MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 230, 17 December 1927, Page 15

MAJESTIC

RARE ENTERTAINMENT It is a rare programme of quantity and quality which is offered patrons of the Majestic Theatre this week, and the initial screening yesterday drew excellent houses. To be successful, comedy must possess the essentials of a plot, and something that is really humorous and clever. In “Two Arabian Knights,” the public is provided with all this and more. It is one of those pictures which holds the interest of the audience from the start to the finish; one which is brimful of clever comedy, and yet, withal, still provides a definite and delightful conclusion. The principals in the cast, Mary Astor, William Boyd and Louis Wolheim, could not have been bettered for their respective roles. Opening on the battlefields of France, the picture gives a delightful insight into the adventures of a sergeant and a private of the American army, who are taken prisoner. The private is always fighting with his ser-

geant, until an incident in the prison camp turns them into bosom pal® who enter on an escape that leads them to Constantinople and thrilling adventures It takes this irrepressible pair a long time to escape, and the fun of the picture is there. Each in turn suggest a plan, and the manner in which these plans were put into effect was the signal for hearty laughter. Enough could not be said of this clever picture, and it should prove a big attraction at the Majestic this week. The Eastern scenes are produced on a most lavish scale, the true Oriental atmosphere having been faithfully observed. An interesting scenic, “Lake Louise.” the Majestic News, Eve's Review, and “Movieland.” with the great English comedian, Lupino Lane, make up the remainder of the picture programme. A happy interlude was the appearance of Miss Dale Austin. “Miss New Zea- \ land. 1927,” who sails for Los Angeles j on Tuesday. In a neat litle speech. Miss j Austin thanked all her admirers* and ; friends for their support and for the I happy time she had had in Auckland, and bade them farewell. The Majestic i Quartette, with Miss Alma McGruer, ! presented a highly novel and entertaining number “Hurdy Gurdy.” In a ! Gypsy setting. Miss McGruer wheeled |on her huge “hurdy gurdy.” She sang j with a pleasing soprano, her voice making a distinct impression. The j quartette then appeared from the ini terior of the “hurdy gurdy” and won I approbation for the rendering of two j numbers. One of the usual features of j the programme was the playing of the (Majestic Orchestra, under Mr. J. White-ford-Waugh. The numbers chosen for J this programme are excellent and especially fine was the overture 1 “Rienzi” (Wagner). The remainder of 1 the musical numbers were gi'eatl> appreciated, and excellently played.