AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 247, 18 October 1929, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS.

PLAZA THEATRE. I Critics have been warm in their praise |of the simplicity of the first Eddie Dowling all-talking and singing picture, "The Rainbow Man," which, comes to the Plaza Theatre to-dav. "The Rainbow Man," a Paramount picture, is said to be one of the first musical sound films to break into fame without the aid of jazz. Dowling'a picture has a moving, human plot. The hero is a small-time actor, and he continues to be one throughout the film. Ha doesn't suddenly strike shale oil and millions in the musical comedy manner, nor does he fight a duel with thirty villains to win the girl. The songs are lovely melodies, easily romembered, but not of tho "hot" or "blues" variety. Thus "The Rainbow Man" is different. It marks a now step in the progress of talking films. It is a romantic, lyrical confection, filled with true heartinterest, comedy and episodic action, bringing three personages to undisputed prominence in the realm of sound films —Eddie Dowling, Marian Nixon and little Frankie Darro. On the supporting programme are included Waring's Pennsylvanians, tho world-famous jazz band in novelty numbers; John Charles Thomas (baritone), and "Amateur Night," an all-laughing talking comedy.

NATIONAL THEATRE. For the change of programme at the National Theatre to-day two feature films will be screened. Tho headline attraction is "The Voice of the City," a "crook" story that cannot fail to appeal. The picture is a fast-moving melodrama played in the dramatic period of twentyfour hours, featuring the escape of a prisoner from Sing Sing and the man hunt that follows. The escapee had been sentenced to twenty years' imprisonment for an offence that was committed by another person. When he breaks gaol he hidea out in tho basement of a building owned by a friend, and the real perpetrator of the crime endeavours to win for himself the convict's wife. He finds out where the escapee is hidden and gives information to the police, but receives a bullet from a friend of tho betrayed man and takes the count. It is a human interest story, thrilling throughout, and the audience should bo kept in suspense for the whole of the screening. The supporting film is a British production, "The Flying Squad." Edgar Wallace is the author, and there are thrills and suspenses galore. The programme, taken as a whole, is well-balanced, and with the 'addition of a good orchestra, the entertainment value is increased enormously,

STRAND THEATRE. The long awaited presentation by Warner Bros, of "The Jaz« Singer," starring A 1 Jolson, will commence a season at the Strand Theatre to-day This picturisation of Samson Raphaelsou's comedy-drama is made doubly important in that it marks the screen debut of A 1 Jolson, the most famous entertainer in the world. The produce tion assembled for the projection of A 1 Jolson as the eon of the cantor who ran away from home and became a famous jazz singer was given so much care, thought and lavish attention that it is considered a supreme achievement. The great cast surrounding Jolson with dainty May McAvoy in the part of Mary Dale, Warner Oland as "the cantor, and Eugenie Beaserer as the mother, includes also Otto Lederer, Bobby Gordon, Nat Carr and Richard Tucker. Since its opening in New York, where its success was instantaneous, it has established a record of oapacity aaidiences at every performance. Thp story is well-known, and yet,- under the direction of Alan Orosland, who has treated the story in the spirit in which it was conceived, there has been added a note of great beauty and pathos in the depiction of the rise of .the son of the cantor who deserted his home, to be a jazz singer, for it parallels the life story of Al, Jolson himself. It is a picture which arouses its audiences, to cheers. The supporting talking foatuvettes have all been selected with a view to giving the maximum of entertainment.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Unusual, to say the least, as : the aHtalking mystery picture play, "Through Different Eyes," to be presented to-day at the Majestic Theatre. The story hinges upon the varying effects on spectators in a court of justice conveyed by the examination and cross-examination of witnesses in a murder trial and the successive arguments of counsel for the prosecution and for the defence, and the presiding judge's summing up. Members of thq jury and spectators evidently change their opinions over and over again. As the trial they see the whole "through different eyes," Arrested on a murder charge the accused faces trial in a crowded courtroom. Witnesses are called for the prosecution and for the defence. They are : examined and then severely cross-examined. Percy word is as distinctly heard—perhaps piqrp so by tjie audience than by those wfto attend fli the court- Told entirely in dialogue, "Through Different Eyes," gives speech again to the two popular stars " of "In Old Arizona," Edmund Lowe and Warner Baxter- Miss Mary Duncan, in this gripping murder story has a part well fitted to her abilities as an actress, 4 s Viola Manning she enacts a triple role —the first a$ a modest, refined young wife, madly in love with 'her husband; the second as a woman of affairs'' with men,, who quarrels and bickers with her husband apd seeks to ensnare his friend into her net; and third as a modern young woman of conventional tastes, inclined to be a 'bit woman who loves her husband, but is inclined to feel he neglect's her for business. A fine supporting programme of talking fop.? turettes will also be soreened.

REGENT THEATRE

The peculiar advantages of the talkie picture over the stage are brpvight put; strikingly in "The Letter," a Paramount, pfoduptipii wltfch eomgs tq the Regent Theatre to-day in which the famous stage and screen star, Jeanne Eagcla, has ithe leading role. The stage with its limitations of scene can usually do 110 more than suggest the surrounding atmosphere. Motion pictures actually shovy it. There are many colourful sets.in "Tifie fetter," {ill of them presenting tlie usual life of Singapore and the Orient, . tfiU actually seen in version, of tins W. Somerset, Maugham success. These sets include a full-sized bungalow located in the heart- of a rubber plantation; a court roqm holding 200 persons; a Chinese gambling house, ithe homes and offices of various colonial settlers and scenes of brooding jungle and bustling street which the stage could not attempt to show. Throughout the picture the jungle setting is emphasised. Miss Eag#S lias 0. P. Heggie, Herbert Marshall and Reginald Owen' a? featured members pf l}or supporting cast, all of whom were recruited from the stage." There will hfi ft supporting programs wWcil, in themselves, are good ci.^ertainment.

| TIVOLI THEATRE. Following its successful season at the ' Plaza Theatre, "The Divino Lady" will be screened at the Tivoli Theatre for a season commencing to-day. This fine talking feature film tells the story of Lady Hamilton and her love for England's greatest naval hero, Lord Nelson. The life of Lady Hamilton from her earliest days when she was an obscure girl up to the time when she was in a position, so to say, of being able to sway an Empire, is faithfully unfolded. The photography and incidents in the life of herself and Nelson are graphic. C'orinne Griffith, Victor Varconi, and H. B. Warner Heart the cast. There is a full supporting programme of alltalking items. CAPITOL THEATRE. "Alias Jimmy Valentino," which is being screened at the Capitol Theatre, is a powerful drama of the underworld. This "talkie" had a successful season on Queen Street recently. It is full of thrills, while romance ancl comedy are concoctions that help to make up a choice confection of" the screen. This great play has been made into just as great a picture. The supporting featurettes have been wisely chosen with a view to giving patrons the best entertainment possible. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. Jim Gerald and his musical revue company continue to attract large audiences to St. James' Theatre. The lighting eil'ccts are out of the ordinary, ancl the dressing excellent. The ballet is far ahead of what is usual at such shows, each member being really a soloist. The comedy of Gerald is infectious, and he keeps the house in, roars during his frequent appearances.