AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 88, 14 April 1927, Page 15

AMUSEMENTS.

NATIONAL AND LYRIC

''Bigger than Barnum's," a drama of life: iu the circus, heads the bill of fare now being shown at the National and Lyric [ theatres-. The theme centres round the experiences of a band of tight-rope performers. Father, son aud daughter comprise the troupe, which, at the order oi the circus manager, is instructed to perform without nets to catch them, should they fall. The Loy. in consideration for his sister's safety, refuses to appear under such circumstances, aud leaves the show. The father, however, carries on. and is injured. Confined to his house, he is trapped in the building when it catches tiie, and in a thrilling rescue scene, his son saves him from certain death. Having proved his worth, he is accepted back in the circus. A second big picture, "The Perfect Sap," starring Ben Lyon and Pauline Stark, is also being screened. Comedy and drama are pleasantly blended in this film, which is an account of the adventures of an amateur detective while trying to capture a notorious burglar. In addition, a very entertaining number by a troupe" ol performing dogs is being presented at both theatres. The feats and antics of these amusing animals show to advantage their remarkable intelligence. A good supporting programme is also being screened. MAJESTIC THEATRE. The screen version of the world-famous story 'Don Juan," is at the head of the change at the Majestic Theatre this week. ! The title role is played by John Barry- | more, while the other parts are in capable hands. The exceptionally tine cast is noteworthy, among its numbers being Mary Astor, Willard Louis, Estelle Tavlor, Montague Love and Phyllis Haver. The story, which is so well-known that it hardly needs telling, concerns the experiences of a Spanish nobleman, as beloved by women as he was feared by men. He scorns the attentions of Luc ret la Borgia, well-known in histoiy for her cruelty. She summons 'him to her home and is about to poison him | and his lover, when, in a thrilling rescue, ; he breaks away from those who are guard- ' ing him, and saves the heroine. The acting I throughout is said to be characteristic of Barrymore. and equal to his performance* I in "Beau Brummell" and "The Sea Beast." A strong supporting programme has also been arranged. Mile. Yaleska, who has been appearing at the Majestic for som-: time past, is seen in a delightful ballet titled "The Gigantic Easter Egg_ Ballet," The overture. "Poet and Peasant." will b* rendered, while equally appreciable music will be played by the Majestic All Soloists Orchestra during the screening of pictures. The Majestic News is also billed to be shown, and an Aesop Fable cartoon completes the bill of fare. STRAND THEATRE.

