AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 26, 1 February 1928, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

NATIONAL AND LYRIC,

While both the pictures which are are included on the double-star bill of fare to be presented at the National and Lyric Theatres to-morrow are very interesting, it is undoubted that "Two Girls Wanted" will appeal the more to cinema fans. Janet Gaynor, whose acting in ""Seventh Heaven" has brought forth so much favourable comment wherever that film has been released, is the star of "Two Girls Wanted," which is based on the stage success of the same name by Gladys Unger. It tells of two girls, who, after a lot of bad luck, find themselves penniless. Then, through a long period of hardship., the girls make good and, in the end, see all their ambitions come true. Miss Gaynor is seen in a new type of role, that of a comedienne. She has usually appeared as a tragedienne, but her acting in lighter roles will be found just as interesting. Her strong supporting cast includes such well-known screen artiste as Glenn Tyron, Ben Bard, Doris Lloyd. Joseph C'awthorn, William Tooker and Alyce Mills. "The Inevitable Millionaires," which is the second attraction at both houses, is a Warner Brothers' picturisation of the novel by E. Phillips Oppenheim. George Sidney, who became famous for his characterisations of Abe Potash in the popular Potash and Perlmutter series, and Louke Fazenda, who took the leading role in "The Cradle Snatchers," are costarred in this delightful comedy-drama. Good supporting numbers will also be shown at both theatres. NEW HIPPODROME THEATRE. There are two fine pictures in the programme which opened for a one-week's season at the Xew Hippodrome Theatre to-day. That popular athletic star, Richard Talmadge, heads the cast of "The Better Man," which is the headline attraction. He appears as Lord Hugh Wainright, and the story opens with his departure for America, where he is to attend to some land, left to him by an uncle. But he misses the boat through saving a girl from a brutal pedlar. She is Nancv Burton, the niece of a man called Ward, who has come to England to get Hugh to sell the lands he has inherited. Hugh becomes interested in Nancy, and applies to Ward lor a position a-s a valet. He is successful, but Nancy is disgusted to find that her rescuer is nothing but a servant. Finding Hugh s name on the list of passengers who went to America, Ward returns to the States. On the way, Mrs. Ward decides to have Hugh pose as a Lord Tatterton. Meanwhile, it is learned that the ship which Hugh missed sunk with all hands. Matters become more and more complicated, hut the story has the usual happy ending. There is plenty of opportunity for Talmadge to displav" the athletic prowess for which he is noted. H.> well supported. The other picture is "Beyond the Border." a First National vehicle for Harry Carey. The film is a thrilling Western drama, which should be particularly well received. Good suoports accompany the two films at the New Hippodrome. EMPRESS THEATRE. ariety is the keynote of the entertainment which has been arranged for the change of programme at the Empress „-2f atr f evening. Two big pictures. "The Music Master" and "Moana." will be screened. "The Music Master" is Wilham Fox s picturisation of the WarfieldBelasco stage success of twenty years ago. It is the story of an old musician of \ lenna. whose wife ran away with their daughter to America. Years later, the old man meets in New York, a girl who. he is convinced, is his daughter. It i« ap interesting tale, well told. Alec. B. I rancis plays the title role, while others strong cast are Lois Moran. Neil Hamilton, Norman Trevor and Charles Lane, William T. Tilden, the well-known tennis player, makes his screen debut, in the role of a butler "Moana" is a film taken in Samoa. It depicts the life of the natives of the Samoan Group, and shows many of their habits and customs. Iheir methods or hunting, of fishing, of cooking are all shown, while many of their religious rites form some of the most interesting scenes in the production. There is some beautiful scenery; moonlight scenes are a feature of the photography. It. is a beautifully simple story, and it is plaved well by the native who has been chosen'for the name part.

PRINCESS. TIVOLI, AND EVERYBODY'S.

Delightfully varied, the programme which will open at the Princess. Inou, and Everybody s Theatres to-mor-row is easily one of the best that the management of those three popular louses has arranged for some time. The bill will include two big pictures, ''The Oon la and "White Gold.'' ''The lrst , National's wonderful mystery-thriller from the famous stage play now being staged in Australia. lia< been hailed as the mystery-melodrama of the decade, revolving round the most sinister killer that ever came out of the tindet world. Laughs, follow screams, 30 well is the comedy element provided by Charlie Murray and Ired Holsey as the j two dumb detectives who trv to solve the tantalising mystery of the man-killing j mystery-demon gorilla. Charlie Murrav, of j course, is responsible for much hilarity as [ Garrity, and the great comedy situations j and laughable twists in the eccentric plot pet the fullest exposition from the remarkable work of the leading players. Until the mystery is solved, the principals are ; involved in sequences that "are. both hairraising and humorous. In the search for the killer, doors open and shut, persons suddenly vanish, strange noises are heard, and lights go on and out. without warning. Garrity is always looking for Mulligan, and Mulligan is always looking for Garrity, and when the gorilla is eventually found on the premises, things are just beginning to move. How this terrible ninefoot beast drags Garrity through a high window and suspends him from the ledge, ultimately precipitating him into the solution of the mystery, constitutes a story that is the very last word in spinetickling, spooky thrills. "White Gold" should appeal to all cinema fans. The programme will be complete with several line supports. STRAND THEATRE. It has been said that the love scenes 1 in '"Seventh Heaven,"' which will start its Auckland season at the Strand Theatre to-morrow, are more poignant than any others which have yet been ' filmed. "Seventh Heaven'' is an adaption of the great stage play by Austin Strong, who. by the way, was a journalist in Xew Zealand. For some time. Strong was in Wellington, where he finished his studies. Later he took up landscape work, and he planned the architecture and landscape of Cornwall Park, when it was presented to Auckland by Sir John Logan Campbell. 1 "Seventh Heaven" is the story of Chico, a worker in the sewers of Paris, and, as he described himself, "a really remarkable fellow." He had some peculiar wavs, this Chico. Charles Farrell's Chico.is probably the finest yet been given. In his little home in the attic on the seventh floor of a poor house, he was unhappy, until he found Diane. This character, played by Jane Gaynor, is very interesting, and the popular little artist puts into her portrayal work which might well come from a player with years more experience. Farrell started his big pictures with "Old Ironsides,'' which he followed with 'The Rough Riders." "Seventh Heaven" will be supported by a very enjoyable programme Mrs. Eve Bentley's orchestra will plav very enjoyable music. The Strand has just been re~decorated, and the fine carpets which have arrived from England, make the lover one of the most inviting in the city.

THE MUNICIPAL BAND. A programme of popular hand and solo items •will be rendered by the Municipal Band in Albert Park to-night at 8 o'clock, and in Parnell Park to-morrow night at the same time.