ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 129, 29 February 1928, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. Starring Adolphe Menjou, supported by Shirley O’Hara. Arlette Alarcnal,- and Nicholas Saussanin. “A Gentleman of Paris” is the current feature at the Regent Theatre. Tho story revolves round a rich young man who possesses a perfect valet, a young fiancee, aud a number of feminine acquaintances. The comedy for the most part deals with his many amours, especially that with, unknown to him, is his valet’s wife. Here complications set in, with a plan of revenge on the part of the valet, which almost upsets his matrimonial arrangements. The supports are a gazette, comedy, aud cartoon, with splendid incidental music bv the orchestra. The Kwong Sing Wah troupe of Chinese magicians, acrobats, balancers, and conjurers are another big attraction, and mystify the audience for close on half an hour. “BARBED WIRE.” International brains and ability have been assembled for “Barbed Wire,” Paramount’s mighty masterpiece coming to the Kegent on Friday next. The film play, which is an adaptation of “The Woman of Knockaloe,’’ by Hall Caine, the noted English novelist, is a story of wartime behind the lines, the locale being a German prisoners’ camp in France. Rowland V. Lee, an American, directed the picture, his first under his new Paramount contract. Clive Brook, famous and popular English star, has the leading part, with Pola Negri, the Polish actress, in the finest role of her career. Erich Pommer, the continental genius responsible,for “The Last Laugh,” ■“Variety,'* and other uniaue Germanmade films, supervised. Baron Gustav von Koczian. a Hungarian, assisted Mr. Pommer. Einar Hanson, the Swedish actor, plays the role of the brother. Gustav von Sevffertitz, German, has the heavy role. The technical adviser was Louis Vanden Ecker for nine years with the French Foreign Legion. Another o f the Regent’s snner J. C. TVilliamsnn Celebrity Vaudeville acts will he presented in the person of Owen ATeGivonev. distin-vuished ouicV-change artist, who will present his lightning st-etch. “Rill Sikes,” in which he plays five disbnrt characters with minimum of delay. His performance, has been hailed, everywhere as astounding, and AW. AfcOivenev is at present astonishing Auckland audiences. The plan for the season is available at the theatre (’phone 44—144), and the Bristol.

DE LUXE THEATRE. “An adorable fraud” might well be the title for "Very Confidential,” Madge Bellamy’s new Fox Filins production directed by James Tinting, which is now screening at the De Luxe Theatre. In this picture, Aliss Bellamy sets her heart upon winning the love of a stalwart football hero, and she is kept busy Inventing new excuses to keep in his good graces. She starts by posing as a courageous big-game hunter and finishes by doing an amazing stunt that would be a credit to the world’s champion automobile racer. It is one of the nest comedy-dramas made in recent months, and Aliss Bellamy’s portrayal of the sporting goods salesman is convincing and hilarious. The supporting cast includes Pat Cunning, Alary . Duncan, Joseph Cawthorn, and Afarjorie Beebe. Good supports are also shown, and the ■usual excellent musical programme is also provided.

“THE KID BROTHER.” “The Kid Brother” has been selected as the title of Harold Lloyd’s new Paramount release, which will be shown at the De Luxe Theatre on Friday next. Lloyd’s new farce, which hajs been in production for six months, is rated by those who have seen it as the comedian’s finest endeavour to date. In gag sequences it is said to surpass anything that the star has done heretofore. Jobyna Ralston is again Harold’s leading woman, and in his supporting cast arc Walter James, Olin Francis, Leo Willis, Eddie Boland, Ralph Yearsley, and Frank Lanning. The locale of the story, which was written by Lloyd and his staff, is laid in the mountains and on shipboard. While most of the action takes place in a small town, it is on board a ship that a terrific fight, reminiscent of the one in “Grandma’s Boy,” takes place. “The Kid Brother” is a Paramount greater-movie season attraction. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. “Brigadier Gerard," De Milles’ screen version of Sir Conan Doyle’s well-known story, is the current feature at the Paramount Theatre. Rod la Rocquo is starred in this glittering romance of the clavs when Napoleon held Europe in awe, and is supported by Phyllis Haver, Julia Faye, Sally Hand, Sam de Grasse, and Max Barwyn. The story deals with Etienne Gerard, a young Frenchman who aspires to become an officer in Napoleon’s army. How he does so and makes a name tor himself botu for boasting and for bravery, makes an entertaining picture. The picture is preceeded by" a prologue, a comedy, scenic, mid gazette are also shown, and appropriate incidental music is supplied by the orchestra, under Mr. L. D. Austin. “HARD BOILED HAGGERTY.” "Hard-Boiled Haggerty,” Milton Sills’ latest starring picture, commencing at the Paramount Theatre next Friday, is said to bo particularly notable for the fact that it contains not only a powerful characterisation for rhe star, bu unusually strong and effective ones for many other story characters. Molly (_>’Day plays opposite the star in the role of a French girl of mystery, with whom Haggerty falls in love. Much comedy, and a burden of tense drama, as well as the romantic side of the picture, fails upon this new, very capable, and attractive little actress. Arthur Stone, army '"buddie" of ibo fighting flier Der.i, is both clown and dramatic figure, and Mitchell Lewis as an air service major has a big dramatic part, as human and powerful as his " ’Poleon Doret ’ of "The Barrier,” or his famous stage role of Captain Flagg in "What Price Glory.”