Many films iu which canine aitois avc featured liave found popularity villi the public, the host known, perhaps, being Rin-tin-tin pictures. The programme which commences at the Strand Theatre to-moi-row, is headed by a til in of this type. "The Call of the Wild.'' which has been adapted from .lack London's great story of the same name. A ciant St. Bernard doc under the name of Buck, is starred in this interesting story of outdoor life. The do-;, stolen from his home and taken to the Klondike district, experiences the utmost cruelty at the hands of his new master, lie lights with the leader of a doc team and asserts his superiority. Befriended by a man in the neighbourhood, he becomes his inseparable companion, and his love for his master is so strong as to prevent his yielding to the calls of a wolf pack. His former cruel master kill's the dog's friend, and he. having no desire to fall again into the hands of the murderer, answers the call o! the wild ami joins the savage wolve*. "Rose of the World,'' featuring Patsy Ruth Miiler, Alan Forrest and Paulino Gnron. is the other attraction at tl."' Sti and. Ideally contrasted with the niai.i ; feature, it is the story of a romance between a gi:l whose family has fallen from | the heights of society, and the richest boy in the town. A feature of the supporting programme is the reappearance of ThHarris Family. a laughable band o; comedians, in an entile change of pro-! gramme. The Strand Magazine, an Aesop l cartoon and a hilarious comedy ate also to be screened, while the orchestra will play its usually important part m the entertainment, by rendering as an overture. "The Bohemian Gill," and supplying enjoyable music throughout the evening. PRINCESS AND TiVOLI. A fine double star programme Is no.vj being shown at the Princess and Tivoh ; theatres. "The Quarterback," which heads! 1 the bill, brings with it the reappearance o; | Hie-hard Dix, whose wonderful success m ! "The Ten Commandments'' brought forth |so much favourable comment. Kstlivr Ral- | ston. the star of "The American Venus." , has the leading feminine role, while nicuiI Wis of the supporting cast include David 'Butler and Mona Palma. Richard l)i----is seen as Jack Stone, a young man working his way through college. He falls m love with a wealthy gn I student at a riv.il school, but has an idea that she would not care to marry a man of his type. She clears his name, and enables him to play in the bis: football game of the year. The film depicts college life in the States exceptionally well, and is thrilling from end to end. ''The Old Soak." a Universal Jewell production featuring Jean Hersholt. is the second attraction at the two theatres. The adventures of a boy in trouble, and how he is saved by his devote-! father and his chorus-girl sweetheart, :s the theme of this great comedy drama. The romantic side of the pictureis in the capable hands of George Lewis and June Marlowe, while among the other players in the cast are Louise Fazenda, George Seigman and Gertrude Astor. A good supporting programme is beam presented in conjunction with the two main attractions. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "The Buckaroo Kid," which has already had a week's screening at the Princess and Tivoli theatres, is being shown for an extended season, as the main attraction at the Everybody's. Hoot Gibson, tho popular Western star, is at the head ot the cast. Although ample opportunity i.given the star to display his excellent horsemanship and lighting prowess, the film is not the usual type of Western drama. Gibson is seen in the beginning of the picture as a young man who applio for the position of manager of a laivo cattle ranch. Being refused, he decides to j take over the ranch of a friend who has | died. He is harassed by financial difficulties, however, and is again refused assistance by the banker who has previously declined his services. The backer's daughter finally persuades her father to advance the uecessary money, and he, seeing the good qualities of his one-time enemy, eventually consents to his daughter's marriage with the enterprising young man. The film is said to be one ot Hoot Gibson's best, and has been well received bv those who have seen it. "The Old Soak." a Lniversal Jewell production starring Marlowe and George Lewis, is the second featured film. A strong supporting programme completes the entertainment. HIPPODROME THEATRE. Fred Thomson, the popular Western star, and his well-known horse Silver King, are to be seen in "The Wild Bull's Lair," which heads the change at the Hippodrome Theatre on Saturday. The fate of the heroine and her father is held to the very climax, in which Thomson i* seen in a.fierce struggle with a wild bull An Indian with a strong hatred for the j whites has endeavoured to cro«s the j breeds of a wild bull and the native bison with a view to destroying the neighbouring settlers. The result of this unusual theme is that the film is entirely different from the general tvpe of Western picture. Silver King, who has caused a great deal o interest among theatre-goers lately, gives an exceptional display of equine intelligence. Suspense is maintained throughout the picture, which is crammed with excitement from end to end. until a thrilling climax is arrived nt. The supporting cast, which is said to be a very [ tine one. has amonc its numbers Catherine Bennett. Herbert Prior and I I oni I'a rr. The remainder of the pt ogrammc at the will be i good.

