AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 226, 24 September 1927, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

NEW REGENT THEATRE.

TV, + • my ', in this picture." ir* -,? Norma Talmadge .aid of Camille, the screen version of Dumas' wondenul etory, which opened to a packed howrt the New Regent laat n«ht. Cannlle" ie a wonderful picture. Telling of the tragic life of a Parisian gamin who becomes "The Lady of the Camellias, ido.l of Paris, the etory ie one which holde the audience interested from end to end of its absorbing theme Canaille s gay life, her sorrowful momente, and her one true love form the plot for one of the greatest filme of the year, and for what ie certainly the greatest ecreen version of the novel yet produced. Mise lalmadges characterisation is faultless while that of Gilbert Roland, a new star', who hae the male lead, ie strong. The technique of the film ie as nearly perfect as is possible. Many of the settings are brilliant and lavish in the extreme, while the costuming of all players, while distinctive, is beautiful. "Camille" is accompanied at the New Regent by a firet-clase bill. There is a ne Paramount Gazette, a scenic, and a comedy. Eddie Horton's numbers on the Wurlitzer organ include "To Spring," and a medley of '"old favourites that never fade away." He also plays a novelty song film, 'Three O'clock in the Morning." The musical score arranged by Mr. Maurice Guttridge for the Operatic Orchestra is an exeeptionally enjoyable one. It has been especially well selected. MAJESTIC THEATRE. "A -woman defiled by a whiteman shall die by the hand of her father." That is Chinese ancestral tradition. Mr. Wu struck. Nang Ping died. It was a tragic story. "Mr. Wu," the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer special, screened for the first time at the Majestic Theatre last evening, thrilled a house that was crowded long before the performance was timed to start. Lon Chaney, greatest character actor on the screen to-day, has brought many fine characters to the screen, but it is doubtful if there has ever been one than can compare for finished style to Mr. Wu In a cast that is full of brilliant talent, there is one figure that stands out all through, Lon Chaney. Apart from the fine headline attraction, there is an all-round supporting programme. There is an excellent New Zealand Government publicity film, of butter production in the Dominion, a Majesic News, and an Eve's Review. The comedy, "Grandpa's Boy" is a rollicking film. Playing for his seventh i? ever-popular Jack Lumsdaine, started his final season. He gave three toe numbers, and capped off an excellent turn with a song qf his own composition, Somewhere South of Shanghai." The setting for the song was as elaborate as the Sr**l- th ™S h the evening by the Majestic Orchestoa, under thi baton of Air. J. Whiteford Waugh. STRAND THEATRE. Two big pictures, "California" and Footloose Widows," are included in the bill of fare which is now being presented to patrons of the Strand Theatre. Tim f bae run « to the front rank of stardom, with but four big piccast of California," which is a thrilling drama of the West. While the thrill element is the outstanding feature of the theme, it w by no means without its romance, humour and even it touches of •pathos Dorothy Sebastian, Marc McJJermott and Frank Currier are among the featured players. "Footloose Widow." » 1-ouise Fazenda's latest starring vehicle Like most of the star's films, this one is a delightful comedy-drama, which holds the audience laughing from end to end of hilarious theme. One of the most noticeable features of the picture ie its excellent technique. Also on the Strand's programme, there iz the Strand Magazine and an Aesop Fable cartoon, while throughout the entertainment, the Strand Symphony Orchestra, under Mrs. Eve iJentley renders an enjoyable nvusieal score. The finalists in the Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer beauty contest will appear at the theatre for a short season, commencing on Monday, October 3. GRAND THEATRE. Based on the great story by Marcus Clarke, "For the Term of Hie Natural Lire, said to be the best Australian film yet produced, has commenced an extended season at the Grand Theatre, after a record run ait the Strand. Telling, as h does, the etory of a man who is sent to the convict settlements in Australia and Tasmania, the film is a tragic one but 13 one which holds the interest of the public from beginning to end. First ola* supplied by a first-class band. ALLAN WILKE. It is a curious fact that although the historical drama of '-Henry VIII., the play selected by Mr. Allan Wilkie for the first performance of his newly-organised company, next Saturday night at Hie Majesty s, is so rarely produced on the stage, there is no record of its failure to attract the public. Indeed, every production of this play, including the recent presentation by Miss Sybil Thorndike at the Empire, London, and the spectacular shows of Sir Herbert Tree, Sir Henrv Irvmg and Charles Kean, have all been phenomenal successes. Possibly, however, the most remarkable performance was that in which the various members of le u f t mOUS Kemble family participated. Probably one of the vital reasons why the play is so rarely produced, is the fact that managers are confronted with the enormous expense entailed in the mounting, for, during the Tudor period, as represented by Henry VIII'e reign, the dresses reached a level of eartoria.l magnificence never attained in any other period of English history. But Mr. Allan Wilkie has been fortunate enough to secure the ' original costumes specially designed and { made for Sir Herbert Tree's London pro- ' duction. The box plans for the rirst six performances of the season will open at Lewie R. Eady and Son, Ltd., ou Wednes- i day next. IGNAZ FRIEDMAN. Ignaz Friedman, renowned Polish I pianist, who was so well received at hi* i series of concerts piven in Aucklan-l ; recently, will be heard a.riin in this city i at the Concert Chamber of the Town Hα!! ' next Monday evening. For his cominc j concert Friedman, who is the reooanise-! i interpreter of Chopin's works, will render ! an all-Chopin programme. MUNICIPAL CONCERT. An attractive programme of organ an! j vocal works, selected from the composi- > tions of Bach, Hindel, T=c-haikowsky. I Spohr and Lemare, has been arranged for I the Municipal Concert in the Town Ha!! i to-night, Miss Lola Solomon, Mr. W. j Gemmeil, Mr. Maughan Barnett. city ; organist, and Mr. Leo Whittaker will be i tlie performers. SUNDAY CONCERT. A concert will be held to-morrow, at the Devonport Picture Theatre, at 8.15' p.m., for the benefit of the Ex-Service-i men's unemployment drive.

