PLAYS, PICTURES, PEOPLE

Northern Advocate, 24 September 1927, Page 9

PLAYS, PICTURES, PEOPLE

(By A.T.8.)

The Ten Finalists in “Miss Now Zealand, 1927“ will terminate a triumphal tour of the Dominion at Whahgarei, on Friday and Saturday next. While this is being .written they are at Wanganui and the Auckland papers publish this wire:—“A hearty civic welcome and unbounded hospitality marked the finalists’ arrival at Wanganui.” The arrangements for the last appearance of their tour in Whangarei prior to the concluding session and final election in Auckland (which begins on October 3) were no sooner confirmed than the Mayor and Mayoress, Mr and Mrs L. J. Brake instantly and generously responded to the announcement of their coming by arranging to give them a garden patty reception at their home, “‘Canterbury,” Maumi Eoad, on Friday afternoon after the arrival of the Auckland express. The widest possible public invitations will be issued to all representatives of public bodies, institutions and societies. It was characteristic of the Mayor that,he suggested this new r departure from the ordinary Town Hall civic reception, where the prevailing gloom and coldness of a late afternoon session would not admit of the pleasant geniality and delightful absence of formality that a, garden' reception will induce, and if sunny weg* thcr prevails it will be a. very happy introduction to the North for. the ten chosen representatives of the Dominion provinces, one of whom is destined to be “Miss New Zealand” and represent her country in America, where, at the Hollywood studios, under the direction of Meitro-Goldwyn-Mayer, she will appear in a forthcoming picture.

In Kipling’s line, Whangarei may be the ‘‘ last. and loveliest. ”■That, is a matter of nature’s bounty.. But it is a matter for Whangarei people to give the finalists an impression > of welcome and pleasure 'in their .visit that will equal anything • they have previously experienced in their progress from the Bluff to the Far North. Judging by the Mayor’s lead and other- willing provision of entertainment and 6ars, Whangarei will do this thing thoroughly and heartily and pur visitors will take away an ineffaceable recollection of delightful hospitality among the people and scenic loveliness of the North.

Oh Baby opens, the local picture programes this wefelf. Little Billy, Madge Kennedy and ’ Creighton Hale appear in a sparkling comedy story, with a strong sporting vein. Asked by his rich aunt to visit her after many years of estrangement and to bring bis wife and little daughter with him, Charley Burns, who is^ really not married, secures the assistance of his midget * pal to play the daughter and a young lady journalist the part of the Wife. All goes well until the aunt asks them to stay the night, which brings complications, especially for the midget pal who, is a fight manager and has the jmost important fight of his career on that" night. He eventually escapes the house and after very trying experiences gets to the ring-side in his, girlish attire and manages, at the. final count, to egg his man on to a victorious finish. This picture is tip-top entertainment, and. the supports co-operate in; aW exijßllcht 'programme. ■# * * •

The Lpne Wolf Returns is a Columbia film presenting Bert Lytell Billie Dove: ' ' The latter was included by Florenz Ziegfeld in his famous Follies, and is said, to be one of the supreme beauties of. the screen world. Bert Lytell created the role of “Lone Wolf” nearly ten years ago. The “Lone Wolf” was unique. He had a passion for ! adventure and daring and he indulged them by seeking priceless gems in all pants of the world and getting himself into; all sorts of wild adventures. He always went alone. The authorities of every continent were continuously watching him, and while they almost came up with him time after time, he was always able to keep his lead 1 by the use of his wits. Another thing, he was always immaculately- dressed, -and had a way with him that baffled the keen wits against him.

Sq’S Your Old Man is a Paramount starring W. C. Fields with Alice Joyce, ami Charles Rogers in the featured roles. The director, Gregory La Cave is, said, to have made a good picture press notices agree that it ■ is a sure prescription to cure' dull spirits. The humour is hilarious. The golf game of Fields is one of the funniest, things you have seen. Then there is the comedy 'business with the little pony. Laugh.' You can’t help it. Thou there is a clever pantomime in the train when he meets the Princess. These are a few of the laughs in the picture. Don t miss it. The Dempsey-Sharkey fight as also screened with this programme. Three thousand feet of hard fighting.

Tlje Police Patrol is an exciting Fox drama of crime detection, with a human touch of romance. The army of the Police Forces in which every, soldier, takes his life in his hands when he dons his uniform, had as a member dim Kyan, popular on his beat round one or life quiet corners of New York and well known to every kiddy in the district On the occasion of a run-away, Kyan saves the life of Buddy, a small boy whose sister Alice Bennett, is a struggling dressmaker. Eyan takes Buddy home and meets the sister. In the same district, fur robberies are serious uud- the police force is alert Ryan meets Alice one day outside a leading fui' shop, and is astounded to find she does not recognise him. She meets Maurice Ramon and the two hurry away m. a car. Ryan calls at Alice's rooms amd is led to suspect she is in some way connected with the fur robberies. How the problem grows- to an exciting climax must be seen to fully enjoy its gripping power of plot and portrayal. # , * The American Venus is a gorgeous film of beauty- in girls, gowns a ■ ~e * ‘ quisite teehuicolour. 'With attention centred on the closing ceremonies in the Miss New Zealand, 1927, contest, this picture, depicting Miss America will have a special There is romance, plot and comedy in the picture as well as the beauty of staging, costumes and the personal loveliness of the stars. # , “The Land the ; Law’; is a thrillin 0- First National title to a thrillin <r picture, with the new -popular favourite Ken Maynard as a first magnitude star and Dorothy Dwan as leading lady. Tom- Santschi, who is the villain of the piece, has. probably gone through more first fights in pictures, arid most of them as real as those held in the ring, than any other screen actor, not even barring Gene Tunney or Jack Dempsey. “Let me-,tell you,” said Santschi after “The Land Beyond thg Law'' was completed, , “I've tahw

some .tough socks in my day, but this boy Maynard packs one with tlie best of them. Pd just hate to get into a real battle with him. His shooting, stunts have made him lightning fast with a punch, and he can hit what he aims for!” • • t * A Girl of London is a Stoll. Cricklo* wood production that depicts, th& East and West of London in vivid-contrasts. There is the pampered life of-,’the rich, the toil and tragedy of ,tho.- poor,the lure of the underworld, the. gutter and glamour of society life,, and tiro moral courage of those who try' to make Lon r doil, the heart of the Empire, heat truer than it does to ■On all-round brighter life. Genevieve. Townsend* plays a part with and intensity, ,;laA Hunter grOhtiy interprets the West Ena waster who_ is redeemed by the girl -S .grit and'.bmvery. This, picture-da' a tori, from life, and the iji