MAJESTIC ROXY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 843, 11 December 1929, Page 17

MAJESTIC

ROXY

LAST DAYS OF “GHOST TALKS” After seeing “The Ghost Talks,” a special feature length Fox Movietone film which is still being shown at the Majestic Theatre, many conclusions come to mind. The principal one is that the alltaking picture is as efficacious a method of interpreting humour as there is today. Never before has a full length farce comedy packed so many laughs in the same vehicle —and that does not except silent feature comedies by noted star comedians. Lew* Seiler, veteran comedy director, is responsible for this production. The cast includes Charles Eaton, Helen Twelvetrees, Earle Foxe, Carmel Myers, Stepin Fetchit, Baby Mack, Mickey Bennett and others. In addition to an excellent programme of short talking and singing featurettes, this entertainment is notable for the appearance of Mr. Whiteford-Waugh’s Majestic Stage Band, of individual soloists, playing many new selections and old favourites. On Friday next the Majestic will present “Under the Southern Cross,” the all-Maori production made recently in New Zealand. In addition to the Maori players the leading roles are played by two excellent Maori actors, Patiti Warbrick and Wltarina Mitchell. Little did the producers of “Under the Southern Cross” realise what they were in for when 1 they left the completely equipped studio stages of Universal City for New Zealand, to make a picture dealing with the Maori race. One of their big handicaps proved the handling of big mob scenes in which many of the native extras could speak little English, and were quite confused over the American accent of the director and his assistants. In order to secure the correct facial expressions and “registrations,” so necessary in “close-up” photography. Director Collins had to communicate his idea to an educated Maori assistant, who in turn conveyed what was wanted on to the Maori actor in his own language. Very often, in his enthusiasm, Mr. Collins would revert to studio parlance, at which' even his Maori interpreted would “register” a blank expression. ROYAL, KINGSLAND The amusing satire by Anita Loos, “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” has been made into an equally amusing film and is now at the Theatre Royal, Kingsland. All the charming wit of the novel has been retained in the film, which is presented by a large cast of Hollywood favourites. A second feature is also being screened in “Masked Emotions.” This stars George O’Brien as a young yachtsman on a pleasure trip, who finds romance and thrilling adventure with a gang of smugglers.

DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMMES Two pictures of outstanding interest comprise the double-feature programme at the Roxy Theatre. William Boyd, who gave a fine performance in “The Leatherneck,” has the leading role, which gives him every opportunity to exercise his undoubted dramatic talent. He has the part of a stunt flyer, surrounded by a bevy of admiring girls. He learns that his younger brother has become involved in an affair with a cabaret dancer, and visits the cabaret to persuade his younger brother of his mistake, only to fall in love with the girl himself. The two brothers quarrel over the girl, but a settlement is reached after a number of exciting incidents. The conclusion shows the dancer married to the aviator, while the younger brother takes possession of the bevy of girls. The film abounds in thrilling aerial scenes, which add considerably to the realism of the production. In the leading feminine role Marie Prevost gives a very fine performance. The new programme to be presented at the Roxy Theatre on Friday includes the all-talking and singing feature, “Lucky in Love,” introducing yet another Broadway star in Morton Downey; also Lon Chaney’s latest picture, “Thunder,” which is said to be well up to the standard of Chaney’s previoous films.