"LA MASCOTTE." Auckland public was quiet to appreciate the splendid production of "La Maecotte," which the Auckland Amateur Operatic Society Jβ producing at His Majesty's Theatre. Nightiy the tuneful opera has been heard by a large audience. The piece now goes with a ewing that e seldom to be found in a professional perlonnance. Brilliant colouring of dresse* and eettings, capable principals, and a really brilliant chorus put "La Mascotte" in the very front rank of the lone list or successes to the credit of this well-ma : organisation. Unfortunately the eeaeon is restricted to ten nights—only four more to run—And it ie quite certain that a two week's season would not have been a bit too long. Wednesday next will eee the end of the season. THE MUNICIPAL BAND. The Auckland Municipal Band, mdeBandmaster Smith, playe at the Zoological rark to-morrow afternoon at 3 o'clock. A fine programme includes the bright marches -Hurrah. Boye/' "Ever Forward" and ;;All's Well"; hymn, "Aβ Pants the ™' erture - '" Pl °. ue Dame"; comet solo I Heard You Singing." soloist. Mr. Fred Bowes; selections, "The Dollar PrinC T '■£ Persian Princess"; piccolo solo, "The Wren in the Poplars," soloist, Jlr. JUcLennan; and other tuneful items, lhe band will appear again in the Town UaH on Sunday evening at 8.30, when an entirely changed programme will have many favourite numbers, including a firsttime performance of a descriptive intermezzo, ""From a Russian Village." GRAFTON LIBRARY COURSE. The concluding concert of the Graftoo. winter course will take place on luesday. An interesting programme hae been arranged by Mr. Len Keven, which o • , be , r tolltn buted to by Miss Beryl bmitn, Mrs. J. Armstrong Keren, Mise Laura Walker, Miss Iris BWden Mr Len Keven. Mr. Stan. Pritchard, Mr H Turner Pelluett and Mr. Raymond Reeve. DANCING. Patrons of the Dixieland Cabaret will be treated to an excellent entertainment at the long gala night this evening. The music will be in the hands of the Dixieland International Seven, who will play all the latest dance hits. The gala night arranged for the Click Clack Cabaret this evening promises to be one of the meet successful held there this season. There will be novelties, favours and streamers, while music will be supplied by a first class band. Enjoyable music and a good floor are constant attractions for merrv-makers who patronise the New Regent Ballroom. Dancing continues until midnight every Saturday evening a.t this popular rendezvous. The Parisian Dance Studio will hold ite usual Saturday night dance in the Society of Arts Hall, Kitchener Street, this evening. Ray Marson's Boston Dance Orchestra will provide tie music. An excellent dance has been arranged for patrons of the Musical Box Cabaret this evening. Novelties will be introduced and music will be played by a good band. The usual Saturday night dance arranged by Mr. Geo. Williams, will be held in the Masonic Hall this evening. Old time dances are held every Wednesday and Saturday evenings under the direction of Mr. D. Mayes in the Municipal Hall, Newmarket. The Seville Dance Club continues to attract a large number of merry-makere every Saturday evening. The Grey Lynn Labour party will hold ite usual Saturday night old-time dance in the O'Neill Street Hall this evening. There will be a fine programme o£ the newest music for old-time dances. The New Zealand Labour party will hold a plain and fancy dress ball and a whist evening in the Scots Hall next Wednesday evening. There will be prizes for the costumes.