AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 163, 12 July 1928, Page 20

AMUSEMENTS.

EMBASSY THEATRE.

Another fine company has been engaged for appearance at the Embassy Theatre, the season for which opens to-morrow. Heading the bill there will be an entertainment by '"The Eleven Rascals," a whirl-wind act by children, who display wonderful aero batic, trapeze, and tumbling work. Direct from the Tivoli Theatres circuit is Manelli, famous juggler. Comedy will be raided by Bert Harrow, Kffie Fellowes, The Perfect Boy," has an interesting turn to offer, and Leighton and Woodi will present a novel dancing turn The Buchanans will stage "a study in black and a-'jd Keg. Thornton and Doris • be heard in laughable topicali ties. The entertainment will be complete with numbers by Signor Palmetto, tenor and Leo Martin and Marie, noveltv instrumentalists. STRAND THEATRE. Imperial Russia— most brilliant court in the word—with the most beautiful w*omen,„ the moet dashing officers—all the glory or the land of the Czare before the rcYolution. Thie i« the background for Anna Karenina," the romantic new John Gilbert-Greta Garbo co-starring vehicle which opens at the Strand Theatre to-morrow. This Metro-Goldwvn-Mayer screen version of Count Leo Tolstoy's immortal classic, ifi a dazzling spectacle—gorgeous uniforms, glittering costumes, great palaces ol the Russian aristocracy forming a \i\ id setting for the intensely dramatic stor> or a woman torn between twe supreme love*. John Gilbert as the dashing Count Yronsky, endows this romantic figure with a depth of character and an air of reality that is particularly appealing, while Greta Garbo ai the tragic Anna sacrificing all her love, makes the moat of a wonderful role. Mi«* Garbo« scene* with Philippe de Lacey— as Anna s child—reveal a tender and appealing side to this fascinating stare personality that is as unexpected as it is dramatic. Edmund Goulding directed Anna Karenina" with skill and under standing, and a notalble cast hag been assembled in support of the two stare, Well selected supports will accompany the picture. ST, JAMES* THEATRE. Only three more nights of the season a( at. James' Theatre, of "Archie," the bril liant musical comedy, remain; "Sunny' will be staged for the first time in New Zealand on Monday, when the Prince Godden-Morton company will have furthei fields for their talent- "Sunny" is notec for its musical score, which is undoubted)} prettier than that of "Archie." Among the P°P'il ar numbers are "Sunny,' •<Tv t Little Bluebirds" and D you Love Me?" Another feature oi Sunny is the dancing, of which one of the iff i nu ,"! be "," a "Black Bottom" chorui led by Miss Elsie Prince. Booking arrange „ for , tl J e remaining nights ol Arcine and the opening of the "Sunny' season are advertised. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Remarkable for wonderful photography, excellent acting and an exceedingly gripping story, "Metropolis," one of the finest films yet produced by the U.F.A., is still drawing well at Everybody's Theatre. The production i* based on the story by Thea von Harbeu, in which thousands of men and women, all nameless, toil unceasingly, without ambition and without hope at mighty machines in an underground city, controlled by the brain and the wealth of one man. The producers of the picture have followed the theme through the periods of revolution and chaos to the hnal chapter where Christianity enters into the lives of the human machines and brotherhood, understanding and peac« triumph, and in doing so have introduced scenes depicting giant machines working at full pressure, and have fully exploited wonder* of electricity, wiretaps, television and aerial transport. Brigette Helm gives a fine portrayal of tpe dual role of Mary, the daughter and leader of the toilers