Round The Shows

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 551, 2 January 1929, Page 15

Round The Shows

‘THE SPORTING AGE” Columbia has brought to the screen Another masterpiece in “The Ase," which stars Belle Bennett- This Picture Is shortly to be released in New ~«alan?. by Master Pictures, and bias to become one of the most popular of the season. It is an intensely numan drama played against a background of modern society. The pic‘Pre handles a vital problem of domesuc relations in a capable manner, Ur nishing ample opportunity for strong Sc^? ea and emotional acting. , The narrative is woven around tne infatuation of a middle-aged woman °r a clean-cut youth and her awak*ninS to the fact that such lore cwibe lasting. Her husband, realising nat his wife’s happiness depends upon 2J manner in which he handles the ■ituation, cleverly arranged the stage 0 suit the occasion, and plays hearts i?Holmes Herbert Is oast as the aa sband and Carroll Nye as the youth.

ROYAL SHOWS “HOT NEWS” “For Alimony Only” a happy yet pathetic comedy of matrimonial troubles will be shown this evening at the Royal Theatre, xCingsland. Clive Brook has the role of an unfortunate young man who parted after a stormy six months of marriage with the agreement to pay his wife a large sum monthly as alimony. Then he met The Loveliest Girl in the World, played by Leatrice Joy, married her and got behind on the alimony to the first wife, with dire results. How the quick wit of his second wife secured his release makes an entertaining "Hot News,” a tale of all the excitements that befall cameramen who go in search of thrilling incidents for movie gazettes, is the second feature with Bebe Daniels and Neil Hamilton.

LUNA PARK POPULAR WITH HOLIDAYMAKERS Luna Park has been the scene of gaiety and revelry during the holiday season and record crowds enjoyed themselves on New Year's Eve. The amusement area is open every afternoon and evening during the week, when the numerous devices will again be in full working order. The system of concession tickets has been adopted widely this season, and certainly the system ensures that everyone gets plenty of thrills, laughter and excitement at the lowest cost.

DIXIELAND CABARET A grand gala night will be held at the Dixieland Cabaret this evening, with dancing from 8.30 p.m. to midni The cabaret will be open every evening this week, when dancing will be enjoyed to music from the famous Dixieland Band. Spotlight bathing will be in full swing on the Point Chevalier Beach again this evening.

CLICK CLACK CABARET The first popular dance of[ Tear will be held at the Click LiacK Cabaret, Newmarket, this evening. Clvde Howley’s famous I " te ™* t ‘ on aJf will provide the music and an ex ceptionally pleasant evening is pr mised. The latest Est£-r production. The o Hungarian is a dramatic story taidin* Hunga location. It is being Sternberg. r mes lO Sai.°plays S the male lead.

“LEGION OF THE CONDEMNED” AT NATIONAL ON SATURDAY The critical ey© of th© American picture audience is forcing absolute accuracy of detail in the filming of productions to-day, according to William Wellman, Paramount director. And, for that reason, the man who directed “Wings” which is now hailed as the greatest motion picture of the air ever filmed, surrounded himself with the best of technical advisers as he started work on the companion picture to “Wings,” “The Legion of the Condemned,” to be shown at the National Theatre on Saturday. In spite of the fact that the young director lived the life of a flier at the front during the war as a member of the Lafayette Squadron, he insisted upon four other aviation experts being assigned to his unit because, as he believes, “everything must be correct if the production is to meet favour with audiences.” Wellman called upon Captain Sterling C. Campbell, one of the foremost British aces during the war, for his assistance. In addition to helping with the technical details, Campbell will play a part in the story which deals with a flying squadron of young aviators whose pasts were so terrible that they wanted nothing but the opportunity to be killed while fighting air duels. Fay Wray and Gary Cooper have the leading roles.

PLAZA AND TIVOLI NEW PROGRAMME TO-MORROW The two pictures which make up the current programme at the Plaza and Tivoli Theatres will be shown for the last time this evening. These are “The Barker,” a story of circus life starring Milton Sills and “Finnegan’s Ball,” a humorous tale of Irish feuds. An entirely new programme will be presented at these theatres to-morrow, headed by “Odds On,” starring Miss Phyllis Gibbs, winner of the Australian film star beauty contest, who has recently returned from a contract with Cecil B. de Mille in America.

In the latest Master Picture release, “Odds On,” Miss Gibbs portrays the role of a wealthy squatter's daughter who is in love with the trainer and jockey of her father's racehorses. Her portrayal Is all that could be desired, and her lack of self-consciousness before the camera is astounding in one so new to the screen.

