ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 125, 24 February 1928, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATRE. Madge Bellamy, Fox Films star, will open at the De Luxe Theatre to-night in “Very Confidential,” a sparkling comedydrama of modern life directed by James Tinliug. The story is based upon the hectic experiences of a sales girl in a sporting goods store, and is said to oiler Miss Bellamy endless opportunities for fun and wholesome excitement. She is always posing as that which she is not and ' the attendant complications are hilarious In tlie extreme. James K. McGuinness, a well-known New York newspaper man anil columnist, collaborated with Randall H. Faye, of Fox Films scenario staff, in preparing the veheile for Miss Bellamy. The little star wears some gorgeous gowns, and undergoes some breath-taking thrills in the course of the action. The supporting cast includes Pat Cunning. Mary Duncan, Joseph Cawthorn, and Marjorie Beebe. Good supports will also be shown, and the usual excellent musical programme will be supplied. “THE KID BROTHER.” Harold Lloyd celebrates his fifth year as a producer of feature length comedies by giving his legion of followers “The Kid Brother,” which ranks high among his finest contributions, and which will commence screening at the De Luxe Theatre on Friday. March 2. In this work, as in all past productions, Lloyd again demonstrates his complete grasp on the answer to that eternal problem. "VI hat does the public want?” If past successes count for aught, the bespectacled comedian knows exactly what his public demands, because in the five years that have elapsed since that immortal classic, “Grandma's Boy,” he lias made one continuous string of successes. QUEEN’S THEATRE. At last the much-heralded Fox superproduction, “East Side, West Side,” commences in Wellington with to-night's initial presentation at the Queen’s Theatre. It is reported to be a worthy successor in magnitude and general appeal to "What Price Glory” and "Seventh Heaven," other Fox record-breaking attractions of the first magnitude. A mammoth ocean liner sent into oblivion attor crashing a monster iceberg, the thrills of a championship prize fight, a river barge wrecked by a massive freighter* and the thousand and one wonders of New York—the world’s modern Bagdad Lare said to be included among the many highlights of this colossal production. George O’Brien, Virginia V alii, and J. Farrell Macdonald head the large cast in "East Side. West Side.” The picture is rich in New atmosphere, and surrounds the activities of a young man, reared in the poorest part of the city, who battles his way to ownership of a mansion on Fifth Avenue. All of New York's celebrated sections have u part in the story, the Bowery, East Side, West Side, Hell's Kitchen, Gas House, district, Red Hook Point, the Bronx, Washington Heights, Park and Fifth Avenues. The production is said to be one or the best films made for a considerable time. The novel was a “best seller,’ and is considered an admirable basis for a big motion picture. Queen’s Quality Quartet has a specially arranged score of incidental music. The box plan is available at the Bristol. The theatre phone, 22 334, is also open to reservations. REGENT THEATRE. A completely new picture programme will be presented at the Kegent Jriieatie to-day, in connection with the famous Kwoiur Sing Wall troupe of Chinese n'arvels. The new film is ‘A Gentleman of Paris,” starring the ever-popular Adolphe Menjou. who is seen at his best It is the story of a Frenchman vbo loved not wisely, and too often—until he met a simple type of girl who altered His whole outlook on hie. The Kwong Sine Walls scored another great success last, night. With a gorgeous stage setting they pert'ormed veritable miracles both as acrobats and magicians, two youngsters of the party showing as much skill as their elders. From an empt.y shawl they materialised plates or nuit and bowls of water, not to mention a boy himself: as if it was the easiest thing in'tho world, and to them it seemed mere child's play to exchange eggs into handkerchiefs and vice versa. An escape from locked boxes was as spectacular as it was smart. Tho swinging of bowls of water at the end of a long cord, not a fl ’op being spilled, paled into insignificance when the same feat was reproduced with bowls of fire, the darkened stage greatly adding to the effect. Plate spinning was brought to a fine art by. these marvels, one of whom thought nothing of diving through three narrow hoops, two studded with sharp knives and the thud burning fiercely. Their combined acrobatic feats were the acme of grace and darincr. the whole troupe taking 1 part. “Where did the pigeons go?” was a nit of astounding magic. They w-ere obviously placed in a box on a table, but both box and table were taken to pieces and there was no trace of the birds. At 12.45 p.m to-day the troupe .will give a demonstration of Mah Jong in the theatre vestibule. The new bill will be accompanied by special musical items by Mr. Frost and the Regent orchestra.

