MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 709, 8 July 1929, Page 15

MAJESTIC

“THE FORGER” Quite the oddest selection of moving picture actors ever seen in a film is shown in the British International picture, “The Farmer's Wife," which attracted a large audience to the Majestic Theatre again on Saturday evening. The story takes place in the English countryside where an old farmer, whose daughter gets married, decides that he is badly in need of a wife, and proposes to all the likely ladies of the district. After being repulsed by all his “possibles," he finally finds that his housekeeper loves him, and he proposes to her and is accepted. The leading roles are taken by Jameson Thomas and Lilian TlallDavis, who are supported by Gordon Harker, Gibb McLaughlin and Maude Gill. The picture is an adaptation of Eden Philpott’s. famous stage play of tho same name, and was directed by Alfred Hitchcock, the famous producer of “The Ring” and others. The second big attraction is the film version of Edgar Wallace’s new thriller “The Forger.”

The story tells of Peter Clifton, a wealthy young man, but believed to be the son of a homicidal lunatic, who is everywhere linked up with notorious forgeries of which he emphatically denies all knowledge. A murder is committed, and the circumstantial .evidence points to his being the perpetrator of the crime. The facts about his parentage lead him to believe in his own guilt, though "he remembers nothing of the crime. Edgar Wallace has written about this story:—

“When I was in Berlin recently I learned from a member of the criminal police of a case almost parallel with that which forms the main interest in my ‘Daily Mail' serial, ‘The Forger.*

“The art of forgery is one which very rightly cannot be elaborated on the screen." but it is by no means a dead art. The great treasuries of the world know to their *post that year after year enormous sums are stolen through the means of skilful penmen. Tho world certainly does not know how great a menace to commercial activity is represented by these criminals.

Tho chief item on the bright supporting programme is a fine Yorke Gray stage presentation, “The Heart O? a Flower,” featuring a ballet by Miss Cecil Hall and Miss Isabelle Brook as the solo dancer. ST. JAMES FRANK O’BRIAN’S “REVELLERS” There are some particularly bright spots in the programme now at the St. James Theatre, and Frank n, the leader of the band of comedians who have been delighting Auckland during the past few weeks figured prominently in most of them. Janice Hart is a singer and soubrette of very high standing, and her singing has already become a popular feature of this show. Of the many items presented by the “Revellers," two are outstanding. The first is the scena, “Voices From the Minaret,” which is marked by some clever dancing by Blanche Norman. The second is a series of clever sketches parodying a murder mystery playlet. “Who Did It?" Several new songs and duets are presented by Bert Lee. Mabelle Morgan, Marie Ward and Albert Batehelder.

The dancing on Saturday was quite in accordance with the standard set by the company on its arrival here, and the beauty ballet tripped on and off the stag© in a bewildering number of dainty frocks. Janice Hart and Blanche Norman bad some pleasing numbers, and made the most of their opportunities

Tiny Douglas’s Varsity Boys* Jazz Band have another fine musical programme this week, and all the efforts by the “Revellers” contribute to the enjoyment of the evening.