AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 39, 15 February 1929, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE

Characterised by music of exceptional standard, two strong dramas, and an excellent gazette of topics, hietoiy and travel, the new programme at the Regent proved a moet satisfactory all-round entertainment. Probably for the enthusiastic picture-goer, chief interest would centre in the appearance of John Gilbert and Joan Crawford ae the stars of '"Four Walk," adapted from the stage drama, and packed with thrills, both of action and of emotion. "Four Walls" is based on the redemption of a crook of apparently deepest dye, through a period of imprisonment, during which time an old "Him - " implants in the mind of the young imagination ; g free to range the world—a "tough guy" the simple thought that freedom no mortal organisation can take from him. The arte of Edgar Wa'.'.ace are freely drawn on in the composition of a fast-moving drama of the New York night life underworld. Working oun in the midst of the splendour of the night clube, with their surface gaiety and magnificence, ie seen in operation, the jungle creed of grab and vengeance among rival gangsters in successive thrills. Comes tragedy, ewiftly averted at the climax by the leaven of good unexpectedly acting in the worst elements, to convert tragedy into comedy, with linal eurprke twie'j— and a happy ending. "Four Walls" ehowe John Gilbert and Joan Crowford at th a ir best. A faet-moving, and satisfactory story of the prize ring, "The Main Event" is a British production, in which t\ere ie an ever-recurring note of comedy, an engaging love interest, and a particularly effective fight incident which gripe the spectators. Vera Reynolds, Rudolph Schildkraut and Charles Delauey appear in the chief roles, and the etudiee of character e incidental to modern boxing life are specially well done. The entr'acte provided by the colourful operatic singers, Ruseo and Brodford, ie anoiher excellent feature of the programme. Wonderful volume and colour of tone wae

displayed by them in the opening duet from Verdi'e "Ernani," and the final duet from "II Trovatore," with full orchestral accompaniment, but they were equally happy in a subdued pianoforte duet, "Ji:et a Memory," moet artistically rendered. The orchestration of the entertainment throughout, under the conductorship of Maurice Guttridge, was notable, and the orchestra's special contribution of the evening was an artistic rendition of "Prelude."

MAJESTIC THEATRE

Good presentation, aood programmes, and good music characterise the Majestic Theatre. The bill of fare will be changed completely this evening, but something equally ae good will be provided. "Blindfold" ie the premier attraction. It ie from the pen of Charles Francis Coe, and the film has been produced by Fox. Lois Moran and George O'Brien play the leading roles. It is the etory of a lone policeman'e fight against a band of jewel thieree who have murdered the brother of the girl with whom he ie in love. How he finally gets hie man makes a thrilling story which should lose nothing by ite transfer to the screen. In this picture Lois Moran plays two extremely contrasting personalities. In the beginning of the etory ehe is a demure newspaper writer. Later she suffers amnesia, and is made into a dupe for a gang of thieves, and glitters in the finery and jewels provided for decoy purposes. As a policeman, George O'Brien is playing a role that he has long wished to assume. He should certainly revel in the part, as he is the son of a* chief of police, and was reared in the shadows of the San Francisco police station. This thrilling drama should appeal to the public and the management predict a successful run. The supporting programme has been well chosen. The latest news of the day will be screened by the medium of the Majestic Magazine, and there will be a Ufa Nature film, entitled "Nature's Wizardry," also a comedy. Special attention has been paid to the mueical side, the Majestic Orchestra having prepared an attractive programme. Miss Kate Campion will eing "One Fine Day" from "Madam Butterfly" in a special stage setting. NATIONAL THEATRE. A complete change of programme will be presented at the National Theatre today, the principal attraction being "Avalanche," a story by Zane Grey. The star is Jack Holt, and the picture is said to be even better than "The Water Hole." It ie a story of the new West, and Holt has a virile role to play. Many fine stories have come from Zane Grey. His is the romance of the outdoor, and the latest picturisation of one of his novels is a gripping story showing how a man's courage can be tested. Sacrifice, bravery, and love are all interwoven, the climax being described as "thrilling and fearful." In this screen version of the story, menacing mountains roar their wrath. A whole mountain moves—an avalanche. Indians of the immense. Navajo reservation in North-Eastern Arizona, aided in the screen etory. J. Walter Ruben prepared the adaptation of "Avalanche." He has devoted much of his time to this claw o; picture, and has collaborated or written the screen plays for "The Last Outlaw," "Open Range," "Shootin' Irons," "Under the Tonto Rim," and "The Vanishing Pioneer." Baclanova, former star of the Moscow Art Theatre, is the Russian actress who braved the hardships of pioneering to make thie entertaining film. There will be a strong supporting programme, and the musical items have been specially selected. "Avalanche" should appeal as something different to the general run of pictures.

LUNA PARK. At Lunn Park to-morrow afternoon there will be a thrilling and exciting act presented by "The Brackens," who open a season at this popular resort. The management have been up-to-date in the installation of every type of novelty conceivable at Luna Park, and now patrons are to be given a thrillinj? and exciting act without any extra expense. The Brackens are announced in the following terme: "Wire walkers, trick artiete, daredevils, blindfold walkers, eharp ehootere, trapeze artiste." They claim to be experts on the tight rope., and carry out all manner of feats 60ft above the ground. The Brackens will commence to-morrow aftermoon, and will be seen each eveninc at 7.30. * *"

DANCING. An evening of firet-class jazz is the attraction offered at the Orange Hall tonight by the Boston Danes Band.

