Round The Shows

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 246, 7 January 1928, Page 13

Round The Shows

NEW REGENT “BARBED WIRE” “Barbed Wire,” now being shown at the New Regent Theatre, is a war picture that drives home a terrific and never-forgotten lesson. The story is almost paradoxical in that it is a slashing denunciation of the horrors of war, yet reveals but a passing glimpse of battle and bloodshed. This scathing indio+mont war will stand out

is one of the most memorable pictures of 3 028. It carries a message of conviction; it preaches a gospel that will make itself felt where international notes cf politicians have failed. “Barbed Wire’ ’is a plea for eternal peace, a drama enacted far from the front lines of torturing

armies. The scene is laid in France, in the setting of farm and field. The plot tells of a French girl who, despite powerful influences of national pride, finds herself unaccountably learning: to love a German internee.

The popular English actor, Clive Brook, plays the role of the German prisoner, Oscar Muller, who by liis exemplary conduct is allowed to assist the French girl in working the farm adjoining the prison camp. The work and the days go by, with Mona and Oscar constantly associated, and in time an attraction springs up between them. From this point the story develops with many birring episodes. The peasants of Mona’s village treat her as a traitress, and when the armistice is signed they deliver an ultimatum that either she or her lover must leave the hamlet. Then, just as the two are about to be ousted, Mona’s missing soldier brother return home blinded. He makes a magnificent exhortation on the brotherhood of man, and, ashamed, the crowd disperses. Another picture of outstanding quality is a comedy entitled “The Monkey Farm.” The “farmers” are Max, Moritz, and Akka, those three extraordinarily human monkey-actors. The amazing degree of training which these little fellows have undergone, and the results obtained, brought gasps of astonishment from the big audience filling the theatre. Max, Moritz, and Akka are to visit the Regent in person. They will be seen in the flesh next Thursday week, and will r i‘ove an unparalleled attraction in Auckland. There was also a topical picture showing pearling off the north-west coast of Australia, and an interesting gazette. The musical side of the programme had received careful consideration, resulting in a splendidly-balanced entertainment. Miss Marie a dainty mezzo-soprano. wh_» is understudying Miss Harriet Rennet in the “Rose Marie” Company, sang with delightful charm. An excellent supporting list of instrumental music was arranged by Mr. Maurice Guttridge for the orchestra. Eddie Horton was heard on the mighty Wurlitzer organ in several entertaining selections.

“BEN-HUR” AGAIN BIG FILM AT THE STRAND Beginning the fourth week of its Auckland season last night, “BenHur,” the wonder picture, proved that its drawing power was as strong as ever; the Strand Theatre was crowded. “Ben-Hur” has the strength of a great drama, the thrill of a tale of adventure, the colour of a spectacle, and the beauty of the Old Masters. No one quality has been skimped at the expense of the others, and it stands as a master-welding of the arts of the writer of tales, the painter, the designer and the player. The picture was produced by Fred Niblo, the screen’s brilliant creative genius. The cast is headed by Ramon Novarro, of the classic profile and the youthful enthusiasm, who plays the role of the Prince of Hur. Francis X. Bushman’s fine physique gives him force as the insolent Roman Messala. Betty Bronson as the Madonna, provides a beautiful study of a sacred face which has filled the imagination of so many artists.

Betty Bonson, a comparative newcomer to the screen, began work in pictures as an extra girl. About two years ago she was chosen after a screen test for the title role of “Peter Pan.” This test, along with many others, was submitted to Sir James Barrie, the author, and Miss Bronscn was chosen to nlav

—■ was chosen to play the delightful role. The picture follows the stirring novel by General Len Wallace closely. The book was written in 1880, and it has been a best-seller for 45 years.

HIS MAJESTY’S “ROSE MARIE” The magnificence of the Totem Pole ballet is still taking the breath away of capacity houses at His Majesty's Theatre, where “Rose Marie” is entering upon its final week. Nothing quite as lavish, as tuneful and as beautiful as this romance of the Canadian Rockies has ever come to New Zealand before. It is a supermusical comedy, the last word and perhaps the ultimate perfection of this form of art. Harriet Bennet, who plays the title role, is a dainty and charming little lady and acquits herself Reginald Danby makes a convincing hero, who knows how to act his part and who sings with understanding. The comedy honours go to Frederic Bentley as “Hardboiled” Herman, and he is admirably supported by Lady Jane, the saloon keeper. Stephanie Deste plays the role of Wanda to perfection, and her acrobatic dancing is a feature of the show.

