ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 128, 28 February 1928, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. Adolphe Menjou, suave aud sophisticated as ever, is the star of “A Gentleman of Paris,” the current feature at the Regent Theatre. The story involves round a rich Marquis, who possesses a perfect valet, a young fiancee whom he is about to marry, and a bevy of beauties who belp to pass tho dreary time away. Chief among them is the wife of his valet, and here complications sit, with a plan of revenge on the part of the valet. Tiie story is light, and is full of those deft comeih- touches, for which Menjou is noted.. Supporting the star are Shirlev O’Hara, Arlette Marchai. an I Nicholas Saussanin. The supports include a gazette, comedy, and cartoon, while delightful incidental music is supplied by tiie orchestra. The Kwong Sing Walt troupe of Chinese magicians, conjurers, acrobats, and balancers. uho for almost half an hour completely mystify , the audience, are another big attraction. “BARBED WIRE.” Inspiration that came as a dream to one of England’s foremost men of letters has been transferred to the motion picture screen. One night in 1922 Hall Caine dreamed the plot of a story. He at once arose, donned a dressing gown, and started to write. On through the night he laboured at his desk; dawn, morning, the lunch hour found him still at work. Late in the afternoon of the same day found the first draft of “The Woman of Knockaloe” completed. It is the story of a girl’s bitter hatred for tho enemy of her country in time of war, turning to all-sacrificing love when she meets a certain man, a soldier of the hated nation. It is a story of tiie back currents of the Great War; the bloodless struggle of the noncombatants. It has been pronounced the greatest novel ever written of the war. In adapting the book for the screen, Paramount lias titled it "Barbed Wire,” and the picture will open at tiie Regent on Friday next. Another super J. C. Williamson Celebrity Vaudeville act will be presented by Owen McGiveney, the distinguished quick-change artist, who will give his remarkable lightning sketch, “Bill Sikes,” in which he plays tho five parts himself with a minimum of delay. Mr. MeGiveney’s act has earned tho praise of tiie critics and public throughout England, Australia, and America, and he is at present drawing crowded houses at Auckland. The box plan is at the theatre (phone 44—114) and tlio Bristol. DE LUXE THEATRE. Starring Madge Bellamy, supported by Patrick Cunning, Marjorie Beebe, and Alary Duncan, “Very Confidential,” is lite current feature at the De Luxe Theatre. The story is built upon the theory that a good-looking girl can accomplish (ho tiling she sets out to do, provided she has pluck and a steadfast determination to win. In this case, Miss Bellamy has been twitted by her friends. She loves a football hero. Her fellow shopgirls ridicule the suggestion that Madge can win him. She assetts that she will—but things go wrong from the outset. Ultimately she has to pose as a celebrated huntswoman, and this results in endless confusion. However, things are finally straightened out, and she wins her husband. Good supports are also shown, and the usual excellent musical programme is supplied. "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 tiie De Luxe Theatre for the week commencing Friday next. If past successes couut for anything, the bespectacled comedian knows exactly what bis 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. Llovd holds the unique distinction. according to those who have followed l>ox-office figures for the last decade, of being tiie only player in motion pictures who has never produced a financial failure either for himself or tiie exhibitor. In "Tho Kid Brother,” Harold’s latest Paramount release, he is said to have another of those certain laugh-getters, reminscent in theme of "Grandma’s Boy." with its inferiority complex theme. Lloyd’s five-year record is one which defies comparison. Starting with “Grandma’s Bov,” he produced “Dr. .Tn-k,” "Safelv Last," "Why Worry,’ "Girl Sbv.” “Hot Water,” "College Davs," mid "For Heaven’s Sake." For the ln«t three years, beginning with "Gir! S’iv,” ho has been producing independently. “The Kid Brother” is a Paramount greater movie season attraction. EMPRESS THEATRE. The big Heeney-Sharkey fight film is one of the principal attractions now screening at the Empress Theatre. All those interesting in boxing can judge for themselves whether they agree with the decision given. The other picture, "Millionaires," suggested by the novel, "The Inevitable Millionaires," written by E. Phillips Oppenheim, is the story of a simple family on the East Side transformed into millionaires overnight. Their amusing difficulties trying io break Into society border on tragedy, when the wife is convinced she must divorce her husband. However, their mutual affection and common sense save the day, and together they return to the little tailoring shop in Hester Street. George Sidney, Louise Fazenda, and Vera Gordon are featured. Good supports and incidental music complete an interesting programme. KING’S THEATRE. Owing to the unprecedented success of Metro-Goluwyn-Mayer’s illustrious motion picture, "Ben-Hur,” at the King’s Theatre, the management has definitely decided to continue the season right through this and next week. The film is taxing the seating accommodation of the theatre to the utmost nightly and those who wish to make sure of seeing it are advised to reserve seats at the Bristol, where box plans are available for each of the remaining nine nights of the run. The spectacular realism of tho sea scenes, the exciting depiction of the unforgetable chariot race, and the thrilling fight for supremacy between “Ben-Hur,” the Jew, and "Messala,” the Roman, during its progress, the real beauty of the coloured Biblical sections, and the reverence accorded to the telling of the noble story of the Man of Sorrows allied to tho superior acting of Hamon Novarro, Betty Bronson, May McAvov, Francis X. Bushman, and Winter Hall in the principal roles, combine to make an appeal to the public that is well-nigh irresistible. Te atmospheric prologue, entitled “The Star of Bethlehem,” with Mr. William Goudie as soloist, and the special incidental music rendered by the King’s orchestra, are added attractions that find favour with patrons.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. “Brigadier Gerard.” Cecil B. de Mille’s screen version of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s story, is the current feature at the Paramount Theatre. Rod la Rocque is starred, supported by Phyllis Haver, Julia Faye, Sam de Grasse, and Sally Rand. The star is seen as an ambitious country boy whose sole desire is to attach himself to the Emperor’s guard. He accomplished this by certain deeds of daring in behalf of Countess de Latinay. a secret agent of Napoleon’s, with whom he falls in love and whom lie aids against the treacherous intrigues of Talleyrand, one of Napoleon's ministers. Etienne Gerard fights duels smilingly, boasts of "my friend the Emperoi'.” balks Talleyrand, and is finally brought before a firing squad by his enemies. How he escapes his fate is thrillinglv visualised and how Nanolc-on makes Etienne’s boasts good, makes a charming finish to (he story. The picture is preceded by a colourful prologue, good sunports are also shown, and special incidental music is supplied by the orchestra.