AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 78, 3 April 1926, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. A debutante in search of excitement is the heroine in " The Way or a Girl," the Metro-Goldwvn production now beingshown at the Majestic Theatre. Elinor Boardman has the loading- role, and is supported by Matt Moore and William Russell. The star appeared with great success in " Sinners in Silk," " Wine or Youth," "So This Is Marriage," and " Wife of the Centaur." but in " The Way of a Girl." she certainly excels all her previous efforts. Matt Moore is the screen's leading- exponent or the staid, conservative type or hero, the perfectly light comedian anil he has an ideal role as •' George." The illm is described as a vivid melodrama, seasoned with the sparkle or brilliant comedy. it is a source of endless delight—all laughs are thrills. The heroine, ir. her search ror thrills, tries nut a prize light, speeding, an artists' masquerade, slumming, and then—the modern cave-man The artists" ball is described as a thin? <>r rare beauty, and when it is realised that the lighting is done by Floyd Johnson and Jack Herrick. a real good battle is expected. All the usual supports with a comedy, gazette, and review are snown, with an interlude item in addition. ; STRAXD THEATRE. : An extra special programme is being shown at the Strand Theatre this week, it opens with the overture by the Symphony orchestra—a selection from " No. [ .No. Nanette." which includes all the song hits that have made this the most popular | musical comedy ol' the year. An " Our Hang" comedy follows, and it is sure to appeal to both young aud old, and a rashion pageant by the House ol' Flackson is the next feature, and this is followed by '• is to." an old-fashioned polka danced by clever little Irene Lang-. There is a real catch in this item when Doreen O'Leary conies on the scene. •' Borrowed Finery" is the chief picture on the bill. Louise Lorraine. Ward Crane, and Lou Telleg-an are the featured players. The story in brier tells or the yearnings or a little dress model, who yields to the temptation to borrow an evening gown from the stock in the house she is employed in to attend a party. She is warned against going to the party by her sister, but youth, always on the lookout tor excitement, disregards the warning and goes. The adventures that berall the little dress model form the crux or a rather interesting an I tiiriliing drama. In addition. Baby Pegiry, the world's "biggest" little star, is seen in ••Helen's Rabies," the story or a wise bachelor who wrote articles on how to bring up children and then Tell down mi-erably when he found hlmseir up against the real thing-. li THE PHAXTOM OF THE OPERA." Earh or the three theatre?— Everybody's, the Princess and the Tivol.i — which showed "The Phantom or the Opera" ror the nrst time on Thursday, were psrked to the doors with audiences that could do little else than marvel at the great Universal production. Lon Chancy. I in this reature gives the most remarkable portrayal or his career. The horrible, , terrifying- llgure he interprets is something at which to shudder and there were row people at the tlrst sessions on Thursday, or at the Rialto Theatre yesterday, who were not, to say the least, thrilled at the monstrosity. Mary Philbin and Norman Kerry each have excellent parts. It would be impossible to describe all the I wonderlul scpnes in the picture—the | gorgeous ballet of the Opera House, the I dark cellars below, the torture chambers. I They must he seen to be appreciated. It 'is little wonder that the Opera nhost pic- ! ture is expensive, when the staggering ; proportions or the production are con- ; sidered, Tor in addition to the big stellar I cast, it is said that seventy enormous sets i were constructed ror the illm colossus, inj eluding an authentic reproduction or the great Pans Grand Opera House, which is i said tn be the tlrst sot in motion picture history to be built like a modern skyscraper > with steel construction. Sturdy construction was needed to support the tlie tiers lor boxes rmm which the fashionable ' Parisian Opera throny witness an actual i perfromance or "Faust" on the great stage i which is a big production in itself, but a ' mere detail in this picture. The extensive underground cellars. live storeys be- ' neith the opera, where a weird creature or ! great intellect, but whose mlnrl is turned iby a vengeful bitterness again-t humanity. ! succeeds