AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 39, 15 February 1930, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS.

CIVIC THEATRE,

Two wonderful lovers in Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell will be presented at the Civic Theatre to-night when "Sunny Side Up," a Fox Movietone comedy is screened. This was written specially for the audible screen by De Sylva, Brown and Henderson, a distinguished frio of libretto-composers. Miss Gaynor was awarded the gold statue of the Acadamy of Motion Picture Arts and Scientists for the- best performance of any screen actress during 1928, for her performance in "Seventh Heaven." She now turns her atlen to musical comedy for the first time. Since the advent of talking pictures, the diminutive little actress has been preparing for her debut as a singing and dancing comedienne.

Lacking actual stage experience, she really had to start all over again.. Her success in "Four Devils," "Christina" and "Lucky Star," her first talking pictures, plainly indicated that unlike so many screen stars who have been submerged by the audible film wave, Miss Gaynor is destined to rise to even greater heights via the new medium. 2sfo less than seven new song hits are played and sung in the course of the screen and musical comedy. A thirty-five piece jazz orchestra, under the direction of Howard Jackson, a forty-two piece boys' band, a society charity show, water carnival, an East Side Fourth of July block party and a beauty dancing chorus of sixty are unusual features. There will also be a new stage presentation by Mr. Ted Henkel, while Mr. Fred Sjcholl will bo t at the organ. KOXY THEATRE. "The Trespasser" continues to attract large audiences to the Roxy Theatre. In this picture Gloria Swanson has her first talking part. The popular actress, who has gained a considerable reputation for her work on the silent screen, has ample scope for the exercise of her peculiar talents in this picture. The story, which deals with the endeavours of a pretty typisto to gain the approval of the parents of the wealthy business man who has married her, has been written specially for Miss Swanson by a dramatist who has studied the peculiarities of her screen personality. A special feature is the rendering of two attractive theme songs, "Love" and "Serenade," in the course of the production. There is a strong supporting cast, including- Robert Ames, Henry B. Walthall, Purncll Pratt and Mary Forbes.

NATIONAL THEATRE. The double feature programme at the National Theatre is meritorious in every way. The headline attraction is "Annapolis," a dramatic, thrilling story that holds the interest throughout. The leading player is John Mack Brown. He has shown his abilities in recent times. Marion Davies chose him for the leading male part in '"The Fair Co-Ed" aryl later he played opposite Madge Bell,amy in several pictures as well as in many other photoplays. In "Annapolis" he definitely makes his bid for stardom. He is seen as a midshipman who has high ideals of honour and duty. He falls in love with the fiancee of his best,' though somewhat fickle friend, another midshipman, and when the latter, virtually crazed by jealousy, strikes a guard after breaking his parole, he permits his pal to be suspected as the guilty "man. The midshiprf.au portrayed by Mr. Brown, shoulders, his friend's guilt and is about to face a court of inquiry when the truth is revealed and he exonerated. Throughout. the story, , the spirit of "Annapolis" is carefully preserved. The second feature is "George Washington Cohen," which describes the result of a boy's trying to live up to his name. The Cohen pride and joy was christened George Washington because the relations at the Christening fought so over every family name which was suggested. So, from his earliest appearance, the boy is .involved in difficulties growing out of his cognomen, which form the plot of this comedy, alternately hilarious and tender.

