AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 285, 2 December 1931, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

"EAST OF BORNEQ."

"East of Borneo" is enjoying a very successful season at the Regent Theatre, and it will be screened for another week. It is a jungle, romance of great power and thrilling scenes, and i 6 unique in the film world in that practically all its scenes were photographed either in the Malayan jungle itself or in the stone palace of the ruling. Prince ef the district where the story is staged. An arresting scene in this film is the eruption of a volcano, which gives the story a wonderful climax. The story begins when the heroine (Rose Hobart) goes to a remote principality east of Borneo in search of her husband, who had deserted her, thinking that she had proved unfaithful to him. She finds that her former love has returned, and because of that cannot remain away from him. The husband ignores her, but not so the prince, who casts covetous eyes. The following events deal with the attempts by the prince to get the. woman, the efforts of the woman to avoid him, and the husband's manly . attempts to protect her from the danger. The supporting programme is very good.

CIVIC THEATRE. The main attraction at the Civic Theatre on Friday next is entitled "Born to Love," the story of a passionate - natured woman with strongly developed maternal instincts. The story opens on the war front, where a nurse (Constance Bennett) lives with a soldier whom she loves but who is unable' to- marry her while there because of the rule that f 6rbade the wives of officers to remain, at the front. Later she learns that her lover has been killed, and, though grieving for his loss> accepts a marriage proposal from a titled man who, passionately in love, with her, does not withdraw iris offer when she informs "him of her relations with- her dead lover, and that a child will soon be born to her. After the marriage and the birth of the child the hero returns, but, though-her love for her first man is not abated, she remains faithful to the man- to whom she is married. The .husband, however, misinterprets her misbehaviour x and a divorce follows, and he succeeds in getting the custody of the child. The following events deal with the death of the child and the ultimate k reunion of the lovers. Paul Cavanagh fills, the . male lead. "The Lawyer's Secret," starring Clive Brook, closes its season to-morrow night. . a ,- .' . ... "MY WIFE'S FAMILY." : '

The change of programme at St. James' Theatre on Friday will.be featured'by the film "My Wife's Family," a British comedy, which had a very successful season in London. This picture is notable for the important cast that ;has gone to make it. Jimmie Godden, who appeared at St., James' in 1928 with the Elsie Prince company, plays the part of a comic physician. As'a harassed young husband,' Gene .Gerard, amusing young stage artist, plays a role with ease and distinction. Muriel Arigelus is another promising young star, who fills her role with real charm. Perhaps one of the most entertaining characters in the piece is the mother-in-law, who, pf a suspicious temperament, falls in badly when she confuses a "baby grand" and a "grand baby," which is being kept as a surprise for her daughter. One very humorous scene is 'that iri'..which the cross-eyed, village constable- cross-examines the three leading male characters in the production.' Those who now realise that the Elstree studios in England are building up a big reputation for delightful comedies,, and have seen,"Rookery Nook," "The Middle Watch" and "Almost A Honeymoon," will not want to miss.this excellent production. "Broadminded," starring Joe E. Brown, will close its season to-morrow night., . ./ • . -

LYRIC. THEATRE. There is a very fine programme now screening at the Lyric Theatre. The programme has been specially augmented and will last until midnight. The main attraction is entitled "Parlour,, Bedroom and Bath," which stars that inimitable American comedian, Buster Keaton, at whose antics you* cannot help laughing. It is an excellent comedy, in which Keaton is extraordinarily funny .'as a Romeo in pyjamas. Reginald Denny and Charlotte Greenwood are also in the cast, and. thus add distinction .to the I picture. The other big- attraction is' entitled, "Puttin' on ( the Ritz," starring Joan Bennett, Harry Richman and James Gleason„ The supporting programme includes a Charlie Chase comedy and newsreel.- .'. .".'.", * ST. CUSHBERT'S OLD GIRLS. A delightful comedy, "Paddy,.' the Next Best Thing," will be presented by the St. Cuthbert's Old Girls' Association in the Town Hall concert chamber for two nights, on December 11 and 12.

