AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 229, 27 September 1928, Page 24

AMUSEMENTS.

HIPPODROME AND EMPRESS.

Monte Blue in "One Round Hogau" is ] proving a popular attraction at the Hippodrome and Empress Theatres as is the second feature, "Finger x'rints." As its, title indicates "One Round Hogan" is a romance of the prize fight rinir. Monte, in the title role, is seen as an aspiring young heavy-weight, who has acquired the habit of knocking hie opponents out in th\a first round. He ie a champion, and the eon of a champion. He was "framed" for murder, and there is the romance of hie battle, for vindication. More thrilling than the real battle or the ring, thie picture has been acclaimed wherever shown. Louise Fazenda, in "Finger Prints," ie seen as a gaping, startled, kittenish maid-of-all-work, amid a gang of notorious maU ro-bbere. Thie crime etory deals with a band, of criminals, who have robbed a ■bank to the extent of 5,000.000 dollars. The leaders of the gang are arrested and convicted, but the money has not been produced. It is hidden in a hou6e far away in the country. The one man who knows the hiding place is in prison, and upon him the detectives operate in an endeavour to get the information. It is when they eventually reach the house that the mystery thickens, and the audience are treated to a thrilling climax. The supporting etare are Helene Coetello and John T. Murray. MARGARET BANNERMAN. Miss Margaret Bannerman, who comes with the reputation of being one of London's best and most popular comedy and dramatic artists, arrived from Sydney by the Maheno on Tuesday, and on Wednesday night next she and Anthony Prinsep's London company will be presented for the first time to playgoers of New Zealand in Walter Hacketfs brilliant comedy drama, "Other Men's Wives," which was specially written for Miss Banuerman by the author of "Ambrose Applejohn's Adventure." The success achieved by Miss Bannerman in Sydney and Melbourne is, it is said, without a parallel iu the theatrical history of Australia, every known record beiug broken in the J. (J. Williamson, Ltd., theatres there. The approaching Auckland season must necessarily be limited to 12 nights, but during that period Miss Bannerman and Anthony Prinsep will appear in four of the best and most popular plays in their repertoire. Four nights only can be devoted to "Other Men's Wive/,," and it will b« folloAved by three representations - each of "Our Betters" and "Sexes and Sevens," and two of "Diplomacy." In "Other Men's Wives'' Miss Banuerman receives opportunities to display her genius both as a dramatic and a comedy artist. On the opening night of this play in Sydney the famous actress created on absolute furore. Miss Bannerman will be supported by a particularly powerful combination of comedy and dramatic artists, including the brilliant London actor, Mr. Louis Goodrich, Miss Lily Titberidge, Mr. Ellis Irving, G. Kay Souper, Herbert Millard, Miss Kerry Kelly, Arthur Cornell, Pirie Bush, and Dorothy Dunckley. All the productions will be etaged on the same scale of completeness as Avhen they were presented by Miss Baunerman in London. The box plans will be opened on Monday morning next. MAJESTIC THEATRE. The rolling pin cf the comic strip may be the most ominous appearing implement to be impressed into service for the correction of the habits of an erring husband, but that there are others more subtle and more effective, though not physically, is disclosed in the WarnerMaster Picture, "If I Were Single, which opens at the Majestic Theatre tomorrow, co-starring May McAvoy and Conrad Nagel. The picture initiates its co-stars into roles as newlyweds whose love is languishing critically after the fires of the first year's romance have cooled. Hot words and hasty action accompany flares of temper and misunderstandings hi rapid order. Then the. disillusioned wife settles down to the problem of rebuilding her husband. How her plans work out — and they nearly go awry—paves the way for a series of incidents which are both pathetic and hilariously funny. Also on the Majestic programme will be a New Zealand Scenic, a Majestic News, and an "Our Gang" comedy. Miss Christina Ormiston will sing gems from "The Bohemian Girl," with the Majestic Quartet, and Mr. John Whiteford-Waugh's orchestra will render appropriate music. NEW REGENT THEATRE.

The suave, sophisticated Adolphe Menjou has forsaken his top hat and evening suit again. His first departure from the clothing which is f.t once associated with his name was in *'A Night of Mystery." Now he is seen in "His Tiger Lady,' which will have its Auckland premiere at the New Regent Theatre to-morrow. In this film Menjou appears as a poor "extra" employed at the famous Folies Bergere, Paris, who has but one euit oi clothes, an old shiny one, which, in the story, is ruined through a prank ot his friends back-stage. He dons his stage costume, that of an Indian maharajah, and woos and wins a wealthy lady. The position in which he now finds himself leads to all sorts of complications, and a high standard of the comedy typical oi Menjou is maintained until the end of the story is reached. Evelyn Brent plays opposite Menjou, and gives another striking performance. On the same programme there will be the appearance of Harmston's Comedy Cockatoos--, a troupe ct thirty-six performing birds, whose turn :s a very novel one. Mr. Maurice Guttridge will again play the Wurlitzer organ, and i there will be entertaining supports. Mr. Guttridge will also conduct the orchestra, for whom an enjoyable musical score has been arranged. STRAND THEATRE.

