ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 63, 8 December 1926, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

ehpkess theatke. A iioiciuts eutcrlaiuHicDt will be preseated at the Empress Theatre commencing on r'r-day next. tn additiou to the appearance at the night session of tour of the finalists in the recent beauty con test “Mis:: New Zealand s maid of fiou our' "Miss Auckland." ’Miss Wellington, ami "Miss Auckland’s" maid of honour, the official picture of the contest wtl be shown. This picture is a tull and comprehensive record of the doiirns ot the contestants, and includes scenes of the welcome of tlie southern girls to Auckland, swimming at the larnell baths, playing tennis, enthusiastic street demonstrations, and their visits to van ous places of interest The usual pic ture programme will also be shown, the two features being ’/Good and Naughty and “Broken Laws." Pola Negri. Tom Moore, and Ford Sterling are m the cast of "Good and Naughty. which is said to be entirely different from any previous picture Pola Negri has appeared in. When the paths of "love bars and true loverse cross there is bound to be an absorbing tangle of hearts and perhaps a tincture of misunderstanding and grief. But above the rumble of strife and discord, so common in love and marriage. there is an insistent chuckle over droll situations. In this niett re. Pola Negri is secretly in loye with Tom Moore He thinks himself in' love with another man’s wile. The husband is not quite sure with whom his wife is in love hut before he gets through he is convinced that he loves Pola end nothing else matters. In the end everything untangles nicely. “Broken Laws, Mrs. Wallace Boid's stirring drama of mother love and the law, is said to be even better than her former picture "Human Wreckage.” In her latest picture Mrs Feid is said to have a "once-in-a-lifetime’’ picture, for “Broken Laws” is not only an intense, interesting and convincing drama, but it has a needed message without being preachy or interfering with the thread of the story. Percy Marmont appears in this feature. The box plans for the season arc now on view at the Bristol. GILBERT AND SULLIVAN FAREWELL. On Tuesday next playgoers of Wellington will once again have an opportunity to enjoy James Hay singing "Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes" in "The Gondoliers.” as on that evening the J C. Williamson. Ltd., Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera company will begin their brief farewell season at the Grand Opera House in that opera. A very large number were unable to obtain seats for this and the other operas staged during the company’s previous season, owing to the great business they attracted, and they will probably avail themselves of the final opportunity to enjoy "The Gondoliers.” "The Yeomen of the Guard.” “tolanthe," "H.M.S. Pinafore," "The Mikado." and "The Pirates of Penzance," as each of these operas will be presented during the approaching season, which is limited to six nights. It will probably be some years hence nefore we will be privileged to witness the works of the beloved collaborators, as on Tuesday week the company will leave for Sydney, and after a season in that city, and a return one in Melbourne many of the artists will leave for London. There is no denying the fact that the latest J. 0. .Williamson. Ltd.. Gilbert and Sullivan ■ comic opera company is the best and most popular that has appeared in New Zealand for many years, and it is to this fact that the record houses which have been everywhere enjoyed must be attributed. Charles Walenn is quite irresistible as the Duke of Plaza-Toro, and it is a treat to listen to Strella Wilson’s glorious soprano voice in the music allocated the role of Casilda. Lance Fairfax is splendid as Guiseppe. and so is Miss Winifred Williamson as the Duchess of Plaza-Toro Mr. John Ralston has achieved one of hia best triumphs as the Grand Inquisitor. The box plan will be opened at the Bristol on Friday morning next. REGENT THEATRE. The box plan for the gala opening and Saturday night is now open at the Regent Theatre and the Bristol. Two hundred seats in the stalls are available. “Beau Geste,” I’. O. Wren’s story, lias been chosen to open the picture part of the programme. The story is woven around the adventures cf three Englishmen who ioin the French Foreign Legion in search of adventure. Ronald Colman. Alice Joyce, Noah Beery, and Mary Brian are the principal characters. In addition to the picture, a strong vaudeville bill will be included. This is headed 1 v Zee Delphine and company, direct from the Tivoli Theatres in Melbourne and Sydney. This company have been one of the greatest ; ovclties seen on the Australian stage. Miss Hilda Nelson, the brilliant English soprano, will be heard in selections from her repertoire. KING'S THEATRE. All the ingredients that go to make up a picture of high standard are to be found in abundant quantities in “Money Talks,” the feature now showing at the King’s Theatre. Exciting adventures on an ocean-going yacht, which is captured by desperate follow in quick succession, and arc relieved by hilarious comedy and broad humour. Owen Moore is a comedy in himself, his impersonation of a lady doctor being an incident loaded with infectious mirth. Beautiful Claire Windsor plays opposite the star. A gazette, screen snapshots, comedy, and New Zealand scenic are in support, with music by the orchestra. The five-reel film, which is the only authentic and official record of the great Dempscy-Tunncy contest for the world’s boxing championship, commences next Friday, matinees taking place daily. It is said to be the finest fight film on record, and one that no follower of boxing can afford to miss. The camera, situated just outside the ropes, caught every possible Incident and action of the whole ten rounds of fighting, and the film is said to afford spectators a better view than even the occupants of the ringside seats. Tn addition to the actual fight, the film contains many interesting incidents. such as the training camps, the exercises, personalities of world repute in connection with the ring, the construction of the great stadium and the ingenious method of seating and controlling the vast audience. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Quality is not sacrificed to quantity in the excellent programme now being presentt i at His Majesty's Theatre. “The Musturd Pot' the new revue, is full of bright numbers, and Hector St. Clair is seen at his best in the half-dozen sketches which display his particular type of humour to perfection. "Servants New and Old" is a skit on the change in the relationship between master and servant between 1826 and 1926. A» "P.O. 45 ’ Doctor St. Clair scores most heavily, and is also good in several other skteches. In the first half are four new turns Miss Amy Rochelle is a roost remarkable singer, whose versatility is wonderful. AlcDonald and Payne are a pair of Scots whose irresponsible humour meets with instant success. Grant and Bates are a lively pair of coloured comedians, while another negro performer is Frank Rogers. Clyde and Yvette give a verv attractive dancing turn, the daintiness of tha little ladj’ being quite appealing. "JOY NIGHT” TO BE REPEATED. To-morrow night tho commercial travellers will repeat their great plain and fancy dress ball, known ns "Joy Night.” The attraction of the evening will hr the competition for "Mr. New Zealand." Generous prizes will be given, and a considerable number of competitors are expected. The advertisement which appears in another column gives full details. and a great night like the previous one is being looked forward to The public will wish the organisers every success, as this fund is for Christmas cheer for the orphans and sick children and blind soldiers and sailors. DE LUXE THEATRE. Adapted by Fox Films from Charles Hoyt's highly successful nlay. is "A Trip tn Chinatown.’’ the current attraction at the De Luxe Theatre. The story concerns the adventures in Chinatown of a young ro'llionairc. who imagines ho is the nrourl possessor of nn "exnlosive Itine.” The audience is kept in one continual roar of laughter hr the absurdly funny- sitnotio-is in which he is landed. Marguiot Tdvlnrrston. Earle Foxo. and J. Farrell MacDonald nro the stars. The sunnoris ore evcptlonf a”d the music un to its nsu-1 hi"h standard.Laura Ln Pl-’ntc '« fb" star of the ocmedv "Her p.ie Ninht.” which will commence soreonin" nt th" De Luxe Theatre on Frldnr n.’-bt. 'rhe o.ast that surrounds Tj:*”ra T,o Pl-nte includes Natt Carr Tiiltv ’ r n.relmH Za«n ptfts. MeetSwain .and John Rncbe "Tier Ri f ? Niehl" ptnves w’thout one dull moment to a dim: x which anproncko, bodUm In its hi-rh comedy, it m stated. The trials ant tribuloi’-ns o> a picture producer and hi’ Press aeont are hnmoron’lv rlenfcted Thr storv tells of bow. a shop wid tried to impersopate a movie star. Wild wives and jealous hnshnnd’. irate eppothoorfe that tumble over o.aeh other tn reponn an innocent sinner who did not need wvonnr. nrc some of tho fig pros on the s<re»n A good nnnnortmrr nroepnmnie fins vt’O nrrpneed Tho box plans uro now men at the nrlstot Million’s nonV Atcaiic or ring theatre, telephone 25-560.

