AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 177, 28 July 1928, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE

The new programme presented at the Majestic Theatre last evening provides an exceptionally bright entertainment. On stage and screen there is clever comedy, and the orchestra, under the baton of Mr. J. W hiteford-Waugh, played pleasing selections from ( Rio Rita" as an interlude, in addition to rendering an attractive score of incidental music, which materially assisted in making up a splendid programme. The principal screen attraction, "The Smart Set," is a blend of ch ania, romance aud humour which cannot fail ;o please. Had the modern polo player lived in Persia two thousand years ago, he could have had anything he wanted from a marble mausoleum or a scented harem to a rattling good game of polo with any number aside. Officers of the Tenth Hussars are said to have reintroduced the game into India after centuries of disuse, with four ponies and four riders aside; later they took the game to England, from whence it spread through out the modern world. As Tommy Van Buren, a gilded and audacious male flower of modern aristocracy, Wm. Haines introduces polo to theatre-goers. He also introduces an exceptionally pretty girl, who hates his conceit and cheek, but who is to promise to be his only— always—at the end of a stirring, actionpacked story in which a strong dash of drama adds to the unflagging interest. Abundant thrills, colourful scenes, and many laughable glimpses into the ways of the sporting set as portrayed by Haines make "The Smart Set" one of the smartest pictures of the year. In addition to Alice Day, who plays the.leading feminine role with girlish charm, Jack Holt and Hobart Bosworth give fine interpretations of their important roles. The rest of the cast has been excellently chosen. The supporting picture programme includes the Majestic Magazine, a British Nature film, "Tale of a Dogfish," and an excellent "Our Gang" comedy, which was extremely funny. The children surpassed their previous efforts. On the stage, Mildred and Connie, the Harris Sisters, contributed a bright act of song, humour and instrumental music. Rounds of applause greeted their efforts, and ihey gave recall numbers. This week's programme at the Majestic Theatre is well worth seeing.

NEW REGENT. An enthusiastic welcome was given Miss Dawn Assheton. the English soprano, and Mr. Laszlo Schwartz, violinist, when they made their first appearance at the New Regent Theatre last evening. Miss Assheton by her singing and by her delightfully charming stage manner at once established herself a favourite. For her opening numbers she wore a Spanish costume but later changed into a Hungarian peasant costume, and for her final numbers into a white gown. Her songs included "Una Voce" (Rossini). "Violets," Spanish flower song (Jose Padilla), "Oj Dana," traditional Polish folksong, and "Tragic Tale of Three Little ( hestnuts. ' comic English song. \\ ith violin obligato by Mr. Schwartz she sang "Old Black .Joe." and Mascharoni's

"Ave Maria.'' Mr. Schwartz proved himself a master of violin in two numbers. "Hungarian Love Song"' and '"Balkan Dance. ' both of which he had arranged himself. These_ two artists should have a successful week's season. They were supported at the piano by Mr. Eric Bell. The picture programme is strong and varied. The main attraction is "Something Always Happens," featuring the popular Esther Ralston. It has been arranged so as to produce thrills in abundance. Esther was bored to death by playing chess every evening with the elderly English peer, the father of her fiancee, and longed for something to happen. At an old house full of queer rooms and cobwebs, many things happen. Wilt to say what, these are would be giving secrets away. The liappnings are repeated, taking unexpected turns. One portion of the picture is as full of laughs as others are of grim thrills-.and horrors. 'J he whole makes one of the best pictures that the Regent has had for some time. The supporting programme contains a Doodle cartoon entitled '"The Circus" and a Bobby Vernon comedy. "Sweeties." The Regent Gazette this week contains scenes of the departure of the two American members of the crew of the Southern Cross, Captain Lyon and Mr. Warner, for America. These scenes naturally attracted great attention from last evening's audience. Squadron Leader Kingsford Smith and Flight Lieutenant L Im are also seen bidding farewell to their companions. The Regent OperaticOrchestra under the baton of Mr. Maurice Guttridge supplies appropriate music throughout. Their effects during the screening of the main picture are exceptionally good. The overture this week is "Hungarian Lustpiel."

TUDOR THEATRE. '■Bringing Up Father"' and "The Way of All Flesh" are the two big pictures now- showing at the Tudor Theatre, Remuera. The first is a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer comedy, co-starring Marie Dressier and Polly Moran. The characters are familiar to readers of the "Star" being depicted daily in the McManus comic strip. Jiggs. Maggie. their daughter Ellen, Dinty Moore and his wife are the actors in a matrimonial mix-up, replete with every funny situation known to domestic —and screen —science. As the sisters-in-law, Polly Moran, and Marie Dressier create gales of laughter. J. Farrell Mac Donald, as .Jiggs, also proves an expert at mirth-making, whether he is dodging a rolling pin. extracting his bootless ,foot from a rat trap, or stealthily returning home at 2 a.m.. The interest of a young nobleman in Ellen supplies just the right amount of human appeal, while the family's adventures in society brought down the house. "The Way of All Flesh" is a convincingly human story, interpreted by the brilliant Continental film actor, Emil Jannings, who is shown in his first American success. Belle Bennett. famous for her '"Stella Dallas" portrayal, plays Janning's wife, and Phyllis Haver is the other woman. Silken hose, gaudy clothes, and eyes that flirt, all have a part in showing what happens when a happy, contented married man goes "the way of all flesh." The two big features are supported by an interesting travelogue and Maori scenic. This programme will be replaced on Tuesday by '"The Merry Widow ' and "The Gay Defenders," and on I 1 rid ay by "Alan, Woman and Son."

