AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 20, 24 January 1929, Page 18

AMUSEMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE,

"The Forbidden Woman" and "Beyond the Sierras" are the two big pictures which opened their Auckland season at the Regent Theatre to-day. "The Forbidden Woman," a Pathe-de Mille picture starring Jetta Goudal, and featuring Victor Varconi and Joseph Schildkraut, is a film of exceptional dramatic force. The story deals with a woman spy in Morocco and of the love of two brothers for her. The portrayals by the star and her supporting players are artistic and satisfying. Tim McCoy heads the cast of "Beyond the Sierras," a thrilling melodrama. Old California is the colourful background for this story. Speotacular duelling scenes provide the gripping climax to the narrative of California in the days of the proud Spanish Dons. McCoy's acting in the moments of drama, as well as action, show him as a master of characterisation. Sylvia Beecher, Roy D'Arcy and Polly Moran are in the cast. Entertaining supports are also filmed, and Mr. Arthur Frost's Operatic Orchestra plays enjoyable music. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Two famous English stage plays in picture form are included in the programme which has been arranged for the change at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow. The first is "His House in Order," which, Aucklanders will remember, was played in Auckland by Mr. Dion Boucicault and Miss Irene Vanbrngh on their last visit to this city. In the screen version, Miss Talhilah Bankhead, one of the leading artistes of the London stage, is starred. The second picture is "Not Quite a Lady," an adaptation of St. John Hankin's celebrated comedy, "The Cassilis Engagement.' The title has had to be changed for reasons of copyright. This play, a delightful piece of work, was produced by the Auckland Little Theatre Society. Mabel Poulton has the lead in the screen version. Maurice Braddell shares the aqting honours with Miss Poulton. In both these pictures, a decided advance in the standard of British production will be noticed. The third feature of the bill will be "The Toy Shop," a stage interlude produced by Miss Lillian O'Leary and Yorke Gray. Although essentially a turn for children, it will be presented at both afternoon and evening sessions. A Majestic Magazine will complete the bill, throughout which Mr. John Whiteford Waugh's Majestic Orchestra will play appropriate music. PLAZA AND TIVOLI. With a cast including several of the most talented comedians known to the screen, . "Oh Kay!" Colleen Moore's hilarious farce opened to-day at the Plaza and Tivoli Theatres. Vivacious Colleen heads the cast in the stellar role of Kay, her entertaining personality being ideally suited for the character of the independent young English girl she portrays. Such laughable pictures as "Naughty But Nice," "Her Wild Oat," "Ella Cinders," "It Must Be Love," and "Orchids and Ermine" have established Miss Moore as the screen's outstanding cemedieune, and in "Oh Kay" she is said to attain new heights of humour. Alan Hale appears as the detective, and Lawrence Gray plays the male lead. Ford Sterling and Claude Gillingwater are others who contribute to the fun. "Oh Kay!" is an adaptation of the successful musical comedy of the same name. "Poppies of Flanders," a British picture from an original story by "Sapper," is also screened. Jameson Thomas heads the cast and Eve Gray, the beautiful Australian girl, and Malcolm Todd, also have important rolet; •*

STRAND THEATRE. ' It is safe to say that there will be ho advene comment on the actions of German officer, in Fox Films "Foiir Sons"' when it appears on the screen "at the Strand Theatre, commencing to-morrow. And for good reason. Every man appearing in these interpretations ic former member of the German Army. Following director John Ford's stay in Europe, daring which time he spent several months in Germany, it was decided .that, .only ex-ooldiers would be considered for these important atmospheric bits. Numbered among those playefi is His Royal Highness Archduke Leopold of Austria, whose first (screen appearance:' is made in the new Ford production, aad Captain Cart von Haartman, former membercof the German Air Service. In the important roles are Margaret Mann, who plays the stellar role of the grandmother, and Earle Foxe, noted screen comedian, who hurls his coihig;. mask to the winds -in bar characterisation of Von Stomm. Francis 'N. Bushman, jun., George . Meeker, Oharles Morton and James Hall essay roles of Grandmother Bernle's four eons, around whom most of the dramatic action revolves. June Colyer, has the female lead. The supports include an atmospheric prologue, a Strand Magazine, and a eomedy,;.and Eve BentleyV Orchestra plays enjoyable music, j, ' HIPPODROME THEATRE. "Amost a Lady" and "The Bloodhound" are the two features' of the current programme. -at the .Hippodrome Theatre. "Amost a "Lady" stars' Marie Prevost and Hafrison Ford, and is. another delightful comedy-drama of the type which Miss Prevost'a followers are always ready to welcome. Bob Custer is starred in "The Bloodhound," a thrilling Western feature. Custer appears as a sergeant in the famous North-west Mounted Police.

ALFRED O'SHEA. The celebrated Irish tenor, Mr. Alfred O Shea, will give four concerts in the Town Hall, the nights being Saturday, February 2, and the following Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. LUNA PARK. Large crowds still patronise Luna Park every night. All of the attractions, the scenic the scenic river caves, the dodge-'ems, the whip, the caterpillar, the merrymix-up, the joy wheel, the goofy hoiiee and the fun factory, have their followings, and there are always plenty of merrymakers at the Palais de Danse. The side-shows, too, are popular. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. There will be a complete change of programme at St. James' Theatre tomorrow night, when George Wallace and his clever company will present another bright budget of songs, sketches and dances. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. The Crystal Palace, Amalgamated Theatres' new house in Mount Eden Road, will be officially opened by the Mayor of Mount Eden, Mr. E. H. Potter, on Saturday night. A specially selected pro-1 gramme will be presented.