ENTERTAINMENTS: STAGE PICTURES MUSIC

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12620, 3 December 1926, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS: STAGE PICTURES MUSIC

imiiniiiiuimiijimiimiiiimmmmmmi AT HIS MAJESTY’S REVUE AND VAUDEVILLE “Hall-Marked” is the revue ndw being presented at His Majesty’s Theatre by the Hector St. Clair Revue Company. It is not long before. Hector St. Clair has the house in roars of laughter, especially in “The Proposal,” in which he plays the part of a voluble lady of uncertain age. He' is supported by Lillian Grey and Victor Roberts in this sketch. In another humorous piece, entitled “The Goods,” the comedian is seen in the guise of a husband, who attempts to show his wife how to engage a servant. His other playettes .are “Found Out,” “The Unkissed Man,” and “Roads Up,” all of which are highly amusing and entertaining. In the vaudeville section of the entertainment, Clyde and Yvette delight everyone with their finished drynding. JUte English comedians the Carthy Brothers, keep the house in good humour with their racy songs, patter, and eccentric dancing. Tlie Lorna, Lance Company, the clever band of Australian juveniles, captivate everyone with their clever singing amd instrumental work. Mr Wilfred Kohn and his orchestra help the show along. DE LUXETiiEATRE “A TRIP TO'CHINATOWN.” Margaret Livingston, called the most startling beauty now appearing in moving pictures, has the leading feminine role in “A Trip to Chinatown,” Fox Film? version of Charles A. Hoyt’s mirth-provoking farce which opens at the He Luxe Theatre tonight. Cast as ‘‘AliCia Guyer,” an ?udacious widow, Miss Livingston is given ample opportunity by Birector Robert P. Kerr to demonstrate that she is an actress of rare ability and a comedienne of the highest merit. She is chic, dashing, intriguing. She is determined that the young man with the explosive lung shall not die until he has extracted from life his full allotment of fun. This young man is Earle Foxe, noted for liis Van Bibber characterisations, and called the most artistic comedian in pictures. He wants the widow — but there is a rival. That rival is J. Farrell MacDonald, the never-to-be-forgotten Corporal Casey of “The Iron Horse.” These two famous laugh-getters are in hot water from the moment the farce opens until the full five reels have been run through 'the projecting machine. The fun starts on a train, bound, from Sap Francisco, and ends in a Chinese restaurant in San. Francisco’s famous Oriental quarter. Here the comedy is fast and furious. The cast includes Anna May Wong and George Kuwa, two of the bestknown Oriental actors in America. Others who have prominent parts include Wilson Benge, Harry Woods, Marie Astaire, Gladys McConnell', Charles Farrell,. Hazel Howell, and others. George Marshall supervised the production. There is a good supporting programme, and excellent music is rendere*by the De Luxe Orchestra. PARAMOUNT THEATRE “THE KEEPER OF THE BEES:” “The Keeper of the Bees,” the delightful new , novel by Gene Stratton, Porter, will/be the attraction at the Paramount Theatre to-day. J. Leo Meehan, who made a tremendous reputation with “32jbe Gifl of the Limberlost,” directed the new production, being assisted by his wife, Jeannette Porter Meehan, daughter of the celebrated author; so it is hut natural that the charm and colour of the original story has, been adhered to"' with fidelity throughout the screen version. . A vital, human story, such as only Mrs Porter could write, an excellent cast in which tffe late novelist's little granddaughter, Gene Stratton Monroe, steals much of the thunder, and the stirring direction of Mr James Leo Meehan—make “The .Keeper of the Bees” a picture which outranks The Girl of the Lirlberloat,” according to experts. The cast has been selected with fine discrimination, and the direction stamps Mr Meehan once more as ' one of those rare motion mentors who can take a good story and tell it on the screen exactly as it was in the hook. The box plan ib at the Utility Stationery* Shop, next to the theatre.

