AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 224, 21 September 1929, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS.

ROXY THEATRE. .The -new" programme at like Rosy Theatre bringo to the talking screen (jive Brook; Baclanova, Xcil Hamilton and Leslie Fenton iu a fascinating drama j titled '"A Dangerous Woman." It is a splendid production. A commissioner of a British .colony in' Central .East Africa (01 jvc BreokT loves his. _ Eussian wife (Baclanova) in "spite of her repeated infidelities,- but. when the commissioners assistant himself - because 1 of ac affair with her the British representative removes himself to a cottage fway from jus wife.' Th*: new assistant appointed 3iappeiK-to Ibe the .commissioner's brother md for appearances sake Brook decides [o once again live with his wife. Although she outrages his code of morals jjpj- personality, is no magnetic that he jja, to admit that his love is still a vijal force. The brother is ensnared by Baclanova'and be finally declares his love .for her. and they arrange to leave the colony together. The commissioner's servant prevents a tragedy, and at the game time commits a grave offence by mtro.j,,,,inrr ■[ poifionous fcnake into Baclanova's bed', from the bite of which she expires. Neither the commissioner nor lis brother ever knew that the servant W taken the law into his own hands, accl they, leave for England together on a vacation. The picture is well produced an d the- speaking is exceedingly clear. It is'• i .thrilling romance, full <>f tense moments "and emotions.' The singing of Baclanova is one of the features mythic all-talking romantic' drama. The supports iheitide."Marion Harris in two voea} numbersr a langhabte -two-Feel comedy; anil a'.clever singing and dancing act. A synchronised news- reel with world happenings is 'also included. THE STRAND THEATRE. > ''The Black Watch" continues to draw Jarn-e audiences to the Strand Theatre. TMs .. talking picture, -which features Victor McLaglen, is .based on the Talbot Slundv story. Curiously enough, McLaglen's ability to withstand punishment stood him in good stead in the making of the.-picture, for in one sequence he •was obliged to wrestle with. a twoiiundred.and fifty pound man. He enacts ithe role of Captain Donald Gordon, King, of the'Black'Watch, who is .sent to India at the outbreak of the World War on a secret' mission for his Government. His brother officers incline to the belief that Kincr asked for the detail solely to avoid actual-fighting, but the evolution of the storv reveals" that King upheld ali the •traditions of his regiment, proved himself a valiant soldier and • accomplished ihe of his: Government, though jje iadV.hght onhis hands mostly because of th&|n.trigue. .and scheming of a most exotic -woman, .Yashiiiani, -who aspired to ruje 'ludia.' Myjna -Tx>y as' Yashmani leads the supporting cast, -which includes such seasoned players as David Rollins, Lumsden Hare, Roy D'Arcy, Mitchell Lewis, David Ton-ence, David Percy and Cyril Ghadwiek. There is a full -programme of supports. - REGENT THEATRE. Adolphe Men jou —suave, sophisticated, faultlessly dressed—adds a new note of perfection to his screen personality in his first all-talking motion picture appearance. Menjau lias a rich baritone voice and he sings one of Victor Schertzinger's new kong hits, "Delphine " in "fashions in Love," which will open to-day at the Eegent Theatre. Menjou's host of fans have patiently, since the advent of talking pictures for this opportianity to hear his VQice. He is said :tg have one of the.;niost-charming of all the voices discovered since motion pictures became audible.'-Tn "Fashions in Love," Menjon has the role of a famous concert .pianist whose music charms audiences and-whose personality charms ladies'hearts. He is superb in this role which embodies all the light humorous twists which Menjou does so well. The play itself is from the famous, stage drama by Hermann Bahr, A ofvtalking and sound supports ' will "also be screened. Next Saturday.|he ajl;talking "Madame .X' will h<§j presented." .. ' CRYSTAL PALACE*.

"'Jifie'-Canary AI Order Case" will be. the" main' attraction the Crystal Palace Theatre, Mount "• Eden Read;' to-night. "Tt< is asihr.illisg. a 11-ta 1 king picture, adapted from the Successful navel .by S. S. Van Dine, the wall-known writer of mystery stories. The film retains all the baffling qtralities*'of the original, and the sound.,and talking effeets add consider-ably*-to the realism, which is a leading feature of the production. The principal mparts are played by William Powell, who rises. to new heights of dramatic acting as Pliilo Vanee, an amateur detective, James Hall, Louise Brooks, Jean Arthur and Gnstav von teeyffertitz,. while other players are Charles Lane, Eugene Pallette, Lawrence Grant, Ned Sparks, Louis J. Bartels and E. H, Calvert. The story concerns the mysterious murder' of a notorious dancer and the clever manner in which the mystery is solved. An attractive . pro-gramme-.of "talkie" siipports will also be screened; EMPRESS THEATRE A'double feature talking programme i will be'screened lit the Empress Theatre, Karangahape "Road, .to-day, when "Strange Cargo" and "The Office Scandal" will ;be presented. These two features ;have just, concluded a successful run ®t" the Poxy Theatre "Strange Cargo 7 ' is a'baffling mystery story con-' ceruing a murder on a pleasure yacht There are many thrills and much excitement, the film-.being splendid entertainment. The second feature has Phyllis Haver and Eaviunod Hatton at the head of the cast. It is part talkie a splendid musical score A full programme of talking featurettes will be included. NATIONAL THEATRE, j A close-up of the human soul hidden from the workl under the ermine robes of a monarch—this is the glimpse, seldom given the world, that Ramon Novarrq offers playgoers; in his latest MetroCold wyn-Mayer .vehicle "Forbidden

