AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 249, 20 October 1928, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS.

EMBASSY THEATRE. The public never outgrows its liking for melodrama when it is real melodrama, and "The Girl From Chicago," which is being screened at the Embassy (late National) Theatre, is just that. While it is made up of a thousand thrills, it has a background of human affection and the daring and danger is gone through for a purpose which is not only believable, but laudable. Mary Carlton leaves her Southern home to come to the city to free her brother from the clutches of the gang which has placed him in danger of execution. Keen, impelled by her great love, Mary enters the underworld, becoming known as "Molly, the Gal From Chi." Here she meets, and is loved by two, men, both of whom she believes to be crooks. One is dapper and well-favoured, Handsome Joe, they call him. The other is Big Steve Drummond, who is, in reality, what Molly •believes him to be. . Characters of the "tenderloin," cops, and the "hodge-podge" of the city, surge about Molly, and the pathetically weak figure of the brother whose life is at stake. The _ old father, back in Dixie, must be kept in the dark as to his son's distress, and the boy must be free. After many hair-raising adventures, Molly accomplishes all she set out to do, winning, incidentally, the heart of the dapper gentleman, who is not a crook after all. "Riders of the Dark," Tim McCoy's latest Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer vehicle, is also screened. It is a thrilling Western drama, in which McCoy holds the interest of his audience from beginning to end. PLAZA AND TIVOLI. Midgets and giants, trained animals and clowns, equestriennes and acrobats —all the glamorous figures who work "under the big top"—play in "Three Ring Marriage," which is now being screened at the Plaza and Tivoli Theatres. This is a well-balanced story, telling of a girl who, after her father had. discharged the boy she loved, followed him to a circus, where he bad become a sensation as a crack rifle shot. The story is a fascinating one, and its tenseness is relieved by just the right amount of comedy; this element is provided by the antics of Harry Earles and his wife, two well-known midgets in America, who have been described as "three feet one of life and fun." They are indeed a comical pair; and in direct contrast to them is a giant of a man who stands over seven feet. Mary Astor and Lloyd Hughes play the principal roles, while others in the cast are Alice White and Yola D'Avril. "The Shield of Honour," which is the second attraction at both theatres, is the tetory of a boy who joins the air police. Gripping melodrama is provided by a plot which centres round the activities of the dishonest manager of a jewellery establishment, and romance is supplied by the love between the hero and the daughter of the owner of the shop. Neil Hamilton gives a fine performance in the male lead, and others in the cast are Dorothy Gulliver, Ralph Lewis, Nigel Barrie and Thelma Todd. Entertaining supports are alto presented, and Mr. Howard Moody's orchestra renders an enjoyable musical score. REGENT THEATRE.

Very light bat very fascinating entertainment it given with the change of programme at the Regent Theatre this week and the crowded hguse which greeted the opening last night must have gone' away well pleased with the new bill of fare. Another big hit was scored by Mr. Maurice Guttridge and hie stage jazz band, in their delightful presentation, "A Night in Cairo." There is a wealth of clever entertainment in this little act, done in the glamorous getting of the Erfet. Weird Eastern music, maidens who dance lan- < guorous dances, and a brilliant setting i which is embellished by tHe gaudy background of a thousand Eastern bedazzlemerits, makes the scene one of rare beauty. Atmospheric lighting effects, soft and beautifully blended, enhance the spectacle. "Eastern Memories," a Maurice Guttridge. -arrangement, la the opening number, followed by a comedy tarn, "The Sang of the Prune," The "Maori Lullaby," written by Maurice Guttridge. is a haunting melody, which pleased immensely. The work of Porter and Carne in this number is splendid. "Cairo Nights" was the next piece, in which "Lorraine," amid the clashing of cymbals, came from a mumified state, and did the graceful "Dance of the Seven Veils. Porter and Carne appeared in a clever eccentric dance to the swaying tune of "The Girl Friend," and. the little performance ended with an ensemble in which the wholfe party appeared. There is something very new in the Paramount film, "Half A Bride," •in which Esther Ralston and Gary Cooper are starred. It is a fine film. There is a very different treatment of the old story of two people wrecked on a desert island. In the first place Esther Ralston is the spoilt, jaaz-mad, excitement-craving society girl who has had her own way through life. At last' her father decides to break her of "these notions," and places her aboard his yacht, much to. the disgust and chagrin of the intriguing Esther. The inevitable' shipwreck comes and she finds herself on a lonely island with the captain,of the yacht. They are there for months, and when they are rescued by a passing ship, Esther goes back to her people a changed and reasonable girl. She has fallen madly in love with the silent Gary Cooper. Excellent supports are shown. • LYRIC THEATRE.

