AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 225, 22 September 1932, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

STRAND THEATRE. What is undoubtedly and unhesitatingly one of the finest triumphs of the motion picture industry was screened initially to patrons of the Strand Theatre yesterday under the title of "The Impassive footman." In reviews of new films, Press critics seldom give themselves to the use of superlatives, but this British product certainly warrants the very best notice. Splendidly balanced with regard to humour and humorous situations, having just enough of the dramatic tone to make the picture definitely a drama without emphasising sordidness or clandestine love affairs, the film cannot be criticised adversely in any line of attack whatsoever. The photography, which, in some instances, provides amazingly vivid effects, is uniformly high-class, novel interpretations being introduced at numerous junctures. Keally good British photography, and treatment has, in the opinion of most keen judges, always been eve.ry bit as clever as Hollywood's best; and there is no doubt as to the quality of "The Impassive Footman." Owen Nares is one of the finest of British actors, whose type of portrayal is known to local picture-goers through John Galsworthy's "Escape," "The Middle Watch," "Frail Women," and other films. Betty Stockfield, a beautiful and promising young actress from Sydney, N.S.W., has a strong role in the feminine lead, while George Curzon, in the title-role, provides a piece of work that is quite as good as any single study within remembrance. Altogether, the film is one for which a great deal can be claimed without violating the rule of avoiding unwarranted superlatives. In the course qi the story, which is in itself, a triumph of conciseness and reasoned orderliness, several excellent studies are seen of a hospital operating-room, correct down to the minutest detail, with the methods followed out during a delicate and dangerous spinal operation. Particularly noticeable is the presentation of the exact moment when the patient goes under the influence of the anaesthetic. NATIONAL THEATRE. Bellowing pistols, cracking whips, wild riding—the roaring West turned inside out in a whirlwind of screen action. That is the sort of excitement upon which the great cowboy star, Tom Mix, comes back to the screen. "Destry Rides Again" is the title of this highly exciting film, and it will open at the Theatre today. The popular Max Brand novel of a wildcat cowboy who was framed to prison by a ring of unscrupulous politicians and who emerged from the bars years later, to pay his debt to each member of the jury, is a perfect vehicle. for the virile cowpuncher. " Tom Mix seems destined to bring back to motion pictures the dynamite action that they need so badly. His reputed one million fan letters will probably grow into many millions before 1932 is out. The pictorial excellence of the picture is enhanced by one of th« prettiest leading ladies in Hollywood—blonde Claudia Dell, and the Texas beauty distinguished herself in the . "Ziegfeld Follies" before screendom claimed her. Earle Foxe and Stanley Fields are convincing villains, and Francis Ford, Frederick Howard and Edward • Peale all contribute to the completeness of the picture. Tony, Mix's wonder horse and inseparable pal of many a "movie" campaign, is back, too, and even he may prove to be smarter, more alert and agile by reason of his circus experience during his master's long and severe illness. PLAZA THEATRE. Owing to the non-arrival of the film in the Dominion at the expected time, "Michael and Mary," the fine British picture advertised to commence a season at the Plaza to-day, will not be screened as arranged. The past week's programme, consisting of a double bill, with Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes story, "The Sign of Four," and a comedy-drama entitled "The Lame Dog Inn Mystery, will be screened again this evening. A change of programme will take place tomorrow, the featured film being "No Greater Love," which is the tale of a great devotion between an endearing child and a lovable old man. Dickie Moore, who scored so noticeably in similar roles in "When a Feller Needs a Friend," "The Expert" and "The Star Witness" (all with "Chic" Sale), has - another typical part to play in "No Greater Love." Beryl Mercer. Hobart Bosworth (of "Fanny Foley Herself," and "The Miracle Man ), Richard Bennett (of "Bought," and countless other fine character roles), and ' Alexander Carr, are among the well-known , names that have the chief parts in this entertaining film. i

ROXY AND TIVOLI. The new film which commenced a season at both the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres yesterday was "War Correspondent," a gripping, tale of mystery, drama and romance among the dire perils of the Chinese civil wars. Jack Holt and Ralph Graves are once more co-starred in this film, marking another vehicle for that memorable pair who made such successful appearances in "Hell's Island," "Submarine," "Flight," and "Dirigible." Five hundred Chinese, the largest number of Orientals ever to be collected in one picture, arc employed in "War Correspondent," which features Holt as a heroic soldier-of-fortune aviator, fighting for one side in the civil -war, and proving himself to be their "ace" flyer, while Graves is cast as 1933 radio broadcasting war correspondent, who conducts a beautiful romance with lovely little Lila Lee. This popular actress was also starred in "Flight" and "Radio Patrol"—in which she made an all-sufficient "come-back" after two years' absence from the screen. She has a fine role in "War Correspondent," of which she makes the utmost. For genuine Oriental effect Tom Cubbins, the Mayor of Los Angeles' Chinatown, and an authority on Chinese life and customs, was retained at the studios as technical director. LONDON THEATRE. Elissa Landi in a romance, "Children of Chance," and Leslie Fuller, in a riotous comedy from English studios, "Old Soldiers Never Die," will be the leading figures in to-night's entertainment at the London Theatre. The change of programme to-morrow will be headed by another fine comedy, "Night Work." HOSPITAL CONCERT. The weekly concert arranged by Mrs. Raeburn and Mr. A. Hamblin was given in Ward 28 of the Public Hospital on Wednesday evening. The programme was given by Mrs. and Miss Kathleen Boyle's junior concert party. A special entertainment provided was a, pantomime, "The Old Woman Who Lived In a Shoe." # A fine performance was given to the enjoyment of the patients, a large number from other wards being present. Those taking part were:—Mr. E. Luks, Misses Boyle, J. McAlpine, V. Payne, K. Boyle, J. Beattio, H. Coney, M. Edwards, J. Chapman, T. Peterson, P. Dalton, P. Christmas, M. Jeffers. P. Macken, <T. Martin, Master N. Mathieson and J. Mathieson. Miss K. Boyle acted as director and Mrs. Boyle as accompanist.