AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 123, 26 May 1928, Page 16

AMUSEMENTS.

THE EMBASSY THEATRE,

With the opening of the Embassy Theatre last evening returned a form of amusement that is always popularvaudeville revue. It was an entertainment that had something refreshing about it, and it has come to stay, which is good news. When the Embassy Theatre Company took over the National Theatre they realised that there was one missing in Auckland's chain of amusements, and they sot out to remedy the defect. That they have more than succeeded was last night demonstrated beyond all doubt. The link has been well and truly welded. For ten days an army of workmen toiled night and day, and so completely remodelled the theatre that the four walls were about all that were not moved, and they were so lavishly redecorated that to all intents and purposes the Embassy is a brand new theatre, and one that may claim to be in the front line with the best in the city. And with the initial appearance last evening of the Mildred Harris llevue Company, "The Diplomats," the theatre sprang to life, and a gay life it was, too. Aglow after a sensationally successful season in Australia, the company, under the capable leadership of Mr. Ed. Warrington, has come to the Embassy to present modern vaudeville revue of the highest order. "The Diplomats' " opening programme is one that should immediately win them the hearts of vaudeville lovers, for it is some time since a similar show has been seen round this way. It is a show with pep, and Aucklanders like pep. In a programme of seventeen numbers, "The Diplomats" give something for every taste. In such a varied schedule there are always tit bits, and Mildred and Connie, who boast allegiance with the popular Harris family, have the house with them all the way. They are a duo who present a comedy-mußical turn; both are talented musicians, with Mildred bubbling over with high spirits and original humour, and Connie captivating all with her charming personality. Clyde and Yvette are billed as "smart young steppers," and they ar<» all that and more. Their dancing turn affords a perfect example of the poetry of motion. In "Knuts and Madeira," an original revue,! Bert Gilbert, the male lead of the company, is the most seasick passenger on the good ship "Embassy," but yet he is able to keep the house laughing every minute that he is on the stage. There are three smaller sketches, all good, and the other numbers are of a bright order. Cecil Scot, the dashing junior lead, has a pleasing baritone voice, while Colleen Hope's numbers are tastefully sung. Sam Stern is as good a comedian as he is a character actor, and that's saying something. And another that must not be forgotten is A 1 Mack, a most versatile entertainer, while the Embassy Beauty Ballet is likely to win instant popularity. The musical side of the programme is in the capable hands of Mr. Erie Waters, well known to all Auckland music lovers. MUNICIPAL CONCERT. The municipal concerts will be resumed on Wednesday next, when the Municipal Baud will present a fine and varied programme. no less than twelve composers being laid under contribution. The concert will be notable for the first performance by the band of Beethoven's great' overture, the "Leonore, No. 3." Other fine numbers are the "Silver Trumpets" march, "The Blue Danube Waltz," and a grand selection from Wagner's "The Valkyrie." The vocalists are Miss Beryl Smith and Mr. James Simpson, and Mr. Leo Whit-! I taker will act as accompanist. I

MAJESTIC THEATRE. It is difficult to imagine a funnier picture than "Rookies," yet in "Baby Mine," which opened at the Majestic Theatre last; evening, George K. Arthur and Karl Dane provide sequences which are undoubtedly more laughable than those in their first team picture. While these two artists could provide a first-class entertainment alone, much of the success of "Baby Mine" is due to Charlotte Greenwood, a New York stage star, who was brought to Hollywood especially for the production of this film. Her acrobatic work, and the manner in which she literally "wrecks" Karl Dane in showing her love for her "cave man" in a most unusual style, provides one of the most exciting and most hilarious scenes that have been screened. In this film, Dane and Arthur are not at war with one another; instead, they are the closest college mates, but it seems as though their friendship will end abruptly, when Arthur has Dane married to a plain, stupid-looking girl, while the unfortunate groom is still under the effects of a blow from a stonecracker's heavy hammer. With Miss Greenwood, the two carry the comedy along until the appearance of Harry Earles, a well-known screen dwarf; at Arthur's suggestion, he is dressed like a small baby, to deceive Dane, who has been told that he is a father. The climax comes when the ''baby" is found sitting in a pram, a cigar in his mouth, and feeding whisky and milk to a cat, which has obviously become the worse for tlfce alcohol it has willingly j swallowed. While comedy is the outstanding element of the ■ theme —indeed, it has been stressed—there is a romance running through the story, this being provided by Arthur and Louise Lorraine, as the sister of the girl whose role is taken by Miss Greenwood. Such a picture as "Baby Mine" demands to be accompanied by a first-class supporting programme, and this the management of the Majestic has not failed to provide. Mr. Birrell D'Mallev is heard in two delightful songs; last night his pleasing voice earned him a well-de-served encore. Enjoyable music is heard from Mr. John Whiteford-Waugh's Orchestra, whose overture, "La Blanche Dame," is beautifully played. Among the smaller films there is a wealth of variety, the humour of the supporting bill being supplied in a Lupino Lane comedy. The quaint antics of this clever acrobatic dancer have never failed to amuse the most dour audience, and the film in which he is seen this week is no exception. Glorious views of picturesque Stewart Island are included in the New Zealand scenic, which has been well photographed. More absurdities are seen in an Aesop Fable Cartoon, and the entertainment is complete with a Majestic Magazine, containing shots of the latest events of interest from overseas. THE STUDENT PRINCE.

