AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 5, 7 January 1931, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

"DIXIANA." The action of the story of "Dixiana," which opens at the Plaza Theatre on Friday, takes in the glamour of the fashionable life of New Orleans in 1840. Spectacular scenes are presented of the Mardi Gras of that time, the famous Cayetano's Circus Theatre which was the social rendezvous and entertainment ■ Mecca of the times, the gambling salons j where fashion and fortunes vied. All the ■ brilliance of this era, historically important in the American parade, has been recorded faithfully in story, music, settings, costumes, and atmospheric characteristics. By the us© of technicolour in the large ensemble scenes and spectacula/ sequences, "Dixiana" succeeds in capturing the very essence of the time and place of the" story. The! values of costuming and settings, all lavishly presented at great cost, are brought out in the full flush of reality through the advantageous use of colour. The music of the production reaches a new high mark of greatness in original composition for the screen. Eleven new members are presented, developing the feeling of the Southern period, its gaiety and charm, its romance and drama, its passions and tragedies. Throughout runs the background of modern rhythm, intermingling in. many instances with the dominant motif of the Southern ne^ro , melodies from which the modern tune stems. "THE BELLE OF NEW YORK." The delightful comic opera "The Belle of New York," will have its final presentation at His Majesty's Theatre.tomorrow evening. . On Friday the company will leave Auckland for Sydney. First produced over thirty years ago, "Tlhe,Belle of New York""has retained a secure place in public favour, which entitles it to rang high among comic operas. Mis 3 Romola Hansen, as Violet Gray, the demure Salvation Army lassie, gives a charming performance, 'while Sidney Burchell plays the romantic juvenile role with sympathy and effectiveness. The comedy element, always a strong feature of the play, is in "the capable hands, of Leslie Holland, who takes the part of Ichabod Bronson, the leader of the Young Men's Rescue League and Anti-Cigarette Society. Jim Gerald, who plays.Blinky Bill", has a keen appreciation of the subtleties of the part, while the roles' of the Polite Lunatic, the Portugese twins and the numerous other characters are all well interpreted. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. . "Romance," a powerful drama based on Edward Sheldon's stage' success, which played for three. years continuously in London and New York, is attracting crowded houses to the St. James , Theatre.« The story opens in New York on New Year's Eve, . when young Harryi Armstrong asks the consent of his uncle, Bishop Thomas Armstrong, to his marriage to'an actress. The prelate then unfolds the story of his ""own love for a great actress, and the scene is moved back 50 years. Greta Garbo, who scored a triumph in "Anna Christie," her first' talking picture, appears as Rita Cavillini, an operatic prima donna, with whom Thomas Armstrong, then a young minister, falls ardently in love. His passion is reciprocated, but gradually Rita realises that her. love,must mean the end of the clergyman's career, and determines to break their friendship. This ie done, and in telling his nephew the tragic story the bishop adds: "No, I do not want you to give up the girl you love. Do not let real romance escape you." As he speaks he fingers a newspaper clipping announcing the death of Rita; Cavillini in a convent a few days previously. Lewis Stone heads a notable supporting cast, which also includes Gavin Gordon, a newcomer to the screen, who plays the part of the young clergyman. REGENT THEATRE. The screen version of one of the most successful comedies of' recent years, "Whoopee," is proving a very popular attraction at the Regent Theatre. Brilliant ballets, picturesque settings in technicolour, and magnificent, scenic '"shots' , are features of this notable production. Apart from the definite appeal which the picture has from the point of view of spectacle it is notable for the ready wit of Eddie Cantor, whose unobstrusive drolleries are irresistible. He has the part of a simpleton, who imagines himself to be the victim of innumerable ills and who can yet at a moment's notice become a."gunman" and cover his desperate adversaries with confusion when hie charming nurse is in danger. Mr. Cantor exploits to the full the ludicrous opportunities the -part affords him' and he is also heard in p number of catchy songs. The entire film is produced with a delicacy and correctness of natural colouring which give some taste of the artistry of Florenz Ziegfeld and Samuel Goldwyn, the producers, and marks a definite advance in »motion picture! technique. j

MAJESTIC THEATRE. "Shooting Straight," the attraction at the Majestic Theatre, reveals Richard Dix in a drama full of action and excellent comedy. He is seen as Larry Sheldon, a notorious gambler, who is injured in a railway accident, and is taken to a. clergyman's home, where he is mistaken for a prominent social reformer. He acts up to his new identity by freeing the town from the hold of a band of notorious gangsters, and marries the clergyman's daughter. Mary Lawler, who plays the part of the heroine, possesses a charming voice, which is heard in a number of eongs during the progress of the film. There i 5 an interesting supporting programme Friday's new programme will be headed by "Elstree Calling/' an all-British vaudeville film, which issues a definite challenge to America in the field of variety entertainment. Will Fyfe, the Scottish comedian, Donald Calthorpe and \nna May Wong, noted screen players. Helen Burnell, famous dancer, Teddy Browne and his renowned jazz band, are anion"- the select gathering of artists. Television is a feature of the production. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. Two thrilling Western dramas -will be -screened at the Crystal Palace Theatre this evening. Popular Ken Maynard will be seen in "Sons of the Saddle," the story of the struggle between a ranch foreman and a band of outlaws who are out to revenge themselves on his employer. Into this fast--moving drama of cattle thieves and cowboys a pleasing love interest has been skilfully woven. "Spurs," the second feature, shows Hoot Gibson in a stirring drama, set against the rugged grandeur of the canyons of the Western States. • .

