AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 134, 8 June 1929, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE

I feast of fun, good singing and excellent ballet work was provided by Pat ganna and his "Diggers"' last night at g( James' Theatre. Pat Hanna and his Jigger "cobber/' Joe \ alii, supplied the ■J, in true Jigger fashion, the piece entitled '"Joea Win" being especially huniorouc. \ alii takes the part of the wer in love excellently, while Pat, flaiina provided much amusement as the toUo'li °- d a 'e= er - ' lw "° ?»' three other skits ff ere actea, all providing the utwost of enjoyment to the large audicuea. The singiHoi ul l ' nc ' ea P aljle han-Js of Ernest KopKe, Jock Thomson and Adele Taylor, vaS encored time and again by the enthusiastic audience, and rendered in no email ay to the utter success of the whole programme. The dancing of the ballet ,vas of su P er and the special ■•Dance Joyou.sc ' drew many a long clap from the audience. Pat h.uimi, at the easel, gave an excellent demonstration of fluick drawing, and it was surprising the accuracy wiu which he sketched several people in the audience. Many a laugh was raised as tome modest person on whom the light was focussed tried to hide hie face. "-l' at Hanna got him, though, and banded the portrait to 'him. Taken on t ])3 whole the programme was" entertaining, amusing and of high order, and Pat Hanna, wiu is now in ni«j last week in Auckland, should draw good houses for the remainder of his season.

REGENT THEATRE. "Alias Jimmy Valentine" is enjoying a guccesoiul season at tiie Kegent Theatre. In this him, which i≤ an adaptation of one of the most successful 01 stage plays. Haines deserts his usual type of "wise-cracking' , comedy for really serious drama, and gives a tine characterisation of Jimmy Valentine, the reformed crook, who becomes a clerk in a bank, on;y to be hounded by a detective who knew him in earlier days. Haines has with him in this film some of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's best players, including Karl Dane, Tul-ly Marshall and Leila Hyams. Much of this film js in recorded dialogue and the voices of all the principals are* heard; clearly-repro-duced by the western electric system. The supports at the Regent include sound and dialogue numbers by the well-known mandolin player Barnado de Pace; Johnny Jlarvin, the popular gramophone recording artist; and Bob Xelso-n, -vaudeville entertainer. The entertainment is complete with*"Songs of the Roses," a revue of song and dance which is done in technicolour as well as sound. NATIONAL THEATRE.

How quickly the thin veneer of civilisation is shed by human beings is the animating motif behind the Fox Films production. "The Sin Sister," which opened its Auckland season before a large attendance at the National Theatre last night. The story opens with Joe Horn's steamer held fast in an ice floe off the coast of Alaska. Joe (Anders Randolf) and bis daughter Ethelyn (Josephine Dunn), and her intended husband (Lawrence Gray) are aboard. Horn, a wealthy man. hires a couple of dog teams, the property of a rogue named Newton (Richard Alexander), to take the party to a port where it can board another ship to return to Seattle for the wedding of his daughter and her fiance. With Sister Burton (Myrtle Stedman), an evangelist,. Pearl (Nancy Carroll), a dancer, and the latter's vaudeville partner, they set out. During the first night of the trip Newton leaves the party stranded without food, in a small cabin in . the white wastes. His emissaries return and demand one of the women of the party in exchange for provision and fuel. In the meantime Ethelyn's fiance ha 3<. been attracted by Pearl. Also, he has received a wound, and Pearl, to save him from further suffering, agrees to sacrifice herself. The foiling of Newton, coupled with the irritable reversion to primitive moods and passions on the part of the deserted party, furnishes an unusual picture full of suspense and excitement. "The Sin Sister is accompanied at the National by nrstclass supports of a wide variety, the chiet of which is an entertaining stage presentation. In this number, Kodan.a, a Japanese artist, offers some lightning toe-juggling, llr. F. Bartlett's orchestra plays enjoyable music. PLAZA THEATRE.

