ENTERTAINMENTS: STAGE PICTURES MUSIC

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12622, 6 December 1926, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS: STAGE PICTURES MUSIC

IlltlllllllllKlllllilllllllllllllllllllllllllllilllll HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE COMPLETE CHANGE OF PROGRAMME NEW REVUE AND VAUDEVILLE. The sixth presentation will be staged by the Hector St. Clair Revue Company at His Majesty’s Theatre tonight. The title of this production is ‘’The Mustard Pot,” apt in its application, it is opined, to a succession of bright items, the ingredients of which comprise a liberal amount of wit and humour intermingled with excellent musical numbers and dances. Hector St. Clair, ot’ course, supplies the lion’s share of humour in several comedy interludes and. it will be agreed, his aptitude for providing new and laughable situations has been effectively proved in rhe five preceding revues staged at His Majesty's. His irresponsibility and slow-motion comedy is irresistible and ho has his audience simmering with mirth and uncontrollable laughter from the rise of the curtain until its fall, when from the side of which, the little man with the big voice, bids them all ‘’Good-night.” Splendid song, dance and musical numbers will be supplied by the excellent supporting cast, who will bo responsible also for some able assistance in the several sketches that go to make up what is expected to be a delightfully fresh and original melange labelled “The Mustard Pot.” The vaudeville bill this week justifies a very worth-while attraction, and is ot an exceptionally high standard. Macdonald and Payne, Grant and Pates, and Miss Aruy Rochelle all make their debut before Wellington audiences to-night. Flora Macdonald and Dalton Payne, “two irresponsible Scots,” are the cleverest entertainers Sir Benjamin and Mr John Fuller have had the good fortune to secure in recent years and come direct from Scotland. Old Country Press notices arc highly complimentarj' in their praise of this act. Mr Payne, in addition to being a smart comediau, is a gifted musician and his musical titbits are a feature of their sparkling turn. Miss Macdonald has a melodious mezzo-soprano voice, besides beiug described as having “a way wid her” that must establish her a favourite wherever she appears. Grant and Bates, two bright spots from “Darktown,” are a coloured importation from America, and it ia expected will be received very favourably in this country. Comedy at the piano is the man’s particular forte. Some very tine eccentric dancing is also characterised by this clever artist. The lady member capably assists with some very lively song and dance numbers. Miss Amy Rochelle, “the girl with the golden voice,” and inimitable child impersonator, also makes her first appearance. Possessed of a wonderful voice and a fund of wit and humour, Miss Rochelle will immediately find herself a firm favourite. Clyde and Yvette, who remain over from last week, are skilful soft-shoe and simultaneous dancers offering a very smart and neat turn. An imitation of a steel guitar, accomplished with his nasal organ, is a feature of Mr Clyde’s act. The cream of the four most successful vaudeville countries in the world i? comprised in this week's bill.

DE LUXE THEATRE “A TRIP TO CHINATOWN.” Never in the history of the cinema has a funnier comedy been produced than *‘A Trip to Chinatown,” Fix b ilms version of Charles A. Hoyt’s stage farce, which is now screening at the De Luxe Theatre. The entertainment value of the picture is several hundred paces ahead of the stage piece. It is one hilarious howl from start to finish. The story is concerned with the complications that arise when a beautiful widow invites a young millionaire, who imagines himself an invalid, to take her on a sightseeing trip through the Chinese quarters. At least the widow thinks she has invited him, but in reality has been talking on the ’phono to his frisky old uncle. The old boy decides to act while the iron is hot by arranging a wedding. He sees an opportunity of preventing his young ward from eloping with a struggling clerk by marrying her off to his rich nephew the same evening. When the couples arrive in Chinatown and discover the mix-up things grow more complicated each minute. In the end everything is straightened out, but not until one is worn out from laughing. Robert Kerr, who has been responsible for manv amusing screen comedies. outdoes himself by his direction of 'this new Fox film. In the role of the ailing millionaire, who before the conclusion finds some motive for living, is Earle Foxc. Margaret Livingstone is enchanting as the widow.-* Anna May Wong, Marie Astaire, Gladys McConnell and Hazel Howell are also in the cast. The picture on ( the whole is a delightful comedy treat. There is a bright supporting bill, and under Miss A. Bryers the Orchestra De Luxe plays much fine music in its usual splendid style. QUEEN’S THEATRE

“THE MAN IN THE SADDLE.” Another highly amusing and wholly entertaining picture, with that popular .screen star, Hoot Gibson, in the featured role, is being presented at the Queen’s Theatre. “The Man in the {Saddle” makes a thoroughly diverting picture, without a dull moment from tiro opening scene to the final fadeout. The story is most unusual, both in plot and treatment, particularly for a Western, and places Gibson in the role of a romantic but misguided young nan of the West, who is occasionally getting into trouble because of his insatiahlc ambition to be heroic and romantic. He stumbles on to a ranch whose main purpose is the boarding and entertainment of eastern tourists. The tourists are looking for excitement and. thrills in this wild West, and the ranch management conveniently provides both for them hy staging synthetic hold-ups, gun fights, and lynching-:. Gibbon, taking all of these affairs seriously, makes himself a general nuisance, hut adds materially to the entertainment possibilities of the picture. The supporting cast gives Gibson valuable aid in making the picture one of unalloyed entertainment. Fay Wray piavs the feminine lead opposite the sfar. with Sally Long, Emmett King, Clark Comstock, Charles Hill Mniles, Duke XjCO, Lloyd Whitlock and others in tho cast. There is a goo.l supporting programme, and excellent music is rendered by the Queen’s Orchestra.