Hours," now playing at the National Theatre. Ramon is every inch a king; he lias natural dignity ancf a serenity that makes him ideal for this type or role. | But he has more—he has the intensely i human appeal that enables him to show j what lies under the trappings, of royalty —the man. And this man is no different from the rest of his sex." The role takes remarkable skill at acting to do it:as artistically and tnoroi sghly _as 3fova;?ro does it. Besides being a colourful pi?ce of romantic entertainment, it will rank as one of Novarro's most interesting efforts. Miss Adoree, as Marie, is exotic and charming, and Dorothy Gumming scores a brilliant triumph as the queenmother. a stately figure suggesting perhops Marie of Rumania. Edward Connelly, as the Prime Minister, gives a splendidly balanced performance. A second picture is ''Beautiful But, Dunibj with Patsy Ruth Miller in the main role. It is an amusing comedy-drama of a girl secretary in love with her employer, who looks-upon her only as an efficient piece of office furniture. The playing Mr. P. Bartlett's orchestra is a feature of the entertainment.

majestic theatre. Pendinsr the completion of installation and testingof the new R.C.A. Photopjione. talking" equipment, the Majestic is screening a silent programme until the coming next week of Innocents of Paris," an all-talking, singing and dancin <r sensation starring' Maurice Chevalier, the idol of Paris. This involves the temporary return of a full orchestra, and Mr. Whiteford Waugh turns it-to good account by a rendering of Liszt's "Liebestra limine" (a special request number), and many other items, constituting a musical treat, quite apart froin the entertainment value of "Masked Emotions," the star picture. This stprv centres around the adventures of a couple of young Californians, one a college freshman, on. Split Apple Island, Which they reached in' the course of a yachting cruise. While the elder, Bram Dickerv (George O'Brien) is revictualling at the* village" store, the younger, Thad Gilson (Dave Sharpe), takes the cruiser across the bay to search, for Emily Goodell (Xorali Lane) on her father's schooner. He espies her having an afternoon dip, and she clambers aboa/d the schooner in confusion. Searching for a hiding place aboard, the girl is amazed to find a seafarer —whom her dad has forbidden the ship—and her Malay servant secreting between decks a cargo of Chinese for illegal transfer to the mainland at nightfall. Emily swims ashore to her island home to acquaint Captain Goodell with the position, the Malayan dashing after her to waylay the girl with a wily story that her father may be involved with the revenue authorities if she does not keep silent. Meantime Thad has "heaved to" in the yacht, and on boarding the schooner to search for the "mermaid" also discovers the Chinese one of whom had knocked on the door of the cubby-hole whert . the collegian commenced a dance overhead. The smuggler arrives to knock him into the hold, and after a cowardly assault tire Malayan returns to complete the job with a dagger. Bram on. returning to the jetty with provisions finds his mate gone, and; hiring a launch, spends the night in a heartbreaking search around the coast, discovering the yacht aground in the loneliest bay of the island, and Thad still breathing, but almost diepatched, with three wicked stiletto -wounds to show for his adventure on the schooner, off which he had been thrown before the. yaeht was out adrift. Emily and the Malayan (Woki) come well into the picture- again in its final stages, which are full of fast-moving action, in which the illicit trade is exposed, the villains disposed of, and Bram finds solace in a new-found love for a very beautiful girl. George O'Brien makes an admirable adventurer. Nora Lane, as the girl, proves to be an actress of outstanding ability. The film is one which should have a wide appeal for the love etory which runs through it, for its exciting theme, and last, but not least, for its humorous situations. PLAZA THEATRE.

