AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 126, 30 May 1931, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS.

"THE FIRST MRS. FRASER."

On Monday at 9 a.m. the box plans will be opened for the six evening representations and the afternoon performance of "The First Mrs. Fraser," St. i John Ervine's brilliant London comedy, | which is to be staged for the first time j in New Zealand by J. C. Williamson's English Comedy Company at His Theatre on Wednesday night (King's Birthday). The play is said to be one of the finest examples of ihe dramatist's craft. It is a sparkling and witty play dealing with the post-war generation of the present day "young"— the young who throw a challenge to their elders by remarking provocatively, "There never have been any young like us before." "Even if 'The First Mrs. Fraser,' " wrote a critic, "were not worth seeing on account of its originality of plot and entertaining quips and phrases, the acting alone makes it worth a visit. Ethel Morrison as the first Mrs. Fraser is superb; it ha 3 been said that Mr. Ervine wrote the play specially for Marie Tempest, but one feels subconsciously he must have known that it would also be played by Ethel Morrison. As James Fraser/ J. B. Rowe gives an excellent picture of a dour, extremely selfish Scotsman; whilst Mary Macgregor, as the second Mrs. Fraser, is appropriately flippant. Noel Boyd is charming as Mrs. Murdo; Leslie Victor excellent as Philip Logan; and both Murdo find Ninian, as played by Roger Barry and John Wood, are outstanding characters in 'the production. Miss Eileen Morris, too, is delightful as Mabel." Only six representations can be staged of "The First Mrs. Fraser," and it will be fol-1 lowed by five performances of "Let Us Be Gay" and five of "Hay Fever," Noel Coward's satirical comedy. NATIONAL THEATRE. Charles Chaplin's record-breaking film, "City Lights,' 5 which the comedian himself describes as "a romantic comedy in pantomime," is screening for a 'brief season at the National Theatre. Once again he appears with, the bowler hat, the baggy and tattered trousers, the quizzical moustache and the cane, so well known to everyone. The film has been synchronised with'music, composed mostly by the comedian himself, in a remarjeably humorous way. This accompaniment itself contains such a wonderful play of emotions and humour that dialogue is seen to be entirely superfluous. The humour is delicately tempered with pathos, but its cleverness never fails from the moment that Chaplin, as a disreputable tramp, is found sleeping in the arms of a statue that has just been unveiled, until the poignant moment when the pretty blind flower girl with sight restored, discovers by his touch in giving, her a flower who her benefactor really was. The central figure is supported by Harry Myers as an eccentric millionaire and Virginia Cherrill who, as the blind girl, is both beautiful and impressive. There is an entertaining programme of shorter films. ROXY THEATRE. The story of a New York girl who has to choose between the love of two men, one a prosperous, middle-aged German, the other an engaging but apparently worthless boy, who has fallen into the hands of a band of criminals, is unfolded in "Temptation," the main attraction at the Roxy Theatre. Lois Wilson gives a highly dramatic portrayal in the leading role. Common sense urges the girl to marry the man who can take care of her, but she cannot stifle an almost overpowering love for the weakling. Lawrence- Gray and Billy Bevan are in the supporting cast. "Sweethearts on Parade," the second attraction, is an amusing comedy concerning a countrybred girl who comes to town with the intention of marrying a millionaire, but falls in love with a handsome young marine. Both her suitors become jealous of each other, and many entertaining complications result. Lloyd Hughes, Alice White and Marie Provost are

