AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 208, 2 September 1932, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE. Helen Hayes, the newest queen o£ the tallies, makes her second screen appearance in the feminine lead in "Arrowsmith," Samuel Goldwyn's picture version of the master novel by [Sinclair Lewis, which comes to the Regent Theatre to-day. Already acknowledged to be one of the most eminent actresses on the American stage after her triumph in '"Coquette" four years ago, Mies Hayes' first picture, "The Sin of Madelon Glaudet," was such a sensation that Samuel Goldwyn immediately signed her to play the leading lady of this latest triumph of his. "Arrowsmith" is additionally notable in the fact that it gives Ronald Colman hie first American role. Although he has been one of the screen's most eminent stars for nearly ten years, his previor.. roles have always been English or iiuror— n, in such successes as "Bulldog Di'ummond," "Raffles," and "The Magic Hame." In the character of Martin Arrowsmith lie plays a "orilliant young doctor born in America and battling his way through prejudice and difficulties to the top of the scientific world, risking his life to battle disease among savage negroes, sacrificing everything to his passion for science. Besides Miss Hayes in "Arrowsmith," Ronald Colman is supported by such famous players as Richard Bennett, A. ]£. Anson, Charlotte Henry, Russell Hopton, David Landau, Claude King, De Witt Jennings, Beulah Bondi, and Myrna Loy. The picture was directed by John Ford, the maker of "The Iron Horse." MAJESTIC THEATRE. Comedy runs throughout the programme introduced for a season commencing last evening at the Majestic Theatre. Except for one supporting item, a splendid South American travelogue, there are laughs in plenty to be had. The main picture, "High Pressure" is essentially a product of the "slapstick" variety, but it also incorporates plenty of subtlety and comical situations, not relying solely for humour upon its dialogue. William Powell is the central figure, but it is a new William Powell such as the screen has not seen since the days when "Interference" gave its fine entertainment to the public. George Sidney supplies more of the peculiar and enjoyable type of wit that he lias made famous in hie role as the Cohen in "The Cohens and the Kellys," but even his farcical behaviour does not overshadow the performance of William Powell. This actor is not in tlie least reminiscent of the smooth lady-killer who took the villain's part in "The -Road To Singapore" and other melodramas. He is bright and cheery, carries a comic meaning in every word and look, and altogether disproves the old stage adage that an emotional actor cannot make a success of a comedy role or vice versa. As his beautiful, but very practical fiancee, whose nearness he regards aa absolutely essential to his financial success, Evelyn Brent has an excellent part, of which she makes the most opportunity. His very romantic secretary, who has a hard time trying to persuade lier boy friend not to arrange for their marriage immediately, is well portrayed by Evalyn. Knapp. The plot centres round an attempt to produce artificial rubber from sewage, and many are the comical situations into which these unfortunate promoters are catapulted by the intricacies of the great Stock Exchange gamble which they take part in. The whole picture serves as an excellent antidote against tax-paying worries and wage cuts, for the spirit of its comedy is convincing. The Majestic is screening a well-arranged supporting programme. One of the best items is a visit to South America by air, land and river. Some beautiful scenes of the harbour of Rio de Janeiro, of the Parana River by moonlight, and of the greatest cataract and falls—twice the height and length of Niagara—in the world are shown. I here is also a clever comedy which relates the hilarious adventures of an impatient husband and wife who become very much lost m a drapery store sale Ilenty of fun abounds in this short, but well-planned item. A "Merry Melody" cartoon entitled "Freddie and Freshman" is also screened. Finally there is a most unusual composition, "Subway Symphony "< introducing a beautiful musical scena. Rhythm of the Wheels," with full ballet and chorus.

PLAZA THEATRE. It is seldom that the regular picture-goer hails a film as a real masterpiece—there is always some one thing that detracts from that classification. But, after seeing Symphony of Six Millions" at the Plaza one must ungrudgingly admit that here is a him truly worthy to be in the small masterpiece class. Here is a simple story of a child's all-absorbing ambition, his rise to fame, his transference from the slums P° P ar k Avenue, his failure in the high ideal set himself, and his eventual glorious redemption of that ideal. It is all so splend>ly faithful to life, so absolutely gripping in its sincerity, this long screening of a family story, that even the most blase lose all thought of time and place in following the careers, not only of the great surgeon into -which the little boy has grown, but of the -whole family—so typical of the race. One scene in the film is a real photographic triumph. The audience is literally carried away by the picturisation of the great operating theatre, wonderful in its accuracy, and the first big failure of a man who has grown great by his own gifts. As the youth who develops into the famous Dr. Klauber, Ricardo Cortez rises to heights far greater than he achieved in the heyday of the silent film. The "Symphony" is -undoubtedly his masterpiece; he is the skilled surgeon in -his demeanour, in his every action. And yet, as a character study, this film produces a still greater triumph. Anna Appel, as the mother who has lived for her son's success, is the real "star" of the story. She is so completely human, so perfectly true to that type of which there are so many thousands in real life, that one follows her every action with laughter or with choking emotion. Gregory Katoff, aa the father, becomes the typical Jew tailor, and Noel Madison as the other son, presents an equally good _ type of young Hebrew, with the business instinct for exploiting financially the genius of ihis brother. As Jessica, the lame teacher of a Braille class, Irene Dunn is well cast in a part mainly incidental to the story. The supporting programme, especially the delightful burlesque ,by the Maskers' Club, is of high quality, but it is forgotten in the recollection of what is undoubtedly a film doubly stamped with the mark of genius—in production and in acting. "Symphony of Six Millions" is of a type all too seldom screened. TO-NIGHT'S CHANGES. Four theatres in the city will introduce firet-release pictures on to-day's programme change. They are the Regent, _ where Ronald Colman's "Arrowsmith" is featured; the Civic, where the "talkie" version of "The Miracle Man" is being screened; the St. James', where Victor McLaglen is to be seen in "While Paris Sleeps"; and finally the National, which is. offering a delightful comedy-drama, "The Expert," in which "Chic" Sale, Dickie Moore and Lois Wilson take the leading roles. The Plaza and Majestic changed programmes last evening, and the Roxy and Tivoli on Tuesday. "BLUE ROSES" MATINEE. The second and final matinee of the J. C. Williamson "Blue Roses" Company in His Majesty's Theatre will be given to-morrow afternoon. Madge Elliott and Cyril Ritchard head a company composed of Cecil Kellaway. Leo. Franklyn, Frank Leighton, Mary Digby, Alathe'a Siddons, Arthur Cornell, Jean' Duncan, etc. When "Blue Roses" season ends on Tuesday night the company will present another musical comedy, "Follow Through." CHARITY ENTERTAINMENT. A charity entertainment was given in the Peerless Theatre, St. Helier's Bay, on Monday evening by the St. Vincent de Paul Society, in conjunction with a concert party from H.M.s. Dunedin. The programme consisted of an overture by Mr. H. Dunn's orchestra, a one-act play ("By Arrangement"), an Oriental mystery item, Hawaiian melodies (instrumental) by Mr. G. Robcke, violin solos by Mr. Horricks, a fine humorous item by Mr. Sharman and songs by Mrs. J. R. Franchi, Messrs. O. Nadzki, Thomas, Torrens, I Walker and Miss Dunn. J