Round The Shows

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 488, 18 October 1928, Page 17

Round The Shows

PRINCE EDWARD “FOOLS FOR LUCK” One of the best comedies by W. C. Fields and Chester Conklin is now at the Prince Edward Theatre. This is “Fools For Luck.” 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 absolutty 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 poorhouse by his wits, and out of gaol 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 “The Gateway of the Moon,” a drama of life in the South American jungle, starring Dolores Del Rio, is also being shown. CONCERT FOR THE BLIND ORPHANS’ ENTERTAINMENT The Auckland Orphans’ Club paid its annual visit to the Jubilee Institute of the Blind on Tuesday evening and gave a delightful entertainment, including nupibers by its excellent orchestra and by members of the Lyric Quartet. Dr. C. E. Maguire, superintendent of the Auckland Hospital, was in the chair. Inmates of the institute thoroughly appreciated the entertainment. “LOVE NEVER DIES” COLLEEN MOORE IN AVIATION STORY Adapted from a famous Broadway success, "111130 Time,” which is to be released in New Zealand as “Love Xever Dies,” the story of Colleen Moors’s latest and greatest production is one of the finest photo-plays ever produced. The aerial sequences are breath-taking in their realism. and critics say. have never before been approached in their thrilling magnitude. As “Jeanine," Miss Moore has a role wherein she is able to display all her charm and vivacity, but is afforded greater opportunities than ever before for very tense dramatic work.. Gary Cooper as the hero, is ideal, making a splendid foil to feminine charm of "Jeanine.” "Smiling Guns,” Hoot Gibson’s third production under his own management, has been completed at Universal City. The cast includes Blanche Mehaffey, L. O White, Virginia Pearson, and Ralph Graves.

r MAJESTIC LON CHANEY TO-MORROW “The Devil Dancer, and the brilliant supporting programme, will have a final presentation at the Majestic . Theatre this evening, for to-morrow itwill be succeeded by another programme in every way as fine as the present one. Mystery and intrigue, drama and comedy, interesting news films, and above all, a high-class musical programme, will be offered. The first pictorial attraction is “The Big City,” a mighty drama of the invisible city, with Lon Chaney in the starring role. The story, a vivid drama of city life in New York, shows Chaney as the chief of a group of gangsters, in a plot of gangster warfare and underworld intrigue. Marceline Day plays the heroine, a shopgirl enmeshed in the plot, and James Murray the juvenile lead, a young henchman of the gangster czar. Betty Compson, Matthew Betz, John George, Virginia Pearson and others of note are in the cast. A hold-up is staged in a replica of a famous night club in New York, with Virginia Pearson in the role of the effervescent hostess. A ballet, composed of a “hand-picked” bevy of screen beauties, trained by Margaret Burt, former Follies dancer, under the supervision of Tod Browning, the director, is one of the elaborate spectacles in this sequence. An interesting Majestic News, with the latest topical news and budgets, a scenic and a comedy, are included in the programme. A fine programme of music is being prepared for the Majestic Orchestra. Under the conductorship of Mr. Whiteford Waugh, the orchestra will play Ketelby’s descriptive composition, “In a Persian Market.” as the overture. A seelction from “Tina” (Rubens) and two of the latest fox-trots, “Why Do I Always Remember,” and “Susie’s Sister,” will be included. “THE STUDENT PRINCE” CORDIAL WELCOME IN SYDNEY “The Student Prince,” the M.G.M. attraction based on the famous musical play, and starring Ramon Novarro and Norma Shearer, had its Australian premiere at the Prince Edward Theatre, Sydney, on Friday, August 24. This production was an instantaneous hit with a large and representative audience, and newspaper critics have been lavish in their praise. Subsequent business proves that “The Student Prince” is assured of a most successful season. The two-reel techni-colour subject, ‘The Virgin Queen,” released on /ie same programme, also received lavish praise, and has been acclaimed as the most novel and beautiful screen production yet seen in Australia. CLICK CLACK CABARET A grand Labour Day ball will be held at the Click Clack Cabaret, Newmarket, next Monday evening, with dancing from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Special cabaret items will be presented by the pupils of Madame Edith Baird. Wild horses, brought front distant ranches on the Mojave Desert, and never ridden before, were given a course of intensive training at the Metro-Gold\vyn-Mayer studios, where a troupe of Cossacks from Russia broke broke the animals in for mounts in John Gilbert’s starring vehicle. . “The Cossacks.” In this new picture, Gilbert plays the role of a hard-riding Cossack soldier, with his band of horsemen, and Ernest Torrence as his father is a vivid old Cossack leader. Renee Adoree plays the leading feminine role.