and of a relentless soulless witch, who very nearlv brings about the extermination by flood of the whole of the people of the vast underground city. PRINCESS AND TIVOLI. Burning Daylight." literally burning with thrills, excitement and tense flashed across the screen at the Princess and Tivoli Theatres to-day as the first showing of its local engagement. Set in the snowy wastes of Alaska, during the period of the gold discovery, when for' tune-hunters trekked northward in theii thousands, "Burning Daylight" tells an epic story of the most romantic era in the last fifty years. Jack London, whose novel is pieturised, was himself in Alaska a< this time, and from his story First National have made a film with all the colour, the drama and the wild excitement for the more intimate tale of "Daythe most reck Jess, the most daring, the most courageous prospector in all the Northland. As "Daylight," Milton Sills sc I've, the characterisation that the story might have been written round the star himselt. Doris Kenyon (Mrs. Milton k-iiis), who has not made an appearancc on the screen for more than a year, ie seen again in the feminine lead. "Won In the Clouds," Universale second film for the flying ace A 1 Wilson, is the chid support at both theatres. It is a thrilling stoiy of the air and the star's many stunts include tail-spins, loops and nosedives, performed high above the clouds. EMPRESS THEATRE. "Flying Romeos" and "Topsy and Eva" are the two big pictures now being screened at the Empress Theatre. "Flying Romeos" co-stars George Sidnev (the Abe Potash of the famous "Potash and Perlmutter" series), and Charlie Murray (who will be remembered as McFadden of "McFadden's Flats"). The two are seen as a pair of "hoboes," who find themselves in a position where every, one believes them to have flown across the Atlantic. They are hailed as heroes, and functions are given in their honour, but their joy is short-lived when they are asked to go up and give an exhibition of stunt flying. They must find some way out of the difficulty, so they engage a man who, when asked if he can fly, repliea that he is Lindbergh's brother. "£he tWo are panic-stricken when, as they are some thousands of feet above the earth, they find that their pilot is an escaped lunatic, ihe fun goes on through the story, and the humour is not allowed to wane until the fade-out is reached. "Topsy and Eva, which is an adaptation of Harriett Beecher Stowe's novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin, stars the Duncan Sisters, and is »j colourful portrayal of the slave-trading ays. HIPPODROME THEATRE. The ever popular Fred Thomson, who has captured the imagination of young and old, is the principal attraction at the Hippodrome Theatre. His wonder horse "Silver King" shows rare intelligence in the film, the title of which is "The Pioneer Scout." Thomson has been offered a small fortune on several occasions for his beautiful pure white Arabian steed, but has always refused to deal. He has just purchased a mate for "Silver," which he is now training. Nora Lane is the leading woman. She has made a spectacular rise to screen fame. She played opposite Fred Thomson in "Jesse James," and won acclaim from the critics. A second attraction is "The Man From Red Gulch," with Harry Carey in the leading role. This is a picturisi»tion of one of Bret Harte's famous stories of California in the stirring year of '49. It is a romantic and thrilling story of the gold rush days in the Sierras—an epic of the golden west wben the weak were forced to the wall and brave men won riches, sometimes death and sometimes love- The supporting cast is strong. Playing opposite Carey is Harriett Hammond, an actress of magnetism. Frank Catnpeau has an excellent character role. Others are Mark Hamilton, Lee Shumway, and Doris Lloyd.

