AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 231, 29 September 1928, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS.

LYRIC AND EMBASSY.

In "Huntingtower," the chief attraction at the Lyric and Embassy Theatres, Sir Harry Lauder makes his first appearance as an actor for the silent drama. Years of experience on the vaudeville and concert stage stand him in good stead in his role of Dickson McGunn, the canny Glasgow grocer, whose summer walking tour brought him into the toils of a gang of loot-hungry Bolsheviks in the old-world castle of Huntingtower. From a tightfisted grocer he suddenly develops into a hard-fisted fighter, battling to protect the fair refugee, the Princess Saskia. No hard knocks, however, can make the worldfamous Harry Lauder other than the natural humorist who has made himself beloved of the British public. Pat Ahearne, as Capt. John Heritage, carries off the bride, and a fair share of the credit for a notable picture, while the kiddies who compose the famous band of larrikins known as the Gorbal Diehards enliven many of the best scenes. On the same programme, William Pox presents "The News Parade," a story dealing with the life _ of the news-reel cameraman, the motion-picture Equivalent of the newspaper reporter. In pursuit of a camera-shy millionaire, "Newsreel Nick" Stuart chases from New York to Havana, upsets the schemes of a couple of international crooks, wins a wife, and eventually gets his.picture. All the actors play the parts that they have in real life, so that the picture is just as it should be. STRAND THEATRE. So successful has "Ramona" been at the Strand Theatre that it is possible that its season will last three weeks. "Ramona," -which is United Aftists' screen version or the story of the same name by Helen Hunt Jackson, stars Dolores Del Rio. It is a taAe of early California a>i<l the story opens on the rancbo of Seuora Moreno. Ramona's guartlian, and the wealthiest cattle rancher in the land. Ramona, a girl half Indiian and half Spanish, has a sister's love for Felipe, Scnora Moreno's son, but falls in love with an Indian Alcssandro, with whom she elopes. They settle down in a small home, but their hapr«iness is marred, first by the death of their baby girl and later by the plundering of their home by cattle thieves. Tragedy reaches its depth when Alesfiandro is murdered and Raimomia wanders the countryside, her memory gone. Here Felipe re-enters the story and takes her back to hie home. His mother is dead and the two live happily, the memories of past tragedies forgotten. With the film at the Strand there is at atmospheric prologue in which Mr. Birrell CMaHey is the soloist, an "Our Gang" comedy and a Strand Magazine. A gramophone record of the popular song "Ramona," actually recorded by Dolores Del Rio, is played, and Eve Bentley s orchestra renders enjoyable music throughout the entertainment.

PLAZA AND TIVOLI. Action, dare devil riding, and thrills are again in order, with the advent of Ken Mavnard, in his latest thriller, "Code of the Scarlet," at the Plaza, and Tivoli Theatres. It is the story of the Royal North-west Mounted Police, and shows Ken in a new role. His previous pictures have carried to the west, south-west, and even into Mexico and South America, but never in the north-west before. "Code of the Scarlet" was made entirely in California, aud contains a beautiful scenic background. The outdoor sequences were taken in the Sierra Madre mountains near Arrowhead, a spot likened to the Canadian Rookies for grandeur. "The Four-Flusher," starring Marian Nixon and George Lewis accompanies "Code of the Scarlet" ct both theatres. It is the story of a shoe store clerk who poses before an heiress as a millionaire. Comedy is the kevnot.' of the theme, and Miss Xixon and Lewis prove themselves a strong combination in serving light entertainment. NEW REGENT THEATRE.