itiitimimiiimiimimiimimiiiiimiiiiiii GRAND OPERA HOUSE “THE GIRL BEHIND THE COUNTER** SUCCESSFUL SEASON EXTENDED. There was not a vacant seat in the Grand Opera House on Saturday night when the final performance ’of David Dcvitt’s sparkling and excellently produced production, “The Girl Behind the Counter,” was presented. The dancing was the feature of the show, and was loudly applauded. The outstanding performance in the piece were given by Miss Kathryn Murie, Miss Mollie Plimmer, and Mr Robert Charlton, who as the amorous old gentleman, was responsible for one of tho best pieces of character acting for man a day. Mr Jack Cannon was also excellent. {Several novelty dances which were interpolated made the hit of the evening, the best amongst them being those contributed bv Miss Muriel Wilton, Miss Joan Carter, Miss Iri9 Low, and Mr Philip Low. The musical direction of Mr Len Barnes was a very decided factor in the success of the production. The floral tributes and other presents handed up after the show were sufficient to stock a department store for weeks to come. The proceeds of the show are to be given to St. Mary’s Home. Mr Devitt is to bo congratulated on tho splendid manner in which “The Girl Behind the Counter” was produced. HNG’STOEATRE

“MONEY TALKS.” Clean comedy and exciting adventures on sea and land provide excellent entertainment as features of “Money Talks,” tho new Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer picture now showing at the King’s Theatre. It is a picturisation of a story by Rupert Hughes, the brilliant author of “Excuse Me” and “Don’t.” Claire Windsor and Owen Moore are in the leading roles of this picture, which depicts the laughable experiences of a likeable spendthrift who was faced with a wife-less home until ho had retrieved the family fortunes. She had grown tired of his eternal promises, none of which ever bore fruit, and issued an ultimatum by “going home to mother.” The husband conceives a brilliant scheme of converting an island into a sanatorium, and charters an oceangoing yacht to helo with the idea. Once outside the twelve-mile limit they aro captured hy rum-runners. The manner in which they escape this peril and the mirth provoking episodes that follow bring a really unusual picture to a hysterical climax. It was directed by Archie Mayo, and as his first production for this company, it augurs well for his future success. % There are good supporting films, and the delightful music played hy the King’s Orchestra is well in keeping with the rest of the programme.

STRAND THEATRE “THE SEA BEAST.” The old whaling days ar.e gone. No longer do four-roasters sail forth to scour uncharted seas for th© leviathan of th© de©T>. The breed of salt water men who feared neither the gales which swept the sky, nor the monsters beneath the sea-, has passed, but in “Th© Sea Beast,” now showing at th© Strand Theatre, these stirring adventures of bygone days are vividly brought to life. Taken from Herman Melville’s classic story, this picture is one of the greatest that has ever reached Wellington. John Barrymore is starred as Captain Ahab Ceelv, and in this role, which calls for strong, sterling acting, the famous star gives what is probably his greatest performance. changing as he does from a young man, loving and full of hope for the future, to a cripnle, hopeless, and possessing but one thought, the destruction of the beast which had robbed him of all that life held dear. The second feature is "The Bells,” featuring Lionel Barrymore. The story of “The Bella.” as is well known to everyone, treats with the soul-stirring remorse of a conscience-stricken murderer. “The Bells” will be shown at the day sessions only. PARAMOUNT THEATRE

"THE KEEPER OF THE BEES.” Gene Stratton Porter’s warm, vivid novel, ‘‘The Keeper of the Bees,” is now screening at the Paramount Theatre. The author’s well-known flair for portraying the beauty of Nature is noticeable through the film, which contains settings <f unusually striking effect, and has a plot which works up to a gripping and [unexpected climax. Shattered in health by the war, Jamie McFarlano is lying in a Government hospital when he hears the surgeons announce that he has only a year to live. The will to live stirs him to run away from the hospital, and his wanderings bring him eventually to the peaceful cottage of the Bee Master, a gentle old man who befriends him. When the Bee Master dies. Jamie and an eleven-year-old girl (the grand-daughter of the author) are left in charge of the bees, and health and strength return to the soldier in the restful place. He marries a girl to save her name, and events after that move rapidly to a conclusion which is eminently satisfactory, and has the merit of distinct originality. Robert Fraser, Joseph Swiclcard, Clara Bow, Gene Stratton, and Avon Mills have the leading parts. The supporting films are the fourth part of Amundson’s Polar flight, a Gazette, a. Pathe Review'. and a ‘‘Felix the Cat” cartoon. The Paramount Orchestra, under Mr R. R. Caulton, renders its usual high-class programme. ARTCRAFT THEATRE

