AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 18, 22 January 1931, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

CIVIC THEATRE,

The story of three working girls who long for the luxuries of life, and discover what it costs to attain them, forms an interesting theme for "Our Blushing Brides," which will have its initial screening at the Civic Theatre to-morrow. The subsequent marriages of the three girls place them in the environment of the millionaire class, and it is here that lavish settings and brilliant costumes arc given their place in the production. Portrayals of the three girls are given by Joan Crawford, Anita Page, and Dorothy Sebastian, who were the principals in 'Our Dancing Daughters." The male leads are taken by Robert Montgomery and Raymond Hackett. A picture of life in a great penitentiary is presented in "The Big House," the present attraction a£ the Civic Theatre. The culminating scene shows an encounter between thousands of N insurgent convicts attempting a, daring break for liberty and the prison guards who requision rifles, machineguns and army tanks in order to quell the disturbance. Although no attempt has been made to gloss over the horror and ruthlessness of prison life, a pleasing undercurrent of humour -runs through the -film. Chester Morris, Wallace Beery and Robert Montgomery play the ccntral male roles as three cellmates, about whom the riot, hate and ferment revolve. Leila Hyams makes a charming leading lady.

REGENT THEATRE. Tliei finest characterisation since George Arliss 'portrayal of Disraeli is given "by Cyril Maude, who plays tlie title role in "Grumpy,'' the current attraction at the Regent Theatre. He is seen as a famous crime lawyer who sets out to find a valuable diamond that has been stolen from Ernest Heron, his daughter's fiance, by Jarvis, a notorious jewel thief. A camellia is found at the scene of the robbery. Grumpy tracks Jarvis down in London, and the thief, terrified as his arrival, returns to the country residence to obtain the peculiarly-marked camellia. Grumpy follows relentlessly, desperate to retrieve the incriminating camellia before Jarvis does. How Grumpy wins the race to the house, secures the clue, recovers the jewel and brings Jarvis to justice makes a fitting climax to an absorbing story. Other prominent artists are Phillips Holmes, who appears As Ernest Heron, Paul Cavanagh, who is ca.st as the villain, Jarvis, and Frances Dade, who, as Virginia, makes a charming heroine. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Described as one of the smartest and most sophisticated dramas of the season, "A Lady Surrenders," the film version of Jonh Erskine's play, "Sincerity," will have its premiere at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow. The picture deals with the marital difficulties of a wealthy young manufacturer and, his wife, a successful novelist, who is frankly bored with her husband. He, on the other hand, forms an alliance with his wife's closest friend, to whom he proposes marriage when his wife goes abroad, ostensibly to get ft divorce. Many complications arise, and the story closes with an unexpected denouement. Conrad Nagel, one of the screen's bestknown and most popular stars, has the masculine lead as the young husband. Rose Hobart, who, until her > recent removal to Hollywood, where she sought a career in talking pictures, was one of Broadway's leading feminine dramatic artists, plays the smart, sohpisticated, novelist-wife. Genevieve Tobin, another celebrity, and Basil Ratlibone, polished English actor, are in the supporting cast. "Way Out West," an amusing comedy, with the versatile William Haines in the leading role, will have its final screening at the Majestic Theatre this evening.

STRAND THEATRE. The late Milton Sills plays the title role in "The Sea Wolf," Jack London'e famous story, which will have its screen presentation at .the Strand Theatre tomorrow. The picture introduces a unique triangle in the persons of a domineering brute of a schooner captain, a young waster who is shanghaied aboard as the vessel is leaving a Japanese fishing port, and a mysterious girl who goes along in a Quixotic desire to help the youngster. The drama tiat ensues as the three are cooped up on the schooner during her long cruise to the Aleutian sealing grounds is to be the most breathless of any talkie of recent months, and various fights in Sills' best style enliven the action. Jane Keith and Raymond Hackett have featured roles with Sills, while Mitchell Harris, Nat Pendleton, John Rogers, Sam Allen and Harry Tenbrook are cast in important supporting parts. "The Last of the Duanes," the story of an outlaw who wins back his social rights and the girl of his heart, will have its final" screening at the Strand Theatre this evening. George O'Brien plays the leading role. "Soup to Nuts," a comedy revue, heads the supporting programme.

LONDON THEATRE. A powerful drama of high society and vast wealth, "Holiday," which will open a season at the London Theatre - tomorrow, is interpreted by an outstanding cast of players. Ann Harding has the leading part, and she is supported by Mary Astor, Edward Everett Horton, Robert Ames, Hedda Hopper and Monroe Owsley. The story deals with two sisters, Julia and Linda, who are daughters of a rich American family. Johnny Case, a struggling young lawyer, meets the girls and falls in love with Julia. He is a young man* of marked ability; but shuns work and shelves all matters of importance which might interfere with his pleasure. This characteristic serves to cause a break between Johnny and Julia on the eve of their wedding, and, although she loves him herself, Linda does everything in her power to reconcile Johnny and her sister. It is in this portion of the film that Miss Harding's acting rises to the point of greatness, and her work is largely responsible for the success with which the film has met elsewhere.

