Round The Shows

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 430, 11 August 1928, Page 16

Round The Shows

LAUGHTER WITH THRILLS

“CIRCUS ROOKIES” AT THE MAJESTIC Contentment which comes after a perfectly satisfying feast overlaid the audience at the Majestic Theatre last evening, when the management had served up this week’s programme for the first time. Comedy with thrills was the order of the night, and gloom, mystery and melodrama (that ancient and tragic trio) were completely forgotten. Two massive comedies, “Circus Rookies,” with that excellent couplet of comedians, Karl Dane and George K. Arthur, and “Soft Living,” with Madge Bellamy, fill up most of the bill, leaving just enough room for Mr. Whiteford Waugh’ and his orchestra to play Laval’s “Joan of Arc,” that splendid overture, and for the news of the world’s doings to be placed before one. “Rookies,” that tale of greenhorns in the United States Army, was noted by most nationalities to be the best comedy of 1927. Now Karl Dane and George K. Arthur are back again in a sequel, which, strange to say, overshadows the first picture with its monument of comedy. The two comedians have come back more strongly than ever in the tale of a circus, which leaves one breathless with laughter. The burly Dane is a rough neck railroad tramp who follows Magoo’s circus in the hope of getting a job. Repeated refusals never blight his hopes, and, in a delightfully humorous situation he makes good by cleaning out the cage of the savage gorilla Bimbo, Karl Dane which has mauled five keepers. From them on Dane is one of the big draws in the show. At a “kick” town George K. Arthur shows up as a reporter come to interview La Belle, the shapely trapeze artist (Louise Lorraine), and he falls foul of the gorilla-tamer from the first moment. Circumstances crowd Arthur into joining the circus, and Dane endeavours to “take it out of him” with varying success, but always with a maximum of humour. The picture is a circus in itself, because one of the big American shows, with its scores of “stunt” artists and its menagerie, was hired for the production. One of the big thrills in “Circus Rookies” is the escape of the gorilla on the runaway circus train, and the chase over the roofs of the carriages. Madge Bellamy, the beautiful comedienne, is the star of the second attraction, “Soft Living,” the story of a girl who wanted alimony more than a husband. She sets out to capture a young lumber king, who, on his wedding day, overhears the plan of campaign. The result is that he does not take his bride to Honolulu, but to his lumber camp in the wilderness, where he leaves her in charge of two Irishmen with instructions that they are Swedes with no knowledge of English. The cure is perfectly successful and Madge finishes by wanting a husband more than alimony. The news film features the running of the Derby at Epsom, and other outstanding events of current history. Under the perfect control of Mr. Whiteford Waugh the Majestic Orchestra plays the overture entr’acte, and the incidental music, providing a. pleasant background of melody for the high lights of comedy. “Joan of Arc” (Laval) is interpreted with sympathy and colour.

BAND AT ZOO TO-MORROW

The Municipal Band plays at the Zoological Park toa-morrow (Sunday) afternoon, at 3 o’clock. A fine programme includes the bright marches, “The Blue Ridge Division,” “Ferenaki,” and “Windy Hill,” overture “The Caliph of Bagdad,” selections from “Sunny” and “The Last Waltz,” Dvorak’s “Humoreske,” “La Serenata” and “The Blue Danube” waltz.

CLICK CLACK CABARET

The Click Clack Cabaret, Newmarket, will be the scene of an enjoyable dance this evening from 8 p.m. to 12 p.m. There will be excellent music and cabaret items.

CAPITOL AND EDENDALE

“WIFE SAVERS” TO-NIGHT Wallace Beery and Raymond Hatton are together again. They have been soldiers and sailors and airmen. They then turned their hand to putting out fires with laughing success. Now they’re back in the army for a little while, and Wally tries his hand at mountain climbing after demobilisation in “Wife Savers,” to be shown at the Capitol and Edendale Theatres this evening. Wallace Beery (Louis Hozenozzle) is the official biscuit maker of the small section of the American Army that is making the Swiss Alps safe for tourists at the time the World War ends. Raymond Hatton (Rodney Ramsbottom) is a second-lieutenant in Beery’s outfit, and is the greatest hound for salutes in the army. He particularly likes to make Beery salute him as their positions were reversed in civilian life. Hatton was a waiter in a hash house where Beery lorded it as head waiter.

“Doomsday,” which will also be shown, stars Florence Vidor in a romance of a girl who married the wrong

“ON YOUR TOES”

AT PLAZA AND TIVOLI SHORTLY

Reginald Denny’s latest picture will soon be seen in Auckland. This is a boxing picture, entitled “On Your Toes,” which is coming to the Plaza and Tivoli next Thursday. Reginald Denny is familiar to every

movie patron in the world through his numerous screen successes, but in this newest and greatest comedy he surpasses everything that he has given film audiences in the past. Universal has selected the finest cast it could assemble to support Denny. Barbara Worth, the leading lady, is one of Hollywood's most beautiful and charming women. She is a worthy opposite for the handsome Denny. Mary Carr, the screen’s “bestknown mother,” has a featured role. Others in the cast are such players as Hayden Stevenson, Frank Hagney and Gertrude Howard. Fred Newmeqer wielded the megaphone. Denny portrays the born boxer whose good nature makes him chickenhearted in a fight. The schemes by which he is finally made mad enough to fight for the championship provide an evening of the most glowing and thrilling entertainment.

Lovely, dark-eyed Madge Bellamy, the queen of all light comediennes, comes to Auckland shortly in another scintillating film, “Soft Living.” It is based on an original story, on the question of love versus alimony, and more than gives Miss Bellamy a chance to prove her genius as a subtle comedienne. It is the story of a young secretary who marries a handsome young man for his money, but who finds to her amazement it is much easier and more pleasing to herself to win his love than his pocket-book. Johnny Mack Brown, a comparative newcomer to the screen, has the leading male role.