in ruling the gay domain above ground With cunning craft a:::l terror. i ttie-e are unique in the history of movie settings, and the action is said to be unique in the history or thrills. The book by Gaston Leroux. who is regarded in France as the successor to de Maupesant. has been translated into many tongues and has had millions or readers. The director. Rupert Julian, was the maker or ••Merry-Go-Round," one ol the season's successes, and other films of note. HIPPODROME THEATRE. ! •' Thai Devil Quemido," a Master Piri turp. starring Fred Thomson, the athiet.c ! cowboy. Gloria ' Hope and a number of 1 others' is one of the chier attractions now i being featured at the Hippodrome Theatre. | This is how an American critic describes ' the film:—•' That Devil nuemado." a part played .with llne-se. dish and distinction by the indomitable Fred, is one of the best pictures which he has ever had. Directional credit goes to Del Andrews for his excellent work, and ror the reajly gripping story Marvin Wilhite takes the applause. Forgetting Gloria Hope's performance in the role of Joimu Thatcher would be impossible, because such a de'.ighirui actress i.- she that she mikes it unforgettable. For a well-rounded production, with everything of entertainment value from laughs to tears, this proves a tine picture. The second feature on the bill Is " Stepping- Lively." in which Rlcnard Talmade has the leading ri.c. The ll'm tells an exciting- story ot I the underworld. The plot is one of the ' most unique in the anna's or the screen. iit deals with thp mysterious manner In : winch guilt is rastened on the Innocent I hero (Mr. Tahnadgei by an unscrupulous | rival for the hand of the banker's daugh- • ter. This is accomplished through a device by which the villain picnts fingerprints. Mr. Talrnadge ;- supported by a large and capable cast, with Mildred Harris playing opposite him. TOWN HALL CONCERT. ! An interesting programme will be presented at the Municipal Concert to be given in the Town Hall this evening. Mrs . Cyril Towsey will sing "The Bitterness oi ! Love" by James P. Dunn, and "Hinemoa": Love Song" by William James with accompaniments by Mr. Leo Whittaker. whilf Mr. Edgar Randal, acting city organist will inc.ude in his programme' works ol I a popular nature, and by special requesi j win aga:u render Bernard Johnson': ; ••Lullaby." and Dr. Haigh's "Lied." Othei , items ~n the programme will be Revi . Angcliq'iP (Rubinstein), and Le Cvgnr I '.Saint-Saens), in addition tn Bach': i Toccata and Fugue in Ii minor, and c.viii ma.'it's Theme with variations in G. DIXIELA X D C A BARET. I Special programmes and attractions an ; being featured at the Dixieland canan*: . during the coming week. To-night dancing will continue until midnight as usual Monday will be a long night, when :rr i Cabaret will be open till 2 a.m. Durin r - | the rest or the week, midnight will bt l "closing time." : THE MUNICIPAL BAND. ! The Municipal Band play? at th* Zoological Park on Sunday afternoon at 2 . p.m. A splendid programme will be presented. On Sunday evening, at the Towr . Hall, an entire change or programme wii: .be given. SI'XDAY LECTL iIF.S j To-morrow evening at the i\-.;ic,.--Tbcitre. jj r . _. iie-miani <;ree:ihnw. \\ .: give th-.- iecture ■•Tutankhamen'- T-,m.; and Its Treasures." An exceptionally line =et or slides will illustrate t",e objects of the recent extraordinary -find" by the ; late Lord Carnarvon and Dr. Howard Carter in the tanious Valley or the Kings lin Egypt. Mr. Greenhow w.n render the i usual musical recital preceding Hit- lec- | ture. ! Mr. G. A. Rawson will open the Empress ; Theatre. Newton, to-morrow evening with i his lecture -Beautiful Japan" magni- ' llcently illustrated With over 100 JapJiU'Se hand-foiourrd slides, and special repi-e- ---■ sent.tive scene-; uf the great earthquake iin 1923, of which Mr. Rawson was an cyci witness. This lecture will be the pre- ' "immary of regular Sunday evenings a t the impress during the corning season. J CVEXLLE KXTKKTAIXMEXT. \i;«* r..>-.\ i N-mlOtTl all v.- '! j-j.uv rnrner. wcii kiown lor sue es-ru" jm ■> ■ ■nter;i.'nnic:its. v.i'l present th".r pup - n a series of items at Hie Town i\\ . :e- t Saturday evening. The pup Is have ~)•,;-. iccii successful In entertainment* and hsve •arried (,ff many honours in the recent •ompetitions. Clevpr interpretation- or nany popular musical comedy characiers iviil'be given by the children. a good programme has been arrang/ed.

