AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 185, 7 August 1930, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS.

"JOURNEY'S END." "Journey's End," the most noted play of the century, which has repeated its success as a talking motion picture, will be presented at the Regent Theatre today. Its appeal is general because it epitomises the attitude of all Englishmen towards war. Its characters appear not as imaginary figures, but as the living prototypes of men of every class who °fought willingly or unwillingly in the struggle for right. Each man in the play symbolises a type and a class. There is Stanhope, a strong man, afraid of being afraid, drinking to forget, and not fiving way because of his love for a woman; Osborne —schoolmaster and visionary—who reads "Alice in Wonderland" while shells shriek outside his du°out, and who takes the news that he is to command a raid meaning almost certain death with stoical calm and a flow of conversational trivialities; Trotter—a cockney risen from the ranks— who thinks more of saving his apricots

than his life. When he isn't thinking about food he has tender thoughts of his missus, a back garden in suburbia, carpet slippers and a pipe. Raleigh—a public schoolboy and hero worshipper of Stanhope —arrives to find his god whiskysodden and had tempered. He cannot understand Stanhope's resentment at his joining his company, knowing nothing of the dread that he may tell his sister (whom Stanhope loves) of his weakness. The only problems which war presents to Mason, a Cockney servant, are how to keep the taste of onions out of the tea, and make bully beef look as if it isn't. Then there is Hibbert —the coward —fair-haired weakling, trying to malinger. There is a wonderful appeal about "Journey's End." It is British throughout despite the fact that the film was made in Hollywood. The entire cast with the exception of the German prisoner are British, headed by Colin Clive, the brilliant English actor who played Captain Stanhope in the original production in London. The stage veision has already been seen in Auckland, while the story itself in serial form was published recently in. the "Auckland Star." ROXY THEATRE. The double feature programme at the Roxy Theatre is proving an attraction. The main film, "Troopers Three," mostly concerns the adventures in cavalry camp of three rookies. A romance is woven in unobstrusively, with one of the recruits (Eddie) falling in love with the sergeant's girl. They come to blows and the sergeant is sentenced by the captain to the confines of the barracks and Eddie is ostracised by his entire troop and the girl. It is an unhappy state of affairs until the-stables catch fire in the night. While trying to rescue the girl's horse, the sergeant is overcome and lies unconscious in the flaming inferno. Edclie rushes in to save the sergeant, but as the girl really loves Eddie the best, he wins her and the forgiveness of the sergeant. Also, later, he earns his own sergeant's stripes. There is some fine comedy in this picture, while the riding and cavalry training "shots" are unique. "The Time, the Place and the Girl" is the second attraction. Grant Withers and Betty Compson arc the leading members of the cast.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. That the English producer is capablc of turning out pictures with powers of attraction equal to those from Hollywood is clearly demonstrated by the patronage accorded "Rookery Nook," which is screening at the St. James' Theatre. "Rookery Nook,'" based on the comedy of the same name, ran for a year on the stage in London and proved equally delightful to America, Australia and New Zealand. pany of English actors and actresses that in the picture is the same as that which made the stage presentation famous. Splendidly acted, with humour in abundance, and the diction of the actors of the highest British quality, "Rookery Nook" can bo recommended as entertainment of a nature that appeals to all classes of the community. NATIONAL THEATRE. "Anna Christie" has been transferred from the Regent to the National Theatre. It is a splendidly-acted picture. Not only does it introduce Greta Garbo, the talented Swedish actress, to the talking screen, but it also has an intensely human story. Set against the squalid New York waterfront, a difficult theme is treated with delicacy and good taste. Miss Garbo has the part of a woman who runs away from the shams and sordidness of life in an inland city to seek seclusion with her father on a harbour coal barge. In spite of his recourse to liquor to overcome his fear of "dat debil sea" the old man cherishes a genuine affection for his daughter. When a rescued sailor threatens to come between the pair he precipitates a tense situation, as an outcome of which Anna reveals her tragic past. "A conflict between love and ideals in tho hearts of two men follows and produces some fine acting. In addition to the fine emotional acting of the principal star, tho work of Marie Dressier is outstanding. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Action, combined with clever dialogue, is the treat in store for patrons of the Majestic Theatre when. "Burning Up," Richard Arlen's first starring Paramount picture, is presented to-day. "Burning Up" is a romantic drama, with lovely Mary Brian as Aden's sweetheart, and four of the most popular character men of the screen in supporting roles. Aden's role calls for the same clean-cut characterisation which has endeared this youthful actor to moving picture audiences. As the story opens, Arlen is unwittingly mixed up with a gang of crooked promoters. He falls in love with Mary Brian, whose father is to be the. victim of the promoters' scheme. Arlen discovers the frame-up, and, in a' thrilling climax, which introduces some exciting automobile race track scenes, he defeats their purpose and wins the girl. The supporting featurettes include a choice selection of talking, musical and novelty items.

STRAND THEATRE. The last screening of "The Marriage Playground" iakes place at the Strand Theatre to-day. A brilliant spectacle is provided by "Paramount on Parade," a glittering film, starring all the famous artists of the Paramount Studio, which will be transferred from the Civic Theatre to-morrow. Each and every star is cast in gome role or other, with Maurice Chevalier, the inimitable entertainer of the films, in the lead. Bright songs, snappy dances and clever dialogue give the film an extraordinary interest, and it certainly provides great entertainment. The supporting programme is short of necessity, as the main attraction is long, but what there is is good. LONDON THEATRE. "Seven Days Leave" will be replaced at the London' Theatre to-morrow by "Strange Cargo," a 100 per cent talking drama. The Loudon Theatre is devoted to British •films and pictures with British sentiment; ,