AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 224, 21 September 1932, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. To-day and to-morrow will be the final two days for the screening of the Laurel and Hardy comedy "The. County Hospi* tal" and the Helen Twelvetrees vehicl# "Unashamed" at the St. .Tames' Theatre. Helen Twelvetrees is ably supported in by Robert Young, Jean Hersholt-, John Miljan, and a strong cast of players. The new release listed for Friday at the St. James' Theatre k "Rebecca of Sunny brook Farm," a strong romance of the delightful ethereal type such as was seen and enjoyed in "Seventh. Heaven," "Daddy Long-legs," and "The Amateur Daddy.' In fact, Janett Gay nor was almost persuaded to take the titlo role in this film, other pressing work •being her reason for not accepting .the engagement. As it happens, Marion Nixon, a beautiful little heroine, was cast in that role, and according to all. reports she acquits herself very creditably. She had her last big role opposite Warner Baxter in "The Amateur Daddy, taken from the novel "Scotch ."Valley.' Ralph Bellamy, who has been seen recently in quite a numbe* ot pictures, including "Dangerous Years," has a strong role in the male lead opposite Miss. Nixon. Mae Marsh, whose first' film reappearance since her historic "Intolerance" and "Hie Birth of a Nation" was "Over the Hill (screened here recently), gives another powerful portrayal in "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm." Louise Closser Hale, who has the reputation of being perhaps Hollywood's most confirmed "stealer of the acting honours in a picture, is also given an impressive role. The picture is one which may be enjoyed iby old and young alike, bringing pleasure. and entertainment to all. , s CIVIC THEATRE.

Many gripping scenes and thrills are included in the course of the successful air adventure film now screening at the Civic Theatre. The vivid stunts of practised air pilots and their reckless daring are well illustrated in this powerful story, whose human appeal is as strong as is its adventure side. Romance and human drama are given a welcome share in the film, while comedy receives excellent treatment throughout the story. . Jack Oakie provides plenty of this in his own carefree manner, while Richard Arlen and Virginia Bruce supply _ the romantic interest. The former is himself an experienced air pilot, and it is stated that he performs every one of the breathtaking stunts himself —a condition of affairs which does' not often exist in Hollywood. The Civic will introduce ou Friday a new. comedy with the title of "Million-dollar Legs," featuring a quartet of famous American comedy stars, W. C. Fields, Ben Turpin (of comics strip fame),* Jack Oakie, Hank Mann, and Andy Clyde, who have each spruced up many a film in good supporting comic roles, and they bring their - full artistry to the screen in this riotous, story of a salesman who, upon arriving..in an impoverished but athletically-minded country, proceeds to enter its champions in the Olympic Games, with' Hilarious results. The film is an excellent piece of entertainment, the type of which'is borne out by the following description: "It deals with a republic named Klopstokia, where all the men are named George and all the women Angela, and where : the president is the champion weight-lifter in the country."

REGENT THEATRE. " The clever comedy and subtlety of word,, gesture, and situation that go to make a success o£ the film now offering at the Regent Theatre—''Beauty and the Bosk"—will t>e lost to Auckland audience* after to-morrow, for the film concludes its season with the Thursday evening screening. Marian Marsh, who continues her brilliant career from "Svengali" and "The "Mad Genius" Cboth John Barrymore features), provides some of the most sparkling acting seen in many a day. the "church mouse" stenographer and secretary who blossoms forth into A thoroughly delightful and intriguing young lady, being very much sought after, «h« is responsible for. a portrayal, that is very near perfect. In connection with th« film the theatre is running a beauty contest, in which competitors are photographed at the expense of the management. Judging is by means- of -public voting on numbered, un-named screen slides released in the theatre.' The first prize is a fortnight's holiday .'in the North Island. Considerable interest has been aroused in this contest. Friday s change of programme at the Regent Theatre m "Alias the Doctor," in which Richard Barthelmese gives another portrayal of the type for which he has become famous. Marian Marsh, whose artistry has been pleasing Regent patrons dnrmg w* current season, will be -heading the supporting cast in the Barthelmess feature, together with Norman Foster, the handsome .young comic-romantic a/itor *4® waa last seen here in "Steady Company. NATIONAL THEATRE.

The entertaining comedy This Ie The Night," featuring Lily Damita, Charlie Ruggles, Roland Young, Thelma Todd, and Cary Grant, will conclude its successful extended season at the National Theatre to-day. The new picture for release to-morrow is the first 1932 production of Tom Mix and Tony, his wonder horse —"Destry Hides Again." Although "The Rider of Death Valley" was screened here before "Destry Rides Again it was actually the second picture _ Tom Mix made after his serious illness last December. He has now made five, according to latest Hollywood reports. Bellowing pistols, cracking whips, wild riding, hand-to-hand combat —are all included in the hundreds of thrills of "Destry Rides Again." Max Brand, author of the story, has turned out one of his beet tales of the Wild West, with which he is so familiar. The film is enhanced by the lovely presence of Claudia Dell, one of the film capitoFa prettiest leading ladies. She distinguished herself in the "Ziegfeld Follies" before ecreenland claimed her. Earle Fox.and Stanley Fields make convincing villains, while Francis Ford, Frederick Howard, and Edward Peale all contribute toward* the completeness of the picture.

STRAND THEATRE. A clever new British film is announced as commencing a screening season at the Strand Theatre to-day. This is "The Impassive Footman," starring Betty Stockfield, the young Sydney-born actress, who was featured in "City of Soiig," "77, Park Lane," "Captivation" and "Money for Nothing." She is cast with Owen Nares, one of England's outstanding stage figures, who has turned recently to th« wider field of the talking screen. Hi* work in "The Woman Between," "The Middle Watch," "Frail Women" and others will be 'well remembered. "The Impassive Footman is a product of Associated Radio Pictures, which are under the direction of Basil Dean. • Some of their .products screened here are "Sally in Our Alley," "The Marriage Bond," "Frail Women, m and "The Sign of Four." The plot in "The Impassive Footman" comes from a tale by "Sapper." 1 ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY. Commemorating the centenary of the passing of Sir Walter Scott, the St. Andrew's Society will this evening present in the Scots Hall a programme of selections from the works of the great Scottish bard, including extracts from "Guy Mannering," "Bob Roy," "The Lady of the Lake" and "The Heart of Midlothian." Mr. Tom Harris and soloists, also the Scottish Double Quartet will render items. The Civic Orchestra, under,Mf. Harold Baxter, will play an overture from "Lucia di Lammermoor." The entertainment will be under the pafcroaageof Mayor of Auckland, Mr. G. W. Hutch*™RIVOLI SKATING RINK. Included in t°r a jz b £fn ont-mile Rivoli Skating Kink ju jj challenge race (BiU Uarr « muglfia l Cup holder, ?ent i eme n, squares for trill be «upand a Monte Carw- ]{ Band The pHed by ofthe "Vice Vei*a iequeßt) wiU held on October i.