LIBERTY THEATRE.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19258, 13 March 1928, Page 13

LIBERTY THEATRE.

A SPARKLING COMEDY. "TEN MODERN COMMANDMENTS." A comedy with very many snappy situation? in it heads the programme at the Liberty Theatre this week, and the first screening last night was witnessed by a big "house." It ib entitled "Ten Modern Commandments," and has in the leading roles Eshter Kulston and Neil Hamilton, both welt-known players in the first flight of stars. Stories of stage life invariabiy appeal, and, in this sicture, there are interesting scenes of lile • behind the footlights. The pretty blonde, Esther Ualston, appears in the opening scenes aa a, dishwashor in an apartment house, but later she breaks into the musical comedy world, and autonishes a theatre-going world by becoming a headliner, and irora tho time she passes through the stage door for the first time the story is full of incident, mostly humorous, but romantic in parts. The commandments are addressed to women, us the first one, "Get Your Man," indicates (the other nine are tho same); but the picture is one that will be found just as enjoyable by both sexes. The principal comedienne is at all time 3 vivacious, especially when seen in sornu of the modern dances. Neil Hamilton, in the part of a struggling writer of songs, who also achieves fame (through the instrumentality of the new star}, is eminently satisfying. In striking contrast to the blonde is Jocelyn Lee, who takes the part of the modern vamp, the object of her vamping being the manager of the theatre. She, also, is responsible for much good work, and after causing quite a lot of trouble, succeeds in achieving her .object—the manager. Incidentally, this part is in the hands of a capable player, but there are many others in the cast who contribute to the enjoyment of the story. Briefly, the theme is that in the house where the dishwasher is employed is the song writer, and an attachment between them is formed. With the girl's rise in the theatrical world, she sets out to introduce her friend's songs to the world, and she succeds fully, with the result that both become wealthy, and when the final curtain is made the future is rosy in hue. The picture was directed by a woman, and it is evident that she understands the ways of her eex; at any rate, those whoso purpose in life is to amuse in the theatre.

"The Ten Commandments" was not drawn out so long that it excluded the showing of several other pictures; on the contrary, is was without wearying puffing, with the result that there were five pictures in the first part of the programme. This section was highly interesting and nicely varied. The opening film was one showing a boat trip up the Alaskan coast and to the deserted villages (throbbing cities of adventure when gold rushes were frequent), and there were charming scenes of fiords and mountains, to which people from all parts of the world rushed a few decades ago. A topical film held many scenes of interest from different parts of the world, and the Australian artist who created Felix the Cat had a part on the bill, Felix this time appearing as the successful searcher for sunken treasure. The New Zealand Publicity Department was represented by absorbing views of life in Fa'a (Samoa), and many unfamiliar customs and industries of the Samoans were contained in the picture. Finally, before the interval, was an American comedy, by a comparatively new firm, which created much laughter—a droll picture, called To It," in,which some grotesque "hell-hops" in an American hotel caused moßt of the mirth. The first part was an excellent introduction to the fine comedy which followed in the second. , The Libert* Concert Orchestra, under the baton of Mr Ernest Jamicson, played a pleasing repertoire of light music, which included: "The Toy Drum-Major" (Brown). "Madame Sherry" (Kosener), "Gipsy Love' (Lehar), and "Me and My Shadow" (Donalson).