NOTES FROM THE FILM WORLD

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12609, 20 November 1926, Page 13

NOTES FROM THE FILM WORLD

RECORDS BROKEN AT DE LUXE United Artists seem to have an epidemic of breaking records these days. Their latest big mystery comedy drama, “The Bat,” opened at the De Luxe Theatre, Wellington, on Friday last, to record business for the theatre. The house was packed jammed full and many disappointed peoples were turned away. The same thing happened on Saturday, except that the number of people turned away was about six times as many a* on the Friday. The business since then has been wonderful, and it is a pretty safe bet that this production is going to prove one of the biggest box office winners released by United Artists. • • • * In spite of the terrible weather conditions prevailing in Christchurch, “The Son of the Sheik,” Rudolph Valentino’s last and greatest pro-

duction released by United Artiste, opened at the Grand Theatre on Monday last to enormous business, and was an undoubted success. On Tuesday, although heavy torrential rain fell continuously this did not deter all those patrons anxious to see Rudolph Valentino in his last picture and the theatre was packed. A special attraction at the screening of this picture was the engagement of Mr David McGill, a well-known Christchurch singer, who rendered a new song written specially by Snyder for “The Son of the Sheik,” entitled “That Night in Araby.” “The Son of the Sheik” will be screened for two weeks at the Grand Theatre, Christchurch.

MUSICAL DIRECTOR OR REGENT

Mr Mat Dixon, who has been appointed musical direotor of the

Regent Theatre, Wellington, was the recipient of a handsome presentation from the staff of the Empress Theatre on Saturday last after the performance. Mr R. Haddow, manager of the Empress, spoke in glowing terms of Mr Dixon’s capabilities as a musician, and also of the esteem in which he was held by all the staff. He was indeed sorry to lose Mr Dixon’s servioes, but was more than pleased to know that he was bettering himself. On behalf of the staff

of the Empress, he asked Mr Dixon to accept a handsome set of cake forks and a case of silver tea spoons as an expression of the esteem in which he was held by all his associates. Other members also spoke of Mr Dixon’s fine qualities and wished

"him all sorts of happiness and prosperity. Mr Dixon suitably responded. Never, it is said, has the age-old problem of whether marriage for money ie preferable to marriage for love been treated in so unusual and unconventional a manner as in "Soul Mates." the new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film. It is an adaptation of the Elinor Glvn novel, “The Reason Why." Ailoen Pringle and Edmund Lowe piny the leading role 6. * • * # lie who praises stands equal to the thing praised.—Goethe.

FAMOUS MASTER PICTURE AT EMPRESS

Amazing! Fascinating!—the storjy of a horse, his coat as black as night, wild, courageous, noble! Of his love for “Lady” white and beautiful, like a silver Hash in the morning sun—and of the coming of “The Killer.” Entwined is the dual story of a man and maid, fighting against odds for their happiness—and how out of the night came “Black Cyclone,” who knew no master, willing to fight side by side with this man for the conquest of their enemies! “Black Cyclone” is a master Picture, showing at the Empress Theatre. Guinn Williams, Kathleen Collins and Christian Frank play the only human roles in “Black Cyclone.” Hal Roach was principal director, while Fred Wood Jackman assisted. PERSONALS FROM FILMDOM Mr John W. Hicks (Jar.) chief of the Famous Lasky Film Service in Australia, is at jiresent on a visit to New Zealand. Mr Hicks arrived in Auckland last week, and after spending a few days in that city, proceeded to New Plymouth, where he was met by Mr W. W. Duff, Wellington manager of Famous Lasky, who accompanied him through to Wellington, reaching here on Wednesday. Mr Hicks will probably visit the main centres in the Dominion before rerturning to Sydney. • • • « Mr Cecil Mason, assistant general manager of First National Pictures, Ltd., left for Sydney yesterday by the Climaroa. • • * '• Mr B. Freeman, managing director of Metro-Goldwyn Films, Ltd., is expected to visit New Zealand early in December. Mr E. L. Rutledge, Wellington manager of Fox Films, is at present touring the Taranaki district. The following exhibitors visited Wellington during the week:—H. Thompson, Raetihi; H. Gore, Roslyn; A. Graham, Millerton; and Messrs Wilkinson and Hyde, of the Maoriland Pictures, Shannon. • • • • Mr Laurie Quinn, of United Artists, returned to Wellington on Wednesday from Christchurch, where he was present at the opening of this firm’s production, “The Son of the Sheik” at the Grand Theatre. • * - * Further advice from England has been received by Fox Films, wherein it is stated that Harry Beaumont and his company have now completed the exterior scenes for “One Increasing Purpose,” and are expected to sail for America this week. The author, A. S. M. Hutchinson, expressed himself as very well pleased by the way in which his original story had been adhered to.

Mr A. McGowan, manager of Australasian Films, Ltd., has returned to Wellington after an extensive tour pf the North Island, • • • • The big Universal attraction, “ThO Midnight Sun,” featuring the popular Laura la Plante, opened at the De Luxe Theatre,' Wellington, last night to a big house. This picture has been given plenty of publicity, and it is anticipated that a big week will result.

• * • « The friends of Mr Harry Waters, general manager of Christchurch Cinemas, will be pleased to learn that he is recovering from his reoent indisposition, Mr A. Durham, Wellington manager of First National, is at present in the South Island pn business. • • * o It is reported that the Paramount Theatre, Wellington, will close in about three weeks to enable extensive alterations to be made. Mr Beaumont Smith, general manager of J. C. Williamson Films, Ltd., is very busy these days preparing for the opening of the new Regent Theatre on December 3rd. • • * e The wrangles of two financial, factions for control of an oil field in a South American Republic form the basis of “Hands Up,” an absorbing story tinged with highly amusing burlesque and enlivened by the splendid acting of Maurice (Leftv) Flynn and * good cast. •* 3 * • Fox Films announce that they arc going to re-iesne “The Honour System,” a dramatic success of a few years ago, which enjoyed a phenomenal run throughout this country. This production was made by Raoul Walsh, who is now back with Fox Films and was one • • • • NEW ZEALANDER IN CANADA Mr Shaylc Gardner, the New Zealander, is touring Canada with the Matheson Lang Company. Of his performance in the opening production, “The Tyrant/’ the Ottawa Journal says: —Mr Shaylo Gardner, as the wily Venetian ambassador, deserves special mention. Mr Gardner would be an acquisition to the cast of any groat play, and his presentation added much to the general force of the story. • * * • "The greatest dramatists of the world, —'drama’ being used in its accepted sense of something that can excite one and emotionally sweep one off ones feet —I regard not as the playwrights Euripides, Shakespeare, IKsen. and company, hut as the musician* Wagner and M* - zart.” Hubert Griffith, I‘rauiatie Critic. '‘How many per-on- r,v t-. F.-..r,e miiMcian* wtrh.iont the fir-t f musu-iamdnp mental application 1“ LuM-hcU?ky«