AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 282, 28 November 1931, Page 18

AMUSEMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE. For an hour and a quarter, the audience at the Regent Theatre last evening clung to their seats in a state of awe. Periodically a picture is produced in "which there are scenes that hold everyone in suspense, but nothing like ''East of Borneo" has comc to tlie screen in Auckland. There is something so entirely different about "East of Borneo" which lifts it far out of the ordinary, channels of film stories and puts it on a plane by itself. From the very moment the picture starts there is acute; danger of Some *ort, sometimes from human beings, but' mostly from dreaded wild animals, and the scenes which are unfolded in a wild Asiatic country present gorillas, lions, tigers, crocodiles, and other man-eaters. Most of the wild animal scenes are authentic and thrilling enough to satisfy anyone, but for good measure the producers present as a climax an amazing eruption of a volcano,- the flowing lava wrecking everything it encounters. The story begins when the -heroine (Rose Hobart) goes to a remote principality oast of Borneo in search of her husband who, suspecting her of infidelity, had deserted her and gone to Asia to forget. When the wife discovers her husband, he is physician to the ruling prince. The husband ignores her, but not so the Prince, who is fascinated by her beauty. Though indifferent to his wife, the husband realises tlie danger she is in and efforts are made to effect her escape, but these are frustrated by the natives. The prince decides that both husband and wife shall die, but he makes a proposition to the woman which, if accepted, will allow the husband to escape. The wife leads the prince to believe she will agree to his terms and a dinner is arranged, and at the dinner she shoots him, but not fatally. The husband can save the life of the prince by extracting the bullet, but will not perform the operation unless he and his wife are allowed to leave the country. The l>romise is given and the operation has just been performed when the volcano erupts, and the whole city is wrecked, the hero and heroine alone escaping. Excellent supports include a Universal newsreel, "Oswald, the Lucky Rabbit," a delightfully humorous comedy with Slim Summerville, and a further contribution of the "Strange As It Seems" series. Selections on the organ by Paul Cullen, together with selections by the Mezzanine Trio on tlie stage, complete an excellent entertainment. « LONDON THEATRE. ™ lie all-British production "Old. English'* is now screening at the London Theatre, and features George Arliss in the leading role. He, has been described as v "the first gentleman-, of the screen," and those who ,saw him in , either "Disraeli" or "The Green Goddess," will nofearaai to .miss- him in. this.He takes the-f-part of an old ship owner, who, to assart his grandchildren ' financially, enters into a deal for the purchase of some-ships, provided the owner gives him. a 10 per cent commission. He unknowingly > antagonises '* one ' '.of " the" directors (a lawyer), who makes an attempt to blackmail him. Arliss brings some very mature-acting into this part, ; and-the result is altogether pleasing. RIALTO THEATRE., ; Charlotte Greenwood and Reginald' Denny are starred' in "Stepping Out," an hilarious - comedy which is now- showing, at the Rialto Theatre. The tale' is of two wives who surprise their husbands luncheoning with two pretty girls* Having discovered that they have transferred all their property over to them (the wives) for business reasons, the pair intend to give their husbands a lesson, and go for a spree round the world. The husbands follow them, and the incidents ensuing provide bright entertainment. TIVOLI THEATRE. The musical operetta, "Viennese Nights/ 9 . starring Vivienne Segal and Alexander Gray, which captured the hearts of the Auckland theatre-going public, Is now screening at the Tivoli Theatre. It is the story of a pretty Viennese , girl who is persuaded into a marriage'with a wealthy soldier, whom she does not love. Her affections are given--to a poor poet and musician. • There is an-excellent supporting programme. CRYSTAL PALACE. The; double-feature programme at the Crystal Palace to-night will be "The Prodigal" and "The Public Defender." The first is a musical romance, starring Lawrence Tibbett, who sings some very attractive songs entitled "Life is a Dream," "Without a Song," and others. "The Public Defender" is a mystery story, featuring Richard Dix. There is also: a very amusing Dogville cartoon called "Two Bark Bros." TUDOR THEATRE. There is a very fine programme now showing. at the Tudor Theatre. It includes a comedy of modern youth, "Dance, Fools, Dance," starring Joan Crawford, a Laurel and Hardy comedy, "Our Wife," "The Golden Stairs," colourtone revue, Harry Langdon comedy, a Metrotone news, • and a film of the Schneider Cup race. BRITANNIA THEATRE. At the Britannia Theatre two fine films will bo screened to-night, the first being entitled "Simba," a thrilling jungle tale, and the second, "A Holy Tenor," with George O'Brien.: It is a Western drama, in which there is a .particularly thrilling scene-"—the liero, to escape his pursuers, jumping on his horse from one side of a ravine to the other. The supporting programme is very good; GREY LYNN CINEMA. Reginald Denny and Kay Johnson are tie stars in "Madam Satan," a fine society drama, in which the destruction of an airship is the most attractive and thrilling features, now showing - at the Grey Lynn Cinema. DELTA THEATRE. \ . .. 1 The Delta Theatre will screen "Dishonoured," an exciting story of a woman spy in Russia, starring Marlene Dietrich and Victor McLaglen, to-night and on Monday. GAIETY THEATRE. "The Sport of Kings," starring Leslie Henson, is a racing comedy incorporating considerable entertainment, now .screening at the Gaiety Theatre, Takapuna. PICTUREDROME. The Pieturedrome shows "Present Arms" to-night, a musical comedy of American marines in the South * Sea Islands. WEST END THEATRE. Jack Holt and Loretla Sayers can be seen in "Fifty, Fathoms Deep," a tale of the mariiie underworld, at the West End Theatre to-night. The other attraction is. "Arizona," a Western tale, starring Laura fLa. Plante and John Wayne. . ' -' >/ NEW DE LUXE. "Don't// Bet on Women," a comedy, starring? .Jeanette Mac Donald and Edmund "Lowe, and "Fair Warning," a society drama, starring 'icorgu O'Brien, comprke the donbjc feature programme at the 2\"ew De L u Theatre to-night.

