AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Issue 17, 21 January 1932, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. "Bad Girl," a simple story of the married life of two young New Yorkers, will have its final screening at the St. James' Theatre to-day, after which "Politics," with Marie Dressier and Polly Moran, will be shown. This liint is a fascinating comedy concerning the [ adventures of a large and buxom woman who runs for the post of Mayor in <1 sleepy little Long Island town. It is her determination to "clean tip" the 1 town of the all-penetrating system of • graft and corruption. The story of how ( she lights and succeeds is one long laugh after another. One of her methods is I" call the wives of the town out 011 strike . —they staunchly refuse to cook for their 1 husbands or provide any housewife.j comforts unless the men cast their votes in the desired direction. Of course, the ' poor husbands must submit to such un- ' accustomed treatment, and Marie takec up the Mayoral robes. Polly Moran , fully earns her title of Marie's first lieutenant in the industry of fun-making. REGENT THEATRE. "Children of Dreams," Oscar Hammer--1 stein 11. and Sigmund Romberg's suc- ' cessor to "Viennese Nights" will finish its season at the Regent Theatre to- ' night. This picture is in every way as good as the other musical romance, although its scenes and plot are vastly different. Among the happy-go-lucky 1 Californian apple-pickers the fascinating story is laid, and genuine acting : brings out the beauty of the film in no 1 uncertain manner. But by far the greatest attraction is its wonderful ■ singing, both by hero and heroine, | though chiefly the latter. These arc Paul Gregory and Margaret Schilling ' respectively. In the new picture, "The Outsider," which lias an all-English cast, Harold Hiitli and Joan Barry, two very well-known figures 011 the London and ; provincial stage, appear in the leading : roles, with Norman McKinnell well in the train. The tale is a good romantic drama, dealing with quaekrey in the ' medical profession. MAJESTIC THEATRE. 1 Helen Hayes, who made her first ' triumphal film appearance in "The Si 1. of Madelon Glaudet," will bo seen in thipicture for the final occasion this evening. To-morrow the Majestic Theatre ! will screen "Surrender," starring War- • nor Baxter and Leila Hyams. It is a i brilliant tale of love, war and romance . in the great contest between Fiance anther Teuton neighbour. A beautiful gii' • falls in love with the one man whom he creed and race forbade to her, but tiie dictates of her heart required certain considerations. From this situation a vigorous drama is drawn, working 1: into a satisfactory climax. Waine' Baxter plays the role of a Frenchman whose unquenchable humour and natural bravado plays liavoe with the heart of Axelle, an exquisite Prussian beauty, • who lives at the home of the man she is supposed, against her desires, to wed. This personality is in himself of suliieient histrionic merit to warrant a lead PLAZA THEATRE. "Other People's Sins," a pleasing English mystery thriller, with Anne Grey, Horace Hodges and Stuart Koine in the leading roles, will be screened for the 1 .final occasion this evening- at the Plaza Theatre. It is unfortunate that such a good picture—good in photography, acting and direction—should fail to make much of an impression through lack of lustre attaching to the names of the main stars. The same is reported as the chief difficulty with lesser British films throughout the world. Next week's change will include Seymour Hicks in "Glamour." It cannot be said that the stars in this British picture arc not known. Seymour Hicks was very well known 011 the silent screen and famous on the stage, while Ellalinc Terriss and Margot Grahamc have been by-words in London for many years. Beverley Nichols, the brilliant young London author and actor, also appears in the cast. "The Mystery of Marriage" is screened besides "Glamour." This is a chronicle of the needs and surroundings of wedlock throughout the animal kingdom. ROXY THEATRE. With lan Keith, Dorothy Sebastian and Lloyd Hughes heading a brilliant cast of players, "The Deceiver," which, with "Shanghaied Love," commenced a . season last night at the Roxy Theatre, i« a powerful story of the great emotional adventures of a cruel "he-man" lover. The tale starts backstage in a New \ork Theatre, just before a matinee performance. Lan Keith plays