KING'S THEATRE. ~ Metro - Goldwyn • Mayer s Ben-Hur. which claims to be -‘he biggest artist c and financial success in motion pictures gomes to the King s Theatre this afternoon at 2.50. t-Jo great is tho popularity of the picture that the nient vouches for the fact that in the thirteen New Zealand towns in which “Ben Hur” has been shown well oyei 200,000 people have paid to see it. /his .s an outstanding record. A Christchui Ji newspaper states that: It is oul\ actually witnessing a screening ot Beu Hur’ that tho full significance of the pioduct.ou is vividly, brought heme to one. Its colossal sets, its spiritual import, its deep emotionalism, its immense thrills. For the main part, Ben Hui is finely emotional. Not in the manner of everyday screen drama, not making an appeal to one or two facets in the human ternporamental make-up, but an appeal which embraces only the best in us. It was to be expected that miracles executea during the Carrying of the Cross, the Last Supper, and the Return from Calvary. and the scenes in the cav'i at Bethlehem. would possess an emotional appeal all their own. and the exquisite delicacy and holy feeling with which . Mr. £ red Niblo has handled these scenes is nothing short of sheer genius. Never is the Ohristus seen during ’he drama; a w nne Hand at the Well of Nazareth, giving water to the sentenced Ben Hur. a quietly gesticulating arm during the Seimon on the Mount, a cross on bowed shoulders walking slowly and haltingly through the yelling crowd, and the trailing garments on an ass on Palm bnnday are some of the sacred and strangely disturbing sequences in the story ot Ben Hur.’ An exquisite cameo is Betts' Bionson’s portrait of the Madonna, a piece of translucent screen poetrj’. iragtauj, and saintly, just a passing shadow ol downcast eyes, a smile, a P ra y°Y-but it stamps itself on the memory, remaining as one of the most enduring things in the whole picture.” Heavy bookings for the season are reported from the Bristol. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Motion pictures in which feminine spies have played conspicuous roles ’.nvai have met with public fayoun tnrvC Faces East.” in which Jetta Goudal was seen as a clever agent of the llritiji secret service, presented a most- ’I 01 "I’-" 1 ’-" example of the popularity of films ot this nature. Now, Phylhs steps to the fore as the newest feminine secret service agent of the films. In .Bngatiier Gerard ” a new DeMille romantic picture, which stars Ro 1 La Rocque, and which will bo on view at the Paramount llieaire to-day. Miss Haver portrays a beautiful countess, a confidant of Nanoleon. in this screen version of Conan Doyles "Adventures of Gerard,” _ Miss Haver, while on an important mission for Napoleon. encounters La Rocque in the little rural village of Andorra, in the Pyrenees He ia an 'nn-keepers grandson. and loves to fight. He has an tinquenchable yearning to enlist in the battle-tried forces of Napoleon. Circumstances require that she enlist La Rocque’s aid. and. he is involved in her mysterious activities. Later, through his bravery and daring, he wins the heart of the’ countess and the sincere friendship and gratitude of Napoleon. Donald Crisp directe.l from the script of Douglas Doty. “Brigadier Gerard will be preceded bv an elaborate stage prologue, and a Special musical score bas been arranged fnr the Orchestra Paramount. The box nlan is at the theatre daily from 10 am., tclenh me EMPRESS THEATRE. The big Heeney-Sharkey fight is one of (he principal attractions cn the pro•’■ramnie which will commence screening at the Empress Theatre to-day.. There was much discussion on the decision in this big fight, ami many leading Auier.cin critics thought that Heeney should have got the decision Now comes the official film of the battle, and all who «ee it can judge for themselves whic.i was tlie better man. “Millionaires.” the Warner Bros.’ production. the second big feature, is a picture that goes out frankly to get ’aughs. and. according to all’ reports, it gets them in hearty niea c ure. With Georze Sidney Louise Fazen’a and Vera Gordon heading the cast, it'has a trio of fun-makers who have long since demonstrated that real Inughs uro pretty close to real .tears, ne'ene Costello. Nat Carr. Jane Winton, and Arthur Lubin are among others m the cast who ad 1 to the gaiety ot the entertainment. The story. written by Ravmond L. Schrock, concerns a Jewish tailor, whose placid, happy life js nearly wrecked on the <hores of social, ambition. when he suddenly conies into a fortune. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Now in their second week at His Maicsty's Theatre, the -Toe Brennan and Cvril Northcote Revue Company’s current presentation is "Keep Smiling." a inerrv concoction of song, dance, and sketch. Joe Rrcnmiii, the company's principal coimdian. Is continually in the Picture

and his every appearance is a sign for loud bursts of laughter. “The Inaudible Actors,” “The Woman Over the Hoad, “The Huggins Give a Musical Evening.” aud “Joe’s Wedding" are all clever sketches. Dell Barnes and Peggy Sharpe again provide a clever jazz and song turn, George Corelli, operatie tenor, sings "Because” and "When Autumn Leaves Are Falling,” and Gus Dawson provides, with the assistance of Dell Barnes, a clever singing and novelty dance turn. G. W. Desmond acts the fool as a policeman. and does a clever eccentric dance; Muriel Wilton, the young Wellington dancer, scores heavily; while the bright aud snappy chorus of six help to make the show the entertaining one it is.

NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. Love, humour, pathos, and a touch of tragedy are adroitly blended in "Stage Madness,” a Victor Shertzinger production for Fox Films, which will head the programme commencing at the New Princess Theatre to-day. Virginia Valli plays the feminine lead in this graphic portrayal of theatrical life, with its locale in Paris and New York. She anpears as a dancer of renown who stakes her all upon a career to the exclusion of home and family. She is supported bv an excellent east including Tulllo ciirmenati, Lou Tellegen, Richard Mailing, Virginia Bradford, Tyler Brooke, and others. Lew Cody, debonair comedian of the screen, dresses as a fashionable Parisian in Met ro-Goldwyn-Ma.ver’s latest comedy-drama, “On Ze Boulevard.” which is the’ second feature. Supporting Cody in the principal roles is Miss Renee Adoroo. and this French star will piye her hosts of admirers a rare treat in this Parisian story. Others of note to have parts in “On Ze Boulevard” are Roy D'Arcy and Dorothy Sebastian. Good supports will also be shown.