ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 112, 9 February 1928, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATRE. Jo better vehicle for the initial costarring appearance of Lew Cody and \ileen Pringle could have been chosen bv Metro-Goldwyu-Ma.ver than Adam and Evil ’’ a cornedv-farce which is now at the’De Luxe 'theatre. Cody and Miss Pringle make ideal foils for eaeli other, and the picture abounds will) sparkling comedy ami thrills from beginning to end. Tn the dual roles of "Adam and ••Al" bis twin-brother, from Brazil, Cody has' ample opportunity for displaying his rare talents as a whimsical comedian, and Miss Pringle, as "Evelyn,’' the wile of “ A duui,” leaves no doubt as to Her Haire for sophisticated comedy. Good supports and music complete the progj’ajnine. “LES MISERABLES” Commencing at the De Luxe Theatre t<> morrow will be shown Les Misei’ables, .. screen version of the world-famous novel by Victor Hugo. This picture, produced bv the Societe des Cineromans. o Paris, ia of epic proportions. It is said to have taken more than two years to produce, at a cost running into null ions el francs. Many of the scenes of the French super picture were taken on the exact locations indicated bv X ictor Hugo in the novel. This entailed the necessity of reconstructinsr the main streets of’the town and villages in which the action takes place, to appear as they cul a century ago. So intense was the interest of the French nation m the success oi the gigantic motion picture enterr.rise that permission was readily granted by town authorities so that the rccoin-ti actors might. do their work anlmmi .-red, even to the extent in one case, of taking un a section of pavement and . laying cobble stones. The streets of Paris could not of course, be reconstructed, but massive sets were built that are said to be remarkable for their fidelity to the niriod represented. Leading actors from the French stage were engaged to ton trav the characters created by Hug'', Gabriel Gabrio appearing as Jean valiean. The other principal roles are cn•icteo bv players of equal note, and the extra players, all in neriod areas, numbe- thousands. Universal nas reduced the n'c'urc to feature length, leaving cut manv of the side excursions so dear to the heart of the French, and leaving only Pjc hiehlv dramatic suhstance of the store of Jean Valjean. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. “White Gold,” starring Getta Goudal. supported by Kenneth Thompson and George Bancroft is the current feature at the Paramount Theatre. Set against the background of an Arizona sheep ranch, it is a powerful story of love and hate. The son of a sheen farmer marrips a dancer and brings her home. Ills father dislikes her and does everything in his power to senarate them. Then to the farm comes another man. who falls in love with the young wife, and tragedy follows. In support are a comedy and gazette. Colin Crane and Miss E. Kimball present “Satire in Life as a eomedv interlude, and the orchestra, under Mr. L. D. Austin, provides excellent music. “PATENT LEATHER KID.” Richard Bartlielmess’ Super Special, “The Patent Leather Kid,” which has been adapted from a story by Rupert Hughes, is opening at the Paramount to-morrow. In this remarkably entertaining film, Barthelmess is responsible for a wonderful characterisation as- Hie Kid ” whose activities in tljo prize ring will not bear the closest investigations. Molly O’Day docs amazing things with the role of “The Golden Dancer. Jt is hard to believe that a girl of seventeen is responsible for this noble characterisation. In the famous hospital scene, sho attains such realistic heights of drama, that the attention is almost painfully intense. The war scenes are the last word in realism. I lie spectator follows the enthralling course of the story, eager for the denouement, which provides an inspiring climax to n worthy production. Iho l atent Leather Kid” is an outstanding achievement, and a pulsing, epic story of tlie regeneration of a coward finding ins soul through the horror of war anil the love of a. loyal woman. Mr. L. D. AmtUn, who has been appointed as the permanent musical director of the 1 aramount, has arranged a particulaily beautiful score, while a vivid presentation has been arranged by Mr. tqlin Crane—reflecting something of the SP 111 ” of the production, and lending an added interest to the big picture. The box plan is at the Theatre daily from 10 a.m. Telephone 21—842.

