GRAVE AND GAY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 554, 5 January 1929, Page 12

GRAVE AND GAY

LILLIAN GISH IN “THE ENEMY” REGENT'S NEW PROGRAMME A striking indictment of war. its false glamour, and its transient glories, is contained in “The Enemy,” a picture play that heads the bill at the Regent Theatre. The production stars Lillian Gish, and is the outstanding gem in a delightful cluster of New Year offerings. A post-holiday programme of unusual worth was presented for the first time last evening. It was another of those excellent Regent variety shows—

a chosen mixture of grave and gay with an appeal that extends from the front row of the stalls to the farthermost corner of the circle. The circuit front which the Regent secures its vaudeville acts is upholding a high reputation in must decisive fashion. No matter what ict is announced.

picture-goers may rest assured that the generous pause. between the screening of the comedy and the interval, will be packed with good things appearing from the rear of the coloured curtain. This week the Ten Regent Wonders make their bow. In saying this we use merely the formal mode of introduction. In reality “the bow” is a pot pourri of startling and whirlwind acrobatics that leave the audience in a state of mild bewilderment. It is a novel and thoroughly pleasing act, presented by ten girls, whose ability is remarkable, to say the least. The young acrobats have been trained to perfection, and do their turns with a neat sparkle that leaves room for no dull moments. A number of songs and ballet numbers are included, and the interlude closes with a riot of fantastic movement that defies description. The staging of the act last evening was one of its most satisfying features, and the Regent Orchestra gave valuable and never-flagging support. “Crazy House” is a comedy production of uproarious laughter. "Our Gang” are the people concerned, a fact that speaks for itself. An interesting topical gazette and a beautiful scenic film are sandwiched in before the interval. Now comes “The Enemy,” and for the remainder of the evening, laughter is forgotten in the dramatic feast provided by this exceptional film. It is an M-G-M adaptation of Channing Pollock’s well-known stage play, and deals with the circumstances of war from a new and very human angle. After all, the brunt of war falls on the people—those whose lives are changed, strained, perhaps ruined, in the vortex. The opening sequence shows the psychological effect of a hatred fanned by war. On the outbreak of hostilities, two men—an Austrian and an Englishman—become sworn enemies. The Austrian marries the daughter of a Vienesse pacifist, but is called to the front on his wedding night. From then thd fortunes of the girl and her father go from bad to worse. They are attacked bitterly by former friends, the professor loses his position, and the voice of the wolf is heard without. With the close of the war comes the turning of the tide and happiness to a long-suffer-ing heroine. Little need be said of Lillian Gish in the leading role. Her work is always above reproach, and varies only according to the nature of the parts allotted to her. She could not be better cast than in “The Enemy.” Supporting her are such people as Ralph Forbes, George Fawcett, Karl Dane, and Polly Moran. , A new hand guides the Regent Orchestra. It is that of Mr. Arthur G. Frost, who maintains worthily the musical reputation of the theatre. The orchestral work last evening was both sympathetic and distinctive.

PRINCE EDWARD “DETECTIVES” Karl Dane and George K. Arthur, wandering through mysterious grottoes, amid weird mummies, sinister shadows, and secret trapdoors that hurl the heroes of “Rookies” into the black depths, will make their bow in a new and hilarious type of comedy at the Prince Edward Theatre, in “Detectives,” this evening.

It is a straight mystery story, with all the thrills of the crook drama in addition to the comedy. Dane and Arthur play an hotel house detective and bellboy, blundering into thrills and hair - breadth escapes in a mystery plot, and thus

eliciting uproarious comedy. Marceline Day is the heroine, and Tenen Holtz, Clarence Lyle, Polly Moran, Tets Komai and others of note are in the cast. May McAvoy in “The Little Snob,” a story of the lives of the Coney Island workers, is the second feature.

LUNA PARK THE AUTO-SILODROME Luna Park will be open for a special holiday matinee this afternoon, besides the usual evening session. There are already many thrilling devices, but the latest attraction from Australia is said to be without an equal. It is the “Auto Silodrome,” in which the two performers, mounted on powerful motor-cycles, rise from the floor of the cylindrical chamber, and finally encircle the perpendicular walls at over 40 miles an hour. This clever performance proved extremely popular in Sydney in the past holiday season. DIXIELAND CABARET A carnival night has been arranged at Dixieland Cabaret this evening. There will be novelties, favours and dancing until midnight to music by the Dixieland Famous Band.

PLAZA AND TIVOLI “THE GLORIOUS TRAIL” The heroic and exciting adventures of the pioneers of the West are , graphically depicted in Ken Maynard’s j “The Glorious Trail,” which is now being shown at the Plaza and Tivoli Theatres. “The Glorious Trail” uses as a background and theme the stringing j of the first telegraph wires in the far ; West and shows the tragic hardships j encountered by the workers and settlers performing this historic feat. The story is well told and contains some real dramatic situations. They are, however, of the kind prevalent to outdoor action entertainment. The story provides Ken with ample opportunity to display his remarkable horsemanship to good advantage.

Tarzan, the equine partner, also has a good role. The audience seemed to enjoy the almost human antics of Tarzan as well as the acting of any of the human players. All in all, “The Glorious Trail” is exceptionally well done. The director has kept the story in mind at all

times and woven a fast-moving, romantic and dramatic feature that ranks with many of the so-called specials. It is pictures of this kind that make one understand why Westerns have continued to be made and are still as popular to-day as were the early thrillers. Convincingly natural acting and a well-constructed story account for the success of a new Australian film. “Odds On,” which is also being shown at these theatres. The leading lady in “Odds On” is Miss Phyllis Gibbs. She has a charming personality, besides a prettv face' and moves to and fro before the camera with an attractive lack of selfconsciousness. The producer has presented the climatic racing scenes with much vigour and has interspersed in his storv pleasant glimpses of Australian bush scenery. An added attraction at both theatres is the showing of a new 555!?! °k the popular “Collegians.” These breezy pictures of American college life have caught the V prv spirit of carefree youth, and should prove as popular as the last “ColleFn a ?t^i? eiie ?* story is complete in itself and the cast, which is the same as before, is headed by George Lewis as the athletic college fellow Tip? I)orothy Culliver and Eddie Phil- — GRAND SHOWS “THE DOVE” r .“ The , :Dov c,” Norma Talmadge’s latest an< l nOW at the Grand Theatre vn S-° ry r? f a typical South American’ click* 3 iii thp S ? Boja, where castanets click in the dancing halls of the picturesque revolutionaries The story revolves around the love or a young American gambler f«.r

fascinating dancer, of the local cafe known, because o ■: her gracefulness as “The Dove.” Ir I his affections b« ran counter to tin outstanding character of the town a. role brought t< life on the screen by the excellent acting of Noah Beery.

Fie Plays the part of Don Jose Maria .sandoval, "de best damn eaballero in Costa Roja.” It is the part of a villain who Is rather likeable, for his egotistical desire to make "the grand gesture” and be thought "de bes’ damn Caballero” causes him to do some gracious deeds. “The River Pirate,” a colourful excit- ! ing story of New Y'ork, starring Victor j McLaglen, will also be shown.