AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 309, 31 December 1930, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS.

I ■ ROMANCE. Greta Garbo, one of the most brilliant of actresses on stage or screen, leaves the drab setting of New York's "east side" whicrh saw her triumph in. "Anna Christie," Tor the glamour of the Metropolitan Opera in "Romance," which will have its premiere at the St. James' Theatre on. Friday. Lewis Stone, accomplished veteran actor, plays opposite Miss Garbo in this dramatic story of a young minister's hopeless passion for a temperamental opera singer. The story opens with a prologue in modern setting. It is New' Year's Eve in New York. Young Harry Armstrong rushes to his grandfather, Bishop Armstrong, to. tell of hie great affection for an actress whom he wishes to marry. The bishop unfolds this story for him. Fifty years before, the young pastor of St. Giles, Tom Armstrong, fell madly in love with Rita Cavallini, exotic Italian opera star, during a farewell appearance in old New York. To shake the pastor from this mad infatuation, Van Tuyl, his best friend, tells him that Cavallini has been his mistress for years. Tom disbelieves Van Tuyl, but Rita reveals the truth, that she has been what Van Tuyl vsaid. On New Year's Night, Cavallini is singing her farewell, a tearful one, since sjje loves the minister, whose devotion is denied her because of her past. Tom, wandering blindly through the night, make 3 his way to her apartment where ahe i 3 preparing to leave, and again offers her his love. But for his sake she refuses for the last time, and they part for ever, the clergyman to his church, the prima donna "to Europe. "And you want me to give up this girl I love?" pleads Harry to the old bishop. "No, my boy," counsels the bishop, "that was real romance—don't let it get away from you!" And as he does, he finders a newspaper clipping announcing the .death of Cavallini in a convent, fifty years later. '-Holiday," the present ' attraction at the St. James' Theatre, will have its final screening to-morrow. Ann Harding and Robert Ames head a notable cast.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Ruth Chatterton again displays her versatility as an actress in the stellar role of "A Lady of Scandal," the screen version of Lonsdale'a comedy of London society, which heads the current programme at the Majestic Theatre. Miss Chatterton plays the role of a celebrated actress who becomes engaged to the scion of a noble English family. The young man's relatives strongly object, but on the advice of the head of the family, a young duke, it is decided that the match be allowed on the understanding that the wedding is not to take place for six month 3. During the actress' stay at the duke's mansion, however, she changes all the inmates' outlook on life, but finds that she hae fallen in love with the head of the family, cousin of the man she hae promised to marry. From this point the picture assumes a more dramatic aspect and moves rapidly to an entirely novel and unexpected ending. Excellently played by an English-speak-ing cast, the picture is one of a high entertaining value. Ruth Chatterton is aided by a notable cast, included in which are Basil Rathboue and Ralph Forbes, both of whom give excellent performances. The supporting programme is of outstanding merit. On Friday, "Shooting Straight," a virile outdoor story, with Rjehard Dix in the main role, will open a season. In tin* film Dix returns to the fast-moving action picture, which was responsible for his first success on the screen.

NATIONAL THEATRE. "Raffles," the famous amateur cracksman, comes to life on the screen in the picture version of E. W. Hornung's wellknown story, which has ite premiere at the National Theatre to-day. The personality Of Raffles is faithfully transferred to the screen by Ronald Cohrian, who gives one of the best performances of his career. Although he is influenced by bis love for a society girl to give up his nefarious calling Raffles is brought back to it by the urgent need of a friend. His final adventure proves to be the most thrilling, and he ie suspected by a Scotland Yard detective whom he finds almost too strong for him. At the last minute he evades the law and leaves England to start life afresh aided by the society girl, who stuck to him through, thick and thin. Kay Francis gives a charming performance as the heroine. At the matinee performances the pantomime "Cinderella" is presented by a company of talented children under tho direction" of Misees Marjorie Turner and Beryl Nettleton.

