MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 340, 28 April 1928, Page 15

MAJESTIC

“VERY CONFIDENTIAL” Genuine thrills that come out of high-power racing on land and sea, combined with delightful comedy of a most refreshing kind are the foundation of “Very Confidential” at the Majestic Theatre this week. Most captivating and charming of screen comediennes, Madge Bellamy, who plays the role of a tom-boyish salesgirl and pseudo-lady speed motorist, has added yet another success to her imposing list of triumphs. In “Very Confidential” she has assumed her gayest, most provoking, most wistful and most laughable moods. As Madge Bourke, the “sweetest little storyteller that ever sold sports outfits,” Miss Bellamy has unique opportunities of showing how to make hilarious comedy out of the most unlikely situations that occur in a shop. But when love comes into her life shop counters prove trivial barriers. She loves a young sportsman, Roger Allan, and pursues him to an exclusive lakeside resort. Posing as Adelaide Melbourne, a famous Australian sportswoman and possessed of an impetuous little tongue she finds herself in the predicament of having to substantiate her avowed prowess. Thus she finds herself in charge of a racing speedboat with disastrous results to anybody, but herself. By sheer force of circumstances the charming bluffer is made a heroine. Her next escapade is the capture of a burglar. From glory to glory the madcap is entered, a tyro, for a gruelling women’s motor-car race, as the result of a too-glib tongue. The race is a great thrill. A number of graphic scenes were “shot” on the precipitous mountain roads of the San Bernardino Ranges. Featured opposite Miss Bellamy is Pat Cunning, new to the picture public, but none the less successful. Others in the cast are Mary Duncan, Marjorie Beebe and Joseph Cawthron. It is an excellent story and one which bowls along at a merry pace.

“See New Zealand First” is a slogan that cannot be too often stressed, and the series of pictorials being shown weekly at the Majestic reveals attractions in the Dominion’s scenery that should cause many, who would otherwise have travelled abroad, to spend their vacations in their own country. This week’s scenic carries the audience away to the magnificent Waipoua Forest, last retreat of the stately kauri.

There Maoris are shown living in a state that has not been -greatly affected by the march of progress; the young men display the nimbleness of the squirrel in scaling the forest giants in search of exuding gum; the women weave mats, while the men go out to hunt. Such films as this will soon be the only records of primitive Maori life, and the more that are made the more familiar will future generations be with the history of their country. Other supports include the Majestic Magazine and Eve’s Review, which contains records of some remarkable skating feats, and impressive scenes of the desoluation left after the £1,000,000 fire which raged for days in Massachusetts, U.S.A.

“Say It With Babies” is a rollicking comedy without a dull moment. Delicately treated and impressively featured, Haydn’s "Farewell Symphony” was played by the Majestic Orchestra. Haydn wrote the symphony after being dismissed from the service of Prince Esterhazy of Eisenstadt, and the plaintive theme is admirably carried out, the wistful notes of the final adagio being particularly haunting. The effect is greatly enhanced as each member of the orchestra in turn extinguishes the candles flickering before him, and steals from the stage, until at the final black-out only the first violin and the conductor remain. Tod Browning has returned to the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios following a six weeks’ vacation ip Europe. Browning spent much time in Vienna studying background for a new untitled picture, to go into production shortly under his direction.