PLAYS, PICTURES, PEOPLE

Northern Advocate, 2 July 1927, Page 9

PLAYS, PICTURES, PEOPLE

(By A.T.8.)

.‘‘The King of Kings."—British people have been trained to disapprove all attempts to represent Biblical scenes on the stage. It is not merely a prejudice, it is a sound instinct that such subjects are unsuitable and encumbered with unusual risk of disaster. It remains to be seen what reception will be given to Cecil do Mille’s recently produced version of the Life of Christ, under the title "The King of Kings." Meanwhile, it -will be some relief to those who fear that religious feelings may be jarred, to know that New York is said to have received this new film with a proper and becoming reverence, and, what is still more significant, “Reverence" is said to have “characterised the whole advertising and presentation of the picture." The theatre lobbies were not lobby displays so much ns exceedingly fine art galleries containing oil paintings of the principals. Wings wore removed from the stage and these wore replaced by tiers of choir seats which were hidden by a cyclora.mic effect of tapestries, presenting the Three Wise Men of the East on their pilgrimage, with the Star of Bethlehem overhead. The central drapes folded back to reveal the screen which was placed at least ;"0 feet a wav from the closest spectator. As for the picture itself, it is mentioned without the visual flow of “knock-out ’’ “sure-fire" “wow" jargon. It has created too deep an impression for jargon—an impression of awe. De .Mille is said to have made his most profound picture; one that will maintain its position on the screen for many years and yet give no offence to any caste or creed. By actual count there are eighteen principals and 530 named players, irrespective of the 4000 super-nrimerarics. i * • * * Jean Hersholt and June Marlow arc starred with a cast of some world-wide reputation in a blond of pathos and comedy called “The Old Soak." George Lewis, W. V. Mong, Gertrude Astor, Louise Fazenda and Lucy Beaumont are some others. The picture has quite a lot to do with the adventures of a kindly, lovable old toper, but not once, throughout, is anyone filmed in the act of taking a drink, or the picture would have come into violent collision with the regulations in a prohibition country. The ‘-‘Old Soak" himself takes the blame for his son’s misdeeds in a theft and stock gamble. With the help of Tna, the girl in the ease, the Spak traps the family enemy, discovering him to have the “say so" behind the local bootlegger. The son’s side-step is retrieved and the ■•corned v sun shines happily over the joyous ending. ■> J * • * • Rider Haggard’s “She" made a great name as a brilliant popular story some years ago. It was mysterious, romantic, exciting and full of the surprises that a new country and strange ceremonies made possible. The screen version, a Master Picture, comes to Whangarei on Tuesday evening with Betty Blvthe and Carlyle Blackwell starred with Mary Odette and a powerful supporting cast. The story: Leo Yincey, learning from ancient relic that he is descendant of Kallikrates, loved by an immortal queen, Ayesha, resolves to settle the legend’s truth, and takes hi a friend Holly and servant Job to (Africa. They eventually find the queen ruling a catacomb city,' and Yincey is hailed as her reincarnate lover for whom she has waited for two thousand years, Ayesha repels a young native girl who loves Yincey, and conducts him to a perilous underground chasm, where a pillar of five is to invest him with perpetual youth. She agrees to test the flame, and is consumed, leaving Yincey to await her promised return. * * * * Fascinating Youth is a dandy title to a dandy picture. The only people who don’t know how delightful and glorious a thing it is to be young and healthv are those who enjoy this twin boon. ‘ To everyone else it is a priceless enchantment, and the_ next thing to having it is to watch it in action and catch some infection from its abounding vitality. This can be comfortably done, without any pert sauce from the youth in question, at the Lyceum oil Wednesday, when Paramount presents a number of "junior stars," from the Paramount school of acting. Besides the new faces a number cif “arrived, stars" are in the picture. They are Richard Dix, Adolphe Menj-on,*'Lois Wilson, Percy Marmount, Clara Bow, Thomas Meighan, Lila Loo and Chester Conklin. The keyachting races are a wonderful scone, as also "the ski-ing, sledging and wintor sports. Tliere are some _ really thrilling incidents, and the excitement of a rollicking jolly life is all through the piece, * * * • Buck Jones is a growing favourite, apd "The Flying Horseman " is one of his best pictures. It makes its bow to a Town Hail audience on Thursday. Buck training the Boy Scouts, and how thev come to the rescue at a critical moment arc absorbing scenes. Buck’s horse Silver does some great stunts, and the horse race is an affair of tingling excitement. Gladys McConnell makes a charming “girl in the piece." The stow is taken from Max Brand’s novel “Dark Rosaleen." • m m *

«< The Beautiful Rebel." We general! v try to soften down the word Rebellion" when the culprit is beautiful Its oulv the plain or ugly that *ro reallv rebels. Marion Davies plays the title* role. She is the daughter ot ... woalthv aristocrat who sympathises with the Colonists in their historic struggle against the Royalists Always costumed magnificently to set off hoi daz/diug beauty, the quality of hcr artistrv is even greater than her physical elnrin The part she portrays is one Iliat has a very definite appeal, and her adventures will provide excellent entertainment. Her leading man in this production is Harrison lord, vith whom she appeared in the recent Metro-Gold wyn-Mayer success, /milder the Groat." Players in support ar( .-of such sterling worth as Holbrook Blluii, George Siegmann, Tyrone Power and George Nash. “The Beautiful Itebel" has all the admirable qualities of "Lights of Old Broadway" and "Zander the Great." It has its full complement of'laughs, thrills and genuine adventure, and as an adaptation of Paul Leicester Ford’s novel "Janice Meredith," is one of the year’s most praiseworthy cinematic efforts. 1 •' * * *

The Reckless Lady is a First National with Belle Bennett, Ben Lyon, James Kirkwood and Lois Moran. The scenes include the Mionte Carlo tables and the reckless lady’s plunging into breath-taking hazards. Her daughter Sylvia is charming and Ralph Hillier, a young American, saves her from death in a carnival parade. Colonel

Fleming saves the Reckless One in her last and maddest escapade, when she is driving her car to destruction, over a cliff, and it is disclosed that they are long separated, but now happily reunited husband and wife. There is a villian in the piece, a crafty Russian, and the Colonel deals with him quite effectively.

“The Love of Paquita,” running tandem with “The Reckless Lady” on Saturday night, takes us from the exotic climate of Monte Carlo to the Old World loveliness of Spain. Paquita is a dazzling beauty, and remarkably clever horsewoman. She dances adorably. The exploits of El Diablo, the devil-horse, and his rescue of his master, Ramon, make tense moments in a panorama of vivid romance and beauty. Paquita keeps Tier vow and yet marries the man of her heart—but how? Well, that’s the picture! Let it answer the question for you.