included in the cast. LONDON THEATRE. Marie Dressier, one of the most popular character actresses of the screen, and Polly Moran, who makes an admirable foil for her boisterous comedy, appear in "Caught Short, now showing at the London Theatre. With such a combination of talent it is inevitable that the picture should prove one of the funniest imaginable. It opens with the principals as landladies of establishments on opposite sides of a street Their dabbling on the stock market results in their rise from comparative poverty to financial independence, but their prosperity only comes after innumerable quarrels. The sudden collapse of the market results hi still furthei comedy. EPSOM REGENT. "Canaries Sometimes Sing," a satirical comedy of two ill-assorted couples at an English country house, is screening at the Epsom Regent Theatre. Tom Walle heads a talented cast. "Lightnin a. comedy of modern divorce, starring the inimitable Will Rogers, is the supporting picture. CAPITAL THEATRE. "The Very Idea," the film version of a successful London and Broadway comedy, is the main attraction at the Capitol Theatre. Frank Craven and \llen Kearns are the principals. "Pardon My Gun," a Western comedy, featuring Sally Starr, is also being screened. EMPRESS THEATRE. "The Sea God," the main attraction at the Empress Theatre, is the story of a diver who is captured by natives on a South Sea island, and worshipped by them as a deity. Richard Arlen and Fay Wray are the principals. "To-day," starring Conrad Nagel, is also being shown. EMPIRE THEATRE. Constance Bennett plays the part of an heiress who falls in love with a salesman in "Rich People," which heads the Empire Theatre programme. "Jazz Heaven," a comedy-drama, is also being j shown. PARNELL THEATRE. George Avliss, noted English actor, <nves a brilliant portrayal as the famous British Prime Minister in "Disraeli," now screening at the , Parnell Theatre. An excellent supporting cast takes part in this exciting Grama. PICTUREDROME, MILFORD. "Common Clay," starring Constance Bennett, heads the current programme at the Picturedrome. The picture will be followed this evening by dancing, with G. Poore's Orchestra in attendance. STRAND THEATRE, ONEHUNGA. "Love in the Bough," a golfing comedy featuring Robert Montgomery, will be screened at 'the Strand Theatre this evening. FORESTERS', ONEHUNGA. "Beau Sabrcur," the film of P. C. Wren's story of the French Foreign, is the principal attraction at the Foresters' Hall.