SHURA CHERKASSKY CONCERT THIS EVENING Fresh from his triumphs in the South, Shura Cherkassky, the young genius of the piano, will commence his series of three recitals at the Town Hall this evening. JMany of the world’s greatest pianists have appeared in Auckland, but none been so young as this 16-year-old Russian. In spite of the extraordinary reports which have preceded him, few of those who have heard him expected the wonderful talent he displays at the keyboard. Shura is no ordinary child prodigy for he has the maturity of an artist three times his own age The piano is for him an easy medium for revealing expression and musicianship, and for establishing a wonderful intimacy, through his temperamental gift, between the composer and the audience. The boy compels his critics to judge him by the highest standards. Watching the stockily-built youth come to the stage with a sort of stiff, short-paced gliding gait, bowing stiffly from the waist, crouching (at times) over his instrument, and playing as a finely endowed master of twice his years might play, it is no wonder musicians have asked “Is this another Franz Liszt?” , The programme this evening will commence with the majestic Organ Fantasy and Fugue in G Minor (BachLiszt), Cherkassky’s interpretation of which entranced the Sydney critics, who declared that he “showed a reasoning far beyond his years, especially in disdaining mere energy, and adopting a serenely-controlled power in the dynamic contrasts of the Fantasia, and a deligiy:ful fluency and clarity in the Fugue, the entrancing little theme of which was defined with subtle shades of meaning, and with true rhyhmieal beauty.” The “Appassionata” Sonata (Beethoven), “Barcarolle” (Chopin), Etudes, Op. 10. No. 3, and Op. 25, No. 12 (Chopin). Scherzo in B Minor (Chopin), Prelude in G Minor (Rachmaninoff), “Reverie” (Debussy). “Kaleidescope” (Hofmann), and the “Blue DaubC” "Waltz (StraussSchulz Elver) are also played. Concerts will be given on Saturday and Tuesday next. The box plan is at Lewis R. Eady, Ltd., and the day sales at Coleman’s. TRAMWAYS CLUB DANCE The Association Football Committee of the Auckland Tramways Club will hold a dance in St. Benedict’s Hall, East Street, this evening. Music will be supplied by Clyde Howley’s International Orchestra.

ST. JAMES REVUE THE “WHIRLIGIGS” A big race crowd thoroughly enjoyed, and showed its enjoyment in no unmistakable manner, of the whirligigs revue at St. James Theatre last evening. Those kings of comedy, Stiffy and Mo (Nat Phillips and Roy Rene) were the life and soul of a very bright show, and their excellent clowning kept the audience in a continuous state of laughter. As the drummer in the jazz band, Roy Rene was a scream, while his' partner, Nat Phillips, had quite the Sousa touch in his conductorship of the band. The Charlston Symphonic Six is one of the finest combinations of jazz musicans seen beer for some time. Their rendering of the popular “Ramona” was unique, and was warmly applauded. Members of the combination also provided very acceptable solo items. The Radio Six ballet in several well-staged items added to its popularity. Sadie Gale and Amy Rochell Were heard in several songs. A short musical comedy reveuette. “The Bellboys,” gave Daisy Merritt a good opportunity of cleverly impersonating a suffragette, and the other members of the comedy added to the merriment of a very bright piece of comedy. The whirligigs will occupy the boards again to-night. TUDOR, REMUERA “THE WIZARD” “The Fifty-Fifty Girl.” with Bebe Daniels in the role of Kathleen O’Hara, a very modern young lady, will be shown again this evening at the Tudor Theatre, Remuera. ‘Til bet you my half of the mine against yours that I can run it as any man—and never call for help!” This was Kathleen O’Hara’s challenge to Jim Donahue. But Kathleen didn’t know what a jam her challenge was getting her into. She was a very modern girl the kind that wears neckties and declaims on the equality of the sexes, and Jim was just a regular fellow, who knew that Kathleen loved him as he loved her, he couldn’t get her to admit it." When they became joint heirs of the El Dorado gold mine each wanted to run it. “The Wizard,” a fascinating mystery drama, is the second attraction.

