Round the Shows

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 430, 11 August 1928, Page 18

Round the Shows

MEET MISS TIP TOES

DOROTHY GISH AT REGENT About 90 per cent, of successful musical comedies have Cinderella plots, and that popular show, “Tip Toes,’* was among the majority. Its long lease of life was yet another proof that the story of the poor little girl who marries the rich young man and lives happily ever after will stand numberless variations. This new British picture was screened at the Regent Theatre last evening in conjunction with an excellent programme which included the latest dance offerings of Meazza and Adrienne, two Continental artists whose aerial and interpretative work is both novel and graceful. it is almost unnecessary to name the cheerful little person who plays the title role of “Tin Toes,” for it is a Dorothy Gish part made to order. No other motion picture actress in England, save, perhaps, Betty Balfour, could handle it as it should be handled, and tfce famous little AmeDorothy Gish rican who has given her talent to the British Isles is thoroughly at home in every scene. One sat impatiently through the brief preamble of “Tip Toes,** more than a little fearful that the pert Miss Dorothy would weaken her part and bore her public with an over-generous portion of Gish comedy. There were opportunities for that sort of thing on every occasion, but they were seized carefully and judiciously. Wisely, Dorothy Gish left the bulk of the comedy work in the capable hands of her co-stars —Will Rogers and Nelson Keys. She preferred to be a little more reserved than usual; a little more the actress —the real Dorothy, who is too often hidden under a mask of grimace and cute mannerisms. As the American “uncles” of Tip Toes —the two male members of the Kaye theatrical trio, who persuade their dainty partner to impersonate a wealthy heiress and capture the heart and fortune of a British nobleman— Rogers and Keys give a comedy performance that is quite above the average. Their acting alone makes the picture worth seeing. Will Rogers is subtlety personified, and the scenes in which he is featured are not easily forgotten. Nelson Keys is of the more orthodox type, but he is a character actor of considerable ability. Meazza and Adrienne opened their interlude with a neat and speedy dance offering, that was remarkable for the effectiveness and daring of its acrobatic posing. Adrienne followed with a tip toe solo in character. The act closed in spectacular fashion with an original dance scene pointing the moral of the moth and the flame. Possibly the idea had its birth in the Jewel Song from “Faust”; in any case the result was pleasing and the finale cleverly surprising.' There were good supporting films, and Mr. Maurice Guttridge led his orchestra through the overture, “Orpheus,” and many other popular numbers with his customary crisp vigour.

“SUNRISE”

The Royal Family of Spain recently attended a screening of “Sunrise” at the Calloa Theatre in Madrid, where William Fox presents his special attractions. Queen Victoria and the other members of the household reported so favourably on the photoplay that King Alfonso requested a showing of the film at the Royal Palace. A few months ago the Queen attended a showing of “Seventh Heaven” in London, and when the picture opened in Madrid, King Alfonso was again an interested spectator. The London “Evening Standard” —“the evening paper of dignity”—wrote: ‘“Sunrise’ is the most interesting picture to be shown in London. Its simplicity is more impressive than its splendour. Hr. Murnau, who made it, built some remarkable sets, notably one of a city market place, costing £200,000, and another of a railway station; but the strength of ‘Sunrise’ is in its drama. Murnau uses his players more as puppets than as people. He conquers one, however, by his single-mindedness and artistic coherence. The story itself is just that of a countryman and a woman of the city who tempts him to murder his wife. There is a happy ending—hence the title. Janet Gaynor is the heroine, Geogre O’Brien the husband and Margaret Livingstone the woman.”

RIALTO AND REGENT, EPSOM

“A HERO FOR A NIGHT” Richard Barthelmess, supported by Molly O’Hay is the star in “The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come.” to be shown this evening at the Rialto and Regent. Epsom, Theatres. This time Barthelmess plays a boy of the Kentucky mountains in Civil War days. The picture is adapted from John Fox’s great romance and provides an ideal vehicle for the popular star. Barthelmess is seen as a bare-foot wanderer in the opening scenes. The pictures carries him through vivid experiences. and a beautiful romance. A really enjoyable comedy is provided in the second attraction on the programme, “A Hero for a Night,” starring Glenn Tryon and Patsy Ruth Miller Glenn Tryon is at his best as Hiram Hastings. an inventive youth, who drives a taxicab at an Eastern summer resort, becomes interested in aviation, and decides to enter an air race from New York to Europe. He subscribes to a correspondence school for a course in flying and builds his own airplane.