"The Singing Fool" enters the sixth week of its season at the Plaza Theatre to-night, and up. to the present nearly 100,000 people have seen and heard the picture, which, it is claimed, is the best talking picture yet made. Although he has been known in'Ameriea .for years as one of the leading vaudeville entertainers, and certainly the best negro impersonator in the United States, Jolson was probably not even known by name to people in Xew Zealand, and the exceptional attendances which his first picture here has attracted, may surely be taken as a nne tribute to his artistry. Betty Bronson, Josephine Dunn, and little David Lee (who plays Sonny Boy) are the artists who support Jolson in "The Singing Fool." The supports include numbers by the Xew York Philharmonic Orchestra of 80 instruments, which plays Wagners "Tannhauser" overture; a fine male quartet, whose selections are ''Drink jo Me Only With Thine Eyes, 1 'The Rosary," "Love's Old Sweet- Song, and ''Drinking Song"; the renowned violinist Mischa Elman, who plays Gossecs "Gavotte," and Dvorak's "Humoresque" ; the Howard Brothers, who offer burlesque on grand opera:- and Giovanni Martinelli, star of the New : York Metropolitan Opera House, who sings "Vesti La Giubba from Leoncavallo's opera, "Pagliacci."

"YOUNG WOODLEY." When the English censor first read the script of "Young Woodley" he reused it a license. When he saw it acted at a special performance it was quite a different matter. He said it was a beautiful Play, and London has endorsed his remark. "Young Woodley" has been running ior twelve months in London and is still one oi the biggest theatrical attractions in the world's leading city. This play will be Presented at His Majesty's Theatre, commencing on Tuesday next, for a short season of six nights only. A Sydney critic save: "Not for years has there been a Play with real beauty and tenderness as 'Young Woodley.' Four boys, entering on the life of the world, and prisoners oi a system which denies them any ideals or accurate knowledge of sex, become aware of strange currents and perplexing mysteries. The things that happen at youn e Woodley'e school happen at every public school in Great Britain-and the colonies. Because with infinite sympathy and understanding the author tries to show tie conflict of beauty and realism in schoolboy's mind, 'Young Woodley _ is a peat and moving play. Little remains to be eaid of the production in Sydney, it ■"•as perfectly performed by a cast nfuuially fitted to the. play. Lewis Shaw (aged m, Trevor Brogan (aged 12), Michael ilacowen (a*ed 19), George Preston W), Edward Ashley (18) covered themselves with glory. Natalie Moya rank %<le were wonderfully good. xne fi tory i s of the first and ideal love ot a seventeen-year-old schoolboy. It W"* to be his housemaster's young and pretty ** with whom he falls in love. IM *hole of the action takes place in am* Public school in England, Box plan arrangements are advertised. MUNICIPAL BAND AT ZOO. A tuneful programme will be P. lav . e £ *£ the Municipal Band in the Zoological Par* tomorrow afternoon at 2.45. mo^s jtems to be rendered are the ever-popular 'William Tell" overture; tone '•Fmlandia"; Dvorak's "Slavonic Vffi* V-3"; selections, "Patience" and rte ■?>o6a"; instrumental solos by Messrs .brea. 5 6 *«e and Hal C. McLennan, and marco, 'Ihe London Soottdeli."-

