AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 27, 1 February 1930, Page 15

AMUSEMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE,The ' -talking picture version of thai rollicking comedy,' "The Cradle Snatchers," heads the bill at the Majestie Theatre this week, its adapted title being "Why Leave Home?" The picturisatior of the .stage-sensation lias not spoilec the comedy of the original, but has perhaps even added to the humour, because the comedy depends entirely on the filiations, and the motion picture directors are able to produce these mon effectively than can be done on the stage. The story" concerns a glorious mix-up, in which three youths, three cfaorun girls and the same number oi husbands and wives take part. The three husbands make a '•'date" with the chorus girls, and- their wives,, scenting-a mystery in a proposed duck hunting trip resolve to have a good time in the absence of their lords and masters, and hire three college boys for. the occasion Two hundred dollars .was the price oi the evening's entertainment, and the boys thought that more enticing than the chorus .girls with whom they had intended .spending the evening. The wide-awake wives soon show that thej are adaptable to the ' occasion, and within a short time they are dancing the latest steps with such vim and gustc thai; the other tenants in the house complain about the noise. Tliey tlien decide to go to a roadhouse which has just opened. As luck would have it, the other three couples had picked on thic place to have their evening's fun, and they have already started when the others arrive. Everyone wears a mask, so that the risk of detection is not exceptionally great. When the pieces ot black cloth are taken off, however, the fun begins, and gradually the couples become conscious of the . terrible mix-up The comedy is heightened by the presence of a burly chucker-out, whe appears,, at the most inopportune moments. After an amusing game oi hide and seek around the garden the participants in the comedy find themselves together, anel patch up theii differences. The husbands return tc their wives and the youths adjust matters with the chorus girls, so that all is well. The well-chosen cast do well in their parts, the work of Mr. Waiter Catlett, as the tactless and blundering husband, being especially good. Miss Sue Carol takes the leading- feminine role with great charm, while Mr. Nick Stuart opposite her, is effective. It is on David Rollins, however, that a great deal of the comedy depends.- As the reluctant Hover, going in fear and trepidation o I the "ogres" of husbands, and. then warming to his task, determined to earn his 200- dollars, he is excellent. . Clark and MeCullough are the bright comedians in the comedy on the supporting programme, which includes a Fox Movietone News, a short revue and a scenic film oi Poland. STRAND, THEATRE. "The Lady Lies," with Walter. Huston, Claudette Colbert arid Charles"Kuggles at the head of the cast* will be the main attraction at-the Strand Theatre to-day, In this play three of' New York's most popular actors will be 6een and.heard on the screen... .The,,picture..is based on..a Broadway -"EEt'fof. the' same title."Claudette Colbertsqf„stellar fame in a number of "Walter Huston, .'ioije .of the outstanding stars of tho legitimate stage, are reunited in leading r'oles in this all-talking success. They first appeared in leading' • roles togetherfin the popular stage play "The Barker,which hafl a long seasewtien Broadway. Huston played the part of Nifty Mfller, the carnival ballyhoo man, and played Lou, the equally hard-boiled sideshow performer. Charles Ruggles,.-'-famed as one of the leading gentlemep comics of '-the great .-white way," plays the comedy role. He .re first seen and heard in talking pictures, in "Gentlemen of the Press," as the inebriafQfl reporter who never,seemed tc know which paper he was working for, Huston also his debut in •talking pictures in the same picture ae Wick Snell, the inveterate inhabitant of city roonis. "The Lady Lies" is great entertair&nent, and shoulel have a successful season. There will be an interesting programme of supporting featurettes NATIONAL THEATRE. ..-, ;v. "Marked Money" is the mainjattraetion at the National Theatre. 'It. is a colourful .;story of daring youth. . There are many', thrilling episodes including a fight in an aeroplane'jmd the query set the audience at the.moment is "will the occupants be dashed to death?" 'The featured player is Junior Coghlan, -recognised as the leading juvenile screen player, George Duryea and Virginia .Bradford. This romance of love, money, brave men and gangsters keeps one keyed up to tension point throughout the screening. A second feature is "The Woman in White," the screen version of the great story by Wilkie Collins. Baffling mystery is the keynote. J' - Ingenious and thrilling, it will puzzle *ill those who have not read the booki -Those who know the story y.ncl see tjh'e screen version will be astounded!, with its sincerity of atmosphere and characterisation to the written form-:' It is good entertainment. PLAZA THEATRE. An all talking comedy is the principal attraction at the Plaza Theatre, tht picture "The Carnation Kid," with Douglas Mac-Lean in the leading role. It it a fast-iuoving dramatic story of lo\ e politics, elections, underworld machinations. and mat/ other elements of life in a busy- city., fieen with Mac Lean are quite a number uf well-known motior picture players, including Frances Loe Lorraine Eddv, William B. Davidson Charles Hill Mailes, "toncis McDonald and Maurice Black" Tht. production goe= through a wide range of fast-moving scenes, beginning 011 a train when s tvpewriter salesman gets mLsediip wit"The Carnation Kid," a,famous gaugstei from a £itv where gajifegjffig:. There is .romance on tile train as. jwel. as a holdup; a chase of a girl in a «r in the city, as well as a chase e* tin police and 'the well armed underworld characters: election campaigns witl their torchlight parades, & vamping stenographer who falls for "The_ Carna tion Kiel's"- stories of his exploits, anc a tvpewnter salesman in consider ab ; hot water all the way through. The supporting featurettes are all interesting and entertaining. EMPRESS THEATRE. Ford Sterling and Patsy-Ruth- filter appear together in "The F#Jl °f E>e, an all-talking comedy-drama;, which ■ is being screened at the Empress JJiea rg. An accompanying attraction, at the bmpress is and Son s ' . 'in wMh Jack Holt' anel Micky Mcßan have the leading roles. •" CAPITOL THEATRE. "Nothing But the Truth/; a laughable all-talking comedy, wwhich Maid Dix is starred, heads the programme at the Capitpl Theatre. The story is one of a youiig business man who makes a wager to,'tell the truth for tvven hours. His partners, with wnom he ■betting, dp their best to trap him, but when the: he Ma. won. .