A paeked house witnessed the initial screening of George Bancroft's latent melodrama, "Thunderbolt," at the Plaza Theatre last night. Bancroft's performance, as usual, was excellent, Und convinces one that he is among the cleverest dramatic actors of the screen to-day. The sound and talking effects are clear, and the voiee-s of the are well suited for the sound film. The story, •which concerns the underworld of New York, provides thrill after f'hrilj, while comie snatches relieve the tension of the dramatic scenes. Thunderbolt, the head of a gang, is wanted fay'the police for murder. He .lias a long list of crimes on jhis head, hut shows the utmost indifference for the police, venturing out of 'hiding to take his sweetheart, Bitzie, to a fashionahle cabaret. There she tells him that she intends to break with him ancl go "straight." The gangster's spies watch the girl and report to their chief that she is staying at the home

of Mrs. Morgan, whose son Bob, a banV clerk, is in love with the girl. "Thunderbolt" Lang, robbed of his girl, conceives a terrible enmity for the young man and plans his death.. In, fact, he intends filling Mm in the home of his mother. ■ Ritzip, however, informs the police off his Mntentions," and they capture the, gangster, who is prevented from carrying out his nefarious act by the intervention of a dog. In prison Lang's hatred increases, and -hp orders big gang to "frame-up" Morgan,. who is convicted of murder, although-innocent. To tell the ending would spoil the picture for those who intend to go, but it must be said that it is somewhat unexpected and intriguing. Bancroft, in -the role of Lang, gives full play to his dramatic powers, and is really ideally suited for the part of an underworld gangster/ Fay Wrav and Richard Arlen who head the supporting cast, both give excellent interpretations of the parts thev are called on to play. A supporting p'%gramme of featurettes complete the entertainment. - "RIO RITA." "Rio Rita" will conclude the present successful season at St. James' Theatre next Thursday night. There have been large audiences nightly, and the delightful singing of Miss Gladys Moncrieff, the fine dancing of Miss Janette Gilmore, and the beautiful ballets have made an impression upon Auckland audiences which will long remain. The dressing is superb and the colour effects well express the little corner in Mexico where the plot is laid. Musical comedy always appeals if well presented, and it is some time .since a show as good as "Rio Rita" has visited New Zealand. NICOLA THE MAGICIAN. The world-famous magician Nicola will commence a short season at the St. James' Theatre next Friday. He comes with his own company of entertainers, and will give a bewildering display of illusions, transformations and scientific problems. There will be two acts and ten scenes in the performance. TIVOLI THEATRE. A splendid double feature programme is being presented at the Tivoli Theatre, i The main attraction is "Prisoners," with i Gorinne Griffith in the leading role. ( It i is a colourful romance of Viennese night i life. The second feature is "Harvest of ■ Fate." There is a full programme of i supports.

MOULIN ROUGE. j The u-sual four hours' of entertainment will again be presented to patrons of the Moulin Rouge, Remuera, this evening. The picture will be followed by dancing till midnight to the music of Clem Mason's Internationals. The first picture is "The - Woman .Disputed,*' starring Norma Talmadge in a hilarious romance, -with shades of comedy and drama following in quick succession. The other feature is Sue Carol, in a romance of a princess, entitled ''The Exalted Flapper," with the scene laid in New York. The supports include Fox, Pathe, and a Metro-Goldwyn News and a short comedy. BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA. The Bohemian Orchestra, conducted by Mr Colin Muston and led by Miss Edith [ Whitelaw, will give the third concert }of the season at the Town Half next i Thursday. There will be seventy per--11 formers, and a most attractive programme has been arranged. Madame i j Cora Melvin and Mr. N. Day will give j;vocal items.

