ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19891, 9 March 1928, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. The advanced advertising methods employed by many American business houses are cleverly satirised in "Fun in The Clouds," otherwise "Publicity Madness," the Fox Films comedy, which , will be shown at the Majestic Theatre to-day for the first time. Based on an original story by Anita Loos, the author of "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" and many, other successes, the unusual plot of "Publicity Madness" presents the comedy side of modern business from a new viewpoint. Pete King, a salesman of the most aggressive and sejfconfident type, finds employment with a firm of soap manufacturers, who are too conservative to advertise widely. His attempts to place the business on a sound footing by a series of ridiculous publicity "stunts" reach a climax in his participation in a transpacific air race to Honolulu, even though he has never been in an aeroplane before. Edward Lowe, who was last seen in "Is Zat So?" and "What Price Glory?" has the leading role, while Lois Moran, E. J. Ratcliffe, James Gordon and Norman Peck are others in the well-chosen cast. A musical interlude comprising the ' mad scene" from "Lucia di Lammermoor" and "Two Little Bullfinches" will be given by the Majestic Orchestra, the soloists being Messrs. 1' rank Poore (flute) and J. McGregor (clarionet). An Aesop liable film, a scenic film, the Majestic Magazine and a comedy, in which Stan Laurel and Priscilla Dean appear, complete the programme. REGENT THEATRE. The age-old practice of kidnapping the object of one's" affection" and carrying her off to a remote spot in the desert has been made familiar by many motion pictures, but in "She's a Sheik, Bebe Daniels' latest Paramount picture, which will commence a short season at the Regent Theatre to-day, it is the beautiful girl who abducts her beloved and holds him at a lonely encampment in the desert. In "She's a Sheik," Bebe Daniels appears as Zaida. the daughter of an Arab chieftain, the head of a tribe which is menaced by a nomadic band of desperadoes led by a dangerous renegade who wishes to marry Zaida. < She has been educated in a ladies' finishing school in America, however, and has other plans for her future, in furtherance of which she kidnaps the commander of a nearbv fort held by the Foreign Legion. The "leading male role is filled by Richard Alien, one of Pararnount's junior stars, while William Powell is the villainous bandit leader. Other wellknown plavers in the cast are Josephine Dunn, James Bradbury and Billy Franey. A lavish Oriental prologue depicting a typical .scene in a Persian market will be presented on the stage, to the combined accompaniment of both organ and orchestra. Mr. Leslie Harvey will plav selections from "High Jinks and Beethoven's Minuet in G on the organ, while the Regent Operatic Orchestia will contribute an overtime. The supporting picture programme imiludes a scenic film, a comedy, a gazette and a local production showing the coalmining industry at Fukemiro. The evening sessions will start at 7.45 p.m., at the same time, as before the introduction of daylight saving. GRAND THEATRE. "Seventh Heaven," which has pioved itself one of the most outstanding attractions ever presented in Auckland, will continue for another week at the Giand Theatre, entering the fifth week of its season. Playing in the principal roles are Charles Farrell and Janet Gaynor, whose acting has proved a revelation in,its direct simplicity and freedom from studio technique. Of Miss Gaynor's portrayal a noted critic has said; "The flower-like chaim ot this young actress is something new, appealingly refreshing, and spiritually beautiful. Words cannot describe tl.ie wmsomeness of her tear-dimmed smile., her happy laugh, or the manner in which she show's her spiritual growth from a cringing street waif to a woman fearless m the face of appalling danger, and who meets the worst that life threatens to offer unflinchingly, Charles Farrell, who also rises to stardom with his performance in the role of Chico, that 'remarkable fellow, is equally appealing with his stalwart innnhood, and his care-free way of leading Diane from the gutter up the long winding flights of stairs to his heaven in a garret beneath the stars.'" All the fogbound romantic atmosphere of Parisian Montmartre, where the story is laid, has been retained through expert lighting and photography in the picture, and all of the intimate and beautiful thoughts which made the plav so great, have been kept through direction and interpretation. THE O'BRIEN THEATRES. Ken Maynard, whose popularity in Western roles is unequalled, has the leading part in "Gun Gospel, tho liist National attraction which opened yesterday at tho Princess and Tivoli Theatres. Based on actual history, the thrilling story gives a striking insight into the early days of settlement in tho West. Mavnard" gives a daring display of the clover horsemanship which has made him famous, surpassing any of his previous performances. Virginia Browne Fjure has tho leading feminine role. The second feature is a clover