ERNIE LOTINGA. Definite arrangements have been made for the appearance at His Majesty's Theatre for a season of 12 nights, beginning on Saturday afternoon next, of the inimitable London comedian", Ernie Lotinga, together with his complete company of 20 English artists, including the talented actress, Miss Kathlces Barbor, During a brief season they will present four plays. The season will be inaugurated with a production of the highly amusing military comedy "August, 1914," which ran for upwards of 12 months in London and which attracted record audiences ,in -Sydney and Melbourne. This will be followed by "Police Force," "Ivhaki," and "House Full," all of which were written for Mr. Lotinga, and they all give the comedian unlimited opportunities to display his genius. The initial production of "August, 1914" will be preceded by the presentation of two vaudeville acts, Karyl Norman, the Creole Fashlion Plate, and the Ilardgrove Brothers '- (The Midshipmen), whose clever and original dancing proved the outstanding feature >of the very successful Australian production of. "Glowji in Clover." "Ernie Lotinga," wrote a Sydney critic, "paints his humour in broad, vivid colours, making.it impossible for anyone who sees him not try hold their sides, with laughing, and they will leave the theatre with the feeling that the world is, after all, an excellent place to live in." During the progress of the Great War, Ernie Lotinga and his company were commandeered by the jnilitary authorities to entertain the soldiers, and many -New Zealanders will retain pleasant memories of.the efforts of Mr. Lotinga in Paris, London and the provinces of England. "August, .1914" deals with the lighter side of the Great War, and it is "said to be a riot of'fun from start to finish. The company supporting Mr. Lotinga includes Harold Wilkinson, Arnold Bell, Arthur Ellis, Jack Frost, Max Avieson, Lawrence ,T. Lawrence, Doyle Crossley, Jack Deering, Fred Luck, Adolph Luck, Ida May, Daisy Bindley and liie Costa.

FAMOUS VIOLINIST. Mr, John Dunn, the famous English violinist, during an evening arranged for him at Mount Eden last night, amused the company with a "lion" story. Mr. Dunn was telling his listeners how it is customary for people all over the world to bring him their violins. "There are a.great number of 'Strads' in the world, if wo believe the owners of them," Mr. Dunn said. "Once I was asked to go out to a farm in Johannesburg to see a 'Strad,' and while I was waiting a young lion came in through the open door. I thought my last day had come. The animal looked at me, and then turned away and curled itself up on the hearth rug like a big dog. The farmer was most agitated, having forgotten to tell me about his pet. It didn't take me long to s 'tell him his fiddle was not worth £5, and I got some satisfaction out of telling him. He had nearly frightened me to death, as his house was right on the edge of the wilds." Mr. Dunn will give ono concert here, when Aucklanders will have a chance of hearing Mr. Dunn's genuine Stradivarius.

THE MAJESTIC. THEATRE,

"And you will realise, The things you want the most, Are hard to get." "

