Round The Shows

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 588, 14 February 1929, Page 15

Round The Shows

MAJESTIC

“BLINDFOLD” TO-MORROW The fine British picture, “Moulin Rouge/ ’the story of a youth’s infatuation for his fiancee’s mother, an actress, will be shown at the Majestic Theatre for the last time this evening. Olga Tschechowa, who plays the role of the mother, is an actress of considerable note on the Continent and has appeared in many previous productions, both on the stage and screen. In the role of her daughter is Eve Gray, the beautiful young Australian, who is said to possess much ability as an actress. The rest of the cast was formed by the company of the “Paris-New York” Revue, which was employed for the large stage scenes, and Jean Bradin, the young English actor.

Two of Fox Films latest “finds” will have the masculine and feminine second leads in "Blindfold,” which will open at the Majestic Theatre on Friday. They are Bon Terry, the handsome young juvenile who distinguished himself in "Me, Gangster,” and Maria Alba, alluring Spanish senorita who won the Fox Films beauty contest in Spain last year. She has played the lead in a number of comedies, also par ts in "A Girl in Every Port,” "Sharpshooters” and “Road Mouse.” Studio experts say both these players are potential stars and await only the roles which will "make” them.

The cast of “Blindfold,” which was written for the screen by that distinguished author, Charles Francis Coe, is headed by Lois Moran and Georg© O’Brien. Assisting in the interpretation are Earle Foxe, Fritz Feld, Andy Clyde, Robert Homans and Craufurd Kent.

Charles Klein, the new German director with Fox, directed and has established an innovation in camera treatment of mental action. The plot of 'the story has to do with the clash of law and crookdom, although the story’s chief interest Jies between romance and an unusual amnesia series of episodes, bringing out great acting qualities in Lois Moran. The supporting programme will include a magazine, comedy and a U.F.A. gem, ".Nature’s Wizardry,” an orchestral interlude by Mr. WhitefordWaugh’s Majestic Orchestra, “The Bcimnation of Faust” (Berlioz) and the fine solo, "One Fine Bay” (from "Madame Butter fiy”) sung by Miss Kate Campion in a special stage setting.

PRINCE EDWARD “LEGION OF THE CONDEMNED” The great air drama, "The Legion of the Condemned,” is still thrilling the crowds at the Prince Edward Theatre. “The Legion of the Condemned,” although primarily an air picture, eclipsing any picture of this nature yet made, except “Wings,” is also a line romantic story telling of two young people whose lives arc ontertwined in the maelstrom of war. The exciting Victor McLagleri story, "The River Pirate,” will also be shown. RIALTO AND REGENT, EPSOM “THE FOREIGN LEGION” "With two of the most famous male stars in motion pictures, Norman Kerry and Lewis Stone, and two of the most attractive girls, Mary Nolan and June Marlowe, as stars in "The Foreign Legion,” an exceptional treat is offered theatregoers at the Rialto and Regent, Epsom, Theatres this evening. It is a stirring drama of soldiers and love in the desert. The colourful Algerian desert and the drawing-rooms of London comprise the principal locales of the story. June Marlowe, as the brunette sweetheart, and Mary Nolan, as the blonde heart-wrecker, supply the picture with all kinds of romance. Craufurd Kent and Walter Ferry have the other important roles. The second feature will be a delightfully amusing comedy entitled "Why Sailors Go Wrong,” with Sammy Cohen and Ted McNamara as the stars. FINE SWEDISH ACTOR Gosta Ekraan, who plays the title role in “The Golden Clown,” shortly to be seen in Auckland, gives a heartrending picture of the irony of the motley which will live vividly in the memory for many a day. The drama gains much of its effectiveness, not only from the fine performance of the handsome Ekman, but also from the true - to - life characterisations of Maurice de Feraudy and Kate Fabian as an old-time circus proprietor and his wife. Karina Bell, hailed by the Press as the "Alma Taylor” of Sweden, portrays the wife for whose frailties one has nothing but sympathy.

ST. JAMES THEATRE WALLACE AS A “BONE-” One of the best programmes that George Wallace ever has produced is the attraction at St. James Theatre this week. This is “The Sparklers” in which, as a "bone and head,” George Wallace wrecks one after another of the schemes of his conspiring criminal superiors. An occasional murder, and plenty of activity by a very crooked gang provide the company with a basis for an uproariously funny comedy. This occupies all the second half of the programme, the first half being taken up with a variety of vocal, dancing, jazz nd humorous items. GALLANT VAGABONDS BRIGHT MUSICAL PLAY The dashing romance of Francois Villon’s one day as King of France can never fail to set the public imagination alight, and presented in opera form it has a truly lively appeal. “The Vagabond King,” played by the J. C. Williamson Opera Company, has won the instant approval of Auckland theatregoers, and His Majesty’s Theatre was again well filled last evening. The play is exceptionally well staged and there is some remarkably effective grouping. The war song, combined with the effective costuming, makes a thoroughly rousing passage. Miss Strella Wilson’s polished singing and clever enunciation is completely charming. James Kiddy sings delightfully and lacks nothing as a dashing rapscallion and cavalier. The volume and harmony of the chorus is a striking feature of the production.

