Round The Shows

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 437, 20 August 1928, Page 15

Round The Shows

NEW REGENT TWO BIG FILMS Two exceptionally fine pictures make up the programme to be shown at the New Regent Theatre this evening. The first entitled “Fools for Luck,” is one of those enjoyable comedies made by W. C. Fields and Chester Conklin. A fascinating love theme story adds heart interest to the thrills and laughs provided by the escapades of the slick promoter in this hilarious comedy of small-town life, a comedy in which there is absolutely no distortion of characters but a wealth of richly humorous situations woven into a ■strong and highly interesting story. Fields takes the part of the promoter who keeps himself out of the poor house by his wits and out of jail by the same method. Conklin is the substantial citizen of the small town whose chief interests are his wife, his beautiful daughter and his pool championship. Sally Blane, the beautiful girl who took the feminine lead in the Wallace Beery-Raymond Hatton comedy, “Wife Savers,” has the role of Conklin’s daughter, belle of the town. Jack Luden plays the juvenile male lead and there is a strong supporting cast. The second attraction is primarily a strong dramatic story. This is “A Night of Mystery,” in which Adolphe Menjou interprets the role of a dashing French officer who witness a brutal murder but is unable to speak of it, for to speak would mean ruin and disgrace for the woman he loves. A particularly strong cast of supporting players is seen in this picture including Evelyn Brent, Nora Lane and William Collyer. “The Eleven Rascals,” a remarkably clever troupe of juvenile whirlwind acrobats and tumblers, are also appearing on the same programme. They present a sensational act, including tumbling and gymnastic feats, as well as aerial ladder an\l trapeze acts. The Regent Operatic Orchestra, under the baton of Mr. Maurice Guttridge, plays Rachmaninoff’s “Prelude” for the entracte, and most enjoyable incidental music. LYRIC TWO FINE PICTURES “The Escape,” starring Virginia Valli and William Russell, will be shown again this evening at the Lyric Theatre. Centering about the life of a girl who is determined to escape the sordid surroundings of “The Kettle” and' New York night-club life, the screen version is packed with human interest from the opening scene, in Gotham’s tenements to the dazzling glitter of the Blue Moon Night Club, where underworld denizens hold undisputed sway. It is one of the most graphic photoplays seen here in many months. The second feature on the programme is “Brass Knuckles,” starring Monte Blue. The story commences when Zac Harrison. a husky blacksmith, is wrongfully imprisoned and during the serving of his term incurs the hatred of a gangster whose escape he prevents. This man later causes trouble for Zac through the motherless waif he is protecting. Monte Blue is magnificent as the hero and Betty Bronson’s diminutive charm is delightfully displayed in her portrayal of the child, who grows into the woman the hero loves. EDENDALE “THE WAY OF ALL FLESH” Emil Jannings, the great Continental dramatic actor, will be seen in “The Way of all Flesh,” now being shown at the Edendale Theatre. When the story opens some 20 years ago, August Schilling is the cashier of the Germanian Bank in Milwaukee. The thickly-bearded Mr. Schilling lives a wholesome life, happy with his wife and six children. This placid life is broken by a business trip. It is while he is away from home that he succumbs to temptation and goes the way of all flesh. Belle Bennett and Phyllis Haver are the supporting players. “Baby Mine,” a comedy of two college boys, starring Karl Dane and George K. Arthur, will also be shown.

ST. JAMES THEATRE ANOTHER MERRY SHOW The new programme now being presented by the popular League of Notions Revue Company received a very cordial reception from the crowded theatre on Saturday evening. The laughs were frequent and hearty, and the three hours of fun and entertainment passed all too quickly. Syd Beck again proved his popularity as a comedian. Everything about him—in voice, gesture and action—is instinct with comedy, the unforced effective comedy that keeps everyone happy all the time he is on the stage. He was ably SLipported by Ernie Paulasto, himself a comedian of no mean ability. Ernie and his brother provide some excellent simultaneous dancing. Mike Connors and Queenie Paul were as popular as ever with their duets and pleasing harmonies, and they also did good work in the playlets. Linn Smith’s jazz band introduced some delightful new music, played in the band’s characteristic style. The musicians specialise in the comical aspect of jazz, with a distinctly pleasing effect. Valerie Rougal and Bert Rayne were well received for their specialty dancing, while others who give good support are Les. Pearce, Phyllis Baker, and Gladys Shove, not forgetting the Exquisite Six, a bevy of beautiful youngladies who trip the light fantastic toe and wear some gorgeous clothes. This bright and mery show will be repeated again this evening. ADELPHI, GREY LYNN “THE KING OF KINGS” “The King of Kings,” the tremendous Cecil de Mille masterpiece of the life of Christ, will be presented this evening at the Adelphi Theatre, Grey Lynn. Everyone who has seen this beautiful picture has been amazed at the sympathetic; way it ha* been handled by de Mille, and at the outstanding way the characters of the various Apostles have been drawn. There is nothing in the picture to offend the finest feelings of anyone, whether he be Jew or Gentile, Catholic or Protestaat. Many of the scenes are in colour. Owing to the length of this eicttire, the session will commence at 7.45 p.in

