Round the Shows

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 593, 20 February 1929, Page 14

Round the Shows

PLAZA NEW PROGRAMME TO-MORROW “The Man Who Laughs,” one of the j most spectacular pictures ever made j and based on Victor Hugo's great novel, will be shown at the Plaza Theatre for the last time this evening. Mary Philbin and Conrad Veidt have the leading roles. Thrills of the sort seen once in a ; lifetime are in store for motion pic- i ture patrons in “The Crash,” First ! National’s photoplay which will be the I new attraction at the Plaza to-morrow. ; with Milton Sills in the starring role. j Sills has always been known as the “he-man” of the screen. In past pictures lie has been called upon to perform some difficult feats, but in “The Crash” he surpasses anything he has ever done on the screen both in scenes calling for strength and courage. ‘‘The Crash” is a screen version of .r£J nk L ‘ Pa ckard’s magazine storv, ‘The V recking Boss,” and was directed by Edward Cline. The feminine role is played by Thelma Todd and others m the cast are William Demarest Made Boteler, Tola d’Avril, Sylvia Ashton and Fred Warren. The exciting and humorous story of the after-theatre life of a chorus girl |is the enter--1 taining theme of I Universal’s feat--1 ure corned y, “Phyllis of the Follies,” starring Alice Day and £ Matt Mo or e, § which will also I be screened at I the Plaza Theai tre to-morrow. | The others in | the cast are * I Edmund Burns, Lilyan Tashman,

and Duane Thompson.

TIVOLI AND EVERYBODY’S “MAN WHO LAUGHS”-TO-MORROW The current programme at the Tivoli and Everybody’s Theatres, “The White Sheik,” a story of warfare in Morocco and the thrilling Western picture, “Taking a Chance,” will be shown for the last time this evening. Victor Hugo’s “The Man Who Laughs” in its film version will be the new attraction at both theatres tomorrow. This is a masterpiece of film direction, and an achievement for its leading actor, Conrad Veidt, who gives a splendid characterisation in the difficult title role. In its early sequences, “The Man Who Laughs” strikes a tragic note which it carries through this morbid tale, but the story is ably handled by the director, Paul Leni, and impressively realistic even in its most repulsive scenes. This is no picture for those who want amusement or pleasant entertainment from the motion picture. Put it is a worthy contribution to the season’s lists and superior to “The Phantom of the Opera” and “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”

Veidt, who is an importation from Geripany, gets into his character a sympathetic appeal for this gruesome being of noble blood, whose face was distorted by comprachicos in his childhood, and whose disfigurement was his livelihood in a travelling circus. He is a fine actor.

Mary Philbin is the blind Dea of the book, beautiful as ever, with her activities confined merely to looking that way. The entire cast is an excellent one, with Stuart Holmes as the insipid Lord Dirry-Moire, and Olga Baclanova making an enticing Duchess Josiana. Brandon Hurst, who has been seen before to advantage, does another villainous role as Barkliphedro in excellent manner. LYRIC SHOWS “RED WINE” With everything in the world that goes with happiness—wealth, a beautiful and devoted wife; a respected pillar of the community—yet Charlie Cook in Fox Films “Red "Wine” sought new thrills. What he found in the way of thrills and his reaction thereto forms the basis of the most hilarious farce which is now at the • Lyric Theatre, with Conrad Nagel in the leading role. The beautiful wife in the picture happens to be June Collyer. The chief vamp is Sharon Lynn, with the eyes that won't behave. The man who led the hero, Conrad Nagel, astray is portrayed by that excellent actor, Arthur Stone. The background of the story is night life as it is lived in these days of Prohibition. It dazzles and scintillates and is six reels of intense enjoyment. “The Romantic Age,” the second feature, is a bright comedy-drama of flappers and jazz, with Alberta Vaughn and Eugene O’Brien in the leading roles. “NIGHT OF MYSTERY” AT ROYAL The Adolphe Menjou picture, “A Night of Mystery,” will be shown at the Royal Theatre, Kingsland, this evening. The tale centres about the love of Captain Ferreol for the beautiful Tlierese D’Egremont, and the admiration of Gilberte Boismartel, married woman, for Ferreol. Ferreol spurns the latter’s attentions, but one night, while visiting her in her boudoir, he sees a man murdered. The slayer has seen the love tryst, and theatens to tell all lie knows if Ferreol accuses him. Later, the brother of Therese is tried for the killing. Ferreol must keep his silence or ruin the reputation of Gilberte, the wife of the judge hearing the case. If he does remain silent, he will break the heart of the girl he loves. That situation brings about a thrilling climax, enacted as only a star of Menjou’s magnitude and abilitv could do it. “Kit Carson,” the second feature, • tells of one of America’s early romantic figures, with Fred Thomson as the star. KASHMIRI DANCE CLUB SECOND NIGHT TO-MORROW Auckland's latest dancing rendezvous is the Kashmiri Dance Club, which meets in the Dominion Hall, opposite the Dominion Road Post Office. The hall has been redecorated and a smoke lounge added. The Kashmiri's second big dance will be held to-morrow evening, with | dancing from 8 p.m. until midnight, j alter Smith is in charge of the Kash- ! miri Dance Band. ! Florence Vidor plays the role of an opera singer who becomes mixed up | with Chinese intrigue, in “Tong War.” ; one of the latest Paramount proauei tions.

