AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 244, 15 October 1929, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

ROXY THEATRE.

A complete change of programme will be screened at the Roxy Theatre to-morrow, when a picture described as a "sensation in sound" will be presented.. This is "Manhattan Cocktail," with Nancy Carroll, Richard Arlen, and Paul Lukas heading the cast. The story is melodramatic, and depicts the gaiety and heartbreaks of back-Wtage life in a New York theatre. This sound picture is synchronised throughout with a brilliant music score played by a concert orchestra of 60 instruments. A special dancing company of some of the world's most beautiful women was gathered together by Marion Morgan for the prologue, which depicts a story of ancient Crete. Paul Lukas, the handsomo European actor, engages in two skirmishes. One of his hand-to-hand engagements is with Arlen, himself a first-class boxer, and the other with Danny Shea, who has tackled half of the ring's professional champions in gymnasium workouts.. The picture starts with fast action and finishes faster. A fine programme of talking supports will be screened. EMPRESS AND CRYSTAL PALACE. Baclanova and Clive Brook are the featured players in "A Dangerous Woman," an all-talking picture being presented at the Empress. Theatre, Newton, and Crystal Palace' Theatre, Mount Eden Road. This dramatic story concerns a Commissioner of British territory in tropic Africa and his faithless wife, who even lures her husband's brother into her toils. There is grim tragedy when a faithful servant introduces a snake into her bed, and she dies apparently mysteriously, the servant never letting the husband or brother know the real explanation of the mystery. It is a thrilling picture, with fine photography and good speaking voices, and should attract large attendances. The supports have been all chosen for their entertainment value. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. There will be a complete change of programme at St. James 5 Theatre to-night, where Jim Gerald and his musical revue company are appearing. In the first half there will be songs, dances and snatches of comedy, featuring Gerald's latest yell, "Motor Pirates.'' A plot revue will be staged in'the second half, when "The Naughty Husband" will be presented. This should keep the audience in roars of laughter throughout, out. PUPILS' RECITAL. Last night Mr. Leo Whittaker's pupils gave a recital in the Lewis Eady Hall. A notable feature was a vocal trio, "The Snow" (Elgar), sung by the Misses Hill, Hutchinson and Clare, and accompanied by the instrumental trio (Jean Allen, Dr. Trevor de Clive Lowe and Mr. Leo Whittaker). Operatic excerpts were rendered with a facility unusual among students. The vocalists included Misses. Winnifred Hill, L. Solomon, E. Murray, M. Martin, F. Gaudin, M. Kronfeld, J. Smith, S. Stacpole, U. Hutchinson, N. Clare, Mrs. Raynes, Mrs. De Berg and Messrs. Tom Tuohy and Len Wilson. Pianoforte items included Grieg's Concerto (let movement), Miss Winnifred Cooke; Chopin's Polonaise, in C Minor, Miss Joyce M. Parker; Schubert "Impromptu Op. 90," Miss Edna Naughton; MacDowell's "Polonaise," Miss Edna Tremain; and Debussy's "Arabesque," Mr. W. F. Monteith; and two quartets played by Misses Clare, Naughton, Blackburn and Parker. Two items by the instrumental trio were much appreciated. Mr. Frank Poore contributed a flute obligate to "Lo! Here the Gentle Lark," sung by Miss Freda Gaudin, Mr. Leo Whittaker acted as accompanist.