MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 104, 23 July 1927, Page 15

MAJESTIC

THE MAJESTIC . Although two large comedies predominate in this week’s programme, the billing t»f “comedy week”is hardly a correct description of the Majestic programme. In addition to two excellent comedies, two very entertaining topicals, a Canadian scenic, an attractive and very well-executed dance scena, and an excellent musical programme constitute a varied and most enjoyable programme. In military roles, Lon Chaney is apparently riding on the crest of a very large wave of popularity. In “Tell It to the Marines,” the screen’s champion “roughneck” is well cast. His Ser-geant O’Hara is as “rough as they make them.” But as the lady novelists say, “under a rough exterior beat a heart of gold.” To find that out it took Private Skeet Burns the best part of four years’ service in various corners of the earth. By that time Sergeant O’Hara had made a man of him, and incidentally sealed his own fate with dainty Eleanor Boardman, the winsome little heroine of the story. Interwoven with comedy of the bright and spontaneous order is a charming little romance which works itself out to a very satisfactory conclusion. William Haines and Carmel Myers also occupy prominent roles. A Lupino Lane film of the “slapstick” order provides a laugh in every foot. It deals with the entertainment of a foreign duke and his impersonator at an American home. When the bogus duke and the genuine article, who bear a close resemblance to each other, commence to entangle themselves in the plot the action moves rapidly and successfully to a very laughable climax. A dance scena arranged by Mile. Valeska proved a very attractive addition to the programme. It was a brightly coloured picture, “The Dance of the Four Seasons.” Introduced by two tiny tots, Pan and, Butterfly (Dorothy Katipa) and Spring and Summer (June Fowler), danced their hours away, the brighter colours giving way to the russet brown and gold of autumn, as Mile. Valeska, in a very descriptive dance, tells of the falling of the leaves. Winter, a brisk number by Mile. Valeska. Mr. Lew Wilson and ballet, closes the picture. In addition to supplying delightful accompaniments for the dance scena and the picture programme, the New Majestic Orchestra under the capable direction of Mr. J. Whiteford-Waugh, provided a delightful interpretation of the “Raymond” overture. It met with a warm reception; so much so that a repetition had to be provided before the programme could be proceeded with. Very appropriate to the visit of the members of the Canadian football team, who were the guests of the management, exclusive pictures of the Wellington test match proved particularly interesting.