AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 123, 26 May 1932, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS.

"THE DEVIL'S LOTTERY." The St. James' Theatre will commence a season to-morrow of "The Devil's Lottery," a new picture with Elissa Landi in the feminine lead. With some realistic scenes of the actual running and the many interesting sidelines of the English Derby. "The Devil's Lottery" deals with the many evils attendant upon the sudden gain of practically unlimited wealth to one whose heart hungers for just suph an occurrence. The story is one of the picture's most engrossing parts, and with Klissa Landi in the lead this should be regarded as a guarantee of quality. Elissa Landi, grandaughter of the exEmpress of Austria, lias been seen in numerous films recently—Lionel Barrymore;s "The Yellow Ticket," Warner Baxter's "Surrender," and others —while her supporting male actor in "Tho Devil's Lottery," Victor McLaglcn, is the oldestablished favourite of Marlene Dietrich's "Dishonoured" and other pictures. Tho remainder of the cast comprises such names as Paul Cavanagh, Alexander Kirkland, Beryl Mercer and Herbert ■ Mundin, all splendid piece or lead i players.

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

The entertainment offered in the programme that starts a season to-day at the Majestic Theatre is of really higV class value. Jleadcd by the radio romance, "Are You Listening '!" it is well finished off by a fine Charlie Chase comedy, called "In Walked Charlie-," and a" Flip the Frog cartoon, "Africa Squeaks." In "Arc You Listening '!" the chief roles arc taken by Wallace Ford, Madgo Evans (of "Sporting .Blood," "Lovers Courageous," and "Heartbreak"), Anita Page, Jean Hersholt (of "Ladies of tho Jury"), John Mil.jan ("Hell Divers"), Joan Marsh, Neil Hamilton ("Strangers Mny Kiss"), and Karen Morley (of "Arsenc Lupin"). The theme of the picture deals with tho attempts of a murderer to cover up the traces of his diabolical crime with the aid of broadcasting facilities, and reveals a strange way of bringing a felon to book.

STRAND THEATRE.

Edna May Oliver showed in "Cimarron" that she is an actress worthy of the best audience, and in "Ladies of the Jury," a drama with more laughs in it than many straight-out she is eaid to give an even better exhibition. Rosco Atos, the stuttering comedian of a do7.eii large and small films, has the leading male role, and he can be relied upon to give a polished performance. Rosco Ates first came into prominence in Mario Drcssler's and Polly Moran's "Politics/ , then appeared in a number of "shorts," had a few minor roles in big pictures, and was eventually given a big role in "The Rainbow Trail," with George O'Brien.

CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE,

Lawrence Tibbctt sings some fascinattg songs in "The Cuban Love Song," a latest starring vehicle which will 3 screened to-night at the Crystal alace Theatre. He is cast with romanu Lupo Velcz, comedians Jimmy urante and Ernest Torrente, comedime Louise Fazcnda, and villain Hale amilton. "A Iloneymoon Adventure," ith Harold Huth and Bcnita Hume in ie respective leads, will also be pre■nted. EMPRESS AND TIVOLI. Tho young New Zfealand-boin actor, anco Fairfax, receives his first big lance with the romantic lead in the ritish picture, "The Beggar Student," hich will be screened at both the Emrese and Tivoli Theatres this evening. Suicide Fleet" (Robert Armstrong, /illiam Boyd and "Ginger" Rogers) will Iso be ehown at the Emprcse. LONDON THEATRE. Comedy plus every variety of enterlinment is the keynote in the film jpping to-night'e programme at the ondon Theatre. This picture is "Pardon [y Gun," which includes in its make-up rama, romance, plain comedy, Western arills, singing features, racing thrills, nd the ever-popular barn dances. The lief players in the film are the famed tank McFarlane Brothers, George Durea and Sally Starr. BENNO MOISEIWITSCH. The famous pianist, Benno Moisei•itsch will give the first of a scries of lireo concerts in the Auckland Town [all next Saturday, when his prorammo will include selections from lany famous composers. Ho will play is first and only visit to Hamilton ext Tuesday. His other two concerts i Auckland will bo given on June 1 nd 4. GRAND BENEFIT CONCERT. A concert organised by the Light of lanukau Lodge, the Ancient Order of )ruids and the Auckland Transport Jhib will be held in the Scote Hall this veiling. The programme will consist ,f a great variety of items, including ,'ocal and instrument soloe, dancing, jand items, conjuring and humorous ecitations. ROYAL AUCKLAND CHOIR. A performance will be giv6n by the }oyal Auckland Choir, assisted by the Auckland Girls' Braes Band, in the Town Tall this evening. Solo song items will 36 supplied by Mme. Ailcen Johns (dramatic soprano). PROFESSOR COMPTON'S LECTURE. Professor A. H. Compton, Nobel Prize winner and lecturer in physics at Me University of Chicago, who has betV studyin" tho origin and nature of cosmic rays in "New Zealand and Australia, will nivo a free lecture at tho University College Hall, Princess Street, ttrU evening on the subject, "Is Life a Matter of° Chance?" COMMUNITY SINGING. A attendance was at the Town Hall yesterday for the weekly community singing gathering, the concertina So los by Mr. A. Mead, vocal solos by Sir. T Maguire and the playing of Mrs. Snow being well applauded. Next week's meeting will be attended by the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, and the Lady Bledisloe. HOSPITAL CONCERT. The weekly concert arranged by Mrs. Raeburn and Mr. A. Hamblin was given in Ward 20 on Wednesday. An enjoyable m-ocraramo was provided by Miss G. Barion, which consisted of songs, monologues, dancing, humorous items, recitations and a play entitled "Waiting for the Bath." Those taking part were: Misses B. Balfe, E. Furncss, S. Palmer, I. Walters, J. Hay, L. Black, B. Clark, I." Marechall, Messrs. Gee, W. Norgrove, (i Poland, Little, Miss Eva Balfe and Miss Gladys Barton. At the close of the concert a "vote of sympathy was passed to Mrs. Raeburn (known as "Lady Sunshine"), who is now a patient in the hospital as the result of an accident.

CIVIC THEATRE.

For brilliance of cast it is unlikely that any picture that has ever come out of Elstree has exceeded "Service For Ladies," coming to the Civic to-morrow. In the lead is Leslie Howard, a most versatile actor, whose list of five big American "hits," all recently seen here, should be an indication of his ability. They are "Never the Twain Shall Meet," '■Outward Bound," "A Daughter of Luxury," "A Free Soul" and "Devotion." Then conies George Grossmith, whom many will consider the finest actor on the screen. He is a veteran of the English stage, and has only recently returned from :i professional visit to Hollywood. He is essentially a comedian, but his acting in any role would be sufficient to "make" a film. Then comes Benita Hume, who was seen this year in two films with Harold Huth—"The Outsider" and "A Honeymoon Adventure." She has appeared in many other British films, including the futurist picture "High Treason." Recently she made a great success opposite Ivor Novello in the English stage play, "Symphony in Two Flats." She had another success in "America." In "Service For Ladies" she ie seen as a lovely but extremely dangerous countess. Elizabeth Allan is another star in the cast. One of her most recent films was Seymour Hicks' "Glamour." Cyril Ritchard, who also has an important role, is an Australian-born actor who made three films at Elstree before his return to his native land, where he is now playing in "Blue Roses" in Sydney. Other well-known names in the Civic's n«v fil.il are Ben Field, Morton Setten and Annie Esmond.