Rommel The Shows

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 433, 15 August 1928, Page 14

Rommel The Shows

“SCANDAL”

LEON GORDON’S FAREWELL DARING PLAY STILL INTERESTING “Scandal,” a comedy in three acts t*y Cosmo Hamilton, Presented last evening at His Majesty’s Theatre by J. C. Williamson, Ltd. CAST Pewsey John Fernside Sutherland York .. . . Campbell Copelin Malcolm Fraser .. .. Leyland Hodgson Pelham Franklin .. .. .. Leon Gordon Beatrix Vanderdyke May Collins INI aj or Thatcher Frank Bradl-ey Honoria Vanderdyke _ , Henrietta Cavendish Helene Nancy Atkins Mrs. Brown Daphne Bairn Regina Waterhouse Noel Boyd With so much “spring cleaning” on the stage nowadays, “Scandal,’ can scarcely be thought as daring as it was 10 years ago. However, it is still a good theatrical play; artificial if you will, but good. It certainly deserves a longer revival than for only one performance. Most theatregoers will remember when Maude Hannaford interpreted the part of the daring young girl who played with fire to excess. For those who do not, “Scandal” briefly consists of three acts, as follow: Act 1: A spoiled society girl is thought to frequent the apartment of an artist much too often. She is caught there late at night by two irate relatives, and to save any bother declares that she is married to one of the young men present. Act 2: The bedroom of the newly“married” couple. The girl appeals to the man’s sporting spirit, but he forces her to disrobe, orders her into bed, and then says he wouldn’t live with her on a desert island.

Act 3: True love after a month of a supposed honeymoon in the countrj r . Miss Collins, billowing in a lovely filmy frock, has a certain air which enables her to make flesh and blood of her part. She has a curious voice, however, which rather spoils the effect. All her “s’s” were “z’s.” Mr. Gordon was hardly the free-life and free-air man, whose emotions have been ruffled by the daring girl, that we expected. He has a large following of Aucklanders who appreciate his performances in any part. Mr. Hodgson played with a nice appreciation of his part. Mr. Bradley and Miss Cavendish gave us two delightful character studies. Miss Boyd, Mr. Copelin, Mr. Fernside and the other members of the cast gave all the support that was necessary.

‘'Scandal’* has not dated, and as presented by Mr. Gordon’s company, should have played for a longer season.

CLICK CLACK CABARET

The popular Click Clack Cabaret at Newmarket will be the scene of a dance again this evening. Music will be supplied by Clyde ITowley's Orchestra, and with the comfortable surroundings a pleasant evening is promised.

LYRIC

NEW PROGRAMME TO-MORROW The unusual picture, “Are You Fit To Marry,” which has been attracting so much attention in Auckland, will be shown at the Lyric Theatre for the last time this evening. To-morrow a new programme will be shown, headed by “Brass Knuckles.” one of the most tense and gripping human stories of the year. It has to do with a youth, who. while unjustly imprisoned, gets the ill-will of a fellow who hounds his later efforts to go straight. The hero, Zac, played with splendid verve and reality by Monte Blue, promises to care for the little daughter of a prisoner, and does so when she is released from the orphanage, till the former enemy makes things hot for him. The cast includes, beside the stars, Blue and Betty Bronson, William Russell, Georgie Stone, Paul Panzer and Jack Curtis. The second feature will be “The Escape,” starring Virginia Valli and William Russell, in a story of passion and beauty in a battle for supremacy in the night clubs of New York.

EVERYBODY’S

“LIFE’S CIRCUS” TO-MORROW “Life’s Circus,” produced in Europe, will be shown to-morrow at the Everybody’s Theatre. The two partners of a tight-rope walking act have quarrelled over a woman and for years have not spoken to each other, although continuing their act. In the circus in which they are playing, a frail little girl is performing a leap-the-gap sensation, certain to end in making her a plwsical wreck. She is so under the influence of her stepfather that she goes through with it nightly. The second attraction will be “Turkish Delight,” an uproarious comedy of harem life in Turkey and of a womanhater who inherited a harem. Rudolph Schildkrant and Kenneth Thompson are the stars.