THE PLAZA AND TIVOLI A REGINALD DENNY PICTURE In the picture “On Your Toes,” which is now being shown at the Plaza and Tivoli Theatres, Reginald Denny exacts the role of a boxer in a story of the type that brought him to fame some years ago. Denny is seen first as the effeminate son of an old heavy-weight champion. He teaches dancing and is regarded as a joke by his father’s old manager, Sullivan. He opened a dancing school in New York but Sullivan’s daughter Mary shames him into getting a man’s job, and he starts out as a taxi driver. As a taxi driver, Elliott gets in a traffic jam and knocks out Sullivan’s new protege, so Elliott decides to become a fighter at Mary’s urging. He is defeated in his first fight, but goes on, letting his grandmother think he is teaching dancing. Finally he is matched with the champion. Unfortunately his grandmother arrives for a visit on the day of the fight. Barbara Worth is the leading lady. Others in the supporting cast are Frank Hagney, Mary Carr, Gertrude Howard and George West. An exciting and spectacular story of circus Ijfe, entitled “Life’s Circus,” is the second attraction on the programme. The picture breathes the colourful life of the circus and its perpormers, the daring of the wire walkers, the skill of the riders, spectacular speciality acts, and throughout these breath-taking sequences, a story of a delicate girl’s percecution at the hands of an unscrupulous powercraving father, and her rescue' by two brothers who hated one another. LECTURE AT UNIVERSITY “BRITAIN’S INDUSTRIAL FUTURE” The free public lectures being conducted by the University will be continued to-morrow evening, when Dr. Belshaw, Professor of Economics, will deliver the last of a series of three lectures. His subject will be “Britain’s Intdustrial Future.”

D. W. Griffith has completed “The Battle of the Sexes.” Belle Bennett, Don Alvarado, Saly O’Neil, William Bakewell and John Batten are the other players. This picture will be released Industrial Future.”

MAJESTIC PANTOMIME AND PICTURES The Majestic Theatre echoed and re-echoed with the delighted cries and merry laughter of hundreds of children, both on Friday and Saturday afternoons, when the gorgeous pantomime, “Cinderella,” was presented. That this is an attraction that appeals to the kiddies is eloquently proved by the many who flocked to see this old favourite—the most beloved of all the many %fairy tales. This pantomime is, without doubt, the best ever presented in a picture theatre. The story of “Cinderella” is used as the basis of a spectacular production, full of clever comedy sketches, gorgeous frocks and beautiful dancing and singing. The dancing and vocal numbers of this production make it an outstanding one, even without the beautiful fairy story running through it. Outstanding dance numbers are a quaint and picturesque little Pumpkin Ballet, by seven tiny tots, who live every moment of their dance; a picturesque and spectacular Hungarian Mazurka, and the Dance of the Jewels ,an exceedingly beautiful number by the Mirror Ballet. Miss Wilma Lockwood, a clever contortionist, presents a weird and wonderful frog dance. This is a production which all child-ren—grown-up children, too —should see. The full pictorial programme is also screened, including the ever-in-teresting Majestic News, with the latest topical news, and “Across to Singapore,” a thrilling sea story, with Ramon Novarro, hero of “Ben Hur," in the starring role. In the evenings another delightful programme is presented, pictorial, musical and stage attractions being offered. Much of the picture was taken aboard the famous old clipper “Narwahl,” which sailed for several weeks on a Pacific cruise, during which the sea action, including a terrific storm, a mutiny and an attack by Oriental gangsters and pirates, was filmed. The Singapore scenes are elaborate, including a famous resort of sailors in the “melting pot of the Orient,” in which practically every nationality on the face of the earth is seen. Miss Lillian O’Leary’s “Midget Moselles,” a remarkable troupe of juvenile performers, appear on the stage in the evenings. These talented little performers present a charming programme of dance and musical items, the former including a spectacular Hungarian Mazurka, and the latter “Shine On, Harvest Moon,” and “Ain’t She Sweet?” Mr. Whiteford Waugh’s Majestic Orchestra presents another of its incomparable musical programmes, “Lo, Here the Gentle Lark,” a flute and clarinet duet by Messrs. Frank Poore and J. McGregor, is presented with perfect artistry. EMPIRE SHOWS “I WILL REPAY” “I Will Repay,” based on the Scarlet Pimpernel stories, will be shown at the Empire Theatre again this evening. One of the most thrilling scenes is the rescue of Deroulede and Juliette from the tribunal. A soldier rode up to the gates of the tribunal with an order to bring the prisoners to the Temple. The waiting mob was eluded. Deroulede and Juliette -were hurried away in the darkness, along a deserted side street and into a lonely tavern, where they were astonised by an order to change quickly into a disguise provided for them. In a few minutes they emerged, in shabby dress, and were confronted by the repellent figure of the mob leader. Thev shrank back. ... A loud laugh from the old peasant, the flinging off of his coat and hat, and the Scarlet Pimpernel stood revealed as their deliverer —tho man whose clever order to the tribunal had saved them from instant death. “Jaws of Steel,” starring Rin-Ti©-Tin, is the second attrection. One of the most perfect Northern settings ever constructed for motion picture work was made for the screen version of the famous musical comedy, “Rose Marie” Joan Crawford and James Murray play the leading roles. The setting is a reproduction of one of the famous Hudson Bay fur trading posts in North Western Canada, built 75 years ago, but still devoted to the same use for which it was originally | constructed.