AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 259, 2 November 1931, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

PLAZA THEATRE.

A powerful drama of the eea, "Fift; : ' Fathoms Deep," heads the current programme at the Plaza Theatre. Jack Holt plays the part of a deep-sea diver who falls in love with an adventuress, and finds that she is the wife of his young friend, whose life he had previously, saved. The friends quarrel, and are later called away to salvage a millionaire's yacht which had foundered in a storm. While on the ocean floor the hero is caught between two iroi girders ion the wreck, and his young friend descends, rescuing him in sensa- v tional circumstances. Richard Cromwell and Loretta Sayers appear in support. The picture is notable for some excellent "shots" of underwater action. "Arizona," the supporting attraction, is an outdoor story concerning a prominent army football player (John Wapie), the affection of two sisters, later j incurring the resentment of the elder one Laura La Plante and June Clyde fill the two feminine leads. "A GREEK SLAVE." Staged for the first time in Auckland, "A Greek Slave," a lavish musical extravaganza of Rome under the Flavian emperors, will be presented 'by the-Auck-,land Amateur Operatic Society at His Majesty's Theatre for a season commencing next Thursday. The production abounds in- humorous situations, while other features are the ballets, the choral singing, and the. stage effects, including the picturesque Saturnalia'n revels and the dance of the gladiators. The song "Freedom," sung ty the popular baritone J. E. Snell/is an' outstanding item., The cast include? many other well-known artists. Mr. Theo. Tresize is producer and Mr. Colin Muston, musical director.

MUNICIPAL BAND. The Auckland Municipal Band, under the baton of Mr. G. Buckley, played to an appreciative audience at the Town Hall last night. Mendelssohn's "Songe Without Words,"-Berlioz's "Faust," and Rossini's "Tancredi" were the principal items played. There were s-lso selections from compositions by Ve"rcli, Liezt, Warner and Delibes, and, solos by Mr. F. Bowes, cometist, and Mr. H. C. McLennan, flautist; ■ The band played at the Zoological' Park in the afternoon..

'. FIREWORKS DISPLAY. A display of fireworks oil a large scale is a very popular attraction, and appeals not only to the juvenile elemen-t, but also to those, of , older generations. The Imperial Fireworks Display Company will give a varied programme of pyrotechnical novelties on Carlaw Park next Thursday evening, when, given, fine weather, a large crowd may be expected to assemble. ■ Many set pieces, Visibleonly to those within the park, will alternate with a liberal supply of aerial shots, including mammoth rockets and giant shells. Prior to the display the Ponsonby Boys' Band will render a series of selections. ; •

BRITISH-ISRAEL LECTURE. Mr. D. D. luce will give an addre-*, "The Promises of God to Abraham and David and. Their Fulfilmi nt,' J in the concert chamber to-night, under the auspices of the British-Isravl Federation of Xew Zealand. LECTURE ON THE PHARAOHS. Mr. E. Headlam Greenhow's lecture on the "Passing of the Pharaohs" at the Town Hall concert chamber last eveningattracted a large audience, which was fascinated with the lecturer's exposition of the ancient Egyptian views ' on immortality. By means of rcmarkab'e "close-up"' photographs of the rocl:paintings in the tombs, mummies in various stages of preparation, and objects of art deposited in the tombchambers, a clear explanation was given of the famous "Book of the Dead." Next Sunday's subject will be "Monte Carlo and the French Riviera."

NEW ELLERSLIE DANCE HALL,

A very successful opening dance- wa.< held at the Panorama Hall, Ferndcll Road, Ellerslie, on Saturday evening. Reid's Columbians were pin attendance. A carnival dance will.be held on Guy Fawke's night (Thursday) in conjunction with a fireworks display.