ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19896, 15 March 1928, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE KING OF KINGS." Based on the life of Jesus of Nazareth, "The King of Kings" will open its Auckland iieason at Everybody's Theatre today. This great production, which has aroused the interest of the foremost critics all. over the world, was made by Cecil B. de Mille as the realisation of a life's ambition. He made it after having sought the co-operation' and help of all denominations and sects—Protestant, Roman Catholic and Jewish. That "The King of Kings" has attracted the attention of the whole world is sufficient indication that it is far different from ordinary motion picture production. One foremost critic's opinion of this production is as follows:—" 'The King of Kings' is not merely a biblical film, it is something that every man, whatever his thought, can understand and appreciate. Throughout it surges with infinito humanity, with tenderness, with beauty, and never does it overstep the bounds of good taste. The moments of sweetness and tenderness are myriad in 'The King of Kings,' softening (he tragedy, holding high, as they do, the torch of Truth, that penetrates the darkness for you and me." "The King of Kings" will be shown twice daily at de luxe sessions during the whole season. A specially-selected orchestra, under the baton of Mr. Howard Moody, will play a beautiful score, which includes excerpts from "The Messiah," "Elijah" and "Lohengrin," Miss Phyllis Hazell and Mr. H. Richards will also give arias as a prologue. Booking arrangements can now be. made. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Ronald Colnian and Vilrna Banky, two of the most romantic figures on the screen, are seen together in "The Magic 1 Flame," the United Artists production which will be shown at the Majestic Theatre for the first time to-morrow. In this production, which has received the praise of critics wherever shown, Coleman has a dual role, as a count who inherits'a kingdom and as a clown, while Vilma Banky is seen as a trapeze artist in a circus. " 'The Magic Flame' is like no other picture I have ever seen," wrote a well-known American reviewer. "There is humour and pathos, comedy and stark tragedy all intermingled in a dazzling story which for sheer novelty and intrigue brings something entirely new to the cinema.' It abounds in romance and it is the strong type of romance at that. Never does it degenerate into that sickly-sweet type that cloys the palate. The picture will certainly increase' the already international reputation that Mr. Colman and Miss Banky have attained as the greatest lovers on the screen." Prior to the screening of "The Magic Flame" "a special prologue, in which Miss Bettina Edwards and a ballet of six will appear, will be presented on the stage. The supporting picture programme includes the Majestic Magazine, a scenic film and a, comedy.

RECxENT THEATRE. Probably the most popular "comedy team" in motion pictures, Wallace Beery and Raymond Hatton, appear with great success in "Now We're in the Air," the Paramount production which heads the new programme commencing at the Regent Theatre to-morrow It is the fourth of a series of pictures in which these ever-en-tertnining comedians play the parts of two companions, strangely ill-assorted, who pass through a number of incredible adventures in an element that is completely strange to them. They have already appeared as soldiers, sailors and firemen, in "Behind the Froift." "We'ra in the Navy Now," and "Firemen, Save Mv Child" respectively, and in their newest attraction, they play the role of aviators, who take to the air rather by accident than because they know anything about handling aeroplanes. The possibilities of such a theme are obvious, arte it is said that the producers have realised them. There is also a love interest, supplied by Louise Brooks, which is of a type new to the Beery-Hat-t.on picture. For the first time, the ridiculous pair does not have to stand aside for some more conventional hero, and the difficulty of deciding which of the two deserves to win the object of his affections is neatly solved by making Louise Brooks play the parts of two equally charming twins. I'ola Negri plays the leading role in "The Woman on Trial," which will be the principal supporting attraction. It is described as a now opportunity for Miss Negri, being chiefly a drama of mother love. A comerlv and topical gazette will also be screened.

