Round The Shows

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 462, 18 September 1928, Page 15

Round The Shows

MAJESTIC

COWBOY BAND AND PICTURES “The Gateway of the Moon,” a colourful drama of the South American jungle, with Dolores Del Rio in the leading role, is the main pictorial attraction at the Majestic Theatre this evening. Miss Del Rio, who achieved wide world fame with her characterisation of Charmalne in “What Price Glory,” again scores a triumph in the part of Toni, a half-caste girl of the wilds. Perhaps no star in motion pictures has both the alluHng beauty and emotional capacity for portraying the rble of such a primitive child of Nature as this same Miss Del Rio. The story of ‘‘The Gateway of the Moon” deals with White men’s efforts of building a railroad through the jungle at a ruthless cost to native life and happiness. Gillespie, the chief engineer, played by Anders Randolf, is a brute hated and feared by his white and native workers alike. Toni is his niece, who neither fears nor hates him. But with the coming of Wyatt, played by Walter Pidgeon, she begins to recognise her uncle’s evil nature and is willing to help Wyatt. Fred Mayfield’s Cowboy Band is repeating every week the tumultuous reception given them at their first appearance. Their bright orchestra is as full of melody as an egg is full of meat. Rhythm, melody and the call to dance .are all there, and it is little wonder that the whole time they are playing their feet are tapping and shuffling in unison. The excellently varied programme includes a comedy, and the ever popular Majestic News, and incidental music is supplied by the Majestic Orchestra, under Mr. Whiteford Waugh. HIPPODROME BIG PROGRAMME TO-MORROW A thrilling drama of Western life, full of hard riding and action, entitled “50,000 Dollars Reward,” will be shown at the Hippodrome Theatre tomorrow. The cast is headed by two wellknown screerf* players in Esther Ralston and Ken Maynard mounted on his horse, Tarzan’. The story opens with a terrific fight in a restaurant in the Western town of Belmont, Montana, in which Tex Sherwood, a cowpuncher just arrived from Texas, defends himself from an outfit of ruffians under the leadership of Buck Schofield, who are bent upon securing some important documents in the possession of Tex. Asa Holman, president of the Belmont bank and a big man in local affairs, offers a reward of 50,000 dollars for the capture of Tex. The charm of May McAvoy’s personality suffuses “Irish Hearts” with a flowing loveliness. The vivacious, fun-loving Patsy from Erin offers a character that brings out all of Miss McAvoy’s radiant self. The magnetic force of her individuality has never been so strongly felt as in this film. “Irish Hearts” proves conclusively that May McAvoy has not only beauty of face and farm, but that inward beauty which produces the invaluable, intangible quality, known as “charm.” Jason Robards, Kathleen Key, Warner Richmond, Les Bates and Walter Rodgers are in the cast.' Byron Haskin directed the story which was adapted by Graham Baker from a story by Melville Crosman. Syd Chaplin ha« scored another hit, it is claimed, this time as the gay young fellow who went to a small town to marry money in “The Fortune Hunter,” a Warner Master Picture. Winchell Smith’s adroit comedy was a great success on the stage and promises to be an even greater one on the screen. As a pantomimist Chaplin excells and his work in “The Fortune Hunter” is destined, according to report, to enhance his regard with the public. This production takes a foremost place in the list of Master Picture successes.

“THE LUCK OF THE NAVY”

ENJOYABLE SPY PLAY The audience at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening enjoyed the strong Britannic plot running through “The Luck of the Navy,” which was staged by Percy Hutchison, and his company. There is still a thrill for Britishers in war-time melodrania, and the pep with which the Hutchison company put it over added zest to their enthusiasm in the show-down with the anti-Britisli conspirators. “The Luck of the Navy” teems with intrigue and conspiracy. The closest friends of the naval officers are their worst enemies, and thfeir endeavours to secure copies of the key cipher to the secret sailing orders of the submarine make the audience wonder how everything is going to come out satisfactorily for the bulldog breed. Of course it does, because of one or two weak links in the German organisation, and through the unwitting butting in of unwanted guests. The play is bright and chock full of thrills, particularly in the third act, when the roar of an airplane, the glare of a searchlight and the flash of a metal revolver barrel in a half darkened room combine in effecting a stirring finish. Mr. Hutchison was quite at home as the cheery British naval hero, commander of the submarine, and his philosophic acceptance of awkward situations was typical of the part in which he was cast. Perhaps the most likeable and convincing character in the play was that of the crusty admiral, who wanted to fight, but wasn’t allowed. In this role Mr. Townsend Whitling was an entertainment. Miss Frances Dillon, as Mrs. Peel, the pseudo patriot, was charming and composed, and gave a touch of her dramatic abilities in -anti-» British outbursts when alone in her* spy headquarters. Mr. Watts Weston played with youthful vigour and gave an excellent interpretation of his role. Miss Rogers made a small part stand out by her excellent acting. . Miss Francis was her charming self as the heroine. Mr. Steuart West was sufficiently heavy to make one the the villains realistic. Mr. Laurier, Miss Brackley, Miss Standward and the other members of the cast played smaller parts with good effect. The season concludes to-night.

