AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 101, 1 May 1930, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS.

STRAND THEATRE. "Paris," which comes to the Strand Theatre to-dav, is said to be one of the most entertaining talkie films yet screened. It contains drama, comedy and beautilul girls with wonderful frocks. There are dazzling ensembles and a brightness arid gaiety that will set the standard for future production. In additibn there are sequences in actual living colours. "Paris" not only brings Irene Bordoni, the French favourite, to the screen for the first time, but also marks the initial appearance on the talking picture sheet of her leading man, Jack Buchanan, the idol of the British musical comedy stage. The film is Miss Bordoni's latest and greatest stage success. It is a First National and Vitaphone all-dialogue picture with singing and dancing, and presents the star in a typical Bordoni role —that of a French stage star. The cast includes Louise Closser Hale, who also played in the stage version of "Paris"; Jason Robards, stage and screen favourite, who was a member of the original "Lightnin'" cast; Zasu Pitts, the screen character actress, and Margaret Feilding. Clarence Badger directed the picture. CRYSTAL PALACE AND EMPRESS. "Jazz Heaven" will be the headline attraction at the Crystal Palace Theatre, Mount Eden Road, and the Empress, Newton, to-night. It is a sparkling, comedy, full of music, song and laughter. Clyde Cook and Sally O'Neil are the leading players, and they are assisted by Johnny Mack Brown and Joseph Cawthorn. A second attraction at the Crystal Palace will be "Wonder of Women," featuring Peggy Woods, Leila Hyams and .Lewie Stone. Highly interesting talking featurettes will also be screened.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Two all-talking features are to be presented at the Majestic Theatre tomorrow, "Pointed Heels" and "The Carelees Age." In the former William Powell takes the part of Robert Courtland. In this role he portrays a man of the world, a sort of urbane demi-villain who tries to break up the happy of a show girl friend and her youthful com-poser-husband. Fay Wray is the show girl, and Phillips Holmes the youthful husband. The story is gripping, even when Helen Ivane and "Skeets" Gallagher, a new movie song and dance team, are putting over their amusing mummery. One never knows just what turn the fortunes of all will take at each moment of the play—the proof of good entertainment. Douglas Fairbanks, jun., will be seen in his most dramatic role in "The Careless Age." In this story Fairbanks plays a young medical student who falls madly in love with a sophisticated and older actress, portrayed by Carmel Myers. But there is also another girl—Loretta Young. REGENT THEATRE. The Regent Theatre announces a change of programme for Saturday, when' two all-talking features will be presented. "Love Comes Along" and "The Love Doctor" are the pictures, the former featuring Bebe Daniels of the golden Toice, and the latter Richard Dix. In the first picture Miss Daniels has several song numbers to sing and she is said to acquit herself with distinction. The plot, which unfolds somewhere in Latin America, deals with a stranded chorus girl, who dances and sings in a wine shop. The hero is a sailor who becomes fascinated with her and a love romance ensues. There is a villain who makes trouble, and the hero is in danger of losing his life, but is saved by the heroine. The film story is founded on the play "Conchita," by Edward Knoblock. A noted American critic says, "Miss Daniels' work confirms the belief

that she is not only a great singer, but also a first-class dramatic actress, as well as a first-class comedienne." In the second feature the popular Richard Dix will provide an hour of laughs. "The Love Doctor" is stated to be one of the best talking, comedy features yet; screened. . NATIONAL THEATRE. A double-feature programme will be presented at the National Theatre tomorrow. The main feature is "Laugh, Clown, Laugh," featuring Lon Chaney. In this film he performs no contortions other than marvellous facial alterations and an increasing stoop to depict the transition from vouth to old age. He r plays the part of the time honoured J jokester—a clown,. though the world fcannot assuage the disappointments he privately suffers, and which the story / reveals. The picture is the most preten- \ tious of Chaney attractions, and the" star is supported by a brilliant cast. The second feature is "Skirts," with Syd Chaplin in the leading role. Chaplin is a''•born comedian and his appearance on , the screen is always welcome. The story is of a wedding and the trouble caused by a mother-in-law living with the newly-married couple. There is comedy in every foot of the film and the climax is a mix-up with another girl and an unseemly brawl. Betty Balfour plays opposite the star. "UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE." The British talking picture "Under the Greenwood Tree" will be presented at three theatres to-night, the West End, De Luxe, Mount Albert, and Alexandra, Green Lane. This screen version of Thomas Hardy's famous novel hs been enthusiastically received wherever screened. The star is John Batten, an Aucklander. At the De Luxe "Flight" will be the second feature, at the West End "Lucky In Love," and at the Alexandra "Wise Girls." ®

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. . Stage settings equalling anything done by Ziegfeld, furnish the background for the dramatic action of the story, "On With the Show," Warner Bros.' 100 per ccnt' natural colour, talking, singing, '.dancing picture coming to St. James' Theatre next Saturday. The palace scene which forms the third act of this musical extravaganza is declared by experts to be as fine as anything ever presented on the stage. The dances and ensembles, directed by Larry Ceballos, are especially colourful and carry out the enchanting spirit of the piece. Betty Compson, playing the role of the dream queen, wears a gorgeous head dress, which- she insists weighs more than twenty-five pounds. Particular attention has been given throughout the entire filming to colour effects. All costumes f were especially designed for this picture, stock costumes even for minor characters, which would have been suitable jwere the picture being filmed in black and white, could not pass muster because 'colour film is used. Extreme care' was I used throughout in harmonising the' colours. A strong cast supports the principal. ROXY THEATRE. When two women and a man find their happiness entangled, and two of theni, their honour jeopardised, and the name of their son in the balance, the web of tragedy is, in consequence, great. Such is the dramatic note in the all-talking picture, "Woman to Woman," which is the headline attraction at the Roxy Theatre. The three members of the eternal triangle are played by Betty Compson, George Barraud and Juliette Compton. Barraud is .jeen as a young British officer, who falls in love with a pretty dancer in Paris. He promises to come back to marry her, but is called to action where' he is injured in the trenches. His memory gone, he returns to England, where he marries another

woman. Years later he meets the dancer, and his memory revives. From then on there is an entanglement, into which many tensely dramatic sequences are interwoven. Betty Compson plays the role of the French dancer, an stresses her vocal ability in the many songs which are sung by her. Juliette Compton plays the part of the wile. There is a good supporting programme. PLAZA THEATRE. "Happy Days," which was screened at the Civic Theatre last week, is the mam attraction at the Plaza Theatre. It is an outstanding revue _ with plenty o comedy, dancing and singing. Some o the best-known screen stars are m tne cast. i