To he able to stage an act such as that to which patrons of the New Regent Theatre were treated by Harmston's Performing Cockatoos last evening, is obviously the result of a lot of work. Despite the assurance that cockatoos are easily trained and that their minds are unusually leceptive, it is obvious that teaching these birds must have been a task which required the utmost patience. Among their varied tricks are waltzing, which, if not iu accordance with the latest npproved ballroom style, is at least amusing, performing on miniature horizontal and parallel bars, and turning somersaults, which resemble • the antics of a bird through the slow-motion camera. Then comes the turn of Captain, who delights with his rendering of "Home. Sweet Home oil a set of chimes. It is left to Colonel, probably the wisest of these wise biids, to put the cap 1 on the feat*s of his feathered brothers. Colonel is nilusually versatile; he solves simple arithmetical problems" by ringing his answers oil a bell, and even tells the time in the same manner. Any number which might be called from the house he will ring on the bell, and he is not to be caught, for to a request that he should ring the number "O", he took on an air ot blauduess and wagged his head as though to scorn the would-be tiickster. V\ ith the act there is a well-varied picture programme, hea<led by "His Tiger T> a dy," which stars Adolphc Mcnjoti. It I is difficult to imagine the suave Adolphe sans evening dress. The mention of hie name seems immediately to suggest a dress j shirt, a top-hat, and a silver-topped walk-ing-stick. But in -His Tiger Lady" Menjou appears as a poor "super" in a Paris theatre, whose part is that of an Indian rajah. All lie has to do is sit in a howdah carried by a swaying elephant, and to pass away his time he watches, from the stage, a duchess, who comes to the theatre every evening, fascinated by the appearance of a tiger. But Meujou, despite his costume, can still be debonair, sophisticated. He poses as Achmed the 26th, and leads the duchess and her three admirers, the duke, the marquis, and the count, through a maze of laughable adventures. A happy ending is inevitable, and when the "rajah" reveals his identity, the lady, while admitting that a match between a duchess and a "super" is impossible, suggests that a "super" might at any time marry a chorus girl, and accordingly joins the follies. Other numbers on the Regent's new bill are a short feature ill technicolour, of the romance of Anthony and Cleopatra, a "Dinky Doodle" cartoon, and a Itegent Review. As usual,

the music is an important part of the programme, and this week s score is an entertainment in itself. Mr. Maurice Guttridge plays "In a Monastery Garden" and "Nola" oil the Wurlitzer Organ, and also conducts the orchestra through enjoyable incidental numbers and an eutr acte. "Caliph of Baghdad. '

CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT

! A bright and clever children's cnter- | tainment was held in St. Luthberts Hall, I West End, on Thursday evening, to a. I crowded audience. Unfortunately manj were unable to gain admittance, and the committee have decided to repeat the performance next Wednesday night, October 3. Pianoforte solos were given by Gordon Sanders and Roy Cave, and recitations by Beny Sherlock, Trevor Blanks, and Eva Leers. Two novelty duets were the "Twins Duet" and "Two Little Sausages." An amusing school song was given Dy Gordon Henderson, and Miss Evelyn Jones sang the "Flower Song." A dancing item was presented by Mrs. Stewart's tiny dancing pupils, entitled the "Dancing Master." The same children afforded much amusement in "Two Little Ducks," from "The Country Girl." A hornpipe was given by Marjorie Clark, a fling bv Marie Chaney, and a jig by Mary Corrie and Amber Somervill. A great measure of success was due to the Boys' Minstrel Troupe. Last, but not least, was "Carnival Time," by Mrs. Stewart's older pupils, who presented a bright and spirited j it' t * le scene closing with streamers To Love" ntir " e ° mpany singing "Here's

