MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 317, 30 March 1928, Page 15

MAJESTIC

BARRIE’S “QUALITY STREET”

Not for just a day, not for just a week} but always, the Majestic programmes are of the same high quality of entertainment. The programme, which has its initial screening this evening, is no exception. Heading a list of superb attractions —all of the same importance—is the screen version of Sir James M. Barrie’s classic of classics, “Quality Street,” starring Marion Davies and Conrad Nagel. The very few famous playwrights and authors who have claimed they were afraid to trust their writings to the mercies of the screen will find something to think about after seeing “Quality Street.” There is probably no other famous play in existence demanding so much whimsical action in the delicate situations, yet Sir James Barrie, who saw his “Kiss for Cinderella” and “Peter Pan” produced so successfully as motion pictures, did not hesitate to entrust his favourite work to Miss Davies. The screen version of the stage play has lost none of its delicacy and whimsical thoughts through the masterly handling of Sidney Franklin, the director. The character of Phoebe Throssell, so beloved to theatregoers, is still the quaint and whimsical Phoebe through Miss Davies’s wonderful portrayal. Conrad Nagel is the leading man, and the supporting character roles are taken by Helen Jerome Eddy, Kate Price, Marcelle Corday, Flora Finch and Margaret Seddon.

There is also screening a hilarious comedy, “Call of the Cuckoo.” Max Davidson is starred in this comedy riot of the modern “convenient” residence, everything going right when you press the right button. Max’s trouble is that he is absent-minded and nearly wrecks the happy home quite often by mixing buttons. Another feature is a very interesting New Zealand scenic, showing a Hawke’s Bay sheep run. The interesting Majestic Magazine contains scenes of flying speed-boats. ice-bound freighters, hauling cattle through the surf. Australian sheep round-ups. and the rescue of the crew of the United States submarine, S 4. A musical programme which is a delight to the ear is to be

provided by Mr. J. Whiteford-Waugh and his Majestic Orchestra. This talented combination will play as its overture, “Hajre Kati” and included among the incidental music given will be the famous “Merry ‘Widow Waltz,” “Fourth Movement from Symphony in F” (.Tsehaikowsky), a selection from

“Lilac Time.” “Everybody Loves My Gal.” the latest singing fox-trot, “Schumann Songs” and “Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes.” Preceding the screening of the photoplay is a picturesque prologue presented by the renowned and popular Majestic Quartette. The numbers to be played throughout the scena are entitled “A Corner of the Officers’ Club” are “Here’s a Health Unto His Majesty.” “Mulligan Musketeers” and “The Soldier’s Farewell.”

Mot water Provided. Helene Dime, a Czecho-Slovakian actress who recently played an im- j portant part in “The Cossacks,” not ; yet released in Xew Zealand, has been added to the cast of “Laugh, Clown, j Laugh,” starring Lon Chaney. Miss j Dime will play the role of an actress ; in the theatre scenes of the new pic- 1 ture, a story of life behind the scenes, i with Chaney in the role of a tragic j clown. Loretta Young, plays the leading feminine role and others in the j cast, are Nils Asther, of “Sorrell and Son” fame, Gwen Lee. Cissy Fitzgerald and Bernard Siegel.