CIVIC THEATRE. "The Lawyer's Secret/' this week's feature of the.Givic programmers good entertainment. It contains strong human interest, excellent acting and a satisfactory ending. "Olive" Brook in the leading role plays his part in finished and pleasing style, .the' conflict in the lawyer's mind between his. love for the heroine and his duty to his client,' her brother, being forcefully ' and sympathetically done. Charles Rogers makes the most of the role •qf the weakling brother of the heroine, and..other players who do good work are Richard Arleny,Fay,Wray and Jean Arthur. The heroine's brother buys a revolver from a sailor in a waterfront gambling den. The sailor has been "cleaned out" and when the owner of the dive is murdered by an underworld character, tlie sailor is arrested and found guilty, when the gun is traced to him. ; The weakling brother, implicated as well, since he had participated in the hold-up to regain money of whicfy, he had been swindled, tells the lawyer, who is his sister's betrothed, the truth.- Torn between his love for the sister of the guilty man and his unwillingness to see a innocent man suffer, the lawyer is forbidden by the legal code to reveal the confidential communication of his client. The sailor's sweetheart appeals to him to defend the case, but he declines though he joins her in a ruse by which the real killer is trapped and the truth forced from him on the eve of the sailor's execution. The weakling brother is conduced to confess his part in the affair and receives a sentence for manslaughter. Although a murder story with the familiar underworld angle, the play glorifies neither crime nor criminals, and the interest of , the audience, gripped from the start, is not relaxed up to the closing scenes. The supporting programme is an excellent one and .includes some news reels of exceptional interest.

