AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 273, 18 November 1927, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS.

NATIONAL THEATRE,

there is a British production at the head of the bill of fare at the National Theatre. Of the entertainment which started a one week's season yesterdays the main attraction is "A Sieter of Six," which stars that talented English artist, Betty Balfour. Miss Balfour haa not appeared in a great number of films, but when there is one of her vehicles billed on a programme, cinema fans can always rely on finding it a good one. This film is an interesting photoplay, based on' a good story. As it is of a type which rarely fails to appeal to even the most severe critics, it should draw capacity audiences to the National during the coming week. Although it is svd that British productions lack the excellent technique which marks American films,, there can be'no doubt that in this respect, the Home studios are not far behind their rivals across the Atlantic. While many of the scenes depict poor and slovenly surroundings, they are still very realistic, and have obviously cost a lot of money to make. Miss Balfour is great in the leading role; the humour, which she shows, and which is of a type peculiar to herself, is the most noticeable feature of the production. She has an all-British cast of strong players supporting her. "Upstream" is the main number of the National's accompanying entertainment. The film is an adaption of a human story of the actor folk and their bard struggle up the ladder of fame. There is sparkling humour right through the theme, which yet has its pathetic and thrilling moments. The rest of the programme is also interesting. LYRIC THEATRE.

"Two field-marshals of fun having a wonderful time while trying to find the war. A grand conscription of laughs." That was one description given by recognised critics to "Lost at the Front," the farcical war story which is now being presented at the Lyric Theatre. Charlie Murray and George Sidney are the stars. Murray will probably be best remembered for his performance in the role of McFadden of "McFadden's Flats," while Sidney is well-known as Abe Potash of the popular "Potash and Perlmutter" series. The pair prove by their showing in "Lost at the Front" that they are one of the screen's strongest comedy teams to-day. Murray is cast as Pat, an Irish policeman in New York, while Sidney has the role of August, a German saloon keeper. They are the best of friends—and friendly enemies. Both become interested in Olga, a sculptress who has her studio in their district. When war is declared, August is called away as a German reservist, and later, when America joins in. Pat goes with the United States army. At the front the two meet, August as Pat's prisoner. From here the theme rushes through a thrilling and amusing sequence of events, which finishes with the two friends returning to America where they find that the girl they both loved has married another man altogether. Natalie Kingston has the role of Olga. Although she is but a compara-tive-newcomer to the ranks of stardom, she gives a good portrayal of the role with which she has been entrusted. She has been starred in one other picture, which has been released in Auckland, "The Silent Lover," in which 6he appeared with Milton Sills. Good supports are also shown at the Lyric. MAJESTIC THEATRE.

Despite the many and varied arguments as to who is the greatest lover on the screen, there should be few, who, after seeing "The Flesh and the Devil," which is now being screened at the Majestic Theatre, will be able to doubt that John Gilbert, the 6tar, has a strong claim to that title. In "The Big Parade" and in

"Bardelys the Magnificent," he scored great successes, but in "The Flesh and the Devil" he may well be said to be even better. With him are two Swedish artists, Greta Garbo, who plays the feminine lead, and Lars Hanson, who will be remembered as "Captain Salvation," and for his acting in "The Scarlet Letter." Barbara Kent and George Fawcett are also in the cast. Art Kimo, "wizard oi the banjo-mandolin," provides the stage turn of the Majestic's bill, which also includes the Majestic News, Eve's Review, a New Zealand scenic and a laughable comedy. Mr. John Whiteford-Waugh's orchestra plays enjoyable musia throughout the entertainment. PRINCESS THEATRE.

Crammed with thrills and humour, "Lost at the Pront," the tarcical First National film of the war, which heads the current bill of fare at the Princess Theatre, may well be classed with the best comedy-dram as Which have ever been released in Auckland. The film co-stars George Sidney and Charlie Murray, both of them well-known comedians, Sidney having appeared as Abe Potasli in the popular "Potash and Perlmutter" series, and Murray as McFadden of "McFadden's Plats." Opening in New York, the story on which this picture is based, changes its setting" to the battlefront in France, where the two men meet, one a German, soldier, and the other as an American private. Together they have many funny adventures, which hold the audience laughing from end to end of the plot. Natalie Kingston, a new star has the feminine lead, and plays it to the best advantage. "The Timid Terror," which stars George O'Hara, is the chief picture of the Princess' supporting bill. It is an interesting tale, played by a strong cast of First National artists. There is a humorous characterisation in the film by Dot Farley, who appeared in "The Overland Stage." The programme has yet a third attraction, the seventh of the "Coll-'gians" series, which stars . George Lewis. During the past six weeks these films have been very well received at the Princess, and this number should be very popular. STUDIO RECITAL.

