AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 224, 21 September 1928, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

STRAND THEATRE.

When Dolores Del Rio, who cotnes to the Strand Theatre in Helen Hunt Jackson's immortal love story, "Ramona," this evening, first entered lb* films under the direction of Edwin Carewe, people laid, "she has a future." When Miss Del Rio was seen in "What "Price Glory?" tolks said she was "made." When te star ?ave the world her portray;*! of Ixatuslia Maslova in Tolstoy's "R<-- urrection Press and public openly agreed it was snly "star material" that could render so perfect a characterisation. Now comes "Ramona"—that glowing romance of Old California, with the artiste, Del Rio, in the title role. Directed again by Edwin Carewe, who piloted the actress through "Resurrection," and who knows lier histrionic talent, Miss Del Rio is 6aid to better her height in the meteor-like scree a fame that has suddenly 'become hens without any objecting word. Also on the Strand's programme are a prologue, iu which Mr. Birrell O'Malley is the soloist, si Strand Magazine, an interest film and & comedy. A gramophone record "Ramona," which is sung by Dolores Del Rio, and which is the only record of her fine voice in New Zealand, will also be played, and Eve Bentley's Orchestra will play appropriate music. The management of the Strand has arranged a novel competition in connection with the screening of "Ramona." A cot will be given to the patents o; a baby girl who first apply, provided the child's name be registered as Ramona. MAJESTIC THEATRE. ''Telling the World" is William Haines® latest starring vehicle. Its Auckland season opened at the Majestic Theatre this afternoon. "Telling the World" is the rtory of a disinherited son who became a newspaper reporter, met adventure in a night club, then gave up gathering news to rescue a girl from the centre of a Chinese revolution, and became a great foreign correspondent. Haines is supported by Anita Page. Polly Moran, and Bert Koach. A stage turn is provided on the same programme by Wendy and Alphonse. Bright comedy, good music and two charming personalities make" their presentation a delightful one. other numbers on the same bill are an interesting Majestic News, a scenic of the Southern Lakes, and a comedy entitled "The Fighting Pest." Mr. John Wbite-ford-Waugh's Majestic Orchestra provides enjoyable music and renders "Seventh Hungarian Dance" (Brahms) as an overture. NEW REGENT THEATRE. William Powell has been a villain in American, Polynesian, Syrian, Bulgarian and Lithuanian. Now, for the first time in his wayward, consciousless career he has diverted his matchless roguery to the Russian. He is cast as Leo, the political dreamer, who tosses bombs with one hand while he romps about slitting throats with the other, and deceiving old ladies in his odd moments in the Emil Jannings picture "The Last Command," which opens at the New Regent Theatre this evening. Again Jannings is the master, the allpowerful actor shining above the rest of his cast, no matter how strong the players. But the film is said to be remarkable not only for the fine performance of Jannings, as a Rusisan general who is caught in the j vortex of revolution and swept to J oblivion, but by the outstanding story and directional treatment of Josef Von Sternberg. Playing the role of Jannings' leading woman is Evelyn Brent. Much interest has been aroused among Regent patrons by the announcement that Mr. Maurice Guttridge will play the Wurlitzer organ. Programmes have been without this portion of the entertainment for some time, and the revival will be most welcome. Mr. Guttridge will continue to conduct the orchestra, which will render a particularly attraetive musical 6core this week. Other numbers will be the Regent Gazette, an interest film and a laughable short comedy. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. When a girl loses her garter, something is bound to happen. But when that garter displays the photograph of her ex-fiance, who is hot on the trail of the incriminating evidence of his former affection, and her present fiance is possessed or a übiquitous eye and a jealous disposition complications are likely to arise. And they do in "Getting Gertie's Garter," the latest starring vehicle at Everybody's Theatre, which commenced its season last evening before a large and appreciative audience. "Gertie" is played by the vivacious Marie Prevost. Charles Ray has the principal masculine part, and as the perturbed ex-fiance, who is trying to recover the garter, excels himself for creating comic situations/ The supporting cast has been admirably selected, and includes such well-known artists as HarryMyers, Sally Rand and William Orlamond. "Finders Keepers'' is the other feature. It is the screen version of the popular Mary Roberts Rinehart's story of the same name. Laura La Plante, as Barbara, the godmother of a regiment ot "doughboys," who has a plethora of admirers, keeps the production going with a swing, and scores another triumph. PLAZA AND TIVOLI. For the weekly change of programme at the Plaza and Tivoii Theatres the main feature is "Dancing Vienna," with Ben Lyon and Lya Mara in the leading role*. Lya Mara has become one or the greatest favourites on the screen in Europe, and has gained a large following in America, as well as in Australia and New Zealand. "Dancing Vienna" is a delightful romance, and the large audience last evening was not slow to show their appreciation. The clash of old-time waltz and modern jazz forms the main theme. Lya Mara was selected as the most suit-able actress to typify the Viennese sentiment of the waltz, whilst Ben Lyon, typifies the modern jazz, which has become such a world craze. Throughout the film music and dancing are well to the fore. It is a picture out of the ordinary, and should be sure of a successful season. Another feature is "The Call of the Heart." This is a Western story with plenty of "kick." "Dynamite," a police dog with an intelligence uncanny, carries out a remarkable performance, and adds another triumph to his former efforts. The supports aiv exceptionally good, including the arrival m Auckland of the transatlantic flyers and authentic pictures of the Eucharist itCongress. LYRIC AND EMBASSY. The principal feature of the cum en? gramme at the Lyric and Kmbu».-y Theatres is the appearance on the r: of Argus, the boy whose powers have created more than mild in tercet on his visits to Auckland, lie will answer any questions which members of the audier.ee might care to ask. On the picture si-j-c of the entertainment, the chief attra.-ii.oi is "Don't Many," a l.inghab> comedyromance, with an liuiicuai , theme pivots round a very ni.„J.-vn girl. Prise ilia Bow en, who ='■!.-■ to wi:i an oid-fashioned man !>y L>c:"<->:e ; him as a demure and a prudish mai !. After winning him—and winning inn in\v!c-s countless amusing and intriguing situations —I'riscilla decides that she cannot marry him until she has told him the truth. But she is determined that she will not liisc him. so she poses as hersy.: again, and is introduced to the man as the cousin of the old-fasliioned girl. Lois Moran and Neil Hamilton head the cast of this entertaining picture. The chiel supporting film is •'L-nder the B.aok L.igle. and there are also enjoyable smaller n.ms, including news reels which show recent events of interest and importance from overseas, a travelofnie and a short c-ome<i> .