The Student Prince opera will be staged until next Friday night. On Saturday night next the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., management will present the Royal Comic Opera Company in the brilliant and melodious comic opera. "Madame Pompadour," in which Miss Beppie <le Vries created a furore of enthusiasm in Sydney, and which proved one of the most successful musical plays ever staged in Australia. The music of "Madame Pompadour" is said to be reminiscent of Lehar's melodies, and is greatly helped by the vocal qualities of Beppie de Vries and Mr. Frank Webster, who is the possessor of a rich tenor voice. Arthur Stigant, it is said, has never been seen to better advantage than as Joseph Calicot, a part that gives him opportunities to distinguish himself as one of the finest comedians we have enjoyed. The staging and the ballets, the choruses and the solos, are, it is said, admirable, and the gorgeous costumes and the magnificent scenic ai;e .features, of the, production.

I THE NEW REGENT THEATRE. The artistic atmosphere, and the light, gay and sometimes wicked spirit of Vienna, have been faithfully reconstructed in "Serenade," which opened at the New Regent Theatre yesterday. In this artistic film Adolplie Menjou, the perfect lover, is seen as never before. At the opening he is shown as a struggling and ofttimes destitute young composer, Franz Rossi. TTi« works have met with indifferent success until Kathryn Carver,' in the character of Gretchen, comes into his life and gives him the inspiration of love. Overnight the young composer's operetta becomes a sensation; is presented at the Vienna Opera House, and whistled and sung in every land and language. He marries Gretchen, but fame and adulation turn his head, and he falls a victim to the siren ballerina of the opera played by Lena Basquette. The wife is neglected and she discovers his duplicity. Around this is built the great dramatic situation of the play, and justice triumphs in the end. "Honeymoon Hate," another attraction for the week, is one of Florence Vidor's light comedy-dramas. The story is laid in Venice, the city of romance. The photography is superb, while the wonderful wardrobe of the popular star makes a special appeal to the ladies. William Austin, who takes the role of BanningGreen, gives an eccentric characterisation that keeps the audience in a titter of merriment. The supports are well in keeping with the standard of the entertainment. A miniature musical comedy, entitled "Cher Louise," is included in the programme. Mr. Leslie V. Harvey was heard to advantage in two numbers on the Wurlitzer organ, while the Regent Operatic Orchestra, under the baton of Mr. Arthur G. Frost, was up to its usual high standard. "MOTHER MACHREE." The best-loved sentimental ballad of the last twenty years, "Mother Maehvee," so haunted the writer, Rida Johnson Young, tlrat she was inspired to write her wonderful story of "Mother Machree." And it is from this that Fox Films have adapted their epic of mother love and sacrifice, and brought to the screen a memorable production. "Mother Machree" will be released at the Strand Theatre, where a big season is anticipated. John Ford, maker of "The Iron Horse" and other notable successes, has made this film a labour of love, and has used all his Irish imagination and the soul of his race in making "Mother Machree" the fine picture it is. A great cast of talent interprets this romance, with Belle Bennett, a famous emotional star, in the title role. Victor McLaglen and Ted McNainara, who will be remembered for their work in the big film, "What Price Glory?" appear in character roles. Neil Hamilton and Constance Howard play the young lovers, while Phillippe de Lacey and Joyce Wirard are these young people as children. Eulalie Jensen, Ethel Clayton and Rodney Hildebrand are in minor roles. The Fox company, headed by the director, spent a considerable amount of time in filming the backgrounds in different parts of Ireland. Scenes were taken in Dublin, as well as in the West Coast, and rural Ireland supplied them with some of the most beautiful spots conceivable. Abbeys and ancient castles, quaint rustic nooks, rivers, the sea and waterfalls of entrancing beauty were recorded for the screen by the photographers. MUNICIPAL BAND. The fine musical programme to be presented by ' the Municipal Band at the Zoological Park to-morrow afternoon will include the "Crown Diamonds" overture, the waltz-intermezzo "Beethoven Echoes," a selection from Sullivan's operas and the "1812" overture.

LYRIC THEATRE. "Twelve Miles Out"—with a cargo of romance. Thrills, gasps and the sweetest romance in the world; and "One-Round Hogan," a stirring romance of the ring. These are the attractions of the current programme at the Lyric Theatre, where good programmes are invariably the order. In "Twelve Miles Out" John Gilbert is seen in his best romantic role as a fighting, love-making, death-defying outlaw of the high seas. Outside the twelvemile limit of the law the story sweeps you with rum-runners and hi-jacks, _ angry spurts of flame as pistols speak in the dark. Never has John Gilbert crowded so many thrills into one picture as in this emotional whirlwind adapted from Anthony McGuire's great Broadway success. It's the modern pirate story, more thrilling because of quicker action than the stories of yore; and its gripping drama should hold one during every minute. Monte Blue in "One-Round Hogan" is a thrilling fight picture with a knock-out punch. The best-loved of world champions returns to the ring to score a knockout as the old-time fighter, whose son became the fighting king of them all. It's a story of fighting men and fighting love — a drama of pounding fists and beating hearts. WILLIAM HEUGHAN. The recitals to be given in the Town Hall on Monday, May 28, and Saturday, June 2, are no doubt being looked forward to by the many who heard the actorsinger William Heuglian when he appeared here in 1925. He had amassed considerable fame in many parts of the world before he made his first visit to New Zealand, and he now returns with a veritable cornucopia of acclaim bestowed on him by many of the leading critics throughout the world, London, New York, Chicago, Montreal, Toronto, Sydney, Melbourne—to name but a few —have all given him the highest praise for his art. He is a Scotsman, and chooses to wear that picturesque dress, the garb of old Gaul, which he carries so well. Amongst his most enthusiastic supporters are the Russians, and it was noticeable in his recitals in New York, Chicago, Shanghai, and other cities where there is a large Russian population, that they formed a very considerable part of his audience. With him as assisting artists are Maud Bell, the celebrated English 'cellist, and Gladys Sayer, the well-known pianiste. Box plans for the two recitals are now open at Lewis Eady, Ltd.