AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 152, 30 June 1927, Page 21

AMUSEMENTS.

NATIONAL AND LYRIC. As well as the interesting picture features at the . National and Lyric Theatres, Jackie Clarke, the juvenile comedian, who was in Auckland last year is also being presented on the current bill of fare. At his last appearance, the young artist Was very well received and his turns this time, Wlilcli include several nevf songs and dances Bhould delight all patrous of both theatres who seo him. Both houses are also showing the same picture programme, Which is headed by "All _ Aboard," Johnny 1 Hines' latest starring vehicle. Mr. Hines has appeared itt almost every sort of role, and now is to be seen as the guide to a party of tourists in the East. Starting as a shoe Clerk, he gets the chance of a position with the party to tour Africa, and as soon as they depart, he embarks upon a series of laughable expeditions.' While the party is seeing the famous Pyramids and the Sphinx, he changes clothes with an Arab Sheik) but later finds to his disgust that he is supposed to be married to a native girl. For a long time his attempts to escape from his duties are futile, but finally he learns, to his inteifse relief, that the marriage was not valid, and lie is free to marry his employer's pretty daughter, with Whom lie has fallen in love. The accompanying programme includes the screening of another big. film, "Let Women Alone," which stars Pat O'Malley, Wanda Hawley and Wallace Beery.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Undoubtedly one of the most lavish and spectacular productions ever released, "Fashions For Women," after a very successful season at the New Regent, commences at Everybody's Theatre as the central attraction on the change of programme to-morrow. "Fashions For Women" lias as its star, Esther Ralston, who first came into prominence in "The American Venus." She was later starred With Richard DiX in "The Quarterback, arid now she comes in what is perhaps t-16 liioet alluring role she has yet played for Paramount. She lias a dual role, that of Madame de Givray, the most smartly dressed woman in Paris, and that of an impish cigarette girl, who gets <1 chance to take Madams Givray's place in a great fashion display. So successful is fche ill lier impersonation, that her employers offer her the position permanently. This, she refuses, in order to marry an airman with whom she has fallen in love. Miss Ralston gives an excellent characterisation in both her roles, while Emir Hansen, as the . aristocratic aviator, is also good. His last performance was in "The Lady 111 1 Ermine," with Corihne Griffith. Another member of the supporting cast is Raymond llatton, who after many Villainous roles, plaJ'S the amusing part of the mannequin's press and publicity agent. He was co-starred With Wallace Beery in "We're 111 the Navy Now" and "Behind the Front." On the same programme is "War Paint, a thrilling Western drama Which supplies an ideal contrast to the liiain feature. The film stars Tim McCoy, who has been seen 111 other films of the tame type. Good-sup-ports wiii also be shown.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. One of the brightest and most entertaining programmes ever arranged by the Majestic management, will be offered at the change on Friday. The four scmifinaiists in the Miss New Zealand 1027 screen contest, who head the Majestic poll at the end of this week, will be put through ,1 series of acting and screen tests befol'e the audience. Judging by means of the voting card, will be continued by the public, with whom the right of choosing New Zealand's representative will lie, A first class picture bill has been drawn Up, and will be headed by "A Little Journey," a film which, makes a novel production in the fact thai nearly all the action takes place in the carriage of a railway train. William Haines and Claire Windsor, who has not appeared for solnc time, are the stars. Another interesting picture is "The Gorilla Hunt," a film crammed with thrills. One of the shots shows the chat-Re against a hunter of a full grown gorilla, and the exciting time he lias in trying to escape from its dreaded hug, The ferocious animal's threatening rush through the head-high vegetation is graphically shown. Ben Burbridge, who is perhaps the best known American hilhter of big- game,' is seen stalking and shooting his Wild prey. Besides shots of gorillas in their natural haunts, many i scenes of other beasts of the forest are shown. "White Wings," an" interesting picture of New Zealand yachting, is also to be presenter, while the Majestic News, [ Eve's Review, and a laughable comedy complete the picture portion of the bill of fare. A good musical score, which includes "The Merry Widow," as an overture, will be played by Mr. Fred Mumford's orchestra,

