ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19718, 18 August 1927, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Madge Bellamy, who scored distinct success in " Sandy " and " Summer Bachelors," again has the leading role in " Ankles Preferred," a Fox film which will be shown for the first time at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow. In this fast-moving story of modern American life, Miss Bellamy appears as Norah, a wage-earner in a metropolitan store. She rises rapidly in her profession with Goldberg and McGuire, proprietors of a fashionable modiste shop, and then faces defeat and humiliation when she is given the position of entertainer of country buyers. Allan Forrest, in the person of Hornsbee, a shareholder in the firm, makes life unbearable for Norah when her friend and protector, Barney, steps in and attempts to adjust matters This complicates the issue, results in misunderstanding, and ends in a bitter fight for Norah's affections. She wins happiness at last, but she is made to realise that peace of mind is won only as a result of earnest labour. An amusing novelty will be presented by the new Majestic orchestra under the baton of Mr. J. Whiteford-Waugh. It is entitled, " The Elephant and the Fly," and prominent parts will be taken by Mr. Frank Poore (piccolo) and Mr. S. Sly (trombone). Madame Edith Baird has arranged a charming stage presentation entitled " The Ballet of Flowers," which will also delight patrons to-mor-.row. A full supporting programme will be shown, comprising the Majestic News, Eve's Review, a New Zealand scenic and a Fox comedy. STRAND THEATRE. in response to popular demand, the Robert Roberts Bon Bon Revue Company will enter on the third week of its season at the Strand Theatre to-morrow. Entitled, "Whirlwind," a joyous selection is offered, in which all the members of the company who have won popularity during the past two weeks will again give of their best Arline Paterson appears with the Bon Bons and the company in new and brilliant numbers, sparkling with the vivacity that has won her a great reputation. June Mills appears with Will Gilbert in a comedy duo and Wylie Watson will give his enthusiastic opinions of "The Pom Pom Parade." With George Edwards and Nick Morton, he portrays "Three Organ Grinders," with all the appropriate accompaniments. " The Angelus," presented by May Webster and Maurice Jaffey, with the Bon Bons, is a cleverly-arranged item, sure to provoke favourable comment. Maurice Jaffey will sing with the company in an apparently pathetic number, in which they "let you know they're hungry." An amusing sketch, "A Slight Error," will be performed by George Edwards and Molly Hughes, while the programme also includes several other sketches. The accompanying picture will be, "Women Love Diamonds," featuring Pauline Starke and Owen Moore. REGENT THEATRE. " Evening Clothes," the play that Seymour Hicks made popular in his tour through New Zealand and Australia under the name of "The Man in Dress Clothes," appears as a motion picture heading the excellent programme to be screened for the first time at the Regent Theatre tomorrow. Adolphe Menjou, so successful recently in parts requiring the suave, sophisticated manner that suits him to perfection, is given an extremely suitable role A strong supporting cast includes such well-known players as Virginia Valli, Noah Beery and Louise Brooks Noah Beery proved his talent as Lejaune in " Beau Geste," and Louise Brooks will be remembered for her beauty and ability in "The American Venus." Virginia Valli appears as Germaine, who, in accordance with French custom, has her marriage arranged by her parents She is betrothed to Lucien d'Artois, a wealthy Frenchman, and she consents to the marriage in order to assist her family in its financial difficulties Lucien's efforts to secure his wife's affections form the theme of the drama, which is said to be both amusing and dramatic. An original entertainment on the stage will be given by Bertini, " the vagabond com-poser-violinist," and the programme is completed by a comedy and news gazette. GRAND THEATRE. " Tin Hats," an amusing farce-comedy depicting the adventures of three American soldiers in France and Germany after the cessation of hostilities in 1918, has been secured for a week's screening at the Grand Theatre, commencing to-morrow. The soldiers are eager to fight, but much to their disappointment they find the armistice has been signed. A hilarious expedition to a French photographer fol- j lows—so that they may send home their portraits, showing them laden with medals To their dismay, upon return- j ing they find the army has gone. Their tent is the only one left. They commandeer bicycles, and pedal rapidly over the roads of France, inquiring the whereabouts of their detachment. After having unknowingly crossed the border, they meet a beautiful German girl, who is waiting for her chauffeur to repair her car. She goes on and the three follow on their bicycles. They arrive at a village, where they are mistaken for the Allied army of occupation. At this point they become involved in a succession of laughable adventures, ending most satisfactorily The cast is headed by Conrad Nagel, who plays the part of the youngest soldier, and Claire Windsor, who appears as the Baroness von Bergen, the proud, but attractive, German noblewoman. There will be a strong supporting programme.

