MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 632, 8 April 1929, Page 15

MAJESTIC

“PARADISE” “Paradise,” a new English film starring Betty Balfour, will be screened again this evening at the Majestic Theatre. The film, which is directed by Mr. Denison Clift, is pleasant, eventful an. lively. Miss Balfour, as a dissatisfied business girl who wins a crossword puzzle competition and decides to spend the prize on one glorious holida— on t > Riviera, plays her part with her accustomed zest and sureness. She has fled from the unexciting prospect of marriage to a hard-work-ing general practitioner; she makes friends with a Russian refu^'„ corning a living as a dancing partner in her hotel. Her English admirer comes hastily out and both men do their melodramatic best to win her. Many of the scenes on the Riviera are played against beautiful appropriate backgrounds. All the players were good, particularly Barbara Gott, as a one-time chorus girl of late Victorian vintage, now a lady of title, Mr. Boris Randvsky, and Mr. Jack Manners were admirable as the emigre compatriots, who, as staff at the hotel, lend agreeable colour to the film. Joseph Striker makes an acceptable hero, but even better was Alexandre D’Arey—a new actor —as the dancing partner. “Paradise,” which is based on a story by Phillip Gibbs, adds yet another to the growing list of British pictures, which do not merely surpass anything hoped for two years ago, but which prove that British studies are turning out sound cinema fare. The rest of the programme includes a gazette, an Aesop fable, a film. “Sons of England,” accompanied by a special score from Mr. Whiteford-Waugh s Majestic Orchestra, and a colourful York© Gray stage presentation. The Willow Pattern Plate.” Included among the musical numbers are “Maid of the Mountains” selection. “In a Chinese Temple Garden,” “Vive La Danse” (Finck), “Holiday Sketches’ (Lucas), “Miniature Suite” (O Donnell) and “Sweet Spirit Hear My Prayer.”