PLAZA THEATRE. There were two very entertaining films screened at the Plaza Theatre last night, one entitled "Hello, Sister," and the other, of quite a different type, called "Tlie Brat." The former is a brilliant story, recording faithfully the hectic life in which a section of modern youth in America loves to indulge. It would cast into the limbo of the past all c6nvcntions and moral platitudes that at all hamper that ungoverned freedom for which its spirit craves. The story revolves around the escapades of a society girl, who. is ■ made - to, think - far more deeply than she has ever thought before when her .grandfather .dies. and leaves :her a fortune'contingent upbhJher living for 'six months in a sane and balanced manner, without late hours, rouge, etc., and attending church and taking part in the activities of the congregation. .-.The girl, attempts- what appears to her an, almost" impossible task, but: she has hot more than begun when she falls in .love with a-young man. Many of the scenes are'very fine, notably where' Olive Borden, -who plays the female lead, rides in "a steeplechase to a •"thrilling'' climax. Lloyd "Hughes' ■ plays opposite her. "The Brat" is a good story, and deals with a pretty- girl waif who is ' befriended by an author, and taken into the home of his people; His young -brother, falls in love, with-her, and for a times,'there is a misunderstanding as to which of the two she loves, but this is,-solved in a satisfactory manner and the tale' ends well. : Sally O'Neil and Alan Dinehart are the stars.

STRAND, ONEHUNGA. ' Aii Edgar Wallace thriller, "The Secret I Six," starring Wallace Beery, is now screening at the Strand Theatre, Onehunga. It is a story of an organised band of citizens who fight a Chicago underworld gang. CAPITOL THEATRE. At the Capitol Theatre there is now showing "Just Imagine," a comedy starring El Brendel, inimitable screen humorist. There are some excellent specially selected supports. KINGSLAND TALKIES. There is how a double feature programme showing at the Kingsland Talkies, the main attraction being "Annabelle's Affairs," a society drama, starring Jeanette Mac Donald and Victor McLaglen. The other is "No Limit," starring Clara Bow, the tale dealing with an usherette (heroine) who suddenly .finds herself the proprietor of a gambling ■hall in New York. ADELPHI THEATRE. "Annabelle's Affairs," a very entertaining society drama, starring Jeanette Mac Donald and Victor McLaglen, and "Social Errors," a comedy of life on. a Western ranch, with Leon Errol in the male lead, are now showing at the Adelphi Theatre. ALEXANDRA THEATRE. Reginald Denny and Charlotte Greenwood can be seen in "Stepping Out," a good comedy, at the Alexandra Theatre to-night. There is also another good attraction in "Fifty Fathoms Deep," a tale of the marine underworld, starring Jack Holt. AVONDALE TOWN HALL. "Dirigible," that fine story of the air recently screened at the Regent Theatre, is now showing at the Avondale Town :Hall (Hayward's). The film is Frank Capra's aviation epic, and the tale deals with the rivalry between aeroplane and dirigible for exploration in the Arctic. It stars Jack Holt, Ralph Graves and Fay Wray, ST. CUTHBERT'S OLD GIRLS. The St. Cuthbert's Old Girls Association will present ; the amusing comedy, "Paddy, the Next Best Thing," in the concert chamber of the Town Hall for two nights, December 11 and 12. All proceeds will be donated ,to the City Mission Christmas Cheer fund. . SUNDAY CONCERT. The Devon port Municipal Band and leading Auckland entertainers, including Paul T. Cullen, will, give a Sunday night concert at the. Civic' Theatre to-morrow. Mr. Cullen, who is termed *the singing organist, will render popular numbers from 7.45 to 8 p.m. This concert, winch has been organised by the Civic Unemployment Fund Committee, is for the purpose of providing funds to purchase boots and. clothing for men in relief camps. ORGAN RECITAL. There will be an organ recital in the Town Hall to-morrow afternoon, at which Mr. Mauglian Barnett will play ■works by Guilmant, Vierne and Bach, a vesper liymn arranged for organ and bells, Chopin's Nocturne in E Flat, and Rubinstein's "Toreador et Andalouse." LITTLE THEATRE SOCIETY. The next production by the -Little Theatre Society in Auckland will be "The Case of Lady Camber;" the-popular and gripping play by Horace Vaehell. Gaston Mervale, who will head an excellent cast, will be presenting to the Auckland public his first, play.iproduced here. This play Contains a very natural plot; and is remarkable for the fact that not one incident occurring in it has-or could not have happened in any ordinary household. It will run for a season of four nights in the Town Hall concert chamber, commencing on December .2.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. There is real human interest in the telling film "Skyline,"' which forms the* main attraction at the Majestic, for the week. The story, "East Side, West Side," from which the drama has .been taken, gives fine scope -for excellent direction, and the manner in. which the, building of, an , actual skyscraper lias been adapted to' the plot provides full realism for the ; portraying of thrilling incidents:. The story revolves round the career of Jolnrßreen, who is really John McLennan, lost child of the designer of son: j of New .York's-highest structures. How the youth is obsessed by. dreams of designing and constructing ryainmoth buildings, even during his early career as a barge boy, forms the early motive of the picture. The manner in which those dreams turn out to be far more than castles in the air carries the tale grippingly., McLennan comes into touch ■with Breen, takes a liking to him and starts him on a career, in the course of which he discovers that the lad is his own son, but owing to the avowed antipathy of Breen for the father whom He understands to have deserted his mother, the building magnate keeps the relationship a secret. How this secret is revealed and how the hatred eventually turns to love and. to the triumph of achievement, take the audience along breathlessly, with a laugh interspersed to relieve the tension as the humorous Irish foreman plays his part. "Skyline" j is a film which plays cleverly upon the emotions; it is a fine example of. skilful adaptation to the film f a gripping story, in v "lieii nothin™ of the intensely dramatic is lost, and in which the male characterisations in particular are exceedingly fine. Thomas Meiglian as McLennan, Hardic Albright as the son and Donald Dillaway as .the foreman who "does things," all present most faithful portraits. "Two Plus Fours," a screaming iarce, a Movietone gazette and a cartoon, "Animal Fair," complete a most enjoyable programme. "