THE PLAZA AND TIVOLI

REGINALD DENNY ON FRIDAY The picture, “Dress Parade,” a story of life at the West Point Military Academy, will be shown at the Plaza and Tivoli Theatres for the last time this evening. William Boyd plays the part of an ex-boxing charfipion who becomes a West Point cadet and falls in love with the commandant’s daughter, played by Bessie Love. Commencing to-morrow the management will present Reginald Denny’s latest and best comedy entitled “On Your Toes.” £ The film depicts Denny in the role of a boxer who fights his way to the heavy-weight championship of the world. It is the most successful picture the star has appeared in since entering the screen world. Supporting him in the picture are Barbara Worth as the leading lady, Hayden Stevenson, Frank Hagney, Mary Carr, Gertrude Howard and George West.

“life's Circus,” a moving panorama of the circus world, will also be shown, with Mary Johnson in the leading role. The Cirque Modern is in Paris and a turn called the “Death Glide” is advertised Jin which a young girl makes a sensational and dangerous descent in a car down a slipway. She shrinks from the ordeal but is coerced by a brutal stepfather and falls into a state of nervous prostration. The Flamingo Brothers, eccentric rope dancers, though performing together never speak to each other, Gaston having wronged his brother Ralph years previously. Ralph loves the girl and despises her oppressor. In an endeavour to atone for the past, Gaston takes his place, and attacks, but does not kill, the stepfather, for he is shot by his long suffering wife, who is tried but acquitted. The circus performance seen in this picture is in itself a first-class entertainment; the sustained interest—for the spectator is constantly expecting something tragic to happen—is delicately handled. Humour is supplied by some eccentric turns in the circus.

STRAND

“MY BEST GIRL” One of the most popular photo-plays screened at the Strand Theatre for many months is Mary Pickford’s “My Best Girl,’’ now being- offered to Auckland picturegoers. This is the kind of picture that only Mary Bickford could make, combining the tenderness of a moving love story with the rollicking joyousness that made her the “world’s sweetheart.” In “My Best Girl,” Mary Bickford plays the role of a shop girl who unknowingly falls in love with the shop owner’s son. Maggie Johnson, a hardworking little stock girl in the Merrill five-and-ten-cent store, is given an assistant in Joe Merrill, son of the owner. As Joe wants to make his own way, however, he uses an assumed name, and Maggie has no idea of his real identity. As the pair work together in the big basement, a romance quickly springs up between them without either realising just what it means.

A scintillating miniature stage revue is presented by Mile. Valeska’s Tiny Tot Ballet. These talented little children, who presented such a charming prologue to “The Circus,” appear as wellknown film stars at the wedding of Mary Bickford and Douglas Fairbanks. This event in itself is outstanding for its beauty and charm. Roger Quilter’s “Children’s Overture” is being featured by Eve Bentley’s Strand Symphony Orchestra as the interlude This talented combination plays a special musical programme to accompany the photo-play.

An interesting Strand Magazine, with the latest topical budgets and world news, is included on the programme.

“I WILL REPAY” AT EDENDALE “I Will Repay,” the picturisation of the popular Scarlet Pimpernel stories, will be shown at the Edendale Theatre this evening. In the story, Juliette, who is endeavouring to kill Deroulede in revenge for the death of her brother, is rescued by Deroulede and given a home. There she meets Sir Percy*, “The Scarlet Pimpernel.” Holmes Herbert plays the role of the Scarlet Pimpernel. “Jaws of Steel,” starring Rin-Tin-Tin, the wonderful dog, will also be shown. “LADY BE GOOD” AT CAPITOL An hilarious farce comedy of backstage life, frantic weeks. of life in theatrical boardinghouses and hectic promoting of free meals is now on view at the Capitol Theatre. The picture is “Lady Be Good,” based on the musical comedy success of that name. Dorothy Mackaill and Jack Mulhall in the featured roles romp through the delightful comedy in the manner that has made them such highly popular players, and a strong supporting cast lends itself commendably to the comedy scenes. The second feature is “Baby Mine,” a story of the love troubles of two college boys, starring Karl Dane and George K. Arthur.