“THE DIXIE HANDICAP.” “The Dixie Handicap,” the latest production made by Reginald Barker for Metro-Goldwyn-Mnvcr is now showing at the Artcraft Theatre. It is a story of horse-racing, with a. strong dash of romance added, culminating in the running of the Latonia Stakes. Tho final racing scenes were photographed at Latonia, Kentucky, in order that authentic atmosphere might be obtained. Frank Keenan heads the east as a southern judge. . Claire Windsor appears as his daughter, Novel Hughes plays the hero, a trainer, and others in the cast include Otis HaHnn, John Sainpolis, and others. No less than four other varied and interesting pictures are included ir. the bill, making a delightful entertainment that should not be missed. A special feature is the excellent and appropriate music bv the tMenton TTnydr,, W. whip], greatly onnances the entire screening.

PROMISING PUPILS CULFORD BELL RECITAL. Mr Culford Bell has long been recognised as one of the outstanding teachers of elocution in the Dominion, and special interest therefore attached to the recital given by some of his students in the Concert Chamber on Saturday evening. The recital demonstrated that the -work of tuition is in good hands and that there is no lack of amateur ability in the city which can be relied on to perform dramatic work intelligently and well, to talk readily understandable English, and to show itself not unacquainted with the details oT stage-craft. The recital embraced pupils of all ages. lor the tiny tots there was a little play, “Princess Tenderheart,” which revealed a number of clever children. The story of a princess who loves and finally is allowed to marry the sweetheart of her choice was prettily told, and all the children performed well. In this Pat Kerr, Hugh Jackson, Marjorie Hill, Nathalie Pollock, Ken Mabin, Joyce Graham and Joan Sowman appeared. For bigger children there was a humorous play, “Parsimonia,” which concerns a young man who became a king against his will, who resists the attempts of his court to marry hjm off and finally finds happiness. In this slight sketch Lily Charles stood out. The other children, who performed very nicely, were Doreen Saunders, Jeane Coker, Marjorie Hill, Agnes Darrell, Nellie Burns, and Hugh Janson. Four ladies were given the playing of a one-act “A Joke,” which dealt with the theft of a diamond pendant and its consequences. Miss Joyce Jodan, Zita Rowe, Sheila Franklin, and Grace Kerr were the four, and did very well. . There were numerous recitations, Mr John Watchman giving the Gravedigger’s scene “Ham* let” with great success; Miss Lyndall Anderson reciting “Earthenware”; Miss Areta Wharton relating a humorous story, “Mrs ’Arris on the Farm,” and Miss Gladys Gunn delivering a piece, “Three Gentlemen.” Other numbers were by Mrs Daisy Cooper (“The House with Nobody ifl It”); Miss Feo Smyth (“The Vow”); Mrs Frances Norris, “Ojistoli”); Miss Zena Jupp (“A Drama in Three Acts”); Miss Grace Kerr (“Miss Miggs”); Miss Isa Saunders (“The Yukon Trail”); Miss Kirk (“The Princess”) ; and Mr Eric North (“The General Outlook”) in a Monty sketch, which proved the last touch of an excellently arranged programme. organTecital

A popular organ recital was held in the Town Hall last evening, when the city organist, Mr Bernard F. Page, entertained a large audience with a programme of well-selected items. The following numbers were included in his repertoire; Toccata and Fugue in D Minor (Dorian), Bach; Berceuse, Faulkes; Fantaisie in A, Cesar Franck; Andante and Variations, Mozart; Noces de Diainant, Roques; Tristan and Isolde Prelude (to Act I.), Wagner.

THE REGENT THEATRE OPENING NEXT FRIDAY BOX PLANS NOW AVAILABLE. To-day, at 10 o’clock, the bos plan for the Grand Gala night and the Beau Geste season opens at the theatre itself and at the Bristol. The management regret that owing to the excessive advance bookings anticipated, they will not be able to accept any telephone bookings for either Friday or Saturday night. Friday indeed will be a red letter day for the people of Wellington; it will be a day to be written down in the theatre history of the city, because the Regent is said o be equal to any theatre in Australasia, in luxury. comfort and service. The first picture selected to celebrate this baprn» affair, is P. C. Wren’s epic story, “Beau Geste,” featuring Ronald Coleman, Alice Joyce, Noah Beery, and “the Peter Pan girl,” Mary Brian. In addition to the motion picture programme, two of the greatest of J. C. Williamson’s Vaudeville acts that have just finished a phenominal season at the Tivol Theatres, Melbourne and Sydney, will be presented. Miss Hilda Lilson, the well-known English Grand Opera and musical comedy star, will be heard in selections from her repertoire, and Zoe Delphine and Co., with her partenr, will be seen for the first time in New Zealand, in their famous wire and novelty act. Patrons are earnestiv advised to avail themselves of the booking arrangements, so as to avoid any disappointment that may arise, in not securing seats for this grand gala opening.