NATIONAL AND LYRIC. Olive Borden's latest Fox Films production, "Pyjamas," is the main attraction on the new programme to be screened today at the National and Lyric Theatres. Miss Borden is cast as the daughter of a New ,York millionaire. She is wiful and vivacious, paying little heed to her father's admonitions, until John Weston appears upon the scene. Weston (Lawrence Gray) has come to the Wade home to discuss Canadian business transaction with Angela Wade's father. Angela, encountering Weston when her car crowds his vehicle off the highway, calmly lays the blame on W'eston and drives away toward her magnificent estate. Weston, bent upon seeing her father, follows and is amazed to find that this little spitfire is the daughter of the man he has journeyed to Long Island to see. Erom this point onwards a series of exciting and amusing episodes leads up to a climax described as both entirely unexpected and thrilling in the extreme. Another popular actress, May McAvoy, appears in "Irish Hearts," a comedy which is said to characterise all the best elements of Irish life. Jason Robards, Kathleen Key and Warner Richmond are included in the capable supporting cast.

GRAND THEATRE. "The Thirteenth Hour," a special Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production, will be the principal attraction on the new double-feature programme to be presented for the first time at the Grand Theatre to-morrow. A mystery drama, claimed to be one of the greatest ever screened, the story concerns an unknown criminal who always strikes om hour after midnight and seeks to separate a beautiful girl from her lover. The picture introduces a new dog to the screen, Napoleon, ai, ex-German police dog of the most sagacious type. A thrilling climax is reached when this dog attacks the criminal on a house-top against overwhelming odds, when all the detectives have failed to make an arrest. The leading player in the strong cast is Lionel Barrymore. one ol the most capable and versatile actors, while Jacqueline Gadsden and Charles Delaney are cast as the separated lovers. Comedy is introduced by Fred Kelsey and Polly Moran, who was last seen in "The Callahans and the Murphys." The second attraction will be "In Old Kentucky," an excellent racing drama of a strikingly unusual type. James Murray, Hefene Costello, Wesley Barry and Dorothy Ctimming are the featured players.

PRINCESS AND TIVOLI. * Comedy is the predominant note in "Cheating Cheaters," Betty Compson's latest production, which will be screened at the Princess and Tivoli Theatres for the first time to-day. The plot, which concerns a mysterious jewel robbery, is laid round the'efforts of a gang of New York criminals to enter the upper strata of society. The action is said to he baffling in the extreme, and at the same time to contain genuine humour from beginning to end Opposite Betty Compson is Kenneth Harlan, one of the most popular leading men on the screen, while other well-known players in the cast are Lucien Littlefleld, Svlvia Ashton. Cosare Qravina, and E. .T. RatcMe. Another attraction on the same programme is "Hie Love Mart," a romance laid in New Orleans in the picturesque days of the early nineteenth century. Billie Dftve, Gilbert Roland and Noah Beery have the leading roles. A reviewer has written of this picture:'-"Miss Dove seems to have reached a point in her career when her work has taken 'on an even finer quality, a stronger appeal than in the past. As Antoinette, the aristocratic girl who is accused of being an octoroon and sold at auction, only to be purchased by the man she. loves and, when proven white, to marry him, she gsves a characterisation that is tremendously appealing."

MUNICIPAL CONCERT. The numerous counter-attractions militated considerably against the attendance at the Town Hall last evening, when the second municipal concert of the season was given. Those present, numbering some 80 persons, were, however, emphatic in their appreciation of the wellchosen programme of music played by the city organist, Mr. Maughan Barnett. Opening with a fine example of 18th century organ composition. Stanley's "Concerto in D Minor," the recitalist speedily proved himself a master of the instrument. Each of the three movements from the pen of this blind genius of bygone days was invested with a rare distinction. The expressive nature of the music in Rhein berger's "Adagio" from the composer's "Fantasia Sonata" in A fiat major, was well depicted. Julian Nesbitt's Celtic Suite. "From Hebrid Seas," possessed some strong imaginative touches, each of the three numbers being a definite picture in sound. Some delightful registration was noted in "Sea Croon" and "Sea Plaint," while in "Sea Surge," one seemed to hear the roar of the breakers on the rugged Hebridean coasts. Bach's "Toccata, Adagio, and Fugue in C" proved a strongly testing example of, this composer's work. A prominent feature of the "Toccata" itself was the brilliant pedal solo which foreshadowed the two subjects used alternately during the rest of the movement. The part-playing in the "Fugue" was invariably clear-cut, and convincing. Schubert was represented upon the programme by the numbers, "Peace" and the popular "Marche Militairc." The latter so enticed the audience with its jaunty rhythms, that a repetion was demanded. A particularly arresting feature of this march was the organist's treatment of the tri section. Other numbers by Mr. Barnett included Corelli's piquant "Gavotte." Vocal selections by Madame Garnier, which were sung with some temperament, included the Spanish song, "La Partida" (Alvarez), "Serenata" (Toselli), and the "Habaneia" from Bizet's "Carmen," the last-mentioned being one of the artist's recall songs. Mr. Leo. Whittaker was always dependable as accompanist.

