AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 69, 22 March 1928, Page 17

AMUSEMENTS.

national and lyric. The doublffeature programme now National and Lyric Theatres, )s one of the best that lu« been presented by the management for a long time Monte Carlo" and "Wolf are the pictures. The star actor in "Wolf l'angs is a dog. The story deals with the u i, the sheep country in Southern Canada. The dog. Thunder, which has proved itself an actor of ability gives an even better display than in hie previous pictures. He was bred amongst a ? wolves. and he grows up to become their leader and their master-mind. There is. fine pw k of 34 dogs in the film. Those Who have leading parts in the story are Charles Morton, Caryl Lincoln, and James (rordon. Monte Carlo," an adaptation of the well-known story by E. Phillips Oppenheim, is the second big attraction. Betty Balfour the brilliant little English actress who is described as England's Mary Picktord, if the *tar, and she gives a fine interpretation of a difficult part. Some of the scenes in the film were taken inside the casino at Monte Carlo, the first time on reeord that a movie camera hap been given permission to work there. An exceptionally good programme of supports, which includes comedies and gazettes, is also shown. "THE KING OF KINGS." T, ile |l ory of the life °f Jesus of Nazareth, Ihe King of Kings," perhaps the most ambitious enterprise ever attempted by the motion picture industry, continues to draw good houses at Everybody's Theatre. Cecil d. de Mule, the foremost figure in motion production, made the film as the realist tion of a life-long ambition. He made it with the co-operation and help of all denominations and sects. Wherever the film has been shown it has been praised by the leading critics. One said:—"Watch the proud, beautiful courtesan in her dazzling surroundings, scorning the leering banqueters, playing with her leopard—and angry at the absence of her lover Judas, and scoffing that a 'Carpenter' should hold him from her—dashing off with her gilded chariot and team of zebras in furious haste, only to be brought up sharp by the cutting contrast of the sordid dwelling* amid which she finds the Master of the Human Judas is ignored. Every wile, every faculty is summoned to overawe 'this Carpenter'—who in His turn does nothing but look through her! Very gradually, but inevitably, those looking at the' screen can sense the gradual melting of the hard pleasure-loving woman—the of the deep' break up, .and she who came to scoff,:remains to pray'! The episode is unforgettably. From then until the film is ended, one looks for the Magdalene, grateful for her increasing devotion and her holier affection." The beautiful musical score which has been specially arranged and synchronised by Mr. Howard Moody, is interpreted by a symphony orchestra specially engaged for the season, which includes Miss Gladys Vincent, Miss Isobel Langlands and Mr. Francis Bate. There are good supports. MAJESTIC THEATRE. , Aileen Pringle, who is one of Elinor Glyn's screen "discoveries," and whose recent picture* include "The Mystic," "Soul Mates" and "Adam and Evil," the latter her first co-starring appearance with. Lew Cody, will again appear with Cody til "Tea for Three," a Mayer screen adaptation ©f the celebrated stage play of the same name. "Tea for Three" will be screened at the Majesic Theatre with the change of programme to-morrow, and shows Aileen Pringle as the fashionable wife of a young business _ magnate who, however, -is extremely jealous of her men friends. She is obliged to deceive him in little things in order to keep the peace, until she finds herself unwittingly involved in a plan of her husband's best friend to "cure" her husband of his jealousy. The action and theme are said to be crammed with highpower thrills alternating with uproarious comedy. Lew Cody takes the part of the jealous husband, and seldom has the sophisticated Cody portrayed such subtle feelings—he is the injured but adoring husband to the last. Owen Moore is at the head of a strong supporting cast which also includes Dorothy Sebastian. There will be the usual fine programme of supports, which include an "Our Gang" cpmedy, with the name "Heebie Jeebie." There will be interesting Majestic News, and a film, "New Zealand News and Views," a particularly good series dealing chiefly with Wellington. "Eve's Review," always full of interest for the • ladies, will also be shown. Mr. J. Whitford-Waugh's Majestic All Soloists Orchestra will play delightful music, and will give as an overture selections from "Sunny," a musical comedy soon to be seen in Auckland. REGENT THEATRE. Admirers of Adolphe Menjou will see him in a role much to his liking in "A Gentleman of Paris," which will be the big feature at the Hegent when the new programme is screened for the first time to-morrow. There is a piquancy about Adolphe Menjou's work that makes a wide appeal, and in this picture that intriguing element is clearly emphasised. Of scandals there are several, and in the attempta of the debonair Adolphe to make things run smoothly, and to mend hearts that have come perilously near to breaking, there is entertainment full of spice. The Parisian atmosphere has been caught and held in a singularly happy manner, critics have said, and there is comedy in plenty. The ladies who have figured largely in the affection of their idol make a lot of fuss when Adolphe would bid them adieu, and in striving to make them all happy without bringing suspicion on himself he encounters no end of trouble. Prominent among the distressed ladies is the wife of his scheming valet, Nicholas Soussanin, but this fact is not revealed till the action has carried Adolphe into a whirlpool of complications. Moreover, the valet turns out to be something of a villain, and what drama there is in the story is almost solely due to his machinations. "A Gentleman of Paris" is a devil-may-care romance, full of gaiety and youthfulness. Shirley O'Hara makes a successful, debut in a .role which gives much scope for her talents. A full programme of bright supporting films will be screened, and Mr. Leslie Harvey will play several new numbers on the Wurlitzer organ. STRAND THEATRE. To-morrow "Sorrell and Son," th« great British production, will start on its fourth week of screening at the Strand Theatre. The film still draws large audiences at every screening, and it deserves to. Based on Warwick keeping's famous novel, the picture has won the praise of critics and public alike as a faithful dramatisation of a remarkable book. Several episodes have been altered for motion picture purposes, some have even been omitted, but the profound tragedy of the main theme has been preserved in its entirety by the skill lof the director, Herbert Brenon. Another remarkable feature of the screen version is the success with which the intrinsic ally English atmosphere of the story has been retained by an undei standing choice Of settings and very artistic photography of the modern type. The cast, headed by the veteran actor, H. B. Warner, is a powerful one. Mr. Warner plays the part of Captain Stephen Sorrel 1, in which there is so much pathos that a lesser actqr would inevitably become maudlin, with a restrained strength that makes him, as the. author .intended, the central figure of the story. Nils Asther, who is new to Auckland audiences, fills the role of Christopher, the young man, and ; Micky Mcßann portrays Christopher at school. A nne contrast to the nobility of the chief characters is provided by Carmel Myers, as the mistress of the Anchor Hotel, who persecutes Captain Sprrell almost beyond endurance when he is working as porter at the hotel, and by Anna Q. Nilsson, af the sallow and sophisticated mother of Christopher. Alice Joyce gives an appeal' ing performance as Fanny Garland, the heuaskpfpeF of the Pelican ' Inn, with whom Captain Stephen ft last Mi JwppiiMffc go? 4 programme of supports accompanies the picture.

