NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 664, 16 May 1929, Page 15

NEW REGENT

LAST DAYS OF “WHITE SHADOWS” Only a few more days .remain for Aucklanders to see the wonderful film, “White Shadows in the South Seas.” which has full sound synchronisation, and which is now at the New Jtegent Theatre. The story opens in Hikuero and shows the enslavement of the natives by the white traders who have established a pearling centre on the island. Dr. Matthew Lloyd (Monte Blue), who has sunk to the level of a beachcomber through drink, incurs the antagonism of Sebastian, a trader, by his defence of a disabled diver. In revenge. Sebastian lias Lloyd lured on board a plague ship under the pretence that his professional services are needed. Lloyd is lashed to the wheel and set adrift. The schooner is wrecked on a reef, but Lloyd struggles to shore, where he is received with the utmost friendliness and hospitality by the natives. Eventually he wins the "tapau,” or village virgin, a role played by Kaquel Torres, for his wife, by saving the life of her little brother. He is regenerated, but the discovery of pearls awakens his cupidity, and his desire to return to civilisation, and he lights a beacon fire on the mountain top in the hope of attracting some passing steamer. The grief of his native sweetheart turns him from his purpose. The lire, however, brings Sebastian’s schooner to the island. Lloyd is killed in protecting his sweetheart from Sebastian, and after his death the scenes of Hikuero are re-enacted on the island. Hundreds of soldiers in the military camps, scores of chorus girls in backstage scenes. Such Vs the variety of atmosphere background in "The Shopworn Angel,” in which Nancy Carroll and Gary Cooper are co-featured. This all-talking Paramount picture will show at the New Kegent Theatre from next Monday. "The Shopworn Angel" is the story of a girl imbued with the Broadway gold-digging complex, and held by the glittering life of the stage, who falls in love with a shy, retiring boy from the country, while on his way to the battlefields of France. Their love is mutual, but the girl realises that the boy loves her for what he thinks she is and what she knows she is not.

One of tlie most interesting and entertaining of the new British Dominions films to be released in this country is Mabel Boulton’s latest picture, "Wild Cat Hetty.” The story concerns a young scientist who, through unusual circumstances, meets Hetty, a little untamed product of the London slums. lie becomes obsessed with, the idea that environment and his scientific efforts will make a lady out of Hetty. His experiences lead to some very amusing situations, with which is mingled a suggestion of pathos. Mabel Poulton. as Hetty, proves her remarkable ability as a screen actress, and Eric Bransby Williams. as the lover, shows a keen sense of refined and restrained acting.

j H.R.H. Prince George paid an unexpected visit to the British International studios at Elstree, London, and with his party derived much information and enlightenment. He expressed afterwards his appreciation of the ex..cellent, work being done, _