ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 118, 16 February 1928, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. Mas, Moritz, and Akka, the three remarkable chimpanzee film stars, are the main attraction at the Regent Theatre this week, where they are attracting large houses. These clever animals appear to extract as much mirth from their own antics as their audiences. Besides their set tricks, the intelligent apes manage to inject into their turns numerous unrehearsed ones which nil help to make the fun fast and furious. Tlie picture portion of the programme is "Tell It To Sweeney,” an exceptionally clever Paramount comedy starring Chester Conklin and George Bancroft, supported by Doris Hill and Jack Luden. Tho film tells the tale of two engine drivers and their rivalry. Good supports are also shown, and delightful incidental music is supplied by the orchestra. "SHE’S A SHEIK.” An entirely new picture programme will commence at tho Regent Theatre to-morrow, with the continuation of the season of Max, Aloritz, and Akka, the movie monkey marvels, who have attracted such packed and enthusiastic houses this week and who will present new tricks and antics for the remainder of their season. Tho film portion of the bill will bo headed by Bebe Daniels in her latest and brightest Paramount effort, “She’s a Sheik,” a delightful, dashing comedy-drama with a brilliant Eastern setting. "She’s a Sheik” is far more humorous than “Swim, Girls, Swim,” tho star’s recent hilarious success. The story tells of a beautiful girl, ward of a desert ruler, who, to gain the man she loves, uses “cave-man” methods, kidnaps the man, and almost starts a war. This is a swift-moving, bright comedy of the type in which Belie Daniels first made her name, and the scenes of desert tribes attacking the Foreign Legion, in which the hero (Richard Arlen) is an officer, add innumerable thrills to the picture. There will be a full supporting programme. Heavy booking is being recorded and patrons are advised io reserve early at tho theatre (phono 4-1— IL4) or Bristol. Membors of the Navy League and their friends are invited by advertisement in to-day’s issue Io afleuil a reception in I Im Pioneer Club on AVednesday next, at 8 p.m., in honour of the delegates from nil parts of Now Zealand, who tire attending the annual Navy League conference. which opens that dny. The accommodation for the reception is limited to 150, ami therefore it is essential to call nt the office for tickets rs soon as possible. THE KWONG SING WAIIB. Tho Kwong Sing Wall . troupe of Chinese wonder-workers, opening a short season al: I ho Regent Theatre on Wednesday next, February 22, :s 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. Tho audience has scarcely recovered from the astonishment of one amazing trick than something still more astounding is provided. Their iricks of leger-i doiuain art) performed with an original- , ity and neatness that evades discovery of the deception. Producing bowls oi water, flowers and rabbits is, howevei, only a small part of their act Marvellous feats of strength and balance are given bv members of tho troupe, assisted in no small manner by two little boys. Juggling with p ates,, with bowls of water, and with balls ot nrc, mystifying illusion tricks, a senes ot whirling somersaults round the stage without once touching the floor with his hands, all this and much more is capped by a daring dive through two frames of wild-looking, glittering steel knives, and another frame of flame. PAR A MOUNT TIIE ATR E, Starriim Richard Bathelmcss, supportoil by Molly O’Day, “The Patent Leather Kid” is the big feature now at tho Paramount Theatre. Diflercut in. typo from the earlier characters which brought Barthelmess fame, this newest tilm shows him once more in his best iorm, a real actor, who can make a flesh and blood being out of a him portrait. Alfred tjantell, in directing the picture, built up around the sterling periormmice of the stars, an atmospnele, and sustained interest with intense action to tho last close-up. As a prelude to the story Colin Crane has arranged an atllletie and dancing display, introducing a ballet of pupils of the Minnie Everett School of Dancing. Splendid incidental music is supplied by the orchestra under Mr. L. D. Austin. "FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE.’’ "For tho Lovo of Mike,’ a new lirst National attraction, opens on Iriday night at the Paramount Theatre. Robert Kane, who produced this new com-edy-drama, gathered an all-star c f}st> which included Ben Lyon. lieoiTe Sidney, Ford Sterling, Claudette Colbert, Hugh Cameron, Richard Skeets U'J'' higher, Rudolph Cameron, and Mabel Swor. Tho storv is about a child vho is discovered by three men living in the notorious Hell’s Kitchen district of New York. Tho men are an Irishman, a German, and a Jew. All chum the little youngster, but compromise at last by agreeing to bring him up eo-opeia-tivcly, so to speak. As the boy grows up and becomes captain of tho Yale