MAJESTIC THEATRE. ecu nceit. lo privide var pf"The 2i? ff »' .One glance at the name, anvrL f ' » 16 6ufh «ent to tell almost t lose l-r r, tyPe o£ stor >- " is - Even C ovitV^ Clid , not see Mr - Maurice MmXli I 8" he , playe(i Wallace', Uon nft'i nOU ' Ulat the film * an adapt." ton, of the famous mystery thriller. As the stage version, the identity of the man for whom the police have bean search ing is cleverly h\dden, and there "re a do«n-and-one reasons for supposing that one of severe other,, fe the character after ion hi l> P named. It is unqueeic able that "The Ringer" would be more thrilling as a -talkie/' but even in the silent version there are.enough exciting happenings to satisfy those who have the most serious form of an attack of thrilltraung. to mention the cast would be to reveal the identity of the Ringer, so no more, must be said than that the Bntwh company which produced the film made excellent selections for the unusually fine mustering, of types. Victor McLaglen heads the cast of ■•Strong Jioy," a light story or a simple fellow who, "though his sweetheart declares he lacks ambition, makes good. McLaglen appears as a porter at a large railway station, and the story is a chronicle of the various happenings through which he earns promotions. Ihe nlm w notable for its entire lack of sentiment and '-sob"; it is crammed from beginning to end with good, clear humour, contributed mostly by Clyde Cook and a slim partner. Leatrice Joy and Parrell -Mac Donald are also in the cast. Two other numbers are billed—an unusually interesting nature study film showing the growth of a mosquito, from the egg stage to that condition which nearly everyone has learned to know by a buzzing sound. Ihe -Majestic Magazine contains some particularly entertaining scenes. Enjoyable music by the Majestic Orchestra, under Mr. John Whiteford Waugh, completes the entertainment. The orchestra renders good incidental music and a suitable overture", and mention must be made of the work- of-the drummer, .W-ho provided clever. sound effects for the train scenes in "'Strong Boy." TIVOLI AND EVERYBODY'S.

The ever-popular Universal comedian, Reginald Penny, is drawing large audiences to the Ti'voli anii Everybody's Theatres, where his latest comedy-drama, "The Night Bird,' - ' is the headline attraction' of the' current programme. Betsy Lee plays opposite Denny in this film, and the pair prove that they are spendid team plaj-ers. Milton Silk and Maria Corda are the stare of '"Love and the Devil," which accompanies "The Night Bird" at both houses. Sills is a favourite who has held the fancy of the picture-going public- for years iby a succession of consistently good pictures, while Miss Corda, it will be remembered, sprang into prominence by lier -work in First Nationafs burlosque, "The Private Life of Helei of Troy." Ben Bard is also in the cast. At both houses there is a good variety of supports, including a newsreel with scenes of events of interest from all parts of the world, a laughable short comedy and a travelogue. HIPPODROME THEATRE.

In a setting and atmosphere strikingly novel in his long screen career —that of the colourful Moroccan country of North Africa—Tom Mix and a splendid supporting compeny are playing at the Hippodrome Theatre in his second starring production for FBO, ''King Cowboy." Depicting the thrilling adventures of a party of cowboys who invade the country of the Riffs in search of an American who i 3 held captive by the tribesmen, the story gives the famed Western star and his horse, Tony, opportunity to present an unprecedented range of "stunts." As is usual in Mix photoplays, the love element is negligible, but there is an attractive girl in the narrative, daughter of the imprisoned American and real heed of the expedition; portrayed by pretty Sally Blane, who has a leading part in the fights, captures, scrimmages and escapes which keep the picture pulsating with action. Robert De Lacey directed the film, and in the cast, in addition to Miss Blane, are included Lew Meehan, Barney Furey, Frank Leigh, Wynn Mace and Robert Fleming. "The e Wind," which is being screened in support of "King Cowboy," stars Lillian Gish and Lars Hanson. GRAND AND LYRIC.

After a successful run at the Majestic, "Kitty" has been moved to the Grand and Lyric Theatres for an extended season. "Kitty" is the screen version of the novel of the same name by Warwick Deeping (author of "Sorrell and Son"), and is the story of a shop girl who marries the son of a wealthy woman. The theme then centres round the struggle between the mother and the young wife for the love of the husband. Estelle Brody and John Stuart, the, British players who appeared together in "Hindle Wakes," are teamed again in "Kitty," and Dorothy Gumming and the New Zealand actor. Winter Hall, are also in the cast. "New Year's Eve," a Fox production starring Mary Astor, with Charles Morton in the male lead, is also screened, and the entertainment is complete with good supports.

