AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 83, 8 April 1930, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

ROXY THEATRE. "L'nder the Greenwood Tree" is ,- British picture which, should be of special interest to Aucklanders, because an Auckland boy, Mr. John Batten, hasthe leading male role. It is an ' a ]j. dialogue screen version of Thomas Hardy's famous novel, and is to be presented at the Roxy Theatre to morrow" Mr. Batten is twenty-six years of age and a King's College boy. He was for some time at Hollywood, but several years ago joined an English producing firm, and his promotion to stardom has been rapid. There are in the production, numerous old Wessex folk songs that are as tuneful to the ear as the picture is delightful to the eye. They are played by the Mellstock village choir on their antique wind instruments. The offering is entirely new and refreshing to audiences used to the stereotyped jazz numbers, and the perfect English spoken by the players is said to he a. credit to British enterprise as well as a treat to the audience. REGENT THEATRE. A complete change of programme will be presented at the Regent Theatre to-day, when the main attraction will be "It's a Great Life," featuring the Duncan sisters, who make their" first appearance in talking pictures. They are American vaudeville artists of repute. Directed by Sam Wood, the picture has been partially made .in technicolour tinder the personal supervision of Mrs. Xatalie Kamus, an acknowledged expert in the process. A large number of new songs and dances has been included in the picture, which deals with the adventures of two sisters who work their way to success on the stage. When employed in a large departmental store the girls showed their talent in an amateur entertainment arranged by the proprietor of the business, and are soon recognised as artists of considerable promise. The partnership is broken by the marriage of one of the sisters, and the remainder of the film tells of their adventures before a reconciliation is effected. In addition to the main picture, the programme will include several shorter films of interest. ALEXANDER WATSON. At the Town Hall Concert Chamber to-night Mr. Alexander Watson's first recital should provide a rare treat for all lovers of the art of the spoken word. A programme of unusual interest includes a condensation of Sir James Barrie's well-known story, "The Little Minister," and excerpts from the works of Harry Graham. Walter de la Mare, A. P. Herbert and A. A. Milne. A feature of the second programme to be presented to-morrow evening will be a new. abrido-ment of Masefield's remarkable poem? "The Everlasting Mercy." r A special matinee for schools is announced for Friday afternoon. Details of programmes and booking arrangements are advertised. MOULIN ROUGE. The ever-popuTar Rin-Tin-Tin, the wonder dog, will appear to-night at the Moulin Rouse, Remuera, in his nrst " barkie " picture, entitled " Land of the Silver Fox." This special Warner Bros, full talkie production is interpreted by Leila Hyams. John Miljin, Carroll Xye, and Tom Fantschi. The supports include talkie featurettes, comedy, and topical.