Playing opposite the star in this romantic drama of the Australian turf is “Check” Hayes, who gives a most natural interpretation of the jockey hero; whilst Arthur Tauchert gives us a likeable racecourse tout. John Faulkner, Stella Southern and Violet Elliott are also prominently cast.

Many of the scenes were taken at Randwick Racecourse, and the manner in which leading" jockeys and horses are introduced, speaks well for the producer’s knowledge of what will have an extra interest to audiences. Some stirring long-shots of the racing —early morning gallops, and intimate close-ups of turf notables are all included in a most absorbing story of the Australian turf. The second picture to-morrow will be a real historic story of the first telegraph line across America, entitled “The Glorious Trail,” starring Ken Maynard.

RIALTO, AND REGENT, EPSOM “THE WOMAN ON TRIAL”

A woman shoots a man who is responsible for the loss of her one interest in life —her child. Brought up be-

fore a Paris judge and jury, she is freed. Why? The answer makes the exceptionally interesting film now at the Rialto and Regent (Epsom) Theatres. P o 1 a Negri’s Paramount drama. “The Woman on Trial,” deals with a timely subject—can a pretty woman “get away” with

murder? Arnold Kent has a fine role as the villain, while Einar Hanson is also said to contribute some memorable work. Mauritz Stiller, known as one of the finest directors in the industry, made the film.

The second attraction is “The Magnificent Flirt,” starring Florence Vidor in a romance of modern Paris.

Paul Schofield is adapting “Little Miss Satan/’ a novel of Hollywood life, for Laura La Plante. It will be released under the title, “Dangerous Dimples.” Wesley Ruggles will direct.

M NEW REGENT “THE ENEMY” TO-MORROW This evening will see the final presentation at the New Regent Theatre of "Rose Marie/' the beautiful film of the famous stage play, with Joan Crawford and James Murray in the leading roles. One of the greatest screen dramas of all time is "The Enemy," Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer’s newest,. starring vehicle for Lillian Gish, which will be shown at the Regent Theatre to-morrow. The story of "The Enemy" centres around the life of a young wife throughout the war period, and vividly paints war as it is fought by the women, children and old men left behind. Some of the most marvellous directing, fully exploiting all the human interest, the laughs and the drama that go to make life, must be credited to Fred Niblo, who will always be remembered as the man who made "Ben Hur.” An exceptionally fine cast has been selected to appear with Miss Gish, headed by two leading men. One is Ralph Forbes, who plays her successful lover—the other Ralph Emerson, who loses her to his friend. The new picture is a vivid drama of Austria, based on Channing Pollock's noted stage success. The cast includes George Fawcett, Frank Currier, Fritzi Ridgway, Karl Bane, Polly Moran, John S. Peters and others of note. Varied supporting pictures will also be shown, and the musical arrangements will again be in the hands of Mr. Maurice Guttridge.

LYRIC “THE SPORTING AGE” A thrilling and exciting picture, “The Sporting Age,” starring Belle Bennett, will be shown again this evening at the Lyric Theatre. It is an intensely human drama played against a background of modern society. The picture handles a vital problem of domestic relations in capable manner, furnishing ample opportunity for strong scenes and emotional acting. The narrative is woven around the infatuation of a middle-aged woman for a clean-cut youth and her awakening to the fact that such love cannot be lasting. Her husband, realising that his wife’s depends upon the manner in which he handles the situation, cleverly arranges the stage to suit the occasion and plays hearts to win.

Holmes Herbert is cast as the husband and Carroll Nye as the youth. “Win that Girl,” the second picture, is a story of college football, starring Sue Carol.

GRAND "DRY MARTINI” A comedy drama of youth and romance is “Dry Martini,” now at the Grand Theatre, starring Mary Astor and Matt Moore. An American, living in Paris, is visited by his daughter, aged twenty, whom he has not seer in eight years. He changes his mode of living to conform to what he thinks are his daughter's ideas. But his daughter has come to Paris seeking adventure and to live the gay life he has been enjoying. She veers very close to the danger line, but is saved just in time. Paris and its environs—the boulevards and the bar of the Ritz and the playgrounds of idle Americans are the backgrounds of this film. Many of the Parisian scenes were actually filfned in the French capital.