RIALTO AND REGENT. "Children of the Ritz" and "Red Lips" are the two big attractions of the current programme at the Rialto (Newmarket) and Regent (Epsom) Theatres. Those popular First National players, Jack Mulhall and Dorothy Mackaill. are starred in "Children of the Ritz," a livery story of New York. Charles ("Buddy") Rogers, who appeared in "Wings," and Marian Nixon, are featured together in "Red Lips." CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. "The Wind" is announced as the headline attraction of to-night's programme at the Crystal Palace Theatre. Lillian Gish is starred in this Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer special, and opposite her is the Swedish actor Lars Hanson, with whom she achieved such success in " The bcarlet Letter." "The Wind" is an adaptation of the prize-winning novel by Dorothy Scarborough, and is an ideal vehicle for Miss Gish. It is a story of elemental emotions in a primitive landf a land where the cyclone, the "Norther" and the dreade'd sandstorms continually lash and sear the souls of those within it. COMMUNITY SINGING. The second community sing-song of the season will be held in the Town Hall next W edne6 day from 12.30 to L3O Free song books are again being distributed; this rear the books contain 62 numbers. Lhe Mavor of Auckland, Mr. George Baildon, * ill" preside at Wednesday's gathering and ihe song leader will be Mr. Arthur Wilson The soloists will be Miss Beryl Smith and Mr Clinton Williams, and Mrs. Barrington' Snow will act as accompanist. LITTLE THEATRE SOCIETY.

"Hav Fever" Noel Coward's euccecs, i* the play selected the next production hv thertuckJand:,"ittle Theatre Society. Noel Coward is re /r gnised by some critics KING'S COLLEGE ENTERTAINMENT The first of two entertainments in aid e\\ KW« College swimming bath tund ■TO room, coMbded an ewoyatoprogramine. ........ ; ■ '■'

STRAND THEATRE. In "Mother Knows Best," now being screened at the Strand Theatre, there i≤ one of the most human documents that motion pictures have yet produced. The film is the more appealing because much of it is recorded in dialogue. Madge Bellamy is the star of ''Mother Knows Best," which opens with the star as a small girl entertaining some of her friends in a low quarter of New York with impersonation of well-known stage and screen players. Her mother realises that the girl has a future as an actress, and eventually, under the mother's careful guidance, the girl attains fame behind the footlights. Then comes the most poignant part of the story. The girl falls in love with a young song writer, but her romance is spoiled by the intervention of her mother, who realises that she will not be happy if she marries the man she has chosen. There are three splendid performances in the picture. Miss Bellamy is at her best in the principal role, while Louise Dresser as 'the mother and Barry Norton as the young man, are also seen to advantage. The well selected supports at the Strand include a Fox Movietone Xews, and a laughable short comedy in sound, entitled "A Happy Birthday." THE ARTS BALL.

The Auckland Society of Arts supported by the Elam School of Art. the Auckland I/ittle Theatre Society. the Auckland Amateur Operatic Society and othar bodies, will hold an Arts Ball in the Town Hall on June 18. It will be a plain and fancy dress entertainment, and there will be eight special tableaux and ballets. The cast of the University Students' produccast of the University student's production, "The King of Kawau," will appear MOULIN ROUGE.

A well selected double feature programme is showing at the Moulin Rouse, Kemuera. King Vidor's story of life, ''The Crowd," is the best since his picture "The Big Parade." The leading role is taken by talented Eleanor Board-man, with James Murray as male lead. ''Girls Gone Wild" is the other attraction, with Sue Carol and Xick Stuart in the leads. It is an entertaining story of modern youth. The supports include a Mack Sennet comedy and the usual scenics. To-night there will be two hours of jazz after the pictures. On Wednesday ''Strictly Confidential," starring Madge Bellamv, and "Beyond the Sierras," will be screened, followed by jazz. Xext Saturday the programme'will include "Xew Year's Eve." with Mary Astor and Charles Morton in the leads. VI'OLIN RECITAL.

