AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 77, 31 March 1928, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. A story of the Napoleonic wars, with the rumble of the cannon reduced to one sub-title, "Quality Street," the film adaptation of Sir James M. Barrie's tale, heads the new bill at the Majestic. It delighted a large audience when screened for the first time last night. Breathing the very spirit of romance, it is a singularly beautiful picture, depicting with great faithfulness the life and outlook of those leisurely days of lavender and old lace, stage coaches, scarlet jackets, and genteel ladies. The love interest is sufficiently strong to overshadow all else in the simple, if fascinating, plot. Conrad Nagel, in the role of the chivalrous "Dr. V. 8.," who goes off to the wars, leaving his sweetheart lamenting, only to return and find her still the same despite the lonely years, has an eminently suitable role. Miss Marion Davies, usually seen in more skittish parts, plays to perfection the sweet young lady of Quality Street. The other characters in this old-world romance are all portrayed convincingly, not least the garrulous busy bodies who scent a betrothal all too soon. Picture lovers who are satiated with sex-appeal plots and modern comedy-dramas will find in "Quality Street" a really beautiful film, in which attention to detail has created old-fashioned homes, cobbled streets and other familiar scenes of the times. The Majestic Quartet, in a vocal prelude, entitled "A Corner of the Officers' Club," was enthusiastically recalled last night, their melodious part songs of a martial nature meeting with ready appreciation. A comedy with a laugh in every sub-title, a newsy "Majestic Magazine," and a New Zealand Publicity Office scenic, showing a Hawke's Bay sheep station on a busy day, complete the programme. An overture and incidental music by the Majestic Orchestra are not the least enjoyable features of a thoroughly good programme.

NEW REGENT THEATRE. Although during the fifteen months the theatre has been open, the Regent stage has • been lavishly set many times, it is doubtful whether it has ever looked so picturesque as it does this week. Round the fine swimming pool which has been let into the floor, there are tables and chairs, shaded by large beach umbrellas and palms—quite the atmosphere of a fashionable seaside resort. Several fine lady divers have been attracted by the Regent's diving competition, and last night's packed and enthusiastic audience was treated to some first-class exhibitions. Heats will be held all through the week, and next week, semi-finals and finals will be staged. Judges are appointed by the Auckland Centre of the New Zealand Swimming Association, under whose auspices the contest is being held. Of last night's competitors, Miss E. Tilsley was placed first, Miss L. Gibson second, and Miss K. Legge third. When Clara Bow's last picture, "Hula," was released, it was thought by many that the popular comedian had reached her limit, and that her following vehicles could be more enjoyable was deemed impossible. But the "madcap of the screen" easily surpasses all her previous performances, by her work in "Get Your Man," the stellar attraction of the change of programme at the Regent. Most of the action of this intriguing love story, takes place in an old French chateau, but many of the most humorous parts of the story are enacted in a waxworks museum in Paris. It is here that the two young lovers of the plot meet, and from here the girl follows her sweetheart to the castle where he lives, and where he is to be married, according to the wishes of two fathers, to a girl to whom he has been bethrothed for 17 years. To "get her man," the heroine has a hard task, but the ruses which she conceives are decidedly clever, and keep the audience interested until the final fade-out. With the film, there is a fine accompanying bill. Of this, the comedy, is supplied by "Scared Pink," an hilarious Jack Duffey farce, and another good "Inkwell Imps" cartoon. Interesting shots of the welcome in Sydney to Bert Hinkler, after his great flight from England, are the pick of several fine news scenes in the Regent Review. "The Rosary" and "Waters of Minnetonka" are Leslie Harvey's numbers at the Wurlitzer organ; encored last evening, he played "The Doll Dance." Enjoyable incidental music, which included a pleasing medley, and Rossini's "Italians in Algiers" as an entr'acte, is played by the Operatic Orchestra, under the capable conductorship of Mr. Maurice Guttridge; it was particularly well received.

