AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 225, 22 September 1928, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS.

STRAND THEATRE,

"When Dolores Del Rio portrayed Carmen in "The Loves of Carmen," most film ■ fane were firmly convinced that she had reacned the Height oi ner art, haa given a .periorcnanoe vvnich she would never surpass. But tneir Deueis are shattered by ner acting in tne title roie oi "Jiamona/ wnicn opened to a crowned liouse at tne ■Strand Xneatre last evening. Although perhaps not so strong as ner characterisation ox the coquettish Charmaine ox' ••What Price Giory.''—it is aouotiul wnetner Miss Del Kio will ever play anotner roie so well as (Jharmaine —her xtamona is a loeautiiul piece ox work which calls ior simpucity more tlian anything else, ior it is lis simplicity that is the Keynote oi tne success ox "lUmona." it is the story ox a 6eauUml_girl, naix Indian, nalx ttpanjau, wno is aaopted by the proud benum Aloreno, owner ox the largest rancho in Cauiorma in tne clays ox the Dons. Tne story nas tnree divisions —the childhood ox Kamona, her love xor Aiiesanuro, chief ox a band ox wandering maiaus, and her final happiness with .cenpe, iSenora Moreno's son, wno had woiwnipped her since they were children togetner. It opens witn the happy days wiien iiamona and ieiipe were young. Although her love ior -teiipe is sincere, it is mat ox a sister only, and with the arrival oi Allesanaro, there rises in her breast the true love ox man and maid, 01 maid and man. ±ehpe is heart-broken, and wiien Kamona ana Aliesandro elope— xor the tienora Moreno will not consent to her marrying an Indian —nis liie is completely clouded. Happy in their freedom, xCamona and Allesanoio five with their ua'oy girl on the outskirts oi an Indian settlement, but tragedy mars their liie, and cat-tie thieves swoop on their home, "burning then' house an.d stealing tneir cattle. Their daughter nas died and they jeave to make a new nome on a inga peak, which might be the roof of tne world, But Jxamona's unhappiness is increased, when Allesandro is snot, it is nere that Miss Del ±Cio gives the best ox ner' wort. Wandering the country-side ner memory gone, she roves from place to place until friendly Indians take her to I their home, where Felipe, who, since the death ox nis mother has searcned ior her, finds her. His efforts to restore her memory, to make her recognise him, ior souie time iutiie, but finally successful, or nig tne story to a ntting climax. Allesandro is well portrayed by VV arner Baxter, wnne Felipe, played by Roland Drewe, is another likeaoie character. But it is xAwoies Dei JtCios picture, nd matter now strong the acting oi her supporting players, it is another Del Rio triumph, "riamona" is preceded by an atmoepneric prologue, in which Mr. Birreli O'Mailey, tne eoioist, sings ''itamona." A gramophone record ox the same pretty song, actually sung by Ai.es Del Rio, is also played, and suiui'bie and enjoyable music is rendered oy i.ve Uentiey's Orchestra. An "Our Gang" comeuy, m which Hal Roach's rascals nave a number of exciting experiences with tne animal dwellers ox a farm, an interesting Strand Magazine, and a travelogue complete the entertainment. LYRIC AND EMBASSY. In addition to the excellent picture programme at the Lyric and Embassy i'heatres Argus, who is announced as "Ida psychological marvel of the twentieth century," is appearing for a season. This boy has created great interest and his psychic powers have mystified audiences wherever he has appeared*. Patrons are requested to bring questions for Argus to read. He is reputed to have used his peculiar faculties to clear up crime, and to have located the whereabouts of lost or stolen goods. It is claimed that at is impossible apparently for him to go wrong in naming hidden articles, stating dates on coins or bank notes, or—nominating} what ie carried in a person's pocket. There are two feature films in the picture programme—"Don't Marry" and "Under the Black Eagle." The former is a sparkling comedy-romance, in which Lois Moran and Neil Hamilton have the leading parts. It is an interesting story, in which a modern society girl assumes the mode,and manner of olden times to win the love of the man she has set her heart upon. Succeeding in her scheme she is afraid to keep up the deception to the end, and as the wedding day approaches complications come which provide bright comedy of a high order. "Under the Black Eagle" is a MetroGoldwyn film, with an all-star cast, which provides capital entertainment, including many thrills. PLAZA AND TIVOLI. "Dancing Vienna," which is being screened at the Plaza and Tivoli Theatres, is a delightful romance in which the clash of the modern jazz and the old-time waltz form the main theme. Within the recent' years jazz has become tlie favourite of many, but there still exists a large number who show a great appreciation for the old- j time music. In this direction probably the waltz is the more appreciated than any other. Lya Mara was selected as the most suitable actress to typify the Viennese sentiment of the waltz, whilst Ben Lyon typifies the modern craze. Whether Miss Mara is to appear in gavotte "can-can" of jazz, she seems to be equally at home and gives an excellent performance. Ben Lyon, has a fine part as the young man who falls in love with her and succeeds admirably in every scene. Abo on the programme at both theatres is "Call of the Heart," the latest Universal feature starring Dynamite, the popular dog player. Entertaining smaller films accompany the two big features. These include a film showing scenes of the arrival at Mangere and Auckland of the transtasman airmen. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The dining saloon of a palatial transatlantic steamship, a replica of one of New York's most fashionable night clubs, an elegantly furnished bachelor apartment and a 'beautiful country estate are among the spectacular settings for "Getting Gertie's Garter," Marie Prevost's new P.D.C. star comedy, now being screened at Everybody's Theatre. The amusing screen version of Avery Hopwood's famous bedroom farce centres around the frantic quest of the hero, played by Charles Ray, after an elusive and incriminating garter worn by Miss Prev'ost in the role of Gertie. "Finders Keepers," which stars Laura La Plante, and which enjoyed a signally successful season, at the Plaza and Tivoli last week, accompanies "Getting Gertie's Garter" at Everybody's. "Finders Keepers" is the screen version of the popular Mary Roberts Rinehart story of the same name, and concerns the amusing adventures of Barbara, daughter of an army colonel, and godmother of his regiment, who, after accepting at least a dozen engagement rings from admirers among the-soldiers, falls in love with a young private who seems always to be displeasing her father TUDOR THEATRE. A full house greeted the new programme last evening at the Tudor Theatre, Remuera. Following a well-selected pictorial was the Warner production, "The Silver Slave/' starring Irene Rich. This recounts the clever way in which a gay society matron prevents her daughter from marrying for money as she herself had done. The story is lightened with humour, and is intensely dramatic. The second feature is "The Patsy," a domestic comedy romance, with Marion Davies playing the role of a bashful flapper, who tries desperately to attract attention from the man she loves. A special feature of last night's programme was the excellent dancing of 60 girls from the Remuera school, and. three choral items, in which the girls were assisted by 30 boys from the same school. The net returns for the night were donated to the fund to provide playing fields. Next Tuesday "Wings" will be presented, and on Friday will be replaced by Madge Bellamy in "The Play 5W Tin Mature, "A Race wffl ante^ I *,* Mayfield's Cowboy Band wiu appeor thi» evening only, I

REGENT THEATRE

Emil Jannings has added another great picture 'to his list of successes in ""Hie Last Command," which was the principal attraction on the new programme presented at the New Regent Theatre last evening. The film is unusual in that the beginning and ending of it are presented as taking place in a motion picture studio at Hollywood. The central portion of the film depicts with startling realism incidents in the earlier stages of the Russian Revolution of *Ke last decade. The close-up work in thic part is remarkably good, both on the part of Emil Jannings and Evelyn Brent, who has the only female role, and on the part of the maddened, oppressed crowd of peasants, thirsting for revenge for the years of tyranny. Jannings gives a striking character study of the Grand Duke, the cousin of the Czar. One sees depicted in him the attitude of the Russian Royal house: a great and lasting love for Russia, but a failure to recognise and allow for the rights and privileges of their poor and uneducated subjects. One sees the Grand Duke, while attempting to direct the operations of the mighty Russian Army in 1917, yet finding time to make merry. The war and hunger at last bring long years of oppression to a head, and the peasants take charge of the train on which the Grand Duke is travelling. In the scenes of the humiliation which the duke suffers is seen the best close-up work of the picture. Through the love of a woman revolutionist the duke is able to make his escape from the train, but as he watches it pitches from a bridse to its destruction, carrying the woman with it. He never forgets this. Jannings escapes to America and seeks employment at Bollywood, where he falls in with a revolutionist whom he once struck with his whip, now a film director. The duke is made to react a scene from 1917, but he rises above the "hiake-believe part and reveals once again just what was best in the Russian Royal house. The supporting programme is strong. A spectacular dancing interlude entitled "Winter Frolics" is presented by pupils of Miss Cecil Hall. Miss Isabelle Brook acts as solo dancer. The picture programme includes a Regent Gazette, a Krazy Kat cartoon, and a Billy Dooley comedy, "Dizzy Sights." Mr .Maurice Guttridge is at the Wurlitzer this week, and last evening gave impressive interpretations of "Poet and Peasant" (Suppe) and "Ramona" (Gilbert Mayne). He was assisted in the first by the Regent Operatic Orchestra, which throughout the