AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 298, 17 December 1930, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

CIVIC THEATRE,

An unusually dramatic story is brought to the screen with great effectiveness in "Manslaughter," the current attraction at tlie Civic Theatre. Claudette Colbert, a talented actress, who has already achieved great success on the talking screen, is cast in the role of Lydia Thome, a girl who has been given almost all the advantages of life, but who neither gains nor gives happiness through them. As the result of a tragedy, however, she Is forced to adopt a new outlook on life. _ Fredric March, who plays opposite Miss Colbert, is a young actor whose most outstanding portrayal was in "Sarah and Son ; " Other members of the cast are Natalie. Moorland, Richard Tucker and Stanley Smith. A children's programme will be presented next Saturday morning, when J. M. Barrie's "A Kiss for Cinderella" will be screened. Father Christmas will attend to give presents, and in addition there will be a Christmas tree. REGENT THEATRE. Acclaimed as a worthy successor to "Rookery Nook," "On Approval," which is drawing crowded houses to the Regent Theatre, is a picture of a type that makes a strong appeal to British audiences, hot only because it is a British production starring British actors, but also because of the peculiar difference between the type of humour that brings the best response from a British audience, and that which proves most entertaining to Americans. The story, briefly, concerns two society couples, of which ;he man in one instance and the woman in the other are taught a few point's about selfishness before they are accepted in marriage. Tom Walls, whose ready tongue made so much capital out of "Rookery Nook," not only directs the pictur.e, but also takes the leading role, the three "other parts being taken by Winifred Shotter as the beautiful young heiress, Yvonne Araud as the wealthy selfish widow, and Edmond Breon a3 the widow's suitor. There is a splendid supporting programme. ST. JAMES , THEATRE. The story of a young girl who, broken on the wheel of life, comes into the control of a notorious gangster and is finally won back to a saner outlook through the influence of a young journalist, is feelingly portrayed by Dorothy Mackaill in "Man Trouble," which has its final eci'eening at the St. James' Theatre this evening. Milton Sills and Kenneth McKenna are in the supporting roles. The Austrian invasion of Italy in 1830 is the basis of ' f ßride of the Regiment," to-morrow's all-colour romance, in which the central figures are Count Adrian Beltrami and his fair bride, Countess Mariana. Adrian and Mariana are spending their honeymoon in an Italian castle, and they are disturbed by the arrival of the Austrian troops, hheaded by the none too chivalrous Colonel Vulton. Adrian is captured and Vulton sets a terrible price on his release. Only the declaration of peace saves Mariana, and the story comes to a close with happiness restored to, the young lovers. Vivian Segal and Allan Prior play the leading roles, while Louise Fazenda, Ford Sterling, Lupin Lane and Myrna Loy are eeen in the supporting cast. MAJESTIC THEATRE. A striking portrayal of a married woman who is made the victim of circumstance is given by Pauline Frederick in "Evidence," which will close its season at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow. Lowell Sherman and William Courtney are in the supporting cast. The impressions of a man who had never been in an aeroplane before, and now finds himself "stunting" a machine all over the heavens, are amusingly brought to the screen by Edward Everett Horton in "The Aviator," which will head the new programme on Friday. Though he does not break his neck, he docs break almost everything in sight, including the existing records for "stunt" flying. But he does not break the girl's heart—for he wins in. a most astounding manner. Horton is supported in this roaring fatce by a cast which includes Patsy Ruth, Miller, Johnny Arthur and Le<j 'Moran. STRAND THEATRE. "Born Reckless," the stirring drama of the underworld, featuring Edmund Lowe, will be shown for the last time at the Strand Theatre to-morrow. H. D. Warner, Lois Wilson, George Fawcett and Jason Robards head the cast in Friday's main attraction, "The Gamblers." The story is that of a father and son known as the "gambling Emersons," heads of a great Wall Street savings institution. The younger Emerson, in order to put over a big deal, "borrows" the bank's own funds. Catastrophe is imminent and the Government begins an investigation. The wife of the prosecutor is u former sweetheart of Emerson arid therein lies the story. THE "MESSIAH."

The "Messiah" will be performed at the Town Hall to-morrow night at 8 p.m., by the Auckland Choral Society aug-' mented by the Royal Auckland Male Choir. The soloists are: Miss Kate Campion, soprano; Madam Irene Ainsley, contralto; Mr. Gordon Fagan, tenor and Mr. Geoffrey Colledge, bass. The baton will be in the capable hands of Mr. Colin Muston and Mr. Maughan Barnett will assist at the grand organ. The idea of making the entire- life of the Saviour the subject of a single composition was on© which had not suggested itself to any other composer before Handel, and there is no doubt that the impressive nature of the work as a whole owes a great deal to this feature —so wonderfully realised and carried out by the composer. As for sublime music, it is so familiar to all Eng-lish-speaking people, that its grandeur and pathos have beco.me not only an essential part of our Christmas, but of our very nature, in so far as wo are influenced by nobility and greatness. LONDON THEATRE. "The Cohens and Kellys in Scotland," an amusing farce, with George Sidney and Charles Murray in the leading roles, will close its season at the London Theatre to-day. To-morrow's programme will be headed by "Under the Greenwood Tree," Thomas Hardy's delightful idyll of English country life. John Batten, the young Auckland actor who has gained great success in British productions, will be seen as the hero of this romance. CRYSTAL PALACE. The rich Cockney humour of W. Darlington's popular war-time farce is brought out in the British talking screen version of "Alf's Button," which heads the programme at the Crystal Palace Theatre, Mount Eden, this evening. "Call of the West" is also being shown. TIVOLI AND RIALTO THEATRES. Philo Vance, the Sherlock Holmes of American detective stories, again unravels a baffling mystery in "The Greene Murder Case," which heads the programme at the Tivoli and Rialto Theatres this evening. William Powell plays "the leading role. In "Dangerous Curves," which will sileo be shown, the vivacious actress Clara Bow acts with her customary charm and vigour.

NATIONAL THEATRE. "Africa Speaks," the epic film of wiM life, will close a successful season tt the National Theatre to-morrow. Tjj» barbaric mode of life of the African pigmies, the lake of flamingoes tin ravages of locust hordes, scenes of »V ras, giraffes and gazelles in their wiM state, a lion hunt, and the death of t native, killed by an. enraged lioneai. are wonders never before brought to tS' talking screen. The new picture on JVL day will be "Raffles," the story of th e . famous London "amateur cracksman" with the accomplished English actor Ronald Coleman, in the title role. ' ROXY THEATRE. "The Last of the Lone Wolf," a thrill, ing drama with the romance and charm of a small European kingdom ag it s background, opens a season at the' Roxv Theatre to-day. Bert Lytell appears as the renegade, Lone Wolf, who .jj commissioned by the Prime Minister of Saxonia to recover a ring given by the queen in an imprudent moment to & secret admirer. Patsy Ruth Miller imparts a delightful charm to the part of ■Stefanje, a lady-in-waiting who is engaged upon the same errand -by the queen who fears to appear at the royal ball without the jewel. A series of stirring episodes closes with' a surprising' denouement. ° ALOHA ORCHESTRA CONCERT. The Aloha Orchestra, under the leadership of Mr. Walter Smith, will give & concert in the Town Hall concert chamber for a season of three nights, commencing to-morrow evening. A mandolin guitar and banjo orchestra of 40 performers will be heard in varied certed numbers. Solo items will ako be given.