Round Thee Shows

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 486, 16 October 1928, Page 14

Round Thee Shows

TUDOR, REMUERA “THE FIFTY-FIFTY GIRL” A wholesome comedy, filled with fuii, is the best description that can be applied to “The Fifty-Fifty Girl," which will be shown at the Tudor Theatre, Remuera, this evening. That capable actress, Bebe Daniels, who will be remembered for a numbef of delightful comedies, is the star. She plays the role of Kathleen O’Hara, who bets her fiance, Jim Donahue, that a woman can do any man’s work iri a mine that she ownsj. CLICK CLACK CABARET Dancing will be enjoyed at the Click Clack Cabaret to-morrow evening from 8 p.m. to midnight. Next Monday a grand Labour Day ball will be held at the Click Clack. Special cabaret items will be supplied by Madame Edith Baird and pupils, and the music will again be supplied by Clyde Howley’s Famous Internationals. COMEDY OF NEWLY-WEDS British Dominions Films announce that they will release throughout New Zealand “This Marriage Business,” featuring Owen Nares and Estelle Brody as the . ultra-modern young married couple who tried to make a business out of marriage. Owen Nares is a great favourite with all classes of picture patrons and is also referred to as England’s most handsome matinee idol. Estelle Brody’s versatility is proved by her performance in this new film. Marjorie Hume plays the part of Pat, a new kind of screen detective, who although often found in a young woman’s bedroom emerges without the usual complications, which is very convenient for those involved, if not so interesting for others.

Benjamin Christensen will shortly begin “The Haunted House,” a spooky comedy from the Owen Davis stage play.

BRITANNIA “WRECK OF THE HESPERUS” One of the most familiar world pictures of legendary lore becomes a reality in the screen version of Longfellow’s ballad, “The Wreck of the Hesperus,” which is now at the Britannia Theatre. This picture embraces the dramatic scene depicted by Longfellow’s lines: “He cut a rope from a broken spar And bound her to the mast.” This incident, in which the “skipper and his little daughter” of the poem are the principals, comes as one of the most dramatic points of the wreck in the adaptation of the ballad. Tossed by the storm, her mainmast gone, her sails ripped to shreds, a floating mass of wreckage, the Hesperus was driven toward the menacing rocks of Norman’s Woe. The “skipper” in a last desperate effort to save his daughter lashed her to the mast. CARE IN PHOTOGRAPHY Water is one of the most difficult elements to photograph. Here, not only reflection but glare enters in. With the reflection like a mirror one can readily see the difficulty of photographing against a background of water. The water would reflect all the cameramen, technicians and other people behind the camera and make the picture ridiculous. This difficulty occurred during the making of one of the sequences of Paramount’s “The Legion of the Condemned,” where a moonlit expanse of water had been chosen as a background. The director, William Wellman, eventually solved the problem by dyeing the water a deep blue. When a camera is set up for a scene the cameraman looks through his finder and observes every object in the room. Wherever there is a glare or reflection a property man is sent with a dampened cloth covered with a compound that will kill the glare but still permit the object to retain the appearance for which it was selected.

“UNCLE TOM’S” CABIN PLAZA, TIVOLI, EVERYBODY’S “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” is still attracting crowds to the three theatres where it is being shown, the Plaza, Tivoli, and Everybody’s. Each player might have been born to play his respective role. Margarita Fischer brings to her portrayal ©f the harassed Eliza a poignant realism almost breath-taking in its power. Her scenes with Simon Legree and Cassie, and those beautiful moments with George and Little Harry combine to make un unforgettable performance. The thrill of the picture is the celebrated scene wherein Eliza crosses the ice. Enough credit cannot be given to the director for this scene. James Lowe, as Uncle Tom, enacts his role with a mighty simplicity and strength in marked dramatic contrast to the burly, brutal Simon Legree of George Siegmann. “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” is crowded with big scenes, any of which would make tho climax for an ordinary picture. Those especially outstanding are the Shelby home, the St. Clare mansion, the Legree place, the death of Little Eva, the river sequence, Eliza crossing the ice, the auction rooms and the smashing finale. The production beggars description. It is the one picture that can be wholeheartedly recommended for every member of the family. At the Plaza Theatre only a colourful stage presentation precedes the showing of the film. This is “Plantation Days,” featuring several old favourite darkie tunes, with chorus and banjo accompaniments. “ONE OF THE BEST” This lavish and powerful production is adapted from the famous stage play of that name by Seymour Hicks and will be released by British Dominions Films. The late James Lindsay (who died recently in Melbourne during his tour with the Margaret Bannerman Company), had a great and varied career on the British screen. He was an adept in the art of polished villainy on the screen and gave a superb performance in this production. The leading feminine artiste is Eve Gray, a talented Australian actress. Walter Butler, a very much sought after British juvenile lead, is also in the cast. A million motion picturegoers a week are seeing A 1 Jolson, the blackface comedian in “The Jazz Singer,” according to "Warner Bros., who have this mighty production playing the 47 principal cities of America for extended run engagements. “The Jazz Singer” will shortly be released in New Zealand. A 1 Jolson’s second screen vehicle will be called “The Clown,” instead of “Pagliacci, the Clown.”