THE MAJESTIC. Love will find a way they .say. But Cupid cuts some queer capers, and, in '"If I Were Single," the latest release at the Majestic Theatre, it takes being stranded on an atrocious road that oae would be ashamed even to fence in for a pig yard, a drenching to the skin, and an uncomfortable eight-mile ride in a milk waggon to bring a young couple to their senses. Jt is the same old story of love, a flirtatious and inconsiderate hueband, and a jealous wife, but it is presented in a new and attractive way that makes for clean and lamusing entertainment. Conrad Xagel is admirably cast as the wayward husband, who has been married sufficiently long to regard his wife," played by the vivacious May McAvoy, as his slave in all things, and complications his domestic affairs by the simple process of pretending he is single again. His trouble is that he does not bargain on the i fluffy motorist with whom he becomes involved, being the school girl chum of his wife. The tangle is ultimately unravelled after many comic situations, with consequent restoration of married bliss. The supporting programme has been well chosen, and includes a clever Nature study, "Lords of the Back Fence," which introduces cats of a wide variety of types, from Felix, of the chimney stacks, to petted Persians and Chiachillas. A Majestic News, presenting scenes gleaned from the four corners of the globe, amongst which are pictures of the ill-fated Italia, when it touched at Spitsbergen, and riotous evacuation in China, and a screamingly funny Van Bibber comedy, "The Favourite Wife." The musical portion of the programme is enjoyable in the extreme, and, in addition to the introductory march and "A Day in Naples" I Byng). played with artistry and effect by the Majestic Orchestra, under the capable baton of Mr. hiteford-Waugh, presents Miss Christina Ormiston. assisted by the Lyric Quartet, in gems from "The Bohemian Girl." Appropriately costumed in a scene of a nomadic character, the artists immediately scored success for the harmonic etleet they produced iu "Gipsy I Choruses. ' Miss Ormiston s sweet soprano I voice was heard to advantage in "[ j Dreamt I Dwelt," but probably the most popular number was "When Other Lips," in which she was assisted by the tenor vo i°e oi; Mr. A. Ri'piey anil the deep ba«s of Mr. Thomas. It was an exquisitely handled piece that deserved the approval of it showered on the trio by the appreciative audience. The programme will be shown throughout the week.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "The_ Rejuvenation oi Aunt Mary,*' which is now being screened at Everybody s Theatre, is a farce-comedy telling of an old lady who had believed herself an invalid for years and who was so sure that she was ill that she had even ordered her tombstone. A few hints from a pretty young nurse who understands that there is really nothing wrong with Aunt Mary, soon convince the old lady that her malady is purely imaginary and she emba-rks on an expedition of thrills, which culminate in her winning a gruelling crosscountry motor race. The plot is made the more amusing by the doings of Aunt Mary's young nephew, who, to his aunt's knowledge, is a doctor iu charge of a large sanatorium, but who is really a

mechanic, working hard on an invention designed to revolutionise motoring. Excitement reaches its pitch when the old lady decides to visit the sanatorium for her health s sake. ..The title role is played by May Robson, wtio created the part in the original stage presentation of the plav 32 years ago. Phyllis Haver portrays the nurse and Harrison Ford the nephew. Robert Edeson and Arthur Hoyt are also in the cast. "The Poacher" is the accompanying attraction at Everybody's. This film, a UFA production, is a mystery story in which the suspense is well maintained. Heiga Thotnas is starred. "LOHENGRIN/' Margherita Flor, whose captivating Mignon on Thursday roused the audience to unwonted enthusiasm, will, according | to Australian Press notices, be an equally successful Elsa in Wagner's opera "Lohengrin," which will be played at St. .Tames' Theatre on Monday night. The Sydney "Morning Herald'' musical critic, Mr. p. •J. Nolan, who is well known iu the Dominion as one of the soundest and most capable judges of operatic worth, raid in i that journal: "Flor sang with decided charm and was thoroughly effective in the mystic exaltation of the 'Dream' aria, the beautiful theme of which forms so important a motive of the first act. The prayer after the second call for the champion was admirably delivered. In the important duet with Ortrud, Miss Flor sang with great feeliner. In the bridal scene she acted with admirable force and with a manifest sense of the importance of the situation." The "Sydney Sun" wrote: "Margherita Flor had the spirit of German opera. She realised the gentleness and repose which the composer wrote into the music of Elsa. The 'Dream' song and the duet with Ortrud and her singing in thp bridal scene in Act Ilf. w e re sound!v Wagnerian. As the "Sundav Times" j ITIV.Vfi ! * < r S T e cit - v < in a review, stated that Lohengrin' was Miss Flor'* ! highest achievement of the season," it i seems that Auckland is going to hear an Elsa or no mean order. With the vocal, cnoial and orchestral suppoi t that will i,.. forthcoming (all under the inspiring baton ot Maestro Giovanni Gonsalez). a notaule performance seems assured. With ne exception o: "La Favorita," which «<ll l)o presented on Tutvdav evenintae remaining operas are all repeat pelzormances. y

