AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 257, 30 October 1928, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

NATIONAL THEATRE. Rex, the wild horse, is seen at the National (late Embassy) Theatre in his newest picture, "The Devil Horse," which, though as dramatically potent, is said to be far more spectacular in production than his previous productions of "The King of Wild Horses" and "Black Cyc- j lone." In "The Devil Horse" Rex is a ! wild creature who, first meeting cruelty ; and tragedy at the hands of Indians, grows up with a hatred for the Indian i smell. Whenever it comes to his nostrils his wild heart is filled with fury and the 1 desire to stamp it out. So maqj- Indians I have been attacked by him and killed by his terrible hoofs that, to them, he is a supernatural creature —perhaps an invention of the white man to torment and «lay them. So they secretly plan warfare against the white people at Fort Baldevin, to whom Prowling Wolf, a young chief of the Spotted Horse tribe, offers a treacherous friendship. It is also his plan to j take for his squaw the daughter of the j commanding officer of the fort. Prowl- j ing Wolf and his braves plot well, and yerything would have been in their ] favour but for the Devil Horse, who turns j four-footed avenger. Rex is also quite a ! "eheik" of the wilds, winning the beauti- j ful grey mare, Lady, and fighting off the j terrible Killer, again played by the spotted stallion with the wicked-looking black I eye. The human characters in the story j of "The Devil Horse" are portrayed by Yakima Canutt, Gladys McConnell, Robert Kortman, Roy Clements and Fred Jaekman, junior, the young son of the director of this and other Rex pictures. The accompanying attraction is "The Jade Cup," a new mystery drama starring Evelyn Brent. The sinister influence held by a Chinese vase over the life of its possessor forms the background for this baffling story. STIFFY AND MO WITH REVUE. There was quite a good house at St. James' Theatre last evening to welcome Stiffy and Mo and their "Whirligigs" Revue in the programme which they have arranged for the coming week. The new bill, like those which have gone before, is full of bright music, clever dancing and the usual portion of comcdy. One of the features this week is the artistic frocking of the Radio Six. Perhaps the most enjoyable item on the bill was that given by the Charleston Symphonic Six, who rendered both jazz and classics. Their "switch," operatic gems was a clever piece of work. Stiffy, Mo and "Erb. those three grotesque absurdities, had the audience laughing frequently when they were on the stage. Some of their humour was bright. There was plenty of singing all through the entertainment, notable numbers being "Wonderful Girls." rendered by Peter Brooks and the Radio Six; "Rosie," given in good style by *"Erb and the Radio Six, and "Baby Face," which Amy Rochelle sang with the dancing ballet as an effective background. The trio from "Faust," played by the Symphonic Six and sung by Amy Rochelle, Peter Brooks and Dan Weldon, was given a good reception, the powerful voice of Amy Rochell being prominent. The programme will be presented every evening until Saturday.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE

"Jazz Mad" and "The Cowboy Aviator" are now being screened at the Everybody's Theatre. "Jazz Mid" stars Jean Hersholt, a German musician <=nd composer, who goes to New York to sell a symphony which he has written. He meets with reverses and is forced to iely upon his daughter Elsa. -who works in a flower shop .for support. Later he accepts a position as leader of a comedy jazz band in a vaudeville show. In order to hide his shame he tells his daughter that he has sold the symphony, and he rehearses it nightly. But his daughter soon learns of her father's well-meant deseit, and she arranges to have the symphony played by a famous orchestra, so that in the end the old man has v. - 011 fame. Marion Nixon and George Lewis play the two young lovers in the story. Hoot Grtjson introduces a number of hew stunts in "The Cowboy Aviator"; for many scenes he forsakes his horse for more mechanical means of travelling, and is seen controlling an aeroplane. But it is obvious that he still relies on his horse to help him through with many of the thrilling stunts that are such a feature of the film.

PLAZA AND TIVOLI.

"Hard-Boiled Haggerty" and "Heart Trouble," which head the entertaining bill now being presented at the Plaza and Tivoli Theatres, have but two more days to run; on Thursday thev -will be replaced by "The Cossacks"" and "Thanks For the ; Buggy Ride." "Hard-Boiled Haggerty" is an exciting story which finds the Milton Sills caei as an aviator. Molly O'Day plays opposite him in the principal feminine role, and the two Prove themselves one of First National's most successful co-starring teams. "Heart Trouble i* a delightful comedy-drama in Harry Langdon heads* the cast. Cossacks" is a colourful storv with the tempest of war in mysterious Russia as the background of its action-filled plot. It is John Gilberts latest starring vehicle for Metro-Gold w y n-M aver, and was adapted from the novel by Lyof N. Tolstoi. An interesting point about this film is that it brings John Gilbert and Renee Adoree together a@iin for the first time since their never-to-be-forgotten The Big Parade," which was adjudged the best picture of its year. That clever character actor, Ernest Torrence. has an important role in "The Cossacks" and the supporting players have been well selected. Laura La Plante is the star of Thanks For the Buggy Kide," another light comedy of the type which has made its star famous. EMPRESS THEATRE. .The Six Midget Revellers, pupils of Miss Lillian O Leary, will present a thirtynunote revuette, containing song, dance and ballet items, at the Empress Theatre this evening. The Ngaputi Duo, Island I instrumentalists, will be heard in South oea melodies, and Johnnv Negri, the popular balladist, will be heard in weilOn the picture side of the bilk Code of the Scarlet," Ken Maynard s latest success for First National, will be the principal attraction. *5 I7 an . exciting story of the Roval North-West Mounted Police, and Maynard and his wonderful horse Tarzan are perTWo on i e ***** new role of theirs. There will also be entertaining supports.