AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 122, 25 May 1932, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

"THE IMPATIENT MAIDEN." Friday's programme to replace Marilyn Miller's "Her Majesty, Love," at the Regent Theatre, will be topped by the fine comedy-drama, "The Impatient Maiden," which is well described in a Hollywood review, in typical American fashion: "What happens when a blase young girl who regards all men with amused tolerance really falls in love herself? This question is daringly and enjoyably answered in 'The Impatient Maiden," a sprightly comedy-drama of life and love which has had its premiere here last night. Lew Ayres, one of the screen's most popular stars, heads the cast of this remarkably frank picture in the role of a young doctor, and it is when Mae Clarke meets him that she decides that she really does not know all about men, after all. The events which bring about her gradual fall from her pinnacle of cynicism make of this picture one of the roost entertaining screen plays of the season.' Members of Ayres' supporting cast, in addition to Miss Clarke, include Una Merkel, John Halliday, Andy Devino and Helen Jerome Eddy, and the picture was directed by James Whale, who has recently achieved recognition as one of the industry's outstanding directors. "The Impatient Maiden" was adapted by Ricliard Sehayer and Winnifi'ed Dunn from Donald Henderson Clarke's successful novel. CIVIC THEATRE. The new picture which will replace "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" at the Civic Theatre 'on Friday will be "Service for Ladies," a hilarious British comedy, in which George Grossmith the Popular will bo seen featured with Leslie Howard, who has been seen and appreciated hero in several recent American films, including "A Free Soul," "Devotion," "Never tho Twain Shall Meet," and "A Daughter of Luxury." Elizabeth Allan, who is no stranger to Auckland filmgoers, and Benita Hume, last remembered for her performance in the feminine lead of Harold Hutli's "The Outsider," are also included in tho brilliant cast of players. "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" is in itself a film that should not be missed. It deals with a famous story in a faithful manner and engrossing details are well built into the plot. Fredric March plays the dual title-role, his transition from Jekyll to Hyde being accomplished with remarkable intensity. Even in the evil face of the latter, something of the original Jekyll features can be determined. MAJESTIC THEATRE. The present comedy screening at the Majestic Theatre, "Stepping Sisters," is literally one long laugh from beginning to end, with several individual character performances that are going to give the selectors for the coveted medal of the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, a hard task to decide upon the recipient of the honour for 1932. Louise Dresser is splendid as a society-crashing actress, and she is ably supported by Jobyna Howland, Stanley Smith and Minna Gombell, the latter in her first straight romantic role. The big film, which will replace "Stepping Sisters" to-morrow, is "Are You Listening?" which has one of the finest casts that ever interpreted a story per the medium of the silver screen. William Haines, the lovable hero of "Dancing Partner" ("Just a Gigolo"), heads the list of players. Karen Moriey, who received the choice assignment of the feminine lead in the Barrymores' "Arsene Lupin," also has the lead in "Are You Listening?" while Anita Page, Madge Evans and Joan Marsh, all wellrcmembered actresses, have prominent parts. Neil Hamilton, the he-man lover of Norma Shearer in "Strangers May Kiss," John Miljan (of "Hell Divers" fame), Wallace Ford, actor-director, and Jean Hersliolt, one of the screen's finest character actors, swell the brilliance of the male section of the cast. The story deals with a misunderstood husband and an intolerant wife, with a novel demonstration of how to bring a murderer to justice. STRAND THEATRE. To-night will mark the final screening at the Strand Theatre of the romantic drama, "La Paloma" (better known as "Girl of the Bio," taken from the Broadway stage success, "The Dove"). Tomorrow's programme at the Strand will be headed by "Ladies of the Jury," an uproarious Edna May Oliver comedy, iij, which the never-failing Rosco Ates is present with his usual stutter. Other members of an illustrious cast are Ken Murray—an old favourite, Lita Clievret, Kitty Kelly, George Beranger, Jill Esmond (last seen as Ruth Cliatterton's daughter in "Once a Lady"), Alan Roscoe, Robert McWade, Gwinn Wil-1 liams, George Humbert and Cora Witlierspoon. The cast of "La Paloma" is led by Dolores Del Rio and Leo Carrillo, two old-established favourites of romantic films. BENNO MOISEIWITSCH. Box plans are now open at Lewis Eady's for three recitals of Benno Moiseiwitsch in the Town Hall next Saturday and on June 1 and 4. Moiseiwitsch lias just finished a successful season in Wellington, where his playing of many composers' works will be long remembered. He will pay a visit to Hamilton next Tuesday, whose inhabitants will then have their first opportunity of-hearing one of the most famous pianists of the day. Among his varied repertory, both of serious and light melodies. Moiseiwitsch will include selections from Medtner, Bach, Chasins and others. RIALTO THEATRE. A grand concert-and-film entertainment night has been arranged to take place at the Rialto Theatre this evening, the proceeds going in aid of the Newmarket unemployed relief fund. Under tho patronage of the Mayor and councillors, tho programme will consist of a series of items contributed by a party from the Blind Institute, including vocal and instrumental solos, band items, a braille-reading demonstration, a part song by the school choir, Maori songs, and finally the clever comedy-drama, "Suicide Fleet," starring William Boyd, "Ginger" Rogers, Robert Armstrong and James Gleason.

LYRIC THEATRE. To-night's entertainment offered at the Lyric Theatre is a. pleasing blend of comedy and sporting comedy-drama. Laurel and Hardy supply the laughs in "One Good Turn," a typical product of these fun-makers, while the rest of the film fare is given in "Sporting Blood," with Clark Gable and Madge Evans. GRAND BENEFIT CONCERT. A special benefit concert has been arranged for Thursday night at the Scots Hall, Symonds Street, when a programme of exceptional variety will bo presented. The entertainment is organised by the Light of Manukau Lodge, the Ancient Order of Druids and the Auckland Transport Club. RIVOLI SKATING RINK. A carnival will be held in the Rivoli Skating Rink, Upper Queen Street, this evening, when a plain and fancy dress "skate" will be the chief event. The rink is Tinder the direction of Mr. M. A. Nasaoor.

AOXY THEATRE. Hilarious comedy and stark horror strut side by side in the programme which opened at the Roxy Theatre last evening. In the comic picture, "Almost a Divorce," Sydney Howard, the English comedian and chief laugh getter in "Splinters," "Tilly of Bloomsbury," "Splinters in the Navy," and "Up for the Cup," is even more funny than he was in his other pictures, since in this film he comes down to earth and does not attempt to make love to any beautiful heroine. He is cast as an accidental and blundering mediator between a quarrelling; husband and wife, a whiskyblighted Yorkshireman with a Scotsman's 6ense of humour. In "Behind the Mask," the Roxy's other film, Jack Holt provides thrills aplenty as a young and brave detective who stakes his life on bringing the mysterious criminal, "Mr. X," to book for his many misdeeds. This fiend, seems to gain his very existence from horrible murder mania, and it is the detective's hardest job to keep his own skin whole. However, he is eventually saved by the heroism of his sweetheart (Constance Cummings). Boris Karloff (the original "Frankenstein") also has an interesting role.