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. Mostly in lighter vein, the new programme at St. James' last evening was accorded a hearty reception from a large audience. The star attraction is "Broadmiiuled," featuring the inimitable comedian Joe Brown in a free and easy role that seems to have been made for his mirth provoking propensities. "Broadminded" records the career of a reckless young graduate, Jack Haekett, excellently portrayed by Wm. Collier, jun., whose sowing of wild oats is feared by a highly respectable, business man father, to threaten the family reputation. The youth must be got out' of the way and -he is sent on a tour "to anywhere," in charge of his cousin, Ossie Simpson, Os&ie being regarded by the careworn father as the embodiment of rectitude. The adventures which follow are. instantly disillusioning. The engagement; of young Haekett to a society b'utterflv not considered by parental taste to be suited to the family, is one of the associations which have to be shattered during the tour, and, as so often happens with the first love, out of "sight- out of mind characterises the conduct of the youth. Ossie adheres rigidly to the fatherly exhortation that the young son be "kept away from women," but with all the human frailties Ossie himself proves most vulnerable to feminine charm. Joe E. Brown, as Ossie, throughout the highly enjoyable and diverting story creates situations which result in the most violent hilarity, and in. these moment's when free rein is given his burlesque capabilities the theatre echoed and re-echoed with laughter. All the members of the company are responsible for clever artistry, and during the entire screening the appearance of Joe Brown keep everybody in a titter of mirth, and he is seldom out of sight, The supports are also calculated -;_t.o brinf cheer and brightness, and consist of vaudeville numbers, /interesting and instructive news reels, and a novel dance scena. HODGKINS' GIRLS' BRASS BAND., Commencing at His Majesty's . Theatre on Saturday next, December 5,. Arthur; Hodgkins the famous Canadian band conductor and his girls' brass band will; inaugurate a season of seven nights. The band is one of the most unique theatrical attractions yet presented to theatregoers. It; is the first band of its kind ever heard south of the Equator, and is making theatrical history. The band will be supported by celebrity vaudeville headed by Elton Black, an International Scottish comedian of repute. The band will present a programme to appeal to all classes of, amusement lovers. Among the numbers I arc "Magnetic," "Garden of Eden," "Bright Star," "Metropolitan Life," overtures, "Indian Boy," descriptive, "Southern Melody," selection,' etc. The players include, Miss Marjorie Hodgkins who gained the place of gold medallist at the band festival at Victoria, 8.C., last year, and together with her sister, Miss Ruby Hodgkins, will be heard in some delightful cornet duets, assisted by the band. Arthur Hodgkins lias the distine- ! tion of organising the only girls' band formed in Canada and with the present combination has the distinction of creI ating a girls' brass band in both hemispheres. The season here should prove welcome theatrical fare with 45 flesh and blood performers on the stage. No doubt those who are tired of the continual "tinned" music, song and story, will appreciate the change. The band recently appeared at the Town Hall, where 'it-had a wonderfully enthusiastic reception. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. v . "Never the Twain. Shall Meet" and "The Black Camel" comprise the double feature programme at the Prince Edward Theatre to-night. The first is the film version of Peter B. Kyne's romantic South Seas tale, and the picture stars Leslie Howard, y Warner Oland stars the second attraction, which is a mystery story. LYRIC THEATRE. "Outside the Law," a society drama, star rin"- Mary Nolan, the beautiful blonde °actress and Owen Moore, and "Behind Office Doors," a fine drama of; business life, starring Mary Astor, corn - ; prise the very • attractive double feature; programme at the Lyric Theatie. tonight. LECTURE ON ENGLAND. Mr. E. Headlam Greenhow will lecture, on "England, the Dear Honi6lsnd,- ati the Plaza Theatre to-morrow evening. A, series of 150 photographs will, be screened. IVlany of tIi6SG <ii*g bsuutifully. coloured, and have won prizes in cpni-_ petition. Lovely rural scenes, cathedrals' and abbeys, famous places-'ip literature' and history, picturesque haunts, coastal and inland, with an accompanying, address, convey the very atmosphere of rural England.' A musical recital will precede the address. ~ CHARITY ENTERTAINMENT. '• The' Auckland Retail Shop Assistants' Charity Club will present a benefit- entertainment in the Lewis .Eady Hall to-, day week. Talented local artists ,w;.iil? perform. The club has the very, credit-, able record of having distributed about £2000 to charitable instifcatjoos.

