AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 96, 24 April 1928, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

NATIONAL AND LYRIC. 3 Another entertaining double-featuri bill of fare has been arranged for the change of programme at the National and Lyric Theatres on Thursday. Heading the bill, there will be "The Sharpshooters." a William Fox production, which stars that popular athletic player George O'Brien and Lois Moran. O'Brien, whose last starring vehicle was the hilarious comedy; drama, "Is Zat So?" has another suitable role in this film, and he plays it to the best advantage, while Miss Moran, who was cast in "Stella Dallas," also gives a strong portrayal of the difficult part that has been entrusted to her. "The Lovelorn," a MetroGoldwyn-Mayer film, will provide the chief support at both theatres. Sally O'Neil, Molly O'Day, and Larry Kent head the cast. There will also be good smaller films, among which are an interesting newsreel showing the most recent events of importance from overseas, a laughable short comedy, and an entertaining travelogue. PRINCESS AND TIVOLI. "Les Miserables," the picturisation of Victor Hugo's great masterpiece, will head the new programme to be screened at the Princess and Tivoli Theatres on Thurs-

day. It is a Universal-Film de France production with Gabriel Babrio in the role of the immortal Jean Valjean. His role is a difficult one to portray, but he is said to make the part exist. The early scenes depicting the convict life of Jean Valjean were filmed at the convict prison of Toulon, France, and the others at Digne, Montfermeil, Montreuil-sur-Mer, the actual towns in which the scenes are laid in the novel. "Sets" were avoided as much as possible although these ha dto be built for the incidents occurring in Paris. These sections of the city were reconstructed as nearly as possible as they appeared a century ago. Three big streets, the Hue St. Denis, Rue des Chauviers. and the Rue Montedour, were reconstructed in the style of 1830. . Old-fashioned houses were also built, and the cafe, known as The Corinthe, which at the time of the story was over three hundred years old. Apart from this film, which has an allstar cast of leading Parisian artists, there is a second attraction, a comedy, "Sunny Side Up," featuring Vera Reynolds and Zasu Pitts. There is in addition a tworeel comedy and the latest topical. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. The continued popularity of Cecil B. de Mille's master-film, "The King of Kings." which on Thursday will enter on its seventh week of screening at Everybody's Theatre, is proof of the film's acceptance by the general public. Whether received with admiration or with controversy, the picture has made a greater appeal to people than -any other which has been produced here. Its attractive qualities are many and varied. Its appeal not only lies in the august and sacred theme with which the film deals, but in the very high degree of technical perfection attained in the production. The Gospel story contains the greatest drama of all time. The tragic scenes, such as the trial and death of Christ, are brought out with stern reality and are contrasted with the more softer incidents ia the life of the greatest man the world has seen. These latter include the blessing of the little children, • the raising of Lazarus from the dead, the healing of the little blind girl, and the protection of the sinful woman from her cruel and shameless accusers. Some parte grip attention because they are familiar and satisfying, and others because of the very novelty of their viewpoint. The Gospel story has a message for all. no matter how familiar one may be with it. The picture also has this message.