PRINCESS “ROSE OF THE GOLDEN WEST” The most romantic period in the history of California, the years just preceding the discovery of gold when the dons of Spain ruled the land and estates were meas-

ured in hundreds of miles, lives again in “Rose of the Golden I West,” now at the I Princess Theatre. It was then that Russia, United States and other powers sought possession of California, and this screen tale depicts the dramatic love affair that counted heavily in the out-

come of the international intrigue. Practically every scene of the picture was filmed by Director George Fitzmaurice on the exact spot where the original action took place seventyone years ago. Monterey, the first capital of California, and four of the famous California missions form the background of the story. Mary Astor appears as the heroine and Gilbert Roland, descended from a long line of Spanish adventure lovers, is the hero. Montague Love, Gustav von Seyffertitz and Flora Finch also are featured in this First National Pictures tale.

“Soft Cushions,” starring Douglas McLean, also at the Princess, is a rollicking tale of the Orient, providing a comedy setting entirely new to the screen. In order to achieve the maximum pictorial beauty without overshadowing the action, each setting received unusual care in its designing and construction. The services of Ben Carre, noted French artist and architect. were secured for this task. The action of the story carries the comedian through the streets of a Far East City, the sacred harem of a dealer in beautiful girls, the law courts, divans and palaces of the rulers. Insofar as records are available, no other comedy ever produced has had such wide variety of elaborate settings for its action as this Paramount picture.

In connection with the Universal picture, “Painting the Town.” a hilarious farce comedy featuring Glenn Tryon and Patsy Ruth Miller, there has com to light a curious story of Trvon’s overnight rise to fame. For three years this young man has struggled to win success on the screen. Although starred in a series of short comedies, he gained only nominal favour with moving-picture audiences and never seemed to get a break. Last April Fool’s Day he was offered a principal role in a new Universal picture. The offer looked good to him, but he knew there must be a catch in it. Think of his past luck! Just look at the calendar! Nevertheless, he signed—for the role of Hector Whitmore, a small-town smart-aleck in the picture “Painting the Town ” Florence Vidor's next for Paramount is “Doomsday.” Gary Cooper has been selected to play opposite Miss Vidor in this picture.

“PAID TO LOVE” CHANGE AT MAJESTIC It almost seemed that George Barr McCutcheon had exhausted the theme of mythical kingdoms in the Balkans. Such, however, is not the case Perhaps Queen Marie in her recent trip to the United States has been responsible for a renewal of interest, not entirely from the point of view of finance.

As a matter of fact, there is very little real difference between Rumania and' Savonia, the scene of “Paid to Love,” the romance in which George O’Brien and Virginia Vaili appeared

at the Majestic Theatre last night. Both kingdoms were “hard up.” Both angled for American money. And that is just where the 100 per cent. "Yank, brimful of patriotism —for his own country and his pockety stuffed

with good American dqllars, makes the presence felt. He even bestows a tip upon the Savonian Crown Prince, and just as readily accepts it it is returned, and the recipient’s identity known.

But the really interesting sequences in “Paid to Love” do not take place in Savonia at all. Most amusing indeed is the scene in the allegedly imamous cafe, where thrills are staged for the edification of American tourists making their first acquaintance with Paris. In ordinary life no excitement pervades the cafe, which continues its humdrum existence until the American “waybacks.” ever seeking sensation, arrive. Virginia Vaili is tne girl who stages the thrill so as no: to disappoint the visitors. An attempted murder is an every-day occurrence with her. This is the girl that the king and his adviser decide must t®ach the woman-hating Crown Prince Michael “to love.” Of course, she is paid to do it, as the title of the picture suggests, but so often the best laid plans of kings—and American advisers—go astray. An innovation was the appearance of the Majestic String Quartette (Haydn Murray, Carl Whitmore, H. Engel, and E. Engel). They played the old air, “Drink To Me Only,” and Schubert’s “Moments Musieale” J. Whiteford-Waugh on this occasion led his orchestra through the intricacies of Auber’s ‘“Massionellio,” and maintained that reputation which the Majestic has deservedly obtained for its orchestral selections. “Salmon Running” is one of the most interesting and instructive films that the Majestic has screened for some time. This topical shows the salmon leaping and fighting as they make there way up the Canadian rivers until finally they reach their objective and fulfil the commands of imperious Mother Nature. The photography is excellent, and the film generally gives a splendid idea of one of Canada’s most profitable industries. “Twenty Legs Under the Sea,” is a