PLAYS, PICTURES, PEOPLE

Northern Advocate, 16 November 1929, Page 7

PLAYS, PICTURES, PEOPLE

By A.T.B

I “The Majestic,” Whangarei. Plans of the elevation of the new theatre to be built opposite the Bank of Australasia, in Cameron Street, are now on vfew in Mr. R. C. Hosking’s shop window. The interior plans indicate *a theatre that will not only be worthy of the name “The' Majestic,” but will probably be the most complete and modern provincial theatre in the ‘ Dominion. and the first to be built as a Talkie Theatre, in which the experimental experience gained in recent installations of the Talkies in Australasia will be turned to good account to secure the construction most effective for the new .medium of entertainment. The seating will be 1200.

® IS £3

Lyceum Talkies. As this new theatre will not be opened for several months, every effort is now being made to put the Talkies into the I Lyceum. The Borough Council’s refusal to allow an enlargement of the present box, to accommodate the new machines, now on their way to New Zealand, for Whangarei, and due about the third week of this month—the Council’s' refusal, I say, has caused unexpected delay and difficulty. It is hoped, however, to get over the difficulty and strenuous efforts are being made to get the Talkies in before Christmas, in order that the perfectly proper desire of Whangarei people may be catered for, and in order that visitors from other progressive towns may not come here in the holidays and find Whangarei, hitherto noted for its progressive spirit, lagging a ilong way behind in the matter of this popular form of entertainment. 5§ & jg a

“My Official Wife,” played by Irene Rich, with Conway Tearle, Jane Winton and Stuart Holmes in the cast, presents the intriguing story of a woman seeking vengeance on a man she knows by one name, anid has loved and married under another name. Gay Vienna and Russia before the war. Land of plot and counterplot! A commanding, beautiful and clever woman, a hater and desperate enemy of the aristocracy, whose sole passion is vengeance. As “the official wife” of a noble, she returns to Russia, where she discovers that her hate of years is . directed against the only man she had ever loved. Reason dictates to passion, and love overcomes hate. a a is a

“The First Kiss.” It is enough to. say that this is a Garry Cooper romance, with Fay Wray as his partner in the leading roles of the story. They i are both remembered and loved for their unforgettable performance in “The Legion.” Superb acting always grips, and here it is presented by one of the most handsome and likable men, and one of the most expressive and attractive actresses on the screen. i a a, 0

“The Sin Sister.” Allowing for the unattractive title, and the story itself, here is exciting drama enough for anyone. A ship owned by a millionaire is ice-bound in the Arctic. A fur-trader with dogteams accepts an offer from the millionaire for transport. The remaining women on board, the heroine, the millionaire’s daughter, and a: wouldbe missionary accompany him, also the hero together with the heroine’s vaudeville partner. Half way, they rest at a cabin for the night. The following . morning,, the trader. has deserted them. Several days pass, during which time they are driven’frantic with the pangs of hunger before an Eskimo returns from his boss. Hf intimates the latter wants a large sum of money as ransom in addition to the girl;as Hostage. ShS goes, and the villain gets his desert in a smashing climax, while _ the cabin party is rescued just in time.

“The Case of Lena Smith.” In this engrossing film we are given the first sight of a new Esther Ralston —not the gay and blithesome creature so well known to us all, but a far more mature and starkly dramatic actress. Her well sustained effort is the whole prbtluction,. wijich is thing wheh are such firie'tperformers aS 'Gus'tkv von Seyffertitz, James Hall and Fred Kohler in tiptop roles. The'plot- opens jn a Hungarian village, and moves onward to trace the tragic and poignant f life story pf the peasant girl.- Lena g|mith, who packs tip her things, eschew lithe farm for the bright lights of Vienna. Falling in love with a young Australian officer, she secretly marries him at the cost of much subsequent heartburning and tribulations. The ending is as unusual as it Is powerful.

“Paradise.” An excellent British production—mounted on a lavish scale, and the Riviera ' backgrounds provide some remarkably beautiful settings to various scenes.' The plot at once strikes one as fascinating in the freshness of its opening, and provides the star with ,a. fine outlet for. her abilities. Betty Balfour further strengthens her claims as Britain’s premiere screen actress either, in drama or lighter vein. Alexandre D’Arcy is just the Valentino type of leading man, the British screen has been looking for, and is as smooth an actor as he is good looking. Joseph Striker is a reliable type of late of America. Denison Clift’s direction is all that could be desired. A London girl 3of meagre means, after a wjn of five’hundred pound's in a competition, sets off for the Riviera—-and romance!. Lonely at,first, she later finds attraction in a handsome young gigolo of the hotel dance hall. Her London suitor, a young doctor, journeys to the Riviera to bring her home, and dramatic complications lead to an exciting finish.

Joyce Compton, the “flaming youth” of Hollywood’s young screen, players, has been placed under a long term contract by Fox Films, as a result of her work in “Salute,” recently completed Fox Movietone picture. Miss Compton is twenty-three, and a beauty and personality contest launched her into' motion pictures where she worked unceasingly as a much-in-demand extra, until her opportunity came in “The ..Wild Party” and “Dangerous Curves’Vrboth Clara Bow pictures— followed ’by her splendid performance in “Salute,” which won -for her the long term contract with pox Movietone.