AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume 304, Issue 304, 23 December 1926, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

NATIONAL AND LYRIC THEATRES. One of the most interesting and picturesque phases of American military history, namely life at a Western army outpost during the Indian wars, is given portrayal in Richard Bathelmess' now picture, "Hanson's Folly." which is now being shown at the National and Lyric Theatres. "Ranson's Folly" is based on the novel by Richard Harding Davis. Fort Crockett in the picture is represented us a United State cavalry post in ISBS. It was constructed in the San Fernando Valley on a desert plain fringed by the Santa Barbara mountains. The parade ground was three hundred feet long, and permitted manoeuvres of an entire cavalry troop in the main scene. A troop of experienced ex-cavalarymen was formed for the production, in command of Colonel C. C. Smith, a famous Indian fighter, who plays the role of Colonel Bolland in "Ranson's Folly." During the production, the set presented a scene with mounted troopers, Indians with their squaws and papooses, six mule teams, trains of pack mules coming in from the hills, and bucking bronchos in the corral. Richard Bartlielmess, who plays the role of Lieutenant Ranson, is supported by a well-chosen cast. Dorothy Mackaill plays opposite the star. Others in tbe cast include Anders Randolf, Pat Hartigan, William Norton Bailey, Brooks Benedict, Vera Burnet, Colonel C. C. Smith, Pauline Neff, Billie Benedict, Frank Cott'yn, Taylor Duncan, Chief Big Tree, and Chief Eagle Wing. A second picture is "The Futurity Winner," starring Patsy Ruth Miller, and Kenneth Harlan. "THE BLACK PIRATE." Douglas Fairbanks appears at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow in "The Black Pirate." The new Fairbanks production is laid in that part of the southern seas known in the seventeenth century as the "Pirate's Main," where Morgan and bis blood-thirsty rovers had their secret | island, on 'which they hid the tribute exacted at the gun's mouth from traders and travellers. Fairbanks plays the part of a young nobleman, who swears to avenge'the killing of his father by pirates. This he does in a series of exciting episodes, that demand every known variety of duelling, fighting and cleverness. He captures a ship single-handed, steals the heroine from the villains, and fights his way through the ranks of the cutthroats. The "Black Pirate" is said to be the fastest moving story of Fairbanks ever made. Starting with the blowing up of a ship and maintaining an explosive tempo throughout, this picture should afford all the interest and suspense forecast for it. Fairbanks' production is the first picture of such magnitude to be made in colour. It is claimed that be has succeeded in incorporating colour into this film in such a fashion that the spectator is completely charmed by it. The star's leading lady is Billie Dove. The supporting programme will include a Majestic News, N.Z. scenic and a comedy. There will be a spec ! prologue to "The Black Pirate," and the All-Soloists Orchestra will give the overture, "Christmas Greetings." STRAND THEATRE. A fast moving comedy romance that keeps an audience in a state of constant hilarity is how a critic described "Money Talks," which will come to the Strand Theatre to-morrow. Claire Windsor and Owen Moore are in the leading roles of this picture, which depicts the laughable experiences of a likeable spendthrift who was faced with a wifeless home until he had retrieved the family fortunes. She had grown tired of his eternal promises, none of which ever bore fruit, and issued an ultimatum by "going home to mother." The husband conceives a brilliant scheme of converting an island into a sanatorium, and charters an ocean-going yacht to help with the idea. Once outside the twelvemile limit they are captured by rumrunners. The manner in which they escape this peril and the mirth-provoking episodes that follow, bring a really unusual picture to a climax. A second