MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 247, 9 January 1928, Page 13

MAJESTIC

“PAID TO LOVE” A programme which would compare favourably with any shown at the world’s leading theatres is being presented at the Majestic Theatre. It is composed of a brilliant array of musical and pictorial attractions, and there is not one dull moment throughout the whole evening. First in importance on the pictorial programme is an amusing comedy-drama, “Paid to Love.” The of Paris which are unique, position distinctly their own, are the Quartier Latin and the Mortmartre, according to Howard Hawks, Fox Films director, who uses many scenes of this type in ‘‘Paid to Love,” screen version of an original story of court intrigue, by Harry Carr. George O’Brien and Virginia Valli have the featured roles. “Paris,” says Hawks, “is the most fascinating city in the world. It is a city of surprises. It has its ridiculous side, of course, but this is true of any great city. When we laid the foundations for ‘Gaby/ we had in mind just such touches. We wanted the friendly gaiety of the Latin Quarter, the sordid dullness of the Montmartre, the ebb and flow of humanity in a city packed with mystery. “At the Montmartre, how different is the atmosphere, how typically Parisian. In this romantic spot we have tried to background Miss Valli in such a manner that she will fairly breath© the spirit of the district. Here, the King finds her, and the Prince courts her. She dances with the Apache, in wild abandon, but there is always a song in her heart—the song of the gipsy eager for release. Here lave finds full sway and here the Prince, after the glitter and San Sebastian, finds rest and happiness with his beloved. Thus we have tried to reflect the true ring .of the Montmartre.” Included in the supporting pictorial programme is an interesting Canadian scenic dealing with the salmon industry, and a hilarious Fox comedy, “Twenty Legs Under the Sea,” with popular Richard Walling appearing as an enterprising young publicity agent. A very interesting Majestic News includes, among the many scenes shown, the latest airplane news, a crosscountry steeplechase in New York, famous jockeys versus famous boxers at football, the christening of H.M.S. Devonshire, the funeral of the Marquess bf Cambridge and Ruth Elder’s welcome home. Last but not least is the ever-popular Eve’s Review, with scenes of glass repairers repairing the Crystal Palace, a unique nature film of the porcupine, and a beautiful English scenic, “The Gem of the Isle”— Ventnor. The musical programme by Mr. Whiteford-Waugh’s Majestic Orchestra is one of the best yet presented by this talented and popular combination. Auber’s “Massianellie” is superbly rendered as the overture. Included in the incidental music rendered is “Daffodils” (Hadley), cornet and clarinet duet from “Norma” (Beltini), “Chausonette” (Baron), “Euryanthe” (Weber), “Japonaise Suite” (Tamada) and “Silhouettes” (Henry Hadley). A special musical attraction which is proving very popular is the bright programme presented by the Majestic String Quartet, which provides a programme of bright airs.

“The Circus” is described as the biggest comedy production ever attempted by Charlie Chaplin, who wrote it and directed it. It is a story of circus life treated in such a manner as to take the pleasure-seeker away from the dressed-up performance, as may be witnessed under any tent, back behind the scenes where the mask of the gay performer is removed to reveal the drama of it all.

The famous coronation scene in “The Merry Widow” has been produced in technicolour by Metro-Cxoldwyn-Mayer. This is said to be a revelation in colour photography and is a brilliant spectacle that will linger in the memory of those who see it. The film version *s an adaptation of the famous musical comedy that captivated the world. It is to be released shortly throughout New Zealand, and it will foe presented on a scale that is fitting for a picture that has already won world-wide fame. John Gilbert, Mae Murray and Roy D’Arcy have the principal roles.