AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 227, 25 September 1930, Page 20

AMUSEMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

The terrible risks men take when joining the submarine service of the Navy are realistically depicted in "Adventures of 513," a United States submarine, accidentally sunk in the China Sea. The film is excellently produced, the sufferings and reactions of the entrapped men being graphically illustrated. Nothing in the nature of submarine pictures has been better done. The story is oi unusual power and realism. The humorous element has not been neglected, but it has not been overdQiie. Although there are no women in the cast, aside from a few extra people in the brief opening sequences m Shanghai, the favourite theme of the ship's crew concerns the opposite sex, and when it appears that rescue is impossible and the last cylinder of oxygen is nearly spent men are thinking of their wives, sweethearts and mothers. The sailors are real flesh and blood men, and their intimate reminiscences are thoroughly true to life. It is a human story, swift moving and human, with a unique and dramatic climax. Help eventually-comes. The rescue scenes are remarkably realistic, especially the work by the divers, who descend 90ft to the-floor of the ocean. A few of the men succumb through lack of fresh air, but the remainder are finally shot to the surface through a torpedo tube, which the divers had to clear, and picked up by the rescuing vessels. As the hero, Kenneth McKenna gives a fine performance. Frank Albertson, Paul Page, Walter McGrail, Farrell McDonald and Warner Richmond are included in the cast. The supporting programme is highly diverting. "Mickey the Mouse" is excellent, while the comedy "Kubeville Nite Club" is also good. The news of the world in sight and sound includes some items of great interest. CIVIC THEATRE. Mystery is the key-note of the picture which is now showing at the Civic Theatre. "The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu" is a sequel to "The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu," -which was shown.in Auckland some time ago. Warner Oland again portrays the sinister Chinese doctor, and others who appeared in the original cast take the same parts in the sequel. To-morrow evening "The Fox Follies of 1930" will commence a season at the theatre. Rich in gorgeous settings, witty dialogue and amusing situations, the picture is not a stage revue as it tells of the entertaining story of an American "lumber king" who becomes involved with a number of pretty girls. El Brendel portrays the principal part splendidly.^ REGENT THEATRE. Unusual in theme and of a very dramatic nature, "The Divorcee" is attracting large houses to the Regent Theatre. The story deals with problems of modern life and tells how / n young married woman finds on the third' anniversary of her marriage that her husband has been unfaithful. Miss Norma Shearer acts very convincingly as the divorcee, and gives an exceptionally human portrayal of the part. Others in the cast are* Chester Morris, Conrad Xagel and Robert Montgomery, all of whom play their parts with polish. The supporting programme is as varied as it is interesting. There is a screamingly funny Laurel and Hardy comedy, "They Go Boom," a Grantland Rice eportlight film, and a news reel. STRAND THEATRE. One of the most successful pictures which has ever been shown in Auckland, "The Gold Diggers of Broadway," is returning for an additional season. It will be shown at the Strand Theatre this evening. Colourful in every respect, the picture contains a wealth of comedy, bright singing and excellent dancing. It is filmed entirely in colour, a fact which adds considerably to the spectacular aspect of its scenes. A number of the song hits are still familiar to Aucklanders. Winnie Lightner, Conway Tcarle, Nick Lucae, Ann Pennington and Lilyan Taslunan are featured players in the cast. Winnie Lightnev»provides most of the comedy and her. torn-boy antics are screamingly funny. ST. JAMES , THEATRE. The famous Irish tenor, John McCormack, exploits hie wonderful voice to full advantage in "Song of My Heart" which is now enjoying a- successful season at the St. James' Theatre. He singe eleven j songs, ranging from love dittice to Italian opera. The story \i simple and perfectly in keeping with the setting, the scenes being filmed in a quiet Irish village. An. excellent supporting programme is provided and contains humorous and interesting iteme. NATIONAL THEATRE. > An appealing story, lilting songs, witty dialogue and exciting baseball scenes are all included in "They Knew About Women," which is now showing at the National Theatre. Gus Van and Joe Schenck, artists of the vaudeville stage, are seen in their first talking picture, and carry most of the comedy on their shoulders. They appear as two noted baseball players, who are rivals for the hand of Mary, who is the daughter of ths manager-owner of the team. The story is well told and abounds in human interest. Bessie Love is good as Mary, and the others in the cast add to the success of the film. The other items on the programme are interesting and varied. Next Saturday, "A Lady of Love" will commence a season at the theatre. LONDON THEATRE. A dramatic story of fighting on the Afghan border in unfolded in "The Black Watch," starring Victor McLaglen, which is now showing at the London Theatrje. Thrilling drama, exciting scenes and a breath of comedy are introduced and interest in the story is sustained throughout. Victor McLaglen givee an excellent performance as the officer in the Black Watch who was detailed for special duty on the Afghan border. CRYSTAL PALACE. A three-star programme will be shown at the Crystal Palace this evening. Buster Keaton, in "Fre%.and Easy," supplies the laughs in the first part.of the programme. Ann Pennington in "Tanned Legs" and Harry Langden in "The Shrimp" provide further laughs. BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA. Under the direction of Mr. Colin Muston, the Bohemian Orchestra will present a programme of orchestral music at the Town Hall this evening. Works by well-known composers will be played. NORMAL SCHOOL CONCERT. To-morrow evening the Auckland Normal School will give a concert in the Town Hall concert chamber. The proceeds will be devoted to providing group libraries and apparatus for the school.