AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 37, 13 February 1931, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS.

TO-NIGHT'S CHANGES. New programmes are being screened ai seven city theatres to-day. "Old English," Galsworthy's famous story of the old ship-owner who fights his life's, tragedy to the. bitter end, has its screen presentation at the St. James' Theatre this evening. George Arliss, the brilliant actor of "Disraeli" gives another polished .portrayal in this high-class production. The problems of a young man who divorces his wife and becomes a father on the eve of his second wedding provide an amusing theme for "Little Accident," the current attraction at the Civic Theatre. Douglas Fairbanks, junior, and Anita Page are the leading players. "The Dawn Patrol" a powerful drama of the Royal Air Force during the Great \Var, opens a season at the Majestic Theatre. Richard Barthelmess, Douglas Fairbanks, junior, and Neil Hamilton head an entirely masculine cast in this picture, which is noteworthy for its amazing scenes of aerial warfare. Robert Woolsey and Bert Wheeler, the famous "Cuckoos," score another success in "Half Shot at Sunrise,'' an amusing war-time burlesque, at the Plaza Theatre. Brilliant sceneand bright song numbers are features of the production. The part of a man who falls a victim of circumstance is played by William * Powell in "The Shadow of the Law," now screening at the National Theatre. This picture, which ia based on the stage play, "The Quarry," is accompanied by an interesting supporting programme. Buster KKeaton, the "frozen-faced" comedian of "Free And Easy," fills a congenial role in "Foward March" a comedy of the war, at the Strand Theatre. Sally Eilers and Cliff. Edwards are the- supporting players. "Young Woodley"' the noted Van Druten play of life in an English public school, opens a season at the London Theatre. Frank Lawton and Madeleine Carroll head a talented cast. Picturesque scenes of Winchester are a feature of the production. TIVOLI AND RIALTO THEATRES. The all-British cast which has appeared with such success in "Rookery Nook" and "Canaries Sometimes Sing" scores another triumph in the sparkling Lonsdale comedy, "On Approval," which opens a season at the Tivoli and Rialto Theatres. The story of two illassorted couples who make a trial of marriage in a country house on the bleak Scottish ** moors affords ample scope for humour, and. the dialogue is refreshingly witty. Tom Walls, the unfortunate bachelor of "Rookery Nook," ■achieves further distinction, and Miss Winifred Shotter appears in a pleasing role as a charming and unaffected English girl. > LYRIC THEATRE. The story, of a father who strives for years to provide his children with the best in life and is repaid only with ingratitude forms a powerful and appealing theme for "The Richest Man in the World," the current attraction at the Lyric Theatre. There is an interesting supporting programme. BIRKENHEAD BAND. A successful recital was given by the Birkenhead' Borough Council Band in the Foresters' Hall on The band, which has entered for the Dominion bands contest in Wellington, was congratulated, by , Mr. H. G. R. Mason, M.P., and Mr. J. P. .McPhail, Mayor of Birkenhead; BENEFIT CONCERT. . The .Glen Eden Benevolent Society held a concert in aid of the unemployed in the Glen Eden Town Hall on Wednesday evening. Among the assisting artists were Messrs W. Harris, J. McKay, A. Wright, O. Rees,; H. De Reeve, C. Valentine, A. Austen, Robertsliaw, Misses M. Riley and N. Lingard and Mrs. Robertsliaw. ' '