STRAND THEATRE. After an absence of over two years Charlie Chaplin has returned to tickle the ribs of his admirers. Charlie, with his bowler hat, stick, over-size boots, absurd little walk and everything that made him famous when he first shufflled hie way to the throne of mirthdom, is with us again, and there was a capacity crowd of his subjects to give him a fitting welcome when he made his return at the Strand Theatre last evening. Chaplin is known the world over and there is not a youngster under the sun who would not crawl a mile to see him, and for this reaison it was not surprising that the big crowd at the Strand last evening contained a large percentage of "small fry." Chaplin's latest picture is "The Circu6," but the title is of little importance. To the average picture-goer it is sufficient to know that the picture has for its star the popular Charlie. Auckland last saw Charles in "The Kid" and "Shoulder Arms, and remembered him for many a long day afterwards. But that was months ago. and the comedian's return has been hailed with delight. The shrieks of laughter heard in the theatre last evening would indicate that Chaplin's throne is as steady as ever; his subjects are as loyal as they ever were. A United Artists production, "The Circus" comes to Auckland as a refreshing breeze, for there are few comedians who can set a house rocking as can Chaplin. As usual Charlie makes Ins appearance as the out of pocket do\yn on luck, wanderer. A false accusation of theft sends him tumbling headfirst into a circus. Charlie, as a clown, at?™, Ca w notll ' n S but the ringmaster's 88 a pr °P eTt y man who. among other things, upsete the magician's table to release a whole army of rabbits and guinea pi ge , he is hailed by the crowd. The circus gives Charles countless opporITa IV ■ f reate hie inimitable humour and the picture can readily be classed among his best. The "Tiny Tots Circus " staged by a band of Madame Valeska's clever little pupils, provides a clever and amusing prologue t0 the main picture ? exporting programme is untho OM e p ong ; fi lm » "Memories of I ' W ln itse,f worth the price of admission, and last evening's attendance showed its appreciation In I long round of clapping, ft is a picture that is every bit as interesting to the man who has travelled as to his less fortunate brother, who has not been outside the Dominion. The Strand Symphony Orches"Pot m pourrf." mCt hit iD the o^re,

MUNICIPAL BAND. *iS e pI U L nicipal ? an 2 P la >' B at the Zoolon'nWt a « n day at 3 o clock. A fine programme includes th#* selections Mikado" and "The Rose of ?£u Sla W bnght m archee, dream picture vr v Bri gade," cornet solo by Mr. Fred Bowes, "Emmet's piccolo solo, The Wren," by Mr. McLennan, and other tuneful items. T n the Town Hall on the same date at 8.30 p.m. the band will play a musical recital' including Light Cavalry" overture, "Lomdt? 1 ! on ' f° l,r dances from "The Rebel Maid," "Birds in the Forest," a duet for two cornets by Messrs. Bowes and Morgan, bright marches and other interesting numbers.

GRAND THEATRE. Film producers could hardly have chosen a better subject for a picture than Warrick Deeping's wonderful novel, "Sorrell and Son." The film is being screened at the Grand Theatre, after a long run at the Strand. That talented artist, H. B. Warner, plays the father, an army officer, who returns from the war to find that the world is not very kind to old soldiers. Others in the exceptionally fine cast are Alice Joyce, Anna Q. Nilsson, Carmel Myers, Louis Wolheim and Norman Trevor. Micky Mcßann plays the son in the opening scenes, and later in the film the part is taken by Nils Asther. Mary Nolan portrays his sweetheart.

LUNA PARK. There is now no charge for admission to Luna Park. All the novelties, the scenic railway, the scenic river caves, the whip, the dodge-'ems, the caterpillar, the joywheel, the merry mix-up, the fun factory and the goofy house have good followings, while the Palais de Dance is still popular. The sideshows, too, of which there is a good variety, attract large numbers. From the promenade, where refreshments can be served, patrons can watch all the Park's novelties working.

DANCING. The management of the Boston dances in the Scots Hall announce the final event of a jazzing competition as a special feature of this evening's entertainment; Some of Auckland's best dancers are competing. The lighting effects in the'hall should make the event very spectacular. There will be another first-class dance at the Click Clack Cabaret, Rialto Buildings, Newmarket, to-night. Music will be provided by a good band, the Slyvans, and will include all the latest fox-trot hits. The cabaret is now under the management of Mr. G. Thorpe, late of Melbourne.

Another enjoyable dance will be held by the Parisian Dance Club in the Kitchener Hall (until recently the Society of Arts' Hall), in Kitchener Street. The Orpheans Band, of eight, under Mr. Laurie Paddi, will supply the music. The usual Saturday night dance will be held in the Mission Bay Cabaret, Kohimarama, this evening, with music by. the Aloha Jazz Band. The dance arranged for to-night by Mr. George Williams, will be held in the Masonic Hall. Old-time dances are held every Wednesday and Saturday evenings in the Municipal Hall, Newmarket, under the direction of Mr. D. Mayes. Luna Park's dance floor is one of the most popular rendezvous in the city. Patrons are assured of an enjoyable entertainment. The Saturday night entertainment at the Picturedrome at Milford has become more popular than ever since the introduction of the special combined ferry, bus and amusement ticket, procurable at the Ferry office. The management caters specially for dancing, with a fine large floor, one of the most up-to-date jazz bands (Fred Tremain's) and a hall that leaves nothing to be desired in decoration or lighting.