NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 483, 12 October 1928, Page 15

NEW REGENT

STAGE BAND AND PICTURES A game of wits in the colourful atmosphere of the Continental cafes and fashionable drawing rooms, with a woman in love angling for the man site wants, is the ideal theme for Florence Vidor, and she makes the most of it in her latest picture, “The Magnificent Flirt,” which will be shown at the New Regent for the first time this evening. Clever intrigue, surprising twists, and an enticing strain of i umour 2 mark this production, which presents the charming actress in the role of Madame Florence Laverne. All-night parties at the Parisian cafes are engaging the attention of Madame Laverne, while her daughter, Denise, is falling head over heels in love with young Hubert Duval. Mme. Laverne also has a decided preference for M. D’Estranges, uncle of Hubert, and, while manoeuvring lym through the night clubs, is skilfully angling for his heart and hand. Although M. D’Estranges is unaware of his capitulation to the fair Mme. Laverne, he has lost his heart, but his hand is something else again. He believes Mme. Laverne to be a heartless flirt, .and is cautious. How the madame sighs her way into a marriage contract with the old bachelor is most entertaining. The subtleties of this clever French farce are admirably suited to the accomplished talents of Miss Vidor. Loretto Young interprets the role of the daughter, and Albert Conti and Matty Kemp are also in the cast. An entirely new style of picture theatre entertainment will be introduced at the New Regent this evening, with the “Stage Band Presentation.” The Regent Jazz Band of 20 chosen musicians will appear on the stage as a musical background for a brilliant dancing performance. The dancers will include Porter and Carne, from the Palais Royal, Sydney; Alfred Mario, Spanish dancing eccentrique; and the Regent Corps de BalletMr. Maurice Guttridge, conductor of the orchestra, will be the master of ceremonies of this novel presentation. JACK BUCHANAN IN “TONI” Jack Buchanan, the well-known English musical comedy star, and remembered in this country for his excellent performanc in “Confetti,” plays the principal part in the British International picture, “Toni,” a comedymelodrama in which the well-known author, Douglas Furber, created a special role for Mr. Buchanan. The picture was directed by Mr. Arthur Maude, an Englishman who had met with tremendous success at Hollywood.- The British critics class this picture as a hilarious melange which is dished up with a little love, a touch of clean comedy and a great adventure. A Universal casting director has the distinction of having given Neil Hamilton, who portrays a feature role in , “Grip of the Yukon,” the Universal Picture, his first leading role in pictures. Both were in New York, and Hamilton was selected from a group of extras to portray the leading man in “Tho Romantic Athletes.” receiving several dollars and half a day for hs services. Others seen with Hamilton in “Grip of the Yukon” are Francis X. Bushman, June ' Marlowe, Theodore Lurch, James Farley, Otis Harlan and Burr Mclntosh. Ernst Laemmle directed the picture.