AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 62, 14 March 1930, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Modern society life is the subject, treated in an entertaining fashion, in the drama "Her Private Life,' , which is now playing at the Majestic Theatre. Beautiful Billie Dove is starred in the leading role, that of a titled Englishwoman unhappily married to her retired pork butcher husband. The story opens showing a hunt with the riders in full cry after the elusive fox. It is early made patent that Lady Helen is in love with a young American who, with his sister, are the guests of the unhappily married couple. Complications arise later in the evening, when at a bridge

party the boorish husband accuses the American of cheating , at cards. Of course, there is a terrible scene, but Lady Helen prevails on her husband to apologise, and play is resumed. Lady Helen, however, sees the American girl palpably cheating again, and summoning her and the brother into a nearby room tells them that they must leave the house at once. As a revenge for this disgrace the American girl gives the knighted pork butcher a note that his beautiful wife had written to the man she loved. The result is that a divorce action ensues, and the next that is seen of Lady Helen is in America, where she lives a mysterious and somewhat fast life. Here she meets a wealthy American, who, falling in love with her, wishes to take her as his wife. Still retaining the memory of the young man Avho so disappointed her, she wavers between accepting and refusing the proposal, which, indeed, she would be rather silly to refuse, as she puts it in her own words. Finally sshe decides to accept, but later they both realise that it would be a mistake. Lady Helen, in the depths of despair, because she is nearly at her final resources, walks, or rather falls, in front of a motor car, and although not killed is badly shaken. She is carried into her wealthy American friend's house, and there finds the boy with whom she is so much in love. She learns that it was not he who was cheating at her house, but the eister, and all ends happily for the harassed woman. Miss Dove plays the leading role well, and demonstrates her great dramatic ility in its interpretation. She speaks well, with a real English voice. Walter Pidgeon, cast opposite her, takes the part in excellent fashion, while Montague Love, as the boorish husband, although not seen a great deal, is good at the times when he does hold the stage. There is an assorted number of well-known stars included in the cast, and all play their parts well. The other part of the programme is good. PLAZA THEATRE. Lily Daniita, former idolised beauty of the European stage and screen in general, and particularly her native France, is gorgeous enough for any man to fight over, and two leathernecks arc fighting over her a-plenty in her latest picture which is playing at the Plaza Theatre. The two gentlemen in question are happily married, but it makes no difference, for they are actors—and they play their roles" with an unfeigned ardour. All of which means that Victor McLaglen and Edmund Lowe, who bat tied with each other through "What Price Glory," are at it again, in "The Cock Eyed' World," the all-talker written by Laurence Stalling* and Maxwell Anderson, and directed by Eaoul Walsh. The dialogue was written by Billy KWells. There is no uncertainty as t"? just what Lowe and McLagleu are saying to each other in this picture, for thensentiments are expressed distinctly and vigorously. NATIONAL THEATRE. Sitting on a chair and letting property men hurl mud at him was one form of "make-up" for Buster Keaton in filming "The Cameraman," Metro - GoldwynMayre comedy, now showing at the National Theatre. He had to appear as though run over by a mob, so served as a human target for mud slingers to do it. Edward Sedgwick directed the new play, in which Keaton plays an amateur newsreel cameraman in a hilarious series of adventures. Marceline Day, Harold Goodwin, and a notable cast appear. The second feature is ''Our Dancing Daughters." In this exotic production' of youth having its fling, the latest in silent screen production is introduced. Joan Crawford is the featured player and with her are Johnny Mack Brown, Dorothy Sebastian and Anita Pacre.

