AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 243, 13 October 1932, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. To-day's introduction at the Majestic is "Night Court," a strong drama that deals with the hopeless predicament of a young couple madly in »Jove with each other, and yet unable to follow the usual course of romance owing ' to a surrounding network of "graft" and crime, which comes into their lives through no fault of their own. A splendid cast of players has been chosen to portray the principal roles. First there is Phillips Holmes, the brilliant young actor who came to the fore in "An America Tragedy," followed with several small leads, and then in the lead in "The Broken Lullaby," in which he set new standards for dramatic work in Hollywood. Walter Huston, who is cast as Judge Moffett, did splendid work in

"The Wet Parade," "Law and Order," I and Others. Lewis Stone was seen prominently in "Mata Hari," "The Bargain," and most of Greta Garbo'a former pictures. Anita Page, who has not been seen since "The Broadway Melody" and "Our Blushing Bi-ides," has the feminine lead, being aided by Mary Carlisle. Tully Marshall, a powerful supporting player, is responsible for a good characterisation is Grogan, while the inseparable Jean Hersholt and John Miljan, seen together In "Are You Listening?" and "Hell Divers," also have prominent parts in the cast. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. In "Emma," which is now showing at St. James' .Theatre, Marie Dressier gives to the "screen another of those brilliant dramatic characterisations which first surprised iilmgoers when she deserted comedy to play Martha in "Anna Christie," and which in "Min and Bill" won her the Academy award for the outstanding feminine performance of the year. Miss Dressier has a . unique dramatic situation in "Emma," and she handles it with all the skill, the sympathy, and the adroit combination of humour and pathos which audiences have come to expect of this distinguished actress. The story places her as the housekeeper in the home of a millionaire inventor whose wife has died and whose children have come to look upon Emma as a second mother. The work of the supporting cast leaves nothing j to be desired. Richard Cromwell, as the youngest son who remains loyal to his stepmother, gives a performance which even outshines his effective work in "Tol'able David." Jean Hersholt as the millionaire is. as usual, sympathetic and convincing. Excellent work is also done bv the attractive Myrna Loy, John Miljan, Purnell B. Pratt, Leila Bennett, Barbara Kent, and Kathryn Crawford. ROXY AND TIVOLI. Splendid Wild West adventure and a considerable amount of the popular "ghost" element go to the make-up of the stirring picture now screening at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. This is Tom Keehe's "Ghost Valley," in which the hero performs deeds of great valour in routing a band of desperate criminals from a deserted old mansion where they have been creating local belief in black magic and things supernatural through their nefarious activities and the credulity of the villagers. Another film is screening with "Ghost Valley." It is "Ladies of the Jury," the second recent talking picture vehicle for Edna May Oliver, who is a regular artist in light comedy and farce. Her entertaining behaviour as a female juror in this production affords a fine study in such acting. She has the able assistance of Roeco Ates, the famous stuttering comedian whose type of entertainment has proved exceedingly popular in such films as "Politics," "The Rainbow Trail," and many others.

STRAND THEATRE. Commencing on Saturday, ii new picture will replace the "Paris" revival at the Strand Theatre, where Jack Buchanan, Irene Bordoni, and Pitt's have been amusing audiences for the past week. The new release is announced as George Bancroft's masterful interpretation of the novel "Red Harvest," under the title of "The World and the Flesh." It is said to draw an extremely vivid and authentic picture of the new Russia as created by the Bolsheviks. Life under the Soviets has many facets from which to view it, and these are given their due prominence in "The World and the Flesh." The star of the film, George Bancroft, was last seen in a milder role in the film version of "Dombey and Son," called "Rich Man's Folly," while the feminine star, Miriam Hopkins, is the girl who made her name in such productions as "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," "The Smiling Lieutenant," "Dancers' in the Dark," and others. NATIONAL THEATRE. After the finish of Ruth Chatterton's latest dramatic picture at the National Theatre * to-day another film which has already done great business- in the city will be introduced. This is the first Australian talkie to be screened in Auckland,

i "The Sentimental Bloke," in which Cecil ' Scott and charming Ray Fisher portray 1 the "Bloke" and Doreen in the film version of the famous poem by C. J. Dennis. "The Sentimental Bloke" is familiar to us via the book, the stage play, the silent screen, and now the •talkies. A fine caet of well-known Australasian favourites portrays the chief supporting roles of "Uncle," " 'Erb," "Arty," "Ma," "Ginger Mick," and all those others who have gone to make the tale so popular. LONDON THEATRE. To-day will see the final screening of "Paradise Island" at the London Theatre, which it has been enjoying considerable success. To-morrow's dual programme includes "The School For Scandal" and Leslie Pullet's riotous English comedy, "To-night's the Night—Pass It On." CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. Two modern dramas will be screened this evening at the Crystal Palace Theatre, Mount Eden. They are "The Easiest Way," featuring Constance Bennett and Robert Montgomery with Jean Hersholt, Adolph Menjou, Clark Cable and Marjorie Rambeau, together with "Hollywood Speaks," which is said to be the true story of the rise of a Hollywood star to fame. Genevieve Tobin plays this central r01e,,, with, Pat O'Brien as her leading man^' AEOLIAN ORCHESTRA. The third concert of the eleventh season of the Aeolian Orchestra will be held in the Lewis Eady Hall this evening. A most interesting programme has been arranged. LEX. MacDONALD'S VISIT. The sensational young Dunedin-born boy soprano, Master Lex. Mac Donald, who. has now capped a highly successful* Australian tour (during which he received the highest fee ever paid to a radio artist in the Commonwealth) with a concert in Wellington, will be heard in Auckland three times this month. He will open the season in the Town Hall on October 15. i

CATHOLIC REPERTORY SOCIETY. Four plays will be presented in the initial production of the Auckland Catholic Repertory Society, wSich is to be given in the Town Hall Concert Chamber to-morrow evening, and again on Saturday. The plays are as follows: "The Marriage of St. Francis" (Henri Gheon), "The Golden Doom" (Lord Dunsany), "Cathleen ni Houlihan" (W. B. Yeats), and "The Coffee Stall" (M. E. Forward). Mr. Gaston Mervale is the producer, and a fine cast has been selected.