"THE SPECKLED BAND." Brilliantly directed, with a thrilling story dramatically conveyed 'to the screen, the British picture, "The Speckled Band," which commences a season at the National Theatre on Friday, opens with excellent sequences and huilds up to a gripping climax. Dr. Rylett, an unscrupulous bachelor, plots the death ot his step-daughters to secure their fortunes. Under, mysterious circumstances the eldest sister of Helen Stonor meets her death. She confides to Dr. Watson her fear of Rylett, and later calls in Sherlock Holmes. After a night full of horror, Holmes discovers Rylett's death plot and saves Helen. ~ There is a very excellent scene in the early part of the picture, where the coroner's jury inquires into the' death of Helen's sister. This scene is brilliantly played, and should be-watched closely. The cast includes Raymond Massey as Sherlock Holmes; Lynn Harding, as Dr. Rylett; Angela Baddeley, as Helen Stonor; Athole Stewart, as Dr. Watson; and Mrs. Staunton, as Nancy Price. It is worthy of mention that Gaston Mervale, the Little Theatre Society producer, played the sinister part of Dr. Rylett when this, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story was dramatised and staged in Auckland hy J. C. Williamson two or three years ago. "Mother's Millions" closes its season to-morrow night.

"MEN OF THE SKY." A sky melodrama, entitled "Men of the Sky," will head the new programme- at the- Majestic on Friday. Irene Delroy and Jack Whiting are heroine and hero, and the story deals with incidents in the World War. The ending is very dramatic. The heroine's father is killed as a spy, and the heroine and her lover, who also have been arrested as spies, are put to death by a firing squad. The couple first meet in Germany before the War, and the heroine promises to marry the hero. When war is declared the heroine's father, a member of the French Intelligence service, receives his orders, and he and his daiighter depart for Strassburg immediately. Seeing that she is reluctant to go, he explains that it is for the glory of France, and she leaves without explaining to her lover. He follows her later and learns that she jb engaged to a German. But this is not true, for she has merely accepted the hospitality of a young man's family to obtain some secret information. "Skyline," a tale of father and. son, starring Thomas Meighan and Hardie Albright, closes its. season tomorrow night. RIALTO THEATRE.

The double-feature programme riovv showing at the Rialto Theatre comprises "Too Many Cooks," starring Bert Wheeler and Dorothy Lee, and "How Dry We Are," with Harry Langdon, Slim Suirimerville and Bessie Love leading the cast. ;The "first, a comedy, deals with relatives who interfere with the affairs of a young couple- and all but prevent the marriage, and the other is also an excellent comedy. . Jf "THE CASE OF LADY CAMBER." -

The last play, that the Little Theatre Society will produce- this season is Horace. Vaehell's. "The Case of Lady Camber," which Avill commence a season of four nights at the Town- Hall Concert Chamber to-night. This - production, which is Gaston Mervale's first for the society, has a cast of eight well, selected players, led by Mr. Mervale' himself, by special, request. The-story revolves around mainly four persons;Dr; "Napier, Lord and Lady Camber, and Esther Yorke, assistant-in Dr. Napier's laboratory. All players have roles, however, in which they have opportunity of showing up to effect. The-society wish.it to be understood that the election results will not be screened inside the hall, for the reason that it is an artistic, not a commercial, venture; ,

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The box plans for the season of seven nights of Arthur Hodgkins and his Girls' Brass Band, which commences -at His Majesty's on Saturday next, opened at Lewis Eady, Ltd., this morning, and the booking" indicates a big interest in the season. The band, besides being a. distinct theatrical novelty, also has an appeal to music lovers. It will be supported by a vaudeville combination, headed by Elton Black, a Scotch comedian with an international .reputation. The programme of music, song and variety has a general appeal, and'the return of flesh and blood artists on. the stage should have a big -following during the season.

MUNICIPAL BAND. The first .of this season's outdoor recitals' will commence in Albert Park next Sunday evening.at 8.30. An excellent programme of classical and popular selections, solos, hymns and marches will be submitted. These recitals will be given in Albert Park by the Municipal Band every Sunday • evening during December, January and February, and at the Domain, Point Chevalier, Point Erin and Parnell Park during week nights. The band's annual carol conceit will be given in the Town Hall next Saturday night. They will also give a programme at the Zoological Park every Sunday afternoon.