NEW REGENT THEATRE. Mistaken identity forms the basis of the l>lot in "Sporting Goods," -which will have its Auckland premiere at the New Regent Theatre to-morrow. Richard Dix, who is starred, appears as a travelling golf-suit salesman who is mistaken for a millionaire, plunged into all kinda of trouble and is forced to make good to win a rich girl. Dix's recent pictures. "Shanghai Bound" and "The Gay Defender." have been of the drama variety, but "Sporting Goods" ia essentially a farce. One of the comedians who contributes much of the humour of the story is Ford Sterling, who plays the part of a big buyer. Gertrude Olmsted has been entrusted with the leading feminine characterisation and she plays her role with a simpleness that cannot but delight her many admirers. Also on the New Regent's programme are smaller films including a Regent News, a laughable short cotnedy and an interesting travelogue. Enjoyable music will be provided by Mr. Maurice Guttridge's Operatic Orchestra. This combination will also play an overture. TOWN HALL CONCERT. There was an encouraging attendance at the Municipal Band's concert at the Town Hall last night. Mr. Christopher Smith directed the performance, submitted a programme of a varied char-

acter, and secured interpretation® of the works which reflected much praise on all concerned. Beethoven's overture to "Egmorit,'' Op. 84, which shares equal popularity with the "Leonora" overture, No. 3, and 'belongs to the Bon master's mature period, received a display which admirably exhibited the three sections i of tliis noble work. The opening measures . of the drama were unfolded in a subdued ; and sustained manner, and the subsequent [ wistful passages were delicately expressed. • Decisively treated was the Allegro, and i some nice colourings were shown in the , reading of the second subject, whilst the i wood-winds tenderly voiced the modula- • tory phrase leading to the Allegro Con 1 Brio. The symphony of victory was i given with nobility and strength of tone, i the fanfare by the brasses was of telling [ quality, and there was a fine out-pouring . of sound in the working out of the passionate finale. Weber's "Rondo Brilliant, Op. 65, in D Klat Major, was ■ tastefully handled. The performance of the opening Moderato was notable for good part-playing and grace of phrasing. Vivaciously rendered was the subsequent , Allegro, the second theme was treated effectively in a languishing stvle, and . skilfully executed was the development, as was also the episode and new theme, . whilst spiritedly delivered was the coda. , Amilcare Ponchielli's "Dance of the Hours" from the third act of "La Gioconda" was presented in a manner which displayed the charming ballet to the fullest extent. The musicians excelled themselves in the fine performance obtained of Godfrey's "Reminiscences"; specially praiseworthy was the rendering given of the famous chorus "Now Stone Him," !rom The Mount of Olives," the song "Adelaide," and parts of the Ninth and fifth Symphonies. "The Turkish Patrol" and Godfrey's fantasia "All Nations" were admirably rendered selections. Messrs. F. Bowes and H. C. McLennan were warmly encored after their attracgiven instrumental solos. Del Riego's "Slave Song" and "Homing," Bantock'a "Lament of Isis," and Brake's "O Western Wind" were tastefully rendered by Miss Sarab Stagpoole, who has a soprano voice of bright quality. Mr. Leo Whittaker acted as accompanist, and Mr. Christopher Smith ably conducted the band. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Gloria Swanson in "Sadie Thompson," based on Maugham's startling play "Rain," is the main attraction to be screened at the Majestic Theatre, commencing tomorrow. The censor has recommended this film "more especially for adult audiences." "Sadie's" story is one of exceptional dramatic force. It is the narrative of an intolerant individual's insistent projection of his dominant personality into the weak and feminine existence of an outcast girl who is trying to live and let live. Maugham s classic is a drama of tolerance —a colourful, romantic, throbbing story of human souls in conflict. Miss Thompson is the gaudily dressed lady who flaunts a parasol and tilts a high hat feather at a marine as readily as she flares into stinging resentment at self-appointed intruders into the lives of others. Gloria Swanson has said that she likes "Sadie Thompson" better than any other of her char&cterisatious—that she was happiest in acting the part- Humour, wistful and sardonic, sudden and bitter; soul-struggle, exhausting and killing; love, sacred and profane; these are the essentials of Gloria's film as thev were the soul and body of Maugham's stoij Ihe Harris Sisters will be an additional attraction in songs and instrumental music. Supports to the main feature include "Majestic News," "Deaf, Dumb, and D.ffy," a real comic, and , e 8 Review The Majestic Orchestra, under Mr. J. Whiteford-Waugh, will render a special programme. THE SILENT HOUSE. This evening Mr. Maurice Moscovitch, Mr. xv at Madison and the J. C. Williamson. .Limited, supporting companv, will make their final appearance in New Zea"Th» '"s i * thrilling dramatic sensation The Silent House," the Australian premiere of which will be staged in Sydney on Saturday week. "The Silent House has enjoyed the best and longest Auckland previous, y 8t in