AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 202, 27 August 1931, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE.

The story of a cabaret girl who is in' love with, a young musician,- but is persuaded by her father into marrying a wealthy officer, is unfolded in the musical romance, "Viennese Nights," which opens a season at the St. James' Theatre to-morrow. The young man, disillusioned, goes to -America to become a famous conductor. There he writes a beautiful song in dedication to her, and it is this song that, 50 years later, brings about the happy union of their grandchildren. Sigmund Romberg and Oscar Hammerstein, famous collaborators of "Rose Marie" and "The Desert Song," wrote the musical score for this production, which is entirely in technicolour. Vivienne Segal, talented operatic star, is the heroine, Walter Pidgoen appears as the officer, and Alexander Gray as the musician. Jean Hersholt plays the part of the girl's father, a rascally merchant, while Bert Roach and Louise Fazenda provide some excellent comedy. The score includes several entrancing songs. "Three Faces East," a spy drama, starring Constance Bennett and Eric von Stroheim, will close its season this evening.

REGENT THEATRE. The part of an Austrian woman spy is played by Marlene Dietrich, brilliant star of "Morocco," in the secret service drama, "Dishonoured," which will be the attraction at the Regent Theatre tomorrow. Victor McLaglen appears as her lover and rival, a Russian lieutenant. In the course of her activities she discovers that he is hand in glove with a traitorous Austrian general. She is later sent to Russia to obtain certain papers, and gains her object by cleverly disguising herself as a servant girl. She is discovered by the young lieutenant, but escapes, and later finds him among some prisoners who have been captured after an Austrian victory. The manner in which she saves his life at the risk of her own provides a dramatic climax. The cast is further strengthened by the inclusion of Lew Cody, Warner Oland and Gustav von Seyffertitz. "Tom Sawyer," a film version of Mark Twain's story of American boyhood, will have its final screening this evening. Jackie Coogan, Mitzi Green and Junior Durkin head the cast.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. An hilarious British Army comedy, "Old Soldiers Never Die," will head tomorrow's programme at the Majestic Theatre, with Leslie Fuller, popular London comedian, in the leading role. He is inimitable as an irresponsible Cockney private, while Max Nesbitt, as his Jewish pal, and Alt Goddard, a,s the hardbitten sergeant, also contribute to the fun. His escapades include innumerable clashes with the sergeant, his misdemeanours at drill, his contributions to the battalion concert,.his posturing as an imperfect lady, and his final triumph over/his ancient enemy. Elissa Landi, noted English actress, plays the dual role of a society criminal and of an out-of-work chorus girl in "Children of Chance," a drama of the London underworld, which will also be shown. Mabel Poultoy, John Stuart and John Longden ait; in the cast. "River's End," a drama of the Canadian Mounted Police, will close its season this evening. Charles Bickfprd and Evelyn Knapp head the cast. "V

ROXY THEATRE. Buck Jones scores another success in the Western etory, "The Fighting Sheriff ," which head's the current programme at the Roxy Theatre. Running through this romance of the outdoors is a love affair which' is not without clouds, for the villain has made the heroine believe that the hero has killed her brother unjustly, when the truth of the matter is that he has killed an outlaw. 'The hero, however, inspired by unselfish motives, does not want to tell her the facts, .although he could clear himself. After many thrilling episodes, in which the dauntless sheriff outwits his enemies,, his sweetheart learns the true facts of the case, and all ends happily. Loretta Sayers, Robert Ellis and Harlan Knight are in the supporting cast. The adventures of ■ a one-horse show party who undertake to provide a fashionable country .hostel with "Wild West" characters are hilariously portrayed in "Dude Ranch," which is also being shown. Ja,ck Oakie, Stuart Erwin, Eugene Pallette, Mitzi Green and June Collyer are the principals. •

NATIONAL THEATRE. George Bancroft and William Boyd, who have gained wide popularity through their portrayal of virile roles, appear, as rival marine officers in the sensational drama o£. the sea, "Derelict," which has its premiere at the National Theatre tomorrow. Both men are in\love with the same girl' (Jessie Landis) and when they are; later assigned to a south-bound liner, the commander (Bancroft) discovers that his rival has smuggled the heroine .on board. A collision With another ship follows, the captain loses his command, and secures work on a freighter. His rival, dow in charge of the liner, runs into a tropical storm, and the; story reaches A climax" as the former captain, taking command of i the tramp steamer, 'races to the.rescue of the.stricken ship,! "Dirigible," a spectacular drama of aerial exploration in the Antarctic, is the present feature at the National Theatre. Jack Holt,: Ralph Graves, and Pay Wray head the cast.