George Fawcett is stated to appear in one of the strongest and most waimly human characterisations of his screen career. The picture is described as tilled with colour, romance, and thrilling action, with a liberal spicing of' the best of comedy. Good supporting sibjects will also be shown, and the Orchestra Paramount, under the direction of L. P. Austin, will render another delightful musical programme. The box plan is now open at the Bristol Piano Co.

KING’S THEATRE. , “Ben Hur!” There are few belter subjects for a motion picture production than General Lew Wallace’s great story, and M.-G.-Al.’s pictnrisation which is now screening at the King’s Theatre to packed houses nightly is as realistic a version ns can be conceived. It is a wonderful picture, and it is doubtful whether any finer production has ever come from American studios. Seldom lias such a strong cast b<*'i engaged for any production. In the title role Ramon Novarro is admirable. lie is equally good as the patriot of the Jewish race or as the finest athlete in Italy, the idol of all Rome; while, in the love scenes with Alav AlcAvoy, who portrays Esther very simply yet very well, his acting is excellent. Francis X. Bushman is well cast as Afessala, there is a strong portrayal by Nigel De Brulier of Simonides, slave to the House of Hur. For appearances in one short seen# such well-known artists as P al p" ine Starke, Carmel Alyers and Betty Bronson have been .cast, ./There is a good prologue to the film, m which Air. William Gou.Fe is the soloist. Special music for the film is well played by tho King’s Orchestra. It is as fine an entertainment as has ever been offered at the King’s. Daily matinees are held at 2.30. Box plans are at the Bristol.

EAIPRESS THEATRE. "Manon Lescaut,” the famous novel, has been adapted to the screen and will be shown at the Empress Iheatre on Friday under the title pf _ His Lady.” The cast includes John Barrymore, Dolores Costello, Sam de Grasse Holmes Herbert, Warner Oland, Stuart Holmes, Tom Santschi and Tom V ilson. John Barrymore and Dolores Costello have the leading roles. One sees them starting on their great adventure on a sprui" morning from the beautiful French country village, follows them in their triumphs and on to the tragedy which nearly wrecks both lives, to the finish, when they are finally united tor life.

HIS AIAJESTY’S THEATRE. Joe Brennan and his revue company are seen at their best in Laughing Time ” their current presentation at His Majesty’s Theatre. Joe Brennan is again well to the fore and scores heartily on many occasions. As the nerveshattered man in the gree.i bsht, as Terry Kemble, the actor, in the tarce "All the World’s a Stage,” and as the idiot boy in another sketch he shows that he 'is a talented actor. Mr. George Corelli is heard in "Mary of Argyle and the pretty scena, "A Elower from an Old Bouquet.” Muriel Wilton, the voung Wellington dancer, again scores heavily, as do Peggy Sharpe and Dell Barnes. Aliss Linda Dale is a dam y singer of better-class songs, and Ida Newton scores with “The Modern Mapper." The pretty and sprightly, chorus are particularly capable, and their birthing ballet in a Riviera scene is excellent.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. With George O’Brien in the leading role, Allan Dwau has directed an outstanding picture from Felix Riesenbeigs successful novel, "East Side, West bide which is the current feature at the Queen’s Theatre. “East Side, West Side,” is first the story of a rugged man’s career and, second/ the story oi Greater New York. The scene sweeps from the river fronts, through the slums, along the Bowery t '>.l- lifts Avenue te Harlem, Morningside and Washington Heights. Among the big scenes is one showing the sinking i the Titanic, which is wonderfully realistic. Supporting the star are Virginia Valli, J Farrell MacDonald, June Collver and Holmes Herbert A gazette and'Max and Aloritz comedy. are also shown, while appropriate incidental music is supplied.