AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 127, 1 June 1931, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

PLAZA THEATRE. "Cimarron," the film version of Edna Ferber's story of the Oklahoma land rush in April, ISSO, now screening at the Plaza Theatre, has lost none of its vigorous quality in its transference to the talking screen. Described by one critic as the most stupendous film made, it is a vivid narrative -which catches successfully the essential spirit of the novel. Richard Dix, whose former light comedy roles have never called upon his undoubted dramatic talent, makes a forceful character of the picturesque attorneyeditor, Yancey Cravat, who swears to reveal in the first edition of his paper the murderer of an editor of the notorious "mushroom" town of Osage. As the refined Sabra Cravat, who at first finds it difficult to reconcile herself to the ruthless but just methods employed by her husband to maintain his editorial dictatorship, Miss Irene Dunne brings to a difficult role a genuine sincerity and depth of feeling. Perhaps the "most astounding scene of the production is the filming of the Oklahoma land rush, in which, at a pistol signal, the nondescript thousands pelt forward on foot, on horse-back and in horse-drawn vehicles, eager to stake their claims. Thirty-five cameras were used to film the scene, in which 5000 '"extras" and 3000 head of live stock appear. Much of the success of the story is due to the finely-drawn character sketches of the various types found among the pioneers. They are portrayed by a" talented cast of 30 players.

"THE FIRST MRS. FRASER." There was a heavy demand for seats ■when the box plans opened this morning for the approaching season of the London comedy success, "The First Mrs. Fraser," -which is to be staged by J. "C. Williamson's English comedy company at His Majesty's Theatre on Wednesday evening. The company, which is headed by Miss Ethel Morrison, New Zealand actress, arrived at Auckland by the Monowai this morning. The plot of "The First Mrs. Fraser" is intensely interesting from the rise to the fall of the curtain. James Fraser (J. B. Rowe), in the summer of middle age, has left his wife Janet (Ethel Morrison) and emerged with a second Mrs. Fraser (Mary Macgregor), aged 19. The play picks up the action five years later, when James, a sadder and a wiser man, longs to be rid of his Elsie, who has long since intimated that she had only married for wealth and a possible title, and seeks counsel of the first Mrs. Fraser. Throughout "The First Mrs. Fraser" is refreshingly original, and it has been acclaimed one of the best, if not the best, comedy-drama the English-speaking stage has produced for many years. Only six nights can be allocated to "The First Mrs. Fraser" and it will be followed by five productions of Rachael Crothers' "Let Us Be Gay" and five of Xoel Coward's '.'Hay Fever," both of which proved outstanding successes in Sydney and Melbourne.

MISCHA LEVITZKFS VISIT. "It was no surprise to find a large audience waiting to hear Mischa Levitzki's second recital in the Town Hall last night after his brilliant triumph of Saturday. So brilliant an artist readily fills the largest city hall. His quality as a virtuoso, his renown in artistic centres, the attractive appeal of his touch, his choice programmes, his generous supply of encores and the joyous excitement of his audiences all help to perpetuate the fame and popularity in which he lives," so wrote the musical critic of the "Melbourne Age" recently. Among the chief items at Levitzki's first concert in Auckland next Thursday will be the Tausig transcription of Bach's massive "Organ Toccato" and "Fugue in 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 initial programme will also include a Chopin group, comprising "Nocturne in F Sharp," the "Butterfly'' and "Black Keys," Etudes' "Waltz Op. 64, Xo. 3" and the "Scherzo in C Sharp Minor," "Jeux d'Eau (Ravel), "Waltz in A Major" (Mischa Levitzki) and Liszt's "Hungarian Rhapsody Xo. 0." Mr. E. J. Gravestock announces that day sales will commence to-morrow at Lewi's Eadys, Limited.

MUNICIPAL BAND. There was a good attendance at the conceit given in the Town Hall, on Saturday evening by the Municipal Band. It was given a splendid reception, and its programme was well up to standard. Mendelssohn's "FingaFs Cave" was the most popular selection, and the band essayed a new piece in Korsakov's "Scheherazada," which was well received. A selection from Sullivan, a ballet piece and a march were also played. A fox trot, ''Sweet Jennie Lee,"' was given by request. In the vocal section of the programme Miss Gladys Barton received hearty applause for two solos, ''One Fine Day" and "Ring, Bells, Ring." Encores were demanded of Mr. Leslie Belcher, who sang, "I Heard You Singing" and "The Spar.'' Mr. Fred Bowes played a cornet solo, Mr. H. C. McLennan a flute solo, and Mi'. P. W. Fastoe a clarinet solo.