NATIONAL THEATRE. " The Happy Warrior," to be shown at the National Theatre,for the first time to-day, is a screen adaptation of the wellknown novel by A. S. M Hutchinson. The story opens with the romance of Lord Burdon, who, secretly married to a village girl, goes to India, where he is killed His title and estates pass to an obscure i relative, Maurice Letham, while a child 1 is born to his unacknowledged wife. The main story concerns the adventurous life of this boy, who is brought up. after his mother dies heartbroken, in ignorance of his noble birth. He joins a travelling circus as an exhibition boxer, and his adventures in this picturesque life gradually lead to the dramatic climax in which he learns the story of his birth. The circus scenes are said to to most spectacular. The powerful cast includes Malcolm McGregor, Anders Randolph, Mary Calhoun and Olive Borden. " The Courageous Fool," featuring Reed Howes, is a melodrama, the plot of which centres round the terms of a peculiar will. There are three heirs, two young men and a girl, and the story deals with their unusual adventures. PRINCESS THEATRE. A mysterious murder and a sequence of strange adventures in a haunted house provide much of the excitement in " Easy Pickings," to be shown at the Princess Theatre tor a week commencing to-day Anna Q. N T ilsson, the gifted Swedish act J ress, is said to appear to great advantage I in a role which suits her to perfection. The action of the plot centres round the murder of Simeon Van Horne, who is poisoned by Stewart, his lawyer, who hopes thus to acquire part of the mil Honaire's estato. Van Home's will leaves half the estate to young Peter Van Horne and the remainder to Dolores, Peter's cousin, whom Stewart alone knows to be dead. Mary Ryan, whom Stewart catches behaving mysteriously in the dead man's house, is forced by him to play the part of Dolores. Strange things begin to happen when Mary and Peter come to stay at the house, a critic comparing these episodes with similar incidents in " The Bat," " The Cat and the Canary, and other celebrated mystery pictures. "The Arizona Streak," featuring Tom Tyler, is the principal supporting film.

TIVOLI AND EVERYBODY'S. Glimpses of a New- York gambling den, vivid character portrayals, an exciting fight between a reporter and a jewel thief, and a tense atmosphere of intrigue and adventure are outstanding features of " The Impostor," the Paramount picture which will be shown'for the first time at the Tivoli and Everybody's Theatres- today. Gaining new honours in a field in . which she has already achieved world-wide prominence, vivacious Evelyn Brent is said to have surpassed herself in her newest portrayal of a criminal part. As Canada Nell, she becomes an habitue of a New York gambling dive in order to regain possession of a priceless jewel, the loss of which will mean prison for her brother. The vivid scenes of Gotham's underworld contrast strongly with the fashionable circles in which the e>arlier action takes place. " A thrilling battie in the dark and a desperate three-cornered race for the jewel build up a powerful climax, in which the superb acting of Miss Brent is displayed to the full," wrote a reviewer. The second attraction is " Love is Blind," "a U.F.A. production, featuring Lillian Hall-Davis, the wellknown English actress, and Lil. Dagover, the Continental player. The story concerns a fickle husband who makes love anew to his neglected wife while she is disguised as a coquette' at a cabaret. Interesting sidelights into hypnotism are incorporated in the picture. "Eve's Leaves," a First National film, will be an additional attraction at Everybody's, while the popular ventriloquist, Walter Vernon, will entertain at the Tivoli. MUNICIPAL BAND.' The outstanding number on the programme to be given in the Town Hall on Saturday evening by the Municipal Band and assisting artists will be the grand selection from Richard Wagner's "Die Walkure." All the leading motives will find utterance in a tone-picture of much power and beauty. In lighter vein is the selection from Gounod's "Faust," which traverses all the leading and most popular numbers in that charming work. Vocal items from Wagner, Pucqni and Leoncavallo works will be sung by Miss Alma -McGruer and Mr. Jean Dellore. Booking arrangements are advertised. CARTER THE GREAT. Carter the Great and a supporting company of international artists will commence their Auckland season in His Majesty's Theatre next Wednesday evening. Referring to his remarkable entertainment, Carter the Great states:— "Even in these days, when a materialistic science and a universal scepticism have robbed the magician of some of his pristine status and glory, the modern sorcerer can, nevertheless, fetill hold his own in the affections of multitudes. This has been demonstrated by the enthusiastic audiences we have played to all over the world. Although the audience is thoroughly aware of the obvious fact that it is being deceived, the deceptions can be so adroitly done, and in many cases so remarkably stage-managed, that unquestionably it would regard it as almost sacrilegious if it were presented with the open sesame for the tricks on the principle that a little unexplained mystery now and then ts good for even the most sophisticated of men." Booking arrangements are advertised. -• ROYAL AUCKLAND CHOIR. The Royal Auckland Choir will render a recital in the Town Hall concert chamber this evening. Solo it-ems will be contributed by Mrs. Arthur Walton and Messrs. Francis Bate and H. Schofield. Booking arrangements are, advertised. "ARIADNE." A delightful three-act .comedy, "Ariadne, or Business First," by the popular writer, A. A. Milne, is to be staged in the Town Hall concert chamber on Friday evening. The play, which is one of the most brilliant of the author's works, pictures the wife (Mrs. Alexander Kinder) finding herself taking only second place to her husband's business, setting out to teach him a lesson, by planning a trip into the "unknown" with another man (Mr. J. E. Mackle). The scenes that follow are full of Milne's subtle humour. There are the disappearance and sudden return of Ariadne, family disturbances, a unique scene between the deserted husband and the bounder, and the final realisation that Ariadne comes first. Mrs. Hugh Fenton, Commander J. R. Middleton, R.N., Miss Meg Kissling, Miss Audrie Bayly, and Mr. Frver-Raisher play prominent parts. Proceeds will be devoted to the Play and Recreation Association.