"Ramona," Dolores Del Rio's latest triumph for United Artists, enters the second week of its Auckland season at the Strand Theatre to-morrow. This film has been drawing large audiences since it opened, and promises to be one of the most successful pictures seen in Auckland for several months. It is the screen version of Helen Hunt Jackson's famous Indian romance of the early days of old California, when the Spanish dona were undisputed leaders in the land. The story concerns Ramona, a girl, half Indian and half-Spanish, who Uvea with Senora Moreno, a wealthy ranch owner. It opens with the* days of the youth of Ramona and Felipe, the senora's son, and goes on to tell of the girl's love for Allesandro, an Indian, her elopemynt with him, the tragedy of her life with him—built round the death of their baby, the wrecking of their home by cattle thieves, and finally the murder of Allesandro —and a touching climax is reached with the girl's return to Felipe, whose tyrannical mother has died. With the film at the Stcand there ie an atmclsphenc proliogue. in which Mr. Birrell O'Malley is the soloist, and entertaining supports. Eve Pentley's orchestra plays suitable mnsic. A novel number is a gramophone record of the popular song, "Ramona," actually sung by Dolores Del Rio. LYRIC AND EMBASSY.

Sir Harry Lauder has at last suaeunibed to the lure of the screen. His first picture, "Hun'.ingtower," opened at; the Lyric and Embassy Theatres to-day. It is from the story by John Buchan, and tells of a Glasgow grocer who took a walking tour to be away from his wife, and who ran into mystery, adventure and romance. The popular Scottish comedian, who is known the world over as a stage artist, is signally successful in his screen "work and introduces several drolleries quite new to the silver sheet. Sir Harry's leading lady is Vera Voronina, c Russian actress, who also scores a success Among the varied supports which accompany the film at both theatres are an interesting news-reel, a laughable short comedy and a travelogue. A second feature picture "The News Parade ie also screened. A Fox production tliie uiterest--1 lag film stars "News Real , Nick Stuart.

SHURA CHERKASSKY. Mr. E. J. Gravestock announces that the dates of Shura Cherkaeeky's concerts in Auckland are Thursday, October 18, Saturday, October 20, ana Tuesday, October 23, at the Town Hall. The 16-year-old genius of the piano has been creating extraordinary scenes of enthusiasm, in the South, aud both in Wellington and Christchurch his seasons have had to be extended. The Auckland seasonwill be definitely confined to three recitals, ae Cherkassky is due to leave for Australia immediately at the conclusion of the final recital, where he will play with the New South Wales State Orchestra at the Sydney Town Hall. COMEDY AT HOWICK. Rich in humour and a bright and elevor entertainment from start to finish, was the "Knight of Dreams," a musical comedy, presented to a crowded house at the Howick Public Hall last evening, by the recently formed Howick-Pakuranga Musical Society. The society, it was evident from the talent that played this attractive modern version of Pygmalion and Galatea, has gathered about it au accomplished company of artists, who should gain further successes when they play at Papatoetoe and Tamaki. and stage their next performance at llowiek on October 11.

A great bulk of the work fell on the capable shoulders of Mr. R. F. Newton, who portrayed admirably the part 01 Roland Clifford, a young sculptor, who dreams that he is the Greek master of clays who modelled Galatea. As the story unravels itself, Cleopatra, Othello, Desdemona, Macbeth, and a few more characters of their type are introduced. Playing opposite Mr. Newton was Mrs. P. Sheen, who gave a splendid interpretation of the difficult part of Galatea. Together the pair scored a wonderful ovation for their "There's Sunshine in Your Smile," a vocal number rendered with exquisite range and artistry. T«liss Peggy Ledez and Mr. P. Massey were well cast as two artists, who, in the dream story, played Cleopatra and Mark Anthony. The humour of the piece was well sustained by Mr. Gordon Roberts, who appeared first as a coloured janitor, and later as Othello, and, cast as the former, was well received when lie sang "The Watermelon" and "My Old Kentucky Home." Mr. G. A. Newtou and Miss Dagmar Jansen also contributed their share to the success of the entertainment, as patrons of the young sculptor, and later as Mebeth and Lady Macbeth. The ballet work and the chorus numbers were features of "Knight of Dreams," the entire company enthusing delightful life into their work. They reflected credit on themselves, and also on Mr. George Hosking, who capably produced the comedy. The musical portion of the programme was well handled by an orchestra that was assembled under the efficient baton of Mr. \. J. T. Judkins. The proceeds from the performance will be devoted to local institutions, principally to different churches iu the district.