The ambition of Wallace Beery’s life has been attained. The part of Oklahoma Red in Jim Tully’s story of Vagabondia, “Beggars of Life.” one of the dramatic p urns of the year, was recently assigned to the star by Jesse L. Lasky. first vice-president of Paramount. Beery will be featured in a cast with Richard Arlen and Louise Brooks. The picture will be directed by William Wellman from a scenario now being prepared by Benjamin Glazer and Tully. The launching of “Beggars of Life” will follow immediately Wellman’s productions of the Clara Bow starring picture “Ladies of the Mob,” while_ Beery is now playing in “The Big Killing,” a comedy with Raymond Hatton.

WORLD’S SWEETHEART

MARY PICKFORD AT STRAND “Of course you wouldn’t have kissed mo unless I was your best girl,” said the sweet, innocent stock girl to the son of the owner of a 10 cent, store. The young man told her not to worry, but plenty of worry did come her way in spite of that. It was a full house that received the great feature film, “My Best Girl,” at the Strand Theatre last evening. Really it was something of a gala night, for Mary Pickford, the world’s sweetheart, has been rather too sparing in her film appearances of late. Years have passed since she first began to enchant her vast public, and although many other stars have waxed and waned, she still remains a steadfast light. In “My Best Girl” Mary is just as fragrant as ever. ,She has the same subtle technique, arid the same fresh and lovable mannerisms. There is a beautiful human quality in her work, and this makes her appear much more unaffected than any other film actress. “My Best Girl” is a perfectly simple story adopted from a little novel by Kathleen Norris. It’s theme is by no means new, but somehow these old situations never quite lose their fascination. Mary, the stock girl in the Merril 10 cent, stoi — has to work in company with Joe Grant, a young man making his first appearance in commerce. Joe, of course, s really’ the son of old mant Merril, and he is in the store for the purpose of proving that he can win advancement for himself without the Mary Pickford aid of paternal influence. Time goes on, and Joe begins to see that Mary has qualities lacking in the society girl his mother has chosen for his bride. The climax comes when the parents propose to give a dinner party at which the desired engagement is to be annojpnced. Joe. however, decides to have a little unanticipated celebration of his own. Mary gives him a little present, and then things move on swiftly to a declaration of love. There were complications and difficulties following this, but old man Merril, who was a much better judge than his wife, saw the beauty of Mary’s unsullied heart and mind, and in the end wedding bells pealed joyously, and the honeymoon was spent in Honolulu. As a prelude to the big picture. Valeska’s troupe of Tiny Tots staged miniature revue which was both original and entertaining. The little folk were arrayed mostly as popular movie stars who were assembled for tho wedding of Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks. Young Douglas, a stout fellow attired in crimson, is a fit mate for the little flaxen-haired charmer impersonating Mary. But really all the stars were there, and what a brilliant galaxy they made A little song and a little dance helped the splendid show along. The supporting programme included an “Our Gang” comedy, one, if possible, a bit more riotous than its predecessors. There was also a news gazette. Miss Eve Bentley’s orchestra played an excellent programme of incidental music. “WHY SAILORS GO WRONG” With a background of a tropical island and all that these suggest Sammy Cohen and Ted McNamara, the incomparable comedians, are coming shortly to Auckland in “Why Sailors Go Wrong.” These boys are taken from a big city into the jungle and find themselves in dangerous situations. There are lions, cannibal chiefs and hula girls. The cannibals were the biggest and most ferocious men Sammy and Ted had ever imagined, and wor© most elaborate headdress and carried enormous spears. The girls were most intriguing, two in particular, for whom the boys braved every danger against the cannibalistic odds. Through strategy a la blackbottom, they completely captured the entire isle. The savages danced this dance until they were caught by the rhythm of it, and thus proved they were advocates of modern jazz as well as of the tomtom. Cast in the featured roles with Mr. Cohen and Mr. McNamara ar e Sally Phipps and Nick Stuart.