the role of "The Deceiver"—Reginald Thorpe, star of the show, a vain, arrogant, and very much disliked bully. When he plays with the heart of Ina Fontanne (Dorothy Sebastian), then Tony (Lloyd Hughes) arises in his wrath and the plot wmks up to a startling climax. "Shanghaied Love' is a love story set amidst .the grim and horrible surroundings of <' virtual hell-ship, whose laughing madman of a skipper tills the crew with such dread that they flee without pay whenever she touches port. The * leading , roles arc taken by Wallace Beery, Sallv ' Blane and Richard Cromwell. "THE MIRACLE WOMAN." Barbara Stanwyck will be seen in one ] of her greatest pictures, "The Miracle Woman," at three main suburban 1 theatres to-night. It will be screened at the Crystal Palace, Empress and ' Tivoli Theatres, although varying supports are announced for each house. Joan Crawford, in "Laughing Sinners," will also be seen at the Crystal Palace, while Jack Holt and Mary As tor are to be seen opposite each other in "White Shoulders" at the Tivoli. A number of attractive "shorts" arc to be seer, at the Empress. 111 "The Miracle Woman" Miss Stanwyck plays the part of a hypocritical evangelist, who is regenerated through love. She is supported in the cast by Sam Hardy, David Manners (hero), and Beryl Mercer. STRAND THEATRE. "Tabu," a glamorous romance of the South Seas with an all-native cast of actors, together with "The Secret Call," with Richard Arlen and Peggy Shannon, will have their final screening at the Strand Theatre to-night. These two pictures will be replaced to-morrow by "Travelling Husbands," in which Evelyn Brent returns after a considerable absence from the screen. She has Frank Albertson and Constance Cumniings to assist her. The film is a comedy-drama concerning the habits of husbands who go awandering on the road of adventure and romance, leaving their wives safe at home. MAORI CONCERT. The Naumai Maori Mission will hoit.i a. concert in the Town Hall concert chamber this evening. The programme consists of 35 performers and 22 items. Some of the most outstanding selections will be j>oi dances by a group of 10 Maori girta, WBgiiig by a native choir, solos duets, action songs, hakas and comic dances. It is a considerable time since Aucklanders were regaled by a similai performance. The purpose of the con cert is to aid local charity. .Seats may be booked with Messrs. Lewis Eadv, Ltd.

CIVIC THEATRE. Cvril Maude in "These Charming People" will be seen in liis unsurpassed characterisation for the last time today at the Civic, where "Night Nurse will head the programme next Friday. Barbara Stanwyck plays the feminine lead opposite Clarke Gable, with Ben I,von and Joan Blondell in the supportin cast. As the night nurse in a great hospital, Barbara is surrounded by scenes that have not had much piominence oil the screen. Ihe lieioes and heroines of the white-robed profession are among the greatest heroes of the age. and in "Night Nurse" they receive some of the attention due to them for their work. A gripping drama is worked from the adventures of a student nurse who loves a bootlegger patient and is pursued by other undesirable characters. The usual accompaniments of a nurse's existence are fairly displayed, this story being no glossed-over account of a life that calls forth the best in human endurance and patience. NATIONAL THEATRE. Aucklanders should be thankful for an extra chance to see the great drama of the war's terrible effect on civilian London, "Waterloo Bridge," which has its linal screening at the National Theatre this evening, being displaced tomorrow by "These Charming People." This picture has proved a great success at another city theatre, and Cyril Maude will exorcise the same attraction in his new abode. "These Charming People," contrary to expectations, is not a oneman show, but displays excellent acting on the part of every member of the cast. LONDON THEATRE. Norma Shearer find Marie Dressier will close a eu-KJessful season in "Let Us Be Gay" at the London Theatre this evening, after which "Three Paces East," starring Constance Bennett, will be screened. A Charlie Chase comedy, a Mickey the Mouso cartoon, and "Dogville" comedy will also be 011 the programme. MUNICIPAL BAND. The Municipal Band will render a popular programme at the Domain tonight at eiglit o'clock. Programmes will also be given at the Zoological Park 011 Sunday afternoon, and 111 Albert Park in the evening.