DEMPSEYVJUNNEY THE OFFICIAL FILM BOOKED FOR KING’S THEATRE. Members of the New Zealand Boxing Council and the Wellington Boxing Association, as well as a number of prominent citizens, accepted the invitation of Mr Maurice Ralph (representative of Binnacle Pictures, New Zealand) to witness a private screening at the King’s Theatre of the official film of the Dempsey-Tunney fight; which is shortly to be presented to the public at King’s Theatre. It is without question the finest fight film on record, and one that no boxing fan can afford to miss. One sees how Tunney brought the exchampion almost to a state of collapse, and the terrific speed at which Dempsey fought some of the rounds to retrieve lost ground. It is a thrilling picture from beginning to end, and one almost feels a measure of sympathy as, towards the close, the old champion is seen in distress and at his wit’s end to stave off defeat. Thore was jmblished in the “Times” on Wednesday a copy of the photograph which was sent by wireless to London and took an hour to transmit. This picture showed Tunney landing a terrifio right which shook the one-time invincible champion badly. This blow is reproduced perfectly in the film, but the battle throughout is fought at such a tearing speed that only supermen could stand. It is a tribute to the management of the King’s Theatre, of which Mr H F. Wood is supervisor, that such a star feature lias been so soon secured for a Wellington theatre, and the question is whether the house will be large enough to accommodate all the people who will undoubtedly wish, to see it dufing its presentation week. DRAMATIC RECITAL To-morrow evening the pupils of Mr Culford Bell will be seen in an interesting programme of plays,'scenes, monologues, sketches, nnd other olocutionarjtt selections. A special effort has been made to make the work ns diversified, bright and interesting ns possible. and a successful evening is assured. The recital will take plnce in the Town Hall r

iimimiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiu THE REGENT THEATRE GRAND OPENING NIGHT, DECEMBER 10th “BEAU GESTE” AND VAUDEVILLE. December 10th will indeed be a great joy night in Wellington when Williamson’s new and beautiful theatre, The Regent, is opened to the public. What is claimed by the management to be the very latest and greatest theatre in the southern hemisphere will be found to contain many new and startling features, in seating, lighting, furnishing and decorations. By arrangement with McKenna’s, of JLambton Quay, antique furnishings and oil paintings valued at over £IOOO will augment the ordinary furnishings in foyer, smoke lounge and vestibule. An exceptional strong vaudeville and picture programme will inaugurate the policy of the management. In addition to Paramount’s masterpiece, “Beau Geste,” two of the greatest of the famous Williamson vaudeville acts that have scored such phenomenal success at the Tivoli Theatres in Melbourne and Sydney will be presented. Miss Hilda Nelson, the brilliant English soprano, will he heard in selections from her repertoire and Zoo Delphine and her partners, who have just created an absolute riot in Sydney with their sensational and novel wire act will he seen for the first time in New Zealand. Besides two royal sessions of vaudeville and pictures at 2.15 and 7.45 p.m. daily, intermediate screenings will he presented from 11 a.m. eaoh day at popular prices. Box plans for the opening season will be available at the theatre (’phone 44144) and at the Bristol next Monday at 10 a.m. HNG’STHEATRE “MONEY TALKS”—SENSATION AB COMEDY DRAMA. “Money Talks,”, Metro-Gold wyn’B supenb comedy, commences to-night at the King’s Theatre. It is a film with universal appeal—one to please men, women and children. Absolutely one of the fastest, snappiest, most infectious comedy romances ever screened. From the first scene to the final fade-out, it never lets up; laugh follows laugh, thrill piles upon thrill, and a delightful love story runs throughout. Rupert Hughes, eminent novelist, who wrote “Excuse Me” and “Don’t,” two sensational M.G.M. comedy hits, conceived this slashing fun feast. Archie Mayo,, well-known m the screen world, directed it with great success. In its cast aro Owen Moore, Claire Windsor, Bert Roach, and Ned Sparkes. Moore and Miss Windsor shine out as oomedians of unusual merit. Miss Windsor’s work in “The Dixie Handicap” and “The White Desert” is remembered with enthusiasm, and Moore needs no further introduction. Both enjoy tremendous’ popularity, and here both are at their beet. And Bert Roach, rotund and riotous, provides a gale of hearty laughsA Rathe News, screen snapshots films, New Zealand scenic, and a most amusing comedy complete the pictorial “hill of fare.” The King’s Select Orchestra Is to bo heard in delightful music, , QUEEN’S THEATRE BIG THRILLER TO-NIGHT: “THE MAN IN THE SADDLE.” Hoot Gibson, in the most entertaining of western pictures, is gracing the screen at the Queen’s Theatre now. The picture is * ‘The Man in the Saddle.” a Universal-Jewel production m which the popular star has ample opportunity to exhibit his ability, not only as a westerner and a dare-devil rider, but as a comedian as well. The picture has a delightful light comedy plot, with scores of screamingly funny Situations. Gibson is a comedy cowboy who continually finds himself in embarrassing and untenable positions because of his love of heroics. The supporting cast is exceptionally good. Pay Wray, with her refreshing youth and vivacity, makes a'■ lovely leading woman. Sally Long plays a second lead in a finished manner. Clark Comstock is a thoroughly person able villain, and Emmett King, Charles Hill Mailes, Yorke Sherwood, Duke R. Lee,- and others are wellchoeen for their various roles. “The Man in the Saddle” was directed by Clifford Smith from the famous story, “A Daughter of the Dons,” by William McLeod Raine. There is a large supporting programme with bright incidental music.

