REGENT THEATRE.

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

REGENT THEATRE.

Ample and meritorious diversion i; provided in the new programme, whicl was introduced- at the Regent Theatre last evening. The real life happening: iepicted in Hearst's Movietone News range from scenes of the famous six-daj jycle race, Cuban babies, sports ir Switzerland and quaint Dutch dances while the Pat.he Audio Review presents x happy revival of .musical comedy as it was played in days of yore. A briei stage marionette novelty, "The Dancing Dolls," is followed by Charlie .Chase ii the dialogue comedy, "Leaping Love.' Charles .is a '"'poor simp" who gets caught between two fires —a face-lifted mamma Mid her daughter —and is rescued b> mother fair onlooker after a series ol laughable situations. The feature iten is the "capably-acted Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production, "So This is College,' i student comedy drama which introduces Babs, otherwise Sally Starr, a diminutive brunette who plays witl iiearts of two third-year students, Eddie ind Biff (Elliott Nugent and Robert Montgomery). The chums have roomed together and shared their neckties as well as their girls, but when Babs ippears, the friendship: of the pair is ilrnost wrecked in a hectic process ol courting amid the hilarity of college life There are dormitory scenes, dances and carnival, the inevitable .'football contest ivith its roaring crowds, and the equally neviiable heroes, which, of course, prove to be Eddie and Biff. Tliey unmasked :he little vamp in time to gain sufficient self-control and to win the epic footbal] jams just 011 time. Many "wise cracks' : ind lots of action are seen and heard n "So This is College," which, though lardlv offering , the academic atmosphere sf British educational .institutions, iffords much. passing amusement. Mr iYliitei'ord-Waugh, and his Syncopators ire,heard in several pleasing items, in.'hiding a special arrangement, with'organ lolour, of "The Pagan Love Song," foi 'Vhicli W. J. Hezlehurst contributes -the I'ocal.. interpretation. The programme it aright and.entertaining, and should have jo.od patronage during its season. Mr Ewart Lyne presided at the grand organ ST. JAMES' THEATRE. Several members of the stellar cast oJ "Gold Diggers of Broadway," though at ane time they tripped it in the choruses M numerous New York musical shows individually rose to fame as stage and screen stars. Now they are back in the :horus, but as featured players in this ill-talking production. These ex-chorus steppers who return to the chorus ir 'Gold Diggers of Broadway" include \ T ancy Welford, Ann Pennington and Lilyan Tashman. All three received their early- elramatic training undei bTorenz Ziegfeld in his world-famous 'Eollies." Each attained an enviable legree of fame before entering talking pictures. Miss Welford recently starred 3n the stage in "Rain or Shine," "No. STo, Nanette,"- and "Scandals." Miss Pennington starred for several seasons in Ueorge White's "Scandals," and is alsc i silent screen star. Miss. Tashman, ivell known on the stage and in motion pictures, played the original role o.i Eleanor in the footlight production of 'The Gold Diggers." The attendances at 3t.-James' are as large as ever . - ROXY AND CRYSTAL PALACE. Two "of the icreen'sc. ,iav'ourite3' of several years ago are co-starred'in "The flying Marine," which is being screened it the Roxy and Crystal Palace Theatres. They are Ben Lyon and Shirley Mason, pliey together, in an rig story of the UnitedV'States Marine t&rps, which has 1 ' been .described as "an 1 lir rodeo of th'eVscreen'."' The film. ; i3"-&' jalkie."*" On .8 "The, Spieler," a.Pathe' all-talking !ircus:story; which; Alan Hale, Renee idoree, Fred Kohler and the clever Australian, Clyde Cook, have the principal -oles. Mis 3 Adoree has a splendid part, [t is one to which she is particularly suited, for, prior to her introduction to the movie world, she was for many vears in a circus, in which her parents ivere performers. GRAND THEATRE. Ronald dolman's first all-talkie, "Bulllog Drummond," is being screened for in-extended season, at the Grand.Theatre, rhe'lflmj which is,an adaptation of the popular melodramatic story by "j3apper' (H. C. MacNeil), retains practically all -lie principal features of the original. Joan Bennett has the female lead, and the. part of Algie is played by.Claud <Ulistsrr~ ""Montagu Love and" Lilyan rash in an appear together as Carl Peterson and Irma, providing the villainous ;lement. N Colman's characterisation of this popular figure in fiction is a particularly good piece of work. MOULIN ROUGE. The feature of this evening's screening it the Moulin Rouge, Remuera, is the Vletro-Goldwyn dramatic story, "The of the City," starring Willard Mack, Robert Ames and Sylvia_ Fried. Tile-picture presents a;view.;'of. city life noving at top speed. Talkie featurettes, i comedy, "That's My Wife," topical ind scenic, complete a good programme. ;' - -<•* V LUNA PARK. A special bus service is run from the "oot of Queen Street to Luna Park, Auckland's amusement area,.where large ;rowds have, lately i been enjoying the thrills which the novel mechanical attractions provide. Consistently, there are jueues waiting at the entrance to the scenic railway, "the scenic river caves, the dod'ge-'ems, the whip, the joy-wheel, the caterpillar, the fun'factory and the roofy house. There are also several ittractive sideshows at the Park. DANCING. There will be a carnival at the Dixieand Cabaret, Point Chevalier, this evenng, when , a "special- programme of syncopated' fox-trot music will be played 3/. the famous Dixieland Dance Band. A special attraction will be the appeariiice of Miss Eegina'Raye. A Takapuna Race Night carnival will 3e celebrated at Ye Olde Pirate Shippe. Milford, this evening. Special music ,vill be played by Ye Versatile Pirates. Boat services for passengers and alsc 'or motor vehicles, are advertised. The Hollywood Dance Club will hold i dance in the Belgium Street Hall tolight. The Municipal Hall, Newmarket, is ilways a scene of gaiety on Saturday nights, an old time dance being the Attraction. Bendall's Collegians will be at the A.karanaClubhouse to-night, when"'the Centura will be in session . There will be two hours' jazz after .the pictures at the Picturedrome, Milford to-night. < " An after-the-pictures dance will - be lield as usual at the Delta Theatre, New Lynn, to-night. "At the Manchester Unity Hall, at the •»orner of Hobson and "Victoria Streets the Ngaroma Old-time Dance Club wil be in session to-night vvlth' their owe popular orchestra. The Parisian Studio will be open this evening at Whitehall, Upper Queen Street." Snappy music will be played by the Parisian - nee Orchestra.- -- -