“MISS NEW ZEALAND 1927”

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 80, 25 June 1927, Page 15

“MISS NEW ZEALAND 1927”

THE REGENT Blondes or brunettes, which does Auckland prefer? Judging by the generous applause accorded all 16 semi-finalists at the New Regent Theatre last evening, when their initial presentation took place, this will remain a moot question until Miss Auckland —the little lady to represent the Queen City in the “Miss New Zealand 1927” contest—is finally selected. There were 16 of them—both blonde and brunette. At the head of a flight of marble stairs a pair of large golden gates swung open in response to a fanfare of trumpets, and one by one down the stairs they came. The setting was well conceived and admirably carried out. The sky-blue cloth at the rear of a balustraded staircase formed the background for the full lighting effects which were employed for the occasion. As each girl poised on the steps, lights, synchronising with the individual costumes, held them in a blaze of light. It followed them down on to the stage, which was crossed and re-crossed by each in turn before the final curtsey was made. Possibly content to reserve their opinion for the ballot paper, with which each member of the audience was provided, the audience was decidedly impartial. Each semi-finalist in turn was warmly applauded, and anv trace of nervousness, inseparable from the ordeal of facing such a large and keenly critical audience, was at once dispelled by the kindly warmth of the welcome extended. Before being called upon to record their votes patrons were accorded another opportunity of making up their minds. In the final display the semifinalists appeared in a tableaux scene, achieving an effect which called forth a hearty round of applause. Considerablj r heightening the general effect was the special musical accompaniment providedby the Regent orchestra under Mr. Maurice Guttridge. For the various stage movements employed the accompaniment was always artistically adapted, the musical side of the production being indeed a no small factor in its success. “Blonde or Brunette” was the very appropriate Paramount feature that headed the picture bill. Greta Nissen, the beautiful Swedish star, was the blonde, ana Arlette Marche], a bewitching Farisienne, the brunette. With these two Adolphe Menjou became involved in matters domestic. Although confronted with a very perplexing problem in having to choose between the two, his lot was by no means cast in an unpleasant place. The story is undoubtedly interesting, and contains a rich vein of humour which is well exploited by the cast. A bright and very entertaining Bobby Vernon comedy, a Regent news and a travelogue completes a novel and very interesting programme. Also appropriate to the competition display is the organ solo specially composed by Mr. Eddie Horton, “New Zealand Maid.” PRINCE EDWARD VAUDEVILLE AND PICTURES Owing to the great success achieved by Hector St. Clair at the Prince Edward Theatre last evening, the management has made arrangements for this inimitable comedian to appear again to-night. Monte Blue and Dorothy Devore head a strong cast in “The Man Upstairs,” a mystery story which will be screened to-night. The story tells how Geoffrey West, a young man alone in London, and a girl, Marian Larnard, meet while

both are in search |of adventure. In [ order to win the ; girl, West tells her | of a supposed murf der and pretends |he is hunting the | culprit. Marian deS cided to turn the I joke of manufacI tured excitement on Ito West. She arI ranges to have 1 Frazer “planted' | again as if he really (were murdered ? gives West’s letters ’to the police, and brings Scotland

Yard to arrest West. His knife is found in the dead body of Frazer, and West is sent to prison to await trial. Frazer helps the girl with her prank, and one day climbs the bars of the window and looks in on the prisoner. This frightens Mose, West’s servant, but convinces West that he should be freed at once since the man is alive. He and Mose manage to escape through mysterious dungeons and dark stairways, only to be confronted by two terrifying armoured figures who halt their progress. After thoroughly frightening West and Mose, the figures strip off their armour and prove to be Marian and Frazer, delighted with their practical joke.