MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 232, 20 December 1927, Page 19

MAJESTIC

“TWO ARABIAN KNIGHTS” A hearty laugh is promised all Aucklanders at the Majestic this week, with one of the biggest laughter programmes which have ever been screened at this theatre. Heading this attractive and merry bill of fare, are two big comedies, first, the feature picture, “Two Arabian Knights,” with Mary Astor, William Boy-d and Louis Wolheim, and secondly, one in which Lupino Lane, London’s leading laugh-maker, goes to “Movieland.”

In “Two Arabian Knights,” two American doughboys, escaping from an enemy prison camp in Arab attire, find themselves shunted to Arabia, and helpless to prevent it. The things that happen to them may be funny to the spectator, but they are serious to the soldiers. However, with true American spirit they meet each obstacle lightly, overcome it, and pass on to a worse one. They have nothing but trouble until they meet an Arab girl of high rank. Then they have twice as much trouble. The rich young private, played by William Boyd, falls in love with the veiled beauty. So does his partner, the hard-boiled sergeant, played by Louis Wolheim, who created the role of Captain Flagg in “What Price Glory?” on the stage in New York, and who is the instigator of half of the laughs in “Two Arabian Knights.” Neartragedy contrasts with humour when the carefree pair, worried about nothing beyond the next meal, fall into the hands of the Emir, father of the girl, and of her fiance. A pistol duel at four paces, while the girl looks on, a dagger poised at her heart, ready to kill herself if the American loses, forms one of the high dramatic points in the picture. The conduct of this duel is said to present an original twist of plot that is better seen than described. Then there is also a bright and varied supporting programme composed of the ever-popular and interesting Majestic News and Eve’s Review, and a very beautiful Canadian scenic, “Lake Louise.”

An attractive stage novelty, “The Hurdy Gurdy,” is presented by the popular Majestic Quartette and Miss Alma McGruer. In a Gypsy setting. Miss McGruer wheels on her huge “hurdy gurdy-,” and sings several appropriate numbers in which her beautiful soprano voice is heard to advantage, tage. The musical programme presented by the Majestic Orchestra under Mr. Whiteford-Waugh far exceeds that conductor’s usual very high standard. Enough cannot be said of the musical side of the programme—it is, in itself, an entertainment. Wagner’s famous composition, “Rienzi,” is rendered as the overture. Other musical gems included in the incidental music rendered are “Praeludium,” Jarnefelt; “Audabe,” Lalo; “Canzonetta,” Tschaikowsky; “Andante Melodioso,” Rachmaninoff; “Orientale Dances,” Crist; “Egyptian Impressions,” Crist; “Ballet Suite,’* Delibes; and “In a Persian Market,” Ketelby.