AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 3, 5 January 1928, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

NATIONAL THEATRE

Cinema fans will remember Monte Blue's performance in "The Limited Mail," an exciting railroad story which was very well received. The popular Warner Brothers' artist now appears in another production of the same type, '"The Black Diamond Express," which is being screened as the headline attraction of the current programme at the National Theatre. Blue has the role of Dan Foster, one of the most reliable engine drivers in the company for which he works. Like his father, who had done years of faithful service in the same calling, Foster had never ha>l an accident, but one day he strikes a car driven by a society girl, at a level crossing. Naturally, feeling very sorry ior the girl, he sees hei quite often, and gradually he falls in love with her. But their different social standings separate them, and when Faster gives her up, the girl marries a director of the company for which he works. On her wedding night she is travelling on a train driven by Foster, and it is

held up by robbers

Among the robbers Foster recognises his brother. There is an exciting fight and a thrilling climax to the story is reached when the carriage in which the girl is travelling is uncoupled and starts to run away down a steep incline. Starred with Monte Blue, who gives a performance just as enjoyable as those he offered in "One Round Hogan." or "Wolf's Clothing," is Clair McDowell, to whom the feminine lead is entrusted. "The Danger Girl," which stars Priscilla Dean, is also being screened at the National, where the entertainment is complete with one or two interesting smaller films. LYRIC THEATRE. Again Warner Brothers have starred their popular artist Monte Blue, who acted so well in "Recompense" and "Wolf's Clothing." His latest vehicle, "The Black Diamond Express," is now being screened at the Lyric Theatre. In it Monte Blue has the role of Dan Foster, one of the most trusted engine drivers for his company. Like his father, who had done years of faithful service in the same work, Foster prides himself that he has never had an accident, but one day, at a level crossing, his train strikes a motor car driven by a young society girl. During her convalcscence, Foster sees the girl quite often, and later they fall in love with one another. But his poverty makes them separate, and the girl marries one of the directors of the railroad company for which Foster works. On her wedding night the girl travels in the train which is being driven by Foster, and it is held up by bandits. There is a thrilling fight, which finishes when it is found that the carriage in which the girl was travelling has been uncoupled and is racing down a steep incline. The hero, of course, dashes to the rescue, and when he has saved the girl, they are married. Both Blue and his leading lady, Claire McDowell, give enjoyable performances, while there is also some enjoyable acting by other members of the strong cast. "The Danger Girl," which is another starring vehicle for Priscilla Dean, provides the chief support at the Lyric. NEW HIPPODROME AND EMPRESS. Two big pictures, "Colleen" and "Brooding Eyes." are now being screened at the New Hippodrome and Empress | Theatres. "Colleen," which is a William Fox production, stars that popular little I artist, Madge Bellamy, who appeared so successfully in "Bertha, the Sewing Machine Girl" and "The Telephone Girl.' In "Colleen," she has a role of a type entirely different from any other she has played. As the title suggests, the film is one which deals with life in Ireland. Miss Bellamy is cast as the daughter of a hot-tempered Irish landlord, who has threatened to evict his daughter s sweetheart and his father, although the two old men are the greatest of friends. Sometimes, however, their Irish tempers get the better of them, and there are many arguments. There is a good ending to the interesting story, and the hero's father makes good by taking his racehorses to America, where he makes enough to pay off his mortgage to his landlord. There is a good cast supporting Miss Bellamy. Charles Morton is the hero, but he does not stand out above the other principals, because of their excellent work. Ted McNamara, who will be remembered for his funny work in "What Price Glory?" and "Rich But Honest," has a comic role, while J. Farrell Macdonald plays the hero's father very well. "Brooding Eyes" stars Ruth Clifford, and is an intriguing mystery drama. There are also other good supporting films at both theatres. STRAND THEATRE, "Ben Hur" is the picture oi the Christmas season in Auckland, and in some respects the picture of the year. It began its run at the Strand Theatre on December 17 and is likely to continue until it establishes a record for Auckland. For three weeks it has attracted crowded houses, and has delighted thousands by the brilliancy of the photography and technique, the lavishness of the stage settings and the masterly treatment of the great historic story. In the mob scenes 150,000 people appear, the costuming being a stupendous undertaking. Architecturally, too, the picture is outstanding on the screen. Ihe buildings of ancient Rome are there in all their magnificeuce. the immense arena at Antioch thrills with the excitement of the chariot race, and twelve chariots, each harnessed to four fine boree, career around the track. No detail is carelessly handled, and the sheer splendour of the spectacle is impressive. Ramon Novarro, as Ben Hur, adds to the triumph he achieved in "Scaramouche." May McAvoy, as Esther, has not a heavy part, but she fills it well, and Francis X. Bushman does himself much credit in the part of Messala, the insolent Roman. Also on the Strand's programme there is a fine prologue to "Ben Hur," in which Mr. Birrell O'Malley is the soloist. Throughout the screening of the picture, Mrs. Eve Bentlev's Strand Symphony Orchestra plays a special musical score.