AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 103, 3 May 1930, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS.

• ST JAMES' THEATRE. On with, tile Show,' 3 a 100 per cent colour and talking film will be presenter! at St. James' Theatre to-nisht. Its music, dancing, singing, dialogue and mark it as a picture altogether out of the ordinary. It has been produced to give the effect of reality. It is built to make the audience believe they sire sitting in a theatre witnessng a museal comedy, with the added privilege of going back-stage with the playe'rs where the real comedy and drama' of their lives take place. Tile story T written by a Xew "iork advertising man who had. long been interested in the theatre, shows the try-out performance of a musical comedy, "The Phantom Lover," being got ready for its Broadway opening, with all the happenings out front, on the stage and backstage, which tend to make producers of musical comedy piematurely grey-headed. It is entirely filmed in the latest develoument in colour photography and is said to be a gorgeous treat for the eye as well as for the ear. Alan Crosland directed, with an all-star cast which includes Bettv C'ompson, Arthur Lake, Sally O'Neill, Louise Fazenda, Joe E. Brown, the Fairbanks twins, Sam Hardy, Lee Moran and others,. and a sinking and dancing chorus of tine hundred."" CIVIC THEATRE. Something new In scenes of back-stag?* life promised in "Puttin' on tlie Ritz/' the Lnited Artists all-dialogue musical exti a\ aganza, starring Harrv Pachmau, which commences a season at the Civic Theatre to'-clay. This production contains not only the conventional glimpses of rehearsals and dressing rooms; it goes ieeply into the lives of that interesting and curious band of folks—the professionals. It depicts them in poverty and riches, leads the audience to the "little nooks and crannies of boardinghouses and theatrical hotels which they call home, and makes them real personalities. As a vaudeville team with many ups and considerably niore downs, Richman, Joan Bennett, James Gleason and Lilyan Tashman offer some remarkable characterisations, with a great deal of comedv and many serious scenes. The entertainment will be enhanced by the plavincr of Ted HenkePs Civic Orchestra and Mr. Fred Selioll at the grand organ. After the final screening of "Some Men Are Dangerous" last night there was a wellattended midnight matinee of "Puttin on the Eitz." STRAND THEATRE. Irene Bordoni is enthroned at the Strand Theatre, where "Paris" has commenced what appears to be a remarkably successful season. Miss Bordoni is famous foe. her French characterisations, for her quaint Parisian accent and her' catchy songs." The talking screen has "'caught", all these details, and the French star both talks and sings in "Paris," which was adapted' for the screen from her latest stage success. "Paris" is a story of the "city of light," and concerns a French stage - star and an English musical comedy favourite. The latter is portrayed by Jack Buchanan, idol of the London stage, who has been featured in several editions of Chariot's Revue, and has also been starred on the New Tork stage. Others in the cast are Louise Closser Hale, who played in the stage version of "Paris"; Jason Robards, popular screen player; Zasu Pitts and Margaret Fielding. The story was written for the stage by Martin Brown and " adapted for the screen by Hope Loring. Clarence Badger directed the picture. NATIONAL THEATRE. Lon C'haney is perhaps the greatest character actor the world has ever known. He is to be seen at the National Theatre, where he appears in "Laugh, Clown, Laugh," the main attraction in a double feature programme. This picture, which was directed by Herbert Brenon. who made "Beau Geste" and "Sorrell and Son," is the. story of a clown "who could make the world laugh, but laughed not himself. It is packed with human people, with destiny, with drama, fate and romance. Some of the settings are most elaborate, and. will thrill the vast army of Chaney admirers. A notable cast surrounds the celebrated star, including Loretta Young, Nils Asther, who played the son in "'Sorrell and Son," Gwen Lee, Bernard Seigel and Cissy Fitzgerald. A second attraction, and one which cannot fail to amuse, is "Skirts," with Syd Chaplin in the leading role. Chaplin is a great comedian and has been seen in such pictures as "Charlie's Aunt" and "The Man. on the Box." He is equally as comical in "Skirts," and patrons should go away with happy recollections, after seeing him in this film. ROXY THEATRE. '•'Woman to Woman" at the Boxy Theatre presents to the'audience a soulstirring drama that marred .the lives of three people. It is the eternal triangle enacted once more, only this time the situation is altered. It tells or a wife, who approached her husband s sweet-heart-woman to woman-to settle tl e name of his child. How they do this without prejudice provides a climax. Playing the leading role n this domestic drama, which was directed by Victor Saville ror TiffanyStahl, is Bettv Compson. She is sup ported by George Barraud a »d Juliette Campion. Exclusive to Wednesday will he "The c bair> a thrilling mvstery drama, with Conrad SLgel and Leila Hyams in the leading roles. <p-[JDOR THEATRE. "Noah's Ark." the talkie picture which Warner Bros, heralded as "topping any picture ever made," will be shown tonight at the Tudor Remuera Comm as it has done direct from St. James it is already known to city picture patrons. The cast includes Dolores Costello who is starred with George O'Brien, Noah Beery, Lomse Fazenda, Mvrna Loy and many other well-known artists Ths screen is first laid at the beginning of the 20th century and goes back to the davs of Noah and the buildin or of the Ark and the huge Tower of Babel The Tudor will be closed on Mondav. and Tuesday evening. 'Noah's Ark" will be repeated on Wednesday. GRAND THEATRE. "The Rainbow Man" is the chief attraction at the Grand Theatre. It features Eddie Dowling. This splendid musical comedy has been successful wherever screened. Marion IX( ™, Frankie Darro and Sam Hardy are u. the cast- The talking featurettes include a "Mickie the Mouse Cartoon, a comedy and other interesting items. The theatre is conducted on the "continuous principle. RIALTO THEATRE. The Rialto Theatre, Newmarket, will be reopened to-night with talking pictures the latest sound equipment hav£g been installed. The programme selected is first-class, "Sunnyside L P which had a successful season at the Civic -Theatre, being the main attraction It is a sparkling revue, -with bright dialogue and tuneful songs Iht ilancin rr items are also excellent. A supporting programme of talking teaturettes will also be screened.