"A CUCKOO IN THE NEST. ' Halt the reading public, if not more, have • chuckled and ached over Ben _,^ V^ TS joyous "Cuckoo in the Nest," which amusing story skips light-heartedly oyer the thin ice of things shocking, without serious damage to the feelings of those who like their literature that way. Ihe comedy, taken from the book, which H. . staged here on Monday next and three lollowing evenings, and on Wednesday afternoon by the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., .New English Comedy Company, has proved a winner wherever it has been staged. The stage version is said to be more farcical than the book. It is brilliant and clever tare from beginning to end ihe plot is concerned with the false suspicions aroused by a night at an inn. ihe supposed dihnquents are two married people, who are '-bushed" as the result of a motor break-down. Not being married to each other, they have to face a lot of misconstruction before the facts are cleared up. It is a clever scheme. Only four evening performances can be staged of A Cuckoo in the Xest," and on Friday next and three following evenings "Thark" will be staged here for the first time.

MUNICIPAL BAND

The Municipal Band plays at the Zoological Park on Sunday afternoon. A fine programme includes the marches "The British Legion," "St. Julien," and "The Big Bus"; overture, 'Martha'; four charming dances from ''The Rebel Maid"; an interesting selection from "Madame Pompadour" and other tuneful items.

STRAND THEATRE. To have made such pictures as "The Thief of Bagdad," "What Price Glory" and "Sadie Thompson" was a piece of work 3 which only an experienced director like 3 Raoul Walsh cfould have done. Now this x master producer offers the world another brilliant photoplay, "Loves of Carmen," ' which opened at a packed house at the • Strand Theatre last evening. In this film, r two of the chief characters in "'What . Price Glory?" Vicior McLaglen and Dolores Del Rio, again head the cast, anil it cannot be denied that they are even i stronger in their new roles. It is strange . that Miss Del Rio has not yet been actually starred in a picture. McLaglen and Edmund Lowe were advertised as the ■ stars of "What Price Glory?"' and Rod • la Rocque of "Resurrection." Yet in , both these pictures Miss Del Rio, once the coquettish French mam'selle C'har- [ rnaine. then the faithful, lovable Katusha, stole the honours for acting. ; And so it is in "Loves of Carmen." Although the producers have starred McLaglen, as Lucas, the courageous bull ; fighter, idol of all Spain, Miss Del Rio finishes the piece with opinion all in her favour. Such emotions as she displays are seldom seen on the screen. She is at once the alluring Carmen, a gipsy <ril l who broke men's hearts more quickly than they could be mended, and a furious tomboy, biting, screaming, scratching, fighting. In this version, Carmen appears, not as the famous opera singer, but as a wild gipsy, and it is obvious that into this character Miss Del Rio has put the very best of her work. But while so much praise is due to her, there are others itx the piece who must not be forgotten. It is difficult to imagine the Captain flags of "What Price Glory?" and Giant Boze Kilkenny, of "Mother portraying Lucas, the toreador, successfully, but Victor McLaglen gives a splendid performance,.as also does Don Alvarado as the weak Don Jose. Adoring Carmen, yet furious at her humiliation of him. From its opening, the story is fascinating, and the tense appeal which it holds is maintained until the final tragedy—the awful fate of Carmen, just as her brave toreador conquers in the arena—ie reached. There are splendid scenes of bull-fighting, and throughout the production, lavishly beautiful scenes are painted. With "Loves of Carmen"' at the Strand, there is a fine atmospheric prologue, produced by Mi.-s Bettina Edwards. "Toreador' well sung, and Miss Edwards' dancing completes a good presentation. Eve Bent!ey's Strand Symphony Orchestra offer* appropriate music througout the entertainment, which also includes a Strand Magazine, with the latest events of importance from overseas, and an interesting Natur" film, showing the strange friendship between a London girl aud animals at the city's famous zoo. "BUNTY PULLS THE STRINGS." To another crowded house "Bunty Pulls the Strings" was given its penultimate productfon in the Town Hall Concert 'Chamber last night, under the auspices of the St. Andrew's Society. As an interpretation of Scottish life of its time, some eo years ago. the comedy was very faith- I fully presented, and the artists sustained their respective parts with much credit. The production has had a remarkable run of success, and to-night's farewell presentation is likely to be a fitting finale to the promoters' efforts. JASPER'S LIMITED. The band of local entertainers so well known as Jasper's Limited will visit Ponsonby on Monday evening next when they will give a first-class entertainment in All Saints' Schoolroom. Church Street. Plenty of fun and frolic may be expected wherever Mr. Calder and his happy band goes. One of their star choruses this year is "Jasper s Medley." Individually and collectively the company provides excelent turns. The proceeds from the entertainment are in aid of the Children's Oueen in connection with the Queen Carnival being held in the "All Saints' parish.

CONCERT AT NEW LYNN. An excellent and successful concert was given in St. Thomas' Hall, Lynn, by Mr. and Mrs. Cyril Toweey, in aid of the Presbyterian Church funds, and Mrs. Towsey were ably assisted by Mrs. Parry, Misses Atkinson and Higham, and Messrs. Atkinson, Bree, Flood and Hawkins. All the artists were enthusiastically encored. DANCING. Another enjoyable evening has been arranged for the Dixieland Cabaret, Point Chevalier, this evening. All the latest dance hits will be played by the new Dixieland dance band, and patrons are assured of a good entertainment. Clyde How ley's band will provide the music ior the first-class entertainment to be held in the Click Clack Cabaret, Rialto Buildings, newinarket, this evening. Several innovations will be introduced. The usual Saturday night dance will* be held in the Masonic Hall, under the direction of Mr. George Williams, this evening. Old-time dances are held every Wednesday and Saturday evenings in the Municipal Hall, Newinarket, under the direction of Mr. D. Mayes. The Parisian Dancing Club will present another special evening to-night in Kitchener Hall. Ihe orchestral novelties and humorous masks will provide patrons with something new.