AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 210, 5 September 1930, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

A picture of the wild west typo which has become immensely popular of recent years in its refreshing, wholesome atmosphere and frank melodrama, "The Light of Western Stars," in its first presentation at the Majestic Theatre last night, obviously delighted a very large audience. It is adapted from Zanc Grey's book of that name, and the Paramount directors have given great care to reproducing tho wonderful panoramic sweeps of the American western country, and to getting the right atmosphere of the small cattle town life and characters, as well as the humorous side of ranch life among the cowboys. Sweeping along dramatically from the outset, in an attractive outdoors setting, the story goes without a break, but with interludes of comedy and spectacular round-up and fighting scenes, to an intense climax. Dick Arlen is highly convincing in the leading cowboy role of a high-spirited lad who is a natural leader in escapades, rollicking fun and love, while Mary Brian fulfils all the requirements of a heroine, and Harry Green, as a Jewish pedlar of the rolling plains, who can tell beautiful fairy tales, but, is not enamoured of cowboy humour, supplies a rich outcrop of comedy. It is a thoroughly enjoyable picture. Among the supporting items of the programme are several excellent items, including "Venice," a beautifully arranged gondola setting for tho glorious singing of Nino Martini in love songs/ and "Accidents Will Happen," a comedy composed by tho noted picture patter artists, Smith and Dale. Not the least interesting and spectacular number of the evening, even to Aucklanders, is a New Zealand Government publicity picture, entitled "The Valley of Enchantments," wticih features the wonders of Kotorua, in its Maori surroundings, its geysers, gushers, seething cauldrons, and boiling mud pools. The characteristics of the thermal country are cleverly accentuated, to throw vividly into relief first impressions of a visit to Rotorua. There is also an excellent newsreel picture.

PLAZA THEATRE. "The Cuckoos," which has had-a most successful week, at the Civic Theatre, has been transferred to the Plaza. This musical comedy is out of the ordinary. It is composed of a series <3f amusing incidents, and the audience are in a whirl of excitement and mirth from start to finish. Nothing so funny has been seen and heard for a long time. The public love to be entertained with a little nonsense, as long as it is palatable and amusing. Every person who sees "The Cuckoos'' must be prepared to laugh hilariously. There are some fine ballets, eccentric dancing and lilting melodies. The sequences in techiiicolour are well done and a feature of the production. The film should have tc record season at the Plaza. LYRIC THEATRE.. An excellent double-feature programme is showing finally at the Lyric Theatre to-night. "The Rainbow Man" and "The Bishop Murder Case" are the pictures. Marion Nixon : and Eddie Dowling are in the former production, and their singing numbers are excellent. Basil Rathbone is the star of the murder mystery. It is a drama that holds the interest throughout, and not until the very last moment is the identity of the culprit ascertained.

RIALTO THEATRE. Nancy Carroll will be at the Rialto Theatre to-night in "Sweetie," while-to-morrow afternoon and evening a splendid double-feature programme will be screened. "The Great Divide" will be the headline attraction, with Dorothy Mackaill in the leading- role. This has plenty of thrills and adventure sequences I and holds the interest throughout. A second feature will be Buddy Rogers In "River of Romance." Thie is a story with plenty of heart interest and a gripping plot. There will be excellent supports. The matinee will be at 2.15. TIVOLI THEATRE. At the Tivoli Theatre the last screening of "Drag" and "Lone Star Ranger" are announced for to-night. To-morrow there will be a matinee at 2.15, and the usual evening session, the headline

attraction on both occasions being "The Great Divide," with Dorothy Mackaill in the leading role. There are thrills and suspense, and a plot that holds the interest from the first foot of film lo the final fade-out. There will also be an excellent supporting programme.

PIANOFORTE RECITAL. A programme which called for a high standard of technique and power of expression was successfully given by Miss Doris Grant Cowen at a pianoforte recital held in the Lewis Eady Hall last evening. She was given'an attentive and appreciative reception by a large audience. Her rendering of Beethoven's "Sonata in P Minor," op. 57, was perhaps her most brilliant effort for the evening. The deeper movements of the first theme were equally well excciited as those of the "Andante con moto." Her first number, Bach's "Prelude and Fugue in A. Minor," was interpreted by Miss Cowen with great beauty of feeling in the clear light movements that characterise the piece. Other items were Brahms' "Intermezzi in A Minor and E Flat Minor," Debussy's "La Cathedrale Engloutie," John Ireland's "The Island Spell," . Felix Swinstead's "Study in D," op. 65, No. 6, and Dohnanyi's "Rhapsody is F Sharp Minor." The vocalist of the evening was Miss Mina Caldow, whose itema were received with great appreciation. One of the finest was "Che Faro Senza Euridice?" (Gluck). Other numbers were: "The Enchanted Hour" (Halm); "I Wept Beloved" (Hue); "Caro Mio Ben (Giordani); "For a Dream's Sake" (Cowen). Mrs. Charles Prime was accompanist.

ST. JAMES , THEATRE. "Sally," which is having such a successful season at St. James' Theatre, will be replaced next Friday by "Song o' My Heart," -with the famous singer John McConnack in the leading role. This will be his first starring audible Fox Movietone production. There should be no indifferent audiences when the great singer is behind the screen footlights. "Song o' My Heart" was written by Tom Barry, author of a number of successful" plays. Frank Borzage directed the production and it embodies one of the most delightful romances of youth yet to come to the sound screen. McCormack includes in his repertoire of eleven songs many of those beet identified with him during his concert tours, radio and record appearances, and tho movietone record is also said_ to be lifelike in its reproduction qualities. The supporting company includes Maureen O'Sullivan, J. M. Kerrigan, John Garrick, Tommy Clifford, Alice Joyce, Farrell Macdonald, Effie Ellsler, and Emily Fitzroy. CRYSTAL PALACE.

Two excellent British pictures are being presented at the Crystal Palace Theatre, Mount Eden Road." "Harmony Heaven" is England's first tcchnicolour picture, and it has not got the same blurring effect as some foreign importations. It is an entertaining film, and well produced in every way. The second production, "The Hate Ship," is a thr-'l-ling adventure story with a unique plot A murder mystery is not cleared up until the end, the audience beinc kept gueesing right through the unfoldW of the story.- There will be a special matinee to-morrow.