ENTERTAINMENTS: STAGE PICTURES MUSIC

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12623, 7 December 1926, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS: STAGE PICTURES MUSIC

iiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiimimiiiiiiiiiii! DE LUXE THEATRE “A TRIP TO CHINATOWN.” Fox Films’ version of “A Trip to Chinatown,” which, adapted from Charles A. Hoyt’s side-splitting comedy of the legitimate stage, affords beautiful Margaret Livingston the finest opportunity she has yet had to display her remarkable talents, is now showing at the Theatre de Luxe. Cast as “Alicia Guyer,” an audacious widow, Miss Livingston is given ample opportunity to demonstrate that she is an actress of rare ability and a comedienne of the highest merit. Another star is Earle Foxe, noted for his Von Bibber characterisations, and called the most artistic comedian in pictures. He wants Abaa, 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 San Francisco, and ends in a Chinese restaurant in San Franciyio’a famous Oriental quarter. Here the comedy is fast and furious. There is a bright supporting programme, and delightful music is rendered by the De Luxe orchestra. THE REGENT THEATRE OPENING ON FRIDAY. Yesterday morning the box plan for tbo grand gala night and the “Beau Goste” season opened at the theatre itself and at The Bristol. The management regrets that, owing to tho excessive advance hookings anticipate ed, they will not be able to accept any telephone bookings for either Friday or Saturday nights. The Regent is said to be equal to any theatre in New Zealand or Australia, in luxury, comfort, and service. The .first picture selected is P. C. Wren’s epio story. “Beau Geate,” featuring Ronald Colman, Alice Joyce. Noah Beery, and “The Peter Pan Girl,” Mary Brian. In addition to the motion picture programme, two of tho greatest of J. C. Williamson’s vaudeville! acts that have just finished a phenomenal season at the Tivoli Theatres at Melbourne and Sydney, will be presented. Miss Hilda Nelson, the well-known English grand opera and musical comedy star, will be heard in selections from her repertoire, and Zoo Delphine, with . her partner, will be seen for the first time in New Zealand, in their famous wire and novelty act. Patrons are earnestly advised bp avail themselves of the hooking arrangements, so as to avoid any disappointment that may arise, in not securing seats for the gala opening. : KING’S THEATRE DBMPSEY-TUNNEY FIGHT FILM, COMMENCING FRIDAY. The only authentio, official film of tho famous' Dempsey-Tunney fight, a ■film which has just arrived in New Zealand, commences a week at the King’s Theatre next Friday, matinees taking place daily. Speaking of the film the “Auckland Star” proffers the following:—”A privats screening at the Tivoli revealed the picture as a most remarkable one in many respects, and tihorotfghiy satisfactory in that it shows up every incident and action of the ten rounds of high-speed fighting. Of general interest is the preliminary portion picturing the training camps and exercises, the personalities of world-wide note in connection with the ring, and the wonderful stadium and arrangements to seat 135,000 people. The boxing enthusiast gets every detail of the three men in the ring—the wild, tearaway attack of Dempsey and the beautiful stopping tactics of Tunney in the first two rounds, tlje gradual mastery of skill and scientific strength as Tunney gets the mastery, and the final desperate rally by the < beaten champion and the cool ferocity with which it was' countered and beaten down. Slow motion views of the most thrilling episodes give enthusiasts • most fascinating study of the varying styles and characteristics of two tremendous fighters. The great, fiilm consists of five substantial reels, and is, from every viewpoint, “a gem.”

KING’S THEATRE “MONEY TALKS.” A fast-moving, energetic comedy romance that keeps the audience in a state of constant, hilarity from tho first scene until the last, is “Money Talks,” the ‘ Metro-Gold wyn-Mayer feature now showing at the King’s theatre. An aggressive, though penniless, advertising agent, finds that his wife, tired of his eternal promises, has “gone home to mother” until her man gives her something more than promises. Exciting adventures on an ocean-going yacht, which is captured by desperate rum-runners, follow im quick succession, and are relieved bj* hilarious comedy and broad humour. Owen Moore is cast as the husband, and beautiful Claire Windsor is his wife. Moore is a comedy ii> himself, his impersonation of a lady doctor being an incident loaded with infectious mirth. Bert Roach, Ned Sparks, and Phillips Smalley are included in the supporting cast. The picture is a screen version of one of Rupert Hughes’s best stories. A gazette, screen snapshots, comedy, and New Zealand scenic are in support, with a capital score of incidental musio by the orchestra. PARAMOUNTTHEATRE “THE KEEPErTof THE BEES.” “The Keeper of the Bees,” the delightful new novel by Gene Stratton Porter, is the attraction at the Paramount Theatre this week. J. Leo Meehan, who made a tremendous reputation with “The Girl of the Limberlost,” directed the new production, being assisted by his wife, Jeannette Porter Meehan, daughter of the celebrated author. It is a magnificent out-of-doors love story as only Gene Stratton-Porter could write it. Dripping with drama and taut with tragedy; yet with the roseate, beneficent kindliness of this great author; and touched with the genius of her irrepressible humour. A vital, human story, an excellent cast in which the late novelist’s little granddaughter, Gene Stratton Monroe, steals much of the thunder, and the Stirling direction make “The Keeper of the Bees” a picture which outranks “The Girl of the Limberlost,” according to experts. The cast has been selected with fine discrimination, and the, direction stamps Mr Meehan once more ns ,one of those rare motion picture mentors who can take a good story and tell it on the screen exactly as it was in the book. There is a good supporting programme, and the Paramount Orchestra renders a delightful score of incidental music. strandTheatre “the seTbeast.” Now showing at the Strand Theatre is “The Sea Beast,” the great Warner Brothers screen version of Herman Melville’s claksio of the old whaling days, “Moby Dick” John Barrymore, the famous star of both screen and stage, has the role of Captain Ahab Creely, which calls for truly great acting. Starting as a young mail full of love and hope for the future, then crippled through the treachery of his half-brother, the fear of pity ages him and when seemingly the girl he loves has been won by another then hate scorches his soul and the desire for vengeance writes its • hideous lines upon the face once lighted by love. Showing during the day _ sessions only is Lionel Barrymore in Sir Henry Irving’s famous masterpiece, “The Bells,” a spectacular and thrilling drama. ORPHEUS¥USICAL SOCIETY Critics have been unanimous in their praise of the work of this young and patrons are promised a very enjoyable evening next Tuesday, 14th instant, in the Concert Chamber, when “Psyche” (Qade)will be presented by the choir, with Miss Helen Gard’ner in the name part. Mr E. W. Robbins sings the role of Eros with Miss Lily MacEie and Miss Gretta Stark in minor solos. “Flora’s Holiday” (Lane Wilson), an adaptation of Old English melodies for solos and quartette, will be sung by Mrs Alice Harris, Miss Lily Mackie, and Messrs Arthur Coe ana Len Barnes. Under the - baton of Mr Len Barnes the choir has been well drilled in the' beautiful choral numbers.’ Miss Gwen Wing will supply the accompaniments. Tho plan is at the Bristol.