PLAZA AND TIVOLI

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 479, 8 October 1928, Page 15

PLAZA AND TIVOLI

“WRECK OF THE HESPERUS”

The great sea drama, "The Wreck of the Hesperus.” from the famous ballad by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, is now being shown at the Plaza and Tivoli Theatres.

The theme deals with the problem of a father. Captain Slocum, whose daughter Gale is very much in love with John Hazzard, whose fatheryears before stole the fiancee of Captain Slocum. At last the captain puts his ship “Hesperus” to sea in order to break their friendship.

Young Hazzard seeks in vain to get aboard the Hesperus, and realising that Gale’s life is endangered by reason of the approaching storm he is rendered desperate. The storm breaks with tremendous fury Slocum lashes his daughter to the mast as the heavy seas sweep the deck. The sailors battle in vain with the storm, and the vessel founders. The mast to whicli Gale is lashed crashes to the deck and is swept overboard. The next morning as the fury of the gale abates Hazzard discovers the mast to which Gale is lashed.

The Sout;h Sea Islands are a favourite locale for writers since Robert Louis Stevenson made them famous in fiction. Picture producers have not failed to utilise the land beneath the Southern Cross as a scene for stories with a romantic trend. And yet they seem an inexhaustible mine of new ideas.

The latest is “No Place to Go,” a First National picture which is the second feature on the programme. However, it starts in New York, with a fine glimpse of the night life in circles of the socially elect. Thence by yacht to tropic isles, an adventure with supposed cannibals and all the fun and thrills that could be desired, with lots of spirited lovemaking for good measure. Mary Astor is delightful in the role of a flapper—something of a departure for her; Lloyd Hughes as her husband-to-be is agreeable as always. “FOOLS FOR LUCK” AT CAPITOL One of the best comedies by W. C. Fields and Chester Conklin is now at the Capitol Theatre. This is “Fools For Luck.” A fascinating love theme story adds heart-interest to the thrills and laughs provided by the escapades of the slick promoter in this hilarious comedy of small-town life, a comedy in which there is absolutely no distortion of characters, but a wealth of richly humorous situations woven into a strong and highly interesting story. Fields takes the part of the promoter who keeps himself out of the poorhouse by his wits, and out of gaol by the same method. Conklin is the substantial citizen of the small town, whose chief interest are his wife, his beautiful daughter, and his pool championship. The mystery-comedy, “13 Washington Square,” is the second attraction. "Soft Living.” starring Madge Bellamy, will also be shown. “THE VORTEX” Noel Coward’s much discussed society play, “The Vortex,” has been adapted for the screen. This play caused a sensation in London, and the film promises something entirely new on the screen. Willette Kershau makes her screen debut as the would-be youthful matron, Florence Lancaster. Ivor Novello appears as her musical son who loves a beautiful damsel, "Bunty,” played by Frances Doble. Beautiful settings and clever acting are said to be features in this English production to be released by British Dominion Films in New Zealand. “Lonesome, the Faul Fejos feature, has been pre-viewed in California and. from congratulatory telegrams received at the home office of Universal, It should be a sensation among moving pictures, so unusual and different is its direction. It is predicted that this picture, the first under Dr. Fejos’s contract with Universal, will be ev«i more talked of than Fejos’s “The Last Moment.”