REGENT THEATRE. Probably in no sphere of human enterprise and invention has the progress made been so phenomenal as in that of the cinema, and even yet this science is but in its infancy. A tremendous step forward was represented in the initial screening at the Regent last evening of the Paramount picture " The Right to Love" by the new noiseless reproducing process, by which what might be called the "statics" of the screen —those annoying, perpetual and irritating bursts and splutterings which have always formed the accompaniment to the ''talkie" —were entirely eliminated. The process brings the cinema even closer to the legitimate stage, for the periods of silence between actions and words stand out in striking relief; one even imagines occasionally the creakings of the stage boards. ''The Right to Love," however, is an amazing picture in other directions, for there is baffling mystery, not only in the psychological problems with which the theme of the story deals, but also in the photography. Ruth Chatterton, voted by Aucklanders as the screen's most popular star, is responsible for a superb histrionic achievement. She takes the dual role of mother and daughter, and in several scenes she is called upon to portray the personality of a fresh, yoting and captivating maiden, at the same time taking the part, with won- | derful artistry, of a weary, brokenhearted, love-deserted mother. Mother and daughter move about- the scene, carry on their conversation simultaneously, embrace in affectionate passages", making it almost impossible to sustain the recollection that both are one and the same actress. The story is a most unusual one, unique and intellectual in its conception, representing a strange admixture of human emotions. It centres round a young American girl, daughter of a farmer, whose affections are not given parental approval, though they cannot be controlled by arbitrary means. The young man meets a tragic death. To maintain a hypocritical respectability the girl marries a simple, straight-laced, though devoted way-back farmer, and her daughter, who becomes an attractive, pleasing and likeable young woman with many of her mother's traits, is forced to face and solve the same problems as her parent. She shapes, however, an entirely different course in life, and the concluding passages of the picture are laid in China, where the young woman goes to take up mission work. Here she again is bnnight face to face with vital problems which in the end she works out for herself in the manner she considers calculated to attain the greatest happiness in _ life. The acting throughout the picture is on the highest standard, and the entire production is charmingly done. Tlie supporting pictures are uniformly attractive and the whole programme can be conscientiously recommended as one without a flaw. In the supports are an unusually interesting news reel, a pleasing comedy, and an educational and highly edifying Vagabond Director item dealing with the wonderful Indian temple, the Taj Mahal at Agra. TIVOLI AND RIALTO. "Monte Carlo," a delightful musical romance directed by Ernst Lubitsch, brilliant producer of '"The Love Parade," is now screening at the Tivoli and Rialto Theatres. Jcanette Mac Donald plays the part of a princess who -rebels against her proposed marriage to the wealthy but effete Prince Otto (Claude Allister) and rune away to the Riviera. There she meets a count who is masquerading, as a barber, and the two fall in love. There arc many amusing complications, however, "before a happy ending is reached. Jach Buchanan, London stage idol, gives a poiishecl portrayal in the leading male role. There is a delightful musical score. LYRIC THEATRE. The four Marx brothers, who created a reputation for comedy in "The Coconuts," are funnier than ever in "Animal Crackers," which head the current programme at the Lyric Theatre. They appear respectively as an explorer, a pianotuner, a professor and a who run riot at a house party given at a luxurious Long Island home. There ie a well-varied supporting programme. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. Ruth Chatterton, "the leading lady of the screen," plays ttic part of an actress who becomes engaged to an English duke in "The Lady of Scandal," a sparkling comedy now showing at the Crystal Palace Theatre. Ralph Forbes and Basil Rathbone arc also in the cast. "Parttime Wife," starring Leila Hyams and Edmund Lowe, is the supporting picture. SANDRINGHAM CINEMA. A society drama, "The Richest Man in the World," is tlje main attraction at the Sandringham Cinema. "Way Out West," a comedy in which William Haines plays the part of a city "sharper ,, who goes out on a ranch with the intention of fleecing the cowboys, is also being shown. Leila Hymns is the heroine. KINGSLAND THEATRE. Lois Moran gives a dramatic portrayal in the compelling story "Under Suspicion,,, which is now screening at the Kingsland Theatre. MISCHA LEVITZKI CONCERT. Mischa Levitski, the famous pianist, whose art combines the virility of youth with the perfect technique of the experienced genius, has prepared a fine programme for his first concert at the Auckland Town Hall next Thursday night, when he will open his second tour of New Zealand, under the E. J. Gravestock direction. Among the chief items will be the Tausig transcription of Bach's massive organ Toccata and Fugue hi D Minor, and Beethoven's "Appassionata" sonata. Particular interest attaches to the latter, from the fact that Levitzki gives a different reading of this favourite work from the usually' accepted one. "The Sydney Morning Herald" critic remarked: "The performance of this work aroused great cheering, for the audience was carried away by the power, vitality and maturity of style in the finale." The initial programme will also include a Chopin group, comprising Nocturne in F Sharp, the "Butterfly" and Black Keys Etudes, Waltz, Op. 04, No. 3, and the Scherzo in C Sharp Minor; "Jeux d'Eau" (Ravel), Waltz in A Major (Mischa Levitzki), and Liszt'z "Hungarian Rhapsody." No. C. The box plans for the three concerts are at : Lewis Eady, Limited. MUNICIPAL BAND. The Auckland Municipal Band's programme at the Town Hall this evening will include Rimsky Korsakov's wonder, ful music from "The Scheherazade Suite," Mendelssohn's* "Fingal's Cave," Weber's great "Der Freichutz," Sullivan's "lolanthe," and other fine numbers. Mr. P. W. Eastoe will play the clarinet solo, "Lucetta"' (Luscomb); Mr. Fred Bowes will play the cornet solo, "A ■ Droam of Love"; -Mr. Hal C. McLennan I will play a flute solo; Miss Gladys; BarI ton, a young English vocalist, will sing i Puccini's "One Fine Day" and "Ring, i Bell, Ring": Mr. Leslie Belcher, tenor, will sing" "I Heard You Singing" and "The Spar" (Rodgers). Mr. Leo Whiti taker will he the accompanist.