NATIONAL AND LYRIC.

The first filming or " What Fools Mon. at the National and Lyric Theatres took> place on Wednesday evening. Admirably adapted rrom H. Kitthe I Webster's famous novel " Joseph Greer and His Daughter," the screen version is tense with interest. Lewis Stone gives a line characterisation or Joseph Greer, the brilliant inventor, whoso researches have led him to the discovery or a new and cheap way to make linen. John Williamson, the head of a powerful combine, is approached lor finances by Greer, and he sees the value or Greer's schemes and determines to use them for his own advantage, in the meantime bluffing the inventor into an agreement. Greer entrusts the organising of his part of the business to his pretty secretary, Jennie Mac Arthur. The inventor then confesses to Jennie, or whom he has growrr very fond ol' a previous marriage and the impending homecoming or his eighteen-vear-old daughter. Trixie. whom he has never seen Trixie is given into the ran* or the callable Jennie, while Greer goes on an extended business tour. The daughter's behaviour is exemplary until the night preceding her lather's return, when .she is involved in a wild night club orirv. and is returned home in an intoxicated state by her chauffeur, George Burns. She arrives just as Greer reaches home tor breakrast A violent scene follows, and gloom settles over the household. Trixie becomes interested in her handsome chauffeur, and just as her rather is injured in an accident she elopes with him. Stricken with grief, Greer makes a slow recovery, and llnallv learns of the deception that has been practised upon him by Williamson, and finds himself a ruined man. He drifts from his home and associates, and is round in a little West End room by his secretary. Jennie Mac Arthur. she restores to him his seir-confldeuce, and he sets out to light the world again with Jennie as his wile. There is a splendid supporting cast. "WHIHLED INTO lIAPPIXES?." To-night at His Majesty's Theatre, the highly amusing musical play "Leave it to Jane" will be presented for the last time. On Monday next and six following nights will be staged. "Whirled Into Happiness" ror the tlrst time in Auckland. Horace Wiggs—a handsome hairdresser's assistant in search or relaxation, visits the Frivolity Theatre. He has purchased a ticket Tor the gallery. As he walks into the theatre he is mistaken by the cloakroom assistant ror the Marquis of Brancaster. There are immediate developments which culminate in Wigg's beiiv persuaded to pass as the Marquis. He has then been whirling into dress clothps and a garden party, and has made love, with great discrimination and an excellent choice of words to the prettiest girl in sight. It's no wonder, then, that some or the glamour lingers even after he has come back to earth and is called upon ror anything rrom a clean sliave to a marcelle wave. The centra! llgure in the development or run is Athol Tier as Piatt, a helrneied fireman, replacing ror the night an attendant in the cloakroom or the Majestic 1 Music Hall. There he becomes the valet or the venturesome Horace Wiggs (Leyland who is pushed and perI suaded into posing as the Marquis of BranI caster. Wiggs thereby enjoys the artI miration or the heroine. Florence Horridge (Nora McManusi. and swaggers rorth with j his cockaded •chauffeur" to an evening i party at the house or the enormously I wealthy Horridge (.tack Cannot), noted £S the maker or --On-idge's 'Air Crown •Ats." Mr. Tier has a delightrul scene, |in which he dodges tiie attempt of the art- | I'ul hatter to find out what chance there I was of the "Marquis" proposing to his i daughter Florence, and the comedian i triumphed rui thcr in a comically sustained | soliloquy over a decanter or port. PosI sbly the best or the three acts is the last. j Here takes place the shaving or Jack Cannot by Athol Tier, in Antoine's barber's shop, a wonderTul piece or clever low comedy, which never fails .to produce long I and hearty laughter. Miss Nora McManus i will make her first appearance this season in the important part of Florence Horridge.