CIVIC THEATRE. The change of programme at the Civic Theatre, to-morrow will see the talking picture "Love, Live and Laugh" presented. The hero is a young Italian immigrant who leaves his American sweetheart to return to Italy at the outbreak of the Great War. A series of unfortunate misunderstandings arises when the boy is reported killed and the story ends on a tragic note. George Jessel appears as the young Italian, being heard in several pleasing vocal numbers. He is supported by Lila Lee, Kenneth MacKenna and David Rollins. Ted Heukel's Civic Symphony Orchestra will be heard in melody classics featuring "A Shamrock Fantasy," with Desmond Casey, the wonder boy singer, taking part." Fred Scholl at the grand organ will play " A Soil S of India " " n . d "Ronumtic Nights." A comedy, "His Birthday Suit," will be an added attraction. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. Musical comedy hae always had a strong hold on the affections of the theatre-going public, and the screen versions bid fair to attain as much prominence as the stage variety has in the past. An excellent example of what can be done in this direction on the audible screen is found in "The Desert Song," which continues to attract large and appreciative audiences to St. James' Theatre. The principal roles are delightfully played by John Boles and Cariotta King, both of" whom possess singing voices far above the average. Supporting roles are played by Louise Fazenda, Myrna, Loy and Johnny Arthur. MUSICAL COMEDY. Freddie Forbes, the English comedian and his company of talented artists, wiL be seen in "Lido Lady" at His Majesty's for the last time this evening. lomorrow night "Lady Be Good" will be staged. This will commence in the afternoon. Musical comedy at popular, prices has appealed to the theatre-going public who have shown their appreciation by extending good support to tins English company. JOHN DUNN'S RECITAL. The distinguished English violinUt, Mr John Dunn, gave his second recital before an appreciative aud.ence n the concert chamber of the Town Hall as ovenin- A splendid programme was submitted, and the artist gave memorable renderings of the music. He was warmlv applauded after the concertos. and had to give several encores during the second half of the programme, and was very warmly ovated at the conclusion of the concert. Miss Sara Stacpole was heartily enconjsl after her effective rendering of Puccini's "Oh! My Beloved Daddy," and Gounod's "Valsc." Mr. Cyril Towsey sympathetically acted as pianist.

ROXY THEATRE. "His Glorious Night," John Gilbert's first all-talking picture, is attracting large audiences to the Roxy Theatre. He has a congenial role in this MetroGoldwyn production. Supporting him is a strong cast, which includes Catherine Dale Owen, a favourite of the New York stage, Nance O'Neil, Gustav von Seyffertitz, Hedda Hopper, Doris Hill, Tyrreil Davis, Gerard Barry, Madeline Seymour, and Richard Carle. Lionel Barrymorc, who directed ''Madame X" and "The Unholy Xight," was responsible for the production. The story, which is based on the stage play "Olympia," by the Continental author, Feranc Molner, has for the two central characters a Viennese princess and a young captain of hussars. The princess, Olympia, is already betrothed, but when*the pair meet in 8 smart resort a flirtation follows. The girl's haughty parents are scandalised at their daughter's association with a man of peasant origin, and the mother counsels Olympia to dismiss Kovacs, the soldier, brutally, if she would be successful. This she foolishly does, but Kovac? vindicates his position in a dramatic climax and the film ends satisfactorily. Next Wednesday "Peacock Alley" will be presented. This is a picture in colour, with Mae Murray in the leading role. This feature film has had glowing reports wherever shown. REGENT THEATRE. For the change of programme at the Recent Theatre to-night the main attraction will be "Their Own Desire," which deals with a girl whose attitude towards life has been adversely influenced by the marital unhappiness of her parents. In this drama, produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Norma Shearer, the star of '"The Last of Mrs. Cheyney," has the principal role of Lally. Finding her father has become involved in an affair with another woman, the girl and her mother leave home in the hope that a prolonged absence will eventually clear things up. The position becomes hopelessly entangled, however, when Lally falls in love with the son of "the other woman," the solving of the resultant complications making an interesting story. Robert Montgomery plays opposite Miss Shearer, others in the cast being Lewis Stone, Belle Bennett, Cecile Cunningham and Mary Doran. A new budget of interesting talking supports will be shown. STRAND THEATRE. "TV Return of Sherlock Holmes" continui o attract large attendances to the v -.and Theatre. Clive Brook, an Englishman, in the role of the famous detective, is an appealing character, and to sec his methods of deduction and the way he follows his clues is a revelation. This is the best picture of the kind that has yet been presented. A good deal of the action takes place on board a palatial ocean liner where the great sleuth brings to book a murdering, thieving, gang through his fearlessness and calm.'Those who have read the wonderful stories of Conan Doyle should not miss this opportunity of seeing on the audible screen the methods adopted by the nenius of fiction in the world 01 crime. The supporting programme is on a par with the main attraction. The next change will he -The Mighty," with Georcre Bancroft in the leading role. Methods used by expert criminals in modern tactics against banks are exposed. Bancroft appearing as the military commissioner of public safety in a crime ridden city. It is a dramatically powerful story that should apaeal to the picture-loving public.

CRYSTAL PALACE. Betty Compsoa, considered the daintiest girl on the screen, will be seen in an all musical, dancing and talking production at the Crystal Palace Theatre, Mount Eden Road,'to-night, the title being "The Street Girl." A special programme of talking featurettes will also be screened. A grand matinee is announced for to-morrow. EMPRESS THEATRE. "The Unholy Night," an all talking picture directed by Lionel Barrymove, is the main attraction at the Empress Theatre. It is the screen version of the amazing story by Ben Heeht, •"The Doomed Regiment/' A special programme of talking featurettes will aUo be screened. A monster matinee will be held to-morrow.