“THE BIG CITY” AT CAPITOL Lon Chaney and Betty Compson, who were launched to motion picture fame together in “The Miracle Man," are playing in the same picture for the first time since the historic occasion in “The Big City,” a graphic story of the New York underworld, now showing at the Capitol Theatre. Chaney plays the role of a police sleuth, and Miss Compson is seen as the member of the underworld. Tod Browning directed the new picture, in which Marceline Day, James Murray and a notable cast appears. The second feature, “Heart to Heart,” tells of an American girl who married an Italian count, but when she returned home her people refused to recognise her until she dressed and behaved as they imagined a countess to be. Mary Astor and Lloyd Hughes have the main parts. „

MAJESTr ‘THE RIVER PIRATE” Those who have read the story of “The River Pirate," written by Charles Francis Coe and run serially in recent editions of the '‘Saturday Evening Post,” enjoyed added thrills when they saw the Fox Film picturisation of this intensely gripping picture at its showing at the Majestic Theatre. Even before the final instalment appeared in print the motion picture rights had been purchased by Fox Films and the finished product, as it appears on the screen, represents faultless direction and truly inspired cast. Victor McLaglen, of "What Price Glory" fame, plays the leading role, and„ .his rpost artistic conception to date, with pretty Lois Moran and Nick Stuart in featured roles and a supporting cast, which includes Donald Crisp, Dewitt Jennings, Earle Foxe and Robe ert Perry. William K. Howard, who has brought many successes to the screen, is at his directorial best in this epic of the thieves of the night, lurking around docks, wharves and the river, and always in deadly fear of the unrelenting harbour patrol. “The River Pirate" is great entertainment from every angle. Included in the fine supporting programme is an Olive Hardy comedy, Aesop cartoon, and Majestic News, also a novelty film, “Mary Had a Little Lamb," a coloured picture presented with special orchestral accompaniment. A specialty dance novelty by Miss Wilma Lockwood and sympathetic music by the Majestic Orchestra, under Mr. J. Whiteford Waugh, completes the entertainment. The colourful Aladdin pantomime is still delighting the children at the matinees every afternoon. Gorgeous scenes mark this exciting and romantic fairy tale, and 50 performers in catchy songs, music and dancing make the whole pantomime one of the best yet presented in Auckland.

TUDOR, REMUERA “THE ADORABLE OUTCAST” The main feature at the T-udoi Theatre, Remuera, this evening is “The Adorable Outcast.” It is a stor: of life in the Islands, and it has th< idded appeal that

t was filmed in Fiji. The plot is a gripping one, with all the romance of a 'harming love story Dlended in it. It contains some remarkable sequences ind they alone canlot fail to attract. Edith Roberts, in i Clever charaetersation, plays the part of Luva, a

naif-caste girl, who Edith Roberts wins the love of the wealthiest inhabitant of the island, Stephen Conn. The latter has a gold mine, the source of his wealth, and its exact location furnishes the problem which Fursey. the villain, and his gang of blackbirders set out to solve. There are many exciting happenings, and the action quickens to a grand climax with the burning of Iron Devil’s stronghold. “ The Sawdust Paradise,” the second feature, is an unusual story starring Esther Ralston and Hobart Bos worth.

PRINCE EDWARD “WARMING UP” Two bright happy comedies make up the programme to be shown at the Prince Edward Theatre this evening. The first is “Warming Up/’ a fast-

moving story of American baseball with Richard Dix in the leading role. He plays a professional baseball player who not only falls badly in love with the daughter of the manager of his team, but makes an enemy of his rival, an opposition player. The picture is as full

of sweet romance as of scenes of the big national baseball games. As the result of her work in the latest Emil Jannings's starring production for Paramount, the well-known stage star, Ruth Chatterton, has signed a long-term contract with Paramount. “Sins of the Fathers” was the first motion picture film which she had appeared in. She now has a part in Paramount’s sound production of the famous Barrie play, “Half an Hour.”

SPARKLING REVUE GEORGE WALLACE AT ST. JAMES George Wallace is continuing his success at the St. James Theatre, where he is presenting his "Merry Moments” Revue Company. Mr. Wallace takes the principal part in many of the numbers, but he has able supporters in the singers and dancers of the company. Marshall Crosby, who sings "Captain John McPherson” to great applause, and Marie Nyman, who sings and dances, do their share of the work and the Six Rascals, in the first half of the programme, give several bright one-act plays, a number of catchy songs and several clever dances. The second half of the show is devoted to a revue, "Married Bliss-ters.” Two obedient, but intoxicated husbands— George Wallace and. Marshall Crosby —make hay while the sun shines, but get badly caught out in the end. They are helped in the fun by Jack Scott and Thelma Buxton and the rest of the company. Altogether, the show is amusing and well worth seeing. EVERYBODY'S NEW PICTURES TO-MORROW "The Heart Thief,” a romance of the Hungarian nobility, starring Lya de Putti and oJseph Schildkraut, also "The Big Killing,” the latest comedy by Wallace Beery and Raymond Hatton, will be shown at the Everybody's Theatre for the last time this evening. To-morrow the Everybody’s will present a new programme headed by "The Barker,” the story of sideshow and carnival life, which has already been wonderfully well received in Auckland. Milton Sills is seen as the "barker,” or loud-mouthed carnival spokesman, Betty Compson is a hula dancer, and Dorothy Mackaill has the role of the girl who falls in love with the "barker,” only son and apple of his eye. The second picture to-morrow will be "Burning the Wind,” a Hoot Gibson picture. The story tells of a girl who unknowingly fell in love with her worst enemy. When she found out who he was, the romance stopped and the galloping, riding, fighting and shooting began.

