ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19838, 7 January 1928, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS.

•• HOSE MAKtE." There will bo two performances of " Rosa Marie ■" at His Majesty's Theatre to-day, the first beginning at two o'clock and the second at 7.55. The season will close next Saturday evening, and additional matinees will be presented next Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. Thfr booking, it is stated, is very heavy and those desiring to enjoy a performance of * 4 Rose Marie" are advised to reserve their seats early.

REGENT THEATRE. A story containing a depth of feeling rising above the passing human emotions is portrayed in "Barbed JVire," the Paramount production which opened at the Regent Theatre last evening. An adaptation of Sir Hall Caine's great novel, "The Woman of Knockaloe," its showing at a time when nine yeans of peace have softened the racial animosities aroused in war-time, and at a time when there is evident a Universal desire to outlaw war, is very apt. The producers, Erich Pommer and Rowland Lee, have succeeded in making a story laid in a war-time prison camp at a French farm a thing of beauty, and in this the excellence of the photography plays as important a part as the happy selection of the players. Pola Negri as Mona Moreau, the daughter of the farm, whose bitterness against the Germans changes in spite of herself, identifies herself with the part. The Englishman, Clive Brook, who takes the part of Oscar Muller, is restrained and thoronghly carries with him the sympathies of the audience. Delightful high-lights to an otherwiso serious play are supplied by Clyde Cooke, the Australian, whoso humour ha 3 the quality of spontaneity. Elinar Hanson, as Mona's brother, has a relatively small part, which, however, is effective in the closing stages. The "almost human" Max, Moritz and Akka, the chimpanzees "bf "Our Gang" fame, who are to appear "in person" snortly in Auckland, are seen in "The Monkey Farm," a delicious comedy which is, nothing short of a marvel in animal training. Songs by Miss Marie Bremner, the mezzo-soprano, who understudies Miss Harriett Bennet in "Rose Marie," provides a charming interlude. In addition there is the latest news gazette, an interesting filming of the Western Australian pearl fisheries and Eddie Horton at the Wurlitzer organ. The Regent Orchestra, under Sir. Maurice Guttriage, is an attraction in itself and, besides adding to enjoyment of the pictures with admirably adapted music, delighted the audience last evening with selections from "Tho Country Girl." PRINCESS AND TIVOLI.

Adventure in the early days in California, fierce struggles between a young Spaniard and his antagonists, a gorgeous moonlight fiesta beneath the cypress' trees of Monterey, appealing love scenes between a handsome youth and a beautiful girl—these are some of the elements of "Rose of the Golden West," the main picturo at the Princess and Tivoli Theatres this week. Mary Astor reveals still further beauty and artistry as the English-Spanish heroine who endangers lier lover's life and then makes a great sacrifice to save him. Her opportunities are greater than in John Barrymore's "Don Juan" or "The Rough Riders" and she has made the most of them. Gilbert Roland is amazing as the young patriothero. He fits into the romantic caballero costume as though born to it and {uoves himself one of the screen's greatest overs. This youth, who became famous with his portrayal of Armand in "Caraiile," acquits himself in this First National picture with a deep sincerity that wins his audience immediately. The second attraction will bp "Soft Cushions," Douglas Mac Lean's latest comedy, while "at the matinees at the Tivoli Theatre "The Twinklers" will present a lavish pantomime, "The Forty Thieves."

NATIONAL AND LYRIC. After making two most successful pictures dealing with railway life, Monte Blue lias chosen the same subject for his latest production, "The Black Diamond Express," w'hich is now showing at the National and Lyric Theatres. Blue, as Dan Foster, driver of a celebrated express, epitomises all that is fine and loyal in the railwayman. His pride is that he always arrives on schedule time, that he can support his widowed sister and her children and that he stands high in the esteem of his employers aid the men of his brotherhood. For many years he has never had an accident, until one day a wealthy society girl dashes into his engine at a level crossing. After they have fallen in love with one another and are engaged to be married, he considers that his poverty will come between them end so decides to give her up. From then on the action swiftly moves to the thrilling climax, where the express is held up by bandits, one of whom is the hero's own brother. The last carriage on the train breaks loose and runs backwards down a hill, only to be stopped after a deathdefying race by the heroic enginedriver. Priscilla Dean is "seen on the same programme in "The Danger Girl," a mystery drama concerning the theft of a collection of world-famous jewels.