NEW REGENT “CAIRO NIGHTS” TO-MORROW This evening -will see the final presentation at the New Regent Theatre of the clever comedy, “The Magnificent Flirt,” starring the capable actress, Florence Vidor. Commencing to-morrow the New Regent will present an entirely new programme of pictures, dancing and music. The chief pictorial attraction will be an intriguing study of modern fast living and its antithesis, entitled “Half a Bride,” with beautiful Esther Ralston in the leading role. The story of “Half a Bride” is an unusual one, dealing with the trials of a parent in curbing the wilfulness of a very modern young lady. Everything else failing, Mr. Winslow arranged to have his daughter kidnapped by' a friend, the owner of a yacht. The plan works well, but seven days out on the way to Alaska, the girl decides to try and escape in a launch. Out over the waves dashes Captain Edmunds in pursuit, forgetful of the threatening storm. The launch is wrecked on an uninhabited island off the Canadian coast, and in the weeks that follow the girl works, for the first time in her life. She cooks, makes clothes from sailcloth and, eventually, comes to love the life —and Captain Edmunds. A particularly strong cast will be seen in support of the star, and Gary Cooper, of “Beau Sabreur” fame, is seen as Captain Edmunds. To-morrow there will also commence another big stage show, entitled “Cairo Nights.” a presentation combining languorous oriental music with whirlwind Arabian acrobatics, atmosphere o.nd colour. Caine and Porter and Alfred Mario will again appear and the musical side of the whole presentation will again' be under the baton of Mr. Maurice Guttridge. “FINGERPRINTS” AT ROYAL A thrilling mystery story of robbery, entitled “Finger Prints,” is now being shown at the Royal Theatre, Ringsland, starring Louise Fazenda. The story tells of the adventures of a gang of crooks to obtain possession of a plan showing where their booty is hidden. All manner of strange things happen in a certain house. Mother Malone, who is in reality a “fence,” is playing a game of her own. Secret panels, trick stairways, mysterious appearances and disappearances all add to the weirdness of the proceedings. Each of the inmates seeks to outwit the others. None, however, is working more shrewdly than the housemaid. “The Showdown,” a story of the search for oil in Mexico, will also be shown. George Bancroft is the star.

DIXIELAND CABARET A grand birthday ball is being held at the Dixieland Cabaret next Monday evening to celebrate the third anniversary of the opening of the cabaret. Mr. and Mrs. Tom Heeney will be present. Appropriate music will be featured by the Dixieland Famous Dance Band, both in the evening, and at the special afternoon tea dance from 3 to 5 p.m. Nils Asther will be Norma Shearer’s leading man in “The Little Angel,” now in production. Gwen Lee was also recently added to the cast. “Annje Laurie,” M.G.M.’s spectacular romance of old Scotland’, is now entering its third week at the Empire Theatre, Sydney, where it is highly successful. William Haiaps's next starring vehicle for M.G.M. is to be “A Man’s Man.” James Cruze, director of innumerable screen hits, and who recently directed Haines in “Excess Baggage.” will handle the new production.

