EVERYBODY’S AND TIVOLI

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 411, 20 July 1928, Page 14

EVERYBODY’S AND TIVOLI

“LADY BE GOOD” AND “CHINESE PARROT” ‘Lady, Be Good:” lives up to the exhortation in its title. It is good—in fact, it is better than any farcecomedy that has been screened here in many months. Shown for the first time in Auckland, at Everybody's and the Tivoli Theatres, last evening. First National’s film version of the musical comedy success of the same name brought constant ripples of laughter, and won many new supporters for Dorothy Mackaill and Jack Mulhall. who share honours in the production. Mulhall plays the role of “Mysterio,” a magician on a second-rate vaudeville circuit, and Miss Mackaill is his winsome assistant, who helps him to produce rabbits from hats and make plum puddings disappear. Almost the entire picture takes place back-stage in the vaudeville theatres of the circuit, with the other players providing the supporting characters in the story. whimsical story of the adventures and disappointments of “Mysterio” and his comely assistant runs through the picture, with comedy bits and opportune gags liberally interspersed. James Finlayson, as the human target for the expert pistol shot, provides many uproarious moments, as does Dot Farley, as his wife, who shoots apples off his head for the amusement of spectators. John Miljan as the “heavy” of the picture, and Nita Martan as his jealous wife, contribute excellent performances, as do Yola d’Avril, Eddie Clayton, Aggie Herring, Jay Eaton, and others in supporting roles. A combination of melodrama, pathos and comedy marks the second picture on the programme, “The Chinese Parrot.” This story is laid ’•in Honolulu, Mexico, and San Francisco, and tells a dramatic tale of hatred and lotl3, replete with mystery from beginning to end. Three excellent players head the cast, Marian Nixon, Edmund Burns, and Hobart Bosworth. A full supporting programme is also being shown, and excellent music supplied, by Everybody’s Orchestra, under Mr. Howard Moody.