AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 122, 26 May 1927, Page 15

AMUSEMENTS.

NATIONAL ANO LYRIC. "An Affair of - the Follies," which is described as being among First National's most spectacular films, is the stellar attraction on the programme which commenced » * he National and Lyric Theatres to-day. A brilliant production, with the glamour of the stage for most of the settings, the picture is the screen version of a novel of the same name. The theme concerns a dancer of the Follies who retires from the stage to settle with her husband in a small country town. Despite the love she has for her husband, who is but a poor clerk, she is attracted by a wealthy broket, who, not knowing that she is married, tries to win her for himself. The story is filled with intriguing situations, and is delightfully told as a picture. A feature of the film is the lavishness of the settings. Beautiful ballets of rows of whirling dancers provide the imagination with some, idea of the manner in which New York theatre shows are put on, and present a colourful background tor the charming romance which runs through the story. An excellent cast plays the picture, and includes such wellknown artists from the First National studios as' Billie Dove, who has the star role, Lloyd. Hughes, who is seen as her devoted husband, and Lewis Stone, who has the part of the girl's wealthy admirer. On the same programme is "The Isle of Retribution," a film in which most of the action takes place in the waste icefields of Alaska. Here the spoiled son of a wealthy man is called upon to prove his courage or' submit to the treacherous cruelty of the ruler of the island. A pleasant romance' runs through the story, which is interpreted by a cast which includes Lillian Rich, Robert Frazer and Victor McLaglen. Good supporting numbers are also being screeiyd. PRINCESS AND TIVOLI. Paramount have again starred Florence Vidor, who made a • sensational rise to tame by her performances in "The Grand JfJehess and the Waiter" and "You Never Know Women," in a gay fare: of Paris society life, entitled "The Popular Sin," which is now being screened at the Princess and Tivoli Theatres. The theme, which is a most unusual one, is interpreted by a particularly strong cast, which inclndes Clive Brook, the popular English actor who was seen with Miss Vidor in "You "Never Know Women." Aβ the featured player, he portrays a difficult role to the best advantage, and can hardly fail to please the most severe critic. Other artists are Grita Nissen, who was seen, in the star role in "The Wanderer" • and "The Lady of the Harem,'* Andre' de Beranger, whose pwevioue films are "The Grand Duchess and the Waiter" and "Aren't Parents People?" and" Philip Strauce, who was brought to the screen by Adolphe Menjou. The making of the picture was in the capable hands'of Malcolm St. Clair, whose domestic comedies have delighted countless audiences. Among his best productions was "Good and Naughty." On the same programme is "My Lady of Whims,? an. Arrow release. Clara Bow has the star role, and although her previous films have all been well received, critics' declare that this is quite her best production." Donald Keith plays opposite Mies Bow, while Carmelita Geraghty, Lee Moran and Francis McDonald are also included in c.the : exceptional cast. Mies Bow is seen as a young woman who leaves bfer palatial home in Fifth Avenue, New York, to take up her residence in the small country town of Greenwich. A delightful sequence of events runs through the theme, and leads to a thrilling and uncommon climax. The acting throughout is of the best, while the technique and photography is excellent. MERCANTILE MARINE CONCERTS. Excellent 'arrangements have been made for entertainments at the Mercantile Marine Officers' Club. Programmes been arranged for Friday and Monday, and a. delightful time is promised everyone who attends.

