AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 116, 18 May 1932, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

MOISIEWITSCH. Benno Moisiewitsch, tlie world famous pianist, is to present three concerts at the Town Hall on Saturday, May 28, Wednesday, June 1, and Saturday, Juno 4. Moisiewitsch has enjoyed wonderful receptions in Sydney and Melbourne, a;nd in each of those cities his seasons had to be extended. He was called upon for numerous encores, and his ready response, was greatly appreciated. He begins his New Zealand tour an the Wellington Town Hall to-morrow night, and the" booking, it is said, is exceptionally large. The plans for the seaFoif will bo opened at Lewis Eady's on Wednesday morning next. REGENT THEATRE. The programme at the Regent Theatre featuring "Mickey the Mouse" pantomime which lias delighted thousands of Auckland children during the week, and "The Perfect Lady," n fine picture which has been much appreciated by adult audiences, will have its final tomorrow. On Friday will be given its premiere, a breezy comedy, "Her Majesty Love," in which Marylin Miller, the radiant dancing comedienne of "Sally"' and "Sunny" will be featured, with one of the strongest casts of comedians gathered together for one picture. Ben Lyon and Leon Errol, two of the screens greatest funsters, and Chester Conklin and Ford Sterling are only four of those ' who assist Miss Miller the while she breezes through, singing catchy songs, dancing pretty dances and carrying the story at a pace which never slackens. "Her Majesty Love" is an intriguing story, and the scenes are laid in Berlin. Miss Miller is first seen as a barmaid at a cabaret. Into the riotous throng bursts a crowd of gay young blades headed by Ben Lycn. The latter wagers ho can get the barmaid to dance witli him, and ho does, but she stipulates that he must marry her. After the dance he is bribed into breaking the contract, and he goes to Italy to drown his troubles in drink. There he learns that the girl is to marry another, so lie charters a plane and arrives back in Berlin just as the ceremony is over. Then the fun begins all over again. STRAND THEATRE.

After an absence of two years owing to illness Dolores Del Rio returns triumphantly to the screen in a glamorous role in "Girl of the Rio," which will bo the feature picture of the new programme to be shown at the Strand Theatre to-morrow. Co-starred with her is Leon Carrillo. Mies Del Rio plays the role of "The Dove," who is forced by circumstances to dance and sing- in a riotous cafe just across the border from the United States. As in real cafes of this type—notably in Tia Juana, Juarez and Mexicali —there are scores of interesting types, Mexicans, Chinese, men on a spree, and the everpresent, soft-spoken gamblers. The picturo setting is a faithful reproduction of such a border town with the addition of a eupurb rancho exterior and interior. One of the sets is a garden spreading over an acre and a half that was laid out in two days with thousands of potted tropical plants and trees producing an exotic effect rarely attained in films. Dramatically, Miss Del Rio portrays what critics have declared to be the best starring role of her career, combining the poetic beauty of her work in "Ramono" and Evangeline,' with tho vivacity and movement of "What Price Glory." Supporting tho star are Leo Carrillo, who plays the vainglorious Don Jose Tostado; Norman Foster, who wins the fair Dolores' heart; Stanley Fields and Kalph Irice, arch villains, and Edna Murphy and Frank Campeau. ' ST. JAMES' THEATRE. The first appearance together of the brothers John and Lionel Barrymore in "Areene Lupin".at St. James' Theatre on Friday will be welcomed by picture patrons who have been looking for something different and above the average in the way of screen fare. Much of the action in "Arsene Lupin" is based on incidents in the lives of notorious French criminals, and the plot reaches its dramatic climax in the cleverly staged theft ot tho famous painting "Mona Lisa' from tho Louvre, in Paris, a theft which has actually been attempted many times, according to officials of the world-famous art gallery. John Barrymore, who, in the course of a colourful screen career, has worn a variety of strange makeups, appears in this picture in the Oddest disguise ho has attempted. It is that of a, wizened old flower seller, his makeup

when he carries out his sensational robbery and escape. John Barrymore is the suave society thief, "Arsene Lupin," and there are abundant and continuous thrills as he eludes capture by a persistent detective and prefect of police, played respectively by Lionel Barrymore and John Miljan. Enthusiastic reports on "Arsene Lupin" state that one of its

charms, other than its finished and entertaining characterisations, lies in the sophisticated love scenes between John Barrymoro and Karen Morley, the latter being cast in the role of a clever spy. To-night and to-morrow the sensational picture, "Hell Divers," is being shown. PLAZA THEATRE.