HIPPODROME AND EMPRESS. "East Lynne!" This is perhaps 0110 of the mightiest love stories, and it lias been transferred to the stage and screen countless times. Nofr it conies in an excellent form, a William Fox production, and is being presented as the centre of attraction on tiie current bill of fare at the Hippodrome and Empress Theatres. One of the strongest casts ever mustered by William Fox interprets, the theme, Alma lvubens has the feminine lead, while Edmund Lowe, whose last appearance 011 the screen was in "What Price Glory?" Which was screened here recently, is well cast in the male portrayal, Loit Tellegan lias his first really heavy role in this picture, and other players are Lydia Knott, who is known as' one of the best "mothers" of the screen. Then there is Marjorie Daw and Belle Dennett, both star artists. Miss Bennett , is ail actress from the London stage, and . comes to the screen with a great reputation, Frank Keenan and Leslie Fenton ] have minor roles. Jll . the story Alma , Rubens is seen as Lady Isabel, who is j staying with LoW and Lady Mount j Severn at, their ancestral home, East , Lynne. While liel'e she attracts many of 1 Lady Severn's male admirers, and a sort of ■ fetid commences between the two women. 5 A pleasing climax is reached, however, p with Lady Isabel happily married to the a inaii slid loVcs. A good supporting pro- J gra&lthe, Which" includes the Screening of a "The City" -another William Fox prodiic- s tion, is also being offered at both theatres. 1:

STRAND THEATRE. Mr. Humphrey Bishop's company of a entertainers which, for the past fortnight t has been delighting patrons of the Strand - Theatre, will continue its season with a ( complete change of numbers on Friday - next. All members of the company have t made themselves very popular with Aifclc i land theatre-goers. "Scratchcr" Ross, ' With his ridiculous jokes and Walter - Kiligsley, who is heard in several vocal t items, add considerably lo the enjoyment : of the programme. Others are not to be > forgotten, however, the popular Lanca- ' shire comedian, and both male and female !■ vocalists having been well received. On ; the picture section of the coining change ! "The Ranger of the Big Bines" will provide the stellar attraction. "The Ranger ■ of the Big Pines," which is a Master ■ picture, stars Kenneth llarlan, who is ■ supported by a strong cast, including Ilelene Costello, Eulalie Jensen, Will ! Walling and Lew Harvey. The film is ■ the screen version of Hamlin Garland's story, and tells of the romance of a forest ranger rtiid a society girl. The struggle for supremacy in the Rocky Mountains supplies the theme, which, when transferred to the screen, loses none of its original appeal. Fights between the rangers and a gang of bandits give the story most of the excitement which it ! contains. -All the artists give excellent characterisations, especially Eulalie Jensen, who is seen as the proprietress of a public house in a small Western Settle' ment. The Strand Magazine will also bo screened, while an excellent musical score has been arranged for the whole entertainment. NEW REGENT THEATRE. In maintaining the high standard of entertainment at the Aew Regent Theatre, the management there has a hard jbb. But this week the quality of the programme is almost as good as ever it has been. Amid a gorgeous stage setting the semi-finalists in the Miss New Zealand, 1027, screen contest are being presented. Beautifully gowned, the girls make a most spectacular sight as they parade before the audience in surroundings which have seldom been equalled for magnificence. Screen find stage lests will be carried out, and the audience will vote for Miss Auckland and Jicr Maid of Honour. It is rather hard to imagine that no one has thought of making London, the greatest city in the world, the title? for a picture. At last the metropolis has been brought to the screen and makes one of the most interesting dramas ever filmed. Paramount Pictures are the producers, and they star Dorothy Gish, who is at present working in England. She has appeared in "Orphans of tin Storm," "Nell Gw.vnne," and many other pictures, but her performance in "London" has been described as the best role of her career. She has the part of Mavis Hogan, who, in the squalid slums of London, finds life with- hei' supposed aunt unbearable. She wanders into the streets. She is found by a wealthy man whose aunt adopts her. She finds happiness with her benefactor and marries him. Special music has been arranged for the programme by Mr. Maurice Guttridge, while Eddie Horton at the Wurlitzer organ has a line musical score to offer. Among his numbers will • be Schubert s "Serenade,"

PRINCESS AND TIVOLI. In addition to the usual interesting picture attractions at the Princess and Tivoli Theatres, a first-class vaudeville has been arranged for the change to-morrow, "lints" McKay, a versatile entertainer, will give numbers with the guitar and banjo, while his monologues should prove very amusing. His perfect easiness in changing headgear, mid the comical alteration it makes to his whole appearance should delight the large audience which is expected. Then there is the troupe of Asquith Entertainers, who will be presented in several popular song and patter numbers. Delroy and Delane.v, two clever dancers from across the Tnsman, have many novel turns to offer. Their act comes to Isew Zealand with a great reputation and should be a special attraction. Other artists will appear, and the whole should be olio of the best gatherings of performers seen in Auckland for some time. On the picture section of the programme | the lnain feature will be "The Denver Dude," a Universal production, which hns at the head of its exceptionally strong cast that popular Western star, Hoot Gibson. Gibson has appeared in "The _ Texas Streak." "The Calgary Stampede," and | "The Silent Rider" all of which were well received. Not only the thrilling Western clement to bo found in Gibson's films is brought out, but the star also appears in several other costumes, among them being that of a real city man, and that of a Scot, complete with kilts and sporran. Blanche Mchaffey has the feminine lead.