MAJESTIC

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

MAJESTIC

BEAUTIES PARADE In a gorgeous Persian Garden scene some pretty New Zealand girl may have taken her first step toward film fame at the Majestic Theatre last night, when the semi-finalists in the “Miss New Zealand 1927” film quest made their first public appearance. Glorious girls all of them, with freedom, grace, vivacity and personality Lacking affectation, they made immediate appeal to the large audience which reecived warmly each one as she passed by .

The scene in which they appeared was a fitting background for beauty, and the rich, delicately conceived lighting effects gave the stage a warm, exotic air. The gowning of the girls completed a spectacle that would have re-inspired an Arabian Nights writer. The girls could have stood alone, but aided by artistic arrangement they became irresistible.

The public, being arbiter in the contest, had to be pleased, but no one in the audience was prepared for the artistic revelation provided. The girls appeared one by one, posed in the centre of the stage in a cunningly and beautifully diffused light—then leaving the pedestal, each one walked a few paces, graciously acknowledged her applause, and was gone. Some, who have already been before the public, were more enthusiastically received, but the unquestionable grace and beauty of each contestant made partiality almost impossible. One of these girls may blazon the Dominion’s name at Hollywood, but If not, there is consolation in the knowledge that there are so many beautiful girls in the city, and it is indeed a heartening thing to see them, more so when they appear in an adequate setting.

Myra Gaylord, a languid heiress, tired of the attention of many suitors, bored utterly with the life which is her’s. is the heroine of “The Cave Man,” which heads the picture programme. Seeking for something new in her circumscribed existence, she gets the bright idea of dropping half a 100 dollar bill in the street, with a note requesting the finder to call for the other half.

She yearned for something new, and she got it when Mike Smagg, the coalheaver, called upon her to make his financial claim. She decided that Mike, although of unpromising exterior, might become a notorious social success if given the opportunity. The stout fellow let the lady have her way so long as the drinks were free, and that’s where the fun began. Marie Prevost gave an engaging study of the heroine, while Matt Moore was an excellent counterfoil as the grimy Mike, who made gradual and diverting progress from rude virility to lounge ilzardry. After casual flirtations. Mike’s tender side develops, and how happy he and Myra became when they discover that theirs is an undeniable grand passion. A New Zealand publicity film tolls the world of Kawau’s beauty. It is one of the best New Zealand scenlcs done so far. Mr. Mumford’s orchestra played the “Zampa” overture spiritedly, and th** trombone solo, “Star of Eve,” rounded off a strong musical programme. ZOO CONCERT BAND ON SUNDAY The Municipal Band will present an interesting programme of music at the Zoological Park on Sunday afternoon. Among the items to be rendered are the bright marchs, “Givenchy” and Knavesmire,” hymn tune “Sandon,” overture “Stradella,” selection “H.M.S. Pinafore,” and other tuneful numbers. Instrumental solos will be given by Messrs. McLennan and Bowes. CHILDREN OF DIVORCE A WILD PARTY A din outvoicing the sound that shook the Tower of Babel was heard during the filming of “Children of Divorce,” a new Paramount Picture soon to be released. It came during the sequences calling for a “wild party,” in which Clara Bow. she of Mantrap” and ‘‘lt,” plays a star’s part. Miss Bow leads a group of young friends in a rousing chorus, but some difficulty arose when the song was selected. Miss Bow wanted them to harmonise “Black Bottom.” Someone else held out for “In a Little Spanish Town.” Yet another declared that “Bye-bye, Blackbird” was the one to sing. The result was that each player sang his or her favourite, while an orchestra played what Miss Bow had ordered and Director Frank Lloyd held his ears. The racket brought the desired result, however, for those laughs that the camera caught are genuine expressions of merriment—not a stage chuckle among them.