THE MAJESTIC' THEATRE. It is obvious that there is a large section of the picture-going public which has come to value a programme for its lightness and flippancy, and that anything daring to present a moral or to outline commendable principles of condust are mildly intolerable. At the Majestic last- night, where a double star programme was given its initial release, to lovers of dramatic art there were times when the behaviour of part of the audience was highly provoking. In cartain passages of gripping dramatic intensity a section of the audience made themselves conspicuous by loud guffawing laughter. This was in the production, "The Careless Age,'"' which, in many respects is a picture of outstanding merit. The film introduces Douglas Fairbanks, jun., in a role for which, he is-admirably cast. The story is based on elements of deep human interest, and the standard of acting reaches a high level. Fairbanks is given the role . o£ a young, studious son of a distinguished Ha r ley Street physician. There exists between father and son a profound comradeship brooking no secrets. In need of rest and recuperation after intense study, the young man makes a trip to Italy. There, in Ms loneliness, he meets a stage star utterly heartless and callous, mercenary and selfish, but whose attractions carry the young man on the crest, of uncontrollable infatuation well nigh to ruin. The father. impersdnated by Holmes Herbert, in the er.d offers to make the greatest sacrifice for the sake of his son's life and career which, fortunately, becomes unnecessary. A brilliant success is made by the second Fairbanks, while the work of Holmes Herbert is without flaw. Nothing finer could be wished for than the cultured characterisation of the temperamental actress, by Carmel Myers,, whose vivacity and charm, combined with an intellectual conception of the part, made her achievement memorable. The "Careless Age" is a triumph of dramatic production. The supporting programme is of an unusually attractive nature, containing a second star produe;ion, "Pointed Heels," featuring William Powell, with Fay Wray and '"Skeets" Gallagher. There is a pleasing combination of light burlesque and comedy and emotional acting in the production, which also has flashes of spectacular brilliance in lavish theatrical technicolour settings. An unusual subject is treated in the Pathe film, in which kangaroo hunting is shown to be a thrilling and iurious sport. With orchestral numbers and the Universal News .reel added, the programme is highly, entertaining. REGENT THEATRE. Bebe Daniels, who has proved herself not only a great singer, but a first-class dramatic actress and comedienne, will be the featured player to-night at the Regent, when "Love Comes Along" will be presented in a double-feature programme. The plot has been founded on the play "Conchita," by Edward Knoblock. Latin America is the background where Miss Daniels is forced to take ■&! position in a wine shop as a dancer and singer to earn sufficient money to get back to the United States. A sailor, finding out how good a girl she is. promptly falls in love, and a thrilling romance follows. The hero has to go iway for a time, and when returning he finds that she is singing at a fiesta he places the worst construction on .her action. A villain is, introduced in the person of a Spaniard, who is instrumental in the arrest of the sailor. The girl intercedes and saves his life and finally, by a ruse, he spirits her away. Happiness comes when they reach the States, Lloyd Hughes, Montagu Love and' Lions! Belmore are in '-the cast.' -The second attraction is "The Love-. Doctor," with Richard Dix starred. He takes the role of a heart specialist, and, getting nc patients, falls in love with a couple of girls. It is all -very funny and should entertain to the full. PLAZA THEATRE. The Plaza Theatre is one of the best sound houses in Auckland, and the screening of "Such Men Are Dangerous" should be popular. This is one of the aesfc programmes that has come to the :alking screen. It is a story by Elinor jlynnf the plot being constructed on :be Joss, of the Belgian financier who mysteriously disappeared from his aeroalane over the English Channel. This picture has been, screened at the Civic throughout the week and has had a successful season. CRYSTAL PALACE AND EMPRESS. A singing, dancing and jazz special will be presented at the Crystal Palace Theatre, Mount Eden Road, and the Empress Theatre, Newton, to-night, sally O'Neill and John Mack Brown ire the