ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 126, 25 February 1928, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATRE. The moat hilarious comedy-drama seen for a long time was the judgment passed by a crowded audience at the De Luxe Theatre upon the William Fox production. ‘‘Very Confidential.” Madge BelImny gives one of the most satisfactory portrayals of her career in the character of Patricia Murphy, an ambitious salesgirl in a sporting poods store. In order to attract the attention of Roper Alien, a. stalwart football half-back, who is the idol of the girls. Patricia poses as a celebrated sportswoman at a fashionable mountain resort. She is immediately hailed as a boon companion by all the sportsmen present, and before she knows where she is she is speeding through the water in racing launches and annihilating distance in cars built for speed. Her golfing costume consisted of a deft nine mohair sweater over a pleated skirt of satin-black crepe, in which the shiny and dull of the material was joined together in a diamond shaped eftect. A wide triangular silk scarf of futuristic design in vivid hues Knotted across the shoulder added the necessary note of colour. A soft, tailored hat of Copen felt, gloves in two tones of blue, blue inn ankle-strap slippers, and a. blue kid pouch bag completed the ravishing costume. Her tennis, riding, motoring, hunting, and fishing outfits were eoually bewitching. The photography is fur .above the ordinary, and the Southern Californian mountain scenes, where an exciting automobile race is staged, are exqanilely beautiful. The cast includes Pat Cumming. Joseph Cawthron. Mary Duncan, and Mariorio Beebe. A Fox comedy, “Mirs Killjoy,” a beautiful scenic film dealing with the Argentine Republic, and a most interesting news reel also iignied on the new programme. The musical portion of the entertainment was keenly annreciatcd by the big house. The orchestra was heard in “Rose Marie* (rrinii), played as an overture. and. Dvoraks •'TTumoreske.” played as an entr’acte. Mr. Emanuel Aarons delighted everyone rv h’s playing on the Wurlitzer organ of Mbert Kussner’s suite. “Moon TJoth.s. for which he responded with “Forgive Me.” There will be a matinee screening at 2.30 this afternoon. “THE KID BROTHER.” Harold Lloyd celebrates his fifth year as a producer of feature-length comedies by giving his followers “The Kid Brother,” which ranks high among his - finest contributions. This picture will be screened at the De Luxe Theatre for the week commencing Friday next. If past successes count for anything, 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 has made one continuous string of successes. Lloyd holds the unique distinction. according to those who have followed box-office figures for the last decade, of being the only player in motion pictures who has never produced a financial failure either for himself or the exhibitor. In “The Kid Brother.’’ Harold’s latest Paramount release, he is said to have another of those certain laugh-getters, reminiscent in theme of “Grp.mfaia’s with its inferiority complex theme. Lloyd's five-year record is one which defies comparison. Starting with “Grandma’s Boy” he produced “Dr. Jack.” “Safety Last.” “Why Worry,” “Girl Shy,” “Hot Water.” “College Days,” and “For Heaven’s Sake.” For the last three years, beginning with “Girl Shy,** he has been producing independently. “The Kid Toother” is a Paramount greater movie season attraction. “MOTHER MACHREE.” A film set down for showfag at the De Luxe Theatre in the near future is the William Fox picture “Mother Machree.’ Produced by John Ford, this nieturc has for its star* Belle Bennett Nell Hamilton, Victor McLag’en. Ted McNamara, Fthel Clayton, and Constance Howard. The story is from the pen of Rida Johnson Young. “TIP TOES” AND “QUFFN HIGH.” “Tip Toes,” to be staged here by the .1. C Williamson. Ltd., new comedy company, on Wednesday, March 14. at the Grand Opera House, is the latest London and New York musical comedy. The company selected for the representation of “Tin Toes” comprises some of the most popular comedians, singers, and musical comedy artists who have ever visited New Zealand, and snecial iiFercst centres in the debut of Josephine Head. Mbert Hugo, and Mdlle. Ramona, the famous and brilliant dangers from the Folios Paris. “The production of Tip Toes,’ ” wrote a critic recently, “is artistic in the extreme and several of the sets are the best that have yet been witnessed in a Williamson theatre. The Palm Reach at Florida is a charmingly conceived and restful scene, while that which shows