Round the Shows

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 460, 15 September 1928, Page 18

Round the Shows

“THE LUCK OF THE NAVY” HIS MAJESTY’S THIS EVENING This evening at His Majesty’s Theatre the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., management will present the eminent London actor-manager, Mr. Percy Hutchison, and his English company of comedy and dramatic artists in the spectacular comedy-drama, “The Luck of the Navy.” This play abounds in sensational and thrilling incidents in connection with the strenuous times during the war period of 1915, but the dramatic situations are cleverly intermingled with genuinely humorous dialogue and scenes, which together make up a very delightful and intensely interesting evening’s entertainment. “The Luck of the Navy,” a story of gallant British sailormen, patriotic sentiments, and soulless spies, is a robust play that cannot fail to arouse enthusiasm in any British community. Mr. Hutchison played it for 18 months in London, where it delighted hundreds of thousands of playgoers, including Tier Majesty the Queen, who complimented Mr. Hutchison on th»c fine performance of his company, all oi whom will appear in this evening's presentation. Mr. Hutchison, as Lieutenant Stanton, who carries important naval documents, essential to the happiness of a foreign spy organisation, gives, it is said, a manly and cheery characterisation of a young naval hero. Mr. Victor Watts-Eston is said to be highly amusing as the midshipman, and Miss Frances Dillon is excellent as the spy. Miss Stella Francis plays the role of the heroine, and others in the cast are Mr. E. Rayson-Cousens, Mr. Townsend Whitling, Mr. William Laurier, Miss Mary Brackley, Miss Joan Rogers, Miss Dorothy Stanward, and Mr. William Ralston. The naval uniforms are picturesque, and a feature of the production is the dresses worn by the principal ladies. Only three performances can be staged of “The Luck of the Navy.” On Wednesday night the company will appear at Hamilton.

MUNICIPAL BAND AT ZOO TO-MORROW The Municipal Band plays at the Zoological Park to-morrow afternoon at three o’clock. A fine programme includes the stirring marches, “The Fez,” “University of Dayton,” and “The Trossachs,” hymn, “Saviour Breathe An Evening Blessing,” overture to “Rienzi,” selections, “Reminiscences of Sullivan” and “The Shamrock,” cornet solo, “The Death of Nelson,” by Mr. Fred Bowes, and other items. The band will again appear in the Town Hall on the same day at 8.30, when a very interesting programme will be presented, including “Creation’s Hymn,” overture, “Italiana in Algieri,” and “Maritana” seelction.

ADELPHI, GREY LYNN

“LOVE’S GREATEST MISTAKE”

Two excellent pictures will be presented at the Adelphi Theatre, Grej Lynn, this evening. The first will be the intensely dramatic story entitled “Love’s Greatest Mistake,” in which the star is Evelyn Brent. Miss Brent will be remembered as the leading woman in “Beau Sabreur.” The second attraction will be “The Pioneer

Scout,” starring the popular outdoor actor, Fred Thomson, on his horse, Silver King. This is a story of the West when courageous scouts were necessary for guiding wagon-trains over the plains.

LYRIC AND EMBASSY “THE PLAY GIRL” The old saying, “It’s the woman who pays” is true —sometimes. One time it goes wrong is in “The Play Girl,” the delightful comedy romance starring Madge Bellamy, which is now showing at the Lyric and Embassy Theatres. Miss Bellamy portrays the role of a sales girl in a florist’s shop who dreams of having fine clothes, jewellery and easy living. By a twist of fate she gets them but balks when the man who provides them seeks to exact a price. She learns that his expenditures on her were in the nature of an investment, not gifts, and the battle is on. Her “lady of the mob,” as played by Anita Garvin, is little help; she brings the wrong advice. In the end however a handsome young man, played by Johnny Mack Brown, falls in love with Madge, believes in her and convinces the girl that, after all, the right way is the only way. “Blighty,” the second feature, is a British picture with a notable cast of English stage players, including Ellaline Terriss, Lilian Hall-Da vis and Annesley Hely. The picture paints the war so accurately that the spectator lives over again the fervour, the anxiety, the joy of the fateful years which have added such terrible yet glorious pages to history. The director almost with genius, has reconstructed in telling, moving sequences, the tragedy and the joy of war years, as it affected not only the men who bore the brunt, but those at home who manfully shouldered a grave burden. A wealth of imagination has captured the spirit of the years, and vision has created atmosphere with uncanny touch.

“lOLANTHE” CONCERT CHAMBER NEXT WEEK The beautiful Gilbert and Sullivan light opera, “lolanthe” will be presented tn the Town Hall Concert Chamber on September 20. and the two succeeding evenings. This is being arranged by the pupils of the Auckland Girls’ Grammar School and half the net proceeds will go to the Mayor’s Unemployment Fund.