ROXY THEATRE. The "Rogue of the Rio Grande" is enjoying a successful season, at the Roxy Theatre. The tale concerns the thrilling escapades of-a lovable and daring bandit, El Malo, play.ed by', Jfose- Bohr. He robs the safe of the mayor of a small Mexican town and, at the point of the gun, makes that''gentleman hand;'over 2000 pesos, pressing into the" terrified mayor's hand a note for the' sum payable on demand. Malo has no other purpose in robbing the mayor's safe than that of distributing the funds among the poor.So exaggerated is the mayor's 'account of the bandit to the townsfolk, that Malo is -able t6: circulate with freedom 'among them'.without detection. •' He falls 'in "love with Carmita, a dancer and entertainer, who returns his affections. Later a careless conversation reveals the identity-of- Malo, who has to make a hurried get 'awaly,-'- taking ; with : him Carmita and his 'friend Pedro. The other attraction is -entitled "Midnight," an excellent mystery drama starling Larry Byrne, John Stuart, Dorothy Harding and Eva Gray. • REGENT THEATRE, EPSOM. The New Regent Theatre, Epsom, has a very attractive programme now being screened. It includes "Min and Bill," a society tale, starring Marie Dressier and Wallace 1 Beery, and "Hush Money," a story of a girl who tries to live down an unfortunate -past, with Joan Beseett, Owen Moore and"Bardie Albright in the leading o '' . *V 1 AMBASSADOR THEATRE. The double-feature programme at the Ambassador Theatre to-niglit comprises "Too Many Cooks," , with Bert . Wheeler and Dorothy Lee in the main roles, and "Three Who Loved," starring Betty Compson and Conrad Nagcl. , Both are excellent pictures, the first being a comedy, and the other a drama: EMPIRE THEATRE.., The Empire' Theatre/. Dominion Road, is now screening "The Divorcee," starring Norma Shearer, who plays a brilliant role. VICTORIA THEATRE.

