AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 207, 1 September 1932, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. The current picture screening at the St. James' Theatre, Ramon Novarro's latest romance, "Huddle," concludes its season to-night. Friday's new picture is listed as "While Paris Sleeps," in which the swashbuckling, back-breaking, globe-trotting Victor McLaglen, star of such screen masterpieces as "What Price Glory," "The Cock-eyed World," and a host of others, comes in a new type of role. He leaves behind him the devil-may-care character of his past performances to devote himself to a portrayal of a father's devotion for a daughter who does not know him. The picture is filled with the intrigue, the mystery and the romance of Paris at night. Jn the cast with McLaglen is Helen Mack, debutante star of the current season. It is this young artist's first featured performance, and rumour places her among the great "finds" of the screen colony. William Bakewell, another promising young actor, is east opposite Miss Mack. Amid a perfect simulation of the cold.. rainy dawns characteristic of Paris hundreds of Hollywood's most picturesque French types, supporting Victor McLaglen, Helen Mack and William BaKewell, enacted the elaborate scenes of " AVhile Paris Sleeps." The story is an original by Basil Woon, who, from his fifteen years' residence in Paris, has woven into it many grim realities of the gay city that take place after dark and about which little is ever heard by the outside world. MAJESTIC THEATRE. William Powell's acting has come to be known among lovers of the screen as something unalterable. His work in "The Road to Singapore" recently was typical ot this stereotyped phrase. I , or this reason the particular kind of acting that he is asked to do in "High Pressure," the travelling salesman comedy which the Majestic Theatre is releasing to-day, will appeal to all his "fans" who have been sorry to see him continuing in "villain" roles. Fun galore is let loose in "High Presure," and a good dramatic foundation keeps the action moving rapidly. Evalyn Knapp and Evelyn Brent share the feminine honours, the former as his distinctly unworldy secretary, and the other as his fiancee and "luck charm." It is a tale of adventure into the realms of "high finance," and as a confirmed muddler but inveterate "financier," Powell supplies plenty of laughs. George Sidney, whose stage and field work as Cohen in "The Cohens and Kellys" has made him famous, is seen here with his typical humour, cast as a real financier who seems like an angel to the muddling but ambitious Gar Evans and his sweetheart. A strong supporting cast is attached to "Hiprh Pressure." John Wray, Guy Kibbee. Frank McHugh, Polly Walters and Luis Alberni take the lesser roles. . "EAST LYNNE." The powerful drama, "East Lynne," «-as produced in the Scots Hall last night by Miss Donna Voorhees and her company of players. Local artiste gave an excellent version of the portrayals that have zone to make the fame of some of the world's greatest theatrical names. As Richard Hare, Xoel Hams gave a fine performance, and Miss Rewa Nicholson, cast as a maid, was also worthy of notice. Francis Levison's suavity and cunning were well interpreted by Roy Gotts. As Archibald Carlyle, Thomas G. Moorcraft executed what was in effect a virtual charncter study of a famous role. Lord .Mount Severn was well done by Franklin Restall. while the part of Barbara Hare, Richard's sister, was well taken by Miss Wilson. The role of Lady Isabel Carlyle was interpreted by Miss Chapman-Smith, and that of Cornelia Carlyle received excellent treatment by Miss Voorhees herself. The staging and incidentals gave a hint that more than a passing knowledge of things theatrical was possessed by the producer. Miss Ida Loekwood was resnonsible for the music. The troupe announces that its next production will be "Killarney," an Irish comedy-drama. ROXY AND TIVOLI. The doings and tales of the famous type of human being known as the "travelling salesman" receive due emphasis in the comedy-drama "Travelling Husbands," which is now screening at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres, conjointly with a fine drama of the wild lumber lands of North West Canada, "Carnivai Boat." In "Travelling Husbands" there are four salesmen, all after just two things—sales and love. In either they are irresistible, and always obtain what they go after. There is a strong dramatic basis, but it has such a strong comic setting that it might well be called a comedy plain and simple. All the leading players contribute something in the line of humour to make the picture enjoyable. Frank McHugh, Hugh Herbert. Frank Albertson, Purnell Pratt, Spencer Charters, and Stanley Fields comprise the male side of the cast, while Evelyn Brent, Constance Cummings, Rita La Roy and Dorothy Peterson form the feminine half. In "Carnival Boat" William Boyd has the romantic lead, opposite petite "Ginger" Rogers, of "Suicide Fleet" lame. Hobart Bosworth and Fred Kohler head the supporting cast. HOSPITAL CONCERT. The weekly concert arranged by Mrs. Raeburn and Mr. A. Hamblin was given in Ward 4 of the Public Hospital last evening, under the direction of Miss Gladys Barton. The items consisted of songs, pianoforte solos, recitations, monologues and humorous selections. Those taking part were:—Misses-C. and V. Pope, E. Meredith, G. Barton, B. Balfe, P. Lind, O. Thomas, Messrs. T. G. Moorcraft. D. E. Thomas and Master B. Eccles. Miss Pope acted as accompanist. HAYDN'S "CREATION." In celebration of the bi-centenary of the birth of the famous Austrian composer, Joseph Haydn, the Auckland Choral Society will this evening present his immortal work, "Creation," in the Town Hall. A grand chorus and orchestra, under Mr. Colin Muston, will assist. Items will also be given by three soloists, Miss Winifred Hill, Mr. Arthur Ripley and Mr. Leu Barnes. NEVILLE CARLSEN REVUE COMPANY. A show was staged by the Neville Carlsen Revue Company in the Rocky Nook Bowling Club last evening, to a large audience of members and their wives and friends. The following contributed to the programme:—Mme. V. Paskell, Mesdames N. Carlsen and J. Holt. Misses M. Akerstin, J. Hiscott, D. and W. Lockwood, J. Watts, J. Boyd, J. Breere, J. Trainer, J. Tucker, D. Lawson, W. Katterns, Messrs. K. Smith, W. Audain, F. R. Shaw, E. Parkinson, W. Baker, J. Holt, J. Davey, J. O'Kane, L. Porter, N. Carlsen and Master A. Parkinson. Mrs. Holt was accompanist. Proceeds were in aid of the club. To-night the troupe is providing' an entertainment at the Mount Eden and Mount Roskill Ex-Ser-vicemen's Club.

