ROUND THE SHOWS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 397, 4 July 1928, Page 14

ROUND THE SHOWS

LYRIC

NEW PROGRAMME TO-MORROW The two big pictures making up the present programme at the Eyrie Theatre, “Body and Soul,” starring Lionel Barrymore, Aileen Pringle and Norman Kerry, and “That Certain Thing,” starring Viola Dana, will be shown for the last time this evening. “Old San Francisco,” the Master Picture, to be shown to-morrow, portrays the lurid days of Chinatown and the Barbary Coast, before and during the “Great Fire,” and is acclaimed by New York reviewers as one of the finest melodramas of the generation. Beautiful Dolores Costello plays the part of a Spanish heiress who is kidnapped by a half-caste boss of San Francisco’s underworld, and goes through weird experiences and horrors which all terminate with the furious onslaught of nature and the “Great Fire” which relegates “the mile of hell” to oblivion. The cast includes Josef Swickard, John Miljan, William Demarest, Anders Randolph, Charles E. Mack, Sojin, Angelo Rossitto, Anna May Wong, Rose Dione, Lawson Butt, Otto Mattieson, Walter McGrail, Martha Mattox and Tom Santschi.

PRINCE EDWARD

ARGUS CHALLENGE The appearance of Argus at the Prince Edward Theatre each evening is creating intense interest in Auckland. Argus speaks on all subjects that will benefit anyone, such as sickness, missing friends, law cases, examinations, change of occupation, matrimony, lost or stolen property—in fact, there is no question under the sun that Argus will not attempt to answer. This evening will be Challenge Night, when Argus will attempt to refute the assertion made that he uses a code rather than powers of telepathy. “Two Flaming Youths,” starring those two comedians, W. C. Fields and Chester Conklin, wijl also be shown. “The Arizona Wildcat,” starring Tom Mix; completes the programme.

SEA-LIONS AT REGENT

A HUGE AQUARIUM As a spectacle, Captain Winston’s water lions and diving nymphs has rarely been excelled in New Zealand. The whole Regent stage will be transformed into an aquarium, and the equipment covers all available space. The tank holds 6,000 gallons of w T ater, a 2in thickness of glass, together with clever underwater lighting systems, making every inch of the tank visible. Under water the sea lions seem to have just as keen a knowledge of their master’s directions as when on the stage. A whispered command is immediately answered, although Captain Winston may be two or three feet away Water lions and diving girls, both, would be an asset to any Olympic swimming team. Every member has the skill of an Ena Stockley, and many of the diving feats are highly sensational. Everything the girls attempt is imitated by the water lions. A lifesaving “drama” with the sea lions as “life-guards” is an amusing feature of the programme.

STRAND

“THE GAUCHO” A gripping story of the South American pampas, of banditry, romance and the lure of gold! “The Gaucho,” which is enjoying a successful season at the Strand Theatre, is indeed a picture of exceptional merit. Once again appearing in the role of robber chief, the inimitable Douglas Fairbanks has chosen a colourful character in the Gaucho rider of the Andean border. It is noticeable that the Fairbanks pictures sparkle with humour, are swift in action, courageous in theme, yet at the same time they are free of a. j emphasis likely to react on the youthful mind. The majestic scenery and the general thoroughness of production have made “The Gaucho” a most entertaining picture, and one that maintains the high standard of the Fairbanks successes. Douglas Fairbanks appears as an outlaw Gaucho leader, head of a band of hard-riding bandits, who occupy the mysterious shrine city under the very nose of the ursurper of the country. A wild mountain girl, and a girl of the shrine are strangely contrasted roles, and not until the end of the picture is the romantic interest unfolded. The Gaucho leader becomes contaminated by a victim of the “black doom,” but is healed by the shrine girl. The outlaw, however, is betrayed by the jealous mountain girl, who afterwards repents and rides to bring the help of the Gaucho bandits. The outlaw leader escapes and joins his men, rescues the shrine girl from the scaffold, stampeding a vast herd of cattle, which rout the force of the ursurper. Fairbanks adds to his repertoire of amazing stunts by the use of the bolas, familiar to horsemen of the South American plain. This missile consists of leather balls covered with rawhide attached to thongs. It is swung about the head, and thrown to entwine its victims. Fairbanks reveals his wonderful athletic ability, performing feats of dangerous jumping and clever riding. Dupe Velez has a leading feminine role as the wild mountain girl, and although a newcomer to the screen, her convincing acting of a difficult part added in no small measure to the success of the picture. Eve Southern, who takes the other principal feminine part as the shrine girl, gives a wonderful portrayal. A very beautiful song and dance prologue, “South of the Andes,” precedes the screening of the photo-play, Miss Bettina Edwards being the solo dancer. Eve Bentley and her Strand Symphony Orchestra provide a musical programme that is an entertainment in itself, many beautiful Spanish gems being included in the incidental music.