Lawrence Tibbett takes the male lead ih "The Rogue Song," a. musical romance of Imperial Russia, now showing at the Victoria Theatre, Devon port.

STRAND THEATRE. "The Flying Fool" is now enjoying a return Auckland season at the Strand Theatre. This is the finest, if not the first, aviation picture that English studios have . produced, the constantly changing scene§*-lrom Croydon air port, thfe- Thames Embankment, the Dover Road, the English Channel and Paris offering a variety of interest, as well as thri}l§. As the'-'title and some of the episodes might suggest, it is not a war picture,, but a tale of the machinations of clever international criminals and the efforts;.'of detectives to thwart- their plans and bring them to justice. A particularly thrilling episode occurs in this film—the pursuit of a speed car by an aeroplane along the Dover Road. This scene is particularly well done, and one of . the best in the , production. Ah English critic describes ;the. picture'thus':.''"Mr. Henry Kendall, ; the amateur detective, acts, with natural humour, virility "and' a' sureness of touch that markj'him "out as one of the most .notable recruits from ': the stage , to' British studio. . Our casting director? might with advantage keep him. (and, incidentally, Miss Ursula Jeans) busy'from how on." Another accomplished.-"stage actress who appears is Miss Benita Hume. ■ '"■ C

NATIONAL THEATRE. , "Mother's Millions," an excellent eomedy-d'rama, /'featuring May Robson, the famous veteran actress of the stage; is now screening at'the National Theatre. May. Robson scores another triumph here, for her acting as the financial magnate, the richest woman in the world, fighting for every penny she possesses, irascible, hard, eccentric, yet in the end lovable, is a masterpiece of the acting art. The picture breathes both sparkling comedy and deep pathos, the latter quality pervading the picture because of the yearning of the old mother for a better understanding with her children. The scenes in which she awakens to her error, and makes a desperate fight for her children's future, serve to reveal the beauty of her character. She is ably supported by James Hall, Frances Dade and Lawrence Gray. A fine series of featurettcs, including an episode from "Finger-prints," is also being shown.

EMPRESS THEATRE. Marie Dressier and Wallace Beery can be seen at the Empress Theatre to-night in "Min and Bill," a. drama of the San Francisco waterfront. MUNICIPAL BAND. An excellent programme of popular and .classical selections will be rendered by the Auckland Municipal Band under the direction of the bandmaster, Mr. G. Buckley, at the Zoological Park tomorrow afternoon. BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA. The Bohemian Orchestra will present compositions by Mendelssohn, Grieg, Elgar, Tchaikowski, Svenden and Corelli at the fourth concert of its 18th season, which will be given in the Town Hallon Thursday night, December 10. Mies Eva Stern, pianist, and Miss Nancy Gilmore and Mr. Robert Simmers, vocalists, will ■give numbers.

DANCING. Peter Pan, dancing. Dixieland, cabaret dance and novelties. Civic Cafe, cabaret dance, ballets, f Bon Ton Club, Royal Oak, Hay's Vagabonds. : Ventura G'lub, St. Sepulchre's Hall,' flannel dance; Eady's Band. , . Druids' Old-time Cabaret, summer .carnival; Hunter's Revellers. Labour party old-time dance, Masonic Hall, Paltridge's Orchestra. Orange Hall, old-time dance, Snappy Six. Parisian Studio, dance, Upper Queen Street. Akarana Yacht Club, Rowe's Orchestra. Click Clack Cabaret, old-time dance; Morrow's Orchestra. San Toy Studio, Royal Oak Hall, dance. Gaiety Hall, Surrey Crescent, Astonia Band. Workers' Social Club, dance. Sports dance, Crystal Palace ballroom; Paragon Band.