MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 638, 15 April 1929, Page 13

MAJESTIC

FILM OF NAVAL ADVENTURES “The Further Adventures of the Flag Lieu tenant/' a picture crammed full of romance and exciting adventure, is delighting the audiences at the. Majestic Theatre. Lieutenant Richard Lascelles, R.N., was the trusted “Flag" or A.D.C. to Vice-Admiral Sir Berkeley Wynne, Commanding Officer of the Naval Forces, operating in the China Seas. Lieutenant Lascelles loved the Admiral s daughter, and though far removed from his lady love, he made light of the miles of ocean separating them and the troublesome times that were holding his attention. He sent for her and her arrival coincided with an anarchist organisation’s attempt to undermine British prestige and gain control of the territory held under a British protectorate. Events moved swiftly, and when the girl found out how both her father and her lover were grappling with the sinister influence she. like a true daughter of England,- threw in her lot with them and succeeded in outwitting the plotters, and had the pleasure of witnessing their destruction. This powerful story is the plot of “The Further Adventures of the Flag Lieutenant.” In the cast are T-Tonry Edwards and Lilian Oldland, whose parts in the previous story of the “Flag Lieutenant.” released under that title, was considered a wonderful performance. The supporting programme includes the famous melody song film, “Songs of Scotland,” with special accompaniment. by Mr. Whiteford Waugh’s. Majestic Orchestra. The other films arc n. comedy, a Majestic Magazine and “Auckland on Wheels.”

GRAND AND LYRIC “PARADISE” “Paradise,” the big picture at the Lyric Grand Theatres, stars Betty Balfour with Alexandre D'Arcy. The story tells of Kitty Cranston, daughter of a poor East End clergyman, who helps the household exchequer by working as a milliner. She is tired of her surroundings and longs for the sunshine and to live a sunny, happy life. She is dismissed from her employment, but wins £SOO in a crossword puzzle competition, and her dreams become realities on the Riviera. The reality is not what, she expected, however, and. she passes through a lot of adventures before she is rescued by her doctor lover, and taken back to the drab surroundings and “squawking babies" of her East End suburb, where she finds happiness and peace. “Homesick,” the second feature, is an hilarious comedy starring the , inimitable Sammy Cohen.

PLAZA AND TIVOLI “SCARLET SEAS” 1 Richard Barthelmess, an adventurer | of the high seas, is now at the Plaza and Tivoli Theatres. Again on Saturday night a crowded house witnessed J “Scarlet Seas,” the star’s newest fcaI ture. 4 Enthusiasm ran high and the I general verdict was a favourable one, j for both Barth el mess and the producI tion. j Not in a long while has Barthelmess ! appeared to better advantage or in a | more colourful role than as Steve Don- | kin, the roaming seaman, whose lack !of respect for “God or man” met the j crucible of fate and found his soul ! therein. I The picture teems with action. A fleet of ships was used and countless extras took part in the spectacular scenes “somewhere east of Suez” and on the high seas. The sea sequences were brilliantly executed and are of authentic origin, types were evidently selected carefully and the story intelligently handled giving the tout ensemble a feeling of genuineness so valuable to the sincerity of a motion picture feature. Several years ago Barthelmess was seen in another sea story called "Fury,” and it has been a happy thought that gave him another story with such a oackground at this time. His success in “Scarlet Seas" should duplicate the long list of successes this popular star has already built up in the last two years such'as "The Patent Leather Kid." "The Noose," and "The Wheel of Chance.” Director John Francis Dillon has imbued the production with deft and vivid touches and the cast is one of superlative merit with Betty Compson in a realistic characterisation and Loretta Young looking very sweet and pretty. The second attraction at both theatres is "Naughty Baby.” a breezy and fast-moving story of New York. ! millionaires and borrowed clothes, j Alice White and Jack Mulhall have the leading roles. 1