ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 114, 11 February 1928, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. "Tho Patent Leather Kid,” which commenced before a large audience at the Paramount Theatre last night, is perhaps one of the best pictures that Richard Barthelmess has yet appeared in. He takes the part of an East-side boxer, who owes his nick-name to his sleek black hair. He meets a beautiful cabaret girl (Molly O’Day), who is known as the Golden Dancer, and wins her trom her wealthy sweetheart Captain Breen (Lawford Davidson). Then the war conies on, but as it interferes with the Kid’s profession lie resents America's attitude in joining up with the Allies. His girl, however, tells him he should bo ashamed of himself, for not going to the front, and he is finally dratted along with his starring partner, Puffy (Arthur Stone). They serve m the Tank Corps under Captain Breen, but the Kid is a terrible coward when it comes to battle, and wants to get back home. Breen forces him into the firing line, where Puffy is killed before the Kid’s eyes. Then something in the coward snaus and ho becomes a fighting demon. Ha sees the man who has shot his pal, and nothing can hold him. Lonehanded he kills a German officer in charge of a machine-gun crew and routs the gunners with hand grenades. Then he is badly injured, and the next he knows is when he wakes up in hospital with his former sweetheart, who is a nurse, bending over him. To tell what eventually happens to the Kid his girl and to Captain Breen would only spoil an excellent story. From start to finish the film is packed full of exciting situations, and thrill .follows thrill in quick succession all the while. There is no doubt it is a very tine production and one of the best war pictures of its kind so far produced. Some of the great battle scenes are wonderfully realistic, thousands of men being shown in action. Further interest to “The Patent Leather Kid” is added by a very fine prologue which is presented by Mr. Colin Crane, and also special musical numbers by Mr. L. D. Austin, who conducts the Paramount orchestra. The box plan is on view at the theatre daily from 10 a.m., while reserved seats can also be obtained by ringing 21-842. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Joe Brennan, with a world-wide reputation as a Dame comedian, together with Cvril Northcote, known as the heavyweight comedian, are now jointly heading their own revue company and, under engagement, to Sir Benjamin and John Fuller, will appear at His Majesty's Theatre for a short season. The initial performance will be presented this afternoon. Supporting the two comedians is a strong cast of talented principals, among whom are Gus Dawson, dancing expert and light comedian. G. W. Desmond, a comedian of the dismal variety. Ira Vanda. saxophonist, George Correlli. operatic tenor, Ida Newton, singer of snappy songs, the Soniervil j Sisters, specialty dancers, Dell Barnes and Peggy Sharp, exponents of jazz fragments, and the Cabaret Kittens, six refreshing young dancers who assist in the various ensembles to be staged in the opening programme. "Happv and Snappy will be the first presentation, and in order to carry out the extensive list of items set down in the usual two and a half hours, it will indeed require the maximum amount of "go” from the beginning to end. Novelty and up-to-dateness is apparent in the sketch title "A Flapper’s Version of History” (in three episodes', "The Speed King,” "The Wireless Tangle ’ etc., an-1 the dancing and musical numbers promise something out of the ordinary- Mr. Joe Brennan, a Dunedinite bv birth has bad much English and Australian experience and is immensely popular here. His name alone should ensure the company a successful season. CHERNIAVSKY TRIO. An extra farewell concert will be given to-night in the Concert Chamber, Town Hall, by the Cherniavskys. The special programme will include tho following items: —Trio, “Arensky.” 'Cello, Sonata, Valentino; Berceuse, M. Cherniavsky. Piano: Sonata, Beethoven. “Pathetique." Violin concerto: Ernst. Trios: Romance, Clinka; Spring Song, Mendelssohn; Slav Dance, Dvorak. Tho box plan is at the Bristol. "ROSE MARIE." Another large and enthusiastic audience witnessed "Rose Mari,,” most picturesque and beautiful of musical comedies, at the Grand Opera House last night with unalloyed delight. Rose Marie, a beautiful French-Canadian, is the darling of all hearts especially that of stalwart Jim Kenyon, who finally wins her hand and heart. Beautifully mounted, filled with tuneful musical numbers and remarkably fine dancing, “Rose Marie” is delightful throughout, and there is not one dull