MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 541, 19 December 1928, Page 17

MAJESTIC

LAST DAYS OF “ANNIE LAURIE” Bearded Scots in tartans and shields, with claymores and other weapons of the romantic Highlands, march a thousand strong in impressive ceremonies, to the martial tunes of the bagpipes, and battle in the rugged Highlands in tremendous conflicts in the most spectacular historical drama of years, “Annie Laurie,” now playing at the Majestic Theatre. The new spectacle is Lillian Gish’s latest and most sensational starring vehicle. The picture, based on Scottish history, is laid about the massacre of Glencoe. A small army of huge Scots is seen in reviews, in baronial halls, in the huge gathering of the clans at Maxweiton Castle, and other vivid and picturesque detail in the mighty drama. Miss Gish plays the daughter of Sir Robert Laurie, the woman who in history was the Joan of Arc of her land. Her love for an enemy clansman turned the tide of a huge battle, and changed the history of Scotland. Huge replicas of the great old castles of Scotland, including the majestic Maxweiton Castle, were constructed for the mighty drama. An entire woollen mill was leased to weave the special plaids necessary to dress the warriors, representing the lighting forces of 2G different Scottish tribes. The picture was staged on a scale that taxed the entire resources of the great Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios, whence came “BenHur” and many other notable spectacles. Norman Kerry plays the leading male role as lan, of the clan of MacDonald, and Hobart Bosworth enacts the historic “Wolf of Glencoe.” Others in the cast include David Torrence and Creighton Halp. An equally orilliant supporting programme is being presented, and the whole is accompanied by Mr. Whiteford Waugh’s Majestic Orchestra. A fine selection of Scottish airs is played during the showing of “Annie Laurie.” On Friday next the Majestic will present, for the new. programme, a delightful children’s pantomime, “Aladdin.” in six scenes, with 50 children and adults. This will be presented every afternoon.

In the evening a hanpy comedydrama of Gay Puree will be screened, entitled “Dry Martini.” Mary Astor and Matt Moore are the stars.

William Boyd’s first P.D.C. release for 1929 is ‘The Skyscraper.” This film is an unusual combination of sidesplitting comedy and hair-raising thrills, with the serious business of building a steel skyscraper as a background. Alberta Vaughan, who successfully appeared as “The Telephone Girl” in the 12-reel series under that title, is also in the cast.