LYRIC “WHEN FLEET MEETS FLEET” A vivid presentation of the great battle of Jutland appears in the picture, “"When Fleet Meets Fleet,” now being shown at the Lyric Theatre. “When Fleet Meets Fleet” is the story of two naval commanders, one an Englishman, the other a German, their love for the same girl, and their friendship for one another. During the war they are forced to fight during the great Battle of Jutland. Wallace Beery, as a dull-witted detective, and Raymond Hatton as a sharp newspaper reporter, provide the -second attraction on the programme, entitled “Partners in Crime.” DIXIELAND CABARET To celebrate the third anniversary of its opening. Dixieland Cabaret will hold a grand birthday ball next Monday (Labour Day), with dancing from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. In addition a monster afternoon tea dance will be held, with dancing from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., to music by the Dixieland New Dance Band.

PRINCE EDWARD “GATEWAY OF THE MOON” “The Gateway of the Moon” is the main pictorial attraction at the Prince Edward Theatre this evening. An absorbing romance, colourful backgrounds, and a cast of players headed by Dolores Del Rio, make this picture one of outstanding merit. “Fools for Luck,” a comedy by W. C. Fields and Chester Conklin, is the second feature. “FINGER PRINTS” AT ROYAL Vienna—the gayest and most colourful city in the world; the court life of the spectacular court of Emperor Franz Josef; the military pageantry of a great European monarchy before the World War; the kaleidoscopic, topsy-turvy amusement park of this fascinating city; the dazzling, picturesque streets and nooks and crannies of this courtesan among cities; and with all this, a dramatic, realistic tale in which drama, - comedy, pathos, startling realism are combined in an amazing mixture. Such is the picture, “Love Me and the World is Mine,” to be shown again this evening at the Royal Theatre, Kingsland. Norman Kerry and Mary Philbin are the stars.

STRAND “BATTLE OF CORONEL ISLANDS” The management lias been fortunate in securing as a long-run attraction at the Strand Theatre,* beginning to-morrow, the British Dominions’ sensational naval epic, “The Battles of Coronel and Falkland Islands.” which is credited with being far and away the finest picture of 'its kind ever produced for the screen. Aucklanders will be the first to see it in New Zealand. The season jusi concluding at Melbourne established new records, and the Victorian Press, without exception, speaks in glowing terms. Rear-Admiral W. R. Napier. C.G.M.G., D. 5.0., First Member of the Naval Board, wrote of it as follows: “In my opinion, the film ‘The Battles of Coronel and Falkland Islands’ is one of the finest naval pictures I have seen. In producing two naval battles, a subject of almost unequalled difficulty has been attempted, but with the co-operation of the Admiralty a most inspiring and realistic result has been achieved. In addition to its absorbing interest, the film will be of very great educational value in bringing home to us all the work of the Navy, whereon the wealth, strength, and safety of the kingdom chief!v depend.”

The Admiralty helped in the making of the film, lending for the purpose 35 ships, 40,000 men, and SO tons of .explosives. Without this cooperation, such c? mighty and realistic reproduction of a great defeat and a glorious victory could not have been attempted.