"The Girl From Chicago," which, with "Riders of the Dark," is now being screened at the Lyric Theatre, gives the mysterious and exotic Myrna Loy a really great chance to - show her histrionic ability. She scores tremendously as a Southern girl, yho leaves her plantation ►home to come to the great city to unravel the tangled web which has held her brother in the clutches of an underworld gang, and caused his sentence to execution. Others in the cast are Conrad Nagel, William Russell, Carrol Nye, Erville Alderson and Paul Panzer. "The Girl From Chicago" is hailed as one of the brilliant melodramas of the year. Tremendously exciting, the production has glamour and humour, and is built on the foundation of danger braved for the sake of love. The stars give a performance that will add many laurels to their cinematie crowns. Tim McCoy heads the cast of "Riders of the Dark," which is an exciting Western story, with thrills, romance and humour well blended.

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. There is hardly a type of theatrical production which has not at some time presented a version of. "Uncle Tom's-Cabin." Tent show, wagoo show, stock company, repertoire, tabloid, burlesque, drama, comedy—all have played ."Tom" shows. Even the opera has made an attempt at staging iti Now the £400,000 Universal picture version of the Harriet Beecher Stowe novel has come here and is showing to record-breaking audiences at Everybody's Theatre. It is by far one of the finest pictures that the screen public has ever had the pleasure to see. In the allstar east arc such players as Margarita Fischer, Arthur Edmund Carew, John j»oche, Gertrude Astor, Lucien Littlefield, Grev g6 'P,?i le v ma T n "' Mona Ray, Virginia AiSli. »/r • P Ben > ■ Gordon Russell, Oakland an , mn J g' J ac 'k Mower, Vivien prolomiA o °*bers. A fine atmospheric todyf® the film at Every-

A S^ LWOOD REC| TAL. w. rSwMT I, in which Mrappear, will he irivon "l t" 8 Btu< *ents wili "(Queen Strelt)® e^ at s^t ewi > Ea <Vs Hall 27. Efocutionary and t^ day \- october ber« will be R iven dram * tlc numdressing and .• the at tra eti veness t'Jof > tiwßar - to Russell-Wood will Mr, and will be seen in a'Persi^wS^Ji? 1 ' PUS." ° f ° mar '" With "° m ' *« adit

HIPPODROME AND EMPRE6S. Western film fare with plenty of romantic lure, is provided in "The Cowboy Kid," which is now being screened at the New Hippodrome and Empress Theatres. Rex Bell, Fox Films' new "find," heads the cast. He evidences a disregard for life and limb and smashes his way to victory through a story with a decidedly novel twist. His horse, a spirited black steed, shares these dangers, and, by an exhibition of unusual intelligence, aids Bell in cleaning out a nest of bandits who are plotting to put over a big holdup on the bank owned by Jim Grover, whose daughter, Janet, learns to love the hero for his bravery and daring. "The Ghost Train," a British screen version of Arnold Ridley's thrilling stage mystery, which was produced through New Zealand about a year ago, is the second attraction at both theatres. Although the rain and wind effects are lost, these are more than made up for by the unusual camera effects, of which so much use has been made. Guy Newall is the star.

TUDOR THEATRE. Patrons of the Tudor Theatre, Rfemuera, showed their appreciation last evening of the screen version of David Belasco's play, "The Heart of Maryland," which is the chief feature of the present double bill. It is a stirring romance of the American Civil War,, in which Dolores Coetello plays the heroine. The second feature is "Diamond Handcuffs," with Eleanor Boardman and Conrad Nagel in a story of a diamond with a fateful spell, which brings tragedy in. its waike. The eupporte include en "Our Gang" comedy, "Fair and Muddy," also New Zealand and Tasmanian beauty scenics. On Tuesday the change will feature Gilda Gray in "The Devil Dancer" and "The Sunset Legion," a Western story. Next Friday the British war film "When Fleet JMeets Fleet," showing the battle of Jutland, will be screened, with "Riders of the Dark" in support. MAJESTIC THEATRE.