dancing. • T i l , ere "' ill 1)e another enjoyable dance fnr ti Cabaret, T'oint Cbeva\W n ev, r, ,mis ;' wl,etl the I>ixielin<l t Bilnd offer a speciuiivrii -t. C ? re 01 tbe kte?rt foxtrot hits, there wiH l>c novelties. This evening's dance in the Click Clack C.tbaret, m the Rialto Buildings Newmarket promises to be one of the m«t enjojable held this season. : Williams has arranged another hrst-c aes entertainment for the Masonic HaH this evening. ~ T, he ue , u . al Saturday night dance will be miv IU il e - Ilss,loa Ba >" Cabaret, Kohimarama, this eveuing. da? 1 tS n 4f an r s Ul ' e he: ' l eve "i" Wednesntl H - e vetuugs in the MuniciUnJer lhc directiotl Another well-arranged entertainment Streetrre! e ~- U1 rbe Kitchener t ,' s Favours will be ilistributed among the merrymakers audi thei eh i,l be a number ot new novelties. s J? ecia ;^ [programme oi syncopated dance OrdlLlVa. P! ' oV,ded by Birtk - V ' s The Xgaroma Social C'lub hold anotiieienjoyable dance this evening, when i dance E »i IVe "' i!l ths

re ']' e m ° nt , ot ho ome at M-.ltoid has secmcd the services of Fred Maynehi, Cowboy .Ixzz Band for toinght. hose jazz enthusiasts who are able, will undoubtedly take advantage of such an opportunity to dance to music known ior its sparkle and rhvthm in the danc-e-loving world. Those who do not dance can enjoy this performance from its musical point of view. The players are at home in any type of music or with any instruments, ranginr from trombones to 'cellos and violins. Then their picturesque and novel setting is alone an attraction,*so typical of the "Wild West" and the traditional cowboy. There is also an excellent picture programme, "Feel My Pulse," with Bebe Daniels as star, being the principal attraction. TRIPLE BILL.

Mrs. Zoe Bart ley-Baxter will present an entertainment in the concert chamber of the Town Hall on Saturday, October 6. The first number will be "Paolo Francesca," a dramatic presentation in two scenes, the second '"The Duel,' a fantastic comedy, and '"Modern Daughters," a delightful one-act comedy. The proceeds are to be devoted the Auckland Giris Athletic Association! sports ground fund.

MARGARET BANNERMAN. Mijss Margaret Bannerman, - -with Anthony Prinaep's London company, will make her first appearance in New Zealand at His Majesty's Theatre in "Other Men's Wives," on Wednesday night next. A large number af applications have already been received from country residents, and it is likely that there will be a very large demand for seats when the plans are opened on Monday morning. The opening nights of ea-ch of the plays staged in Sydney and Melbourne by Miss Bannerman were looked upon as social functions, and they all proved memoraible occasions. Margaret Bannerman proved herself a great actress in London, when she created a furore in "Our Betters," and it was her really fine artistry that dad' more than anything else to make Somerset Maugham's comedy the record .breaker it proved during its run of over two years. The scene of "Other Men's Wives" is laid in a hotel at a fashionable watering place in France, and from the moment the curtain rises there is, it is said, fun, mystery and excitement. An artist who created a furore in "Other Men's Wives" in Sydney is Miss Lily Titheridge. sister of the famous actre.se, Madge Titheridge. "Other Men's Wives" will be st-aared for four performances only, and on Monday, October 8, and two following evenings, "Our j Betters" will be staged. On Thursday, October 11 and two following nights "Sexes and Sevens" will be produced, and the season will close with two representations of "Diplomacy."

[ TUDOR THEATRE. The double feature programme now | showing at the Tudor Theatre, Remuera, includes Warner Bros.' presentation of a new Kin Tin Tin masterpiece, "A Race For Life." This shows Rinty and his pal, Danny O'Shea, as followers of the race track. How the dog guards the favourite and releases his master just in the nick of time, makes an entertaining story. The cast includes A 7 irginia Browne Faire, Carrol Nye. and Bobby Gordon. The second picture features Madge Bellamy in a Fox comedy romance, "The Play Girl," in which she portrays a florist's assistant who follows her longing lor fine clothes, but the'price is more thun she would pay. This programme will be replaced next Tuesday with , the Fox-Murnau masterpiece, "Sunrise," with Janet Gaynor in the leading part. - The second picture is "Fool s For Luck." a comedy with W. C. Fields and Chester Conklin in leading roles. N'ext Friday patrons will see "Under the Black Eagle" and "If I Were Single."