moment from curtain to curtain, with the marvellous Totem Pole Ballet as its outstanding number. Miss Stephanie Deste as Wanda, the half-breed Indian girl, is a really wonderful dancer. Miss Harriet Bennett makes a charming Rose Mario, and Reginald Dandy, the possessor of a really good voice, is the hero. As the comedian of the show, Mr. Frederick Bentley elicits shrieks of laughter at his every appearance. .Miss Yvonne Banvard is splendid as Lady Jane, while Mabel Lambeth, Noel Allan and Janies Hughes all fill their parts well.. There will be a matinee to-day at 1.55 p.m. KING’S THEATRE. “Spring Fever," which commenced screening at tho King’s Theatre last night, is a diverting comedy romance with as its subject love and golf. The scene is laid on a pleasant ami exclusive golf course, and the film shows the adventures of Jack Kelly, a clerk, who is also a born golfer, and who is invited by his employer, a shipping magnate, to visit a country club, because he is a "dark horse” and capable of beating all the local cracks. Dashing and handsome, and very well pleased with himself, the clerk causes a small sensation among the guests when he captures the heart of the prettiest girl there, who also happens to be the wealthiest girl in the club. Kelly improves his employer's play, beats the club’ champion, and creates much amusement, but thinking that he has deceived the girl by telling her that he is rich he leaves her. The film is full of fun, and with pretty Joan Crawford and William Haynes in the lead has a strong claim to attention. There is an excellent sunporting programme, and the incidental music played by the King’s select orchestra is an additional attraction. Mr. A. H. Jerome has arranged some excellent musical fare. There is a full orchestral matinee to-day at 2.30 p.m., and the nrogrnmmo will bo repeated until Thursday night next. The box plan is nt the Bristol until 5 p.m. daily, and reservations may also be had at the theatre, telephone number 22—212.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. "Firemen, Save My Child.’' the comedy with Wallace Beery opd Raymond Hatton, is showing at tfio Queen’s Theatre this week. This story depicts the adventures of three hoys who are in the same class at school. They separate for a few years, then meet again in an nn expected way. One of them, a confidence man. steals money from another, and cleverly causes his arrest. The innocent victim swears to be revenged, and strangely enough meets the thief on the day of his release from prison. They run into a demonstration which is bein'? given bv the fire brigade, and are nersunded tn ioin by the chief’s dnnvliter. whoso slaves, they become. Whenever she is in need of beln the rrirl rings the fire station, and the situation nets so bad that her father forbids tho men <o answer any calls from his house. One day a call comes, and fhe men, obedi ent io the chief, take no police, and it nnf until the chief arrives at the hewsn that he finds file call was genuine. a« this lime the house really is on fire TTi s mon hasten to the sene, nnd are in time to save his daiirl'tor. who bos been trapped in (be building. She is res'44'od. and tells them Hint her fiance" is still to he saved. The two men tm into tho house once again, and rescue the man. whom they find in be the hated canfain of the brigade. Thev are stand ing talking after the fire, when rcco"nifion dawns, and lhev realise that thev wore the three who were classmates Also nn the programme is a Zane Gres stnrv. "Nevada.” with Gnrv Cooper ' r bnlmn Todd, and William Dowel' There is a "nzeflo showing too. and snec ial music is rendered hv the orchestra NFW PRINCESS THEATRE. Adapted hv Paramount the famous musical comedv. "Kid Boots” heads tho big programme at the New

Princess Theatre. Eddio Carter, who created the role on the stage in New York, is starred, supported by Clara Bow, Billie Dovo and Lawrence Gray. Lawrence Gray has. in haste, married a chorus girl. He is getting a divorce and waiting for the final decree when he inherits a fortune. His ex-wife endeavours to break the divorce by being found in the same house, but through the intervention of Carter she is frustrated. Going to a golf club as instructor and caddie, they meet two charming girls, and the mix-up that follows is exceptionally funny. However, the scheming wife is beaten, and the romances with the two girls are continued. The second big feature is “Lady Robinhood," starring Evelyn Brent. The story deals with the patriotic fervour of a girl, leader of a band of "Carbonari,” who have revolted from tho villainous rule of the Alcalde of Manzilla, at the foot of the Pyrenees. Good supports are also shown.