important production will be "Clash of the Wolves," a story starring the king of canine actors. There will also be shown a cartoon, "Raisin Cake," and a Strand Magazine. The orchestra will give the overture "Christmas Greetings," and will also provide an interlude with "Slavonic Rhapsody." PRINCESS AND TIVOLI THEATRES. "The imaginative whimsy of Sir James M. Barrie, the directorial artistry of Herbert Brenon, the personality of Betty Bronson—three factors that were responsible for the success of 'Peter Pan.' combined to make 'A Kiss For Cinderella' one of the screen's most notable achievements," says a critic of the special feature at the Tivoli and Princess Theatres. "Like 'Peter Pan/ which was Paramount's special Christmas offering last year, 'A Kiss For Cinderella' is this year's yule tide attraction. Unlike 'Peter Pan,' however, 'A Kiss For Cinderella' is not entirely pure fancy. It is, as a matter of fact, a modern romance laid against a background of the London slums, with a loveable little heroine in the person of a lonely half-starved waif, and a sympathetic policeman as the hero. The story of this little "slavey," who dreams of the day when she will be invited to a marvellous ball, where a handsome prince will pick her out as his princess, is one that only Barrie could have written—altogether delightful, and filled with laughs and tears, and enlivened by all those whimsical touches that are part and parcel of every Barrie story. B§tty Bronson, who showed in 'Peter Pan' that she possesses that wistful elusive quality so necessary for the peaceful portrayal of a Barrie heroine, gives a finished performance. A second feature is "A Broadway Lady," showing Evelyn Brent in the role of a chorus girl who meets with some surprising adventures. HIPPODROME AND EMPRESS THEATRES. "The Gentle Cyclone," a William Fox attraction now being shown at the Hippodrome and Empress Theatres, has Buck Jones in the role of daredevil cowboy wlio assumes the role of peacemaker between two old ranchmen who have quarrelled for years. In this role he enters the seat of war and has hardly arrived before the two enemies are fighting over which of them will have him as a gun-man. There is a free-for-all fight which ends disastrously for at least a few of the combatants. The hero continues • his efforts and the harder he tries the more hopeless the situation seems. Nor does he pour oil on the troubled waters when he pays attention to the daughters of the feudalists. This rather complicates matters, and when the girls suddenly disappear he is accused of kidnapping them. One of them inherits valuable property and immediately there is a rush of candidates eager to marry her. The hero adopts her to prevent such a scheme and later the adoption is declared illecal. The climax is sudden and surprising. Tiie second offering is "The Hunted Woman," adapted from the novel by James Oliver Curwood. The story moves on through incident after incident to the climax. The cast in the film includes Seena Owen, Francis McDonald, Cyril Chadwick, who had an important role in the Fox production, "The Iron Horse," and Diana Miller, who played Beatrice in "Dante's Inferno." A good programme of supporting features is shown at both theatres. RIALTO AND REGENT THEATRES. An adaptation of George Barr McCutclieon's novel, "Miss Brewster's Millions," is the chief attraction coming to the Rialto and Regent Theatres to-morrow. The picture is described as one of the best comedy dramas in which Bebe Daniels has taken part. It tells of a girl who is left a million pounds on condition that it is invested and not spent. Then an uncle promises her five millions if she will spend the legacy. She does so, only to discover that her uncle has unexpectedly met serious financial difficulties. At the last moment, however, something surprising occurs and saves the situation. The film includes a fashion display. "The Transcontinental Limted" is the secoml feature. It is a railroad melodrama, containing many thrills. Johnny Walker has the leading role.

