AMUSEMENTS AND MEETINGS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20105, 26 March 1928, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS AND MEETINGS

THE MAJESTIC THEATRE With George O’Brien in the leading role, Allan Dwan has directed a marvelous picture from Felix Ricsenberg’s novel, “East Side, West Side.” This Fox film opened ou Saturday night at the Majestic Theatre. Dwan planned* the screen treatment of “East Side, West Side.” He also chose Virginia \ alii as the leading woman. “East Side, West Side” is first the story of a rugged man ’s career and, second, the story of Greater New York. The scene .‘■weeps from the river fronts, through the slums, along the Bowery, up Fifth Avenue to Harlem, Morningside and, Washington Heights. Since he directed Douglas Fairbanks in 4 ‘Robin Hood” and Gloria Swanson in “Zaza” and “Manhandled,” Dwan has steadily maintained his reputation for producing powerful pictures. With tho combination of a popular star and, a well known story, Dwan has made another in 4 East Side, West Side.” “The Honeymoon Express,” the Warner picture, starring Irene Rich and Willard Louis, which is also showing, is one of the most decided bits of screen realism of the season. It depicts the home life of a typical American family, so amusingly, so humanly, and with such insight that your critic feels constrained to acclaim James Flood, tho director, as one of the real masters. Irene Rich, as another type or mother, the worm-that-turned type, i» a delight. Willard Louis as the philandering papa is a rib-tickler. The supporting players give variety and the result is a picture of unusual distinction. Wednesday’s Programme Queen Marie of Rumania was offered £5,500 for a single day’s work in an American moving picture on her last visit to the United States. At the time there was much to-do about the offer, but Her Royal Highness finally declined, and the role went to a professional actress, Clarissa Selwynne. , The film was Tolstoy’s 44Resurrection,” which comes to the Majestic [Theatre next Wednesday. Needless to lad/1, Miss Selwynne was paid: less than | £5.500 per day! Through the Hollyj wood Chamber of Commerce., Edwin Carewe, director and eo-producer with Inspiration Pictures of ‘ ( Resurrection” extended the £5.500 offer for a day’s camera work to Queen Marie. Carewe’s thought that Queen Marie .would probably wish to turn over the money to the relief fund being raised at the time to aid poor and needy children of Rumania; and for that reason be made the sum so large. As a matter of fact tho beautiful visitor had to change her route of travel after she reached the United States, so that Hollywoo»d was |not in the itinerary. The dignified I role of Princcsss Olga Ivanovitch N’ekhludof, mother of Prince Dmitri (Rod La Rocque) in the great Tolstoy drama, was given to Clarissa Selwynne the day after Queen Marie stated on arrival in Now York that she would not enter the movies. Mr Billy Hart, who is so well known for his singing over the Radio from 2YA. (Wellington) has been specially engaged to sing 44 Russian Lullaby” prior to the screening of 44 Resurrection.”