The Vagabonds will have their day of glory again this evening, the season continuing for some ten days.

ROYAL SHOWS “ARMAGEDDON” General Allenby’s campaign in Palestine and Syria, and Colonel Lawrence's work among the Arabs, are perhaps the two most dramatic and colourful campaigns during the recent war. In addition, there are of particular interest to New Zealanders because of the active participation of New Zealand troops. The picture, named “Armageddon,” which will be shown at the Royal Theatre, Kingsland, this evening, is a graphic description and, in parts, is a reconstruction of those battles. An amusing comedy-drama, “Easy Come, Easy Go,” starring Richard Bix, will also be shown. BAND IN PARNELL PARK An hour and three-quarters beautiful music will be rendered by the Municipal Band in Parnell Park to-night, at 8 o’clock. Among the interesting numbers will be charming selections, bright overtures, stirring marches, brilliant instrumental solos, and other tuneful items.

To Lorayne Duval, erstwhile extra girl, has fallen the good fortune to play opposite Reginald Benny iti his forthcoming picture. "His Lucky Bay,” now under production at Universal City by Edward Cline. "Close Harmony” is the title of the next Charles Rogers’s starring picture for Paramount. It will be made both in a talking and silent form. The direction will be done by John Cromwell, the prominent Broadway actor end director. “Close Harmony” is taken from the magazine story by Elsie Janis.

STRAND “TWO LOVERS” The noble art of the Flemish masters, Rembrandt and his followers, comes to life again in an expression no less modern than motion pictures, according to art critics who have witnessed Ronald Colman and Vilma Banky’s latest film, Samuel Goldwyn’s production of “Two Lovers” at the Strand Theatre. Flanders (Brussels, Ghent and the lowland cities), which gave birth to many of history’s greatest painters, was revived by Samuel Goldwyn as the background for Fred Niblo’s production of “Leatherface,” the Baroness Orczy novel on which “Two Lovers” is based. In re-creating the beehive industry, the pomp and pageantry of Ghent in the Middle Ages, Samuel Goldwyn accepted the ’responsibility of representing the Flanders the great masters knew —the scenes that inspired the great art period in the history of painting. The acting of Ronald Colman and Vilma Banky is, of course, beyond reproach. The attractiveness and

ability of these two stars are certainly at their highest in this latest and last picture together. Paul Lukas, Nigel de Brulier, Eugenie Besserer and Helen Jerome Eddy do excellent work in character roles - exceeded only

by the brilliantly

sinister and leering interpretation of Noah Beery as the butchering Duke of Azar.

In addition to the usual supporting pictures there is a colourful stage presentation, “A Night in Venice,” in which the soloists are Mary Cofield and Birrell O’Malley.

Sympathetic musical accompaniment is provided throughout by the Strand Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Miss Eve Bentley.

“KIT CARSON” AT BRITANNIA The main pictorial attraction at the Britannia Theatre this evening is “Kit Carson, starring Fred Thomson and his famous horse, Silver King. It tells of the diffi-

culties that beset the paleface in establishing friendly relations with the Indians of Am e - rica in the early ’forties. It is a virile W estern play different from the usual type and not strewn with dead Indians or

extolling The victories of rollicking

oowboys, but a fine tale of the days of Indian tribal wars, told in an interesting and romantic way. Fred Thomdemonstrates his supreme skill with a horse. Nora ..Lane and Borothy Janis are the leads in the feminine roles. "The Ring.” the second picture, is an exciting British boxing story, with Carl Brisson and Lillian Ilall-Bavis as the stars. LUNA PARK To the many interesting attractions at Luna Park there will be added on Saturday next the famous Brackens. The performance of the Brackens is an artistic revelation and is one of the most sensational novelty acts on the tight wire ever seen. The fun devices and the sideshows are always in full swing and the Park will be open for the usual afternoon matinee on Saturday.

NEW REGENT “FOUR WALLS” THIS EVENING A battle between police and gangsters as seen from the roof of a New York skyscraper is one of the unusual scenes shown in “Four Walls** the first co-starring picture of John Gilbert and Joan Crawford, which comes to the New Regent Theatre this evening. The battle takes place in and around the East Side Political Club when two rival gangs engage in a free-for-all fight. John Gil-

bert and Joan Crawford escape from the hall on to the roof and. from this vantage point lean over the parapet and watch the fight in the streets below. The camera shows the scene from their point of view. Director

William N i g h used more than

400 police and gangsters to get the effect of this fight and it is one of the most interesting scenes in the production. “Four Walls" is a story of a young gangster who goes to prison. On his release he tries to go straight, but finds that the four walls of popular prejudice are more difficult to surmount than the stone walls of the prison. While John Gilbert and Joan Crawford have the starring roles, the cast includes Carmel Myers, Vera Gordon and Louis Natheaux.

