Round the Shows.

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 594, 21 February 1929, Page 14

Round the Shows.

PLAZA “THE CRASH’’ THIS EVENING Milton Sills has proved himself one of the screen's most versatile actors in his performances during the past few years. One of his finest roles is in "The

Crash,” his latest s

starring production, which comes to the Plaza Theatre this evening. in which he plays a virile railway ganger. Contra s tin g deeply with this was his preceding picture. "The Barker,” in which he played the loud-mouth salesman outside a cheap carnival company.

“The Hawk’s Nest” found him a dangerous. mysterious gang leader in the underworld of a great city, and in "Burning Daylight” he essayed the role of an Alaskan devil-may-care prospector of Jack London s popular In "The Crash,” the latest First National success, and Milton Sills s greatest personal triumph, this populai actor plays the role of a railroad man who has charge of a wrecking crew; he falls in love with and marries a girl from a cheap burlesque troupe. For a while they are happy, but trouble arises through the fact that the husband cannot understand this thoroughly modern type of young woman he has married. "The Crash” was directed by Eddie Cline, and the leading feminine role is portrayed by Thelma Todd. The supporting cast includes William Demarest, Wade Boteler, Sylvia Ashton, Yola d’Avril, Fred Warren and others. One of the gayest, breeziest comedies ever to grace the screen is “Phyllis of the Follies,” with Alice Day and Matt Moore, which will be the second feature this evening. It is one of those smartly sophisticated yarns about a chorus girl and a philandering bachelor who thinks he is making love to his attorney’s wife. Despite his resolution to eschew all chorus girls on account of his numerous breach of promise settlements, his first real love affair concerns a member of the “Follies” chorus. The story is jammed with jolly complication and is delightfully treated. The company also includes Edmund Burns, Lilyman Tashman and Duane Thompson, and is one of these small but exceptionally clever casts. “Phyllis of the Follies” is a full evening’s entertainment for anybody. It is a daring revelation of the private life of a chorus girl and is the answer to the question, “What do ladies of the ensemble do off the stage?” Excellent supporting pictures will also be shown.

GRAND BIG PICTURES TO-MORROW This evening the Grand Theatre will screen for the last time the fine British picture, “Moulin Rouge.” The story concerns the love of a young man for his fiancee’s mother, the star of the “Paris-New York Revue Company,” and Olga Tschechowa, Eve Gray, and Jean Bradin have the leading roles. Another excellent programme will be shown at the Grand to-morrow, headed by “Two Lovers,” the screen version of Baroness Orzcy’s popular novel, “Leatherface,” a tale of the supporters of William of Orange and of life in Holland and Spain in the sixteenth century. Vilma Banky and Ronald Colman have the leading romantic roles. “Blindfold,” a mystery thriller, dealing with jewellery thieves, murderers, and a girl who lost her memory will also be shown to-morrow. Lois Moran, George O’Brien, and Earle Fox are the stars. British Dominions Films’ exceptionally fine picture, “The Further Adventures of the Flag Lieutenant,” recently created a splendid impression on its New Zealand premiere presentation at Dunedin. One of the biggest pictures Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer has ever produced “Alias Jimmy Valentine,” drew unprecedented enthusiastic notice frorr critics and public at its world premiere in New York. This production which stars William Haines, is already being spoken of on a par with “White Shadows” and “The Trail of ’98,” anc has amazingly impressive dialogue sequences. Its advent in this country is of front rank importance to exhibitors