MARY PICKFORD’S DIRECTOR One of the most capable directors’ in Hollywood is Sam Taylor, who recently completed “Tempest,” the turbulent and aptly titled screen drama which gave the ardent team of John Barrymore and Camilla Horn to the public. His deft direction of this piece won him such praise and recognition that he was immediately assigned by United Artists to direct “The Love Song.” On Mary Bickford’s return from abroad, however, she demanded his services' and he was transferred to her organisation, D. W. Griffith taking over “The Love Song.” As far as has been announced, this is the only definite step Miss Bickford has taken toward her era of screen romance, but it is one which reveals to a great extent the radical transition she has in mind. Brooks Benedict, well-known screen villain, has been added to the cast of “Moran of the Marines,” Richard Dix’s latest picture for Paramount. Charlotte Mineau has been signed for an important character part in the same production. The director is Frank Strayer.

HIPPODROME NEW PROGRAMME TO-MORROW Western film fare plenty of romantic lure comes to the Hippodrome Theatre to-morrow in “The Cowboy Kid,” starring Rex Bell, a new but talented young player. The young star not only evidences a disregard for life and limb, but smashes his way to victory through one of the most unusual Western dramas that has been shown here. His horse, a spirited black steed, shares these dangers and. by an exhibition of unusual intelligence, aids Bell in frustrating a band of bandits who plan to rob a bank owned by John Grover, whose daughter, Janet, learns to love the handsome plainsman for his bravery and daring. Mary Jane Temple is his feminine lead. “The Ghost Train,” a mystery thriller will be the second attraction tomorrow. “The Ghost Train.” which is adapted from Arnold Ridley’s sensational stage success that thrilled Aucklanders during the latter part of last year, is even more breath-taking and hair-raising than the play. There is an excellent cast assembled. which gives a capable performance in every particular, especially Guy Newall, the prominent English actor. The action of “The Ghost Train” is all that is desired. It mixes a deal of nonsense with a suspenseful plot, and elicits laughs and thrills repeatedly. “HEART TO HEART” Mary Astof and Lloyd Hughes are a remarkably popular team of film lovers with a large following. In “Heart to Heart,” their ninth screen vehicle together, they prove as entertaining as ever. The story is an entrancing comedy romance, with some brilliant touches of humour. Prominent in the supporting roles is Thelma Todd. The settings are a very beautiful feature of “Heart to Heart,” while the more important action takes place in one of the gorgeous old-world palaces of Italy set in exquisite gardens. Mary Astor looks more beautiful than ever—the frocking being quite outstanding.

Charlie Murray is to start “Do Your Duty” shortly. William Beaudine will direct, and once again the famous comedy star will appear as “one of the finest.”

RIALTO, AND REGENT, EPSOM “WINGS” ••Wings,” the epic of the air, which will be shown nt the Rialto amV Rc Se ., (Epsom) Theatres this evening, sta , three well-known screen players ■„ Clara Bow, Richard Arlen and Chari Rogers. Charles Rogers plays the rol. . Jack Rowell, who has always loll' to tty, and in all his day dreams i hears the whirr of wings. Ratlin* , secure an airplane. Jack turns' old chassis into a passable car. h,.],, by Mary Preston, the girl next doT Mary loves Jack, but Jack fanci' himself in love with Sylvia When the car. named the •shooti”. star” by Mary, is finished. Jack asC Sylvia to take the first ride in it tj' does not know that Sylvia loves' arts loved by, David Armstrong. When the Great War cloud spread until its shadow is over even the' small town, David and Jack ansa,’ the challenge and join the air force They leave for Prance together a-> the picture is the store ot the war the air. TRAMWAYS’ CLUB DANCE The Association Football Commr. tee of the Auckland Tramways ciuf" has organised a dance to be held in St. Sepulchre’s Hall next Thursda evening. GREAT DANCING PICTURE Many elaborate scenes were filmed during the coLirse of production of “Palais de Danse,” a new film f roni Gaumont British studios. The danir hall scenes in which Mabel Poulton and John Longden appear as profession;!* dancers were filmed in the gigantic Tottenham Palais de Danse. In one scene, depicting a fancy dress carnival, many “supers” from the general public were invited to appear. Prizes were offered for the best costumes and the scheme resulted in a magnificent spectacle being filmed.

The popular novel. “Wolf Song.” is to be made into a Paramount picturefeaturing Gary Cooper. Cooper has just completed "his work in “The Fir>: Kiss,” co-starring with Fay Wray. H, is to appear next with Nancy Carroil in “The Shop-Worn Angel.” soon to start, after which he will work in “Wolf Song.”