"SYMPHONY OF SIX MILLIONS." Commencing to-day, the Plaza will offer Auckland's picture-goers something in the way of a dramatic treat that has not had its equal for a long time. For sheer intensity of purpose and execution, "Symphony of Six Millions," telling as it does the saga of life and conditions of living among the great masses of a large city's poorer quarters, would be extremely difficult to excel. Ricardo Cortez receives the greatest opportunity of his career in this film, and to judge by all reports t'r.oni overseas critics, his work does more than full justice to his selection for the leading and central role. It is the story of his fight with himself for the courage to do for his own father what he had already done for thousands of others, having, incidentally, earned himself the joys of wealth and a beautiful fiancee. Irene Dunne plays this latter role, and her record in films is no mean one. The part of the father has been given special mention by several critics. Gregory Katoff takes this characterisation. Noel or Nat Madison, whom Australian and l*ew Zealand stage-goers know well as the son of Maurice Moscoviteh, has an important role as Magnus Klauber, elder brother of the leading figure. Anna Appel, Lita Chevret and Helen Freeman complete the cast of players. NATIONAL THEATRE. The clever and entertaining comedy, 1 "The Heart, of New York," featuring several established funsters (Smith and Dale, George Sidney, etc.), concludes its season at the National Theatre to-night, being replaced to-morrow by the splendid comedy-drama "The Expert," in which "Chic" Sale portrays another human role of the type that made him a firm- favourite for his work in Jackie Cooper's "When a Feller Needs a Friend." In "The Expert he is supported by lovable little Dickie Moore, the youngest fully-fledged star in the .world, who has already been seen in Auckland in such pictures as "Aloha, "The Star Witness," and "The Squaw Man." Lois Wilson, whose many important screen roles include "The Covered Wagon," "Seed" and "The Rid/jr of Death Valley." has the female lead in this picture. The story is by Edna i erber. who wrote "Cimarron," "Show Boat and "So Big," all of which made "hits in the "talkie" versions. The supporting cast includes Noel Francis, Ralf Harolde, Earle Foxe, Adrienne Dore and May Boley. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. The first time on either stage or screen in which John and Lionel Barrymore were cast together in one production occurred when the French mystery drama "Arsene Lupin" wae filmed. This fine piece of entertainment, with Laurel and Hardy s "Helpmates," will be shown at the Crystal Palace Theatre to-night. LONDON THEATRE. To-day affords the final opportunity of seeing one of John Galsworthy's bestknown novels in its screen version—"The Skin Game"—at the London. The change of programme to-morrow will introduce Sydney Howard's riotous comedy, "Tilly of Bloomsbury," in which Phylise Konstam has the title role. COMMUNITY SINGING. Mr. Vernon T. Drew will conduct the community singing at the Lewis Eady Hall to-morrow evening at 7.30. The popularity of these gatherings is proved by the fact that attendances have lately taxed the capacity of the hall.

STRAND THEATRE. Such is the appeal of a really good English picture that it has been decided to continue screening "Frail Women" at the Strand for a third week, a feat only accomplished by "The Man Who Played God," and by films of a similar standard. "Frail Women" is a triumph of direction and line acting by Edmund Gwenn, Owen Naree, and Mary Newcomb, three of the best character artists on the English stage, who have recently given their art to the screen. Owen Nares has been seen here in "The Middle Watch," "The Skin Game," and other pictures, while Edmund Gwenn's supporting has been seen in many a stellar film. It should prove quite successful over an extended ser.son. The lle "',,T ict "' -e to be introduced at the end of Frail Women's" unusual run will be the latest vehicle for Ann Harding, "Westward Passage," in which she is cast opposite Laurence Olivier, the brilliant young hnnlish actor. Supporting players include /asu Pitts, Irving Pichel, Nance O'Neill, Donald Reed and Juliette Compton. "BLUE ROSES." Cyril Ritchard and Madge Elliott continue to delight theatre-going Aucklanders with their dancing and singing in the musical comedy, "Blue Rosas." Some ot their most popular songs have preceded them from Australia, such as "Let's Be Sentimental," which has been heard here for months past. The whole story and production of "Blue Roses" is a welcome diversion. Leo Franklyn, Frank Leighton and Cecil Kellaway are especially ffocxl in supporting parts, while Alathca Siddons is outstanding among the feminine cast.