AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 56, 7 March 1930, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

WIRTH'S CIRCUS. The first idea impressed upon the mind oji entering Wirtli's Circus and Menagerie is one of magnitude and surprise. Admiration for the unbounded resources of its zoological wealth soon gives way, however, to an enchanting sense of being surrounded by the most curious and wonderful in the animal life of nearly every country 011 the globe. It makes no difference whether you are interested in the animals of the foreSt or jungle, or in those that frequent the hot desert sands 01" live in the stagnant waters of tropical streams. Everything here is represented. It matters not whether the visitor be a student of natural history or merely a casual observer of zoological subjects; whether adult or child, a grand universal lesson is before him, and fills him with indescribable admiration for the wonderful and diversely patterned creatures with which the earth has been populated. Wirth Bros., after years of unceasing effort, have brought the training of wild animals to a 'high and dignified level. The circus will open on Monday next • for a short season only, at the old dock site. Box plans are at Lewis Eady, Ltd. Matinees will be held on Wednesdays and. Saturdays. MAJESTIC THEATRE. "Woman Trap," which comes to the Majestic Theatre l to-day is a talking picture that deals with th? underworld and the bootlegger. It shows the dauntless bravery of the police ana some of the dangers they are called upon to face in their daily round of duty. The featured player is Hal Skelly, who became famous for his work in "The Dance of Life." He played the role of "Skid," and before the first preview he was signed for a long-term contract. He is a big easygoing man who looks like what he is—

a two-fisted lovable fun-making fellow witli a heart as big as a cabbage. Playing opposite him is Evelyn Brent, with a long list of successes behind her per medium of the silent screen. She made her talking debut in "Interference." Chester Morris is a former stage actor with a fine record on Broadway. He is in great demand to-day in the talking studios. With these three stars "Woman Trap" is said to be different to most underworld dramas and a great picture. Skelly takes the part of a policeman, whose soft heart commends him to many, but he eventually becomes a hardened cop and finally has the task of arresting his own brother, who, v.'hen found out, commits suicide. The supporting programme includes a Ufa gem "Peculiar Households," a sound cartoon, "The Pearl Fishers" —a scene from George Bizet's famous opera of India, "Red Headed Hussies," an all-talking comedv, and a humorous sketch '"'Station B.U.N.K. NATIONAL THEATRE. The headline attraction at the National Theatre to-day will be "The Red Dance," a Fox production. In this picture scores of Cossacks go through splendid feats of horsemanship, a Cossack charge being staged in most realistic, fashion. This spectacular riding is one of the features of the production. According to Raoul Walsh, their presence solved a most difficult problem, that is of authentic costumes. Every one of the Cossacks had his own uniform and a Russian saddle, something it would have been impossible to get anywhere in the United States. "The Red Dance" brings to the screen Dolores Del Rio in her most colourful role, that of "Tasia," a Russian peasant girl whe later becomes the Red Dancer and revolutionist leader. Charles-Farrell plays opposite Miss Del Rio and there is a brilliant supporting cast with close to 4000 extras utilised. The picture played for months to capacity audiences at the Globe Theatre in New York.

CIVIC THEATRE. A Spanish hacienda, replica of the most pretentious found on the estates of wealthy Mexicans, provides the colourful background of activity in filming of "Romance of c Rio Grande," an ail talking movietone with music, which opens at the Civic Theatre to-morrow. In no other special construction at Fox Movietone City, have builders reproduced a more impressive locale for many of the principal: scenes of this . compelling romantic drama of this Latin American country. The action, which includes a mortal conflict between cousins who are jealous about the same girl, is also true to the locale.

The production gives Warner Baxter a role approaching his characterisation of Cisco Kid in "In Old Arizona," and bids fair to surpass in popularity this first sensation of the talking films. Mary, Duncan and Antonio Moreno are featured with Baxter, and an unueually high class supporting cast includes Mona Maris, Robert Edeson, Agostino Borgato, Albert Roccardi, Solidad, Jiminez, Majel Coleman, Charles Byere and Merrill McConnack.