Burton’s houseboat during the party is another fine examnle of the scenic art. The sea stretching awav in the distance is in fine perspective and apneal® to t*e colour sense. The final scene of all. a glade near the hotel, down which tumbles a dazzling cascade, is a rich setting for several snectacular dances nf extreme beauty” The music composed for “Tip Toes” by George Gershwin is said to present that hnlliant musician at his verv best, and the writers of the book. Guv Bolton and Fred Thompson, have given a well constructed story. Special material has been provided for the comedians, and it is said that R. Barrott-Lennard. Cecil Ke] la way and George Welsh have never been seen to better advantage. Playgoers will be glad to welcome Beryl Walkeley Thelma Burness, Billie Lockwood (who has just returned from a successful visit to London with the Lee Whlte-Clav Smith Company), Leyland Hodgson, all of whom have previously delighted in musical comedy. Mr. Roy Russell, a famous London artist, will make his first appearance here in "Tin Toes.” The company’s second production is another mus’cal comedy triumph. “Queen High.” The provincial tour of "Tip Toes” and “Queen High” is anrounced in the advertising columns of this issue. OWEN McSWENEY. That distinguished quick-change artist. Owen McSweney, now astonishing Auckland audiences with bis superb artistry, will open a one-week’s season at the Regent Theatre on Friday next, as another sensational J. C. Williamson celebrity vaudeville attraction. Mr. MeSwene.v will play a lighting sketch, ■‘R ; ll Sikes.’ from Dfakens, in which he will portray each of the five characters— Ragin Sikes. Nancy. Monks, and the Art ful Dodger Commenting or his performance an Auckland critic said: “It seemed incredible that one man co”ld change with such ranidity.” ‘Barbed Wire,” the scathing indictment on wa< from the pen of Sir Hall Caine, will be the film attraction. Produced bv Frfah Pomnier, with a cast of real international imnor* mce and calibre. “Barbed W’re” is Q.e nrn arch of melodramas. It is not a war picture in the sense that there •’re I -.ttlec and bloodshed it ; s a plea for cterna 1 peace a drama enacted far from the bit ter hostile lines of the Opposing . rnifas enacted in a prison camp far away from the thunder of the guns. Such is "Barb ed Wire.” Clive Brook has the lea fing male role, and gives a portrayal that has assured for him permanent and popular stardom.

REGENT THEATRE. The suave manner and perfect address of Adolphe Menjou, so admirably illustrated in “Service for Ladies.” is further exploited very cleverly in "A Gentleman from Paris,” the amusing comedy screened at the Regent Theatre last evening before an audience which enjoyed every moment of the picture. In the comedy Mr. Menjou is a gay young wealthy bachelor, who has as one of his most treasured possessions an immaculate valet, without whose attentions life would be a blank. The first surprise to secure a big laugh is that, this young man is carrying on an affair with the wife of the valet, without knowing her to be doing so. Ou discovering this to be the case, the valet would fight a duel with his master, but the social laws prevent him challenging one so far above b m, so he decides to leave bis employ. Desolated by this intention. Adolphe trjes to hold him without success, but insists on the usual eight days’ notice. So one secs the outraged husband grooming the nonchalant philanderer. Supporting Adolphe Menjou are Shirley O’Hara Arlette Marchell. Lawrence Grant, William Davidson, and Lorraine Eddy. Besides this laughable comedy there is a gazette, a comedy, and a cartoon special. As an attraction of unusual there is the amazing Kwong Sing Wah troupe of Chinese magicians, conjurors, acrobats, and balancers, who give a perfectly bewildering performance. An excellent orchestra, under the baton of Mr. A. G. Frost, played as an overture ‘ Pique Dame” (Von Sunne). and a range cf music that pleased all tastes • KING’S THEATRE. “Ben Hur,” which commenced at the King’s Theatre last night, can be truly claimed to be one of the finest pictures ever me.de. Written by General Lew V. r allace in 1880. “Ben Hur” has been a best-seller for forty-five years, and has been translated into ns many as ten different languages Raymond Novarro takes the role of Ben Hur, while May McAvoy. Claire McDowell, Kathleen Key, Betty Bronson, and Francis X. Bushman also have big parts. “Ben Hur” depicts the customs and manners cf twenty different races of the period of Caesar Augustus during the first century. The life of the Roman conquerors, of Jewish