MAJESTIC THEATRE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 608, 9 March 1929, Page 15

MAJESTIC THEATRE

“DAUGHTER OF AUCKLAND” RUDALL HAYWARD SUCCESS Any picture play portraying- one or more of those highly romantic professionals, the detective, the newspaper reporter or the would-be reformer of a city’s sinful ways cannot but succeed. Such a film is the Auckland production, “A Daughter of Auckland,” which drew a packed house at the Majestic Theatre last evening. Bdgar Wallace gave the world the secret of Scotland Yard, Sir Philip Gibbs introduced the men who find sensational stories, and Commissioner liay created a new crusader. But Mr. Kudall Hayward, Auckland’s picture director, has gone one better. In his eagerly-awaited presentation ho most happily combines the eccentricities of all three types. An animated conference in a downsouth town (the Auckland Domain Gardens and the Tea Kiosk, to wit), deploring tlip much-advertised sins of the Queen City. Resolved: That the Reverend Mr. McWowse (Mr. Edward Armitage) be sent north to evangelise and reform. Very bustled and replete with umbrella and excessive virtuousness he arrives. Entangled among the traffic at the Customs Street crossing, Mr. McWowse lose.s dignity. At the Civic Square he distributes tracts. We follow him to the Pirate Shippe, where the old reformer meets a pretty young teacher (Miss Tlildred Graham). Mr. McWowse forgets his mission. Thence to a bottle exchange, where die is further shocked. After further indiscretions Mr. McWowse, apparently having been converted, is seen no more. Thereafter the reporter (Mr. Jack Read) and a young blood from the country (Mr. Arthur Lord) take up the running in competition for the hand of the girl. A detective hurries up the pace. Finding himself losing caste, the newspaper man resorts to the nefarious expedient of damaging his rival by a grossly libellous court “par.” He is exposed by the sleuth, who climbing The Sun Office perceives through a window oC the advertising department the reporter engaged in the remarkable task of turning out alone a big daily! The acting of all the chief characters is quite good. Uildred Graham is vivacious. photographs well, and makes a creditable performance The comedv is fresh and compares favourably with that of many imported stories. The sub-titles, done by Varsity students, are clevery formulated. Viewed •oadly, the picture is deserving of the city’s support. The entertainment is particularly well balanced. "Prep and Pep,” a charming tale of youth in America’s celebrated Calvert Military Academy, follows. The story concerns a mother's boy who, son of a famous athletic father, is faced with I the task of maintaining the family ! prowess. Timid, he is beaten all along i the line and is stamped yellow. His father had been called "Tiger” Reade. j The school branded the son "Kitten.” i How the boy discovered himself and j eventually licked the school bully and ! at the same time saving the commandant’s daughter from a terrible fire makes a stirring picture. There are delightful touches of schoolboy humour deftly woven into the theme. The principal roles are played by David Rollins, Nancy Drexel, E. H. • Calvert and John Darrow. In addition there is a laughable

comedy featuring "Our Gang.” The gazette illustrates a burning ship, takes one through a huge Pittsburgh steel works and presents one to the King of Italy and Pope Pius. Miss Madge Claque, soprano, was well received in “My Ships,” "Homing” and "Waters of Minnetonka.” Mr. Whiteford-Waugh’s orchestra gave of its high-quality music. During the overture Air. F. Poore was heard in a delicious piccolo solo. »