MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 278, 14 February 1928, Page 15

MAJESTIC

“ROMANCE” WITH RAMON NOVARRO There are no dull moments at the Majestic Theatre, where an entertain- ' ment entirely in keeping: with the customary high standard of this theatre ’ is being presented. Mr. Ernest McKinlay, the well -known ; Dunedin tenor, is appearing on the stage. With an effective stage manner and a winning personality, he compels attention. His numbers include “La Donna e Mobile,” and the old favourite, “Waiata Poi,” by Alfred Hill, j Mr. Whiteford-Waugh’s Majestic Orchestra renders in a delightful way “II Guarany” (Goines:), as their : musical interlude, and include among the incidental music rendered, “Ballet Suite” (Vecsey), “Dance of the Wood Nymphs” (Kussner), “Serenade Espagnole” (Glazonnow), “Parsifal” (Wagner) and “To You” (Czibulka). A clarinet solo, “Romance for Clarinet” (Boccalari), by Mr. J. McGregor, 1 is also a delightful musical number. “The Road to Romance,” Ramon Novarro’s latest starring picture, is the chief pictorial attraction. The picture, which is based on the celebrated story by Joseph Conrad, has been lavishly produced, giving the eye a sense of colour as well as a background for the dramatic action. More than a thousand extras, most of them Mexicans and Spaniards, appear i.i the big scenes. Novarro is seen at his best in the role of the handsome and dashing Jose Armando, ready with blade or brawn to defend his lady-love. Marceline Day, seen as the gentlewoman on a great Cuban estate, is very convincing. In fact, she looks not only worth fighting for, but worth dying for. The picture contains mucli of the element of melodramatic adventure, yet it also contains the little love moments which make any picture worth while. There is an excellent cast of players, and each is peculiarly fitted to the role which he plays. Roy D Arcy is seen to especial advantage as the crooked Cuban judge. Among his henchmen-pirates are Marc McDermott, Cesare Gravina, Jules Cowels and Bobby Mack. Supporting the feature picture is a Majestic Magazine, with a French bull-fight; a beautiful English scenic, “Grange-over-Sands” (Lancashire); a beautiful Australian scenic of the Blue Mountains, the popular Eve’s Review, and a highly diverting comedy, “Prudence,” in which Max Davidson appears.