MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 622, 26 March 1929, Page 17

MAJESTIC

“THE CONSTANT NYMPH”

The excellent programme now at the Majestic Theatre *is headed by the beautiful picture. “The Constant Nymph." “Tho Constant Nympli” is an outstanding British production of extreme merit, for in acting, technique and direction it has the main qualities a film should possess. Rarely have been seen characterisation and acting of such uniform excellence as we have in this production. The settings, too. are delightful and complete, and nowhere is there any conscious effort to achieve convincing realism- Every artist is so well cast, and plays with such co-operation, that they* achieve team work of unerring quality and conviction. Tho Lewis Dodd of the film is Ivor Novello. It is an undisputed fact that Mr. Novello is Britain’s greatest screen asset, and in this part he is afforded the greatest acting opportunities of his varied screen career. Playing a part quite away from anything he has been accustomed to. a part which calls for characterisation pure and simple, and highly emotional acting powers, he has, as Lewis Dodd, given a performance which, from its very sincerity, has a depth of feeling that must stamp him as an actor of greater range than anybody we have in this country. The Tyrol scenes were all done in the actual location where the story was written. The Karindehutte of the picture is the real Karindehutte of the story; the beautiful mountain setting of the picture is the real mountain setting of the story. The chief feature of the bright supporting programme is “The Fan Fantasy',” a colourful Yorke Gray stage presentation. In addition to the ballets and models on the living fan, there are songs by Miss Mary Cofield and Mr. Birrell O’Malley, and a dancing exhibition of the Argentine tango by Miss Folole Lilliokalani and Mr. Clyde Howley. New music is played by Mr. Whiteford Waugh’s Majestic Orchestra.

STRAND

“TOMMY ATKINS” One of the best British films shown in Auckland to date is the 8.1. P. production, “Tommy Atkins,” now at the Strand Theatre. Egypt forts deserts —missing heirs secret papers blackmail and heroic little buglers all help to make the film a favourite. The story was adapted from the stage play by' Ben Landeck and Arthur Shirley, and has as the cast of such popular British stars as Lilian Hall-Davis, Walter Butler and Henry' Victor. The story' concerns a boy, who is deprived of his birthright for many years, but comes into his own under surprising circumstances. Much of the action takes place in the Sudan, where a British fort is besieged by rebel tribesmen. Captain Norman Walker is responsible for the direction, and if this is any' criterion of his next production, it will | be looked forward to. The remainder of the programme at I the Strand this w| k is equally enter- ! taining. The chief feature is a stage I presentation by Miss Margaret | O'Connor and her partner, Mr. Priesti ley, demonstrating “The Tile Trot,” the l latest dancing craze. This is danced to the melody of “Chalita,” played by Eve Bentley’s Strand Symphony' Orchestra and also sung by Mr. Birrell O'Malley. PICTURES AT HOBSONVILLE Pictures will be shown again tomorrow evening at the Hobsonville Hall, when “The Water Hole” will be screened. This is a Zane Grey* story of the adventures of society people out in the desert. The leading role is taken by Jack Holt. _ ,