AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 129, 3 June 1931, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

MISCHA LEVITZKI.

FIRST RECITAL TO-MORROW.

One of the outstanding events of the Auckland musical season is the visit of Mischa Levitzki, the famous pianist, who will commence his New Zealand iour in thc Town Hall to-morrow night, under the direction of Mr. E. J. Gravestock. Levitzki returns to New Zealand after an absence of ten yeaio, during which time he has enjoyed wonderful success in Europe and America, and to-day is counted among the few really great pianists. According io the Australian critics his powers to thrill large audiences is amazing, and enthusiasm has run so high at his concerts that the programmes have been greatly extended. The programme chosen for his recital to-morrow night includes the "Toccata and Fugue" in U Minor (Bach-Tausig), a melody from "Orpheus" (GluekSgambati), the "Appassionata" Sonata (Beethoven), a group of popular Chopin pieces, "Jcux d'eau" (Ravel), "Waltz in A Minor Op. 2" (Ravel), "Waltz in A Minor" (Levitzki), and Liszt's "Hungarian Rhapsody, No. 6." Recitals will also be given on Saturday and Tuesday next. Levitzki will appear in Hamilton on Thursday, June 11. "ABRAHAM LINCOLN." "Abraham Lincoln," the film epic of the famous American statesman, will open a season at the Regent Theatre on Friday. Produced by D. W. Griffith, the famous director of "The Birth of a Nation" and "Way Down East," the picture reveals Lincoln as a young storekeeper fighting his way with the rough element of the wilderness as a romantic lover, a student, a struggling lawyer, a hard-hitting politician and a more or less heckled husband before developing into the national leader, whose patience, keen humour and genius were equal to every demand. His courtship of Ann Rutledge, her subsequent death, his jilting of Mary Todd and their ultimate marriage are incidents of thc man's life, around which a powerful human story has been woven. Stirring episodes from the American Civil War have been graphically portrayed. Walter Huston, noted etage actor, givee a brilliant portrayal in the title role, and ie supported by Hobart Bosworth, Una Merkel and Kay Hammond. The talented Ruth Chatterton plays the dual role of a mother and her daughter in the compelling drama "The Eight to Love," which will close a season at the Regent Theatre to-morrow. Paul Lukas and David Manners are in the supporting cast. The film is remarkable for the excellence of its sound recording.

PLAZA THEATRE. "Cimarron," the film epic of Edna Ferber's story of empire-building in the Middle Western States will conclude its season at the Plaza Theatre to-morrow. Perhaps the film's great success may be attributed to the fact that, apart from the .spectacular crowd scenes, 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 of the picturesque attorneyeditor. Irene Dunne plays the part of Sabra Cravat with a poise and detachment which make a living character of the pioneer's valiant wife. Walter Huston, celebrated character actor, and Phillips Holmes head a talented cast in

"The Criminal Code," which has its premiere at the Plaza Theatre on Friday. Revealing the story of a youth who is made the victim of a cruel fate, the film is a superbly acted drama of prison life, which depicts the honors endured by convicts and culminates in a terrific prison riot that grips the onlookers with its dramatic power.

NATIONAL THEATRE. "Tol'able David," the film version of Joseph Hergesheimer's famous story of the picturesque mountain folk of West Virginia, will head the new programme at the National Theatre on Friday. As a silent picture, with Richard Barthelmese in the title role, "Tol'able David" was an outstanding success, and the new | version, starring Richard Cromwell, a brilliant juvenile player, has been hailed as an even liner production. The story concerns the Kincmon family, whose eldest son is maimed for life by a group of ruffians. The head of the family succumbs to heart failure- just ae he is | about to avenge his son, and there is 1 left only "Tol'able David," the adolescent son of the house of Kincmon, to pay the family's debt of honour. The story is further involved by the fact that David is in love with Esther, a relative of the family that has" caused so much tragedy in his family. Joan Peers and Noah Beery are :'.i the supporting cast. "City Lights," Charles Chaplin's record-break-ing romantic comedy, has its final screening at thc National Theatre to-morrow. Three characters, a tramp, a blind flower girl, and a millionaire, fill the leading roles in this story of a city's teeming millions. TIVOLI AND RIALTO. An amusing story of two piano manufacturers M'hose business is imperilled through an acute shortage of ivory, is unfolded in "T.he Cohens and Kellys in Africa," which is now screening at the Tivoli and Rialto Theatres. Cohen and Kelly (George Sidney and Charles Murray) are persuaded by a pseudoexplorer to embark on a trip to the wilds of Africa, where their strange adventures cause unrestrained laughter. One of the most amusing incidents is the discovery of a miniature golf course where Cohen, for winning a match against a native professional, ie awarded a large quantity of ivory. EMPRESS THEATRE. "Beau Ideal," the thrilling sequel to "Beau Geste," is the main attraction at the Empress Theatre. Ralph Forbes plays the part of John Gestc, who is sentenced to hard labour in the Foreign Legion 'penal battalion, and Lester Vail is seen as the young American who sets out to rescue him. Lorctta Young and Leni Stengal fill the leading feminine roles.