YE OLDE PIRATE SHIPPE LATE THEATRICAL NIGHT A special late Theatrical Night is the attraction at Xe Olde Pirate Shippe, Milford, this evening, when the members of “The Vagabond King” company will be present as guests of the management. Dancing will continue until 1 a.m., and late transport will be available. Ye Versatile Pirates Orchestra will play some of the latest dance music, and this evening’s dance promises to be a riot of colour and gaiety.

BANC IN ALBERT PARK The programme to be given in Albert Park to-night by the Municipal Band will contain tlie interesting suite, “Scenes in Maoriland,” a musical description by a Maori composer of the wonder scenes at Rotorua and district; two tuneful selections from “Tlie Mikado” and “Reminiscences of Schubert”; Rossini’s “Tancredi” overture; cornet duet, “The Swiss Boy,” by Messrs. Davies and Morgan; piccolo solo, “Long, Long Ago,” by Mr. Hal C. McLennan; bright marches and other tuneful and interesting numbers.

LUNA PARK OPEN EVERY EVENING Tlie Luna Park Amusement Area has been in full swing every evening this week, when all the devices and sideshows have been well patronised. “The Brackens,”, the clever daredevil wire-walkers and trick artists, are the centre of attraction. Their performance is free to patrons of the Park, and each receives much applause. The Park is open every evening during the week and on Saturday afternoon.

South Africa, Canada, Hawaii, Fiji Islands. Tahiti, Australia, Ceylon, Bombay. London. Cliina, Mesopotamia, Bagdad—just a few ports of call made by Victor McLaglen. Fox Film star, at various periods of his adventurous life, before taking up screen work. MoLa glen fought in two wars, the Boer and the World, and his most adventurous period was when he was Provost Marshal of Bagdad, equivalent to chief ot police. He first appeared on tlie screen in “The Call of the Road,” and since then his career has been highly successful, with the probability that he always will be best remembered for bis work in ‘‘What Price Glory.”

RIALTO AND REGENT, EPS) “ROSE MARIE" After being the rage of four i ents for over four years, the | stage success, “Hose Marie,” has • brought to the screen and to BOW* ! shown at the Rialto and xtegen* - som> Theatres. . I Filmed in the Canadian >»ortr.

the screesion is al*r thrills and, - dents wWa. necessity, not be det in the s«f eion. The or* haunting - dies will bsented *®, picture. • Crawford . the role

Marie. James Murray is JlOl ft and the Australian, Houo* * Malone. Other note are Polly Moran and Hale. a t I The second attraction theatres will be "Love * Jj oCS dramatic story of a niyw gedy on a French warship t; beautiful woman was for c; her soul to protect the ho o husband. Billie Dove is

WAY-BACK AUSTRAL^ TIM McCOY IN “THE W# RANGER” Using boomerang “f-gjJiiii. - national weapons of fiseries of thrilling adventure-. Coy is starring in one teresting of ins Metro-Go sCl(ecproductions, shortly to Auckland. , firf-,' This is “The Eushrang • Australian picture to fl*/ America, and a vivid st . tralian plains. Among V the star's disarming c ' revolver with the “Lpe frf.. whip; the sensational - ttroopers. with a ho ctirf® 1 into tlie lights; and otbe characteristic scenes. , Marion Douglas is t" Dale Austin (“Missi . tlie second feminine