"RESURRECTION." "Resurrection," the Universal film version of Count Leo Tolstoy's celebrated novel, to be screened in Auckland next week, is a confession as well as an immortal love romance, for the incident round which the story revolves occurred in the famous Russian writer s own life, and in this work he spent more of his labour and genius than m any other of his series of literary ■ triumphs. The incident on which the moet dramatic scene of '"Resurrection is founded runs like this: A girl was being tried in the criminal court for a serious infraction of the law. One of the J ur °" recognised her as a girl that he had seduced some years before. It came over him that he was the cause of her downfall, that he had started her on the downward path that had brought her to the bar of justice as a criminal. Conscience-stricken, he decided to atone for his offence by marrying her. Before his efforts to get her out of prison were successful, however, she contracted typhus in prison, and died. The story of "Resurrection" has been one which has appealed to many forms of art, having appeared prior to its talking screen version in almost every other form in which a human story can be told, it was first a newspaper serial, then a novel—and that novel translated into twenty-eight languages—then a stage play, a moving picture, a grand opera, and now, through the painstaking and almost reverent direction of Edwin Carcwe, has reached the latest and most graphic means of expression, the talkin" screen, with John Boles playing the role of Dmitri and Lupe Velez that of the wronged ward in his aunts home. PLAZA THEATRE. "Cimarron," the spectacular film version of Edna Ferber's story of empirebuilding in the Middle Western States, is drawing crowded houses to the Plaza Theatre. Perhaps the film's great success may be attributed to the fact that apart from the spectacular crowd scenes, in which, thousands of men and animals are depicted with a broad sweep of action, the essential drama remains, the narrative of the vicissitudes which beset two people-the steadfast Yancey Cravat and his cultured wife, Sabra. No more forceful actor than Richard Dix could have been chosen for the part oi the picturesque attorney-editor. Irene Dunne plays the part of Sabra Cravat with a poise *and detachment which make a living character of the refined wife who, having braved the hardships of the arduous journey to Oklahoma in spite of the vigorous objection of her parents, nevertheless finds it difficult to reconcile herself to the ruthless though just methods employed by her hu ba d to maintain his editorial dictatoi ship. His subsequent reunion with his wife under tragic yet heroic circumstances makes a poignant final scene Pel haps the most stupendous portion of the film is the historic Oklahoma land rush in which, at a pistol signal, the nondescript thousands pelt forward on foot, pn ho? eback and in ramshakle horse-drawn vehicles, eager to be first on the scene. Stelle Taylor and William Collier, jun., head the supporting cast. "MOROCCO."' In new production for Gary Cooper, a powerful and tempestuous etorv of love and conflict entitled "Morocco," an actress new to the picture public makes her initial appearance. Her name is Marlene Dietrich. She is a product of the Berlin stage, a discovery or Josef von Sternberg, who directed "Morocco." Miss Dietrich is a blonde, sphinx-like, alluring. Her movements and gestures are graceful. Her voice is low-pitched, fascinatingly deep-toned, and she speaks without an accent. Aside from her undeniable physical attractiveness, Miss Dietrich is a talented actress. She possesses an acute sense of the dramatic, a keen and sympathetic understanding for emotional qualities. "Morocco" is her first American picture. Those who have seen her in this colourful love story believe Miss Dietrich to be the 6ensation or the year. "Morocco" is a vivid, detailed story of a surging, unrestrained love that sweeps a ruthless adventurer and a beautiful woman of the world into a whirlpool of mad desire. Imaginatively directed, with each set imparting authentic atmosphere for the plot's development, "Morocco" emerges as an arresting picture that commands and deserves attention. Gary Cooper, Marlene Dietrich, Adolphe Menjou and a fine supporting cast are seen in well-drawn roles. AMBASSADOR THEATRE. The inimitable Glenn Tryon heads the cast in "Broadway," a comedy of New : York night life, now showing at the Ambassador Theatre, Point Chevalier. There is an excellent supporting programme. SOUTHERN CROSS, ELLERSLIE. "The New Follies," starring El Brendel, will be shown at the Southern Cross Theatre this evening. "The Grand Parade," with Helen Twelvetrees, is the supporting picture. ' ADELPHI, GREY LYNN. A musical comedy, "Let's Go Native," featuring Jeannette Mac Donald, and a drama, "Wild Company," will be shown at the Adelphi Theatre this evening. The pictures will be followed by dancing. SUNDAY PICTURES. "Mamba," an all-colour talking filni relating a dramatic story of German East Africa, heads the programme to be shown at the Rialto Theatre to-mor-row evening. Proceeds will be devoted to charities. "Waterfront," starring Dorothy Mackaill, will be shown at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow evening, under the auspices of the Rationalist Association. Madame Mabel Milne will give an address on "Health and Diet." MUSICIANS' SUNDAY CONCERT. The entertainment to be presented by the Musicians' Union at the St. James' Theatre to-morrow evening includes items by Miss C. Pringle (soprano). Mesrs. M. Schroder (baritone), P. Jury (trombonist) and P. Parsons (violinist). A comedy, "Everybody's Acting," wi!l be screened. Proceeds are in aid of unemployed musicians. ONEHUNGA BAND. A selected programme of music will be played by the Onehunga Citizens' Band at the Ellerslie racecourse tomorrow afternoon. DANCING. There will be a cabaret dance 'at Dixieland this evening. Novelty attractions will be a feature of the entertainment. A carnival dance will be held on Wednesday, King's Birthday. A dance will be held this evening at Romano's Cabaret. Rowe's Orchestra will supply the music. There will be a holiday dance on Wednesday. The Peter Pan Cabaret will hold a dance this evening. Music will be played by the popular cabaret band. A special dance will be held on Wednesday. The Ventura Club will held a dance at St. Sepulchre's Hall this evening. T. Eady'e band will be in attendance. There will be a carnival dance in the Scots Hall on Wcdncsdav.

