Round The Shows

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 617, 20 March 1929, Page 15

Round The Shows

MAJESTIC FINE PROGRAMMES Two pictures—one riotously funny, and the other intensely dramatic—make up the current programme at the Majestic Theatre. The humorous picture is “Homesick." starring: the well known comedian, Sammy Cohen. Briefly told, the story concerns in its chief essentials Sammy, a New York boy;: Harry Sweet, a caretaker in a pool room, also in New York; and Marjorie Beebe, a maid in the home of a wealthy family in California. Then comes the mystery thriller, “A Woman Redeemed.” The Paris night club at which a bal masque is held is utilised as the background for the murder of a member of the secret society. The night club set was the largest ever constructed in the studio, and hundreds of extras, all attired in fancy costumes, make the scene one of the gayest ever photographed for a British production. Thrill follows thrill, and it is not until the last reel that the mystery of the identity of one of the characters in the story is cleared up. Joan Lockton and Brian Ah erne have the leading roles. Rarely indeed has there been such a wealth of talent in a picture as that which distinguishes “The Constant Nymph,” the exquisite British production which the Majestic will screen as their next attraction on Friday. Ivor Novello, an old favourite; Mabel Poulton, comparatively a newcomer to the silent stage; Frances Doble, a well known actress, but almost a recruit to the screen; Dorothy Boyd, now engaged upon a big contract; Benita Hume, her lirst real part; Mary Clare, Tony de Lungo, Peter Evans Thomas, J. H. Roberts, and others, contribute to the success of a British picture which had a long and successful run at the Marble Arch Pavilion, in the West End of London. The musical side of the programme is in the hands of Mr. Whiteford Waugh and his Majestic Orchestra. PRINCE EDWARD A FULL PROGRAMME The entertaining programme now being presented at the Prince Edward Theatre is headed by the fine British picture, “Moulin Rouge.” The second big attraction at the Prince Edward is the screening of the amusing local film, “A Daughter of Auckland.” together with the special "Kinaphone” singing sequences by Hildred Graham and Arthur Lord, the leading players. An additional feature on the programme is “Moran of the Marines,” a delightful story of the adventures of a raw recruit, both in America and in China, with Richard Dix in that role. YE OLDE PIRATE SHIPPE Xe Olde Pirate Shippe, Milford, will be the scene of another happy dance this evening-, when the usual Wednesday evedinsr dance will be held. Music will be supplied by the Pirates’ Jazz Band. Late transport will be available.

PLAZA AND TIVOLI NEW PROGRAMME TO-MORROW '‘Rod Hot Speed,” Reginald Denny’s latest and most amusing picture, will be shown at the Plaza and Tivoli Theatres for the last time this evening, together with Negri’s "The Woman From Moscow.” Two of the screen's most compelling interpreters of the soft passion are Billie Dove and Antonio Moreno, who appear in the former’s starring picture for First National, "Adoration,” which comes to these theatres to-morrow. There are numerous scenes of perfervid emotion in this story of Russia and France in the days of revolution and afterwards. They are a prince and princess of Muscovy, they are torn apart when the red tide flows over the land and through an error, he believes her unfaithful. In the end it all results in happiness, even when the luxuries to which they have been accustomed have been stripped away. But in the moments of love there is a realism that reaches sublime heights of passion and stamps the beautiful star and the handsome leading man as perfect exponents of emotionalism in pictures. Frank Lloyd directed the picture, and the cast are Lucy Doraine, eminent European star of U.F.A., Nicholas Soussanin, Nicholas Bela, Winifred Bryson, Emile Chautard and others. The second attraction to-morrow will be “Beggars of Life,” a story of tramps starring Wallace Beery, Richard Arlen, and Louise Brooks. Jim Tully, author of "Beggars of Life,” Is a master of his craft. Born of poor parents, he was forced into a factory at an early age. Tiring of the drudgery, he responded to the call of the Wanderlust while still under 16, and for many years he sought the answer to life in the haunts of the homeless. Finally, awakened to his real power, he studied by himself and produced masterpieces of literature which are the marvel of all educated people. Only his own ability and ambition opened to millions of people the strange wonders of that world of tramps in which he spent so many years of his life. Tully writes with a keen sense of humour, a gentle irony and a stark realism. Into “Beggars of Life” he has projected all the force of his personality. LITTLE THEATRE SOCIETY TO DO “BIRD IN HAND” The Auckland Little Theatre Society has decided on John Drinkwater’s well known play, “Bird in Hand.” for their first production for the 1929 season. This play is now running for an extended season at the Royalty Theatre, London, and will be the first of Drinkwater’s plays to be performed in New Zealand. The Little Theatre Society is advertising the advantages and fees of membership. Norma Talmadge will be the star of the first screen story that William J. Locke is to write. It will be Miss Talmadge’s next United Artists’ picture.

