AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 198, 23 August 1928, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS.

NEW REGENT THEATRE. Few motion pictures have been awaited with the interest that has attended Paramount's epic of the air, "Wings," and at last Auckland theatre-goers are to have the opportunity to see this production. Its season in this city (which will last two weeks) will commence at the New Regent Theatre to-morrow, and it is a coincidence that on this very date, August 24, the picture will have completed a year's screening, for five sessions a day, in the Capitol Theatre, New York. No matter how much publicity is given to this picture, it could probaibly never be made clear to readers how most of the scenes in this film were made, nor how the apparently insurmountable difficulties were finally overcome. The story of its production would fill a whole book. Aerpplanes had to be mustered, officers brought from Europe, experts employed to assure that even the smallest detail was correct—even the weather had to be consulted; there was much delay as the director had often to wait for a suitably cloudy day to film a number of the air scenes. There is very little interior photography in "Wings," and it is a tribute to the director, William A. Wellman, that he has made such a fine picture with very little help from the modern scientific equipment that plays such an important part in the production of films. A feature "of the screening of the film at the New Regent will 'be the synchronised sound presentation, in which there will be distinct sounds to represent the droning of the Allies' 'planes, that of the enemy 'planes, that of a 'plane "idling," and that of the rattle of machine guns. A special music score will be rendered by Mr. Maurice Guttridge's Operatic Orchestra, and there will be suitable supports. MAJESTIC THEATRE. George Meeker, a new star, heads the cast of "A Thief in the Dark," which will have its initial Auckland screening at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow. A Fox production, the picture is not only of the "thriller" type, but it is trimmed with humorous situations that offer endless possibilities for the artists to provide what might well be cadled "a first-class mystery comedy." It deals with the personalities and methods of a gnng of circus side-show crooks, who employ spiritualistic tricks in locating loot in a small village. Seances, ghosts, sliding panels and secret passageways all add to the weird atmosphere which predominates, and thirty trick photography "shots" were designed by the technical director, to make the film even more "spine-tickling." Supporting George Meeker, there are Marjorie Beebe, Gwen Lee, Doris Hall and Michael Vavitch, a noted Russian actor. On the accompanying programme there will be an interesting Majestic News, a delightful short comedy, a scenic of the Auckland Zoo, and a clever Aesop Fable cartoon comedy. The entertainment will be complete with enjoyable music from Mr. John Whiteford-Waugh's Majestic Orchestra. This combination will play an introductory march and "Ruy Bias" (Mendelssohn) is an interlude. STRAND THEATRE. Mr. Rudall Hayward's latest New Zea-land-made picture. "The Bush Cinderella," will have its world premiere at the Strand Theatre to-:r.orrow. Most Aucklanders are already acquainted with a number of facte concering the film. Daia Austen (Miss New Zealand 1927) is the star, and opposite her is Cecil Scott, who cam? to Now Zealand with "The Diplomats." Al Mack, another member of "The Diplomats" company, is also in the cast, having the role oi the comedian. Many of the scenes were in Auckland, and the fight on the boat Tckoa, and the

"marriage"' of the star and her leading man in a small church in Devonport were quite the subject of the city's talk for a week or so. Beautiful scenes of typical New Zealand bush beauty are contained in the production, an<l it is in this department that Mr. Hndall Hayward appears to have been most successful as far as photography is concerned. It must be said in his favour that he had none of the wonderful scientific paraphernalia which enables American and Continental producers to make such technically perfect pictures, nor has he the elaborate studios with their blazing Kleig lights to produce such marvellous effects, but with the meagre equipment at his disposal he has made a film of which New Zealand might well be proud. The film will be accompanied at the Strand by an atmospheric prologue, a Strand Magazine, a cartoon, and a scenic entitled "Beautiful Tasmania. ' Eve Bentley's orchestra will provide an enjoyable musical score, and will also play an orchestral novelty, "Round the World."

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. The '"Leaue of Notions" Revue Company is etill drawing large audiences to St. James' Theatre, where nightly the company stages a delightful bill. ' Syd Beck has proved himself one of the most popular comedians yet seen in Auckland, and Queenie Paul's singing has won her countless admirers. Linn Smith's jazz band provides a short entertainment, which is a feature of the programme. Booking arrangements are advertised. EMPRESS THEATRE. After drawing large houses to two sessions every day for eight weeks in a Queen Street Theatre, "Ben Hur," Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's masterpiece, is still high in public favour, and is now being screened for an extended season at the Empress. Some idea of the magnitude of this film may be gathered when it is known that millions of pounds were spent before the producers were satisfied with their work. It was the late Mr. Marcus Loew who first decided to picturiee General LewWallace's wonderful story but two versions did not meet with his approval, and both were scrapped. It is regrettable that lie did not live to see the third and final picture completed—the dream of a lifetime realised. It is sufficient to saythat in picturising this wonderful 6tory, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer have adhered closely to the original, and have turned out a production which must go down in film history as one of the best pictures released from America. Ramon Novarro plays the title role excellently, and Mav McAvoy is charming as Esther, but careful critics would probably award the honours for acting to Francis X. Bushman for his characterisation of Messala, the haughty Roman, once the friend of Ben Hur, later his deadliest enemy. Good supports complete the Empress' programme.