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. The attributes that made Rebecca one of the best-loved characters of literature are said to have fitted Marion Nixon for her role in the talking-film version of "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm," which reaches the screen of St. James' Theatre to-morrow. Like "the Rebecca who sprang from the creative brain of Kate Douglas Wiggin, creator of the original story, Misa Nixon possesses all the qualities which make for an interesting and lovable personality. She takes intense pride in her work, is considerate of others, and has a genuine friendliness and interest in people that has won her countless friends both as an actress of ability and as a private individual. Despite her youth, Miss Nixon has been in motion pictures as long as most of the present-day stars, yet it was only a year ago that her own career shifted into high gear. Beginning with "Charlie Chan's Chance," Marian Nixon has been moving ever since towards tho heights. "After To-morrow," with Frank Borzage directing and Charles Farrell as the hero, was a long upward zoom, and her recently completed task, "Amateur Daddy," in which she appears opposite Warner Baxter, was another lift. Her latest production, "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm," is a down-to-the-moment version of Mary Pickford's best remembered vehicle. Ralph Bellamy, whose rapid rise to screen fame includes featured roles in "Surrender," "Disorderly Conduct," and "Dangerous Years," will be seen opposite Marian Nixon in "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm." ' Ealph Bellamy has his first entirely sympathetic and .romantic role of his screen career in the famous character of Dr. Adam Ladd. "PRIVATE LIVES." One of the funniest of the many Noel Coward triumphs, "Private Lives," which had record seasons on the London and New York stage, will be shown in the film version at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres this evening. Norma Shearer and Robert Montgomery take the main roles of Amanda and Elyot, with Reginald Denny and Una Merkel in the two chief supporting roles. This picture is of the sparkling, witty type of comedy, providing really enjoyable entertainment. MYSTERY DRAMA. This evening in the Avondale Town Hall, Senor T. A. Carle and his SpanishAmerican Players, will present the Cuban mystery drama. "El Besa de la Muerte" ("The Kiss of Death"), which will be preceded by the brief and breezy farce, "Doomed at Dawn." A dance for patrons will follow. ROUSHWORTH'S SKATING RINK. Roushworth's Skating Rink, Khyber Pass Road, will hold, on October 4, a special entertainment, for which many elaborate arrangements have been made. : Novelties and unexpected events will be introduced. The management has decided to play the jazz band every night, and also on Saturday afternoons, in view of the increased patronage.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. The giant apes and the little pygmies of Central Africa hold forth in all their ferocity in Mr. and Mrs. Martin Johnson's new film, "Congorilla," which opens a. season at the Majestic Theatre to-day. This picture, the first sound film ever to come out of Africa, is replete with thrills as encountered hy these two intrepid explorers on their recent safari into the Belgian Congo, and the previously unexplored Itura Forest, the " land of the pygmies. The camera and microphone have succeeded in capturing these small, weird people in their native song, dances and tribal rites as well as the giant gorilla, screaming and beating his hairy chest as he engages in mortal combat and attempts to elude his enemy, man. "Congorilla" was filmed and recorded in its entirety in the very heart of the Dark Continent. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson spent over two years away from civilisation making this remarkable film. Pictorial beauty unprecedented is presented, for instance, in a view near Lake Albert, where literally billions of fla'mingoes are seen and heard. The biggest thrill, however, was furnished by the sudden face-to-face adventure with fighting gorillas, ferociously fighting hand-to-hand, screaming hysterically, within 20 feet of the camera. LYRIC THEATRE. The clever acting and appealing romance of Robert Montgomery is combined with the feminine appeal of Madge Evans in "Lovers Courageous," the main film n6w screening at the Lyric Theatre, Upper Symonds Street. To-morrow's change of programme will introduce the latest historical character study by George Arliss— "Alexander Hamilton." GALLI-CURCI. The world-famous Italian coloratura soprano, Mme. Amelita Galli-Curci, has acquiesced to the hundreds of demands from the Auckland public to give another concert in His Majesty's Theatre, this time on Saturday evening. She will present an entirely new selection of songs, with the exception of two to be given by request. These are "Lo, Here the Gentle Lark!" and the "Shadow Song" from "Dinorah." Mr._ Homer. Samuels will officiate at the piano, and Mr. Raymond Williams on the flute. "THE GREAT ADVENTURE." Arnold Bennett's fine comedy-drama in four acts, "The Great Adventure," will be presented in the Town Hall Concert Chamber for three nights commencing September 29, as the Little Theatre Society's third production for the year. It is a "different" play as regards the two principals, and when it is remembered that they were favourite parts of Marie Tempest and Graham Brown, it can be imagined that to cast amateurs in such roles was very daring.