3lf. Gregory Ivanoff, the Russian violinist and musical director of the "Midnight Frolics" company, will give a recital in the Lewis Eady, Ltd., Hall next Thursday evening. A good programme of works by classical composers will be presented. Mr. Ivanoff will be assisted by Mr. Oscar Beck, vocalist, of the ''Frolics'' company, and Mx. Ivan Fosello, pianist Mr Ivanoff is a brother of Mischa Zacharewitch, from whom he received lessons. His maestro was Gregorowitsc-h, the illustrious pupil of Joachim and Sarasate. Mr. Ivanoff has toured through Finland, Russia. France. England. India. Ceylon, .Java. Siam, Xew ZeaLind Tasmania and Burma. SKATING. The skating season opens to-night at the Pitt Street rink. Band music will be provided, and there will be novelties of all kinds. DANCING. Dixieland Cabaret, Point Chevalier, should attract a large crowd of merrymakers this evening. A carnival night will be held and there will be novelties and favours. Music, which will be provided by Harry Neilsen's dance band, will include all the most recent fox-trot hits.

Clyde Howley's Famous Internationals will feature a special programme of syncopated fox-trot music at this evening's gala in the Click Clack Cabaret, Rialto Buildings. Newmarket. There will be novelties and favours of all descriptions.

Another carnival night will be held in the Crystal Winter Garden, in the Crystal Palace Theatie buildings, Mount Eden Road, this evening. The Seattle Snappy Six will provide an enjoyable musical score.

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

There will be a carnival to-night in the Musical Box Cabaret, at the corner of Pitt Street and Karangahape Road.

Novelties and favours will be distributed among the dancers at this evening's entertainment of the San Toy Dance Club in Dominion Hall. Walter Smith's band will be present.

The Felix Dance Club will be in session this evening in the Orange Hall, Newton Road. Hoffman's Commanders will provide the music.

' The 15th Xorth Auckland Regiment will hold a dance in the Ponsonby Drill Hall to-night. Meredith's Adelphi Orchestra will be in attendance.

The Akarana Yacht Club will hold its weekly dance in the Clubhouse, Mechanics' Bay, this evening.

Parker's old-time dance band will be present at the entertainment to be held this, evening in the Zealandia Hall, Dominion Road terminus.

The Ngaroma Social . Club will hold another gala this evening in the Manchester Unity Hall. Mrs. Tylcoat's orchestra will be present.

A dance will be held to-night in the Rocklands Hall, Dominion Road terminus.

The Coney Island Dance Club will hold a carnival in the Masonic Hall, Belgium .Street, this evening.

Butler's Rialto Band will again be in attendance at this evening's dance in the Oakleigh Park Cabaret, Henderson.

Dancing in the Gaiety Hall, Surrey Crescent, this evening, will be to music by the Californians.

The Grey Lynn Labour party will hold its weekly dance in the O'Neill Street, Hall, Ponsonby, to-night.

There will be another big dance at Ye Olde Pirate Shippe Milford Beach, this evening. An enjqvuble musical programme is promised from Ye Versatile Pirate Orchestra, and there will be .novelti&s and favours of all descriptions.

There will be two hours' dancing at; the Delta Theatre after the screening of the picture programme to-night. The best >i music is announced, and the floor is in fine order. Every Tuesday there is to be a "50-50 dance de luxe" from 8 p.m. till midnight, when novelties of all kinds will be the order.

Be"ndaH's Collegians will 'be present at this evening's dance of the Ventura Dance Clu,b in St. Sepulchre's Hall.

The Mons Association will hold a dance in the Druids' Hall this evening.

The Auckland Waterside Workers' Social Club will institute a series of weekly dances, with an- entertainment in the Trades Hall this evening. Enjoyable music will be featured >by a good band. The proceeds from the dance, which will be of the old-time order, are for the Hospital Comforts Fund.

Large attendances continue to patronise The Parisian in Kitchener Hall on Saturday nights. This evening, another gala will be" held, and it promises to be a brilliant affair. There will be many novelties, and the Parisian Dance Orchestra, under Mr. Harry Bolton, will _ provide excellent syncopated dance music.