“The Main Event" is a thrilling story of a cafe dancer written against a gripping background of the fighting arena by Paul Allison. Rochus Gliese, former U.F.A. director and writer, wrote the scenario. William K. Howard directed. It will be on view at the New Regent Theatre to-night as the second feature, and is said to be one of the most dramatic and thrilling productions of the season. Charles Delaney plays opposite the

Russo and Bradford, famous grand opera stars, will present an entirely new programme of songs and duets, and Mr. Maurice Guttridge’s Operatic Orchestra will play new musical selections. EVERYBODY’S AND TIVOLI “THE WHITE SHEIK” There is an indefinable fascination about the East that few Englishmen or women can resist. The air of romance, mystery and adventure which one always associates with the environs of the desert are as irresistible as the people of the desert are to the Western mind insolvable enigmas. The vast illimitable spaces of the desert, the great sand-dunes, the high, rugged mountains which stand sentinel on the borders of the great stretch of sand, each and all of these hold romance and adventure which is dear to the heart of Western men.

Bearing this in mind, it is not difficult to understand the enormous popularity of both books and films in which the action is set in the East and at the same time predict the success of the principal picture showing at the Everybody’s and Tivoli Theatres this evening. Entitled “The White Sheik" and adapted from Rosita Forbes’s storj', “King’s Mate,” it is a film which certainly merits attention.

“The Locust,” the mysterious masked bandit, will thunder through the screen at both theatres this evening in the second feature, a roaring drama of the West, “Taking a Chance,” featuring the youthful cowboy, Rex Bell. Who is this lone bandit that defies, single-handed, the bad men of the West?

Rex Bell, as Joe Courtney, the happy-go-lucky cowboy, who joins the preacher to establish a mission in Calamity Gulch, a tough border town, swears that he will capture “The Locust," dead or alive, and remove suspicion from the head of his aged partner. GRAND “MOULIN ROUGE” TO-MORROW The charming Clara Bow comedydrama, “The Fleet’s In," in which the vivacious red-haired star appears as a dance hall hostess at a naval base, together with the thrilling underworld story, “Me, Gangster.” will be screened for the last time this evening at the Grand Theatre. Another outstanding programme will be shown at the Grand to-morrow, headed by the fine British picture, “Moulin Rouge,” the story of a boy’s infatuation for an actress, who is also the mother of his fiancee. Olga Tschechowa, Eve Gray and Jean Bradin have the leading roles. A good supporting programme will also be screened.

PLAZA “THE MAN WHO LAUGHS” Victor Hugo’s immortal romance, “The Man Who Laughs,” -has at last been made into a motion picture. With infinite effort, and at great expense, there has been translated the stirring story of early English Court intrigue into a super-production that mirrors ■ Hugo’s unusual and colourful characters and events in gripping scenes. an«l this will be screened at the Plaza Theatre this evening. Conrad Veidt and Mary Flnlbin play the leading roles in “The Man V > < Laughs.” Veidt is one of the lost famous screen

stars of Europe. He was brought tc America primarily to play the role oi Gwynplaine, tlic Man Who Laughs in this picture. Miss Philbin is the beautiful girl o: such pictures a: “Merry Go Round' and “The Phanton of the Opera.” Ii this picture she i

Dea, Hugo’s blin< and lovely heroin

The story of “The Man Wh< Laughs” takes place in England, parti in the 1690’s and later, in 1757. Th leading characters, a tragic mounte bank and a beautiful blind actress are members of a tiny travellin

show. They are pitched headlong into the pomp of Queen Anne’s court at a period when the oppression of the poor is at its height. The mountebank, restored to his rightful place as a Lord of the Realm, is embroiled in the fatal royal intrigues, and falls a victim to ■ the dastardly plotting of the Court when the licentious Duchess Josiana, the Queen’s sister, singles him out for • her voluptuous attention. What hap- j pened to the blind sweetheart of the i erstwhile mountebank, and how he ' extricates himself from the silken and i sinister toils that bind him, makes a j highly dramatic climax to a story filled j with thrills and suspense. Big sets are featured. Among I them is the great Southwark 1* air. London’s great Luna Park of two cen- j turies ago. Another is the House of Lords in full session, a remarkable scene. London streets, the toy al castles, baronial halls, exotic boudoirs, and striking coastal and dock scenes are also shown. Through these scenes and before these backgrounds move the vivid characters of Hugo’s story. I plaved by the pick of Hollywood’s j i most capable actors and actresses. In addition to the two stars, the cast, j includes Josephine Crowell as Queer, j Anne; Olga Baclanova as the vol- I uptuous Duchess Josiana; Stuart ] Holmes as Lord Dirry-Moir. the court fop; George Siegmann as the villainous Dr. Hardquanonne; Brandon Hurst, as Barkilphedro, the insidious jester; Cesare Gravina. as TJrusus, travelling showman and benefactor of the hero and heroine, and a score of other well-known players in important roles. A gorgeous atmospheric stage prologue has been arranged, in which Mr. Stanley Warburton will sing “Love Comes Stealing” and “Laugh, Clown, Laugh.” An interesting supporting programme and new music by Mr. Howard Moody’s Orchestra, will complete the entertainment.