ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 131, 2 March 1928, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATRE. “The Kid Brother,” Harold Lloyd s latest comedy, is the feature which will commence screening at the De du xc Theatre tonight. Lloyd is east as Harold Hickory, youngest and despised son of Sheriff Hickory, of Hickoryyille. Harold is bashful, and always told by the rest of the family that he is goothfornothing, he has come to believe it. IJien a girl comes into Harold s life, .when he meets Mary Powers, who is with a small medicine show. While the sheriff is away Harold is inveiglefi into giving the troupe permission to stay, in the town. The father, upon learning this, decides to teach Harold a lesson, and tells him to turn the show away, since it was by his order that they were allowed to say. He arrives after the show has started, and only succeeds in becoming a butt for the showman s tricks, in the meantime, the sheriff has given the troupe twenty-four hours to clear put. Furious at this, they plan to rob him. Harold, in attempting .to interfere, is knocked unconscious into a rowboat, which clrifts downstream until it collides with “The Black Ghost, v.n old derelict aground near the town. Here Harold regains consciousness, and his attention is drawn to the boat by the appearance ot a little monkey, which he recognises as belonging to the show. He boards the derelict, and when frightened he decides to turn back, to see that his boat has drifted away. It is to The Black Ghost” that the two who stole the money have gone. They quarrel, one is killed, and, having no choice in the matter, Harold finds himself in conflict with him. lie manages to win, and returns with the money to save the Hickory name and win the girl. Good supports will also be shown, and the usual excellent musical programme will be supplied. “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 through the artistry of C*ive Brook. Pol a Negri, and a. great company of carefully-chosen players. This p is • Barbed Wire,” the Paramount special, opening at the Regent Theatre to-day. 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, still found him 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 the 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 the back currents of the Great War; the bloodless struggle of the non-combatants. Included in the cast is Einar Hansen, popular Swedish actor, and Clyde Cook. A.mitral i-a’s own comedian, who supplies droll comedy relief. The run of super J. C. w illiamson celebrity vaudeville acts will be con* tinued by Owen McGivency, distinguished quick-change artist, now amazing Auckland audiences. Mr. McGiveney will present the lightning sketch, "Bill Sikes,” in which he played the five distinct characters—Fagin. Monks, the Artful Dodger, Sikes, and Nancy—with a minimum of delay. Commenting upon his programme, an Auckland critic said: “It is only with extreme difficulty that one ce.n convince oneself that it is Mr. McGiveney-and Mr. McGiveney only—playing each part. A special musical programme has been arranged by Mr. Arthur G. Frost for the Regent operatic orchestra. The plan for the season is available at the theatre (telephone 44 —144) and Bristol. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Milton Sills made a study of conduct unbecoming to an ottlcer and a gentleman and practises some of it, in "HardBoiled Haggerty!” the feature which will commence screening' at the Paramount Theatre to-day. This picture, u Charles Brabin production for First National Pictures, provides a unique characterisation for Milton Sills. Grim, relentless, and heroic "ace” in sky battle above the German lines, he goes back to Paris to celebrate each victory. It is behind the lines in the colourful, war-frenzied city of jov, that Sills practices “unbecoming conduct.” He is pranksome and humorously insubordinate, and gets into no end of comedic and dramatie trouble, until he meets romance in the person of a mysterious French girl. Molly O’Day enacts the leading feminine role, and some very human and effective characterisations are given by Arthur Stone, Mitchell Lewis, George Fawcett, Yola d’Avril, and Lucien Prlval. Carey Wilson adapted the story from a magazine tale by Elliott White Springs, and Wid Gunning produced it for First National. “Hard-Boiled Haggerty,” while one of Sills's most rugged roles, strikes a new note for the star in the humour of his own characterisation and the emphasis on its romance. The supports will include an English gazette, comedy, and scenic, while the Paramount orchestra, under Mr. L. D. Austin, will provide appropriate incidental muse!. EMPRESS THEATRE. Starring John Barrymore and Dolores Costello, supported by Sam de Grasse, Holmes Herbert, Warner Gland, Tom Santschl, and Tom Wilson, “His Lady,” Warner Bros.’ special production is the big feature which will commence screening at the Empress Theatre to-day. Set In France in the colourful period of Louis XV, It is a story of love, sacrifice, and suffering. Fabien des Grieux, a young nobleman about to become a priest, sees Manon Lescaut In an inn courtyard, and Is spellbound by her wonderful beauty, letting his coach and fellowstudents leave him behind. With the