CRYSTAL PALACE AND EMPRESS,

'•'Shooting Straight" and. "Strictly Unconventional" are the two main pictures to be shown at the Crystal Palace Theatre, Mount Eden, and the Empress Theatre, Newton, this evening. In the former, Richard Dix is seen as a notorious criminal who is called upon by the, heroine to play the f part ,of a social reformer. Brimful of typical Lonsdale wit and humour "Strictly Unconventional" is a modern society comedy drama in which Lewis Stone and Catherine Dale Owen are the principals. PETER PAN CABARET. Mr. Guy Menzies.- the first solo flyer of the Taeman, and Mr. Haakon Quiller, famous Norwegian parachutist, will be <nven a special reception at a dance to be held at the Peter Pan Cabaret on Saturday evening. All the leading southern and local pilots will be the guests of the management. Novelty attractions will be a feature of the entertainment.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. Dramatic appeal is the keynote of "Common Clay," which is enjoying a successful season at the St. James' Theatre. Constance Bennett gives a portrayal as a pleasure-loving girl who takes a job in a speakeasy because of the gaiety and music which she craves. When the establishment is raided by the police she sees the dangers of the path she has been treading. She pleads guilty to a charge of vagrancy and the magistrate, intrigued by the girl's good looks and obvious sincerity as far as her moral life is concerned, lectures her on the evils of a life of gaiety, and she takes a position as a maid in a fashionable home, where she finds the same unwelcome attentions that she had wished to avoid. She falls in love with the heir to the house and is betrayed. There arc some fine dramatic scenes and tense moments in the court room and in hef solicitor's office. Her efforts to secure justice for herself and her child with an unexpected turn of events in the climax, form the basis of an interest, ing and unusual production. Lew Ayres, the youngster who scored so heavily in "All Quiet on the Western Front," is convincing as the likeable but thoughtless youth who causes Miss Bennett's major difficulties. Tully Marshall, Matty Kemp and Beryl Mercer give splendid performances.

NATIONAL THEATRE. Tlie vivacious Clara Bow gives another delightful portrayal in "True to the Navy," which opens a season at the National Theatre to-day. She is seen as a bright young waitress who has a sweetheart on every battleship in the American fleet. But as her jealous working mate tells her, there will be one day when the whole of the fleet comes to town at once. And that is just what happens, only a little quicker than Clara cxpected. Frederic March plays the part of Gunner McCoy, a lady-killer who decides to take the heroine down a peg or two, but is soon smitten with remorseful pity for his victim. Harry Green, the irrepressible comedian of "The Kibitzer," plays another amusing part as Clara's Jewish employer. An entertaining selection of supporting items includes "Oh, Teddy," an amufiing comedy, a film of a wrestling march between Pasha and Coleman, a recent issue of the Paramount Sound News, and a novel picture entitled "Good Old School Days." ROXY THEATRE. Two thrilling films of outdoor life in western America are now being screened at the Roxy Theatre. In "The Concentratin' Kid" Hoot Gibson is seen as a cowboy who is very much in love with a radio singer whom he has never seen. His cowboy friends make a wager with him that he will be unable to win her hand. He meets tho lady in a neighbouring township, but in the middle of the romance a band of cattle thieves descends on the ranch and steals a herd of valuable cattle. The way in which the cowboy hero is able not only to outwit the bandits, ■ but also to win the hand of his sweetheart, forms a very interesting "climax. The part of a cowbow who is unjustly outlawed and becomes an avenging bandit is played by Ken Maynard in "The Fighting Legion,*" tho second attraction. Ma.ynard enacts this role in his usual virile style, and is heard in two fine song numbers. 'LUNA PARK. Further concessions for parties are announced by the management of Luna Park, .Auckland's popular amusement area. A wide range of attractions is available to patrons. There are large and airy tea and refreshment rooms, spacious cool lounges, and every manner of mechanical contrivances, including the scenic railway, the caterpillar, the dodg'ems and the fun factory. An added asset which the park possesses is the fact that the (majority of the devices are in the open air.

PLAZA THEATRE. "Dixiana," a colourful melody romance of tho gay South, will conclude its season at the Plaza Theatre this evening. Bebe Daniels and Everett Marshall, noted screen singers, and Wheeler and Woolsey, the comedians seen in "The Cuckoos," head a talented cast. Two full-length films, "The Pay-off ' and "She's My Weakness," will head, tomorrow's programme. "The Pay-off"' shows Lowell Sherman, polished str.ge actor, as a "gentleman criminal." The film does not idealise a genius for crinio, but illustrates, incidentally to the plot, that crime can have no ideals. The idealism and love in the heart of the crook, portrayed by Sherman, provide an interesting picture, gripping in every scene, and with a climax that lingers in one's memory. Marion Nixon, William Janney, George Marion, and Hugh Trevor are in the supporting cast. Sue Carol and Arthur Lake are the leading players in "She's My Weakness," a bright comedy of modern youth, which is the supporting feature. MUNICIPAL BAND. A programme of popular and classical music will be played by the Municipal Band at Parnell Park this evening. The band will be led. by the conductor, Mr. G. Buckley.