REGENT THEATRE. “Firemen, Save My Child," the latest of the inimitable Wallace Beery and Rasmond Hatton comedies Is Qic c « rrc ' ,t feature at the Regent Theatre. In tins production the pair are seen as liremen. who are in great demand by the eldef daughter, who thinks nothing of calling out the brigade in order to provide dancing partners for her friends, lliroUj.ilout the film the pair provide riotous fun unceasingly. In support are another clever Mux, Moritz, and Akka comedy, a comedy, and gazette, while delightful in-, cidental music is supplied by the orchestra. THE KWONG SING WAITS. A ,T C. Williamson £5OO per week vaudeville attraction, opening at the Regent Theatre on February 22, immediately following the season of Max, Moritz, and Akka, (s that of the Kwong Sing Wall troupe of Chinese wonderworkers. This combination, fresh from amazing successes in Australia, is renowned as the greatest act of its kind ever imported. There are eight performers in tlie company, including two ot flic cutest Chinese children imaginable. Jugglers, magicians, and acrobats are included, and the whole performance is one, to quote a Sydney paper, “that . Keeps the audience spellbound with its weird, Oriental setting and its host of wonderful features that could be performed by none but the great Kwong Sing W.ah and his companions in wouder.” The season in Wellington will be limited, as the Chinese have extensive engagements elsewher. KING'S THEATRE. Starring Ramon Novarro, supported by Ma-celine Day. Roy d'Arcy, and Mars McDermott, “The Road to Romance, a M-G.-M. screen version of the Joseph Conrad story, is the current feature at the King’s Theatre. “The Road to Romance” tells of buccaneers in the Caribbean Sea, their island lair, their depredations on peaceful DiercliantTuen. and the island’s corrupt Governor, Don Balthaser. who disputes with the hero for the love of a beautiful girl—a trail of real romance leading across dangerous seas—of adventure peril, gallantry, manly devotion, and tender love. Many thrilling incidents are presented with amazingly breath-taking realism. Good supports are also shown and splendid music supplied by the orchestra. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. An old-time nigger minstrel show fills the first half of the programme now being presented at His Majesty s Theatre by Gayle Wver and his popular .BandBox Revue Company. Now in their last week at the theatre, the company lias made its final programme an exceptionally attractive one. All the old-time songs are sung, and are well received an enthusiastic audience. On the. Beach at Waikiki.” a bright farce, in which the pint revolves round the love affairs of a newspaper reporter by a. charming blonde, fills the second half. The appearance of Miss Muriel Wilton, a foui-teen-vear-old Wellington girl, as a solo dancer, adds further interest to the show. On Saturday, at the matinee. New Zealand’s own comedian, Joe. Brennan, villi onen for a short season with his noveltj, eomedv and dramatic revue company.

EMPRESS THEATRE. In the film version of Tolstoy s Resurrection.” which is the current feature at the Empress Theatre, every human emotion described in Tolstoy s . immortal classic of love lost and regained is denicted in pantomime. Rod la Rocque is the star, arid Dolores del Rio the featured player. Edwin Carewe, director, was assisted by Count Ilya Tolstoy, son of the author of "Resurrection, m filming the classic novel. The joyous, carefree spirit of youth is to be found in the opening sequences, wherein the Prince fulls in love with the peasant ward of Hs aunts, and before the first reel is over that white love has turned to mirnled passion. Then m rapid-fire succession come despair, abandonment, buoy nl humour and utter indulgence, life, death, spiritual rebirth following vile degradation. imprisonment, exile, bitterness mn yearning, sacrifice, ami "Resurrection” itself. An added attraction w the singing of a "Russian Lullaby’ by Billie Hart. B Good supports are also shown, and appropriate incidental music is supplied by tho orchestra.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. Starring Ted McNamara and tammy Cohen "The Gay Retreat” is the lug feature now at the Queen's Theatre. Die story deals with a- sleen-walking doughboy' and his two friends, who join the to keep him from walking into No fa fs Land in his sleet). But the fun starts lone before tlicv leave for France, nnd continne? riHit through the mature until the final fndcout. at homo after the armistice. "Tumbling River.” starring Tom Mix. is the second feature.