AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 173, 24 July 1930, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE,

Sparkling comedy and. bright singing are the main characteristics of the modernised screen version of the old stage farce, "So Long Letty." A capacity house was present at its first Auckland screening at the Majestic Theatre last night, and screamed with laughter at tho laugh-provoking tricks of Charlotte Greenwood. .One of the gayest comedienned on the stage or screen to-day, Miss Greenwood is the life-and soul of the comedy, her vivacious acting taking the audience by storm. Her fun-making is indeed a joy, and in this she is ably assisted by Bert Roach. The actor gives an exceedingly clever display of comic ability. Claude Gillingwater, as the irritable but wealthy old uncle, also adds considerably to the humour of the play, while the more serious parte are left in the capable hands of Patsy Ruth Miller and Grant Withers, both screen artists of high renown. The plot of the story provides ample material for a higlilyamusing play. Screaming situations confront each .of the players in turn. Tom Roberts decides that his wife is too gay for him. She is always out and he is left to starve. His neighbour decides that his wife is too domesticated. He, on the other hand, likes a gay life. In order to settle the problem they decide to try the experiment of changing wives for a week. There is, however, a rich uncle in the ofling. He has not much faith in- his nephew, Tom Roberts, but when he finds him with the domesticated neighbours he changes his views. Tom, who hopes for a big cheque, is in a quandary how to keep the identity of his real wife from his uncle, especially since the latter forms an active dislike for the gay woman. Meanwhile the two wives decide to have their revenge. The gay one resolves to exhause her tmporary husband by taking him out every night and the domesticated one is determined to cram her man with so much food that ho will be only too glad to return to his wife. Amusing situations arisg, and when the picture draws to its end, the audience are literally convulsed. Varied and interesting supporting pictures complete the bill and add an additional spice of enjoyment to a perfect entertainment. ROXY THEATRE. The new programme at the Roxy Theatre is headed by "Vengeance," a story of West Africa, which is full of interest and excitement, and makes splendid entertainment. The drama is played out in the heat of the tropics at a trading post where niggers are hard to keep in order, and mistakes mean tlio lives of the whites. Jack Holt and Dorothy Revier have the leading roles. Meadham, the man who has for several years been in charge of the post, has asked the London office for relief. In.answer to this request Charles Summers is sent out. He arrives with his young and charming wife. lie is censured for his pqor judgment in bringing her to such an ungodly place. An intense antagonism develops between Meadham and Summers because of Summer's poor judgment in handling the natives. Summers' wife breaks under the strain of her husband's cruelty and the ravages of the tropical climate. She appeals to Meadham. They fall in love. The complications that result from this situation complete the action of one of the most absorbing stories of the tropics ever screened. The talking featurettes in support arc all of an interesting character. CRYSTAL PALACE. ' A double feature programme is being screened at the Crystal Palace Theatre, Mount Eden Road. The pictures arc "Tho Lost Zeppelin" and "Side Street." The latter has an unusual plot, which definitely marks the picture as being above the usual standard. The action is fast and careful attention has been paid to detail. The story deals with various aspects of life in a big city, and although' tho activities of criminals form to a large degree the basis of the p]ot, there is no sordid crime depicted. The principal players are the three Mooro brothers, Tom, Matt and Owen. Tho Zeppelin picture gives a splendid idea of what airmen have to face. In this instance, the great ship goes to the South Pole, and is wrecked, and most of the crew die of cold and exposure. Two men are saved by an aeroplane sent to the rescue. It is exciting and thrilling.

NATIONAL THEATRE,

" Sleeping Partners" at the National Theatre is an outstanding comedydrama. It has bright dialogue and subtle Avit that keeps the audience in good humour throughout. ■ Seymour Hicks, the talented English actor, has the leading role —in fact is the whole picture. On Saturday a double-feature bill will replace the present programme. Buster Keaton will be the fun maker of the evening ill a talking film titled " Free and Easy." This feature is bright, and the fun will be fast and furious, Keaton being a past master at the game of comedy. " The Ship from Shanghai " will also be screened. This is a story of the sea full of adventure action and thrills. Kay Johnson is at her best in this picture. She is supported by Conrad Nagel and Louis Wolheim.

