ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12611, 23 November 1926, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

NEW PRINCESS THEATRE “BEHIND THE FRONT.” In “Behind the Front,” the brilliant film at the New Princess Theatre, the comedy of the war. Wallace Beery and Raymond Hatton add new laurels to their comedy record in their uproarious characterisations. No funnier scenes have ever been pictured than those showing the bewildered heroes on the inspection line, in the trenches, in the guard house, in No Man’s Land, and in a mad ride in a galloping tank. Through the plot turns a romance, with Mary Brian as a Red Cross worker. Others in tlie cast are Chester Conklin, Richard Arlen, Louise Lorraine and Gertrude Astor. The picture was made under the supervision of military experts. The second feature on the bill is “Let’s Get Married, ** starring Richard Dix and Lois Wilson. Dix, fresh from college, is a source of annoyance to his father and the town on account of his wild nights. When he falls in love matters are greatly altered. Another attraction is “The Life of Jack Hobbs,”- the idol of British sportsmen the world over, in which glimpses of the famous cricketer at home and in the field are introduced. The supporting programme includes a gazette and serial. Further entries for the children’s beauty contest are to be seen. PARAMOUNT THEATRE “THE WILDERNESS WOMAN.” ' Aileen Pringle, Lowell Sherman and Chester Conklin carry off all tho acting honours in “The Wilderness Woman,” the new Robert Kane picture for First National, which is now showing at the Paramount Theatre. The picture offers Aliss Pringle her first opportunity to break away from the queen and vampire type of role with which she has been associated in the past, and to reveal a hitherto covered talent for comedy. As the Alaskan miners’ daughter, uncouth and unversed in the ways of society, or even of modem society, who comes into violent contact with the conventions in New York City, she presents a figure at once amusing and appealing. The story tells of an Alaskan miner and his daughter, who, having suddenly struck it tremendously rich in the far north, set out for New York. The adventures that befall them when, for the first time, they came in contact with the restrictions of modern civilisation, are productive of the comedy. There is an exoellent'supporting programme, and delightful music is played by the Paramount Orchestra. QUEEfTSTHEATRE “THE BAT,” A MYSTERY PLAY. All the elements which made “The Bat” on the stage the most successful play of excitement, have been crystallised into a superb screen presentation by Roland West. The picture is now screening at the Queen’s Theatre. “The Bat’’ creates a reign of unprecedented suspense. Laughs, screams, and gasps as audiences give vent to their feelings during the unfolding of the unique plotu Alurders, robberies, secret rooms in a haunted mansion, various characters suspecting each other of diabolical crimes—these are a few of the elements ,in tlie gripping story. An enthralling love theme runs through the picture. Although a melodrama, “Tlie Bat” provides laughs galore. The principal roles in the Roland West production for United Artists release are enacted by Jewel Carmen, Jack Pickfo.rd, Louise’ Fazenda, Emily Fitzroy, Eddie Grihbon, Andre de Beranger. Robert McKim, Garminati, Arthur Houseman, Lee Shurnway, Charles Herzinger, and Sojin Kamiyama. Who “The Bat” proves to be, takes audiences completely by surprise. The theatre management requests all those who have seen the picture not to divulge the startling denouement to their friends.

A pleasing variety of new films support the big picture, and the incidental music is all that could be de. sired. THEATRE DE LUXE “THE AIIDNIGHT SUN.” Imagine a cavern of jewels, a grotto of solid gold and silver, hidden away in the depths of the earth, where the spirits which influence the beautiful gems live in a realm all their own. Such is the setting for the “Ballet of Jewels” in the Universal super-produc-tion, “The Midnight Sun,” which is now screening at the Theatre De Luxe. The picture was directed by Dimitri Buchowetzki, and was given an allstar cast by Universal. It is a thrilling story of the Russia of the Tsars. Its action takes place in 1913. By her beauty and charm a young dancing girl has brought herself up from, the chorus to tho position of premiere ballerina of the Imperial Russian Ballet. She finds her two most persistent suitors in the persons of a banker and a Russian Grand Duke. The dancing girl plays one against the other, but gives her affeotions to a young officer in the Duke’s personal guard. Then follows a dramatic story of intrigue and romance fringed with all the luxurious elegance of life in the Russian capital of that period. Laura La Plante has the principal role; the other featured players being Pat O’Alalley. Raymond Keane and George Siegmanu. There is a good supporting programme, and delightful music is rendered by the De Luxe Orchestra. KING’S THEATRE “HIS SECRETARY.” “His Secretary” is the main attraction at the King’s Theatre tliis week. What a really delightful picture is this I An enchanting comedy romance sparkling with merry wit and humour, and with an originality ot touch and treatment that makes perfect entertainment. Here again is Norma Shearer, the beautiful star of “Tlie Devil’s Circus,’’ “He Who Gets Slapped,” “Lady of the Night” and “A Slave of Fashion” in a role of even greater appeal and charm. Ruth Lawrence, an apparently plain and colourless stenographer, is in love with her employer, who is barely aware of her existence. Hearing him say that ho would not kiss a face like hers for a thousand dollars, she determines to make him want to kiss her. A course of beauty culture and costly clothes transform her into a really beautiful woman, and after screamingly funny experiences, she succeeds in bringing her employer to her feet. Lew Cody well sustains his newlyacquired reputation as the screen’s

foremost light comedian, and his characterisation of the young business man whose sense of humour kept him single, until one girl made him realise the shortcomings of bachelor life, is a performance of distinct merit. Willard Louis, Karl Dane, Mabel Van Buren, Estelle Clark, Gwen Lee and Ernest Gillen are in the supporting cast. MISS MHiLICENT KNIGHT TOWN HALL NEXT MONDAY. On next Monday evening at the Town Hall, Aliss Millicent Knight will give a song recital to mark her return to New Zealand after five years’ study m England. She is the possessor of a magnificent mezzo-soprano voice of great sweetness and power. She will render the same items she gave at the Wigjnore Hall, London, last February, and which so favourably impressed the London critics. The London “Times” says: “She has. a mezzo-soprano voice of a really beautiful quality, bright and ringing at the top, and of almost equal clearness and resonance at the ’ nttom ” The “Morning Post” says: “She is quite exceptional among tho clever intellectual and cultivated dehntnntes of the day; in that her first card is singing. Her voice is trained as a voice and used as a voice, so that every syllable she utters has a musical being before it goes to the service of cleverness, intellect and cultivation.” Miss Knight’s numbers wi]l include items by Astorga, Scarlatti, Marcello, Gluck. Thiparc. Pierne. John Dowland. Gustav Holst. John Ireland, Harold Craxton, Schubert, Brahms, and Hugo Wolf. Air Leon de Manny will play Handel’s sonata and other items. Air Harold Whittle will be at the piano.