ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19833, 31 December 1927, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"ROSE MARlfe." "Rose Marie" is still attracting large audiences at His Majesty's Theatre. There will be two performances to-day, and on Monday there will bo a special holiday matinee. Booking arrangements are advertised. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Modern youth is well defended in "The Joy Girl," a William Fox picture, which was presented to a large audience in the Majestic Theatre last evening. It is a blandly ingenuous essay in unblilshing sentimentalism. When Allan Dwan, the producer, took up the cudgels in defence of youth, he knew of the weakness of the modern generation as well as the strength of it. He set out to show that deep in the heart of the present generation was a spark of manliness and womanliness. That ha, has succeeded t is quite evident in "The Joy Girl," which is full of a packed succession of amusing scenes which aro balanced, with engaging spontaneity, by those at the end of the film, where the girl, with the butterfly nature realised that life without love was indeed a dreary thing. "The Joy Girl'' portrays 'the. not uncommon spectacle of a beautiful, but impecunious woman, who wished for a wealthy husband who would lift her from squalour to the gilded pedestal of luxury. Believing that all men would' love a woman o£ wealth, Jewel Courage, the girl in the piece, posed as a member of 1 aim Beach's smartest set, indulging to the full in its wild bathing parties, its cocktail orgies, its Bacchanalian midnight rovels, and its mad rides in sporting cars. But playing the same game was the youthful chauffeur of _ the young millionaire, John Fleet, with whom he had changed places in the social world in order that the rich man might assimilate some intimate knowledge of the ways of the ultra-smart folk. And so it came about that the poor girl foolishly spurned the wealthy man. in the guise of a driver, and manned the imposing chauffeur. It was not until after the wedding that Jewel Courage found the man she really loved was not the one she supposed to be wealthy, but the one whom she thought was poor. It was then that the futility of seeking wealth, and ignoring happiness came home to her. It is then she learns that a girl to be happy must love a man for what he is, and not for the fortune that might be his. To narrate what follows would be to spoil the entertainment for all those who are to see this picture. The way in which the producer has worked the story to a successful end is truly unique. Olive Borden and Neil Hamilton are the featured players. Besides two hilarious comedies and scenic and news films, Mr. Birrell O'Malley, the popular tenor, delighted with two pleasing songs. STRAND THEATRE. In the past, pictures have been made of the sea and of slavery at the oar aboard the ancient galleys, but Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer claim that none has entailed so much care in making, aa did the Roman galley scenes in "Ben Hur," now drawing large audiences for its third week at the Strand Theatre. The making of the sea pictures we.s perhaps the most intricate task that Niblo had to fac« when making this huge production and the episode of the battle on the Tyrrhenian Sea, between this Romans and the pirates., was not accomplished without mishap. One of the galleys, which was to be destroyed by fire during the making of this scene, caught fire before its scheduled time, and those aboard, who should have been rescued by boats from other vessels, were forced to jump overboard, armour and all, arid swim for it. Greatanxiety was caused when three of these were discovered to be missing, but they were later found clinging to 'the keel of an upturned boat, breathless but" uninjured. The galleys used in the scenes, and there were over a hundred cf them, were pi-opelled by three decks of rowers, one above the other, and thousands, of men were required to man the oars. A collapsible ship, such as was used by naval commanders in the first century, was built for this episode. The galley is an exact copy of an ancient one, put together with wooden spikes and conveniently arranged clasps, so that if the commander wished to rapidly convey his ship from other waters without wasting the time necessary to sail round a distant point, he simply gave the order to undo the hooks and take the ship apart', and had the pieces transported across land and later put together again. It is scarcely to be wondered" at that the result of all these preparations was the greatest' naval battle ever staged for a motion picture. The scenes share with the famous chariot race the honour of being the most impressive sequences in the film. PRINCESS