evening supplied appropriate music. MAJESTIC THEATRE. An enjoyable treat was given to patrons of the Majestic Theatre last night, when William Haines' latest picture, "Telling the World," was screened, together with a well-varied supporting programme. Mr. Whiteford Waugh's orchestra rose to the occasion, and rendered delightful music throughout. The orchestral interlude, "Hungarian Dance No. 7" (Brahms) was played with precision and pretty melody. "Telling the World," with William Haines as the reporter hero, and with a supporting cast including Anita Page, Polly Moran, and Bert Roach, combined fun with tense incidents. Wonderful photography showing the broadcast of the Chinese rebellion throughout the world, drew gasps of admiration from the enthralled audience. The story lies round the adventures of a disinherited son, who becomes a reporter. The clever acting of Don Davis (William Haines), when he is engaged, made the audience bubble with laughter. Haines, with his swollen opinion of his own capabilities, is certainly a master comedian. After working on the staff for a few days, he is made the butt of his fellow workers, who stage an imaginary murder at a cabaret, and have him sent to report it. At the cabaret, however, he finds the murder is stern reality. It is while trying to escape from the night club that he meets Crystal (Anita Page), and falls in love with her. Several exciting experiences follow, and when Crissie goes to China with a performing troupe, and is captured by Chinese rebels, supposedly for the murder of their Governor, Don is right on her track to rescue her. A stage turn is provided on the programme by Wendy and Alphonse, two clever and charming comedians. Their turn consists of singing, and a skit entitled "The Ballad of the Civic Square." They were heartily applauded, and for an encore Wendy rendered an impersonation of a tiny tot singing at the music competitions. This was a real treat, and very cleverly executed. A New Zealand scenic of the Southern Lakes, a laughable comedy entitled "The Fight Pest," and the Majestic News complete a delightful and thoroughly appreciated entertainment. MARGARET BANNERMAN. Of all the English actresses who have visited the outlying Dominions none of them has scored anything like the success which was won in Sydney and Melbourne by Miss Margaret Bannerman, who is to be introduced by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., to play-goers at His Majesty's Theatre on Wednesday, October 3. Miss Bannerman's reputation in England and America is such as to make her first appearance an event of outstanding interest. A charming and highly intellectual woman, her views on stage matters are" always listened to with great interest. Miss Bannerman was born in Canada, where she was educated in a convent at Halifax. She made her first appearance on the stage in London in 1915, when she scored a triumph, and during J the past ten years she has been the idol of London playgoers. During the approaching season Miss Bannerman, together with Mr. Anthony Prinsep's London Company, will appear in four of her best and most successful plays, beginning with Walter Hackett's much-discussed comedy-drama, "Other Men's Wives," which will be followed by "Our Betters," Somerset Maughan's famous play, "Sexes and Sevens" and "Diplomacy." Walter Hackett wrote "Other Men's Wives" specially for Miss Bannerman. Play-goers will, see each of the productions as they were staged during their record runs in London. DANCING. Several novelties have been arranged for this evening's dance in the Dixieland Cabaret, Point Chevalier. Music will be supplied by the Dixieland Dance Band under Mr. Harry Neileon, and all the latest fox-trot hits will be played. Another enjoyable entertainment has been arranged for the Click Clack Caibaret, in the Rialto Buildings, Newmarket, this evening. Clyde Howley's Famous Internationals will provide the music, and favours will be distributed among the merry-makers. The usual Saturday night dance will be held in the Mission Bay Cabaret, Kohimarama, this evening. Mr. George Williams has arranged a first-class entertainment for the Masonic Hall this evening. Old-time dances are held every Wednesday and Saturday evenings in the Municipal Hall, Newmarket, under the direction of Mr. D. Mayes. The Parisian Dancing Club will hold another big dance in the Kitchener Hall this evening. Birtley's Society Orchestra (under the personal direction of Mr. Birtley) will provide a specially selected programme of syncopated dance music, and pleasing lighting effects will give the cabaret a gay atmosphere. The Regal Five will provide a first-class programme of music at this evening's dance of the Ngaroma Social Club, to be held in the Manchester Oddfellows' Hall, at the corner of Victoria Street, West, and Hobson Street. MUSIC AT THE 200. The Municipal Band plays at the Zoological Park to-morrow (Sunday) afternoon at 3 o'clock. A bright programme includes the marches "Loyal Order," "The Pitt Panther," and "Our Fighting Men"; overture, "Bohemian Girl"; selections "Merrie England" and "The Maid of the Mountains"; petite suite, "Scenes in Maoriland" and other tuneful nunJbers,