MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 91, 8 July 1927, Page 15

MAJESTIC

ELECTION TO-NIGHT To-night promises to be a memorable event in Majestic history. Not only is there a programme of outstanding entertainment, but there is also a unique feature of great interest to all Aucklanders. To-night “Miss Auckland" and her “Maid of IJonour” will bo elected. This will take the form of a brilliant ceremony on the Majestic stage, and the Mayoress will proclaim the two winners, and present them to the Majestic audience. This will be the last time that Aucklanders will have the chance of seeing “Miss Auckland" and her “Maid of Honour" for two or three months, as they leave for a Dominion tour on Monday. They will next be seen in company with the finalists from the South, and then Miss New Zealand, 1927, will be chosen in Auckland, and will leave from here for Hollywood to carry out her contract with the Metro - Goldwyn - Mayer studios. A programme in keeping with the important event to-morrow night has been arranged by the management, which has no hesitation in saying that it is one of the best entertainments yet offered at the Majestic. The big feature is a Metro-Goldwyn special entitled “The Magician,” starring Alice Terry and Paul Wegener, the “Continental Sir Henry Irving.” This tremendous tale of mystery and magic was written by Somerset Maugham, the famous author. This is the first Rex Ingram production for Metro - Goldwyn -Ma yer since his widely discussed and highly successful screen version of Blasco Ibanez’s “Mare Nostrum.”

The story of the new picture is that of a girl caught between the forces of a magician, whom she is unable to resist, and the love for a young surgeon who has saved her from being a helpless cripple by performing a delicate operation on her spine. The entire production was made in Europe on the original locations described by the author in his book. The Latin Quarter of Paris, the Grand Boulevards, the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Monte Carlo, and the interior of the gambling rooms of the Casino, the famous towers of Switzerland and many other places o£ historical and pictorial interest in France, Italy and Switzerland were utilised as backgrounds for “The Magician.”

The supporting programme offers excellent entertainment. Of chief interest is the Fox comedy, entitled “The Battling Kangaroo.” This comedy has for a human star, Lige Conley, and for animal stars, two fine Australian kangaroos. These kangaroos were taken from Australia to America especially for work in comedies. They prove themselves to be clever comedians, and fight and stunt as cleverly as any monkeys. Of topical interest in the gazette are the pictures of the turmoil in China, and motor racing in Florida, showing Major Seagrave and his “Sunbeam.” The New Zealand scenic is entitled “The Angler’s Paradise,” and gives some fine views of the Tongariro River and district. On the stage, Mr. John Montfort, of the Humphrey Bishop musical comedy company, will delight Majestic audiences with popular song ballads from his repertoire. Mr. Montfort has a rich, pure tenor voice, and always gives a musical treat.