STRAND THEATRE “THE SEA. BEAST” AND ‘‘THE BELLS” The Strand programme which commences to-day will be unique in this respect. John Barrymore will 'be seen in “The Sea Beast,” and his brother Lionel will be seen in Hie Bells.” . . . John Barrymore originally suggested that the novel “Moby Dick,” written by Herman Melville, be adapted to the screen. Mr Barrymore has always been interested in the sea. He has a very fine collection of books picked up in London and New York. dealing with the. sea and particularly with the romantic and adventurous occupation of whaling as it flourished in the days of 1840. This is the time of “The Sea Beast,” which has as its locale picturesque New- Bedford as well as Java, the largest and most beautiful of the tropical East Indies. The picture was directed by Millard Webb. One of the most difficult roleß in modern drama is that of Mathias, the central character in the Erck-mann-Chatrian drama, “Tlio Beils,” which was taken by Sir Henry Irving. Lionel Barrymore is the first artist to attempt this unusual characterisation for the screen. This production, which was directed tor Chadwick Pictures Corporation by. James Young, is said to be greatest of Barrymore’s many fine photoplays. Owing to the extreme length of “The Sea Beast,” it will only be possible to show “The Bells” during the day sessions.

EMPRESS THEATRE BEBE DANIELS AND BIN TIN TIN. The programme commencing at the Empress Theatre to-day should prove suitable to all tastes, Bebe Daniels and Lawrence Gray will be seen in “The Palm Beach Girl,” and Riu Tin Tin is the star of “The Clash ot Wolves,” in which June Marlowe and Charles Conklin have important roles. “The Palm Beach Girl” is a sparkling comedy laid in the atmosphere of Palin Beach and other Florida beauty spots and depending for its thrills oil motor-boat racing. Bebe is seen as a gawky country girl suddenly thrust into society, and trying to learn manners and mannerisms of the smart set, she falls in love with a handsome millionaire, has adventures wiTTi bootleggers and runs wild in a sixty mile an hour speedboat. “The Clash of Wolves” is laid in the south-west cattle country, and the swift action moves against a background of burning beauty. There are gorgeous views of the Painted Desert, a thrilling spectacle in the 6ight of a forest fire in the high Sierras. The fire gives a 'Start to a story that rages and blazes with drama. Kin Tin Tin gives another marvellous display and the human cast is particularly well chosen. The latest Pathe Gazette will also be shown, this includes scenes of Cobham’s home-coming after his historical flight to Australia and back. TWO YOUNG PIANISTS B ENN ETT-R.OWE RECITALS. . A recital by two pianists is some* thing of a novelty and two young virtuosi who essayed a recital in the Art . Gallery on Wednesday evening provided a programme at once individual and interesting. Both are pupils of Miss Valerie Corliss and both have real musical ability. Miss Eileen Bennett has a well-formed taste which runs towards modern music, but she can play Chopin, Miss Phyllis Rowe possesses a mind to delight in the older composers, Bach and Schumann and Beethoven. Miss Bennett is the more subtle, Miss Rowe the more sympathetic. Which is to say that one is a more “intellectual” pianist, the other a more sympathetic one. And since both classes of performer are necessary and both capable of greatness—think of Busoni and then of SpivakoosTv—that is very excellent. Thus the programme was admirably bdlanoed, and the freshness and enthusiasm of Miss Rowe added to the studious insight of her companion performer.

The programme bore many names. Miss Bennett’s chief numbers were a Cesar Frank Prelude, Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in B, and tEe Chopin A Major Polonaise; Miss Rowe’s Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in G Minor, a movement from Schumann’s FSntaisie in C, and the Chopin B Minor Scherzo. Both gave a number of Morceaux by modern, composers, Ireland, Parry, Pox and Debussy. It was a’ recital well while and seats were at a premium.