" THE SPORT OF KINGS."' During he present season of Joseph Cunningham's New London Comedy Company, Auckland theatregoers have been given an opportunity to sample two fine > comedies in "The Unfair Sex,'' and "Eliza. j Comes to Stay." ''The Sport of Kings," ! a three-act comedy by lan Hay, presented i for the first time in the Dominion at His j Majesty's Theatre last evening, is perhaps I much better than the other two pieces. ilt is packed full of laughs and the sparkle I and brilliance of the performance is maintained at the highest from the rise to the I fall of the curtain. Most certainly it is deserving of much better support than was accorded last night. The story deals with Amos Purdie, J.P., a total abstainer and pious humbug, whose house overlooks the Newstead racecourse. A couple of ! punters, Algernon Sprigg and Sir Reginald Toothill, stay at his house as paying guests for the races, and one punter wagers tbe other that he will cause Amos to indulge in a bet on a horse. Algernon is faced with a difficult task, but succeeds, Amos, anxious to make sufficient to pay his super-tax, enjoying the luck of the novice by winning £200. He continues and loses heavily. Eventually he is exposed by his butler and is compelled to visit the course in disguise as a bookmaker, only to lose again and be chased off the ground by an angry mob of punters. Amos is brought home on a stretcher and is in fear of being found out by his wife and family. In the end he discovers that his wife, with whom he had not been on speaking terms, had, by mistake for the co-opera-tive stores, telephoned a bookmaker placing an order for coal, to wit, a hundredweight of kitchen nuts. This is interpreted by Purdie's commission agent as 100 on a horse Kitchen .Cuts, at 10 to 1. As Amos Purdie, J.P., Mr. Frank Bradley was responsible for a particularly fine piece of acting. Mr. Joseph Cunningham made his initial Dominion appearance and acquitted himself really well. Mr. Campbell Copelin as Sir Algernon Toothill revelled in the role and also gave a good account of himself. Miss Zillah Bateman did not have such an important part as in the other plays, but, as Amos Purdie's secretary, was really excellent. Mr. Norman Carter as Bates, the butler, must not be forgotten for his fine work. The others in the cast, particularly Miss Beryl Barraclough and Miss Henrietta Cavendish, gave ' capable support. NEW REGENT THEATRE. The doors of the new Regent Theatre will be thrown open to the public of Auckland to-morrow evening, when a special programme of pictures, vaudeville and music will be given. The chief film attraction will be the Paramount masterpiece, "Beau Geste." Adapted from the story of the French Legion, by Major P. G. j Wren, and based on the theme, "Greater I Love Hath No Man," the film tells of the adventures of three brothers who leave England after being suspected of the theft of a famous gem from an aunt, and who join the Legion. Full of thrilling incidents, the film contains some wonderful and colourful desert scenes which, in themselves, make the picture worthy of the reputation it has earned. A specially selected cast is headed by Ronald Colman, Alice Joyce, Noah Beery, Mary Brian, Neil Hamilton and Victor McLaglen. On the vaudeville side of the programme will be a daring and spectacular novelty, and dancing act by Zoe Delphine and Co., entitled "In a Paris Cafe." and Miss Hilda _>elson, English soprano, w-ill give selections from her extensive repertoire. Appropriate musical Selections will be played by a large orchestra under the baton of Mr. Maurice Guttridge, while the gorgeous lighting effects of the theatre will be demonstrated. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. • A new double-star programme commenced at Everybody's Theatre to-day, one of the principal attractions being "Jimmies Millions," a Paramount offering starring Richard Talmadge, who is famed for his athletic prowess. The story is stated to abound in thrilling moments and clean comedy. Talmadge, as Jimmy Wicherly, inherits a fortune, provided he can report at a certain time each month for three months. Jimmy is notorious for his forgetfulness and his lack of punctuality. It is the thought of his father that if he cannot be punctual the fortune is not much use to him, and so it will go to another. But Jimmy, after falling in love with the lawyer's daughter, develops the punctuality habit, to the disgust of his cousin, who is in line for the fortune. So the latter takes a hand to ensure the non-appearance of Jimmy the nest time. Amusing incident follow. The supporting cast includes Betty Francisco and Dick Sutherland. The other picture is "Wandering Footsteps." a beautifully produced feature with a most unusual theme. RONALD RILEY REVUE COMPANY. Ronald Riley's Revue Company is to give a series of bright performances in the Auckland suburbs during the holiday season. The first performance opens iii the Avondale Town Hall on Boxing Night. A wide range of items will be included on the bill. COMMUNITY PICTURES. "The Goose Hangs High," a special Christmas attraction, was screened in the Mount Eden Congregational Hall this afternoon as a treat for children. The same film will be given this evening. The Community Picture shows will be suspended during the holidays. GRAND THEATRE. "Stepping Lively," a film full of action and daring "stunts," will be presented tomorrow at the Grand Theatre. Richard Talmadge is the star in this drama of the underworld. He has the role of a young secretary who is wrongful.}- accused of theft by an unscrupulous rival for the hand of his employer's daughter. The hero escapes from the police, joins forces with a band of underworld "crooks," and together they track clown, and prove the guilt, of the real thief. The methods of crime detection displayed in the film are exceptionally interesting. A Harold Lloyd comedy is included among the supports.