STRAND THEATRE. A variety entertainment is included in the programme to be presented for the first time at the Strand Theatre tomorrow. Attention will be centred round "Winners of the Wilderness," a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer epic cf British daring. The story tells of a dare-devil Irishman in a far away outpost of the Empire, fighting for the Union Jack. It is a story of the time -when the English colonies and settlements in America were constantly menaced by attacks from the hated French and the warlike Indians. Historic events and a delightful romance are delicately blended in the film, which stars" Tim McCoy and Joan Crawford, who appears , as the beautiful daughter of the commander of the frontier fort. McCoy is said to have surpassed his performance in "War Paint," and critics predict that he will soon rival many of America's leading artists. The supporting cast is a particularly strong one, and includes Edward Connolly, Louise Lorraine, Frank Courrier, Tom O'Brien and Roy D'Ancy. Accompanying "Winners of the Wilderness" wiTl be "The Birth of a Flower," the latest scientific play, in which are revealed the secrets of the plant world. The film has been previewed by the Auckland Education Board, and is shortly to be shown in a number of the schools of the city. A most interesting review of all stages of the growth of an ordinary flower is contained in the film, which shouU prove popular with theatre patrons. The Strand Magazine will be screened, and other picture numbers will include a film of the opening of the Canberra Parliament by tbe Duke of York, and a hilarious comedy. The entertainment is complete with enjoyable music by the Strand Orchestra, who will also play an overture and "No No Nanette" for a musical interlude. NEW REGENT. A good entertainment, in which the main attraction will be "It," Paramount's screen version of the well-known novel by Elinor Glyn, has been arranged for the New Regent at the change to-morrow. Clara Bow, who has appeared in several films which have been screened in Auckland, has the leading role, for which she was personally selected by the authoress. Costarred with Miss Bow is Antonio Moreno, whose work has brought forth such favourable comment. The two stars prove themselves a sound combination, and are ably supported by a casfr which includes William Austin, Priscilla Bonner and Jacqueline Gadsdon. Clara Bow is seen as Betty Lou. who fascinates her employer, Cyrus Waltham. A strong love gradually grows between them, but they are later separated. She persuades a friend to take her with him on a launch trip, but Cyrus is against the idea, and refuses to let her go. From then on the plot unfolds itself speedily, and a pleasing climax is reached with the two lovers reconciled. The accompanying programme will include the reappearance of Paddy Saunders, the humorous cartoonist who was seen at the New Regent a few weeks ago. Mr. Saunders delighted those who saw him before, and his return to Auckland is expected to draw large audiences. Eddie Horton, whose numbers are always a popular feature of the Regent's entertainment, will i play several well-knows pieces on the Wurlitzer organ, and the Regent Orchestra, under the baton of Mr. Maurice Guttridge, in addition to playing enjoyable music throughout the programme, will render an overture. An interesting number of the Regent News completes the bill of fare. * EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Charging horsemen, desperate soldiers, and a charming romance—all these are to be found in "Michael Strogoff," which, after a most successful week at the New Regent, is to be screened as the main attraction at Everybody's Theatre for an extended season. As a screen classic, the picture, an adaptation of the well known novel by Jules Verne, loses none of the original appeal to be found in the story, which is delightfully inter-preted-by -a strong cast of Continental artists, headed by Ivan Mosjoukine, who plays the title role with distinction. He

is seen aa the courier of the.Czar Alexander 11. of Russia, who sends him to the heart of Serbia to warn the Grand Duke of the approach of the Tartan army, led by Ogareff, a Russian traitor. After a series of exciting experiences, he is tnally captured and sentenced to have is sight put out. With the march of the army he is released and sent to wander where he will, and with the determination to perform his errand, he reaches Irkutsk, where the Grand Duke is preparing to surrender before the arrival of the Tartan hordes. The film, which was photographed in Serbia and Russia, providess interesting scenes of peasant in the villages along the banks of the River Volga, and also gives an ideal contrast between the civilised splendour of the luxurious palace of the Czar in Moscow, and the barbaric lavishness which surrounds the home of the Grand Khan of Tartarv. Quaint oldtime dances of the Russian court balls are also a feature, and are enacted amidst brilliant settings of regal pomp and splendour. A second big picture, "Prowlers of the Xight," a thrilling Western drama, will also be screened in conjunction with "Michael Strogoff."' The picture has the atmosphere or' the West prominent throughout, and is played by a strong cast, with Fred Humes, a new Western star, in the leading role. Strong supporting numbers accompany the double feature programme. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Greta Garbo. who is regarded as one of Europe's foremost screen actresses, has the leading role in "The Temptress," which will be screened for the first time at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow. The picturisation of a novel by Vicente Blasco Ibanez, the film contains a good theme, which is interpreted by a cast of plavers among whom are Antonio Moreno, Mare McDermott. Lionel Barrymore. » Virginia Brown, Faire and Francis McDonald. Moreno has the role of Robledo. an engineer, who, after years in the Argentine, returns to Paris, for a vacation. There he meets Elena, with whom he falls in love. M. Fontenoy, a wealthy admirer of Elena, gives a dinner in her honour, and during the evening, rises and announces to the company that in an attempt to win Elena's love, he has ruined himself. He then kills himself, and a stormy scene between Elena and Robledo follows, the outcome being that the two decide to separate. Robledo returns to the Argentine, but Elena, realising her love for him, follows him. He resents her presence, particularly as she causes his assistants to neglect their work. A crisis is reached, however, when a notorious bandit visits the camp, and immediately attracts Elena's attention. Robledo. furious at the thought that she could have anything to do with the man, challenges him to fight with whips, and after a thrilling contest, drives him away. Then only do the two young people realise that they are earnestiv in love. Moreno is described as superb in the role of the dashing young French engineer. The delightful manner in which he plays it, shows definitely that he is among the most versatile actors on the screen* A good supporting programme will Ibe offered with "The Temptress." Jack Lumsdaine. Australia's whispering baritone, who has been heard at the Majestic during the past fortnight, will be presented in a complete change, while other numbers include the screening of the opening of the Canberra Parliament by the Duke of York, the Majestic News, Eve's Review and a laughable comedy. Enjoyable music will be played by the Majestic Orchestra, under the leadersip of Mr. Fret! Mumford, and "Giralda" will be rendered as an overture. /