The Picture Houses

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 26 November 1927, Page 15

The Picture Houses

COSY DE LUXE. Saturday, Monday and Tuesday, November 26th, 28th and 29th. ‘Casey at the Bat’ (Paramount), starring Wallace Berry in the fastest and funniest of his classic comedy productions, said to leave “We’re in the Navy Now” high and dry. “Upstream” (Fox), played by a star cast, including Ted McNamara and Sam Cohen, the comedy pair Of “What Price Glory.” The story is based on Wallace Smith’s novel “The Snake’s Wife.” Pleasing Supports, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. November 20th, November Ist and 2nd "Becky” (Metro), a story teeming with the colour and life of a great city with "The Sunshine Girl,” Sweet Sally O’Neil, Jn the leading role. Also, in addition to the big feature: Comedy, Novelty, N.Z. Scenic, Gazette.

“MONS." THEY LIVE AGAIN. STARTING AT MUNICIPAL THEATRE WEDNESDAY’. SPECIAL MATINEE ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY. “The Old Contemptibles”—and one of them, Bombardier A. C. Jenkins, who fired the first British shell, will lecture with the picture. The memorable days of August and September, 1914. will live gloriously in the history of’England, but if, witn passage of time, the vivid and human side of the story of the Old Contemptibles has dimmed a little, "Mons,” the all-British production which Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer is distrii buting in New Zealand ami which j comes to the Municipal Theatre on Wednesday, brings back as no other medium could, the memory of those fateful days. This picture should be seen by very man. woman and child in the Empire, not only for its patriotic appeal hut because it warms the heart and stirs every emotion into action. Opening with the departure of the British Expeditionary Forces for France, it moves on in a succession o? thrilling events to the glorious Retreat. Amongst many heroic incidents, the screen reproduces Major Tom Bridges’ rally of the exhausted soldiers at St. Quentin, where men almost too tired to take another step were led forward to a rat-a-tat of a little toy drum. Like the rest of the film, this has been filmed simply, without comment or sentimental emphasis, yet with surprising dramatic effect that will hold the most sophisticated picture-goer in its spells. ‘ :Mons” was directed by Captain Walter Summers. D. 5.0., M.C., M.M., which accounts for its vivid genuineness—Summers being with th© Old Contemptibles throughout th© retreat. The War Office acted in co-operation with the producers with the result that authentic details are brought into the picture. ♦ * * ♦ “CASEY AT THE BAT.” STARTING AT THE COSY DE LUXE ON SATURDAY. Take our solemn and most honourable word for it, when Casey, alias Wally Beery, is at the bat, in the picture of that name at tire Cosy de Luxe Theatre on Saturday not bails but tears will fall, tears of pure hilarity, of immense glee, of enormous delight—in short, those who see this screen masterpiece, greatest achievement of the age and what-not, are going to laugh, and laugh right loudly at that. For Wallace Beery, who was the primary cause of “Behind the Front,” and “We’re in the Navy Now,” has taken several more wickets in this picture than he did in the previous two put together, has scored more runs and harassed the hearts of more umpires in the Casey opus than before. For Casey, mighty Casey, who was 100 per cent, a winner in Mudville goes down like a ninepin before New York’s bellowing thousands, and much water flows under the bridge before he strikes form, in as thrilling a game as ever ivill.be seen, and in situations as hugely funny as the silver-sheet 'has ever captured. Ixird Sterling, himself no mean comedian, supports the star, also Zasu Pitts and Spec O’Donnell, and between them they do marvels.

MUNICIPAL. Saturday, Monday and Tuesday. November 26th, 28th and 29th. “The Sensation Seekers" (Universal), featuring Billie Dove and Huntly Gordon. Adapted to the screen from Ernest Pascal’s great novel “Egypt.” It’s a story of modern youth. Episode No. 7 “The Silent Flyer” (Universal). Added attractions: Comedy, Gazette, Travelogue, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. November 30th, December Ist and 2nd “Mons” (Super Metro), the most glorious page in England’s history, produced by permission of His Majesty’s Army Council. The screen epic-of the “Old Contemptibles,’’ the most invincible army of-its size of all that entered the blazing furnace of war. Entertaining supports: Comedy, N.Z. Scenic. ,

. "BECKY.” Watch for this great attraction I starting on Wednesday at the Cosy De Luxe. SALLY O'NEIL'S BEST. Sally O’Neil’s new picture for Metro-Goldwyn - Mayer, “Becky, abounds in pathos, humour and every - day realism; it is a faithful portrayal of life in a big modern city. It also affords Miss O’Neil a wonderful opportunity to display hei inimitable talents as a comedienne. She also reveals a surprising depth ol emotional feeling. Altogether, this performance eclipses anything sin. uas previously done. Owen Moore has the leading mail, role as a genial confidence man, anil Harry Crocker portrays the part ol a member of “the upper ten.” Mack Swain, Gertrude Olmstead and man,, other- favourites are included in tin supporting cast. ♦ ♦ ♦ "UPSTREAM." STARTING AT COSY DE LUXE ON SATURDAY. Earle Foxe, popular comedian, has the leading masculine role in “Upstream," a John Ford production tor Fox Filins, coming to the Cosy de Luxe Theatre on Saturday. Nanii Nash, who had a featured role in “The -City,” plays opposite Foxe in this comedy-drama ot American theatrical life. The story, a screen ver sion of “The Snake’s Wife,” written by Wallace Smith, was adapted by Randall H. Faye. The scene is laid in New Y’ork and London. The plot centres about the activities of a pre sumptions young actor who achievegreatness as a Shakespearean tragedian by virtu© of some timely advice given by an older star. Comedy anu tragedy are blended in the lives of a group of “professionals” who live in a typical theatrical boarding-house in Forty-sixth Street. In addition to Foxe and Miss Nash, the east includes many well-known names. The list includes Raymond Hitchcock, Emile Chautard, Grant Withers, Judy King, and Jane Winton. ♦ * * * "SENSATION SEEKERS." STARTING SATURDAY, MUNICI PAL THEATRE. ELABORATELY FILMED. One of the largest sets ever constructed for a motion picture was built for Lois Weber’s production, “The Sensation Seekers," which is starting at the Municipal Theatre on Saturday. An elaborate sequence takes place in this setting with Billy Dove and Huntley Gordon, stars of the picture, as the central figures. An immense three storey exterioi was built showing a beautilul country club in all its detail including spacious and beautifully landscaped grounds. One. of the finest of the sets was an immense hall room which covered the space of five -ordinary sets. A hardwood floor was laid and the room was elaborately decorated with streamers and expensive furnishings. This production, one of Universal’s biggest, has an excellent supporting cast including Raymond Bloomer. Peggy Montgomery, Edith Yorke, Phillips Smalley, Clarence Thompson and Nora Cecil.