NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 465, 21 September 1928, Page 15

NEW REGENT

“THE LAST COMMAND” Emil Jannings, one of the greatest character actors on the screen, is seen in his latest triumph, "The Last Command,” which will be presented for the first time at the New Regent Theatre this evening. "The Last Command” is a remarkable picture. Tho story commences among the “extras” awaiting jobs at the Hollywood film studios. One of the poorest is an old Russian, a one-time General in the Tsarist armies. He is cast in a film with a Russian theme, and back in the old uniforms and surroundings lie imagines he is back in Russia. The scene fades, and the audience sees the poor actor in his high position and the momentous time he lives through. But there is little time for dreaming and he has to work for a liivng, portraying in a film, the very roles he once possessed in real life. “The Last Command" is also notable for the strong supporting cast een with Jannings. The cast is headed by Evelyn Brent. . She portrays the role of a Russian revolutionist, prior to the uprising, and falls in love with Jannings, who is commandant of all the Russian armies. Her handling of the heavy dramatic sequences has won her a round it praise from film critics. William Powell, arch-villain of the screen, is seen as a scheming and sinister revolutionist in a role that gives him unusual scope for his admitted ability. The picture is said to be distinguished by not only the remarkable performance of Jannings, as a Russian General who is caught in the vortex of revolution and swept to oblivion, but by the outstanding story and directorial treatment of Josef von fc> :ernberg, the' young director whose dramatic touches and camera effects are remarkable. . , . A huge dancing spectacle will be provided by 30 performers on the Regent stage this everting. This is the “Winter Frolics, '* and is accompanied by novel scenic and lighting effects. Besides conducting the Regent Operatic Orchestra, Mr. Maurice Guttridge will be heard at the Wurlitzer organ this evening.

“THE ADORABLE OUTCAST” A Fijian film-making visit was not Eddie Burn's first taste of the tropics. Some years ago, when Eddie was going through that discontented twenty-year-old uplift stage, he decided to fulfil the promise of his scribbling ’teens, sail away to the Fiji Islands and write a best seller that would revolutionise the literary world. It can truthfully be said that he wrote but one chapter and for the remainder of the three months did what every other visitor to the Islands does —forgot the world in days of laziness and lotus eating. Every trader’s wife and daughter lest their hearts to him. The handsome American youth was the guest of honour at every fete and dance, and it wasn’t till the boat was taking him home that he remembered his novel. On his arrival in Los Angeles he entered the movies, “The Adorable Outcast” being the first photoplay in his brief career that has called for tropical location. "The Adorable Outcast” will shortly be released throughout the Dominion by Master Pictures.

POPPYLAND BAZAAR The Poppyland bazaar will be opened in St. Matthew’s Parish Hall, Hobson Street, this afternoon. The ball has been transformed into a field of red poppies. Afternoon teas and suppers are available, and an orchestx'a is in attendance. The bazaar will be open to-morrow afternoon and every evening until next Tuesday.

Julius Caesar set the style for kilts in Scotland. This fact was disclosed when the Metro-Gold wyn-Mayer research department was investigating the kilts worn by the plaided ■warriors m “Annie Laurie." It was found that the skirted uniforms worn by the Roman soldiers who invaded England and Scotland when Rome was the most powerful nation in the world had brought a similar style into vogue in the latter country.