"GIPSY PRINCESS” AT EMPIRE A delightful story of romance and adventure in Budapest, the gay city of Hungary, entitled “The Gipsy Princess,” will be shown this evening at the Empire 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 played by Miss Liane Haid. “Riding for Fame,” Hoot Gibson’s exciting picture, will also be shown.

BAND IN ALBERT PARK TO-NIGHT A brilliant musical programme mainly Scottish, will be given by the Municipal Band in Albert Park tonight, at 8 o’clock. Among the items to be rendered are the Scottish Rhapsody, “The Wedding of Shon Maclean, selection, “Reminiscences of Scotland,” triumphant march, “The London Scottish,” and patrol, “The Wee Macgregor”; other numbers are “Rienzi” overture, cornet duet “Ida and Dot,” Slavonic Rhapsody, intermezzos, “All Scotch” and “Kismet” and bright marches.

NEW M-G-M PICTURES Fifteen pictures are now in the course of prduction at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. “The Last of Mrs. Chaney,” with a strong cast headed by Norma Shearer will go into production shortly with Robert Z. Leonard directing. It is adapted from the Frederick Lonsdale stage play, the original lines of which have been contracted for, to be used in talking sequence*. The story is an ultra-smart drama of modern society. “Broadway Melody,” now in production under the direction of Harry Beaumont who made “Our Dancing Daughters,” will be an all-talking film, with Charles King, Bessie Love and Anita Page in the cast. Others on the list include, “The Trial of Mary Dugan,” “Thirst,” starring John Gilbert, “Desert Law,” with Tim McCoy, and “The Five O’clock Girl,” starring Marion Davies.

GREAT AIR SPECTACLE MANY THRILLS IN “LOVE NEVER DIES” “Love Never Lies” tells of young manhood sacrified to the fury of Mars, an orgy of havoc and heroism that holds a divinely calm minor note of beautiful romance, wherein Colleen Moore, as the little French girl, “Jeanine,” and Gary Cooper, the daredevil young aviator, are responsible for unforgettable characterisations. “Love Never Lies” grips and holds one just as much for the beauty of the story, as well as for the magnificence of the terrible air crashes, and one is not ashamed of one’s tears nor the whimsicality of the smiles its quaint humour evokes, or those spontaneous reactions of its exquisite beauty. Far and away the greatest air spectacle of the age, “Love Never Lies” is a worthy chronicle, a glorious picture-historian of the courageous deeds of British aces. They lived greatly, these heroes, in those four unholy years of slaughter, riding up into the death-strewn air lanes with twisted smiles and hearty “Hellos” of disaster, defying the Fates that sent them to the skies with orders to stay there until they were forced to come down. This, the most thrilling air circus possibly ever conceived, presents remarkable and unforgettable scenes, scores of planes in death grips, and miles of quaint villages left merely shattered monuments.

“Street Angel,” the latest Fox film featuring that charming and popular team of screen players Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell, is to be released early in the New Year. The love story of Angelina and Gino, played by Miss Gaynor and Mr. Farrell, is said to be just as human and appealing as that of Diane and Chico of “Seventh Heaven,” in which these players made their first great success together.

A VERSATILE ACTRESS Although seen in many comedy roies. it may not be quite correct to class Estelle Brody as a comedienne, for sh? aas played tragic parts. All the same, she has a fine gift for comedy. Her acting, carried with it the stamp of naturalness, and she has a sly humour that is very fascinating. She pos - sesses that race touch of getting right down to the foundations of the character she is portraying, and losing her own individuality, which is the essence of good acting. So many stars on the screen are jus* themselves, whether they are playing an aristocrat or a poor girl, but Estelle Brody is above this. Examples of thi.=? will be found in “Sailors Don’t Care.”' in which she appears as a parlourmaid, and as the society matron in “This Marriage Business.” shortly to be released by British Dominions Films. The cast has been chosen for <: The Diamond Master,” Universal s thrilling mystery story. It consists of Louise Lorraine and Hayden Stevenson, the featured players, Louis Stern. A 1 Hart and Monte Montague. Jack Belson will direct this story by Jacques Futrelle.