AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Issue 265, 8 November 1929, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE,

Despite the widespread publicity that has been accorded the activities of the "rum runners" along the Atlantic coast, who, by desperate methods, succeed in getting huge quantities of liquor into the country from foreign ports, few people realise how widespread are the ramifications of that industry both afloat and ashore and how complete its system of communication, secret service and espionage has become. Much of this is vividly revealed in "Blockade," a gripping drama of the rum fleet's battle with Government forces, which commences a season at the Majestic Theatre to-day with Anna Q. Nilsson in the featured role. Director George B. Seitz has brought to the screen in this production a graphic depiction of the endless warfare that rages between enforcement officers and the outlaws who ply their dangerous trade through storm and stress, under cover of darkness and at the risk of destruction and death from the guns of Government ships. There will be a full, programme of supports. PLAZA THEATRE. Drama, music and song contribute to make "Weary River" a feature film which will be hard to surpass, according to criticisms from other places. In this picture Richard Barthelmess will be heard as well as seen, and he will play the piano in addition. A vitaphone test proved his voice of excellent quality for talking pictures and advance notices predict unprecedented success for his first talkie. "Weary River" is from the short story by Courtney Rylev Cooper, directed by Frank Lloyd. It relates the story of a convict who sings over the radio, wins a parole, becomes famous

and wins the love of a girl. It is a wide departure from anything Barthelmess has done heretofore and offers him the sort of human characterisation in which he excels. The cast supporting Barthelmess is headed by Betty Compson, who recently played the feminine lead in "Scarlet Seas." Others in the cast include William Holden, Raymond Turner, George Stone, Louis Natheaux and Robert O'Connor. In the programme of supports there will be many interesting items. A sound news will be screened, also a "turn" by Anna Case, one of Broadway's stars. Albert Spalding, a world-famed violinist, will be heard, while the Howard Brothers will give a humorous sketch.

REGENT THEATRE,

A double-feature programme will be presented at the Regent Theatre tomorrow. The headline attraction will be "The Pagan," with Ramon Novarro heading the cast. It is a story of the South Sea Islands, with beautiful photography depicting the natives and the beauty of the scenery of the tropics. The director was the same as in "White Shadows in the South Seas," a picture which created a great deal of interest. The second feature, "Divorce Made Easy," brings Douglas Mac Lean again to the fore. It is straight farce developed about a young couple who decided to "frame" a divorce for themselves in order to gain an annuity from a cranky maiden aunt of the husband. Mac Lean is very much at home in the role of the obliging friend of the couple, who volunteers to help them by posing as the corespondent. His sweetheart catches him in a compromising position with the plotting young wife, Marie Prevost, and that's how the uproarious mixups begin. "Divorce Made Easy" is the second all-talking feature length picture starring Douglas Mac Lean to be made in Hollywood. There will be an excellent programme of supports.

NATIONAL THEATRE,

From being the liero of a war-time relief expedition and the protector of a newspaper reporter covering an important underworld assignment, Mash, the Metro-Gold wyn-Mayer wonder dog, is assigned a comedy role in ' Honeymoon," with the inimitable Pollv Moran and Harry Gribbon as the laugh-pro-ducing newlyweds. It is a comedy combination that richly rewards all concerned—including , every audience tor its initiation, and commences a season at the National Theatre to-dav. In the story Flash is a wedding gift presented, by a jilted suitor to his lost lady love when she becomes the bride of his lival to keep watch over the bride as per instructions from his former master. The second feature is a British picture, "The Third Eye," which brings to the screen television. There ha,ve been several recent motion pictures which introduce this science into the story during the course of the plot, but the invention has been used as a novelty, and not as a direct theme as in the case of "The Third Eye/' The supporting programme will be in keeping wi the main features.

STRAND THEATRE.

The musical revue at the Strand Theatre is . attracting much_ popular interest, and all sessions, enjoy large attendances. An unusual insight into American stage life is given in " Follies of 1929." The large cast of well-known screen players is headed by Sue Carol, Sharon Lynn, and David Rollins, and each player gives a pleasing performance. A negro comedian, Stepin Fetchit, is responsible for some clever humour, and the picture is rich in new singing and dancing numbers. The film is a musical comedy, which has been produced on a scale impossible on the stage, and there are a large number of. successful stage players taking part. A new dance, " The Breakaway," has been specially devised

for the production, and is demonstrated by Sue Carol, while the singing numbers " Big City 81ue.,--; the °f Old Japan," and many otoers.Thes p nor tins programme includes Lar o 0 A Factotum," sung by Bonelli, a come y, and other interesting short support..

tivoli theatre,

After a successful run at th ® : Pl . Theatre, the talking film, with Wallace Beery, Charles Rogers, and Mary Brian, " River of Romance," has shifted to the Tivoli Theatre. The picture, which la based upon the famous Booth Tal '^ in °; ton play "Magnolia, iss laid arnoii scenes in the Southern States m the 'forties. Rogers appears as a soft-man-nered vouth who returns to his. home on a Mississippi plantation, to be confronted with the brusque and bewildering code of duels and feud? that was characteristic of the times. Refusing to fight a duel, he is branded as a coward. He becomes popular, however, in a startling manner, eventually winning the girl he loves. Mary Brian gives a good portrayal in the feminine lead, while June Collyer, a, the coquette, is effective. Fred Kohler, Mrs. George Fawcett, Hendy V. Walthall, and Natalie Kingston appear to advantage in supporting roles. An enjoyable selection of "talkie" supports is also screened.

ROXY THEAIKJi.

The double-feature programme at the Roxy Theatre is attracting large attendances. In "Show Folks" the theme is decidedly theatrical, and many of the scenes transpire behind the curtain of a vaudeville theatre. A regular vaudeville programme in which talented playeis do their various turns is finely presented. The love romance of Quillan and Miss Basquette, who are dancing partners in the story, has interest and charm. In the second feature, " Sal of Singapore, almost v the entire action of the picture take? place aboard an ocean freighter. Hence it was desirable to mould the

moods and thoughts of the principal actors into those of veteran seamen. To this end a male quartet was secured, and during much of the livelier action they sang "typical sailors' chantey?, many of them old sea gongs now little known, according to several ocean veterans who were working among the extra players. Phyllic Haver has the starring role, with Alan Hale playing opposite her.