AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 223, 20 September 1928, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

STRAND THEATRE

Brilliant, glamorous, pictorial, scintil- '' lant with, romantic charm, vibrant with ( dramatic tensity, dynamic in its emotional ] moments, poignant in its bitter tragedy— ' that is "Ramona," the United Artiste i photoplay, which, opens to-morrow at the ' Strand Theatre. iThis classic love story ' by Helen Hunt Jackson has been masterly ' directed by Edwin Carewe. The noted director has caught the romantic spirit of early California in the colourful days of ' the Spanish Dons, and he has faithfully ' brought to life on the screen the beloved characters of the book. Dolores Del Rio as Ramona invests her role with sincerity, d«ep understanding, poignant feeling and artistic conception. Under the direction of Edwin Carewe, this brilliant young artiste surpasses in dramatic portrayal even her finest moments in "Resurrection." "Ramona" will be accompanied at the Strand by an atmospheric prologue, in which Mr. Rirrell O'Malley is the soloist. An "Our Gang" comedy, an interest film, and a Strand Magazine are the other supports, while Eve Bentley's Orchestra will play enjoyable music. The management of the Strand have arranged a novel competition in connection with the season of "Ramona." To the parents of the baby girl who first apply, a cot will be given, provided the child is named and registered "Ramona." MAJESTIC THEATRE. William Haines' next starring picture for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, "Telling the World," is a romance of the great Press Agencies of the world. It will be screened at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow. In this picture Haines essays the role of a newspaper reporter. As the story moves round to a Chinese revolution, with a girl's life -t stake, many unusual thrills are added to comedy, and action piles on action, sensation on sensation right to the final fade-out. Anita Page makes her debut to the screen opposite Haines, while Polly Moran and Bert Roach are other favourites who appear in the cast. Entertaining supporting numbers have been arranged. The stage turn will be provided by Wendy and Alphonse, whose number has been described as "f).i? long laugh." Bright comedy, good nius:c and the charm of two attractive personalities have made their appearance popular wherever they have been. Wendy is a soubrette and Alphonse a pianist. Other numbers on the same bill are a Majestic News, a laughable short comedy and an interesting scenic. Mr. John Whiteford-Waugh's Orchestra will play suitable music. NEW REGENT THEATRE. "The Last Command," which will have its Auckland premiere at the New Regent Theatre tQ'morrow, is a story of the red revolt in Russia, showing Emil Jannings as a great general, strictly military but beloved by his men. He befriends a girl but imprisons her companion, the girl in turn saving him from death at the hands of the blood-mad revolutionists. He then comes to America in search of this fair saviour, and there the thread of the story takes a strange twist. It is a gripping story, one with poignant love and drama, mystery, and thrills, so far different from "The Way of All Flesh," "Faust" and "Variety," that it is hard to believe the same star played in them all. Great settings mark "The Last Command" as an elaborate production. Entertaining supports will also be presented. Much interest has been aroused at the announcement that Mr. Maurice Guttridge will play the Wurlitzer organ. Patrons of the New Regent who enjoy the music which the Operatic Orchestra, under Mr. Guttridge's baton, provides, are looking forward to hear him play the organ, and their enjoyment is assured. The Regent Gazette, a short comedy, and an interesting news reel will be screened. PLAZA AND TIVOLI. Lya Mara has quickly become recognised as one of the great favourites amongst film actresses throughout Europe and has gained quite a large following of fans. Her latest success, "Dancing Vienna" is being screened at the Plaza and Tivoli Theatres. "Dancing Vienna" is a delightiul romance of the European stage that has as its basis the contrast between jazz and waltz time as applied to the modern audience. Lya Mara typifies the Viennese sentiment of the waltz, whilst Ben Lyon presents the case for jazz. Throughout the film the dancing is well to the fore. Lya Mara excels in this direction, as she commenced her artistic career as a student of ballet and first appeared on the stage when she was only seven years old. In "Dancing Vienna" she is irresistible, not only in the Viennese waltz, but ako in the international metamorphosis shown in the dancing revue scenes included in the pic: ture. Whether it be in the gavotte, can can of the jazz, she appears to be equally at home, and gives an excellent performance. "Call of the Heart," a Universal film starring Dynamite, the dog, accompanies "Dancing Vienna" at both theatres, and each house also offers entertaining supporting numbers. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE.

So popular lias "Finders Keepers" been at the Plaza and Tivoli Theatres, that its Auckland season is being extended, and it is now being screened at Everybody's, where it accompanies "Getting Gertie's darter." Laura La Plante is starred in "Finders Keepers," the screen version of the popular story of the same name by .Mary Roberts Rinehart. She appears as Barbara, the daughter of an army officer, and godmother of the regiment. The light story traces her exciting adventures in trying to care for the soldiers, and there is a charming romance woven into the sequence of events. "Getting Gertie's Garter" is a farce comedy which brings with it the welcome return to the screen of Marie Prevost. Charles Ray plays opposite her. A pretty ,maid, a jealous fiance, a jewelled garter and a broken engagement—that is the combination that makes this picture a riotous story from the opening scene to the closing fade-out. As the title suggests, the 6tory deals mainly with the garter. This, it happens, is lost, and ite loss causes the more concern because a photograph of the fiance of its owner is one of its chief adornments. Among the enjoyable supports at Everybody's is the appearance of Martini, the well-known "magician."