comedy of married* life, "French Dressing," in which H. B. Warner, Lois Wilson, Lilyan Tasbman and Give Brook itro the featured players. At Everybody's Theatre Jno Small Bachelor," "adapted from P. G. Wodehouse's popular book, is being screened. All the clovor comedy and humorous characterisation of the novel liavo been preserved, making a really bright entertainment. Barbara Kent ■ and Andre Beranger have tho leading roles. In addition, "The Flowers of the Forest," a delightful Continental fantasy, featuring Lya Mara, will bo screened. THE CHERNIAVSKY TRIO. The final concert of the Auckland season, given by tho Chorniavsky trio, at His Majesty's Theatre last evening, provided another outstanding musical treat. A brilliant opening was a trio for pianoforte, violin and violoncello, in C Minor, Op. 101 (Brahms). A bracket comprising tho Allegro, Presto and Andanto movements, received an encore. Mischel Clierniavsky playvd Melancolique (TschaiKowsky). Serenade Espagnole (Glazouhow), and Danco of the Elves (Popper), and in response to encores, Vito (Popper), and Swan (Saint-Saons) Tho pianist, Jan Cherniavsky, played Nocturne in D Flat, Ballade in A Flat Minor, and two studies by Chopin. Two of tho numbers played as encores were Valso (Chopin) and a mazurka. Andanto (Lalo) and Polonaise (Vieuxtamps) were tho initial offerings of Leo Cherniavsky, whose extra numbers included Caulbrako (Gardner) and a minuet. The Ave Maria (Gounod) was the first of the trio's closing works. It was followed by "At Tho Brook" (Boisdeffro), au4 several encores played at the insistent demand of a musically insatiable audience. "THE KING OF KINGS." For many reasons ono of tht' most notable achievements up to the present of the motion-picture studio, "Tho Kiigg of Kings,' Cecil B. de Mille's pictufisation of the life of Christ, will commence its Auckland season at Everybody's Theatre on Thursday. According to all advance reports, the technical perfection of the production is not the least striking of its qualities. "As for. the correctness of the setting,"' wrote an American critic, "it is doubtful if modern scientific paleontology, at its utmost of skill, has ever restored any ancient life-form with such painstaking fidelity. Mr. De MUle did not ask the price required to produce a complete replica of the temple. The very cobblestones of the Via Dolorosa are worn smooth with the sandals of generations. A fleeting glimpse of tho flanking alleyways crowded with markets cost months of patient toil and a king's ransom.

STRAND THEATRE. The spirit aad beauty of rural England has been perfectly captured in "Sorrell and Son," the United Artists' production, which is no\y enjoying a successful season at the Strand Theatre. Based on the novel of the same name by Warwick' Deeping, the celebrated English author, the story of a father's love and sacrifice for his son, ancl the son's devotion to his father, is told with an utter absence of sentimentality, but with a pathos that is very close te tears througllout. The return from the war of Captain Stephen Sorrell, only to find that his wife has. deserted him, and his bitter fight with life to provide his son with a gentleman's education, provide a ( main theme of deep tragedy, while the later scones showing the romance of the adult Kit Sorrell provide a well-balanced relief. In addition to the main plot there arc many undercurrents of love, hate and passion, all of which are handled in a masterly manner. The rustic beauty of the English countryside makes a p'icturesquo and beautiful background, while the photography maintains a very high artistic standard throughout. As the father, H. B. Warner acts with igrent sincerity and depth of feeling, while Nils Asther gives a remarkable performance as the son, Kit, as a man. Kit as a small boy is played by Mickey Mcßan, a most promising juvenile. The others in a uniformly good cast include Anna Q Nilsson as Dora Sorrell; Carmel Myers as Florence Palfrey Norman Trevor as Thomas Roland: Alice Jovce as Fanny Garland; Mary Nolan as Molly Roland; and Louis Wolheim as Sergeant Buck A special prologue precedes the screening of "Son-ell and Son," while a special musical score is contributed by the Strand Symphony Orchestra, who play "The Rose." » woll-known English suite, as an overture. LUNA PARK. National dancing competitions will bo the principal attraction of the carnival which is the newest form of successful entertainment offered at Luna Park. Exponents of the Irish jig and the Highland fling will entertain visitors in competition for the attractive prizes offered. The contest for the most ingenious comedy dress is sure to draw many entrants and the boundless opportunities for the fertile mind affordejl by this competition will be a source of unrestricted amusement to competitors and lookers-on alike. Another item with vast possibilities of entertainment is the search for "Mr. Pym," an elusive gentleman whose discovery will bring a rich reward to the lucky investigator. Large crowds are drawn nightly to Luna Park, as is shown by the fact that the purchaser of yet another thousandth concession-card was rewarded last evening by the gift of £l,