc„.l>ac.k to Atlantic City, but, through several mishaps, Mary is too Late to participate m the final judging. Through her Unselfish nature, Mary had won the friendship of oue of the contestants, Miss California, who wins the contest, and, attributes her beauty to Gray’s Beauty Cream,'thereby fulfilling Mary's one ambition. In this Paramount picture, there are many gorgeous gow is shown off to advantage by America’s most beautiful girls. The parade or. the stage, in tectinicolour, is of indescribable beauty. Those in the cast include Esther Ralston, Lawrence Gray. Ford Sterling. Fay Lanphier. Louise Brooks, and others. The supporting feature, "The Song and Dance Man," starring Bessie Love (the champion Charleston dancer of the screen is seen in action in beautiful stage scenes). Harrison Ford, and Tom. Moore, tells of Happy Farrell, who is given a chance to make a good excuse for his hold-up of Murdock, a rich artist. It is good and he is given a chance. He pleads for a friend also. This girl makes good and Happy is a But he goes'West, and in a new atmosphere succeeds. Number 7 group of the children’s beauty contest,. which is creating great interest, is also shown, while there is a good comedy and gazette to com? plete a splendid and well-filled bill. Music is rendered by thb Princess TrioHIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. “Hall-Marked.” the current revue which the Hector St. Clair company, is presenting at His Majesty’s Theatre, gives the talented comedian wide scope for his versatile ability. In a wide variety of roles, he keeps the audience in the merriest of moods by his clever- mannerisms and whimsical gestures. The revue abounds in tuneful numbers, and much vrightly dancing is done by Roy McLean and Dot Cresswell. The vaudeville bill has much to amuse. Clyde and Yvette are front-rank modern daucers; the Carthy brothers are English comedians. whose work is at all times finished and refined; and the Lorna, Lanco Company, a quartet of talented children from Australia, present most dainty entertainment. There will be a matinee performance at 2.30 this afternoon. KING'S THEATRE. , The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture “Money Talks" is the main attraction at the King’s Theatre this week. The actors are Claire Windsor. Owen Moore, and Bert Boach. and the plot is founded on the story by Rupert Hughes. In the principal character, Sam Starling, .is found an advertising agent with a reckless disposition that keeps him always penniless. Life for his young wifetaken ov Claire Windsor—is one continuous "round of tiresome duuning by the creditors. Sam is as reckless with his ‘promises as with bis cash, but they: never bear fruit. Eventually, when tho family furniture is removed Sam realises that "something must be done to get money. So he essays to prove to tlie owner of an island hotel what can be done by booming it as ja health resort. With dozens of invalids aboard a yacht, a start is made for the island, but the boat is really a rum-runner, and the crew a band of boot-leggers. They are chased by a revenue cutter, and taken prisoners. Sam continues on to, the island, the sanatorium does a thriving business, and Sain makes good. Life begins again with plenty of money, and no unpaid bills Included in the rumrunning incident are many amusing episodes. and the cruise is one of laughter and excitement. A Pathe gazette, screen snapshots comedy, and a New Zealand scenic, complete the programme. The King’s orchestra contributes an excellent selection. STRAND THEATRE. To those who were unable to see "The Sea Beast” at the Empress Tneatre, an opportunity will be onereU tins week at the Struna Theatre, where tins magnificent picture is being screened. John Barrymore is here seeu iu oue of tne greatest roles of his career. The story is oue of tine dramatic quality, aliordlug opportunity for great action and splendid pictniusatiou. .. It tells of the old days, when men went down to the sea in frail crafts to tight the greatest monsters of the deep tor a 'ivelihood. Ahao Ceeley (John Barrymore/ is a leader among mon wheu men were giants of hardihood and dariug. Ho goes alter the greatest of all the whales— Moby Dick —who has defied them for years. In a great light with Moby Dick. Ahab loses his leg. Years passed, and Ahab became known on all seas as a cruel man, whose ene desire was that he might be brought face to face once more with Moby Dick. Wheu the day came there was another ;erriflc battle, but the tables were turned and Ahab's revenge was complete as he drove his harpoon time and again into the heart ot his enemy. Be determined to return to Esther, the girl of his heart, who, in the old home at New Bedford, was waiting faithfully, aud a happy reunion was the climax of the wanderer's travels. “The Bells" is a supporting picture being shown at the day sessions only. The story deals with the remorse of a con-science-stricken murderer, and the cast is an all-star one. , INVITATION RECITAL An invitation recital will be given next Taisday evening in the Concert Chamber, bv the students of Mr. and Madame de. Mauny. These recitals are always exceptionally interesting on eccount of the varied nature of the programme., and this year's promises to be especially good. A special feature will be Madame de Manny's ladies' choir, who among other items, will sing Elgar's beautiful part-song "The Snow." with double violin obbligato parts.