AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 246, 17 October 1932, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

PLAZA'S "SUNSHINE SUSIE."

A wonderful response marked Auckland's appreciation of the treat promised and fulfilled in. the screening of the infectiously happy picture, "Sunehine Susie," at the Plaza Theatre, where it opened what is predicted to be «. longrun eeason on Friday. The showing of this film also marks the initial film in a permanent all-British policy for : that particular theatre. It will be followed by such products as "The Ghost Train." and "Michael and Mary." The star of "'Sunshine Susie" ie indisputably Renate Muller, a player who had the highest honours which the musical world had to offer on the Continent of Europe, both on stage and screen. Her greatest desire was to "crash" the gates of the Englishspeaking world, so with that end in view , she set herself to learn the difficult language of Britons. She was then cast in Gainsborough's production of this picture, with Owen Nares, one of England's bulwarks in screen (or stage) work, and Jack Hulbert, another famous light comedy star whose talents axe practically unknown to New Zealand fikngoers. Also playing an important role in "Sunehine Susie" is Morris Harvey, who. has numerous fine characterisations to hie credit. He, too, joins in the spirit of fun which- seeme to pervade the entire picture. STRAND THEATRE. The powerful acting of George Bancroft is the dominant note in the Strand Theatre's new film. "The World and the Flesh," which was introduced on Saturday. The picture tells a gripping story of life in Soviet Russia, with the etory centring round the adventures of a beautiful dancer aifd an erstwhile slave during the tumultuous days of the Red Revolution of 1917, when even the world's greatest war stood still for a while to watch the terrific conflict ■within the borders of one country. The story deals with the sacrifice made by a Russian dancer in order to save her life and the lives of others who are in the power of a Russian rebel Miriam Hopkins appears as the dancer and George Bancroft portrays the Red leader. She is one of the many fleeing from the revolution to a haven of safety. They all fall into the hands of the plunderers. Tho arrival of the Cossacks means the reversal of the situation. But not for long. While at sea, bound for the port where they are to be made prisoners, the revolutionaries break free and gain control of the : ship. The dancer's trick to hold the rebel leader's attention, while the compass is tampered with and the ship headed for a noint of safety, fails and everyone on board is preparing to meet the flying squad. Having promised to save the dancer from this fate, and finding appeals to the authorities of do avail, the rebel and his men rescue her from prison by a ruse, and after another brush with the officials break through to safety. There is an interesting programme of supporting features, including the latest newsreels. MAYFAIR CABARET. The first "Hikers' Dance" to be held in New Zealand will take place at the Mayfair Cabaret, Karangahape Road, this evening. Several novelty dancee will Lβ introduced, and special renderings of the latest dance numbers will be introduced, including the newly-established song, "I'm Happy When I'm Hiking." AMATEUR COMPETITIONS. Three finals will be held this evening in the revived amateur competitions in the West End Theatre. Ponsonby. ' The school choir section will also be represented by 30 voices from the Vermont Street school. MUNICIPAL BAND. Under the baton of Bandmaster George Buckley, the Auckland Municipal Band presented an enjoyable programme of music in the Zoological Park yesterday . afternoon. Sunday evening's performance in Albert Park was postponed owing to the unsuitable weather. • ■ :