" NO, NO, NANETTE/' Beginning with a matinee performance on Saturday afternoon next, "No, No. Nanette'' will also be staged on Saturday evening, and subsequent nights, and a special holiday matinee will be staged on Easter Monday afternoon. The plans are on view at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd., and during the holidays seats may be reserved at His Majesty's Theatre confectionary shop, where tickets for the early door stalls and gallery may also be purchased. The elemental qualities of "No. No. Nanette" are rhythm, which is the soul of music, and of the dance and colour. The music is melodious, well scored for orchestra, and abounds in richly rythmical figuration. No dainter, more pleasing, or more talented musical comedy artist lias ever appealed on the stage in New Zealand than Miss Elsie Prince, and as Nanette she simply live* the part, which might have been specially written foi this faseitiating actress, so well does she til into it. Mr. Jimmy Godden. as Jimmy Smith, an 1 Mr. Charlton Morton, as Billy Early. are equally happily placed. The one thick set and most penial and the other tall and slight, they provide an amusing contrast in outlook as well as in appearance. There are many quaint and original dances carried out with adroitness and abandon by a team of brilliant and clever dancers, including Mips Alma Mackie. who created a furore in Wellington in her big feature dance. Mr. Hoyston McDonnell, Miss Gladys Dcvcreaux. aud the Misses Allison and Kathleen Fallow. Several of the dance ensembles are, it is said, wonderful in their maze of evolutions, and the dresses of principals, ballet and chorus ladies are on a most lavish scale. A full operatic orchestra and chorus ate under the direction of Mr. Harry Jacobs. NEW REGENT THEATRE. Tor their Easter attraction the New Regent Theatre management has selected : "The Rat."' a story of the underworld of Paris, a story of glamour and tragedy. The picture commences with the change on Saturday. Along one of the Parisian byways "The R.it" is seen keeping the gendarmes busy. He eludes the two following him and slips clown a grating in the street as they pass. That is how Pierre Boucheron, "The Rat," and idol of Paris alter dark, is introduced. The film is a British production adapted from the successful stage play by David L'Estrange, Constance t'other and Ivor Novello, the last-named famous English actor playing 'the title role. The story is a chapter in I the life of an Apache. On the vaudeville I side of the programme Miss Phyllis Hazell, a well-known Australian contralto, will sing Percy Kahn's "Ave Maria" with organ and orchestral accompaniment. Eddie Horton, the Wuihtzcr organist, has selected as his programme for the change. Handel's "Largo." "Souvenir"' and a popular medley. Hector St. Clair, that clever comedian, commences his return season tonight. He will also been seen all through next week. Appropriate selections wiii be played by the orchestra under the direction of Mi. Maurice Guttridgc.

GRAND THEATRE. Lon < hanov. th.it brilliant < harartT actor. will bonify his audiences at the Grand next week with his evil-looking make up in '"The Road to Mandalay," a Metro-Goldwyn-Maycr release which commences with tlir change of programme at the theatre on Saturday. Cast as Singapore .Toe. Chancy again shows his remarkable ability in the art of make-up. Sunk to the lowest, sinister in appearance and grovelling in filth, .Toe immediately wins sympathy because ot his tender and passionate love of liis daughter, who keeps a bazaar in Mandalay. The girl, played by Lois Moran, is beautiful and is watched over by an old priest, played by Henry B. Walthall. The girl meets and falls in love with a renegade naval officer, a role in which Matt Moore is well cast. As the story unfolds itself, it develops in inti-n.-ii y until .1 brilliant climax is reached. It is a strange story —a story, of the !<i\e of a man for his daugntcr uhn has never known her fathei. The supports ate pood. BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA. Conceits helil by the Bohemian Orch.es tra have always been most favourably received, and those included in the coining season's entertainments should not be exceptions to the rule. The tirst of a very tine series of performances by this band ol musicians will be presented on April 28 Four concerts are to be jnven durinc the reason, under the capable conductondtip of Mr. ( olin Muston. who is well known in musical cinlos in Auckland. Mr. Cyril Tnwwey will act as accompanist, and Mi.-> Edith Whitelaw as leader. LUNA PARK. i Entertainment of a first-, lass nature will be piuvided by Bradley's Mi.ukey I Hippn.li mne and \ andevilie Company at j Luna I'aik for the holidays. The trained | monkeys, arc verv amusine and their per- ! formance is of clueational interest. It is i an ltle.il show for children and thoroughly enjoyable lor adults. Last nisht the monkeys rxi el'ed as the jazz oroiiestra ami were highly amusing. Dressed in col.mied velvets. they played drums. cymbaU and the double bass, under the eonductorship of one of them. The audience was delighted with t!ie splendid exhibitn.n ~: tbe monkeys, the most I ami:.-ni_' of which was the one playing I the side (hum. who. whenever he desired 1 his colleagues playing the big drum or thcymbals to join in. thumped them over the head with his drum sticks. Thomas, the trapeze artist, was, perhaps, the cleverest of them all. He balanced. somersaulted and reversed on the trapeze bars, and also did the flying act as capably as a human being. Weightlifting, balancing and wire walking acts were also caried out by the monkeys. Luna Park is the only amusement area of its kind m New Zealand, and visitors - to Auckland should take advantage of the opportunity to try its thrills and joys. On j Saturday and Monday afternoons special '■ matinees w ill be held.