STRAND THEATRE. Entering to-morrow on its third week at the Strand Theatre, "Sorrell and Son," the United Artists production of Warwick Deeping's famous novel, has won great applause as a remarkably faithful dramatisation of a remarkable book. Several episodes have been altered for motion picture purposes, some have even been omitted, but the profound tragedy of the main theme has been preserved in its entirely by the skill of the director, Herbert Brenonr Another remarkable feature of the screen version is the success with which the intrinsically English atmosphere of the story has been retained by an understanding choice of settings and very artistic photography of the modern type. The cast, headed by the veteran actor, H. B. Warner, is a powerful one. Mr. Warner plays th« part of Captain Stephen Sorrell, in which there is so much pathos that a lesser actor would inevitably become maudlin, with a restrained strength that makes him, as the author intended, the central figure of the sfcbry. Nils Asther, who is new to Auckland audiences, fills, the role of Christopher, the young man, and Micky sMcßann, portrays Christopher at school. A fine contrast 10 the nobility of (he chief characters is provided by Carmel Myers, as the mistress of the Anchor Hotel, who persecutes Captain Sorrell almost beyond endurance when he is working as porter at the hotel, and by Anna Q. Nilsson, as the shallow and sophisticated mother of Christopher. Alice Joyce gives an appealing performance as Fanny Garland, the housekeeper of the Pelican Inn,' with whom Captain Stephen Sorrell at last finds happiness.

IRISH NATIONAL CONCERT. Commencing with "Hail, Glorious St. Patrick," sung by combined schools, a programme of truly Irish music will be presented at a grand national concert to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, which will be held in the Town- Hall on Saturday evening. Those who have promised to give their services as performers are wellknown favourites with Auckland concertgoers, and the programme selected will bring back many memories of their coum try to children of Ireland who attend the concert. Mr. Harry Hiscocks will play the great organ and act as accompanist, and the entertainment will be directed by Mr. M. Guthrie. Grand choruses by the combined schools, songs and instrumental solos, including a number on the harp, consecrated by tradition to Ireland, will comprise the programme. Among the items will be "Caringdhoun" (grand chorus), "The Harp that onte through Tara's Halls," "The Hills of Donegal," "Kathleen Mavourneen" and "For the Green." The contributing artists will be Mrs. Cyril Towsey, Mrs. Gordon Hilyer, Miss Mavis Grevatt, Miss Alma McGruer, Miss Beryl Smith. Miss Elsie Bentley, and Messrs. E. Angel, D. Black, A. Ripley, T. Harris, J. Simpson, and J. Hogan. Booking arrangements are advertised.

BRITISH LEGION MATINEE. Messrs. Fuller-Hayward have offered to devote the whole of the gross takings of a matinee at the Strand Theatre today to relieve the urgent need of the families of three officers who were disabled while serving in the Great War. The appeal is being organised under the auspices of the British Legion, an organisation to which the late Field-Marshal Earl Haig devoted the last years of his life. The film shown will be 'Sorrell and Son," which in itself is a masterpiece in every way, and it is peculiarly suitable as it shows the plight of an exofficer who fell on hard times.

WIRTHS' CIRCUS. The last performance in Auckland by the popular Wirths' Circus will be given this evening. As the circlis has attracted large crowds at all its performances, many people will take this last opportunity of seeing the novel and spectacular acts of this large and highly-skilled company. Among the attractions on the programme aro Pallenberg's bears, Chester Dieek, a clever Indian cyclist, a troupe of performing lions and many per-fectly-trained animals.