Advanced students of Mr. Leo Whittaker gave an enjoyable studio recital. Mr. Whittaker himself opened the entertainment with a piano number, "Symphonic Variations." This was particularly well received. Mr. Leo McGann was heard in a tenor solo, "Maire, My Girl," and Miss Jessie Smith in two contralto solos, "Cradle Me Low" and "Lovely Spring." One of the most enjoyed numbers was a piano duo by Miaa Moana Clare and Mib. McGregor, 'Tour Bercer un Convalescent" (three impressions, written for a war comrade during 1915). Miss Freda Gaudin's two soprano 'Wiil o' the Wisp" and "Jewel Song* ( Faust ) were very much appre<sated, while Mr. George Ana ties' piano solo, Polonaise in C Sharp" was also popular. "Prayer To Our Lady," a tenor solo by Mr. Will Miller, and Miss Minn* Uronfeld s soprano solo, "Nocturne," were very good. Then there was a duet by Miss Lola Solomon and Mr. Len Wilson, "So l hou See at from Mascagni's "Cavalleria xwifltic&na. This number was well sung cd well received. Miss Tuila Solomon, MS* ga -l e **0 Bolos, "Lullaby" and Mr. Len Wilson, tenor, J?'v e 3*?," , Li ad°w'a "Barcarolle" was beautifully played as a piano solo by 9 bve Karbou, and Mrs. De Berg's .Happiness and "Sapphic Ode," contralto solos, were very enjoyable. Miss &» Mowbray-Finnis' piano solo, "Prelude (Chopin), and Miss Lola Solomon's soprano solo, "Pour de Tourments et Plus de Peine, were good, while a piano duo, "First Movement Concerto in E," by Mis Winifred Cooke and Mies Moano Uare was well played. Mr. Jules Brendel sang two tenor songs, "O Souverain" ("Le Uid ) and Sometimes With Deep Regret," an " excellent entertainment closed with P iano Quartet, "Tannhauser March" (Wagner), by Mies Edie Blackburn and Mrs. Monk at first piano, and Mrs. McGregor and Miss Dixon at second piano*

"THE TE KOOTI TRAIL." Last night's world premiere of "The Te Kooti Trail" at the Strand Theatre, drew a crowded audience, and a fine tribute wae paid to the work of Mr. Rudall Hayward, the producer. Without the latest equipment or studio apparatus in New Zealand, one cannot expect the technique nor the photography to equal that of films made in other countries, but yet it is not far behind. There are few studio shots, but these few have been made with careful attention. In the outdoor scenes, the photography is especially good and clear. The property for the scenes while not elaborate, is yet true to life, and the Old Mill Farm in the picture has been made to look just as one would imagine it, nestling in a picturesque valley, years ago. Some of New Zealand's finest scenery has been well photographed. Based on actual fact, and filmed in the places where the history was made, "The Te Kooti Trail" has been made very simply; it is more attractive because the "Western thriller" element has not been used. Certainly it has its exciting moments —the heroic dash along the coast from Tauranga to Whakatane by Lieut. Gilbert Mair, the attack of Te Kooti's warriors on the Old Mill where seven good people were fighting a losing fight, and the meeting of the revenge-seeking Maori lover "with the half-caste, who caused his sweetheart's death. But these are balanced by the romance of Tanarahi and Nika, of Eric and Alice, and by the humour of the three members of "The Lost Legion," as they marched lighthearted through the enemy-infested bush. EVERYBODY'S AND TIVOLI. "He of the High Hat." Even from 6ucb an apparently vague description, most theatre-goers know that the person is none other than Raymond Griffith, the popular Paramount comedian, who has produced another screaming comedydrama, "Wedding Bills," now being screened at Everybody's and Tivoli Theatres. Griffith appears &o a confirmed bachelor, who is always being called upon by his married friends to help them. Seeing their troubles so often, he declares that he will newer marry, but r the end i the story he has become a most meek and mild husband. His struggles against becoming a husband are the cause of a lot of laughter. With .Art Acord at the head of its particularly strong cast, "Western Courage," the main feature of the supporting programme at the Tivoli, is one of the most thrilling Western dramas yet produced. While its plot is much the same as those used in other productions of this type, the film has been made without the usual banalities of estern films, and for that reason alone it should be very well received. Although Acord is the star, just as much interest is taken in the performances given by his horse Raven and his dog Rex. At Everybody's there are two other attractions. They are o«.e of the "Music Masters" series, and the seventh of the "Colegians' 'series, which have been so popular during the past six weeks. . NEW REGENT THEATRE.

Although he has appeared in only one film which has been shown in Auckland, Emil Jannings, the wonderful German actor, is already well-known here as a master artist. He appeared in "Variety," and was exceptionally well received, but in the role of Mephistopheleß, the Satan of "Faust," which has started a season at the New Regent, he is said to be at his very best. Many have said that without the singing, Goethe's drama could not be so interesting, but patrons of the New Regent during next week should find the screen version just as appealing as was the drama on the spoken stage. Camilla Horn, the latest screen "find," has the role of Marguerite. Fred Curran, the English comedian, provides the main turn of the supporting bill. Eddie Horton has an attractive score, while throughout the programme, Mr. Maurice / Guttridge's Operatic Orchestra renders delightful musical numbers. The smaller films include the Regent Magazine, a travelogue and an hilarious comedy. LUNA PARK.

With many new attractions, Luna Park, which was such a draw for the merrymakers of Auckland last summer, will open to-morrow. The whole park has been thoroughly cleaned up, and tomorrow it should attract a large crowd. The Scenic Railway will probably be the most popular, but the Scenic River Caves, the Dodge 'Em, the Whip, the Caterpillar, the Merry Mix-up, the Goofy Howe, the Fun Factory, and the Joy Wheel will also have their followers. For the children there will be the merry-go-round, too. There will be a grand free attraction, an entertainment by a band of Samoans, who will appear in a fantasy of the South Seas. Their dances and melodies should be very popular. One of their numbers will be the spear dance, which is done by a warrior, who will twirl his huge spear to the weird chants of other members of the troupe.