"THE FIRST MRS. FRASER." "The First Mrs. Fraser," St. John Ervine's brilliant matrimonial comedy, has its first New Zealand presentation at His Majesty's Theatre this evening, under the direction of J. C. Williamson, Ltd. Miss Ethel Morrison, a New Zealand actress, will appear with a company of noted performers. She has the title role, and her reappearance in Melbourne after several suecesees in England and America created great enthusiasm. Others in the cast are well known in Auckland. Mr. J. B. Rowc was leading man with Miss Irene Vanbrugh. An Australian actress, Miss Mary MacGregor, toured the Dominion as leading lady with the Maurice Moscovitch Company. Mr. Leslie Victor, who plays the role of Philip Logan, was well received in Australia, and," as the two sons, Mr. Roger Barry and Mr. John Wood have won considerable commendation. Miss Noel Boyd and Miss Eileen Morris are others in the cast. The dialogue in "The First Mrs. Fraser" is said to be particularly polished, and much attention has been paid to dramatic detail. The production will be staged under the personal supervision of Mr. G. D. Parker. Box plans are open at the theatre, and day sales are available at the confectionery kiosk. J DOMINION ROAD CONCERT. A concert in aid of the Dominion Road Methodist Church choir funds was held in the Dominion Road Centenary Hall last evening. Vocal items by Miss Phyllis Hazell, and Messrs. H. S. Reynolds and J. H. Pawsey, with accompaniments by Miss 0. Garland, occupied the first part of the programme, the balance being devoted to the pantomime "Cinderella," presented by Mrs. G. W. Bagrie's "Sunbeams," the children all performing creditably. Miss Nola Casell artistically supplied the incidental music, and the stage arrangements and lighting effects were in charge of Mr. H. Brooke. The Rev. R. B Tinslcy presided and at the conclusion of the entertainment Miss Ray Tinslpy presented Mrs. Bagrie with a floral bouquet. PAPATOETOE LITERARY SOCIETY. The Papatoetoe Literary, Debating and Dramatic Society opened its thirtythird session by a performance in the Papatoetoe Town Hall last evening of lan Hay's play "The Happy Ending." It was produced in character by Mr. C. J. Mahon, president of the society. The cast consisted of Mr. Mervyn French (Denis Cradoc-k), Mr. Norman Hicks (Harold Bagby), Miss Margaret McFarland (Simmonds), Miss Doreen de Atli (Joan Cradock), Mr. E. H. Burton (Sir Anthony Fenwiek), Miss Joyce Knight (Molly Cradock), Miss Lulu Hunter (Mildred Cradock), Miss Mabel Bryant (Laura Meakin), Mr. William McFarland (Dale Conway), Mr. Percy French (Mr. Moon), Mr. Shirley Snelling (Sir Thomas Mobberley); Miss Dulcie Grinter (Lady Mobberley), Miss M. McFarland (Phyllis Harding). There was an attendance of 200. The performance was given in aid of the funds of the local benevolent society. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. A compelling drama of an English nobleman, whose marriage is wrecked through a misunderstanding, is portrayed in "Ex-Flame," a modernised film version of "East Lynne," now screening at the Crystal Palace Theatre. Neil Hamilton and Marion Nixon are the principal players. "To-day," starring Conrad Nagel and Katherine Dale Owen, is also being shown. DANCING. A King's Birthday carnival dance will be held at the Dixieland Cabaret this evening. Music will be played by Neilsen's Band.

There will be a holiday festival at the Peter Pan Cabaret this evening. Novelties will be a feature of the dance.

Romano's Dance Club will hold a carnival dance this evening, with Jack Eowe's orchestra in attendance.

A holiday evening will be held by the Balmoral Cabaret in the Zealandia Hall this evening. There will be many novelties.

The Bon Ton Dance Club will hold a carnival at Royal Oak this evening. D. Hay's Vagabonds will play the music.

There will be an old--time dance at the Click Clack Cabaret this evening. Morrow's Orchestra will be in attendance.

The Ventura Dance Club will give a holiday dance at the Scots Hall this evening. Music will be played by T. Eadv's Band.

An old-time dance will be held at the Druid's Hall this evening. There will be many novelties.

The Parisian Dance Chib will hold a dance at its ct.udio this evening.