MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 799, 21 October 1929, Page 15

MAJESTIC

“THROUGH DIFFERENT EYES” The all-talking drama, ‘’Through Different Eyes,” which is fascinating audiences at the Majestic Theatre, brings back Warner Baxter and Edmund Lowe to the talking screen. It will be recalled that these two players were in the first all - talking picture to be made, “In Old Arizona,” and cinema-goers will remember their excellent intonations and distinct enunciation. In “Through 'Different Eyes,” Mary Duncan is leading woman and she plays a worldly woman of particularly vampish tendencies with, exhilarating exuberance. , The picture, which is spoken ' throughout, depicts a trial for murder and in a novel manner the circumstances leading up to the case. First the prosecuting counsel paints his conception of the mystery to the judge and the picture fades out. Then the counsel for the defence paints his picture which is told on the screen also and then the true story is revealed by the sudden confession of a most unexpected witness. The court scenes are tense and dramatic and what with the fine acting, good speaking and good story', “Through Different Eyes” should be much appreciated. The excellent supporting programme of short talkie features includes a novelty act by Rubye Keeler C Mrs. A 1 Jolson), the prologue to “Pagliacei,” by Richard Bonelli. the eminent baritone; a. Fox Movietone News; an exhibition of sketching by Bruce Bainsfather; and, finally, a novelty in sound, a musical comedy entitled “The Belle of Samoa.” Lois Moran, Clark and McCullough are the principals in this singing and dancing show. STRAND “THE JAZZ SINGER” Now and then along comes a moving , I picture that is out of the ordinary and j distinctly worth while. Such a picture is A 1 Jolson’s “The Jazz Singer.” ! now being shown at the Strand : Theatre. j This was the great musical comedy j star’s first appearance in the movies! j And, it is his greatest hit! The effect ; of his presence is volcanic, emotional ! in the extreme, moving audiences to [ frantic applause and tears of laugh- > ter. “The Jazz Singer” is the story of ; Jolson’s own life, for he, too, like the j Jack Robin of the play, ran away from an orthodox home when a boy to fol- I low the lure of the stage, and. lik* ! ; Jack, won fame and fortune on Broad- j j way

When on the heights the boy's soul is torn between love for the stage and tor the woman stage, who has made possible his success, and love for the humble parents, whose hearts still long for his return. The cast is worthy of the star, which is saying a great deal. Dainty May McAvoy plays brilliantly the part of the toe dancing lady, who changed the course of his life. Warner Olund gives a magnificent portrayal of the father, for whose sake he returns to the Ghetto in the hour of his triumph. Others in the cast are Eugenie Besserer as the mother, Otto Lederer as the importunate Uncle Moisha, Bobbie Gordan as the jazz singer when a child, Richard Tucker. Nat Carr. William Demarest, Anders Randolf and Will Walling. Equally enjoyable are the supporting talkie items. They include songs by Reinwald Werenath. the eminent baritone, a humorous sketch entitled “The Reformer,” by Joe Browning. American comedian, an Eve’s Review and a new edition of the Fox Movietone News, with events of the day in sight and sound.

DIXIELAND CABARET In honour of the visit to port of R.M.S. Niagara, the famous Dixieland Cabaret at Point Chevalier will hold a big “Niagara Night” this evening. Dancing will be enjoyed to a late hour to music by the ever-popular Dixieland Dance Band. Afternoon tea is served at the Cabaret every day to delightful music. Next Monday evening Dixieland will celebrate its jubilee with a Birthday Ball and Labour Day Ball, when a huge birthday cake will be cut for everyone present.

Mary Nolan is to star in “The Shanghai Lady,” the John Colton play which John Robertson directed for Universal. Announcement has also been made of the signing of Wheeler Oakman in support of Miss Nolan. Houston Branch and Winifred Eaton Reeve prepared the adaptation, continuity and dialogue for this picture.

“NOAH’S ARK” FILMED The mammoth spectacle of the ages. “Noah’s Ark,” Warner Bros.' gigantic production, which took some thre.j years to complete, and which stars Dolores Costello and George O’Brien, is shortly to be released in New Zealand. The tremendous sound effects, and the spectacular settings. are specially brilliant, but the outstanding climax of the production is the Flood, which represents the Flood mentioned in the Bible. This sequence alone surpasses anything of the kind ever given previously to the camera.

THRILLING CIRCUS FILM “The Three Kings.” featuring Henry Edwards (“The Flag Lieutenant”) and Evelyn Holt is one of the most excellent circus films that has yet been offered. All its circus scenes were “Shot" at the Blackpool Tower Circus, and the excellent cast also Includes Warwick Ward and John Hamilton. The former, a circus clown, is also given opportunities for demonstrating that he makes an ideal screen villain/ Some of the scenes, in which Clifford McLaglen plays the part of a lion tamer, involve great personal risk. To secure realism for the film, .\!< - Laglen. at the Blackpool Circus, before an audience of entered a cage of roaring lions and tigers, win* had just previously mauled tin ir trainer, anti successfully quelled the beasts. He thereby achieved the record of being the first film actor to grapple with ferocious animals who had not been previously doped.