MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 304, 15 March 1928, Page 17

MAJESTIC

"THE MAGIC FLAME” TO-MORROW To-night Majestic patrons will have their last and only chance of viewing “Fun in the Clouds,” or “Publicity Madness,” five reels of infectious comedy, which has been described as “a clever satire on modern business methods,” and the bright supporting picture which has comprised the laughter programme, for to-morrow, is another of the many eventful days in the history of the Majestic Theatre. First on the list of the many attractions of the new programme will be handsome, spirited Ronald Colman and Vilma Banky, the glorious, in “The Magic Flame,” which has been described as “one of the loveliest, most brilliant photo-plays to leave Hollywood for some months.” A hair-raising balloon ascension and parachute jump by Vilma Banky clutches the audience at the start of the picture and holds them through a double murder by Count Casati and an amazing rough and tumble fight between Mr. Colman (as Tito, the clown) and the Count, which ends in the death of the latter when he falls a thousand feet from the window of his hotel room into the sea below. As Tito, following the death of the Count, attempts to escape from the hotel in the Count’s cloak, he is apparently apprehended by secret police. Thinking he is facing the guillotine, he finds instead that the old king has died and that he, the clown, must, to save his life, take the place of the prince who has been killed. From then on the romantic adventure takes an entirely new trend and the camera follows Tito into the strange and startling happenings at the court of the dead king, where he faces death and betrayal at every turn. At the very start he has proved to himself that a clown may not be a king, nor a king a clowm. The outward semblance may be there, clothes and posture may be acquired, but the real man can only be happy in the activities he loves. For himself the life of the circus and the love of Bianca (Vilma Banky) are all that make life desirable. A special feature on the programme is the first official picture of Hinkler’s arrival, a concise record of the events following the finish of Hinkler’s great flight from England to Australia, and the wonderful reception given him on his arrival at his home town, Bundaberg. The arrival of “Hustling Hinkler” on the racecourse at Brisbane, his triumphant procession through the streets of the city, the greetings of the crowds who worship him as Australia’s national hero, the reception of the Mayor, and the Premier of Queensland, are all contained in this wonderful film. The Majestic Magazine has every appearance of being bigger and brighter than ever this week, and includes among the many notable scenes those of Spanish bullfighting, beautiful scenes of the Hia.gara in ‘winter, a destructive fire in Glasgow, a motorist snowbound during the recent disastrous storms in England, and the latest Parisian fashions, “Furs and Feathers.” A delightful comedy and a New Zealand scenic conclude a notable pictorial programme. Preceding the screening of the photoplay will be a delightful stage prologue

presented by and featuring as the solo dancer, Miss Bettina Edwards. A special musical programme has been arranged by Mr. WhitefordWaugh tor his Majestic Orchestra, which will render a delightful combination of musical gems from masterold and ne v '