DIVING AT THE REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 324, 9 April 1928, Page 13

DIVING AT THE REGENT

NEW SEMI-FINALISTS The diving contest at the New Regent Theatre is proving an exceedingly popular feature. Another largp attendance was attracted to the theatre for the weekly change on Saturday night. Miss M. Bell, after a spectacular display, was awarded first place. Miss E. Champion and Miss Legge tied for second place. The other positions were held respectively by Miss D. Hayson, Miss E. Tylsley and Miss J. Bell. These girls will now be placed in the semi-finalist class. No fewer than 17 competed in Saturday evening’s contest, which took place in the new electrically-heated swimming tank on the Regent’s spacious stage. There will be more diving in conjunction with to-night’s programme. Esther Ralston in “Spotlight,” her new Paramount release (taken from “Footlights,” the Broadway stage success), has a role after her own heart. It is that of an unknown aspirant for stage honours, who, at the whim of an enterprising theatrical producer, is transformed, almost overnight, from a somewrhat unattractive little American girl, 'to a ravishing Russian beauty, and acknowledged stage success of New York. To imagine that such could be accomplished in such a remarkably short space of time—even more than a nodding acquaintance with th© difficult Russian tongue was apparently essential—did not seem too much to ask of a picture audience these days. They are so accustomed to the marvels of the silver sheet, it would seem, thflt nothing ajppears too improbable. Esther, however, was a particularly attractive young Russian, and was sufficient to induce the most fervid

Bolshevik to wish for the recall of Russia’s intelligentsia to their mother land. How. Esther would have fared in that eventuality she alone would know! Neil Hamilton was the handsome youth who won the heart and penetrated the disguise of the pseudo Rostova.

Maurice Guttridge led the orchestra with his usual skill, Leslie Harvey aroused enthusiasm at the organ by his rendering of the familiar melody in F of Rubenstein, and the remainder of the programme was well in keeping with the Regent’s standard. The Regent Review pictoriallv pre-

sented world happenings, the Krazy Kat Kartoon aroused many a laugh. A particularly interesting film descriptive of the Victorian system of electrified railways was of interest.

Dolores Del Rio’s first picture as a United Artist’s star will be based on Konrad Bercoviv’s story, “The Bear Tamer’s Daughter.” The scenes of the j story are laid in the Carpathian Moun* i tains, and the Mexican star will por- ; tray the part of a young lady who tames bears and gentlemen. [