TIVOLI AND EVERYBODY'S. - I

"The White Sheik," which opened a season at the Tivoli and Everybody's Theatres yesterday, is a romance of love and hate in the mysterious Riff country in Northern Africa. Rosemary Tregarthen is visiting eopic friends in Fez, and loathsome advances are made to her by a foreigner. Wandering ont on to the hills she is captured by the White Sheik. To her surprise ehe meets Martengo, the foreigner, who sympathises with her and promises to help her to escape. She diecovers a trick has been played upon her. and crying for help the White Sheik appears on the scene. A duel follows. Martengo is disabled, and following the custom of the tribe, the White Sheik is forced into marrying Rosemary. It ie an exciting etory full of incident, and the cast is well selected. Jameson Thomae as the White Sheik gives a fine performance, and is ably supported by Warwick Ward, who gives an excellent portrayal of the villain Martengo. Lilian Hall-Davis proves again her ability as a screen player, taking the feminine lead. Another attraction is "Taking a Chance," a Western picture full of adventure, romance, comedy and thrills. The story ie from "The Saint of Calamity Gulch," by Bret Harte. Rex Bell is the leading star, and with him are Lola Todd, and a strong supporting cast. Rex takes the part of a stranded cowboy actor, who hitches his star to a preacher, only to find that preaching the Gospel in a cow town is not all it ie cracked up to be. At the_ Tivoli an additional attraction is "Collegians," and at Everybody's "Tarzan." Thie strong programme should be welcomed by patrons of both these theatres.

STRAND THEATRE. Because it is the last picture in which Ronald Colman and Vilma Banky will appear together, "Two Lovers" will be shown at the Strand for another week. On the eve of their separation, the two now-famous stars have been given a story well calculated to leave in the public mind a lasting impression of their finest work. Among lovers of historical romances, Baroness Orczy'e novel, "Leatherface," on which the photoplay is based, has been a prime favourite ever since ite firet appearance fifteen yeare ago. In its literary form, the book was remarkable for the vivid mental pictures its crisp style evoked; on the screen ite stirring incidents are more gripping, and more convincing. Xo worde could do justice to these swift-moving episodes. To be thoroughly appreciated they muet be at least seen; but with Ronald Colman and Vilma Banky, the audience feele and lives through every emotion of their stormy romance. Ronald Colman and Vilna Banky have given to the screen in thie picture something that will make their partnership remembered for many a long day. The title does them an injustice. Less interest attaches to the love ecenes, which are short and restrained, than to the other emotions—patriotism, enmity and fear, which are the driving forces. In the portrayal of these, the partners have excelled all their previous work. The stage prologue, "A Night in Venice," arranged by Mr. Yorke Grey, with Mr. Birrell O'Malley and Mies Mary Cofield as vocalists, is a very fine introduction to the romantic atmosphere of the evening s while the Strand Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Miss Eve Bentley, sustains the effect by carefully chosen and well-played mueic. LYRIC THEATRE. "Red Wine," which opens a season at the Lyric Theatre to-night, is primarily a whimsical yarn of life with strong heart interest, but ie relieved of its solemnity by a golden thread of farcical humour that rune through the story. The action consists of a character study of Charlie Cook (played by Conrad Nagel) a man of middle age, and a pillar of the community, yet sad, because he has forgotten how to play. Irritated by the gibes of his club mates he decides to throw off the yoke of conventionality and to become "one of the boys," enjoying life to the fullest. His first step is to rig himself out like a fashion plate, and then for—wine, women and eong. He finds all three, in spite of the fact that he has a charming wife (played by June Collyer) at home. Ihe life of tinsel, however, quickly palls, and remorse comes in time to save the hero for his wife, and avert a tragedy bharon Lynn, as Charlie's secretary, and Arthur Stone, as the man who contributed most to the husband's delinquencies, both have conspicuous roles. Others m supporting parte are Allyn Warren Jirnest Hilhard, Ernest Wood and Babe Ruth. Another attractive film is "The Romantic Age." in which Eugene O'Brien and Alberta Vaughan play the principal parts. The story concerns the happenings following the love of an elderly husband for a vivacious young girl, and the complications which ensue when the hero's handsome young brother comes to town. The double feature programme will be screened, with full supports, and should be eure of a successful week. "THE VAGABOND KING." Rogue, vagabond, thief, dreamer and poet, the gay and devil-may-care Francois Villon, king of the Park rabble, lifted from the gutter to be King of France for a day, continues each evening at His Majesty's Theatre to hold sway. James Liddy, it) the part of Francois, and the ever delightful Strella Wilson as the Grand Lady send the audience into ecstaciee Their artistry is fine and the beautiful numbers which they sing together are all too few Being a period play, "The Vagabond King" gives ample scope for brilliant costuming, and to this the producers have paid infinite attention. The costumes are gay and spectacular and the court scenes exquisite. One could conceive no greater collection of rogues, cut throats and tavern wenches than the band Jed against the Burgundiane by Villon. Their work as well ae their appearance represent the type o£ the age in which the play is cast. The work of the chorus is of a character seldom heard in comic opera, tho music of the piece at Hues getting close to grand opera. "The Vagabond Kins" will be presented until further notice.

CRYSTAL PALACE. At the Cryetal Palace Theatre Me evening '"Beau Broadway" will be screened. This is one of the beet sporting comedies produced for some considerable time. The principal roles are taken by Lew Cody and Eileen Pringle. An additional attraction k the of Miss Phyllis a well-known Australian contralto, who will contribute vocal items that should help considerably in the evening'e enjoyment.