MUNICIPAL BAND

Mr. G. Buckley, the newly-appointed conductor of the Municipal Band, will make his first appearance at a special concert in the Town Hall on Saturday evening. Selections from Wagner, Korsakov and Verdi will be played by the band. Solo items will be given by Miss K. Campion and Mr. L. Barnes.

CIVIC THEATRE. The inimitable Maurice who scored great successes in '"lirao* cents of Paris" and "The Love Parade," achieves another triumph in "The Big Pond," which is drawing crowded housef to the Civic Theatre. Chevalier U , happily cast as a penniless but carefree Frenchman, who by his infection* light-heartedness and charming personality wins the love of the daughte/ of an American millionaire. The story opens in Venice, where the millionaire. Billings, his vivacious daughter, Bai> bara, and the unconventional French* man, Pierre, first meet. The friendship between the two young people soon develops along the lines of romance. Billings, who incidently has made his money in the manufacture of chewing g-um, objects to the match, but is persuaded to give the irrepressible Pierre a chance to "make good" in America. How Pierre succeeds in convincing the millionaire of his unusual business acumen and capabilities by marketing a new line of chewing gum is told in a series of highly diverting, incidents. Miss Claudette Colbert gives a pleasing portrayal a,s Barbara, while the role of the quick-tempered BQlLngs is in capable hands. The supporting programme includes an exhibition of Apache dances, a sound news, a cartoon and a comedy. NATIONAL THEATRE. "Raffles," a drama of the famous "amateur cracksman," with Ronald Colman in the title role, .will have its final screening at the National Theatre this evening. Moran and Mack, the celebrated- "Two Black Crows," score a further triumph in "Anybody's War," which will open a season at this theatre to-morrow. Mack is seen as the town dog catcher in Buford, Tennessee, one of his charges. Deep Stuff, being his favourite pet. Mack's pal, Moran, enlists in the coloured platoon for the front, and Mack, after two rejections, also gains' a place, Deep Stuff accompanying him. Neil Hamilton has a commission in the same regiment, and is appointed by the Secret Service to watch Walter McGrail, a, suspected German -spy. Mack and Moran, arriving in France, assist in the spy's arrest, and lator v at the request of Neil's fiancee, a nurse, go , over the top to find him. in No .Man's Land. They find Neil imprisoned in a German dug-out, but during the ; rescue,' Deep Stuff, who has been sent back to get help, strays off with a German daschund. The recovery of Deep Stuff and' the marriage of Neil and' his fiancee provide a fitting climax to'this amusing comedy.

STRAND THEATRE.; Ruth Chatterton gives a talented, performance in "The Lady 'of. Scandal," Lonsdale's noted comedy, -which is now screening at the Strand Theatre. She is eeen as an aetress "who becomes engaged to be married to a, youthful member of an aristocratic English family. The actions of the girl when she is introduced into society by her fiance's snobbish relations form the background for an intensely interesting and amusing story. A Spanish travelogue, a comedy, a cartoon and the latest overseas news gazettes complete the programme. Friday's attraction will be "Good News/' the screen version of the well known musical comedy of college life, which had a/'suecessful run , in N£w Zealand eome months ago. ' ! .

TIVOLI AND RIALTO THEATRES. A thrilling story of the United States Air Force during the recent expedition in Nicaragua, and the capture of one of the machines by bandits, is unfolded in "Flight," now screening ,at the Tivoliand Rialto.Theatres. The leading roles are played by Jack Holt, Lila Lee and Ralph Graves. A delightful romance has been woven into the story, while-there is an agreeable vein of enjoyable hu-mbur.- . A variety of entertaining films of diverse topics completes an attractive and well-balanced programme. LONDON THEATRE. "Not So Quiet on the Western Front," a hilarious war-time parody, featuring Leslie Fuller and other London comedians, is the principal attraction at the London Theatre. The story opens in the kitchen of a fashionable restaurant, where the chefs are all ex-soldiera of a certain company, who fought together at the front. Reminiscences are exchanged by the men. and the audience is transported to a small cafe "soraewhsre in France." A faithful adaptation of the successful stage play, "Loose Ends" deals in convincing fashion with London society from the lighter point of view. Owen Nares, a notable English etage actor, and Edna Best, who appeared with Seymour Hicks in "Sleeping Partners," an outstanding British production, are seen in the , leading roles. LUNA PARK. A special matinee was held at Luna, Park this afternoon, when the children of the Auckland Hospital were present as guests. The holiday revels will be continued this evening, special 'concession cards to cover every attraction being available. Jazz music is dispensed by Martinengo's Band in the Palais de Danse. PLAY AT CAMPBELL'S BAY. The first organised entertainment given at Campbell's Bay was arranged by the summer residents. Mr. Jones provided the stage for the presentation of a play entitled "The Useful Screen," by Misses Alethea Dalton, Jessamine Kirkwood, Kathleen Kirkwood and Muriel Smith, and Mr. G. S. Connor. Songs were contributed by Mies Beryl Barker and Mr. W. Rushbrook; recitation by Master Owen Jones, while two dances were given by Mies Jessamine Kirkwood.