Around the time-honoured maxim of this song, heard in one of New lork's cabarets, is woven the fascinatiiigly"tolcl tale of the picture at the Majestic Theatre. "Bobbie" (Dorothy Mackaill) is a middle-class American girl, who has ambitions. A mannequin in a fashionable modiste shop, she glimpses a woild breathing Fifth Avenue, quite apart from the humble comfort of her own home. Wealth she will have, she says, as well as love, but wealth in any case. How she allows her literally "golden" opportunity to slip -past, and succumbs to love alone, is the story. The ohly sure way to riches is by the aid cf a millionaire husband. Thus, each morning she sallies forth to a corner of I 1 if th Avenue, and, watching the approach of all the opulent-looking cars out of the corner of one eye, she anxiously looks at her watch and frowns. The plan is simple. Are not the wealthy young men of New York after all only "mere males" and susceptible to feminine charm? She accepts the proffered ride, and that is all the opportunity she wants. However, she is rescued from an embarrassing situation, not in Fifth Avenue, but in a barber's shop. _ An amusing episode follows. She directs her escort (Jack Oakie), one of the "fifthest" of Fifth Avenue dwellers to his own home, telling him she is the niece of the lady of the house. At the criticai moment she faints, for when a woman faints gentlemen refrain from asking possibly avvkward questions. In the meantime by pure mischance, shemeets one of her brother's friends whom the latter calls "a regular guy." Again by mischance she spends the evening with him at one of the cabarets, and it is there, while, she yet dreams of her Fifth Avenue acquaintance, that she hears the refrain of a song which she cannot forget. Still, the other dream persists, and to the very forcibly-spoken disgust of her brother she passes over a previous engagement with her brother's friend and goes out with the one who can provide expensive motor cars, and the rest. He, this time-, forgets to play the gentleman, and the girl walks five •miles home \from the spot where the benzine fails. The final act works out in the girl's home. "Bobbie" arrives on weary feet, and while she, is in the middle of half-unbelievcd explanations, in comes the wealthy friend. He asks her to marry him on the spot, but "Bobbie" turns from him, and from all her idle dreams, and seeks true happiness with the one with whom she heard the refrain, "The things you want the most are hard to get." The supporting programme is worthy of the main picture. Catchy songs sung by Adele Rowland were pleasing, while the audience found delighted amazement in the vision of orchestra instruments waging battle in the "Krazy Kat" sound cartoon. All the orchestra numbers were popular, and Mr. Haydn Murray, violinist, received a well-deserved round of applause. GRAND THEATRE. "The Flying Marine," an epic of the air, is at the Grand Theatre. In this Ben Lyon and Shirley Mason are the leading characters. There are many thrilling "stunts" performed which make the picture stand out as above the ordinary. The supporting programme lias been carefuly selected and there are many interesting items. LUNA PARK. Dancing competitions will be continued at Luna Park to-day. This is an added attraction and is responsible for large attendances. Despite the rain there was a big attendance last night, the results of the competition being as follow: — Irish Jig (under 9). —K. E. Simon, 1; Betty Browne, 2; Joyce Cain, 3. Irish Jig *(9-11 years): Dagmar Jensen, 1; Olive Evans, 2; Patricia Boyle, 3. Sailors' Hornpipe (11-13 years): Gladys Cain, 1; Joy Lodder, 2; Jean Armour, 3. Irish Hornpipe: E. Crook, 1; Irene Long, 2; Kathleen Reed, 3. The contests are arranged under the auspices of the National Highland Dancing Society.

"LOMBARDI, LTD."

Of comedy there is ah ample supply in "Lombard!, Ltd.," which is- being presented at slis Majesty's by Mr. Leo Carrillo, the noted actor, and his talented company, but the play is not all laughter. There are moments when there is no laughter—just pathos, and deep pathos. Through it all, however, there is a dominating figure—Tito Lombardi (Mr. Carrillo), designer of frocks, and. an artist to his finger tips. Lombardi is,.lost in his art; he is over generous,. too, and there comes a time when he is faced with almost certain ruin. However, Fortune smiles at him again, and, of course, there is a happy ending. In this delightful play, Mr. Carrillo scores a striking success, and every performance means for him many more admirers of his ability and his sparkling personality. Mr. Carrillo is intensely human. •In support of Tito is an excellent company, prominent among the members of,which are Miss Barbara Luddy, as Daisy, the new mannequin, a very human person, and Miss Natalie Moya, who when the curtain falls is the prospective Mrs. Lombardi. At the end of each of three acts warm approval and appreciation of the work of Mr. Carrillo and the other members of the company were shown hy the large audience. "Lombardi, Ltd;," will be presented for only five more nights. Matinees will be held to-day and on Wednesday. The military comedy, "August, 1914," will commence a season at the theatre next Saturday

evening. , ST. JAMES' THEATRE. The wonderful record put up xby "Gold Diggers of Broadway" at StJames' Theatre is the talk of the city. No film lias ever Men so universally discussed, and the crowds still flock to the theatre as if the picture had not been on for a long run. The acting, the natural colours, the comedy and the singing and dancing make the feature stand in a class by itself. For all round entertainment nothing better has been produced. The season is now "drawing to a close, and the management announces that the next attraction will be another mammoth feature, "The Desert Song." PLAZA THEATRE. "Laughter week" lias commenced at the Plaza Theatre, where "Barnum was Right" is being screened. In this film Glenn Tryon, the famous comedian, is the star, and the play is hilariously funny throughout. The cast includes Basil Radford, who did such good work in "The Ghost Train." "There's one born every minute," Barnum said, and something happens very minute to prove that Barnum was right. Nobody should miss this talking feature if they love a good laugh. The all-talking supports include "Much Again," a Sunny Jim comedy, "The Interview," with Clark and McCullougli, the popular comedians, a cartoon, and a news reel in sound.