“ACROSS TO SINGAPORE”

COMING TO MAJESTIC SHORTLY “Across to Singapore,” a vivid drama of the sea, with Ramon Novarro as the star, is the attraction commencing shortly at the Mejestic Theatre. This much-heralded Metro-Goldwyn • Mayer drama is a vivid story of romance and adventure, laid on the high seas, in New England and in the mysterious Oriental melting-pot of Singapore. The new play is a graphic romance of the clipper ships, with Novarro as a young sailor, enmeshed in a strange love affair which leads to dramatic adventure. Much of the picture was

RAMON NOVARRO appears in “ACROSS TO SINGAPORE,” which will be shown at the Majestic Theatre next Friday, filmed aboard the old clipper ship, “Narwahl,” which put to sea with the company for a lengthy Pacific cruise during which the sea scenes, including the terrific storm, the mutiny, and the attack of Oriental pirates, was filmed. Joan Crawford, noted for her work in many pictures, plays the heroine and Ernest Torrence, James Mason, Edward Connelly, Frank Currier, Anna May Wong, Dan Wolheim, Duke Martin and others of note are in the cast. The Singapore scene, showing a famous Oriental resort and other interesting spots, was constructed on a spectacular scale, and an entire New England village was built as another huge setting for the new picture. Novarro has, as a modern sailor, a role unlike any in his entire career.

DIXIELAND

SATURDAY GALA NIGHT Dancing will be enjoyed this evening at the Dixieland Cabaret at the usual Saturday night gala. Music will be supplied by the Dixieland Famous Dance Band, and the excellent floor and comfortable surroundings assure a Happy evening. Dancing will begin at 8 p.m. Now that he has begun work on “Revenge,” a Gipsy story adapted from Konrad Bercovicis “The Bear Tamer's Daughter,” his studio is crowded to its limits with people who claim full Gipsy blood. Most of them say they know all about Rumania and every other Gipsy region.

“SCANDAL”

TUESDAY AT HIS MAJESTY’S Mr. Leon Gordon has won a reputation as a superb actor, so it is not surprising to hear that the revival of “Scandal,” which is to be staged here on Tuesday night next, created a furore in Wellington recently, and attracted record audiences here. Miss May Collins, too, as the vivacious Beatrix Vanderdyke, proves herself one of the finest actresses who has yet appeared in New Zealand. “Scandal” has been staged in Auckland on a previous occasion, but a brief outline of the story may be acceptable to those who have not enjoyed this fascinating comedy: Beatrix Vanderdyke is the spoilt daughter of wealthy New Yorkers, and imagines that she can take care of herself in any circumstances, even at midnight in the studio of a notorious artist, whose reputation makes Don Juan’s seem a creamy white. Her parents track her there, and to save her face she declares she has been secretly married to Pelham Franklin, who has a flat in the same building, and whom she hates. As Franklin is a good catch, the parents and Aunt Honoria are too delighted, and they insist on a wedding breakfast and speeches and all the rest of it. In the second act Is presented a beautiful bedroom prepared for the happy couple, and iater a daring scene between the fictitious husband and his now very rueful wife. This scene always creates a sensation, and interest in the play is sustained right up to the final fall of the curtain. Mr. Gordon and the members of his company will leave for Wellington on Wednesday.

PUCCINI MUSICAL SOCIETY

FIRST PRACTICE ON WEDNESDAY The Puccini Musical Society, which has recently been formed, will commence immediately, and lovers of good music will in the near future have the opportunity of enjoying classical concerts, some of which have not been produced by any other local musical society. An active membership of 60, including many well trained and experienced artists, is already In being, but vacancies are open for any newcomers. The first practice will be held in the St. Benedict’s Hall next Wednesday.

MUNICIPAL CHOIR

TOWN HALL THIS EVENING The fine programme arranged for the Municipal Choir concert in the Town Hall this evening should attract a large audience. The choral numbers will consist of attractive works by Cesar Franck, Dowland and Pearsall, the popular “Faery Chorus” from tire “Immortal Hour,” and arrangements of the Welsh air. “Dear Harp of My Country,” and the Scottish melody, “Blue Bonnets Over the Broder.” Miss Beatrice Elliott will sing numbers from the operas “Tannhauser” and “Herodiade,” and the city organist’s selections will include “Finlandia.” by Sibelius.

OLD-TIME DANCE

O’NEILL STREET HALL Those who enjoy the old-time style of dancing- should enjoy the Old Time Dance to be held at the O’Neill Street Hall, Ponsonby, this evening. Music for waltzes, d’Alberts and other steps is supplied by Paltridge's orchestra. Warner’s new two-million dollar theatre, which was opened at Los Angeles at the end of April, had “Glorious Betsy,’’ featuring Dolores Costello for its premiere, Miss Costello, Conrad Nagel, Betty Blythe, March McDermott, Andre De Segurola, Pasquale Amato and other members of the cast made a personal appearance, and were presented by Al Jolson, who acted as Master of Ceremonies. Master Pictures will release “Glorious Betsy” as one of their 1928 specials.

“Tide of the Empire,” a screen version of Peter B. Kyne’s story, has gone into production. Renee Adoree plays the leading feminine role with George Duryea, a young English actor, playing opposite her. The supporting cast includes George Fawcett, William Collier, jnr., and Paul Hurst. “Tide of the Empire” will be made as one of the most ambitious efforts of MetroG oldwyn - Mayer.

The latest prominent star to be to the Columbia roster is Lya D« who is considered one of tne colourful figures now aiiptann? ” screen. Miss De Putti is portation. Her success in places her at the very top of her fession. Master Pictures slate » Columbia are detM-mmed # quire the best people obuunable sure the future of their productions