“BABY MINE” AT BRITANNIA “Baby Mine.” starring Karl Dane and George K. Arthur as college boys will be - shown again this evening at the Britannia Theatre. Arthur’s girl insists that he find a mate for her sister so Arthur brings along his room-mate, Dane. Charlotte Greenwood is the young woman who brought Karl to heel Her scenes with him in which he makes love, are among the funniest things the screen has ever seen—and th* trials and tribulations growing out of missing babies, a midget masquerading as an infant, and the rest of the comical flurry that results when a borrowed baby is needed to convice Dane of his parenthood are a whirl of hilarity. “The Gipsy Princess” a beautiful romance of a price and a beggar girl will also be shown. “FLEETWING” “Fleetwing,” a Fox Film production to bo released throughout New Zealand in the near future, is a thrilling picture full of action, mystery and intrigue. One of the biggest scenes in the picture is where Thiyra, the hamer girl, rides through miies of blistering desert to save her lover from death. The magnificent spectacle of a desert storm raging at its height is bound to thrill the most sophisticated movie patron. In the featured roles are many actors well known for their individuality and charm. Barry Norton plays the role of the young sheik, Dorothy Janis the role of Thirya, and Ben Bard portrays the villain with a touch of artistry that provides some wonderful entertainment. Taking with them special equipment for the filming of a toboggan race in “Beau Broadway/’ the Lew Cody Aileen Pringle Company has gone to Lake Tahoe, California's most famous mountain-top resort. The cast includes George O’Hara, Jack Cummings, Hugh Trevor, Heinie Conklin and Kit Guard.

THE PLAZA AND TIVOLI

“DRESS PARADE” TO-NIGHT The romance of life at the West Point Military Academy is the background of the picture, “Dress Parade,” to be shown at the Plaza and Tivoli Theatres this evening. A brilliant cast of players has been assembled to portray the leading roles, headed by William Boyd and Bessie Love. William Boyd plays the role of Vic Donovan, who falls in love with the daughter of the commandant. During his training for athletic honours, he studies and, through political influence, wins an appointment to the Academy. On the eve of his professional boxing debut, he announces that he is going to enter West Point, and his manager, Patsy Dugan, almost breaks down. Vic arrives at West Point, accompanied by a group of admirers and reporters. Vic assumes a patronising attitude toward West Point. Pie can’t forget that he is Champion Vic Donovan, the idol of the fight fans. However, a summer of “riding” by the upper classmen takes most of this out of him, Dusty Dawson contributing most of it, while Mealy Snodgrass, a fat, serious-faced cadet, shares in the ragging every “plebe” receives. Thrilling horsemanship is the keynote of “The Upland Rider,” the second attraction, which stars Ken Maynard. The story deals with two rival ranches, one of which raises Palominos or cow-ponies, used generally in that section, and the other which is trying to substitute an Arabian strain horse to that locality. The question is finally settled by a cross-country race in which the pick of both ranches are pitted. It is clearly a case of staying qualities in the horses.

“RAWHIDE KID” AT ROYAL Syd Chaplin, th© well-known comedian, is seen at his best in the uproarious comedy, “Oh What a Nurse,” to be shown at the Royal Theatre, Kingsland, this evening. A second attraction of Linusual merit will be provided in “The Rawhide Kid,” in which the popular outdoor actor, Hoot Gibson, will be seen in the role of an Irish cowboy. The picture abounds in thrills and laughter, and in many feats of daring and horsemanship, for which this actor is famous.

GREEN MILL, MILFORD

“LADIES MUST DRESS” A delightful comedy of a girl who dressed to keep warm and not to make herself more beautiful, entitled “Ladies Must Dress,” will be shown at the Green Mill Theatre, Milford, this evenVirginia Valli plays the main role and when she found that the man she loved was ashamed of her, she gave him a lesson.

EVERYBODY’S

“THE GIPSY PRINCESS” A delightful story of romance and adventure in Budapest, the gay city of Hungary, entitled “The Gipsy Princess,” will be shown again this evening at the Everybody’s Theatre. The story commences when Prince Edwin falls in love with Sylvia, the chief of a troupe of dancers, to the great scandal of his parents who circulate reports of the prince’s engagement to the Countess Natalie. Sylvia retaliates by pretending to be married to the prince’s friend, Boni. Boni further obliges by falling in love with the Countess Natalie, and when the duke discovers that his own duchess has been a chorus girl, he gives consent to his son's marriage. The role of Sylvia is portrayed by Miss Liane Haid who has a welldeserved reputation on the Continent for her dancing. She had some years on the legitimate stage before joining the U.F.A. Studios. Her excellent dancing and charming personality, however, gained the attention of one of U.F.A.’s leading directors. The story is adapted from the famous musical comedy success produced in London a few years ago. The second attraction on the programme is “The Phantom Flyer.” starring A 1 Wilson undisputed aviation stunt champion of the screen, in a fighting tale of primitive men battling a girl for precious water rights in the barren West.

Dolores Del Rio, Mexican beauty, is a French girl again in the films. She flashed to prominence as Charmaine in “What Price Glory,” and is a fashionable Parisian in “No Other Woman,” a forthcoming Fox picture.