AND TIVOLI. Two excellent pictures, "The Love Thrill" and "The Red Raiders," comprise the current programme at the Princess and Tivoli Theatres. The former is a comedy-drama, dealing in a large measure with insurance agents and their work. The cast includes Laura La Plante, Bryant Wa.shburn and Tom Moore. "The Red Raiders" deals with the troublesome time in United States history when the Indians and the encroaching settlers were continually fighting. In particular it concerns the historic and adventurous difficulties of the a Any troops in putting the Indians on the first Government reservation. Ken Maynard, the chief player, is an actor who has only recently .isen to fame. He is an incomparable horseman and also an all-round athlete. The part marks a distinct deptrtuij-e from his customary roles, and also represents a new type of western picture for him. Ann Drew makes her debut as leading lady opposite Maynard, and other important players in the cast' include Paul Hurst, Harry Slmtan, Tom 'Jay, Harry Salter and Chief Yowlache. "THE ROYAL- SUNBEAMS." " Carnival Time,' 5 the new programme now being presented by the Royal Australian Sunbeams af> the National and Prince Edward theatres, is an entertainment with a quality of its own. It is carried out by children, and its many and varied items arc executed witlb the finish of adult performers. The programme is wonderfully diverse. Ballet numbers are given by two gaily-dressed troupes of children, the Doll Ballet and the Flower and Butterfly Ballet being particularly popular. The Sunbeam Acrobatic Wonders give remarkable displays of tumbling and the formation oi graceful human pyramids. The comedian, Jackie Clarke, is very clever and amusing, while his items with tiny Baby Doreen are always popular. All their acts are new and original. The costumes are a particularly appealing feature. Brightly-coloured and ingeniously desighed, they give a joyful atmosphere to a, crowded hour of song, naive humour and charming ballet effects. The dash and finish with which the latter items are carried out is a fine tribute to the skill and patience of the .youthful company's talented directress. A complete picture programme is screened at both theatres, LYRIC THEATRE. A devastating flood, let loose over the country by a religious fanatic, forms the ciimax of "Bent for Heaven," tlje principal current attraction at the Lyric Theatre. It is a story of the simple people of Carolina, and is interpreted by a very popular caste. Patsy "Ruth Miller, the star, plays Jude Lowry, the mountain girl: John Harron, her sweetheart; Sid Hunt, a joyous, irresponsible hero returned from the war; Gayno Whitman, Jfier hot-headed brother; Gardner James, the hired man, who becomes a religious fanatic. Tlio story concerns the loves and hates of two families in the backwoods of the Carolina mountains, between whom an ancient feud is rekindled by ,the fanatical hired man. The chief supporting picture is "Singed," in which Blanche Sweet and Warner Baxter play the leading roles.

* regent theatre. Beauty, in music, song and photoplay, characterises the new programme which opened before a large audience at the Regent Theatre last evening. The feature of the programme. was the remarkable UFA production, "Manori Lescaut." In every way it is a worthy successor of "Variety" and "Faust." Like them, it is stamped with the hall-mark of artistry and is well-nigh perfect in point of photography and technique. Set in the romantic days of Louis XV., when France lay in the lap of pleasure, the film paints in vivid colours the love story of Manon Lescaut, temptress and siren, yet capable of immortal love. Lya de Putti again proves herself the actress of the hour in this role—amusing m scenes where she takfe every advantage of the gross Marquis de Bli; dramatic in her wild escapades and ©motional ip r . P as l sionate entreaties to the disillusioned chevalier. It is a beautiful story, tragic yet colourful, and ever dominated by Miss de Putti's wonderful acting;. With the score of Massenet's operatic version of "Manon Lescaut" before it, the Regent Operatic Orchestra excelled itself. Puccini's overture to ' Manon Lescaut was also an outstanding piece of orchestration. On the stage the glorious blend of a perfect and soprano was heard in excerpts from light opera at the appearance of Russo and Bradford. These artists were very wa.rmly applauded, urntime favourites were featured on the organ by Eddie Horton, " Auld Lang Svne" being sung by the audienco with great gusto. The supporting pictures are well up to standard, making a worthy addition to a first-class entertainment. MUNICIPAL BAND. The Municipal Band will play at the Zoological Park on Sunday and Monday afternoons. Varied programmes of music will be given.