ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 117, 15 February 1928, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. Max, Moritz, and Akka, the three famous monkey film stars, are the big attraction at tho Regent Theatre this week. These animals are almost uncannily -clever, and perform all sorts of tricks, many of them unrehearsed, with an ease and intelligence that is remarkable. The trio are never still for one moment, and bicycle, musical, tumbling, and aerial feats follow each other in rapid and entertaining succession. Beauty as well as comedy adorns file railway story, “Tell It to Sweeney,” which forms the picture portion of the programme. Chester ’Conklin aud George Bancroft make their debut as a Paramount comedy team in this highly enlivening, picture. Doris Hill has the leading feminine role, while the handsome .Tack Luden, who is one of Paramount’s new western stars,"is the clever juvenile. Doris and _ Jack carry the Tomantic theme, while Conklin and Bancroft supply the comedy, of which there is no end. Good supports are also shown, and delightful incidental music is supplied by the orchestra. THE KWONG SING WARS. . The Kwong Sing Wah troupe of Chinese wonder-workers, opening a short season at the Regent Theatre on Wednesday next, February 22. is at. present drawing enthusiastic audiences in Auckland. For 30 minutes these Oriental magicians, acrobats, jugglers, and comedians present a whirlwind . act that keeps one gasping from beginning to end. 'The audience has scarcely recovered from the astonishment of one amazing trick, than something still more astounding is provided. Their tricks of legerdemain are performed with an originality and neatness that evades discovery of the deception. Producing bowls of water, flowers and rabbits is, however, only a small part of their act. Marvellous feats of strength and balance are given by members of the troupe, assisted in no small manner by two little boys. Juggling with plates, with bowls of water, and with balls of fire, mystifying illusion tricks, a series of whirling somersaults round the stage without once touching the floor with his hands, all tins and much more is capped by a daring dive through two frames of wild-looking, glittering steel knives, and another frame af flame. KING’S THEATRE. “Spring Fever,” starring William Haines, is the current feature at the King’s Theatre. The new picture is a lilting comedy of the golf links, directed with conspicuous success by Edward Sedgwick, and Haines plays the role of a shipping clerk who finds golfing fame and romance through his boss accidentally discovering that he is a genius on tho links. Joan Crawford is the heroine, and she plays her role with' charm and feeling. George K. Arthur, who costarred with Karl Dane in “Rookies,” has a brilliant part in “Spring Fever.” Other noted players included in tho strong and diversified cast are Edward Earle, George Fawcett, Lee Moran, and Bert Woodruff. In support are a NewZealand scenic, news, and sparkling comedy, with delightful incidental music by the orchestra. “THE LONE EAGLE.’* Tho late world war furnished plenty of material for motion picture stories, but at the same time it has brought about an exactness in pictures heretofore unknown, according to Emory Johnson, who directed the Universal war epic, "The Lone Eagle,” which will commence screening at the King’s Theatre on Fridav. “The Lone Eagle,” a story of the Allied forces during the conflict, is said to be the most historically correct war picture ever filmed. It was written by T.ieut. Ralph Blanchard, a riiember of the U.S. air service, who saw two years of actual service at the front, and the majority of the actors are ex-soldiers. The loading roles in the picture pre played by Raymond Keane and Barbara Kent, two of the younger school of players who have made rnnid advancement during the past year. )»h>le the supportino. cast includes Nigel Barrie, Jack Pennick, Don Stuart, Cuyler Supplee, and many others. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. . Richard Barthehness’s,. great picture. "The Patent Leather hid. now at. the Paramount Theatre, has .been acclaimed for the remarkable realism of its settings. and the almost inspired acting of the principals, Richard Barthelmess and Molly O’Day, who enacts the role of the East Side dancer with such faithfulness. and makes of the vivid character such a dramatic success. The storv, which is the most credible and convincing of any production dealing with boxing area and the war, has afforded Bartholmess a chance to sli< w fust how good he is. He lives the part of "The Patent Leather kid, catching the spirit of the braggart, egotistic hard-living, young pugilist, while the acting of Molly O’Day is something not often seen on the screen. This attractive little player does some woruicrnil work in this production; at one moment •i cheeky provocative little gamin, at another tlie eternal woman sacrih-mg herself for love and the coward man she had given her brave little heart to. As a prelude an athletic and dancing n.isnlav is given by pupils of the. Mirriet Everett school of dancing, while excellent musical items are supplied, by the orchestra under Mr. L. D. Austin.

"FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE.” . One of tbo most elaborate productions ever made by Robert Kane opens at the Paramount on Friday ~TV e plc 2 ture is "For the Love of Mike, the cast including Ben Lyon Ford Sterling Hugh Cameron. George Sidney. Claudette Colbert, Mabel Swor. Skeete Gallagher and Rudolph Cameron, who is making his return to the screen after several years. Based on an original story bj „ John Moroso, "For the Love of Mike tells the story of a boy who is found as a baby bv three old men on their landing in an 'East Side tenement house. The old men. one a Jew. played by George Sidnev, the second a German, characterised bv Ford Sterling. and the tmrd an Irishman, played by Hugh canieron, bring the child up and when he finishes high school send him to Yale, wnerc becomes the captain and stroke of the crew. The story from the entrance of the boy into college and his romance with two women, one a Park Avenue blonde and the other a brunette, give Ben Lyon. Claudette Colbert and Mabel Swor lots of material for good acting. Actual picturesi ofthe Yale-Harvard regatta at New Loudon.

last spring form one of the many highlights of the story. The box plan is at the office daily from 10 a.m.. Telephone 21—842. DE LUXE THEATRE. “Les Miserables,” the French screen version of Victor Hugo’s classic story, is the big feature now screening at the De Luxe Theatre. Gabriel Gabrio, film idol of France, accomplishes a remarkable portrayal iu the role of Jean Valjean, considered by many to be the most lovable character in fiction. .1 avert, the terrible; Father Myriel, the saintly; lovely Cosctte and her poet lover—all these are brought to life with the force of truth. The affecting sequences in the old Toulon prison are deeply moving and real. They were taken on the actual ground, with convicts as extra players. The court room at Arras, where Valjean lays down bis liberty to save an innocent man—this is highly dramatic and pathetic. The stirring scenes of the historic Barricades make up a great drama within a drama. All these flashes from a truly epic drama will live long iu .memory. Appropriate musical items are supplied by Mr. Aarons at the Wurlitzer organ and by the orchestra. “PAID TO LOVE.” “Paid to Love,” a big William Fox production, is the featui'e which will commence screening at tho De Luxe Theatre on Friday. Popular George O’Brien is starred, supported by Virginia Valli, J. Farrell McDonald, and William Powell. The story deals with a mythical ingdom, the crown prince of which is more interested in mechanics than women. . The old king would have his elder son marry and produce heirs rather than remain single and produce strange noises in the royal garage with his machinery. How the prince marries the princess makes an entertaining, thrilling, and humorous film. "ROSE MARIE.” "Rose Marie." one of the most popular musical comedies ever presented here, is still drawing crowded houses to the Grand Opera House every night. The marvellous lighting effects, tlie gorgeous colour schemes, and the general production are all that one could wish for in aJ. C. Williamson production. Harriet Bennet, who takes tho part of the French Canadian. Rose Marie, is well suited to the part, while Yvonne Ban-, vard (Lady Jane) keeps the audience in fits of laughter. Stephanie Deste is seen as the half-breed, Wanda. Her acrobatical dances are one of the show’s greatest attractions. The Totem Ballet is another star feature. Mr. Frederick Bentley, as "Hard-Boiled Herman,” is one of the funniest comedians on record. His humour is infectious. Mr. Reginald Dandy makes a most manly hero, and Mr. Noel Allan is seen as the villian. Mr. James Hughes is excellent in the role of Sergeant Malone of the North West Mounted. The music is tuneful, and the dancing excellent. There will be a matinee to-day. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. The Joe Brennan and Cyril Northcote Revue Company are now in their first, week at His Majesty’s Theatre. "Happy and Snappy.” the title of their clever concoction of good things, is entertaining throughout, with Joe Brennan monopolising most of f»ie laughs. Georce Corretli, the possessor of a beautiful tenor voice, sings “O Sole Mio” and “When Autumn Leaves are Falling.” and also sings the duets “Come to the Fair" and "That Night in Araby” with Ida Vanda. Dell Barnes and Peggy Gharn provide an entertaining dance turn, and Dismal Desmond performs an exception- , ally good eccentric dance. "A Flapper’s Version of History.” "The Finding of Moses in the Rullrushes.” Paul Reveres’ Famous Ride.” “The Police Station.” "The Test.” "A. Wireless Tangle.” “Dinner for Three.” and "Araby” are some of the best of the many good sketches. Miss Muriel Wilton, the young Wellington girl, is again responsible for some clever solo dancing. QUEEN'S THEATRE. "Firemen. Save My Child.” the Latert of the inimitable Wallace Beery and Raymond Hatton comedies, is the current feature at the Queen’s Theatre. Tn this production the weirdly dressed nair are seen as firemen who are in great demand by the fire chief’s daughter. who thinks nothing of calling out the brigade to minister to her private needs. Throughout tlie film the pair provide riotous fun unceasingly, and are given good support by nrettv Josenhino Dunn ■ and Tom Kennedy. The second feature is "Nevada.” a Paramount veru'on of the Z'”ir Grer story, featuring Dary Cooner. Thelma Todd and William Powell. Capital incidental music is also supplied.