DE LUXE THEATRE. No more powerful story has been given to the world that “Les Miserables. Victor Hugo’s immortal story of the convict whose brutalised soul was saved by the kindness and trust of the saintly man of God, Monsignor Myriel, a splendid picturisation of which was presented at the De Luxe Theatre last evening. The picture, which is from the Universal studios, is splendidly acted by an all-French cast on the identical spots described by Victor Hugo, and follows the story faithfully. The heartrending story of Jean Valjcap, the hapless dav labourer, who is sentenced to the gallevs for five years for stealing a loaf of'bread, is told with grim realism. The brutality of life in the Toulon orison, and the regeneration of the convict bv the kindly and charitable bishop, whom he repays by stealing his silver plate, make scenes of absorbing interest Very touching are the passages dealing with the rescue of Cosette bv Jean Valjean from the villainous Hernardiers. Tho lifelong duel between Jovert. the prefect of police, and the escaped convict are powerfully drawn, while touchingly beautiful are the scenes dealing with the birth of love between Cosette and Marins. Highly dramatic and exciting are the episodes shown of the Cerce fighting in the streets of Paris during the revolution of 1830. The acting throughout is splendid. M. Gabriel Gabrio makes the character of the ill-starred but big-souled convict stand out arrestingly, while M. Jean Toulout nortrays the dogged Jovert to the life. Wonderful acting is done by Mme. Sandra Milowanoff as Cosette, and she is excellently supported by AT. Rozet in the character of Baron Marius. The essential incidents in the epic story are revealed in a succession of gripping ami tremendous scenes, such as are seldom seen on the screen. The musical portion of the programme was in keeping with the classical feature subject. The orchestra were heard in a grand selection from Bizet’s opera, "Carmen/' and Mr. Emanuel Aarons delighted the big house with his numbers on the Wurlitzer organ, which included "Slow River” (Myer), and “The Waters of Minnetonka." There will be a matinee at 2.30 this afternoon.

EMPRESS THEATRE. The famous picture, 'Resurrection, ’ ’founded on Tolstoy’s classic romance.of a Prince and a peasant girl, met with such success last week that the management of the Empress Theatre decided to continue it for another week. The large audience last night, justified the decision. Rod La Rocque plays the role of the Prince who sinned and sorrowed, while the beautiful Dolores del Rio takes the part of the heroine, Katusha Maslova. The story is depicted with an emotional power that appeals stronglv to lovers of a fine film. Incidents of Russian high life are vividly portrayed, including the mad carousing of St. Petersburg, and the trial of the girl the Prince has betrayed, the Prince being one of tho jury. Then comes the realism of the awful march to Siberia, the exiles, and the convicts in chains dragging their weary way ever the frozen steppes, the Prince, in sorrow. and penuance, accompanying the party. The orchestra plays appropriate music, while the supporting films are a fine travelogue, "Scenes iu the Blue Mountains.” and a comedy. "Happy-go-Luckies.” The same programme will be rendered this afternoon anfl to-night, and next week. REGENT THEATRE. Continuing tho big boom which commenced with Max, Moritz, and Akka, (he Regent, at the conclusion of the monkey season, will present another remarkable act—that of the marvellous Kwong Sing Wall Chinese troupe, opening on Wednesday, February 22. It is stated that Them are ten marvellous magicians, acrobats, and jugglers in this famous company, which is declared to outshine anything of the kind ever presented in tho Antinodes before. For sheer mystery, thrills, and amazement, the Kwong Sing Wnh» are said to be uneoual'ecL 11 is several months since the Regent endeavoured to obtain the act, but if was not until recently that fhe Chinese completed their extended season Ihronglioni Australia. Their season in Wellington will be limited. ORGAN RECITAL. Mr. Bernard F Page (City Organist' T<as arranged, as under, tho programme for liis oman recital to bo given nt Hip Town Hill to-morrow evening Fantasia in G Motor bv Bach: Intermezzo Ou. 117 (No. 3) by Brahms-Pago: Foini-tain-Atnsic and Iluot from (Act IL Soene D "Pelteas am' MelGande” bv Debu"“v: Prelude Cantilmie. Sch°rzaiido de Concert Op 99 bv Piorne- Pavano pour line Tnfante Definite by Ravel: Toccata by Duboi b.