There will be a dance at the Apache Club this evening. Music will be played by Bolton's Band. The Balmoral Cabaret will give a dance at the Zealandia Hall on Wednesday evening. Music will be played by L. Jones' Orchestra. An old-time dance will be held at the Druids' Hall this evening. There Avill bo • many novelties. Mustapha, a magician, will appear. There will be an old-time dance at the Click Clack Cabaret this evening. Music will be provided by Morrow's Orchestra. There will be a dance at the Bon Ton Hall, Royal Oak, this evening. _ Hay's Vagabonds will render the music. The Grey Lynn Labour party will hold an old-time dance in the Masonic Hall this evening. Music will be played 'by Paltridge's Orchestra. An old-time dance carnival will be given at the Orange Hall, Newton Road, this evening. There will be a holiday dance on Wednesday. The Akarana Yacht Club will hold its dance at the clubhouse, Campbell's Point, this evening. A full band will be in attendance. An old-time dance will be given by i the Joyland Club at the Manchester Unity Hall this evening. There will foe.a waltz competition. The Parisian Studio will hold its weekly dance In Upper Queen Street this evening.

ACROSS. I—Dejected. 9—The one language in the universe. 10—Even air rots (anag.). 11—"For who would bear the s and scorns of time . . . when he himself might his quietus make. . . V' (Shakespeare). • 14—Dainty china comes from here. 18—This before many names suggests size and perhaps coarseness. 19—Precise. 20—The era responsible for the cinema. 21 —Morass. 22—Take delight. 23—Irish county. 24—"Loveliness needs not the foreign — of ornament," wrote the wise Thompson. 26—"Seats beneath the shade for talk- * ing — and whispering lovers made" (Goldsmith). 27 —A trace alone will give you this. 28—A hero's car goes sensibly better than a nasty man's (hidden). 29—Clear. 33—"Some — inglorious Milton here may rest" (Gray). 36 —This race- is one event of many village sports. 37 —Recess. 38—Respectful.

The South Sea Orchestra will play jazz music at the dance to be held ia the Municipal Hall, Newmarket, this evening. The Rio Rita Club will give a dance at the Crystal Palace ballroom, Mount Eden, on Monday evening. There will be a dance at the Orpheum Hall, Onehunga, thie evening. Bullen's Orchestra will play jazz music. A dance will be held at the Britanni* Houseboat, Mechanics' Bay, this evening, with the Britannia Pierrots in , attendance. There will be a dance at the Point Chevalier Sailing Club's pavilion thir j evening.

DOWN. 2—This may be taken in on a sailing vessel, but is to be avoided in the sea. 3—Herein the bees. 4—Disease. s—Flower. 6—l tell you she rode naked, it's said, through Coventry (hidden). 7—River of Asia. B—A container of documents. 12—Failing. 13—Settlement. 14—State. 15—Tree. 16—Fish. 17—Slight. 25—To be seen on a new penny. 26—T001. 30—Fashion. . 31—The captain of "The Golden Hind." 32—A furtive touch. 34—Spawn of oyster. 35—Mediterranean naval station. SOLUTION OF WEDNESDAY'S PROBLEM. ACROSS.—Epicure, Erasmus, Peru, Hards, Tune, Item, Orial, Oswa, Sujaj, Nav, Eniec, Tree, Tc!!m, Eclo, La, 8.T.1, La, Pang, Loop, Possum, Toucan, &lee, Teth, Ap, Pri, Se, Room, Moans, Pact, Megan, Shn, Armks, Isle, Stmis, Opus, Tiev, Mesne, Elly, Eerifer, Gnimees. DOWN.—Epistle, Petura, Irene, Cumae, Rho, Earner, Edavni, R.S.L., Stone, Music, Unwell, Scacoal, Rialto, Anser, Rouen, Pos, Ail, Gue, Lot, Oct. Pah, Maimete, Brahms, Mctssys, Poesie, Poster, Innihig, Schule, Ogler, Mneve, Proem, Ample, 5.M.1., Sen. (?)