MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 323, 7 April 1928, Page 13

MAJESTIC

SPARKLING PROGRAMME TO-NIGHT 4 A well-balanced and sparkling programme” describes the entertainment which has its initial screening at the Majestic Theatre to-day. Drama, comedy, interest and topical films, and a bright and attrac**ve musical programme, keep the interest at a high pitch throughout the evening. Mr. J. Whiteford-Waugh's popular Majestic Orchestra opens the programme with a stirring military march.

Then a very interesting New Zealand scenic showing the wheatgrowing industry is flashed on to the screen, followed by an hilarious comedy. “Putting Pants on Phillip.” Those two inimitable mirthmakers, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, are responsible for a lot of the mirthmaking episodes in this comedy, which portrays a young Scots visitor to the United States undergoing “operations” for trousers to wear beneath his kilts.

A most beautiful and unique orchestral novelty follows. This is entitled, “In a Bird Store,” a composition which allows much scope for the versatile musicians in the Majestic Orchestra. The ever-popular Majestic Magazine is as bright and varied as ever, containing many notable scenes.

Another short feature is one of those clever and very popular Aesop Fable cartoons, “Farmyard Acrobats.” which film, if one is to judge by the title, should prove highly diverting.

Last but not least is “Buttons,” starring Lars Hanson, Gertrude Olmsted. Polly Moran, Roy D’Arcy and Jackie Coogan, in the title role of “Buttons.” One of the most sensational shipwrecks ever staged for the screen, with thrilling searchlight rescues of the passengers on life rafts, characterises the magnificent presentation of “Buttons.”

The story of ‘Buttons” revolves around the fickleness of Captain Travers's fiancee, this being discovered by Jackie Coogan as the captain’s page, nicknamed “Buttons.” The consequent drama is impressively portrayed, and blended with some rare comedy, thrilling adventure and lavish settings.

Lars Hanson makes a striking captain, while Gertrude Olmsted plays the role of the fickle sweetheart with excellent restraint.

“The Actress” has been selected as the title of Norma Shearer's new starring vehicle for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, based on Pinero’s “Trelawney of the Wells.” Sidney Franklin. who directed Marion Davies in “Quality Street,” will wield the directorial megaphone on the new production.