EMPRESS AND CRYSTAL PALACE. Two all-talking melodramas will be presented at the. Empress Theatre, Newton, and the Crystal Palace, Mount Eden Road, to-day.* "Light Fingers" is" the headline attraction, with lan Keith and Dorothy Revicr. This is an underworld story full of thrills and adventures. "Acquitted" is another drama of the underworld, with Lloyd Hughes and Margaret Livingston in the leading roles. MUNICIPAL BAND. The Municipal T&and will give it? usual musical performance in the Zoological Park to-morrow afternoon. TJje programme contains some very fyic numbers, notably a charming selection from Weber's "Preciosa" and the overture "Dawn of Peace." Other items are "Sanctuary of the Heart," "The Phantom Brigade," "Madame Pompadour," selection and idyl "Softly Unawares." In the evening at 8.30 the Band will again appear in Albert Park, where an excellent programme- will include "Marche des Moujiks," "Raymond" overture, valses "Rouge et -Noir," 'and "Amorettan Tanz," three numbers from Ansell's tuneful suite "The Shoe," Handel's celebrated Largo, and a fine selection from Squire's most popular songs.

EDENDALE THEATRE. I "In Old' Arizona" 'is a talking' 'filmj with much in it to interest,all tastes.It will be presented at the Edendale Theatre to-night. It is a romantic story filmed in the open air. There will be an excellent programme of talking featurettes.

MOULIN ROUGE. v „ The talkie programme to be shown this evening at the Moulin Rouge, Rcmuera, includes a comedy-drama entitled "The College Coquette" with Ruth Taylor and William Collier, Junr., in the leaiding roles. . It pictures the escapades of a heartless flirt of college youths in a fast moving scene of campus life. There are two talkie featurettes, a topical and' comedy. On Monday evening "Bulldog D.ijummond'' will be screened. CAPITOL THEATRE.' -• "The Black Watch," which-had such a long run at the Strand Theatre, will be presented at the Capitol to-night. This great feature film is,a talking vehicle with Victor McLaglen and Myrna Loy in the leading parts. DANCING. The Famous Dixieland Dance Band will play at Dixieland Cabaret this evening. The dance will commence a little after eight and conclude at midnight. ' Special- transport arrangements are announced by the Pirate Shippe at Milford. Good music and appointments are featured by this popular cabaret. There will be two hours' jazz after the screening at the Picturedrome, Milfonl, to-night. There will be a dance after the soreenin of "The Letter," at the Delta Theatre, New Lynn, to-niglir. The Parisian dancing studio are holding a social this evening in Whitehall buildings, Miss Al. Clarke now conducts, the orchestra. At the Ngaroma social club to-night Mrs. , Northover's Ngaroma orchestra will be in attendance. At the Blockhouse Bay picture hall to-night Skip Whiting and his Merry Jesters Jazz Band will be in attendance. An old time dance will be held to-night at the O'Neill Street Hall, Ponsonby, by the Grey Lynn Labour Party. Paltridge's orchestra will play. A special' announcement Is made in another column in regard to the Orange Hall dance this evening, at which Hubert Hoffman and his Commanders will play. The Hollywood Dance Club will be in session at the Masonic Hall, Belgium Street, this evening. The - latest dance hits will be played. , , The Druids' old time cabaret dance at North Street, Newton, to-night, will be a gay affair. The Famous. Revellers will play. The Municipal Hall, Newmarket, will be a popular rendezvous to-nigjjt. An old timo dance will be held when the best music will be played. The floor is reported in fine condition. Morrow's orchestra will play at the Click Clack cabaret at Newmarket on Monday, for an old time dance. Bendall's Collegians will be in attendance at St. Sepulchre Hall to-night when a dance will be conducted Ijy the Ventura dance club.