PLAZA THEATRE. Nancy Carroll achieves outstanding success in a purely dramatic role as the heroine in "The Devil's Holiday," now screening at the Plaza Theatre. She plays tho part of a gold-digging manicurist, whose unscrupulous business methods, coupled with her personal attraction, make her the head of a band of fraudulent salesmen. One of her victims is David Stone (Phillips Holmes), son of Ezra Stone (Hobart Bosworth), a prosperous wheat farmer, and. when they become engaged she grants David's freedom only by exacting a high price from hie" father. . But remorse soon follows on her acts of deception, and the story ends happily. Friday's new programme will be headed by "The Sap from Syracuse,',' an amusing comedy, with the inimitable Jack Oakie in the leading role. ROXY THEATRE. Jack Holt leaves the great open spaces of the West to portray the role of a notorious New York gangster in "The Squealer," a fast-moving story of American bootleggers, which heads the current programme at the Roxy Theatre. To protect his own interests, the gangster leader has built up a gigantic underworld machine. How he is eventually caught iti the meshes of hie own net .'tnd forced to relinquish his wife and child — both of whom he loves devotedly—to another man, supply the thrilling climax to this strong and appealing story. A British comedy, "Amateur London," is aIEO screened. LONDON THEATRE. "Journey's End," the screen version of 11. Ct Sherriff's iamone war drama,-will close its season at the London Theatre to-morrow. The story, which takes place in an officers' dug-out on the Western front, portrays the effect of war experiences on men of character and mental sensibility, and reveals in tensely dramatic fashion the heroism with which they go out to meet their deaths. Colin. Clive, head of the stage cast, plays the part of Stanhope, the heroic officer who falls a victim to dipsomania, with great impressivenese. The roles of Osborne, the quiet ex-schoolmaster, Raleigh, the young lieutenant, Trotter, the inimitable Cockney, and Maeon, the sardonic cook, are interpreted by a notable supporting cast. The programme also includes the comedy "High. Society Blues," witJb Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell.

"THE BELLE OF NEW YORK." "The New Moon," J. C. Williamson's evcellent musical comedy, will be staged again to-night and two following evenings, and a special holiday "matinee will •be presented to-morrow afternoon. On Saturday afternoon and evening and the following four nights the favourite comic opera "The Belle of New York" will be produced with 'new and elaborate stage settings and gorgeous costumes and uniforms. It may not be generally known that many -of the characters in "The Belle of New York" were taken from life, having their prototypes in celebrities of the day. For example, Ichabod Bronson represented. J. D. Rockefeller. Bronson, jun., was the millionaire's son, a.nd Cora Angeliquc was the much divorced actress, Lilian Russell. The belle herself— a pretty demure Salvationist, was' the daughter of General Booth, then leading the operations of the Army in Pell Street, the Chinatown of New, York. "The Belle" was originally staged as a revue, and, as is well known, it developed into one of the best ana most successful musical plays the stage has known in thirty years. It is said that the present company gives the finest all round production of "The Belle" ever staged in New .Zealand. Its delightful melodies are well known to almost everybody, as the .gramophone records are still amongst the best sellers. The humour is of the Gilbcrtian type, and the magnificent finale to the first act is one of its features. No less than three e'neores were demanded of the finale at the recent" representations of "The Belle" in Wellington, where it attracted record audiences. The appearance of Mr. Leslie Holland in the role of Ichabod Bronson ha 3 invested additional interest in next Saturday's revival.

"THE BIG POND." The magnetic personality of Maurice Chevalier, who is said to be the highest paid entertainer in the world, is once again brought to the talking screen in "The Big Pond," which will open a season at the Civic Theatre on Friday. The picture, it is said, docs Chevalier full justice, and he excels himself. He plays the part of Pierre, an impoverised Frenchman who, after the war, follows tho calling of a guide in Venice. While there he falls in love with the daughter of a millionaire chewing-gum manufacturer. Barbara loves him, too, but her father has other plans for her, so, in order to stop the marriage, he hits upon the plan of giving Pierre a job in his American factory and wording him so hard that he will be glad to get away irom America. Pierre, however, is not to be deterred, and after starting work in the Billings factory, hits upon a scheme that brings a few more million dollars into the Billings coffers. Mr. Billings then readily consents to Pierre's marriage with Barbara. The course of true love does not run too 3moothly, but in the end all is happy and Pierre and Barbara decide that life is meant for love and that they arc really meant for each other. Maurice Chevalier, of course, is the hit of the show. His magnetic personality and fascinating voice will always keep him a prime favourite with any audience. In his latest film he sings a most catchy number, "You've Brought a New Kind of Love to Me," which is already very popular. The part of Barbara is played by Claudette Colbert, who is both beautiful and talented. Two British pro- , ductions, "Not So Quiet on the Western Front," an amusing parody, and "Loose Ends," a London society comedy, head the current Civic Theatre programme. There is also a children's pantomiue, "Sin-bad the' Sailor," at each matinee.