THE PLAZA AND TIVOLI

“FINDERS KEEPERS’' When you know that the beautiful Laura La Plante becomes a private in a man’s army, you understand something of “Finders Keepers”—one of the funniest films of the year. It is now at the Plaza and Tivoli Theatres. The story is by Mary Roberts Rinehart and is a splendidly executed bit of entertainment. Xo dull moments, lots of laughs, a good share of thrills and a cast of real actors.

This picture is uproariously funn from the first scene ♦ v *~ ,00 * 1 tells of the daughter of an army

colonel who simply could not refuse to take engagement rings from all the men in her father’s company. When she falls badly in love with a private she sets the whole regiment into turmoil. Laura la Plante

has never

photographed better. The entire picture is an artistic creation. It is comedy on a grand scale. Anyone who doubts that comedy is art, should see “Finders Keepers.” John Harron is appealing in his role and adds many laughs to a mirthful film. Harron played opposite Miss La Plante in her recent picture

“Silk Stockings,” which, by the way, was also directed by Wesley Ruggles, a very successful trio. In the supporting cast are many good players with especial credit going to Edmund Breese. Arthur Rankin, William Gorman, Eddie Phillips and Joe Mack.

Conrad Veidt plays in “Impetuous Youth,” now showing at these theatres. He is a continental actor of very wide experience. He lias played in a great number of T7.F.A. films and has a very large following of admirers. He is a polished and powerful actor who made a big name for himself on the stage before appearing in pictures. In “Impetuous Youth” his role is a strenuous one and calls for a great deal of restraint. He portrays a loving father and husband called upon suddenly to decide between his new wife and his little daughter, one of the inevitable step-mother tragedies which occur in so many homes. Love eventually solves the riddle both to his satisfaction and to the satisfaction of the daughter, when Cupid takes a hand and introduces a young artist romantically inclined.

GRAND CONCERT IN TOWN HALL AN EXCELLENT PROGRAMME A musical treat is promised Aucklanders at the Town Hall next Thursday evening, when a grand concert will be tendered to Mrs. G. F. Cater by the combined social clubs, musical associations and leading artistes of Auckland. Items will be rendered by Auckland Orphans Club Orchestra, the Clarion Quartet, the Lyric Quartet, the band of the Jubilee Institute for the Blind, Miss Alma McGruer, Miss Mina Caldow, and Messrs. Walter Brough, S. Pritchard. Alan McElwain, A. Ripley and George Poore. GRAND SHOWS “THE GAUCHO”

There is, perhaps, no more popular star on the screen than Douglas Fairbanks, and “The Gaucho,” his latest effort, which is now screening at the Grand Theatre, will enhance a reputation for colourful drama. “The Gaucho” is a picture woven round the brightly-coloured lives of the cowboys of the South American plains. The race is fast disappearing, but has a romantic past which Fairbanks handles to perfection. Throughout the picture the scenery is most impressive, and the pictures are actual view r s taken in the Andean Mountains of South America. The vast, rugged mountains make an imposing background for the stirring drama. The story is laid in a country beyond the Andes, where a .shrine has been built on the scene of a miracle. “The Patsy,” a happy story of a typical American girl, will also be shown, with Marion Davies in the leading role. KINGSFORD SMITH TO VISIT DIXIELAND The popular Dixieland Cabaret will be the scene of another happy Saturday gala carnival this evening, when dancing will be enjoyed from 8 p.m., to 12 p.m. The Dixieland famous dance band will supply the music and a merry time is assured. The preliminary arrangements are well in hand for the Monster Charity Ball to be held at Dixieland next Wednesday. Special cabaret items are being prepared and a highly successful evening is promised. Mr. H. T. Merritt, of the Chamber of Commerce, has received word that the four heroes of the Tasman flight. Kingsford Smith, Dim. McWilliams and Litchfield, have accepted the invitation of the Dixieland management to be present on Wednesday evening. An “aerial studio” is being developed at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios to capture the ultimate in aviation thrills for the screen. Practically nil the airplane scenes in “Gold Braid,” Ramon Novarro’s new starring vehicle, will be filmed from a large airplane to be fitted up as a kind of flying studio, with camera sockets built into special windows in the fuselage. George Hill is directing.

“Annie Laurie.” the film of the famous Scottish ballad and song, with Lillian Gish in the title role, is booked for early release in thi-s city. A brave and romantic tale is told against all the rugged beauty of the Highlands, with all the fierce and warlike instincts of the clans, predominating in the story. Norman Kerry is Miss Gish’s leading man, and is a» conspicuous, *f not more so, then the star liersQlf.

Mary Philbin isn’t going to play Girl on the Barge,” after all- , t requested Carl Laemmle to let her v - in “Salvage” instead- Her role vabe taken by Sally O’Xeil- Jean sholt, who is already in New * , heads the east, the other player being Malcolm Macf /. r^ art Edward Sloman, the director. work at a location on the Erie *- shortly.