AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 254, 26 October 1928, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE.

At the head of the programme which opens at the New Regent Theatre this evening is Pola Negri's latest vehicle, "Three Sinners." It is a dramatic story of a woman's ruined life, brought about by a husband's indifference. It is European in its setting and background, but its subject matter has a human appeal for all the world. Miss Negri is said to have excelled hereelf in her new film. The photography and general presentation is described as superb, and it is said that the vehicle is one of the b«st that the famous actress has ever acted in. There is a strong supporting cast which is headed by Warner Baxter, and which includes Paul Lukas, Anders Randolph, Tullio Carminati, Anton Vaverka, Ivy Harris, William Von Hardenburg and Olga Baclanova. The story revolves round the life of Gerda, Countess Wallentin, whose happy life has been interrupted by the neglect of her husband, a keen politician. The lonely countess falls an easy victim to the ardour of Raoul Stanislaw, a famous musician. Supposedly travelling by train to Vienna the neglected wife is really going in Stanislaw's car, when the train is wrecked, Gerda being reported dead. Afraid to face her husband Gerda disappears and after many adventures marries James Harris, a wandering American millionaire. An unusually fine supporting programme has been arranged, including another popular stage band presentation by Maurice Guttridge. NATIONAL THEATRE. Two entertaining pictures have been arranged for the change of programme at the National (late Embassy)) Theatre today. The principal attraction is "The Devil Horse," a William Fox picture which stars Rex, the "king of wild horses." There is plenty of action in this exciting story, which is enacted almost entirely by horses. The supporting "players" display intelligence that is most unusual, but their performances are completely shadowed by the work of Rex. A charming romance and clever comedy, well blended with the thrilling main sequence, make "The Devil Horse" a wellbalanced story. "The Jade Cup," a baffling mystery drama, starring Evelyn Brent, is th: accompanying attraction. This picture is based on a story concerning a jade cup and the evil influences it held over the life of its owner. There are several twists in the story, and it is not until the very climax is reached that the audience is able to realwe how the mystery was solved in the story itself. Entertaining supports, which include an exceptionally funny comedy, complete the entertainment. PLAZA AND TIVOLI. Milton Sills is at his best in the attraction at the Plaza and Tivoli Theatres this week in a picture called "Hard-Boiled Haggerty," which Wid Gunning produced for First National Pictures. Powerful characterisation, human, and, above all, romance, place "Hard-Boiled Haggerty" at the top of the list of Milton Sills' stellar vehicles to date. Figuring prominently in the romance and drama of the picture is the newest and one of the most promising leading ladies, Molly O'Day. The plot was adapted by Carey Wilson from Elliott White Springs' magazine story, "Belated Evidence," and Charles Brabin directed the picture. It is splendidly staged, has beautiful, quaint and picturesque technical effects and excellent photography. Arthur Stone, Mitchell Lewis, George Fawcett, Yola D'Avril and Lucien Prival are among the principals of the supporting cast. "Heart Trouble," Harry Langdon s latest comedy, accompanies "Hard-Boiled Haggerty at both theatres. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. Sixty thousand people acting as "extras" in one scene of a motion picture was a record-breaking occurrence in Hollywood recently. The event took place during the filming of "Jazz Mad," the Universal picture starring Jean Hersholt, now screening at Everybody's Theatre. The 60,000 people composed a regular audience of the Hollywood Bowl, where the scene was filmed with the famous natural theatre as a background. The tremendous tosk of getting the strip of film is realised when the estimate for electricity needed to light up the amphitheatre and its thousands of faces revealed that the whole city of Los Angeles could be lighted for an entire night with the same amount of power. Over 1000 persons were employed by the studio to assist in directing the audience, handling the lights and operating the many cameras focused on the crowd from different points. "The Cowboy Aviatjf," another Universal feature, which etars Hoot Gibson, is the second attraction at Everybody's. HIPPODROME THEATRE. Irene Rich, starring in Warner Bros' "The Desert Woman," now at the Hippodrome Theatre, was born in Buffalo, N.Y., and educated in St. Margaret's School there. Her life was one of almost nunlike seclusion, until her family went West into the mining and ranch country. Here she married an army officer and lived in Spokane, and afterwards in Honolulu. After the unhappy termination of her marriage, she came to California with her two little girls, and began the career in pictures which has won her such universal affection. She first appeared in "Stella Maris." Not long after shi was signed by Warner Bros, for a longterm contract. Her characterisations are vital and distinct, among them being the lead in "Silken Shackles," "Lady Windsrmee's Fan," "The Honeymoon Express," "My Official Wife," "Don't Tell the Wife," "The Climbers/' and "Dearie," "Ladies Must Dress," a Fox production, ■tarring Virginia VaJti, ia also Mat screened at tho Hippodrome

MAJESTIC THEATRE. With the change of programme at the Majestic Theatre this evening, cornea the long-awaited film "A Certain Young Alan," starring the popular Ramon Novarro. The picture is said to be a great pensonal triumph for Nov air o, and it is said tl< — i * acting is remarkably fine. Tin. suny is a delightful departure from the usual type of romance. "His role iu the film thrown his genius into sharper relief than ever, because his acting and his sheer personal magnetism lift "A Certain Young Man" to a new high level of entertainment. Novarro has a new type of role, that of an aristocratic young bachelor in London, a young lion in the social whirl. In order to find the peace which London cannot give, he goes to the Continent where he meets the right girl, and from tha6 juncture his romantic handling of the unusual story will stir all hearts, especially as the unexpected happens before a thrilling conclusion is readied." That is the criticism of the film by a well-known critic. There is a wealth of fascinating entertainment on the other part of the programme. There is a film showing the work of the St. John Ambulance Association, the latest Majestic News and an "Our Gang" comedy. Perhaps the most interesting of the supports will be "Hie Reconquest of the Tasman," showing the arrival of the Southern Cross. "Dancing Time," a revuette, featuring Koanui and Midget Moselles, is another attractive number. There will be the usually fine incidental music by the orchestra, and they will play as an interlude "Bed Gnome" (Rolleston). STRAND THEATRE. "The Battles of Coronel and Falkland Islands," which has been enjoviug a successful season at the Strand Theatre, will be replaced on Wednesday by "The Student Prince," the screen version of the beautiful musical play to which Aucklanders were treated a few months ago. In this picture, Bamon Novarro plays the title role, and Norma Shearer appears as the girl in the tavern, with whom the prince falls in love. There will be an atmospheric prologue to the picture, a Strand Magazine and "My Lady of Victories," a colour picture, based on the love story of Napoleon and Josephine. Eve Bentley'e Strand Symphony Orchestra will play suitable music, including selections from the score of "The Student Prince." LYRIC THEATRE. 'The Devil Howe," and "The Jade Cmp are the two principal attractions of the new programme at the Lyric Theatre. "The Devil Horse" is a thrilling story starring Bex, "the king of wild horses," while "The Jade Cup" is a mystery drama, in which Evelyn Brent heads the cast. Good supports are also shown.