REGENT THEATRE. Ideal holiday entertainment is provided by the colourful ecreen production of the musical comedy "Whoopee," now showing at the Regent Theatre. The plot of the picture ie an adaptation of Owen Davis' breezy farce, "The Nervous Wreck," with its story of the imaginary invalid who is forced to play a dashing part for which nature doee not intend him in rescuing the heroine from a distasteful matrimonial alliance and ensuring for , her the opportunity of marrying the man of her desire. "Whoopee" i≤ laid in the Wild Wost and ie full of cow. boys, lariats, large-size Lats and other cowboy paraphernalia. Its opening scene ehows daring riders galloping madly along in a cloud of dust giving voice to the cowboy yell which provides the picture with its title. Worthy oil epecial mention are the reproductions iu tcclinicolour of rugged scenes in the Western States of America. Headed by Eddie Cantor, the noted New York comedian, the cast is excellently suited to the play, and' includes Eleanor Hunt., as Sally Morgan, Paul Gregory, as Wanenis, and Dorothy Knapp, the famous brunette beauty. Tae dance ecenee are on a most spectacular scale. Supporting the feature film is a programme of uniform merit, which includes the comedy, "College Hounds," showing hundreds of dogs in one of. the best animal pictures screened' in Auckland.

HAYWARD'S, AVONDALE. A combined dance and picture programme will be presented at the Town Hall, Avonflaic, this evening. The screen attraction wi'.l be "Wiac Girls," from the well known stage play, "Kempy." The pictures will be followed by dancing, for which Dewai's Rhythm Act , Jazz Band has been engaged. EMPRESS THEATRE. "The Richest Man in the World," an appealing story of a father's sacrifice* for his children, heads the current programme at the Empress Theatre. "The Runaway Bride" is also screened. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. . "Ladies Must Play," a society comedy, and "The Last of the Lone Wolf," a drama of adventure, will be serened at the Crystal Palace Theatre this evening. DANCING. As a farewell to the old year and a welcome to the new, a special New Year's Eve dance festival will be held at the Dixieland Cabaret this evening. Many interesting attractions hdve been arranged, among which the appearance of Simon Philipoff, a pjayer of the Russian balalaika, is outstanding. The Dixieland band will be in attendance. On Thursday evening another cabaret night will be held. A New Year's Eve carnival dance will be held in the Peter Pan Cabaret tomorrow evening, many novel attractions having been arranged. Dancing will be continued till 2 a.m. on Thureday. The Peter Pan Dance Band will play the latest dance music. There will he dancing at the Pirate Shippe, Milford, this evening. Bartley's Band' will be in attendance. The Civic Theatre Orchestra will play the latest dance music at the New Year's dance to , be held in the Civic Winter Garden Cabaret this evening. • The Apache Dance Club wilt hold a New YearVj carnival this evening. There will be four hours jazz after the picture programme at the Picturedrome, Milford, this evening. The Felix Syncopatore will be in attendance. There will be a New Year's carnival ai the Parisian Studio to-morrow evening.

STRAND THEATRE. The spectacular teehnieoloured revue. "The King of Jazz," with Paul Whiteman and his famous band, will have its final screening at the Strand Theatre tomorrow, /produced by the Universal Studios, ti»* film is made in ail respects on an csfceptionally lavish scale. Not only are the settings, huge and amazingly beautiful, but" the"caet includes many noted stage and screen stars, among "whom John Boles, Laura La Plante, Je/.nnette Loff, and Sue Carol are perhaps the best known. The dancing is contributed by the well-known sisters "G," the Russell Market dancers and .American specialty performers, Some of the presentations are "Happy Feet,"' "It Happened in Monterey,' , "Bridal Veil," "A Bench in the Park," "Ragamuffin Romeo" , and ''Song of the Dawn.'" LUNA PARK. Every afternoon and evening sees large attendances at Luna Park, Auckland's popular "Coney Island." New Year's revels Avill be held this evening and to-morrow. The patron iind= interest and thrills in every journey he takes on the scenic railway, through the picturesque caves or on the serpentine caterpillar. There is also a variety of interesting eideshows. A bus service is run to the park from the foot of Queen Street.