NEW HIPPODROME THEATRE. The charm of May McAvoy's personahtj suffuses "Irish Hearts," which heads the current bill of fare at the New Hippodrome Theatre with a glowing loveliness. It is the second Warner Bros.' production to be made under her new long-term contract, and her starring role is distinctly a "personality part" and fits the diminutive star like a glove. The vivacious, funloving Patsy from Erin offers a character that brings out all of Miss McAvoy's radiant self. Instead of the wistful, languishing beauty of "Lady Windermere's Fan," there is a high-spirited, unconquerable colleen with a flash in her eye and a quick retort on her pretty lips., a fighting little "Irisher," who is up in arms when her patience is tried to the breaking point by an intolerant employer, a faithless sweetheart, and a shiftless father. "Irish Hearts" proves conclusively that May McAvoy has not only beauty of face and form, but that inward beautv which produces the invaluable, intangible quality known as "charm." the official film of the recent Eueharistic Congress in Sydney is also screened, and a second big picture is provided in "50,000 Reward," a thrilling Western story, starring Ken Maynard. Esther Ralston is also in the cast, and, of course, an important part is played by the star's wonderful horse Tarzan. EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS FILM. The official film of the 29th Eueharistic Congress, held recently in Sydney, is being screened at the New Hippodrome, Empress, and West End Theatres. It is screened at the Xew Hippodrome at four eessions daily (11 a.m. and 2, 5, and 8 p.m.) at the 7.30 session at the Empress, and at the 7.45 session, at the West End.

LYRIC AND EMBASSY.

Not only is there a splendid picture pro-1 rramtme announced for the change to-night it the Lyric and Embassy Theatres, but in added attraction will be the appearance >f Argus, described as the "psychological marvel of the twentieth century," He is not new to Auckland, and is bound to be a.n even greater draw than ever before on account of the recent publicity he received in Whangarei. Patrons are advised to bring their questions for Argus to read and to make replies. Mental telepathy is claimed to be the speciality of this boy marvel, and the public will be afforded ample opportunity to judge his talents. "Don't Marry" and "Under the Black Eagle" are the films to be screened. In the former the featured players are Lois Moran and Neil Hamilton. It is hilarious comedy romance, crammed with suspense. It shows how a modern miss made a flaming youth of her straight-laced boy friend. This society romance is full of action, and is one of the most genuine fun makers screened for some time. "Under the Bfaek Eagle" is a thrilling drama pre eented by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It is played by an all-star cast, and will be a fitting finale to an excellent entertainment. EMPRESS THEATRE. After a signally successful season in other city theatres, "Second To None" is now being screened at the Empress Theatre, as the chief attraction oi the programme, which includes the film of the recent Eucharistic Congress in Sydney. "Second To None" is a stirring film of the British Navy, in which Moore Marriott plays the leading role. It tells of a boy who joins the navy, and, after several years diligent study, rises from the ranks. Has old sweetheart marries the captain of his ship and, heart-broken, he deserts. But when the ship is ordered into action he is back at his post and an inspiring climax is reached when he goes bravely to his death. "THE BELLE OF NEW YORK." Memories of that wonderfully successful musical comedy of thirty years ago, "The Belle of New York," have been aroused during the past few weeks by the announcement of its revival by the Auckland Amateur Operatic Society, whose first presentation of this piece will be given in His Majesty's Theatre this evening. There are few musical comedies that have so left their mark of approval upon satisfied audiences the world over, and the society is to be congratulated on its choice. Although an ambitious undertaking, the production of "The Belle" by this society can be_ relied upon to be an enjoyable entertainment. The comedy which gleams throughout the piece gives ample scope for a number of tried performers. Booking arrangements are advertised. BENEFIT CONCERT. A benefit concert will be tendered in the Town Hall this evening to Mrs. G. P. Cater, widow of the late Mr. George Cater, Auckland's popular bandmaster and conductor. A well-varied programme has been arranged, and numbers will be given by Misses Mina Caldow, Alma McGruer and Beryl Smith; Messrs W. Brough, F. Baker, D. Black, R. Dormer, T. T. Garland, T. Harris, W. Hicks, E. Mannall, A. McElwain, H. Miller, G. Poore, S. Pritchard, A. Ripley, H. Richards, J. Simpson, E. Thomas, Z. Wood, L. Wilson, R. Yates and Sergeant-Major Halahan; also the Blind Boys' Band and the Auckland Orphans' and Savage Clubs' Orchestras. Mrs. A. Ripley *nd Messrs. Leo Whittaker, C. Towsey and T. Sparling will act as accompanists. TOWN HALL CONCERT. i The Municipal Band presented a specially fine programme of music at its concert in the Town Hall last evening. Wagner's famous march form "Tannhauser" headed the programme, and a martial and telling rendering was sustained of its rich harmonies. Herold's overture to "Zampa" followed, and this was delivered in a spirited manner. The scoring of Sibelius' "Finlandia" waP presented in a way which exhibited its contrasted sections, and Drigo's "Serenade" and Dvorak's "Slavonic Dances Nos. 7 and 8" were effectively interpreted. The Allegro, Andante and Finale of Beethoven's "Fifth Symphony" were handled in a style which displayed the intrinsic beauties of the movements, and excerpts from Wagner's "Tannhauser" were highly appreciated. Schubert's "Serenade" and Thomas' "Woodland Flower" were tastefully sung by Mr. R. J. Peter. Mr. Leo Whittaker acted as pianist, %pd Mr. Christopher Smith had his musicians under fine control in the concerted numbers.