girl Is her brother, a dissipated young officer of the Klug’s Guard, and an old nobleman to whom the brother would sob his sister. Leaning against the inn wall he overhears their conversation, tells her of the danger, and together they flee to Paris. In Paris they find a wonderful garret-room, far up, overlooking Paris, and there love conies to them. Weeks of exquisite happiness fly by, then comes Andre, Manon's brother, who by a ruse lures the girl away, to be taken to the same old nobleman, whose mistress she is forced to become. For the girl, life holds naught but sorrow, for Fabien it is a living hell, and he seeks solace in wine and cards. Then they meet, only to be torn apart by Louis himself, who consigns Manon to the convict settlement fo Louisiana. On the same ship is Fabien, who incites the convicts to revolt. The ship is taken, aud during the struggle Fabien bears Manon to the boat, which he lowers to the sea. Across the dark waters they speed to land ut last in a new land, where alone ‘ogether once more they forget all in their great love. Good supports will also be shown and appropriate music will be rendered by the orchestra. KING’S THEATRE. The popularity of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s Illustrious picture, "Ben Hur. was again demonstrated yesterday, when the splendid production began its fourth week in Wellington in the King’s Theatre. before a packed house. The management records that over 36.0C0 people have already paid for admission at Wellington, yet the box plans and the attendances ge t .'ally still maintain an astonishing average. To account for such a wide and irresistible appeal the possession of special merit is necessary, and there is no doubt that the noble story of “Ben Hur” is especially worthy both as to nobility of theme and the artistic treatment of the subject dealt with. The preliminary prologue, "The Star of Bethlehem,” with Mr Wm Goudie as soloist, imparts appropriate atmosphere before the screening begins, and special music by the King's orchestra is an added attraction. "Ben Hur" will be shown throughout next week twice daily—at 2.3 U in the afternoon and at 8 p.m. Intending patrons are advised to take advantage of the bcr plans at the Bristol.

QUEEN'S THEATRE. Ted McNamara, of the "razzberry” fame which he won as Corporal Kyper in “What Price Glory,” plays au important role as one of the ranch hands with Buck Jones In his new Fox Films production, ‘Chain Lightning,” opening at the Queen’s Theatre tonight. McNamara plays the role of Shorty, whose disgust at the villainy of the cattle rustlers knows no bounds. His devotion to Buck, however, is as pronounced as his hatred of the villains Besides McNamara, others who play important roles with Buck are Dione Ellis. Gene Cameron. William Welch. Jack Baston. Buck Moulton, and Mary Faust. Lambert Hillyer directed the production. The other attraction is “Very Confidential," a hilarious comedy, starring Madge Bellamy, with a huge cast iu support. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. “Laughing Time.” a merry concoction of bright numbers, is the current presentation at His Majesty’s Theatre by Joe Brennau and his popular revue company. Joe Brennan shines especially well this week, and as the nerve-shattered man in the green light as Terry Kemble, the actor, 'in the farce “All the World’s a Stage," and as an idiot boy in another sketch, he proves what a talented actor be really is "Dismal” Desmond is again popular, and is at his best in "A Sad Tale of a Dog,” and Gus Dawson provides several dancing interludes, besides appearing in sketches. Mr George Corelli’s tine tenor voice is heard m “Mary of Argyle." aul in the pretty scena “A Flower from an Old Bouquet. Muriel Wilton, the young Wellington dancer again scores heavily, as do Peggy Sharpe and Dell Barnes, while the pretty and sprightly ballet of six help to make thinks go with a swing. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. "The Music Master,” a Fox screen version of the play, which scored such tremendous success twenty years ago. is the big feature which commences at the New Princess Theatre to-day. The story ie of a lovable musician who left a

brilliant career in Vienna to search nineteen years for his wife, who left hie home with another man, taking with her his baby daughter. The two big dramatic scenes are when he finds the daughter, and later when hs comes face to face with the man who has betrayed him. But the chief charm of the story lies in the delicate charm of the characterisation. Alec Francis, in the title role, does the best work of his career, portraying the lonely old musician with great sympathy and feeling. He is supported by Lois Moran, Neil Hamilton, and Norman Trevor. The second big feature is Peter B. Kyne’e famous comedydrama, "More Pay, Less Work," starring Mary Brian. Good supports will also be shown.