PRINCESS AND TIVOLI. "The Valley of the Giants." the screen version of Peter B. Kyne'p popular novel of the same name, is now showing at the Princess and Tivoli Theatres. It is an absorbing story of. romance in a lumber camp, set amidst the mighty groves of redwoods in Northern" California. The theme revolves around two rival lumber barons, and the picture gives a very vivid impression of the hard lives the men engaged in the timber industry in America lead. The story by Kyne was an interesting and enthralling one, and in bringing it "to the screen it is said that First National has lost none of the beauty and romance of the original. Its beautiful settings alone make the presentation an attraction above the ordinary. There is conflict, struggle and action throughout, and a thrilling scene is provided in the wreck of a logging train, which plunges down a mountain side into a raging river. The principal role is entrusted to Milton Sills, who excells at characterisations of the more virile types. Other well-known figures who comprise an excellent cast are Doris Kenyon, Arthur Stone, Paul Hearst and George Fawcett. A second attraction is "Wolf Trail," in which a highly-trained dog, Dynamite, who is described as being almost humanly intelligent, appears. EMPRESS THEATRE. "The Teaser," the Universal feature starring Laura La Plante, is the headline attraction on the programme now showing at the Empress Theatre. Pat O'Malley plays opposite the star. It is a breezy tale of a flapper who becomes enmeshed in a domestic scandal through her innocent flirtation with a married man. There is an excellent supporting cast, and the story works Blowly to a fine climax. "Fools in the Dark" is the other featured film. It is a Fox presentation, with Matt Moore and Patsy Ruth Miller in the leading roles. There are many exciting moments in the etory. The aoting of the players k of a high standard, and the work of Tom Wilson, the negro valet diploma, is an entertainment in itself. There are many interesting items in the supporting programme, which includes .lie latest gazette and a laughable comedy.- > TOWN HALL CONCERT. Bandmaster Christopher Smith presented a fine programme of music for the Municipal Concert in the Town Hall last evening, which was attended by a moderate audience. It opened with a capital rendering of Mozart's grand march from the opera "Idomeneo." This was followed by Schubert's overture to "Rosamunde," which received an enjoyable interpretation. The Andante was treated in a nicely sustained manner; spiritedly given was the Allegro Vivace, the inner music %yas clearly presented, and the rich chording by the basses of the full harmonies was of organ-like timbre. The movement, in com-pound-duple metre, was played with fine impulse and sonoriety in the rich harmonies, and the Finale was brilliantly executed. The initial movement from Franz Schubert's Symphony No. 8, in B Minor, which is a widely-loved instrumental composition, containing some beautiful changes in orchestral colour, found the executants well equipped to exhibit the prominent features of the music. The basses led off impressively, higher voices entered afterwards with .a delicately exposed pizzicato semiquaver figure, and subsequently the lovely cantabile melody announced by the wood-winds was expressively'played; after the brief development of this theme the .fascinating subject was sung with mingled tenderness by different, voices of the band. The wood-winds and horns in their transitional passage, modulated effectively, whilst the syncopated writing and sustained harmonic were deftly handled. Some fine contrasts were secured during the reading of the tonepoem, and the Coda, which is built of material from the principal subject was suitably presented. Montague Phillips' "The Rebel Maid," which contains many beautiful ideas, was presented in a style whiph worthily displayed the modern idiom of the work. After ea«h item the musicians were warmly Messrs Bowes and McLennan gave witfeiuccees soloe by De Beriot and Kohler respectively. Sullivan's "Brightly Dawns" and "O Hush Thee" were pleasingly rendered by the Orpheus Quartet, and vocal solos were tastefully sung by Miss Beryl Smith and Mr. J. Simpson. Mr. Whittaker accompanied and Mr. Christopher Smith ably directed the concerted pieces. LITTLE THEATRE SOCIETY. The stage settings of "If," Lord Dunsany's play to be produced ,by the Auckland Little Society on March 28, will be by a long way the most elaborate scenes that the society has attempted to deal with. Ten changes will be necessary for this production. Mr. Kenneth Brampton and Mr. Arnold'.Goodwin, ably assisted by Mr. T. V. Gulliver, have spent a considerable amount of-, time on designing the settings. As many as four changes take place in one act, so it will be seen that this ambitious presentation will tax the resources of the stage management to the utmost. The lighting will be of considerable importance, and a great deal of time will be expended in this direction to get the desired result. The society is fortunate in having the services of Mr. Goodwin's undeniable ability. He has made a considerable study of art direction and stage settings. Members may look forward to seeing some excellent work when "If" is staged. v. j —M —