WESTMINSTER SINGERS. Before a large and enthusiastic audience in His Majesty's Iheatre last evening the Westminster Singers submitted tlieir sixth change of programme. It contained many items of special interest, all of which were interpreted in a style which exhibited the features of the words and music. Perhaps the outstanding number was the exquisite duet and chorus, "I Waited for the Lord," from .Mendelssohn's'' Symphonia cantata "Lobgesancr." It was sung in a devotional style '"by the boy duettists Masters Fearn and Clarke,'and the Tuttis by the adult- choir - were admirably presented. The cy<se of vocal valses were charmingly rendered by, the choir and the soloist ,Mr. Donald Reid. The quartets and songs by the adult members called forth warm praise, . To-night the final concert of the season will be given. JASPER'S CONCERT, •A splendid programme has been drawn up for Jasper's Concert to be held i?i the. Town Hall next Tuesday night. Amongst the items are: "The Nifty Three"' (harmonisers), . gymnasium '•'stunts" by Y.M.C.A, athletes, and a dramatic sketch, '"Sherlock Holmes." Amongst the performers are. the following:—Messrs." Ernest Snell, Norman Tate, K. W. Liddle, Harry Cliatwin, and Misses Irene Frost, Laura Walker, Ida Walker, and the Kindleys. The programme is announced as the best yet produced, and as the concert is in a good cause there should be a crowded house. MUNICIPAL MUSIC. The Municipal Choir concert will be given in the Town Hall to-night. An attractive programme has been arranged, of old English and modern choral works, songs by MacFadyen and Hageman, violin works. -by Bach, Kreisler, atjd Ravel, and organ compositions by Guilniant, Elgar and Wesley. The choir will have the assistance pf Miss Mary Mac.Corinick, Miss Jean Allen, and Messrs. Edgar Randal and Leo. Whittaker. -The city organist, Mr. Mauglian Barnett, will conduct. The city organist, Mr. Maughan Barnett, will give the customary recital in. the Town Hall to-morrow evening, when he will play a number of popular works, including Guilmant's dramatic "Funeral March" and "Hymn of Seraphs,'' Beethoven's. "Minuet," Wagner's "Star of Eve," and compositions by Mailly, Bach and Mozart. An excellent programme will he presented by the Municipal Band at the Zoological Park to-morrow afternoon. Among the numbers to be played will be the overture "Semiramide"; selection, "Lucia di Lammermoor" (by request); march, "Viva Auckland"; intermezzo scene, "In a Persian Market"; oena, "The Miserere Scene" from "U Trovatore"; a selection from the operas of Offenbach, with 'bright marches and hymn tiines. Mr. E. Pheloung will render the clarinet solo "Concertino," by Weber, and a piccolo solo will be played by Mr. McLennan. SUNDAY CONCERT. There will be vocal, and instrumental items and singing by the mission choir at the Lewis liady Hall to-morrovv night. An address will be given by the Rev. Jasper Calder. Under the auspices of the Rationalist Association a programme lias been drawn up to be carried out in the Majestic Theatre to-morrow evening. Mr. E. Norman Torry willlecture on "The Major Adventures of a Minor Novelist." There will be a moving picture programme, the inain • feature of which will be "Peter

DENNIS BARRY RECITAL. It is many years since Auckland audiences experienced the sort of pleasure that was given last evening by. the recital of Mr. Dennis Barry, the singing actor, when he gave one of the "Little Plays of St. Francis of Assissi," by Laurence Rousman, called "Sister Clare." This lovely little literary- gem was given with an insight - into its religious meaning and imagery that lifted it. on to the highest plane of poetic and dramatic art. The portayal' of the devoted, but simple Irish brother. Brother Juniper, was a delight to all those who love.the mystical Irish soul. This was only one of the fine things that the. actor-singer did, for his rendering of Oscar Wilde's fantasy, depicting the "Nightingale and the Rose," was almost equal in its poetic power, and was listened to with breathless interest. SinceDorothea Spinney visited New Zealand last nothing of such literary appeal has been given locally as Mr. Barry's recital of literary goms. The musical part; of the programme was given by Miss Mai-got Toner, and Mr. Barry sang some delightful songs from Shakespeare, one written by Henry VIII., and also gave the sleep walking scene from "Macbeth" in a very vivid manner. Mr. Barry's last recital will be .given to-night. DANCING. There will be gaiety at Dixieland this evening when dancing will be indulged in until midnight. The Dixieland Dance Band will play ,all the latest "hits." A big -charity ball is announced for October 3. Members of the "Rio Rita" Company will celebrate their 600 th performance at the Click Clack Cabaret this evening. Many novelties will be introduced. The Click Clack Dance Orchestra will be in i attendance. The Akarana Yacht Club will hold the weekly dance at the Clubhouse, Mechanics'' Bay, to-night. ' . The North Auckland Regimental dance will.be held in the Ponsonby Drill Hall to-night. There will be two hours' jazz after .the picture programme at the Moulin Rouge to-night. • There, will be dancing, for. two hours .after the screening at the Delta Theatre, New Lynn, to-night. Dancing will, be indulged in after itho ■ pictures at the Picturedrome, Milford, this evening. The final of the jazzing competition will be danced at Scots Hall on Monday night, in conjunction with the weekly charity danco. . , The Thistle Social Club will hold an old-time (lance in the Masonic "Hall, Edinburgh Street, to-night. An old-timo aance is held every Saturday at the Municipal Hall, Newmarket. There will be dancing at the Crystal Palace Winter Garden, Mount Eden Road, to-night. The management of the Orange Hall announce the final of their foxtrot competition for next Friday night. The Dixieland Dance Band will be present. The.Parisian Dancing Club will hold a carnival this evening in their ballroom, I Kitchener Street. Hats of unique -designs will be given away.. The Parisian Orchestra will feature "Memories of Scotland," medley foxtrot,. To-night at the Manchester Unity Hall the Ngaroma Social C:ub will hold an old-time dance. Music will be by an orchestra of genuine oM-timc players. At the Orange Hall,\Symonds Street, to-night the Felix Dance Club will hold :their weekly" dance, with .Hubert Hoffman and his" commanders in'attendance.