ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19859, 1 February 1928, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. After wonderful characterisations in "The Sea Beast," "Beau Biummel," and "Don Juan," John Barrymore was hailed as the greatest living actor of the present dav, hut critics declare that in "His Lady," which will commence a short season at the Majestic Theatre on Friday, he gives the greatest performance of his career. Laid amid all the splendour and pomp of the court of Louis XV. of France, the story abounds in picturesque incident and stirring action, the scene moving from the peaceful countryside of Picardy to the gay life of the most romantic period of Paris. Many beautiful glimpses of picturesque French villages are shown, while the later scenes of the picture are 011 a convict ship. A section of the transported prisoners revolts, and a battle at sea during the height of a terriffic storm provides the climax. The whole production is claimed to be historically correct in every particular, and represents the true spirit of an age when heroism, chivalry, honour and beauty were prized before life itself. Opposite Barrymore is Dolores Costello. who will be remembered as Barrymore's leading lady in "The Sea Beast." She is one of the most beautiful women on the screen and her performance in "His Lady" has been acclaimed by critics as a great achievement. Among the supporting players are such well-known artists as Sam de Grasse, Holmes Herbert, Warner Olnnd, Rose Dione, Bertram Grasby and Tom Santschi STRAND THEATRE. After the wonderful record-breaking pi'oduction, "Ben Hur," the Strand Theatre, in continuance of its policy of presenting only the best pictures obtainable, will screen for the first time tomorrow "Seventh Heaven." Based on the stage success by Austin Strong, the picture is said to portray the dramatic story in an oven more appealing manner. In the screen version Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell ajspear as the two youthful idealists, who find the seventh heaven oft happiness together in a Parisian garret, and their performances have been acclaimed by leading critics in London and New fork as wonderful. The critic of a leading Englisfy newspaper describes it as "the best picture America has sent over to England for some years. It is a work of flawless beauty. The acting is superb and even exalted. A better exhibition of emotional acting than that given by Janet Gaynor has never been seen on any stage. She is a human poem that almost reaches divinity." The Strand Theatre will be closed to-day to enable further redecortion to be carried out. Booking arrangements are advertised. REGENT THEATRE. After making several successful dealing with university life, including' "The Campus Flirt," Bebe Daniels will be seen in another picture of college sports, "Swim, Girl, Swim," which will commence a short season at the Regent Theatre on Friday. In this comedy she is cast as Alice Smith, a student who enjoys a great reputation as a naturalist, but who secretly desires to make her mark in the athletic world. She is persuaded to enter a channel swim, but collapses after covering 100 yds. However, by accident, she is credited with winning the competition and, on this performance, is included in the inter-college relay race. After a month's coaching by Gertrude Ederle, who makes her first appearance in this picture as an actress, the girl decides to continue to pursue her ambition and makes a sensational dash back to the scene of the race. After a race against time in motor-cars, motor-trucks and an ambulance, a thrilling climax is reached. Supporting Miss Daniels in this comedy are James Hall, one of the most popular leading men on the screen, Gertrude Ederle, the first woman to swim the English Channel, Josephine .Dunn and William Austin. The usiral excellent supporting pictures will be presented. NATIONAL AND LYRIC. The principal attraction on the doublefeature programme which will be shown to-morrow at the Natioral and Lyric Theatres is "Two Girls Wanted," in which Janet Gaynor, the young actress who has achieved such rapid success in "Seventh Heaven," is the principal player. Based on the Broadway stage success of the. same name, by Gladys Unger, the story deals with the adventures of two friendless girls who find themselves penniless after a long spell of mi""yrtune. After a series of difficult situations the girls, by their courage and resource, finally attain success in life. As the younger girl Janet Gaynor has numerous opportunities as a comedienne, a role which she has not formerly undertaken. Previously she has been seen as a most successful tragedienne, hut in this picture she is said to display a most appealing sense of humour. A very fine supporting cast includes Glenn Tyron, Ben Bard, Doris Lloyd, Joseph Cawthorn, William Tooker and Alyce Mills. The second picture will be "The Inevitable Millionaires," a Warner Brothers' comedy adapted from E. Phillips Oppenheim's popular novel. George Sidney, Vera Gordon and oLuise Fazenda head t;n excellent cast. " BRIGADIER GERARD. ' Adapted from the popular novel, "The Adventures of Brigaidier Gerald," by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the First National picture, "Brigadier Gerard," will be presented at the Princess, Tivoli and Everybody's Theatres during the week commencing on Thursday, February 9. The background of the story is Europe in the days when Napoleon ruled a farflung empire with an iron hand arid held the world in awe. Adventure fell to the lot of every officer in the Grand Army, and Brigadier Gerard, of the Hussars, was among the most romantic figures of the age. Intrigue, love, courage and fierce fighting are all features of the dramatic storv, and the picture is said to be produced in an equally gripping manner. Amid the splendour of the court of Napoleon the gorgeous costumes and ceremonial pomp and pageantry make a glittering spectacle. Rod La Rocque is seen as the dashing brigadier, while the supporting cast includes many wellknown players.