REGENT THEATRE.

" Condemned" will conclude its season at tlie Regent Theatre to-day, and will be replaced to-morrow by "Montana Moon." This is an outstanding picture taken out on the open ranges, with Joan Crawford still untamed taking the leading role. There have been far too many indoor films since the advent of talkies, and it is a change to be transferred to the great open spaces, away from the smoke of the city, tlie . bustle of traffic, and the society sequences that have been the order of the day. " Montana Moon" tells the romantic story of a great love in tlie ranges,"with pine leaves for a carpet, the sky for a canopy, trees and moun-: tains for decoration, and the calls of wild animals for the music. This outdoor picture breathes all the beauty and freshness of nature, and is totally different to anything that has yet reached the audible screen. Supporting Joan Crawford are John Mack Brown, Dorothy Sebastian, Ricardo Cortez, Cliff Edwards, Benny Rubin, Karl Dane, and Lloyd Ingram. An excellent supporting programme has been arranged, including "The Doll Shop," a revuette in natural colour, Earl and Bell in a vaudeville " tit-bit," Geo. D. Washington, the popular golden-voiced singer, and an, interesting news reel. LYRIC THEATRE. The Lyric Theatre, equipped now for talking pictures, reopened last night and a large attendance enjoyed "Slightly Scarlet," a Paramount society drama. This is an all-talking production, with plenty of entertainment value. Evelyn Brent and Clive Brook are the featured players. The supporting programme was excellent and included a Mickey the Mouse Cartoon, comics, singing featurettes and news of the world in sight and sound. The programme will be repeated to-night.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE.

A highly entertaining and uproariously funny adaptation of "Rookery Nook," the farce that had such a long run at the Aldwych Theatre, London, has been convulsing large audiences at St. James' Theatre all the week. With faultless recording, splendid photography, a tried story and a magnificent comedy team, this British talking comedy has proved itself to be exceptionally good and wholesome entertainment. Never for a moment does tlie interest flag. Indeed, some of the dialogue is smothered by the laughter of the audience. The film is more amusing, more generous and more satisfactory than the play. Ralph Lynn, Tom Walls, Winifred Shorter, Mary Brough and other principals of the original play are in the screen version. STRAND THEATRE. At the Strand Theatre to-morrow "Officer O'Brien" will be the chief picture offering. It is a gripping drama in which the herff is presented as a policeman. There are some thrilling sequences. The hero enters the lair of a villain, who is a murderer and leader of the underworld land, and informs him that he is under arrest for murder. The bad man, by a dexterous move, kicks the gun from the hand of the officer of the law and covers him with his own guns. The position is saved, however, by the shooting of the gangster by the hero's friend, who is outside the door, listening to and watching the proceedings. He is shot for his trouble and the hero escapes. It is all very exciting and interesting and should please picture patrons who care for underworld dramas. ' Thomas Buckingham wrote the story.- There is no love affair in this film, which is unusual. The featured players are William Boyd, Ernest Torrence and Clyde Cook. BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA. A concert will be given by the Bohemian Orchestra in the Town Hall this evening. The programme, which lias been arranged to suit varying tastes, in-' eludes Marcinelli's "Cleopatra" overture, Weber's "Oberon" overture, and two movements from Dvorak's "Symphony No. 5, in E ,Minor." Other orchestral items of wide interest will be given. A delightful item will be Liszt's "Second Hungarian Rhapsody," played by Mrs. R. A. Singer, on the pianoforte, with full orchestral accompaniment. Madame Dorothy Cronin, always a popular soloist, will sing "Sappho's Farewell," by Gounod and "Gipsy Songs" by Dvorak. PLAZA THEATRE^ One of the best outdoor .pictures to come to the audible screen is "The Arizona Kid," with Warner Baxter in the leading role. It is full of action, and the thrilling story is well told. It has had a successful season at the Civic Theatre, and is being transferred to the Plaza to-day. . ,