AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 258, 31 October 1929, Page 24

AMUSEMENTS.

. STRAND THEATRE. "Follies of 1929," a musical comedy, consisting of dancing, singing and talking sequences, ' will open a " season at the Strand Theatre to-morrow. Widely known stage and screen figures head a long list of players; the numbers were written by men pre-eminent ae popular revue authors; the music was composed iby writers who have scores of popular successes to their credit; and the picture was directed and staged by men acknowledged leaders in their fields. Included among the principals are such entertainers as Sue Carol, Frank Richardson, Stepin Fctchit, Lola Lane, Sharon Lynn, Dixie Lee, David John Breederi, David Percy, De Witt Jennings, Arthur Stone, Archie Got tier, Muriel Gardner and Oarolynne Snowden. There are two hundred performers in all, including adagio dancers, chorus and show girls, ballet and principals. In addition, there is an orchestra of some forty pieces. The songs were written by Con Conrad, Sidney D. Mitchell and Archie Gottler, among the foremost of the composers of popular hits. The ensembles were devised- bj Gottler and Fanchion and Marco, noted dance masters. The story, which concerns the ups and downs of folk back stage, was provided by David Butler, who has been actor and director on the screen and who also directed t!ie Follies. The dialogue was written by William K. Wells. Marcel Silver was director-of revue, while Arthur Kay served as musical director. There will be a full programme of talking featurettcs. REGENT THEATRE. "Nothing But the Truth," at the Regent Theatre, will be presented finally to-morrow night, when "Dangerous Curves" will replace it. In this feature Clara Bow, who has ever been a popular favourite, is the star. It is her latest ■ talkie and something distinctly new is ■promised. Richard Aden and other notable players are in the cast. The story is thrilling, and deals with circus life. Miss Bow plays the part of an equestrienne and a female clown. An entire circus unit of 200 performers and "big top" employees were used in the sequences. During the production the etar moved her headquarters to "Clown Alley," which is the name given to the space 'between the trunks in the clown tent. Richard Arlen is cast as a tightrope walker. A love romance is interwoven, and there are many complications in which various members of.the circus company are involved. This picture is "different" and is sure to be welcomed "by the picture loving public. There will be a full programme of entertaining talkie supports. PLAZA THEATRE. A new programme will be presented at the Plaza Theatre to-morrow, the headline attraction being a Paramount alltalking film titled "River of Romance." This is a costume play adapted from the famous story written by Booth Tarkington. The theme of the action is the rise to fame of Charles Rogers, the star, following an incident in which he seem* to be a coward. The scenes are laid in the lower Mississippi Valley, on a plantation, on the river boats and in a gambling hall. The time is in the 1840's. There are three beautiful girls in the cast. Mary Brian is the little girl who loves Buddy in spite of all the seeming disgrace to which he has fallen. June Collycr is her coquettish older sister, who forsakes her love for Buddy when ehe suspects him of being a coward. Natalie Kingston is the comely Mexican, an octoroon, and the companion of Wallace Beery, the gambling hall proprietor. A full programme of supporting talkies will also be screened. ROXY AND CRYSTAL PALACE. "Submarine," the big attraction at the Roxy Theatre, Queen Street, and Crystal Palace, Mount Eden Road, is a fine melodrama -moving along lines of distinct originality in story conception. The star is Jack Holt, who is ably assisted by Ralph Graves and Dorothy Rcvier. Holt has a man's role, and ho and Graves do great work. The story opens on a thrill when Graves save the life of his diver pal, Holt, as the latter is dragged to the bottom of the sea in the wake of a time-bomb. The men are great pals, but the attention Graves gives Holt's feminine conqueste starts good-natured rivalry. They are parted. Graves stays in the Philippines, while Holt is stationed in San Diego, and in the absence> of his pal soon falls under the spell of a dance hall ibeauty. They marry, and when Holt is absent on duty for a week the woman looks around for new diversions. Graves comes to San Diego to renew friendship with Holt, tmt discovering his absence, seeks company. He meets the girl, and with customary caution, gets verbal assurance that she is heart free.. Then together they set out on a merry whirl. She plays on the man's attachment, and lias the satisfaction of seeing them split. Later Graves is entombed in a submarine, and the only diver capable of making the depth is Holt. He charters an aeroplane, and with a superhuman effort manages to don diver's dress and reach the submarine. He brings air to ,the entombed men just as'the last tube of oxygen gives out and eaves them. It is most thrilling. The talkie supports are all interesting. MAJESTIC THEATRE. ; "The Talkie of the Future" is.the title given 'by critics all over the English speaking world to "Pleasure Crazed," the newest all-dialogue Fox Movietone production 1 to come to the Majestic Theatre to-morrow. This production, with its well balanced composition of indoor and out-of-door sequences, its consistent dramatic tension, and its thoroughly modei'n note, is said to be the first talking,picture that gives an accurate forecast of the kind of offering the public of 1940 will: want. Marguerite ChurcMU, Kenneth MacKenna and Dorothy Burgess head the cast qf stage and screen celebrities that are seen, and heard in the film. Campbell' Gullan, Henry Kolker, Frederick Graham, Douglas Gilmour and other notables are also "among those present." Donald Gallager directed this speaking screen version of Monkston Hoffe's play, "The Scent of Sweet Almonds." California supplies the locale for this feature, which exposes a trio of society minded crooks in quest of; a quarrelsome wealthy couple's rare emerald, collection. An exciting auto chase, a thrilling polo game, and an attempted poisoning are thrilling . features. There will be a full programme of supporting talkies. NATIONAL THEATRE. : Karl Dane and George K. Arthur. are said to be at their comedy beet in "China Bound," which opens at the National Theatre to-morrow. Tbo film, which Charles F. Reisner directed, is a laugh riot from its opening to its sensational finish and probably will be listed as the best of the five comedies in which Dane .and Arthur have co-starred. "China Bound" furnishes them with a new .vehicle for characterisation as they go blunderingly on, first with Dane as a etoker and Arthur as his stowaway pal, and'later, in $jhs Chjaeee coolie disguises.

The Chinese settings, too, are remarki able in their faithfulness to our conception of what a Chinese setting should look like. The story k a eplenclid comedy and provides many opportunities for the bulky antics of the huge ; Dane, who in this picture, unlike others, is his partner's pal and not his rival in , love. Each has a sweetheart, Polly Moran playing this role for Dane, and I Josephine Dunn as leading lady for ; Arthur. They are menaced not only by Angus McAlister, Josephine's . screen father, but by Chinese bandits, who provide a battle scene which adds to the interest. There will be a good supporting programme.