AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 216, 12 September 1930, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

THE MAJESTIC.

A first-class programme is provided by the latest change at the Majestic, where a large house last night fully enjoyed the first appearance in a singing and dancing role of the beautiful screen favourite Billie Dove as lead in "The Painted Angel," and revelled in the supporting items which went largely to comedy, but included also graphic pictures. of several of the world's latest news sensations, including the sinking of the Tahiti. Tho main event is an interesting and spectacular story of night life in New York, in which Billie Dove appears as hostess of a Broadway cabaret. To the charm and grace usually associated with this popular artist is added the attraction of observing her unfold hitherto unsuspected qualities of voice and action as she leads her troupe of entertainers in song and dance. The picture, however carries with it also an engrossing story of the private life of the hostess, which carries one into intimate back-stage and domestic scenes of pathos and comedy, and leads up to a beautiful climax. It is in this aspect that one encounters with pleasure the workmanlike characterisation of Edmund Lowe. Gone are all the swashbuckler effects associated with this actor in previous performances. As a sauve, sophisticated man of the world, carefully threading his way through difficult positions in polite society, he achieves a; triumph. As a crowd-pleaser "The Painted Angel" contains all the ingredients of comedy, pathos, human intrest, thrill and spectacle skilfully blended into a smooth and thoroughly convincing story, and in their new roles Billie Dove and Edmund Lowe are bound to enlist further admirers. A particularly striking revue item among the supporting films is that entitled "Undersea Revue," in which the acrobatic dancing and the adaptation of modern measures to the old hornpipe steps are outstand- | ing features. Comedy of quite another ! type, with a touch of spookiness is added in "Detectives Wanted," in which the comedians Clark and McCullough exploit their characteristic brand of rollicking fun. In the news reel section one is presented with the almost unthinkable spectacle of the sea afire — the sequel to the sinking by accidental collision of an oil tanker near the American coast and a continuous blaze on the surface of the water resultant on the flames which broke out at the moment of collision being constantly fed by the oil rising from the sunken oil steamer. The programme is thoroughly enjoyable.

CIVIC THEATRE. A direct contrast to "With Byrd at the South Pole" will be screened at the Civic Theatre this evening, when "So this is London" will be shown for the first time. America's leading humorist, Will Rogers, who was first seen in talking pictures in "They Had to See Paris," appears in the leading role in "So this is London," which gives him wonderful scope for his undoubted capabilities. In some ways the picture is like a modern version of Mark Twain's "Innocents Abroad" because it deals with the introduction of any American' to London and the English. Cast as Hiram Draper, a wealthy Texas cotton mill owner, and an Anglophobc, who goes to England to buy out a mill at Brlmsliot, Will Rogers provides a carnival of fun. Hiram Draper takes his wife and boy with him, intending to make the trip a combination of business and pleasure. They have not been in England long before they come in contact with Lady Amy Duckswortli and Lord Percy Worthing, who is as bitter against Americans as Draper is against Englishmen. When the two families meet, the young American falls in love with a girl of society, but the two pairs of parents are bitterly opposed to the match. A maze of amusing situations ensues until the final reconciliation is brought about and the prejudices of the Americns are broken down. The supporting programme announcements are excellent and contain a number of interesting and amusing items.

REGENT THEATRE. Opening at the Regent Theatre to-day, is a picture which shows the recent stock market crash in America in a light of uproarious comedy. "Caught Short," a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer comedy tells of liow two landladies speculate on the exchange, firstly with extraordinary luck, but before long the bottom drops out of the market and they are left in the lurch. Marie Dressier and inimitable comediennes act the parts of the two speculators. Marie Dressier as Mrs. Jones, is very conservative with her money, while Peggy Moran, who plays the part of Mrs. Smith, has been fairly successful on the exchange and she is definitely inclined to speculate. She prevails on Mrs. Jones to invest some money in the market and they meet with great luck. With plently of money at their command, they attempt to enter society, and their antics are highly amusing. When the bottom drops out of the market, comedy is gained by the frenzied actions of the two victims. Both Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Smith are landladies with competing boarding houses across the street from each other, and the boarding house atmosphere is admirably represented. A good deal of humour is contributed to the film by the minor characterisations of the "star boarders" and other supporting roles. A touch of i romance is added to the story by Anita i Page and Charles Morton. The supporting programme is announced to be excellent and includes a number of varied featurettes. PLAZA THEATRE. The uproarious comedy, "The Cuckoos" is enjoying an extended season at the Plaza Theatre. The inimitable comedians, Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey make the fun fast and furious with their witty sayings and amusing antics. Beautiful scenes are incorporated into the picture, and these are filmed _ in . colour. They are remarkably effective. The supporting programme is good and : the main film is guaranteed to be a good ; antidote for the "blues."

STRAND THEATRE. A double feature programme is announced for the Strand Theatre this evening when "Second Wife" and "Beau Bandit" will be screened for the first time. The two pictures are of entirelydifferent types, and the combination provides a splendid entertainment. The former, starring Conrad Nagel and Lila Lee, deals with a problem of modern life. The story centres round Walter Fairchild's second marriage. Even the furniture in his home seems to reflect the personality of his deceased wife and Florence Wendell, to whom he is engaged, convinces him that he must establish a new home in order to make their married life a success. The problem of the child of the first marriage is also acute, and the first arrangament made is put to a severe test when Fairchild is forced to decide between the claims of the boy and of his second wife. The climax is well worked out and the logical conclusion comes smoothly. Rod la Rocque takes the part of a cavalier bandit in the second attraction, the scenes in which are set in Arizona and are remarkably effective. Adventure, humour and romance are skilfully combined to make one of the best outdoor pictures yet filmed. ROXY THEATRE. A double feature programme is announced for the Roxy Theatre this evening, when "Flame of Love" and "Song of Soho" will be presented. The clever Chinese actress, Anna May Wong, makes a successful debut into talking pictures in "Flame of Love" a tense dramatic and romantic production. The story deals with the infatuation of a Russian duke of the pre-Revolution days for a Chinese dancer in a travelling troupe. "Song of Soho" is a typical London story with the famous restaurants of Soho as a back-ground. Carl Brisson takes the leading role. Several talking featurettes are included in the programme. TIVOLI THEATRE. A splendid double feature programme will be presented at the Tivoli Theatre this evening when "Lovin' the Ladies" and "Why Leave Home" will be screened. The programme is devoted entirely to comedy. Richard Dix is responsible for the laughs in the former and the latter is a laughable film. To-morrow evening "Love Comes Alopg" starring Bebe Daniels and "Woman to Woman," featuring Betty Compson will be shown. RIALTO THEATRE. Richard Dix, who is always at his best gives a' clever portrayal in "Loving The Ladies" an uproarious comedy which will be screened at the Rialto Theatre this evening. The second (attraction is the film of the thrilling Bulldog Drummond stoiy "Temple Tower." Tomorrow another double feature programme will be presented, including Bebe Daniels in "Love Comes Along" and Betty Compson in "Woman to Woman."