princes, of Egyptian slaves, the sheiks of the Arabian desert, of galle.v slaves of all nationalities, and the hundreds of type? prevalent along the east coast of the Mediterranean during the world of the ancients are all in this stupendous picture. The exciting chariot race duel between Messala (Francis X. Bushman) and the hero, is really only one of the great scenes in the production, with all its love, its fierce hates, and it? spectacular magnificence, “Ben Hur” is presented with amazing reality and surprising fidelity. In one scene twelve teams of four horses each race seven laps around a real arena of vast proportions, while in another a fleet of one hundred triremes. which could have transported the. warriors of Ancient Rome goes into battle with pirates on the Tyrrhenian Sea. Involving an expenditure said to be in the vicinity of £2.000.000 sterling, and three years* incessant endeavour. "Ben Hur” is undoubtedly the greatest film of its kind yet screened. Close on 150.900 neonle are said to take part in the picture. which has a prologue, "The Star of Bethlehem,” in which Mr. W. Goudie is the soloist. During the screening special music is played by the King’s orchestra. under the direction of Mr. A. H. Jerome. As very heavy hookings are expected. all those who wish to sec this nevnr-to-be-forgotten classic are advised to book their seats as soon as possible. PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

Amongst the most popular novels written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is “The Adventures of Brigadier Gerard.” equal in thrill and romance to the memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. Brigadier Gerard’s brilliant swordmanship and the many vivid encounters he experienced in the Napoleonic period, bis adventures with spies, etc., are known t.he world over iu book form, but this remarkable story has now been filmed by De Mille, and was presented a.t the Paramount Theatre last night. Rod La Rocque, nriuce of swordsmen and great artist in romance, fills the role of Gerard most faithfully, and with Phyllis Haver in the role of the feminine secret service agent. La Rocoue has achieved one of bis best successes. The story is preceded by a charming prologue in which the lighting effects of the theatre are brought into play with great artistry, and the incidental music is appropriate. The overture and entr’acte rained the musical director. Mr. L. D Austin, hearty applause. The star film is supported oy a news film and comedy. The box plan is at the theatre daily from 10 a.m., or telephone 21—842.

EMPRESS THEATRE. Of great interest to those who follow the big boxing contests, is the picture showing at the Empress Theatre this week. This is the film of the Heeney v. Sharkey fight, and patrons can see for themselves how the New Zealander acquitted himself in this bi- match. An uproarious comedy. “Millionaires, with George Sidney. Louise Fazenda. Vera Gordon, and Helen Costello, is on the programme ns well. This picture folloiys the adventures of Mover Rubens and bis wife Esther after they become suddenly rich. The ambitious wife dreams of mansions in the fashionable part of the town, jewels and cars, and persuades her husband to buy all these. Every kind of social disaster is visited upon the aspiring climbers, and all are blamed on Meyer. Esther is disgusted with their failures, and listens to her sister-in-law, who advises her to divorce her husband. Meyer is very unhappy when his wife suggests this to him. but as he loves her says he is willing to do anything to make her happy. All the details are arranged, and a girl is employed to flirt with Meyer and make uo a case against him. The detective used on the cast recognises Meyer as an old friend and refuses to allow any evidence to be taken from him. After a mix-up in the hotel with a jealous husband into whose room he had gone by mistake. Meyer feels that all is ended between he and his wife, but she. feeling that things had really gone too far. takes the blame for everything and takes her husband back. They go hack to their old life and realise how much hanuier they are there than they were trying to break into society. The usual sunporting pictures are shown, with special orchestral music. ORGAN RECITAL. The programme for tlie city organist's recital will include the following works:— Largo in G. by Handel; Sonata No. 6. by Mendelssohn; Inpreivisation-Cnprice. by Jongen: Recit. du Pechuer (The Fisherman's Song) and Pan+omime. by Manuel de Falla: Serenade (No. 5). by GouvyPage: and Prelude (Act I). “Tristan and Isolde,” by Wagner.