"SEVENTH HEAVEN." The Austin-Strong stage play, "Seventh Heaven," which has achieved world-wide fame, has been adapted for the screen by Fox Films and will commence its Auckland season at the Strand Thoatre shortly. To ensure the most accurate presentation possible the director, Frark Borzage, spent several months in Paris studying the types to be seen on the boulevards. As a result it is claimed that Diane, Chico, Papa Boul, Gobin and the host of other figures that move through "Seventh Heaven," are living characterisations of their French prototypes. In particular, the Diane of jane Gaynor, an unspoilt youthful little actress, is said to be a remarkable achievement, while the character of Chico which Charles Farrell creates has also greatly impressed critics with its sincerity and appeal. Albert Gran and Emile Chautard are other wellknown players in the specially-selected cast. ORGAN RECITAL. Mr. Maughan Bavnett, city organist, will give a recital in the Town Hall this evening, when an excellent programme of standard organ works will be given. The numbers include Mendelssohn's "Spinning Song" and a concert fantasia on Bizet's "Carmen." MUNICIPAL BAND. The Municipal Bimd will play at the Zoological Park at. three o'clock to-mor-row afternoon. A fine programme to be given includes the marches " Cavalry of the Clouds," " The Vedette," and " The Soldier's Wooing;" the overture "Nabuco" (Verdi); two selections, "Classica" and "Madame Pompadour;" a duet, '"Excelsior," by Messrs. Fred Bowes, cornet, and J. Purchase, euphonium; and the flute solo, " The Witches' Dance," by Mr. H. C. McLennan. HIPPODROME AND EMPRESS. The great drama of the Spanish-Ameri-can War makes a fitting background to the central theme in 'The Rough Riders'' Which will commence showing at the Hippodrome and Empress Theatres next Weduesday. Variously described as human and rollicking in places, grimly affecting in others,'blending finely all the essence of love, struggle, bravery, humour, pathos and death, the film records the history of- Theodore Roosevelt's most exclusive andpttiost picturesque regiment, known to the patriotic American as "the heroes of San Juan Hill" and many other famous conflicts. The principals in a strong cast are Noah Beery, George Bancroft, Charles Fan-ell and Mary Astor*

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Another bright entertainment, crowded with all that is best in pictures and music, opened before an appreciative audience at the Majestic Theatre last evening. It is doubtful whether the variety of the programme could be. surpassed anywhere. Entirely absorbing and amusing is "Paid to Love," the chie : feature, which can be regarded as the best comedy-drama shown at the theatre for a long time. Like "Beverly of Graustark," the plot is woven round the lives of royalty in a mythical kingdom, but <lO sincere are the principals in their actiag that one forgets it is burlesque and enters with zest into the adventures _of a Parisian "show" girl, hired for the purpose of convincing a crown prince '(Eat there are more interesting things in life than carburetters and magnetos. It was inevitable that tho pair should really fall in love and that tho mistaken identity motif should be introduced, but artistry in both direction and acting make the story intensely interesting. George O'Brien, who was responsible for a cameo of comedy in "Is Zat So?" is certainly less humorous than he was in that memorable film and it is open to question whether he is not more suited in the field of serious drama. Virginia Valli excels herself as the Parisian "show girl and in some scenes appears in gowns of bewitching beauty. The antics of the American financier {J. Farrell Macdonald) and the "king," while absurdly ludicrous, serve for comedy equal to the best from the Fox studios. There is a particularly fine scenic and descriptive film illustrating the Canadian salmon industry, and an amusing comedy. Auber's "Massianellio wa3 played in finished manner by the Majestic Orchestra, under Mr. Whiteford Waugh, while snatches of "Rose Marie and light opera were delightfully rendered. Warm applause greeted the numbers provided by tho instrumental quartet.