“THE MIDNIGHT FROLICS”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 658, 9 May 1929, Page 14

“THE MIDNIGHT FROLICS”

COMING TO HIS MAJESTY’S Next Wednesday night, at His Majesty’s Theatre, the famous Midnight Frolics Company, headed by Clem Dawe and Mona Magnet, will be presented for a brief farewell season by the J. C. Williamson Ltd. management. Since it was lasst here, the ranks of the Midnight Frolics has been considerably strengthened, and it is said that it is now a stronger combination than ever. Outstanding among the new members is Mona Magnet, a famous London comedienne. Playgoers will remember Miss Magnet for her fine work in "The Peep Show,” a stupendous J. C. Williamson Ltd. revue, which was staged here a few years ago. This attraction enjoyed a very successful tour, and it was Miss Magnet’s artistry that effected this result. Since then. Miss Magnet has been one of England’s favourite revue artists, and during the approaching season she will present some of her best song successes, and, besides, will take part, with Clem Dawe and the other members of the company, in a series of new and original sketches. Playgoers will be glad to enjoy again the drollery of Clem Dawe. Others who will be welcomed are Dorothy White, William Perryman, Les. White, Phyllis Amery, Gertie Cremer, and Gregory Ivanoff. The brilliant jazz band, of 12 performers, will again be one of the outstanding features of the Midnight Frolics Company. Mr. Arthur Frost is the musical director. The approaching season must ,be limited to eight nights, as on Friday, May 24, the company will leave for Sydney. BRITANNIA “ROMANCE OF THE UNDERWORLD”

An unusual type of underworld story is shown at the Britannia Theatre in “Romance of the Underworld.” Mary

Astor, tlie star, has the role of a hostess at a gay New York night club, who dislikes the life, but is tied to the proprietor, an evil f character, played by Een Bard. His arrest and imprisonment free her, and, with the help of a friendly detective, she begins life anew, marries, and settles down most

her former employer is released from prison, and tracks her down. “Beggars of Life,” which is also being shown, stars the well known actor Wallace Beery, in an exciting melodrama of tramps and tramp life. The setting is the rough life of the road. Louise Brooks and Richard Arlen are also in the cast.

ROYAL SHOWS “PARADISE”

One of the best of Zane Grey’s stories of outdoor life, “Avalanche,” a spectacular and fast-moving story, is now at the Royal Theatre, Kingsland. Jack Holt is the star. “Paradise,” Betty Balfour’s latest and most delightful story,

is also being shown. This is a tale of a poor English girl who wins a crossword puzzle prize which takes her to Monte Carlo. She is disappointed in the exotic and romantic atmosphere there, despite some amorous adventures, and returns to love and a comfortable

home in a suburb. Alexandre D’Arcy, the English Valentino, is also in the cast.

SUBURBAN THEATRES

At the prince Edward Theatre this evening the pictures are to be “Captain Lash” (Victor McLaglen) and “Drums of Love” (Mary Philbin, Lionel Barrymore, and Don Alvarado). Eve Bentley’s orchestra will play. The Capitol Theatre, Dominion Road, will screen “The Cameraman” (Buster Keaton), “Naughty Baby” (Alice White and Jack Mulhall), and a “Collegians” picture.

The Empire Theatre, Dominion Road, wsll show “None But the Brave” (Charles Morton) and “Man, Woman, and Wife” (Pauline Stark and Norman Kerry). The Edendale Theatre will screen “The Cameraman” (Buster Keaton) and “Golf Widows” (Vera Reynolds and Harrison Ford). The Grey Lynn Cinema will show “The Desert Bride” (Betty Compson) and “Outcast” (Corinne Griffith). At the Parish Hall, Devonport, the films to be shown this evening are “Riley the Cop” (Louise Fazenda and Farrell McDonald) and “Fighting Heart” (Frank Merrill).

“WIDECOMBE FAIR” COMING SHORTLY The filming of the outdoor scenes in “Widecombe Fair,” adapted from Eden Phillpott’s story, created a dual interest in Devonshire. Many of the country folk in the district in which the film actors travelled had an opportunity of witnessing the art of modern cinematography for the first time and had also the further opportunity of exhibiting their talents as film players. The beautiful districts surrounding Dartmoor offered many opportunities for the excellent photography which is an outstanding feature of this “production. Cockington Mill, a charming rural spot in the parish of Widecombe, was the background for scenes used in the picture. Arrangements were made with the South Devon Hunt to hold a special meet there and scenes introduced. Marguerite Allen and William Freshman play the leading roles in this production, which will shortly be shown at the Majestic Theatre.

Richard Arlen, the Paramount featured player, is a man of splendid physique. He plays the main role in “The Man I Love,” a story of the prizering, which is being produced both as a silent and an all-dialogue picture. Mary Brian has the feminine lead, and William Wellman is directing.

Many thousands of people all over the world who are familiar with the droll dialogue of Moran and Mack, the “Two Black Crows,” will also have an opportunity of seeing them, when Paramount releases their first talking picture, which is now in production at the Hollywood studios of that organisation.

| A poker game played by seven murj der suspects forms a tense scene in | the Paramount all-talking picture | The Canary Murder Case,” which is ! b _e seen in Mew Zealand theatres ; shortly. William Powell has the leadj in « role in the character of the detecI uve, Philo Vance,

Baclanova, the fiery Russian who has appeared in many h ne c acterisations for Paramount, of the leading roles in the Para-all-talking picture. The on )S <** Needed Killing. Others in include Clive Brook and > ell **