leading players. A second feature 1 at the Crystal Palace will be '•Wonder of Women," a stirring talkie, with Lewis Stone and a strong cast. The supporting talking featurettes will all be of a highly entertaining character. CAPITOL THEATRE. A double feature talking programme is announced to be screened at the Capitol Theatre, Dominion Road, tonight. The main attraction is "Melody Lane," and the support "Nix on Dames." Songs, dances, bright dialogue and comedy are features of the entertainment. WEST END THEATRE. At the West End Theatre to-night "Lucky in Love" will be the main screen offering. It is a talking and singing film, with Morton Downey in the leadincr role. An added attraction is announced in "Show Folks," a highly entertaining picture. ALEXANDER THEATRE. "Why Girls Leave Home" is the head,ine attraction at the Alexandra Theatre, 3reen Lane. It is a comedy screen version of "Cradle Snatchers," which has! jaused so many thousands to laugh j throughout the world. A selected programme of talking featurettes will also je Screened. tivoli theatre. At the Tivoli' Theatre to-night there will be a complete change of programme, when "Madam X" will be presented. Ruth Chatterton and Lewis Stone are the featured players. It is one of the best dramatic productions presented on the audible screen. EDENDALE THEATRE. "They Had to See Paris" is the headline attraction at the Edendale Theatre. It is a rollicking all-talking comedy. There will be a highly entertaining programme of supports. DE LUXE THEATRE. "Flight," an epic of the air, will be screened a;t the De Luxe Theatre tonight. It is a talking picture with thrills galore. It is a film that holds the interest from start to finish. Jack Holt and Lila Lee are the principal players. SUNDAY PICTURES. At the Majestic Theatre to-morrow "Emerald of the East" will be screened after a lecture by Mr. J. S. Langley under the auspices of the Rationalist Association. At the Plaza Theatre there will be a, concert, pictures and an address by the Rev. Jasper Calder. It is a City Mission Sunday activity.

MUNICIPAL MUSIC. In the Town Hall to-night the Municipal Band will continue its series of concerts, with a programme devoted entirely to Sullivan works. From grave to pay,"the performance will alternate with variety. Of importance is the "In Memoriam" overture. Excerpts are culled from ""The Mikado," "The Yeomen of the Guard," "The Pirates of Penzance," "The Gondoliers" and ''Patience." Of much charm will be found the song from "Haddon Hall," "Queen of the Garden, Bloom'd a. Hose," specially arranged for the brass section of the band. The calm uird noble strains of the anthem, I "Brother, Thou Art Gone Before _TJs,"; taken from "The Martyr of Antiocli" and arranged for double quartet of brass instruments, will make a deep appeal. Mrs. Laetitia Parry will render some of Sullivan's early ballads, with Miss Gordon at the piano. A musical programme will he presented at the Zoological Park to-morrow afternoon. Among the items to be played are the bright marches "Mothers of Democracy,'' "On the Square' 3 and "The Blue Bidge Division"; Dykes' favourite hymn tunes, "St. .Oswald" and "Holling- ' side"; the overture, "Raymond"'; selections, Schubert's Melodies and Operas : 0t" Offenbach; euphonium solo, "Bo- j ma nee," in F. minor, played by Mr. J. Purchase, and other interesting numbers. The city organist, Mr. Maughan Barrrett, has arranged an attractive programme for the recital in the' Town Hall to-morrow evening. The principal works ' will include compositions by Handel, Bach and Widor, in addition to a charming canzonette by Nieode, and the "Prayer," from "Moses in Egypt." A selection of choral works by Mendelssohn, Byrd, Schumann and Bantock will be sung by the Municipal Choir at its concert in the Town Hall on Saturday evening next. Miss Molly Wright will play 'cello solos, and Mr. Lan Devereux, a baritone singer recently arrived in Auckland, will be the vocalist. UNIVERSITY STUDENTS. The_ annual extravaganza of the Auckland University students will be staged at His Majesty's Theatre for a season commencing on May 17, "All Quiet on the Waterfront" is the title. SUNDAY CONCERT. A symphony orchestral concert will ■be held at the Civic Theatre to-morrow night. Seventy-five professional musicians under Mr. Ted Henkel will play,, and Mr. Fred Scholl will be at the Grand organ. Mr. Ernest Snell is announced as the vocalist and Mrs. 8.. Singer as the accompanist. Proceeds are in aid of the Musicians' Union Benevolent Society Fund.