THE NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 87, 4 July 1927, Page 13

THE NEW REGENT

SEMI-FINALISTS IN NEW TEST The Regent Theatre is to be congratulated on the manner in which it is conducting the stage tests for the four semi-finalists in the “Miss New Zealand 1927” screen quest. On Saturday night the girls appeared in a dramatic sketch, under actual studio conditions, with flood-lights, a director and a cameraman grinding away on the border of the set. The girls were given excellent hearings and received tumultuous applause. It has been decided by the Regent to present the girls in new studio tests each evening, and the next, the nature of which is not disclosed, will take place this evening. It promises to be even more interesting than Saturday’s, and voters should be greatly assisted in making up their minds for whom to record their vote for “Miss Auckland” and her Maid of Honour. The chief picture attraction is the remarkable British feature, released by Paramount, entitled, “London.” This is the screen version of Thomas Burke’s famous story of Limehouse, which he wrote specially for the screen, and which was produced by British National Pictures. That -wonderful artiste, Dorothy Gish, protege of D. W. Griffith, has the leading role. “London” is as British as the British —indeed, with the title of the Mother City of the World, could it be otherwise? Its throbbing drama of a little waif transplanted into the “upper circle” in Mayfair, is told against a background of some of the most popular and notable sights that ever intrigued a tourist. The Tower of London, -where many a noble lost his head, is there. The sinister Thames Embankment, famous haunt for down-and-outers and jumping-off place of suicides, is shown, as is Limehouse Reach and infamous quarters of Chinatown. The three hundred-year-old Opera House, the National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, Soho, Rotten Row, the Houses of Parliament, and “Charlie Brown’s.” the well-known sailor’s bar, are all there. St. James’s Palace, home of the Prince of Wales, the Kit Kat Club, with Paul Whiteman afid his renowned band; the Old Curiosity Shop, made famous by Charles Dickens; and the London coffee stalls also appear in various scenes. Petticoat Lane is there, too, and from that haunt you are switched to the Henley Regatta to see the finish of the “Diamond Sculls” race —the year’s most notable society event. It should not be thought that the film is just a “scenic.” Thomas Burke, and his “Limehouse Nights,” never fail to thrill, and it is while the drama is intriguing audiences that they are taken, there and everywhere in Mother London. A special musical programme, including the overture, “Romantique” (Keler Bela), is played by the operatic orchestra, under the baton of Maurice Guttridge. At the Mighty Wurlitzer, Eddie Horton plays Schubert’s “Serenade” and “Loin du Bal.” There is an excellent comedy and Regent News.