AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 36, 12 February 1931, Page 20

AMUSEMENTS.

| "HALF SHOT AT SUNRISE."! ! Robert Woolsey and Bert Wlieeler, | who gained a foremost place in the [realm of comedy by their inimitable portrayals in "The Cuckoos," "Rio Rita," and "Dixiana," score an even greater triumph in "Half Shot at Sunrise," which will open a season at the Plaza Theatre to-morrow. The lighter side of affairs on the Western front and the hectic atmosphere of Paris in war-time form the background for this amusing war burlesque, which concerns the adventures of two American "doughboys" who impersonate their commanding officers,' elope with the Colonel's daughter, electrify hundreds of military police, and finally emerge heroes of the army. There is a talented supporting cast, including Dorothy Lee, Hugh Trevor, Roberta Robertson and Leni Stengel, and there are more than 2000 "extras." A feature of the production are some excellent song and dance Mooa," "Nothing But Love," "Whistling the Blues Away," "On Parade" and "luss Me, Cherie." The settings are said to be the most elaborate ever seen in a production of this type, including an entire Parisian square and gigantic vistas of No Man's Land. The current programme, which will conclude this evening, has as its principal - item a sporting drama, in which A 1 Jolson, famous for his work in "The Singing Fool," scores another triumph as a lovabzle negro jockey. "The Way of All Men," the supporting attraction, powerfully reveals the reactions of a varied group of people who are faced by certain death. Noah Beery and Douglas Fairbanks, jun., head a capable cast. MAJESTIC THEATRE. The tragic realism of modern warfare, revealed in some of the most thrilling scenes of aerial combat that have ever been filmed, forms an intensely dramatic theme for "The Dawn Patrol," which will open a short season at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow. Interpreted by a cast composed entirely of men, the story, which is notable for its masculine quality, relates the adventures of a group of youthful airmen in the Royal Flying Corps. The time is 1915 and the situation concerns these inexperienced youths taken from school, placed in antiquated 'planes, and sent up to almost certain death against betterequipped and more experienced German aces. It is a new phase of war —a new story to tell audiences. The production is excellently mounted and teems with tense situations, powerful dialogue, fine character studies and thrilling action in battles on ground and in the air. Richard Barthelmess, wjio will be remembered for his fine work in "Son of the Gods," plays the part of a young lieutenant who sacrifices his life to save his fellowaviators from certain death. Neil Hamilton and Douglas Fairbanks, jun., head the supporting cast. "Safety in Numbers," in which the popular Charles Rogers is seen in another attractive role, will have its final screening at the Majestic Theatre this evening. He plays the part of a young millionaire who is sent up to New York to be "educated" against the ways of the Broadway "golddigger" by three charming chorus girls. Tho • following episodes are brimful of riotous humour. "LITTLE ACCIDENT." The perplexities of the young man who divorces his wife and finds on the eve i of his second marriage that he has be- | come a father afford ample scope for comedy in "Little Accident," which will j be screened at the Civic Theatre tomorrow. He astounds his friends by leaving suddenly for Chicago, the baby's birthplace, where he finds that his former wife is to let the child out for adoption. Denouncing her for her heartlessess, he dismishes the thought of his coming marriage from his mind, and decamps with the child. In desperation, ho decides to marry Monica, the girl he has engaged ,to look after the baby. But the situation is still further complicated when his former wife, his official fiancee, and a host of friends arrive on the scene. Based on the stage success of the same name, the story is a comical misunderstandings, in which crisp •and scintillating dialogue adds to the merit of the story. Included in the imposing array of artists who interpret the chief roles are Douglas Fairbanks, jun., Anita Page, Slim Summerville, Sally Blane, Zasu Pitts and Joan Marsh. "Scotland Yard," the story of a gentleman criminal's regeneration through his love for the wife of a nobleman whom ho impersonates, will have its final screening at tho Civic Theatre this evening. Edmund Lowe plays the dual lole as the criminal and as Sir John Lasher, the bank president. The part of Lady Lasher, who falls in love with him, is charmingly played by Joan Bennett. There is an interesting supporting programme. REGENT THEATRE. "Canaries Sometimes Sing," the present attraction at the Regent Theatre, is a worthy succcssor to those other British comedies, "Rookery Nook and "On Approval," which proved as deligntful on the screen as they had been on the stage at the Aldwyeh Theatre, London Frederick Lonsdale again works on his theme , of two ill-assorted married couples, but he does it so cleverly that the audience is kept in a simmer of amusement from start to finish, a simmer that every now and then boils over •into loud laughter. He also provides the British film producers with another opportunity to distinguish themselves, and they take it. The story concerns the fortunes of an English playwright and his wife who are visited in their charming country home by another couple, an old schoolmate of the husband's and his wife, formerly an actress. The playwright's wife is a shallowminded poseur, who affects the very advanced in literature and art; and despises her husband (Mf. Torn Walls). The husband's friend is heavily conventional, but his wife is quick-witted and outspoken, and her failure to live up to social conventions is a great worry to her husband. The play has been brilliantly interpreted by an all-British cast, which includes Tom Walls, Yvonne Arnaud, and the other players who were seen in "On Approval." EMPRESS THEATRE. "Murder Will Out," an exciting story of the attempts of some Chinese blackmailers to extort money from a. wealthy young clubman, is the main attraction at the Empress Theatre. Jack Mulhall, Lila Lee and Noah Beery are the leading players. "Dancing Sweeties," an unusual melodrama of the dance halls, is the supporting attraction. The cast includes Sue Carol, Grant Withers, and Edna Murphy, and some bright songs are introduced into, the picture. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. "Anybody'# War," the main offering at the Crystal Palace Theatre, introduces Moran and Mack, widely known a« the "two black crows," as two bosom friends in a small town who join the army. More riotous comedy is provided in "The Cohens and Kellys in Scotland," which deals with the efforts of two families to "fleece the inhabitants of Scotland.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. George Arliss, who gave a brilliant performance in the title role of "Disraeli," is said to have eclipsed all previous portrayals in "Old English," which will open a season at the St. James' Theatre to-morrow. . In "Disraeli" he was seen as one of England's greatest statesmen, fighting down social prejudice against his Jewish ancestry; in "The Green Goddess" he played the part of a vengeful Indian rajah -in whom a veneer of civilisation hid a lasting hatred of England. The fact that the character he portrays in "Old English" lies far from either of these two only serves to illustrate the amazing versatility of 'Mr. Arliss. In "Old English" Galsworthy's magnificent old sinner, Sylvanup Heythorp, that dauntless shipowner who compasses his own downfall, and plays the game to tha bitter end, has supplied him with the great opportunity of his career. The story centres round his ceaseless efforts to save the family name by any means from a social scandal which threatens to reveal an indiscretion of his youth. There i 6 i drama and comedy, subtlety and open satire in this notable picture, and the scenes between old Heythorp and his granddaughter (Betty Lawford) catch the very scent and message of the time. "Young. Woodley," the film version of Van Druten's notable play of life in an English public school, will conclude its season at the St. James' Theatre this evening. David Woodley, one of the school prefects, conceives a romantic passion for the wife of the headmaster, a dominating man who has little sympathy for either his or- his pupils. The manner ih which the young woman endeavours to save the boy from bitter disillusionment forms an appealing story. Frank Lawton, Madeleine Carroll and Samuel Livesey are the principal players. Scenes of the college and cathedrai at historic Winchester are features of the picture. STRAND THEATRE. Buster Keaton plays the role of a guileless "doughboy" in "Forward March," which will be screened at the Strand Theatre to-morrow. Keaton's role calls for unusual versatility, the comedian appearing as singer, apache dancer and ukulele player, as well as a raw recruit who becomes initiated in the trials and tribulations of life as a soldier. Spectacular battle scenes are relieved by Keaton's riotous adventures in the German trenches, his apache dance in the dugout entertainment, - and incidents which take place in the, training" camp and on the transport. Vj The love story of the "rookie" and heroine provides additional merriment, and Eilers is given an opportunity to prove her prowess as a dancer in the camp theatre scenes. "Midnight Mystery," a thrilling drama of adventure in an old castle, and "Love in the Rough," a delightful golfing comedy, will have their final screenings at the Strand Theatre this evening. LONDON THEATRE. "Romance," a delightful drama which centres round the lovo of a young clergyman for an opera singer, will conclude its season at the London Theatre this evening. Greta Garbo and Gavin Gordon are the principal players. A film of scenes in the earthquake area is also being shown. To-morrow's attraction, "Young' Woodley," centres round the idealistic passion of an English schoolboy for the wife of his domineering! headmaster. Frank Lawton and Madeleine Carroll are the leading players. The picture is remarkable for the dignity and restraint of the acting, for the atmosphere of life in a large public school which pervades the etory, and the exceptional pictorial values of the back-i ground. ROXY THEATRE. An exceptionally fine double-feature programme is at present being screened at the Roxy Theatre. "Murder Will Out," starring Jack Mulhall and Lila Lee, satirises the manv melodramatic murder mysteries that have recently been shown on the screen. At the game time, however, it retains the punch and suspense that have made mystery pictures popular. The other attraction, "Dancing Sweeties,"'stars Grant Withers and Sue Carol in a story of jazz-crazed modern youth. The etory telle of a dance mad youth who married on. the spur of the moment. He tries to mix dancing with matrimony, but discovers that such a combination canont exist. NATIONAL THEATRE, "Balaclava," which is now showing at the National Theatre, will be succeeded to-morrow by "Shadow of the Law," a melodrama filled with' action, suspense, thrills, danger and romance. William Powell is cast in the leading role and plays -Uie part of a man who becomes the victim of his own gallantry. He is convicted of murder, sentenced to life imprisonment, breaks out of gaol and finds success' and love only to be threatened by his past. A noteworthy supporting cast plays in the picture, and heading the feminine role is Marion Shilling, Natalie Moorliead and Regis Toomey each play prominent parts. MUNICIPAL BAND. An attractive programme of music will be played by the Municipal Band at Point Erin Park this evening. The bandmaster, Mr. G. Buckley, will conduct. ■ i