AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 94, 22 April 1931, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE. An eloquent tribute to the work Royal Flying Corps in the Great War is ; paid by the sensational air spectacle,"Hell's Angels," -which is drawing crowded houses to the Regent Theatre* Tie story centres round two studentswho enlist in the Flying Corps and fall victims to the charms of a beautiful VA..D. girL On the eve of their departure for France a Zeppelin makes a night raid on London. There are wonderful scenes, showing the airship nosing its way through moonlit clouds, and of the destruction of the Zeppelin when a British 'plane plunges against it, to send it crashing to earth, a mass of flame. The scene changes to the western front, where the effect of the girl's tragic downfall sends the young men on a perilous mission to bomb a munition dump in German territory. As their 'plane leaves for home a squadron of German fighters swoops down to the attack. A fleet of British 'planes speeds to the rescue, and the following battle of 40 machines, thousands of feet above the billowing clouds, is perhaps the most amazing in film history. James Hall, Ben Lyon, Jean Harlowe, and Lucien Prival are the leading players. PLAZA THEATRE, "The Matrimonial Problem,'* a screen version of Seymour Hicks' sparkling French comedy, will head to-morrow's new programme at the Plaza Theatre. The story centres round the difficulties of a young husband who tires of his wife and begins a number of flirtations. Frank Fav. Lilyan Tashman, and Beryl Mercer, who are noted for their excellent comedy work, nr« the principal players. "Sinners' Holiday," based on the daring society comedy which caused a sensation on tho stage, will be the supporting picture. A capable cast is headed by Grant Withers and Evelyn Knapp. The story of a murderer who evades arrest, but is tracked down by two young lovers, forms an exciting theme for "The Perfect Alibi," an adaptation of A. A. Milne's "The Fourth Wall," which will have its final screening this evening. Robert Lorraine, Frank Lawt&n, and Dorothy Boyd fill the leading roles. NATIONAL THEATRE. A romantic drama of a womarfs redemption through love is unfolded in "Madonna of the Streets," which will open a season at the National Theatre on Friday. Evelyn Brent, who will bo remembered for her excellent work opposite Clive Brook in "Interference," gives the finest portrayal in her career as the pampered favourite of a millionaire who falls in love with his idealistic nephew, but finds it difficult to win his respect* Robert Ames, the talented young actor of "Holiday," fills the leading male role, while the supporting cast includes Josephine Dunn and Ivan Linlow. The adventures of a deep-sea pearl diver, who, saved from death on the floor of the ocean, finds himself worshipped by the natives of a South Sea Island are told in the exciting melodrama "The Sea God," which will have its final screening at the National Theatre to-morrow. Richard Arlen appears as a young adventurer, who is at war with a villainous trader for the love of a beautiful girl, and excites his enmity further when he learns the secret of a bed of pearls lying in deep water off a savage island. JOSEPH HISLpP'S RETURN. Joseph Hislop, world-famous British tenor, who made a triumphal tour through New Zealand in 1927, will make a second appearance at the Auckland Town Hall for a season of three nights, commencing April 30. Mr. Hislop, who was born in Scotland, scored his first operatic success in Stockholm, and has several times given performances before Royalty. He has just concluded a successful tour through Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Norway and Sweden. His present tour should be highly successful, as his repertoire, which ranges from grand opera to simple ballads, is such as to make an effective appeal to all tastes. Messrs. J. and N. Tait again have the handling of Mr. Hislop's New Zealand tour, and, desiring to bring the recitals within the scope of all, they have provided for concessions to students of musical and educational institutions. Mr. Isidor Goodman, a talented pianist, accompanies Me. Hislop. TIVOLI AND RIALTO THEATRES. The difficulties of a popular writer who is looked upon by his "high-brow" wife are amusingly portrayed by the inimitable English comedian Tom Walls in "Canaries Sometimes Sing," whieh is now screening at the Tivoli and Rialto Theatres. The lady finds consolation in his old school friend, but the husband retaliates by flirting with the other man's wife (Yvonne Arnaud). A "Vagabond" travelogue, a cartoon and a Mack Sennett comedy complete the programme. An orchestra appears at each theatre. LYRIC THEATRE. "All Quiet on the Western Front," the film version of Remarque's famous story of the Great War, is now showing at the Lyric Theatre. Lewis Ayres gives a brilliant portrayal as a German youth, who enlists enthusiastically with a crowd of friends, only to see them Silled off one by one. The late Louis Wolheim is splendid as Katscinzky, the rascally but kindly old sergeant. BILL OF DIVORCEMENT. Members' preferential box plans are now open at Lewis Eady's for the Little Theatre Society's production of "A Bill of Divorcement," which opens a season at His Majesty's Theatre on April 30. The play, which was written by Clemence Da'ne, dramatically portrays the after effects of the Great War on a middle-class English family. "A Bill of Divorcement" is being produced by Mr. Kenneth Brampton, who ia to leave for England shortly, and the cast includes: —Miss Y. McVeagh (as Margaret), Miss IsT. Wright (Sydney), Miss Mina Wallbank (Hester), Mr. W. H. Graham (Pumphrey), Mr. J. Mackle (Gray), Mr. C. Zahara (Kit), and Mr. A. J. Fisher (Hilary).