MUNICIPAL CONCERT

TOWN HALL TO-MORROW ' A programme of charming variety will be given in the Town Hall to-morrow evening by the Municipal Band. The vocalist will be Mr. R. J. Peter, tenor, who will be accompanied by Mr. Whittaker. The band will play three movements from Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, the great C minor, also the “Tannhauser” march, “Fihlandia” tone poem, “Zampa” overture, Dvorak’s Slavonic Dances Nos. 7 and 8, and other tuneful ietms. Booking arrangements are advertised.

NEW REGENT

RICHARD DIX AND TOM KATZ A happy comedy of a young man who was determined to be honest under all temptations, Richard Dix’s latest picture, now showing at the New Regent Theatre, “Easy Come, Easy Go,” is thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. Richard Dix has far from an easy time of it in this picture, but there is an easy time of laughter for all Who see it. There is an honest boy who just can’t stay out of trouble, a goodhumoured crook whom everybody loves, and a girl. Dix is seen in the role of Parker, an out-of-work clerk, whose life is saved by a bank thief named Bailey. Bailey has just stolen a considerable sum of money, but Parker does not know that, and accompanies him on a journey mainly to be near his sweetheart, who is the daughter of the bank manager. Bailey attaches himself to the banker’s party, and Parker, who has learned of the stolen money, is forced to go along, hoping to recover the. money and return it. Parker’s attempts to return the money, the interference of Bailey, and the refusal of the girl’s father to believe his stories of the robbery, provide a long series of humorous situations. Parker finally effects the recovery of the money, wins the girl, and Bailey makes his escape. An excellently \*aried supporting programme is also being presented this evening. Tom Katz and his saxophone band are Still captivating record audiences at the Regent. Their entertainment is a musical treat, for the little coloured bellboys drift from the classics to jazz and back again to old-time favourites. Their varied entertainment is charming. Incidental music will again be supplied by the Regent Operatic Orchestra, under the baton of Mr. Maurice Cuttridge. GRAND SHQWS “THE GAUCHO” A gripping story of the South American pampas, of banditry, romance and the lure of gold! “The Gaucho,” which is now being shown at the Grand 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 any emphasis likely to react on the youthful mind. The majestic scenery and the general thoroughness of production have made “The Goucho” a most entertaining picture, and one that maintains the high standard of the Fairbanks successes.

“The Patsy,” Marion Davies’s latest comedy of an American “flapper,” is the second feature.

“FAUST” REPEATED

POPULAR PRODUCTION The second performance of Gounod’s Faust attracted a large attendance at St. James Theatre last evening. The company again provided a splendid presentation of this popular work, which was received with marked enthusiasm by an appreciative audience. As Marguerite, Margharita Flor was responsible fbr another fine portrayal. Miss Flor is always convincing, _ and the success of the company in this opera undoubtedly is largely due to the outstanding artistry of her work. Miss Flor was also well supported by Ernesto Fumagalli, whose voice of Very satisfying volume was heard to excellent advantage in the fine numall J tted to Mephistopheles. A ??“?? and ! n S stage presence and the virility of his performance made it a very attractive portrayal. r ? les were satisfactorily fiiled, and the chorus singing was up to the high standard set by the Gcnsalea Company. “THE MASKED BALL” ~Z, erdi ’? “V" Bal, ° in Mascbera” ( The Masked Ball”), which is to be played by the Fuller-Gonsalez Grand Opera Company this evening, was first produced in Rom© on February 17 j The scene is set in Boston, and the opera opens with talk of the coming masked ball to be given by Richard the Governor of Boston. The popular governor unfortunately has fallen in ’ove with Amelia, the beautiful wife of his secretary, Renata. His love is returned, but Amelia struggles against her infatuation, and seeks to find a means of forgetting Richard. On the advice of an Indian sorceress, she goes to find a herb which will bring her peace. This herb must be picked at midnight under the gallows. Richard, who, disguised as a sailor, has also gone to consult Ulrica, learns of this intention, and follows Amelia to the lonely spot. Amelia is veiled. Renato, in the meantime, having heard of a plot to assassinate the governor, follows to warn him, and so finds him with a veiled lady. Richard, to escape the would-be murderers hurries away, leaving the veiled Amelia with Renato, making him swear he will not seek to discover her identity. The assassins arrive, and in the struggle Amelia has her veil torn oft. Renato, believing the worst, joins the conspirators, and at the masked ball finds out how Richard is dressed, and kills his friend and master. With his dying words Richard declares Amelia to be innocent. The principal will be Signorina Rosita Silvestri, Margherita Flor, Nina Algozina, and Signors Rota, Scamuzzi, Alfieri, Gilardi, and Gislon. “PIONEER SCOUT” AT ROYAL “The Pioneer Scout,” a new styl,e Western thriller, which will be shown this evening at the Royal - Theatre, Kingsland, stars the popular actor, Fred Thompson, in a picture which sets aside for all times any doubt as to his title as the leader of all Western stars. “The Pioneer Scout” tells of the scouts on the western plains in the middle of last century who guided the wagon trains across unknown country, and the opposition they had in the desperadoes and outlaws. One of the early scenes in the story shows Handy Anderson in a rocky hideout, viewing the approach of a wagon train and informing his lieutenants it is too big for an attack. Anderson is a one-handed burly, who uses a sharpened hook on the- stump of his arm. He reappears in town just as another small wagon train arrives, and Mary Baxter alights from her father’s wagon. He is smitten, and tries to make an impression.

“The Flight Commander,” a story of the British Air Force in China, will also be shown.