AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 178, 29 July 1932, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. In the two pictures that make up the programme at the Majestic Theatre, "The Trial of Vivienne Ware" and ' "Black Coffee," mysterious crimes are solved by widely different means. The latter, produced- at Fox's London studio, is in construction a conventional detective .problem. "The ■ Trial of Vivienne Ware," on the other hand, starts where the conventional detective story ends. It is a thrilling picture which holds the audience tense throughout. A prominent New York architect, of notorious immorality, is murdered, and his fiancee ie brought to trial. The prosecutor has sufficient circumstantial evidence to hang her, as she had broken off the engagement the previous day, after discovering that he was unfaithful. Most of the action takes place in the courtroom, but it is diversified by glimpses of the police still at work on the case, at the direction of the attorney for the defence, and enlivened by the absurdities of "Skeets" Gallagher and Zasu Pitts, who are giving a running account of the trial to their "dear friends of radio land." In the role of Vdyiehne Ware Joan Bennett has a strenuous part, but plays it well, while Donald Cook handles the task of defending her against the charge of murder, with convincing skill. As always, Herbert Mundin k the acme of all Cockney butlers, and even holds his own with Maude Eburne, who is one of those neighbours that knows and disapproves of everything next door. "Black Coffee" has Austin Trevor in the role of Hercule Poirot, the French detective who is the hero of Agatha Christie's novels. In "The Black Coffee" case he has to find the murderer of an eccentric English inventor, who hae been poisoned by someone who wanted to steal the formula of a_ new explosive he had discovered. Poirot's methods' are unconventional, but justified by results, when the murderer is revealed. The programme also includes a recent Fox Moxietone News gazette, containing eotne excellent views of the giant Doraier fly-ing-boat in the air, and scenes in the mountain race at Brooklands, won by Earl Howe. The programme is excellent entertainment, and should enjoy a successful season. THE PLAZA, A double feature programme of British production was ushered in at the Plaza last night and accorded a popular reception. The programme contains a significant indication of the trend of film development which is interesting, and points to the revival of revue. "Bill and Coo" represents some of the cleverest in English variety entertainment, featuring one of the most noted English comedians, Billy Merson. The- theme is the life of an obviously third-rate entertainer, scoffed at by his confreres and seemingly regarded as a "small turn." Billy Merson, however, has other opinions regarding his talents, and is stirred to greater activity by the urgings of cupid, for he conceives a violent infatuation for one of the company. Most of the time during rehearsals he is "fixin' his stoof oop," tortured by the pangs of jealousy when his ladylove does her turn with a rival. In the end ho dreams a beautiful dream of "Honeymoon Cottage," a melody which captivates throughout the production and into the fantasy are woven tragedy and comedy which thoroughly satisfy and delight. Noteworthy, too, is the British film "Many Waters." It is the initial production featuring the English stage stars Lilian Hall Davis and Arthur Margetson; it is unique in the high standard and uniformity of its cast; it is outstanding in the artistic characterisation which it reveals, and last, but not least, it has a strong human appeal. It is the story of the life of an average English couple from their romantic meeting, through the period of courtship, early matrimonial struggles and busness worries, accompanied by family pleasures and problems, to the quiet restfulness of middle life, when the troubles inci the joys of the days that have gone jan bo viewed in a complacent perspective, illoyed with happiness and thankfulness, rhe film is brilliant in its technique and s throughout a meritorious product of Elstrce. The Pathe news reel is replete .vith items of interest from many parts of ;he world, completing a highly enjoyable programme. "A WOMAN COMMANDS." It is seldom that a foreign actor or ictress on the screen can master the Suglish language perfectly enough to make i successful appearance in a debut, but inch is certainly the case with Pola Negri, vhose first talking picture is "A Woman Commands," which opened a season at ,he Strand Theatre last evening. Miss sTegri has not only perfected her English, nit she has mastered the difficult art of hiding expression for words which must )0 strange to her. Her three years' ibsence from the screen has not resulted n any diminishing in the histrionic talent if the famous star, and as a woman with i rather unsavoury reputation who beoincs queen of her country, she indeed ives the part. The picture is based on he 30-year-old story of Queen Draga of Serbia, who roused the ire of her subjects or her indifference to their welfare. Pola ■Tegri is cast as the woman, Maria Draga, dio early in the piece is separated from ier lover (Basil Rathbone), and subseliieutly marries the ruling monarch, King Alexander (Roland Young). The king's ontiiiuoua flow of dry, sardonic humour upplics a welcome change from the upreme drama of the story. The tale ises to a pinnacle of dramatic acting and olour. with the tragic end of the monarch t the hands of his own soldiers and the übsequent removal of the queen herself — lore regal than ever before. A fine suplorting programme includes two extremely nteresting sound news reels, a very clever nd entertaining comedy, "Big Business," nd a bright cartoon, the whole comprisng an attractive programme. TRAINING COLLEGE PLAYS. True student enthusiasm abounded in ist night's presentation in the concert hamber of the annual variety cntertainient given for two nights by the Auckmd Training College. In addition to the levitable part songs by the College Glee 'Aub, the programme consisted of an peratic burlesque of "Romeo and Juliet," nd the well-known and extremely enteraining operetta from Gilbert and Sullivan, Trial by Jury." Principal members ot he cast were: Mr. A. F. Budd, as the ldge; Miss Alison Holmes, as plaintiff; Iγ. A. S. Batty, as defendant; Mr. B. E. Vakeliu, as counsel for the plaintiff; Mr. l. M. Baildon, as the usher, and Mr. N. i L C. Harris, as foreman of the jury. The horus of six bridesmaids included Misses 'enelope Davidson, Monica Gower, Natae Jacombs, Betty Maxwell, Joan Max- - ell and Elsie Roberts. In "Romeo and uliet" the cast included Messrs. C. A. rossman, A. S. Batty, K. Potter, G. ■oldthorpe, F. J. Ness, J. W. Adams, . H. Wakelin, D. E. Scott, D. W. Christie ad a chorus of students. TO-NIGHT'S CHANGES. Of the city theatres, three will this /ening introduce new films on their rogrammes. These are: The Civic, Scandal For Sale"; the St. James', Greta arbo's "As You Desire Me"; and the ational, "Radio Patrol,"'a gripping tale E the lives of New York's "Flying quads." The Majestic, Plaza and Strand heatres changed programmes last night, nd the Roxy and Tivoli on Wednesday, eorge Arliss' latest masterpiece, "The [an Who Played God," will be screened '-, the Regent for a further -week. COMMUNITY SINGING. Merriment and song will be the keynote : to-night's community singing to be held i the Lewis Eady Hall by the Auckland onimunity Singing Committee, under the adership of Mr. vernon T. Drew. PAPATOETOE ORCHESTRA. The Papatoetoe Orchestra, under Mr. red Fell, held a successful annual concert id social in the Presbyterian Hall last 'ening. The programme was opened by ie Papatoetoe Concert Band with several rertures. A violin solo was given by aster E. Bell, a piano duet by Mrs. and iss Hill, a recitation by Master P. Hill, cornet duet by Mr. G. Rose and Mr. R. rewster, and an accordion ■ solo by Mr. .Fell. I