Ten in a cast, and not a strictly serious player among the lot. Such is "Peach O' Reno," an hilarious Wheeler and Woolsey comedy coming to the Plaza Theatre to-morrow. The inimitable pair of comedians have provided many screamingly funny comedies, but in "Peach 0' Reno" they are said to be funnier than ever. Wheeler, masquerading for three days as a blonde, and wearing a tight-fitting gown, silk stockings and French slippers, is a whole show in himself. The picture is a unique burlesque satirising the Reno divorce colony, and demonstrates how lucrative can be the business of two enterprising young lawyers who advertise perfectly legal and satisfactory divorces at 50 dollars a time and no questions asked. Wheeler and Woolsey are the lawyers in the day—at night they turn their offices into a gambling den. Among the favourites of the supporting cast who keep the fun going at a dizzy pace are Dorothy Lee, Zelma O'Neal, Joseph Cawthorn, Cora Witherspoon, Arthur Hoyt and Mitchell Harris. LYRIC THEATRE.

The powerful mother love story, "Seed," with John Boles and Gcnevieve Tobin in the principal roles, is the attraction on a strong programme showing at the Lyric Theatre. It ie the etory of a self-sacrificing heroine who loses her husband to another woman and works hard to rear her five children properly. The closing scene, when the husband returns to his wife and children, is most pathetic. The cast is a brilliant one and includes Bette Davis, Raymond Hackctt, Zazu Pitts and others almost as well known. A fine programme of supports adds to the enjoyment of the fare provided.

ORGAN RECITAL. An organ recital will be given by the honorary city organist, Mr. Trevor Sparling, in the Town Hall on Saturday evening;. Works from Dubois, Bach, Coleridge-Taylor, and other composers will bo played. Mr. Frank Sutherland and the Lyric Quartet will assist in the programme.

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

A sparkling east, a rollicking comedy, replete with- hilarious situations, and a number of musical novelties are the elements that combine to make "Stepping Sisters," which will be the feature film of to-morrow's change at the Majestic Theatre, one of the most amusing farces to come to the screen. The story is brimming with fun and filled with laugh-provok-ing situations. It is described as a riotous treatment of high society, dealing with the hilarious adventures of three former members of a burlesque show chorus. It is a farce for vigorous comediennes and Louise Dresser, Minna Gombell, Jobyna Howland and William Collier more than fill the bill. The plot of "Stepping Sisters" revolves around the exposure of a former burlesque chorus queen by two of her former associates in the show. They meet under unusual circumstances at an entertainment given for charity and all agree to keep secret the past of the one who has entered the realm of society and at whose lavish Long Island home the fete is being given. During the action of the picture several new musical numbers and a singing and dancing novelty are introduced. "Star Reporter" is the second picture to be shown on the new bill. It is an exciting story centring round a newspaper reporter, a titled lady and a wealthy gentleman. Adventure, romance, blackmail, robbery, all are wrapped up in one large parcel and handed out to the audience.

NATIONAL THEATRE. The present week's programme at the National Theatre, comprising the films "Touchdown" (Richard. Allen, Peggy Shannon, Jack Oakie and KegLs Toomey) and "Hie Woman" (with Gary Cooper and Claudetto Colbert), will give place on Friday to a selection of entertainment headed by a film that boasts one of the best box office casts ever collected. Norman Foster tops the list, then Zasu Pitts, with her usual laughable antics, comes next, with June Clyde in a typically splendid dramatic performance. According to enthusiastic reports, the story is quite sufficient in originality and "kick" to warrant its execution by such a cast. The name of the picture, in this case practically the least of the film's features, is "Steady Company." RIALTO THEATRE. A high-class entertainment will be offered at the Rialto Theatre to-morrow at the weekly change, when two star pictures will be screened. "The Cuban Love Song" is a beautiful romance, in exquisite setting, and features Lawrence Tibbett, the famous singer, who renders several eongs. With him are Lupe Valez, Jimmy Durante and Ernest Torrcnce. The second big picture is "Sally In Our Alley," starring Gracio Fields, one of England's greatest stage personalities. "Sally" and "Fall In and Follow the Band," are the popular numbers sang by Miss Fields. BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA. The first concert of the nineteenth season of the Bohemian Orchestra will be given in the Town Hall to-morrow. During the programme a special appearance will be featured of Madame Elsie Betts-Vincent, pianist, in Tschaikoweky.