Lon Chaney—"the man of a thousand faces" a paradox forever! Yet again this master of make-up: appears in a new characterisation. After portraying a Russian peasant,. a Chinese mandarin, a hunchback, a clown and a score of other types, he is seen as he really is; his latast effort is in "The Big City," which opened its Auckland season at' the Majestic Theatre last night. "The Big City" is an unusual story; there are but fout characters of note in its plot; but these four provide a study which will fascinate even the least ardent film fan. There is young ( Curly; strong and absolutely puzzled in frantic attempts to understand women. There is Helen; she is obviously a woman who understands the world, who can not be "double-crossed." There is Sunshine; Sunshine, wl.j does not suspect the ways of her friends. And tJhen there is Chuck himself; dogmatic, overbearing, even tyrannical, ruling his accomplices with' an' iron hand, allowing nothing without his consent and giving his consent but seldom. However forceful the other three, however interesting, this character of an underworld gangster, with his typically loud attire (check suit, patent leather shoes of snakeskin tope, grey derby hat, large jewels, Bashing and vulgar) completely shadows them. And why? Because he is Lon Chaney. James Murray plays Curly, Marceline Day appears as Sunshine and Betty Compson is seen as Helen. Accompanying the film are supports which are of the high standard that the principal picture deserves. Unusually interesting is a British Nature study film which shotws tihe growing movements of plants accelerated 20,000 times, and there are scenes of recent events from overseas in the Majestic News. Comedy is provided by the antics of that clever acrobatic dancer, Lupin o Lane, who has a lot' of hair-raising experiences with two crooks in a museum. Of the music, enough cannot be said. Mr. John WhitefOrd Waugh has arranged enjoyable incidental selections, but this part of the • entertainment reaches its peak in the interlude, "In a Persian Market." SHURA CHERKASSKY. Shura Cherkassky, the young Russian pianist, whose amazing genius made such I a profound impression on Thursday night i at the Town Hall, will give his second recital to-night. There is evident in his playing little enough of his years in the sense of immaturity, but in another sense all of it is vitalised and made immensely attractive by the spirit of his vigorous youth. He makes dynamic contrasts with , often the most beautiful effect. Shura's programme for to-night is framed on the same lines as his first offering, and contains some of the ■best in piano literature, commencing with the "Chromatic Fantasy Fugue" (Bach), afterwards Beethoven's ever-popular "Moonlight Sonata," a group of Chopin pieces, including the "Ballade in A Flat," "Nocturne in D Flat,"' "Mazurka in F Sharp," "Polonaise i-iif A Flat," "L'Orient and L'Occident" (Dvorsky), "Rush Hour in Hongkong" (Chasins), "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12," (Liszt), "Rigoletto" paraphrase (Liszt), etc. The plans are at Lewis Eady'e, and the day sales- at Coleman's. The third and final concert will be given on Tuesday evening. J. C. WILLIAMSON MUSICAL COMEDY COMPANY. The next attraction at His Majesty's Theatre is the first visit here of the J. C. Williamson New Musical Comedy Company, headed by the favourite London musical comedy actress, Annie Croft, the opening production being the latest long run London musical show, "The Girl Friend." The second production is "Hit. the Deck." Of "The Girl Friend," a critic of the Melbourne "Herald" says: "Plainly nice (things about "The Girl Friend" preceded her to Melbourne.. First-nighters at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night took her to their discriminating hearts. They greeted the new show warmly as an old friend. Really "The Girl Friend" is full of amiable qualities. First, of course, is Annie Croft, graceful, tall and most divinely fair. H&r sweet voice adorns a little music box of songs, while her dancing with her English gracefulness is distinctly refreshing." The second production, "Hit the Deck," is described as "a nautical musical comedy," in which there figure a varied selection of characters, including missionaries, mandarins, and other Chinese, sailors, and men from along the waterfront. The box plans for the season ot' twelve nights open on Monday, October 29. DANCING. Several novelties have been for this evening's dance in the Dixieland Cabaret, Point Chevalier. Music will be supplied by the Dixieland Dance Band tinder Mr. Hariy Neilson, and all the latest'foxtrot hits will be played.

t Another enjoyable entertainment has been arranged for the Click Clack Cabaret, in the Rialto Buildings, Newmarket, this evening. Clyde Howley's Famous Internationals will, provide the music, and favours will be distributed among the merrymakers.

The Parisian Dancing Club will' hold another big dance in the Kitchener Hall this evening. Birtley's Society Orchestra (under the personal direction of Mr. Birtley) will provide a specially selected programme of syncopated dance music, and pleasing lighting effects will give the cabaret a gay atmosphere.

The usual Saturday night dance will be held in the Mission Bay Cabaret, Kohimarama, this evening. *

Mr. George Williams has arranged a first-class entertainment for the Masonic Hall this evening.

Old-time dances are held every Wednesday and Saturday evenings in the Municipal Hall, Newmarket, under the direction of Mr. D. Mayes.

The Regal Five will provide a firstclass programme of nyisie at this evening's dance of the Ngaroma Social Club, to be held in the Manchester Oddfellows' Hall, at the corner of Victoria Street, West, and Hobsqn Street.

SCHUBERT CENTENARY. ' The centenary of the death of Frana Schubert, the famous composer, falls on Monday, November 19, and a fitting celebration of this important event in musical history will be made by the Auckland Gramophone Society. An interesting recital of excerpts from the composer's works will be given in the Lewis Eady Hall, on the evening of November 19. The president of the society, Mr* Karl AtkinBon, will deliver a brief biographical sketch of Schubert, and short explanatory notes on the items, which will be sung and played by leading Auckland musicians, supplemented by a number of choice gramophone records.