EPIC OF THE SEA FALKLAND ISLANDS BATTLE AT THE STRAND Comparable with the glamorous sea fights of old, the Battles of Coronel and the Falkland Islands proved that the 20th century Englishman was as ready to die, and was as chivalrous in victory as- his forbears. The moving picture of the battles which was screened at the Strand Theatre for the first time last evening is a stirring piece of realism, not warped by the purblind eyes of war-hatred. but picturing both sides of the struggle and honouring an enemy where honour is due. The correct atmosphere for the film Is brought to the theatre by a prologue entitled “Leaving Port.” Aboard a three-decker of the old school, and against a deep-sea background, four singers, two Jack Tars and two merry maids, chant the old sea songs with pleasant harmony. Then Madame Valeska’s Tiny Tot ballet provides a vigorous hornpipe. All this time Eve Bentley and her orchestra, who started the evening very appropriately with selections from Sullivan’s “H.M.S. Pinafore,” have been lending a large help. The prologue is an effective affair and very much to the public taste. That we have just about recovered from the myopia which saw nothing but bad in Germans and things German *is ably demonstrated by “The Battles of Coronel and Falkland Islands.” The film makes a big attempt to see the other sido of the affair and gives the enemy credit for straight shooting and valour and chivalry—all the qualities we are inclined to deny the opposition before its teeth have been drawn. The producers—it is a British film, photographed on British cruisers—have had the large common sense not to make a sentimental storyette run through the picture. They have attempted to catch the spirit of the men who fought and lost at Coronel and drove their ships to victory at Falkland Islands. In dramatic intensity the picture stands upon its own teet, needing no weeping heroine to mark its pathos; no Ramon Novarro profile to prove its heroism nnd no Charles Chaplin to point out its lighter side. On the eve of November 1, 1314. the Good Hope and the Monmouth were sunk off the Chilean Coast by Admiral von Spee’s squadron and the “disaster in the Pacific” shook Britain from its confidence in an invincible fleet. Revenge came on December 8. when Vice-Admiral Sturdee, in one of the most dramatic incidents of the Great War. surprised Von Spee at the Falkland Islands and in a running fight sank all his ships except the Dresden. The photography of the battle scenes, of the feverish haste in the dockyards, is beyond criticism. “The Battles of Coronel and Falkland Islands” is a nation’s tribute to the efficiency of the Royal Navy. The supporting programme is Well worth looking at. An interesting picture is “The Homes of George V..” a review of stately Buckingham, ancient St. James, historic Holyrood. bleak Balmoral, Sandringham in the country, and Windsor of the Round T ower. This is admirably photographed. The latest Strand Magazine shows the yachting on the Solent, and other of the world’s affairs, and there is an animai cartoon called “One Game Pup.” La "Jolla, California, one of the world’s most beautiful scenic spots, is the background for the newest Metro-Gcldwyn-Mayer co-starring comedy for Lew Cody and Alleen Pringle, which will be seen shortly. This picture, which is called “Wickedness Preferred.” is a spicy burlesque of caveman love.

RIALTO, AND REGENT, EPSOM “THE RUSH HOUR” Two such well known comedians a.--Murie Prevost and Harrison Ford appear in “The Rush Hour,” which will he shown at the Rialto and Regent (Epsom) Theatres this evening. Miss Prevost has the role of a romantic minded girl who is loved by young druggist. He gives her the various samples he receives from salesmen, but fails to propose until he has accumulated a certain amount of money reo that they might go to Niagara on their honeymoon. She is seized with a desire to go abroad, and becomes a stowaway. Of course, she is discovered and obliged to work her passage in the linen room. Two suave passengers who see in her beauty and charm the instruments they seek to fleece a rich oil man, redeem her and take her to Paris. Another comedy is the second feature. Widows.” starring Louise Fazenda. TRAINING FOR THE TALKIES LECTURER IN ELOCUTION In view of the enormous amount of interest being shown in the coming of the talking picture as an entertain - ment, it is interesting to note that among the British screen actors is a university voice producer. Mr. C. Davis Brooks, M.A., L.R.A.M I A.R.C.M, has, between his voice production classes at Cambridge, associated himself with the British film production in more than one capacity. Under the name of John Cromer will be seen in “Shooting Stars,” the American producer. This production will be released shortly by British Dominions Films, and features Annette Benson and Brian Aherne. Karl Dane and George K. Arthur, the heroes of “Rookies,” “Baby Mine*' and “Circus Rookies,” would crack the stone face of a Sphinx in their latest Metro-Goldwyn-Mas*er picture. “Detectives,” which is coming shortly. Thrills and laughs are all mixed up as onlv two blundering detectives could mnk«them, and this picture will make you laugh until you cry.