THE PLAZA AND TIVOLI

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 453, 7 September 1928, Page 14

THE PLAZA AND TIVOLI

TWO FINE PICTURES Those who enjoy that delightful type of humour dispensed by the genial Jack Mulhall will revel in his latest comedy. This is “The Poor Nut,” and was shown at the Plaza and Tivoli Theatres last evening. Jack takes the part of a college student in a smalltown college, where, because of his “inferiority complex” and peculiar shyness, he is known to the other students at “the poor nut.” Life for Jack is not very pleasant. In his heart he wishes to be a college hero. In fact, he goes so far as to write to a young lady in another college, telling her that he is a track star and hero, and all that. It is what he wants to be, but his complex stops him. There is a pretty girl who takes an interest in Jack. He takes an interest in her, too, with the result that in the end Jack snaps out of his complex, becomes the track star he wants to be, wins the most important track meet for his college, becomes the college hero, and wins the heart of the girl. It is a fine, clean comedy of college life, and stands out as one of the most farcical college romances of the season. - There is a lot of good clean fun, realistic college atmosphere, and track meets at which several famous track stars are seen in person.

Kay Compton, claimed by many to be England’s greatest actress, has lent her genius to the screen. The best success she has achieved so far is that arising from her performance in Pathe’s all-British screen drama, “Somehow Good,” the adaptation of William de Morgan’s famous novel, which was also shown last evening. In this amazingly fine film Miss Compton depicts a difficult role with attractive sincerity, and the polished technique that is synonymous with her name. The poignant drama mounts from strength to strength until it culminates in a scene which for emotional intensity has never yet been equalled in any film. The power of the picture in its fascinating effect upon audiences is so great that one can only regard it as a wonderful tribute to the subtle appeal of Miss Compton’s great art.

Miss H. Anderson’s orchestra at the Tivoli Theatre capably played “Hurrah. Boys” for the overture. The incidental music included the following selection: “Teresa Del Riego’s Popular Songs,” “The W r atersprites” (Hosier), “Romance” (Rubenstein), “Cavatina” (Bohm), “Intermezzo Symphonic” (Borch), “The Blushing Bride” (Romberg), and the latest foxtrots, “Ice Cream,” “My Melancholy Baby,” “Rain,” “Mine, All Mine,” and “Coquette.” At the Plaza Theatre, the overture, “Majestic,” was played by Reginald Morgan’s orchestra, and incidental music included: Selection, “Canary Cottage”; selection, “Wild EloweF”; “Petitte Suite de Concert” (ColeridgeTaylor); Prelude from “Eva” (Massenet); “Liebeslied” (Fritz Kreisler), and “Cobweb Castle” (Liza Lehmann).