crew, the interest of tho story increases. The crew race is authentically, that between Yale .and Harvard, and is unusually exciting. Ben Lyon plays the boy and Sydney, Sterling, and Hugh Cameron are seen in characterisations as the "fathers.” Both Claudette Colbert, who is seen as Ben’s childhood sweetheart, and Mabel Swor, who portrays the Fifth Avenue blonde who strives to make Ben forget his old pals of Hell’s Kitchen and join her set, give a splendid performance. This is one of the most entertaining comedy-dramas that the Paramount has shown for a long time, and patrons are advised to book early. Box plan is at the theatre daily from 10 a.m. Tel. 21—512. DE LUXE THEATRE. "Les Miserable.?,” the French screen version of Victor Hugo’s immortal story, is the current feature at tin? De Luxe Theatre. Gabriel Gabrio, in the character of Jean Valjean. proves himself a sterling actor. He is first seen in tho prison scenes. AA’hen he emerges from the grey walls after his long imprisonment he present a figure .that is forbidding indeed, for the remaining spark of human sympathy in the man lias been buried deep under the hardened lava of hate. The striking transition that takes place after the kindness of Father Myriel has fanned the dying spark of love into a fire of regeneration is portrayed by Gabrio with matchless art. The sensational scenes at tho barricades when the soldiers of the Empire storm the stronghold of the communists are exciting in the extreme and filled with pulsating drama. Throughout the entire length of the stupendous production one is held in the grip of interest, sympathy and suspense. Appropriate niusio is supplied by both tlie orchestra and Mr. Aarons at the AVurlitzer organ. "PAID TO LOVE.” Starring Gleorge O’Brien, supported by Virginia A’alli, J. Farrell MacDonald and William Powell, "Paid to Lovo” is the feature which will commence screening at the De Luxe Theatre tomorrow. The story of “Paid to Love” tells of a young prince who was more interested in machinery than girls. His father the king desired an heir and was displeased. Then, with the aid of the globe-trotting American, ho finds the Parisian dancing girl, hoping that she will arouse tho prince’s belated fancy for the fair. She does. But the king had expected it to be merely a temporary affair, after wliich a lady of royal blood would attract his youthful highness. It doesn’t work out that way, but everybody is happy and the prince does finally marry. "ROSE MARIE.” Voted by all to bo one of the most ponular and picturesque of .musical comedies. "Rose Mario” is still attracting crowded houses nightly to the Gram! ‘Opera House, and tho season, now drawing to a close, is obviously going to beat all records. Tho tuneful music, bright humour, and the gorgeous settings and dances evoke unstinted enthusiasm, tho whole production being one far and away abovo the average musical cnnicdy. Koso Mario is played by Miss Harriet Bonnett, a vivacious young lady who sings and dances well, and who acts in a most convincing manner. Tho hero is played by Reginald Dandy, who is possessed of a really good voice. Tho comedian, Mr. Frederick Bentley, still keeps the audience in shrieks of laughter every time ho appears. His work with Lady Jane (Miss Yvonne Banvard) is one of (ho hits of the show. Mabel Lambeth, Noel Allen, and James Hughes are also good. The marvellous Totem Pole Ballet is the outstanding feature of "Rose Marie.” HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. "Happy and Snappy’’ is the current programme at His Majesty s Tneatro ot the Joe Brennan and Cyril Nor.thcote Revue Company. Joe Brennan is the principal comedian, and be comes in for plenty of applause, his "Oh, Charlie, Take It Away,” being particularly clever. “A Flapper’s 'Version of History,” "The Finding of Moses in the Builrushes.” "Paul Rovcre’s Famous Ride.” "The Police Station, "1 be Test.” “A Wireless Tangle,’ "Dinner for Three,” and “Araby,” are some of tho best of the many sketches. Miss Muriel Wilton, the young "Wellington girl, again appears as a solo dancer, and makes a decided hit, while the pretty and sprightly ballet of six. all belp to make things go with a. swing, 'ueorgo Correlli has a beautiful tenor voice, which ho uses with effect in “O Sole Mio” and "When Autumn Leaves Are Falling.” while he is also heard m ducts with Ida Vanda.

EMPRESS THEATRE. “Resurrection.” United Artists screen version of Tolstoy’s famous story, is the bier feature now at tlie Empress Theatre. Rod la Rocque is the star of ’ Resurrection.” He portrays the character ot Prince Dmitri, and in the role is said to do the finest work of Ins career. Dolores del Rio enacts the role ot Katusha Maslova, the young peasant ei 11 who loves end is beloved by Dmitri. 1 lie storv of “Resurrection” leads these two characters from the beginning ot their voting and innocent loce through to the highly dramatic scenes of disillusion; ment and then on to the "Resurrection itself and a logical ending. The balance of the east offers excellent support to Le. Rocque and Miss del Rio They are Count Ilya Tolstoy, who plays the part of his noted father In the prologue, Marc McDermott. Vera Lewis, Ltiey Beaumont. Clarissa Sclwynne and r.ve Southern. Good supports arc also shown and appropriate incidental music is supplied by the orchestra. KING’S THEATRE. "Spring Fovcr,” Williams Haines’s newest starring vehicle for Metro-Gold-wyu-Mayer, which is now being shown

at tlio King’s Theatre, is one long, loud laugh. The fun starts when Haines, as jack Kelly, a shipping clerk, is discovered by bis employer to bo a coming golf champion, when the boss takes him along to an exclusive country club, and it doesn’t end until belly lias overcome a mountain of opposition iu winning the prettiest girl in the place. Joan Crawford. George h. Arthur and George Fawcett support I lie star. Good supports arc also shown, and splendid incidental music is supplied by the orchestra.