PRINCESS AND TIVOLI

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 97, 15 July 1927, Page 14

PRINCESS AND TIVOLI

“THE POTTERS” W. C. Fields, one of the most p opu u, comedians of the screen, is the etT of the Paramount picture •■The p?* tors,” now being shown at the T-i nc J' and Tivoli Theatres. As Pa nominal “head of the house," he I dulges in more riotous buries,,’!' more smart comedy and introduces bet ter flashes of humour than inanyotW of his pictures. He is even better tW when he played in “So’s Your Old xt,y,. a short while ago. Always cr-; fe! himself, Fields is seen to best adv* tage in novel and engaging films, ani as the cautious speculator in oil, he is afforded ample scope for a display his droll talents. Pa Potter | 8 no ‘, henpecked, but merely meek, and ila while not exactly vitriolic, at least ha« a mind of her own. It is left to thl juniors to supply the romance that iT so necessary for the ordinary picturegoer. The fact that “The Potters’* i, directed by the man who made a* Harold Lloyd’s successes and tha» Fields is in the major role should b* sufficient to recommend it to all *h o seek something different and fresh in their screen entertainment. n The Princess Sunbeams are always acceptable, but never more than in tL turn they present this week. A clot dance by the six performers i n \ Dutch scene to the tune of “Little Mr

Baggy Breeches,” and solo dances in costume were well received last evening by a full house. A Chinese scene played by two children in appropriate costume was especially fine. The magician Zamoni, who appears at the Princess, is a whole show on his own. Not only could he produce cigars from various portions of his anatomy, but he was able to thread needles by the simple means of swallowing them. Two ducks which he mysteriously caused to appear from an apparently empty tub of water caused* much amusement by preening their feathers on the stage, quite undisturbed by what was going on around them. Zamoni is also a ventriloquist of n»> mean skill. In conjunction with his doll he ran through some excellent patter, though some of his jokes were rather cheap He showed his versatility by doing several. lightning sketches in addition to his other tump. He has a remarkable skill in this way and produced several really good effects, especially his “Moonlight on Florida.” An exhibition of shadow pictures completed his repertoire. He was generously applauded by the audience at all times and merited all he received. PICTURE STARS THOMAS MEIGHAN Thomas Meighan, the son of Mary and John Meighan, was born in the great American steel city of Pittsburg, Pa. In this city, the home of many millionaires, Mr. Meighan spent his childhood and also made his first appearance on the stage. When he finished his schooling his family rather

hoped that he would continue his studies and become a physician, but the stage already attracted Tommy and to this he turned., Fortune smiled upon him and it happened that his first application for stage work wa s granted. As an ex-| tra man he made j his debut in “Miss! Nell,” which was then playing in

Pittsburgh. Having been £** n *®U access to his long cherished hunting ground, Mi*. Meighan soon progressed upward, and op* fore long he was playing leads wit some of the biggest stars of the stageWith David Warfield, considered »> some to be America’s greatest actor on the stage, he at one time for three seasons. As the lead J “The College Widow,” he appeared m both the United States and EnglandHe appeared in London in the Am«n* can dramatisation of “BroaowSJ Jones,” and gained many friends wm there. After his return from Lonao Tommy was offered his first s^ e v > job, playing opposite Laura Hope Crews in “The Fighting Hope. Front that day on he has remained a loj motion picture actor and is now Paramount star. As leading loan many of the Paramount stars he came famous, but it was his able characterisation in “The Mira Man” that quickly brought stardom w this deserving artist. Tommy Meign is now rated as one of the wori • most popular motion picture stars, a his work is being received lically in all parts of the world, fan mail daily increases, and his list of successes are too many to , r merate, but perhaps the most are “The Bachelor Daddy, Mai. slaughter,” “Our Leading Citi* • “Coming Through,” “Old Home W ’ “The Man Who Found Himself. in Luck.” “The New Klondike Gods” and “Blind Alley. Mr. MeiP is married to Francis Bing, who * formerly a talented star of the s Tommy is 6ft. lin. tall, has dark wa j hair and blue eyes, and weighs \ l Swimming and gymnasium worx }8 his two favourite recreations. ** also a great reader. Adolphe Menjou plays sophisticated Parisian roles better than an y * actor on the screen, it is u mitted. In “Evening Clothes again cast as a Parisian, hut not the gay boulevardier all the through the picture. He is firsts in an absolutely different c^a^ nt]eisation, as a French country & man, who, although of arist nfc, background and tremendous has enough of the homely in- . s of the soil to repel the bride with whose parents he arr a match. Virginia Valli is 1 1 woman.