HIPPODROME THEATRE. The change of programme presented at the Hippodrome Theatre vesterday includes two first-rate films. "Brass Knuckles," with Monte Blue in the main part, and "Alias the Lone Wolf," with Bert LyteH and Lois Wilson constitute an entertainment of great merit. The former is a powerful underworld melodrama. It is a thrilling and human story full of thrills and excitement. It recounts the rugged adventurers of Zac Herrison, a tenement youth, who is first seen in prison where he has been wrongfully placed, and where he incurs the enmity of an inmate, who bides his time to get even. Grim mystery and sinister shadows embellish the latest return to the screen of Bert Lytell in "Alias the Lone Wolf." This is a \ ivid drama based on the famous novel by Louis Joseph Vance. This is Lytell's third appearance as the lone wolf. In this picture the hero pita himself in a battle of wits against a gang of international crooks in a strange plot, teeming with intrigue and peril. There are thrills i'alore in this production as well as romance. The producers chartered an ocean liner for a trip, placed the cast on board, had it sail part of the way to Honolulu, and then sail back to" Los Angeles, so that the scenes could be faithfully reproduced. The programme should please pieture fane.

LYRIC THEATRE. Irene Rich dances through "The Silver Slave" (which, with "Wyoming," opens at the Lyric Theatre this evening) with an evident enjoyment, a verve and gaiety that carries the idea to its highest point. As a girl, she had been married to a man of wealth, who was much her senior. Eventually he left her with a small daughter and a fortune which was at her disposal until she should decide to re-marry. The child grows to womanhood and starts out in pursuit of a millionaire man-about-town, casting aside the sweetheart of her childhood. Her captivating mother, at her wits' end to prevent the girl from making the same mistake as she herself had done, decides to win the girl's admirer from her, and does so. The girl is furious, and when an earlier lover of her mother enters the story, she sets her cap for him. But the mother "double-err ®ses" this, too. The intriguing situation which finally eventuates is, of course, adjusted as it should be, but before the climax is reached there are a number of delightful complications. Supporting Irene Rich, are Carrol Nye, Holmes Herbert, John Miljan and Audrey Ferris. "Wyoming" is a fine drama, starring Tim McCoy, Metro-Goidwyn-Mayer's Western star. The story is an appealing one, and is even improved by the excellent performance which the star offers. Entertaining supports will also be shown at the Lyric.

PLAZA, TIVOLI, AND EVERYBODY'S. "The Hawk's Nest," Milton Sills' latest picture for First National, opened to-day at the Plaza, Tivoli, and Everybody's Theatres. At the Plaza and Tivoli it accompanics "The Yellow Lily," and at the Everybody's the other big attraction is "Midnight Rose." "Tne Yellow Lily" has been recognised as a "drawing card" wherever it has been screened, and it is one of the biggest "specials" that First National has released during the season. The realistic, exotic flavour of the film is largely due to the famous Hungarian director, Alexander Korda, to whom must also be credited "The Private Life of Helen of Troy." The theme concerns court life in Hungary when that country boasted one of the most colourful and gayest courts on the Continent. When this First National adaptation of Lajo's Biro's play was in preparation, Korda was chosen to direct it because of his familiarity with the locale as well as his success behind the megaphone with other pictures. His first step waj to import props and costumes direct from Hungary, and this degree of authenticity was maintained throughout the production of the film. Billie Dove plays the feminine lead, and opposite her is the clever English actor, Clive Brook. "The Hawk's Nest" is a gripping story of the underworld, and its plot concerns the accusation of an innocent man for murder. Doris Kenyon (Mrs. Mil toft Sills) plays the feminine lead, and the villainy of the piece has been entrusted to Montagu Love. Lya de Putti, who won thousands of admirers through her performance in "Variety," is starred with Kenneth Harlan in "Midnight Rose," a thrilling story of the Gold Coast of San Francisco. At each of the three theatres! there are entertaining supports.

MUNICIPAL BAND'S CONCERT. An exceptionally fine programme was presented by the Municipal Band at its concert in the Town Hall last night. The musicians were in splendid playing form and gave finished readings of the pieces. Wagner's dramatic overture to "Tannhauser" was the principal work performed and it received a masterly interpretation. The sublime music of the Pilgrims' Chant was impressively treated, and the Venusbur;; motive with which the Allegro opens wa6 delicately unfurled. The Hymn to en us which forms the second theme of the Allegro received a dazzling and brilliant performance, the bandsmen continuing with a sustained and impassioned reading of the great choral song, ending with an exalted delivery of the Piu Stretto. \ ery warmly applauded were the performers at the close. The same composers excerpts from "The Flying Dutchman, received an effective rendering Other admirably played numbers were Waldteutels entrancing valse, Sousa's suite, "At the King's Court," and Godrrey s arrangement of popular music from Tschaikowsky's works. Arditi's "II Baccio and The Rosarv"' were effectively rendered by Mr. F. Bowes and Mr. H. C. McLennan gave tasteful performances of flute solos by Kohler and Eilenberg. Wood-tm-de-Findens "O Flower," Clarke's ..d i ®' ue River." and Aylvard's rielo\ ed, It Is Morn" were pleasinglv delivered by Miss Sarah Stagpoole. Mr. Christopher Smith conducted, and Mr. .Leo \\ hittaker accompanied.

GRAND THEATRE. Three big pictures are included is fU programme which has been arranged f» the change at tje Grand Theatre morrow. The principal attraction win be "If Youth But Knew,." a British pictm! isation of G. K, Spiers' daring stage nk> Godfrey Tearle, Lilian HaJl-iiavis, tcJS* ham Standing and Mary Odette head 5> cast. Mary Pickford's latest picture, "]!• Best Girl," and "Across to Singapore** starring Ramon Novarro, with Joan ford, are also on the bill.