HIPPODROME AND EMPRESS

BIG DOUBLE FEATURE BILL Two big pictures make up the fine programme to be presented at both the Hippodrome and Empress Theatres this evening. The first of these pictures is entitled “Southern Love,” a picture full of romance and gipsy caravans in picturesque Spain, and has as star the popular actress Betty Blythe. , Miss Blythe's exexquisite beauty and perfect figure lend piquancy to the role she plays in “Southern Love,” but that is not all, for she brings also great histrionic ability into her betrayal of the Spanish gipsy, around whose personality the story is woven. It is a tale of hotheaded love, of intrigue and excitement—a screen fare of the most palatable type. The second feature ’on the programme at both theatres is “The Great Turf Mystery,” an exciting Nat Gould racing story. The theme is full of action and concerns the great race for the Grand National as the background of an unscrupulous gang of criminals. It is seldom that one gets such diverse screen iars as these two great films provide

LITTLE THEATRE SOCIETY

“OUTWARD BOUND” TO-MORROW The rehearsals for “Outward Bound,” the remarkable play by Sutton Vane, which is the production to be staged by the Auckland Little Theatre Society, are now completed and every preparation possible has been made for the success of the play when the season commences at the Concert Chamber tomorrow evening. When it was presented in London. “Outward Bound” created a sensation and was hailed as one of the most outstanding dramas of recent years. The producer for the Little Theatre Society, Mr. Kenneth Brampton believes that his players will not only stand up to the work, but will give an excellent interpretation of the remarkable story. The cast includes Miss Nance St. Clair-Whyte, Miss Daphne Knight, Miss Lynda Murphy, and Messrs. Arnold Goodwin, Montague Steele, Roberts Tole and John Stewart.

EMPIRE

“THE AIR PATROL” Those who enjoy having shiverirunning up and down their spine shoult see “The Air Patrol,” starring A 1 Wilson, shown at the Empire Theatre foi the first time last night. A beautiful story of the love of twc sisters for the same man is “Lovelorn’ starring Molly O’Day and Sally O’Neill the second attraction on the programme.

DIXIELAND CABARET

DANCING TO-NIGHT The Dixieland Cabaret at Point Chevalier will be the rendezvous of dancers again this evening, when the usual midweek gala night will be held, with dancing from 8 p.m. to midnight. The new Dixieland Dance Band. th*» splendid dancing floor and the comfortable surroundings, will ensure a. very pleasant evening. A monster charity ball is being arranged for Wednesday. July 11. in aid of the poor of Auckland. Special cabaret and dance items are now being prepared for that evening.

BRITANNIA

VAUDEVILLE AND PICTURES Professor D’Almaine, the world-re-nowned hypnotist, will be present at the Britannia Theatre this evening when he will give another remarkable demonstration of his peculiar powers. Professor D’Almaine not only conducts experiments jn bloodless surgery and other scientific phenomena, but also provide.s a most delightfully humorous entertainment when he subjects people to his will and makes them do all kinds of ludicrous movements. On the pictorial side of the programme there will be shown the picture, “Honeymoon Hate,” starring Florence Vidor.

GRAND

“MOTHER MACHREE” “Mother Machree” is now being! shown at the Grand Theatre, with Belle Bennett, Neil Hamilton, Ted Me- i Namara, and Victor McLaglan in the ; leading roles. Miss Bennett herself j making screen history anew with her . Mother Machree. This is a simple and moving drama of mother-love, 1 Irish people, and a little of the laugh- I ter and pathos that one associates with j all Irish tales. It is a simple storv, I but so exquisitely told, and so beautifully acted, that it immediately rises 1 to the heights of the greatest pictures j which the screen lias ever produced. It j is completely without the maudlin sentimentality which is mistaken for Irish emotion, and its characters are delightfully Irish, tears and smiles. Miss Bennett makes a wonderful mother, and Neil Hamilton is splendid as her