PARAMOUNT THEATPK Torino* a nnrt in “Th" Knpnp*' nf th« Ppp« ” thr> nnrrnnt nft it Minn ?»♦ tlir» popnipnunt Thoafi’n. Is- IPHn Mis® nlrvr" vrnro nbl vniirr Cfnr whn bonin'' l Cnnp GlrnHon Porter fr wrifp <vlr»t >® rrn*”"’ ,, v •’''c’p litipH hnr wrprifn.at work. ‘•Th'* Keener of fh« *’.>esi‘' annearpd Rprlally in ’‘McCaH’p Magazine,” where it was read by a great

many in various countries. And anyone who wants to know just bow the •Little Scout” looks in real life can find out by watching Miss Monroe. A splendid cast, beaded by Robert Frazer. Clara Dow. a-d Alyce Mills, baa been directed with ability and distinction by James Leo Meehan, son-in-law of the noted writer The supporting subjects are a gazette, scenic. I’atbe review, and comedy, while capital music is played by the orchestraQUEEN’S THEATRE. "The Mau in rne Saddle.” the latest Universal-Jewel production, starring Hoot Gibson, is the feature now showing at the Queen’s Theatre, and the many admirers of that popular Western star who have not seen the picture, have a decided treat in store for them, for this production is one of the best he has ever made. The mixture of comedy and thrills has made Gibson's pictures internationally popular. Fay Wra.v and Sally Long are in support of the star. A gazette scenic, and comedy are also shown, with a capital score of incidental music. ARTCRAFT THEATRE. “The .Silent Accuser." which will be shown again at the Artcraft. Theatre tonight at 7.45. features Peter the Great, a dog star not very well known to audiences. This picture has a strong cast, headed by Eleanor Boardman and Raymond McKee, in addition to the dog. Four other varied pictures will be shown, all to appropriate music by James Haydock. "THE MESSIAH." The box plan for Handel’s masterpiece. which is to bo performed on Saturday at the Town Hal] ly the Royal Choral Union, will open at the Bristol ot 9 o'clock this morning. The largo accession of members this year should enable the union to present an adequate rendition of those massive Handclian choruses that are so characteristic of this great work. An exceptionally strong cast of soloists lias been secured. Mr. Hubert Carter, the New Zealand tenor, who during the last eighteen mouths has appeared in ’5O concerts in the United Kingdom, arrived in Auckland yesterday, and will make his first appearance in Wellington cn Saturday. Miss Naomi Whalley, the soprano. is new to Wellington, but is ’eputed to be the possessor of a fine voice and well suited to oratorio. Tho contralto will he Miss Mina Callow of Auckland, and the baritone Mr W. Watters, of Palmerston North. The performance will be under the baton of Sir Temple White, who will have a hand and chorus of 300 under his direction. The final rehearsal will fake nlacc at the Town Hall on Friday at 7.45.