LYRIC'THEATRE. I ftrorma Shearer and Marie Dressier, two of the screen's most popular actresses, appear together in the .sparkling society,..c6medy, -"Let Us Be. Gay," which*is screening at the Lyric, Theatre. Miss Shearer plays the part of a dowdy wife who divorces her husband (Rod La Rocque) and becomes a fascinating woman of the world. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. ! "Min and Bill," a drama ofi San Francisco waterfront, is the 1 main feature at the Crystal Palace Theatre, with Marie Dressier and Wallace Beery in the leading roles. "The Spy," a drama of modern starring Neil Hamilton and Kay Johnson, is also being shown.

ADELPHI THEATRE. " "Hell's Angels," a spectacular drama of ißritish,,aviators in the Great War, featuring Ben Lyon, James Hall and Jean Harlow, is the present attraction at the Adelphi Theatre. EMPRESS THEATRE. "Lover Come Back,", a society drama with Jack Mulhall, Constance Cummings and Betty Bronson, and "The Lightning Flyer," a railroad story, featuring James Hall, are showing at the Empress Theatre. HOSPITAL CONCERT. A very enjoyable concert arranged by Mrs. Baeburri and Mr: A. Hamblin, was given in Ward 12 at the Auckland Hospital on Wednesday. The programme consisted of songs, duets, monologues and fancy dancing, those taking part were: Mrs. Bart Clark, Misses M. Higgins, N". Marriage, Hawthorn, Messrs. I Hawke, G. Laird, R, Dunsmuir, A. Gee, i Miss Avis Arthur and Miss Higgins. '

CIVIC THEATRE. i "Never the Twain Shall Meet," the screen version of Peter B. Kyne's story of the magic lure of the South Seas, will have its premiere at the Civic Theatre to-morrow. Leslie Howard, who appeared as the young dissolute in "Outward Bound," scores another success as a wealthy shipowner's son, who grows dissatisfied with the cold aloofness of his beautiful fiancee. Conchita Montenegro, a new Spanish actress, plays the part of a Polynesian girl whose wild charm draws him after her to the South Seas. His father makes a frantic attempt to break off the match, but the young man, falling into the easy-going native way of living, loses his selfrespect as a. European. The arrival of his fiancee to claim his love gives rise to a dramatic climax, in which he has to chose between the ways of the East and those of the West. Joan Standing, Hale Hamilton and Clyde Cook are in the supporting cast. The part of a society girl who marries an adventurer is played by Elissa Landi in "Always Good-bye," now screening at the Civic Theatre. Lewis Stone and Paul Cavanagh fill the male leads. STRAND THEATRE. As two American marines, Victor McLaglen and Edmund Lowe, the inimitable duo of "What Price Glory," continue their rowdy way round the world in "Women of All Nations," which will be shown at the Strand Theatre tomorrow. Their wordy and fistic battles, which are an essential part of their rivalry for the favours of the fair sex, provide some excellent comedy. Particularly funny is the scene in which they invade a harem, and are forced to make an undignified escape on account of the unexpected arrival of the Arabian Prince. Greta Nissen, Fifi Dorsay, Marjorie White, and Bela Lugosi are also in the cast. Winnie Lightner, popular comedienne, appears as a cabaret girl who persuades her sweetheart, an underworld leader, to leave the "racket" in "She Couldn't Say No," which will be screened for the last time this evening. Chester Morris is the hero.

PLAZA THEATRE. Robert Woolsey, who will be remembered for his excellent comedy work in "Cracked Nuts" and "Half Shot at Sunrise," plays the part of an adventurous showman in the comedy-drama "Everything's Rosie," which will be the main attraction at the Plaza Theatre tomorrow. The story, which has the sawdust rings and tents of a great circus as a picturesque background, concerns a showman and his foster daughter, whom he had rescued from the slums when she was a baby. He is devoted to her, and his discovery that she is in love with a wealthy young man in a town they visit, a;nd that she wishes to leave him and marry, comes as a severe blow to him. So, with his old horse, his fortune-telling outfit and a stout heart, Woolsey continues on his lonely but adventurous way. The comedian's light touch never fails, and the film sparkles continually with his clever sayings and witty subterfuges. Anita Louise is charming as his fosterdaughter, and the cast also includes John Darrow and Florence Roberts. "White Shoulders," a powerful drama of modern matrimony, will have its final screening this evening. Jack Holt, Mary Astor and Ricardo Cortez are the principals. %■ CROATIAN VIOLINIST'S RECITAL.

Zlatko Balokovic, the talented young Croatian violinist, who won great fav° our with Aucklanders at his opening recital on Tuesday, will give a second concert this evening. The final programme will be presented on Saturday. An excellent programme has been chosen for this evening. It will include the allegro, andante cantabile and rondo of Mozart's Concento in D Major, the Sonata in C Minor, Opus 45, of Grieg, Chopin's Nocturne in D Major, "Danse Espagnol" (De Falla-Kreisler), "La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin," by Debussy, and <f La Ronde des Lutins," of Bazzini.