“THE PATSY” COMING TO HIS MAJESTY’S “The Patsy,” a charming play which is all the rage of London and New York, will be presented for the first time in New Zealand at His Majesty’s Theatre on Easter Saturday, with Irene Homer in the leading role. “The Patsy,” although it has nothing to do with Ireland or the Irish, gets its name from a term used to designate the girl of the family who always plays second-fiddle to her elder sister. A very charming comedy of home life, “The Patsy” will be played by artists specially picked for the characters. Miss Homer is the younger sister, Eileen Sparks is the elder, Vera Gerald, is the mother, Brandon Peters is Tony, and Sam Wren and A. S. Byron, newcomers both, are an importunate lover and the father of the family respectively. “If,” said the Melbourne “Herald,” “ 'The Patsy’ did nothing more than introduce to Melbourne Irene Homer, it would deserve well of playgoers. Not for a very long time has a newcomer sprung with such a bound into the affections of an audience as did this dainty girl. Before the first act of the comedy was over, she was being greeted with applause on every entrance, and the abundant good-will she had -won overflowed into an at the close of the act.” * The box plans will be opened on Wednesday morning next at Lewis Eady, Ltd. STRAND “TOMMY ATKINS” ON FRIDAY Only two more days remain for Aucklanders to see the much-discused picture, “The Woman Disputed,” at the Strand Theatre. This is Norma Talmadge's latest and greatest picture, a story of life in Australia during the war. An excellent new British film, entitled “Tommy Atkins,” has been booked for screening at the Strand Theatre next Friday. Most of the action is carried out in Egypt, and depicts the attacks of Arab tribes on a British fort. The picture, which stars Lilian HallDavis, Walter Butler, and Henry Victor, was made for 8.1. P. by Captain Norman Walker, who secured the cooperation of the Army Council. The services of the Second Battalion, Somerset Regiment, the First Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, and the Nineteenth Royal Hussars, were placed at J the producer’s disposal for the fighting I sequences. j The film was adapted from Arthur Shirley’s stage play for the screen by lan Hay, and will be released by C.A.F. A new* island has come to light in Southern California. It is not a phenomenon of Nature, but of man. The new piece of land is an exact reproduction of a little Dutch island called “Marken,” and its quaintness has been reproduced faithfully at Fox Hills Studios, Hollywood. The set covers 15 acres, and is to be the island home of Janet Gaynor in her latest Fox production, “Christina.” Charles Morton plays opposite Mias Gaynor.

NEW REGENT "THE TRAIL OF ’9B” Described as a classic and one of the dozen finest pictures ever made, “The Trail of ’9B” is still attracting huge crowds to the New Regent Theatre. A special feature of the production is the excellence of the scenic effects, which must be recognised as surpassing anything that has been hitherto recorded. A frail canoe battling through whirling rapids, a tremendous avalanche of snow which buries hundreds of gold-seekers, and the vast ice wastes of the Arctic regions are but few of the unique scenes which make this story of the great Klondyke goldrush of 1898 a masterpiece. The leading roles are played by Dolores Del Rio and Ralph Forbes, who are at their best in entirely new types of roles. Against the background of the struggle for existence in a land where only the fit survive is outlined a theme of self-sacrifice and bravery which should appeal to all picture-goers. The film is accompanied by special orchestral music played by the Regent Operatic Orchestra. The story describes the adventures of a young gold prospector who, on the way out to the Klondike, meets a girl going to work in a restaurant in Dawson City. They stick together through various misfortunes, but the girl’s heart is broken by the cruelty of life in Alaska, and she pines to return. Just before leaving the boy hears of another gold “stampede,” and leaves her for one more attempt to make a fortune. In this he is successful, but returns with his sacks of nuggts to find the girl he had deserted working in a dance hall. RIALTO AND REGENT. EPSOM “BEYOND THE SIERRAS” In “Beyond the Sierras,” now at the Rialto and Regent, Epsom, Theatres, Tim McCoy has another role in which to portray his ability with maximum effect. In fact, he has never had a better opportunity, and the motionpicture public will heartily approve this change from the ordinary, customary type of screen drama. “Millionaires,” the second feature, is a delightful comedy starring Louise Fazenda and George Sidney. “FOUR SONS” AT BRITANNIA “Four Sons,” now at the Britannia Theatre, was directed by John Ford, who made the successful “Mother Machree” and “The Iron Horse.” The large cast includes Margaret Mann, the lovely old lady, whose portrayal of the mother roles in this picture has been acclaimed throughout the country as one of the most penetrating and human characterisations ever seen upon the screen. It is a characterisation rich in sympathy and sentiment. Around this character, "Grandma Bernle,” revolves the story of four sons, three of whom march off to fight for the Motherland —many of the scenes take place in Bavaria —while the fourth son, in America, sails to fight for the Stars and Stripes. The powerful conflict and touching pathos, the swift succession of dramatic highlights—all are combined with telling effect. In the cast are James Hall, Charles Morton, George Meeker, Francis X. Bushman, junr., Earle Foxe and June Collyer.